Conducting polymer based hybrid structure as transparent and flexible field electron emitter

An efficient cathode material with high transparency (93%) based on conducting polymer poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) has been developed for the fabrication of highly transparent and flexible field electron emitters (FEE). This kind of material showed superior field emission (FE) performance with very high current density (10^–3A/cm²) at very low electric field. The FE performance of the hybrid materials was dramatically improved compared to either SWCNTs and PEDOT:PSS. Thus the hybrid structures of conducting polymer and SWCNTs might be a good choice for use as a cathode material to enhance the FE performance and for potential application in future portable displays. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Structural and Dielectric Properties of Polythiophene/Chrom(III) Acetylacetonate Composites

The dielectric and morphological properties of polythiophene (PT) filled with various mass fractions of chrom(III) acetylacetonate (Cr(acac)₃), synthesized via chemical oxidative polymerization, are described. Significant shifts of the absorption peak of the C-S bond in the Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra indicated that the metal cations mostly interacted with sulfur atoms. Thermal analyses performed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) indicated that the cold crystallization temperature (T_cc) of PT decreased with increasing doping level. Microstructural differences were observed between PT and its composites in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. Dielectric measurements showed that the conductivity of the PT significantly increased with increasing doping level, from ?10^?7 S/m to ?10^?4 S/m at 10 kHz and 300 K.     

Modulating the Electrochromic Performances of Transmissive and Reflective Devices Using N,N-Dimethyl Formamide Modified Poly(3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene)/Poly(Styrene Sulfonate) Blend as Active Layers

As one of the important factors which affect the properties and applications of conducting polymers, the electrical conductivity of a poly(3,4-ethylenedoxy-thiophene)/ poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS) blend was adjusted by using various amount of an organic solvent (N,N-dimethyl formamide, DMF) as an additive. The conductivities of PEDOT: PSS thin films can be increased dramatically, from 1.0 S to 32.1 S cm^?1, with a 2/1 volume ratio of PEDOT: PSS/DMF loading after totally removing the organic solvent by annealing the film at 80° for 48 h in a vacuum oven. The optical contrasts of transmissive and reflective devices assembled using DMF-modified PEDOT: PSS as active layers exhibited a close relationship with the conductivity of PEDOT: PSS. Interestingly, high conductivity of PEDOT: PSS enhanced the contrast of a transmissive device, while high conductivity of PEDOT: PSS decreased the contrasts of a reflective device. The underlying reason is related to the different electrochromic mechanisms of these two types of device configurations.     

Properties of Polyamide-6 Composites Reinforced with Hydroxyapatite Nanospheres

Hydroxyapatite nanospheres (nHA) were first synthesized from (NH₄)₂HPO₄ and CaCl₂ precursors in the presence of poly(vinyl alcohol) templates. The structure and morphology of as-synthesized products were examined by materials characterization techniques. X-ray diffraction patterns and Fourier transform infrared spectra showed that the nHA (50–70 nm) exhibit the crystalline structure and vibration bands of HA. The Ca/P molar ratio of nHA approached the stoichiometric value of 1.67. The nHA were then melt blended with polyamide-6 (PA6), followed by injection molding. Tensile and flexural measurements showed that the tensile and bending strengths of injection molded PA6–10 wt% nHA composite were close to those of human cortical bone. A simulated body fluid immersion test revealed that apatite crystals can be readily deposited on the PA6–10 wt% nHA composite surface after immersion for 30 days.     

Effect on Structure,Processability, and Conductivity of Poly(m-aminophenol) of the Initial Acidity/Basicity of the Polymerization Medium

Poly(m-aminophenol) was synthesized chemically from aqueous solutions of the monomer meta-aminophenol (mAP) in the initially acidic or basic medium by using ammonium persulfate as an oxidant. The polymer (PmAPA) synthesized in initially aqueous HCl medium was insoluble in organic solvents even after dedoping, while the polymer (PmAPB) synthesized in initially aqueous NaOH solution was found to be soluble in high pH water, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and dimethylformamide. It was possible to obtain a stable, free-standing film from the DMSO solution of PmAPB but, due to insolubility and infusibility, film casting was not possible for PmAPA. The synthesized polymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analyses, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, and four-probe DC electrical conductivity. A ladder-type structure was formed during the chemical polymerization of mAP in aqueous HCl, while a hydroxyl derivative of polyaniline was obtained in aqueous NaOH. The conductivity of sulfuric acid-doped PmAPB was 10⁴ times higher than that of in situ HCl-doped PmAPA. An explanation of the difference in properties of both polymers is given based on molecular modeling.     

Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Poly(Trimethylene Terephthalate)/Maleic Anhydride Grafted Poly(Ethylene-octene)/Polypropylene Blends

A range of blends based on 70 wt% of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) PTT with 30 wt% dispersed phase were produced via melt blending. The dispersed phase composition was varied from pure maleic anhydride grafted poly(ethylene-octene) (POE-g-MA) over a range of POE-g-MA:polypropylene (PP) ratios. The micromorphology and mechanical properties of the ternary blends were investigated. The results indicated that the domains of the POE-g-MA are dispersed in the PTT matrix, and at the same time the POE-g-MA encapsulate the PP domains. The interfacial reaction between the hydroxyl-end group of PTT and maleic anhydride (MA) during melt blending changes the formation from “isolated formation” to “capsule formation,” where the PP domains are encapsulated by POE-g-MA. Compared to the PTT/POE-g-MA blends, mechanical properties of ternary blends, such as tensile strength and Young's modulus, were improved significantly.     

SERS study on surface chain geometry of atactic poly (methyl methacrylate) film and nanosphere

The surface chain geometry of atactic poly (methyl methacrylate) (a‐PMMA) film and nanosphere (NS) was revealed by surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra. The Ag nanoparticles and nanoplates were prepared by electrochemical deposition and chemical synthesis for SERS substrates. The experimental results suggested that the molecular chain axis of a‐PMMA film adopted a trans‐conformation on bonding to Ag surface ascribed to the short‐range chemical (CHEM) effect according to the SERS selection rules. However, for the well‐coated monolayer of a‐PMMA NSs, the α‐CH₃ in polymer chains stood vertically to the Ag surface due to the giant local electromagnetic effect, then the chain conformation presented in the interface between a‐PMMA NSs and Ag metal was adopted the opposite orientation compared with a‐PMMA film. The Raman enhancement of the Ag nanoparticles was more prominent than that of the Ag nanoplates due to the free energies of face‐centered cubic crystal faces in nanoparticles, but the single crystals with (111) plane of Ag nanoplates could improve the stability of SERS signals when the annealed temperature was above T_g of a‐PMMA NSs. The present work can provide some useful information of surface chain geometry and conformation of NSs for designing various materials with well‐defined structure via a‐PMMA NSs template. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Effect of Poly(Ethylene Succinate) on Mechanical Properties of PLLA/PES Blend Prepared by Melt-Blending

Fully biodegradable poly(L-lactide) and poly(ethylene succinate) (PLLA/PES) blends were prepared via melt-blending using PLLA and PES as reactants in a stainless steel chamber. The prepared PLLA/PES blend, as well as neat PLLA and PES, was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to confirm the structure and the crystallization of PLLA in the blend. The mechanical properties of PLLA/PES blends were determined by bending and tensile tests and the effects of PES content on the mechanical properties of PLLA/PES blends were investigated. It was found that blending some amount of PES could significantly improve the elongation at break while still keeping considerably high strength and modulus. With increasing PES content, both strength and modulus gradually decreased; however the elongation at break significantly increased. SEM was used to examine the morphology of fracture surfaces of PLLA/PES blends.     

Electric Conductivity of Poly(3-dodecylthiophene) and Its Dependence on the Conformational Changes of Polymer Chains

The influence of the heat-induced conformational changes in side alkyls and in the backbone of poly(3-dodecylthiophene) (PDDT) with a higher content of configurational head-to-head defects (39 studied. It has been found that conformational changes affect the electric conductivity values of PDDT doped with FeCl₃ which attain at 0.021 mol of Fe/mol dodecylthiophene more than 10⁸ S m^-1 within the whole temperature range (from 78 up to 320 K). For the analysis of conformational changes the entropy temperature dependence was calculated from the experimental data on the specific heat capacity. In this paper dependences between the resistance and the conformational changes of PDDT were discussed.     

Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Poly(lactic acid)/Modified Carbon Black Composite

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was added as a plasticizer to the composite of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and a modified carbon black (MCB). Among the three different molecular weight (M_n = 1000, 2000, 6000) PEGs used, PEG2000 promoted crystallization of PLA and enhanced the nucleation activity of MCB more efficiently than the other two. The crystallization rate of PLA/PEG2000/3 wt% MCB composite was three times that of PLA. Although a small decrease in tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of the composite was found as the PEG content increased, the elongation at break of the PLA/PEG/MCB composites significantly improved. When the PEG2000 content was 15 wt%, the elongation at break of the blend was 90%, 4.5 times that of the neat PLA.     

Crystallization Behavior of PEO in Nano‐Structured PEO‐b‐PS/PPO Blends

Blends of poly (ethylene oxide)‐b‐polystyrene (PEO‐b‐PS) diblock copolymer and poly (2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene oxide) (PPO) homopolymer were obtained by solution blending, and the morphologies of PEO dispersed nanoparticles in PPO/PS matrix were observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The isothermal crystallization kinetics was studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy (POM). Nonisothermal crystallization kinetics was studied using DSC. The results showed that PEO segments were easier to crystallize in the blend than in the copolymer probably due to the interfaces of PPO acting as nucleation sites to promote the crystallization of PEO. The crystallization of PEO blocks destroyed the pre‐existing microdomain structure even though the glass transition temperature of the matrix was much higher than the crystallization temperature.     

Sonochemical synthesis and characterization of new one-dimensional manganese(II) coordination polymer nanostructures

A new Mn(II) coordination polymer, [Mn (L₁)₂(NCS)₂]_n (1) [L₁ = 3,4-bis(4-pyridyl)-5-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole] was synthesized by the reaction of ligand L₁ and mixtures of manganese(II) acetate and potassium thiocyanate using the heat gradient method. Compound 1 has been characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analyses and X-ray crystallography. The crystal structure of compound 1 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and shows a new interesting one-dimensional coordination polymer. Nanostructures of compound 1 have been synthesized by sonochemical method. The products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and IR spectroscopy. The thermal stability of nano particles of compound 1 was studied by thermal gravimetric and differential thermal analyses.     

Effect of Organoclay Platelets on Crystallization of PTT/EPDM-g-MA Blends: Nonisothermal Melt Crystallization Kinetics

PTT/EPDM-g-MA (80/20 w/w) nanocomposites were prepared by melt mixing of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT), ethylene-propylene-diene copolymer grafted with maleic anhydride (EPDM-g-MA), and organoclay. The blend nanocomposites show typical sea-island morphologies. The nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of pure PTT and 80/20 (w/w) PTT/EPDM-g-MA blends with various amounts of the clay were extensively studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The Avrami, Ozawa, and Mo methods were used to describe the nonisothermal crystallization process of pure PTT and 80/20 (w/w) PTT/EPDM-g-MA blends with various amounts of the clay. Avrami analysis results show that the crystallization rates of 80/20 (w/w) PTT/EPDM-g-MA blends with the clay were faster than those of pure PTT or PTT/EPDM-g-MA blends without clay, which indicates that the clay particles promote crystallization effectively, in agreement with the Mo analysis results. Ozawa analysis can describe the nonisothermal crystallization of pure PTT very well but was rather inapplicable to the 80/20 (w/w) PTT/EPDM-g-MA blends with various amounts of the clay.     

Improving the Barrier Properties of Poly(Lactic Acid) by Blending with Poly(Ethylene-Co-Vinyl Alcohol)

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) (EVOH) blends were prepared via melt blending to improve the barrier properties of PLA. The phase morphologies and final properties (rheological behavior, thermal and dynamical-mechanical features, barrier properties, and mechanical behaviors) of the blends were investigated as a function of the EVOH content. The results indicated that hydroxyl groups of EVOH promoted the degradation of PLA, and thus affected the viscosities and morphologies of the resulting blends. The intrinsic viscosities of PLA in the blends decreased with the content of EVOH. The PLA and EVOH presented typical phase-separated morphologies, with a relatively small domain size of the EVOH phase. The EVOH enhanced the cold-crystallization behavior of PLA. The barrier properties to water vapor and oxygen increased linearly with increasing EVOH content.     

Poly(acrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid)/Poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) Polymer Blends Prepared by Dispersion Polymerization

The structure and properties of a three‐component system, a poly(acrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid)/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) [P(AM‐co‐AA)/PVP] polymer blend prepared by dispersion polymerization, were studied. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed that the resulting P(AM‐co‐AA) microspheres with diameters between 200–300 nm were well‐dispersed in the PVP matrix. Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) showed that intermolecular hydrogen bonding interaction occurred between the dispersed phase and the continuous phase. The mechanical properties of P(AM‐co‐AA)/PVP polymer blends were also determined. With different mass ratios of acrylamide to acrylic acid, it was found that the blends had better mechanical properties with increased AA content.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Optical Properties of Poly(o-methoxyaniline)/BaFe12O19 Composite via an In Situ Polymerization Pathway

Poly(o-methoxyaniline)(POMA)/BaFe₁₂O₁₉ composite was synthesized via a facile in situ polymerization approach for the first time. The structures of the products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, which indicated the existence of BaFe₁₂O₁₉ particles in the composite. The morphology of the as-prepared samples was observed by using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), which revealed that the POMA/BaFe₁₂O₁₉ composite appeared in the form of a general pseudo-sphere-like shape and consisted of numerous highly aggregated globules with rough surfaces. The optical properties of the POMA/BaFe₁₂O₁₉ composite were further investigated by UV-vis spectra. The decrease of band gap for the POMA/BaFe₁₂O₁₉ composite revealed that electronic structure of POMA was affected by BaFe₁₂O₁₉ particles.     

聚(2,5－二丁氧基对苯乙炔)电致发光性能的研究

本文对以聚(2,5-二丁氧基对苯乙炔)为发光层的聚合物电致发光二极管的电致发光性能和影响其性能的因素进行了研究。其发光峰值波长为590um,起亮电压为12V,最大亮度可达112cd/m2.热处理温度和时间影响其发光强度和峰值波长,一般以200℃,真空处理3.5h为宜。还原气氛(N2+H2)下的热处理有利于电致发光性能的提高。器件在空气中具有一定的使用寿命。其量子效率可达0.16%光子/电子。并研究了器件制备工艺对性能的影响,初步探讨了聚合物电致发光机理。     

Rheological Behavior of Poly(vinylpyrrolidone)/Fullerene C60 Complexes in Aqueous Medium

Aqueous solutions of complexes formed between poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), as a matrix polymer, and fullerene C₆₀ were investigated. The effect of the external hydrodynamic field on the supermolecular assemblies formed by the complexes was analyzed. Despite the low content in the complexes (1.5 mass%), fullerene significantly modified the viscosity of aqueous PVP. Thus, the dynamic viscosity of the PVP/C₆₀ complexes grew faster than that of the pure PVP upon increasing the PVP/C₆₀ concentration. The difference in viscosities is especially pronounced for semidilute solutions. As a possible explanation, it is assumed that fullerenes act as crosslinks, in addition to the physical entanglements of the PVP macromolecules, which appear in the vicinity of the crossover concentration. Shear flow corresponding to the high shear rates destroyed fullerene‐induced intermolecular crosslinks in PVP/C₆₀ solutions.     

Preparation and characterization of poly(lactic acid)/poly(methyl methacrylate) blend tablets for application in quantitative analysis by micro Raman spectroscopy

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a biodegradable polymer that has a variety of applications, one of which is as biomaterial in surgery or as functional layers on implants, due to its compatibility with living tissue. This paper reports the possibilities of quantification of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) in a polymer matrix such as poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) by micro Raman spectroscopy (MRS). Blends of amorphous poly(DL‐lactic acid) with poly(methyl methacrylate) were prepared by the procedure of dissolution/precipitation. Thermal properties of the blends such as the glass transition temperature (Tg) were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The PLA/PMMA blends exhibited only a single glass transition region, indicating that this system is miscible. The PLA/PMMA system obeys the Gordon–Taylor equation (Tg versus PLA content). Various concentration ratios of PLA blends were prepared to use as a basis for quantitative analysis by MRS. Intensities of the characteristic bands at 813 cm⁻¹ (νCOC of PMMA) and 873 cm⁻¹ (νC―COO of PLA) were used for the calculation. The calibration graph showed a good linear correlation with an R² value of 0.9985. On the basis of the calibration curve obtained, the determined content of several PLA/PMMA blends was in good agreement when compared with nominal contents. The limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were calculated by the calibration data set as signal‐to‐noise method. The relative standard deviation of this method was lower than 10% and the accuracy better than 4%. This study demonstrated that Raman spectroscopy provides an alternative non destructive method for quantitative analysis of PLA in a PMMA matrix. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Doping of the Processable Conducting Poly(m-Aminophenol) with Inorganic Acids

Poly(m-aminophenol) (PmAP) was synthesized from m-aminophenol (mAP) in aqueous sodium hydroxide (NaOH) using ammonium persulfate (APS) as an oxidative initiator. Free standing PmAP films were cast from dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solution of the polymer. Then the film was doped with various inorganic acids using a solution doping technique. Various inorganic acid doped PmAP films were characterized by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDS) spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and elemental (C, H, N, S, O) analysis. All the results were explained on a comparative basis and the doping scheme was proposed. The DC-conductivity of the inorganic acid doped films was measured using a standard four-probe method. From the DC-conductivity measurements it was found that sulfuric acid had a better doping effect in terms of conductivity than that of the other inorganic acids used, perchloric acid and phosphoric acid. An explanation of the reason for the better doping effect of sulfuric acid than that of the other inorganic acids is given.