Effects of CNT‐film Pretreatment on the Characteristics of NiCo2O4/CNT Core‐shell Hybrids as Electrode Material for Electrochemistry Capacitor

NiCo₂O₄/CNT nanocomposite films were fabricated by in‐situ growing ultrafine NiCo₂O₄ nanoparticles on acid‐modified carbon nanotube (CNT) films. The effects of CNT‐film pretreatment were investigated thoroughly by various characterization outfits including Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, RTS‐9 four‐point probes resistivity measurement system, X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and CHI660D electrochemical workstation. These results suggested that carbon nanotubes were uniformly wrapped by NiCo₂O₄ nanoparticles forming a hierarchical core‐shell structure. And the crystallinity, conductivity of the CNTs and detail structure (both morphology and size) of the NiCo₂O₄ nanoparticles varied with prolonged acid treatment time which resulted in increased functional groups and defects on CNT films and further affected the electrochemical properties. The composite film composed of the CNT film pretreated by mixed acid for 12 h exhibited excellent electrochemical properties: 828 F/g at 1 A/g and 656 F/g at 20 A/g, and maintained over 99 % of its capacitance after 3000 cycles of charge/discharge at 5 A/g. Acid treatment for either too long or too short is detrimental to the electrochemical properties of the composite films. Such work should be of fundamental importance for tailoring electrochemical properties by elaborate design of acid treatment on CNTs.     

Evaluation of the Conductivity of the Polypyrrole Film via Its CC Bonds Stretching on Surface‐Enhanced Raman Spectrum

In this study, the conductivities of various polypyrrole (PPy) films were evaluated via the corresponding surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectrum and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicate that the peak position of C?C bonds stretching of PPy obtained from the SERS spectrum shows more exactly both qualitatively and quantitatively representing the conductivity of PPy than the N⁺/N ratio or the doping level obtained from the XPS analysis does. Namely the peak position of C?C bonds stretching of PPy monotone decreases to a lower frequency side with the increase of the conductivity of PPy. Furthermore, a satisfactory correlated equation between them was obtained. On the contrary, neither the N⁺/N ratio nor the doping level can be qualitatively reflective on the corresponding conductivity of PPy.     

Fabrication, Characterization and Electrocatalysis of an Ordered Carbon Nanotube Electrode

A method for fabrication of ordered carbon nanotube (CNT) film,which was template-synthesized within the highly ordered pores of a commercially available alumina template membrane,modified glassy carbon(CNT/GC) electrode was established.The CNT/GC electrode showed excellent electrocatalytic activity toward dopamine electrochemical reaction without introducing any electrochemically active group into CNT film or activating any electrochemically active group into CNT film or activating the electrode electrochemically.DA undergoes ideal reversible electrochemical reaction on CNT/GC electrode at low scan rate(≤20mV/s) with an excellent reproducibility and stability.The CNT/GC electrode might be used in biosensors because the highly ordered CNT may present a steric effect on more efficient redox reactions of biomolecules.     

Organic–inorganic polypyrrole‐surface modified SiO2 hybrid nanocomposites: a facile and green synthetic approach

Organic–inorganic hybrid nanocomposites composed of conductive polypyrrole (PPy) and surface modified silica (SiO₂) were successfully prepared through an in situ chemical oxidative polymerization in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂). SiO₂ nanoparticles were surface modified using 3‐methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS) in order to disperse well in the medium. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the SiO₂ nanoparticles were encapsulated into the polymer. UV‐visible spectra of the diluted colloidal dispersions of PPy/SiO₂ hybrid nanocomposites were similar to those of PPy system. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) suggested the strong interaction between PPy and SiO₂. Surface characterizations of nanocomposites were described by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The nanocomposites synthesized in scCO₂ have been shown to possess higher electrical conductivity and thermal stability. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fullerene–Ionic‐Liquid Conjugates: A New Class of Hybrid Materials with Unprecedented Properties

A modular approach has been followed for the synthesis of a series of fullerene–ionic‐liquid (IL) hybrids in which the number of IL moieties (two or twelve), anion, and cation have been varied. The combination of C₆₀ and IL give rise to new unique properties in the conjugates such as solubility in water, which was higher than 800 mg mL^?1 in several cases. In addition, one of the C₆₀–IL hybrids has been employed for the immobilization of palladium nanoparticles through ion exchange followed by reduction with sodium borohydride. Surprisingly, during the reduction several carbon nanostructures were formed that comprised nano‐onions and nanocages with few‐layer graphene sidewalls, which have been characterized by means of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy/energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis (SEM‐EDAX), and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Finally, the material thus obtained was successfully applied as catalyst in Suzuki and Mizoroki–Heck reactions in a concentration of just 0.2 mol %. In the former process it was recyclable for five runs with no loss in activity.     

氢键诱导的聚吡咯/苯磺酸功能化多壁碳纳米管的制备及其电化学行为

采用原位芳基重氮化反应对碳纳米管进行苯磺酸功能化, 进而制备了聚吡咯/苯磺酸化碳纳米管复合材料(PPy/f-MWCNTs), 通过透射电镜(TEM)及扫描电镜(SEM)测试发现, 氢键诱导使聚吡咯成功地包覆在碳纳米管表面. 循环伏安和恒流充放电测试结果表明, 复合材料具有良好的电化学电容性能, 当聚吡咯与苯磺酸化碳纳米管质量比为1:1时, 复合材料在1.0 A·g-1的电流密度下的比容量达266 F·g-1, 而且聚吡咯利用率比未功能化聚吡咯/碳纳米管(PPy/p-MWCNTs)和纯聚吡咯(PPy)提高了1倍以上.     

Impact of polypyrrole incorporation on nickel oxide@multi walled carbon nanotube composite for application in supercapacitors

In this article we report the synthesis of polypyrrole incorporated nickel oxide multi walled carbon nanotube (NiO@NMWCNT/PPy) composites by thermal reduction protocol for supercapacitor applications. The structural and morphological properties of the composites were confirmed by the aid of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Field-emission transmission electron microscopy (FE-TEM) analysis indicating the hexagonal crystal structure of NiO decorated on NMWCNT/Ppy. The electrochemical characteristics of the NiO@MWCNT/PPy composite were analyzed in the presence of 2 M KOH as an electrolyte. The NiO@NMWCNT/PPy nanostructured composite produced a plenty of active sites for ion migration reactions that facilitate the energy storage mechanism. As a proof of concept demonstration, the NiO@NMWCNT/PPy composite was explored as an electrode materials in supercapacitor and exhibited specific capacitance of 395 F g⁻¹ and cyclic stability up to 5000 cycles at 0.5 A g⁻¹. Enhanced performance of composite is attributed to the incorporation of polypyrrole in NiO@NMWCNT. The improved capacitance and cyclic stability demonstrated by the composite indicates the NiO@NMWCNT/PPy to be a promising candidate for supercapacitor applications.     

Amperometric Glucose Biosensor on Layer by Layer Assembled Carbon Nanotube and Polypyrrole Multilayer Film

An amperometric glucose biosensor on layer by layer assembled carbon nanotube and polypyrrole multilayer film has been reported in the present investigation. Homogeneous and stable single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and polypyrrole (PPy) multilayer films were alternately assembled on platinum coated Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane. Since conducting polypyrrole has excellent anti‐interference ability, protection ability in favor of increasing the amount of the SWNTs on platinum coated PVDF membrane and superior transducing ability, a layer by layer approach of polypyrrole and carbon nanotubes has provided an excellent matrix for the immobilization of enzyme. The layer‐by‐layer assembled SWNTs and PPy‐modified platinum coated PVDF membrane is shown to be an excellent amperometric sensor over a wide range of concentrations of glucose. The glucose oxidase (GOx) was immobilized on layer by layer assembled film by a physical adsorption method by cross linking through Glutaraldehyde. The glucose biosensor exhibited a linear response range from 1 mM to 50 mM of glucose concentration with excellent sensitivity of 7.06 μA/mM.     

氟尿嘧啶的电化学控制释放

本文探讨了抗癌药物氟尿嘧啶在聚吡咯膜修饰玻碳电极上的电化学控制释放，结果表明药物自膜中的释放是聚吡咯膜的电化学氧化还原过程决定的。其释放量可由还原电位进行控制，并与还原电量和膜厚呈现良好的线性关系。     

Pt and Pt–Ru nanoparticles decorated polypyrrole/multiwalled carbon nanotubes and their catalytic activity towards methanol oxidation

Conducting polymer composite films comprised of polypyrrole (PPy) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) [PPy–CNT] were synthesized by in situ polymerization of pyrrole on carbon nanotubes in 0.1 M HCl containing (NH₄)S₂O₈ as oxidizing agent over a temperature range of 0–5 °C. Pt nanoparticles are deposited on PPy–CNT composite films by chemical reduction of H₂PtCl₆ using HCHO as reducing agent at pH = 11 [Pt/PPy–CNT]. The presence of MWCNTs leads to higher activity, which might be due to the increase of electrochemically accessible surface areas, electronic conductivity and easier charge-transfer at polymer/electrolyte interfaces allowing higher dispersion and utilization of the deposited Pt nanoparticles. A comparative investigation was carried out using Pt–Ru nanoparticles decorated PPy–CNT composites. Cyclic voltammetry demonstrated that the synthesized Pt–Ru/PPy–CNT catalysts exhibited higher catalytic activity for methanol oxidation than Pt/PPy–CNT catalyst. Such kinds of Pt and Pt–Ru particles deposited on PPy–CNT composite polymer films exhibit excellent catalytic activity and stability towards methanol oxidation, which indicates that the composite films is more promising support material for fuel cell applications.     

In situ electrochemical solid-phase extraction of anions and cations using polypyrrole and overoxidized sulfonated polypyrrole

A new method for the extraction of both anions and cations is proposed using electro-synthesized polypyrrole (PPy) and overoxidized sulfonated polypyrrole film (OSPPy). In situ anion (chloride, nitrate, sulfate) and cation (calcium, magnesium) uptake and release were examined under controlled potential conditions for prospective applications in electrochemically controlled solid-phase extraction (EC-SPE). The PPy film was used as an anode (anion-exchanger) and OSPPy film was used as a cathode (cation-exchanger) material and reverse order of the electrodes were investigated in EC-SPE. This new cell arrangement containing two ion exchanger polymer electrodes was developed to provide in situ removal of both anions and cations from aqueous solution. Simple preparation of the film coatings on a platinum plate was possible using a constant potential method. Applied positive and negative potentials facilitated the in situ extraction and desorption of ions, respectively. Both anions and cations were desorbed into sample aliquot and were determined by ion chromatography (IC). The method was validated using a standard reference material and tested for the determination of the ions in real water samples.     

Modified SWCNTs with Amphoteric Redox and Solubilizing Properties

A complementary double‐covalent functionalization of single‐wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) that involves both solubilizing ionic liquids and electroactive moieties is reported. Our strategy is a simple and efficient methodology based on the stepwise functionalization of the nanotube surface with two different organic moieties. In a first instance, oxidized SWCNTs are amidated with ionic liquid precursors, and further treated with n‐butyl bromide to afford SWCNTs functionalized with 1‐butylimidazolium bromide. This approach allows tuneable polarity induced by anion exchange, which has an effect on the relative solubility of the modified SWCNTs in water. Subsequently, a 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction was performed to introduce the electron‐acceptor 11,11,12,12‐tetracyano‐9,10‐anthra‐para‐quinodimethane (TCAQ) unit on the SWCNTs. Furthermore, to evaluate the influence of the functional group position, the TCAQ electroactive molecule was anchored through an esterification reaction onto previously oxidized SWCNTs, followed by the Tour reaction to introduce the ionic liquid functions. IR and Raman spectroscopies, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were employed and clearly confirmed the double‐covalent functionalization of the SWCNTs.     

Effects of Ar/H/N‐ion bombardment on the surface free energy and friction behavior of the fullerene‐like hydrogenated carbon (FL‐C:H) film

The surface modification of the fullerene‐like hydrogenated carbon (FL‐C:H) film was achieved by bombardment using Ar, H, and N ions, respectively. A systematic comparison of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transformation infrared(FTIR) spectra was made between the FL‐C:H film and ion‐bombarded films. The results show that ion bombardment resulted in the increase of sp³ C content, specially, new C? N bonds were formed for N‐ion‐bombarded film. The contact angle (CA) and friction coefficient of those films were measured. The surface free energy evaluated from the contact angle increased for ion‐bombarded films, and the most obvious increase was obtained for N‐ion‐bombarded film. The friction coefficient decreased for H‐ion‐bombarded film whereas it increased for N‐ion‐bombarded film, and the friction coefficient of Ar‐ion‐bombarded film was close to that of the FL‐C:H film. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation and characterization of polypyrrole with dispersed metallic rhodium particles

Polypyrrole (PPy) with dispersed metallic Rh particles has been prepared by all‐chemical route, i.e. reduction of Rh³⁺ ions existing in RhCl₃ aqueous solutions with sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) carried out in the presence of the previously obtained PPy doped with chloride ions (PPyCl). PPy–Rh composites thus formed have been characterized using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning and transmission electron microscopies (SEM, TEM) combined with energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) microanalysis, Rh3d X‐ray photoelectron (XPS), and IR spectroscopies. This has made it possible to find out that metallic Rh nanoparticles, mainly of sizes below 10 nm, have been present in the composites. Agglomerates, with sizes up to 0.7 µm, have been formed in the systems containing higher amounts of Rh. PPy serving as the matrix in the composites has been doped. However, its doping level has been lower than that of the starting PPyCl. This has been explained by partial reduction of the polymer occurring during preparation of the composites. Catalytic properties of the PPy–Rh systems have been investigated using isopropyl alcohol conversion as a test reaction. It has been established that the composites are active redox catalysts. This makes them promising materials for applications as catalysts of various redox processes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

磷钼酸掺杂的聚吡咯薄膜电极的表征

对离子在导电聚合物修饰电极中起着很重要的作用．因止匕自从导电聚合物薄膜修饰电极的研究开始以来，A们尝试了在导电聚合物膜中掺杂各种各样的离子［‘一句，以使导电聚合物膜向功能化方向发展．在这些众多的掺杂离子中，人们无感兴趣的是将那些电活性阴离子作对离子掺杂人导电聚合物膜中，如时C叫6【‘，司、杂多酸根离子”河等·将电活性阴离子作为对离子掺杂人导电聚合物膜修饰电极中，有助于人们对这种修饰电极的研究，因为这些对离子可以作为一种探针来检测对离子在腰中的传输情况．杂多酸掺杂的导电聚合物电极还具有电催化性能，对…     

Fe/Cu修饰氮掺杂碳纳米管的构筑及催化性能

通过简单的原位化学合成法结合离子交换法制备了Cu修饰氮掺杂碳（Cu-N-C）和Fe/Cu修饰氮掺杂碳纳米管（Fe/Cu-N-C/CNT）,并系统评估了2种催化剂作为染料敏化太阳能电池（dye-sensitized solar cells,DSSCs）对电极在I₃^-/I^-体系中的电化学特性和光伏性能。采用X射线衍射（XRD）、拉曼（Raman）、X射线光电子能谱（XPS）和场发射扫描电镜（FESEM）对合成的催化剂进行组分和形貌表征。结果表明：纳米管状的Fe/Cu-N-C/CNT的石墨化程度比纳米颗粒状的Cu-N-C更高,更有利于I₃^-还原反应中电荷的传输。光伏性能测试结果表明：基于Fe/Cu-N-C/CNT对电极的DSSCs的光电能量转换效率（power conversion efficiency,PCE）达到7.55%,高于相同测试条件下Cu-N-C（6.99%）和Pt（6.76%）对电极的PCE。50圈连续循环伏安测试结果表明：Fe/Cu-N-C/CNT催化剂具有比Cu-N-C更好的电化学稳定性。     

Hollow microstructures of polypyrrole doped by poly(styrene sulfonic acid)

Microstructures with hollow interiors, such as microspheres, microcrocks, microbowls, and micropumpkins, were prepared through the direct electrochemical oxidation of pyrrole in an aqueous solution of poly(styrene sulfonic acid) (PSSA). Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that the microstructures possessed hollow interiors. The addition of polymeric doping ions made the skins of the microstructures very smooth, and several novel structures were observed. The morphology of the microstructures was simply modulated through changes in the electrochemical conditions. Raman and Fourier transform infrared characterizations indicated that the microstructures were made of conductive polypyrrole (PPy) doped by polymeric anions of poly(styrene sulfonate), and X‐ray diffraction showed that the microstructures were amorphous. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that PPy–PSSA composite films with microstructures had higher thermal stability than pure PPy, PPy‐coated PSSA microspheres, and naphthalene sulfonic acid doped PPy microstructures. Furthermore, PPy–PSSA composite films with microstructures showed cation‐exchange behavior during the redox process in aqueous solutions of sodium dodecyl benzenesulfonate. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3170–3177, 2004     

Electrochemical Behavior of Polypyrrole‐modified SnS2 for Use as Anode Material in Lithium‐Ion Batteries

SnS₂/polypyrrole (PPy) composites were successfully synthesized by PPy modification of SnS₂ via a simple and effective solvothermal and chemical method. The microstructure, morphology, electrical conductivity, PPy content, and electrochemical properties of these materials were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), four‐point probe technique, thermogavimetry (TG), and constant‐current charge/discharge tests, respectively. The results demonstrate that PPy is tightly coated on the 3D flower‐like SnS₂ and that the conductivity of SnS₂ /PPy composites can be greatly improved by the PPy modification. The electrochemical results indicate that PPy is not involved in the electrode reaction, but it can dramatically improve the reversible capacity and cyclic performance. The recharge capacity retention after 30 cycles remained at 523 mAh/g, which is significantly higher than that of SnS₂ without modification by PPy. The better cycling performance compared to SnS₂ nanoparticles should be due to the 3D nano‐flower‐like SnS₂ particles and the modification of SnS₂ by PPy.     

Multi‐instrument characterization of the surfaces and materials in microfabricated,carbon nanotube‐templated thin layer chromatography plates. An analogy to ‘The Blind Men and the Elephant’

We apply a suite of analytical tools to characterize materials created in the production of microfabricated thin layer chromatography plates. Techniques used include X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), valence band spectroscopy, time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) in both positive and negative ion modes, Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS), and helium ion microscopy. Materials characterized include: the Si(100) substrate with native oxide: Si/SiO₂, alumina (35 nm) deposited as a diffusion barrier on the Si/SiO₂: Si/SiO₂/Al₂O₃, iron (6 nm) thermally evaporated on the Al₂O₃: Si/SiO₂/Al₂O₃/Fe, the iron film annealed in H₂ to make Fe catalyst nanoparticles: Si/SiO₂/Al₂O₃/Fe(NP), and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) grown from the Fe nanoparticles: Si/SiO₂/Al₂O₃/Fe(NP)/CNT. The Fe films and nanoparticles appear in an oxidized state. Some of the analyses of the CNTs/CNT forests appear to be unique: (i) the CNT forest appears to exhibit an interesting ‘channeling’ phenomenon by RBS, (ii) we observe an odd–even effect in the SIMS spectra of C_n^‐ species for n = 1 – 6, with the n ≥ 6 ions showing a steady decrease in intensity, and (iii) valence band characterization of CNTs using X‐radiation is reported. Initial analysis of the CNT forest by XPS shows that it is 100 at.% carbon. After one year, only ca. 0.25 at.% oxygen is observed. The information obtained from the combination of the different analytical tools provides a more complete understanding of our materials than a single technique, which is analogous to the story of ‘The Blind Men and the Elephant’. The raw XPS and ToF‐SIMS spectra from this study will be submitted to Surface Science Spectra for archiving. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation and Characterization of Polypyrrole/TiO2 Coaxial Nanocables

Summary: We demonstrate in this communication that large‐scale coaxial nanocables of polypyrrole (PPy)/TiO₂ can be obtained via three steps: (1) synthesis of TiO₂ nanofibers by electrospinning; (2) physical adsorption Fe³⁺ oxidant on the surface of TiO₂ nanofibers; (3) followed by polymerization of pyrrole (from vapor) on the surface of TiO₂ nanofibers. During the synthesis, the PPy formed on TiO₂ nanofibers as a template and formed PPy/TiO₂ coaxial nanocables. TEM image proved that PPy (20 nm thickness) covered the surface of TiO₂ nanofibers. Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR), X‐ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), and X‐ray diffraction patterns (XRD) characterized the chemical structure of the coaxial nanocables. Surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPS) revealed the surface properties of the PPy/TiO₂ coaxial nanocables.

TEM image of individual PPy/TiO₂ coaxial nanocable.