Limitations of the X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Technique in the Study of Electroactive Polymers

Co nanoparticles decorated with N-doped carbon nanotubes as high-efficiency catalysts with intrinsic oxidase-like property for colorimetric sensing

Artificial nanozymes are designed for pursuing the functions of splendid catalytic efficiency and prominent selectivity of natural enzymes, meanwhile obtaining higher stability than that of natural enzymes. This emerging technology shows widespread application in the crossing field between nanotechnology and biomedicine. In this work, we employed a universal approach to fabricate a Co@N-CNTs hybrid nanocomposite as an oxidase mimic, in which fine Co nanoparticles were wrapped in N-doped carbon nanotubes, stacking on a hollow dodecahedron carbon skeleton. The synergistic effects of nanostructure engineering, N-doping and carbon coating, as well as the derived interfacial effect contribute to the glorious oxidase-like activity, stability and reusability. It can catalytically oxidize the colorless substrate 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) to a blue oxidation product (ox-TMB). As a result, a colorimetric technique with excellent selectivity and sensitivity for detecting ascorbic acid (AA) with naked eyes was established, in view of specific inhibitory effects towards oxidation of TMB. Under optimal detection conditions, this method exhibits a good linearity ranging from 0.1 to 160 μM with a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.076 μM. For practical applications, Co@N-CNTs hybrid catalyst as a mimic oxidase was used for the determination of AA in human serum, which yielded satisfactory results. This work may serve as a new research thought to guide the design of high-performance nanozymes and establish a sensing platform for the detection of AA.

In this work, we designed a Co@N-CNTs hybrid nanocomposite as an oxidase mimic for the colorimetric detection of ascorbic acid with the naked eye.

Synthesis and Characterization of Hollow-Sphered Poly(N-methyaniline) for Enhanced Electrical Conductivity Based on the Anionic Surfactant Templates and Doping

Poly(N-methylaniline) (PNMA) is a polyaniline derivative with a methyl substituent on the nitrogen atom. PNMA is of interest owing to its higher solubility in organic solvents when compared to the unsubstituted polyaniline. However, the electrical conductivity of polyaniline derivatives suffers from chemical substitution. PNMA was synthesized via emulsion polymerization using three different anionic surfactants, namely sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS), sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS), and dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (AOT). The effects of surfactant structures and concentrations on electrical conductivity, doping level, crystallinity, morphology, and thermal stability were investigated. The re-doping step using perchloric acid (HClO₄) as a dopant was sequentially proceeded to enhance electrical conductivity. PNMA synthesized in SDBS at five times its critical micelle concentration (CMC) demonstrated the highest electrical conductivity, doping level, and thermal stability among all surfactants at identical concentrations. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed that the PNMA particle shapes and sizes critically depended on the surfactant types and concentrations, and the doping mole ratios in the re-doping step. The highest electrical conductivity of 109.84 ± 20.44 S cm⁻¹ and a doping level of 52.45% were attained at the doping mole ratio of 50:1.

Interactions between Lithium, an Ionic Liquid, and Si(111) Surfaces Studied by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy

Investigations of the solid-electrolyte interphase formation on a silicon anode are of great interest for future lithium-ion batteries. We have studied the interactions of the ionic liquid 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) amide ([OMIm]Tf₂N) and of lithium with Si(111) surfaces on a molecular level by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The interaction of Li with [OMIm]Tf₂N on Si(111) results in the decomposition of both the cation and the anion and the intercalation of lithium. Lithium atoms donate the electrons to the [OMIm]⁺ cation, forming Li⁺, and at the same time the alkyl group is detached from the cation. Excessive Li could decompose the imidazolium ring, resulting in C _xH _y and LiC _xH _yN _z species and interact with the Tf₂N^- anions, forming LiF, Li _xO, F₃C-O₂S-N^-Li⁺, and F₃C-O₂S^-Li⁺ species. The formation of a stable Si/IL interface and of Si/Li surface alloys was proved to be an effective strategy in stabilizing Li for next-generation Li-ion batteries.

Octadecyl-viologen Photooxidation in Surface Films: Macroscopic Contraction of Langmuir Monolayer by UV Irradiation

The effects of UV radiation on a viologen derivative, octadecylviologen (OV), in Langmuir monolayers at the air-aqueous solution interface and in Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films have been investigated. Langmuir monolayers suffer a sharp contraction after UV irradiation, clearly visible by the drop in surface pressure or the loss of surface area observed in the surface pressure-area isotherms. The UV-vis reflection measurements reveal a deep change in the OV monolayer caused by a photochemical reaction, which suggests the pyridones formation as photoreaction products. LB films (Z type), before and after being irradiated with UV light, have been studied by using UV-vis absorption and infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results confirm that after the photodegradation of the viologen films, the presence of oxygen results in the appearance of pyridones as reaction products. This article demonstrates that, in the absence of catalysts, the photooxidation of viologen surface films occurs only under a particular molecular organization imposed by the air-water interface.

Doping structure and degradation mechanism of polypyrrole–Nafion® composite membrane for vanadium redox flow batteries

The proton-acid doping structure of PPY endowed the HPPY–N212 membrane with enhanced conductivity as well as reduced vanadium ion permeability.

A highly durable fuel cell electrocatalyst based on double-polymer-coated carbon nanotubes

Driven by the demand for the commercialization of fuel cell (FC) technology, we describe the design and fabrication of a highly durable FC electrocatalyst based on double-polymer-coated carbon nanotubes for use in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. The fabricated electrocatalyst is composed of Pt-deposited polybenzimidazole-coated carbon nanotubes, which are further coated with Nafion. By using this electrocatalyst, a high FC performance with a power density of 375 mW/cm² (at 70 ˚C, 50% relative humidity using air (cathode)/H₂(anode)) was obtained, and a remarkable durability of 500,000 accelerated potential cycles was recorded with only a 5% loss of the initial FC potential and 20% loss of the maximum power density, which were far superior properties compared to those of the membrane electrode assembly prepared using carbon black in place of the carbon nanotubes. The present study indicates that the prepared highly durable fuel cell electrocatalyst is a promising material for the next generation of PEMFCs.

Sensitive Marker of the Cisplatin-DNA Interaction: X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy of CL

The development of cisplatin and Pt-based analogues anticancer agents requires knowledge concerning the molecular mechanisms of interaction between such drugs with DNA. However, the binding dynamics and kinetics of cisplatin reactions with DNA determined by traditional approaches are far from satisfactory. In this study, a typical 20-base oligonucleotide (CGTGACAGTTATTGCAGGCG), as a simplified model representing DNA, was mixed with cisplatin in different molar ratios and incubation time. High-resolution XPS spectra of the core elements C, N, O, P, and Cl were recorded to explore the interaction between cisplatin and DNA. From deconvoluted Cl spectra we could readily differentiate the covalently bound chlorine from ionic chloride species in the cisplatin-oligo complexes, which displayed distinct features at various reaction times and ratios. Monitoring the magnitude and energy of the photoelectron Cl 2p signal by XPS could act as a sensitive marker to probe the interaction dynamics of chemical bonds in the reaction of cisplatin with DNA. At 37°C, the optimum incubation time to obtain a stable cisplatin-oligo complex lies around 20 hrs. This novel analysis technique could have valuable implications to understand the fundamental mechanism of cisplatin cytotoxicity and determine the efficiency of the bonds in treated cancer cells.

X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Characterization of Polyaniline-Cellulose Ester Composite Membranes

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is a promising technique employed for the study of conducting polymers and their composites. XPS was used to study the surface chemistry of polyaniline-mixed cellulose ester (PANI-ME) composite membranes prepared by various chemical oxidative polymerization techniques such as insitu solution, vapour phase polymerizations and aniline polymerization using a two-compartment permeation cell. Hydrolytic degradation of surface deposited PANI and scission of cellulosic chains due to x-ray irradiation inside the XPS chamber influenced the quantification of polyaniline deposition levels as well as oxidation and doping states in PANI-ME membranes. N1s core level spectra allowed characterization of the PANI deposition level, its oxidation state and x-ray induced cellulosic ring cleavage. C1s and O1s core level spectra revealed PANI hydrolysis at the membrane surface. These degradation phenomena influence the performance of PANI composite membranes used specifically in electrodiffusion applications. It was shown that successful quantification of PANI deposition levels and its oxidation state on microporous mixed cellulose ester membranes using XPS could be realized by incorporating the degradation effects in the characterization results.

Charge-transport behavior in shape-controlled poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) nanomaterials: intrinsic and extrinsic factors

The charge-transport behavior in one-dimensional (1D) poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) nanomaterials of three different shapes is described. Both intrinsic and extrinsic factors are considered from the viewpoint of a single nanoparticle and nanoparticle assembly. Intrinsically, the oxidation level of the 1D PEDOT nanomaterials becomes higher with increasing aspect ratio of the nanomaterials, which is closely linked to the conjugation length. This result implies that the transport properties of the nanomaterials are significantly dependent on their shape. Extrinsically, the 1D PEDOT nanomaterials make an ohmic contact with gold interdigitated microelectrodes. In addition, a strong correlation is observed between the interparticle contact resistance and the shape of the nanomaterials. Lastly, the intrinsic and extrinsic factors related to charge transport are further illustrated by the resistance changes of nanomaterial-based chemical sensors. As a result, judicious tailoring of the dimensional and geometrical characteristics of the conducting-polymer nanomaterials may enable precise control over their transport properties as well as the characteristics of the nanomaterial-based devices.

Chemical polymerization of aniline on a poly(styrene sulfonic acid) membrane: Controlling the polymerization site using different oxidants

Poly(styrene sulfonic acid) membranes (Neosepta CMX, Tokuyama Corp.) have been modified by in situ polymerization of aniline. (NH4)2S2O8, FeCl3, H2O2, and KIO3 were used as oxidizing agents, and two different modification methods (single-step versus two-step) were studied. The composite membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, elemental analysis, electrodialysis, ion-exchange capacity, and conductivity measurements. Our results demonstrate that it is possible to control the polymerization site of aniline which in turn affects the membrane selectivity properties. Hence, composite membranes having a very thin and homogeneous surface polyaniline layer lead to a very low transport of Zn 2+ without increasing significantly the resistance to H+ conductivity. On the other hand, membranes containing about the same quantity of PANI but inside the membrane do not block the transport of Zn 2+.

Characterization and transport properties of Nafion/polyaniline composite membranes

Nafion membranes were modified by chemical polymerization of aniline using ammonium peroxodisulfate as the oxidant. The Nafion-polyaniline composite membranes were extensively characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), infrared (FTIR-ATR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and ion-exchange capacity measurements. The transport properties were also evaluated by conductivity and electrodialysis measurements. The data show that when a high oxidant concentration (1 M (NH4)2S2O8) is used, polyaniline is mostly formed at the surface of the Nafion membrane with a higher proportion of oligomers. On the contrary, when 0.1 M oxidant is used, polyaniline is mostly formed inside the ionic domains of Nafion, blocking the pathway to ion transport and thus reducing the transport of Zn2+ as well as the transport of H+. These data were also compared to the data obtained with poly(styrene sulfonate)-PANI composite membranes.