Electron Contact Research Articles

Flexible PDMS-Based SERS Substrates Replicated from Beetle Wings for Water Pollutant Detection

The flexible surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensor, which has the bionic 3D nanoarray structure of a beetle-wing substrate (BWS), was successfully prepared by replicated technology and thermal evaporation. The bionic structure was replicated with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and then silver (Ag) nanoisland thin films were deposited by thermal evaporation. The deposition times and thicknesses (25-40 nm) of the Ag thin films were manipulated to find the optimal SERS detection capability. The Ag nanoisland arrays on the surface of the bionic replicated PDMS were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and contact angle, which can generate strong and reproducible three-dimensional hotspots (3D hotspots) to enhance Raman signals. The water pollutant, rhodamine 6G (R6G), was used as a model molecule for SERS detection. The results show that 35 nm Ag deposited on a PDMS-BWS SERS substrate displays the strongest SERS intensity, which is 10 times higher than that of the pristine BWS with 35 nm Ag coating, due to the excellent 3D bionic structure. Our results demonstrate that bionic 3D SERS sensors have the potential to be applied in wearable devices and sensors to detect biomolecules and environmental pollutants, such as industrial wastewater, in the future.

Dual carbon boosts silicon-based anodes for excellent initial coulombic efficiency and cycling stability of lithium-ion batteries

Benefiting from its ultrahigh theoretical capacity and abundant resources, silicon (Si) is considered a prospective anode material. However, Si faces great challenges in practical applications, such as low initial coulombic efficiency (ICE) and rapid capacity decay. Herein, a silicon/graphite/reduced graphene oxide (Si/Gt/RGO) composite was prepared by agitation, freeze-drying, and heat treatment, where Si nanoparticles were embedded in a graphite (Gt) matrix and tightly wrapped by reduced graphene oxide (RGO). Graphite can promote ICE, improve lithium-ion (Li+) transport kinetics, and serve as the matrix to mitigate the swelling of Si. RGO further ensures rapid Li+ diffusion and forms a flexible shell of Si nanoparticles. The flexible shell formed by RGO can relieve internal stress and increase the tolerance of Si swelling. The dual carbon (graphite and RGO) protects Si nanoparticles from pulverization and ensures the electronic contact of Si, thereby rendering superior electrochemical properties. Si/Gt/RGO shows an excellent ICE (81.54 %), a promoted cycling stability (1007.0 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1 after 100 cycles with capacity retentions of 91 % and 686.3 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles at 1 A g−1) and an outstanding rate capability (475.8 mAh g−1 at 3 A g−1). The research provides a methodology for simultaneously enhancing the ICE and cycling properties of silicon-based (Si-based) anodes and provides an idea for the rational design of LIB anodes with high- energy- density.

Solvothermal Polymerization and Electrochemical Behavior of Conjugated Polyimide with High Electronic Conductivity and Low Solubility

AbstractThe polymerization of small molecules as electrode materials in lithium‐ion batteries not only reduces the solubility but also improves the surface structure and electrical conductivity. The law governing the correlations between the solvothermal temperature of polyimide (PQI) and its surface morphology and structure and electrochemical properties is investigated. The 1st and 200th discharge capacity densities for PQI‐180 with fine electrochemical performance at 100 mA g−1 are 246.6 and 178.5 mAh g−1, respectively. The rich pore structure of PQI‐180 is conducive to accelerating ion migration and reducing diffusion impedance. In addition, PQI‐180 with a uniform three‐dimensional mesh structure makes sufficient contact with the conductive agent, reducing the electron contact resistance. Unlike previously reported 3‐ or 4‐electron reactions, PQI used as an electrode material shows a 5‐electron reaction and a theoretical capacity of 319 mAh g−1 at voltages ranging from 1.5–3.0 V, and theoretical calculations and experiments explain that this result is due to a new electrochemical reaction mechanism.

The Effects of Control Measures and Social Networks on Depression Among Older People During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

This study examined the correlates of change in the depressed state among people aged 65 and older during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, particularly the effects of crucial pandemic-related variables. Data were drawn from the longitudinal Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), including information obtained from two special pandemic-related telephone interviews (N = 18, 266). The analysis regressed depressed state soon after the outbreak (T1) and again a year later (T2), on four pandemic-related variables (infection status, the stringency of control measures, and two forms of social network contact during the pandemic: face-to-face contact and communication through electronic means), controlling for baseline depression and health, sociodemographic variables, personality traits, and social network characteristics. The main findings were threefold. First, the epidemic-control measures were found to increase the likelihood of a depressed state soon after the pandemic outbreak, but not in the longer run. This data suggests that respondents became more resilient about the pandemic and its effects over time. Second, interpersonal contact utilizing electronic media did not reduce depression rates in the long run and increased depressed state in the short run. Thus, as mandated by epidemic-control policy, the promotion of electronic contact instead of face-to-face contact constituted a mental health risk factor. Third, face-to-face contact reduced the likelihood of change for the worse in the rate of depression among the respondents. This last finding underscores the need for older people to have close interpersonal contact, even in times of pandemic.

Tunable Schottky contact at the graphene/Janus SMoSiN2 interface for high-efficiency electronic devices

The electrical contacts formed between the channel materials and the electrodes play a vital role in the design and fabrication of high-performance optoelectronic and nanoelectronic devices. In this work we propose combining metallic single-layer graphene (SLG) and a Janus SMoSiN2 semiconductor and investigate the electronic properties and contact types of the combined heterostructures (HTSs) using first-principles calculations. The effects of electric fields and interlayer coupling are also examined. The combined SLG/SMoSiN2 and SLG/N2SiMoS HTSs are both structurally and thermodynamically stable at equilibrium interlayer coupling. The combination between SLG and a Janus SMoSiN2 semiconductor generates a p-type or n-type Schottky contact, depending on the stacking configuration. The SLG/SMoSiN2 HTS generates a p-type Schottky contact while the SLG/N2SiMoS HTS forms an n-type one. Furthermore, applied electric field and strain can adjust the electronic features and contact types of the HTSs. An applied negative electric field and tensile strain lead to conversion from a p-type to an n-type Schottky contact in the SLG/SMoSiN2 stacking configuration, whereas a positive electric field and compressive strain give a transformation from an n-type to a p-type Schottky contact in the SLG/N2SiMoS stacking configuration. Our findings provide rational evidence for the fabrication and design of electrical and optical devices based on SLG/SMoSiN2 HTSs.

Tunable electrical contacts in two-dimensional silicon field-effect transistors: The significance of surface engineering

Two-dimensional silicon (2D-Si) semiconductor is highly desired for future field-effect transistors (FETs) due to the inherent compatibility with the silicon-based technology. Interfacial contact represents a significant bottleneck restricting the performance of 2D-Si-based FETs. Here, by first-principles calculations and quantum transport simulations, we propose a strategy of surface engineering by F-, H-, and OH-passivation to tune the electronic properties, electrical contacts, and device performance of 2D FETs based on monolayer dumbbell silicene (LHD-Si). It is found that surface passivation performed in the LHD-Si FETs can significantly eliminate the metal-induced gap states and greatly relieve the Fermi level pinning by improving the pinning factor from 0.08 to 0.46. Importantly, the LHD-Si monolayers passivated with F and OH prefer to form n-type and p-type contacts with the representative metals (Bi, Al, Ag, Cu, Au, and Pt), respectively. Among them, Ohmic or quasi-Ohmic contacts (with very small Schottky barrier) are realized for F-passivated (OH-passivated) LHD-Si with Bi/Al/Ag (Cu/Au/Pt) electrodes. In the particular case of LHD-Si FETs with Cu electrodes, n-type, p-type, and ambipolar-type transfer behaviors are obtained for the F-, OH–, and H-passivation, respectively, demonstrating the dominant role played by electrical contacts in determining the Schottky barrier of the devices. This work highlights the significance of surface engineering in tuning the electrical contact and transport properties of doping-free 2D-Si-based FETs.

Optimizing the shape anisotropy of gold nanoparticles for enhanced light harvesting and photocatalytic applications

Hybrid nanoparticles (NP) of bismutite nanodisks (BSC ND) with gold nanoparticles (Au NP) of different aspect ratios (AR), such as spheres, rods and etched rods were synthesized via a facile sonochemical method. To better control the shapes of Au NP deposited on the substrate, these were pre-synthesized prior to the deposition using a modified seed mediated growth method by altering the pH and supersaturation of the growth solution. The shift in the peak position and shape of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) absorption band associated with fine-tuning of the shape of Au NP, led to enhanced light harvesting capabilities of the hybrid. Introducing shape anisotropy in the NP brought about narrowing of bandgap and lowering of PL intensity in the hybrids, suggesting better electronic contact of the NP with BSC, and effective suppression of recombination effects. Hybrids of BSC with Au nanorods showed 14% improved degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye compared to the hybrids with nanospheres. With this study, we provide a novel promising strategy to maximize the light harvesting capacity of semiconductors by tailoring the AR of Au NP, for improved solar to chemical energy conversion.Graphical abstract

Porous Membranes of Polysulfone and Graphene Oxide Nanohybrids for Vanadium Redox Flow Battery.

Porous nanohybrid membranes of polysulfone (PSF) with graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets (PSF/GO membrane) were developed to serve as proton exchange membranes in a vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB). Various ratios of PSF/GO and thickness were investigated to evaluate the optimal voltage efficiency (VE), coulombic efficiency (CE), and energy efficiency (EE) of the VRFB. The pore size, distribution, and hydrophilicity of PSF/GO membranes were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and contact angles. Functional groups of GO were evaluated using Raman spectroscopy. The mechanical properties and thermal stability of PSF/GO membranes were analyzed using a tensile tester and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. The results show that the mechanical properties of the PSF porous membrane with GO nanosheets were significantly improved, indicating that the addition of graphene oxide nanosheets consolidated the internal structure of the PSF membrane. Cyclic voltammetry revealed an obviously different curve after the addition of GO nanosheets. The CE of the VRFB in the PSF/GO membrane was significantly higher than that in the pristine PSF membrane, increasing from 80% to 95% at 0.6 wt.% GO addition. Moreover, PSF/GO membranes displayed great chemical stability during long-term operation; thus, they can evolve as potential porous membranes for application in VRFBs for green energy storage.

Synergism of alkylbenzene sulfonate and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide on corrosion inhibition of carbon steel in CO2 -saturated solutions

The synergistic effect of mixed surfactants, linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), in inhibiting corrosion of CO2 on carbon steel was studied by weight loss and electrochemical measurement. The surface properties of LAS, CTAB, and their mixture in solution were also studied by surface tension and phase behavior. The surface of corrosion specimens was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, contact angle, and atomic force microscopy. The results show that LAS, CTAB, and their mixture are inhibitors mainly inhibiting anode reactions. The adsorption of LAS and CTAB molecules on the surface of steel belongs to chemical adsorption and follows Temkin adsorption. LAS or CTAB alone aggregated form spherical micelles or rod-like micelles, which results in the defective film layer and localized corrosion on surface of the steel. Mixed surfactants form closely packed lamellar microstructure in the solution which is correlated to compact adsorption film on the metal surface and better corrosion inhibition. The inhibition efficiency is the highest when the mixed ratio of LAS and CTAB is 2:1.

A Reusable Pseudo-Liquid-to-Solid Inertial Switch Based on Hetero-Coated Galinstan Droplets

Compared to solid-to-solid inertial switches, the devices based on liquid-to-solid contact can avoid the signal bouncing and contact wear caused by the rigid contact between the proof mass and the stationary electrode. However, most of the current liquid-to-solid inertial switches can only support one-time use. To resolve this issue, we, for the first time, present a pseudo-liquid-to-solid inertial switch that not only has a soft electronic contact but also is reusable. We utilize one graphene-coated galinstan droplet (GGD) with high conductivity as the proof mass and two polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-coated galinstan droplets (PGDs) with excellent elasticity and mechanical robustness as springs to restrain the GGD. Moreover, the coated powder shell can prevent galinstan droplets from being oxidized thus enables superior performance in terms of nonstick property and high mobility. As a result, a pseudo-liquid-to-solid inertial switch with a threshold of 20 g is designed and fabricated, and it exhibits high reliability, reusability and stability with a contact time of 1 ms. In summary, this novel type of inertial switch combines the advantages and overcomes the limitations of both liquid-to-solid type and solid-to-solid type, therefore is of great potential for practical applications. [2022-0151]

Titanium Coated with Graphene and Niobium Pentoxide for Biomaterial Applications.

Graphene and niobium oxide are used in biomaterial coatings. In this work, commercially pure titanium (cp Ti) was coated with graphene oxide (GO), niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5), and a mixture of both materials (NbGO) by the electrochemical deposition method. The surface morphology, roughness, wettability, and degradation of coated and uncoated samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, interferometry, and contact angle. The results showed that the specimens coated with NbGO (cp Ti-NbGO) showed the highest surface roughness (Ra = 0.64 μm) and were hydrophobic. The contact (θ) angle between water and the surface of uncoated specimens (cp Ti), coated with GO (cp Ti-GO), coated with a mixture with GO and Nb2O5) (cp Ti-NbGO), and coated with Nb2O5 were 50.74°, 44.35°, 55.86°, and 100.35°, respectively. The electrochemical corrosion tests showed that coating with graphene oxide increased the corrosion resistance and coating with Nb2O5 decreased the corrosion resistance. The negative effect of the effect of Nb2O5 coating in corrosion resistance compensated for the release of Nb2O5, which helps osseointegration, increasing cell viability, and proliferation of osteoblasts. The NbGO coating may be a good way to combine the bactericidal effect of graphene oxide with the osseointegration effect of Nb2O5.

"CARRIER-MEDIATED TRANSPORT OF LEAD AND CADMIUM IONS THROUGH PLASTICIZED POLYMERIC MEMBRANES PREPARED FROM HYBRID ORGANIC–INORGANIC MATERIALS "

In this work, the development of polymeric inclusion membranes for elimination of toxic ions is reported. The effect of a local clay additive on the structure and performances of the membranes was studied. The membrane was made up of cellulose triacetate (CTA) and polysulfone (PSu), plasticized by dioctylphtalate (DOP) and modified by local clay and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) incorporated into the polymer as metal ions carrier. The transport of lead (II) and cadmium (II) ions through two kinds of polymer inclusion membrane (PIM) systems, with and without clay, was investigated. The membranes (polymers/plasticizer/carrier/clay) were synthesized using a new method and characterized by various techniques, including Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and contact angle determination. A study of Pb(II) and Cd(II) retention using the synthesized membranes was realized. Dialysis experiments of lead and cadmium ions transfer across the polymer inclusion membranes have proved their good performance.

Preparation of spherical silica hydroxyl-functionalized covalent organic polymer composites for mixed-mode liquid chromatography.

Covalent organic polymers are an emerging class of amorphous microporous materials that have raised increasing concerns in analytical chemistry due to their unique structural and surface chemical properties. However, the application of covalent organic polymers as mixed-mode stationary phases in chromatographic separations has rarely been reported. Herein, novel spherical silica hydroxyl-functionalized covalent organic polymer composites were successfully prepared via a layer-by-layer approach. The structure and morphology of the materials were carefully characterized by elemental analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, and contact angle measurements. Baseline separations of various alkylbenzenes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and nucleosides and bases were achieved on the prepared stationary phase under reversed-phase/hydrophilic interaction mode. The column efficiencies of 23 853 and 36 580 plates/m were obtained for butylbenzene and uracil, respectively, and the relative standard deviation of the retention time for continuous injections was less than 1.38% (n=10), suggesting satisfactory column efficiency and repeatability. Additionally, this novel stationary phase realized the complete separation of the endocrine-disrupting chemicals in river water. This work affords a new route for synthesizing covalent organic polymers-based mixed-mode stationary phase and further reveals their great potential in chromatographic separation.

Sunlight-Powered Reverse Water Gas Shift Reaction Catalysed by Plasmonic Au/TiO2 Nanocatalysts: Effects of Au Particle Size on the Activity and Selectivity.

This study reports the low temperature and low pressure conversion (up to 160 °C, p = 3.5 bar) of CO2 and H2 to CO using plasmonic Au/TiO2 nanocatalysts and mildly concentrated artificial sunlight as the sole energy source (up to 13.9 kW·m-2 = 13.9 suns). To distinguish between photothermal and non-thermal contributors, we investigated the impact of the Au nanoparticle size and light intensity on the activity and selectivity of the catalyst. A comparative study between P25 TiO2-supported Au nanocatalysts of a size of 6 nm and 16 nm displayed a 15 times higher activity for the smaller particles, which can only partially be attributed to the higher Au surface area. Other factors that may play a role are e.g., the electronic contact between Au and TiO2 and the ratio between plasmonic absorption and scattering. Both catalysts displayed ≥84% selectivity for CO (side product is CH4). Furthermore, we demonstrated that the catalytic activity of Au/TiO2 increases exponentially with increasing light intensity, which indicated the presence of a photothermal contributor. In dark, however, both Au/TiO2 catalysts solely produced CH4 at the same catalyst bed temperature (160 °C). We propose that the difference in selectivity is caused by the promotion of CO desorption through charge transfer of plasmon generated charges (as a non-thermal contributor).

Rational design of double perovskite La2Ni0.5Co0.5MnO6 decorated polyaniline array on MoO3 nanobelts with strong heterointerface boosting oxygen evolution reaction and urea oxidation

The design and implementation of affordable high-performance electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and urea electrooxidation reaction (UOR) are critical for clean and environmentally friendly energy conversion. Herein, we constructed a novel heterostructure interface engineering of double perovskite La2Ni0.5Co0.5MnO6 (LNCM) nanoparticles and MoO3 nanobelt array-supported amorphous polyaniline (PANI; MoO3/P) for high-performance OER and UOR. Structural and morphological analyses confirmed the formation of a heterostructure interface. The optimized La2Ni0.5Co0.5MnO6@MoO3/P (LMP-30) demonstrated electrocatalytic performance with low overpotentials of 300 mV at 10 mA cm−2 (vs RHE) for OER and 0.48 V at 50 mA cm−2 (vs Hg/HgO) for UOR, as well as better stability after testing for 12 h. The improved electrocatalytic performance was attributed to its distinctive hierarchical nanostructure, which had a synergistic effect on modulating the electrical characteristics and an electrochemically active surface area. More importantly, the LNCM nanoparticles on the surface of MoO3/P nanobelts can potentially provide more electrocatalytic active sites, excellent charge transport capacity, enhanced electrical properties, and strong electronic contacts between MoO3/P and LNCM.

Water-Repellent Coatings on Corrosion Resistance by Femtosecond Laser Processing

Metal corrosion causes huge economic losses and major disasters every year. Inspired by the lotus leaf and nepenthes pitcher, the superhydrophobic surfaces (SHS) and the slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPS) were produced as a potential strategy to prevent metal corrosion. However, how to prepare stable water-repellent coatings that can prevent the intrusion of corrosive ions remains to investigate. In this work, we first fabricated a micro/nano hierarchical structure on the aluminum surface by femtosecond laser processing. Then, the SHS was prepared on the above structure by fluorosilane modification. Finally, the SLIPS was fabricated on the SHS by coating lubricant. The morphology and wettability of the fabricated samples were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and contact angle measurements. Furthermore, the corrosion resistance properties of SHS and SLIPS in simulated seawater were characterized by electrochemical measurements. From the comparison of the electrochemical parameters of different immersion times, both water-repellent coatings are effective in protecting the aluminum alloy from corrosion in simulated seawater due to reduced contact area between the metal substrate and corrosive solution. In comparison with the SHS, the SLIPS has a corrosion inhibition efficiency of up to 99.95% and it maintains long-term stability in the corrosive solution. This work also provides a promising method for the water-repellent coatings by femtosecond laser processing for metal corrosion prevention in practical industrial applications.

Interfacial electronic characteristics and tunable contact types in novel silicene/Janus Ga2STe heterobilayers

Silicene-based van der Waals (vdWs) heterstructures are expected to design novel nanoelectronic devices due to their intriguing properties. Here, we construct novel silicene/Janus Ga2STe heterobilayers by vertically stacking silicene and Janus Ga2STe monolayer. Employing first-principles calculations, their interfacial electronic properties, Schottky barriers, and contact types are investigated systematically. The silicene/Janus Ga2STe heterobilayers are verified to be favorable energetically and stable dynamically. We also find that the graphene-like Dirac cone is well preserved in the silicene/Janus Ga2STe heterobilayer, suggesting a high carrier mobility. Depending on the stacking orders, an n-type or a p-type Schottky contact can be acquired at the silicene/Janus Ga2STe interface. More importantly, vertical strain and electric field can effectively tune the interfacial electronic properties and contact type in the silicene/Janus Ga2STe heterobilayer. These findings can provide a useful guidance for designing controllable Schottky nanoelectronic devices based on silicene/Janus Ga2STe heterobilayers with high electronic performance.

Enhancement of Dye Separation Performance of Eco-Friendly Cellulose Acetate-Based Membranes

Many reasons have caused a worldwide water stress problem. Thus, the recycling of wastewater streams has been extensively studied. In this work, eco-friendly mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) were fabricated, characterized, and tested for the removal of two separate dyes from simulated waste streams. The environmentally friendly nano activated carbon (NAC) was extracted from water hyacinth to be impregnated as a membrane nano-filler to enhance the neat membrane performance. The extracted NAC was further studied and characterized. Cellulose acetate (CA)-based membranes were obtained by phase inversion and electrospinning mechanisms. All four synthesized blank and MMMs were characterized via scanning electron microscope (SEM) and contact angle to study their structure and hydrophilic nature, respectively. However, the membrane with optimum performance was further characterized using Fourier transfer infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The four prepared cast and electro-spun, blank, and mixed matrix CA-based membranes showed an acceptable performance in the removal and selectivity of methylene blue (MB) dye over Congo red (CR) dye with a removal percentage ranging from 31 to 70% depending on the membrane used. It was found that the CA/NAC hybrid nanofiber membrane possessed the highest removal efficiency for MB, where the dye concentration declined from 10 to 2.92 mg/L. In contrast, the cast blank CA membrane showed the least removal percentage among the synthesized membranes with only 30% removal. As a result, this paper suggests the use of the CA/NAC hybrid membrane as an alternative and cost-effective solution for MB dye removal.

Growth of single-crystalline MAPbI3 perovskite film by a modified space-confined inverse temperature crystallization method

Single crystalline (SC) metal halide perovskite absorber film can outperform its polycrystalline counterpart in power conversion efficiency and stability due to the absence of grain boundaries. However, SC perovskite film's direct growth on charge selective contact layer coated substrates for solar cell applications is not widely explored. In this study, SC methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) perovskite film is directly grown on charge selective (electron and hole transport) contact layer coated substrates (TiO2 coated fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) glass substrate and poly(triarylamine) (PTAA) coated indium tin oxide (ITO) glass substrate) by inverse temperature crystallization (ITC) method. The PTAA/ITO substrate's hydrophobic nature led to faster ion migration and controlled nucleation, resulting in large-sized SC MAPbI3 perovskite film. X-ray diffraction of the MAPbI3/PTAA/ITO showed SC nature with diffraction from (200) and (400) planes, indicating that the film is majorly (100) oriented. The MAPbI3 film grown on TiO2/FTO is found to be relatively small in size (< 1 mm), majorly oriented in the (110) plane with diffraction also from other planes indicating polycrystalline nature. Long-term stability studies over 1500 h show that SC MAPbI3 films show more endurance to ambient conditions than polycrystalline MAPbI3. The growth time of 50 h was reduced to 30 h by employing antisolvent-assisted ITC, resulting in ultra-stable circular shaped films suitable for photovoltaic applications.

Electrospun Poly(acrylic acid-co-4-styrene sulfonate) as Potential Drug-Eluting Scaffolds for Targeted Chemotherapeutic Delivery Systems on Gastric (AGS) and Breast (MDA-Mb-231) Cancer Cell Lines.

Potential drug-eluting scaffolds of electrospun poly(acrylic acid-co-styrene sulfonate) P(AA-co-SS) in clonogenic assays using tumorigenic gastric and ovarian cancer cells were tested in vitro. Electrospun polymer nanofiber (EPnF) meshes of PAA and PSSNa homo- and P(AA-co-SS) copolymer composed of 30:70, 50:50, 70:30 acrylic acid (AA) and sodium 4-styrene sulfonate (SSNa) units were performed by electrospinning (ES). The synthesis, structural and morphological characterization of all EPnF meshes were analyzed by optical and electron microscopy (SEM-EDS), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), contact angle, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. This study shows that different ratio of AA and SSNa of monomers in P(AA-co-SS) EPnF play a crucial role in clonogenic in vitro assays. We found that 50:50 P(AA-co-SS) EPnF mesh loaded with antineoplastic drugs can be an excellent suppressor of growth-independent anchored capacities in vitro assays and a good subcutaneous drug delivery system for chemotherapeutic medication in vivo model for surgical resection procedures in cancer research.