Controllable one-step synthesis of ZnO nanostructures using molybdophosphoric acid

ZnO nanostructures were synthesised in a hydrothermal reaction of zinc acetate in the presence of molybdophosphoric acid (H₃[PMo₁₂O₄₀]) as well as its vanadium-substituted acid (H₄[PMo₁₁VO₄₀]) at various times, temperatures, and concentrations. The ZnO nanostructures were characterised by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results demonstrated that the synthesised products are crystalline with a zincite hexagonal phase. Various ZnO nanostructures, such as nanoparticles, microrods, and nanosheets, were produced by changing the experimental conditions. The photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange was also investigated using the ZnO nanoparticles thus prepared. These particles exhibited high performance in the photocatalytic degradation of MO and almost 100 % decolourisation occurred within only 20 min.     

Controllable synthesis and property of graphene-based magnetic metal nanostructures

A facile and effective solution phase reduction method was developed to synthesize graphene-based magnetic metal nanocomposites. Metals (Co, and Ni) or alloys (Fe₅₁Co₄₉, Fe₄₈Ni₅₂, Ni₄₉Co₅₁, Co₅₁Cu₄₉, and Ni₅₂Cu₄₈)/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanocomposites were successfully prepared by reduction of the corresponding aqueous metal ions and ethylenediamine (EDA)–graphene oxide (GO) with hydrazine hydrate at 353 K for 1 h under N₂ atmosphere. The effects of synthetic parameters such as metal ions concentration, adding sequence of NaOH and N₂H₄·H₂O, linkage agent and reaction time on the formation of nanocomposites were investigated. The experimental results showed that using ethylenediamine and adding sequence played critical roles in the formation of metals or alloys/RGO nanocomposites. Magnetic hysteresis measurements revealed that the as-synthesized metals or alloys in nanocomposites showed excellent soft magnetic behavior with enhanced saturation magnetization, and could have promising applications in biotechnology, catalysis, and magnetic storage devices.     

Inorganic/organic mesostructure directed synthesis of wire/ribbon-like polypyrrole nanostructures

We report here a simple strategy for the synthesis of wire/ribbon-like polypyrrole nanostructures using lamellar inorganic/organic mesostructures as templates which were formed during polymerization between surfactant cations and oxidising anions and which were degraded automatically after polymerization.     

Electrochemical synthesis of polypyrrole/polyimide conducting composite using a polyamic acid precursor

Conducting polymer/poly(amic acid) composites were synthesized by casting poly(amic acid) (PAAc)film onto the surface of stainless steel followed by electrochemical deposition of polypyrrole. Polypyrrole/polyimide (PPy/PI) composites were also formed by preimidizing the polyamic acid film prior to electrodeposition of PPy. The electrical resistance of the bottom side of PPy/PAAc composite (2.3 Ω cm) was lower than that of the PPy/PI composite (6.4 Ω cm), the thickness of the matrix was the same. A PI matrix was used for electropolymerization of pyrrole. The electrodeposition was investigated by using different current densities. IR spectroscopy revealed interactions between the PAAc and PPy in the composite.     

Controllable AuPt bimetallic hollow nanostructures

We describe a facile procedure for one step, large-scale synthesis of AuPt bimetallic hollow tube-like 1-D nanomaterials and hollow nanospheres, which can be easily manipulated by merely changing the concentration of citric acid.     

Hard template synthesis of conducting polymers: a route to achieve nanostructures

The article reviews the application of a hard template approach in the formation of conducting polymers nanostructures. The method involves the synthesis of a polymer within the pores or channels of a template. The influence of synthesis conditions on fundamental features of nanostructured polypyrrole, polyaniline, and their derivatives is discussed. Dedicated to the 70th birthday of Professor Oleg Petrii.     

Controllable synthesis of nickel hydroxide and porous nickel oxide nanostructures with different morphologies

Alpha-Ni(OH)(2) nanobelts, nanowires, short nanowires, and beta-Ni(OH)(2) nanoplates have been successfully prepared in high yields and purities by a convenient hydrothermal method under mild conditions from very simple systems composed only of NaOH, NiSO(4), and water. It has been found that the ratio of NaOH to NiSO(4) not only affects the morphology of the Ni(OH)(2) nanostructures, but also determines whether the product is of the alpha- or beta-crystal phase. A notable finding is that porous NiO nanobelts were produced after exposure of the Ni(OH)(2) products to an electron beam for several minutes during transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations. Another unusual feature is that rectangular nanoplates with many gaps were obtained. Furthermore, porous NiO nanobelts, nanowires, and nanoplates could also be obtained by annealing the as-prepared Ni(OH)(2) products. A sequence of dissolution, recrystallization, and oriented attachment-assisted self-assembly of nanowires into nanobelts is proposed as a plausible mechanistic interpretation for the formation of the observed structures. The method presented here possesses several advantages, including high yields, high purities, low cost, and environmental benignity. It might feasibly be scaled-up for industrial mass production.     

纳米结构导电聚合物材料研究进展

具有纳米结构的导电聚合物因其诱人的应用前景越来越引起人们的重视。本文综述了聚苯胺、聚吡咯以及聚噻吩等导电聚合物的零维、一维、二维以及三维纳米结构的合成方法,并介绍了聚合物纳米结构的表征以及研究现状和应用前景。参考文献60篇。     

Controllable synthesis of graphitic carbon nanostructures from ion-exchange resin-iron complex via solid-state pyrolysis process

Graphitic carbon nanocapsules, nanosheets and nanoplates were selectively obtained via a solid-state pyrolysis route from various ion-exchange resin-iron complexes.     

Controllable synthesis of zinc-substituted alpha- and beta-nickel hydroxide nanostructures and their collective intrinsic properties

A new controllable homogeneous precipitation approach has been developed to synthesize zinc-substituted nickel hydroxide nanostructures with different Zn contents from a zinc nanostructured reactant. As typical layered double hydroxides (LDHs), zinc-substituted nickel hydroxide nanostructures can be formulated as NiZnx(Cl)y(OH)2(1+x)-y.z H2O (x=0.34-0.89, y=0-0.24, z=0-1.36). The structure and morphology of zinc-substituted nickel hydroxide nanostructures can be systematically controlled by adjustment of the zinc content. The effects of temperature and the amounts of ammonia and zinc nanostructured precursor on the reaction were systematically investigated. In our new method, although zinc-substituted alpha-and beta-nickel hydroxides have the typical 3D flowerlike architecture and stacks-of-pancakes nanostructures, respectively, their growth processes are different from those previously reported. A coordinative homogeneous precipitation mechanism is proposed to explain the formation process of zinc-substituted nickel hydroxide nanostructures. The zinc-substituted nickel hydroxide nanostructures exhibit some interesting intrinsic properties, and changing the zinc content can effectively tune their optical, magnetic, and electrical properties.     

Magnetic properties of conducting polymer nanostructures

Magnetic susceptibility measurements on conducting polyaniline and polypyrrole nanostructures with different dopant type and doping level as functions of temperature and magnetic field are reported. The susceptibility data cannot be simply described as Curie-like susceptibility at lower temperatures and temperature-independent Pauli-like susceptibility at higher temperatures; some unusual transitions are observed in the temperature dependence of susceptibility, for example, paramagnetic susceptibility decreases gradually with lowering temperature, which suggests the coexistence of polarons and spinless bipolarons and possible formation of bipolarons with changing temperature or doping level. In particular, it is found that the direct current magnetic susceptibilities are strongly dependent on applied magnetic field, dopant type, and doping level.     

Composites of polypyrrole with conducting and ferromagnetic behaviors

Composites of polypyrrole (PPy) with electrical and ferromagnetic behaviors were synthesized by a chemical method in the presence of p‐dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid sodium salt (NaDS) as a surfactant and dopant. The magnetic properties of the resulting composites showed ferromagnetic behavior, such as high saturated magnetization (M_s = 3.06–43.7 emu/g), and coercive force (H_c = 9–57 Oe). The saturated magnetization linearly increased with increases in the Fe content. No influence of the counterion on this relationship was observed. The conductivity of the composites at room temperature depended on the counterion and doping degree. The highest conductivity of 10⁰ S/cm was achieved under the optimal synthetic conditions. A structural characterization by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared, and X‐ray diffraction proved that nanometer‐sized (16–20‐nm) iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) in the composites was responsible for the ferromagnetic behavior of the composites, whereas the high conductivity of the composites contributed to the difficult deprotonation of the doping PPy with DS⁻ counterion in a basic reaction medium. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 2734–2739, 2000     

Synthesis of conducting polypyrrole by radiolysis polymerization method

Conducting polypyrrole (PPy) has been synthesized by the in situ gamma radiation‐induced chemical oxidative polymerization method. This method takes advantages of the specialties of radiation‐induction, and a highly uniform polymer morphology was obtained. The resultant nanosize polypyrrole particles were characterized by Elemental Analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X‐ray Diffraction (XRD). Measurements of polymer particle sizes were obtained at <500 nm. A standard four‐point probe revealed that the chemical synthesis of PPy has a good electrical property. Also thermal stability, checked by Thermal Gravimetric Analysis in air, was ensured by this novel synthesis. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Electrochemistry of conducting polypyrrole films containing cobalt porphyrin

The electrochemical polymerisation of pyrrole-substituted cobalt tetraphenylporphine complex on a vitreous carbon electrode has been performed in acetonitrile+tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate solution. The redox properties of the film have been examined by cyclic voltammetry and compared to those of cobalt-porphyrin monomer in solution. Voltammograms of these films exhibit a reversible process for the Co(II)/Co(I) reaction at a formal potential of −0.87 V/SCE. The cobalt-porphyrin content of the films has been estimated by cyclic voltammetry, and the conductivity of the polymers has been assessed by studying well-known electrochemical processes in solution at these modified electrodes. Thus, it appears that thick polyporphyrin films act as insulators in low potential range E < −1 V/SCE. Copolymerisation of the pyrrole-substituted cobalt porphyrin with pyrrole and 3-(pyrrol-1-ylmethyl)pyridine has been achieved. No improvement of the electrochemical properties has been noted for the copolymers obtained. We have also proved that interchain complexation reaction of the cobalt(III) sites occurs by the pyridine moieties of the copolymer films.     

From titanates to TiO2 nanostructures: Controllable synthesis, growth mechanism, and applications

The design and fabrication of nanostructures based on titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) have attracted much attention because of their low cost, non-toxicity, stability, and potential applications in industry and technology. Recently, one-dimensional (1D) structured titanates have been used as titanium source to prepare TiO 2 nanostructures with various crystalline phases, shapes, sizes, exposed facets, and hierarchical structures. Among the synthetic strategies, hydrothermal method is a facile route to controllable preparation of well-crystalline TiO 2 in one step. Herein, we review our recent progress in transferring 1D titanates into TiO 2 nanostructures through hydrothermal method, including the transformation mechanism and applications.     

Tubular linear actuators using conducting polymer, polypyrrole

Conducting polymers show an electrochemomechanical deformation (ECMD), which is able to be utilized as soft actuators. A tubular linear actuator of polypyrrole film is fabricated and the characteristics are examined. The film was electrochemically prepared on an acryl resin rod in an aqueous electrolyte solution of pyrrole and dodecylbenzensulfonic acid (DBS), followed by removing the rod. The actuations of tubular polypyrrole film due to ECMD in various conditions have been examined to clarify the mechanism. It has been found that the tubular actuator elongates upon reduction with the strain of 7%, which is more than twice of that observed in a rectangular film. The facts indicate that cations play the role of dopants instead of large DBS anion and the tubular structure gives the better performance for large strain.     

Capacitive characteristics of nanocomposites of conducting polypyrrole and functionalized carbon nanotubes: pulse current synthesis and tailoring

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Conducting polypyrrole (PPy) is an attractive material for supercapacitors with a high specific capacitance and environmental friendliness feature, but it...     

Biodegradability of conducting chitosan-g-polycaprolactone/polypyrrole conduits

Conducting chitosan-g-polycaprolactone(CPC)/polypyrrole(PPy) conduits were fabricated for potential applications in nerve repair. Their mechanical and conducting properties as well as in vitro and in vivo degradation behaviors were mainly examined. It was found that some CPC/PPy conduits showed significantly stronger tensile and lateral compressive strength in the wet state, and notably higher conductivity in the overall tested PPy-load range, in comparison with chitosan/PPy conduits. After being consecutively exposed to PBS systems for various periods up to 10 weeks, the CPC/PPy conduits exhibited relatively slow degradation compared to chitosan/PPy conduits, and their degradation behaviors were measurably mediated by the composition of CPCs. The pH values of media corresponding to some selected CPC/PPy conduits did not significantly deviate from the initial pH value due to the buffering effect of chitosan component. After being implanted into rabbits for various periods, it was observed that the explanted chitosan/PPy conduits could only sustain a very low compressive load after 6-week degradation, and most of them were partially or fully collapsed after 8-week or longer degradation and showed very low conductivity. In contrast to these observations, some explanted CPC/PPy conduits were able to maintain enough strong mechanical strength in the wet state for the required period, and still showed acceptable conducting properties after 10-week in vivo degradation. Results suggested that some CPC/PPy conduits having proper compositional proportions could serve as desirable candidates to bridge nerve gaps in vivo.     

Chemical and electrochemical characterization of chemically synthesized conducting polypyrrole

The conducting polypyrrole chemically synthesized in water, using the variable concentrations of FeCl₃ and CuCl₂ as oxidizing agents, was chemically and electrochemically characterized and compared with electrochemically generated polypyrrole. According to the results of elemental analysis and counter ion determinations, it can be concluded that a mixture of dimer and trimer was obtained using CuCl₂, i.e., a dimer composition using FeCl₃ as an oxidant. Cyclic voltammetric studies of polypyrrole obtained by using FeCl₃ as an oxidant showed no evidence of polypyrrole decomposition after repetitive cycling. The voltammograms showed also that after the oxidation reaction a high capacitive current remained, confirming the assumption that the capacitive current is intrinsically associated with polypyrrole, irrespective of the way of its preparation. Cyclic voltammogram of the polypyrrole synthesized by oxidation with CuCl₂ showed different shape, probably influenced by the presence of copper ions incorporated in polymers. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

导电聚吡咯膜电极的现场电化学-ESR研究

本文报导聚吡咯(PP)膜电极在水溶液中的电化学─ESR行为, 定性地探讨了电位,电量对PP膜中极化学形成与转化过程的影响, 并在PP膜/溶液界面存在电化学反应的情形下, 考察了PP膜中可能的电荷传输机理。