PEDOT-supported Pd nanoparticles as a catalyst for hydrazine oxidation

Composite poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT)/palladium (Pd) films were obtained by chemical deposition of dispersed palladium nanoparticles into PEDOT conducting polymer matrix. The amounts of palladium particles incorporated into PEDOT films were estimated by electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance measurements. It was shown that palladium loading depends on the time a PEDOT film is exposed in the solution, containing Pd(II)-ions, on the concentration of Pd(II) ions and the film thickness. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data have confirmed the presence of metallic palladium in the polymer. The morphology of pristine and composite films as well as the size of Pd nanoparticles and their distribution were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). From SEM images, it was found that Pd particles decorated PEDOT globular structures as quasi-spherical particles, and their mean size was dependent on synthesis conditions. The nanoparticles were non-uniformly dispersed on the polymer surface. The comparison of TEM images of composite PEDOT/Pd films obtained for different times of metal loading was made. The remarkable effect of loading time on the size of particles has been established: the mean size of dominating palladium particles was close to 6–10 nm for 30 s of metal deposition, and it was getting larger with the increase of deposition time (close to 15–30 nm for 120 s). It is most likely that with prolongation of synthesis time, the deposition of palladium predominantly proceeds on the already deposited palladium clusters, resulting in the extension growth of their size. Catalytic properties of PEDOT/Pd composite films were studied in respect to hydrazine oxidation by cyclic voltammetry and voltammetry on rotating disk electrode. The obtained data allow to conclude that the process of hydrazine oxidation on PEDOT/Pd composites takes place predominantly on palladium particles, located on the surface or in the near-surface layers of the polymer. The diffusion nature of the limiting current of hydrazine oxidation on composite PEDOT/Pd film in phosphate buffer solution рН = 6.86 was confirmed, and hydrazine diffusion coefficient was calculated. The increase of the limiting currents of hydrazine oxidation with the increase of Pd deposition time was observed, resulting from the increase of the active surface area of palladium particles, acting as microelectrodes. The electroanalytical applications of these nanocomposite materials for the determination of hydrazine were demonstrated.     

Electrochemical properties of composite films based on poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene with inclusions of metallic palladium

The electrochemical behavior of composite Pd-PEDOT films is studied. These films are obtained by chemical deposition of Pd particles in the polymeric matrix of PEDOT (poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene). Characteristics of the films are determined by means of cyclic voltammetry, faradaic impedance, microgravimetry, and energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence analysis. Impedance spectra of composite Pd-PEDOT films, compared to the original PEDOT film, reveal a new response at potentials of −0.3 and −0.4 V in the form of a distinct semicircle, which results from processes in the electrochemical sorption-desorption of hydrogen. Weight gain during the chemical deposition of palladium in the polymer structure is estimated by mircrogravimetry. It is shown that the mass of palladium loaded in the film depends on the time of synthesis and the initial concentration of palladium ions in solution. The size of the actual surface and the average radius of dispersed palladium particles in the film are also estimated.     

Nanocomposite electrode materials based on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) with incorporated gold and palladium: Preparation and morphology study

Chemical deposition of ultrafine gold and palladium particles into poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) matrix has yielded the metal-containing polymer composites. Their structure has been studied as affected by duration of reduced polymer immersion into the metal salts solution, and by concentration of the latter. Morphology features of the composite films (size and concentration of metal particles) have been elucidated by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The mixed clusters have been formed predominantly in the course of preparation of bimetal composite films via sequential deposition of gold and palladium; the isolated palladium clusters nucleate slower due to the gold-palladium alloys formation. Longer deposition of the metals leads to increase in the nanoparticles size and their concentration in the composite. Properties of the prepared materials have been demonstrated using the model electrochemical reactions.     

Structure and electrochemical properties of composite films based on poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene with metallic palladium inclusions

The electrochemical behavior of PEDOT/Pd composite films obtained by the chemical deposition of ultradisperse Pd particles in the poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) polymer matrix was studied. The structure of the films was determined by electron microscopy and energy-dispersion X-ray fluorescence analysis. The electrochemical properties of PEDOT/Pd composite films in solutions containing hydrogen peroxide was also studied. Special attention was paid to the effect of the time of the chemical deposition of palladium in the polymer structure on the electroreduction of hydrogen peroxide in phosphate buffer solutions.     

Synthesis and electrochemical properties of composite films based on poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene with inclusions of silver particles

The electrochemical behavior of PEDOT/Ag composite films obtained by chemical deposition of ultrafine Ag particles into the poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) matrix was studied. The film morphology was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The changes in the mass of the films during the chemical deposition of silver into the polymer structure were evaluated microgravimetrically. The mass of the included metallic silver particles depends on the synthesis time and the initial concentration of silver ions in solution. The cyclic voltammograms (CVs) of PEDOT/Ag films in sodium nitrate solutions and sodium nitrate solutions with additions of chloride ions were studied. The cyclic voltammograms of PEDOT/Ag films in chloride-containing solutions showed the peaks of the oxidation of silver and reduction of the oxidation product, which were absent on the CVs of the starting PEDOT film.     

Oxidation of hydrazine on poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene polymer films with inclusions of palladium nanoparticles

The oxidation of hydrazine on poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT/Pd) composite films was studied. The films were obtained by chemical deposition of palladium into a PEDOT polymer matrix. The structure of the films was characterized by electron microscopy. The effect of hydrazine concentration and amount of deposited palladium on the oxidation of hydrazine in phosphate buffer solutions (pH 6.86) was investigated.     

Gold electroless deposition into poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene films

By electroless deposition of gold into poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) films, the composite films (PEDOT-Au) are synthesized. Their electrochemical properties are studied by cyclic voltammetric (CVA) method. It is shown that in contrast to the original PEDOT film, the CVA curves of composite PEDOT-Au films measured in the presence of chloride ions reveal additional redox peaks associated with the presence of gold particles. The loading of metal gold particles by its chemical deposition into the polymer film is quantitatively assessed using quartz crystal microbalance method. The film mass is shown to depend on the time of gold loading and its original concentration in solution. The gold particles are shown to be oxidized by a reaction of the first order with respect to chloride ions. Based on the results of voltammetric and microbalance methods, the formation of a poorly soluble gold oxidation product Au(I)Cl in chloride-containing solutions was inferred.     

Electrochemistry of conductive polymers 39. Contacts between conducting polymers and noble metal nanoparticles studied by current-sensing atomic force microscopy

Electrical properties of contacts formed between conducting polymers and noble metal nanoparticles have been examined using current-sensing atomic force microscopy (CS-AFM). Contacts formed between electrochemically prepared pi-conjugated polymer films such as polypyrrole (PPy), poly(3-methylthiophene) (P3MeT), as well as poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and noble metal nanoparticles including platinum (Pt), gold (Au), and silver (Ag) have been examined. The Pt nanoparticles were electrochemically deposited on a pre-coated PPy film surface by reducing a platinum precursor (PtCl62-) at a constant potential. Both current and scanning electron microscopic images of the film showed the presence of Pt islands. The Au and Ag nanoparticles were dispersed on the P3MeT and PEDOT film surfaces simply by dipping the polymer films into colloid solutions containing Au or Ag particles for specified periods (5 to approximately 10 min). The deposition of Au or Ag particles resulted from either their physical adsorption or chemical bonding between particles and the polymer surface depending on the polymer. When compared with PPy, P3MeT and PEDOT showed a stronger binding to Au or Ag nanoparticles when dipped in their colloidal solutions for the same period. This indicates that Au and Ag particles are predominantly linked with the sulfur atoms via chemical bonding. Of the two, PEDOT was more conductive at the sites where the particles are connected to the polymer. It appears that PEDOT has better aligned sulfur atoms on the surface and is strongly bonded to Au and Ag nanoparticles due to their strong affinity to gold and silver. The current-voltage curves obtained at the metal islands demonstrate that the contacts between these metal islands and polymers are ohmic.     

Synthesis of a Water Dispersion of the PEDOT:PSS/Pd Composite and Its Use for the Fabrication of an Electrochemical Sensor for Hydrazine

Conditions are studied for the synthesis of water dispersions of polymer composites containing palladium and the possibility of their use for the fabrication of modified electrodes is estimated. Water dispersions of the polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), including a polystyrene sulfate polyanion (PEDOT:PSS) and Pd particles, were obtained by the redox reaction of Pd(II) with the polymer. The electrochemical behavior of composite PEDOT:PSS/Pd films in the medium of a phosphate buffer solution with pH 6.86 is studied. It is shown that, in the presence of hydrazine in a phosphate buffer solution, one wave of hydrazine oxidation on metal inclusions, Pd particles, is observed on the electrode. Specific features of the process of hydrazine oxidation are studied and a possibility using the obtained material for the creation of an electrochemical sensor for hydrazine is demonstrated.     

Electroless deposition of gold into poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene films and their characterization performed in chloride-containing solutions

Au-containing polymer films were obtained by electroless deposition of gold from diluted solutions of HAuCl₄ into preliminarily reduced poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) films. Structural peculiarities of such pristine and composite films were characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy methods. It was established that the gold clusters forming under such deposition appear on the outer surface of polymer films and their pores. The clusters’ sizes ranged between 30 and 100 nm depending on the time of exposition of a PEDOT film in solutions of Au(III) ions and the concentration of these ions. It was also observed that in contrast to pristine PEDOT films, cyclic voltammograms (CVs) of composite films in the presence of chloride ions show additional redox peaks resulting from oxidation of gold with formation of an insoluble product and followed by the product reduction under reversal of the potential scan direction. As a result of parallel electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) and CV measurements, it was also established that the number of chloride ions per one transferring electron in the gold oxidation process is near to unity. To elucidate the oxidation degree of gold in the presence of chloride ions, a special procedure of changing the electrode potential was used. It consisted of clamping the high anodic potential in the region of gold oxidation (0.97 V, Ag/AgCl) and subsequent gradual decrease of the electrode potential with a constant scan rate. Under these conditions, it was possible to completely oxidize all the gold particles containing in a composite film and find out the maximum amount of electricity consumed for the product particles’ reduction. A comparison between such data and the results obtained in EQCM determinations of the gold content in the same film led to the conclusion that the oxidation state of gold in the complexes formed is Au(III). The effects of chloride ion concentration and scan rate of the electrode potential on current responses of PEDOT–Au films were investigated. Some primary conclusions on the kinetics of the studied processes are made.     

用原位液体池透射电镜技术表征金属钯在球形金纳米颗粒表面的异质沉积

采用原位液体池透射电镜技术,在扫描透射电子显微镜(STEM)中,实时观察溶液中金属钯(Pd)在金(Au)纳米颗粒及团簇周围的异质沉积过程。通过对该动态过程的定量分析,结合高分辨透射电子显微镜(HRTEM)对样品进行形貌与结构表征,研究异质沉积的机理。结果表明,电子束辐照下Au-Pd异质结构纳米颗粒的形成存在两种主要机制:第一种机制中,Pd在Au纳米颗粒表面的生长是以岛状沉积开始,随着时间推移,出现Pd岛的结构弛豫和沿着Au颗粒表面的迁移扩展。伴随Pd的不断沉积和弛豫,Au-Pd复合颗粒的外接圆直径表现为震荡生长,而Au表面的Pd覆盖率显示出随时间单调增加的趋势。第二种机制中,由于Pd单体在Au纳米颗粒上的沉积位点有限,使部分被还原的Pd在Au颗粒以外区域进行同质形核与生长形成Pd团簇,之后再与Au颗粒上的Pd岛合并。进一步的结果分析显示,Au颗粒外围的Pd沉积体为多晶结构,由随机取向的Pd纳米晶粒构成。     

Effect of Incorporation of Silver on the Electrical Properties of Sol-Gel-Derived Titania Film

Metallic Ag nanoparticles-incorporating titania films were prepared using the sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, UV/Vis optical spectra and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images were recorded to characterize the Ag/titania composite films. Electrometer was used to estimate the resistance of Ag/titania composite film to understand the effect of the incorporation of metallic Ag nanoparticles on the electrical properties of titania film. The results showed that metallic Ag nanoparticles distributed randomly in titania film and most metallic Ag particles size was in the range of 5–15 nm. The agglomeration of a small quantity of metallic Ag particles occurred and when the amount of Ag species was increased the agglomeration was enhanced. The resistance of Ag/titania composite films decreased greatly compared with pure titania film.     

苯乙烯和N-乙烯基吡咯烷酮共聚物/Ag复合微球的制备及性能研究

首先用无皂乳液聚合法制备了单分散聚苯乙烯(PSt)乳液,以此为种子乳液,使用N,N-亚甲基双丙烯酰胺(MBA)为交联剂,过硫酸钾(KPS)为引发剂,进行苯乙烯和N-乙烯基吡咯烷酮(NVP)共聚合制备了以PSt为核、St和NVP共聚物为壳的具有核-壳结构的聚合物微球(P(St-NVP)).以此微球为模板通过化学沉积法得到了粒径分布均匀、单分散的P(St-NVP)/Ag复合微球.傅里叶红外光谱、X-射线衍射、扫描电镜、透射电镜、激光粒度仪和紫外-可见光谱对复合微球的结构、形貌、物相及催化性能进行了表征.结果表明,P(St-NVP)/Ag复合微球具有规则的球形结构,粒径在400～700 nm之间,随交联剂浓度或种子乳液浓度的增加,复合微球粒径减小.粒径在十几个纳米左右的银粒子均匀分布在微球表面和内部.载银复合微球在NaBH4还原4-硝基苯酚为4-氨基苯酚的模型反应中表现出较高的催化活性.     

Preparation and characterization of metal-chitosan nanocomposites

Various metal-chitosan nanocomposites were synthesized, including silver (Ag), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), and palladium (Pd) in aqueous solutions. Metal nanoparticles were formed by reduction of corresponding metal salts with NaBH4 in the presence of chitosan. And chitosan molecules adsorbing onto the surface of as-prepared metal nanoparticles formed the corresponding metal-chitosan nanocomposites. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images and UV-vis spectra of the nanocomposites revealed the presence of metal nanoparticles. Comparison of all the resulting particles size, it shows that silver nanoparticles are much larger than others (Au, Pt and Pd). In addition, the difference in particles size leads to develop different morphologies in the films cast from prepared metal-chitosan nanocomposites. Polarized optical microscopy (POM) images show a batonet-like structure for Ag-chitosan nanocomposites film, while for the films cast from other metal (Au, Pt, and Pd)-chitosan nanocomposites, some branched-like structures with a few differences among them were observed under POM observation.     

Electrosynthesis of well-organized nanoporous poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) by nanosphere lithography

The electrodeposition of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) films from aqueous surfactant solution through a two-dimensional poly(styrene) (PS) template onto indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate has been investigated. The polymer grows in the interstitial spaces of the self-assembled PS spheres which were subsequently removed by dissolution in tetrahydrofuran (THF). Surface characterization by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) reveals that two-dimensional nanoporous honeycomb PEDOT structures can easily be obtained by using PS spheres of different sizes. Gold electrodeposition onto the nanostructured PEDOT electrode was investigated and SEM images show preferential formation of nanoparticles (NP) on the wall and the rim of the PEDOT film but metal clusters inside the pores are also observed.     

Layer‐by‐layer assembly of {chitosan/Pd}n multilayer film based on in‐situ photochemical reduction with excellent electrocatalytic properties

Chitosan/palladium {CTS/Pd}_n composite multilayer film was assembled based on layer‐by‐layer self‐assembly technique and in‐situ photo‐chemical reduction reaction, in which the CTS plays the role of a photo‐reduction agent and an assembly reagent. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) shows that spherical Pd nanoparticles with diameter of 20 nm are well‐dispersed in the composite multilayer films, and the size of Pd nanoparticles increased gradually with the extension of illumination time. Besides, the {CTS/Pd}_n composite multilayer film exhibits linear, uniform and regular layer‐by‐layer growth. Furthermore, the {CTS/Pd}_n composite multilayer film presents an excellent catalytic properties for oxygen reduction, and it has potential application in energy, chemical synthesis and biological processes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The synthesis and characterization of polyorganosiloxane nanoparticles from 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane for preparation of nanocomposite films via photoinitiated thiol-ene polymerization

This article describes the synthesis of modified silica nanoparticles (SiO₂-MPTMS) via the condensation reaction carried out between silanol moieties of silica nanoparticles and the trialkoxy silyl groups of (3-mercaptopropyl) trimethoxysilane (MPTMS). Then, SiO₂-MPTMS nanoparticles in certain amounts (0.5 wt %, 1 wt %, 2.5 wt % and 5 wt %) were incorporated into thiol-ene resins consisting of bisphenol A glycerolate dimethacrylate and trimethylolpropane tris(3-mercaptopropionate) to prepare nanocomposite films via the photoinitiated thiol-ene polymerization in presence of 2,2-Dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone 99% as a photoinitiator. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, scanning transmission electron microscopy, thermal gravimetric analyzer, and X-ray photoelectron spectrometer were employed to characterize SiO₂-MPTMS nanoparticles. It was revealed that the nanosilica surface was successfully grafted by MPTMS with the grafting ratio of 22.9%. Properties of the nanocomposite films such as decomposition temperature, thermal glass transition temperature, tensile strength, hardness, and particle distribution were investigated and the results were compared with each other and neat film. The addition of MPTMS-modified silica particles did not improve the thermal stability of the films. In scanning electron microscopy study, it was seen that 2.5 wt % of these nanoparticles used as additives were about 200 nm in size and dispersed homogeneously in the polymer matrix. The increase in tensile strength of nanocomposite films compared to the neat film was measured as 77.3% maximum.     

Poly(methyl methacrylate) composites with size‐selected silver nanoparticles fabricated using cluster beam technique

An embedment of metal nanoparticles of well‐defined sizes in thin polymer films is of significant interest for a number of practical applications, in particular, for preparing materials with tunable plasmonic properties. In this article, we present a fabrication route for metal–polymer composites based on cluster beam technique allowing the formation of monocrystalline size‐selected silver nanoparticles with a ±5–7% precision of diameter and controllable embedment into poly (methyl methacrylate). It is shown that the soft‐landed silver clusters preserve almost spherical shape with a slight tendency to flattening upon impact. By controlling the polymer hardness (from viscous to soft state) prior the cluster deposition and annealing conditions after the deposition the degree of immersion of the nanoparticles into polymer can be tuned, thus, making it possible to create composites with either particles partly or fully embedded into the film. Good size selection and rather homogeneous dispersion of nanoparticles in the thin polymer film lead to excellent plasmonic properties characterized by the narrow band and high quality factor of localized surface plasmon resonance. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 1152–1159     

Polymer-assisted preparation of nanoscale films of thermoelectric PbSe and PbTe and of lead chalcogenide-polymer composite films

Polymer films of polyethyleneoxide (PEO) or poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) containing a single-source precursor for either PbSe or PbTe were used to produce films of nanoparticles of these thermoelectric materials. The monomeric homoleptic chalcogenolates lead(II) bis-(2,4,6-trifluoromethylphenylselenolate) Pb[SeC(6)H(2)(CF(3))(3)](2) and lead(II) bis-[tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl-tellurolate] Pb[TeSi(SiMe(3))(3)](2) were used as single-source precursors for the thermolytic formation of the lead chalcogenides. The thickness and the quality of as-obtained thin films depended decisively on the spin-coating conditions, on the polymer, on the precursor concentration in the composite film before thermolysis and on the annealing time. Thin layers of particles of 30-50 nm size and high crystallinity were obtained. They were characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis and electron microscopy.     

Cooperative Self‐Assembly‐Assisted Formation of Monodisperse Optically Active Spherical and Anisotropic Nanoparticles

We report a new method in which spontaneous self‐assembly is employed to synthesize monodisperse polymer nanoparticles with controlled size (<50 nm), shape, tunable functionality, and enhanced solvent and thermal stability. Cooperative noncovalent interactions, such as hydrogen bonding and aromatic π–π stacking, assist self‐assembly of amphiphilic macromolecules (polystyrene‐block‐polyvinylpyridine, PS? PVP) and structure directing agents (SDAs) to form both spherical and anisotropic solid polymer nanoparticles with SDAs residing in the particle core surrounded by the polymers. Through detailed investigations by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), we have rationalized nanoparticle morphology evolution and dependence on factors such as SDA concentration and PVP size. By keeping the PS chain size constant, the particle morphology progresses from continuous films to spherical particles, and on to cylindrical nanowires or rods with increasing the PVP chain size. The final nanoparticles are very stable and can be redispersed in common solvents to form homogenous solutions and thin films of ordered nanoparticle arrays through solvent evaporation processes. These nanoparticles exhibit tunable fluorescent colors (or emissions) depending on the choices of the central SDAs. Our method is simple and general without requiring complicated synthetic chemistry, stabilizing surfactants, or annealing procedures (e.g., temperature or solvent annealing), making scalable synthesis feasible.