Electroanalysis in 2D-TiO2 Nanosheet Hosts: Electrolyte and Selectivity Effects in Ferroceneboronic Acid - Saccharide Binding

Facet-controlled growth and soft-chemical exfoliation of two-dimensional titanium dioxide nanosheets

TiO2 remains one of the most popular materials used in catalysts, photovoltaics, coatings, and electronics due to its abundance, chemical stability, and excellent catalytic properties. The tailoring of the TiO2 structure into two-dimensional nanosheets prompted the successful isolation of graphene and MXenes. In this review, facet-controlled TiO2 and monolayer titanate are outlined, covering their synthesis route and formation mechanism. The reactive facet of TiO2 is usually controlled by a capping agent. In contrast, the monolayer titanate is achieved by ion-exchange and delamination of layered titanates. Each route leads to 2D structures with unique physical and chemical properties, which expands its utilisation into several niche applications. We elaborate the detailed outlook for the future use and research studies of facet-controlled TiO2 and monolayer titanates. Advantages and disadvantages of both structures are provided, along with suggested applications for each type of 2D TiO2 nanosheets.

Polymer nanocomposites having a high filler content: synthesis, structures, properties, and applications

The recent development of nanoscale fillers, such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, and nanocellulose, allows the functionality of polymer nanocomposites to be controlled and enhanced. However, conventional synthesis methods of polymer nanocomposites cannot maximise the reinforcement of these nanofillers at high filler content. Approaches for the synthesis of high content filler polymer nanocomposites are suggested to facilitate future applications. The fabrication methods address the design of the polymer nanocomposite architecture, which encompasses one, two, and three dimensional morphologies. Factors that hamper the reinforcement of nanostructures, such as alignment, dispersion of the filler and interfacial bonding between the filler and polymer, are outlined. Using suitable approaches, maximum potential reinforcement of nanoscale fillers can be anticipated without limitations in orientation, dispersion, and the integrity of the filler particle-matrix interface. High filler content polymer composites containing emerging materials such as 2D transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides (MXenes) are expected in the future.

Voltammetric characterisation of diferrocenylborinic acid in organic solution and in aqueous media when immobilised into a titanate nanosheet film

Diferrocenylborinic acid (Fc₂BOH, 1) has been synthesized.

Extraction of hydrophobic analytes from organic solution into a titanate 2D-nanosheet host: Electroanalytical perspectives

Titanate nanosheets (single layer, typically 200 nm lateral size) deposited from aqueous colloidal solution onto electrode surfaces form lamellar hosts that bind redox active molecular redox probes. Here, hydrophobic redox systems such as anthraquinone, 1-amino-anthraquinone, deca-methylferrocene, 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21H,23H-porphine manganese (III) chloride (TPPMnCl), and α-tocopherol are shown to bind directly from cyclopentanone solution (and from other types of organic solvents) into the titanate nanosheet film. For anthraquinone derivatives, stable voltammetric responses are observed in aqueous media consistent with 2-electron 2-proton reduction, however, independent of the pH of the outside solution phase environments. For decamethylferrocene a gradual decay of the voltammetric response is observed, but for TPPMnCl a more stable voltammetric signal is seen when immersed in chloride containing (NaCl) electrolyte. α-Tocopherol exhibits chemically irreversible oxidation and is detected with 1 mM–20 mM linear range and approximately 10⁻³ M concentration limit of detection. All redox processes exhibit an increase in current with increasing titanate film thickness and with increasing external electrolyte concentration. This and other observations suggest that important factors are analyte concentration and mobility within the titanate host, as well as ion exchange between titanate nanosheets and the outside electrolyte phase to maintain electroneutrality during voltammetric experiments. The lamellar titanate (with embedded tetrabutyl-ammonium cations) behaves like a hydrophobic host (for hydrophobic redox systems) similar to hydrophobic organic microphase systems. Potential for analytical applications is discussed.

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Extraction of hydrophobic guest molecules (e.g. vitamin E) from organic solvents into titanate nanosheet deposits.

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Redox processes at the electrode.|titanate interface coupled to ion exchange at the titanate|aqueous electrolyte interface

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Transport phenomena in 2D-titanate nanosheet deposits disected into a redox layer and an ion transport layer.

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Suppression of pH effects due to un-buffered conditions within the titanate nanosheet environment.