Polymorphic tin dioxide synthesis via sol–gel mineralization of ethyl–cyanoethyl cellulose lyotropic liquid crystals

The polymorphic tin dioxide (SnO₂) was synthesized by calcinating the sol–gel mineralized hybrid of the tin source solution (SnCl₄/ethanol/H₂O) and the lyotropic liquid crystal of ethyl–cyanoethyl cellulose((E-CE)C)/acrylic acid (AA). The sub-micrometer SnO₂ spheres with bimodal distribution at 370 and 860 nm were obtained after calcinating the hybrid at 400°C for 5 h. When the hybrid was exposed to ultraviolet first and then calcinated the flying-saucer-like SnO₂ was formed. The exposure time was found to influence the morphology of the as-prepared SnO₂. Except for the spherical and the flying-saucer-like SnO₂, a small amount of well-developed polyhedral SnO₂ was also observed in the as-prepared samples. On this basis, the lyotropic liquid crystal of (E-CE)C/AA afforded a novel route to obtain polymorphic SnO₂.     

Polymer‐Templated Formation of Polydopamine‐Coated SnO2 Nanocrystals: Anodes for Cyclable Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Well‐controlled nanostructures and a high fraction of Sn/Li₂O interface are critical to enhance the coulombic efficiency and cyclic performance of SnO₂‐based electrodes for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). Polydopamine (PDA)‐coated SnO₂ nanocrystals, composed of hundreds of PDA‐coated “corn‐like” SnO₂ nanoparticles (diameter ca. 5 nm) decorated along a “cob”, addressed the irreversibility issue of SnO₂‐based electrodes. The PDA‐coated SnO₂ were crafted by capitalizing on rationally designed bottlebrush‐like hydroxypropyl cellulose‐graft‐poly (acrylic acid) (HPC‐g ‐PAA) as a template and was coated with PDA to construct a passivating solid‐electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer. In combination, the corn‐like nanostructure and the protective PDA coating contributed to a PDA‐coated SnO₂ electrode with excellent rate capability, superior long‐term stability over 300 cycles, and high Sn→SnO₂ reversibility.     

Synthesis and hierarchical superstructures of side‐chain liquid crystal polyacetylenes containing galactopyranoside end‐groups

Three kinds of chiral saccharide‐containing liquid crystalline (LC) acetylenic monomers were prepared by click reaction between 2‐azidoethyl‐2,3,4,6‐tetraacetyl‐β‐D ‐galactopyranoside and 1‐biphenylacetylene 4‐alkynyloxybenzoate. The obtained monomers were polymerized by WCl₆‐Ph₄Sn to form three side‐chain LC polyacetylenes containing 1‐[2‐(2,3,4,6‐tetraacetyl‐β‐D ‐galactopyranos‐1‐yl)‐ethyl]‐1H‐[1,2,3]‐triazol‐4′‐biphenyl 4‐alkynyloxybenzoate side groups. All monomers and polymers show a chiral smectic A phase. Self‐assembled hiearchical superstructures of the chiral saccharide‐containing LCs and LCPs in solution state were studied by field‐emission scanning electron microscopy. Because of the LC behavior, the LC molecules exhibit a high segregation strength for phase separation in dilute solution (THF/H₂O = 1:9 v/v). The self‐assembled morphology of LC monomers was dependent upon the alkynyloxy chain length. Increasing the alkynyloxy chain length caused the self‐assembled morphology to change from a platelet‐like texture ( LC‐6 ) to helical twists morphology ( LC‐11 and LC‐12 ). Furthermore, the helical twist morphological structure can be aligned on the polyimide rubbed glass substrate to form two‐dimensional ordered helical patterns. In contrast to LC monomers, the LCP‐11 self‐assembled into much more complicate morphologies, including nanospheres and helical nanofibers. These nanofibers are evolved from the helical cables ornamented with entwining nanofibers upon natural evaporation of the solution in a mixture with a THF/methanol ratio of 3:7. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6596–6611, 2009     

A Multi‐Wall Sn/SnO2@Carbon Hollow Nanofiber Anode Material for High‐Rate and Long‐Life Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Multi‐wall Sn/SnO₂@carbon hollow nanofibers evolved from SnO₂ nanofibers are designed and programable synthesized by electrospinning, polypyrrole coating, and annealing reduction. The synthesized hollow nanofibers have a special wire‐in‐double‐wall‐tube structure with larger specific surface area and abundant inner spaces, which can provide effective contacting area of electrolyte with electrode materials and more active sites for redox reaction. It shows excellent cycling stability by virtue of effectively alleviating pulverization of tin‐based electrode materials caused by volume expansion. Even after 2000 cycles, the wire‐in‐double‐wall‐tube Sn/SnO₂@carbon nanofibers exhibit a high specific capacity of 986.3 mAh g^?1 (1 A g^?1) and still maintains 508.2 mAh g^?1 at high current density of 5 A g^?1. This outstanding electrochemical performance suggests the multi‐wall Sn/SnO₂@ carbon hollow nanofibers are great promising for high performance energy storage systems.     

Bulk polymerization of p‐dioxanone using a cyclic tin alkoxide as initiator

Poly(p‐dioxanone) with an inherent viscosity of over 1 dL/g has been synthesized using the cyclic tin alkoxide 1‐di‐n‐butyl‐1‐stanna‐2,5‐dioxacyclopentane as initiator. Poly(p‐dioxanone) was synthesized in bulk and the results have been compared with polymerizations using tin (II) 2‐ethylhexanoate (Sn(Oct)₂) as catalyst. Sn(Oct)₂ has often been reported to be an effective catalyst for the synthesis of poly(p‐dioxanone), but here it is compared with an initiator which is less prone to catalyze transesterification reactions. The results demonstrate that the cyclic tin initiator is a promising alternative for the synthesis of poly(p‐dioxanone) with a high inherent viscosity. Poly(p‐dioxanone) is a polymer with mechanical properties and a degradation rate suitable for tissue engineering applications. Both the cyclic tin initiator and Sn(Oct)₂ gave, under some reaction conditions, inherent viscosities around 1 dL/g. The best polymer synthesized using the cyclic tin initiator had a strain‐at‐break of 515% and a stress‐at‐break of 43 MPa. The inherent viscosity of this polymer was 1.16 dL/g, while Sn(Oct)₂ resulted in a polymer with an inherent viscosity less than 0.4 dL/g under the same reaction conditions. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 5552–5558, 2007     

Chemical Vapor Deposition of SnO2 Thin Films from Bis(β‐diketonato)tin Complexes

A series of bis(β‐diketonato)tin compounds have been systematically synthesized and examined as precursors for chemical vapor deposition of SnO₂ thin films. These complexes were characterized by elemental analyses and NMR, IR and mass spectroscopic methods. X‐ray single‐crystal determination of Sn(tfac)₂ reveals that the complex possesses a distorted trigonal bipyramidal structure. The SnO₂ films can be deposited on the substrates such as silicon, titanium nitride, and glass by using Sn(hfac)₂, Sn(tfac)₂ and Sn(acac)₂ as CVD precursors at deposition temperatures of 300‐600°C with a carrier gas of O₂. The deposition rates range from 20 to 600 Å/min. Deposited films have been characterized by XRD, SEM, AFM, AES and AAS analyses.     

Aminated PCL‐based copolymers by chemical modification of poly(α‐iodo‐ε‐caprolactone‐co‐ε‐caprolactone)

A novel method is proposed to access to new poly(α‐amino‐ε‐caprolactone‐co‐ε‐caprolactone) using poly(α‐iodo‐ε‐caprolactone‐co‐ε‐caprolactone) as polymeric substrate. First, ring‐opening (co)polymerizations of α‐iodo‐ε‐caprolactone (αIεCL) with ε‐caprolactone (εCL) are performed using tin 2‐ethylhexanoate (Sn(Oct)₂) as catalyst. (Co)polymers are fully characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, FTIR, SEC, DSC, and TGA. Then, these iodinated polyesters are used as polymeric substrates to access to poly(α‐amino‐ε‐caprolactone‐co‐ε‐caprolactone) by two different strategies. The first one is the reaction of poly(αIεCL‐co‐εCL) with ammonia, the second one is the reduction of poly(αN₃εCL‐co‐εCL) by hydrogenolysis. This poly(α‐amino‐ε‐caprolactone‐co‐ε‐caprolactone) (F_αNH2εCL < 0.1) opens the way to new cationic and water‐soluble PCL‐based degradable polyesters. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6104–6115, 2009     

Synthesis and ring‐opening polymerization of new monoalkyl‐substituted lactides

New monoalkyl‐substituted lactides were synthesized by reaction of α‐hydroxy acids with 2‐bromopropionyl bromide, and polymerized with various catalysts in the presence of benzyl alcohol by ring‐opening polymerization (ROP). The classic tin(II) 2‐ethylhexanoate (Sn(Oct)₂) catalyst was leading to polymers with narrow distribution and predictable molecular weights, in polymerizations in bulk or toluene at 100 °C. The polymerization rate was corresponding to the steric hindrance of the alkyl substituents, such as butyl, hexyl, benzyl, isopropyl, and dimethyl groups. A yield of 83% was obtained with the hexyl‐substituted lactide after 1 h of polymerization. Excellent conversions (97%) could be achieved by using the alternative catalyst 4‐(dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP). This latter organic catalyst was most efficient in polymerizing the more steric‐hindered lactides with good molecular weight and polydispersity control, in comparison to the tin(II) 2‐ethylhexanoate and tin(II) trifluoromethane sulfonate [Sn(OTf)₂] catalysts. The efficiency of the DMAP catalyst and the variability of the monomer synthesis route for new alkyl‐substituted lactides allow to prepare and to envision a wide range of new functionalized polylactides for the elaboration of tailored materials. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4379–4391, 2004     

Atom transfer radical polymerization using activators regenerated by electron transfer of acrylonitrile in 1‐(1‐ethoxycarbonylethyl)‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophospate

Atom transfer radical polymerization using activators regenerated by electron transfer (ARGET ATRP) of acrylonitrile (AN) was first approached with 1‐(1‐ethoxycarbonylethyl)‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([ecemim][BF₄]) as reaction medium and tin(II) bis(2‐ethylhexanoate) (Sn(EH)₂) as reducing agent in the presence of air. When compared with in bulk, an obvious increase of polymer isotacticity was observed for ARGET ATRP of AN in 1‐(1‐ethoxycarbonylethyl)‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophospate ([ecemim][PF₆]), the reaction rate of ARGET ATRP of AN in [ecemim][PF₆] was higher and the polymerization process was better controlled. The block copolymer polyacrylonitrile‐block‐poly(methyl methacrylate) with molecular weight at 69,750, distribution at 1.34, and isotacticity at 0.36 was successfully obtained in [ecemim][PF₆]. [Ecemim][PF₆] and the catalyst system were recycled and reused and had no effect on the living nature of polymerization. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Solid‐state 119Sn NMR and antitumor activity of bis [1,3‐bis (3‐oxapentamethylenecarbamoylthioacetato)‐1,1,3,3‐tetrabutyl‐1,3‐distannoxare], and the crystal structure of its bis‐ethanol solvate

The ¹¹⁹Sn cross polarization‐magic angle spinning NMR spectrum of bis[1,3‐bis(3‐oxapentamethylenecarbamoylthioacetato)‐1,1,3,3‐tetrabutyl‐1,3‐distannoxane], {[(C₄H₉)₂SnO₂CCH₂SC(O)N(CH₂CH₂)₂O]₂O}₂, which consists of two resonances of similar chemical shifts and symmetry (δ_iso = −152, −202 ppm; asymmetry, κ = 0.38), implies the existence of two five‐coordinate tin sites in the centrosymmetric dimer. The assignment has been corroborated by X‐ray diffraction analysis on the compound that has been crystallized from ethanol; the crystal structure shows two tin atoms in cis‐C₂SnO₃ trigonal‐bipyramidal coordination [C‐Sn‐C = 131.5(1), 131.3(2) °]. The analysis also reveals the presence of two lattice ethanol molecules that are hydrogen‐bonded to the dimer [OO = 2.779(5) Å]. When exposed to air, the distannoxane loses ethanol. The unsolvated distannoxane is more active than cis‐platin when screened against MCF‐7 (mammary cancer), EVSA‐T (mammary cancer), WiDr (colon cancer), IGROV (ovarian cancer), M19 MEL (melanoma), A498 (renal cancer) and H226 (lung cancer) cell lines. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thermally stable red electroluminescent hybrid polymers derived from functionalized silsesquioxane and 4,7‐bis(3‐ethylhexyl‐2‐thienyl)‐2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole

Hyperbranched organic–inorganic hybrid conjugated polymers P1 and P2 were prepared via FeCl₃‐oxiditive polymerization of 4,7‐bis(3‐ethylhexyl‐2‐thienyl)‐2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole ( A ) and octa(3‐ethylhexyl‐2‐thienyl‐phenyl)polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) ( B ) at different POSS concentrations. Compared to linear polymer PM derived from A , P1 , and P2 exhibit much higher PL quantum efficiency (?_PL‐f) in condensed state with improved thermal stability. ?_PL‐f of P1 and P2 increased by 80% and 400%, and the thermal degradation temperatures of P1 and P2 are increased by 35 °C and 46 °C, respectively. Light‐emitting diodes were fabricated using P1 , P2 , and PM . While the electroluminescent spectra of both P1 and PM show λ_max at 660 nm, P1 exhibits a much narrower EL spectrum and higher electroluminescence (～500%) compared with PM at a same voltage and film thickness. The maximum current efficiency of P1 is more than seven times of that of PM . The turn‐on voltages of the LEDs are in the order of P2 > PM > P1 . LED prepared by blending P1 with MEH‐PPV shows a maximum luminescence of 2.6 × 10³ cd/m² and a current efficiency of 1.40 cd/A, which are more than twice (1.1 × 10³ cd/m²) and five times (0.27 cd/A) of LED of PM /MEH‐PPV blend, respectively. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 5661–5670, 2009     

Nanocrystalline Tin‐Oxide Modified Electrodes and their Electrochemical Characterization

Nanocrystalline tin‐oxide particles were prepared as electrodes on the bases of ITO glass and AT‐cut quartz crystals (sputtered gold), respectively, and characterized for their electrochemical behavior. Experiments suggested that the SnO₂ particles could induce an energy barrier to the redox reactions taking place on the electrode surface. When the amount of SnO₂ exceeded ca. 10^?7 mol cm^?2, electrochemical activity demonstrated by the solution redox couples was entirely suppressed. Nevertheless, electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) measurements suggested that mutual communication between redox couples would still take place on the surface of SnO₂. For instance, although the CV curves of Fe(CN)₆^3‐/4‐ were completely blocked, the exchange current of Fe(CN)₆^3‐/4‐ could still flow through the tin‐oxide modified electrode, increasing with its concentration up to 40 mM. The propagation of electrons in the SnO₂ film was likely via a hopping mechanism. Electrochemical quartz microbalance (EQCM) measurements, in addition, suggested that a charge‐compensating cation (K⁺ or H⁺) uptake reaction may be induced as electrons were pumped to the Sn0₂ electrode, while, if electrons were removed, that could cause water desorption. Analysis based on the Frumkin adsorption isotherm showed the driving force behind the adsorption of water on SnO₂ is about ?2 kcal/mol. Nonetheless, the adsorbed water might face a competitive repulsion from acetonitrile when acetonitrile was used as the electrolyte medium.     

Nonenzymatic H2O2 Electrochemical Sensor Based on SnO2‐NPs Coated Polyethylenimine Functionalized Graphene

This paper demonstrated using polyethylenimine (PEI)‐functionalized graphene (Gr) incorporating tin oxide (SnO₂) hybrid nanocomposite as a platform for nonenzymatic H₂O₂ electrochemical sensor. The results of UV‐vis spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the simultaneous formation of tin oxide (SnO₂) nanocomposite and reduction of graphene oxide (GO). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed a uniform distribution of nanometer‐sized tin oxide nanoparticles on the grapheme sheets, which could be achieved using stannous chloride (SnCl₂) complex instead of tin oxide as precursor. The electrochemical measurements, including cyclic voltammetry (CV) and amperometric performance (I‐t), showed that the PEI‐functionalized Gr supported SnO₂ (SnO₂‐PEI‐Gr) exhibited an excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the H₂O₂. The corresponding calibration curve of the current response showed a linear detection range of 9×10⁻⁶∼1.64×10⁻³ mol L⁻¹, while the limit of detection was estimated to be 1×10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹. Electrochemical studies indicated that SnO₂ and functionalized Gr worked synergistically for the detection of H₂O₂.     

Preparation and properties of novel thermotropic liquid crystalline hyperbranched polyesters composed of five‐membered heterocyclic mesogen by A2 + B3 approach

New thermotropic liquid crystalline (LC) hyperbranched (HB) polyesters containing 2,5‐diphenyl‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole (DTD) unit as mesogen in the interiors were prepared at various mole ratios (A₂/B₃) by melt and solution polycondensations of a dioxydiundecanol of DTD (A₂) and 1,2,3‐propanetricarboxylic acid (B₃) via the A₂ + B₃ approach and their LC and optical properties were investigated. FTIR and ¹H‐NMR spectroscopies indicated that all the expected HB polyesters, which show good solubilities in organic solvents, are produced without gelation during the polymerization. Among them, the HB polymer prepared in the mole ratio of A₂/B₃ = 3/2 by the solution polycondensation had the highest inherent viscositiy. DSC measurents, polarizing microscope observations of optical textures, and X‐ray analyses suggested that the LC properties of HB polymers depend on the polymerization methods and the feed mole ratios. In the HB polymers prepared using the melt polycondensation, only the polymer prepared in the mole ratio of A₂/B₃ = 3/1 formed a highly‐ordered, tilted, crystal‐like smectic phase, but all the polymers prepared by the solution polycondensation formed highly‐ordered, tilted, smectic phases. Solution and solid‐state UV‐vis and photoluminescent (PL) spectra indicated that the HB polymers show maximum absorbances and blue‐light emission on the basis of the DTD unit, where the Stokes‐shifts were observed, probably because of intermolecular aggregation effects © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 2998–3008, 2007     

Two negative minima of the first normal stress difference in a cellulose‐based cholesteric liquid crystal: Helix uncoiling

The shear rate dependence of material functions such as shear viscosity (η) and the first normal stress difference (N₁) were given and interpreted earlier by Kiss and Porter. Their widely accepted work revealed the possibility of having a negative minimum of N₁ for polymeric liquid crystals. In this work, we disclose for the first time the evidence of two negative N₁ minima on a sheared cellulosic lyotropic system. The lower shear rate minimum is ascribed to the uncoiling of the cholesteric helix, as theoretically predicted earlier. Our findings contribute also to the understanding of the other minimum already reported in the literature and attributed to the nematic director tumbling mode. Moreover, the elastic change that the LC‐HPC sample undergoes during the helix unwinding of the cholesteric structure is also by means of oscillatory measurements. This study is a contribution for the understanding of the structure‐properties relationship linked with the complex rheological behavior of chiral nematic cellulose‐based systems and may help to improve their further processing. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017 , 55, 821–830     

Facile Mechanochemical Synthesis of Nano SnO2/Graphene Composite from Coarse Metallic Sn and Graphite Oxide: An Outstanding Anode Material for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

A facile method for the large‐scale synthesis of SnO₂ nanocrystal/graphene composites by using coarse metallic Sn particles and cheap graphite oxide (GO) as raw materials is demonstrated. This method uses simple ball milling to realize a mechanochemical reaction between Sn particles and GO. After the reaction, the initial coarse Sn particles with sizes of 3–30 μm are converted to SnO₂ nanocrystals (approximately 4 nm) while GO is reduced to graphene. Composite with different grinding times (1 h 20 min, 2 h 20 min or 8 h 20 min, abbreviated to 1, 2 or 8 h below) and raw material ratios (Sn:GO, 1:2, 1:1, 2:1, w/w) are investigated by X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The as‐prepared SnO₂/graphene composite with a grinding time of 8 h and raw material ratio of 1:1 forms micrometer‐sized architected chips composed of composite sheets, and demonstrates a high tap density of 1.53 g cm^?3. By using such composites as anode material for LIBs, a high specific capacity of 891 mA h g^?1 is achieved even after 50 cycles at 100 mA g^?1.     

Synthesis and characterization of tribenzyltin heteroaromatic carboxylates and crystal structure of tribenzyltin 4‐pyridinecarboxylate

Reaction of tribenzyltin chloride with 2‐furan‐, 2‐(2‐furanyl)‐vinyl‐, 2‐(5‐t‐butyl) furan‐, 2‐thiophene‐, 2‐pyridine‐, 3‐pyridine‐, 4‐pyridine‐, 3(1H)‐indole‐, 3(1H)‐indolylmethyl‐or 3‐[3(1H)‐indolyl]propyl‐carboxylate in 1:1 stoichiometry yielded tribenzyltin heteroaromatic carboxylate (PhCH₂)₃‐SnO₂CR. All compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ′H NMR and MS. The crystal structure of tribenzyltin 4‐pyridinecarboxylate was determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. In the crystal of tribenzyltin 4‐pyridinecarboxylate, the tin atoms are five‐coordinated in a trigonal bipyramidal structure with a linear polymer containing Sn–‐O bond with length of 0. 2142(2) nm and Sn–‐N bond with length of 0.2563(4) nm.     

Effect of pyridazine structure on thin‐film polymerization and phase behavior of thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyesters

An intensive study has been conducted to compare the effects of malei hydrazine (MH) and hydroquinone (HQ) on the liquid crystallinity and phase transition behavior in the ABA/HQ/TFTA and ABA/MH/TFTA copolyesters (p‐acetoxybenzoic acid (ABA) and tetrafluoroterephthalic acid (TFTA)). These two copolyesters were prepared by thin‐film polymerization and characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing light microscope (PLM), wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), as well as Cerius² computational simulation. Characterization and comparison of the liquid crystalline (LC) evolution and morphology changes of HQ moiety with corresponding MH moiety suggest that ABA/MH/TFTA system is energetically favorable to mesophase formation than ABA/HQ/TFTA system. When the films are quenched, a surface microcrack decoration is observed in both systems. Both systems, which have the persistence ratio larger than 6.42, satisfy the minimum requirement for the LC formation by molecular science software. The ABA/MH/TFTA film exhibits only one single peak transition. However, two distinct transitions have been observed in the ABA/HQ/TFTA system. The average Avrami exponent, n, is ～1.2, and PLM and WAXD results suggest mesophase transition in ABA/MH/TFTA film. As reflected by the results obtained from PLM, WAXD, and DSC studies, the phase transition is confirmed as crystal → nematic → isotropic in ABA/HQ/TFTA copolyester. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 2230–2242, 2005     

In situ formation of Sn(IV) catalyst with increased activity in ε‐caprolactone and L‐lactide polymerization using stannous(II) 2‐ethylhexanoate

Ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of ε‐caprolactone and L‐lactide (LA) was studied using stannous(II) 2‐ethylhexanoate (Sn(Oct)₂) with N,N‐dimethylformamide‐dimethyl acetal (DMF‐DMA). DMF‐DMA showed a tenfold improvement in catalytic activity over that of Sn(Oct)₂ under the same conditions. It also enhanced the capability to control molecular weight in the synthesis of small molecular weight polymers of polycaprolactone and polylactide (PLA). The high molecular weight polymerization demonstrated a strong capability to control molecular weight for the polymerization of LA: a molecular weight of PLA exceeding 400,000 was obtained at very low catalytic loadings. The individual polymerization rates of other tin reagents with DMF‐DMA also clearly increased. Applying this methodology could drastically reduce the time and cost required for the fabrication of these products to increase the competitive advantage of manufacturers. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

One‐Dimensional Carbon Nanotube/SnO2/Noble Metal Nanoparticle Hybrid Nanostructure: Synthesis,Characterization, and Electrochemical Sensing

Herein we report a facile and efficient method for self‐assembling noble‐metal nanoparticles (NPs) to the surface of SnO₂‐coated carbon nanotubes (CNT@SnO₂) to construct CNT@SnO₂/noble metal NP hybrids. By using SnCl₄ as the precursor of the SnO₂ shell on the surface of CNTs, the hydrolysis speed of SnCl₄ was slowed down in ethanol containing a trace amount of urea and water. The coaxial nanostructure of CNT@SnO₂ was confirmed by using X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It was found that the coating layer of SnO₂ was homogeneous with the mean thickness of 8 nm. The CNT@SnO₂/noble‐metal NP hybrids were obtained by mixing noble‐metal NPs with as‐prepared CNT@SnO₂ coaxial nanocables by means of a self‐assembly strategy. With the amino group terminated, the CNT@SnO₂ coaxial nanocable can readily adsorb the as‐prepared noble‐metal NPs (Au, Ag, Au? Pt, and Au? Pd NPs). The presence of an amino group at the surface of SnO₂ was proved by use of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In addition, H₂O₂ sensing by amperometric methods could serve as detection models for investigating the electrocatalytic ability of as‐prepared hybrid materials. It was found that wide linear ranges and low detection limits were obtained by using the enzyme‐free CNT@SnO₂@Au? Pt modified electrode, which indicated the potential utilizations of the hybrid based on CNT@SnO₂ for electrochemical sensing.