Insights into MWCNTs/polyimide nanocomposites: from synthesis to application as free-standing flexible electrodes in low-cost micro-supercapacitors

In the pursuit to enlarge the library of polyimide materials for energy applications, new polyimide/MWCNTs composite films have been developed by MWCNTs-assisted polycondensation reaction of a hydroxyl and triphenylmethane-containing diamine with benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride targeting to highlight their electrical storage capability as flexible electrodes in micro-supercapacitors (mSCs). The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, UV–vis, fluorescence, and Raman spectroscopies were used to demonstrate the evolution of interfacial interactions between MWCNTs and the precursors (diamine monomer and intermediate polyamidic acid) and polyimide matrix that proved to be the origin of MWCNTs homogeneous dispersion. Thus, composite films incorporating 1, 3, 5, and 10 w.t.% MWCNTs were obtained and thoroughly investigated with regard to their morphology, mechanical behavior, thermal stability, and electrical conductivity. The electrochemical performance of these composites was first analyzed in a classical three-electrode cell by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge-discharge in both aqueous and organic electrolyte systems. By far, the best electrical storage capacity was obtained with the composite polyimide film containing 10% MWCNTs that was further used as both active material and current collector in a flexible symmetric mSC realized by a straightforward and low-cost procedure. In the attempt to better exploit the advantages of this composite film, it was layered with a graphite-containing paint and tested as an electrode in a flexible mSC, which provided satisfactory results. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the electrical charge storage capability of a polyimide/MWCNTs free-standing film as a flexible electrode in mSCs, which do not require time- and resource-consuming processing steps.     

On the Relative Twist Formula of l-adic Sheaves

We propose a conjecture on the relative twist formula of l-adic sheaves, which can be viewed as a generalization of Kato—Saito's conjecture. We verify this conjecture under some transversal assumptions. We also define a relative cohomological characteristic class and prove that its formation is compatible with proper push-forward. A conjectural relation is also given between the relative twist formula and the relative cohomological characteristic class.     

Synthesis and characterization of VO–vanillin complex immobilized on MCM-41 and its facile catalytic application in the sulfoxidation reaction,and synthesis of 2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones and disulfides in green media

In this work, a vanillin complex is immobilized onto MCM-41 and characterized by FT-IR, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and BET techniques. This supported Schiff base complex was found to be an efficient and recoverable catalyst for the chemoselective oxidation of sulfides into sulfoxides and thiols into their corresponding disulfides (using hydrogen peroxide as a green oxidant) and also a suitable catalyst for the preparation of 2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-one derivatives in water at 90°C. Using this protocol, we show that a variety of disulfides, sulfoxides, and 2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-one derivatives can be synthesized in green conditions. The catalyst can be recovered and recycled for further reactions without appreciable loss of catalytic performance.     

Orientation dependent size effects in thermal buckling and post-buckling of nanoplates with cubic anisotropy

In this work, a continuum model is presented for size and orientation dependent thermal buckling and post-buckling of anisotropic nanoplates considering surface and bulk residual stresses. The model with von-Karman nonlinear strains and material cubic anisotropy of single crystals contains two parameters that reflect the orientation effects. Using Ritz method, closed form solutions are given for buckling temperature and post-buckling deflections. Regarding self-instability states of nanoplates and their recovering at higher temperatures, an experiment is discussed based on low pressurized membranes to verify the predictions. For simply supported nanoplates, the size effects are lowest when they are aligned in [100] direction. When the edges get clamped, the orientation dependence is ignorable and the behavior becomes symmetric about [510] axis. The surface residual stress makes drastic increase in buckling temperature of thinner nanoplates for which a minimum thickness is pointed to stay far from material softening at higher temperatures. Deflection of [100]-oriented buckled nanoplates is higher than [110] ones but this reverses at higher temperatures. The results for long nanoplates show that the buckling mode numbers are changed by orientation which is verified by FEM.     

Synthesis and applications of graphene oxide aerogels in bone tissue regeneration: a review

Development of biocompatible porous supports is a promising strategy in the field of tissue engineering for the repair and regeneration of bone tissues with severe damage. Graphene oxide aerogels (GOAs) are excellent candidates for the manufacture of these systems due to their porosity, ability to imitate bone structure, and mechanical resistance, and according to their surface chemical reactivity, they can facilitate osseointegration, osteogenesis, osteoinduction and osteoconduction. In this review, synthesis of GOAs from the most primary source is described, and recent studies on the use of these functionalized carbonaceous foams as scaffolding for bone tissue regeneration are presented.     

Facile sonochemical synthesis of rutile-type titanium dioxide microspheres decorated graphene oxide composite for efficient electrochemical sensor

In this reports the facile and green synthesis of rutile-type titanium dioxide nanoparticles decorated graphene oxide nanocomposite via the ultrasonication process (frequency: 50 kHz, Power: 100 W/cm² and Ultrasonic type: Ti-horn). Because, the sonochemical synthesis method is simple, non-explosive and harmless method than other conventional technique. Furthermore, the synthesized material was characterized by various analytical techniques including FESEM, EDX, XRD, EIS and electrochemical methods. Then, the synthesized TiO₂ MPs@GOS composite was applied for the electrocatalytic detection of theophylline (TPL) using CV and amperometric (current-time) techniques. Captivatingly, the modified sensor has excellent electrocatalytic performance with the wider linear range from 0.02 to 209.6 µM towards the determination of theophylline and the LOD and sensitivity of the modified sensor was calculated as 13.26 nM and 1.183 μA·µM⁻¹·cm⁻², respectively. In addition, a selectivity, reproducibility and stability of the TiO₂ MPs@GOS modified GCE were analyzed towards the determination of theophylline molecule. Finally, the real time application of TiO₂ MPs@GOS modified theophylline sensor was established in serum and drug samples.     

Response surface methodology toward the optimization of high-energy carotenoid extraction from Aristeus antennatus shrimp

High-energy assisted extraction techniques, like ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) and microwave assisted extraction (MAE), are widely applied over the last years for the recovery of bioactive compounds such as carotenoids, antioxidants and phenols from foods, animals and herbal natural sources. Especially for the case of xanthophylls, the main carotenoid group of crustaceans, they can be extracted in a rapid and quantitative way with the use of UAE and MAE.     

Metamorphic InAs(Sb)/InGaAs/InAlAs nanoheterostructures grown on GaAs for efficient mid-IR emitters

High-efficiency semiconductor lasers and light-emitting diodes operating in the 3–5?μm mid-infrared (mid-IR) spectral range are currently of great demand for a wide variety of applications, in particular, gas sensing, noninvasive medical tests, IR spectroscopy etc. III-V compounds with a lattice constant of about 6.1?Å are traditionally used for this spectral range. The attractive idea to fabricate such emitters on GaAs substrates by using In(Ga,Al)As compounds is restricted by either the minimum operating wavelength of ～8?μm in case of pseudomorphic AlGaAs-based quantum cascade lasers or requires utilization of thick metamorphic In_xAl_1-xAs buffer layers (MBLs) playing a key role in reducing the density of threading dislocations (TDs) in an active region, which otherwise result in a strong decay of the quantum efficiency of such mid-IR emitters. In this review we present the results of careful investigations of employing the convex-graded In_xAl_1-xAs MBLs for fabrication by molecular beam epitaxy on GaAs (001) substrates of In(Ga,Al)As heterostructures with a combined type-II/type-I InSb/InAs/InGaAs quantum well (QW) for efficient mid-IR emitters (3–3.6?μm). The issues of strain relaxation, elastic stress balance, efficiency of radiative and non-radiative recombination at T?=?10–300?K are discussed in relation to molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) growth conditions and designs of the structures. A wide complex of techniques including in-situ reflection high-energy electron diffraction, atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning and transmission electron microscopies, X-ray diffractometry, reciprocal space mapping, selective area electron diffraction, as well as photoluminescence (PL) and Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy was used to study in detail structural and optical properties of the metamorphic QW structures. Optimization of the growth conditions (the substrate temperature, the As₄/III ratio) and elastic strain profiles governed by variation of an inverse step in the In content profile between the MBL and the InAlAs virtual substrate results in decrease in the TD density (down to 3?×?10⁷ cm^?2), increase of the thickness of the low-TD-density near-surface MBL region to 250–300?nm, the extremely low surface roughness with the RMS value of 1.6–2.4?nm, measured by AFM, as well as rather high 3.5?μm-PL intensity at temperatures up to 300?K in such structures. The obtained results indicate that the metamorphic InSb/In(Ga,Al)As QW heterostructures of proper design, grown under the optimum MBE conditions, are very promising for fabricating the efficient mid-IR emitters on a GaAs platform.