Enhanced electrocatalytic activity of plasma functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube-entrapped poly(3,4-ethylendioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) photocathode

Enhanced Stability and Amplified Signal Output of Single-Wall Carbon Nanotube-Based NH3-Sensitive Electrode after Dual Plasma Treatment

Pristine nanomaterials are normally prepared using finely controlled fabrication processes. Because no imperfect nanostructure remains, they cannot be used directly as electrode substrates of functional devices. This is because perfectly organized nanostructures or nanomaterials commonly require posttreatment to generate intentionally, the kinds of desirable defects inside or on their surfaces that enable effective functionalization. Plasma treatment is an easier, simpler and more widely used way (relative to other methods) to modify a variety of nanomaterials, although plasma-functionalized nano surfaces commonly have a short lifetime. We present herein a dual plasma treatment (DPT) that significantly enhances the degree and lifetime of plasma-induced surface functional groups on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). The DPT process consists of two individually optimized oxygen-plasma treatments. The DPT-modified SWCNT functioned as a sensing material for ammonia gas for more than a month. It also provided more than three times the degree of functionality for amplified signal output than with a single-plasma-treated SWCNT electrode.

High Performance of Supercapacitor from PEDOT:PSS Electrode and Redox Iodide Ion Electrolyte

Insufficient energy density and poor cyclic stability is still challenge for conductive polymer-based supercapacitor. Herein, high performance electrochemical system has been assembled by combining poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT):poly (styrene sulfonate) (PSS) redox electrode and potassium iodide redox electrolyte, which provide the maximum specific capacity of 51.3 mAh/g and the retention of specific capacity of 87.6% after 3000 cycles due to the synergic effect through a simultaneous redox reaction both in electrode and electrolyte, as well as the catalytic activity for reduction of triiodide of the PEDOT:PSS.

A Fully Integrated Paper-Microfluidic Electrochemical Device for Simultaneous Analysis of Physiologic Blood Ions

A fully integrated paper microfluidic electrochemical device equipped with three different cation permeable films is developed to determine blood ions (Cl-, Na⁺, K⁺, and Ca2+) at a time. These blood ions that are normally dissolved in the real human blood stream are essential for cell metabolisms and homeostasis in the human body. Abnormal concentration of blood ions causes many serious disorders. The optimized microfluidic device working without any external power source can directly and effectively separate human blood components, and subsequently detect a specific blood ion with minimized interference. The measured sensitivity to Cl-, K⁺, Na⁺, and Ca2+ are -47.71, 45.97, 51.06, and 19.46 in mV decade-1, respectively. Potentiometric responses of the microfluidic devices to blood serum samples are in the normal ranges of each cation, and comparable with responses from the commercial blood ion analyzer Abbott i-Stat.

Atmospheric-pressure-plasma-jet processed nanoporous TiO2photoanodes and Pt counter-electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells

A rapid (1 min) APPJ process is successfully developed for processing Pt counter electrodes of DSSCs.