Effect of crystallization route on the properties of LiMn2O4 thin films prepared by spin coating

LiMn₂O₄ thin films were prepared by spin coating through intermediate amorphous layer route (IALR) and intermediate crystallized layer route (ICLR). The phase identification, surface morphology, and electrochemical properties of the films prepared by different crystallization routes were studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and galvanostatic charge–discharge experiments. The results show that both films prepared by different crystallization routes are homogeneous and crack free. Compared with the film prepared by IALR, the film prepared by ICLR shows smaller grain size and is smoother and denser. The LiMn₂O₄ film prepared by ICLR delivers the specific capacity of 39.8 μAh?cm^?2?μm^?1, which is higher than 35.6 μAh?cm^?2?μm^?1 for the one prepared by IALR. The capacity loss of the film prepared by ICLR after being cycled 100 times is 3.4 %, which is smaller than that of 5.5 % for the film prepared by IALR. The film prepared by ICLR shows higher specific capacity and better cycling behavior than the one prepared by IALR.     

Influence of copper hexacyanoferrate film thickness on the electrochemical properties of self-assembled 3-mercaptopropyl gold electrode and application as a hydrazine sensor

A copper hexacyanoferrate film was obtained on a modified electrode prepared by self-assembly of 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane on a gold surface. The film thickness was controlled using a layer-by-layer technique to tune the electrocatalytic properties of the electrode. Two electrodes with different hexacyanoferrate film thicknesses were prepared via three immersions (AuS/CuHCF3) and six immersions (AuS/CuHCF6) of the film in the precursor solutions. Cyclic voltammetry data were obtained to determine the adequate film thickness. Scanning electron microscopy images showed a roughness increase due to the growth of the film thickness at the electrode surface. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed distinct behavior for the two electrodes prepared; while diffusion and charge transfer processes can be observed in both electrodes, an additional capacitive process at intermediary frequencies was observed for the AuS/CuHCF6 electrode. The charge transfer resistance (R _ct) for the AuS/CuHCF3 electrode (19.6 Ω cm²) was lower than for AuS/CuHCF6 (27.9 Ω cm²) due to the hexacyanoferrate film thickness, since the charge transfer process demands the simultaneous diffusion of K⁺ into the surface. Cyclic voltammetry was used to evaluate the application of the AuS/CuHCF3 electrode as an electrochemical sensor, revealing a linear correlation for hydrazine concentrations.     

Superhydrophobic surface fabricated by modifying silica coated multiwalled carbon nanotubes composites

A superhydrophobic surface with maximum static water contact angle of 156° and sliding angle of 3.5° was fabricated by modifying the silica coated multiwalled carbon nanotube composites (SiO₂/MWCNTs) using a silane coupling agent vinyltriethoxysilane. The structures of SiO₂/MWCNTs and superhydrophobic surface were investigated by infrared spectrometer and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicated that silica had been successfully grafted onto MWCNTs and the SiO₂/MWCNTs had been chemical modified by vinyl triethoxy successfully. The morphology of our prepared superhydrophobic surface, investigated by scanning electron microscopy, showed a characteristic rough structure. The effects of pH value and exposure time on the stability of the superhydrophobic surface were also investigated. The superhydrophobic film shows reliable acid and alkali resistance and aging resistance, indicating that it will have a wide range of applications.     

Preparation of a transparent thin-film photocatalyst for elimination of VOC

A transparent and highly porous thin-film photocatalyst was prepared using the dipcoating method with the thermal decomposition of titanium alkoxide complex. The photocatalyst film obtained was formed with aggregated nano-sized TiO₂ single anatase crystals, and this film had a large surface area. Film thickness was 0.2–4.4 μm. A thick film (about 4.4 μm thickness) was also transparent. The average specific surface area of the film was ca. 70 m²/g. The crystalline phase of TiO₂ was anatase alone for calcinations over 400°C. The photocatalytic ability of the films was almost equal to the same weight of P25 on coated glass plates. The films decomposed 100 ppm of toluene and p-xylene (using a 1-1 size batch-type photo-reactor).     

Effect of sol-gel preparation method on particle morphology in pure and nanocomposite PZT thin films

Double-scale composite lead zirconate titanate Pb(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)O₃ (PZT) thin films of 360 nm thickness were prepared by a modified composite sol-gel method. PZT films were deposited from both the pure sol and the composite suspension on Pt/Al₂O₃ substrates by the spin-coating method and were sintered at 650°C. The composite suspension formed after ultrasonic mixing of the PZT nanopowder and PZT sol at the powder/sol mass concentration 0.5 g mL⁻¹. PZT nanopowder (≈ 40–70 nm) was prepared using the conventional sol-gel method and calcination at 500°C. Pure PZT sol was prepared by a modified sol-gel method using a propan-1-ol/propane-1,2-diol mixture as a stabilizing solution. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicated that the thin films possess a single perovskite phase after their sintering at 650°C. The results of scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses confirmed that the roughness of double-scale composite PZT films (≈ 17 nm) was significantly lower than that of PZT films prepared from pure sol (≈ 40 nm). The composite film consisted of nanosized PZT powder uniformly dispersed in the PZT matrix. In the surface micrograph of the film derived from sol, large round perovskite particles (≈ 100 nm) composed of small spherical individual nanoparticles (≈ 60 nm) were observed. The composite PZT film had a higher crystallinity degree and smoother surface morphology with necklace clusters of nanopowder particles in the sol-gel matrix compared to the pure PZT film. Microstructure of the composite PZT film can be characterized by a bimodal particle size distribution containing spherical perovskite particles from added PZT nanopowder and round perovskite particles from the sol-matrix, (≈ 30–50 nm and ≈ 100–120 nm), respectively. Effect of the PZT film preparation method on the morphology of pure and composite PZT thin films deposited on Pt/Al₂O₃ substrates was evaluated.     

Preparation and characterization of oxidized regenerated cellulose film for hemostasis and the effect of blood on its surface

Hemostatic effects of oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) are well-known but its mechanism has never been demonstrated clearly. Since thrombus formation is a kind of surface phenomenon, we changed the morphology of cellulose to form a kind of membrane with ionic liquid as solution, and also we prepared ORC films with nitrogen dioxide(NO₂)/carbon tetrachloride(CCl₄) oxidation system reacting for 16, 40, 64 and 88 h, respectively. FTIR and NMR spectra showed that NO₂/CCl₄ oxidation system had a high selectivity on hydroxyl group at C6 of regenerated cellulose. With the oxidation time prolonging, the carboxyl content was enhanced and the DP was reduced. The XPS results suggested that a new carboxyl bond was formed due to the increasing of oxygen content. From contact angle analysis, the wettability of blood on the ORC film surface was better than that of the regenerated cellulose film, which was beneficial for the blood to spread. SEM photographs showed that the ORC film oxidized for 40 h could adsorb and activate more platelets and erythrocytes. Hemostatic evaluation and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay indicated that the ORC film had a dramatic hemostatic performance, and the products of platelets release reaction, activated platelets glycoprotein and activated clotting enzymes were increased simultaneously. Moreover, the possible mechanism of the hemostasis for ORC film was discussed.     

Preparation of compact Al2O3 film on metal for oxidation resistance by polyvinylpyrrolidone

Oxidation resistance of metal at high temperature can be improved by an environmentally friendly solution deposition approach. Stable precursor solution with high oxide concentration, favorable viscosity and low surface tension was prepared using aluminum sec-butoxide (ASB) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as starting raw materials. Alumina sol-gel films were deposited onto metal by spin-coating followed by heat treatment. When PVP was added according to an amount of 50 mg/mL into a sol with an ASB/H₂O molar ratio of 1:35, the as-obtained sol exhibited favorable gelation time and viscosity. The surface tension of the alumina sol with PVP was examined to be lower by 32% than the sol (ASB:H₂O = 1:100) without PVP. TG-DTA analyses show the densification of the alumina gel film with PVP was progressed within a wide temperature range from 200 to 650 °C. Crack-free Al₂O₃ film with a thickness up to 1.5 μm was successfully produced on metallic substrate by three spin-coating cycles. SEM and XRD analyses revealed the gel film transformed into compact α-Al₂O₃ material after calcined at 1,000 °C for 0.5 h. The weight gained by the samples during firing at 1,000 °C indicated that the Al₂O₃ coating film could reduce the rate of oxidation by ∼81%. The hardness of the Al₂O₃ film coated metal was higher by 260% than the uncoated metal that was calcined at 1,000 °C for 0.5 h. It was confirmed by adhesion test that both the alumina/PVP hybrid film and the as-produced α-Al₂O₃ coating film had strong adhesion.     

Surface treatment of 25‐μm Kapton film by ammonia for improvement of TiO2/SiO2 coating's adhesion

Due to a smooth hydrophobic surface of Kapton film, it is very difficult to coat an inorganic oxide coating on its surface. In this study, the surface of Kapton was treated by NH₃·H₂O and silicon coupling agent to improve the polymer surface wettability. Changes in surface hydrophilicity were studied by contact angle measurement. The samples were irradiated by atomic oxygen (AO) in a ground‐based simulation system. TiO₂/SiO₂ multi‐layer coatings were prepared on the surface of Kapton by sol–gel method to resist AO erosion. The optical transmittance and surface morphology of samples were investigated by UV–vis spectroscopy and scanning electronic microscope. The results indicated that the TiO₂/SiO₂ sol could easily form a uniform thin coating on the surface of pretreated Kapton. After AO exposure, the coatings became more compact, without peeling off. The AO erosion yield value of coated Kapton was sharply down, and the samples had good optical transparency. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation and characterization of Li4Ti5O12 thin films by rapid thermal annealing

Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ thin films were prepared by solution deposition followed by rapid thermal annealing (RTA). The structural and electrochemical properties of the film were comparatively studied with the one prepared by conventional furnace annealing (CFA) through X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic lithium insertion–extraction experiments, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results show that the film prepared by RTA is homogeneous, crack-free, and pure spinel phase, and its grain size is smaller than that of the film prepared by CFA. The lithium extraction capacity of the film prepared by RTA is 59.5 μAh cm^?2 μm^?1, which is higher than 55.9 μAh cm^?2 μm^?1 of the film prepared by CFA. The capacity loss of the film prepared by RTA after being cycled 50 times is 3.1 %, which is 3.2 % lower than that of 6.3 % for the film prepared by CFA.     

Enhanced adsorption of atrazine from aqueous solution by molecularly imprinted TiO2 film

TiO₂ film imprinted by atrazine molecule at the surface of quartz crystal was prepared using molecular imprinting and surface sol-gel process. The molecularly imprinted TiO₂ film was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and cyclic voltammetry, and the atrazine adsorption was investigated by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) technique. In comparison with non-imprinted TiO₂ film, the molecularly imprinted TiO₂ film exhibits high selectivity for atrazine, better reversibility and a much higher adsorption capacity for the target molecule, the adsorption equilibrium constant estimated from the in situ frequency measurement is about 6.7 × 10⁴ M⁻¹, which is thirteen times higher than that obtained on non-imprinted TiO₂ film.     

Synthesis and properties of the cationic fluorocarbon emulsifier-free latex in a new micellar system

Cationic fluorocarbon emulsifier-free latex (CFEL) based on hexafluorobutyl methacrylate (FA), styrene, butyl acrylate, and methacrylatoethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride is successfully prepared in a new micellar system in which the fluorinated surface active monomer (FSM) based on isophorone diisocyanate, dodecafluoroheptanol, and allyl polyethylene glycol is used. The chemical structure of FSM is characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ¹H-NMR, and its surface-active properties have been investigated by surface tension determinator. Besides, effect of FSM, FA, and also the curing temperature on the latex and film properties has been investigated by the coagulation ratio (W _c ), precipitation ratio (W _p ), Nano-ZS particle sizer, contact angle, and water absorption ratio, respectively. The results show that the FSM is successfully prepared. The CMC of FSM is 2.37 g L^?1 and the γ _CMC is 26.31mN m^?1 accordingly. The more FSM content makes more stable emulsion and have only little adverse effect on its film properties. When the FSM content increases from 1.05 to 13.11 %, the W _c and W _p decrease by 83.5 and 32.1 %, respectively, and the surface free energy (γ) of CFEL film only increases by 8.3 %. The more FA content makes less stable emulsion but have favorable effect on its film properties. When the FA content increases from 0 to 25.11 %, the γ is decreased by 55.1 %. The curing temperature has much impact on film property. For example, the γ from 27.47 to 20.36 mJ?·?m^?2 when the curing temperature rises from 30 to 110 °C.     

不同厚度三倍频SiO2增透膜的设计、制备与改性

本文通过光学计算设计了具有不同厚度的三倍频增透膜。以氨水为催化剂、正硅酸乙酯(TEOS)为前驱体,通过溶胶-凝胶(Sol-Gel)技术制得SiO2溶胶;采用浸渍提拉法镀膜得到符合设计要求的三倍频增透膜。研究结果表明,增透膜的耐磨擦性能随着膜层厚度的增大而增大,本文制得的厚度达到200 nm以上的三倍频增透膜耐磨擦性能显著优于传统的1/4波长三倍频增透膜。此外,本文以甲基含氢硅油为膜表面修饰剂,提出一种全新的超快的表面疏水性改性的方法。经该方法处理后,增透膜由亲水膜转变为疏水膜,对水的接触角从23.4°增大至95°,增透膜的耐环境性显著提高。     

Adsorption and desorption of toluene on nanoporous TiO2/SiO2 prepared by atomic layer deposition (ALD): influence of TiO2 thin film thickness and humidity

Adsorption and desorption of toluene on bare and TiO₂-coated silica with a mean pore size of 15 nm under dry and humid conditions were studied using toluene breakthrough curves and temperature programmed desorption (TPD) of toluene and CO₂. Two TiO₂/silica samples (either partially or fully covered with TiO₂) were prepared with 50 and 200 cycles of TiO₂ atomic layer deposition (ALD), respectively. The capacity of silica to adsorb toluene improved significantly with TiO₂-thin film coating under dry conditions. However, toluene desorption from the surface due to displacement by water was more pronounced for TiO₂-coated samples than bare samples under humid conditions. In TPD experiments, silica with a thinner TiO₂ film (50-ALD cycled) had the highest reactivity for toluene oxidation to CO₂ both in the absence and presence of water. Toluene adsorption and oxidation reactivity of silica can be controlled by modifying the silica surface with small amount of TiO₂ using ALD.     

纳米二氧化硅粒子对聚氯乙烯膜的表面结构及浸润性能的调控作用

报道了一种简便的调控聚合物材料表面结构及浸润性能的方法.利用流延成膜和纳米二氧化硅粒子的印迹修饰作用,制备出3种具有不同表面结构的聚氯乙烯(PVC)膜,膜的浸润性能表现为与水的接触角从103°的疏水性变为65°的亲水性,再改变至130°的疏水性.扫描电镜结果表明印迹修饰后的PVC膜具有纳米和微米尺寸的凹凸表面结构.通过对比实验证实了溶剂氯仿和NaOH溶液并不影响膜表面的疏水性能.     

Electrochemical Polymerization of Benzene by use of Aluminum Chloride and Copper(I) Chloride

Electrochemical polymerization of benzene has been carried out in a one-compartment cell using indium-tin oxide conducting glass as a working electrode and Pt mesh as a counterelectrode by the use of a composite electrolyte of aluminum chloride and copper(I) chloride in nitrobenzene. On applying a constant voltage at + 1.8 V vs SCE, a brown and flexible polyparaphenylene (PPP) film was smoothly obtained on the ITO anode surface. The electrical conductivity of the film as grown was 1.9 × 10^?5 S/cm. Aluminum and chlorine atoms were detected in the film from XPS studies, so the film might contain AlCl₄ ^? (and Cl^?) as a dopant. Scanning electron micrographs of the growing side surface of the film prepared at a constant potential of + 1.8 V vs SCE showed a fibrillar morphology. The fibril diameter (～100 nm) was similar to that of a polyaniline film. The PPP film exhibited a spin concentration of 1.0 × 10¹⁹ spins/g, which corresponds to 800 phenylene units per spin. The g-value and the peak-to-peak linewidth were 2.0045 and 7 G, respectively.     

POSS-based glycidyl methacrylate copolymer for transparent and permeable coatings

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)-based glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) hybrid copolymers of P(GMA-MAPOSS) are prepared by methacrylisobutyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (MAPOSS) and GMA via free radical polymerization used as coatings. Their morphologies and particle size distributions in CHCl₃ solution are characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The effect of MAPOSS content on surface wettability, transparency and permeability of casted films, the adhesive strength, and thermostability of hybrid copolymers are further characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), static contact angle (SCA), UV-Vis, mercury porosimeter, mechanical testing, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetry (TGA). Compared with the homogeneous surface of PGMA film, the surface of P(GMA-MAPOSS) film exhibits heterogeneous morphology due to the bulky volume of MAPOSS tending to agglomerate onto the film surface. This micro-rough structure helps to enhance the surface hydrophobicity (100–112° water SCA). While the surface of cured P(GMA-MAPOSS) film obtains a very homogeneous micro-rough morphology without any agglomeration due to the restricted movements of MAPOSS by 250 nm core-shell particles in CHCl₃ solution. Therefore, the cured P(GMA-MAPOSS) film provides with superior luminousness (>98%), strong adhesive strength (748.2 Pa), and high thermostability (T_g = 115°C). Particularly, the chemically involved MAPOSS into PGMA can effectually improve the permeability of traditional epoxy resin. It is believed that the POSS-based GMA hybrid copolymers P(GMA-MAPOSS) will have great potential applications as transparent and permeable coatings.     

Cu掺杂TiO_2薄膜的摩擦学性能

采用溶胶-凝胶法在普通玻璃基底上制备了纯TiO2和Cu掺杂的TiO2(Cu-TiO2)纳米结构薄膜,利用X射线光电子能谱(XPS)、原子力显微镜(AFM)、粉末X射线衍射(XRD)及UMT-3摩擦磨损试验机考察了Cu掺杂量对薄膜组成、结构、表面形貌及摩擦学性能的影响.结果表明,相比于纯TiO2薄膜,Cu掺杂TiO2纳米薄膜平整、均匀,具有较好的耐磨减摩性能.Cu掺杂量的多少直接影响Cu-TiO2薄膜的减摩抗磨性能,当Cu掺杂量为5%(摩尔分数)时,Cu-TiO2膜具有最佳的耐磨寿命和最低的摩擦系数.     

Development of dye-sensitized solar cells based on visible-light-responsive TiO2 thin films with a unique columnar structure

A visible-light-responsive TiO₂ thin film (Vis-TiO₂), possessing a unique columnar structure oriented perpendicular to the substrate, has been prepared by using a radio-frequency magnetron sputtering deposition method. The unique TiO₂ thin film was used as a key component of N719 dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The rough morphology caused by the columnar structure leads to enhanced photovoltaic performances of these DSSCs as a consequence of increased amounts of adsorbed dyes and facilitated diffusion of the electrolyte into Vis-TiO₂ film. Additionally, photovoltaic performances of the DSSCs were found to depend strongly on the thickness of the Vis-TiO₂ film, which can be readily controlled by adjusting the sputtering time conducted for deposition. Consequently, a solar-to-electric energy conversion efficiency of 2.6 % under AM 1.5 illumination was observed for an optimally performing DSSC that has a Vis-TiO₂ film thickness of 6.9 μm, prepared by employing a sputtering time of 700 min.     

Catalyzed microelectrode mediated by polypyrrole/Nafion® composite film for microfabricated fuel cell applications

A novel Si-based micromachined electrode composed of polypyrrole (PPy)/Nafion^® film and electrochemically deposited Pt nanocatalysts was prepared for the microfabricated fuel cell applications. In addition to its high surface area to host nanocatalyst particles, the PPy/Nafion^® composite film offers good electron and proton conductivity and the fabrication of such films is largely compatible with the micromachining process. The resulted catalyzed microelectrodes exhibit high electrochemical active surface area and high catalyst utilization. The corresponding Si-based micro membrane–electrode-assembly demonstrates good cell polarization characteristics using the H₂/O₂ feed.     

Fabrication and characterization of TiO2 photocatalytic thin film prepared from peroxo titanic acid sol

A novel sol–gel technique using the PTA (peroxo titanic acid) sol as precursor for the fabrication of TiO₂ photocatalytic thin film is introduced in this paper. The peroxo titanic acid sol was synthesized from titanyl sulfate (TiOSO₄), ammonia and peroxide solution (H₂O₂). The transparent and porous TiO₂ thin film was prepared via a sol–gel technique using PTA sol and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as precursor and template, respectively. The TiO₂ thin film samples were characterized by the X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV–visible spectrophotometry (UV–vis), X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS) and thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) technique. The PTA sol displayed amorphous TiO₂ below 100 °C. The anatase phase formed at 200 °C to 700 °C. The crystallinity of anatase phase was improved with increasing temperature. The anatase crystals on the surface of TiO₂ film were strip-like, the size being about 100 nm in length and 40 nm in diameter. Addition of PEG to the PTA sol developed porous structures in the film and changed the size and shape of the particles. The surface of the film contained Ti, O and C elements and Na element that diffused into the film from the glass substrate. The photocatalytic performance of TiO₂ film was tested for the degradation of 10 mg/L methyl orange. The degradation of methyl orange solution reached 98.9% after irradiated for 180 min under UV light. The porous TiO₂ thin film exhibited high photocatalytic activity towards degrading methyl orange.