Preparation and characterization of covalently bonded PVA/Laponite/HAPI nanocomposite multilayer freestanding films by layer‐by‐layer assembly

The layer‐by‐layer (LBL) assembly technique is an attractive method to make functional multilayer thin films and has been applied to fabricate a wide range of materials. LBL materials could improve optical transmittance and mechanical properties if the film components were covalently bonded. Covalently bonded nanocomposite multilayer films were prepared by employing hydrophilic aliphatic polyisocyanate (HAPI) as the reactive component, to react with Laponite and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). FT‐IR spectra suggested that HAPI reacted with Laponite and PVA at ambient temperature rapidly. Ellipsometry measurement showed that the film thickness was in linear growth. The influences of HAPI on the optical, mechanical and thermal properties of the films were investigated by UV‐Vis spectroscopy, tensile stress measurement, DSC and TGA. The obtained results showed that the optical transmittance and mechanical strength were enhanced when the film components were covalently bonded by HAPI. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015 , 53, 545–551     

Interaction of surfactant with antistatic polymer thin layers

Thin layers made from three kinds of hydrophilic polymer were coated onto poly(ethylene terephthalate)(PET) fibers to study the interaction of an anionic surfactant, sodiumn-dodecyl benzenesulfonate, with the polymer layers. The coated layers include a) poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) crosslinked with glutaraldehyde [nonionic], b) crosslinked, sulfated PVA [anionic], and c) polyethyleneimine crosslinked with poly(ethyleneglycol diglycidylether) [cationic]. All of these coatings were found to reduce the electrostatic charging of the PET cloths, indicating that they were effectively coated with the hydrophilic polymers. The PET cloth coated with the thin layers was immersed in the aqueous solution of surfactant at 40°C for different durations and the electrostatic voltage as well as the weight change were determined after drying. When the cloth coated with the nonionic or the anionic layer was brought into contact with the surfactant, neither the electrostatic voltage nor the weight of PET changed. On the contrary, immersion in the surfactant solution brought about an increase in both the electrostatic voltage and the weight for the PET coated with the cationic layer. This suggested that the surfactant molecules were bound to the cationic layer, in contrast to the nonionic and the anionic layer. It was concluded that the binding was due to ion complexing between the cationic groups in the polymeric layer and the sulfate groups in the surfactant molecules.     

The effect of preparation parameters on performance of polyvinyl alcohol thin‐film composite membrane: Experimental study,modeling, and optimization

To systematically investigate the influence of preparation conditions on pure water permeability (PWP) and solute removal performance of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) thin‐film composite (TFC) membrane, fractional factorial design was applied. The considered conditions were related to 3 steps of the TFC preparation, including support membrane preparation, PVA coating, and cross‐linking. The results showed that among the selected factors, polysulfone concentration (polymer of the support membrane), heat curing time (related to cross‐linking condition), and their interaction have the most significant effects on the both permeability and salt rejection. The effects of significant factors interaction on permeability and solute rejection of PVA TFC membrane were discussed. Finally, optimum preparation conditions were calculated by numerical optimization to achieve maximum permeability and solute removal, simultaneously. The prepared membrane at optimum conditions showed PWP of 1.74 L/m²hbar and 96.19% Na₂SO₄ rejection. It was realized that the prediction of mathematical models at optimum conditions was reliable with absolute average relative error 7.43% and 1.18% for PWP and rejection, respectively.     

Evaluation of Photocatalytic Activity by Dye Decomposition

A novel rapid evaluation method for the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ thin films was developed. An organic dye with a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) binder was spin coated on the TiO₂ thin film, and the decrease in the absorbance of the dye's absorption peak during UV light irradiation was measured. Acid Blue 9 (Brilliant Blue FCF; CI-42090) could be used as the probe, while Methylene Blue (CI-52015) was not applicable to this method because of the reversible color change after the UV irradiation was stopped. PVA has virtually no interaction with oxidizing radicals, therefore, it is regarded as a simple binder holding dye molecules in the coated dye-PVA film. It was found that the ambient humidity during the UV irradiation strongly accelerates the discoloration rate of the dye, probably due to the increase in the photogenerated oxidizing radicals on the TiO₂ surface. This dye discoloration could be explainedby the one-dimensional diffusion model with a first order reaction.     

Preparation and characterization of TiO2/Pebax/(PSf‐PES) thin film nanocomposite membrane for humic acid removal from water

New thin film composite (TFC) membrane was prepared via coating of Pebax on PSf‐PES blend membrane as support, and its application in wastewater treatment was investigated. To modify this membrane, hydrophilic TiO₂ nanoparticles were coated on its surface at different loadings via dip coating technique. The as‐prepared membrane was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), field emission SEM, and contact angle analysis. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis and surface SEM images indicated that TiO₂ was successfully coated on the membrane surface. In addition, the results stated that the hydrophilicity and roughness of membrane surface increased by addition of TiO₂ nanoparticles. Performance of TFC and modified TFC membranes was evaluated through humic acid removal from aqueous solution. Maximum permeate flux and humic acid rejection were obtained at 0.03 and 0.01 wt% TiO₂ loadings, respectively. Rejection was enhanced from 96.38% to 98.92% by the increase of feed concentration from 10 to 30 ppm. Additionally, membrane antifouling parameters at different pressures and feed concentration were determined. The results indicated that surface modification of membranes could be an effective method for improvement of membrane antifouling property.     

Micropatterning of Sol-Gel Derived Thin Films Using Hydrophobic-Hydrophilic Patterned Surface

Formation process of convexly shaped oxide micropatterns using hydrophobic-hydrophilic patterned surface has been examined, and this technique was applied to several oxide thin films such as SnO₂, ZrO₂, TiO₂ and Al₂O₃. Hydrophobic-hydrophilic patterned surfaces were prepared on glass substrates by selective UV irradiation through a photomask on double-layered films of a very thin TiO₂ gel film as the underlayer and a hydrolyzed fluoroalkyltrimethoxysilane layer as the top layer. Precursor solutions were then spin-coated on the hydrophobic-hydrophilic patterns, and the coated substrates were dried at room temperature. The micropatterns of oxides were very difficult to be formed on the hydrophobic-hydrophilic patterned surfaces from metal-alkoxides as a precursor solution, but convexly shaped micropatterns were formed on the hydrophilic regions of the pattern when metal chlorides or oxychlorides were used as starting materials. This patterning technique potentially has a wide variety of applications such as fabrication of micro-optical components and finely patterned transparent electrodes.     

聚乙烯醇对碳纳米管负载氧化铁影响的研究

采用液相化学沉积法制备了碳纳米管负载的Fe2O3. TEM观察发现， 添加聚乙烯醇作为表面活性剂可以实现碳纳米管对Fe2O3的有效负载， 未添加聚乙烯醇两者出现物相分离. 聚乙烯醇均匀吸附在碳纳米管表面, 增强碳纳米管在水溶液中的分散, 其疏水基团与碳纳米管以范德华力结合, 其亲水基团与Fe2O3·nH2O结合, 对碳纳米管有效负载Fe2O3起到了桥梁作用. 在样品煅烧过程中, 聚乙烯醇熔融后均匀地包裹在碳纳米管表面上, 进一步阻止了两者在煅烧过程中的物相分离.     

Poly(ester sulphonic acid) coated mercury thin film electrodes: characterization and application in batch injection analysis stripping voltammetry of heavy metal ions

Mercury-thin film electrodes coated with a thin film of poly(ester sulphonic acid) (PESA) have been investigated for application in the analysis of trace heavy metals by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry using the batch injection analysis (BIA) technique. Different polymer dispersion concentrations in water/acetone mixed solvent are investigated and are characterised by electrochemical impedance measurements on glassy carbon and on mercury film electrodes. The influence of electrolyte anion, acetate or nitrate, on polymer film properties is demonstrated, acetate buffer being shown to be preferable for stripping voltammetry applications. Although stripping currents are between 30 and 70% less at the coated than at bare mercury thin film electrodes, the influence of model surfactants on stripping response is shown to be very small. The effect of the composition of the modifier film dispersion on calibration plots is shown; however, detection limits of around 5 nM are found for all modified electrodes tested. This coated electrode is an alternative to Nafion-coated mercury thin film electrodes for the analysis of trace metals in complex matrices, particularly useful when there is a high concentration of non-ionic detergents.     

Thin Pd membrane on α-Al2O3 hollow fiber substrate without any interlayer by electroless plating combined with embedding Pd catalyst in polymer template

Palladium acetate and poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) were dissolved in chloroform to form a homogeneous solution. Using this solution, thin polymer template film with embedded Pd catalyst was coated on a porous α-Al₂O₃ hollow fiber substrate. The Pd in the template film was used as the catalyst for electroless plating of Pd membranes. After the template was removed by heat treatment, the thin Pd membranes without any intermediate layers and substrate penetration were synthesized successfully. The as-synthesized Pd composite membranes of thickness less than 5 μm not only have a very high hydrogen permeance/permeability but also have a good hydrogen selectivity. Moreover, the good membrane stability was verified by the long-term operation under the condition of hydrogen permeation and the gas exchange cycles between pure hydrogen and pure helium. The good membrane stability was interpreted by estimating the shear stress of the special membrane configuration with small gap between Pd membrane and porous substrate layer.     

Preparation and characterization of La<Subscript>0.6</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.4</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>0.8</Subscript>O<Subscript>3-δ</Subscript> thin-film membrane on porous support by dip-coating method

Perovskite-type La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O_3-δ (LSCF6428) thin-film membrane prepared by modified Pechini sol–gel process, was successfully deposited on porous support of similar composition using dip-coating method. Fine grain and crack-free film with perovskite structure was obtained at sintering temperature of 800 °C and dwelling time of 60 min. The cross-sectional image indicated that LSCF6428 thin-film membrane coated on the porous support showed excellent adhesion to the support with uniform thickness. The minimum dense layer thickness obtained by dip-coating method was around 0.5 μm. It was found that the oxygen permeability of the supported thin film was lower than that of the perovskite support, which indicated that the pores of the support were reduced by thin-film deposition on the support surface. The reduction in the pore size led to the more selective permeation mechanism contributes to the overall permeation. Successful deposition of LSCF6428 thin-film membrane on porous support can be considered as a promising technique for the preparation of oxygen separation membrane.     

Facilitated transport of CO2 in novel PVAm/PVA blend membrane

A defect-free ultra thin PVAm/PVA blend facilitated transport membrane cast on a porous polysulfone (PSf) support was developed and evaluated in this study. The target membrane was prepared from commercial polyvinyl amine (PVAm) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Effects of experimental conditions were investigated for a CO₂–N₂ mixed gas. A CO₂/N₂ separation factor of up to 174 and a CO₂ permeance up to 0.58 m³(STP)/(m² h bar) were documented. Experimental results suggest that CO₂ is being transported according to the facilitated transport mechanism through this membrane. The fixed amino groups in the PVAm matrix function as CO₂ carriers to facilitate the transport whereas the PVA adds mechanical strength to the blend by entanglement of the polymeric chains hence creating a supporting network. The good mechanical properties obtained from the blend of PVA with PVAm, enabled an ultra thin selective layer (down to 0.3 μm) to be formed on PSf support (with MWCO of 50,000), resulted in both high selectivity and permeance. The PVAm/PVA blend membrane also exhibited a good stability during a 400 h test.     

Dispersion of polymeric-coated–silica aerogel particles in unsaturated polyester composites: Effects on thermal-mechanical properties

The thermal-mechanical properties of unsaturated polyester (UP) composite were enhanced by the dispersion of silica aerogel (SA) with preserved pores. Low-cost SA was prepared from rice husk via the sol-gel process and ambient pressure drying. A new method was proposed to encapsulate the hydrophobic aerogel surface pores with hydrophilic polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film using the fluidized-bed coating process. The dispersion of PVA-coated aerogel with preserved pores in the polyester matrix resulted in an increase of specific compressive strength (44.1?MPa?·?cm³?g^?1), thermal insulation (0.23?W?m^?1?K^?1), and thermal stability (T_onset?=?310°C), but decreased the glass transition temperature (T_g?=?260°C).     

Acrylic polymer/silica hybrid for electron‐beam resists

An acrylic polymer/silica hybrid resist film was investigated for fabricating a microstructure by electron‐beam (EB) lithography. EB lithography on the hybrid thin film afforded a positive pattern whose depth corresponded to the EB exposure dose; this indicated that the hybrid was an analog resist and could fabricate a three‐dimensional microstructure. The resist film had high heat resistance and compatibility with the underlying quartz plate, probably because of the silica component. The acrylic polymer/(RSiO_1.5)_n hybrid film showed higher EB sensitivity than a film of the crosslinked acrylic polymer and an acrylic polymer/(SiO₂)_n hybrid. Atomic force microscopy observation of the hybrid film surface showed the homogeneous dispersion of the acrylic polymer and the silica components in the hybrid film. The acrylic polymer component was EB‐sensitive, whereas dispersing the acrylic polymer and silica components homogeneously also played an important role in increasing the EB sensitivity. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 2107–2116, 2006     

A Facile Preparation of H2O2 Sensors Using Layer‐by‐Layer Deposited Thin Films Composed of Poly(ethyleneimine) and Carboxymethyl Cellulose as Matrices for Immobilizing Hemin

A layer‐by‐layer (LbL) thin film composed of poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was prepared on the surface of a gold (Au) disk electrode and the LbL layer was impregnated with hemin to fabricate amperometric hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) sensors. Hemin can be easily immobilized in the LbL layer by immersing the LbL film‐coated electrode in the hemin solution. The hemin‐modified electrode thus prepared exhibited an amperometric response to H₂O₂ on the basis of the electrochemical reduction catalyzed by hemin. The output current of the hemin‐modified electrode depended on the concentration of H₂O₂ over the range of 0.005–1.0 mM. Thus, the LbL film composed of PEI and CMC was found to be an excellent material for the facile preparation of hemin‐based H₂O₂ sensors.     

Supported liquid membranes modification with sulphonated poly(ether ether ketone): Permeability,selectivity and stability

The development of a new type of composite membrane consisting of a microfiltration support membrane, an immobilised liquid membrane phase and a hydrophilic, charged polymer layer and its function as a supported liquid membrane (SLM) for copper selective transport are described. The ion-exchange layers function as stabilisation layers to improve the membrane lifetime and consist of sulphonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK). This polymer shows a high permeability for copper ions due to the presence of fixed negative charges and to its swelling capacity in an aqueous phase.A method was developed to prepare composite membranes composed of the support membranes Celgard with one stabilisation layer on either the feed or strip side of the membrane or on both sides. Good adhesion of homogeneous, negatively charged, hydrophilic SPEEK layers to the hydrophobic macroporous support membranes could only be established when the support membranes were first hydrophilised with a concentrated sulphuric acid solution containing 5 wt% free SO₃.The lifetime of the SLMs is significantly improved when one stabilisation layer is applied at the strip side or two layers at both sides of the SLM. A second advantage of this composite SLM is the increase in copper flux caused by a decrease in thickness of liquid membrane phase. However, when SPEEK penetrates entirely through some pores of the support membrane, ions diffuse non-specifically through the SPEEK matrix resulting in an undesired selectivity loss. This phenomenon occurs only when thin Celgard membranes are used as support membranes.     

Sago/PVA blend membranes for the recovery of ethyl acetate from water

Sago starch is a relatively new polymeric material for development of a hydrophilic membrane for dehydration of alcohol/water. In this study sago based membranes were developed through casting technique for the dehydration of ethyl acetate at azeotropic conditions via pervaporation. Sago was blended with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to produce blended sago–PVA membranes with improved physical and chemical properties. The membranes were cross-linked using three different approaches; firstly, using glutaraldehyde, secondly using thermal treatment (80 °C) and thirdly by using both glutaraldehyde and thermal treatment. The effects of various cross-linking methods on the intrinsic properties of hydrophilic polymer membrane were investigated. The membranes were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The effect of operating conditions such as feed temperature and concentration on the separation factor and flux was discussed. Sago starch polymer shows very high performance and very good stability after polymer blending and cross-linking, which is promising for use in industrial applications.     

A Carbon Nanotube Layered Electrode for the Construction of the Wired Bilirubin Oxidase Oxygen Cathode

Oxidatively treated carbon nanotubes were coated on a glassy carbon surface to form a CNT‐layer. On the CNT‐layered GC surface, a redox hydrogel film of the copolymer, of polyacryamide and poly(N‐vinylimidazole) complexed with [Os(4,4′‐dichloro‐2,2′‐bipyridine)₂Cl]^+/2+ wiring bilirubin oxidase was immobilized. A good contact was achieved between the hydrogel film and the hydrophilic CNT‐layer with carboxylated CNTs. The prepared bilirubin oxidase cathode on the CNT‐layer was employed for the electrocatalytic reduction of O₂, and enhanced current and stability were observed. Electron transfers from the electrode surface O₂ molecules were analyzed. The optimal composition of the enzyme, redox polymer, and cross‐linker in the catalyst and the thickness of the CNT‐layer were determined.     

Preparation and characterization of PVA/SA/HA composite hydrogels for wound dressing

A composite hydrogel based on, by introducing, polyvinyl alcohol, sodium alginate, and hyaluronic acid was fabricated using CaCl₂ as a cross-linker. The physical properties including morphology, water vapor transmission rate, and hydrophilicity were investigated. All PVA/SA/HA composite hydrogels with different compositions had highly homogeneous and interconnected pores, and the morphologies of the PVA/SA/HA hydrogels ranged from fibrous structure to irregular structure with increasing content of SA. The introduction of sodium alginate enhanced the hydrophilicity and water vapor transmission capacity of the hydrogel; however, the hydrophilicity of the composite hydrogels decreased with the increasing cross-linker content.     

Solid state biosensors using thin-film electrodes

Solid-state technology was used to fabricate a new type of glucose sensor and a differential measurement system was incorporated with the sensor in order to suppress interfering signals. This glucose sensor was composed of film electrodes and an enzyme-immobilizing membrane. The hydrogen peroxide electrodes were fabricated by metallic film deposition. Glucose oxidase (GOD), an enzyme, was immobilized in photosensitive polyvinyl alcohol to enable the enzyme-immobilizing membrane to be formed by the usual photolithographic method. Two anodes and one common cathode were formed on a glass substrate. One of the anodes was coated with PVA containing active enzyme and the other with PVA containing deactivated enzyme. By setting up a differential output measurement system, it was possible to suppress the interfering signals that might be generated by some other reducing substances in a sample solution. With this measuring technique, the signal of ascorbic or uric acids up to 100 mg/dl was successfully cancelled. Glucose concentrations in the range 5 to 100 mg/dl could be detected by the present sensor.The fabrication processes of the present sensor were so compatible with IC technology that it should be possible to mass produce disposable glucose biosensors using IC fabrication techniques.     

Pervaporation separation and pervaporation-esterification coupling using crosslinked PVA composite catalytic membranes on porous ceramic plate

A composite catalytic membrane with a crosslinked PVA dense active layer coated on a porous ceramic plate support was prepared using a novel method and evaluated with a pervaporation setup for the separation of several organic aqueous mixtures. Several key problems occurred during the preparation procedure are discussed. SEM (scanning electron microscopy), IR (infra-red) (ATR) (attenuated total refraction) and XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectrometry) were used to characterize the catalytic membrane natures. N-Butyl alcohol-acetic acid esterification was used as a model system for investigating into the coupling of reaction with pervaporation in a batch reactor. Different reaction parameters, temperatures, catalyst concentrations and initial reactant molar ratios were studied experimentally.