Synthesis and characterization of fluorine functionalized graphene oxide dispersed quinoline-based polyimide composites having low-k and UV shielding properties

Polyimide nanocomposites having low-k and UV shielding properties have been developed using fluorine functionalized graphene oxide and bis(quinoline amine) based polyimide. The polyimide was synthesized using bis(quinoline amine) and pyromellitic dianhydride at appropriate experimental conditions, and its molecular structure was confirmed through various spectral analysis such as FTIR and NMR. The polyimide (PI) composites were prepared using bis(quinoline amine), pyromellitic dianhydride, and separately filled with 1, 5, 10 wt% of fluorinated graphene oxide (FGO) through in situ polymerization. The polymer composites were characterized using thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition, the water contact angle, dielectric behavior, and UV–Vis shielding behavior of FGO/PI composites were evaluated. The value of the water contact angle of the polyimide was increased with increment of FGO in the polyimide matrix. The highest water contact angle of polyimide composites observed 108° was obtained for 15 wt% FGO reinforced polyimide composite. The value of the dielectric constant for neat, 1, 5, and 15 wt% FGO reinforced polyimide composites was obtained as 4.5, 3.7, 2.6, and 2.0, respectively. It is also observed from by UV–Vis spectroscopy analysis that the FGO reinforced polyimide composites have good UV shielding behavior.     

Selective solid-phase microextraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water based on oriented phosphorus-containing titanium oxide nanofibers grown on titanium support prior to high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection

A novel solid-phase microextraction coating of phosphorous-containing titanium oxide composite was developed using titanium fiber as a support and a titanium source by hydrothermal oxidation in a phosphoric acid solution containing hydrogen peroxide. The morphology of the fiber coatings was controlled by the conditions of the hydrothermal oxidation reaction. The oriented nanofiber coating was employed to extract several types of representative aromatic analytes. The experimental results demonstrated that the as-prepared fiber exhibited excellent extraction efficiency toward polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Combined with high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection, main extraction conditions were optimized, including pH, ionic strength, extraction temperature, stirring rate, extraction time and desorption time. The established method presented good linearity from 0.05 to 200 μg/L with limit of detection ranging from 0.012 to 0.126 μg/L. This convenient and green procedure was suitable for the selective extraction and determination of typical polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in environmental water samples. The relative recoveries of 85.8–112% were obtained for the determination of target polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water samples spiked with 5.0 and 15.0 μg/L. Moreover, the as-prepared fiber showed at least 210 extraction/desorption cycles due to its high mechanical and chemical stability.     

Low percolation conductive graphite flakes-filled poly(urethane-imide) composites with high thermal stability via imidization self-foaming structure

In the study, the conductive graphite flakes filled poly(urethane-imide) composites (PUI/GFs) with high performance were constructed by the thermal imidization self-foaming reaction. It was found that the foaming action could promote the redistribution of GFs during curing process and the formation of stable linear conductive pathways. The percolation threshold of PUI/GFs composites was lowered from 1.26 wt% (2000 mesh GFs) or 0.86 wt% (1000 mesh GFs) to 0.79 wt% (500 mesh GFs), which were relatively low percolation thresholds for polymer/GFs composites so far. When the content of 500 mesh GFs was 4.0 wt%, the electrical conductivity of the composite was as high as 3.96 × 10^?1 S/m. Also, a poly(urethane-imide) (PUI) matrix with excellent thermal stability (T_d10%: 334.97 °C) and mechanical properties (elongation at break: 324.52%, tensile strength: 15.88 MPa) was obtained by introducing the rigid aromatic heterocycle into the polyurethane (PU) hard segments. Moreover, the zero temperature coefficient of resistivity for the composites was observed at the temperature range from 30 °C to 200 °C. Consequently, PUI/GFs composites may provide the novel strategy for considerable conductive materials with high thermal stability in electrical conductivity.     

Effect of Polythiophene Content on Thermomechanical Properties of Electroconductive Composites

The thermal, mechanical and electrical properties of polymeric composites combined using polythiophene (PT) dopped by FeCl₃ and polyamide 6 (PA), in the aspect of conductive constructive elements for organic solar cells, depend on the molecular structure and morphology of materials as well as the method of preparing the species. This study was focused on disclosing the impact of the polythiophene content on properties of electrospun fibers. The elements for investigation were prepared using electrospinning applying two substrates. The study revealed the impact of the substrate on the conductive properties of composites. In this study composites exhibited good thermal stability, with T₅ values in the range of 230–268 °C that increased with increasing PT content. The prepared composites exhibited comparable PA T_g values, which indicates their suitability for processing. Instrumental analysis of polymers and composites was carried out using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

Fe(II) Spin Crossover/Polymer Hybrid Materials: Investigation of the SCO Behavior via Temperature-Dependent Raman Spectroscopy,Physicochemical Characterization and Migration Release Study

Polymeric composites constitute an appealing class of materials with applications in various fields. Spin crossover (SCO) coordination complexes are switchable materials with potential use in data storage and sensors. Their incorporation into polymers can be considered an effective method for their wider practical application. In this study, Fe(II) SCO/polylactic acid hybrid polymeric composites have been prepared by film casting. The mononuclear coordination complex [Fe{N(CN)₂}₂(abpt)₂] was incorporated into polylactic acid. The morphological, structural and thermoanalytical characterization of the composite films were performed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), attenuated total reflectance (ATR/FTIR), Raman spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In addition, the migration release study (MRS) of the SCO compound from the polymeric matrix into the food simulant 50% v/v water/ethanol solution was also examined via UV/Vis absorption. Of particular interest was the investigation of the SCO behavior of the coordination complex after its incorporation into the polymer matrix; it was accomplished by temperature-dependent micro-Raman spectroscopy. The described attempt could be considered a preparatory step toward the development of SCO-based temperature sensors integrated into food packaging materials.     

Highly elastic cobweb-like SiO/CNF composites with reconstructed heterostructure for high-efficient lithium storage

The silicon-based materials are promising candidates for lithium-ion batteries owing to their high energy density. However, achieving long lifespan under realistic conditions remains a challenge because of the volume expansion and low conductivity. In this work, the highly elastic cobweb-like composite materials consisted by SiO and nanofibers are designed and fabricated for high-efficient lithium storage by ball-milling & electrostatic spinning method. The reconstructed heterostructure and highly elastic nanofibers can simultaneously increase the conductivity and inhibit the “expansion effect” of silicon-based materials. The constructed electrode of n-SiO/CNF delivers an initial capacity of 1700 mAh/g, and maintains the capacities over 1000 mAh/g after 100 cycles at the current density of 500 mA/g. Meanwhile, this electrode can give an initial coulombic efficiency over 85% and maintains at 98% in the following charge/discharge processes. Furthermore, it exhibits efficient long-term electrochemical performance, maintaining the capacity at about 1000 mAh/g at a high current density of 1000 mA/g after 1000 cycles. This work could provide a promising strategy for enhancing the performance of silicon-based composite materials for practical application in lithium-ion batteries.     

Microstructure performance and formation mechanism of laser alloying rare earth oxides modified nanocrystalline layer on TA7

Nanoscale particles (NP) were observed in a Ni60–Ag–Si₃N₄–Y₂O₃ laser alloying (LA) layer on a TA7 titanium alloy, NP usually locate on the grain boundaries, which are able to block the motion of dislocation in a certain extent. Such layer mainly consisted of γ-Ni, TiN, γ-(Fe, Ni), TiAg and lots of amorphous phases. The wear resistance of such layer with laser scanning speed 3 mm/s was better than that of a LA layer with 6 mm/s, which was mainly ascribed to an uniform microstructure and less defect of layer. The high laser scanning speed made the existing time of laser molten pool be shorter than before, favoring the formation of a fine microstructure. However, the defects, such as pores were produced in LA layer (higher scanning speed), decreasing the wear resistance.     

Reactive TiO2 Nanoparticles Compatibilized PLLA/PBSU Blends:Fully Biodegradable Polymer Composites with Improved Physical,Antibacterial and Degradable Properties

The fully biodegradable polymer blends remain challenges for the application due to their undesirable comprehensive performance.Herein,remarkable combination of superior mechanical performance,bacterial resistance,and controllable degradability is realized in the biodegradable poly(L-lactide)/poly(butylene succinate) (PLLA/PBSU) blends by stabilizing the epoxide group modified titanium dioxide nanoparticles (m-TiO2) at the PLLA-PBSU interface through reactive blending.The m-TiO2 can not only act as interfacial compatibilizer but also play the role of photodegradation catalyst:on the one hand,binary grafted nanoparticles were in situ formed and stabilized at the interface to enhance the compatibility between polymer phases.As a consequence,the mechanical properties of the blend,such as the elongation at break,notched impact strength and tensile yield strength,were simultaneously improved.On the other hand,antibacterial and photocatalytic degradation performance of the composite films was synergistically improved,it was found that the m-TiO2 incorporated PLLA/PBSU films exhibit more effective antibacterial activity than the neat PLLA/PBSU films.Moreover,the analysis of photodegradable properties revealed that that m-TiO2 nanoparticles could act as a photocatalyst to accelerate the photodegradation rate of polymers.This study paves a new strategy to fabricate advanced PLLA/PBSU blend materials with excellent mechanical performance,antibacterial and photocatalytic degradation performance,which enables the potential utilization of fully degradable polymers.