Ternary nanocomposites of reduced graphene oxide, polyaniline and hexaniobate: hierarchical architecture and high polaron formation.

Nanostructured systems, such as nanocomposites, are potential materials for usage in different fields since synergistic effects of their components at the nanoscale domain may improve physical/chemical properties when compared to individual phases. We report here the preparation and characterisation of a new nanocomposite composed of polyaniline (PANI), reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and hexaniobate (hexNb) nanoscrolls. Atomic force microscopy images show an interesting architecture of rGO flakes coated with PANI and decorated by hexNb.

Towards Phosphate Detection in Hydroponics Using Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Sensors.

An interdigitated electrode sensor was designed and microfabricated for measuring the changes in the capacitance of three phosphate selective molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) formulations, in order to provide hydroponics users with a portable nutrient sensing tool. The MIPs investigated were synthesised using different combinations of the functional monomers methacrylic acid (MAA) and -allylthiourea, against the template molecules diphenyl phosphate, triethyl phosphate, and trimethyl phosphate. A cross-interference study between phosphate, nitrate, and sulfate was carried out for the MIP materials using an inductance, capacitance, and resistance (LCR) meter.

The effects of substituent grafting on the interaction of pH-responsive polymers with phospholipid monolayers.

pH-responsive amphiphilic polymers with suitable graftings have demonstrated highly efficient cell membrane activity and hence are promising applicants for drug-delivery. Grafting the hydrophobic amino acid l-phenylalanine and the hydrophilic methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) amine onto the pendant carboxylic acid moieties of a linear polyamide, poly(l-lysine isophthalamide), can effectively modify the amphiphilicity and conformation of the amphiphilic polymers. Here, the interactions of these polymers with phospholipid monolayers adsorbed on mercury (Hg) electrodes have been studied.