Search

Recent progress concerning the development of counter electrode material (CE) from the dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and the electrode material (EM) within supercapacitors is reviewed. From composites based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and conducting polymers (CPs) to their biggest competitor, namely composites based on graphene or graphene derivate (GD) and CPs, there are many methods of synthesis that influence the morphology and the functionalization inside the composite, making them valuable candidates for EM both inside DSSCs and in supercapacitors devices. From the combination of CPs with carbon-based materials, such as CNT and graphene or GD, the perfect network is created, and so the charge transfer takes place faster and more easily. Inside composites, between the functional groups of the components, different functionalizations are formed, namely covalent or non-covalent, which further provide the so-called synergic effect. Inside CPs/CNTs, CNTs could play the role of template but could also be wrapped in a CP film due to π–π coupling enhancing the composite conductivity. Active in regenerating the redox couple I−/I3−, the weakly bound electrons play a key role inside CPs/GD composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on the aging of carbon nanowalls (CNW) and modification of their wettability by the storage time, growth conditions, and post-fabrication plasma treatments. The as-deposited CNW initially exhibit marked hydrophilic behavior (fresh CNW), but within a few days they become highly hydrophobic (aged CNW). Their final hydrophobicity is closely related to their topography which is controlled by the deposition parameters. In addition, subsequent fluorinated plasma treatments result in super-hydrophobic CNW layers, irrespective of the hydrophilic or hydrophobic character of the pre-treated samples. To explain this, we show that the CNW edges contain many defects initially, but such defects become passivated in time. As a result, the surfaces become highly hydrophobic after aging or fluorination, having inert stable terminations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significant differences are reported for the IR spectra of poly[(2,5-bisoctyloy)-1, 4-phenylenevinylene] (BO-PPV) recorded onto the KBr, Ag and Au supports. In this work, a decrease in the absorbance of the IR spectra of the BO-PPV films deposited onto Au and Ag supports as increasing the macromolecular compound film thickness is reported. A preferential orientation of the BO-PPV molecules and its composite with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) versus metallic supports of Ag and Au is assessed using the IR absorption spectroscopy under s and p polarized light. An anti-Stokes photoluminescence (ASPL) is reported to characterize the BO-PPV macromolecular compound. The BO-PPV ASPL spectra intensity dependent both of the thickness of the macromolecular compound layer deposited onto the metallic supports and the SWNTs weight in the BO-PPV/SWNTs composite mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although Raman spectra reveal, as a signature of double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs), two radial breathing mode (RBM) lines associated with the inner and outer tubes, the specification of their nature as metallic or semiconducting remains a topic for debate. Investigating the spectral range of the RBM lines, we present a new procedure of the indexing of the semiconducting or metallic nature of the inner and outer shell that forms the DWCNT. The procedure exploits the difference between the intensities of recorded anti-Stokes Raman spectrum and the anti-Stokes spectrum calculated by applying the Boltzmann formulae to the recorded Stokes spectrum. The results indicate that the two spectra do not coincide with what should happen in a normal Raman process, namely, that there are RBM lines of the same intensity in both spectra, as well as RBM lines of higher intensity that are observed in the calculated spectrum. This discrepancy results from the surface-enhanced Raman scattering mechanism that operates differently on metallic or semiconducting nanotubes. In this context, the analysis of the RBM spectrum can reveal pairs of lines associated with the inner/outer shell structure of DWCNT, and when the intensities between the recorded and calculated spectra coincide, the nanotube is metallic; otherwise, the nanotube is semiconducting. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering studies were performed using nonresonant (514.5 nm) and resonant (676.4 nm) optical excitations on single-walled carbon nanotubes thoroughly separated into semiconducting (pure 99%) and metallic (pure 98%) components. Regardless of the support (Au or Ag), the metallic nanotubes do not present an anomalous anti-Stokes Raman emission. Regardless of whether an on-resonant or off-resonant optical excitation is used, only the semiconducting nanotubes produce an abnormal anti-Stokes Raman emission that grows when increasing the excitation light intensity or temperature. The Raman studies under light polarized relative to the main nanotube axis demonstrate that only semiconducting nanotubes are sensitive toward changes in the polarization of the excitation light. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, new results concerning the potential of mixtures based on nitrogen doped titanium dioxide (TiO2:N) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as possible catalyst candidates for the rhodamine B (RhB) UV photodegradation are reported. The RhB photodegradation was evaluated by UV–VIS absorption spectroscopy using samples of TiO2:N and CNTs of the type of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), double-wall carbon nanotubes (DWNTs), multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), and single-walled carbon nanotubes functionalized with carboxyl groups (SWNT-COOH) having various concentrations of CNTs. The best photocatalytic performance was obtained for sample containing TiO2:N and 2.5 wt.% SWNTs-COOH, when approx. 85% of dye removal was achieved after 300 min. of UV irradiation. The reaction kinetics of RhB aqueous solutions containing TiO2:N/CNT mixtures followed a complex first-order kinetic model. The TiO2:N/CNTs catalyst induced higher photodegradation efficiency of RhB than TiO2:N due to the presence of CNTs, which act as adsorbent and dispersing agent and capture the photogenerated electrons of TiO2:N hindering the electron–hole recombination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Polydiphenylamine/single walled carbon nanotube (PDPA/SWNT) composites were synthesized electrochemically aiming at their application as active electrode materials for rechargeable lithium batteries. The electrochemical polymerization of diphenylamine (DPA) on a SWNT film immersed in a 1M HCl solution was studied by cyclic voltammetry. Comparing cyclic voltammograms recorded on a blank Pt electrode with those obtained for a SWNT film deposited on Pt electrode one observes in the latter case a decrease of the DPA reduction potential. To elucidate electrochemical polymerization mechanism, photoluminescence studies on DPA/SWNT and PDPA/SWNT systems were carried out. Additional information concerning the functionalization process of SWNT with PDPA was obtained by Raman and IR spectroscopy. Using the PDPA/SWNT composite as active material for the positive electrode of a rechargeable lithium cell (LiPF6 electrolyte), the charge–discharge tests show a specific discharge capacity of ca. 245mAhg−1, much higher than the 35mAhg−1 for pure PDPA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The bulk polymerization reaction of N-vinylcarbazole (VK) at 70°C in the presence of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) leads to a new composite, whose optical properties were studied by photoluminescence (PL), surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies. A dramatic reduction of the poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK) PL efficiency and a change in the vibrational structure of the PL spectrum of this polymer were observed by adding SWNTs to the synthesis mixture. Steric hindrance effects were evidenced both in SERS spectra of the VK when it interacts mechanico-chemically with SWNTs and in FTIR spectra of the un-doped PVK/SWNTs'' composites. Cyclic voltammetry was used to demonstrate the doping process of PVK in PVK/SWNTs'' composite. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Vibrational properties of composites based on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and conducting polymers of the type polyaniline (PANI) and poly (3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) (PEDOT) are reported. For PANI-functionalized SWNTs, the intensity increase of the Raman band at 178 cm -1 , associated with radial breathing modes of SWNTs bundles, indicates an additional roping of nanotubes due to the presence of the polymer. The interaction of this composite with NH 4 OH solution involves an internal redox reaction between PANI and SWNTs. Thus, the polymer chain undergoes a transition from the semi-oxidized state into a reduced one. The functionalization of SWNT side walls with PEDOT is invoked as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, synthesis and optical properties of a new composite based on poly(o-phenylenediamine) (POPD) fiber like structures, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) spheres and double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWNTs) are reported. As increasing the PVDF weight in the mixture of the chemical polymerization reaction of o-phenylenediamine, the presence of the PVDF spheres onto the POPD fibers surface is highlighted by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The down-shift of the Raman line from 1421 cm−1 to 1415 cm−1 proves the covalent functionalization of DWNTs with the POPD-PVDF blends. The changes in the absorbance of the IR bands peaked around 840, 881, 1240 and 1402 cm−1 indicate hindrance steric effects induced of DWNTs to the POPD fiber like structures and the PVDF spheres, as a consequence of the functionalization process of carbon nanotubes with macromolecular compounds. The presence of the PVDF spheres onto the POPD fiber like structures surface induces a POPD photoluminescence (PL) quenching process. An additional PL quenching process of the POPD-PVDF blends is reported to be induced in the presence of DWNTs. The studies of anisotropic PL highlight a change of the angle of the binding of the PVDF spheres onto the POPD fiber like structures surface from 50.2° to 38° when the carbon nanotubes concentration increases in the POPD-PVDF/DWNTs composites mass up to 2 wt.%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the effect of the single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) as the mixtures of metallic and semiconducting tubes (M + S-SWNTs) as well as highly separated semiconducting (S-SWNTs) and metallic (M-SWNTs) tubes on the photoluminescence (PL) of poly(3-hexyl thiophene) (P3HT) was reported. Two methods were used to prepare such composites, that is, the chemical interaction of the two constituents and the electrochemical polymerization of the 3-hexyl thiophene onto the rough Au supports modified with carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The measurements of the anisotropic PL of these composites have highlighted a significant diminution of the angle of the binding of the P3HT films electrochemical synthetized onto Au electrodes covered with M + S-SWNTs. This change was attributed to metallic tubes, as was demonstrated using the anisotropic PL measurements carried out on the P3HT/M-SWNTs and P3HT/S-SWNTs composites. Small variations in the angle of the binding were reported in the case of the composites prepared by chemical interaction of the two constituents. The proposed mechanism to explain this behavior took into account the functionalization process of CNTs with P3HT. The experimental arguments of the functionalization process of CNTs with P3HT were shown by the UV-VIS-NIR and FTIR spectroscopy as well as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). A PL quenching process of P3HT induced both in the presence of S-SWNTs and M-SWNTs was reported, too. This process origins in the various de-excitation pathways which can be developed considering the energy levels diagram of the two constituents of each studied composite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work is devoted to the study of phase transition processes in nanostructured ceramics of the Y2O3/TiO2-Y2TiO5 type doped with carbon nanotubes as a result of thermal annealing, as well as to the assessment of the prospects of the effect of phase composition on photocatalytic activity. By the method of X-ray phase analysis, it was found that an increase in the annealing temperature leads to the formation of the orthorhombic phase Y2TiO5, as well as structural ordering. Based on the obtained UV spectra, the band gap was calculated, which varies from 2.9 eV (initial sample) to 2.1 eV (annealed at a temperature of 1000 °C). During photocatalytic tests, it was established that the synthesized nanostructured ceramics Y2O3/TiO2-Y2TiO5 doped CNTs show a fairly good photocatalytic activity in the range of 60–90% decomposition of methyl orange. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Simple and low cost biosensor based on screen-printed electrode for sensitive detection of some alkylphenols was developed, by entrapment of HRP in a nanocomposite gel based on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM][PF6]) ionic liquid. Raman and FTIR spectroscopy, CV and EIS studies demonstrate the interaction between SWCNTs and ionic liquid. The nanocomposite gel, SWCNT–[BMIM][PF6] provides to the modified sensor a considerable enhanced electrocatalytic activity toward hydrogen peroxide reduction. The HRP based biosensor exhibits high sensitivity and good stability, allowing a detection of the alkylphenols at an applied potential of −0.2V vs. Ag/AgCl, in linear range from 5.5 to 97.7μM for 4-t-octylphenol and respectively, between 5.5 and 140μM for 4-n-nonylphenol, with a response time of about 5s. The detection limit was 1.1μM for 4-t-octylphenol, and respectively 0.4μM for 4-n-nonylphenol (S/N=3). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, we present the anti-Stokes Raman scattering as a technique allowing investigations of materials at a nanoscale level. When the energy of the excitation light coincides with the energy of an electronic transition, a strong anti-Stokes Raman spectrum with respect to the prediction of the Maxwell–Boltzman (MB) law is regularly observed. Under a tight-focusing of the excitation light, the anti-Stokes Raman emission is reminiscent of Coherent anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS). It has been detected on carbon nanotubes (CNTs), prototypes of nanometric materials, as well as on other compounds such as copper phthalocyanine (CuPc), poly(bithiophene) (PBTh), poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) (PEDOT), polyparaphenylene vinylene (PPV) layered as thin films on a metallic support in which are generated surface plasmons. We demonstrate that nanostructures by themselves can be of importance by generating non-linear phenomena that can be exploited for studying such materials and in particular carbon nanotubes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper we report on the stability of CNW layers, synthesized by a radiofrequency plasma jet, against the chemical attack with different acid solutions (sulfuric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, and hydrofluoric acid). We present the changes of the morphology and structure of the CNW caused by the post-growth chemical treatments. We demonstrate that self-sustaining and transferable CNW layers can be obtained, by chemically dissolving the substrates, while the initial characteristics of the material are well preserved. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Multiwall carbon nanotubes, as indicated by electron microscopy and spectroscopy, were grown over a novel Co(5wt.%)/ZnO catalyst by using a cold wall radio-frequency catalytic chemical vapor deposition method. The nanotubes were found to have a rather narrow diameter distribution, which can be explained by the formation over the ZnO support particles of uniform Co clusters, as shown by high resolution transmission electron microscopy studies. The growth of carbon nanotubes over such a support could represent a fast and reliable method to develop in one step 3D ZnO–CNTs heterogeneous composites of any size or shape, for use in advanced applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]