Synthesis and characterization of conducting polythiophene/carbon nanotubes composites

Conducting polythiophene (PTh)/single‐wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) composites were synthesized by the in situ chemical oxidative polymerization method. The resulting cablelike morphology of the composite (SWNT–PTh) structures was characterized with elemental analysis, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The standard four‐point‐probe method was used to measure the conductivity of the samples. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that the SWNT–PTh composites were core (SWNTs) and shell (PTh) hybrid structures. Spectroscopic analysis data for the composites were almost identical to those for PTh, supporting the idea that SWNTs served as templates in the formation of a coaxial nanostructure for the composites. The physical properties of the composites were measured and also showed that the SWNTs were modified by conducting PTh with an enhancement of various properties. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 5283–5290, 2006     

Cluster‐Based Self‐Assembly Route toward MoO3 Single‐Walled Nanotubes

MoO₃ has a unique rigid double‐layer structure, which makes it a real challenge to prepare nanotubular structures. The controlled synthesis of MoO₃ single‐walled nanotubes (SWNTs) is achieved through a cluster‐based self‐assembly route on the dodecanethiol/water interface. Various factors are studied at length, including precursor type, reaction time, temperature, pH value, and their influence on the morphology of products. The concept of “self‐assembly—from simple clusters to nanostructures” is proposed here based on preliminary results from the synthesis of MoO₃ SWNTs, which provides a new aspect for traditional synthetic chemistry of nanomaterials and polyoxometalates.     

Syntheses of conductive adhesives based on epoxy resin and polyanilines by using N‐tert‐butyl‐5‐methylisoxazolium perchlorate as a thermally latent curing reagent

Conductive composites consisted of epoxy resin and polyanilines (PANIs) doped with dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid ( 1 ), dodecylsulfonic acid (2), di(2‐ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinic acid (3), and HCl were synthesized by use of N‐tert‐butyl‐5‐methylisoxazolium perchlorate (5) under various reaction conditions. It was found that the composites with PANI doped with acid 2 (PANI‐2) prepared by curing with 10 mol % of reagent 5 at 80 °C for 12 h showed high electroconductivity along with the low conducting percolation threshold (3 wt % of PANI‐2). Furthermore, the composite with even ?10 wt % of PANI‐2 exhibited ?10^?1 S/cm of electroconductivity. The UV–vis and IR measurements indicated that the conductive emeraldine salt form of PANI‐2 in the composite was maintained after the curing reaction. The thermal stability was studied by TGA and DSC measurements, and then, the T_d10 and T_g of the composite with 5 and 10 wt % of PANI‐2 were found to be similar to those with the cured epoxy resin itself. In addition, the similar investigation with an oxetane resin instead of the epoxy resin was also carried out. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 718–726, 2006     

Properties of single‐walled carbon nanotube‐based poly(phenylene vinylene) electroluminescent nanocomposites

Devices with varying concentrations of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) dispersed in three derivatives of poly(p‐phenylene vinylene) are prepared, and their electroluminescent properties evaluated. Increasing the concentration of SWNTs improves the electrical conductivity of the nanocomposites. However, an undesired increase in the electroluminescence (EL) turn‐on voltage is observed for the hybrids, possibly due to photoluminescence quenching of excitons by the SWNTs. At relatively low concentrations of SWNTs, there is an increase in the EL lifetime; in contrast, at relatively high concentrations of SWNTs, due to photoluminescence quenching by the nanotubes, significant reduction in brightness and faster degradation of the EL performance of the devices is observed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2011     

Synthesis of 1,3,4‐Oxadiazole Acyclo C‐Nucleosides Bearing 5‐Methylthio{7‐substituted‐1,2,4‐triazolo[1,5‐d]tetrazol‐6‐yl}moieties

Oxidative cyclization of the sugar hydrazones ( 3_a‐f ) derived from {7H‐1,2,4‐triazolo[1,5‐d]tetrazol‐6‐ylsulfanyl}acetic acid hydrazide ( 1 ) and aldopentoses 2_a‐c or aldohexoses 2_d‐f with bromine in acetic acid in the presence of anhydrous sodium acetate, followed by acetylation with acetic anhydride gave the corresponding 2‐(per‐O‐acetyl‐alditol‐l‐yl)‐5‐methylthio{7H‐1,2,4‐triazolo[1,5‐d]tetrazol‐6‐yl}‐1,3,4‐oxadiazoles ( 5_a‐f ). Condensative cyclization of the sugar hydrazones ( 3_a‐f ) by heating with acetic anhydride gave the corresponding 3‐acetyl‐2‐(per‐O‐acetyl‐alditol‐1‐yl)‐2,3‐dihydro‐5‐methylthio{7‐acetyl‐1,2,4‐triazolo[1,5‐d]tetrazol‐6‐yl}‐1,3,4‐oxadiazoles ( 11_a‐f ). De‐O‐acetylation of the acyclo C‐nucleoside peracetates ( 5 and 11 ) with methanolic ammonia afforded the hydrazono lactones ( 7 ) and the acyclo C‐nucleosides ( 12 ), respectively. The structures of new oxadiazole derivatives were confirmed by analytical and spectral data.     

Organosoluble polyimides and copolyimides based on 1,1‐bis[4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)phenyl]‐1‐phenylethane and aromatic dianhydrides

1,1‐Bis[4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)phenyl]‐1‐phenylethane (BAPPE) was prepared through nucleophilic substitution reaction of 1,1‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐1‐phenylethane and p‐chloronitrobenzene in the presence of K₂CO₃ in N,N‐dimethylformamide, followed by catalytic reduction with hydrazine and Pd/C. Novel organosoluble polyimides and copolyimides were synthesized from BAPPE and six kinds of commercial dianhydrides, including pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA, I_a ), 3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA, I_b ), 3,3′,4,4′‐ biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA, I_c ), 4,4′‐oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA, I_d ), 3,3′,4,4′‐diphenylsulfonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (DSDA, I_e ) and 4,4′‐hexafluoroisopropylidenediphthalic anhydride (6FDA, I_f ). Differing with the conventional polyimide process by thermal cyclodehydration of poly(amic acid), when polyimides were prepared by chemical cyclodehydration with N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone as used solvent, resulted polymers showed good solubility. Additional, I_a,b were mixed respectively with the rest of dianhydrides (I_c–f) and BAPPE at certain molar ratios to prepare copolyimides with arbitrary solubilities. These polyimides and copolyimides were characterized by good mechanical properties together with good thermal stability. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 2082–2090, 2000     

Thermal,mechanical, and morphological properties of novolac‐type phenolic resin blended with fullerenol polyurethane and linear polyurethane

Fullerenol polyurethane (C₆₀‐PU) and linear polyurethane (linear‐PU) modified phenolic resins were prepared in this study. Phenolic resin/C₆₀‐PU and phenolic resin/linear‐PU blends show good miscibility as a result of the intermolecular hydrogen bonding existing between phenolic resin and PU modifiers. DSC and thermogravimetric analysis methods were used to study the thermal properties of phenolic resin blended with different types of PUs. The intermolecular hydrogen bonding that existed between phenolic resin and C₆₀‐PU was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The morphology and mechanical properties of phenolic resin/C₆₀‐PU and phenolic resin/linear‐PU blends were also investigated. The char yield of the modified phenolic resins decreased with increasing PU modifier content. Significant improvement in the toughness of the modified phenolic resins was observed. The improvements of impact strength were 27.4% for the phenolic resin/linear‐PU system and 54.3% for the phenolic resin/C₆₀‐PU system, respectively, both with 3 phr linear‐PU and C₆₀‐PU content. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 39: 2436–2443, 2001     

Preparation of single‐walled carbon nanotubes‐induced poly(p‐oxybenzoyl) crystals

Crystallization of oligomers was applied for the preparation of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs)/poly(p‐oxybenzoyl) (POB) crystals using SWNTs as a nucleating agent. Polymerization conditions were investigated to induce the crystallization of POB oligomers through SWNTs. SWNTs/POB plate‐like or lozenge‐shaped crystals were successfully prepared by direct polymerization of p‐hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA) in a mixed solvent of DMF/Py with TsCl in the presence of functionalized SWNTs. The size of the plate‐like crystals were ～200 nm to 3 μm. The crystals consisted of some layers, ～3 nm thick plates. Model reactions showed that esterification reactions proceed between functionalized SWNTs and HBA monomers in the polymerization system. The obtained crystals exhibited unique morphology and high crystallinity, producing a novel SWNT/POB hybrid. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 1265–1277, 2008     

Thermal curing behavior of MWCNT modified vinyl ester‐polyester resin suspensions prepared with 3‐roll milling technique

This study aims to investigate the curing behavior of a vinyl ester‐polyester resin suspensions containing 0.3 wt % of multiwalled carbon nanotubes with and without amine functional groups (MWCNTs and MWCNT‐NH₂). For this purpose, various analytical techniques, including Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman Spectroscopy, and Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer (TGA) were conducted. The resin suspensions with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were prepared via 3‐roll milling technique. DSC measurements showed that resin suspensions containing CNTs exhibited higher heat of cure (Q), besides lower activation energy (E_a) when compared with neat resin. For the sake of simplicity of interpretation, FTIR investigations were performed on neat vinyl ester resin suspensions containing the same amount of CNTs as resin. As a result, the individual fractional conversion rates of styrene and vinyl ester were interestingly found to be altered dependent on MWCNTs and MWCNT‐NH₂. The findings obtained from RS measurements of the cured samples are highly proportional to those obtained from FTIR measurements. TGA measurements revealed that CNT modified nanocomposites have higher activation energy of degradation (E_d) compared with the cured polymer. The findings obtained revealed that CNTs with and without amine functional groups alter overall thermal curing response of the surrounding matrix resin, which may probably impart distinctive characteristics to mechanical behavior of the corresponding nanocomposites achieved. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 1511–1522, 2009     

Phase separation of polymer‐functionalized SWNTs within a PMMA/polystyrene blend

Phase separation of polystyrene (PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) blends was used as a means to segregate PS‐ or PMMA‐functionalized single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in thin films. Dilute solutions (5 wt % in THF) of 1:1 PS/PMMA blends containing the functionalized nanotubes were spin cast and annealed at 180 °C for 12 h. Two different polymer molecular weights were used (M_n = 8000 or M_n = 22,000), and were of approximately equivalent molecular weight to those attached to the surface of the nanotubes. Nanotube functionalization was accomplished using the Cu(I)‐catalyzed [3 + 2] Huisgen cycloaddition, in which alkyne‐decorated nanotubes were coupled with azide‐terminated polymers, resulting in polymer‐SWNT conjugates that were soluble in THF. Characterization of the annealed films by scanning Raman spectroscopy, which utilized the unique Raman fingerprint of carbon nanotubes, enabled accurate mapping of the functionalized SWNTs within the films relative to the two phase‐separated polymers. It was found that nanotube localization within the phase‐separated polymer films was influenced by the type of polymer attached to the nanotube surface, as well as its molecular weight. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 450–458, 2009     

Synthesis of water‐soluble single‐walled carbon nanotubes and its application in poly(vinyl alcohol) composites

A new type of water‐soluble single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) was synthesized by grafting of dodecyl quaternary ammonium bromides. Results of Fourier transform infrared and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic analyses confirmed the successful synthesis. Water‐soluble performance of functionalized SWNTs, i.e. N⁺‐SWNTs, has been studied in terms of solubility and stability. It was found that the solubility could reach up to 110 mg.l^?1 and as‐prepared solution possesses a good stability over the PH range of 6.87–11.25. Based on these properties, one of the important applications of N⁺‐SWNTs was demonstrated to prepare poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) composites. Owing to critical issues of uniform dispersion and enhanced interfacial PVA‐nanotube interaction having been simultaneously resolved to a reasonable extent, the composite film with only 0.3 wt% N⁺‐SWNTs showed an increase of 33% and 32% in tensile strength and Young's modulus, respectively, over neat PVA film. Moreover, a high optical quality and slightly increased glass transition temperature were also observed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dispersion of single‐walled carbon nanotubes using nucleobase‐containing poly(acrylamide) polymers

Single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) possess extraordinary properties, but suffer from poor solubility and a lack of purity. Of the possible routes available to solubilize and purify nanotube samples, the use of noncovalent functionalization is ideal as carbon nanotube properties are not deleteriously affected. A multitude of different dispersants have been investigated thus far, but of particular interest is deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which has previously been demonstrated to effectively separate metallic and semiconducting carbon nanotubes. Here, we investigate the ability of synthetic nucleobase‐containing poly(acrylamide) polymers to produce stable nanotube dispersions in organic solvents. Polymers bearing different nucleobase and backbone structures, as well as block copolymers with different block sequences were investigated. Polymer:SWNT mass ratios and solvent compositions were optimized for the nucleobase‐functionalized polymers, and semiconducting and metallic SWNT populations were identified by a combination of UV‐Vis‐NIR absorption, Raman, and fluorescence spectroscopy. These results demonstrate the capacity for synthetic DNA analogues to disperse SWNTs in organic media. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 2611–2617     

Shape memory behavior of carbon nanotube‐reinforced trans‐1,4‐polyisoprene and low‐density polyethylene composites

Shape memory composites of trans‐1,4‐polyisoprene (TPI) and low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) with easily achievable transition temperatures were prepared by a simple physical blending method. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were introduced to improve the mechanical properties of the TPI/LDPE composites. The mechanical, cure, thermal, and shape memory properties of the TPI/LDPE/CNTs composites were investigated in this study. In these composites, the cross‐linked network generated in both the TPI and LDPE portions acted as a fixed domain, while the crystalline regions of the TPI and LDPE portions acted as a domain of reversible shape memory behavior. We found that CNTs acted as not only reinforced fillers but also nucleation agents, which improved the crystalline degree of the TPI and LDPE portions of the composites. Compared with the properties at the other CNT doses, the mechanical properties of the TPI/LDPE composites when the CNT dose was 1 phr were improved significantly, showing excellent shape memory properties (R_f = 97.85%, R_r = 95.70%).     

Darstellung,Kristallstrukturen, Schwingungsspektren und Normalkoordinatenanalysen der mer‐Trihalogeno‐tris‐Pyridin‐Osmium(III)Komplexe mer‐[OsX3Py3], X = Cl,Br, I

Synthesis, Crystal Structures, Vibrational Spectra, and Normal Coordinate Analyses of the mer ‐Trihalogeno‐tris‐Pyridine‐Osmium(III) Complexes mer‐[OsX₃Py₃], X = Cl, Br, I By reaction of the hexahalogenoosmates(IV) with pyridine and iso‐amylalcohol mer‐trihalogeno‐tris‐pyridine‐osmium(III) complexes are formed and purified by chromatography. X‐ray structure determinations on single crystals have been performed of mer‐[OsBr₃Py₃] (monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a = 9.098(5), b = 12.864(5), c = 15.632(5) Å, β = 90.216(5)°, Z = 4) and mer‐[OsI₃Py₃] (monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a = 9.0952(17), b = 13.461(4), c = 15.891(10), β = 91.569(5)°, Z = 4). The pyridine rings are twisted propeller‐like against the N₃ meridional plane with mean angles of 49° (Cl), 46° (Br), 44° (I). Based on the molecular parameters of the X‐ray structure determinations and assuming C₂ point symmetry, the IR and Raman spectra are assigned by normal coordinate analysis. Due to the stronger trans influence of pyridine as compared with the halide ligands for N'–Os–X ^· axes significantly different valence force constants are observed in comparison with symmetrically coordinated octahedron axes: f_d(OsCl) = 1.74, f_d(OsCl^·) = 1.49, f_d(OsBr) = 1.43, f_d(OsBr ^· ) = 1.18, f_d(OsI) = 0.99, f_d(OsI ^· ) = 0.96, f_d(OsN) between 1.96 and 2.07 and f_d(OsN') between 2.13 and 2.32 mdyn/Å.     

Amperometric Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide Using Glassy Carbon Electrodes Modified with Chromium Hexacyanoferrate/Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites

Chemical functionalization of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) has constructed plenty of new structures with useful properties. But the modification was often confined to organic molecules, either by covalence or noncovalence. In this report, SWNTs were successfully functionalized with one kind of electroactive inorganic compounds: chromium hexacyanoferrate (Cr hcf). The resulting Cr hcf/SWNTs nanocomposites were confirmed by Field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV‐vis absorption spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Cr hcf crystallites are observed to be finely attached to the SWNTs. The electrochemical properties of Cr hcf/SWNTs nanocomposites were also investigated. The nanocomposites modified glassy carbon (GC) electrode shows high electrocatalytic activity towards the reduction of H₂O₂ and the amperometric responses show a linear dependence on the concentration of H₂O₂ in a range of 0.5 μM to 10 mM (R=0.9989). In addition, the sensor has good stability and reproducibility.     

How molecular internal‐geometric parameters affect PB‐PEO polymersome size in aqueous solution

Amphiphilic polybutadiene polyethylene oxide (PB‐PEO) is one of the best known chemistries to form stable vesicular morphologies, stated as polymersomes, in aqueous environment. Mimicking cell membranes, these structures self‐assemble in an “amphiphilic window” determined by 0.15 < f < 0.35 where f is the ratio between the hydrophilic block volume and the entire diblock volume. However the polymersome size distribution also depends on molecular weight (M_n) and in order to gain insight on how f and M_n together determine polymersome size, we prepared PB‐PEO diblock copolymers with different block lengths and analyzed vesicle morphology via Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Freeze‐fracture transmission electron microscopy (FF‐TEM). We found three main regimes: high f / low M_n with polymersomes of mixed diameter, high f / high M_n with mainly large polymersomes and low f, with mainly small polymersomes. In the first region, the polymersomes are highly polydisperse. There is a tendency towards increased diameter with increasing f and M_n. Taken together our findings can help to identify how polymersome self‐assembly can be controlled to achieve size distribution specificity alleviating the need for subsequent tuning of size via extrusion. This can pave the way for cost‐effective upscaling of polymersome production for biomedical and biomimetic applications. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 699–708     

Darstellung,Kristallstrukturen, Schwingungsspektren und Normalkoordinatenanalysen der Tetrahalogeno‐bis‐Pyridin‐Osmium(III)‐Komplexe cis‐(n‐Bu4N)[OsCl4Py2] und trans‐(n‐Bu4N)[OsX4Py2], X = Cl,Br

Synthesis, Crystal Structures, Vibrational Spectra, and Normal Coordinate Analyses of the Tetrahalogeno‐bis‐Pyridine‐Osmium(III) Complexes cis ‐( n ‐Bu₄N)[OsCl₄Py₂] and trans ‐( n ‐Bu₄N)[OsX₄Py₂], X = Cl, Br By reaction of (n‐Bu₄N)₂[OsX₆], X = Cl, Br, with pyridine and (n‐Bu₄N)[BH₄] tetrahalogeno‐bis‐pyridine‐osmium(III) complexes are formed and purified by chromatography. X‐ray structure determinations on single crystals have been performed of cis‐(n‐Bu₄N)[OsCl₄Py₂] ( 1 ) (triclinic, space group P1, a = 9.4047(9), b = 10.8424(18), c = 17.007(2) Å, α = 71.833(2), β = 81.249(10), γ = 67.209(12)°, Z = 2), trans‐(n‐Bu₄N)[OsCl₄Py₂] ( 2 ) (orthorhombic, space group P2₁2₁2₁, a = 8.7709(12), b = 20.551(4), c = 17.174(4) Å, Z = 4) and trans‐(n‐Bu₄N)[OsBr₄Py₂] ( 3 ) (triclinic, space group P1, a = 9.132(3), b = 12.053(3), c = 15.398(2) Å, α = 95.551(18), β = 94.12(2), γ = 106.529(19)°, Z = 2). Based on the molecular parameters of the X‐ray structure determinations and assuming C₂ point symmetry for the anion of 1 and D_2h point symmetry for the anions of 2 and 3 the IR and Raman spectra are assigned by normal coordinate analysis. The valence force constants of 1 are in the Cl–Os–Cl axis f_d(OsCl) = 1.58, in the asymmetrically coordinated N′–Os–Cl ^· axes f_d(OsCl ^· ) = 1.45, f_d(OsN′) = 2.48, of 2 f_d(OsCl) = 1.62, f_d(OsN) = 2.42 and of 3 f_d(OsBr) = 1.39 and f_d(OsN) = 2.34 mdyn/Å.     

Poly(γ‐benzyl‐L‐glutamate)‐functionalized single‐walled carbon nanotubes from surface‐initiated ring‐opening polymerizations of N‐carboxylanhydride

Single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have been functionalized with poly(γ‐benzyl‐L ‐glutamate) (PBLG) by ring‐opening polymerizations of γ‐benzyl‐L ‐glutamic acid‐based N‐carboxylanhydrides (NCA‐BLG) using amino‐functionalized SWCNTs (SWCNT‐NH₂) as initiators. The SWCNT functionalization has been verified by FTIR spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The FTIR study reveals that surface‐attached PBLGs adopt random‐coil conformations in contrast to the physically absorbed or bulk PBLGs, which exhibit α‐helical conformations. Raman spectroscopic analysis reveals a significant alteration of the electronic structure of SWCNTs as a result of PBLG functionalization. The PBLG‐functionalized SWCNTs (SWCNT‐PBLG) exhibit enhanced solubility in DMF. Stable DMF solutions of SWCNT‐PBLG/PBLG with a maximum SWCNTs concentration of 259 mg L^?1 can be readily obtained. SWCNT‐PBLG/PBLG solid composites have been characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, wide/small‐angle X‐ray scattering (W/SAXS), scanning electron microscopy, and polarized optical microscopy for their thermal or morphological properties. Microfibers containing SWCNT‐PBLG and PBLG can also be prepared via electrospinning. WAXS characterization reveals that SWCNTs are evenly distributed among PBLG rods in solution and in the solid state where PBLGs form a short‐range nematic phase interspersed with amorphous domains. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 2340–2350, 2010     

Solution route to inorganic nanobelt‐conducting organic polymer core‐shell nanocomposites

A facile and versatile solution‐based approach was developed to prepare semiconductor metal oxide nanobelt‐conducting organic polymer core‐shell nanocomposites. Well‐defined nanobelts of several types of oxide nanobelts were combined with conducting polymer [polypyrrole (PPy) and polyaniline (PANi)] via in situ polymerization in aqueous solution to obtain a new type of inorganic–organic composite nanostructure. Samples were characterized by using X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, electron energy loss spectra, high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, and ultraviolet–visible techniques. Electron energy loss spectra revealed the existence of C?C and C? N bonds in coating layers to prove the encapsulation of PPy or PANi. The red‐shift of absorption band at high‐energy was observed for PPy‐encapsulated composites via ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, and significant absorption band shifts were also encountered to PANi‐encapsulated composites, which suggest possibilities of band‐gap tuning of such metal oxide‐conducting polymer composites to be applied especially in solar cell devices. However, the sacrifice of nanobelts‐core led to hollow structures of PPy and PANi, which expands the synthetic strategies to prepare conducting polymer nanotubes. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 2892–2900, 2005     

Surface‐initiated ring‐opening polymerization of p‐dioxanone on Wang resin bead

Biodegradable poly(p‐dioxanone) (PPDO) was formed on Wang resin surface by surface‐initiated ring‐opening polymerization (SI‐ROP). The SI‐ROP of p‐dioxanone (PDO) was achieved by heating a mixture of Tin(II) bis(2‐ethylhexanoate) [Sn(Oct)₂], hydroxyl functionalized Wang resin, and PDO in anhydrous toluene at 80 °C. The resultant polymer‐grafted Wang resin (Wang‐g‐PPDO) was characterized by fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), optical microscopy (OM), and field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM). The FTIR spectra of Wang‐g‐PPDO show peak characteristic of PPDO at 2943 cm^?1 (? C? H stretch), at 1741 cm^?1 (? C?O stretch), and 1136 cm^?1 (C? O? C stretch) indicating the formation of ester linkage between PPDO and hydroxyl terminated Wang resin. The DSC thermogram show melting peak corresponding to PPDO polymer on Wang resin surface. Thermogravimetric investigation shows increase in PPDO content on the Wang resin surface in terms of percentage of weight loss with increase in reaction time. The OM and SEM photographs clearly show the formation of PPDO polymer on the Wang resin surface without altering the spherical nature of Wang resin bead. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 1178–1184, 2008