Conducting composites of poly(N‐vinylcarbazole), polypyrrole,and polyaniline with 13X‐zeolite

N‐vinylcarbazole (NVC) was polymerized by 13X zeolite alone in melt (65°C) or in toluene (110°C) and a poly(N‐vinylcarbazole) (PNVC)‐13X composite was isolated. Composites of polypyrrole (PPY) and polyaniline(PANI) with 13X zeolite were prepared via polymerization of the respective monomers in the presence of dispersion of 13X zeolite in water (CuCl₂ oxidant) and in CHCl₃ (FeCl₃ oxidant) at an ambient temperature. The composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared analyses. Scanning electron microscopic analyses of various composites indicated the formation of lumpy aggregates of irregular sizes distinct from the morphology of unmodified 13X zeolite. X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed some typical differences between the various composites, depending upon the nature of the polymer incorporated. Thermogravimetric analyses revealed the stability order as: 13X‐zeolite > polymer‐13X‐zeolite > polymer. PNVC‐13X composite was essentially a nonconductor, while PPY‐13X and PANI‐13X composites showed direct current conductivity in the order of 10^?4 S/cm in either system. However, the conductivity of PNVC‐ 13X composite could be improved to 10^?5 and 10^?6 S/cm by loading PPY and PANI, respectively. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 913–921, 2006     

A new smart coating of polyaniline–SiO2 composite for protection of mild steel against corrosion in strong acidic medium

Organic coating approaches for corrosion protection with inherently conducting polymers have become important because of restriction on the use of heavy metals and chromates in coatings due to their environmental problems. The present work is directed towards the synthesis of polyaniline (PANI) and polyaniline–SiO₂ composites (PSCs) by chemical oxidation polymerization in the presence of phosphoric acid and evaluation of synthesized PANI and PSCs for protection of mild steel from corrosion in a strong aggressive medium (i.e. 1.0 mol L^–1 HCl). A suitable coating with PSC was formed on mild steel using epoxy resin by the powder coating technique. A comparative study of the corrosion protection efficiency of mild steel coated with PANI and PSC in 1.0 mol L^–1 HCl solution was evaluated using the Tafel extrapolation, chrono‐amperometry and weight loss methods. The PSC coating showed that a significant reduction in the corrosion current density reflects the better protection of mild steel in an acidic environment. Higher protection efficiency up to 99% was achieved by using PSC‐coated mild steel at 6.0 wt% loading of PSC in epoxy resin. The coating performance and corrosion rate of mild steel were investigated by using immersion of polymer‐coated mild steel in 1.0 mol L^–1 HCl for 60 days and indicated that PSC‐coated mild steel showed better performance from corrosion than PANI in an acidic medium.© 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Evaluation of the Performance of Carbon Supported Pt–Ru–Ni–P as Anode Catalyst for Methanol Electrooxidation

This research is aimed to improve the activity and stability of ternary alloy Pt–Ru–Ni/C catalyst. A novel anodic catalyst for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC), carbon supported Pt–Ru–Ni–P nanoparticles, has been prepared by chemical reduction method by using NaH₂PO₂ as a reducing agent. One glassy carbon disc working electrode is used to test the catalytic performances of the homemade catalysts by cyclic voltammetric (CV), chronoamperometric (CA) and amperometric i–t measurements in a solution of 0.5 mol L^–1 H₂SO₄ and 0.5 mol L^–1 CH₃OH. The compositions, particle sizes and morphology of home‐made catalysts are evaluated by means of energy dispersive analysis of X‐ray (EDAX), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron micrographs (TEM), respectively. TEM images show that Pt–Ru–Ni–P nanoparticles have an even size distribution with an average diameter of less than 2 nm. The results of CV, CA and i–t curves indicate that the Pt–Ru–Ni–P/C catalyst shows significantly higher activity and stability for methanol electrooxidation due to the presence of non‐metal phosphorus in comparison to Pt–Ru–Ni/C one. All experimental results indicate that the addition of non‐metallic phosphorus into the Pt–Ru–Ni/C catalyst has definite value of research and practical application for enhancing the performance of DMFC.     

Polyaniline‐supported platinum‐hydrous ruthenium oxide nanocomposite as electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation

A novel composite electrode is fabricated through the electrodeposition of hydrous ruthenium oxide (RuO₂·xH₂O) and platinum (Pt) particles into the matrix of polyaniline (PANI). Scanning electron microscopy reveals that RuO₂·xH₂O and Pt particles are homogeneously distributed into the matrix of PANI. A comparison of the sizes of Pt and RuO₂·xH₂O particles incorporated into the PANI film reveals that Pt particles are smaller in sizes as compared with the sizes of RuO₂·xH₂O particles. The catalytic activity of composite electrodes was evaluated for the oxidation of methanol by using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. A relatively high catalytic current was noticed for the oxidation of methanol (2.37 mA/cm²) at PANI‐Pt‐RuO₂·xH₂O electrode (+0.6 V (V vs. Ag/AgCl) in comparison to oxidation current at PAN‐Pt (1.27 mA/cm²) electrode. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Polyaniline/carbon black composite as Pt electrocatalyst supports for methanol oxidation: Synthesis and characterization

Core/shell composites of polyaniline (PANI) and Vulcan XC‐72 Carbon (VC), in which the carbon represents the core and PANI forms the shell, were synthesized by in situ chemical oxidation polymerization. Platinum (Pt) particles were then deposited on the PANI/VC composites by chemical reduction method. The highest conductivity is obtained when a mass ratio of PANI/VC equals to 0.28, as proved by Fourier transform infrared spectra. And it is also proved that there are some reactions happened between PANI and VC. Scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, and X‐ray diffraction measurements were performed to analyze their structure and surface morphology. It has been observed that the Pt particles are smaller in size and more uniformly distributed on these composite supports than on pure VC supports, considered as a reference. Methanol oxidation performed on the electrode modified by such a composite catalyst has been measured by cyclic voltammogram focusing on the attenuation of methanol oxidation current after 200 cycles. The attenuation degree for the composite catalyst is only one‐third of the one measured for a simple Pt/VC catalyst. It is proved that the composite catalyst better resist carbon monoxide poisoning in comparison with the Pt/VC catalyst, which may be due to the synergetic effects between the composite support and the Pt catalyst. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Synthesis and characterization of a conducting polyaniline/TiO2−SiO2 composites

Polyaniline/TiO₂?SiO₂ composites were prepared by an in situ chemical oxidation polymerization approach in the presence of hybrid TiO₂?SiO₂ fillers. The obtained polyaniline/TiO₂?SiO₂ composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry (TG), and current?voltage (I?V) measurements. SEM picture shows a variation in morphology of polyaniline (PANI) from fiber shape to relatively regular particle shape with increasing TiO₂?SiO₂ contents in the composites. The floccule‐like structures were observed by high resolution TEM, which may help improve the efficiency of conductive network. SEM, XRD, TG, and FTIR spectra all reveal that a relatively strong interaction exist between TiO₂?SiO₂ and PANI. The I?V characteristics in such composites indicate that the charge transport is mainly governed by the space charge effects, which occurs at the interface between the conducting PANI and TiO₂?SiO₂. Meanwhile, PANI/TiO₂?SiO₂ composites exhibit significant increase in conductivity than PANI/TiO₂ or PANI/SiO₂. The reasons about high conductivity of PANI/TiO₂?SiO₂ have also been discussed. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 2288–2295, 2013     

Preparation and evaluation of polyaniline and polypyrrole modified water‐dispersible conducting nanocomposites of polyacrylonitrile with silica

Water‐dispersible conducting nanocomposites were prepared by precipitating polyaniline (PANI)/polypyrrole (PPY) in an aqueous suspension of polyacrylonitrile–SiO₂ (PAN–SiO₂) via K₂CrO₄–NaAsO₂ redox polymerization. Incorporation of PANI and PPY in the composites was confirmed by the FTIR spectrum. Scanning electron microscopic analyses for the PANI–(PAN–SiO₂) and PPY–(PAN–SiO₂) composites indicated formation of lumpy aggregates with irregular sizes. TEM analyses revealed formation of spherical particles with size ranging between 80 and 150 nm for PANI–(PAN–SiO₂) nanocomposite and 75–150 nm for PPY‐(PAN‐SiO₂) nanocomposites, respectively. Thermal stabilities of the PANI–(PAN–SiO₂) and PPY–(PAN–SiO₂) nanocomposites were higher than those of the individual base polymers. Conductivity values of PANI–(PAN–SiO₂) nanocomposite (10^?3 S cm^?1) and PPY–(PAN–SiO₂) nanocomposite (10^?4 S cm^?1) were remarkably improved relative to that for PAN homopolymer (>10^?11 S cm^?1). Both of these composites produced a permanently stable aqueous suspension when the polymerization was conducted in presence of nanodimensional SiO₂ as a particulate dispersant. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Phosphoramidate‐functionalized Merrifield resin: synthesis and application in actinide separation

A novel phosphoramidate‐functionalized polymeric resin was synthesized by anchoring diethyl (3‐(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)propyl)phosphoramidate group with chloromethylated polystyrene divinylbenzene resin. The grafted resin was characterized using elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared, solid‐state ³¹P NMR energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopies, and thermogravimetric analysis. The surface morphology of the functionalized resin was investigated using scanning electron microscopy and the surface area was measured with Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis. Sorption affinities of the functionalized resin towards actinides such as Th(IV) and U(VI) were determined under various concentrations of nitric acid solution (0.01–6 mol L^?1). Desorption of the actinides from the loaded resin was performed using a solution of 0.01 mol L^?1 nitric acid. Reusability of the grafted resin was studied over various successive cycles and the stability of the functional groups on the synthesized resin was monitored using various analytical techniques. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry     

Novel electrically conductive and ferromagnetic composites of poly(aniline‐co‐aminonaphthalenesulfonic acid) with iron oxide nanoparticles: Synthesis and characterization

Nanocomposites of iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) with a sulfonated polyaniline, poly(aniline‐co‐aminonaphthalenesulfonic acid) [SPAN(ANSA)], were synthesized through chemical oxidative copolymerization of aniline and 5‐amino‐2‐naphthalenesulfonic acid/1‐amino‐5‐naphthalenesulfonic acid in the presence of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The nanocomposites [Fe₃O₄/SPAN(ANSA)‐NCs] were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, elemental analysis, UV–visible spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), superconductor quantum interference device (SQUID), and electrical conductivity measurements. The TEM images reveal that nanocrystalline Fe₃O₄ particles were homogeneously incorporated within the polymer matrix with the sizes in the range of 10–15 nm. XRD pattern reveals that pure Fe₃O₄ particles are having spinel structure, and nanocomposites are more crystalline in comparison to pristine polymers. Differential thermogravimetric (DTG) curves obtained through TGA informs that polymer chains in the composites have better thermal stability than that of the pristine copolymers. FTIR spectra provide information on the structure of the composites. The conductivity of the nanocomposites (～ 0.5 S cm^?1) is higher than that of pristine PANI (～ 10^?3 S cm^?1). The charge transport behavior of the composites is explained through temperature difference of conductivity. The temperature dependence of conductivity fits with the quasi‐1D variable range hopping (quasi‐1D VRH) model. SQUID analysis reveals that the composites show ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature. The maximum saturation magnetization of the composite is 9.7 emu g^?1. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007     

Durable Transition‐Metal‐Carbide‐Supported Pt–Ru Anodes for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

Molybdenum carbide (MoC) and tungsten carbide (WC) are synthesized by direct carbonization method. Pt–Ru catalysts supported on MoC, WC, and Vulcan XC‐72R are prepared, and characterized by X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy in conjunction with electrochemistry. Electrochemical activities for the catalysts towards methanol electro‐oxidation are studied by cyclic voltammetry. All the electro‐catalysts are subjected to accelerated durability test (ADT). The electrochemical activity of carbide‐supported electro‐catalysts towards methanol electro‐oxidation is found to be higher than carbon‐supported catalysts before and after ADT. The study suggests that Pt–Ru/MoC and Pt–Ru/WC catalysts are more durable than Pt–Ru/C. Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) with Pt–Ru/MoC and Pt–Ru/WC anodes also exhibit higher performance than the DMFC with Pt–Ru/C anode.     

Photo‐induced protonation and conductivity of polyaniline/poly(ethylene glycol) and polyaniline/[poly(ethylene glycol)‐grafted polyaniline] composites

Composites of polyaniline in its emeraldine base form (PANI‐EB) and photo‐acid generators (PAG) show an increase in conductivity upon photo‐irradiation due to the protonation of PANI‐EB. Such materials may be utilized to fabricate conducting patterns by photo‐irradiation. However, the conductivity obtained by direct irradiation of PANI‐EB/PAG composites was normally quite low (<10^?3 S/cm) due to aggregation of highly loaded PAG. In this work, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), which is a proton transfer polymer, was added to PANI‐EB/PAG. Results showed that addition of low M_w (550) PEG significantly enhance the photo‐induced conductivity. Conductivities as high as 10^?1–10⁰ S/cm were observed after photo‐irradiation. This conductivity is comparable to that of PANI‐salt synthesized by oxidizing aniline in the presence of an acid. High M_w (8000) PEG is much less effective than PEG 550, which is attributed to its lower compatibility with PANI. PEG‐grafted PANI (N‐PEG‐PANI) was also studied as an additive. Composites of PANI‐EB and N‐PEG‐PANI showed conductivity as high as 10² S/cm after treatment with HCl vapor. The photo‐induced conductivity of the N‐PEG‐PANI/PANI‐EB/PAG composite reached 10^?2–10^?1 S/cm. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Effect of dopant and oxidant on the electrochemical properties of polyaniline/graphite nanoplate composites

Optimizing the synthesis parameters of polyaniline/graphite nanoplate (PANI/GNP) composite is essential to the final electrochemical performance. Herein, the electrochemical properties of PANI/GNP composites, prepared by in situ chemical polymerization using varying amounts of different oxidants, with or without the addition of 4‐dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA) as dopant, were investigated. Cyclic voltammetric results suggested that a stoichiometric amount of the oxidant iron chloride (FeCl₃) was beneficial to the electrochemical properties of the composites. The use of ammonium persulfate (APS) instead of FeCl₃ as oxidant largely increased the actual PANI content, conductivity and specific capacitance of the PANI/GNP composites. The dopant DBSA increased the conductivity of the PANI/GNP composites but did not show a positive effect on the electrochemical behavior. The cyclic voltammograms of the PANI/GNP composites indicated that the pseudocapacitance of PANI contributes more than the electrical double‐layer capacitance of GNP to the capacitance of the composites, while the presence of GNP plays an essential role in the rate capability of the composites. In this study, PANI/GNP (1:1) composite synthesized with an APS to aniline molar ratio of 1 showed a balanced combination of high specific capacitance (180.5 F g^?1 at 20 mV s^?1) and good rate capability (78% retention at 100 mV s^?1). © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry     

Conducting composites prepared by the reduction of silver ions with poly(p‐phenylenediamine)

Poly(p‐phenylenediamine) (PPDA) and also its ladder‐like analogue were prepared by oxidation of p‐phenylenediamine with ammonium peroxydisulfate in an aqueous solution of 0.4 mol L^?1 hydrochloric acid and converted to PPDA bases. These were used as reductants of silver nitrate to silver nanoparticles in 1 mol L^?1 methanesulfonic acid or in water at various mole ratios of silver nitrate to p‐phenylenediamine units from 0 to 1.8. The original conductivity of the PPDA, 10^?12 S cm^?1, increased to the order of 100 S cm^?1 for the PPDA–silver composites containing 27–40 wt% (i.e. 4.5–6.6 vol%) silver. Fourier transform infrared spectra indicated a practically unchanged molecular structure of PPDA in the composites. In contrast, Raman spectroscopy showed the existence of regions with unchanged molecular structure of PPDA as well as the presence of regions containing silver particles and oxidized PPDA moieties. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry     

Influence of the reaction temperature on polyaniline morphology and evaluation of their performance as supercapacitor electrode

The polyaniline (PANI) nanostructures of tubular, spherical, and granules morphologies were synthesized by chemical oxidation approach in different reaction temperatures and used as the active electrode materials of symmetric redox supercapacitors. X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques are employed for characterization of these PANIs. With the initial and reaction temperature increase, the morphology of PANI turned from block to spherical and tubular. Electrochemical properties of these PANI electrodes are studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV), agalvanostatic charge–discharge test, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in 1M H₂SO₄ aqueous solution. The highest electrochemical properties are obtained on the PANI with tubular morphology. The initial specific capacitance of tubular, spherical, and granules PANI are about 300, 300, and 290 F g^?1 at a constant current of 5 mA. Meanwhile, the retention of the tubular PANI capacitance after 500 charge–discharge cycles was 75%, whereas the spherical and granules PANI was only 35% and 57%. The results indicate that tubular PANI electrodes have potential applications as high‐performance supercapacitors electrode materials. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 3753–3758, 2013     

Multifunctional polyaniline–tin oxide (PANI–SnO2) nanocomposite: Synthesis,electrochemical, and field emission investigations

Synthesis of PANI–SnO₂ nanocomposite has been performed using a simple two step chemical oxidative polymerization route. The structural, morphological and chemical properties of the as‐synthesized PANI–SnO₂ nanocomposite have been revealed by various characterization techniques such as SEM, TEM, XRD, FTIR, and XPS. Interestingly the as‐synthesized PANI–SnO₂ nanocomposite exhibits supercapacitance value of 721 F g^?1 with energy density 64 Wh kg^?1, which is noticed to be higher than that of pristine SnO₂ and PANI nanostructures. Furthermore, the galvanostatic charge–discharge characteristics revealed pseudocapacitive nature of the PANI–SnO₂ nanocomposite. The estimated values of charge transfer resistance and series resistance estimated from the Nyquist plot are found to be lower. Along with the supercapacitive nature, PANI–SnO₂ nanocomposite showed promising field emission behavior. The threshold field, required to draw emission current density of 1 μA/cm², is observed to be 0.90 V/μm and emission current density of 1.2 mA/cm² has been drawn at applied field of ～2.6 V/μm. The emission current stability investigated at preset values of 0.02 and 0.1 mA/cm² is observed to be fairly stable over duration of more than 3 h. The enhanced supercapacitance values, as well as, the promising field emission characteristics are attributed to the synergic effect of SnO₂ nanoparticles and PANI nanotubes. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41401.     

Chemical and electrochemical synthesis of polyaniline/platinum composites

The synthesis of polyaniline/platinum composites (PANI/Pt) has been achieved using both chemical and electrochemical methods. The direct chemical synthesis of PANI/Pt proceeds through the oxidation of aniline by PtCl₆²⁻ in the absence of a secondary oxidant. SEM images of these samples indicate that the Pt particles are on the order of ∼1 μm for the chemically prepared composite. Electrochemical PANI/Pt synthesis is initiated by the uptake and reduction of PtCl₆²⁻ into an a priori electrochemically deposited PANI film. This method produces a uniform dispersion of Pt particles with smaller particles with diameters ranging between 200 nm and 1 μm. The results indicate that electrochemical methods may be more suitable for controlling particle dimension. Both materials show reduced proton doping relative to PANI without Pt, indicating the metal particles directly influence proton doping and the oxidation state of the polymer. The electrochemical data indicate that the conductivity in solution is sufficient such that the normal acid doping is attainable for PANI/Pt produced using either synthetic method.     

Synthesis and studies of the physical properties of polyaniline and polyurethane‐modified epoxy composites

Two series of toughened, semiconductive polyaniline (PANI)/polyurethane (PU)‐epoxy (PANI/PU‐EPOXY) nano‐composites were prepared using a conductive polymer, PANI, and PU prepolymer‐modified‐diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) epoxy. First, the PU prepolymer‐modified epoxy oligomer was synthesized by a stoichiometric reaction between the terminal isocyanate groups of the PU prepolymer and the pendent hydroxyl groups of the epoxide. PU prepolymers were made either of polyester (polybutylene adipate, PBA) or polyether (polypropylene glycol, PPG) segments. The composites were characterized by thermal, morphological, mechanical, and electrical studies. Impact strength was enhanced 100% in PU (PPG 2000)‐modified composites; whereas, only ca. 30–50% increases in impact strength were observed for the other modified composites. In addition, the thermal stability of this composite proved superior to that of neat epoxy resin, regardless of a PU content at 27.5 wt%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) morphology study showed that the spherical PU (PPG 2000) particles (ca. 0.2–0.5 μm) dispersed within the matrix accounts for these extraordinary properties. The conductivity of the composite increased to ca. 10^?9–10^?3 S cm^?1 upon addition of PANI when tested in the frequency range 1 kHz–13 MHz. This study demonstrated a useful way to simultaneously improve the toughness and conductivity of the epoxy composite, thus rendering it suitable for electromagnetic interference and various charge dissipation applications. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Synthesis,Characterization and Properties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-Alkyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-di(2-hydroxyethyl) Amine Oxides

N‐Dodecyl‐N,N‐di(2‐hydroxyethyl) amine oxide (C₁₂DHEAO) and N‐stearyl‐N,N‐di(2‐hydroxyethyl) amine oxide (C₁₈DHEAO) were synthesized with N‐alkyl‐diethanolamine and hydrogen peroxide. Their chemical structures were confirmed using ¹H‐NMR spectra, mass spectral fragmentation and FTIR spectroscopic analysis. It was found that C₁₂DHEAO and C₁₈DHEAO reduced the surface tension of water to a minimum value of approximately 28.75 mN m^?1 at concentration of 2.48 × 10^?3 mol L^?1 and 32.45 mN m^?1 at concentration of 5.21 × 10^?5 mol L^?1, respectively. The minimum interfacial tension (IFT_min) and the dynamic interfacial tension (DIT) of oil–water system were measured. When C₁₈DHEAO concentration was in the range of 0.1–0.5%, the IFT_min between liquid paraffin and C₁₈DHEAO solutions all reached the ultra‐low interfacial tension. Furthermore, their foam properties were investigated by Ross‐Miles method, and the height of foam of C₁₂DHEAO was 183 mm. It was also found that they showed strong emulsifying power.     

Synthesis and characterization of polyaniline/NiO nanocomposite

Spherical nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles were prepared by using nickel chloride as precursor in the ethylene glycol as solvent and urea as precipitant. The X‐ray diffraction study showed that NiO has single‐phase cubic structure with average crystallite size of 35 nm. The prepared NiO nanoparticles were incorporated into polyaniline (PANI) matrix during in situ chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline with different molar ratios of aniline: NiO (12 : 1, 6 : 1, and 3 : 1) at 5°C using (NH₄)₂S₂O₈ as oxidant in aqueous solution of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid, as surfactant and dopant under N₂ atmosphere. The synthesized composites have been characterized by means of X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy, TEM, and vibrating sample magnetometer for its structural, thermal, morphological, and magnetic investigation. The XRD and FTIR studies show that the NiO particles are in the composite. The room temperature conductivities of the synthesized PANI, PANI/NiO (12 : 1), (6 : 1), and (3 : 1) composites were found to be 3.26 × 10^?4, 1.88 × 10^?4, 1.5 × 10^?4, and 4.61 × 10^?4 S/cm, respectively. The coercivity (H_c) and remnant magnetization (M_r) of NiO, PANI/NiO NCs (12 : 1), (6 : 1), and (3 : 1) at 5 K was found to be 8.22 × 10^?2, 6.31 × 10^?2, 6.42 × 10^?2, 6.27 × 10^?2 T, and 6.64 × 10^?3, 1.83 × 10^?4, 3.07 × 10^?4, and 3.98 × 10^?4 emu/g, respectively. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

In Situ Soft X‐ray Microscopy Study of Fe Interconnect Corrosion in Ionic Liquid‐Based Nano‐PEMFC Half‐Cells

This in situ soft X‐ray scanning microscopy electrochemical study of model proton exchange cathodic and anodic nano‐fuel cells is exploring the evolving structure and chemical composition of key cell components represented by Au and Fe electrodes in contact with Nafion‐ionic liquid composite electrolyte containing Pt black catalyst particles. Morphological and chemical changes of the electrodes as well as the chemical state and fate of the Fe species released into the electrolyte are monitored in short circuit and with applied cathodic or anodic polarization. The in situ X‐ray absorption images of the cathodic cell fed with 2.5 × 10^–5 mbar O₂ have revealed corrosion‐induced morphology changes in the Fe electrode, being more pronounced in the vicinity of Pt‐black particles, and deposition of the Fe species released into the electrolyte, onto the intact Au counter electrode upon cathodic polarization. The Fe electrodes of the anodic cell containing NaBH₄ in the electrolyte appear relatively more corrosion resistant. The Fe L₃ absorption spectra taken in different locations within the Fe electrode have shown lateral variations in the relative ratio between Fe²⁺ and Fe^3&4+ oxidation states, whereas the Fe species released into the RTIL electrolyte are only in the high Fe^3&4+ oxidation states.