A Solution‐Processable (Tetraaniline‐b‐Polyethylene Glycol)3 Star‐Shaped Rod‐Coil Block Copolymer with Enhanced Electrochromic Properties

A novel electroactive star‐shaped rod‐coil copolymer composed of a benzene core and three symmetrically positioned tetraaniline‐b‐poly(ethylene glycol) arms, (TAni‐b‐PEG)₃ rod‐coil block copolymer, is synthesized successfully and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–vis, ¹H NMR, and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry. Uniform and high‐quality (TAni‐b‐PEG)₃ thin films onto indium tin oxide‐coated glass surface are fabricated simply from its DMF solution. Resulting (TAni‐b‐PEG)₃ copolymer thin films possess excellent electrochromic properties with a high optical contrast of 73.3%, superb coloration efficiency of 318.5 cm² C⁻¹ at 750 nm. Very short switching times, that is, 2.11 s and 2.14 s for coloring and bleaching times, respectively, are observed as well. The mechanism of these impressive electrochromic properties of (TAni‐b‐PEG)₃ thin films possessed is proposed based on the atomic force microscopy investigation, star‐shaped molecular geometry, synergetic electronic and ionic conductivity and amphiphilic self‐assembly feature of (TAni‐b‐PEG)₃ copolymer, which can self‐assemble to form cylinder pattern consisting of quick pathways for electronic charges and ionic species, respectively.

     

The influence of furanyl monomer on the self‐healing polyurethanes by reverse Diels‐Alder cross‐link

In this work, several furanyl diols with amide, imide, or amine groups were synthesized, each diol was subsequently polymerized with 4,4′‐dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate and polytetramethylenene ether glycol to prepare polyurethanes. Bis(4‐maleimidophenyl) methane was then added as a cross‐linker to give self‐healing polyurethanes. DSC and DMA analysis were used to measure the DA/rDA temperature of these polyurethanes with different chemical structures. It was demonstrated that the polyurethane prepared from amide furanyl diol had the highest DA/rDA temperature, followed with the order of amide > imide > amine. This expands the versatility of monomers that have different self‐healing activity, which is expected to have the application for preparing various polyurethane coatings.     

Hybrid graphene oxide/DAB-Am-16 dendrimer: Preparation,characterization chemical reactivity and their electrocatalytic detection of l-Dopamine

Graphene oxide (GO) was chemically modified with a poly(propylene)imine Generation 3.0 dendrimer (DAB-Am-16). The characterization, structure and properties of hybrid graphene oxide/DAB-Am-16 dendrimer was studied by Raman spectroscopy, Fourier-Transforming Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopic (XPS), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Thermogravimetric analysis. After functionalized the hybrid material (GOD) can interact with copper and subsequently with hexacyanoferrate (III) ions (GODHCu). The GODHCu incorporated into a graphite paste electrode (20% w/w) was applied to an electrocatalytic detection of neurotransmitter l-dopamine using differential pulse voltammetry. The analytical curve showed a linear response in the concentration range from 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ with a corresponding equation Y(A) = 1.706 × 10⁻⁵ + 0.862 [l-dopamine] and a correlation coefficient r² = 0.998. The detection limit was 6.36 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹ with a relative standard deviation of ±4% (n = 3) and an amperometric sensitivity of 0.862 A/mol L⁻¹.     

Investigation of molar concentration effect on structural,optical, electrical,and photovoltaic properties of spray‐coated Cu2O thin films

High quality copper oxide thin films were prepared by nebulizer spray pyrolysis technique using different concentrations of copper precursor solution. Concentration‐dependent structural, morphological, optical, and electrical properties of the prepared films are discussed. X‐ray diffraction studies done for the samples confirmed that the deposited films are in Cu₂O phase with polycrystalline cubic structure. Atomic force microscopy analysis revealed that all the films are composed of nano sheet shaped grains covering the substrate surface. Optical studies done on the samples showed band gap values 2.42, 2.31, and 2.02 eV for the solution concentration 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 M, respectively. Photoluminescence spectral analysis showed the emission band at 620 nm confirming the formation of cuprous oxide. Electrical analysis of the films showed p‐type conductivity with a low resistivity 2.19 × 10² Ω.cm and high carrier concentration 16.76 × 10 ¹⁵ cm⁻³ for the molar concentration 0.1 M. In this work, Cu₂O/ZnO heterojunctions were also prepared, and solar cell properties were studied; they were found to show increased open circuit voltage and short circuit current for higher copper concentration.     

Design of an optical sensor for ethylene based on nanofiber bacterial cellulose film and its application for determination of banana storage time

In this work, new ethylene gas sensor was developed on the basis of portable bacterial cellulose (BC) nanofiber film doped with KMnO₄ (K‐BC). The relationship between the concentration of KMnO₄ (8 × 10⁻³, 8 × 10⁻⁴, and 8 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹) and the optical and morphological properties of ethylene sensor was investigated. The Fourier‐transform infrared results showed that some new interactions have occurred between BC membrane and KMnO₄. The significant reduction in the relative intensity of the characteristic X‐ray diffraction peak of BC in the doped films clearly indicates that the crystalline fraction decreases as a result of KMnO₄ addition. The fabricated K‐BC was used for determination of ethylene concentration. The color, clarity, and absorbance of film at different concentrations of ethylene (10‐2000 μg mL⁻¹) were determined by spectrophotometer. Moisture absorption and water vapor permeability of BC were increased by the addition of KMnO₄. Finally, the ethylene optical sensor was used for detection and determination of ethylene concentration in the bunch banana packages.     

Assessment of corrosion protection and performance of bio-based polyurethane acrylate incorporated with nano zinc oxide coating

In this study, a series of UV-curable anticorrosive PUA coatings embedded with varying concentrations of inorganic ZnO fillers have been successfully prepared from jatropha-based polyol. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Tafel polarisation analysis revealed that increasing fillers composition lead to the improvement of the anticorrosive property of the hybrid coatings. Meanwhile, the salt spray test results were found to correlate with the EIS of C_c (F cm⁻²) was 2.71 × 10⁻⁹, Bode plot - 10⁶ Ω cm² and Tafel polarisation results 7.56 × 10⁻⁶ MPY at 3 wt% of ZnO. Physical properties of 3 wt% loading of ZnO fillers in hardness test obtained 6H which was strongly attributed to the low interfacial interaction and poor dispersion of the fillers within the polymer matrix.     

Proton Conductivities of Graphene Oxide Nanosheets: Single,Multilayer, and Modified Nanosheets

Proton conductivities of layered solid electrolytes can be improved by minimizing strain along the conduction path. It is shown that the conductivities (σ) of multilayer graphene oxide (GO) films (assembled by the drop‐cast method) are larger than those of single‐layer GO (prepared by either the drop‐cast or the Langmuir‐Blodgett (LB) method). At 60 % relative humidity (RH), the σ value increases from 1×10⁻⁶ S cm⁻¹ in single‐layer GO to 1×10⁻⁴ and 4×10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ for 60 and 200 nm thick multilayer films, respectively. A sudden decrease in conductivity was observed for with ethylenediamine (EDA) modified GO (enGO), which is due to the blocking of epoxy groups. This experiment confirmed that the epoxide groups are the major contributor to the efficient proton transport. Because of a gradual improvement of the conduction path and an increase in the water content, σ values increase with the thickness of the multilayer films. The reported methods might be applicable to the optimization of the proton conductivity in other layered solid electrolytes.     

Effect of NCO/OH ratio and Ce‐Zr nanoparticles on the thermo‐mechanical properties of hyperbranched polyurethane urea coatings

The present study describes the effect of NCO/OH ratio and addition of Cerium (Ce)‐Zirconium (Zr) mixed oxide nanoparticles on the properties of Hyperbranched Polyurethane Urea (HBPUU) Coatings. Initially a hydroxyl terminated hyperbranched polymer (HTBP) was synthesized through A₃ + CB₂ approach. The HTBP and Ce‐Zr nanopowder dispersed HTBP, both were reacted with hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) separately; at various NCO/OH eq. ratios to get different NCO terminated HBPU and HBPU/Ce‐Zr hybrid prepolymers. These prepolymers were used for the preparation of HBPUU and HBPUU/Ce‐Zr hybrid coating films through moisture curing. The techniques such as ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, FT‐IR, and XRD have been used for structural information while Dynamic mechanical and thermal analyzer (DMTA), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Universal testing machine (UTM) have been used for evaluation of thermo‐mechanical properties. The combined spectroscopic investigations results indicate the formation of HBPUU network with a degree of branching of 76% while FT‐IR deconvolution results indicates the formation of more hydrogen bonded structure with increasing NCO/OH ratio. The XRD and FT‐IR studies confirm the presence of Ce‐Zr mixed nanoparticles in the HBPUU hybrids. As per TGA and DMTA analysis the thermal stability, char residue, storage modulus (E', material stiffness) and glass transition temperature (T_g), increases with increasing NCO/OH ratio and Ce‐Zr nanoparticle loading in HBPUU coatings. In general, UTM data suggest that the tensile strength increases and per cent elongation at break decreases with increasing the NCO/OH ratio and addition level of nanoparticles in HBPUU coatings. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chitosan‐based composite membranes containing chitosan‐coated carbon nanotubes for polymer electrolyte membranes

Considering the poor dispersion and inert ionic conduction ability of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), functionalization of CNTs is a critical issue for their application in polymer electrolyte membranes. Herein, CNTs were functionalized by the polyelectrolyte, chitosan (CS), via a facile noncovalent surface‐deposition method. The obtained CS‐coated CNTs (CS@CNTs) were then incorporated into the CS matrix and fabricated composite membranes. The CS coating can enhance the compatibility between CNTs and the matrix, thus ensuring the homogenous dispersion of CS@CNTs and effectively improved the mechanical properties of the composites. Moreover, the CS coating can make CS@CNTs act as an additional proton‐conducting pathway through the membranes. The CS/CS@CNTs‐1 composite shows the highest proton conductivity of 3.46 × 10⁻² S cm⁻¹ at 80°C, which is about 1.5‐fold of the conductivity of pure CS membrane. Consequently, the single cell equipped with CS/CS@CNTs‐1 membrane exhibits a peak power density of 47.5 mW cm⁻², which is higher than that of pure CS (36.1 mW cm⁻²).     

Sputtering of bismuth thin films under MeV Cu heavy ion irradiation: Experimental data and inelastic thermal spike model interpretation.

The sputtering of bismuth (Bi/Si) thin films deposited onto silicon substrates and irradiated by swift Cu^q+ heavy ions (q = +4 to +7) was investigated by varying both the ion energy over the 10 to 26‐MeV range and the ion fluence ϕ from 5.1 × 10¹³ cm⁻² to 3.4 × 10¹⁵ cm⁻². The sputtering yields were determined experimentally via the Rutherford backscattering spectrometry technique using a 2‐MeV He⁺ ion beam. The measured sputtering yields versus Cu⁷⁺ ion fluence for a fixed incident energy of 26 MeV exhibit a significant depression at very low ϕ‐values flowed by a steady‐state regime above ~1.6 × 10¹⁴ cm⁻², similarly to those previously pointed out for Bi thin films irradiated by MeV heavy ions. By fixing the incident ion fluence to a mean value of ~2.6 × 10¹⁵ cm⁻² in the upper part of the yield saturation regime, the measured sputtering yield data versus ion energy were found to increase with increasing the electronic stopping power in the Bi target material. Their comparison to theoretical predicted models is discussed. A good agreement is observed between the measured sputtering yields and the predicted ones when considering the contribution of 2 competitive processes of nuclear and electronic energy losses via, respectively, the SRIM simulation code and the inelastic thermal spike model using refined parameters of the ion slowing down with reduced thermophysical proprieties of the Bi thin films.     

Multifunctional Cyclic Carbonates Comprising Hyperbranched Polyacetals: Synthesis and Applications to Polymer Electrolytes and Networked Polymer Materials

Hyperbranched polyacetals (HBPAs) bearing cyclic carbonate (CC) terminals were synthesized from protocatechuric aldehydes bearing bifunctional trimethylolpropane (TMP) or glycerol (Gly) structures and then utilized to design polymer electrolytes and networked polymer materials. Since TMP‐based cyclic acetals (CAs) are thermodynamically more stable than Gly‐derived CSs, the copolymerization of these monomers favors to form HBPAs comprising TMP‐based acetal stems and Gly terminals. Consequently, HBPAs composed of larger amounts of TMP or Gly terminals were separately synthesized by changing monomer feed ratios. Their diol terminals react efficiently with diphenyl carbonate to give HBPAs bearing 5‐ or 6‐membered CC (5‐CC or 6‐CC) terminals. HBPAs bearing 5‐CC terminals were mixed homogeneously with lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide to form uniform films showing lithium ion conductivity ranging from 8.2 × 10^?9 to 2.1 × 10^?3 S cm^?1 at 23–80 °C, whereas networked polycarbonate and polyhydroxyurethane films were successfully fabricated using HBPAs having CC terminals. These results apparently indicate that HBPAs having CC terminals are useful scaffolds to design functional polymer materials. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 2295–2303     

Cross‐linked waterborne alkyd hybrid resin coatings modified by fluorinated acrylate‐siloxane with high waterproof and anticorrosive performance

Waterborne alkyd resin coatings are ideal for use as corrosion protection coatings because of its high cost‐effective and environmental advantages. However, their uses are restricted to general applications due to their poor acid, water, and alkali resistance. In this work, waterborne alkyd hybrid resins modified with fluorinated acrylate‐siloxane were synthesized via a surfactant‐free miniemulsion polymerization process using maleic anhydride and silicon modified alkyd resin, dodecafluoroheptyl methacrylate, methyl methacrylate, and butyl acrylate as monomers. And then, crosslinking alkyd resin films were prepared at room temperature using trimethylolpropane‐tris‐(β‐N‐azir‐idinyl) propionate (XR‐100) as the crosslinking agent. The acquired films had lower water absorption and higher water contact angles and had better mechanical/thermal properties, as well as good waterproof property. Most importantly, the electrochemical corrosion studies revealed that the cross‐linked coating exhibited superior corrosion resistance performance with an inhibition efficiency of 99.95% and a corrosion rate of 6.95 × 10^?3 mm per year.     

Synthesis of organically bridged trialkoxysilanes bearing acetoxymethyl groups and applications to reverse osmosis membranes

New bridged trialkoxysilanes bearing acetoxymethyl groups were synthesized by double hydrosilylation of 1,6‐diacetoxy‐2,4‐butadiyne, using two equivalents of triethoxysilane and a metal catalyst. With a Ru catalyst, the reaction proceeded via anti‐addition to provide BTES‐Ac‐a as a single isomer, while a similar reaction with a Pt or Rh catalyst provided an isomeric mixture of syn ‐adducts BTES‐Ac‐b. Reverse osmosis (RO) silica membranes were prepared by the sol–gel process with BTES‐Ac‐a and BTES‐Ac‐b and the membranes were examined with respect to water desalination using a 2000 ppm NaCl aqueous solution. NaCl rejection of the membranes increased to reach 96% at the early stage of the RO experiments. However, the rejection decreased gradually to 85% after 70 and 200 h for BTES‐Ac‐a and BTES‐Ac‐b, respectively, due to hydrolytic decomposition of the silica network during the experiments. In contrast, a membrane prepared from copolymerization of BTES‐Ac‐a with ethane‐bridged bistrialkoxysilane (BTES‐E1) showed improved stability towards hydrolysis with stable NaCl rejection of 96% with higher water permeance (3.5 × 10⁻¹³ m³ m⁻² s⁻¹ Pa⁻¹) than that of a membrane prepared by homopolymerization of BTES‐E1 (2.7 × 10⁻¹⁴ m³ m⁻² s⁻¹ Pa⁻¹) reported previously.     

Tribological properties of Ti-doped diamond-like carbon coatings under dry friction and PAO oil lubrication

Titanium-doped diamond-like carbon (Ti-DLC) coatings with Ti concentration of 4 at.% (Ti_4at.%-DLC) and 27 at.% (Ti_27at.%-DLC) were prepared by a hybrid ion beam deposition system for comparison. The tribological behaviors of Ti-DLC coatings under dry friction and boundary lubrication conditions were systematically investigated. Results showed that, under dry friction, the Ti_4at.%-DLC coating displayed lower friction coefficient (0.07) and wear rate due to the continuous transfer film formed in the sliding interface, while Ti_27at.%-DLC coating was worn out at initial stage due to severe abrasive wear. And under boundary lubrication, both the Ti_4at.%-DLC and Ti_27at.%-DLC coatings showed excellent tribological properties attributing to the formation of oil film between sliding interface. In particular, Ti_27at.%-DLC performed the lowest wear rate of 1.12 × 10⁻¹⁶ m³ N⁻¹ m⁻¹ in this friction case. In conclusion, compared with Ti_27at.%-DLC coating, Ti_4at.%-DLC coating exhibited better tribological performances both under dry friction and boundary lubrication. The present result provides guidance for the selection of DLC coatings according to the realistic environment of starved-oil and rich-oil conditions.     

Mechanically robust conductive carbon clusters confined ethylene methyl acrylate–based flexible composites for superior shielding effectiveness

Arresting of conducting carbon black into polymeric matrix to develop flexible and light weight composite has been a widely practiced platform. Extensive development of telecommunication creates a major vexations regarding radiation pollution. Thereafter, we have been motivated to develop low‐cost, flexible composites of specialty carbon black VXC (Vulcan XC 72)–filled ethylene methyl acrylate (EMA) by mechanical mixing technique. Developed composite has significant conductivity (6.67 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹) with promising mechanical and thermal properties. Dispersion of high‐structured carbon blacks in EMA was investigated by small angle X‐ray scattering to reflect the dependency of conducting mesh formation on dispersion. Interconnected filler network development has been visualized by field emission scanning electron microscope and high‐resolution transmission electron microscope. Electromagnetic interference shielding value in the X band has calculated to be 30.8 dB. Such features can make this EVXC (EMA‐Vulcan XC 72) composite a useful alternate for flexible electromagnetic interference shielding material.     

Intercalated hybrid of kaolinite with KH2PO4 showing high ionic conductivity (∼10−4 S cm−1) at room temperature

In this paper, we present the study of preparation and ionic conductance for an intercalated hybrid of kaolinite with potassium dihydrogen. The intercalation efficiency is high up to ca. 90%. The intercalated hybrid has been characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The ionic conductivity (σ) of the hybrid material is strongly dependent on the moisture in the environment, with σ = 8.4 × 10⁻¹⁰ S cm⁻¹ at 293 K and gradually increases to 7.16 × 10⁻⁹ S cm⁻¹ under N₂ atmosphere (anhydrous environment) at 353 K as well as an activation energy of E_a = 0.618 e V, whereas σ = 2.19 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at 100% relative humidity and 293 K with E_a = 0.44 eV. The mechanism that the moisture affects the ionic conductance of the intercalated hybrid is further discussed.     

Isotherms,kinetics, and thermodynamics of boron adsorption on fibrous polymeric chelator containing glycidol moiety optimized with response surface method

A fibrous boron chelator containing glycidol moiety (PE/PP-g-PVAm-G) was prepared by radiation induced grafting of N-vinylformamide (NVF) onto polyethylene/polypropylene (PE/PP) non-woven sheet followed by hydrolysis and immobilization of glycidol moiety. The glycidol density was controlled by optimization of the reaction parameters using the Box-Behnken design of response surface methodology (RSM). The properties of the PE/PP-g-PVAm-G were evaluated using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). A maximum glycidol density yield of 5.0 mmol·g⁻¹ was obtained with 11.8 vol%, 78.9 °C and 109.4 min for glycidol concentration, reaction temperature and time, respectively. The isotherms, kinetics, and thermodynamic behavior of boron adsorption on the optimized chelator were investigated. The boron adsorption was pH-dependent and attained a maximum adsorption capacity of 25.7 mg·g⁻¹. The equilibrium isotherm proceeded by Redlich–Peterson model whereas the kinetics was best expressed by the pseudo-second-order equation. The thermodynamic analysis revealed that boron adsorption is endothermic and spontaneous. The fibrous chelator demonstrated high boron selectivity and strong resistance to foreign ions with uncompromised regeneration efficiency after five adsorption/desorption cycles. The PE/PP-g-PVAm-G chelator seems to be very promising for boron removal from aqueous media.     

Volumetric,Viscometric, and Refractive Index Behaviour of Glycine in Aqueous Diols at Different Temperatures

Densities, ρ, viscosities, η, and refractive indices, n_D, of glycine (Gly) (0.1 — 0.5 M) in aqueous 1,2‐ethanediol (1,2‐EtD), 1,2‐propanediol (1,2‐PrD), and 1,3‐butanediol (1,3‐BuD) (30% v/v) were measured at 298, 303, 308, and 313 K. Experimental values of ρ and η were used to calculate partial molar volumes, ?⁰_v, partial molar volumes of transfer of Gly from water to aqueous diol solutions, ?⁰_v(tr), Falkenhagen and Jones ‐Dole coefficients, A and B, respectively, free energies of activation of viscous flow, Δμ⁰*₁ and Δμ⁰*₂, per mole of solvent and solute, respectively, enthalpies, ΔH* and entropies, ΔS* of activation of viscous flow. Large positive values of ?⁰_v, and an increasing value of S_v*, for all the three mixtures at each temperature suggest the presence of strong solute‐solvent interaction, and this interaction decreases as the size of alkyl moiety increases from 1,2‐EtD to 1,3‐BuD. Positive ?⁰_v(tr) values tend to decrease with increasing the number of CH₂ group, thereby indicating that the electrostriction effect in diols follows the sequence; 1,2‐EtD > 1,2‐PrD > 1,3‐BuD. Small A values, with large values of B, are indicative of weak solute‐solute and strong solute‐solvent interactions that operate in the present systems, and that the magnitudes of B are in the sequence: 1,2‐EtD > 1,2‐PrD > 1,3‐BuD and, thus, the sequence represents the strength of interaction between Gly and diol molecules. Moreover, positive SB/ST values suggest the structure‐breaking nature of Gly in diol + water mixtures. The observed values of Δμ⁰*₂ fall in the sequence: 1,2‐EtD > 1,2‐PrD > 1,3‐BuD which, like ?⁰_v and S_v*, reinforce that Gly‐diol interaction decreases with subsequent addition of CH₂ group in diols. The trends in the variation of ΔH* and ΔS* with Gly concentration also reveal the presence of significant solute‐solvent interaction in all three systems. An almost linear increase in RD with an increasing amount of Gly reveals that Gly tends to increase the polarizability of the aqueous‐diol molecules under study. The variation of all these parameters with concentration of Gly and with temperature suggests the presence of strong solute‐solvent interaction, which decreases as the size of alkyl moiety in diols increases from 1,2‐EtD to 1,3‐BuD.     

Synthesis and thermal crosslinking of oxazolidine‐functionalized polyurethanes

A new oxazolidine derivative was obtained from phenol, 2‐amino‐2‐methylpropane‐1,3‐diol and paraformaldehyde. The reaction of this novel oxazolidine diol with phenylisocyanate lead to a urethane model compound which can be polymerized thermally by oxazolidine ring opening to give a Mannich bridge structure. Linear segmented polyurethanes were prepared by reaction of different ratios of oxazolidine diol and commercial polyethylenglycol (M_w ～ 400) with 4,4′‐methylenbis (cyclohexylisocyanate) (HMDI, 90% isomers mixture). The polyurethanes were thermally characterized and crosslinked by oxazolidine ring opening to obtain materials which showed improved thermal stability. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4965–4973, 2007     

Polyaniline-coated coconut fibers: Structure,properties and their use as conductive additives in matrix of polyurethane derived from castor oil

Electrically conducting fibers based on coconut fibers (CF) and polyaniline (PANI) were prepared through in situ oxidative polymerization of aniline (ANI) in the presence of CF using iron (III) chloride hexahydrate (FeCl_3.6H₂O) or ammonium persulfate (APS) as an oxidant. The PANI-coated coconut fibers (CF-PANI) displayed various morphologies, electrical conductivities and percentages of PANI on the CF surface. For both systems, a PANI conductive layer was present on the CF surface, which was responsible for an electrical conductivity of around 1.5 × 10⁻¹ and 1.9 × 10⁻² S cm⁻¹ for composites prepared with FeCl₃.6H₂O and APS, respectively; values that are similar to that of pure PANI. In order to modify the structure and properties of polyurethane derived from castor oil (PU) both CF-PANI and pure PANI were used as conductive additives. The PU/CF-PANI composites exhibited higher electrical conductivity than pure PU and PU/PANI blends. Additionally, the PU/CF-PANI composites showed a variation in electrical resistivity according to the compressive stress applied, indicating that these materials could be applied for pressure-sensitive applications.