Preparation and characterizations of superparamagnetic iron oxide‐embedded poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) nanocarriers

The present study aims at formulating a novel multifunctional biocompatible superparamagnetic nanoparticles carrier system with homogeneously dispersed magnetic material in solid polymer matrix of poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA). The nanocomposites were designed by modified suspension polymerization of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate followed by in situ coprecipitation of iron oxide inside the nanoparticle matrix yielding magnetic PHEMA (mPHEMA) nanocomposites. The so prepared nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction technique, Raman spectroscopy, electron diffraction, and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy confirming the presence of Fe₃O₄ inside the PHEMA nanoparticles. The magnetization studies of nanocomposites conducted at room temperature using vibrating sample magnetometer suggested for their superparamagnetic nature having saturation magnetization (Ms) of 20 emu/g at applied magnetic field of 5 kOe. Transmission electron microscopy, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering/zeta potential measurements were also performed which revealed that size of mPHEMA nanocomposites was lying in the range of 60–300 nm having zeta potential of ?93 mV. The nanocomposites showed no toxicity as revealed by cytotoxicity test performed on L‐929 fibroblast by extract method. The results indicated that the prepared superparamagnetic mPHEMA nanocomposites have enormous potential to provide a possible option for magnetically assisted targeted delivery of anticancer drugs. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40791.     

Methanol‐Tolerant Heterogeneous PdCo@PdPt/C Electrocatalyst for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

We have prepared carbon‐supported nanoparticles with the heterogeneous structure of a PdPt shell on a PdCo core which are effective for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in the presence of methanol. The preparation was based on the galvanic replacement reaction between PdCo/C nanoparticles and PtCl₄^2–, a method of general utility which can be extended to the preparation of other core‐shell electrocatalysts. The heterogeneous PdCo‐core and PtPd‐shell architecture was confirmed by multiple techniques including high resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The activity of the PdCo@PdPt/C catalyst in ORR was evaluated in acidic solutions both with and without methanol (0.1 M). The results showed four to sixfold increases in activity over a standard Pt/C catalyst with no apparent loss of catalyst stability. It is inferred that the strain effect from the lattice mismatch between the shell and core components is the major contributor for the enhancement of ORR activity and selectivity.     

Preparation and characterization of polypropylene–montmorillonite nanocomposites generated by in situ metallocene catalyst polymerization

An ion‐exchange method was applied to replace sodium cations inside the interlamellar space of montmorillonite with positively charged stearyl trimethyl ammonium chloride. The d₀₀₁‐spacing of montmorillonite is larger in toluene than in other solvents. The overexchanged stearyl methyl ammonium chloride in the montmorillonite layers can be completely washed out by ethanol. Polypropylene–montmorillonite nanocomposites were prepared by using the supported rac‐Et(Ind)₂ZrCl₂ catalyst on the montmorillonite. The nanocomposites that were polymerized by the supported catalyst were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Transmission electron microcopy shows that each silicate sheet of montmorillonite is randomly dispersed into the polypropylene matrix following polymerization by using a supported catalyst. The polypropylene nanocomposites had higher crystallinity, hardness, and thermal properties than pure polypropylene. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 95: 1228–1236, 2005     

Synthesis of High Temperature Stable Carbon Coated Metal Nanoparticles in AlPO4 Based Matrix In Situ in Oxidative Atmosphere

In this work, we have reported a universal method for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles coated with graphite layer in AlPO₄ based matrix. As an example, graphitized carbon coated Ag, Pt, Cu and Ni nanoparticles were synthesized in the amorphous AlPO₄ based matrix. The metal nanoparticles were protected from oxidation up to very high temperatures due to the low oxygen diffusivity in AlPO₄ based matrix and carbon coating over the metal nanoparticles. The oxidation states of the Ag and Ni nanoparticles were detected with the help of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The synthesis technique followed very simple methodology. The entire processing including heat treatments at higher temperatures were carried out in oxidative atmosphere. The mechanism for the formation of metal particle in AlPO₄ based matrix has also been addressed. This approach can be a universal approach to achieve metal nanoparticles in AlPO₄ based matrix. Finally, catalyzing activities of the AlPO₄‐Cu nanocomposites in the oxidation of cyclohexane, AlPO₄‐Ni and AlPO₄‐Pt nanocomposites in the reduction in 4‐nitrophenol were successfully investigated.     

Synthesis and thermal stability of polystyrene and poly(vinyl chloride) coated with polythiophene and modified with Fe2O3 nanoparticles

In this study, polystyrene and poly(vinyl chloride) particles were coated successfully with polythiophene in aqueous media. These nanocomposites were prepared in situ by polymerization of thiophene in the presence of FeCl₃ as an oxidant and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) as a surfactant. The effect of Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles on the characteristics of products such as thermal stability and morphology was investigated. The chemical structure, morphology, and thermal stability of these core‐shell nanocomposites were studied by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. Thermal stability of the nanocomposites was compared and indicated that the thermal stability of polythiophene/polystyrene was better than the polythiophene/poly(vinyl chloride) nanocomposite. Also, the presence of Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles can drastically increase the thermal stability of polythiophene nanocomposites. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL. 20:212–217, 2014. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Uniform star‐polystyrene nanoparticles prepared by emulsion atom transfer radical polymerization

Pentaerythritol (PT) was converted into four‐arm initiator pentaerythritol tetrakis(2‐chloropropionyl) (PT‐Cl) via reaction with 2‐chloropropionyl chloride. Uniform (monodisperse) star‐polystyrene nanoparticles were prepared by emulsion atom transfer radical polymerization of styrene, using PT‐Cl/CuCl/bpy (bpy is 2,2′‐dipyridyl) as the initiating system. The structures of PT‐Cl and polymer were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance. The morphology, size and size distribution of the star‐polystyrene nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and photon correlation spectroscopy. It was found that the average diameters of star‐polystyrene nanoparticles were smaller than 100 nm (30–90 nm) and monodisperse; moreover, the particle size could be controlled by the monomer/initiator ratio and the surfactant concentration. The average hydrodynamic diameter (D_h) of the nanoparticles increased gradually on increasing the ratio of styrene to PT‐Cl and decreased on enhancing the surfactant concentration or increasing the catalyst concentration. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Magnetic and electric responsive hydrogel–magnetic nanocomposites for drug‐delivery application

Magnetic and electrically responsive hydrogel networks were developed for drug‐delivery applications. The hydrogel matrices were synthesized by the polymerization of acrylamide monomer in the presence of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) or methylcellulose (MC) with N,N‐methylenebisacrylamide, a crosslinker with the redox initiating system ammonium persulfate/tetramethylethylenediamine. The magnetic nanoparticles were generated throughout these hydrogel matrices by an in situ method by the incorporation of iron ions and their subsequent reduction with ammonia. A series of hydrogel–magnetic nanocomposites (HGMNCs) were developed with various CMC and MC compositions. The synthesized HGMNCs were characterized with spectral (Fourier transform infrared and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy), X‐ray diffraction, thermal, and microscopy methods. These HGMNCs contained iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles with an average particle size of about 22 nm, as observed by transmission electron microscopy. The dielectrical properties of the pure hydrogel (HG); the hydrogel loaded with iron ions, or the hydrogel iron‐ion composite (HGIC); and the HGMNCs were measured. These results suggest that HGMNCs exhibited higher dielectric constants compared to HG and HGICs. The curcumin loading and release characteristics were also measured for HG, HGIC, and HGMNC systems. These data revealed that there was a sustained release of curcumin from HGMNCs because of the presence of magnetic nanoparticles in the hydrogel networks. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Synergistic effect of carbon nanofiber decorated with iron oxide in enhancing properties of styrene butadiene rubber nanocomposites

Elastomer nanocomposites reinforced with carbon nanofiber (CNF) decorated with metal nanoparticles exhibit excellent thermal, mechanical, and magnetic properties with low volume fraction of the reinforcement. Generally, metal nanoparticles are used to modify the surface of CNF, to improve their dispersion and contact resistance in the polymer matrix. In this study, Fe₂O₃ metal nanoparticles were decorated on CNF by electrostatic attraction via a green and facile solution‐based method. Interestingly, the CNF decorated with Fe₂O₃ (CNF‐Fe₂O₃)/elastomer improved both the tensile strength and the fatigue property of plain CNF/elastomer by as much as 57.2% and 27.2%, respectively. Moreover, the CNF‐Fe₂O₃/elastomer exhibited superior thermal conductivity, a twofold enhancement compared with carbon fibers. The elastomer nanocomposites consisting of CNF‐Fe₂O₃ also exhibited enhanced magnetic properties due to synergies between the Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles and the CNF. The elastomer nanocomposites prepared with CNF‐Fe₂O₃ will open significant new opportunities for preparing advanced elastomer nanocomposites for future engineering applications. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45376.     

WO3 Nanoparticles Synthesized Through Ion Exchange Route as Pt Electrocatalyst Support for Alcohol Oxidation

Tungsten oxide (WO₃) nanocrystals with the diameter <5 nm supported on porous carbonized resin (denoted as C‐WO₃) are synthesized. The WO₃ precursors are dispersed at ion level through ion exchange route, then reduced to WO₃ nanocrystals. Pt nanoparticles are loaded on the porous C‐WO₃ matrix (denoted as Pt/C‐WO₃) and used as electrocatalyst in fuel cell for alcohol oxidation, in which WO₃ is found efficient promotion effect on Pt electrocatalyst in the electrochemical activity and stability. Thereinto, Pt/C‐WO₃ gives 1.63 times higher current densities than the commercial Pt/C (TKK) for methanol oxidation at the same Pt loadings. Moreover, Pt/C‐WO₃ electrocatalyst shows excellent properties in mass transfer than Pt/C (TKK). The present method can be readily scaled up for the production of other nanomaterials as well as WO₃.     

Preparation and characterization of novel optically active poly(amide‐imide)/α‐Fe2O3 nanocomposites containing l‐alanine moieties

An optically active poly(amide‐imide) (PAI) was synthesized from the polymerization reaction of N,N′‐(Pyromellitoyl)‐bis‐l ‐alanine diacid chloride with 2,5‐diaminotoluene. The obtained inorganic metal oxide nanocomposites composed of PAI/nanostructured hematite (α‐Fe₂O₃) were synthesized through ultrasonic irradiation. The resulting nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The TEM results indicated that the nanoparticles were dispersed homogeneously in PAI matrix on nanoscale. TGA confirmed that the heat stability of the nanocomposites was improved in the presence of α‐Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:1805–1811, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Preparation and Characterization of Fe2O3/Ammonium Perchlorate (AP) Nanocomposites through Ceramic Membrane Anti‐Solvent Crystallization

A novel ceramic membrane anti‐solvent crystallization (CMASC) method was proposed to prepare Fe₂O₃/AP nanocomposites with core‐shell structure. For the preparation of Fe₂O₃/AP nanocomposites, several key advantages of the CMASC method are as follows. Firstly, both well‐dispersed Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles and the superfine AP preparation can be achieved at one step. Secondly, no non‐component of solid propellant was involved in this composite process. Thirdly, the size and morphology of Fe₂O₃/AP nanocomposites can be effectively controlled by using the ceramic membrane with regular pore structure as feeding template. The morphology and structure of Fe₂O₃/AP nanocomposites were characterized by inductively coupled plasma spectrophotometry (ICP), IR spectroscopy, SEM, and HRTEM. The results verified that the size and morphology of Fe₂O₃/AP nanocomposites are controllable, and the dispersion of Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles is greatly improved in Fe₂O₃/AP nanocomposites. Moreover, the thermal decomposition of the as‐prepared Fe₂O₃/AP nanocomposites was measured with TG‐DSC. The results showed that the Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles in Fe₂O₃/AP nanocomposites exhibit better catalytic activity on the thermal decomposition of AP. In addition, the mechanism was also discussed.     

Cationic starch iodophores

Cross‐linked cationic starches N‐(2‐hydroxyl)propyl‐3‐trimethyl ammonium starch chloride (CQS chloride), N‐(2‐hydroxyl)propyl‐3‐trimethyl ammonium starch iodide (CQS iodide), and N‐(2‐hydroxyl)propyl‐3‐trimethyl ammonium starch iodide–iodine (CQS triiodide) with the degree of substitution (DS) according to cationic groups from 0.04 to 0.62, as well as cross‐linked starch–iodine complexes were synthesized and tested as potential antibacterial agents. Cationic starch iodine derivatives were obtained during ion exchange reaction between CQS chloride and iodide or iodide–iodine anions in aqueous solutions. CQS_DS≤0.3 chloride can form several types of iodine complexes, such as the blue amylose–iodine inclusion complex and ionic CQS⁺I^?·(I₂)_m complex (m ≥ 1). The antibacterial activity of modified starches–iodine samples against different pathogenic bacterial cultures and contaminated water microorganisms was evaluated. CQS chloride and CQS iodide were found to be bacteriostatic. A strong antibacterial activity was characteristic of CQS triiodides in which molecular iodine is present in both ionic and inclusion complexes. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Synthesis,characterization, and properties of cashew gum graft poly(acrylamide)/magnetite nanocomposites

Graft copolymer nanocomposites based on cashew gum and poly(acrylamide) with different concentrations of nano‐iron‐oxide particles (Fe₃O₄) have been prepared by an in situ polymerization method. The characterization of graft copolymer composite was carried out by FTIR, UV, XRD, SEM, DSC, and TGA, electrical conductivity, and magnetic property [vibrational sample magnetometer (VSM)] measurements. The shift in the spectrum of UV and FTIR peaks shows the intermolecular interaction between metal oxide nanoparticles and the graft copolymer system. The spherically shaped particles observed from the SEM images clearly indicating the uniform dispersion of nanoparticles within the graft copolymer chain. The XRD studies revealed that the amorphous nature of the graft copolymer decreases by the addition of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The glass transition temperature studied from DSC increases with increase in concentration of metal oxide nanoparticles. Thermal stability of composite was higher than the pure graft copolymer and thermal stability increases with increase in content of nanoparticles. Electrical properties such as AC conductivity and dielectric properties of the composites increased with increase in concentration of metal oxide nanoparticles. The magnetic property of graft copolymer nanocomposites shows ferromagnetic and supermagnetism and the saturation of magnetism linearly increased with increasing the Fe₃O₄ content in the polymer composite. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43496.     

Polyamide‐montmorillonite nanocomposites as a drug delivery system: Preparation,release of 1,3,4‐oxa(thia)diazoles,and antimicrobial activity

New microbicidal polyamides were prepared by the reaction of 5‐phenyl‐1,3,4,‐oxadiazole‐2‐thiol, 5‐phenyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole‐2‐amine, and 5‐(4‐chlorophenyl)?1,3,4‐thiadiazole‐2‐thiol with ethyl chloroformate followed by polycondensation with polyoxypropylenetriamine (Jeffamine T₄₀₃). The polyamides were modified to yield amine hydrochloride. The intercalation of polyamides into montmorillonite (MMT) was achieved through an ion exchange process between sodium cations in MMT and amine hydrochloride in the polyamides. The structure of the resulting materials was characterized with elemental analysis, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared‐spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and transmission electron microscope. The release behavior of 1,3,4‐oxa(thia)diazoles was investigated in buffered aqueous solution at different pH values (2.3, 5.8, and 7.4). A slow release was recorded from the nanocomposites whereas; the release reaches almost 90% from polyamides. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the polyamides and nanocomposites was studied against Gram‐negative bacteria, Gram‐positive bacteria, Yeast and the filamentous fungi by well diffusion method. The polymers showed good or moderate antimicrobial activities. However, nanocomposites showed no antimicrobial effect. Furthermore, in vivo study showed that nanocomposites had good antimicrobial activity. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 41177.     

Characterization and physical properties investigation of conducting polypyrrole/TiO2 nanocomposites prepared through a one‐step “in situ” polymerization method

Nowadays, nanocomposites are a special class of materials having unique physical properties and wide application potential in diverse areas. The present research work describes an efficient method for synthesis of a series of polypyrrole/titanium dioxide (PPy/TiO₂) nanocomposites with different TiO₂ ratios. These nanocomposites were prepared by one‐step in situ deposition oxidative polymerization of pyrrole hydrochloride using ferric chloride (FeCl₃) as an oxidant in the presence of ultra fine grade powder of anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles cooled in an ice bath. The obtained nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques. The obtained results showed that TiO₂ nanoparticles have been encapsulated by PPy with a strong effect on the morphology of PPy/TiO₂ nanocomposites. Also, the synthesized PPy/TiO₂ nanocomposites had higher thermal stability than that of pure PPy. The investigation of electrical conductivity of nanocomposites by four‐point probe instrument showed that the conductivity of nanocomposite at low TiO₂ content is much higher than of neat PPy, while with the increasing contents of TiO₂, the conductivity decreases. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

TiO2‐Oligoaldaramide nanocomposites as efficient core‐shell systems for wood preservation

Homogeneous core‐shell systems were obtained with a growth, in controlled steps, of several oligoamides on TiO₂ nanoparticles. Derivatives of natural compounds, such as l ‐tartaric acid and α,α′‐trehalose, were used as diesters in the polycondensation reactions with ethylenediamine. TiO₂ anatase was chosen because of its high photo‐activity and its antimicrobial activity. The TiO₂ nanoparticles had been previously activated then functionalized using two different coupling agents, and finally, the TiO₂‐oligoamide nanocomposites were synthesized using two synthetic pathways. The final products were characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, FT‐IR, and transmission electron microscope. These nanocomposites can show improved properties in comparison with the single components (TiO₂ nanoparticles or oligoamides), which are useful in many fields, such as antimicrobial coatings for surfaces in cultural heritage conservation. A nanocomposite (TiO₂‐polyethylenetartaramide) was used for applicative studies, and it has shown a good efficacy against fungal attack by Trametes versicolor on wood specimens (Fagus sylvatica). © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42047.     

Synthesis and characterization of s‐histidine‐derived poly (ionic liquid)/silica nanocomposites and their application in the enantioselective hydrolysis of a chiral ester

In this study, a new optically active monomer containing two chemically preformed imide rings was synthesized. The monomer was then used to synthesize optically active poly(amide imide)s (OAPAIs) and an optically active polyionic liquid (OAPIL), which were finally reacted with various amounts of silica nanoparticles in an in situ polymerization reaction to produce OAPAI/SiO₂ and OAPIL/SiO₂ hybrid materials containing sulfonic acid groups. The prepared monomers and the OAPAI and OAPIL nanocomposites were characterized by ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. OAPIL/SiO₂ served as an excellent catalyst in water as a solvent for the hydrolysis of d ,l ‐phenylglycine methyl ester with the advantage of a markedly enhanced enantioselectivity and activity. Also, the enantioselectivity was strongly dependent on the SiO₂ content in the OAPIL/SiO₂ systems; a favorable SiO₂ content was 20% (w/w). The enantioselectivity was 95.2% (substrate conversion = 62.3%). © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39595.     

Enhanced Electrocatalysis for Methanol Oxidation on Ordered {[PdPW11O39]5–/Pt/PAMAM}n Multilayer Composites

The {[PdPW₁₁O₃₉]^5–/Pt/PAMAM}_n multilayer composites constructed from G4.0 Amino‐terminated poly (amidoamine) dendrimer (PAMAM), Pt and Keggin‐type palladium(II)‐substituted polyoxometalates anion ([PdPW₁₁O₃₉]^5–) were prepared via layer by layer electro‐depositing technique. The X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and field emission scanning electron microscope (FE‐SEM) characterization indicate that the Pt nanoparticles have been anchored on the as‐prepared nanocomposites. And the morphologies of Pt nanoparticles are influenced by deposition potential, the number of layers of {[PdPW₁₁O₃₉]^5–/Pt/PAMAM}_n multilayer nanocomposites, and the existence of PAMAM. The electrocatalytic properties and stability of {[PdPW₁₁O₃₉]^5–/Pt/PAMAM}_n multilayer nanocomposites were investigated by cyclic voltammetry. Experimental investigation results reveal that PAMAM is a good support for Pt nanoparticle growth due to its interior cavity structure and high stability. [PdPW₁₁O₃₉]^5– play an important role to prevent intermediate product (mainly as CO) in the methanol oxidation from poisoning the as‐prepared catalyst. The {[PdPW₁₁O₃₉]^5–/Pt/PAMAM}₃/GC shows better electrocatalytic properties, stability, and CO tolerance ability than Pt/GC and {Pt/PAMAM}₃/GC fabricated by similar electrodeposition processes.     

Platinum Nanoparticles Supported on Ionic Liquid‐Modified Magnetic Nanoparticles: Selective Hydrogenation Catalysts

A method for supporting platinum nanoparticles on magnetite nanoparticles is described. The method requires modification of the surface of the magnetic nanoparticles with ionic liquid groups. Before modification, the magnetic nanoparticles are not stable and easily aggregate and, after modification, the magnetite nanoparticles become highly stable and soluble in polar or non‐polar organic solvents depending on the alkyl group of the linked ionic liquids. The supporting of platinum nanoparticles on the modified magnetic nanoparticles was achieved by adsorbing platinum salts (K₂PtCl₄) on the surface of the magnetite nanoparticles via ion exchange with the linked ionic liquid groups and then reducing them by hydrazine. The supported platinum nanoparticles were applied in the catalytic hydrogenation of alkynes in which cis‐alkenes were selectively produced, and in the hydrogenation of α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes where the allyl alcohols were obtained as the exclusive products. The new catalyst can be easily separated from the reaction mixtures by applying an external magnetic field and recycled.     

Preparation,characterization, and dynamic adsorption–desorption studies on polypyrrole encapsulated TiO2 nanoparticles

Binary doped polypyrrole (PPy) encapsulated Titania (TiO₂) nanoparticles were prepared by oxidative polymerization using FeCl₃ as oxidant in presence of camphorsulfonic acid (CSA) as surfactant. Both FeCl₃ (oxidant) and camphorsulfonic acid (surfactant) also act as dopant and hence thus prepared polypyrrole/Titania (TiO₂@PPy) is termed as binary doped nanocomposite i.e. FeCl₃ dopes polypyrrole by oxidation mechanism while camphorsulfonic acid dopes polypyrrole by protonic doping mechanism. The TiO₂@PPy coreshell nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), field emission‐scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), and inductance‐capacitance‐resistance (LCR) measurements. The results indicated that the structural and electrical properties of the TiO₂@PPy coreshell nanocomposites were significantly influenced by the extent of TiO₂ nanoparticles loading of polypyrrole. The direct current (DC) electrical conductivity of the as‐prepared TiO₂@PPy coreshell nanocomposites was higher than that of PPy. As‐prepared TiO₂@PPy coreshell nanocomposites were also studied for their dielectric losses for alternating current (AC) which is useful characteristic for their application in the fabrication of charge storing devices. TiO₂@PPy coreshell nanocomposites showed synergistic effect of combining components in improving their alcohol sensing properties. This improvement may be attributed to the adsorption on and desorption from alcohols TiO₂@PPy interface of the nanocomposites and alcohol vapors causing decrease in depletion region. The TiO₂@PPy coreshell nanocomposites were observed to show better reproducibility of electrical conductivity and fast self‐recovery during the alcohol vapor sensing process. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43411.