Production of stable aqueous dispersion of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) nanorods using graphene oxide as a stabilizing agent and their application for nitrite detection

A stable aqueous dispersion of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) nanorods stabilized by graphene oxide (GO) has been successfully prepared via interface polymerization of EDOT in the presence of GO for the first time. The non-covalent functionalization of PEDOT by GO leads to a PEDOT-GO dispersion that can be stable for several days without the observation of any floating or precipitated particles. Several analytical techniques including Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have been used to characterize the resultant PEDOT-GO nanocomposites. It is found that such PEDOT-GO nanocomposites exhibit good catalytic activity toward the oxidation of nitrite, leading to a sensor for detection of nitrite. The linear detection range and detection limit are estimated to be 4 μM to 2.48 mM (r = 0.999), and 1.2 μM at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, respectively.     

Imparting Multifunctionality by Utilizing Biporosity in a Zirconium-Based Metal–Organic Framework

In this work, we have synthesized nanocomposites made up of a metal–organic framework (MOF) and conducting polymers by polymerization of specialty monomers such as pyrrole (Py) and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) in the voids of a stable and biporous Zr-based MOF ( UiO-66 ). FTIR and Raman data confirmed the presence of polypyrrole ( PPy ) and poly3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene ( PEDOT ) in UiO-66-PPy and UiO-66-PEDOT nanocomposites, respectively, and PXRD data revealed successful retention of the structure of the MOF. HRTEM images showed successful incorporation of polymer fibers inside the voids of the framework. Owing to the intrinsic biporosity of UiO-66 , polymer chains were observed to selectively occupy only one of the voids. This resulted in a remarkable enhancement (million-fold) of the electrical conductivity while the nanocomposites retain 60–70 % of the porosity of the original MOF. These semiconducting yet significantly porous MOF nanocomposite systems exhibited ultralow thermal conductivity. Enhanced electrical conductivity with lowered thermal conductivity could qualify such MOF nanocomposites for thermoelectric applications.     

Properties of nanometric and micrometric multilayered films made of three conducting polymers

The electrochemical, electrical and morphological properties of multilayered films formed by alternated layers of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), polypyrrole, and poly[N-(2-cyanoethyl)pyrrole], which were prepared by electrochemical layer-by-layer deposition, have been investigated and compared with those of multilayered films formed by two conducting polymers. Results indicate that the electrochemical behavior of the films formed by three conducting polymers depends on the micrometric or nanometric thickness of the layers. Thus, the electroactivity increases until the thickness of these films reaches a threshold value (∼2 μm), while the electrostability of the films is very remarkable when their thickness is close to ∼4 μm or higher. On the other hand, comparison between multilayered systems made of two and three conducting polymers indicates that the third component introduces heterogeneity in the interfaces between consecutive layers, reducing the ability to store charge. Among the latter, multilayered films formed by poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and polypyrrole have been found to be particularly electroactive and electrostable. The surface morphology and topography of the layers have been used to rationalize the electrochemical properties of the different materials.     

反向胶束法制备聚3,4-乙烯二氧噻吩纳米粒子的光电性能和热稳定性

采用聚合和掺杂同时进行的反向胶束体系制备了粒径分散较小的聚3,4-乙烯二氧噻吩(PEDOT)纳米粒子, 利用紫外-可见光光谱(UV-Vis)、X射线衍射(XRD)和扫描电子显微镜(SEM)等分析方法对纳米粒子进行了表征. 实验结果发现, 氧化剂用量、超声处理、聚合温度及掺杂程度对PEDOT纳米粒子的形貌、电性能及热稳定性有不同程度的影响. 根据实验结果对反向胶束法制备PEDOT纳米粒子过程进行优化发现, 在PEDOT纳米粒子聚合过程中, 甲基苯磺酸有效掺杂浓度约为0.17 mol/L时, PEDOT链的取向最规则, 在6.7°, 12.7°, 25°出现衍射峰, 掺杂剂的有效掺杂使得纳米粒子中分子链的取向不同, 并可以获得较高的电导率(>100 S/cm)的PEDOT纳米粒子, 当粒子的尺寸小于20 nm后电导率降低; 热失重法(TG)分析结果表明, PEDOT纳米粒子的热稳定性比普通块材好, 掺杂剂浓度对纳米粒子的热稳定性有一定影响.     

Electroactivity, electrochemical stability and electrical conductivity of multilayered films containing poly(3,4-ethylendioxythiophene) and poly(N-methylpyrrole)

Multilayered systems of poly(3,4-ethylendioxythiophene) and poly(N-methylpyrrole) have been prepared using a layer-by-layer electrodeposition technique. The electrochemical and electrical properties of films formed by 3, 5, 7 and 9 layers have been characterized and compared with those of pure polymers and copolymers prepared from mixtures of 3,4-ethylendioxythiophene and N-methylpyrrole with various concentration ratios. Results indicate that the electroactivity and electrical stability of the multilayered systems are higher than those of both poly(3,4-ethylendioxythiophene) and copolymers. Furthermore, these electrochemical properties improve when the number of layers increases. On the other hand, the electrical conductivity of the multilayered systems is slightly lower than that of pure poly(3,4-ethylendioxythiophene), and significantly higher than those of poly(N-methylpyrrole) and copolymers.     

Cellular adhesion and proliferation on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): Benefits in the electroactivity of the conducting polymer

Cell adhesion and proliferation in poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), an electroactive polythiophene derivative generated by anodic polymerization, has been investigated. Results show that epithelial cells Hep-2 present significant activity on the surface of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) electrodeposited on stainless steel electrodes, no sign of cytotoxicity being detected for this conducting polymer. Indeed, seeded and cultured cells bound better to poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) than to uncoated stainless steel, the latter substrate being used as a control. Furthermore, the electrochemical characteristics of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) covered with cells was determined in different biological media using cyclic voltammetry experiments. Results reveal a significant increase in the electroactivity of this material when it is covered with a cellular monolayer. The overall of the results evidences not only the biocompatibility of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) with Hep-2 cells but also their electrocompatibility.     

Silver and lead all-plastic sensors—polyaniline vs. poly(3,4-ethyledioxythiophene) solid contact

Silver and lead selective all-plastic ion-selective electrodes were obtained using poly(vinyl chloride)-based membranes and either poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) or polyaniline dispersion cast on an insulating plastic support as transducer and electrical lead. The effect of interactions of applied conducting polymer with analyte ions on potentiometric responses was evaluated and correlated with changes in elemental composition and element distribution within the ion-selective membrane and the conducting polymer transducer revealed in course of laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) experiments. In the case of silver selective electrodes, potentiometric responses obtained are much dependent on the oxidation state of the polymer placed beneath the ion-selective membrane. For semi-oxidized polymer (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-based electrodes, linear responses with detection limit equal to 10^−5.4 M were obtained. For a more oxidized polyaniline (of higher conductivity), although the electrodes were pretreated exactly in the same way and tested in parallel, super Nernstian potential slope was recorded within the AgNO₃ activities range form 10⁻⁶ to 10⁻⁷ M. These responses were consistent with results of LA-ICP-MS, revealing profoundly higher silver signals intensities for poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) underlying silver selective membrane. It seems highly probable that silver is accumulated in this polymer layer as Ag⁰ due to spontaneous redox reaction leading to oxidation of the polymer; however, this process requires also the presence of silver ions at the interface. In fact, when reduced (deprotonated) polyaniline was used as transducer, the potentiometric responses of the sensor were, within the range of experimental error, the same as obtained for poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-based sensor. On the other hand, for lead(II) selective sensors, the difference in responses of electrodes prepared using poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) or polyaniline was less pronounced, which is in accordance with the elemental composition of these sensors.     

Properties of nanometric and submicrometric multilayered films of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and poly(N-methylpyrrole)

Multilayered films formed by 3, 5 and 7 alternated layers of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and poly(N-methylpyrrole) have been prepared by chronoamperometry under a constant potential of 1.4 V using a layer-by-layer electrodeposition technique. In order to examine influence of the interface:bulk dimensional ratio, the thickness of the yielded films was reduced from the submicrometric to the nanometric scale by decreasing the polymerization time of each layer from 100 s to 10 s. The electroactivity, electrochemical characteristics and morphologies of the resulting multilayered films have been compared with those obtained for both single-component poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) films prepared using identical experimental conditions and previously reported multilayered films with thickness within the micrometric scale [Estrany F, Aradilla D, Oliver R, Alemán C. Eur Polym J 2007;43:1876].     

Micro-patterning of vapor-phase polymerized poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) using ink-jet printing/soft lithography

Highly conductive and transparent poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) thin films can be prepared effectively via vapor-phase polymerization (VPP) with the addition of imidazole (Im) based derivatives. The addition of Im that has one and/or two alkyl substituents significantly improved the electrical conductivity of PEDOT thin films. In an effort to develop a facile PEDOT micro-patterning method, we investigated ink-jet printing and soft lithography. The procedure of oxidant patterning with a weak base followed by VPP of a 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) monomer provides an effective and simple method for micro-patterning of an intrinsic conductive polymer (ICP).     

A glucose sensor via stable immobilization of the GOx enzyme on an organic transistor using a polymer brush

Recently, there has been significant research in the area of organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) because of their superior aptitude of chemical and biological sensing. Here it is shown for the first time the incorporation of polymer brushes to a transistor. Polymer brushes were chosen for their biocompatible properties and their ability to covalently tether enzymes and other biomolecules to different surfaces. OECTs were fabricated from the conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly(styrene sulfonate), PEDOT:PSS, and polymerized from the surface a mixed polymer brush of poly(glycidyl methacrylate) and poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate). The brushes were functionalized with glucose oxidase and measured in terms of electrical performance and long-term stability. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 372–377     

Aligned/unaligned conducting polymer cryogels with three-dimensional macroporous architectures from ice-segregation-induced self-assembly of PEDOT-PSS

Porous conducting polymers are of great interest because of the huge potential to combine high surface areas in the dry state with physical properties relevant to organic electronics. Aligned or unaligned conducting polymer cryogels with 3D macroporous architectures have been prepared using the ice-segregation-induced self-assembly (ISISA) of different poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT-PSS) freezing precursors as a dispersion or a formed hydrogel. The chemical composition and molecular structure of the resulting conducting polymer cryogels have been investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy, respectively. The morphologies of the PEDOT-PSS cryogels, together with their textural structures, have been revealed by scanning electron microscopy, mercury porosimetry, and nitrogen sorption tests. Processing PEDOT-PSS via ISISA endows the conducting polymers with novel properties, as demonstrated by a series of X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and electrical conductivity tests. These conducting polymer cryogels with aligned/unaligned macroporous architectures suggest the potential in the development of electronic components, tissue engineering, and next-generation catalytic and separation supports.     

Uniform thin films of poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) prepared by in-situ deposition

In-situ deposited thin films of the conducting polymer poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) have been prepared on hydrophilic and hydrophobic substrates and characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and resistivity measurements.     

Synthesis and physicochemical properties of copolymers of aniline and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene

Copolymers of various compositions have been synthesized via copolymerization of aniline with 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene in the presence of a poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid) matrix, and a mechanism of copolymerization has been suggested. It has been shown that the synthesized copolymers are included in non-stoichiometric interpolyelectrolyte complexes with matrices stabilized by salt bonds and nonionic interactions. The copolymers of aniline and ethylenedioxythiophene possess electrical conductivity and can enter into redox and acid-base reactions.     

Electrical conductivity of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/expanded graphite nanocomposites prepared by in situ polymerization

Nanocomposites based on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and expanded graphite (EG) have been prepared by in situ polymerization. Morphology of the nanocomposites has been examined by electronic microscopy. The relationship between the preparation method, morphology, and electrical conductivity was studied. Electronic microscopy images reveal that the nanocomposites exhibit well dispersed graphene platelets. The incorporation of EG to the PET results in a sharp insulator‐to‐conductor transition with a percolation threshold (?_c) as low as 0.05 wt %. An electrical conductivity of 10^?3 S/cm was achieved for 0.4 wt % of EG. The low percolation threshold and relatively high electrical conductivity are attributed to the high aspect ratio, large surface area, and uniform dispersion of the EG sheets in PET matrix. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012     

Synthesis of calibrated poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) latexes in aqueous dispersant media

The synthesis of spherical poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution was achieved in a dispersant aqueous medium. Various oxidants such as ammonium persulfate, iron(III) p-toluenesulfonate, and iron(III) trichloride were tested. A series of end-functionalized poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) such as alpha-(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) PEO, alpha-( N-methyl pyrrole) PEO, alpha-(fluorene) PEO, alpha,omega-( N-methyl pyrrole) PEO, alpha,omega-(thiophene) PEO, and alpha,omega-(fluorene) PEO were compared as reactive stabilizers. The molar mass and the functionality of these reactive PEOs were found to be important parameters with respect to the control of particle size and size distribution. PEDOT samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), size exclusion chromatography (SEC), and conductivity measurements.     

Nanocomposite electrode materials based on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) with incorporated gold and palladium: Preparation and morphology study

Chemical deposition of ultrafine gold and palladium particles into poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) matrix has yielded the metal-containing polymer composites. Their structure has been studied as affected by duration of reduced polymer immersion into the metal salts solution, and by concentration of the latter. Morphology features of the composite films (size and concentration of metal particles) have been elucidated by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The mixed clusters have been formed predominantly in the course of preparation of bimetal composite films via sequential deposition of gold and palladium; the isolated palladium clusters nucleate slower due to the gold-palladium alloys formation. Longer deposition of the metals leads to increase in the nanoparticles size and their concentration in the composite. Properties of the prepared materials have been demonstrated using the model electrochemical reactions.     

Electro-catalytic role of insulator/conductor interface in Mg O/PEDOT composite electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells

Mg O has not been explored as a counter electrode materials for dye-sensitized solar cells(DSSCs)due to its lack of electrical conductivity.However,herein,it is reported that Mg O insulator with conductive poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polysty-renesulfonate(PEDOT:PSS)exhibited excellent performance as a counter electrode for DSSCs,leading to a high power conversion efficiency of 7.45%.Furthermore,it was revealed that the interface between Mg O and PEDOT:PSS plays an important electro-catalytic role in the Mg O/PEDOT composite counter electrodes.     

Synthesis and Special Features of Electrochemical Behavior of Tungsten Oxide Deposited on Various Substrates

Tungsten oxides were electrochemically deposited from a metastable acidic solution of isopolytungstate on simple glassy carbon electrodes and glassy carbon electrodes coated with a film of a conductive polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene). It was found by the cyclic voltammetry method that the redox capacity of tungsten oxide deposits on the conductive polymer film is noticeably greater than on glassy carbon, which indirectly points to its high dispersion. The morphology of the tungsten oxide deposits was studied using scanning electron microscopy. The tungsten valence state in the composition of surface tungsten oxides was determined by the X-ray electron spectroscopy method.     

Solid-state synthesis of a conducting polythiophene via an unprecedented heterocyclic coupling reaction

Prolonged storage ( approximately 2 years) or gentle heating (50-80 degrees C) of crystalline 2,5-dibromo-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (DBEDOT) affords a highly conducting, bromine-doped poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), as confirmed by solid-state NMR, FTIR, CV, and vis-NIR spectroscopies. The novel solid-state polymerization (SSP) does not occur for 2,5-dichloro-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (DCEDOT), and requires a much higher temperature (>130 degrees C) for 2,5-diiodo-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (DIEDOT). X-ray structural analysis of the above dihalothiophenes reveals short Hal.Hal distances between adjacent molecules in DBEDOT and DIEDOT, but not in DCEDOT. The polymerization may also occur in the melt but is significantly slower and leads to poorly conductive material. Detailed studies of the reaction were performed using ESR, DSC, microscopy, and gravimetric analyses. SSP starts on crystal defect sites; it is exothermic by 14 kcal/mol and requires activation energy of approximately 26 kcal/mol (for DBEDOT). The temperature dependence of the conductivity of SSP-PEDOT (sigma(rt) = 20-80 S/cm) reveals a slight thermal activation. It can be further increased by a factor of 2 by doping with iodine. Using this approach, thin films of PEDOT with conductivity as high as 20 S/cm were fabricated on insulating flexible plastic surfaces.     

Virus-Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) Biocomposite Films

Virus-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (virus-PEDOT) biocomposite films are prepared by electropolymerizing 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) in aqueous electrolytes containing 12 mM LiClO(4) and the bacteriophage M13. The concentration of virus in these solutions, [virus](soln), is varied from 3 to 15 nM. A quartz crystal microbalance is used to directly measure the total mass of the biocomposite film during its electrodeposition. In combination with a measurement of the electrodeposition charge, the mass of the virus incorporated into the film is calculated. These data show that the concentration of the M13 within the electropolymerized film, [virus](film), increases linearly with [virus](soln). The incorporation of virus particles into the PEDOT film from solution is efficient, resulting in a concentration ratio of [virus](film):[virus](soln) ≈ 450. Virus incorporation into the PEDOT causes roughening of the film topography that is observed using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The electrical conductivity of the virus-PEDOT film, measured perpendicular to the plane of the film using conductive tip AFM, decreases linearly with virus loading, from 270 μS/cm for pure PEDOT films to 50 μS/cm for films containing 100 μM virus. The presence on the virus surface of displayed affinity peptides did not significantly influence the efficiency of incorporation into virus-PEDOT biocomposite films.