• Proceedings of the Korean Magnestics Society Conference
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• 2008.12a
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• pp.251.2-251.2
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• 2008

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.498-505
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• 2007

This study demonstrated the in-situ functionalization with polymers of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) via emulsion polymerization. Polystyrene-functionalized MWNTs were prepared in an aqueous solution containing styrene monomer, non-ionic surfactant and a cationic coupling agent ([2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trime-thylammonium chloride (MATMAC)). This process produced an interesting morphology in which the MWNTs, consisting of bead-string shapes or MWNTs embedded in the beads, when polymer beads were sufficiently large, produced nanohybrid material. This morphology was attributed to the interaction between the cationic coupling agent and the nanotube surface which induced polymerization within the hemimicellar or hemicylindrical structures of surfactant micelles on the surface of the nanotubes. In a solution containing MATMAC alone without surfactant, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were not well-dispersed, and in a solution containing only surfactant without MATMAC, polymeric beads were synthesized in isolation from CNTs and continued to exist separately. The incorporation of MATMAC and surfactant together enabled large amounts of CNTs (> 0.05 wt%) to be well-dispersed in water and very effectively encapsulated by polymer chains. This method could be applied to other well-dispersed CNT solutions containing amphiphilic molecules, regardless of the type (i.e., anionic, cationic or nonionic). In this way, the solubility and dispersion of nanotubes could be increased in a solvent or polymer matrix. By enhancing the interfacial adhesion, this method might also contribute to the improved dispersion of nanotubes in a polymer matrix and thus the creation of superior polymer nanocomposites.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.131-138
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• 2019

To improve the performance of Si anodes in advanced Li-ion batteries, the design of the electrode plays a critical role, especially due to the large volumetric expansion in the Si anode during Li insertion. In our study, we used a simple fabrication method to prepare Si-based electrodes by grafting polyacrylic acid (PAA) to a carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) binder (CMC-g-PAA). The procedure consists of first mixing nano-sized Si and the binders (CMC and PAA), and then coating the slurry on a Cu foil. The carbon network was formed via carbonization of the binders i.e., by a simple heat treatment of the electrode. The carbon network in the electrode is mechanically and electrically robust, which leads to higher electrical conductivity and better mechanical property. This explains its long cycle performance without the addition of a conducting agent (for example, carbon). Therefore, the partially carbonized CMC-g-PAA binder presented in this study represents a new feasible approach to produce Si anodes for use in advanced Li-ion batteries.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.229-237
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• 2018

The electrochemical sensing performance of metal-graphene hybrid based sensor may be significantly decreased due to the dissolution and aggregation of metal catalyst during operation. For the first time, we developed a novel large-area high quality three dimensional graphene foam-incorporated gold nanoparticles (3D-GF@Au) via chemical vapor deposition method and employed as free-standing electrocatalysis for non-enzymatic electrochemical glucose detection. 3D-GF@Au based sensor is capable to detect glucose with a wide linear detection range of $2.5{\mu}M$ to 11.6 mM, remarkable low detection limit of $1{\mu}M$, high selectivity, and good stability. This was resulted from enhanced electrochemical active sites and charge transfer possibility due to the stable and uniform distribution of Au NPs along with the enhanced interactions between Au and GF. The obtained results indicated that 3D-GF@Au hybrid can be expected as a high quality candidate for non-enzymatic glucose sensor application.