Electrically Conductive Fibre Composites Prepared from Polypyrrole-Engineered Pulp Fibres

Novel bio-nanocomposite materials for enhanced biodegradability and photocatalytic activity

Novel bio-nanocomposites with enhanced biodegradability and photocatalytic activity were prepared by chemical in situ polymerization.

Effect of Microwave Treatment of Graphite on the Electrical Conductivity and Electrochemical Properties of Polyaniline/Graphene Oxide Composites

Polyaniline (PANI)/graphene oxide (GO) composites were synthesized via in situ polymerization of aniline in the presence of GO. The effect of microwave treatment of graphite on the electrical conductivity and electrochemical properties of PANI/GO composites was highlighted, and the morphology and microstructure were subsequently characterized using transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. The results demonstrated that microwave treatment of graphite imparted a well-dispersed, highly ordered layered structure to the as-prepared GO, and in turn facilitated strong bonding between the GO and PANI nanosheets, which may be responsible for the improved electrical conductivity and electrochemical properties of the resulting PANI/GO composites. The desired PANI/GO composites possessed an electrical conductivity of 508 S/m, an areal capacitance of 172.8 mF/cm², and a retained capacitance of 87.4% after cycling, representing percentage increases of 102, 232, and 112, respectively, as a result of the microwave treatment of graphite. The resulting composites are promising electrode materials for high-performance and ecofriendly electrical energy storage devices.

A process of applying polypyrrole-engineered pulp fibers prepared using hydrogen peroxide as oxidant to detoxification of Cr(VI)-contaminated water

In this study, different from previous reports, an alternative process for detoxification of Cr(VI)-contaminated water with polypyrrole-engineered pulp fibers prepared using low cost hydrogen peroxide as oxidant was proposed. The process conditions in preparation of the engineered fibers as well as the water treatment conditions were optimized, and the behavior of Cr desorption from the engineered fibers was evaluated. The results showed that the proposed process was highly efficient in Cr(VI)-detoxification via the integration of adsorption with reduction. Compared with the previously reported polyaniline-engineered fibers prepared with hydrogen peroxide as oxidant, the engineered fibers studied in this work was much more effective.

An integrated approach for Cr(VI)-detoxification with polyaniline/cellulose fiber composite prepared using hydrogen peroxide as oxidant

In this short communication, the demonstration of a new integrated process concept involving the use of a bio-based material for detoxification of Cr(VI)-contaminated water is presented. Specifically, the bio-based material is a polyaniline/cellulose fiber composite prepared by in situ polymerization of aniline in the presence of cellulose fibers, using the industrially favorable hydrogen peroxide (instead of costly oxidants such as ammonium persulfate) as the oxidant. Ferric chloride was used to catalyze the polymerization reaction. The process conditions for the preparation of the composite were preliminarily optimized, and the proposed concept was demonstrated. Under the conditions studied, the use of the composite was quite effective in the detoxification of the model solution. The proposed concept may serve as an alternative approach for water treatment using renewable materials.

Toward flexible polymer and paper-based energy storage devices

All-polymer and paper-based energy storage devices have significant inherent advantages in comparison with many currently employed batteries and supercapacitors regarding environmental friendliness, flexibility, cost and versatility. The research within this field is currently undergoing an exciting development as new polymers, composites and paper-based devices are being developed. In this report, we review recent progress concerning the development of flexible energy storage devices based on electronically conducting polymers and cellulose containing composites with particular emphasis on paper-based batteries and supercapacitors. We discuss recent progress in the development of the most commonly used electronically conducting polymers used in flexible device prototypes, the advantages and disadvantages of this type of energy storage devices, as well as the two main approaches used in the manufacturing of paper-based charge storage devices.