Structural and electrochemical properties of SnO2/nanocarbon families as lithium-ion battery anodes

Hybrid SnO₂/nanocarbon families (graphene nanosheets (GNSs), single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and carbon nanospheres (CNSs)) have been synthesized by a similar wet chemical method. SnO₂ nanoparticles are uniformly loaded on the surface of the nanocarbon families. As lithium battery anodes, their electrochemical properties of the reaction of lithium are investigated under the same conditions. To compare between them, SnO₂/GNSs have the largest capacity; SnO₂/GNSs and SnO₂/SWCNTs have high cyclability; and SnO₂/MWCNTs can maintain the capacity at high current density. Such behaviors are ascribed to their surface-to-volume ratio, structure flexibility, ion mobility and electron conductivity. The present results are the bases for their practical applications in lithium-ion battery anodes.     

Equilibrium and kinetic studies for the adsorption of benzene and toluene by graphene nanosheets: a comparison with carbon nanotubes

In this study, graphene nanosheets (GNSs) were adopted as an adsorbent to investigate their characterizations and performance for adsorbing benzene and toluene in aqueous solutions. In order to determine the best fit model for each considered system, nonlinear regressions were used. Experimental data of adsorption were corroborated by the combined Langmuir–Freundlich (Sips) models for the isotherms and pseudo‐first‐order model for the kinetics. As a result, GNSs displayed high affinity to the aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene and toluene. The high affinity was dominated by π–π interactions to the flat surface and the sieving effect of the powerful groove regions formed by wrinkles on GNS's surfaces. Hydrophobic properties and molecular sizes of benzene and toluene affected the adsorption of GNS. In addition, the favorable adsorption of toluene possibly was due to the increase in the molecular weight, decrease in the solubility, and the increase in the boiling point. A comparative study on the benzene and toluene adsorption revealed that favorable adsorption of GNSs compared with that of carbon nanotubes was consistent with the order of physical properties such as specific surface area and pore's volume. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Magnetic hydroxyapatite nanoparticles: An efficient adsorbent for the separation and removal of nitrate and nitrite ions from environmental samples

A novel type of magnetic nanosorbent, hydroxyapatite‐coated Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles was synthesized and used for the adsorption and removal of nitrite and nitrate ions from environmental samples. The properties of synthesized magnetic nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X‐ray powder diffraction. After the adsorption process, the separation of γ‐Fe₂O₃@hydroxyapatite nanoparticles from the aqueous solution was simply achieved by applying an external magnetic field. The effects of different variables on the adsorption efficiency were studied simultaneously using an experimental design. The variables of interest were amount of magnetic hydroxyapatite nanoparticles, sample volume, pH, stirring rate, adsorption time, and temperature. The experimental parameters were optimized using a Box–Behnken design and response surface methodology after a Plackett–Burman screening design. Under the optimum conditions, the adsorption efficiencies of magnetic hydroxyapatite nanoparticles adsorbents toward NO₃^? and NO₂^? ions (100 mg/L) were in the range of 93–101%. The results revealed that the magnetic hydroxyapatite nanoparticles adsorbent could be used as a simple, efficient, and cost‐effective material for the removal of nitrate and nitrite ions from environmental water and soil samples.     

Thermally conductive cyanate ester nanocomposites filled with graphene nanosheets and multiwalled carbon nanotubes

In this work, dodecylamine‐modified graphene nanosheets (DA‐GNSs) and γ‐aminopropyl‐triethoxysilane‐treated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (f‐MWCNTs) are employed to prepare cyanate ester (CE) thermally conductive composites. By adding 5 wt% DA‐GNSs or f‐MWCNTs to the CE resin, the thermal conductivities of the composites became 3.2 and 2.5 times that of the CE resin, respectively. To further improve the thermal conductivity, a mixture of the two fillers was utilized. A remarkable synergetic effect between the DA‐GNSs and f‐MWCNTs on improving the thermal conductivity of CE resin composites was demonstrated. The composite containing 3 wt% hybrid filler exhibited a 185% increase in thermal conductivity compared with pure CE resin, whereas composites with individual DA‐GNSs and f‐MWCNTs exhibited increases of 158 and 108%, respectively. Moreover, the composite with hybrid filler retained high electrical resistivity. Scanning electron microscopy images of the composite morphologies showed that the modified graphene nanosheets (GNSs) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were uniformly dispersed in the CE matrix, and a number of junction points among MWCNTs and between MWCNTs and GNSs formed in the composites with hybrid fillers. Generally, we can conclude that these composites filled with hybrid fillers may be promising materials of further improving the thermal conductivity of CE composites. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of Ag-coated polystyrene colloids by an improved surface seeding and shell growth technique

In this paper, an improved surface seeding and shell growth technique was developed to prepare Ag-polystyrene core shell composite. Polyethyleneimine (PEI) could act as the linker between Ag ions (Ag nanoparticles) and polystyrene (PS) colloids and the reducing agent in the formation of Ag nanoparticles. Due to the multi-functional characteristic of PEI, Ag seeds formed in-situ and were immobilized on the surface of PEI-modified PS colloids and no free Ag clusters coexist with the Ag “seeding” PS colloids in the system. Then, the additional agents could be added into the resulting dispersions straightly to produce a thick Ag nanoshell. The Ag nanoshell with controllable thickness was formed on the surface of PS by the “one-pot” surface seeding and shell growth method. The Ag-coverage increased gradually with the increasing of mass ratio of AgNO₃/PS. The optical properties of the Ag-PS colloids could be tailored by changing the coverage of Ag.     

Nanoparticles positioning effect on properties of (PS-PANI/NiNPs) nanocomposite films

This work presents the effect of driven nickel nanoparticles (NiNPs) towards the surface of (PS-PANI)/NiNPs nanocomposite upon the application of a uniform magnetic field. The purpose is to obtain distinguishable optoelectronic and electrical properties. This process increases the surface roughness and its reactivity, and enables the tuning of the optical and electrical properties. Based on the results from X-ray photoelectron and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopies, the magnetically-driven NiNPs to the surface are oxidized, forming NiONPs and NiOHNPs. This oxidation effect transforms the surface from a hydrophilic to a hydrophobic state. In addition, the optical bandgap energy decreases from 4.04 to 3.77 eV, and the electrical conductivity increases from 12.77 μS/cm to 57.80 μS/cm and 77.52 μS/cm, for 50 and 100 mT magnetic fields, respectively, which is attributed to the well-dispersed magnetic nanoparticles in the PS-PANI polymer matrix, resulting in a high homogeneous nanocomposite film.     

Mechanism of electrooptic switching time enhancement in ferroelectric liquid crystal/gold nanoparticles dispersion

It is well established that incorporation of nanoparticles (NPs) in the structure of ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs) leads to a decrease in their electrooptic response time. Several approaches have been suggested to explain this effect (decrease in rotational viscosity of FLCs, ions enhanced localised electric field, dipole–dipole interaction among NPs and FLC molecules, FLC ordering). In this article, we will report the role of the voltage divider formed by the structural elements of a FLC cell based on ferroelectric liquid crystal/gold nanospheres (FLC/GNSs) dispersion in enhancement of the switching time. Using the impedance spectroscopic measurements, it was demonstrated that the dispersing of GNSs leads to the increase in the voltage drop on FLC/GNSs layer in comparison with the pristine FLC one. Consequently, the electrooptic response time of the FLC/GNSs cell is faster than that of the pristine one. However, the rotational viscosity of the FLC does not depend on the presence of the GNSs.     

Direct electrochemistry and electroanalysis of hemoglobin adsorbed in self-assembled films of gold nanoshells

Gold nanoshells (GNSs), consisting of a silica core and a thin gold shell, were self-assembled on the surface of 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTES) modified indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode. The resulting novel GNSs-coated ITO (GNSs/APTES/ITO) electrode could provide a biocompatible surface for the adsorption of hemoglobin (Hb). The UV-visible (UV-vis) spectra indicated that Hb adsorbed on the GNSs interface retained the native structure. Electrochemical impedance spectra and cyclic voltammetric techniques were employed to evaluate the electrochemical behaviors of Hb, the results demonstrated that GNSs could act as electron tunnels to facilitate electron transfer between Hb and the electrode. Based on the activity of Hb adsorbed on the GNSs/APTES/ITO electrode toward the reduction of hydrogen peroxide, a mediator-free H₂O₂ biosensor was constructed, which showed a broad linear range from 5 μM to 1 mM with a detection limit of 3.4 μM (S/N = 3). The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant was calculated to be 180 μM, suggesting a high affinity.     

热剥离法制备石墨烯纳米片对Pb2+和Cd2+的吸附

石墨粉氧化后,在氮气气氛下,快速高温剥离制得石墨烯纳米片。采用X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、透射电子显微镜(HRTEM)、拉曼(Raman)光谱、傅里叶变换红外(FT-IR)光谱和氮气吸附-脱附等分析手段对石墨烯样品进行了表征。这些分析测试结果显示:石墨烯样品主要由很薄的1-4层石墨组成,呈褶皱状态,比表面积为628.5 m²·g^-1。研究了石墨烯吸附水溶液中的Pb²⁺和Cd²⁺的pH值、吸附时间、吸附温度和金属离子初始浓度等影响因素, Pb²⁺和Cd²⁺的最大吸附量分别为460.20和72.39 mg·g^-1。结果表明,热剥离法制得的高质量石墨烯纳米片可以作为一种高效的从水中去除Pb²⁺和Cd²⁺的吸附材料。     

表面分子印迹磁性纳米粒子的制备及其血红蛋白传感应用

以Fe₃O₄磁性纳米粒子为载体、多巴胺（DA）为功能单体、血红蛋白（Hb）为模板分子,用氯铂酸氧化DA生成聚多巴胺（PDA）,同时氯铂酸还原为铂纳米粒子（PtNPs）,与Hb一起负载于Fe₃O₄纳米粒子表面,洗脱Hb后合成了表面分子印迹磁性纳米粒子（印迹Fe₃O₄/PDA-PtNPs）. 将印迹Fe₃O₄/PDA-PtNPs修饰于磁性玻碳基底表面,制得印迹Fe₃O₄/PDA-PtNPs修饰电极. 实验结果表明,印迹Fe₃O₄/PDA-PtNPs具有良好的水溶性,粒径分布均匀,生成的PtNPs具有良好的导电性和刚性. 用印迹Fe₃O₄/PDA-PtNPs构建的传感器对Hb具有良好的识别性,在0.14 ~ 2.7 μg·mL^-1 Hb浓度范围与交流阻抗变化值呈良好的线性关系,检出限（S/N=3）为0.05 μg·mL^-1.     

Highly efficient removal of Cr(VI) from wastewater via adsorption with novel magnetic Fe3O4@C@MgAl-layered double-hydroxide

Novel magnetic Fe₃O₄@C@MgAl-layered double-hydroxide (LDH) nanoparticles have been successfully prepared by the chemical self-assembly methods. The properties of surface functional groups, crystal structure, magnetism and surface morphology of magnetic nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravity-differential thermal gravity (TG-DTG), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The adsorption studies of the novel adsorbent in removing heavy metals Cr (VI) from waste water showed that the maximum absorption amount of Cr(VI) was 152.0 mg/g at 40℃ and pH 6.0. The excellent adsorption capacity of the Fe₃O₄@C@MgAl-LDH nano-absorbents plus their easy separation, environmentally friendly composition and reusability makes them more suitable adsorbents for the removal of metal ions from waste water.     

Fabrication of an Electrochemical L‐Cysteine Sensor Based on Graphene Nanosheets Decorated Manganese Oxide Nanocomposite Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

The graphene nanosheets/manganese oxide nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrode (GC/GNSs/MnOx) was simply prepared by casting a thin film of GNSs on the GC electrode surface, followed by performing electrodeposition of MnOx at applied constant potential. The GC/GNSs/MnOx modified electrode shows high catalytic activity toward oxidation of L ‐cysteine. Hydrodynamic amperometry determination of L ‐cysteine gave linear responses over a concentration range up to 120 µM with a detection limit of 75 nM and sensitivity of 27 nA µM^?1. The GC/GNSs/MnOx electrode appears to be a highly efficient platform for the development of sensitive, stable and reproducible L ‐cysteine electrochemical sensors.     

Size‐Dependent Electrocatalytic Activity of Free Gold Nanoparticles for the Glucose Oxidation Reaction

Understanding the fundamental relationship between the size and the structure of electrode materials is essential to design catalysts and enhance their activity. Therefore, spherical gold nanoparticles (GNSs) with a mean diameter from 4 to 15 nm were synthesized. UV/Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and under‐potential deposition of lead (UPD_Pb) were used to determine the morphology, size, and surface crystallographic structure of the GNSs. The UPD_Pb revealed that their crystallographic facets are affected by their size and the growth process. The catalytic properties of these GNSs toward glucose electrooxidation were studied by cyclic voltammetry, taking into account the scan rate and temperature effects. The results clearly show the size‐dependent electrocatalytic activity for glucose oxidation reactions that are controlled by diffusion. Small GNSs with an average size of 4.2 nm exhibited high catalytic activity. This drastic increase in activity results from the high specific area and reactivity of the surface electrons induced by their small size. The reaction mechanism was investigated by in situ Fourier transform infrared reflectance spectroscopy. Gluconolactone and gluconate were identified as the intermediate and the final reaction product, respectively, of the glucose electrooxidation.     

From colloidal Co/CoO core/shell nanoparticles to arrays of metallic nanomagnets: surface modification and magnetic properties.

The magnetic properties of nanoparticles can be subject to strong variations as the chemical composition of the particle surface is modified. To study this interrelation of surface chemistry and magnetism, self-assembled layers of colloidal 9.5 nm Co/CoO core/shell nanoparticles were exposed to mild reactive hydrogen and oxygen plasmas. The consecutive oxygen/hydrogen plasma treatment transforms the particle layer into an array of metallic nanomagnets with complete reduction of the oxide and removal of the organic surfactants. The original arrangement of the particle array and the number of Co atoms per particle remains unchanged within the experimental error, and thus this is a possible route for the fabrication of ultrahigh-density magnetic bit structures from colloidal dispersions. The magnetic properties can be tuned by controlling the thickness of the surface oxide layer, which magnetically hardens the particles, as evidenced by element-specific magnetic hysteresis loops.     

柠檬酸根辅助多元醇法制备直径和磁性可控的Fe_3O_4亚微球

以柠檬酸三钠作辅助剂,用多元醇溶剂热还原法制备了纳米晶粒和微球直径可控的、单分散的超顺磁Fe3O4亚微球.发现与铁原子有强亲和力的柠檬酸根能有效吸附在还原产生的初始Fe3O4纳米粒子表面,阻碍其晶粒生长和影响其静电排斥力的大小,从而能在较大范围内调控最终产物Fe3O4亚微球的直径和饱和磁化强度.改变柠檬酸根或铁盐浓度不但可以调控初始Fe3O4纳米粒子的粒径,而且可以在220-550nm范围内调控单分散Fe3O4亚微球的直径,从而得到粒径均一的超顺磁Fe3O4亚微球.     

Efficient coating of polystyrene microspheres with graphene nanosheets

Herein, we propose a facile and efficient method to obtain the polystyrene/graphene nanosheets (PS/GNSs) nanocomposite particles. As far as we know, it is the first example that GNSs are attached onto the surface of PS microspheres, with such smooth morphology, and without relying on any surface pretreatments of substrate microspheres.     

高温驱动氧化锰刻蚀制备纳米氧化锰-多孔石墨烯及其锂空气电池性能研究

本文通过简单的电荷吸附制备了高分散的氧化石墨烯含锰化合物（Mn-GO）,利用高温驱动下氧化锰的生长以及热运动同时实现了GO的还原、刻蚀和纳米氧化锰的负载,即成功构筑了纳米氧化锰-多孔石墨烯复合材料（MnO-PGNSs）. 对影响GO分散性的Mn²⁺的添加量、影响GO层数的分散液浓度以及影响MnO热运动的烧结条件进行了详细的考察. 研究发现,当Mn-GO同时满足优异的分散性、适合的片层厚度和烧结条件（＞800℃,>2h）,才能在GNSs表面刻蚀成孔制备得到MnO-PGNSs. 本文进一步将MnO-PGNSs作为锂空气电池正极材料,结果表明在50 mA·g^-1的电流密度下深度放电后容量达到5100 mAh·g^-1,相比于GNSs和PGNSs,MnO-PGNSs具有更高的比容量. 锂空气电池性能的提高得益于GNSs表面的多孔结构和MnO优异的催化活性.     

Removal of Pb(II) ions from aqueous systems using thiol-functionalized cobalt-ferrite magnetic nanoparticles

We have investigated the removal of Pb²⁺ ions from water using thiol-functionalized, cobalt-ferrite, magnetic nanoparticles. These magnetic nanoparticles were prepared using the co-precipitation method and their surfaces were modified with tetraethoxy silane and 3-mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane in order to provide a sufficient surface concentration of the thiol (–SH) functional groups. The adsorption of the Pb²⁺ ions from the aqueous solutions onto the thiol-functionalized, cobalt-ferrite, magnetic nanoparticles was studied. The investigated parameters include the pH value of the model water, the concentration of the adsorbent, the contact time and the temperature of adsorption. The removal of the Pb²⁺ was found to be greater at the higher pH values and increasing the temperature was also found to increase the removal of Pb²⁺ ions.     

电弧放电法制备石墨烯的硝酸改性及其电化学性能增强

采用电弧放电法大规模制备了层数少, 导电率高, 结晶性好的石墨烯纳米片(GNSs). 通过扫描电镜(SEM)和透射电镜(TEM)表征发现制得的石墨烯形貌良好. 然而电化学测试表明GNSs作为电极材料的电容性能不好. 为了增加材料表面电化学反应活性点, 促进GNSs在水系电解液中的润湿性, 我们对所制备的GNSs表面进行了硝酸改性处理. 结果显示硝酸处理后的石墨烯纳米片(H-GNSs)表面新增了较多的含氧氮官能团,其亲水性得到了显著提高. 对H-GNSs的电化学研究表明: 硝酸改性处理后的GNSs在2 mol·L^-1 KOH溶液中电流密度为0.5 A·g^-1时, 比电容可达65.5 F·g^-1, 约为改性前的30 倍; 此外, H-GNSs作为电极材料连续进行2000次充放电测试后还展示出了良好的循环稳定性, 是一种潜在的超级电容器电极材料.     

Immobilization of novel the semicarbazone derivatives of calix[4]arene onto magnetite nanoparticles for removal of Cr(VI) ion

A series of novel the semicarbazone derivatives of calix[4]arene have been synthesized and then immobilized onto amino functionalized magnetic nanoparticles. Magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were prepared by the chemical co-precipitation of Fe(III) and Fe(II) ions and the nanoparticles were modified directly by 3-aminopropyltriethoxy silane (APTES) to introduce reactive amine groups onto the particles’ surface. The characterization of the prepared compounds was made by FT-IR, elemental analysis, TGA/DTG and NMR techniques. The sorption properties of the new calix[4]arene based magnetic sorbents toward Cr(VI) ion were also studied. The results showed that the prepared magnetic nanoparticles were effective sorbents for the removal of Cr(VI) ion. Also, Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied for Cr(VI) ion sorption by using MN-C2 and it was found that the experimental data confirmed to Langmiur isotherm model.