Carbon nanotube/metal oxide dispersed poly(ortho‐aminophenol) as a ternary nanocomposite film: Facile electrosynthesis,surface characterization,and electrochemical pseudocapacitive performance

In this work, CNT‐NiCo₂O₄ was first synthesized via a chemical strategy in order to fabricate the ternary nanocomposite of a p‐type conductive polymer. Subsequently, hybrid poly(o‐aminophenol) POAP/CNT‐NiCo₂O₄ ternary composite films were prepared via the electropolymerization of POAP in the presence of CNT‐NiCo₂O₄ to be used in electrochemical storage devices as the active electrode. Electrochemical analyses including galvanostatic charge–discharge experiments, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were conducted to study the system performance. Furthermore, surface analyses were carried out to characterize the POAP/CNT‐NiCo₂O₄ composite film. Novel nanocomposite materials with the merits of extraordinarily high active surface area, ease of fabrication, and superior stability in aqueous electrolytes are presented for use in electrochemical redox capacitors.     

Multi‐instrument characterization of the surfaces and materials in microfabricated,carbon nanotube‐templated thin layer chromatography plates. An analogy to ‘The Blind Men and the Elephant’

We apply a suite of analytical tools to characterize materials created in the production of microfabricated thin layer chromatography plates. Techniques used include X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), valence band spectroscopy, time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) in both positive and negative ion modes, Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS), and helium ion microscopy. Materials characterized include: the Si(100) substrate with native oxide: Si/SiO₂, alumina (35 nm) deposited as a diffusion barrier on the Si/SiO₂: Si/SiO₂/Al₂O₃, iron (6 nm) thermally evaporated on the Al₂O₃: Si/SiO₂/Al₂O₃/Fe, the iron film annealed in H₂ to make Fe catalyst nanoparticles: Si/SiO₂/Al₂O₃/Fe(NP), and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) grown from the Fe nanoparticles: Si/SiO₂/Al₂O₃/Fe(NP)/CNT. The Fe films and nanoparticles appear in an oxidized state. Some of the analyses of the CNTs/CNT forests appear to be unique: (i) the CNT forest appears to exhibit an interesting ‘channeling’ phenomenon by RBS, (ii) we observe an odd–even effect in the SIMS spectra of C_n^‐ species for n = 1 – 6, with the n ≥ 6 ions showing a steady decrease in intensity, and (iii) valence band characterization of CNTs using X‐radiation is reported. Initial analysis of the CNT forest by XPS shows that it is 100 at.% carbon. After one year, only ca. 0.25 at.% oxygen is observed. The information obtained from the combination of the different analytical tools provides a more complete understanding of our materials than a single technique, which is analogous to the story of ‘The Blind Men and the Elephant’. The raw XPS and ToF‐SIMS spectra from this study will be submitted to Surface Science Spectra for archiving. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Shape‐Controlled Synthesis of NiCo2O4 Microstructures and Their Application in Supercapacitors

The shape‐controlled synthesis of NiCo₂O₄ microstructures through a facile hydrothermal method and subsequent calcinations was explored. By employing CoSO₄, NiSO₄, and urea as the starting reactants, flower‐like NiCo₂O₄ microstructures were obtained at 100 °C after 5 h without the assistance of any additive and subsequent calcination at 300 °C for 2 h; dumbbell‐like NiCo₂O₄ microstructures were prepared at 150 °C after 5 h in the presence of trisodium citrate and subsequent calcination at 300 °C for 2 h. The as‐prepared NiCo₂O₄ microstructures were characterized by X‐ray powder diffraction, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and (high‐resolution) transmission electron microscopy. Both the flower‐like and dumbbell‐like NiCo₂O₄ microstructures could be used as electrode materials for supercapacitors, and they exhibited excellent electrochemical performance, including high specific capacitance, good rate capability, and excellent long‐term cycle stability. Simultaneously, the shape‐dependent electrochemical properties of the product were investigated.     

Three‐Dimensional Nitrogen‐Doped Reduced Graphene Oxide–Carbon Nanotubes Architecture Supporting Ultrafine Palladium Nanoparticles for Highly Efficient Methanol Electrooxidation

A three‐dimensional (3D) nitrogen‐doped reduced graphene oxide (rGO)–carbon nanotubes (CNTs) architecture supporting ultrafine Pd nanoparticles is prepared and used as a highly efficient electrocatalyst. Graphene oxide (GO) is first used as a surfactant to disperse pristine CNTs for electrochemical preparation of 3D rGO@CNTs, and subsequently one‐step electrodeposition of the stable colloidal GO–CNTs solution containing Na₂PdCl₄ affords rGO@CNTs‐supported Pd nanoparticles. Further thermal treatment of the Pd/rGO@CNTs hybrid with ammonia achieves not only in situ nitrogen‐doping of the rGO@CNTs support but also extraordinary size decrease of the Pd nanoparticles to below 2.0 nm. The resulting catalyst is characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Catalyst performance for the methanol oxidation reaction is tested through cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry techniques, which shows exceedingly high mass activity and superior durability.     

Prussian Blue/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Hybrids: Synthesis,Assembly and Electrochemical Behavior

Prussian blue/carbon nanotube (PB/CNT) hybrids with excellent dispersibility in aqueous solutions were synthesized by adding CNTs to an acidic solution of Fe³⁺, [Fe(CN)₆]^3? and KCl. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV‐vis absorption spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were employed to confirm the formation of PB/CNT hybrids. The PB nanoparticles formed on the CNT surfaces exhibit a narrow size distribution and an average size of 40 nm. The present results demonstrate that the selective reduction of Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺ by CNTs is the key step for PB/CNT hybrid formation. The subsequent fabrication of the PB/CNT hybrid films was achieved by layer‐by‐layer technique. The thus‐prepared PB/CNT hybrid films exhibit electrocatalytic activity towards H₂O₂ reduction.     

NiCo2S4@碳纳米管构筑柔性薄膜电极的制备及其电化学性能

以浮动催化化学气相沉积致密超薄碳纳米管薄膜(CNTF)为基体,通过两步酸处理使薄膜内制备的碳纳米管(CNT)分开并赋予其活性官能团,CNTF由超疏水转变为超亲水性,然后在CNT表面生长均匀的前驱体包覆层,离子进入超亲水薄膜内部确保了高负载量,最后进行液相硫化制得NiCo_2S_4@碳纳米管构筑柔性薄膜(NiCo_2S_4@CNTF)电极。利用扫描电子显微镜、X射线衍射等对产物进行了表征,证明优化产物为NiCo_2S_4均匀包覆多壁CNT构筑而成的三维网状柔性复合薄膜,单根CNT的表面是NiCo_2S_4纳米粒子构成、厚度约70 nm的粗糙包覆层。该复合薄膜比电容达到270.3 mF·cm-2,即使在高电流密度2.5 mA·cm-2下充放电循环10 000次后仍保持很好的可逆性,电容保持率达93%,库伦效率持续稳定在92%附近;重复大变形(弯曲、折叠、卷曲)后能保持结构完整性和性能稳定性。同时,探讨了电化学性能与结构间的关系,并揭示了性能增强的内在机理。     

Highly Catalytic Carbon Nanotube/Pt Nanohybrid‐Based Transparent Counter Electrode for Efficient Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

Low‐cost transparent counter electrodes (CEs) for efficient dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are prepared by using nanohybrids of carbon nanotube (CNT)‐supported platinum nanoparticles as highly active catalysts. The nanohybrids, synthesized by an ionic‐liquid‐assisted sonochemical method, are directly deposited on either rigid glass or flexible plastic substrates by a facile electrospray method for operation as CEs. Their electrochemical performances are examined by cyclic voltammetry, current density–voltage characteristics, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. The CNT/Pt hybrid films exhibit high electrocatalytic activity for I^?/I₃^? with a weak dependence on film thickness. A transparent CNT/Pt hybrid CE film about 100 nm thick with a transparency of about 70 % (at 550 nm) can result in a high power conversion efficiency (η) of over 8.5 %, which is comparable to that of pyrolysis platinum‐based DSSCs, but lower cost. Furthermore, DSSC based on flexible CNT/Pt hybrid CE using indium‐doped tin oxide‐coated polyethylene terephthalate as the substrate also exhibits η=8.43 % with J_sc=16.85 mA cm^?2, V_oc=780 mV, and FF=0.64, and this shows great potential in developing highly efficient flexible DSSCs.     

Synthesis of Imatinib‐loaded chitosan‐modified magnetic nanoparticles as an anti‐cancer agent for pH responsive targeted drug delivery

Targeted drug delivery is a promising approach to overcome the limitations of classical chemotherapy. In this respect, Imatinib‐loaded chitosan‐modified magnetic nanoparticles were prepared as a pH sensitive system for targeted delivery of drug to tumor sites by applying a magnetic field. The proposed magnetic nanoparticles were prepared through modification of magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with chitosan and Imatinib. The structural, morphological and physicochemical properties of the synthesized nanoparticles were determined by different analytical techniques including energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR‐TEM), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). UV/visible spectrophotometry was used to measure the Imatinib contents. Thermal stability of the prepared particles was investigated and their efficiency of drug loading and release profile were evaluated. The results demonstrated that Fe₃O₄@CS acts as a pH responsive nanocarrier in releasing the loaded Imatinib molecules. Furthermore, the Fe₃O₄@CS/Imatinib nanoparticles displayed cytotoxic effect against MCF‐7 breast cancer cells. Results of this study can provide new insights in the development of pH responsive targeted drug delivery systems to overcome the side effects of conventional chemotherapy.     

Highly Efficient AuPd/Carbon Nanotube Nanocatalysts for the Electro‐Fenton Process

Development of novel nanocatalysts for the highly efficient in situ synthesis of H₂O₂ from H₂ and O₂ in the electro‐Fenton (EF) process has potential for the remediation of water pollution. In this work, AuPd/carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocatalysts were successfully synthesized by the facile aggregation of AuPd bimetals on CNTs. Characterization by X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that pure AuPd bimetallic heterogeneous nanospheres (≈20 nm) were well dispersed outside the CNTs, which resulted in better catalytic performance than Pd/CNTs alone: 0.36 M H₂O₂ was synthesized; 0.05 M Fe²⁺ optimally initiated the EF process due to the superior in situ Fe²⁺ regeneration; and the organic pollutant removal reached 100 % at 37 min, with a pseudo‐first‐order kinetic constant k₁=0.051 min^?1. Moreover, structural insights before/after catalysis revealed that Au strengthened the construction of the nanocrystals, avoided negative deactivation caused by AuPd agglomeration, and immobilized the active Pd(111). The catalytic stability of AuPd/CNTs over ten cycles implied long durability and promising applications of this material.     

Photocatalytic Nanocomposite Films Fabricated by Layer‐by‐Layer Self‐assembly of TiO2 Nanoparticles and Lignosulfonates

Photocatalytic multilayer nanocomposite films composed of anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles and lignosulfonates (LS) were fabricated on quartz slides by the layer‐by‐layer (LBL) self‐assembly technique. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV‐vis spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to characterize the TiO₂/LS multilayer nanocomposite films. Moreover, the photocatalytic properties (decomposition of methyl orange and bacteria) of multilayer nanocomposite films were investigated. XPS results indicated that the intensities of titanium and sulfur peaks increased with the LBL deposition process. A linear increase in absorbance at 280 nm was found by UV‐Vis spectroscopy, suggesting that stepwise multilayer growth occurs on the substrate and this deposition process is highly reproducible. AFM images showed that quartz slide was completely covered by TiO₂ nanoparticles when a 10‐bilayer multilayer film was formed. The decomposition efficiency of methyl orange by TiO₂/LS multilayer films under the same UV irradiation time increased linearly with the number of TiO₂ layers, and the results of decomposition of bacteria under UV irradiation showed that TiO₂/LS multilayer nanocomposite films exhibited excellent decomposition activity of bacteria (Escherichia coil).     

A Novel Electrochemical Method for the Analysis of Hydrogen Peroxide with the Use of a Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified by a Prussian Blue/Copper‐Gold Bimetallic Nanoparticles Hybrid Film

A novel Prussian blue/copper‐gold bimetallic nanoparticles hybrid film modified electrode was prepared by electrochemical deposition on a glassy carbon electrode (PB/Cu‐AuNPs/GCE). Morphology and electrochemistry of this electrode were studied by UV‐vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The sensor showed significantly better electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of hydrogen peroxide in comparison with the single PB/GCE and PB/AuNPs/GCE. This was attributed to the synergistic effect of PB and Cu‐Au bimetallic nanoparticles. Also, the sensor demonstrated an overall high level of performance for the analysis of H₂O₂ in the concentration range from 0.002 to 0.84 mM.     

Direct Electrochemistry of Hemoglobin in Layer‐by‐Layer Films Assembled with DNA and Room Temperature Ionic Liquid

Based on electrostatic interaction and electrodeposition, poly‐anionic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), room temperature ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐3‐methyl‐imidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMIMBF₄), hemoglobin (Hb) and Poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) were successfully assembled into Hb/IL/DNA/PDDA layer‐by‐layer complex films on the surface of ITO electrode. FTIR spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were used to characterize the composite film. The obtained results demonstrated that the Hb molecule in the film kept its native structure and showed its good electrochemical behavior. A pair of well‐defined redox peaks of Hb with the formal potentials (E°′) of ?0.180 V (vs. SCE) was appeared in phosphate buffer solution (PBS, pH 7.0). The Hb/IL/DNA/PDDA/ITO modified electrode also showed an excellent electrocatalytic behavior to the reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Therefore, the IL/DNA/PDDA complex film as a novel matrix open up a possibility for further study on the direct electrochemistry of other proteins and the fabrication of the third‐generation electrochemical biosensors.     

Cobalt nanoparticles anchored to porous silicon as a novel modifier for the construction of enzyme‐free hydrogen peroxide screen‐printed sensor

In this work, a screen‐printed carbon electrode (SPCE) was modified with a cobalt/porous silicon (Co@PSi) nanocomposite powder to develop a nonenzymatic sensor for the detection of hydrogen peroxide. The Co@PSi nanocomposite was synthesized through the chemical reaction between silicon powder in a HF/HNO₃ solution and cobalt cations. In this process, cobalt nanoparticles were anchored on the porous silicon. The structure and morphology of the synthesized nanocomposite were investigated by X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray photoemission spectroscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and field‐emission scanning electron microscopy. The constructed nonenzymatic, screen‐printed sensors based on the Co@PSi nanocomposite showed perfect electrocatalytic oxidation response to hydrogen peroxide over the range 1–170 and 170–3,770 μmol/L with the limit of detection of 0.8 μmol/L. In addition, the Co@PSi‐SPCE sensor exhibited good selectivity for the determination of H₂O₂ in the presence of common interfering species including glucose, ascorbic acid, uric acid, dopamine, nitrate, and nitrite ions. The constructed electrochemical sensor was successfully used for the determination of H₂O₂ in real samples.     

MOF‐Derived Spinel NiCo2O4 Hollow Nanocages for the Construction of Non‐enzymatic Electrochemical Glucose Sensor

Non‐enzymatic glucose sensor is greatly expected to take over its enzymatic counterpart in the future. In this paper, we reported on a facile strategy to construct a non‐enzymatic glucose sensor by use of NiCo₂O₄ hollow nanocages (NiCo₂O₄ HNCs) as catalyst, which was derived from Co‐based zeolite imidazole frame (ZIF‐67). The NiCo₂O₄ HNCs modified glassy carbon electrode (NiCo₂O₄ HNCs/GCE), the key component of the glucose sensor, showed highly electrochemical catalytic activity towards the oxidation of glucose in alkaline media. As a result, the proposed non‐enzymatic glucose sensor afforded excellent analytical performances assessed with the aid of cyclic voltammetry and amperometry (i–t). A wide linear range spanning from 0.18 μΜ to 5.1 mM was achieved at the NiCo₂O₄ HNCs/GCE with a high sensitivity of 1306 μA mM^?1 cm^?2 and a fast response time of 1 s. The calculated limit of detection (LOD) of the sensor was as low as 27 nM (S/N=3). Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the non‐enzymatic glucose sensor showed considerable anti‐interference ability and excellent stability. The practical application of the sensor was also evaluated by determination of glucose levels in real serum samples.     

Chemical‐Bath‐Deposited Indium Oxide Microcubes for Solar Water Splitting

We fabricated films of cubic indium oxide (In₂O₃) by chemical bath deposition (CBD) for solar water splitting. The fabricated films were characterized by X‐ray diffraction analysis, Raman scattering, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, and the three‐dimensional microstructure of the In₂O₃ cubes was elucidated. The CBD deposition time was varied, to study its effect on the growth of the In₂O₃ microcubes. The optimal deposition time was determined to be 24 h, and the corresponding film exhibited a photocurrent density of 0.55 mA cm^?2. Finally, the film stability was tested by illuminating the films with light from an AM 1.5 filter with an intensity of 100 mW cm^?2.     

Influence of thermal annealing on the structural and optical properties of maghemite (γ‐Fe2O3) nanoparticle thin films

In this study, maghemite (γ‐Fe₂O₃) nanoparticles were initially synthesized via chemical co‐precipitation and then deposited by spray pyrolysis as thin films on white glass substrates. The thin films were annealed for 8 h at 400, 450, 500, 550, and 600 °C in an oven. The structural studies of maghemite nanoparticles were carried out using X‐ray diffractometer. Structural properties that we investigated by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, SEM, and Energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDS). Optical properties of the samples were also investigated by ultraviolet‐visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy. The results showed that maghemite nanoparticles have crystalline structure with domain that increases in size with increasing annealing temperature. The optical band gap values were found to reduce from 2.9 to 2.4 eV with increase in annealing temperature. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cauliflower‐like NiCo2O4−Zn/Al Layered Double Hydroxide Nanocomposite as an Efficient Electrochemical Sensing Platform for Selective Pyridoxine Detection

In the present study, a cauliflower‐like NiCo₂O₄?Zn/Al layered double hydroxide (NiCo₂O₄?Zn/Al LDH) nanocomposite was used as a novel electrode material for the sensitive and selective determination of pyridoxine (vitamin B₆). The structure and morphology of the as‐prepared nanocomposite were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), FT‐IR, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX). The NiCo₂O₄?Zn/Al LDH nanocomposite exhibited excellent electrocatalytic ability in the oxidation of pyridoxine, which could result from the synergistic effect of the two components. The developed sensor also provided a selective determination of pyridoxine in the presence of other species such as vitamins (B₁, B₂, B₁₂ and ascorbic acid), inorganic ions and biomolecules. The fabricated sensor showed a good linear response for pyridoxine over the concentration ranges 2×10^?7–2.0×10^?4 mol L^?1 with a low detection limit of 8.6×10^?8 mol L^?1. Finally, the proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of pyridoxine in commercial tablets and plasma samples with satisfactory results. Furthermore, this novel sensor displayed superior benefits in terms of stability, sensitivity, repeatability and cost. The present work aims to expand NiCo₂O₄ based nanocomposites to sensor fields and promote the development of pyridoxine sensors.     

A general route to prepare one- and three-dimensional carbon nanotube/metal nanoparticle composite nanostructures

Adsorption of polyethyleneimine (PEI)-metal ion complexes onto the surfaces of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and subsequent reduction of the metal ion leads to the fabrication of one-dimensional CNT/metal nanoparticle (CNT/M NP) heterogeneous nanostructures. Alternating adsorption of PEI-metal ion complexes and CNTs on substrates results in the formation of multilayered CNT films. After exposing the films to NaBH4, three-dimensional CNT composite films embedded with metal nanoparticles (NPs) are obtained. UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy are used to characterize the film assembly. The resulting (CNT/M NP)n films inherit the properties from both the metal NPs and CNTs that exhibit unique performance in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and electrocatalytic activities to the reduction of O2; as a result, they are more attractive compared to (CNT/polyelectrolyte)n and (NP/polyelectrolyte)n films because of their multifunctionality.     

Magnetic carbon nanotube‐supported imidazolium cation‐based ionic liquid as a highly stable nanocatalyst for the synthesis of 2‐aminothiazoles

Magnetic carbon nanotube‐supported imidazolium ionic liquid (CNT‐Fe₃O₄‐IL) was synthesized and investigated using various characterization techniques, including Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopies, X‐ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometry, scanning and transmission electron microscopies, and thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses. In order to synthesize the CNT‐Fe₃O₄‐IL nanocomposites, Fe₃O₄‐decorated multi‐walled CNTs were modified with 1‐methyl‐3‐(3‐trimethoxysilylpropyl)‐1H‐imidazol‐3‐ium chloride. This catalytic system was found to be a highly stable, active, reusable and solid‐phase catalyst for the synthesis of 2‐aminothiazoles via the one‐pot reaction of ketone, thiourea and N‐bromosuccinimide under mild conditions. Immobilized magnetic ionic liquid catalysis combines the advantages of ionic liquid media with magnetic solid support nanomaterials which enables the application of nanotechnology and green chemistry in chemical processes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis,characterization, and application of silver nanoparticle‐thiophenol nanocomposite film on the glassy carbon surface

In this study, 4‐thiophenol modified glassy carbon electrode was prepared by the reduction of 4‐diazothiophenol tetrafluoroborate salt. Silver nanoparticles were attached to the thiophenol modified surface to prepare a thiophenol‐silver nanoparticle composite film. 4‐Aminothiopenol molecules were deposited by self‐assembling technique to form multi‐layered nanofilms of TP/SNP/PhNH₂ on glassy carbon substrate. These surfaces were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, reflectance‐absorption infrared spectroscopy, and ellipsometry at each multilayer film growth process. Atomic force microscopic images of GC/TP/SNP/PhNH₂ surfaces were also acquired. The characterization methods show that the amine group containing surface permits the subsequent modification by a variety of coupling reactions for the immobilization of more complex systems. An application of the electrode modification for the determination of uric acid with a significantly lower detection limit is described. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.