New phosphorescent Pt(II) compounds based on dimesitylboron (BMes(2))-functionalized 2-phenylpyridyl (ppy) N,C-chelate ligands and an acetylacetonato ancillary ligand have been achieved. We have found that BMes(2) substitution at the 4'-position of the phenyl ring can blue-shift the phosphorescent emission energy of the Pt(II) compound by approximately 50 nm, compared to the 5'-BMes(2) substituted analogue, without substantial loss of luminescent quantum efficiencies. The emission color of the 4'-BMes(2) substituted Pt(II) compound, Pt(Bppy)(acac) (1) can be further tuned by the introduction of a substituent group at the 3'-position of the phenyl ring. A methyl substituent red-shifts the emission energy of 1 by approximately 10 nm whereas a fluoro substituent blue-shifts the emission energy by about 6 nm. Using this strategy, three bright blue-green phosphorescent Pt(II) compounds 1, 2 and 3 with emission energy at 481, 492, and 475 nm and Φ(PL)=0.43, 0.26 and 0.25, respectively, have been achieved. In addition, we have examined the impact of BMes(2) substitution on 3,5-dipyridylbenzene (dpb) N,C,N-chelate Pt(II) compounds by synthesizing compound 4, Pt(Bdpb)Cl, which has a BMes(2) group at the 4'-position of the benzene ring. Compound 4 has a phosphorescent emission band at 485 nm and Φ(PL)=0.70. Highly efficient blue-green electroluminescent (EL) devices with a double-layer structure and compounds 1, 3 or 4 as the phosphorescent dopant have been fabricated. At 100 cd m(-2) luminance, EL devices based on 1, 3 and 4 with an external quantum efficiency of 4.7, 6.5 and 13.4%, respectively, have been achieved.

Homoleptic tris-cyclometalated iridium complexes, fac-Ir[5-(2-RCB)ppy]3 (3a-3c; CB = o-carboran-1-yl; ppy = 2-phenylpyridinato-C(2),N; R = H (3a), Me (3b), (i)Bu (3c)) with 2-R-substituted o-carboranes at the 5-position of the ppy ligand, were prepared and characterized. X-ray diffraction analysis of 3a and 3c revealed that the three C^N ligands adopt a fac-arrangement around the Ir atom and that the carboranyl C-C bond distance increases with increasing steric effects of the 2-R substituent. The phosphorescence wavelengths of the complexes were apparently blue-shifted by ca. 20 nm (λem = 487-493 nm) compared to that of the parent fac-Ir(ppy)3 (4; λem = 508 nm). In particular, 3a-3c were highly emissive in toluene, and the phosphorescence quantum efficiencies of 3a and 3b (ΦPL = 0.95-0.98) were comparable to that of 4. Solution-processed electroluminescent devices incorporating 3a-3c as emitters displayed green light with high performance, and devices based on the 3c dopant showed the highest performance. In particular, the devices based on 3c exhibited performance more than double of that of the device based on 4 in terms of current efficiency (29.6 cd/A for 3c vs 15.8 cd/A for 4 at 4 wt % Ir and 1000 cd/m(2)), power efficiency (11.0 lm/W for 3c vs 6.3 lm/W for 4), and external quantum efficiency (10.2% for 3c vs 4.7% for 4) over a wide range of luminance. The higher PL quantum yields of doped host films with 3c than those with 4 at high dopant concentrations above 8 wt % suggested that along with high phosphorescence quantum efficiency, the steric bulkiness of the 2-(i)Bu-substituted o-carborane in 3c plays a crucial role in improving device performance.

Three cationic iridium(III) complexes [Ir(ppy)₂(phen)][PF₆] (C1), [Ir(ppy)₂(phen)]₂SiF₆ (C2) and [Ir(ppy)₂(phen)]₂TiF₆ (C3) (ppy: 2-phenylpyridine, phen: 1, 10-phenanthroline) using different anions were synthesized and characterized by ¹H Nuclear magnetic resonance (¹HNMR), mass spectra (MS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra and element analysis (EA). After the ultraviolet visible (UV-vis) absorption spectra, photoluminescent (PL) properties and thermal properties of the complexes were investigated, complex C1 and C3 with good optical properties and high thermal stability were used in white light-emitting diodes (WLEDs) as luminescence conversion materials by incorporation with 460 nm-emitting blue GaN chips. The integrative performances of the WLEDs fabricated with complex C1 and C3 are better than those fabricated with the widely used yellow phosphor Y₃Al₅O12:Ce3+ (YAG). The color rendering indexes of the WLEDs with C1 and C3 are 82.0 and 82.6, the color temperatures of them are 5912 K and 3717 K, and the maximum power efficiencies of them are 10.61 Lm·W-1 and 11.41 Lm·W-1, respectively.

Thin films of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), graphene and polypyrrole (PPy) nanofibers were prepared by cathodic electrophoretic deposition (EPD) from aqueous suspensions, containing safranin (SAF) as a new dispersant. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy studies and sedimentation tests, coupled with deposition yield and electron microscopy data showed that SAF adsorbed on MWCNT, graphene and PPy, provided their dispersion and charging in the suspensions and allowed efficient EPD. The deposition yield can be controlled by the variation of SAF concentration in the suspensions and deposition time. The use of SAF as a co-dispersant for MWCNT, graphene and PPy, allowed controlled EPD of composite graphene-MWCNT and graphene-PPy films. The proposed approach for the deposition of PPy paves the way for EPD of neutral polymers using organic dyes as dispersing and charging agents. The composite films were investigated for application in electrochemical supercapacitors (ES). The graphene-MWCNT and graphene-PPy films showed significant increase in capacitance, decrease in resistance and increase in capacitance retention at high charge-discharge rates compared to the films of individual components. The analysis of electrochemical testing results and electron microscopy data provided an insight into the influence of composite microstructure on electrochemical performance. The composites, prepared by EPD are promising materials for electrodes of ES.

Metal nanoparticles are promising catalysts for dye degradation in treating wastewater despite the challenges of recycling and stability. In this study, we have introduced a simple way to prepare Au@polypyrrole (PPy)/Fe3O4 catalysts with Au nanoparticles embedded in a PPy/Fe3O4 capsule shell. The PPy/Fe3O4 capsule shell used as a support was constructed in one-step, which not only dramatically simplified the preparation process, but also easily controlled the magnetic properties of the catalysts through adjusting the dosage of FeCl2·4H2O. The component Au nanoparticles could catalyze the reduction of methylene blue dye with NaBH4 as a reducing agent and the reaction rate constant was calculated through the pseudo-first-order reaction equation. The Fe3O4 nanoparticles permitted quick recycling of the catalysts with a magnet due to their room-temperature superparamagnetic properties; therefore, the catalysts exhibited good reusability. In addition to catalytic activity and reusability, stability is also an important property for catalysts. Because both Au and Fe3O4 nanoparticles were wrapped in the PPy shell, compared with precursor polystyrene/Au composites and bare Fe3O4 nanoparticles, the stability of Au@PPy/Fe3O4 hollow capsules was greatly enhanced. Since the current method is simple and flexible to create recyclable catalysts with high stability, it would promote the practicability of metal nanoparticle catalysts in industrial polluted water treatment.

The photophysical properties of tris-cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes have been probed by chemical and geometric variation through the series fac- and mer-Ir(piq)(x)(ppy)(3-x) (x = 1-3; piq = 1-phenylisoquinolinato-N(∧)C(2'), ppy = 2-phenylpyridinato-N(∧)C(2')). The phosphorescent decays were recorded in solution at 295 K and in polymer films from 2 to 295 K. In the heteroleptic complexes, emission occurs based solely on the piq ligand(s), at least by the nanosecond time scale, as its excited states are the lowest energy. Because fac-Ir(piq)(3) and fac-Ir(ppy)(3) possess practically the same oxidation potential, comparison of photophysical properties through the series fac-Ir(piq)(x)(ppy)(3-x) (x = 1-3) revealed the effects of having one, two, or three emissive piq ligands with no confounding effects from differences in electron withdrawing or donating properties between the spectator ppy ligands and the piq ligands. Effects of placement of piq ligands in different coordination geometries were elucidated by comparisons to the mer series.

Double-stranded calf thymus (dsCT)-DNA was electrochemically entrapped into polypyrrole-polyvinyl sulfonate (PPy-PVS) films deposited onto indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass plates. These dsCT-DNA entrapped PPy-PVS/ITO films were characterized using cyclic voltammetry, UV-visible, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), and electrochemical impedance measurements. Attempts made to use these dsCT-DNA entrapped PPy-PVS/ITO films for detection of 2-aminoanthracene (0.001-6.0 ppm) and 3-chlorophenol (0.01-55.0 ppm) revealed a response time of 30s and a shelf life of approximately 25 weeks when stored under desiccated conditions at 25 degrees C. The addition of salts such as Ca(2+) (250 ppm), Mg(2+) (200 ppm), Cl(-) (1560 ppm), and Na(+) (150 ppm) ions contained in water does not affect the observed amperometric response of the disposable dsCT-DNA entrapped PPy-PVS film-based electrochemical biosensor.

Conjugated polymer actuators have potential use in implantable neural interface devices for modulating the position of electrode sites within brain tissue or guiding insertion of neural probes along curved trajectories. The actuation of polypyrrole (PPy) doped with dodecylbenzenesulfonate (DBS) is characterized to ascertain whether it can be employed in the cerebral environment. Microfabricated bilayer beams are electrochemically cycled at either 22 or 37 °C in aqueous NaDBS or in artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF). Nearly all the ions in aCSF are exchanged into the PPy-the cations Na(+) , K(+) , Mg(2+) , Ca(2+) , as well as the anion PO4 (3-) ; Cl(-) is not present. Nevertheless, deflections in aCSF are comparable to those in NaDBS and they are monotonic with oxidation level: strain increases upon reduction, with no reversal of motion despite the mixture of ionic charges and valences being exchanged. Actuation depends on temperature. Upon warming, the cyclic voltammograms show additional peaks and an increase of 70% in the consumed charge. Bending is, however, much less affected: strain increases somewhat (6%-13%) but remains monotonic, and deflections shift (up to 20%). These results show how the actuation environment must be taken into account, and demonstrate proof of concept for actuated implantable neural interfaces.

In this paper, we propose an Au-polypyrrole (Ppy) nanorod gas sensor for the detection of volatile organic compound (VOC) gases. This gas sensor operates on the principle of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). The Au-Ppy nanorods used in this experiment were synthesized using an anodic aluminum oxide template by the electrochemical deposition method. Using field emission scanning electron microscopy, we confirmed that the Au-Ppy nanorod arrays were successfully fabricated with a uniform size. By depositing gold, the Au-Ppy nanorods exhibited both optical and LSPR interference. The gas sensing properties of the fabricated nanorods were tested for VOCs such as acetic acid, benzene, and toluene with a short response time (~1 min). Moreover, the proposed VOC gas sensing system was tested with three types of VOC gases over a wide concentration range from 10 to 100 ppm. Highest sensitivity was observed for acetic acid gas, which had a linear relation with the gas concentration, indicating that the system can be used as a gas sensor.

Twelve iridium complexes with general formula of Ir(C;N)(2)(LX) [C;N represents the cyclometalated ligand, i.e. 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl) pyridine (dfppy), 2-phenylpyridine (ppy), dibenzo{f, h}quinoxaline (DBQ); LX stands for beta-diketonate, i.e. acetyl acetonate (acac), 1-(carbazol-9-yl)-5,5-dimethylhexane-2,4-diketonate (CBDK), 1-(carbazol-9-yl)-5,5,6,6,7,7,7-heptafluoroheptane-2,4-diketonate (CHFDK), 1-(N-ethyl-carbazol-3-yl)-4,4,5,5,6,6,6-heptafluorohexane-1,3-diketonate (ECHFDK)] are synthesized, characterized and their photophysical properties are systemically studied. In addition, crystals of Ir(DBQ)(2)(CHFDK) and Ir(DBQ)(2)(acac) are obtained and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The choice of these iridium complexes provides an opportunity for tracing the effect of the triplet energy level of ancillary ligands on the photophysical and electrochemical behaviors. Data show that if the triplet energy level of the beta-diketonate is higher than that of the Ir(C;N)(2) fragment and there is no superposition on the state density map, strong (3)LC or (3)MLCT-based phosphorescence can be obtained. Alternatively, if the state density map of the two parts are in superposition, the (3)LC or (3)MLCT-based transition will be quenched at room temperature. Density functional theory calculations show that these complexes can be divided into two categories. The lowest excited state is mainly determined by C;N but not beta-diketonate when the difference between the triplet energy levels of the two parts is large. However, when this difference is very small, the lowest excited state will be determined by both sides. This provides a satisfactory explanation for the experimental observations.

Electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) with different emission colors is important in the development of multichannel analytical techniques. In this report, five new heteroleptic iridium(III) complexes were synthesized, and their photophysical, electrochemical, and ECL properties were studied. Here, 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)pyridine (dfppy, complex 1), 2-phenylbenzo[d]thiazole (bt, complex 2), and 2-phenylpyridine (ppy, complex 3) were used as the main ligands to tune the emission color, while avobenzone (avo) was used as the ancillary ligand. For comparison, complexes 4 and 5 with 2-phenylpyridine and 2-phenylbenzo[d]thiazole as the main ligand, respectively, and acetyl acetone (acac) as the ancillary ligand were also synthesized. All five iridium(III) complexes had strong intraligand absorption bands (π–π*) in the UV region (below 350 nm) and a featureless MLCT (d−π*) transition in the visible 400–500 nm range. Multicolored emissions were observed for these five iridium(III) complexes, including green, orange, and red for complexes 4, 5, 2, 1, 3, respectively. Density functional theory calculations indicate that the electronic density of the highest occupied molecular orbital is entirely located on the C^N ligands and the iridium atom, while the formation of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) is complicated. The LUMO is mainly assigned to the ancillary ligand for complexes 1 and 3 but to the C^N ligand for complexes 2, 4, and 5. Cyclic voltammetry studies showed that all these complexes have a reversible oxidation wave, but no reduction waves were found in the electrochemical windows of CH2Cl2. The E1/2(ox) values of these complexes ranged from 0.642 to 0.978 V for complexes 3, 4, 2, 5, 1, (in increasing order) and are all lower than that of Ru(bpy)3(2+). Most importantly, when using tripropylamine as a coreactant, complexes 1–5 exhibited intense ECL signals with an emission wavelength centered at 616, 580, 663, 536, and 569 nm, respectively. In addition, complexes 1, 2, and 5 displayed approximately 2, 11, and 214 times higher ECL efficiencies than Ru(bpy)3(2+) under identical conditions.

To obtain ideal sensing materials with nearly zero temperature coefficient resistance (TCR) for self-temperature-compensated pressure sensors, we proposed an Incipient Network Conformal Growth (INCG) technology to prepare hybrid and elastic porous materials: the nanoparticles (NPs) are first dispersed in solvent to form an incipient network, another component is then introduced to coat the incipient network conformally via wet chemical route. The conformal coatings not only endow NPs with high stability but also offer them additional structural elasticity, meeting requirements for future generations of portable, compressive and flexible devices. The resultant polypyrrole/silver coaxial nanowire hybrid aero-sponges prepared via INCG technology have been processed into a piezoresistive sensor with highly sensing stability (low TCR 0.86 × 10(-3)/°C), sensitivity (0.33 kPa(-1)), short response time (1 ms), minimum detectable pressure (4.93 Pa) after suffering repeated stimuli, temperature change and electric heating. Moreover, a stress-triggered Joule heater can be also fabricated mainly by the PPy-Ag NW hybrid aero-sponges with nearly zero temperature coefficient.

Composites of natural protein materials, such as merino wool, with the conducting polymers polypyrrole (PPy) and polyaniline (PAn) have been successfully synthesised. In doing so, hybrid materials have been produced in which the mechanical strength and flexibility of the fibers is retained whilst also incorporating the desired chemical and electrical properties of the polymer. Scanning electron microscopy shows PPy coatings to comprise individual polymer spheres, approximately 100 to 150 nm in diameter. The average size of the polymer spheres of PAn was observed to be approximately 50 to 100 nm in diameter. These spheres fuse together in a continuous sheet to coat the fibers in their entirety. The reduction of silver ions to silver metal nanoparticles onto the redox active polymer surface has also been successful and thus imparts anti-microbial properties to the hybrid materials. This gives rise to further applications requiring the inhibition of microbial growth. The chemical and physical characterisation of such products has been undertaken through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), electrical conductivity, cyclic voltammetry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and the testing of their anti-microbial activity.

The aim of this study was the preparation of polypyrrole (PPy) fibers for solid phase microextraction (SPME). PPy coatings were obtained during the electrochemical polymerization process. The utility of various metal wires (Fe, Cu, Ag, Cu/Ag, kanthal and medical stainless steel) as a support for polymers was compared. Various experimental conditions of the synthesis process such as scan rate, voltage limits and number of scans and deposition time were applied. The average polymer thickness was in the range of 7-125 microm and its weight was in the scope of 0.65-5.6 mg. Different techniques, mainly elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, microscopy, and chromatography were performed for the characterization of obtained fibers with microporous structure. The extraction efficiency of cardiovascular drugs (metoprolol, propranolol, oxprenolol, propafenone and mexiletine) by means of fibers was tested. The concentration of mentioned compounds in standard solution was in the span of 10-150 ng/mL. LC-MS was employed for determination of drugs in desorption solution. LODs varied from 0.013 to 1.51 ng/mL for metoprolol and mexiletine respectively. The repeatability of extraction was obtained with the RSD values lower than 10%.

Extracellular matrix (ECM) can promote peripheral nerve repair. In this study, a conductive fiber-film (CFF) with core-sheath structure and conductivity of ∼10Scm-1 was prepared by electrospinning of aligned poly(l-lactide acid) (PLLA) fibers and electrochemical deposition of polypyrole (PPy) nanoparticles. Then the multiple components of ECM, including laminin, fibronectin and collagen, were coated on the surface of CFF by culturing and lysing L929 cells to fabricate the bioactive scaffold of ECM-linked CFF (ECM-CFF). The electrical stimulation (ES) of 100mV/cm for 14days and 2h per day did not significantly decrease the conductivity of ECM-CFF. The results of PC12 cells test indicated that, cells adhesion rate, neurite-bearing cell rate and neurite alignment rate on ECM-CFF were ∼95%, ∼77%, ∼70%, respectively, significantly larger than the corresponding values on bare CFF (17%, 29% and 14%, respectively). The neurites length on ECM-CFF (∼79mm) was also larger than that on bare CFF (∼25mm). ES of 100mV/cm onto PC12 cells through ECM-CFF could significantly promote neurite extension in first 3days of the neurite growth. These results indicated that, the combination of ECM-CFF with ES could improve the nerve regeneration by encouraging neural-cell adhesion, neurite growth and extension.

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fiber coatings based on conductive polypyrrole films were prepared for the electrochemical extraction and desorption of ionic analytes. Simple preparation of each of the PPY extraction coatings on a platinum wire was possible with a constant potential method, but more importantly, cycling of the film between oxidation and reduction potentials facilitated the extraction and desorption of ionic analytes. The analytes were desorbed into a sample aliquot of water and were determined by flow injection analysis using a mass spectrometer. The fiber coatings and the developed electrochemical SPME method were found to be stable and reproducible (RSD < 5%; N = 5) and could be extended to several cations and anions, confirming the versatility of the approach. Preconcentration of the analyte on the fiber was also possible by repeating the processes to increase the amount of analyte extracted.

The construction of a new solid-phase microextraction/surfaced enhanced laser desorption/ionization-ion mobility spectrometry (SPME/SELDI-IMS) device is reported here. A polypyrrole (PPY) coated SPME/SELDI fiber was employed as the extraction phase and SELDI surface to introduce analytes into the IMS. Analytes were directly ionized from the PPY coated fiber tip by a Nd:YAG laser without the addition of a matrix. Optimal experimental parameters, such as extraction conditions and laser parameters, were investigated. The use of a SPME/SELDI fiber simplified the sampling and sample preparation for IMS. Verapamil could be directly extracted from urine sample and analyzed by IMS without any further sample cleanup. This technique could be used for the analysis of drugs and other non-volatile compounds.

The first chiral C2-symmetric 4-pyrrolidinopyridine (PPY) derivative was synthesized in an enantiomerically pure form and successfully utilized as a chiral nucleophilic catalyst for the kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols leaving one enantiomer with high selectivity factors (up to s = 13.5).

The synthesis of self-doped conducting polypyrrole-grafted graphene sheets (GS-PPy) for non-volatile memory applications is reported. First, the alkyne-modified graphene sheets (GS-alkyne) were covalently functionalized with a water-soluble polymer containing numerous anionic SO3(-) dopants by a copper-catalyzed click reaction. Then, polypyrrole was covalently grafted onto the functionalized graphene sheets by chemical oxidative polymerization to produce GS-PPy hybrids. The GS-PPy hybrids showed a uniform coating of PPy on the GS sheets, good dispersion in aqueous solutions, high electrical conductivity, and red-shifted absorption peak in the UV/Visible spectra. The non-volatile memory device composed of a Al/(GS-PPy/poly(vinyl alcohol))/Al structure, produced by spin coating of the aqueous GS-PPy/poly(vinyl alcohol) solution, showed a good write-once read-many times memory behavior, which was due to good electrical and optical absorption properties of the GS-PPy hybrids. The findings of this study provide a potential solution for the fabrication of water-soluble graphene-based hybrids for non-volatile resistive-memory-based applications.

Pt/polypyrrole (PPy) hybrid hollow microspheres were successfully prepared by wet chemical method via Fe(3)O(4) template and evaluated as electrocatalysts for the reduction of hydrogen peroxide. The as-synthesized products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductive coupled plasma emission spectrum (ICP) and Fourier-transform infrared spectra (FTIR) measurements. The results exhibited that ultra-high-density Pt nanoparticles (NPs) were well deposited on the PPy shell with the mean diameters of around 4.1nm. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) results demonstrated that Pt/PPy hybrid hollow microspheres, as enzyme-less catalysts, exhibited good electrocatalytic activity towards the reduction of hydrogen peroxide in 0.1M phosphate buffer solution (pH=7.0). The composite had a fast response of less than 2s with linear range of 1.0-8.0mM and a relatively low detection limit of 1.2microM (S/N=3). The sensitivity of the sensor for H(2)O(2) was 80.4mAM(-1)cm(-2).

A sensitive impedimetric immunosensor was constructed by using an electropolymerized nanocomposite film containing polypyrrole (PPy), polypyrrolepropylic acid (PPa), and Au nanoparticles. The nanocomposite exhibits good stability, high porosity, high hydrophilicity, and efficient probe immobilization capability. In the film, PPa enhances the hydrophilicity while providing covalent probe attachment linkers, PPy promotes the conductivity and electroactivity, and Au nanoparticles result in good conductivity, high stability, and covalent binding linkers. These combined advantages significantly improve the detection sensitivity in comparison to the conventional methods. As a model, a human interleukin 5 (IL-5) immunosensor, an important sensor for disease pathology study, clinic diagnosis, and pharmaceutical research, was fabricated with the new nanocomposite film. Various optimization works were conducted to improve the detection sensitivity. With the optimal fabrication parameters, the detection limit for IL-5 was 10 fg/mL in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and 1 pg/mL in 1% human serum with good specificity and a dynamic range of 3 orders of magnitude. This work demonstrates a new approach to develop a sensitive and labeless impedimetric immunosensor for potential broad applications in clinical diagnosis and drug discovery.

Nanostructured silicon has attracted a great deal of attention as an excellent anode material for Li ion batteries (LIBs). However, the use of Si nanomaterials in LIBs is severely hindered by their preparative methods owing to the high cost, low yield, and harsh synthetic conditions. Herein, we report a new method for the synthesis of uniform Si nanocrystals based on the magnesiothermic reduction of natural attapulgite clay. The obtained Si nanocrystals with a uniform size of ca. 10 nm are coated with polypyrrole (denoted ppy@Si) and show excellent electrochemical performance as anode materials for LIBs. After charging-discharging for 200 cycles at a current density of 0.6 A g(-1), the specific capacity value of the ppy@Si anode is ∼954 mA h g(-1). Because of the abundance of attapulgite, the obtained silicon nanoparticles can be exploited as a practical anode material for high-performance Li-ion batteries.

In this paper, supercritical carbon dioxide (SC CO2) was first reported to help prepare unique flexible free-standing graphene oxide/nanofiber (GC) films. A novel hierarchical superior electrode material with polypyrrole (PPy) deposited on GO/CNF-SC (GC-SC) films was prepared via an in situ polymerization process. Our experimental results indicate that SC CO2 can not only enlarge the space between GO sheets but also improve the conductivity of the films. The electrochemical measurements show that the as-obtained PPy-coated GC-SC products display remarkably higher capacitive properties than pristine GC/PPy products as electrode materials. Excellent rate performance and stable capacitance retention (89% after 5000 cycles) were observed during the continuous charge-discharge cycles, which verify that SC CO2 provides a convenient route to the scalable production of hierarchical GO/CNF/PPy films for potential application in supercapacitors.

A film of alpha-naphthalene sulfonate-doped polypyrrole/poly(methylmethacrylate), PPy/alpha-NS(-)/PMMA, obtained from solution mixing was successfully used as sensing material for acetone vapor in lacquer with a high degree of selectivity based on electrical conductivity over acetic acid and a high degree of stability over the humidity change. Compared with pure PPy/alpha-NS(-), the selectivity ratio of acetone/acetic acid response of PPy/alpha-NS(-)/PMMA blend with a PMMA/PPy weight ratio of 3.0 was ca. 3.9 times higher. The film was found to be insensitive to moisture unless the relative humidity (RH) was lower than 20% RH in which the selectivity ratio of acetone/acetic acid response was enhanced. The time required to reach the equilibrium for acetone exposure was found to increase slightly with increasing humidity.