Synthesis, characterization, optical, thermal and electrical properties of polybenzimidazoles

One-Step Formation of Reduced Graphene Oxide from Insulating Polymers Induced by Laser Writing Method

Finding a low-cost and effective method at low temperatures for producing reduced graphene oxide (rGO) has been the focus of many efforts in the research community for almost two decades. Overall, rGO is a promising candidate for use in supercapacitors, batteries, biosensors, photovoltaic devices, corrosion inhibitors, and optical devices. Herein, we report the formation of rGO from two electrically insulating polymers, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and meta-polybenzimidazole fiber (m-PBI), using an excimer pulsed laser annealing (PLA) method. The results from X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, electron backscattered diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirm the successful generation of rGO with the formation of a multilayered structure. We investigated the mechanisms for the transformation of PTFE and PBI into rGO. The PTFE transition occurs by both a photochemical mechanism and a photothermal mechanism. The transition of PBI is dominated by a photo-oxidation mechanism and stepwise thermal degradation. After degradation and degassing procedures, both the polymers leave behind free molten carbon with some oxygen and hydrogen content. The free molten carbon undergoes an undercooling process with a regrowth velocity (<4 m·s−1) that is necessary for the formation of rGO structures. This approach has the potential for use in creating future selective polymer-written electronics.

Advances in laser-assisted conversion of polymeric and graphitic carbon into nanodiamond films

Nanodiamond (ND) synthesis by nanosecond laser irradiation has sparked tremendous scientific and technological interest. This review describes efforts to obtain cost-effective ND synthesis from polymers and carbon nanotubes (CNT) by the melting route. For polymers, ultraviolet (UV) irradiation triggers intricate photothermal and photochemical processes that result in photochemical degradation, subsequently generating an amorphous carbon film; this process is followed by melting and undercooling of the carbon film at rates exceeding 10⁹K s^-1. Multiple laser shots increase the absorption coefficient of PTFE, resulting in the growth of 〈110〉 oriented ND film. Multiple laser shots on CNTs result in pseudo topotactic diamond growth to form a diamond fiber. This technique is useful for fabricating 4-50 nm sized NDs. These NDs can further be employed as seed materials that are used in bulk epitaxial growth of microdiamonds using chemical vapor deposition, particularly for use with non-lattice matched substrates that formerly did not form continuous and adherent films. We also provide insights into biocompatible precursors for ND synthesis such as polybenzimidazole fiber. ND fabrication by UV irradiation of graphitic and polymeric carbon opens up a pathway for preparing selective coatings of polymer-diamond composites, doped nanodiamonds, and graphene composites for quantum computing and biomedical applications.

Synthesis and characterization of high-temperature resistant and thermally conductive magnetic PBI/Fe3O4 nanofibers

In the present study, magnetite nanoparticles were added to an electrospinning solution of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/polybenzimidazole (PBI) polymers to prepare PBI/Fe3O4 nanofibers (NFs). The operating voltage of the electrospinning device was set to 15 kV, the distance between the needle and the plate was 10 cm, and the feed rate was set to 0.3 mL h−1. The microstructures of the as-prepared NFs were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry, atomic force microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and vibration sample magnetometry. Magnetite-doped PVDF/PBI NFs exhibited superior magnetism and saturation magnetization in the range of 1.5–5 emu g−1. It was observed that the thermal resistance of the fibers increased with the increasing amount of magnetic particles and nanocomposite fiber (NCF) 1 and NCF2 exhibited excellent thermal resistance up to 415°C and 450°C, respectively. The heat conduction coefficient of the fibers was measured at 4, 6, and 8 W. The thermal conductivity of the NFs increased with the increasing amount of magnetite nanoparticles, and the highest thermal conductivity coefficient for NCF2 (1.83 W mK−1) was measured at 4 W.