Electrostatic‐Assembly of Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) and Polymer Particles in Water: a Facile Approach to Improve the Dispersion of CNTs in Thermoplastics

Summary: A facile and organic‐solvent‐free method for preparing thermoprocessable multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)‐filled thermoplastics is presented. MWCNTs are oxidized, neutralized, and then assembled with cationic soap‐free poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) particles directly in water. The spontaneous electrostatic coupling between the negatively charged MWCNTs and positively charged PMMA particles, and the viscoelastic and thermomechanical behavior of the nanocomposites, are investigated. The electrostatic coupling interactions improve the dispersion of nanotubes and facilitate the formation of filler networks in the polymer matrix.

Preparation of nanocomposites of oxidized MWCNTs and positively charged PMMA particles through electrostatic assembly.     

Facile Method to Synthesis of Golf Ball-Like Particles via Early-Ceased Seeded Dispersion Polymerization

Golf ball-like poly(methyl methacrylate) particles were produced via seeded dispersion polymerization of 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate with poly(methyl methacrylate) seed beads in the presence of saturated hydrocarbon droplets and evaporation of the hydrocarbon after the polymerization. It was observed that the particles are acquired in the form of a stable dispersion if the reaction is ceased around 42% of monomer conversion. Moreover, the effect of different reaction conditions (e.g. hydrocarbon and stabilizer type, initiator and monomer content, and polarity of the medium) on the shape and stability of the produced particles was investigated. It was revealed that the number and size of the dents on the surface of the golf ball-like particles could be manipulated easily with a simple change in each one of the parameters referred to above. In addition, the experimental results showed that some of the particles become unstable and diffuse into each other during polymerization, resulting in the formation of huge golf ball-like objects. The production of disk-like poly(methyl methacrylate) particles via fully developed seeded dispersion polymerization in the presence of a hydrocarbon which owns lengthy alkyl chain was another interesting finding of this study.     

黑碳颗粒物表面SO2的非均相臭氧氧化

采用漫反射红外傅里叶变换光谱(DRIFTS)结合离子色谱(IC)、 X射线光电子能谱(XPS)研究了常温常压下SO2与O3在黑碳颗粒物(以Printex U为代表, 简称UBC)表面的非均相反应. 研究发现, 在O3和水气存在的情况下, 体系的反应产物主要是SO42-, 反应在一定时间内持续进行. UBC可提供反应活性位点, 促进SO2在其表面的臭氧氧化. O3是关键的氧化剂, 能显著提高SO2非均相氧化生成SO42-的速率. 水气的存在有利于表面活性位点再生, 使反应持续发生. 当SO2和O3的浓度为1014~1015 molecule/cm3、 相对湿度为40%时, SO2在UBC(1: 400, 以NaCl为稀释剂稀释400倍)表面非均相反应生成SO42-的稳态摄取系数(γBET)为1~6×10-6, SO42-的生成速率为1014~1015 ion·s-1·g-1.     

Research of Silica Particles Dispersion in Polymer Matrix Under Acoustic Levitation

Series of resins consisting different amount of silica particles with different sizes and surface properties were prepared as suspended samples under an acoustic levitator. The resulting composites after curing under irradiation have been investigated. Fracture surface morphologies of the resins were compared to those with same composition prepared in a normal gravity field via scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that except for such factors like particle sizes, surface properties, particles concentration, and monomer viscosity, the microgravity state produced by acoustic levitation could also be an element that affects silica particles dispersion in the resins.     

碳纳米纤维在浓硝酸-浓硫酸溶液中表面氧化对其负载的Pd-Pt催化剂颗粒分散状态的影响

摘要用混合的浓硝酸和浓硫酸在不同温度下氧化处理催化生长的碳纳米纤维. 利用X射线衍射、 N2物理吸附、 FTIR和离子交换研究了氧化处理对碳纳米纤维织构性质和表面含氧基团生成的影响. 采用等体积浸渍法制备碳纳米纤维负载Pd-Pt催化剂, 并利用高分辨电镜和脉冲H₂化学吸附对Pd-Pt金属颗粒的分散状况进行了研究. 结果表明, 经过氧化处理的碳纳米纤维表面生成了含氧基团, 生成量随着处理温度的升高而升高, 负载的Pd-Pt催化剂的分散程度也随着表面含氧基团浓度的增大而提高, 同时对后者的作用机理进行了讨论.     

Surface Chemistry of Nanometric Ceria Particles in Aqueous Dispersions

The oxide/water interface of nanometric ceria particles has been studied through titration of the surface sites. The adsorption and desorption of protons, hydroxyls, and anions have been measured through potentiometry and chemical analysis. It has been found that these processes cause reactions between surfaces. Conversely, the loss of reactive surfaces which results from chemical treatments changes the charge behavior of the dispersions and reduces it to that of the pure fired oxide.     

A Platform Approach to Protein Encapsulates with Controllable Surface Chemistry

The encapsulation of proteins into core-shell structures is a widely utilised strategy for controlling protein stability, delivery and release. Despite the recognised utility of these microstructures, however, core-shell fabrication routes are often too costly or poorly scalable to allow for industrial translation. Furthermore, many scalable routes rely upon emulsion-techniques implicating denaturing or environmentally harmful organic solvents. Herein, we investigate core-shell protein encapsulation through single-feed, aqueous spray drying: a cheap, industrially ubiquitous particle-formation technology in the absence of organic solvents. We show that an excipient’s preference for the surface of the spray dried particle is well-predicted by its hydrodynamic diameter (Dh) under relevant feed buffer conditions (pH and ionic strength) and that the predictive power of Dh is improved when measured at the spray dryer outlet temperature compared to room temperature (R2 = 0.64 vs. 0.59). Lastly, we leverage these findings to propose an adaptable design framework for fabricating core-shell protein encapsulates by single-feed aqueous spray drying.     

Dramatic Fluorescence Enhancement of Bare Carbon Dots through Facile Reduction Chemistry

Reduction of bare carbon dots (CDs) in aqueous NaBH₄ solution is a facile and effective approach to enhance their fluorescence without any surface coverage. CDs are treated with dilute aqueous NaBH₄ solutions, enhancing their quantum yields (QYs) successfully from 1.6 % to 16 % which is comparable to semiconductive QDs in aqueous environments. If pristine CDs are treated hydrothermally prior to reduction by NaBH₄, QYs reach 40.5 %. This value is among the highest QYs reported for bare CDs in the literature. The approach to enhance fluorescence through chemical reduction is generally applicable to other kinds of CDs synthesized by various methods. Alteration of the chemical structure of the CDs by NaBH₄‐reduction is analyzed by ¹³C NMR, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectroscopy, which demonstrate that the carbonyl group content is decreased after NaBH₄‐reduction, whereas the number of sp³‐type carbon defects is increased. The valence‐band maxima (VBM) near the surface related to the surface energy bands of the CDs are estimated by XPS. VBM data show a semiconducting layer on the surface of the CDs, and the VBM of the CDs decrease with increasing NaBH₄‐reduction time. The layered graphite structures in the cores of the CDs are clearly observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). CDs could perhaps be regarded as semiconductive surface defect layers formed by chemical erosion over conductive graphite cores. Chemical reduction by NaBH₄ changes the surface‐energy bands of the CDs, thus, enhances their fluorescence. The fluorescence properties of aqueous NaBH₄‐reduced CDs are also studied for possible biological applications.     

活性炭表面化学性质对负载Cu颗粒性质及催化甲醇氧化羰基化反应的影响

分别以在氮气和氨气气氛下热处理得到的活性炭(AC)为载体,采用浸渍焙烧法制备了Cu/AC催化剂,考察了AC表面化学性质对催化剂组成、Cu物种颗粒尺寸以及催化甲醇氧化羰基化反应性能的影响.对AC载体和相应Cu/AC催化剂的表征结果表明,AC在氮气中于600℃热处理后表面大部分羧基被消除,有利于催化剂中Cu物种的分散和减小颗粒尺寸;进一步升高温度至800℃,AC表面部分内酯、酸酐、酚类和醚类官能团被消除,导致催化剂中Cu物种发生团聚和烧结.随着表面含氧官能团数量的减少,前驱体与载体之间的相互作用力减弱,促进Cu~(2+)还原为Cu+或Cu0.而氨气气氛下热处理会导致AC表面更多含氧官能团被消除,但同时引入了吡啶氮、吡咯氮和4价氮等含氮官能团,更利于催化剂中Cu物种的分散和减小颗粒尺寸.随着表面含氮官能团数量的增加,前驱体与载体之间的相互作用力增强,抑制了Cu~(2+)的还原.实验结果表明,催化剂的活性随着Cu物种的颗粒尺寸而改变,当以氨气气氛下于800℃热处理的AC为载体时,Cu物种的颗粒尺寸最小(6.8 nm),催化性能最佳,催化反应的甲醇转化率、碳酸二甲酯(DMC)的时空收率和选择性分别为9.6%,278.7 mg·g-1·h-1和68.3%.     

Efficient Use of Carbon Fibers as Heating Elements for Curing of Epoxy Matrix Composites

The aim of this study is to achieve a fully cured thermoset matrix that is heated by a direct electric current passing through the reinforcement fibers i.e., the Joule heating effect. Two types of fibers were used as heating elements for curing the epoxy resins. Kanthal resistance fibers were used as reference heating elements and subsequently, they were replaced by a Torayca Carbon Tow of the same radius. The specimens were cured by the heat produced by a direct electric current passing through the fibers and achieving temperatures of 50 °C and 70 °C. Specimens cured in a conventional oven were also manufactured, to compare the resistance heating method to the conventional one. Next, all specimens were mechanically characterized in a quasi-static three-point bending mode of loading and experimental results were compared to derive useful conclusions concerning the applicability of the technique to polymer/composite materials mass production. Finally, a preliminary economical study concerning power consumption needed for the application of both the traditional oven curing and the carbon fibers heating elements use for the manufacturing of the same amounts of materials is presented, showing a maximum financial benefit that can be achieved, on the order of 68%.     

吸附法制备金属/碳催化剂用于5-羟基甲基糠醛高效电催化氧化的研究

以介孔中空碳球(HC)为载体,通过简单的吸附法吸附Ni2+/Fe3+金属离子,获得了在碱性电解液中具有高效5-羟基甲基糠醛(HMF)电催化氧化性能的Nix Fe1-x/HC催化剂.通过X射线衍射(XRD)、场发射扫描电子显微镜(SEM)和X射线光电子能谱(XPS)等手段对Nix Fe1-x/HC的物相、形貌结构及电子结构进行了表征,并通过线性扫描伏安和计时电位等方法测试了Nix Fe1-x/HC的HMF电催化氧化性能．结果显示, Nix Fe1-x/HC材料催化HMF氧化的活性随Fe引入量的增加先升高后降低, Ni0.7Fe0.3/HC拥有最优的催化活性, HMF的转化率为100%,2,5-呋喃二甲酸(FDCA)的选择性为90.5%,法拉第效率为90.2%,经历10次循环后,催化活性仅略微降低,表现出优良的催化稳定性.     

电化学氧化赖氨酸应用于改变碳表面荷电状态

电化学氧化赖氨酸应用于改变碳表面荷电状态;表面改性;玻碳;赖氨酸单层膜;循环伏安;静电排斥作用     

Pyrolysis of Polymer Complexes Leading to Air-Stable Ultrafine Metal Particles Uniformly Dispersedin a Carbon Matrix

New types of air-stable metal-carbon composites which contain ultrafine metal particles (Fe, Co, Ni, Pd, Pt, Rh, Cu, etc.) uniformly dispersed in a carbon matrix were obtained by pyrolysis of a variety of soluble organometallic polymers, macromolecular-metal complexes, and blends of coal pitch with metal complexes at 400-1400°C in N₂. Some of their unique physical properties and functions are noted.     

A Facile Surface Passivation of Hematite Photoanodes with Molybdate Overlayers for Efficient PEC Water Oxidation

\begin{document}$\alpha$\end{document}-Fe\begin{document}$_2$\end{document}O\begin{document}$_3$\end{document} thin films have been synthesized and used as photoanodes for photo-electrochemical (PEC) water oxidation. Molybdate was introduced to mediate hematite thin films via two synthesis routes (namely in situ mediation and ex situ modification). Through the in situ mediation process, the morphology and film thickness could be changed significantly due to the addition of MoO\begin{document}$_4$\end{document}\begin{document}$^{2-}$\end{document}, while for the ex situ modification, the PEC performance of the hematite has been greatly improved without changing the nanorod morphology. Various characterizations such as UV-Vis absorption, transmission electronic microscopy, scanning electronic microscopy, Mott-Schottky, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were conducted and the PEC performances were investigated.     

Study of Oxidation of Carbon Monoxide on the Surface of Sn-doped Carbon Nanotube

In recent years, the discovery of suitable catalyst to the oxidation of carbon monoxide(CO) is a major concern in industry. In present study, in the first step the carbon nanotube(CNT) with Sn was doped and the surface of Sn-CNT via O_2 molecule was activated. In the second step the CO oxidation on the surface of Sn-CNT via Langmuir Hinshelwood(LH) and Eley Rideal(ER) mechanisms was investigated. Results show that O_2-Sn-CNT can oxidize the CO molecule via Sn-CNT-O-O* + CO → Sn-CNT-O-O*-CO → Sn-CNT-O* + CO_2 and Sn-CNT-O* + CO → Sn-CNT + CO_2 reactions. Results show that CO oxidation on activated Sn-CNT surface via the ER mechanism has lower energy barrier than LH mechanism. Finally, calculated parameters reveal that activated Sn-CNT is an acceptable catalyst with high potential to the oxidation of CO molecule.     

环氧树脂微粒化水基化体系

本文系统介绍了环氧树脂微粒化水基化体系的特点及用途，制备方法和反映体系特性的一些重要参数。     

Effect of Fiber-Polymer Interactions on Fracture Toughness Behavior of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Matrix Composites

The effect of anodic oxidation on high-strength polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fibers has been studied in terms of fiber surface energetics and fracture toughness of the composites. According to contact angle measurements based on the wicking rate of a test liquid, anodic oxidation leads to an increase in surface free energy, mainly due to the increase of its specific (or polar) component. For the carbon-fiber-reinforced epoxy resin matrix system, a direct linear relationship is shown between the specific component and the critical stress intensity factor measured by the single edge notched beam fracture toughness test. From a surface-energetic point of view, the anodic treatment may be suitable for carbon fibers incorporated in a polar organic matrix, resulting in an increased specific component of the surface free energy. Good wetting plays an important role in improving the degree of adhesion at interfaces between fibers and matrices of the resulting composites. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

Tandem RAFT Polymerization and Click Chemistry: An Efficient Approach to Surface Modification

PS grafted silica nanoparticles have been prepared by a tandem process that simultaneously employs RAFT polymerization and click chemistry. In a single pot procedure, azide‐modified silica, an alkyne functionalized RAFT agent and styrene are combined to produce the desired product. As deduced by thermal gravimetric and elemental analysis, the grafting density of PS on the silica in the tandem process is intermediate between analogous “grafting to” and “grafting from” techniques for preparing PS brushes on silica. Relative rates of RAFT polymerization and click reaction can be altered to control grafting density.