Ultrathin Carbon Nanoparticle Composite Film Electrodes: Distinguishing Dopamine and Ascorbate

Ultrathin carbon nanoparticle–poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) films (CNP‐PDDAC films) are formed on tin‐doped indium oxide (ITO) electrodes in a layer‐by‐layer electrostatic deposition process employing 9–18 nm diameter carbon particles. Transparent and strongly adhering films of high electrical conductivity are formed and characterized in terms of their electrochemical reactivity. When immersed in aqueous 0.1 M phosphate buffer pH 7, each layer of CNP‐PDDAC (of ca. 5–6 nm average thickness) is adding an interfacial capacitance of ca. 10 μF cm^?2. Absorption into the CNP–PDDAC nanocomposite film is dominated by the sites in the PDDAC cationomer and therefore anionic molecules such as indigo carmine are strongly bound and retained within the film (cationic binding sites per layer ca. 150 pmol cm^?2). In contrast, cationic redox systems such as ferrocenylmethyltrimethyl‐ammonium⁺ fail to bind. For solution phase redox systems such as hydroquinone, the rate of electron transfer is dramatically affected by the CNP‐PDDAC film and switched from completely irreversible to highly reversible even with a single layer of carbon nanoparticles. For the mixed redox system ascorbate–dopamine in 0.1 M phosphate buffer pH 7 cyclic voltammograms suggest a rapid and selective temporary poisoning process which causes the ascorbate oxidation to be suppressed in the second potential cycle. This effect is exploited for the detection of micromolar concentrations of dopamine in the presence of millimolar ascorbate.     

Luminescence of monolayer thin films of the fully conjugated rigid‐rod polymer poly(p‐phenylenebenzobisthiazole)

Poly(p‐phenylenebenzobisthiazole) (PBT) is a heterocyclic, aromatic rigid‐rod polymer with a fully conjugated backbone and excellent dimensional, thermo‐oxidative, and solvent stabilities. A PBT polymer with an intrinsic viscosity of 18.0 dL/g was dissolved in methanesulfonic acid or Lewis acid. The PBT solution was spin‐coated and doctor‐bladed for freestanding films or onto an indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate. The acid was removed via coagulation. Scanning electron microscopy determined that the resultant film thicknesses were about 340 and 60 nm for PBT freestanding films and films on the ITO substrate, respectively. X‐ray scattering demonstrated that the freestanding films were in‐plane isotropic without long‐range order. The freestanding films were excited with a He‐Cd laser at 325 nm for photoluminescence (PL) response. PL spectra showed a distinct intensity maximum at 580 nm, regardless of the film‐forming conditions. After the films cooled to 67 K, the PL maximum shifted to 566 nm with enhanced intensity. Aluminum was evaporated onto the monolayer PBT thin film on the ITO substrate as an electron injector for electroluminescence (EL) response. Diodic electric behavior was observed for all monolayer PBT EL devices for the first time. A threshold voltage as low as 4 V was achieved for the monolayer EL devices. In addition, PBT EL spectra were tunable, with a maximum intensity at 570 nm at a bias voltage of 4.5 V changing to 496 nm at 7.5 V (i.e., a blueshift) with greatly increased intensity. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 1760–1767, 2002     

Layer structure estimation of three‐dimensional crystal and two‐dimensional molecular film for fluorinated comb copolymers

Comb copolymers containing both hydrogenated and fluorinated side‐chains were prepared by copolymerization using acrylic or methacrylic monomers in several ratios. The crystal structures of these copolymers and layer structures of their organized molecular films were investigated by wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS), and out‐of plane X‐ray diffraction. Further, to selectively estimate the regularity of shorter fluorocarbon side‐chains, organized molecular films of copolymers were investigated by polarized near‐edge X‐ray adsorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy. From the results of these measurements, it was inferred that these copolymers formed highly ordered layer structures, and a long spacing was predominantly determined by the arrangement of hydrogenated side‐chains, except in copolymers having extremely high fluorocarbon contents. In the case of the organized molecular films, the fluorinated side‐chains of methacrylate copolymers cannot form a highly ordered arrangement, whereas those of acrylate copolymers were oriented on monolayers. However, in both cases, the hydrogenated side‐chains predominantly formed layer structures in the organized films, and the fluorinated side‐chains did not contribute to the formation of the layer structures. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 534–546, 2008     

Morphology and crystal structure of the poly(ethylene oxide)–hydroquinone molecular complex

The occurrence of a molecular complex between poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and p‐dihydroxybenzene (hydroquinone) has been determined using different experimental techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). From DSC investigations, an ethylene oxide/hydroquinone molar ratio of 2/1 was deduced. During the heating, the molecular complex undergoes a peritectic reaction and spontaneously transforms into a liquid phase and crystalline hydroquinone (incongruent melting). A triclinic unit cell (a = 1.17 nm, b = 1.20 nm, c = 1.06 nm, α = 78°, β = 64°, γ = 115°), containing eight ethylene oxide (EO) monomers and four hydroquinone molecules, has been determined from the analysis of the X‐ray diffraction fiber patterns of stretched and spherulitic films. The PEO chains adopt a helical conformation with four monomers per turn, which is very similar to the 7₂ helix of the pure polymer. A crystal structure is proposed on the basis of molecular packing considerations and X‐ray diffraction intensities. It consists of a layered structure with an alternation of PEO and small molecules layers, both layers being stabilized by an array of hydrogen bonds. The morphology of PEO–HYD crystals was studied by small angle X‐ray scattering and DSC. As previously shown for the PEO–resorcinol complex, PEO–HYD samples crystallize with a lamellar thickness corresponding to fully extended or integral folded chains. The relative proportion of lamellae with different thicknesses depends on the crystallization temperature and time. Finally, the observed morphologies are discussed in terms of intermolecular interactions and chain mobility. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 1197–1208, 1999     

Morphology and mechanical properties of blown films of a low‐density polyethylene/linear low‐density polyethylene blend

The morphologies of films blown from a low‐density polyethylene (LDPE), a linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE), and their blend have been characterized and compared using transmission electron microscopy, small‐angle X‐ray scattering, infrared dichroism, and thermal shrinkage techniques. The blending has a significant effect on film morphology. Under similar processing conditions, the LLDPE film has a relatively random crystal orientation. The film made from the LDPE/LLDPE blend possesses the highest degree of crystal orientation. However, the LDPE film has the greatest amorphous phase orientation. A mechanism is proposed to account for this unusual phenomenon. Cocrystallization between LDPE and LLDPE occurs in the blowing process of the LDPE and LLDPE blend. The structure–property relationship is also discussed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 507–518, 2002; DOI 10.1002/polb.10115     

Characterization of PET films modified by tetraethylenepentamine (TTEPA)

Tetraethylenepentamine, a long‐chained multifunctional amine, was used to attach nitrogen (N) groups to the surface of a polyethylene terephthalate film. The N content of the modified films was determined by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis as well as titration measurements. The physical properties of the modified films were studied using weight‐loss measurements, X‐ray diffraction, and environmental scanning electron microscopy. Contact‐angle measurements were used to establish the changes in wettability of the modified films. The applicability of the surface‐tension‐component theory and the equation‐of‐state approach to this system is briefly discussed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 39: 623–633, 2001     

Integrated mechanism for the morphological structure development in HDPE melt‐blown and machine‐direction‐oriented films

The morphologies of a series of blown films and machine‐direction‐oriented (MDO) films, all produced from high density polyethylene, were characterized. In the blown film process, the crystalline morphology develops while the melt is under extensional stress. In the MDO process, drawing takes place in the solid state and deforms the crystalline morphology of the starting film. The films were characterized by wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS), small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) and atomic force microscopy to determine the lamellar morphology. The effect of the type of deformation on the lamellar morphology was studied and relationships were developed between the lamellar and polymer chain morphology using SAXS and WAXS. Blown and MDO films were found to have very different morphologies. However, an integrated mechanism was developed linking the sequential events in the deformation and morphology development in blown and MDO films. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 1834–1844, 2007     

Self‐Assembled Regenerated Cellulose Spacer Film in Thin Film and Generator‐Collector Electrodes

Reconstituted cellulose spontaneously self‐assembles at surfaces from an alkaline cellulose solution (ca. 1 wt%, pH 14, prepared with an enzymatic method from wood pulp) into porous films with approximately 300 nm thickness per layer, for example onto immersed tin‐doped indium oxide (ITO) electrodes. Sequential multi‐layer deposition allows control over the thickness of the assembled films. The hydrophilic properties of the cellulose film electrodes are utilised here (i) as dip‐probe with capillary force picking up sample solution and (ii) as flow‐through generator‐collector probe, for example for future application in in situ chromatographic separation in end‐column detection with nano‐molar sensitivity.     

Conductivity of ITO film amplified by multi‐step ion beam‐treatment on PET layers at room temperature

In this paper, we investigate poly‐crystal indium tin oxide (ITO) film produced by a multi‐step ion beam treatment on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) at room temperature. In the process of ITO film deposition by a sputtering method, we perform an ion beam treatment after some quantity of ITO deposition is complete, and this process is carried out repeatedly until the required film thickness is achieved. X‐ray diffraction indicates that the ITO film deposited by our multi‐step ion beam treatment has an almost poly‐crystal structure with a morsel of amorphous structure in the PET layers. As a supplementary measurement, a contact angle method shows that the poly‐crystal structure is due to a surface charge effect. Consequently, the electrical conductivity of the ITO film (resistivity measurement error bar < 0.7%) with the multi‐step ion beam treatment is eight times higher than that of single‐treated ITO film, due to this poly‐crystal structure. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mechanical property and corrosion resistance of zirconia/polydopamine nanocomposite multilayer films fabricated via a novel non‐electrostatic layer‐by‐layer assembly technique

Zirconia/polydopamine (ZrO₂/PDA) nanocomposite multilayer films were constructed on Si substrate via a novel nonelectrostatic layer‐by‐layer (NELBL) assembly technique. The building block of this technique is the newly reported dopamine molecule, which can be attached to almost all material surfaces and undergo oxidation‐polymerization to form PDA layers; more importantly, the outer hydroxyl groups of the PDA layer can chelated with certain inorganic oxide nanoparticles to generate oxide films. Thus, ZrO₂/PDA nanocomposite multilayer films were fabricated by sequential NELBL deposition of PDA and ZrO₂ nanoparticles. The formation of the ZrO₂/PDA nanocomposite multilayer films was monitored by the water contact angle (WCA) and ellipsometric thickness measurements, while the microstructure of the fabricated films was analyzed by means of atomic force microscope (AFM), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The mechanical and anticorrosion behaviors of the annealed ZrO₂/PDA nanocomposite multilayers were found to be greatly enhanced as compared with that of the annealed homogeneous ZrO₂ film. The better mechanical and anticorrosion behaviors of the annealed ZrO₂/PDA nanocomposite multilayers than the annealed homogeneous ZrO₂ film may be closely related to their special microstructure. Namely, the organic–inorganic hybrid microstructure of the annealed ZrO₂/PDA nanocomposite multilayers may largely account for the increased nanohardness and corrosion resistance. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Strain‐induced compression of smectic layers in free‐standing liquid crystalline elastomer films

The deformation of oriented smectic liquid crystal elastomer films with smectic layers parallel to the film surface was studied using optical reflectometry and small angle X‐ray diffraction. Reflectometry data show that in the chosen material, in‐plane strain causes a change in the optical thickness of the free‐standing films. Small angle X‐ray scattering was used to explore the molecular origin of this effect. The X‐ray scattering data confirm that the change in optical thickness originates from the compression of the individual smectic layers. The measured Poisson ratio in the smectic A and C* phases is close to ½, in contrast to the smectic elastomers investigated earlier by Nishikawa et. al. [Macromol. Chem. Phys. 200, 312 (1999)]. In this unique material, the molecular lattice dimensions can be reversibly controlled by macroscopic stretching of the oriented samples.     

Structure of Glancing Incidence Deposited TiO2 Thin Films as Revealed by Grazing Incidence Small‐Angle X‐ray Scattering

For the first time, grazing incidence small‐angle X‐ray scattering (GISAXS) analysis is used to characterize the morphology of TiO₂ thin films grown by glancing angle physical vapor deposition (GLAD). According to cross‐section scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, the films consist of near isotilted TiO₂ columns of different length and width depending on film thickness. The obtained GISAXS patterns show a characteristic asymmetry with respect to the incidence plane, which is associated with the tilted geometry of the TiO₂ columns. The patterns also show the existence of two populations of columns in these GLAD‐TiO₂ films. The population of the thinnest columns appears related to the first grown layer and is common for all the films investigated, while the second population of columns grows with the thickness of the films and has been related to wider columns formed by shadowing at the expense of the initially formed columns.     

Effects of elastic scattering and analyzer‐acceptance angle on the analysis of angle‐resolved X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy data

We have made calculations of N 1s, O 1s, Si(oxide) 2p, Hf 4f, and Si(substrate) 2p photoelectron intensities at selected emission angles for films of SiO_1.6N_0.4 and HfO_1.9N_0.1 of various thicknesses on silicon. These calculations were made with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Database for Simulation of Electron Spectra for Surface Analysis (SESSA) to investigate effects of elastic scattering and analyzer‐acceptance angle that could be relevant in the analysis of angle‐resolved X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (ARXPS) experiments. The simulations were made for an XPS configuration with a fixed angle between the X‐ray source (i.e. for the sample‐tilting mode of ARXPS) and with Al and Cu Kα X‐ray sources. The no‐loss intensities changed appreciably as elastic scattering was switched ‘on’ and ‘off’, but changing the analyzer‐acceptance angle had a smaller effect. Ratios of intensities for each line from the overlayer film for the least realistic model condition (elastic scattering switched ‘off’, small analyzer‐acceptance angle) to those from the most realistic model condition (elastic scattering switched ‘on’, finite analyzer‐acceptance angle) changed relatively slowly with emission angle, but the corresponding intensity ratio for the Si(substrate) 2p line changed appreciably with emission angle. The latter changes, in particular, indicate that neglect of elastic‐scattering effects can lead to erroneous results in the analysis of measured ARXPS data. The elastic‐scattering effects were larger in HfO_1.9N_0.1 than in SiO_1.6N_0.4 (due to the larger average atomic number in the former compound) and were larger with the Al Kα X‐ray source than with the Cu Kα source because of the larger cross sections for elastic scattering at the lower photoelectron energies. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Growth and characterization of ultrathin carbon films on electrodeposited Cu and Ni

Ultrathin carbon films were grown on different types of metallic substrates. Free‐standing foils of Cu and Ni were prepared by electroforming, and a pure Ni film was obtained by galvanic displacement on a Si wafer. Commercial foil of Ni 99.95% was used as a reference substrate. Carbon films were grown on these substrates by chemical vapour deposition in a CH₄‐H₂ atmosphere. Obtained films were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Auger electron spectroscopy, and ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy. The XPS at grazing collection angle was used to determine the thickness of carbon films. Depending on the deposition parameters, the films of graphene or graphite were obtained on the different substrates. The uniformity of graphene and its distribution over the sample area were investigated from Raman data, optical images, and XPS chemical maps. The presence of graphene or graphite in the films was determined from the Raman spectra and Auger peak of C KVV. For this purpose, the D parameter, which is a fingerprint of carbon allotropes, was determined from C KVV spectra acquired by using X‐rays and electron beam. A formation of an intermediate layer of metal hydroxide was revealed in the samples with graphene overlayer.     

Formation of activation‐free,selectively bioconjugatable poly(N‐acryloxysuccinimide‐co‐oligoethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate) films by surface‐initiated ARGET ATRP

Activation‐free copolymeric films possessing high selectivity to target proteins and low biofouling background are prepared via controlled radical polymerization. The copolymeric films are generated by surface‐initiated activators regenerated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization (SI‐ARGET ATRP) of N‐acryloxysuccinimide (NAS) and oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (OEGMEMA) by controlling the molar feed ratio of the two monomers. The formation of copolymeric films is characterized by ellipsometry, contact angle goniometry, FTIR spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The prepared copolymeric films are biotinylated without an activation step. Biotin–streptavidin association is employed as a model system to investigate both selective binding and the relevant signal‐to‐noise (S/N) ratio. When the molar feed ratio of NAS and OEGMEMA is 2:8, the copolymeric film is optimized to give the highest S/N ratio (339.8) according to surface plasmon resonance studies. The highly selective bioconjugation is used to generate micropatterns of rhodamine‐conjugated streptavidin on the copolymeric film. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 329–337     

Effect of Gold Nanoparticles on the Structure and Electron‐Transfer Characteristics of Glucose Oxidase Redox Polyelectrolyte‐Surfactant Complexes

Efficient electrical communication between redox proteins and electrodes is a critical issue in the operation and development of amperometric biosensors. The present study explores the advantages of a nanostructured redox‐active polyelectrolyte–surfactant complex containing [Os(bpy)₂Clpy]²⁺ (bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine, py= pyridine) as the redox centers and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as nanodomains for boosting the electron‐transfer propagation throughout the assembled film in the presence of glucose oxidase (GOx). Film structure was characterized by grazing‐incidence small‐angle X‐ray scattering (GISAXS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), GOx incorporation was followed by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and quartz‐crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM‐D), whereas Raman spectroelectrochemistry and electrochemical studies confirmed the ability of the entrapped gold nanoparticles to enhance the electron‐transfer processes between the enzyme and the electrode surface. Our results show that nanocomposite films exhibit five‐fold increase in current response to glucose compared with analogous supramolecular AuNP‐free films. The introduction of colloidal gold promotes drastic mesostructural changes in the film, which in turn leads to a rigid, amorphous interfacial architecture where nanoparticles, redox centers, and GOx remain in close proximity, thus improving the electron‐transfer process.     

Novel Nanostructured Electrodes Obtained by Pyrolysis of Composite Polymeric Materials

In this work, we compare pyrolyzed carbon derived from the photoresist SU‐8 alone or in combination with polystyrene and poly(styrene)‐block‐poly(dimethylsiloxane) copolymer (PS‐b‐PDMS), to be used as novel materials for micro‐ and nanoelectrodes. The pyrolyzed carbon films are evaluated with scanning electron microscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, contact angle analysis, and Raman spectroscopy. Furthermore, the standard rate constant for electron transfer is determined from cyclic voltammograms and found to be lower for PS‐b‐PDMS compared to PS and SU‐8 films. This may be related to the lower carbon content of PS‐b‐PDMS, as well as to its higher microstructural disorder.     

Effects of plasma treatments on correlation between chemical structures of DLC films and liquid crystal alignment

In an effort to obtain an improved liquid crystal (LC) alignment layer for liquid crystal display device applications, amorphous diamond‐like carbon thin films were deposited on ITO‐coated glass substrates by an rf magnetron sputtering technique at room temperature and then treated with plasma in various atmospheres. The polarized images and pretilt angles of the LC cells showed that LC alignment was enhanced by post‐plasma treatments of the films. In Raman and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra of the films, an increase in the fraction of sp²‐bonding was observed after post‐plasma treatments of the films. In particular, H₂ plasma‐treated film had the largest fraction of sp²‐bonding at the film surface and showed much improved alignment capabilities. These results suggest that π‐bondings of the sp²‐structure at the surface rather than the bulk play an important role in LC alignment.     

Optical properties and orientation in polyethylene blown films

We report structural factors affecting the optical properties of blown polyethylene films. Two types of blown polyethylene films of similar degrees of crystallinity were made from (1) single‐site‐catalyst high‐density polyethylene (HDPE; STAR α) and (2) Ziegler–Natta‐catalyst HDPE (ZN) resins. The STAR α film exhibited high clarity and gloss, whereas the ZN film was turbid. Small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS), small‐angle light scattering (SALS), and optical microscopy gave quantitative and qualitative information regarding structure and orientation in the films. A new approach is described for determining the three‐dimensional lamellar normal orientation from SAXS. Both the clear STAR α and turbid ZN films had similar lamellar crystalline structures and long periods but displayed different degrees of orientation. It is demonstrated that optical haze is related to surface features that seem to be linked to the bulk morphology. The relationship between haze and structural orientation is described. The lamellar orientation is linked to rodlike structures seen in optical microscopy and SALS through a stacked lamellar or cylindrite morphology on a nanometer scale and through a fiberlike morphology on a micrometer scale. The micrometer‐scale, rodlike structures seem directly related to surface roughness in a comparison of index‐matched immersion and surface micrographs. The higher haze and lower gloss of the ZN film was caused by extensive surface roughness not observed in the STAR α film. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 39: 2923–2936, 2001     

The fabrication of layer‐by‐layer mode LaCoO3 film by pulsed laser deposition

The relationship between strain and growth conditions in LaCoO₃ thin film was obtained to control the magnetic‐electric characteristics. The LaCoO₃ thin films on the SrTiO₃ substrates have been achieved by the pulsed laser deposition method, and the reflection high‐energy electron diffraction method (RHEED) was applied to monitor the growth process in situ; the layer‐by‐layer growth mode was discovered. The X‐ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy were applied to the phase analysis, and the layer thickness and the layer‐by‐layer growth mode were uncovered. Compared with the 100‐nm LaCoO₃ thin films, the strain in the layer‐by‐layer ultra thin film was more controllable. The enhanced magnetic properties of the layer‐by‐layer mode ultra‐thin films could be tested in future work.