Application of thermal analysis to carbon black-elastomer systems

In this study a relationship between the surface and textural properties of carbon blacks and the gasification process induced thermally in air is noted. A temperature jump method was used to follow the gasification in air and to establish the relevant Arrhenius parameters. This can be associated with the activity of ‘basal’ plane carbon atoms as well as ‘edge’ carbon atoms at the surface. This is based on a model of carbon black structure consisting of the irregular packing of small graphite carbon structures. The carbon black surface was measured using a single measurement of adsorption based essentially on the BET volumetric method. The carbon black surface had a rate of oxidation per unit are which clearly indicated that the lower area carbon blacks had a predominately active area of ‘edge’ atoms at the surface while the surface of the higher area carbon blacks had a predominate amount of ‘basal’ plane graphite carbon atoms.     

Crosslinking of epoxy resins at interfaces. IV. Anhydride-cured resins at carbon and graphite surfaces

Dispersions of carbon blacks and chopped carbon fibers in epoxy resins may be characterized by infrared internal reflection spectroscopy (IR–IRS). The high surface areas of the carbons (often ≥ 100 m²/g) ensure a high degree of interfacial contact between the carbon surface and the polymer. The crosslinking kinetics and final crosslinked state of an anhydride-cured epoxy resin are shown to be affected strongly by the carbons through adsorption of the tertiary amine catalyst at oxidation sites on the carbon surface. Oxidative treatments of the carbons (nitric acid oxidation, air oxidation) increase the effect on the crosslinking chemistry. Carbon dioxide treatment of the carbons, which produces a basic surface, reduces the effect on the crosslinking. The effects on the crosslinking kinetics were confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The relevance of these results to the characterization of the interphase in carbon fiber/epoxy composites is discussed.     

Catalytic oxidation with air of cyclohexanone to dicarboxylic acids on synthetic carbons. Effect of supported metals and solvents

The oxidation with air of cyclohexanone was conducted in the presence of synthetic carbons catalysts. The effect of carbon activation treatment (CO2 or air burnoff), phosphorus additive, platinum loading, and nature of the solvent (water or water/acetic acid mixture) were studied. Cyclohexanone oxidation at 140 degrees C yielded a mixture of C6, C5, and C4 dicarboxylic acids. Air activated carbons, including those containing phosphorus or those supporting platinum, resulted in a higher yield of adipic acid. The activity and selectivity was associated with the oxygenated functional groups, essentially carbonyl/quinone groups, created during air activation of the carbon. The incorporation of phosphorus into the carbon increased slightly the selectivity to 34.3%, probably because this additive increased the density of oxygenated functional groups. The deposition of platinum by impregnation and liquid-phase reduction with formaldehyde increased the reaction rate and improved the selectivity to adipic acid, where the highest figure was 38.8%. It was suggested that platinum contributed to molecular oxygen activation. In contrast platinum deposition by cationic exchange followed by reduction under H2 resulted often in a detrimental effect probably because the density of the oxygenated groups on carbon is decreased upon H2 reduction in the presence of platinum. When the oxidation of cyclohexanone was carried out in mixtures of water/acetic acid, the selectivity given by the different samples were quite close and generally smaller than those obtained in water which indicates that acetic acid interacts with the oxygenated surface functional groups responsible for the activity and selectivity. Oxidation experiments with methyl-labeled 4-methylcyclohexanone indicated that glutaric acid was produced by oxidative decarbonylation of both the C1 and C2 carbon atoms of the molecule.     

A new method of assessing solid state reactivity illustrated by reference to the change in oxidation rate of alkaline and acid washed carbons

In this study gasification in air of activated carbons and carbon blacks is investigated using a simultaneous TG-DTA unit. It is found that a final acid or alkaline treatment can substantially alter their reactivity in the gasification reaction in air. To make a proper assessment of their solid state reactivity with respect to their gasification in air a simple method is advanced which has been used recently in assessing solid state reactivity of other materials. In this method a thermogravimetric (TG) plot is obtained on a reference carbon and then similar TG plots are obtained on the other samples of carbon using identical experimental conditions and the same TG unit. The solid state reactivity is assessed from plots of the α_R (the value of α_R, the extent of the gasification of the reference carbon) against the sample carbons values of the α_S (labeled α_S to denote the value of the various carbon samples). The values of appropriate couples of α_R and α_S at temperaturesT ₁,T ₂,T ₃,...T_n allow an α_R-α_S plot to be constructed. If the solid state reactivity of the carbon samples matches exactly that of the reference carbon the result will be a linear plot, showing coincidence of α_S and α_R at all values of α_R. If the solid state reactivity of a carbon sample exceeds that of the reference carbon then the lines plotted will be on one side of the coincidence plot, while if they are less than the carbon reference they will lie on the other side. The results show that treatment of a carbon with alkaline or acid may have a significant effect on the reactivity of the carbon sample which is only partly explained by observable differences in surface area.     

Catalytic activity and regeneration property of a Pd nanoparticle encapsulated in a hollow porous carbon sphere for aerobic alcohol oxidation

A core-shell composite consisting of a palladium (Pd) nanoparticle and a hollow carbon shell (Pd@hmC) was employed as a catalyst for aerobic oxidation of various alcohols. The core-shell structure was synthesized by consecutive coatings of Pd nanoparticles with siliceous and carbon layers followed by removal of the intermediate siliceous layer. Structural characterizations using TEM and N(2) adsorption-desorption measurements revealed that Pd@hmC thus-obtained was composed of a Pd nanoparticle core of 3-6 nm in diameter and a hollow carbon shell with well-developed mesopore (ca. 2.5 nm in diameter) and micropore (ca. 0.4-0.8 nm in diameter) systems. When compared to some Pd-supported carbons, Pd@hmC showed a high level of catalytic activity for oxidation of benzyl alcohol into benzaldehyde using atmospheric pressure of O(2) as an oxidant. The Pd@hmC composite also exhibited a high level of catalytic activity for aerobic oxidations of other primary benzylic and allylic alcohols into corresponding aldehydes. The presence of a well-developed pore system in the lateral carbon shell enabled efficient diffusion of both substrates and products to reach the central Pd nanoparticles, leading to such high catalytic activities. This core-shell structure also provided high thermal stability of Pd nanoparticles toward coalescence and/or aggregation due to the physical isolation of each Pd nanoparticle from neighboring particles by the carbon shell: this specific property of Pd@hmC resulted in possible regeneration of catalytic activity for these aerobic oxidations by a high-temperature heat treatment of the sample recovered after catalytic reactions.     

Changes in microporosity and CH4 adsorptivity of preoxidized pitch-based activated carbon fibers by Mg deposition

Magnesium oxide/hydroxide was deposited on pitch-based activated carbon fibers which were previously oxidized in air at different temperatures, and the changes in carbon oxidation activity, microporosity, and CH4 adsorptivity of the parent carbons due to Mg deposition were examined. DTA results, chemical analysis, and DRIFT spectra indicate that Mg species are mainly supported on the -COOH groups of the parent carbons, which serve as the catalysts to improve the oxidation activity of carbon. Mg deposition either increases or decreases the specific surface area, pore volume, and average micropore width of the parent carbon depending on the preoxidation temperatures. Mg deposition does not simply enhance CH4 adsorptivity: the complex changes are due to the differences in the supporting states of Mg species and slight modifications in micropore structure.     

S掺杂纳米多孔碳的光催化活性:表面化学和孔隙率的重要性(英文)

This minireview summarizes our recent findings on the photoactivity of S-doped nanoporous carbons. The materials were either synthesized from the sulfur-containing polymers or obtained by heat treatment of commercial carbon with hydrogen sulfide. Their surface was extensively charac terized from the points of view of its surface chemistry, porosity, morphology, and electronic properties. The carbons showed enhanced activity towards oxidation of arsine and removal of diben-zothiophenes from model diesel fuel. The latter were oxidized to various oxygen containing intermediates and the cleavage of C–C bonds in aromatic ring was detected when carbon with adsorbed species was exposed to UV or visible light. Irradiation resulted in generation of photocurrent in a broad range of wavelength. The presence of sulfur led to the reduction of oxygen and contributed to an increased capacitive performance. We link these effects to the presence of reduced sulfur in the small pores which enhances the dispersive interactions via inducing a positive charge to carbon atoms, to sulfur in oxygenated forms which contribute to Faradaic reactions and increase the polar interactions, and to the hydrophobicity of a surface in small pores where oxygen can be reduced by excited electrons from chromophoric-like sulfur containing groups.     

Carbon to electricity in a solid oxide fuel cell combined with an internal catalytic gasification process

This study explores strategies to develop highly efficient direct carbon fuel cells (DCFCs) by com‐bining a solid‐oxide fuel cell (SOFC) with a catalyst‐aided carbon‐gasification process. This system employs Cu/CeO2 composites as both anodic electrodes and carbon additives in a cell of the type:carbon|Cu‐CeO2/YSZ/Ag|air. The study investigates the impact on in situ carbon‐gasification and DCFC performance characteristics of catalyst addition and variation in the carrier gas used (inert He versus reactive CO2). The results indicate that cell performance is significantly improved by infusing the catalyst into the carbon feedstock and by employing CO2 as the carrier gas. At 800 °C, the maxi‐mum power output is enhanced by approximately 40% and 230% for carbon/CO2 and car‐bon/catalyst/CO2 systems, respectively, compared with that of the carbon/He configuration. The increase observed when employing the catalyst and CO2 as the carrier gas can be primarily at‐tributed to the pronounced effect of the catalyst on carbon‐gasification through the re‐verse‐Boudouard reaction, and the subsequent in situ electro‐oxidation of CO at the anode three‐phase boundary.     

Bulk and surface structural investigations of diesel engine soot and carbon black

The microstructure and electronic structure of environmentally relevant carbons such as Euro IV heavy duty diesel engine soot, soot from a black smoking diesel engine, spark discharge soot as model aerosol, commercial furnace soot and lamp black are investigated by transmission electron microscopy, electron energy-loss spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The materials exhibit differences in the predominant bonding, which influences microstructure as well as surface functionalization. These chemical and physical properties depend on the formation history of the investigated carbonaceous materials. In this work, a correlation of the microstructure of the samples to the predominant bonding and incorporation of oxygen into the carbons is obtained. It is shown that a high amount of defects and the deviation of the carbons from a perfect graphitic structure results in a increased incorporation of oxygen and hydrogen. A correlation between the length and curvature of graphene layers with the bonding state of carbon atoms and incorporation of oxygen and hydrogen is established.     

Ozonation of naphthalenesulphonic acid in the aqueous phase in the presence of basic activated carbons

The present study aimed to explore the possibility of increasing the purification efficacy of ozone in the removal of high-toxicity contaminants by using carbons of basic character and to analyze the mechanism involved in this process. These carbons were prepared by treating a commercial activated carbon (Witco, W) with ammonia (W-A), ammonium carbonate (W-C), or urea (W-U), under high pressure and temperature. The ammonia and carbonate treatments slightly increased the mesoporosity and, to a greater degree, the macroporosity of carbon W, whereas the urea treatment produced an increase in the porosity across the whole range of pore sizes. In addition, treatment of the activated carbon with these nitrogenating agents produced a marked change in the chemical nature of its surface. Thus, according to the pH of the point of zero charge (pHPZC) values obtained for each sample, carbon W was neutral (pHPZC = 7.12), but the treated carbons were basic, especially carbon W-U (pHPZC = 8.85). This basicity results from an increased concentration of basic oxygenated and nitrogenated surface functional groups, as confirmed by the results of elemental and XPS analyses. An increase in the degradation of 1,3,6-naphthalenetrisulfonic acid was observed when the activated carbon samples were added to the system. This degradation was especially enhanced in the presence of carbon W-U. The increased NTS degradation rate in the presence of the activated carbon is due to an increased concentration of highly reactive radicals in the system. When the catalytic activity of the activated carbon samples was related to their chemical and textural characteristics, it was found that: (i) The catalytic activity increased with an increase in the surface basicity. Interestingly, in the sample with greatest catalytic activity in NTS ozonation, carbon W-U, most of the nitrogenated surface groups introduced were pyrrol groups. These groups increase the electronic density of the basal plane of the activated carbon, thereby enhancing the reduction of ozone on the surface and the generation of highly reactive radicals in the system. (ii) The greater catalytic activity of carbon W-U may also be partly related to its greater surface area and higher volume of mesopores and macropores; these large pores facilitate access of the ozone to the surface active centers of the carbon, increasing its catalytic activity. The presence of the activated carbon samples during NTS ozonation also favored the removal of total organic carbon present in the solution, due to (a) transformation of organic matter into CO2 through the generation of highly reactive species catalyzed by the presence of the activated carbons (catalytic contribution) and (b) adsorption of NTS oxidation byproducts on the activated carbon (adsorptive contribution). The results obtained show that activated carbons treated with nitrogenating agents are very promising catalysts for application in the ozonation of aromatic compounds.     

Preparation of highly porous carbon from fir wood by KOH etching and CO2 gasification for adsorption of dyes and phenols from water

Fir wood was first carbonized for 1.5 h at 450 degrees C, then soaked in a KOH solution KOH/char ratio of 1, and last activated for 1 h at 780 degrees C. During the last hour CO2 was poured in for further activation for 0, 15, 30, and 60 min, respectively. Carbonaceous adsorbents with controllable surface area and pore structure were chemically activated from carbonized fir wood (i.e., char) by KOH etching and CO2 gasification. The pore properties, including the BET surface area, pore volume, pore size distribution, and pore diameter, of these activated carbons were first characterized by the t-plot method based on N2 adsorption isotherms. Fir-wood carbon activated with CO2 gasification from 0 to 60 min exhibited a BET surface area ranging from 1371 to 2821 m2 g(-1), with a pore volume significantly increased from 0.81 to 1.73 m2 g(-1). Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) results showed that the surfaces of honeycombed holes in these carbons were significantly different from those of carbons without CO2 gasification. The adsorption of methylene blue, basic brown 1, acid blue 74, p-nitrophenol, p-chlorophenol, p-cresol, and phenol from water on all the carbons studied was examined to check their chemical characteristics. Adsorption kinetics was in agreement with the Elovich equation, and all equilibrium isotherms were in agreement with the Langmuir equation. These results were used to compare the Elovich parameter (1/b) and the adsorption quantity of the unit area (q(mon)/Sp) of activated carbons with different CO2 gasification durations. This work facilitated the preparation of activated carbon by effectively controlling pore structures and the adsorption performance of the activated carbon on adsorbates of different molecular forms.     

聚对苯二胺和炭黑复合物作为高效的氧还原催化剂及其稳定性研究

近年来,氮掺杂的碳材料作为碱性氧还原催化剂得到了研究者的广泛关注.掺杂的 N原子会影响 C原子的自旋密度和电荷分布,导致碳材料表面产生“活性位点”,因此掺氮碳材料具有优秀的氧还原活性,这已经在理论计算和实验中得到了验证.我们通过调节聚对苯二胺和碳黑的比例,之后进行热解制备了一系列掺氮碳材料.其中0.88PpPD/CB样品具有最好的氧还原活性,其在 KOH溶液(0.1 mol/L)中的氧还原性能超过了商业碳载铂.通过扫描电子显微镜表征,发现碳球聚集在聚对苯二胺的表面,这主要是因为聚对苯二胺没有进行酸掺杂,因此其水溶性比较差.通过氮气的吸脱附表征,发现聚对苯二胺的比表面积很小,而碳黑样品(BP2000)的比表面积很大.因此,随着聚对苯二胺量的增加,聚对苯二胺/碳黑复合物的比表面积逐渐降低.另外,聚对苯二胺表面几乎都是微孔,而介孔和大孔主要来自于碳黑.研究者认为,“活性位点”主要位于微孔内(聚对苯二胺表面),而介孔和大孔有利于物质的传输.因此,当聚对苯二胺和碳黑的比例合适时,既有大量的“活性位点”暴露,又有足够的介孔和大孔进行物质传输,所以0.88PpPD/CB样品的氧还原活性最高.
　　但是,对于掺氮碳材料来说,一个主要的问题就是稳定性不足.不管是电化学稳定性,还是放置在空气中的稳定性,掺氮碳材料都比不上铂基催化剂,这也阻碍了它们的大规模应用.对于电化学稳定性,很多文章都进行了报道,但是很少有文章报道掺氮碳材料在空气中的稳定性.我们知道,铂基材料之所以具有优异的氧还原活性,是因为铂和氧气的结合能比较合适,既利于氧气吸附,也利于之后氧气分子键的断裂.但是,当铂基材料放置在空气中,氧气的吸附也会发生,而且之后会导致表面氧化层的形成.所以铂基材料需要活化才能达到最好的催化性能.对于掺氮碳材料,放置在空气中会不会发生氧化反应？这对氧还原活性是否有影响？为了研究掺氮碳材料在空气中的稳定性,我们将0.88PpPD/CB样品在空气中放置了一个月,之后再进行电化学测试.旋转圆盘电极测试表明,在空气中放置了一个月后,0.88PpPD/CB样品的氧还原活性降低了,不管是半波电位还是极限电流密度都下降了.之后我们对其进行了 X射线光电子能谱检测,发现在空气中放置了一个月后其氧含量提高了1%(原子分数),而氮含量几乎没有变化.氧含量的提高证实了氧化反应的发生,但不能直接归结于空气中的氧气.为了排除其他因素,如水蒸气、二氧化碳等,当热处理完成,管式炉温度低于100°C时,我们将高纯氮气切换为高纯氧气,一个小时后再取出样品.电化学测试表明,在氧气中暴露了一个小时后,0.88PpPD/CB样品的氧还原活性极大地降低了,而且 X射线光电子能谱表明其氧含量提高了一倍,接近12%.因此,我们证实了氧气会和0.88PpPD/CB样品反应,导致样品的氧还原活性降低.所以,对于未来掺氮碳材料的大规模应用,要考虑其在空气中的稳定性,以及如何避免和氧气接触.     

Pore tuned activated carbons as supports for an enantioselective molecular catalyst

The Jacobsen catalyst was immobilized onto four activated carbons with different average pore sizes, achieved by a gasification process followed by molecular oxygen oxidation. The influence of the textural properties of the activated carbon in the immobilization process and in the catalytic performance of the Mn(III) heterogeneous catalysts was investigated in detail. Three different catalytic systems were studied: styrene epoxidation using m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid; 6-CN-2,2-diMeChromene epoxidation using NaOCl and iodosylbenzene (PhIO) as oxidants. The catalysts tested were active and enantioselective in the three systems studied. Selectivity towards the desired epoxide only decreases in the case of the material with smaller pores, remaining identical to that of the homogeneous phase in all the other materials. The enantiomeric excess values (%ee) for alkene epoxidation increase with the pore size of the heterogeneous catalysts, and these values are even higher than the homogeneous counterparts in the styrene epoxidation reaction. Total Mn(III) loadings increase with the pore size, as well as their distribution within the carbon porous matrix. Characterization of the activated carbons bearing the immobilized manganese(III) complexes by TPD and XPS point to reaction between carbon surface phenolate groups and the manganese(III) complexes through axial coordination of the metal centers to these groups.     

Comparison of chemical and physical properties of carbon blacks for sampling and analysis of environmental pollutants

Summary Some of the most commonly employed carbon blacks (Carbograph 1,2,4,5 from Lara and Carbopack X form Supelco), were evaluated by the BET surface characterization method for pore size distribution, porosity and specific surface. This information is often incomplete as furnished by manufacturers and is needed for a deeper understanding of carbon adsorption properties in chromatography. The data on surface characterization were obtained before and after graphitisation treatment (except for Carbopack X which could not be obtained in non-graphitized form). The nature of the active sites present on these carbons was investigated by BET analysis, atomic absorption and FT-IR. Dedicated to the memory of F. Bruner and G. Crescentini, pioneers in the study of graphitized carbon blacks for the sampling and analysis of environmental pollutants [1–4].     

Ni/SiO2催化剂上甲烷催化裂解制氢

研究了固定床反应器上甲烷在Ni/SiO2催化剂上的裂解反应，并分别用O2、H2O进行催化剂失活/活化循环实验，并对催化剂用XRD进行分析。结果表明,Ni/SiO2催化剂具有良好的催化性能,甲烷转化率～40%，并能在150 min的时间内保持其活性，无论是用空气氧化还是水蒸气汽化，都能有效地活化已失活的催化剂。XRD实验显示，多次裂解－再生循环过程，对催化剂结构没有明显破坏。     

Voltammetric and FT-IR studies of modified activated carbon systems with phenol, 4-chlorophenol or 1,4-benzoquinone adsorbed from aqueous electrolyte solutions

Cyclic voltammetric and spectral FT-IR studies of the influence of surface chemistry on the adsorption and electrochemical behaviour of powdered activated carbon electrodes (PACE) in the presence of phenol, 4-chlorophenol and 1,4-benzoquinone were carried out. The variety of surface chemical properties was achieved through modification of the carbon samples by heat treatment under vacuum and in an oxygen–ammonia atmosphere as well as by oxidation with conc. nitric acid. Adsorption processes were carried out from aqueous solutions (in air and an oxygen-free atmosphere) in the presence acidic, neutral or basic electrolytes. Some electrochemical parameters of electrode systems with adsorbed organics were estimated and correlated with the adsorption ability of carbon materials. The changes in FT-IR spectra of the carbons caused by adsorption and/or coupling organic molecules are presented and discussed.     

氧化反应对胜利褐煤水蒸气气化反应的促进作用Ⅱ.作用机理研究

在φ80×3 000 mm耐高温不锈钢管反应器中,进行了N2/N2+O2/N2+H2O/N2+O2+H2O气氛下800和900℃的胜利褐煤气化实验,采用红外光谱、X射线光电子能谱、拉曼光谱和烟气在线分析等研究了添加氧气前后半焦的物理结构、官能团及煤气组成的变化,旨在探讨氧化反应促进水蒸气气化反应的作用机理。结果表明,氧化反应对水蒸气气化反应的促进作用可用半焦的微观结构变化和水蒸气气化解离吸附机理解释。氧化反应的开孔和扩孔作用使碳颗粒微孔数量、比表面积、孔容、吸附量明显增加,更多的碳表面活性位暴露出来,也促进了半焦中甲基、亚甲基、C=O键、C-O键的断裂和高活性的羧基COO-和大量氢自由基的生成,这些都有利于水蒸气气化反应的进行,尤其在高温和水蒸气含量较高时。同时,氧气的加入改变了反应气氛中CO2、CO、H2相对含量和水蒸气分子/活性炭原子内能,也有利于水蒸气气化反应的进行,这与水蒸气气化解离吸附机理相吻合。     

Heat-Resistant Polymer-Grafted Carbon Black: Grafting of Poly(Organophosphazenes) onto Carbon Black Surface

Abstract

The grafting of poly(organophosphazenes) onto carbon black surface by the reaction of poly(dichlorophosphazene) (PDCP) with carbon black having sodium phenoxide groups was investigated. PDCP was prepared by the ring-opening polymerization of hexachlorocyclotriphos-phazene in solution using sulfamic acid as a catalyst. The introduction of sodium phenoxide groups onto carbon black was achieved by treatment of phenolic hydroxyl groups on the surface with sodium hydroxide in methanol. Poly(diphenoxyphosphazene) (PDPP) was successfully grafted onto carbon black by the reaction of PDCP with sodium phenoxide groups introduced onto the surface followed by the replacement of chlorine atoms in PDCP with phenoxy groups. The percentage of grafting onto carbon black increased to 206% at 30°C after 12 h. It was found that only 1.4% of sodium phenoxide groups on carbon black surface was used for the grafting of PDCP because of the blocking of the surface by grafted polymer chains. Poly(diaminophenylphosphazene) and poly-(diethoxyphosphazene) were also grafted onto carbon black surface by the treatment of PDCP-grafted carbon black with aniline and sodium ethoxide, respectively. Poly(organophosphazenes)-grafted carbon blacks produced stable colloidal dispersions in good solvents for grafted polymers. Furthermore, thermogravimetric analysis indicated that poly-(organophosphazenes)-grafted carbon blacks were stable in air about 300°C.     

Thermal stability of styrene–(ethylene butylene)–styrene-based elastomer composites modified by liquid crystalline polymer, clay, and carbon nanotube

The thermal decomposition behaviors of styrene?C(ethylene butylene)?Cstyrene (SEBS) thermoplastic elastomer filled with liquid crystalline polymer (LCP), organomontmorillonite (OMMT), and carbon nanotube (CNT) as a heat stabilizing filler, were comparatively investigated using nonisothermal- and isothermal-thermogravimetric analyses in air. The isoconversional method was employed to evaluate the kinetic parameters (E _a, lnA, and n) under dynamic heating. For neat samples, OMMT and CNT exhibited their respective lowest and highest thermal stabilities as revealed from the lowest and the highest T _onset values, respectively. The decomposition rates of the composites containing OMMT at the temperature >250?°C were higher than those containing CNT and LCP, respectively, whereas the elastomer matrix degraded with the highest rate. The obtained TG profiles and calculated kinetic parameters indicated that the incorporation of LCP, OMMT, and CNT into elastomer matrix improved the thermal stability. Especially, the CNT- and OMMT-containing composites significantly improved the thermal stability compared with the neat matrix polymer. Simultaneously recorded DSC thermograms revealed that the degradation processes for the neat polymers and their composites were exothermic in air. From the simultaneously recorded DSC data, the enthalpy of thermal decomposition for each composite system was found to be lower than that of the neat matrix and mostly decreasing with increasing filler loading. The isothermal decomposition stabilities of the neat SEBS and its composites containing the different fillers were in agreement with those of the nonisothermal investigation.     

Stacked graphene nanofibers doped polypyrrole nanocomposites for electrochemical sensing

This publication shows a single-step electropolymerization which has been carried out by the incorporation of an anionic stacked graphene nanofiber (SGNF) dopant into a polypyrrole (PPy) film, at a disposable screen-printed electrode. The incorporation of the SGNFs into the polymer does not affect their electrochemical properties, shown through cyclic voltammetry by the earlier oxidation of guanine, when compared with that at the graphite doped PPy electrode. The SGNF/PPy composite shows a high selectivity when used in the oxidation of guanine and hydrogen peroxide, both of which are important biomarkers used for biosensing. Disposable screen-printed electrodes provide an inexpensive, sensitive and portable substitute to glassy carbon electrodes, while giving a reproducible surface; qualities essential for effective bionsensing. The production of this single-step disposable SGNF/PPy composite electrode allows for further applications in the detection of biomedically important compounds and DNA sensing.