Electrospun CuFe2O4 nanotubes as anodes for high-performance lithium-ion batteries

Herein,we report on the synthesis and lithium storage properties of electrospun one-dimensional(1D) CuFe_2O_4 nanomaterials.1D CuFe_2O_4nanotubes and nanorods were fabricated by a single spinneret electrospinning method followed by thermal decomposition for removal of polymers from the precursor fibers.The as-prepared CuFe_2O_4 nanotubes with wall thickness of ~50 nm presented diameters of ~150 nm and lengths up to several millimeters.It was found that phase separation between the electrospun composite materials occured during the electrospinning process,while the as-spun precursor nanofibers composed of polyacrylonitrile(PAN),polyvinylpyrrolidone(PVP) and metal salts might possess a core-shell structure(PAN as the core and PVP/metal salts composite as the shell) and then transformed to a hollow structure after calcination.Moreover,as a demonstration of the functional properties of the 1D nanostructure.CuFe_2O_4 nanotubes and nanorods were investigated as anodes for lithium ion batteries(LIBs).It was demonstrated that CuFe_2O_4 nanotubes not only delivered a high reversible capacity of ~816 mAh·g~(-1) at a current density of 200 mA·g~(-1)over 50 cycles,but also showed superior rate capability with respect to counterpart nanorods.Probably,the enhanced electrochemical performance can be attributed to its high specific surface areas as well as the unique hollow structure.     

Polystyrene Microspheres and Nanospheres Produced by Electrospray

Summary: Polystyrene (PS) micro‐ and nanospheres with uniform dimensions and smooth surfaces have been produced by electrospray. The effect of PS molecular weight on beads morphology and the fundamental role of concentration have been investigated. Moreover, a new apparatus was designed to collect the polymer spheres during the process and to prevent the coalescence among the spheres.

PS micro‐ and nanospheres produced by electrospray     

Electrospun poly(lactic acid) nanofibers loaded with silver sulfadiazine/[Mg–Al]‐layered double hydroxide as an antimicrobial wound dressing

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a versatile, bioabsorbable, and biodegradable polymer with excellent biocompatibility and ability to incorporate a great variety of active agents. Silver sulfadiazine (SDZ) is an antibiotic used to control bacterial infection in external wounds. Aiming to combine the properties of PLA and SDZ, hydrotalcite ([Mg–Al]‐LDH) was used as a host matrix to obtain an antimicrobial system efficient in delivering SDZ from electrospun PLA scaffolds intended for wound skin healing. The structural reconstruction method was successfully applied to intercalate silver sulfadiazine in the [Mg–Al]‐LDH, as evidenced by X‐ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analyses. Observations by scanning electron microscopy revealed a good distribution of SDZ‐[Mg–Al]‐LDH within the PLA scaffold. Kinetics studies revealed a slow release of SDZ from the PLA scaffold due to the intercalation in the [Mg–Al]‐LDH. In vitro antimicrobial tests indicated a significant inhibitory effect of SDZ‐[Mg–Al]‐LDH against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. This antibacterial activity was sustained in the 2.5‐wt% SDZ‐[Mg–Al]‐LDH–loaded PLA nanofibers, which also displayed excellent biocompatibility towards human cells. The multifunctionality of the PLA/SDZ‐[Mg–Al]‐LDH scaffold reported here is of great significance for various transdermal applications.     

Confined Crystallization of Spin‐Crossover Nanoparticles in Block‐Copolymer Micelles

Nanoparticles of the spin‐crossover coordination polymer [FeL(bipy)]_n were synthesized by confined crystallization within the core of polystyrene‐block‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (PS‐b‐P4VP) diblock copolymer micelles. The 4VP units in the micellar core act as coordination sites for the Fe complex. In the bulk material, the spin‐crossover nanoparticles in the core are well isolated from each other allowing thermal treatment without disintegration of their structure. During annealing above the glass transition temperature of the PS block, the transition temperature is shifted gradually to higher temperatures from the as‐synthesized product (T_1/2↓=163 K and T_1/2↑=170 K) to the annealed product (T_1/2↓=203 K and T_1/2↑=217 K) along with an increase in hysteresis width from 6 K to 14 K. Thus, the spin‐crossover properties can be shifted towards the properties of the related bulk material. The stability of the nanocomposite allows further processing, such as electrospinning from solution.     

General Approach to Single and Hybrid Metal Oxide Fiber Structures for High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Owing to the high specific capacity and energy density, metal oxides have become very promising electrodes for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). However, poor electrical conductivity accompanied with inferior cycling stability resulting from large volume changes are the main obstacles to achieve a high reversible capacity and stable cyclability. Herein, a facile and general approach to fabricate SnO₂, Fe₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃/SnO₂ fibers is proposed. The appealing structural features are favorable for offering a shortened lithium‐ion diffusion length, easy access for the electrolyte and reduced volume variation when used as anodes in LIBs. As a consequence, both single and hybrid oxides show satisfactory reversible capacities (1206 mAh g^?1 for Fe₂O₃ and 1481 mAh g^?1 for Fe₂O₃/SnO₂ after 200 cycles at 200 mA g^?1) and long lifespans.     

Composite Polyamide 6/Polypyrrole Conductive Nanofibers

Conductive Polyamide 6 (PA‐6) nanofibers were prepared by making a conductive polypyrrole coating obtained by a polymerization of pyrrole molecules directly on the fiber surface. A solution of PA‐6 added with ferric chloride in formic acid has been electrospun and the fibers obtained showed an average diameter of 260 nm with a smooth surface. The fibers have been then exposed to pyrrole vapours and a compact coating of polypyrrole was formed on the fiber surface. The growth of the coating was monitored by measuring the increment of the fiber diameter and by FT‐IR spectroscopy. The same technique was used to study the interaction between the ferric chloride and the polyamide chains. The polypyrrole coating on the fibers turned out to be conductive with a pure resistive characteristic and the stability of the conductivity was evaluated in air at room temperature.

     

Novel Biologically Inspired Collagen Nanofibers Reconstituted by Electrospinning Method

The possibility to prepare bioinspired collagen nanofibers by electrospinning from aqueous suspension of telopeptide-free collagen molecules avoiding both organic solvents and blends with any synthetic and natural polymers has been investigated. The results have highlighted the need for a basic atmosphere between the needle and the ground collector in order to increase the environmental pH during the collagen molecules self-assembly along the electrostatic force lines. Morphological, spectroscopic and calorimetric analyses carried out on the electrospun collagen nanofibers have opened the possibility to take advantage of this new approach in order to prepare an ideal biomimetic reinforcing component of new biomedical and surgical biomaterials.     

静电纺丝结合溶胶-凝胶法制备MgNb2O6陶瓷纤维

以五氧化二铌(Nb2O5)和氧化镁(MgO)为原料,柠檬酸作配位剂,采用静电纺丝结合溶胶-凝胶法制备了铌酸镁(MgNb2O6)陶瓷纤维。在本合成体系中,高质量Nb5+溶液的获得是形成MgNb2O6前驱体溶胶的关键步骤。通过TGA,FTIR,XRD,TEM以及SEM技术对纤维的形貌,微观结构以及组成进行了表征。结果表明,900℃烧结以后得到的MgNb2O6纤维长度约为10 cm,具有中空结构,壁厚约为800 nm。     

Li0.5-0.5xZnxFe2.5-0.5xO4纳米纤维的电纺制备及其结构和磁性能

以聚乙烯吡咯烷酮、硝酸锂、硝酸锌和硝酸铁为主要原料,通过静电纺丝技术结合后期的热处理制备了直径在50～100 nm的单相Li0.5-0.5xZnxFe2.5-0.5xO4（x=0.0,0.2,0.3,0.4,0.5,0.8）纳米纤维.利用热重-差热分析、X射线衍射、场发射扫描电子显微镜、透射电子显微镜和振动样品磁强计研...     

钯/聚乙烯醇纤维膜催化水相中的Heck偶联反应

通过静电纺丝和热交联技术、以聚乙烯醇( PVA)作为载体制备了一种电纺纤维膜负载型钯催化剂.利用扫描电镜(SEM)、能谱仪(EDS)和X射线光电子能谱(XPS)对其进行了表征.SEM结果显示:PdCl2的加入导致PVA纤维直径增加、形貌变差,而热交联过程可以减小纤维直径、改善纤维形貌.XPS表征则表明PVA可以还原pd...