Poly(diallydimethylammonium chloride) Functionalized Graphene/Double‐walled Carbon Nanotube Composite for Amperometric Determination of Nitrite

Poly(diallydimethylammonium chloride) functionalized graphene/double‐walled carbon nanotube composite (PDDA‐GN/DWCNT) was synthesized by a facile microwave‐assisted reduction reaction. PDDA‐GN/DWCNT exhibits enhanced electrocatalytic activity towards nitrite oxidation. The direct electrooxidation behaviors of nitrite on PDDA‐GN/DWCNT were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, amperometric i‐t curve, and rotating disk electrode experiments. Under the optimum conditions, PDDA‐GN/DWCNT was applied to the quantitative analysis of nitrite with a wide linear range covering 0.07–3000 µM and a low detection limit of 0.03 µM (S/N=3). Moreover, PDDA‐GN/DWCNT exhibits satisfied results in the determination of nitrite that released from breast cancer cells.     

One‐Step Synthesis of β‐Cyclodextrin Functionalized Graphene/Ag Nanocomposite and Its Application in Sensitive Determination of 4‐Nitrophenol

β‐Cyclodextrin functionalized graphene/Ag nanocomposite (β‐CD/GN/Ag) was prepared via a one‐step microwave treatment of a mixture of graphene oxide and AgNO₃. β‐CD/GN/Ag was employed as an enhanced element for the sensitive determination of 4‐nitrophenol. A wide linear response to 4‐nitrophenol in the concentration ranges of 1.0×10^?8–1.0×10^?7 mol/L, and 1.0×10^?7–1.5×10^?3 mol/L was achieved, with a low detection limit of 8.9×10^?10 mol/L (S/N=3). The mechanism and the heterogeneous electron transfer kinetics of the 4‐nitrophenol reduction were discussed according to the rotating disk electrode experiments. Furthermore, the sensing platform has been applied to the determination of 4‐nitrophenol in real samples.     

石墨烯表面接枝聚(3-己基噻吩)分子刷的制备与表征

结合高效率重氮盐加成和Kumada催化-转移缩聚反应(KCTP),聚3-己基噻吩(P3HT)被共价接枝在石墨烯(GN)表面,形成聚合物分子刷(P3HT-GN).通过重氮盐偶合反应,溴苯分子首先被共价连接在氧化还原方法制备的GN表面,由此锚固的Ni(PPh3)4随后引发3-己基噻吩的催化-转移聚合.原子力显微和热失重分析结果表明,接枝在GN表面的P3HT分子刷厚度约为5 nm,重量分数为20.1%.当假设P3HT以伸直链构象接枝在GN表面时,估计的接枝密度为每6.53 nm2含有1个P3HT链,链间平均距离为2.556 nm.P3HT-GNs的X射线衍射在扫描范围内没有GN层间衍射峰出现,表明接枝后的GN是很好剥离的.P3HT-GN的紫外-可见光谱在300～500 nm范围内显示有比纯P3HT更弱的吸收峰,表明P3HT与GN之间存在显著的相互作用,与X-射线光电子能谱中增大的氧化噻吩环含量的结果是一致的.P3HT与GN的强相互作用使得光诱导产生的荧光几乎完全被淬灭,量子产率仅为0.042%,相当于纯P3HT的1/80,显示了突出的电荷转移效率.     

Electrical and self‐heating properties of UHMWPE‐EMMA‐NiCF composite films

Conductive polymer composites (CPC) containing nickel‐coated carbon fiber (NiCF) as filler were prepared using ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) or its mixture with ethylene‐methyl methacrylate (EMMA) as matrix by gelation/crystallization from dilute solution. The electrical conductivity, its temperature dependence, and self‐heating properties of the CPC films were investigated as a function of NiCF content and composition of matrix in details. This article reported the first successful result for getting a good positive temperature coefficient (PTC) effect with 9–10 orders of magnitude of PTC intensity for UHMWPE filled with NiCF fillers where the pure UHMWPE was used as matrix. At the same time, it was found that the drastic increase of resistivity occurred in temperature range of 120–200 °C, especially in the range of 180–200 °C, for the specimens with matrix ratio of UHMWPE and EMMA (UHMWPE/EMMA) of 1/0 and 1/1 (NiCF = 10 vol %). The SEM observation revealed to the difference between the surfaces of NiCF heated at 180 and 200 °C. Researches on the self‐heating properties of the composites indicated a very high heat transfer for this kind of CPCs. For the 1/1 composite film with 10 vol % NiCF, surface temperature (T_s) reached 125 °C within 40 s under direct electric field where the supplied voltage was only 2 V corresponding to the supplied power as 0.9 W. When the supplied voltage was enough high to make T_s beyond the melting point of UHMWPE component, the T_s and its stability of CPC films were greatly influenced by the PTC effect. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 1253–1266, 2009     

Graphene/poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate) composite electrode fabricated by melt compounding for capillary electrophoretic determination of flavones in Cacumen platycladi

In this report, a graphene/poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate) composite electrode was fabricated by melt compounding for the amperometric detection of capillary electrophoresis. The composite electrode was fabricated by packing a mixture of graphene and melted poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate) in a piece of fused silica capillary under heat. The structure of the composite was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results indicated that graphene sheets were well dispersed in the composite to form an interconnected conducting network. The performance of this unique graphene‐based detector has been demonstrated by separating and detecting rutin, quercitrin, kaempferol, and quercetin in Cacumen platycladi in combination with capillary electrophoresis. The four flavones have been well separated within 9 min in a 50‐cm‐long capillary at a separation voltage of 12 kV using a 50 mM sodium borate buffer (pH 9.2). The graphene‐based detector offered significantly lower operating potentials, substantially enhanced signal‐to‐noise characteristics, lower expense of operation, high resistance to surface fouling, and enhanced stability. It showed long‐term stability and repeatability with relative standard deviations of <5% for the peak current (n = 15).     

Crack‐free sol‐gel coatings for protection of AA1050 aluminium alloy

Organically modified sol‐gel coatings have been investigated as potential replacements for chromate conversion treatments of an AA1050 aluminium alloy. The coatings were prepared by combination of a completely hydrolysable precursor of tetra‐n‐propoxyzirconium (TPOZ), with a partially hydrolysable precursor of glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS). GPTMS contains an organic functional group, which is retained in the sol‐gel coatings after the hydrolysis–condensation process. Different GPTMS/TPOZ ratios and withdrawal speeds were studied. Coatings produced using a low GPTMS/TPOZ ratio and a high withdrawal speed generated significant cracks due to the shrinkage of the coatings, with no corrosion protection of the alloy. It was found that increase of organic moieties reduced the shrinkage of the coatings and the tendency for crack formation. By control of process parameters and ratios of organic and inorganic moieties, crack‐free sol‐gel coatings above 1 µm thick, with improved corrosion protection, can be produced on the alloy surface. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fluorescence chemical sensor based on water‐soluble poly(p‐phenylene ethynylene)–graphene oxide composite for Cu2+

A chemical sensor for metal ions was fabricated based on a water‐soluble conjugated polymer–graphene oxide (GO) composite. Water‐soluble poly(p‐phenylene ethynylene) (PPE) with sulfonic acid side chain groups was used to prepare a very stable water‐soluble PPE–GO composite with strong π–π interactions in water. The relationship between the optical properties and metal ion sensing capability of the PPE–GO composite in aqueous solution was investigated. Addition of metal ions enhanced the fluorescence intensity of the composite, and, in particular, the composite enabled the fluorescence detection of Cu²⁺ in aqueous solutions with high selectivity and sensitivity. Therefore, this conjugated polymer–GO composite sensor system was found to be an effective turn‐on type chemical sensor for metal ions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight‐polyethylene‐fiber surface treatment by electron‐beam‐irradiation‐induced graft polymerization and its effect on adhesion in a styrene–butadiene rubber matrix

Aiming to develop a high‐performance fiber‐reinforced rubber from styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR), we applied a special technique using electron‐beam (EB)‐irradiation‐induced graft polymerization to ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight‐polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers. The molecular interaction between the grafted UHMWPE fibers and an SBR matrix was studied through the evaluation of the adhesive behavior of the fibers in the SBR matrix. Although UHMWPE was chemically inert, two monomers, styrene and N‐vinyl formamide (NVF), were examined for graft polymerization onto the UHMWPE fiber surface. Styrene was not effective, but NVF was graft‐polymerized onto the UHMWPE fibers with this special method. A methanol/water mixture and dioxane were used as solvents for NVF, and the effects of the solvents on the grafting percentage of NVF were also examined. The methanol/water mixture was more effective. A grafting percentage of 16.4% was the highest obtained. This improved the adhesive force threefold with respect to that of untreated UHMWPE fibers. These results demonstrated that EB irradiation enabled graft polymerization to occur even on the inert surface of UHMWPE fibers. However, the mechanical properties of the fibers could be compromised according to the dose of EB irradiation. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 2595–2603, 2004     

三种碳材料上原位电沉积AuPt合金的催化性能

在碳纸（CP）及涂覆了碳粉科琴黑（KB）或石墨烯纳米片（GNs）的碳纸上,原位电沉积了AuPt合金,制备成CP/AuPt、CP/KB/AuPt、CP/GNs/AuPt三种空气电极。对比研究发现,以石墨烯纳米片为载体的CP/GNs/AuPt空气电极上,AuPt合金载量高,颗粒分散均匀,粒径约为100 nm左右,Au和Pt的含量分别为78.84%（n/n）和21.16%（n/n）。在0.1 mol·L^-1 KOH溶液中氧还原反应的起峰电势为0.93 V,催化活性和稳定性优于其他两种空气电极。分析认为,石墨烯纳米片具有高导电性、高比表面积以及较多的缺陷活性位点,有利于AuPt合金在其上均匀电沉积且沉积载量较高,同时GNs本身具有一定的催化活性,两者能够产生协同催化作用,提高了CP/GNs/AuPt电极的催化性能。     

Germanium Quantum Dots Embedded in N‐Doping Graphene Matrix with Sponge‐Like Architecture for Enhanced Performance in Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Germanium quantum dots embedded in a nitrogen‐doped graphene matrix with a sponge‐like architecture (Ge/GN sponge) are prepared through a simple and scalable synthetic method, involving freeze drying to obtain the Ge(OH)₄/graphene oxide (GO) precursor and subsequent heat reduction treatment. Upon application as an anode for the lithium‐ion battery (LIB), the Ge/GN sponge exhibits a high discharge capacity compared with previously reported N‐doped graphene. The electrode with the as‐synthesized Ge/GN sponge can deliver a capacity of 1258 mAh g^?1 even after 50 charge/discharge cycles. This improved electrochemical performance can be attributed to the pore memory effect and highly conductive N‐doping GN matrix from the unique sponge‐like structure.     

Controlled synthesis of ZnS quantum dots and ZnS quantum flakes with graphene as a template

Novel ZnS quantum dots (QDs) and ZnS quantum flakes (QFs) were successfully prepared with graphene nanosheets (GNs) as a special template, and two unique heterostructures of ZnS/GNs were also obtained. Due to the structure-directing template effect of GNs, the as-synthesized ZnS with different morphologies, dots or flakes, were uniformly distributed on the surface of GNs by controlling nucleation and growth. The two different heterostructures of ZnS/GNs exhibited obvious photovoltaic response, and ZnS/GN QFs-on-sheet heterostructures show higher photovoltage than that of ZnS/GN QDs-on-sheet.     

One‐Pot Synthesis,Characterization, and Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of a BiOBr–Graphene Composite

Herein, a chemically bonded BiOBr–graphene composite (BiOBr–RG) was prepared through a facile in situ solvothermal method in the presence of graphene oxide. Graphene oxide could be easily reduced to graphene under solvothermal conditions, and simultaneously BiOBr nanoplates with pure tetragonal phase were grown uniformly on the graphene surface. The structure and photoelectrochemical properties of the resulting materials were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and impedance and photocurrent action measurements. The combination of BiOBr and graphene introduces some properties of graphene into the photocatalysis reaction, such as excellent conductivity, adsorptivity, and controllability. A remarkable threefold enhancement in the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) was observed with as‐prepared BiOBr–RG as compared with pure BiOBr under visible light (λ>420 nm). The enhanced photocatalytic activity could be attributed to the great adsorptivity of dyes, the extended photoresponse range, the negative shift in the Fermi level of BiOBr–RG, and the high migration efficiency of photoinduced electrons, which may effectively suppress the charge recombination.     

三种碳材料上原位电沉积AuPt合金的催化性能

在碳纸(CP)及涂覆了碳粉科琴黑(KB)或石墨烯纳米片(GNs)的碳纸上,原位电沉积了Au Pt合金,制备成CP/Au Pt、CP/KB/Au Pt、CP/GNs/Au Pt三种空气电极。对比研究发现,以石墨烯纳米片为载体的CP/GNs/Au Pt空气电极上,Au Pt合金载量高,颗粒分散均匀,粒径约为100 nm,Au和Pt的含量分别为78.84%(n/n)和21.16%(n/n)。在0.1 mol·L-1 KOH溶液中氧还原反应的起峰电势为0.93 V,催化活性和稳定性优于其他两种空气电极。分析认为,石墨烯纳米片具有高导电性、高比表面积以及较多的缺陷活性位点,有利于Au Pt合金在其上均匀电沉积且沉积载量较高,同时GNs本身具有一定的催化活性,两者能够产生协同催化作用,提高了CP/GNs/Au Pt电极的催化性能。     

Synthesis of a graphene‐based nanocomposite for the dispersive solid‐phase extraction of vancomycin from biological samples

The approach of this work was to study the capability of graphene‐based materials in the field of biological sample preparation. A polypyrrole/graphene composite was synthesized and characterized. The potential of the nanocomposite was investigated as a sorbent in dispersive solid‐phase extraction followed by high‐performance liquid chromatography with UV detection for vancomycin as a model drug. The effect of different parameters influencing extraction efficiency such as sample pH and sample volume, ionic strength, extraction time, type, and volume of desorption solvent and desorption time were investigated. A comparison study was also conducted between polypyrrole/graphene and some different novel and classic sorbents. Under optimized conditions, the calibration curve for vancomycin showed linearity in the range of 0.05–10 μg/mL. In addition, limits of detection, and quantification were 0.003 and 0.01 μg/mL, respectively. The intraday and interday relative standard deviations at a concentration of 0.05 μg/mL (n = 3) were 1.6 and 2.1%, respectively. Furthermore, the proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of vancomycin in plasma and urine samples. The relative recoveries indicated the feasibility of graphene‐based sorbents in biological sample analysis.     

Electropolymerized coatings of polyaniline on copper by using the galvanostatic method and their corrosion protection performance in HCl medium

The synthesis of polyaniline coatings on the copper (Cu) surface has been investigated by using the galvanostatic method. The synthesized coatings were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV–visible absorption spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy. The anticorrosion performances of polyaniline coatings were investigated in 0.5 M HCl medium by the potentiodynamic polarization technique and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The corrosion rate of polyaniline‐coated Cu was found to be ～27 times lower than bare Cu, and potential corrosion increased from ?0.21 V versus Ag/AgCl for uncoated Cu to ?0.19 V versus Ag/AgCl for polyaniline‐coated Cu electrodes. Electrochemical measurements indicate that polyaniline coating has good inhibiting properties with a mean efficiency of ~96% at 10 mAcm^?2 current density applied on Cu corrosion in acid media. The results of this study clearly ascertain that the polyaniline has an outstanding potential to protect Cu against corrosion in an acidic environment. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Electrical and dielectric properties in carbon fiber‐filled LMWPE/UHMWPE composites with different blend ratios

Carbon fiber (CF) filled low‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (LMWPE) and ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composites were prepared by the gelation from solution and the kneading in the melting state. The content of carbon fibers was fixed to be 23.5 vol %. The resistivity, positive temperature coefficient (PTC), and dielectric behaviors of the composites became more pronounced with increasing content of LMWPE with much higher thermal expansion than that of UHMWPE. The PTC effect became most significant, when the blend ratio of LMWPE to UHMWPE was 9/1. Beyond 9/1, the PTC effect was less pronounced. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed that the UHMWPE and LMWPE chains within the composite crystallized independently by gelation from solution and were virtually unaffected by the presence of carbon fibers. Consequently, it was confirmed that carbon fibers selectively were localized in the mixed region of LMWPE and UHMWPE for the composite (3/1 and 6/1) and mainly in the region of LMWPE for the 9/1, 12/1, and 15/1 composites. This indicated that the content of carbon fibers within LMWPE region was the highest for the 9/1 composite and the 9/1 composite provides the most significant PTC effect. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 359–369, 2008     

Effect of TiO2–Ti and TiO2–TiN composite coatings on corrosion behavior of NiTi alloy

Two kinds of biocompatible coatings were produced in order to improve the corrosion resistance of nickel titanium (NiTi) alloy. A titanium oxide–titanium (TiO₂–Ti) composite was coated on NiTi alloy using electrophoretic method. After the coating process, the samples were heat‐treated at 1000 °C in two tube furnaces, the first one in argon atmosphere and the second one in nitrogen atmosphere at 1000 °C. The morphology and phase analysis of coatings were investigated using scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction analysis, respectively. The electrochemical behavior of the NiTi and coated samples was examined using polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests. Electrochemical tests in simulated body fluid demonstrated a considerable increase in corrosion resistance of composite‐coated NiTi specimens compared to the non‐coated one. The heat‐treated composite coating sample in nitrogen atmosphere had a higher level of corrosion resistance compared to the heat‐treated sample in argon atmosphere, which is mainly due to having nitride phases. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Surface modification of ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene fibers

To prevent the loss of fiber strength, ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers were treated with an ultraviolet radiation technique combined with a corona‐discharge treatment. The physical and chemical changes in the fiber surface were examined with scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared/attenuated total reflectance. The gel contents of the fibers were measured by a standard device. The mechanical properties of the treated fibers and the interfacial adhesion properties of UHMWPE‐fiber‐reinforced vinyl ester resin composites were investigated with tensile testing. After 20 min or so of ultraviolet radiation based on 6‐kW corona treatment, the T‐peel strength of the treated UHMWPE‐fiber composite was one to two times greater than that of the as‐received UHMWPE‐fiber composite, whereas the tensile strength of the treated UHMWPE fibers was still up to 3.5 GPa. The integrated mechanical properties of the treated UHMWPE fibers were also optimum. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 463–472, 2004     

One‐Pot Synthesis of CoSex–rGO Composite Powders by Spray Pyrolysis and Their Application as Anode Material for Sodium‐Ion Batteries

A simple one‐pot synthesis of metal selenide/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composite powders for application as anode materials in sodium‐ion batteries was developed. The detailed mechanism of formation of the CoSe_x–rGO composite powders that were selected as the first target material in the spray pyrolysis process was studied. The crumple‐structured CoSe_x–rGO composite powders prepared by spray pyrolysis at 800 °C had a crystal structure consisting mainly of Co_0.85Se with a minor phase of CoSe₂. The bare CoSe_x powders prepared for comparison had a spherical shape and hollow structure. The discharge capacities of the CoSe_x–rGO composite and bare CoSe_x powders in the 50th cycle at a constant current density of 0.3 A g^?1 were 420 and 215 mA h g^?1, respectively, and their capacity retentions measured from the second cycle were 80 and 46 %, respectively. The high structural stability of the CoSe_x–rGO composite powders for repeated sodium‐ion charge and discharge processes resulted in superior sodium‐ion storage properties compared to those of the bare CoSe_x powders.