Effect of ferrofluid concentration on electrical and magnetic properties of the Fe3O4/PANI nanocomposites

Magnetic nanocomposites can be controlled and tailored to provide the desired mechanical, physical, chemical, and biomedical properties depending on the final applications. The coating of ferrite nanoparticles with polymers affords the possibility of minimizing agglomeration in large-scale commercial synthesis of nanocomposite materials. The process of coating not only provides effective encapsulation of individual nanoparticles, but also controls the growth in size, thus, yielding a better overall size distribution. In this paper, in-situ polymerization of aniline was carried out in different concentration of the ferrofluid with the aim to obtain agglomerate free nanocomposites. The role of the ferrite concentration was investigated by the spectral, morphological, conductivity, and magnetic properties of Fe₃O₄/polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposites. XRD revealed the presence of spinel phase of Fe₃O₄ and the particle size was calculated to be 14.3 nm. Spectral analysis confirmed the formation of PANI encapsulated Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite. Conductivity of the nanocomposites was found to be in the range of 0.001–0.003 S/cm. Higher saturation magnetization of 3.2 emu/g was observed at 300 K, revealing a super paramagnetic behavior of this nanocomposite.     

New ionic liquids with tris(perfluoroalkyl)trifluorophosphate (FAP) anions

The synthesis of new ionic liquids with tris(perfluoroalkyl)trifluorophosphate (FAP) anions is described. The physico-chemical properties (conductivity, viscosity, electrochemical and thermal stability) of this new generation of ionic liquids (molten salts) are discussed. FAP-ionic liquids show an excellent hydrolytic stability, low viscosity and high electrochemical and thermal stability that makes them attractive for use in electrochemical devices and as a new media for application in modern technologies and chemical synthesis.     

Determination of Phenolic Acids in Root Exudates of Allelopathic Rice by Solid Phase Extraction-Ion Chromatography with Conductivity Detection

A simple, effective, and green ion chromatography method with conductivity detection was developed for the determination of benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, syringic acid, and p-hydroxybenzoic acid in the root exudates of allelopathic rice. The analytes were well separated within 25 min in an anion exchange column (150 mm × 4.0 mm i.d., 5 µm particle size) with mixtures of 6.4 m mol L^?1 Na₂CO₃ and 2.0 m mol L^?1 NaHCO₃ as the mobile phase at a flow-rate of 0.7 mL min^?1. Detection limits of benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, syringic acid, and p-hydroxybenzoic acid were 0.05, 0.20, 0.50, and 0.05 µg mL^?1, respectively. Intra- and inter-day precision was ≤4.0% and 3.2%, respectively, and the intra- and inter-day accuracy, indicated by relative error, ranged from ?8.0% to 9.0%. The developed method was successfully used to determine phenolic acids in the root exudates of allelopathic rice. The average recoveries of the analytes were between 90.7% and 103.0%.     

Self-assembly of Mo<Subscript> 6</Subscript>S<Subscript> 8</Subscript> clusters on the Au(111) surface

The preferred adsorption sites and the propensity for a self-organised growth of the molybdenum sulfide cluster Mo₆S₈ on the Au(111) surface are investigated by density-functional band-structure calculations with pseudopotentials and a plane wave basis set. The quasi-cubic cluster preferentially adsorbs via a face and remains structurally intact. It experiences a strong, mostly non-ionic attraction to the surface at several quasi-isoenergetic adsorption positions. A scan of the potential energy surface exhibits only small barriers between adjacent strong adsorption sites. Hence, the cluster may move in a potential well with degenerate local energy minima at room temperature. The analysis of the electronic structure reveals a negligible electron transfer and S-Au hybridised states, which indicate that the cluster-surface interaction is dominated by S-Au bonds, with minor contributions from the Mo atom in the surface vicinity. All results indicate that Mo₆S₈ clusters on the Au(111) surface can undergo a template-mediated self-assembly to an ordered inorganic monolayer, which is still redox active and may be employed as surface-active agent in the integration of noble metal and ionic or biological components within nano-devices. Therefore, a classical potential model was developed on the basis of the DFT data, which allows to study larger cluster assemblies on the Au(111).     

导电聚苯胺/TiO_2微/纳米球的制备及其结构表征

采用具有八面体形貌的氧化亚铜为模板,制备了聚苯胺/TiO2(PANI/TiO2)微/纳米球,TiO2纳米粒子很均匀地分散在聚苯胺中.研究了不同TiO2/苯胺(TiO2/ANI)摩尔比对PANI/TiO2复合物的结构、形貌和电学性能的影响.实验结果表明,随着TiO2/ANI摩尔比的增加,PANI/TiO2复合物的直径逐渐减小,当TiO2/ANI摩尔比为0.16时,复合物的平均直径为373nm,而当TiO2/ANI摩尔比增加到1.6时,复合物的平均直径降到80nm.PANI/TiO2复合微/纳米球的电导率随着TiO2/ANI摩尔比的增加先升高后降低,当TiO2/ANI摩尔比达到1.6时,电导率由10-4S/cm提高到100S/cm,达到最大值.产物的形貌和结构分别采用扫描电镜、透射电镜、红外吸收光谱和X-射线衍射等手段进行了表征.     

Permanent antistatic phthalocyanine/epoxy nanocomposites - Influence of crosslinking agent, solvent and processing temperature

Cross-linked epoxy matrices containing small amounts of semi-conductive phthalocyanine (Phthalcon) nanoparticles were prepared using different crosslinking agents and processing temperatures. A starting mixture containing an optimum dispersion of these nanoparticles and with an almost equal and large Hamaker constant was always used. Nevertheless large differences in the relation between the volume conductivity σ_v and the particle concentration φ were found and this relation appeared to be sensitive to small changes in processing temperature and the application of a post-cure. Also the amine crosslinker chosen and the initial amount of solvent (catalyst) in the starting dispersion had a major effect. It was shown that these changes influence strongly the formation of and the final conductive fractal particle network morphology through the polymer matrix. During processing a local relaxation of the initially formed fractal particle network into another fractal particle network was often observed, which introduced or enlarged the amount of isolating material between the particles of the conductive network and changed the fractality and structure of the conductive backbone of the particle network. This local relaxation lowered the σ_v at each phthalcon concentration and enlarged φ_c by several orders of magnitude. The occurrence of local relaxation is dependent on the rate of viscosity change during the crosslinking of the polymer matrix components, the way the fractal conductive particle network is formed during processing (universal or non-universal) and the amount of solvent present. Local relaxation may even occur after the gel point of the polymer matrix. A severe post-cure may be needed to stop this local relaxation. To our knowledge local relaxation of a (fractal) nanoparticle network in a polymer matrix during processing is a new phenomenon, not reported before for polymer composites containing (conductive) nanoparticles.     

一种简易型毛细管电泳电导检测装置及其应用

报道了一种简便、实用的毛细管电泳电导检测装置 ,该装置使用毛细管微铂丝为敏感电极 ,大面积铂电极为参比电极 ,并以一根不锈钢针管为连接导管 ,成功地实现了毛细管电泳的柱端式电导检测 ,并对K 、Na 、Li 3种碱金属离子进行了分离检测。实践表明 ,该装置具有制作简单且成功率高、更换电极方便的特点。在所选的实验条件下 ,3种金属离子在1×10 -5～1×10 -3mol/L浓度范围内电泳峰与浓度呈良好线性关系 ,检出限为5×10-6 mol/L。应用该法对城市自来水样品进行了测定 ,其重现性和检测结果令人满意     

Crystal structure and properties of a new mixed-valence compound LiMn2TeO6 and the survey of the LiMM′XO6 family (X = Sb or Te)

A new compound, LiMn²⁺Mn³⁺TeO₆, was prepared by solid-state reactions and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, redox titration, conductivity, magnetic measurements and cycling behaviour in an electrochemical cell with Li counter electrode. It is triclinic, P1, a = 5.1077(1), b = 8.5707(1), c = 5.0589(1), α = 92.515(1)°, β = 92.092(2)°, γ = 89.818(2)°, Z = 2. The structure is based on strongly distorted hexagonal close packing of oxygen anions with cations occupying octahedral voids and represents the ordered variant of orthorhombic Li₂TiTeO₆ structure, derived from LiSbO₃. TeO₆ octahedra are almost regular but all four independent MnO₆ octahedra display severe distortions. Room-temperature conductivity is unexpectedly low for a mixed-valence compound, 2 × 10⁻⁷ S/cm. Together with the observed antiferromagnetic exchange interaction, this is a prerequisite for the colossal magnetoresistance effect. The unit cell volumes of LiMn₂TeO₆, LiSbO₃, Li₂M⁴⁺TeO₆ and LiMM′XO₆ series (a total of 21 compounds) correlate well with average cationic radii, but LiMn₂SbO₆ deviates considerably, and its preparation could not be reproduced.     

Measurement of microchannel fluidic resistance with a standard voltage meter

A simplified method for measuring the fluidic resistance (R_fluidic) of microfluidic channels is presented, in which the electrical resistance (R_elec) of a channel filled with a conductivity standard solution can be measured and directly correlated to R_fluidic using a simple equation. Although a slight correction factor could be applied in this system to improve accuracy, results showed that a standard voltage meter could be used without calibration to determine R_fluidic to within 12% error. Results accurate to within 2% were obtained when a geometric correction factor was applied using these particular channels. When compared to standard flow rate measurements, such as meniscus tracking in outlet tubing, this approach provided a more straightforward alternative and resulted in lower measurement error. The method was validated using 9 different fluidic resistance values (from ∼40 to 600 kPa s mm⁻³) and over 30 separately fabricated microfluidic devices. Furthermore, since the method is analogous to resistance measurements with a voltage meter in electrical circuits, dynamic R_fluidic measurements were possible in more complex microfluidic designs. Microchannel R_elec was shown to dynamically mimic pressure waveforms applied to a membrane in a variable microfluidic resistor. The variable resistor was then used to dynamically control aqueous-in-oil droplet sizes and spacing, providing a unique and convenient control system for droplet-generating devices. This conductivity-based method for fluidic resistance measurement is thus a useful tool for static or real-time characterization of microfluidic systems.     

Microstructures réalisant toute compressibilité ou conductivité encadrée par les bornes de Hashin et Shtrikman

The conductivity or bulk modulus of an isotropic composite consisting of two well-ordered isotropic phases is situated between the lower and upper bounds of Hashin and Shtrikman. This work is concerned with the construction of two new microstructures capable of realizing every conductivity or bulk modulus comprised between these bounds. The two microstructures obtained, appearing to be simpler than those presented in the literature to achieve the same purpose, have the property that the variation of the corresponding conductivity or bulk modulus is strictly monotone with respect to the geometric parameter characterizing them. To cite this article: Q.-C. He, H.L. Quang, C. R. Mecanique 333 (2005).