Macroporous Pt modified glassy carbon electrode: preparation and electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation

Three-dimensional (3D) macroporous Pt (MPPt) with highly open porous walls has been successfully synthesized using the hydrogen bubble dynamic template synthesis and galvanic replacement reaction. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and electrochemical methods were adopted to characterize their structures and properties.

Sensitive determination of Cd and Pb by differential pulse stripping voltammetry with in situ bismuth-modified zeolite doped carbon paste electrodes

Here we investigated the analytical performances of the bismuth-modified zeolite doped carbon paste electrode (BiF-ZDCPE) for trace Cd and Pb analysis. The characteristics of bismuth-modified electrodes were improved greatly via addition of synthetic zeolite into carbon paste. To obtain high reproducibility and sensitivity, optimum experimental conditions for bismuth deposition Were Studied.

Surface-modified Nafion membranes with mesoporous SiO2 layers via a facile dip-coating approach for direct methanol fuel cells

In this study. Nafion (R) 117 membrane is surface-modified with mesoporous silica layers through in situ surfactant-templated sol-gel reaction. The reaction makes use of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) under acidic condition via dip-coating technique on both sides. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transformation infrared (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) are employed to characterize the resultant membranes. Proton conductivity and methanol permeability of the membranes are also studied.

The Effect of MMT/Modified MMT on the Structure and Performance of the Superabsorbent Composite

A series of superabsorbent composites containing Montmorillonite (MMT), modified- Montmorillonite (OMMT) and sodium acrylate were synthesized by free-radical polymerization in aqueous solution. The structure of composites was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the results showed that the polymer chains were grafted onto the edge and the surface of MMT or OMMT. At the same time, the equilibrium swelling ratio of the composites was investigated as a function of the clay content and the results showed that the equilibrium swelling ratio of composites was improved by the introduction of clay.

Synthesis and Aqueous Solution Properties of Hydrophobically Modified Anionic Acrylamide Copolymers

In this investigation, hydrophobically modified polyacrylamide with low amounts of anionic long-chain alkyl was synthesized by the free radical polymerization in deionized water. This water-soluble copolymerization method is more convenient compared with the traditional micellar copolymerization methods. The copolymers were characterized using Fourier transform infrared, H-1 NMR, and the molecular weight and polydispersity were determined using gel permeation chromatography. The solution behavior of the copolymers was studied as a function of composition, pH, and added electrolytes. As NaCl was added to solutions of AM/C(11)AM copolymers or pH was lowered, the shielding or elimination of electrostatic repulsions between carboxylate groups of the C(11)AM unit lead to coil shrinkage.

The investigation of exfoliation process of organic modified montmorillonite in thermoplastic polyurethane with different molecular weights

Cloisite 30B (30B) was melt-mixed with two kinds of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) with different molecular weights to discern the roles of molecular diffusion and shear in the exfoliation process. The higher level of exfoliation was achieved in TPU matrix with higher molecular weight due to the appropriate viscosity. In order to have an insight into the mechanism of exfoliation, the degree of dispersion and exfoliation of 30B was characterized by wide angle X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The layers of 30B were exfoliated via a slippage process, which was also observed in polyamide 12 nanocomposites recently.

Simultaneous electrochemical determination of dopamine, uric acid and ascorbic acid using palladium nanoparticle-loaded carbon nanofibers modified electrode

Palladium nanoparticle-loaded carbon nanofibers (Pd/CNFs) were prepared by electrospinning and subsequent thermal treatment processes. Pd/CNFs modified carbon paste electrode (Pd/CNF-CPE) displayed excellent electrochemical catalytic activities towards dopamine (DA), uric acid (UA) and ascorbic acid (AA). The oxidation overpotentials of DA, UA and AA were decreased significantly compared with those obtained at the bare CPE. Differential pulse voltammetry was used for the simultaneous determination of DA, UA and AA in their ternary mixture.

Simultaneous determination of dopamine, ascorbic acid and uric acid with electrospun carbon nanofibers modified electrode

A novel carbon-nanofiber-modified carbon-paste electrode (CNF-CPE) was employed for the simultaneous determination of dopamine (DA), ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA) with good selectivity and high sensitivity. The CNFs were prepared by combination of electrospinning technique with thermal treatment method and were used without any pretreatment. In application to determination of DA, AA and UA in the ternary mixture, the pristine CNF-CPE exhibited well-separated differential pulse voltammetric peaks with high catalytic current. Low detection limits of 0.04 mu M, 2 mu M and 0.2 mu M for DA, AA and UA were obtained, with the linear calibration curves over the concentration range 0.04-5.6 mu M, 2-64 mu M and 0.8-16.8 mu M, respectively.

Carbon-supported Pd nanocatalyst modified by non-metal phosphorus for the oxygen reduction reaction

A carbon-supported palladium catalyst modified by non-metal phosphorus(PdP/C) has been developed as an oxygen reduction catalyst for direct methanol fuel cells.The PdP/C catalyst was prepared by the sodium hypophosphite reduction method. The as-prepared Pd nanoparticles have a narrow size distribution with an average diameter of 2 nm. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results indicate that P enters into the crystal lattice of Pd and forms an alloy.

The mechanism of formic acid electro oxidation on iron tetrasulfophthalocyanine-modified platinum electrode

The mechanism of formic acid electrooxidation on iron tetrasulfophthalocyanine (FeTSPc) modified Pt electrode was investigated with electrochemical methods. It was found that a "third-body" effect of FeTSPc on Pt electrode predominates during the electrooxidation process based on unusual electrochemical results. The modification leads formic acid electrooxidation to take place through a desired direct pathway, in which the mechanism is proposed to be the gradual dehydrogenation of formic acid and the reaction of formate with hydroxyl species.

Highly active PtRu catalysts supported on carbon nanotubes prepared by modified impregnation method for methanol electro-oxidation

A simple and rapid synthesis method (denoted as modified impregnation method, MI) for PtRu/CNTs (MI) and PtRu/C (MI) was presented. PtRu/CNTs (MI) and PtRu/C (MI) catalysts were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffractometry. It was shown that Pt-Ru particles with small average size (2.7 nm) were uniformly dispersed on carbon supports (carbon nanotubes and carbon black) and displayed the characteristic diffraction peaks of Pt face-centered cubic structure.

The direct electrochemistry behavior of Cyt c on the modified glassy carbon electrode by SBA-15 with a high-redox potential

It is discovered that SBA-15 (santa barbara amorphous) can provide the favorable microenvironments and optimal direct electron-transfer tunnels (DETT) of immobilizing cytochrome c (Cyt c) by the preferred orientation on it. A high-redox potential (254 mV vs. Ag/AgCl) was obtained on glassy carbon (GC) electrode modified by immobilizing Cyt c on rod-like SBA-15. With ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis), circular dichroism (CD), FTIR and cyclic voltammetry, it was demonstrated that immobilization made Cyt c exhibits stable and ideal electrochemical characteristics while the biological activity of immobilized Cyt c is retained as usual.

Hydrogen peroxide biosensor based on direct electrochemistry of soybean Peroxidase immobilized on single-walled carbon nanohorn modified electrode

Single-walled carbon nanohorns (SWCNHs) were used as a novel and biocompatible matrix for fabricating biosensing devices. The direct immobilization of acid-stable and thermostable soybean peroxidase (SBP) on SWCNH modified electrode surface can realize the direct electrochemistry of enzyme. Cyclic voltammogram of the adsorbed SBP displays a pair of redox peaks with a formal potential of -0.24V in pH 5 phosphate buffer solution.

Exfoliation of Organically Modified Montmorillonite Driven by Molecular Diffusion in Maleated Polypropylene

This work is focused on the factors influencing the intercalation of maleated polypropylene (PPMA) into organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT). Two kinds of PPMA were used to explore the optimal candidate for effective intercalation into OMMT. The grafting degree of maleic anhydride and the viscosity of PPMA have effects on the diffusion of polymer molecules. Moreover, the loading level of surfactant was varied to optimize the modification of montmorillonite because the appropriate loading level can provide a balance between interlayer distance and steric hindrance. The kind of surfactant changes the interaction between OMMT and PPMA, and accordingly the intercalation of PPMA is different, resulting in the discrepancy of the intercalation of PPMA.

Simultaneous electrochemical determination of uric acid, dopamine, and ascorbic acid at single-walled carbon nanohorn modified glassy carbon electrode

Single-walled carbon nanohorn modified glassy carbon electrode (SWCNH-modified GCE) was first employed for the simultaneous determination of uric acid (UA), dopamine (DA), and ascorbic acid (AA). The SWCNH-modified GCE displayed excellent electrochemical catalytic activities. The oxidation overpotentials of UA, DA, and AA decrease significantly and their oxidation peak currents increase dramatically at SWCNH-modified GCE. Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) was used for the simultaneous determination of UA, DA, and AA in their ternary mixture. The peak separations between UA and DA, and DA and AA are large up to 152 mV and 221 mV, respectively.