In Situ Growth and Characterization of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles within Polyelectrolyte Membranes

Abstract

This study describes a novel approach for the in situ synthesis of metal oxide-polyelectrolyte nanocomposites formed via impregnation of hydrated polyelectrolyte films with binary water/alcohol solutions of metal salts and consecutive reactions that convert metal cations into oxide nanoparticles embedded within the polymer matrix. The method is demonstrated drawing on the example of Nafion membranes and a variety of metal oxides with an emphasis placed on zinc oxide. The in situ formation of nanoparticles is controlled by changing the solvent composition and conditions of synthesis that for the first time allows one to tailor not only the size, but also the nanoparticle shape, giving a preference to growth of a particular crystal facet. The high-resolution TEM, SEM/EDX, UV-vis and XRD studies confirmed the homogeneous distribution of crystalline nanoparticles of circa 4 nm and their aggregates of 10-20 nm. The produced nanocomposite films are flexible, mechanically robust and have a potential to be employed in sensing, optoelectronics and catalysis.

Preparing Two‐Dimensional Ordered Li0.33La0.557TiO3 Crystal in Interlayer Channel of Thin Laminar Inorganic Solid‐State Electrolyte towards Ultrafast Li+ Transfer

“…(110), (001), and (101)) in LLTO nanoparticle (Figure 2 b2,f). In addition, different from other progresses in manipulating crystal growth through confinement effect, [9, 10] the regular and continuous 2D channels provided by laminar framework permit continuous crystal growth, and ultimately the fabrication of large‐area and long‐range LLTO crystals (Figure 2 a). Collectively, these findings demonstrate that the confinement effect of 2D channel promotes the ordered growth and arrangement of LLTO crystals and thus diminishes the structural defects.…”

“…And the mass activity of this Pt‐Ni crystal was 3 times’ higher than that of Pt‐Ni crystal grown in open spacing [9] . Likewise, Neimark and co‐workers controlled the growth of metal oxide nanoparticles in 3–5 nm Nafion hydrophilic channels, and adjusted crystal size and preferential growth planes by channel chemical environment [10] . However, for ISEs, achieving precise control of large‐size crystals with less or no structural defect at grain boundary, especially the oriented growth, remains a challenge because of the complicated reaction and harsh reaction condition.…”

Preparing Two‐Dimensional Ordered Li0.33La0.557TiO3 Crystal in Interlayer Channel of Thin Laminar Inorganic Solid‐State Electrolyte towards Ultrafast Li+ Transfer

“…( 110), (001), and (101)) in LLTO nanoparticle (Figure 2b2,f). In addition, different from other progresses in manipulating crystal growth through confinement effect, [9,10] the regular and continuous 2D channels provided by laminar framework permit continuous crystal growth, and ultimately the fabrication of large-area and long-range LLTO crystals (Figure 2a). Collectively,these findings demonstrate that the confinement effect of 2D channel promotes the ordered growth and arrangement of LLTO crystals and thus diminishes the structural defects.…”

“…[9] Likewise,N eimark and co-workers controlled the growth of metal oxide nanoparticles in 3-5 nm Nafion hydrophilic channels,a nd adjusted crystal size and preferential growth planes by channel chemical environment. [10] However,f or ISEs,a chieving precise control of large-size crystals with less or no structural defect at grain boundary, especially the oriented growth, remains ac hallenge because of the complicated reaction and harsh reaction condition.…”

Dry Reactive H2O2–Polymer Complexes for the Degradation of Mustard Gas

“…Early efforts to detoxify HD have largely focused on solution-based methods containing sodium hypochlorite (bleach) . However, due to bleach’s corrosiveness and the impractical nature of transporting bulky solutions, recent efforts have been devoted toward developing lightweight dry decontaminants. − In this regard, several classes of materials have been explored that include metal oxides, ,,, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), − and polyoxometalates (POMs). , Although promising, these materials are often constrained by the requirement that to achieve rapid detoxification, the reaction needs to proceed in a solution or buffer …”