Composites of poly(ε‐caprolactone) and Mo6S3I6 Nanowires

Composites of poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) and molybdenum sulfur iodine (MoSI) nanowires were prepared using twin‐screw extrusion. Extensive microscopic examination of the composites revealed the nanowires were well dispersed in the PCL matrix, although bundles of Mo₆S₃I₆ ropes were evident at higher loadings. Secondary electron imaging (SEI) showed the nanowires had formed an extensive network throughout the PCL matrix, resulting in increased electrical conductivity of PCL, by eight orders of magnitude, and an electrical percolation threshold of 6.5 × 10^?3 vol%. Thermal analysis (DSC), WAXD, and hot stage polarized optical microscopy (HSPOM) experiments revealed Mo₆S₃I₆ addition altered PCL crystallization kinetics, nucleation density, and crystalline content. A greater number of smaller spherulites were formed via heterogeneous nucleation. The onset of thermal decomposition (TGA) of PCL decreased by 70°C, a consequence of the thermal degradation of Mo₆S₃I₆ to MoO₃, which in turn accelerates the formation of volatile gases during the first stage of PCL decomposition. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Controlled Release of the Dithiocarbamate Ligand From A Polypyrrole Polymer. A Basis For On-Line Electrochemicalycontrolled Derivatisation

Abstract

The development of a novel on-line derivatisation scheme is described. the scheme involves use of a conducting polymeric material into which the derivatising agent is incorporated. the properties of the polymer enable electrochemical controlled release of the reagent into flowing solutions.     

Polypyrrole Grafts Synthesized via Electrochemical Polymerization

Abstract

Electrically conducting polypyrrole grafts with poly[(methyl meth-acrylate)-co-(2-(N-pyrrolyl) ethyl methacrylate)] (PMMA-co-PEMA) were synthesized by constant potential electrolysis. Cyclic Voltammetry, DSC, TGA, SEM and elemental analysis were used in order to characterize the free standing films. Conductivities of the polymers were measured by a four-probe technique.     

Preparation of a Conducting Flexible Material from Silane Coupling Agent and Hydroxyl Terminated Polybutadiene Rubber by Hydrolysis and Condensation

Abstract

Synthesis and characterization of a flexible polymer produced from silane coupling agent (SCA) and hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) were performed. Mechanical properties of chemically and electrochemically prepared conducting composites synthesized from this polymer were investigated. Conductivities of the composites were also measured. Polypyrrole enhanced the mechanical properties of the chemically prepared conducting composite. Doping with iodine greatly changed the conductivity of the composite. However, the change in mechanical properties and the conductivities of the electrochemically prepared composite were not as significant when compared with the electrochemically prepared polypyrrole. Among the composites, a chemically prepared composite was highly flexible like rubber. However, the electrochemically produced composite possesses two orders of magnitude higher conductivity. Also, this composite revealed higher tensile strength and elasticity with respect to pristine polypyrrole.     

Chemometric Strategies to Develop a Nanocomposite Electrode for Simultaneous Determination of Ascorbic Acid,Dopamine, and Uric Acid

A simple and sensitive method for simultaneously measuring dopamine (DA), ascorbic acid (AA), and uric acid (UA) using a poly(1‐aminoanthracene) and carbon nanotubes nanocomposite electrode is presented. The experimental parameters for composite film synthesis as well as the variables related to simultaneous determination of DA, AA, and UA were optimized at the same time using fractional factorial and Doehlert designs. The use of carbon nanotubes and poly(1‐aminoanthracene) in association with a cathodic pretreatment led to three well‐defined oxidation peaks at potentials around ?0.039, 0.180 and 0.351 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) for AA, DA, and UA, respectively. Using differential pulse voltammetry, calibration curves for AA, DA, and UA were obtained over the range of 0.16–3.12×10^?3 mol L^?1, 3.54–136×10^?6 mol L^?1, and 0.76–2.92×10^?3 mol L^?1, with detection limits of 3.95×10^?5 mol L^?1, 2.90×10^?7 mol L^?1, and 4.22×10^?5 mol L^?1, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine DA, AA, and UA in biological samples with good results.     

Simultaneous analysis of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs using electrochemically controlled solid‐phase microextraction based on nanostructure molecularly imprinted polypyrrole film coupled to ion mobility spectrometry

A simple, rapid, and highly sensitive method for simultaneous analysis of anti‐inflammatory drugs (naproxen, ibuprofen, and mefenamic acid) in diluted human serum was developed using the electrochemically controlled solid‐phase microextraction coupled to ion mobility spectrometry. A conducting molecularly imprinted polymer film based on polypyrrole was synthesized for the selective uptake and release of drugs. The film was prepared by incorporation of a template molecule (naproxen) during the electropolymerization of pyrrole onto a platinum electrode using cyclic voltammetry method. The measured ion mobility spectrometry intensity was related to the concentration of analytes taken up into the films. The calibration graphs (naproxen, ibuprofen, and mefenamic acid) were linear in the range of 0.1–30 ng/mL and detection limits were 0.07–0.37 ng/mL and relative standard deviation was lower than 6%. On the basis of the results obtained in this work, the conducting molecularly imprinted polymer films as absorbent have been applied in the electrochemically controlled solid‐phase microextraction and ion mobility spectrometry system for the selective clean‐up and quantification of trace amounts of anti‐inflammatory drugs in human serum samples. Scanning electron microscopy has confirmed the nano‐structure morphology of the polypyrrole film.     

Facile Fabrication of Multi‐targeted and Stable Biochemical SERS Sensors

The direct transfer of single‐crystalline Au nanowires (NWs) onto Au substrates was achieved by a simple attachment and detachment process. In the presence of a lubricant, Au NWs grown vertically on a sapphire substrate were efficiently moved to an Au substrate through van der Waals interactions. We demonstrate that the transferred Au NWs on the Au substrate can act as sensitive, reproducible, and long‐term‐stable surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensors by detecting human α‐thrombin as well as Pb²⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions. These three biochemically and/or environmentally important analytes were successfully detected with high sensitivity and selectivity by Au NW‐SERS sensors bound by a thrombin‐binding aptamer. Furthermore, the as‐prepared sensors remained in working order after being stored under ambient conditions at room temperature for 80 days. Because Au NWs can be routinely transferred onto Au substrates and because the resultant Au NW‐SERS sensors are highly stable and provide with high sensitivity and reproducibility of detection, these sensors hold potential for practical use in biochemical sensing.     

ZnO纳米线基MWNTs/PVDF复合热电材料的制备及特性研究

将不同比例的多壁碳管(MWNTs)与聚偏二氟乙烯(PVDF)聚合物混合后,喷涂于n型ZnO半导体纳米线阵列上,制备了一种新型ZnO纳米线基MWNTs/PVDF热电复合材料.与以往采用价格昂贵的p型与n型单壁碳纳米管(SWNTs)与聚合物混合制备的复合热电材料特性相比,这种新型热电复合材料在降低制造成本的同时,利用分散于聚合物中MWNTs的一维电子传输特性及形成的大量界面势垒,加上ZnO半导体纳米线具有的较高载流子密度与迁移率,提高了复合热电材料中电子的输运特性,增加了材料对声子的散射强度.测试发现,在一定的温度梯度下,随着MWNTs添加质量百分比的增加,热电材料的温差电动势和电导率也随之增加,但其Seebeck系数变化量不大.研究表明,这种热电材料有望替代采用p型与n型SWNTs构建的SWNTs/PVDF复合热电材料.研究结果对开发超轻、无毒、廉价、可应用于各种微纳电子领域的新型电源具有重要的参考价值.