Polymer Blend for Electrolyte and Electrode Coatings

Summary: The thermal and morphological properties of PEO/copolyether electrolyte and carbon black composite have been studied. A copolyether poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol) bis(2-aminopropyl ether) was used at 20 wt.-% in relation to PEO in order the improve the carbon black dispersion through interaction with the amino end capped function. The polymer matrix presented semicrystalline structure and the addition of LiClO₄ and carbon black decreases significantly the crystallinity of the system. Sub-micrometric dispersion of carbon black was observed. The conductivity results as a function of temperature exhibited a typical VTF behaviour for the electrolyte. Almost constant conductivities of 2 × 10⁻⁴ S · cm⁻¹ were observed for the composite with 5 wt.-% of carbon black, in the range of temperature between 35 and 95 °C, which indicates a significantly contribution of electronic conduction.     

Electrodeposition of mercury film on electrodes modified with clay minerals

A new type of carbon paste electrode modified with clay mineral and covered with a mercury film is presented in this work. Electrodeposition of the mercury film was performed on the carbon paste electrode modified with montmorillonite. The mercury film was deposited by both electrodeposition in situ and a preliminary electrodeposition. The pre-deposited film of mercury showed to be suitable for anodic stripping voltammetry. An open-circuit sorption of Cd, Pb, and Cu with subsequent anodic stripping voltammetry exhibited higher current responses of metals. Besides the enhanced sensitivity superior separation of the current responses during a simultaneous stripping of metals is expected to be achieved by means of the newly prepared electrode. Presented at the 57th Congress of Chemical Societies, Tatranské Matliare, 4–8 September 2005.     

Toward Cost‐Effective Manufacturing of Silicon Solar Cells: Electrodeposition of High‐Quality Si Films in a CaCl2‐based Molten Salt

Electrodeposition of Si films from a Si‐containing electrolyte is a cost‐effective approach for the manufacturing of solar cells. Proposals relying on fluoride‐based molten salts have suffered from low product quality due to difficulties in impurity control. Here we demonstrate the successful electrodeposition of high‐quality Si films from a CaCl₂‐based molten salt. Soluble Si^IV−O anions generated from solid SiO₂ are electrodeposited onto a graphite substrate to form a dense film of crystalline Si. Impurities in the deposited Si film are controlled at low concentrations (both B and P are less than 1 ppm). In the photoelectrochemical measurements, the film shows p‐type semiconductor character and large photocurrent. A p–n junction fabricated from the deposited Si film exhibits clear photovoltaic effects. This study represents the first step to the ultimate goal of developing a cost‐effective manufacturing process for Si solar cells based on electrodeposition.     

Effect of branched alkyl side chains on the performance of thin‐film transistors and photovoltaic cells fabricated with isoindigo‐based conjugated polymers

New isoindigo and di(thienyl)ethylene‐containing π‐extended conjugated polymers with different branched side chains were synthesized to investigate their physical properties and device performance in thin‐film transistors and photovoltaic cells. 11‐Butyltricosane (S3) and 11‐heptyltricosane (S6) groups were used as side‐chain moieties tethered to isoindigo units. The linking groups between the polymer backbone and bifurcation point in the branched side chain differ in the two polymers (i.e., PIDTE‐S3 and PIDTE‐S6 ). The polymers bearing S6 side chains showed much better charge transport behavior than those with S3 side chains. Thermally annealed PIDTE‐S6 film exhibited an outstanding hole mobility of 4.07 cm² V^?1 s^?1 under ambient conditions. Furthermore, bulk heterojunction organic photovoltaic cells made from a blend film of PIDTE‐S3 and (6,6)‐phenyl C61‐butyric acid methyl ester demonstrated promising device performance with a power conversion efficiency in the range of 4.9–5.0%. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 2015 , 53, 1226–1234     

Synthesis of carbon nanofibers@MnO2 3D structures over copper foil as binder free anodes for lithium ion batteries

A 3D structured composite of carbon nanofibers@MnO₂ on copper foil is reported here as a binder free anode of lithium ion batteries, with high capacity, fast charge/discharge rate and good stability. Carbon nanofiber yarns were synthesized directly over copper foil through a floating catalyst method. The growth of carbon nanofiber yarns was significantly enhanced by mechanical polishing of the copper foils, which can be attributed to the increased surface roughness and surface area of the copper foils. MnO₂ was then grown over carbon nanofibers through spontaneous reduction of potassium permanganate by the carbon nanofibers. The obtained composites of carbon nanofibers@MnO₂ over copper foil were tested as an anode in lithium ion batteries and they show superior electrochemical performance. The initial reversible capacity of carbon nanofibers@MnO₂ reaches up to around 998 mAh·g^?1 at a rate of 60 mmA·g^?1 based on the mass of carbon nanofibers and MnO₂. The carbon nanofibers@MnO₂ electrodes could deliver a capacity of 630 mAh·g^?1 at the beginning and maintain a capacity of 440 mmAh·g^?1 after 105 cycles at a rate of 600 mA·g^?1. The high initial capacity can be attributed to the presence of porous carbon nanofiber yarns which have good electrical conductivity and the MnO₂ thin film which makes the entire materials electrochemically active. The high cyclic stability of carbon nanofibers@MnO₂ can be ascribed to the MnO₂ thin film which can accommodate the volume expansion and shrinking during charge and discharge and the good contact of carbon nanofibers with MnO₂ and copper foil.     

Structure and interactions in homopolymers and blends as studied by the methods of vibrational and nmr spectroscopy

The combination of IR, Raman and NMR spectroscopy was used in the study of the blends of semicrystalline and amorphous polymers with considerably different strength of intermolecular interactions: poly(ϵ-caprolactam)/polystyrene (PCL/PS), poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PEO/PMMA) and poly(N-methyllaurolactam)/poly(4-vinylphenol) (PNMLL/PVPh). In the vibrational and NMR spectra of the blends composed of non-interacting polymers (PCL/PS) and weakly interacting polymers (PEO/PMMA), no band changes were observed which would indicate changes of the conformational structures. ¹H NMR relaxation of the PCL and PS components in the blends is the same as in the respective homopolymers similarly treated. In the blends of weakly interacting polymers (PEO/PMMA), the crystallinity of PEO is influenced by the presence of PMMA and is negligible in the blends with less than 30 wt.-% of PEO. The rotating-frame spin-lattice relaxation time for protons T^H_1p of PMMA indicates close contact of the PMMA and PEO chains. In the blends PNMLL/PVPh with strong hydrogen-bonding interactions, both components are intimately mixed on a scale of 3–4 nm and significant shifts of some bands both in vibrational and in NMR spectra reveal changes of structure.     

Ultrasensitive amperometric immunosensor for the determination of carcinoembryonic antigen based on a porous chitosan and gold nanoparticles functionalized interface

An immunosensor has been fabricated for direct amperometric determination of carcinoembryonic antigen. It is based on a biocompatible composite film composed of porous chitosan (pChit) and gold nanoparticles (GNPs). Firstly, a pChit film was formed on a glassy carbon electrode by means of electrodeposition. Then, thionine as a redox probe was immobilized on the pChit film modified electrode using glutaraldehyde as a cross-linker. Finally, GNPs were adsorbed on the electrode surface to assemble carcinoembryonic antibody (anti-CEA). The surface morphology of the pChit films was studied by means of a scanning electron microscope. The immunosensor was further characterized by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The electrochemical behaviors and factors influencing the performance of the resulting immunosensors were studied in detail. Results showed that the pChit films can enhance the surface coverage of antibodies and improve the sensitivity of the immunosensor. Under optimal conditions, the immunosensor was highly sensitive to CEA with a detection limit of 0.08 ng·mL^?1 at three times the background noise and linear ranges of 0.2～10.0 ng·mL^?1 and 10.0～160 ng·mL^?1. Moreover, the immunosensor exhibited high selectivity, good reproducibility and stability.     

Synthesis and characterization of polymeric linseed oil grafted methyl methacrylate or styrene

Syntheses of wholly natural polymeric linseed oil (PLO) containing peroxide groups have been reported. Peroxidation, epoxidation and/or perepoxidation reactions of linseed oil, either under air or under oxygen flow at room temperature, resulted in polymeric peroxides, PLO-air and PLO-ofl, containing 1.3 and 3.5 wt.-% of peroxide, with molecular weights of 2 100 and 3 780 Da, respectively. PLO-air contained cross-linked film up to 46.1 wt.-% after a reaction time of 60 d, associated with a waxy, soluble part (PLO-air-s) that was isolated with chloroform extraction. PLO-ofl was obtained as a waxy, viscous liquid without any cross-linked part at the end of 24 d under visible irradiation and oxygen flow. Polymeric peroxides, PLO-air-s and PLO-ofl initiated the free radical polymerization of both methyl methacrylate (MMA) and styrene (S) to give PMMA-graft-PLO and PS-graft-PLO graft copolymers in high yields with Mw varying from 37 to 470 kDa. The polymers obtained were characterized by FT-IR, (1)H NMR, TGA, DSC and GPC techniques. Cross-linked polymers were also studied by means of swelling measurements. PMMA-graft-PLO graft copolymer film samples were also used in cell-culture studies. Fibroblast cells were well adhered and proliferated on the copolymer film surfaces, which is important in tissue engineering.     

Grafting onto carbon black by the reaction of reactive carbon black having masked isocyanate or acyl azide group with functional polymers

Although isocyanate group (NCO) introduced onto carbon black surface was inactivated rapidly upon storage, it could be stabilized by masking the NCO group with active hydrogen compounds such as acetylacetone, diethyl malonate, and sodium hydrogensulfite. Upon heating these carbon blacks having masked NCO group at 150°C, the NCO group was regenerated on carbon black by the decomposition of the masked NCO group. On the other hand, acyl azide (CON₃) group introduced onto carbon black was stable at below 20°C, but readily decomposed to NCO group by heating. By means of the reaction of NCO group on carbon black with functional polymers having hydroxyl, amino, and carboxyl group, these polymers were effectively grafted onto carbon black surface. When carbon black having CON₃ group was used as reactive carbon black, the grafting ratio of diol-type polyethylene glycol (M_n = 8.2 × 10³), polyethyleneimine (M_n = 2.0 × 10⁴), polyvinyl alcohol (M_n = 2.2 × 10⁴), and bifunctional carboxyl-terminated polystyrene (M_n = 1.1 × 10⁵) was determined to be 29.7, 81.7, 32.2, and 50.4%, respectively. The number of grafted polymer chain decreases with an increase in molecular weight of the polymers, because the shielding effect of NCO group by grafted polymer chain is enhanced with an increase in molecular weight of the polymer.     

Electrodeposition CaCO3 Nanoparticles‐chitosan Composite Film on Carbon Ionic Liquid Electrode as a Platform for Hemoglobin Electrochemical Biosensor

By one‐step co‐electrodeposition CaCO₃ nanoparticles‐chitosan composite film on carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE), and then by spreading the composition of hemoglobin (Hb) and chitosan on the nanoCaCO₃‐chi/CILE, a Hb‐chi/nanoCaCO₃‐chi/CILE was fabricated and the direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of Hb at the electrode was investigated. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of the modified electrode showed the electron transfer resistance was 1166 Ω. Investigation results of cyclic voltammetrys showed a pair of well‐defined and quasireversible redox peak of Hb with the formal potentials of ‐0.295 V (vs. SCE) in 0.1 mol·L^‐1 pH 7.0 PBS; the response time of the reduction peak currents of Hb was lower than 3s; a linear range for determination of H₂O₂ was from 5.0 μmol·L^‐1 to 1.3 mmol·L^‐1 with a detection limit of 1.6 μmol·L^‐1 (S/N = 3) and a sensitivity of 0.16 A·M^‐1·cm^‐2; the electron transfer rate constant and the apparent Michaelis‐Menten constant of Hb were 1.98 s^‐1 and 0.81 mmol·L^‐1, respectively. As a result, the case of the one‐step co‐electrodeposition and the promising feature of biocomposite could serve as a versatile platform for the fabrication of electrochemical biosensors.     

Effects of type of nanosized carbon black on the performance of an all-solid-state potentiometric electrode for nitrate

The potentiometric properties of all-solid-state nitrate-selective electrodes based on plasticized PVC and containing different types of nanosized carbon black were investigated. The use of a carbon black interlayer is shown to significantly improve the potentiometric response. The electrodes display a close-to-Nernstian slope in the range from 10^?1 to 10^?6 M, highly stable potentials and low membrane resistance. However, different analytical features were found depending on the type of carbon black used. The best long-term potential stability was observed for the electrode with Printex XE2-B carbon black that has a relatively high BET surface area (1000 m²?·?g^?1) and an average particle size of 30 nm. Nevertheless, the electrodes with the Vulcan XC-72 (BET surface: 240 m²?·?g^?1; average size: 55 nm) showed the most repeatable and reproducible standard potential. The lowest detection limit for nitrate (2.5·10^?7 M) is observed for an electrode containing Vulcan XC-72.

In situ electrodeposition for the determination of lead and cadmium in sea water

Electrodeposition techniques for the direct determination of lead and cadmium in sea water at the natural pH and in the presence of dissolved oxygen are examined. Anodic stripping voltammetry, at either the hanging mercury drop electrode or glassy carbon thin film electrode, is suitable for the determination of labile lead and cadmium. The presence of dissolved oxygen increases the height of the lead wave with a shift to more negative potentials. A more versatile technique is in situ deposition of labile metals on a mercury-coated graphite tube electrode. The mercury film, deposited in the laboratory, is stable on the dried tubes which are used later for field electrodeposition. The deposited metals are determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry.     

Electrodeposition polymers as immobilization matrices in amperometric biosensors: improved polymer synthesis and biosensor fabrication

Electrodeposition polymers can be precipitated on electrode surfaces upon electrochemical-induced modulations of the pH value in the diffusion zone in front of the electrode. The formed polymer films can be used as immobilization matrices in amperometric biosensors. In order to rationally control the thus obtained biosensor properties, it is indispensable to develop strategies for the reproducible synthesis of electrodeposition polymers as well as methods for the non-manual and reproducible sensor fabrication. Based on instrumental developments such as a specifically designed parallel synthesizer with improved stirring and temperature control, an automatic pipetting robot for the preparation of the monomer mixtures and controlled removal of polymerization inhibitors, the reproducible synthesis of libraries of electrodeposition polymers was achieved. Moreover, the polymerization process could be monitored using in-line thermocouples, and it could be shown that the chosen strategies led to reproducible polymerization reactions. By adaptation of an electrochemical robotic system integrating a Au microtiter plate and automatic electrode cleaning by means of a polishing wheel reproducible biosensor fabrication using glucose oxidase as a model enzyme could be demonstrated. These results open the route for the rational development of biosensors and control of the sensor properties by choosing specifically designed electrodeposition polymers.      

Encapsulation and dispersion of carbon black by an in situ controlling radical polymerization of AA/BA/St with DPE as a control agent

In this paper, a new strategy to encapsulate and disperse carbon black by an in situ controlling free radical polymerization of 1,1-Diphenylenthyene (DPE) method was developed. Firstly, a living amphipathic precursor polymer of P (AA-BA) containing DPE unit was synthesized. This precursor could be grafted or absorbed on the surface of small carbon black particles to prevent further aggregation of carbon black. And the DPE unit in the living amphipathic precursor could initiate following monomer to form polymer shell via in situ polymerization. Carbon black/polymer core-shell composite particles with 69.6 wt.% polymer shell were prepared. The encapsulated carbon black had a small particle size and high performance on dispersibility and stability. Encapsulation mechanism of this method was confirmed by analyses of TEM, UV–vis, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, TGA, and other instruments.     

Molecular structure parameters in certain semiconducting polymers

The condensation polymers formed by condensing aromatic hydrocarbons or their derivatives with aromatic acids are quite conductive. The room temperature resistivities of 42 polymers studied here range from 10² to 10¹² ohm-cm. It is found that the resistivities are inversely related to the number of fused rings in the hydrocarbon portion of the monomer for either the homopolymers or copolymers. The resistivities are strongly dependent, inversely, upon the acid strength of the acid monomer reactants. For all the polymers studied, the conductivity σ depended upon the pressure P as ln(σ/σ₀) = (b^*/k)P^1/2 where b^* is seen to be an inverse function of the number of fused rings in the monomer in accord with theory. The resistivity ρ varied with absolute temperature T, as ln ρ ∞ (1/T) for all polymers. Thermoelectric powers were determined, and the various relationships established among energy interval, resistivity at “infinite temperature,” carrier concentrations and mobility ratios, number of fused rings, and pressure coefficients are discussed. The polymers are p-type. Doping by Be⁺⁺ or Cu⁺⁺ has a small effect, increasing the conductivity slightly. Electron spin concentrations and carrier concentrations are directly related among the polymers, being found nearly equal for the most conductive but differing by up to nine orders of magnitude in the least conductive polymers.     

Morphology and Crystal Structure of Wholly Aromatic All-Para Polyamide-Hydrazide Polymers

The morphology of some amide-hydrazide polymers of the type useful for high-modulus X-500 class fibers has been characterized by transmission electron microscopy of thin films crystallized from dilute solution. Selected area electron diffraction was used to characterize the crystallinity and crystal structure of the thin films and precipitated polymer. The films were cast from concentrated solutions and crystallized by heating the films. The results of these studies revealed several unique features relative to the crystal structure of the all-para polymers. Thin films of the crystallized polymer showed a distinctive crystalline texture—the molecular chains were found to be preferentially oriented parallel to the film plane and randomly oriented about an axis normal to the film plane. Electron diffraction measurements showed equatorial reflection maxima at tilt angles of = 30, ±48, and =59 when the films were tilted on an axis parallel to the film plane. From these results a tentative crystal unit cell and theoretical crystal density were determined: a = 8.5 [Agrave], b = 4.9 Å, c (chain axis) = 29.6 Å, p (density) =1.51 g/cc. The value a/b = 1.735, which is very near 3¹/², implies essentially hexagonal packing of the chains. Crystallization from dilute solution revealed lamellar structures resembling “single crystals” in the electron microscope similar to those observed in other crystalline polymers. However, in contrast to these other polymers, these “crystals” are not likely to contain folded chains because of the very rigid nature of the all-para poiyamide-hydrazide.     

Label-free electrochemical immunosensor for the carcinoembryonic antigen using a glassy carbon electrode modified with electrodeposited Prussian Blue, a graphene and carbon nanotube assembly and an antibody immobilized on gold nanoparticles

We described a sensitive, label-free electrochemical immunosensor for the detection of carcinoembryonic antigen. It is based on the use of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with a multi-layer films made from Prussian Blue (PB), graphene and carbon nanotubes by electrodeposition and assembling techniques. Gold nanoparticles were electrostatically absorbed on the surface of the film and used for the immobilization of antibody, while PB acts as signaling molecule. The stepwise assembly process was investigated by differential pulse voltammetry and scanning electron microscopy. It is found that the formation of antibody-antigen complexes partially inhibits the electron transfer of PB and decreased its peak current. Under the optimal conditions, the decrease of intensity of the peak current of PB is linearly related to the concentration of carcinoembryonic antigen in two ranges (0.2–1.0, and 1.0–40.0 ng·mL^?1), with a detection limit of 60 pg·mL^?1 (S/N?=?3). The immunosensor was applied to analyze five clinical samples, and the results obtained were in agreement with clinical data. In addition, the immunosensor exhibited good precision, acceptable stability and reproducibility.

Characterization of ethylene–propylene block copolymers by proton magnetic resonance

A high-resolution proton magnetic resonance compositional analysis has been developed for propylene polymers containing 0–40 wt.-% ethylene as either homopolymer or copolymer blocks. The test is independent of tacticity and provides qualitative information on copolymer sequencing and propylene chain structure. The analysis was developed using a series of standard reference polymers synthesized to contain various ratios of C¹⁴-tagged ethylene and propylene. The compositional standards were established by radiotracer analysis for C¹⁴ and by preparing weighed physical mixtures of homopolymers. Spectra were obtained at 200 ± 10°C. by placing externally heated polymer solutions into a conventional probe of a Varian A-60 proton spectrometer. All measurements were made on ± 10% polymer solutions in diphenyl ether. Analyses are accurate to about ± 10% at higher ethylene concentrations. The method is sensitive, with less precision, to below 1% for ethylene either as blocks or homopolymer.     

三维多孔碳负载氧化锡并协同氟化锂制备高性能锂离子阳极

新型多孔碳纳米片/碳纳米管（PC/CNT）材料表现出丰富的分级孔隙结构,具有较高的氧化锡（SnO₂）负载量。通过PC和CNT交联形成的三维结构能够有效地提高锂离子传输速率和电子的传导。此外,在电极中掺杂的氟化锂（LiF）不仅能够降低SnO₂-PC/CNT-LiF电极的电荷转移电阻,而且还能补充SEI膜形成时消耗的Li⁺,降低不可逆容量,增强SEI膜的稳定性。研究表明,SnO₂-PC/CNT-LiF电极在电流密度为100 mA·g^-1时,首次可逆比容量达到1 642.98 mAh·g^-1,活性物质的利用率高达90.12%,循环100次后,放电比容量仍然达到745.11 mAh·g^-1,且库仑效率仍然保持在95.1%以上,显示出优异的倍率和循环性能。     

Preparation of cation exchange membrane as a separator for the all-vanadium redox flow battery

Chlorosulfonated homogeneous polyethylene (PE) dense film (PE-X) and asymmetric membrane (MH-X) were tested as separators for the all-vanadium redox flow battery. The membranes are prepared by the vapour phase chlorosulfonation of the PE film. The measured lowest resistivites equilibrated in 2 M KCl aqueous solution were 0.27 Ω cm² and 0.96 Ω cm², respectively, for PE-X (with thickness 20 μm) and for MH-X (with PE-layer 20 μm). The area resistivities of the membranes as separators in the all-vanadium redox flow battery were obtained. At a charge-discharge current density 633 A/m², these values were 3.09 Ω cm² and 3.46 Ω cm², respectively, for charge and discharge PE-X, and were 3.26 Ω cm² and 8.30 Ω cm², respectively, for charge and discharge MH-X.