Conducting polymer and ionic liquid: Improved thermal stability of the material – A spectroscopic study

Aerosol CVD Carbon Nanotube Thin Films: From Synthesis to Advanced Applications: A Comprehensive Review

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) produced by the floating-catalyst chemical vapor deposition (FCCVD) method are among the most promising nanomaterials of today, attracting interest from both academic and industrial sectors. These CNTs exhibit exceptional electrical conductivity, optical properties, and mechanical resilience due to their binder-free and low-defect structure, while the FCCVD method enables their continuous and scalable synthesis. Among the methodological FCCVD variations, aerosol CVD' is distinguished by its production of freestanding thin films comprising macroscale CNT networks, which exhibit superior performance and practical applicability. This review elucidates the complex interrelations between aerosol CVD reactor synthesis conditions and the resulting properties of the CNTs. A unified approach connecting all stages of the synthesis process is proposed as a comprehensive guide. This review examines the correlations between CNT structural parameters (length and diameter) and resultant film properties (conductivity, optical, and mechanical characteristics) to establish a comprehensive framework for optimizing CNT thin film synthesis. The analysis encompasses characterization methodologies specific to aerosol CVD-synthesized CNTs and evaluates how their properties influence applications across diverse domains, from energy devices to optoelectronics. The review concludes by addressing current challenges and prospects in this field.

Electrical and mechanical properties of self-supported hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-polyaniline conducting films

The purpose of this work was to develop a simple method to produce self-supported films composed of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and polyaniline (PANI) by the direct mixture of aqueous dispersions of both polymers with subsequent drying. The addition of HPMC, a cellulose derivative with an excellent film-forming capacity, was fundamental to overcoming the poor processability of PANI, which impairs its use in many technological applications. All films showed conductivity in the order of 10-2 to 10-3 S cm-1, which is in the range for metals or semiconductors. The typical electroactivity of PANI was also maintained in the hybrid films. The thermal stability and the mechanical properties of the pristine PANI were also improved with the addition of HPMC. Cellulose-containing conducting polymers can be considered a material of the future, with possible applications in several areas, such as smart wallpapers, e-papers, and sensors.

The influence of physicochemical properties on the processibility of conducting polymers: A bioelectronics perspective

Conducting polymers (CPs) possess unique electrical and electrochemical properties and hold great potential for different applications in the field of bioelectronics. However, the widespread implementation of CPs in this field has been critically hindered by their poor processibility. There are four key elements that determine the processibility of CPs, which are thermal tunability, chemical stability, solvent compatibility and mechanical robustness. Recent research efforts have focused on enhancing the processibility of these materials through pre- or post-synthesis chemical modifications, the fabrication of CP-based complexes and composites, and the adoption of additive manufacturing techniques. In this review, the physicochemical and structural properties that underlie the performance and processibility of CPs are examined. In addition, current research efforts to overcome technical limitations and broaden the potential applications of CPs in bioelectronics are discussed. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This review details the inherent properties of CPs that have hindered their use in additive manufacturing for the creation of 3D bioelectronics. A fundamental approach is presented with consideration of the chemical structure and how this contributes to their electrical, thermal and mechanical properties. The review then considers how manipulation of these properties has been addressed in the literature including areas where improvements can be made. Finally, the review details the use of CPs in additive manufacturing and the future scope for the use of CPs and their composites in the development of 3D bioelectronics.

Constructing Straight Polyionic Liquid Microchannels for Fast Anhydrous Proton Transport

Polymeric ionic liquids (PILs) have triggered great interest as all solid-state flexible electrolytes because of safety and superior thermal, chemical, and electrochemical stability. It is of great importance to fabricate highly conductive electrolyte membranes capable to operate above 120 °C under anhydrous conditions and in the absence of mineral acids, without sacrificing the mechanical behavior. Herein, the diminished dimensional and mechanical stability of poly[1-(3H-imidazolium)ethylene]bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide has been improved thanks to its infiltration on a polybenzimidale (PBI) support with specific pore architecture. Our innovative solution is based on the synergic combination of an emerging class of materials and sustainable large-scale manufacturing techniques (UV polymerization and replication by microtransfer-molding). Following this approach, the PIL plays the proton conduction role, and the PBI microsieve (SPBI) mainly provides the mechanical reinforcement. Among the resulting electrolyte membranes, conductivity values above 50 mS·cm^-1 at 200 °C and 10.0 MPa as tensile stress are shown by straight microchannels of poly[1-(3H-imidazolium)ethylene]bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide cross-linked with 1% of dyvinylbenzene embedded in a PBI microsieve with well-defined porosity (36%) and pore diameter (17 μm).