Photoelectrochemical Detection of H2O2 Based on Flower‐Like CuInS2‐Graphene Hybrid

A novel photoelectrochemcial biosensing system was fabricated based on the composition of horseradish peroxidase (HRP), flower‐like CuInS₂ (CIS) and graphene on indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode for detecting H₂O₂. The graphene layer was used as highly conductive scaffolds for electron transport from the ITO electrode to CIS. Furthermore, the flower‐like CIS enhanced the multi‐reflection of light and provided matrixes for the adsorption of HRP. Utilizing one‐pot solvothermal method, we prepared flower‐like CIS‐graphene hybrid (GCIS). Electrochemical tests displayed advantage of graphene with better electron conductivity, and HRP/GCIS showed higher photoelectrochemical behavior.     

A Simple Method for the Preparation of TiO2/Ag‐AgCl@Polypyrrole Composite and Its Enhanced Visible‐Light Photocatalytic Activity

A novel and facile method was developed to prepare a visible‐light driven TiO₂/Ag‐AgCl@polypyrrole (PPy) photocatalyst with Ag‐AgCl nanoparticles supported on TiO₂ nanofibers and covered by a thin PPy shell. During the synthesis, the PPy shell and Ag‐AgCl nanoparticles were prepared simultaneously onto TiO₂ nanofibers, which simplified the preparation procedure. In addition, because Ag‐AgCl aggregates were fabricated via partly etching the Ag nanoparticles, their size was well controlled at the nanoscale, which was beneficial for improvement of the contact surface area. Compared with reference photocatalysts, the TiO₂/Ag‐AgCl@PPy composite exhibited an enhanced photodegradation activity towards rhodamine B under visible‐light irradiation. The superior photocatalytic property originated from synergistic effects between TiO₂ nanofibers, Ag‐AgCl nanoparticles and the PPy shell. Furthermore, the TiO₂/Ag‐AgCl@PPy composite could be easily separated and recycled without obvious reduction in activity.     

Flexible NH3 sensors fabricated by in situ self-assembly of polypyrrole

Novel flexible NH₃ gas sensors were formed by the in situ self-assembly of polypyrrole (PPy) on plastic substrates. A negatively charged substrate was prepared by the formation of an organic monolayer (3-mercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid sodium salt—MPS) on a polyester (PET) substrate using a pair of comb-like Au electrodes. Two-cycle poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid) sodium salt/poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PSS/PAH) bilayers (precursor layer) were then layer-by-layer (LBL) deposited on an MPS-modified substrate. Finally, a monolayer of PPy self-assembled in situ and PPy multilayer thin films self-assembled LBL in situ on a (PSS/PAH)₂/MPS/Au/Cr/PET substrate. The thin films were analyzed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The effects of the precursor layer (PSS), the deposition time of the monolayer of PPy and the number of PPy multilayers on the gas sensing properties (response) and the flexibility of the sensors were investigated to optimize the fabrication of the film. Additionally, other sensing properties such as sensing linearity, reproducibility, response and recovery times, as well as cross-sensitivity effects were studied. The flexible NH₃ gas sensor exhibited a strong response that was comparable to or even greater than that of sensors that were fabricated on rigid substrate at room temperature.     

Fabrication of NiCoP decorated TiO2/polypyrrole nanocomposites for the effective photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline

Due to the massive discharge of antibiotics in water, it is an urgent matter to remove antibiotics from waste water. The photocatalysts with high stability and activity have attracted extensive attention from researchers. By an in-situ polymerization method, polypyrrole（PPy） was modified on the surface of TiO₂（named as TiO₂/PPy）. By one-step reduction method, Ni Co P was grafted on the surface of TiO₂/PPy（named as TiO₂/PPy/NiCoP） to synthesize the phot...     

Transparent Ta3N5 Photoanodes for Efficient Oxygen Evolution toward the Development of Tandem Cells

Photoelectrochemical water splitting is regarded as a promising approach to the production of hydrogen, and the development of efficient photoelectrodes is one aspect of realizing practical systems. In this work, transparent Ta₃N₅ photoanodes were fabricated on n‐type GaN/sapphire substrates to promote O₂ evolution in tandem with a photocathode, to realize overall water splitting. Following the incorporation of an underlying GaN layer, a photocurrent of 6.3 mA cm^?2 was achieved at 1.23 V vs. a reversible hydrogen electrode. The transparency of Ta₃N₅ to wavelengths longer than 600 nm allowed incoming solar light to be transmitted to a CuInSe₂ (CIS), which absorbs up to 1100 nm. A stand‐alone tandem cell with a serially‐connected dual‐CIS unit terminated with a Pt/Ni electrode was thus constructed for H₂ evolution. This tandem cell exhibited a solar‐to‐hydrogen energy conversion efficiency greater than 7 % at the initial stage of the reaction.     

Preparation and characterization of polypyrrole/magnetite nanocomposites synthesized by in situ chemical oxidative polymerization

This work describes the preparation and characterization of polypyrrole (PPy)/iron oxide nanocomposites fabricated from monodispersed iron oxide nanoparticles in the crystalline form of magnetite (Fe₃O₄) and PPy by in situ chemical oxidative polymerization. Two spherical nanoparticles of magnetite, such as 4 and 8 nm, served as cores were first dispersed in an aqueous solution with anionic surfactant sodium bis(2‐ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate to form micelle/magnetite spherical templates that avoid the aggregation of magnetite nanoparticles during the further preparation of nanocomposites. The PPy/magnetite nanocomposites were then synthesized on the surface of the spherical templates. Structural and morphological analysis showed that the fabricated PPy/magnetite nanocomposites are core (magnetite)‐shell (PPy) structures. Morphology of the PPy/magnetite nanocomposites containing monodispersed 4‐nm magnetite nanoparticles shows a remarkable change from spherical to tube‐like structures as the content of nanoparticles increases from 12 to 24 wt %. Conductivities of these PPy/magnetite nanocomposites show significant enhancements when compared with those of PPy without magnetite nanoparticles, in particular the conductivities of 36 wt % PPy/magnetite nanocomposites with 4‐nm magnetite nanoparticles are about six times in magnitude higher than those of PPy without magnetite nanocomposites. These results suggest that the tube‐like structures of 36 wt % PPy/magnetite nanocomposites may be served as conducting network to enhance the conductivity of nanocomposites. The magnetic properties of 24 and 36 wt % PPy/magnetitenanocomposites show ferromagnetic behavior and supermagnetism, respectively. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 1291–1300, 2008     

Formation of PPy/Ta2O5/Ta structure by electropolymerization

Electropolymerization of pyrrole on tantalum (Ta) electrodes was carried out in buffer solutions (0.04 M phosphoric acid, 0.04 M acetic acid, 0.04 M boric acid and 0.2 M sodium hydroxide) containing 0.1 M sodium ptoluenesulfonate (TsONa) under galvanostatic conditions and it was found that a polypyrrole (PPy) and a tantalum oxide (Ta₂O₅) layer are formed on a Ta electrode by an electrochemical oxidation process. The conditions of this simultaneous formation were studied in respect to current density (i_d), pyrrole concentration ([Py]), pH and the amount of electricity. Under certain conditions ([Py] = 0.25 M, pH = 1.8, i_d = 10–20 mA cm^?2, the amount of electricity = 1 C), 6–8 μm thick PPy films were efficiently formed on homogeneous 30–50 nm thick Ta₂O₅ layers. The PPy film showed a high electrical conductivity (110 s cm^?1), adhered well and covered the Ta₂O₅ layer. The resulting PPy/Ta₂O₅/Ta system is therefore proved to have excellent properties as a capacitor.     

In-situ polymerization for PPy/g-C3N4 composites with enhanced visible light photocatalytic performance

Polypyrrole-modified graphitic carbon nitride composites (PPy/g-C₃N₄) are fabricated using an in-situ polymerization method to improve the visible light photocatalytic activity of g-C₃N₄. The PPy/g-C₃N₄ is applied to the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation. Various characterization techniques are employed to investigate the relationship between the structural properties and photoactivities of the as-prepared composites. Results show that the specific surface area of the PPy/g-C₃N₄ composites increases upon assembly of the amorphous PPy nanoparticles on the g-C₃N₄ surface. Owing to the strong conductivity, the PPy can be used as a transition channel for electrons to move onto the g-C₃N₄ surface, thus inhibiting the recombination of photogenerated carriers of g-C₃N₄ and improving the photocatalytic performance. The elevated light adsorption of PPy/g-C₃N₄ composites is attributed to the strong absorption coefficient of PPy. The composite containing 0.75 wt% PPy exhibits a photocatalytic efficiency that is 3 times higher than that of g-C₃N₄ in 2 h. Moreover, the degradation kinetics follow a pseudo-first-order model. A detailed photocatalytic mechanism is proposed with ·OH and ·O₂^? radicals as the main reactive species. The present work provides new insights into the mechanistic understanding of PPy in PPy/g-C₃N₄ composites for environmental applications.     

Self-assembly of TiO2/polypyrrole nanocomposite ultrathin films and application for an NH3 gas sensor

TiO₂/polypyrrole (PPy) nanocomposite ultrathin films for NH₃ gas detection were fabricated by the in situ self-assembly technique. The films were characterized by UV–Vis absorption, FT–IR spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The electrical properties of TiO₂/PPy ultrathin film NH₃ gas sensors, such as sensitivity, selectivity, reproducibility, and stability were investigated at room temperature in air as well as in N₂. The results showed that the optimum gas-sensing characteristics of TiO₂/PPy ultrathin film were obtained in the presence of 0.1?wt% colloidal TiO₂ for 20-min deposition. Compared with pure PPy thin-film sensors, the TiO₂/PPy film gas sensor has a shorter response/recovery time. It was also found that both humidity and temperature had an effect on the operation of the TiO₂/PPy film gas sensor at low NH₃ concentrations.     

TiO2颗粒在羟基表面的沉积行为及图案化

比较了3种具有羟基表面SiO2层的差异:紫外光照SAMs形成的羟基表面,紫外光照射前、照射后的羟基表面;用光照前后表面的差异,结合化学浴沉积技术在单晶硅基底上制得了TiO2微图案薄膜。系统考察了光源、硅片表面性质的变化、溶液等方面对图案生成的影响。实验表明TiO2沉积在未照区,电子和空穴动力学上的差异造成光照区表面正电荷增多,抑制了TiO2的沉积。该方法不需要光刻胶和自组装膜作为辅助模板,具有简单廉价的特点。     

Fabrication of new polypyrrole/silicon nitride hybrid materials for potential applications in electrochemical sensors: Synthesis and characterization

In this research, an efficient fabrication process of conducting polypyrrole (PPy)/silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) hybrid materials were developed in order to be employed as transducers in electrochemical sensors used in various environmental and biomedical applications. The fabrication process was assisted by oxidative polymerization of pyrrole (Py) monomer on the surface of Si/SiO₂/Si₃N₄ substrate in presence of FeCl₃ as oxidant. To improve the adhesion of PPy layer to Si₃N₄ surface, a pyrrole-silane (SPy) was chemically bonded through silanization process onto the Si₃N₄ surface before deposition of PPy layer. After Py polymerization, Si/SiO₂/Si₃N₄-(SPy-PPy) substrate was formed. The influence of SPy concentration and temperature of silanization process on chemical composition and surface morphology of the prepared Si/SiO₂/Si₃N₄-(SPy-PPy) substrates was studied by FTIR and SEM. In addition, the electrical properties of the prepared substrates were characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). It was found that the best silanization reaction conditions to get Si/SiO₂/Si₃N₄-(SPy-PPy) substrate with high PPy adhesion and good electrical conductivity were obtained by using SPy at low concentration (4.3 mM) at 90°C. These promising findings open the way for fabrication of new hybrid materials which can be used as transducers in miniaturized sensing devices for various environmental and biomedical applications.     

Ammonia Gas Sensor Using Polypyrrole‐Coated TiO2/ZnO Nanofibers

Highly porous polypyrrole (PPy)‐coated TiO₂/ZnO nanofibrous mat has been successfully synthesized. The core TiO₂/ZnO nanofibers have an average diameter of ca. 100 nm and the shell of ultrathin PPy layer has a thickness of ca. 7 nm. The NH₃ gas sensor using the as‐prepared material exhibited a fast response over a wide dynamic range and high sensitivity with a detection limit of 60 ppb (S/N=3). Compared to conventional pristine PPy film, the improved performance in NH₃ detection can be attributed to the free access of NH₃ to PPy and a minimized gas diffusion resistance through the ultrathin PPy layer.     

聚合溶液pH值对染料敏化太阳电池中聚吡咯对电极结构和性能的影响

电化学合成聚吡咯（PPy）时,聚合电解液的pH 值对PPy 薄膜的形貌和性质有较大的影响,进而影响PPy薄膜对I^-/I₃^-的电催化活性以及基于PPy对电极（CE）的染料敏化太阳电池（DSSCs）的光电转换性能. 本文采用电化学恒电位方法,在掺杂氟的SnO₂（FTO）导电玻璃上合成出了对甲苯磺酸根离子掺杂的聚吡咯（PPy-TsO）电极,并将其作为DSSCs 的对电极. 通过改变吡咯聚合时聚合电解液的pH值,借助扫描电镜（SEM）、紫外-可见（UV-Vis）吸收光谱、X-射线光电子能谱（XPS）和循环伏安（CV）等表征技术,详细探讨了聚合溶液pH值对PPy CE形貌、结构及其对I^-/I₃^-的电催化性能的影响. 研究发现在pH 2.0下合成的聚吡咯对阴离子掺杂率最高且链共轭性最佳,具有对I^-/I₃^-氧化还原介质最强的催化能力,基于此PPy CE的电池光电转化效率也最高.pH 值太大或太小都不利于生成具有高掺杂率和高催化活性的PPy电极,组装成DSSCs后的光电转换效率也较低.     

Synthesis,characterization, and properties of monodispersed magnetite coated multi‐walled carbon nanotube/polypyrrole nanocomposites synthesized by in‐situ chemical oxidative polymerization

This study describes the preparation of a nanocomposites fabricated from monodispersed 4‐nm iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) coated on the surface of carboxylic acid containing multi‐walled carbon nanotube (c‐MWCNT) and polypyrrole (PPy) by in situ chemical oxidative polymerization. High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy images and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) data indicate that the resulting Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles synthesized using the thermal decomposition are close to spherical dots with a particle size about 4 ± 0.2 nm. The resulting nanoparticles were further mixed with c‐MWCNT in an aqueous solution containing with anionic surfactant sodium bis(2‐ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate to form one‐dimensional Fe₃O₄ coated c‐MWCNT template for further preparation of nanocomposite. Structural and morphological analysis using field‐emission scanning electron microscopy, high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, and XRD showed that the fabricated Fe₃O₄ coated c‐MWCNT/PPy nanocomposites are one‐dimensional core (Fe₃O₄ coated c‐MWCNT)‐shell (PPy) structures. The conductivities of these Fe₃O₄ coated c‐MWCNT/PPy nanocomposites are about four times higher than those of pure PPy matrix. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 727–733, 2008     

电沉积-退火工艺制备铜铟硒太阳能电池薄膜及表征

CuInSe₂ (CIS) films with good crystalline quality were synthesized by electrodeposition followed by annealing in Se vapor at 530 oC. The morphology, composition, crystal structure, optical and electrical properties of the CIS films were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy, and admittance spectroscopy. The results revealed that the annealed CIS films had chalcopyrite structure and consisted of relatively large grains in the range of 500-1000 nm and single grain of films extend usually through the whole film thickness. The band gap of CIS films was 0.98 eV and carrier concentration was in the order of 10¹⁶ cm^-3 after etching the Cu-Se compounds on the film surface. Solar cells with the structure of AZO/i-ZnO/CdS/CIS/Mo/glass were fabricated. Current density vs. voltage test under standard reported condition showed the solar cells with an area of 0.2 cm² had a conversion efficiency of 0.96%. The underlying physics was also discussed.     

CuInSe2 thin-film deposition on flexible plastic substrate: electrolyte recirculation rate and deposition potential effects

Copper indium diselenide (CuInSe₂; CIS) layer was electrolytically plated from an aqueous medium at room temperature onto electroless nickel deposited on flexible plastic (Kapton). The CIS depositions were carried out under constant deposition potentials (−0.5 to −1.1 V vs. Ag/AgCl) and at various electrolyte flow rates (0.3 to 1.5 ml/s) under constant applied current. The resulting thin films were characterized using atomic force microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, environmental scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The surface morphology and the atomic composition of the deposited CIS film were found to be influenced by the deposition potential under potential control and the electrolyte recirculation rate under current control. Low electrolyte flow rates under constant current control and high cathodic deposition potential under voltage control favor the deposition of indium. CIS films of uniform deposit, smoother surfaces, and with better adhesion properties are favored by moderate electrolyte recirculation rate. At a current density of 0.6 mA/cm², the electrolyte recirculation rate required to achieve ideal CIS atomic composition was found to be 1.0 ml/s in such a setting. The crystallinity of the film improved after annealing for 2 h at 390 °C under argon atmosphere.     

Ag2S quantum dot-sensitized WO3 photoelectrodes for solar cells

This work investigates the photovoltaic properties of new-architecture Ag₂S quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs) fabricated on WO₃ electrodes. Liquid-junction Ag₂S QDSCs were fabricated from QDs synthesized using the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction process. The optimal QDSC yielded an efficiency η of 0.20 % under a 100-mW/cm² light illumination. Coating the QDSC with a compact layer and a scattering layer improved η to 0.31 % with a short-circuit current density J _sc of 5.81 mA/cm² and an open-circuit voltage V _oc of 0.21 V. η increased to 0.53 % at a reduced 0.1 sun illumination with a J _sc of 1.11 mA/cm². The external quantum efficiency (EQE) spectrum covered the spectral range of 350–900 nm with a maximal EQE of 29 % at λ?=?650 nm. This work demonstrates the feasibility of the new-configuration Ag₂S QDSCs fabricated on WO₃ electrodes.     

High sensitivity Schottky junction diode based on monolithically grown aligned polypyrrole nanofibers: Broad range detection of m-dihydroxybenzene

Aligned p-type polypyrrole (PPy) nanofibers (NFs) thin film was grown on n-type silicon (100) substrate by an electrochemical technique to fabricate Schottky junction diode for the efficient detection of m-dihydroxybenzene chemical. The highly dense and well aligned PPy NFs with the average diameter (∼150–200 nm) were grown on n-type Si substrate. The formation of aligned PPy NFs was confirmed by elucidating the structural, compositional and the optical properties. The electrochemical behavior of the fabricated Pt/p-aligned PPy NFs/n-silicon Schottky junction diode was evaluated by cyclovoltametry (CV) and current (I)-voltage (V) measurements with the variation of m-dihydroxybenzene concentration in the phosphate buffer solution (PBS). The fabricated Pt/p-aligned PPy NFs/n-silicon Schottky junction diode exhibited the rectifying behavior of I–V curve with the addition of m-dihydroxybenzene chemical, while a weak rectifying I–V behavior was observed without m-dihydroxybenzene chemical. This non-linear I–V behavior suggested the formation of Schottky barrier at the interface of Pt layer and p-aligned PPy NFs/n-silicon thin film layer. By analyzing the I–V characteristics, the fabricated Pt/p-aligned PPy NFs/n-silicon Schottky junction diode displayed reasonably high sensitivity ∼23.67 μAmM⁻¹cm⁻², good detection limit of ∼1.51 mM with correlation coefficient (R) of ∼0.9966 and short response time (10 s).     

Photoactive Thin-Film Structures of Curcumin,TiO2 and ZnO

Curcumin is known as a biologically active compound and a possible antimicrobial agent. Here, we combine it with TiO₂ and ZnO semiconductors, known for their photocatalytic properties, with an eye towards synergistic photo-harvesting and/or antimicrobial effects. We deposit different nanoscale multi-layer structures of curcumin, TiO₂ and ZnO, by combining the solution-based spin-coating (S-C) technique and the gas-phase atomic layer deposition (ALD) and molecular layer deposition (MLD) thin-film techniques. As one of the highlights, we demonstrate for these multi-layer structures a red-shift in the absorbance maximum and an expansion of the absorbance edge as far as the longest visible wavelength region, which activates them for the visible light harvesting. The novel fabrication approaches introduced here should be compatible with, e.g., textile substrates, opening up new horizons for novel applications such as new types of protective masks with thin conformal antimicrobial coatings.     

Conducting and magnetic behaviors of monodispersed iron oxide/polypyrrole nanocomposites synthesized by in situ chemical oxidative polymerization

This study describes the preparation of nanocomposites fabricated from monodispersed iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) and polypyrrole (PPy) by in situ chemical oxidative polymerization. The monodispersed 4 nm Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles which served as cores were synthesized using the thermal decomposition of a mixture of Iron (III) acetylacetonate and oleic acid in the presence of high boiling point solvents. The resulting nanoparticles were further dispersed in an aqueous solution with anionic surfactant sodium bis(2‐ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate to form micelle/Fe₃O₄ spherical templates that avoid the aggregation of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles during the further preparation of the nanocomposites. The Fe₃O₄/PPy nanocomposites were then synthesized via in situ chemical oxidative polymerization on the surface of the spherical templates. Both field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) images indicate that the resulting Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles are close to spherical dots with a particle size of about 4 nm and a standard deviation of less than 5% (4 ± 0.2 nm). Structural and morphological analysis using FESEM and HRTEM showed that the fabricated Fe₃O₄/PPy nanocomposites are core (Fe₃O₄)‐shell (PPy) structures. Morphology of the nanocomposites shows a remarkable change from spherical to tube‐like structures as the content of monodispersed Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles increases from 9% up to 24 wt %. The conductivities of these Fe₃O₄/PPy nanocomposites are about six times higher than those of PPy without Fe₃O₄. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4647–4655, 2007