Conductive polyaniline/silica hybrids from sol-gel process

A hybrid material with a conductive organic network in an inorganic matrix has been prepared by in-situ hydrolysis/polycondensation of TEOS in an aqueous solution of a solubilized polyaniline. Due to intense hydrogen bonding (indicated by Si-29 NMR and FTIR) the conductive polymer is very well dispersed in the silica matrix. The Figure shows SEM images of a 46/54 wt.-% hybrid at two temperatures (left 20 degreesC, right 100 degreesC).

Amperometric biosensor for hydrogen peroxide based on sol-gel/hydrogel composite thin film

A reagentless amperometric hydrogen peroxide biosensor was developed. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was immobilized in a novel sol-gel organic-inorganic hybrid matrix that is composed of silica sol and a grafting copolymer of poly(vinyl alcohol) with 4-vinylpyridine (PVA-g-PVP). Tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) was employed as a mediator and could lower the operating potential to -50 mV (versus Ag/AgCl). The sensor achieved 95% of the steady-state current in 15 s. Linear calibration for hydrogen peroxide was up to 1.3 mM with the detection limit of 2.5 x 10(-7)M. The enzyme electrode retained about 94% of its initial activity after 30 days of storage in a dry state at 4 degreesC.

Hydrogen peroxide biosensor with enzyme entrapped within electrodeposited polypyrrole based on mediated sol-gel derived composite carbon electrode

A novel amperometric biosensor for the detection of hydrogen peroxide was described. The biosensor was constructed by electrodepositing HRP/PPy membrane on the surface of ferrocenecarboxylic acid mediated sol-gel derived composite carbon electrode. The biosensor gave response to hydrogen peroxide in a few seconds with detection limit of 5.0 x 10(-5) M (based on signal:noise = 3). Linear range was upto 0.2 mM. The biosensor exhibited a good stability. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Sol-gel synthesis and properties of Ce1-xGdxO2-x/2 solid solutions

A series of solid electrolytes Ce1-xGdxO2-x/2(x=0 similar to0.6) was prepared by sol-gel method. The structure, thermal expansion coefficient and electrical properties of the solid solutions were systematically studied. XRD data showed that a complete cubic fluorite structure was formed at 160 degreesC. The purity of the product prepared by the sol-gel method is higher, the grain size is uniformly smaller. They were easily sintered into highly dense ceramic pellets at 1 300 degreesC. The sintering temperature was significantly lower than that by traditionally high temperature solid phase reaction method. The thermal expansion coefficient of Ce0.8Gd0.2O1.9, determined from high- temperature XRD data, is 8. 125 X 10(-6) K-1. Impedance spectra analyses showed that the grain-boundary resistance of the solid electrolyte prepared by sol-gel method was reduced or even eliminated. The conductivity of Ce0.8Gd0.2O1.9 is 5.26 X 10(-3) S/cm at 600 degreesC. The activation energy (E-a) is 0.82 eV.

A hydrogen peroxide biosensor combined HRP doped polypyrrole with ferrocene modified sol-gel derived composite carbon electrode

A novel amperometric biosensor for the detection of hydrogen peroxide is described. The biosensor was constructed by electrodepositing HRP/PPy membrane on the surface of ferrocenecarboxylic acid mediated sol-gel derived composite carbon electrode. The biosensor gives response to hydrogen peroxide in a few seconds with detection limit of 5x10(-7) mol (.) L-1 (based on signal : noise=3). Linear range is up to 0.2 mmol (.) L-1.

Study of elastic modulus and yield strength of polymer thin films using atomic force microscopy

Nanometer-scale elastic moduli and yield strengths of polycarbonate (PC) and polystyrene (PS) thin films were measured with atomic force microscopy (AFM) indentation measurements. By analysis of the AFM indentation force curves with the method by Oliver and Pharr, Young's moduli of PC and PS thin films could be obtained as 2.2 +/- 0.1 and 2.6 +/- 0.1 GPa, respectively, which agree well with the literature values. By fitting Johnson's conical spherical cavity model to the measured plastic zone sizes, we obtained yield strengths of 141.2 MPa for PC thin films and 178.7 MPa for PS thin films, which are similar to2 times the values expected from the literature. We propose that it is due to the AFM indentation being asymmetric, which was not accounted for in Johnson's model. A correction factor, epsilon, of similar to0.72 was introduced to rescale the plastic zone size, whereupon good agreement between theory and experiment was achieved.

Fabrication of agar-gel microelectrodes and their application in the study of ion transfer across the agar-water 1,2-dichloroethane interface

In this paper, we describe a simple procedure to make agar-gel microelectrodes by filling micropipettes. These microelectrodes were used to study K+ transfer across the agar-water \ 1,2-dichloroethane interface facilitated by dibenzo-18-crown-6 (DB18C6), and the transfer of tetraethylammonium (TEA(+)). The results observed were similar to those obtained at micro-liquid \ liquid interfaces. The effect of various amounts of agar in the aqueous phase was optimized and 3% agar was chosen based on the potential window and solidification time. The different shapes of micro-agar-gel electrodes were prepared in a similar way. The fabricated agar-gel microelectrodes obey the classical micro-disk steady-state current equation, which is different from the behavior of a normal micropipette filled with aqueous solution without silanization. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Hydrogen peroxide biosensor based on sol-gel-derived glasses doped with Eastman AQ polymer

A hydrogen peroxide biosensor based on sol-gel-derived glasses doped with poly(ester sulfonic acid) Eastman AQ 55D was constructed. Thionine (TH), as a mediator, was incorporated in this matrix by electrostatic force between TH+ and the negatively charged sulfonic acid group in Eastman AQ polymer. Performance and characteristics of the sensor were evaluated with respect to response time, sensitivity and storage stability. The enzyme electrode has a sensitivity of 11.36 muA mM(-1) with a detection limit of 5.0 x 10(-7) M H2O2, and the sensor achieved 95% of the steady state current within 20 s. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Preparation and optical characterization of an organoeuropium-doped sol-gel transparent luminescence thin film

Binary and ternary europium complexes with dibenzplymethane (DBM) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) were synthesized and doped into a sol-gel luminescence thin film and polyvinylbutyral (PVB) film. The luminescent spectra and lifetime of the films were measured. The final results showed that Eu(III) characteristic emission bands were observed in the spectra of all the doped films. Longer lifetimes and a higher photo-stability were observed in SiO2:Eu(III) complex luminescent thin films than in PVB:Eu(III) complex films that contained a corresponding amount of pure complexes. Heat-stability tests showed that SiO2:Eu(III) complex thin films still showed certain fluorescence after heat-treatment at a temperature of 130 degreesC, while little fluorescence could be observed in PVB:Eu(III) complex films under a UV lamp. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Radiation effects on the immiscible polymer blend of nylon1010 and high-impact strength polystyrene (II): mechanical properties and morphology

The paper studies the morphology and mechanical properties of immiscible binary blends of the nylon 1010 and HIPS through the radiation crosslinking method. In this blend, the HIPS particles were the dispersed phases in the nylon 1010 matrix. With increasing of dose, the elastic modulus increased, However, the tensile strength. elongation at bleak and the energy of fracture increased to a maximum at a dose of 0.34 MGy, then reduced with the increasing of dose. SEM photographs show that the hole sizes are not changed obviously at low dose and at high dose, remnants that cannot be dissolved in formic acid and THF can be observed in the holes and on the surface. TEM photographs showed that radiation destroys the rubber phases in the polymer blend. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Progress in luminescent films prepared by sol-gel process

In this paper, state of the art for luminescent films prepared by sol-gel process has been reviewed. The basic process and characteristics for the synthesis of luminescent films via sol-gel method, Characterization methods for the films and the current status for the development and application of luminescent films are discussed in the context, An elucidation has been made on the luminescent films classified by composition, including inorganic luminescent films and organic/inorganic hybrid luminescent films. The sol-gel derived luminescent films have found applications in the display devices for photoluminescence, electroluminescence, cathodoluminescence and field emission etc. Finally, the future development tendency for the luminescent films are forecasted.

Encapsulation of fluorescein into MCM-41 mesoporous molecular sieve by a sol-gel method

MCM-41-hosted fluorescein mesophase was prepared by addition of the dye into the sol-gel mixture for the synthesis of MCM-41 mesoporous molecular sieve under microwave radiation. The as-synthesized organo-silica-surfactant material possessed hexagonal mesostructure with short-range symmetry and a uniform nanosize of about 30 nm. Furthermore, fluorescence spectrum, increase in lifetime and lack of aggregation at high concentration were discussed in terms of the effect of the host-guest interaction on these properties. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.

Sol-gel-derived graphite organosilicate composite electrodes bulk-modified with Keggin-type alpha-germanomolybdic acid

A novel inorganic-organic hybrid material incorporating graphite powder and Keggin-type alpha -germanomolybdic acid (GeMo12) in methyltrimethoxysilane-based gels has been produced by the sol-gel technique and used to fabricate a chemically bulk-modified electrode. GeMo12 acts as a catalyst, graphite powder ensures conductivity by percolation, the silicate provides a rigid porous backbone, and the methyl groups endow hydrophobicity and thus limit the wetting section of the modified electrode. The GeMo12-modified graphite organosilicate composite electrode was characterized by cyclic and square-wave voltammetry. The modified electrode shows a high electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of bromate, nitrite and hydrogen peroxide in acidic aqueous solution. In addition, the chemically-modified electrode has some distinct advantages over the traditional polyoxometalate-modified electrodes, such as long-term stability and especially repeatability of surface-renewal by simple mechanical polishing.

Synthesis and luminescence properties of ternary europium complexes in titania matrix in the presence of dimethylformamide by a sol-gel process

In-situ synthesis of ternary europium complex with thenoyltrifluoacetone (TTA) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) in titania matrix in the presence of dimethylformamide (DMF) by a sol-gel process was described, which was confirmed by the luminescence excitation spectra and infrared spectra. The titania gel that contains europium complex exhibits Eu3+ characteristic emission bands and presents a longer fluorescence lifetime than the pure complexes dissolved in ethanol solution. The concentration effect on the luminescence intensity was also investigated.

Preparation and spectra study of TiO2 gel doped with fluorescein

TiO2 gel doped with fluorescein was prepared by a sol-gel method, and the fluorescence of fluorescein and its effect on formation of the: gel were investigated with absorption, fluorescence, IR spectroscopies and TG-DTA analysis. The results indicated that FL incorporated into TiO2 gel had exhibited big changes compared to that in ethanol solution both in the absorption and the emission spectra, and the formation of TiO2 gel was influenced greatly by FL.