Electrocatalytic Activity of Carbonized Nanostructured Polyanilines for Oxidation Reactions: Sensing of Nitrite Ions and Ascorbic Acid

Comparative Studies of CPEs Modified with Distinctive Metal Nanoparticle-Decorated Electroactive Polyimide for the Detection of UA

In this present work, an electrochemical sensor was developed for the sensing of uric acid (UA). The sensor was based on a carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified with electroactive polyimide (EPI) synthesized using aniline tetramer (ACAT) decorated with reduced nanoparticles (NPs) of Au, Pt, and Ag. The initial step involved the preparation and characterization of ACAT. Subsequently, the ACAT-based EPI synthesis was performed by chemical imidization of its precursors 4,4′-(4.4′-isopropylidene-diphenoxy) bis (phthalic anhydride) BPADA and ACAT. Then, EPI was doped with distinctive particles of Ag, Pt and Au, and the doped EPIs were abbreviated as EPIS, EPIP and EPIG, respectively. Their structures were characterized by XRD, XPS, and TEM, and the electrochemical properties were determined by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. Among these evaluated sensors, EPI with Au NPs turned out the best with a sensitivity of 1.53 uA uM⁻¹ UA, a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.78 uM, and a linear detection range (LDR) of 5–50 uM UA at a low potential value of 310 mV. Additionally, differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) analysis showed that the EPIG sensor showed the best selectivity for a tertiary mixture of UA, dopamine (DA), and ascorbic acid (AA) as compared to EPIP and EPIS.

2D quasi-ordered nitrogen-enriched porous carbon nanohybrids for high energy density supercapacitors

Two-dimensional (2D) quasi-ordered nitrogen-enriched porous carbon (QNPC) nanohybrids, with the characteristics of an ultrathin graphite nanosheet framework and thick quasi-ordered nitrogen-doped carbon cladding with a porous texture, have been synthesized via an in situ polymerization assembly method. In the synthesis, the expandable graphite (EG) is enlarged by an intermittent microwave method, and then aniline monomers are intercalated into the interlayers of the expanded EG with the assistance of a vacuum. Subsequently, the intercalated aniline monomers could assemble on the interlayer surface of the expanded EG, accompanied by the in situ polymerization from aniline monomers to polyaniline. Meanwhile, the expanded EG could be exfoliated to graphite nanosheets. By subsequent pyrolysis and activation processes, the QNPC nanohybrids could be prepared. As supercapacitor electrodes, a typical QNPC12-700 sample derived from the precursor containing an EG content of 12%, with a high level of nitrogen doping of 5.22 at%, offers a high specific capacitance of 305.7 F g(-1) (1 A g(-1)), excellent rate-capability and long-term stability. Notably, an extremely high energy density of 95.7 Wh kg(-1) at a power density of 449.7 W kg(-1) in an ionic liquid electrolyte can be achieved. The unique structural features and moderate heteroatom doping of the QNPC nanohybrids combines electrochemical double layer and faradaic capacitance contributions, which make these nanohybrids ideal candidates as electrode materials for high-performance energy storage devices.

Polymer/carbon nanotubes coated graphite surfaces for highly sensitive nitrite detection

This study describes the preparation of poly(vinylferrocenium)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (PVF(+)/MWCNTs) coated electrode and its use for sensitive electrochemical nitrite detection. PVF(+)/MWCNTs composite coated disposable pencil graphite electrode (PVF(+)/MWCNTs/PGE) was prepared by electropolymerization of poly(vinylferrocene) (PVF) in the presence of MWCNTs with one-step electropolymerization. Characterization of PVF(+)/MWCNTs/PGE was carried out with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Then electrochemical detection of nitrite was performed using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Nanocomposite coated electrode showed high sensitivity to nitrite with a detection limit of 0.1 μM. The electrode platform was successfully applied to a commercial mineral water sample.

XPS in development of chemical sensors

XPS represents a powerful tool for investigation of chemistry involved in chemical sensors, as analytes and recognition elements interact at a device surface, the region analyzed by the spectroscopic technique.

Coaxial conducting polymer nanotubes: polypyrrole nanotubes coated with polyaniline or poly(p-phenylenediamine) and products of their carbonisation

Polypyrrole nanotubes were prepared by the oxidation of pyrrole with iron(III) chloride in a reaction mixture containing methyl orange. They were subsequently coated with polyaniline or poly(p-phenylenediamine) in situ during the oxidation of respective monomers in their presence. A part of the coaxial nanotubes was deprotonated using ammonia solution. The conductivity of polypyrrole nanotubes of 60 S cm