Development and characterisation of a novel composite electrode material consisting of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) including Au nanoparticles

Composite material consisting of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), including Au nanoparticles encapsulated by N-dodecyl-N,N-dimethyl-3-ammonium-1-propanesulphonate (SB12) is synthesised by constant-current method on ITO glass, in aqueous medium, leading to an electrode coating. The synthesis process is followed by UV-vis spectroelectrochemistry, both in normal-beam and in parallel-beam configurations. Under the same experimental conditions PEDOT is also synthesised by electropolymerisation only in the presence of LiClO₄ supporting electrolyte, as well in solutions also containing SB12. The data relative to the electrosynthesis of the three materials are compared. The composite material based on the conductive polymer matrix including Au nanoparticles has been characterised by SEM, TEM, ICP, Raman and UV-vis spectroscopies. The behaviour of the three different electrode coatings with respect to p-doping process has been studied by conventional electrochemical techniques and by potentiostatic and potentiodynamic UV-vis spectroelectrochemical methods. Conclusions are drawn out about the effect of the presence of the surfactant and of Au nanoparticles on the electrochemical properties of the electrode system.     

Electrosynthesis and properties of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) films functionalized with titanocene dichloride complex

Synthesis of a titanocene dichloride derivative functionalized with 3,4-etylenedioxythiophene group, Tc1EDOT (Cl₂TiCpC₅H₄(CH₂) (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)) has been described. Redox behavior of the monomer in tetrahydrofuran (THF), dichloromethane (DCM) and acetonitrile (AN) at different scan rates has been discussed in terms of different ability of these solvents to coordination with the reduced titanocene (Tc) complex and the solvation of Cl⁻ anions. Electrooxidation of Tc1EDOT to get a conducting polymer film with immobilized titanocene dichloride centers and electrochemical properties of its polymer matrix in background acetonitrile solution have been compared with those of non-substituted PEDOT and PEDOT-methanol derivative (PEDOTMet), to elucidate the effect of substituents both on polymerization and redox potentials of the matrix. STM and AFM images of p(Tc1EDOT) films obtained with potentiodynamic and potentiostatic regimes are compared to illustrate that the films deposited at constant potential are better ordered and more compact than those obtained by cyclic voltammetry. A comparison of the cyclic voltammograms of p(Tc1EDOT) and poly(titanocene-propyl-pyrrole) (p(Tc3Py)) films in 0.1 TBAPF₆ in THF has shown that the electroactivity of the polymer matrix of p(Tc1EDOT) is extended to more negative potentials in comparison to that of p(Tc3Py). This results in the anodic shift of redox potential of Tc centers immobilized in p(Tc1EDOT) film with respect to that of the centers fixed in p(Tc3Py).     

Synthesis and electrochemical capacitance of core-shell poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly (sodium 4-styrenesulfonate)-modified multiwalled carbon nanotube nanocomposites

A noncovalent method was used to functionalize multiwalled carbon nanotubes with poly (sodium 4-styrene sulfonate). And then, the core-shell poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (PEDOT/PSS-CNTs) nanocomposite was successfully realized via in situ polymerization under the hydrothermal condition. In the process, PSS served for not only solubilizing and dispersing CNTs well into an aqueous solution, but also tethering EDOT monomer onto the surface of CNTs to facilitate the formation of a uniform PEDOT coating. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the resultant PEDOT/PSS-CNTs. In addition, the PEDOT/PSS-CNTs nanocomposite (50 wt.% PEDOT) had a specific capacitance (SC) of 198.2 F g⁻¹ at a current density of 0.5 A g⁻¹ and a capacitance degradation of 26.9% after 2000 cycles, much better than those of pristine PEDOT and PEDOT/CNTs (50 wt.% PEDOT). The enhanced electrochemical performance of the PEDOT/PSS-CNTs nanocomposite (50 wt.% PEDOT) should be attributed to the high uniform system of the nanocomposite, resulting in the large surface easily contacted by abundant electrolyte ions through the three-dimensional conducting matrix.     

Organic–inorganic composites consisted of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and Prussian Blue analogues

The organic–inorganic material consisted of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (pEDOT) and copper hexacyanoferrate (Cuhcf) was synthesized. The pEDOT film with Fe(CN)₆^3−/4− as counter-ions potentiodynamically polarized in aqueous CuCl₂ electrolyte brings about stable hybrid material (pEDOT/Cuhcf) performing single redox activity of Fe^II/III at a formal potential E_f = 0.61 V (vs. Ag/AgCl/0.1 M KCl) and less clearly shaped two redox coming from copper ions entrapped inside the film. XPS ex situ measurements show three different binding energies for copper (Cu 2p_3/2: 932.2, 934.8 and 936.3 eV) and two for iron (Fe 2p_3/2: 708.2 and 709.0 eV). Spectroelectrochemical measurements allowed to establish an order in the energy band gap (E_g) for the investigated hybrids pEDOT/Mehcf (Me = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu) as follows: E_{g(pEDOT/Fehcf)} = 1.40 eV < E_{g(pEDOT/Cohcf)} = 1.48 eV < E_{g(pEDOT/Nihcf)} = 1.52 eV < E_{g(pEDOT/Cuhcf)} = 1.6 eV. The hybrid materials were examined as electrodes for electrocatalytic reduction of H₂O₂. Copper centres in pEDOT/Cuhcf as well as high spin iron centres in pEDOT/Fehcf were found to be electrocatalytically active towards hydrogen peroxide reduction.     

Accumulation of Cu(II) cations in poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) films doped by hexacyanoferrate anions and its application in Cu-selective electrodes with PVC based membranes

Electrochemical properties of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with hexacyanoferrate(II,III) ions (PEDOT(HCF)) were studied in the presence of Cu²⁺ ions. Voltammetric and EDAX studies revealed retention of hexacyanoferrate anions in the polymer film and accumulation of Cu(II) cations, as well as formation of solid copper hexacyanoferrate near the polymer surface.Accumulation of Cu²⁺ ions was found to be advantageous from the point of view of PEDOT(HCF) applications as a solid contact (ion-to-electron transducer) in all-solid-state Cu²⁺-selective electrodes with solvent polymeric polyvinyl chloride (PVC) based membrane, containing Cu²⁺-selective ionophore. Binding of Cu²⁺ ions in the conducting polymer layer results in analyte ions flux into the transducer phase. Thus, pronounced enhancement of selectivity of the all-solid-state Cu²⁺-selective electrode or lower detection limit of the potentiometric response range was achieved, reaching under optimised conditions 10⁻⁷ M CuSO₄.     

Redox behavior and optical response of nanostructured poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) films grown in a camphorsulfonic acid based micellar solution

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) films have been electropolymerized from an aqueous micellar solution comprising camphorsulfonic acid (CSA), lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate (LiCF₃SO₃) and EDOT. The inclusion of the dopants CS⁻ and CF₃SO₃⁻ in the polymer structure and an unusually high doping level of 0.54 have been ascertained by the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy studies show that the micellar effect of CSA leads to a morphology wherein polymer particles link together to form elongated shapes and also endows the film with a surface roughness of 25-30 nm. These nanostructures permit a facile intercalation-deintercalation of anions in the film during redox cycling. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy show that the charge transfer phenomenon at the PEDOT-electrolyte interface is dominant in the high frequency region and diffusion controlled ionic movement prevails in the low frequency regime. The use of these films as potential cathodes in electrochromic windows is rationalized not only on the basis of their high scalability and ease of processing but also due to their large coloration efficiency (123 cm² C⁻¹) and transmission modulation (50%) at a photopic wavelength of 550 nm. But further improvement in color-bleach kinetics and reproducibility of redox behavior is desirable to broaden their spectrum of utility.     

Mixed protein-templated luminescent metal clusters (Au and Pt) for H2O2 sensing

A simple and cost-effective method to synthesize the luminescent noble metal clusters (Au and Pt) in chicken egg white aqueous solution at room temperature is reported. The red-emitting Au cluster is used as fluorescent probe for sensitive detection of H₂O₂.     

Electrochemical synthesis and structural studies of polypyrroles, poly(3,4-ethylene-dioxythiophene)s and copolymers of pyrrole and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene on carbon fibre microelectrodes

Polypyrrole, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and the copolymer of pyrrole and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene films were synthesized electrochemically on carbon fibre microelectrodes (CFME). Deposition conditions on the carbon fibre and the influence of monomer concentrations on the copolymerization, as well as the electrochemistry of the resulting polymers and copolymers, were studied. Structural studies of the polymers were conducted using different techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, in situ spectroelectrochemistry, FTIR and scanning electron microscopy. The effect of the monomer ratio on the formation of copolymer is reported. A high level of stability to overoxidation was also observed for poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) as the polymer on this CFME substrate shows limited degradation of its electroactivity at potentials 1.2 V above its half-wave potential.     

Electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical study on bilayer films composed of C60 and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) PEDOT

Bilayers of drop casted C₆₀ fullerene films and electrochemically synthesized poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) films have been studied. The PEDOT film was polymerised by cyclic voltammetry on top of the drop casted C₆₀ fullerene film. The bilayer films were produced and characterized in three different electrolytes; tetrabutylammoniumhexafluorophosphate (TBAPF₆) and lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF₆) in acetonitrile (ACN) and in the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMIMBF₄). The bilayers were studied by cyclic voltammetry and in situ Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR) spectroscopy. Both p- and n-doping of the bilayer films were studied and compared with PEDOT films prepared in organic media.     

Complexes in the Photocatalytic Reaction of CO(2) and H(2)O: Theoretical Studies

Complexes (H(2)O/CO(2), e-(H(2)O/CO(2)) and h(+)-(H(2)O/CO(2))) in the reaction system of CO(2) photoreduction with H(2)O were researched by B3LYP and MP2 methods along with natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. Geometries of these complexes were optimized and frequencies analysis performed. H(2)O/CO(2) captured photo-induced electron and hole produced e-(H(2)O/CO(2)) and h(+)-(H(2)O/CO(2)), respectively. The results revealed that CO(2) and H(2)O molecules could be activated by the photo-induced electrons and holes, and each of these complexes possessed two isomers. Due to the effect of photo-induced electrons, the bond length of C=O and H-O were lengthened, while H-O bonds were shortened, influenced by holes. The infrared (IR) adsorption frequencies of these complexes were different from that of CO(2) and H(2)O, which might be attributed to the synergistic effect and which could not be captured experimentally.     

Reduction of Biocide-Polluted Wastewater Using O3 and H2O2/O3 Oxidation Processes

The objective of the presented study was to test various oxidation processes with the aim being to reduce the concentration and toxicity of biocide wastewater from a Slovenian phytopharmaceutical factory. Laboratory-scale experiments employing two AOP processes – ozonation (O₃) and peroxone (H₂O₂/O₃) – were applied to reduce the concentration of the active components involved, i.e., methylisothiazolone (MI), chloromethylisothiazolone (CMI) and dichloromethylisothiazolone (DCMI). The reduction of the biocide wastewater load for the performed oxidation processes was evaluated using ecological parameters. The H₂O₂/O₃ oxidation procedure using an O₃ flow rate of 1g/L h, at a pH value of 10 and with the addition of 5 ml of H₂O₂ (0.3 M) proved to be the most effective treatment. The toxicity of the biocide-load wastewater with an initial EC₅₀ = 0.38%, decreased to EC₅₀ (24h) >100% and EC₅₀ (48h) = 76%.     

Electrochemical performances of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-NiFe2O4 nanocomposite as electrode for supercapacitor

Poly 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT)-based NiFe₂O₄ conducting nanocomposites were synthesized and their electrochemical properties were studied in order to find out their suitability as electrode materials for supercapacitor. Nanocrystalline nickel ferrites (5-20 nm) have been synthesized by sol-gel method. Reverse microemulsion polymerization in n-hexane medium for PEDOT nanotube and aqueous miceller dispersion polymerization for bulk PEDOT formation using different surfactants have been adopted. Structural morphology and characterization were studied using XRD, SEM, TEM and IR spectroscopy. Electrochemical performances of these electrode materials were carried out using cyclic voltammetry at different scan rates (2-20 mV/s) and galvanostatic charge-discharge at different constant current densities (0.5-10 mA/cm²) in acetonitrile solvent containing 1 M LiClO₄ electrolyte. Nanocomposite electrode material shows high specific capacitance (251 F/g) in comparison to its constituents viz NiFe₂O₄ (127 F/g) and PEDOT (156 F/g) where morphology of the pore structure plays a significant role over the total surface area. Contribution of pseudocapacitance (C_FS) arising from the redox reactions over the electrical double layer capacitance (C_DL) in the composite materials have also been investigated through the measurement of AC impedance in the frequency range 10 kHz-10 mHz with a potential amplitude of 5 mV. The small attenuation (∼16%) in capacitance of PEDOT-NiFe₂O₄ composite over 500 continuous charging/discharging cycles suggests its excellent electrochemical stability.     

Fabrication and photocatalytic properties of silicon nanowires by metal-assisted chemical etching: effect of H2O2 concentration

In the current study, monocrystalline silicon nanowire arrays (SiNWs) were prepared through a metal-assisted chemical etching method of silicon wafers in an etching solution composed of HF and H₂O₂. Photoelectric properties of the monocrystalline SiNWs are improved greatly with the formation of the nanostructure on the silicon wafers. By controlling the hydrogen peroxide concentration in the etching solution, SiNWs with different morphologies and surface characteristics are obtained. A reasonable mechanism of the etching process was proposed. Photocatalytic experiment shows that SiNWs prepared by 20% H₂O₂ etching solution exhibit the best activity in the decomposition of the target organic pollutant, Rhodamine B (RhB), under Xe arc lamp irradiation for its appropriate Si nanowire density with the effect of Si content and contact area of photocatalyst and RhB optimized.     

Magnetoelectricity in CoFe2O4 nanocrystal-P(VDF-HFP) thin films

Transition metal ferrites such as CoFe₂O₄, possessing a large magnetostriction coefficient and high Curie temperature (T_c > 600 K), are excellent candidates for creating magnetic order at the nanoscale and provide a pathway to the fabrication of uniform particle-matrix films with optimized potential for magnetoelectric coupling. Here, a series of 0–3 type nanocomposite thin films composed of ferrimagnetic cobalt ferrite nanocrystals (8 to 18 nm) and a ferroelectric/piezoelectric polymer poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropene), P(VDF-HFP), were prepared by multiple spin coating and cast coating over a thickness range of 200 nm to 1.6 μm. We describe the synthesis and structural characterization of the nanocrystals and composite films by XRD, TEM, HRTEM, STEM, and SEM, as well as dielectric and magnetic properties, in order to identify evidence of cooperative interactions between the two phases. The CoFe₂O₄ polymer nanocomposite thin films exhibit composition-dependent effective permittivity, loss tangent, and specific saturation magnetization (M_s). An enhancement of the effective permittivity and saturation magnetization of the CoFe₂O₄-P(VDF-HFP) films was observed and directly compared with CoFe₂O₄-polyvinylpyrrolidone, a non-ferroelectric polymer-based nanocomposite prepared by the same method. The comparison provided evidence for the observation of a magnetoelectric effect in the case of CoFe₂O₄-P(VDF-HFP), attributed to a magnetostrictive/piezoelectric interaction. An enhancement of M_s up to +20.7% was observed at room temperature in the case of the 10 wt.% CoFe₂O₄-P(VDF-HFP) sample.     

Decolorization and Modeling of Synthetic Wastewater Using O3 and H2O2/O3 Processes

This research deals with the decolorization of synthetic wastewater, prepared with the acid 1:2 metal-complex textile dye C.I. Acid Blue 193, using the ozonation (O₃) and H₂O₂/O₃ processes. To minimize the number of experiments, they were performed using the 2^k factorial design. Five influential parameters were examined: initial dye concentration, ozone flow rate, initial pH value, decolorization time and H₂O₂ addition. The decolorization efficiency was 95% in 20 minutes (pH = 7; O₃ flow rate of 2 g/L.h) and a higher increase in the toxicity after the ozonation process (39%) indicates the formation of carcinogenic by-products. According to the variance test analysis, the initial dye concentration, the ozone flow rate, the initial pH value and the decolorization time and their first- and second-order interactions are significant, while the H₂O₂ addition was not important with respect to the discussed range. With the help of these significant factors a regression model was constructed and the adequacy of the model was checked. The obtained regression polynomial was used to model the relation between the absorbance and the influential parameters by fitting the response surface. This response surface may be used to predict the absorbance result from a set of influential parameters, or it can be rearranged in such a way as to predict the set of process decolorization parameters necessary to reduce the absorbance of wastewater with the given initial dye concentration, below the prescribed limit. It is also shown that the 2^k factorial design can be suitable for predicting the operating expenses of the ozonation.     

Hydrogen peroxide sensor based on modified vitreous carbon with multiwall carbon nanotubes and composites of Pt nanoparticles-dopamine

Sensors using nanostructured materials have been under development in the last decade due to their selectivity for the detection and quantification of different compounds. The physical and chemical characteristics of carbon nanotubes provide significant advantages when used as electrodes for electronic devices, fuel cells and electrochemical sensors. This paper presents preliminary results on the modification of vitreous carbon electrodes with Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) and composites of Pt nanoparticles-dopamine (DA) as electro-catalytic materials for the hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) reaction. Chemical pre-treatment and consequent functionalization of MWCNTs with carboxylic groups was necessary to increase the distribution of the composites. In addition, the presence of DA was important to protect the active sites and eliminate the pasivation of the surface after the electro-oxidation of H₂O₂ takes place. The proposed H₂O₂ sensor exhibited a linear response in the 0-5 mM range, with detection and quantification limits of 0.3441 mM and 1.1472 mM, respectively.     

An unusual H2O2 electrochemical sensor based on Ni(OH)2 nanoplates grown on Cu substrate

In this work, Ni(OH)₂ nanoplates grown on the Cu substrate were synthesized and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Then a novel Cu-Ni(OH)₂ modified glass carbon electrode (Cu-Ni(OH)₂/GCE) was fabricated and evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and typical amperometric response (i-t) method. Exhilaratingly, the Cu-Ni(OH)₂/GCE shows significant electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of H₂O₂. At an applied potential of −0.1 V, the sensor produces an ultrahigh sensitivity of 408.1 μA mM⁻¹ with a low detection limit of 1.5 μM (S/N = 3). The response time of the proposed electrode was less than 5 s. What's more, the proposed sensor displays excellent selectivity, good stability, and satisfying repeatability.     

Electrochemical polymerization and characterization of a poly(azulene)-TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanoparticle composite film

A poly(azulene)-TiO₂ composite film (PAz-TiO₂) was synthesized electrochemically by oxidation of azulene in an electrolyte medium containing TiO₂ nanoparticles. Polymerization was performed under magnetic stirring in an acetonitrile solution containing tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate as the electrolyte salt. Influence of the concentration of TiO₂ in the reaction suspension on the electrochemical and optical properties and on the structure of the composite films was studied by cyclic voltammetry, ex situ Raman and FTIR reflection spectroscopy and in situ UV–vis and FTIR spectroelectrochemical techniques. Morphology of the composite films was studied by Scanning Electron Microscopy and the amount and distribution of the TiO₂ nanoparticles within the polymeric matrix by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry with laser ablation. Addition of TiO₂ in the reaction suspension had a small catalytic activity for the polymerization of Az. Inclusion of TiO₂ nanoparticles in PAz did not affect the voltammetric behavior or the chemical structure of the formed polymer films. However, a different chain conformation and morphology of the film was formed when synthesized in presence of TiO₂ compared to the plain PAz film. It was also found that the film morphology was more homogeneous when the concentration of TiO₂ was ≥10 mM in the polymerization solution than films polymerized without any TiO₂.     

Fabrication of composite coatings of 4-(pyrrole-1-yl) benzoate-modified poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene with phosphomolybdate and their application in corrosion protection

We propose a novel composite (hybrid) organic/inorganic system that can be prepared as a coating (on 1 μm level) on glassy carbon and metal electrode substrates. Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) or PEDOT based composite coatings were electrodeposited using cyclic voltammetry on glassy carbon and stainless steel substrates in the presence of 4-(pyrrole-1-yl) benzoic acid (PyBA) and phosphododecamolybdic acid (PMo₁₂). The coating growth was facilitated by the addition of polyoxyethylene-10-laurylether (BRIJ10) neutral surfactant at the level of 0.04 mol dm⁻¹ to improve solubility of the 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene monomer and to form an aqueous micellear solution in the reaction medium. The fact that carboxylate-containing PyBA units link positively charged PEDOT structures tends to improve overall stability and adherence of composite coatings to stainless steel. The PEDOT/PyBA composite serves as a stable host matrix for large negatively charged polymolybdate inorganic species. Consequently, due to the formation of denser polymeric structures and to the existence of electrostatic repulsion effects, the polyanion-containing composite coatings are capable of largely blocking the access of pitting-causing anions (chlorides) to the surface of stainless steel. Interaction of phosphomolybdate with metal ions, namely with chromium(III) or even iron(III) or iron(II) that exist at the stainless steel–composite coating interface, may lead to the formation of insoluble deposits and exhibit overall passivating effect.     

Effective Coke Removal in Methane to Benzene (MTB) Reaction on Mo/HZSM-5 Catalyst by H2 and H2O Co-addition to Methane

The catalytic dehydro-aromatization reaction over Mo/HZSM-5 catalyst was drastically stabilized by the co-addition of 5.4% H₂ and 1.8% H₂O to methane feed at 750 °C, 0.3 MPa and methane space velocity of 3000 mL g⁻¹ h⁻¹, suppressing the coke formation effectively, compared with single hydrogen or steam addition.