One-step functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes with Ag/polymer under γ-ray irradiation.

We reported an easy strategy of using γ-ray irradiation to functionalize multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) without the use of aggressive acid treatment, all in a single processing step. In this paper, we tried to decorate MWCNTs with Ag nanoparticles relying on covalently bonded polymers, via one-step covalent grafting of the polymer to the surface of MWCNTs, and simultaneous reducing of Ag(+) ions to Ag which are then efficiently anchored onto the MWCNTs. Herein, the polymer involved was the commercially available polymer poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and two of its derivatives, polyvinylacetone with ketalization degree D(H) = 0.

Morphology and properties of organic-inorganic hybrid materials involving TiO2 and poly(epsilon-caprolactone), a biodegradable aliphatic polyester.

The novel biodegradable poly(epsilon-caprolactone)/titanium dioxide hybrid materials were prepared via in situ sol-gel process of tetrabutyl titanate (TBT) as inorganic precursor in the presence of PCL. The relationships between morphology, microphase separation, crystalline structure, and properties were investigated by means of XPS, SEM, XRD, DSC, and in vitro degradation test. The microstructures of the bulk hybrids display two-phase microscopic separation on the nanometer scale, which domain is 20-80 nm.

Propeller-like multicomponent microstructures: Self-assemblies of nanoparticles of poly(vinyl alcohol)-coated Ag and/or Cu2O.

Novel propeller-like multicomponent microstructures, which are actually self-assemblies of nanoparticles of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-coated Ag and/or Cu2O, were synthesized in aqueous solution of amphiphilic polyvinylacetone (PVKA) (ketalization degree D(H) = 0.549), via one-step in situ reduction of Ag+ and Cu2+ under gamma-ray irradiation, utilizing the low hydrolysis rate of PVKA in the dilute acidic solution. Herein, PVA chains are obtained from hydrolyzed PVKA.

Synthesis and characterization of water-soluble multiwalled carbon nanotubes grafted by a thermoresponsive polymer.

Water-soluble multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) with temperature-responsive shells were successfully prepared by grafting poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) from the sidewalls of MWNTs, via surface reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization using RAFT agent functionalized MWNTs as the chain transfer agent. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) measurements showed that the weight composition of the as-grown PNIPAM polymers on the MWNTs can be well controlled by the feed ratio (in weight) of NIPAM to RAFT agent functionalized MWNTs (MWNT-SC(S)Ph). The MWNT-g-PNIPAM has good solubility in water, chloroform, and tetrahydrofuran (THF).

In situ formation of Ag flowerlike and dendritic nanostructures in aqueous solution and hydrolysis of an amphiphilic block copolymer.

Silver flowerlike and dendritic nanostructures were synthesized in an aqueous solution of a hydrolysable amphiphilic block copolymer polyvinylacetone (PVKA) via in situ reduction of Ag(+) and hydrolysis of PVKA at room temperature. Compared with a previous result, the complete hydrolysis time of PVKA is greatly shortened in this process.

[Spectral study on intermolecular coupling interaction and relation to microstructure in polyester/inorganic hybrid materials].

The coupling form of the polymeric-inorganic component and the relation between intermolecular special hydrogen bonding interaction and the microstructure of crystallizable polymer, as well as micro-phase separation scale in non-covalently coupled poly (epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL)/silica (SiO2) hybrid materials were investigated by means of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results show that the coupling form between PCL and SiO2 mainly depend on a strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding interaction in the hybrid system. The hydrogen bonding strength increases with increasing TEOS content, while the crystallization of PCL decreases, and the optical transparency of hybrid materials increases.

[Determination of trace molybdenum by extraction catalytic kinetic spectrophotometry].

A new extraction catalytic kinetic spectrophotometric method for the determination of trace molybdenum is studied. The method is based on the molybdenum (VI) catalytic oxidation of o-aminophenol by hydrogen peroxide in week acidic medium at pH 5.5.

[Simultaneous determination of iron and molybdenum by extraction catalytic spectrophotometry].

In this paper, a new extraction catalytic spectrophotometric method for the simultaneous determination of iron and molybdenum has been studied. The method is based on the difference of the reaction rate of iron(III) and molybdenum(VI) catalyzed oxidation of o-aminophenol by hydrogen peroxide in weak acidic medium at pH 5.5.