Investigating the effect of silver nanorods embedded in polydimethylsiloxane matrix using nanoindentation and its use for flexible electronics

The stretchable electrodes with excellent flexibility, electrical conductivity, and mechanical durability are the most fundamental components in the emerging and exciting field of flexible electronics. This article proposes a method for fabrication of such a stretchable electrode by embedding silver nanorods (AgNRs) into a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix that is grown by a unique glancing angle deposition technique. The surface, mechanical, and electrical properties of PDMS are significantly changed after embedding the AgNRs in it. The results show that surface roughness and polarity increase after AgNRs are embedded in the PDMS matrix. Elastic modulus (E) and hardness (H) decrease with an increase in the indentation load as a result of the indentation depth effect. Due to strong interfacial adhesion of AgNRs embedded in the PDMS matrix, the E and H of nanocomposite are increased by 167.6 and 93.3% compared with PDMS film, respectively. Furthermore, the AgNRs-PDMS film has an electrical resistivity value in the order of 10⁻⁷ Ωm. It remains conductive during various mechanical strains such as bending, twisting, and stretching, which is demonstrated using a light-emitting diode circuit. Simultaneously, the antimicrobial activity of silver could make it a promising candidate for wearable electronics.     

Investigation on sulphonated zinc oxide nanorod incorporated sulphonated poly (1,4-phenylene ether ether sulfone) nanocomposite membranes for improved performance of microbial fuel cell

Hydrothermally prepared zinc oxide nanorods are sulphonated (S–ZnO NR) and incorporated into 15% Sulphonated Poly (1,4-Phenylene Ether Ether Sulfone) (SPEES) to improve the hydrophilicity, water uptake and ion transfer capacity. Water uptake and ion transfer capacity increased to 34.6 ± 0.6% and 2.0 ± 0.05 meq g^?1 from 29.8 ± 0.3% and 1.4 ± 0.04 meq g^?1 by adding 7.5 wt% S–ZnO NR to SPEES. Morphological studies show the prepared S–ZnO NR is well dispersed in the polymer matrix. SPEES +7.5 wt% S–ZnO NR membrane exhibits optimum performance after three-weeks of continual operation in a fabricated microbial fuel cell (MFC) to produce a maximum power density of 142 ± 1.2 mW m^?2 with a reduced biofilm compared to plain SPEES (59 ± 0.8 mW m^?2), unsulphonated filler incorporated SPEES (SPEES + 7.5 wt% ZnO, 68 ± 1.1 mW m^?2) and Nafion (130 ± 1.5 mW m^?2) thereby suggesting its suitability as a sustainable and improved cation exchange membrane (CEM) for MFCs.     

Se doped nickel-molybdenum bimetal sulfide with enhanced electrochemical activity for hydrogen evolution reaction

In this work, we synthesized Se doped MoS₂@Ni₃S₂ with nanosheets coated nanorods structure supported on Ni foam (MoNiSeS). Firstly, MoS₂@Ni₃S₂ (MoNiS) nanorods was synthesized by hydrothermal method. After selenization treatment, MoSe₂ successfully formed on the edge of MoS₂ nanosheets and particle Ni₃S₂ transformed into NiSe, in which MoSe₂ and NiSe acted as new phase in MoNiSeS. The obtained MoNiSeS only needs a low overpotential of 68 mV to reach the current density of 10 mA cm^?2, and has a low Tafel plots of 72.77 mV dec^?1 and good electrochemical durability, whose electrochemical activity is much better than that of MoNiS and NiSeS, implying the introduction of Mo and Se is beneficial to improve the electrocatalytic performance of NiS for HER. In addition, the proper amount of Mo source, which has an effect on the morphology of product, has also been investigated. For MoNiSeS, the typical nanosheets coated nanarods expose more active sites and the synergic effects is good to the improvement of the catalytic activity. Meanwhile, WNiSeS has also been prepared using the same method and the corresponding results show that the electrochemical activity of WNiSeS is much better than that of NiSeS, proving the universality of this strategy.     

Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of β-MnO 2 nanorods

We present synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of structurally well-ordered single-crystalline β-MnO₂ nanorods of 50–100 nm diameter and several μm length. Thorough structural characterization shows that the basic β-MnO₂ material is covered by a thin surface layer (∼2.5 nm) of α-Mn₂O₃ phase with a reduced Mn valence that adds its own magnetic signal to the total magnetization of the β-MnO₂ nanorods. The relatively complicated temperature-dependent magnetism of the nanorods can be explained in terms of a superposition of bulk magnetic properties of spatially segregated β-MnO₂ and α-Mn₂O₃ constituent phases and the soft ferromagnetism of the thin interface layer between these two phases.     

Preparation of Gold Nanorods of High Quality and High Aspect Ratio

We report the synthesis of gold nanorods (NRs) by seed-mediated growth method. A small amount of different shapes such as triangles, hexagons and a large amount of rods are obtained by varying the proportion of seed to metal salt, adding NaOH to growth solution as well as using the seed solution of CTAB-capped agent. The gold nanorod (NR) formation yield is improved. Meanwhile, the growth mechanism of high yield gold NRs is discussed. The high quality single size NRs can be separated from polydisperse sampl...     

Growth of Au nanocrystals on CdS nanorods

Nanorods of S²⁻ rich CdS were synthesized by a reaction of excess S versus Cd precursors in the presence of ethylene diamine. The photoluminescence (PL) emission from the S²⁻ rich CdS nanorods was broad with a peak at ∼710 nm, which was 40 nm longer in wavelength than the PL peak from Cd²⁺ rich CdS (∼670 nm) nanorods. The influence of surface electron or hole trap states on the luminescent pathway of CdS nanorods will be discussed to explain these shifts in wavelength. Nanocrystals of Au ∼2 nm in size were grown on S²⁻ rich surfaces of CdS nanorods. Significant luminescence quenching was observed from the Au nanocrystals on the CdS nanorods due to interfacial charge separation. Change separation by the Au nanocrystals on the CdS resulted in enhanced photocatalytic degradation of Procion red mix-5B (PRB) dye in an aqueous solution under UV light irradiation.     

氧化铋掺杂制备SnO2棒状晶粒气敏材料的研究

探讨了氧化铋掺杂的SnO2纳米棒状晶粒气敏材料的制备,并测试了材料的气敏特性。氧化铋在高温形成液相,促进SnO2棒状晶粒的形成,同时氧化铋作为气敏材料的添加剂提高了对乙醇等气体的灵敏度。结果表明,采用液相沉淀法制备纳米粉体,在Bi添加量为10mol%,850℃保温2h的烧结条件下,得到的SnO2棒状晶粒直径约50nm,线径比为5,且较为均一。粉体经过稀硝酸溶液浸泡,其晶粒形貌及相结构不变,酸洗处理后的棒晶粉体制备的气敏元件,电阻值适中,对气体灵敏度提高。对乙醇、丙酮、汽油、苯和氨气的测试说明,氧化铋掺杂的SnO2棒状晶粒作为气敏材料,在不同温区对乙醇和丙酮的灵敏度较高,而且工作温度较低,对汽油、苯和氨气等气体有较好的选择性。     

Nano-Engineered Carbon Fibre-Based Piezoelectric Smart Composites for Energy Harvesting and Self-Powered Sensing

The integration of piezoelectric materials onto carbon fiber (CF) can add energy harvesting and self-power sensing capabilities enabling great potential for “Internet of Things” (IoT) applications in motion tracking, environmental sensing, and personal portable electronics. Herein, a CF-based smart composite is developed by integrating piezoelectric poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)/CuSCN-coated ZnO nanorods onto the CF surfaces with no detrimental effect on the mechanical properties of the composite, forming composites using two different polymer matrices: highly flexible polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and more rigid epoxy. The PDMS-coated piezoelectric smart composite can serve as an energy harvester and a self-powered sensor for detecting variations in impact acceleration with increasing output voltage from 1.4 to 7.6 V under impact acceleration from 0.1 to 0.4 m s⁻². Using epoxy as the matrix for a CF-reinforced plastic (CFRP) device with sensing and detection functions produces a voltage varying from 0.27 to 3.53 V when impacted at acceleration from 0.1 to 0.4 m s⁻², with a lower output compared to the PDMS-coated device attributed to the greater stiffness of the matrix. Finally, spatially sensitive detection is demonstrated by positioning two piezoelectric structures at different locations, which can identify the location as well as the level of the impacting force from the fabricated device.     

High Rate,Long Lifespan LiV3O8 Nanorods as a Cathode Material for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

LiV₃O₈ nanorods with controlled size are successfully synthesized using a nonionic triblock surfactant Pluronic‐F127 as the structure directing agent. X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy techniques are used to characterize the samples. It is observed that the nanorods with a length of 4–8 µm and diameter of 0.5–1.0 µm distribute uniformly. The resultant LiV₃O₈ nanorods show much better performance as cathode materials in lithium‐ion batteries than normal LiV₃O₈ nanoparticles, which is associated with the their unique micro–nano‐like structure that can not only facilitate fast lithium ion transport, but also withstand erosion from electrolytes. The high discharge capacity (292.0 mAh g^?1 at 100 mA g^?1), high rate capability (138.4 mAh g^?1 at 6.4 A g^?1), and long lifespan (capacity retention of 80.5% after 500 cycles) suggest the potential use of LiV₃O₈ nanorods as alternative cathode materials for high‐power and long‐life lithium ion batteries. In particular, the synthetic strategy may open new routes toward the facile fabrication of nanostructured vanadium‐based compounds for energy storage applications.     

A Metal–Polyphenol Network Coated Nanotheranostic System for Metastatic Tumor Treatments

As a characteristic trait of most tumor types, metastasis is the major cause of the death of patients. In this study, a photothermal agent based on gold nanorod is coated with metal (Gd³⁺)‐organic (polyphenol) network to realize combination therapy for metastatic tumors. This nanotheranostic system significantly enhances antitumor therapeutic effects in vitro and in vivo with the combination of photothermal therapy (PTT) and chemotherapy, also can remarkably prevent the invasion and metastasis due to the presence of polyphenol. After the treatment, an 81% decrease in primary tumor volumes and a 58% decrease in lung metastasis are observed. In addition, the good performance in magnetic resonance imaging, computerized tomography, and photothermal imaging of the nanotheranostic system can realize image‐guided therapy. The multifunctional nanotheranostic system will find a great potential in diagnosis and treatment integration in tumor treatments, and broaden the applications of PTT treatment.