Gas Sensitivity of Poly (3, 4-ethylene dioxythiophene) Prepared by a Modified LB Film Method

An arachidic acid/poly （3, 4-ethylene dioxythiophene） （AA/PEDOT） multilayer Langmuir-Blodgett （LB） film was prepared by a modified LB film method. The theories were utilized to explain the effects between HCl molecule and LB film. The gas sensitivity mechanism of poly （3, 4-ethylene dioxythiophene） （PEDOT） multilayer film can be explained by the charge transfer between p system of PEDOT and oxidization HCl system. The gas sensitivity of PEDOT LB film deposited interdigital electrode to HCl was tested. The results showed that film thickness, treating temperature, deposition speed had different influence on film gas sensitivity. The AA/PEDOT film deposited device exhibited nonlinear behavior to HCl gas at lower concentration （20-60 ppm） and linear response behavior at higher gas concentration was observed. The time of the compound LB film of the AA/PEDOT responding to the 30 ppm HCl gas is about 20 seconds, which is far quicker than the time of the film to the PEDOTPRESS film（about 80 seconds）. It is not higher film press to better film. When the film press attains 45 mNs/m, the sensitivity of the AA/PEDOT film on the contrary descends.

Miscibility, Crystallization, and Rheological Behavior of Solution Casting Poly（3-hydroxybutyrate）/poly（ethylene succinate） Blends Probed by Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Rheology, and Optical Microscope Techniques

The miscibility and crystallization of solution casting biodegradable poly（3-hydroxybuty- rate）/poly（ethylene succinate） （PHB/PES） blends was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, rheology, and optical microscopy. The blends showed two glass transition temperatures and a depression of melting temperature of PHB with compositions in phase diagram, which indicated that the blend was partially miscible. The morphology observation supported this result. It was found that the PHB and PES can crystallize simultaneously or upon stepwise depending on the crystallization temperatures and compositions. The spherulite growth rate of PHB increased with increasing of PES content. The influence of compositions on the spherulitic growth rate for the partially miscible polymer blends was discussed.

Synthesis of Poly (3-acetylpyrrolyl methine) with Azobenzene Side Groups and Study on Its Third-order Nonlinear Optical Property

A novel soluble π-conjugated polymer, poly [（3-acetylpyrrole-2, 5-diyl） p-（N, N-dimethylamino） azobenzylidene] （PAPDMAABE）, was synthesized by condensation of 3-acetylpyrrole with 4-aldehyde-4＇-dimethylaminoazobenzene （ADMAA）. The chemical structure of PAPDMAABE was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy （FTIR）, ^1H-NMR, and UV-Vis-NIR spectra. Transmission electron microscope （TEM） analysis for PAPDMAABE indicates that part of PAPDMAABE is in crystal state, due to the short-range order of the polymer. Thermogravimetric analysis （TGA） curve shows that the polymer has good thermal stability and its decomposition temperature is 248℃. The optical band gap of PAPDMAABE obtained from the optical absorption spectrum is about 1.73 eV. The resonant third-order nonlinear optical property of PAPDMAABE at 532 nm was studied using degenerate four-wave mixing （DFWM） technique. The resonant third-order nonlinear optical susceptibility of the polymer is about 7.48×10^-8 esu.

Photochemical reactions of poly(3-butoxythiophene-2,5-diyl) with chloroform

Photochemical reactions of poly(3-butoxythiophene-2,5-diyl) with chloroform under irradiation with light were studied. The reactions were separately carried out under air, oxygen, and nitrogen. The obtained results showed that this reaction belongs to the pseudo-first-order reaction with a rate constant kobs of 1.4×10?5 s?1 at room temperature. The presence or absence of air, oxygen, and nitrogen did not have obvious effects on the reaction rate under irradiation with light.

BIOSYNTHESIS AND THERMAL PROPERTIES OF POLY(3-HYDROXYBUTYRATE-co-3-HYDROXYVALERATE)WITH LARGE VARIETY OF HYDROXYVALERATE CONTENTS BY BACILLUS CEREUS

Biosynthesis and thermal properties of poly（3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate） （PHBV） with different HV （hydrovalerate） content produced by a Bacillus cereus strain were investigated. A large variety of HV contents （up to about 90 mol%） of PHBV could be produced by this strain. Combined nitrogen sources containing both yeast extract and ammonium sulphate were better for cell growth and polyhydroxyalkanoates （PHA） production than either yeast extract or ammonium sulphate alone. Propionic acid is more favorable for the production of HV content than that of valeric acid. Finally, thermal properties of PHBV produced by this strain are found close to the results of other groups.

Vacuum relaxation and annealing-induced enhancement of mobility of regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) field-effect transistors

In order to enhance the performance of regioregular poly（3-hexylthiophene） （RR-P3HT） field-effect transistors （FETs）, RR-P3HT FETs are prepared by the spin-coating method followed by vacuum placement and annealing. This paper reports that the crystal structure, the molecule interconnection, the surface morphology, and the charge carrier mobility of RR-P3HT films are affected by vacuum relaxation and annealing. The results reveal that the field-effect mobility of RR-P3HT FETs can reach 4.17×10^-2m^2/（V·s） by vacuum relaxation at room temperature due to an enhanced local self-organization. Furthermore, it reports that an appropriate annealing temperature can facilitate the crystal structure, the orientation and the interconnection of polymer molecules. These results show that the field-effect mobility of device annealed at 150 ℃ for 10 minutes in vacuum at atmosphere and followed by placement for 20 hours in vacuum at room temperature is enhanced dramatically to 9.00×10^-2m^2/（V·s）.

FABRICATION OF HIGHLY HYDROPHOBIC FILMS OF POLY(3-HEXADECYL PYRROLE) NANOPARTICLES BY LANGMUIR-BLODGETT TECHNIQUE

Thin films of poly（3-hexadecyl pyrrole） （P3HDP） nanoparticles have been fabricated by using Langmuir-Blodgett film deposition technique. The structures and morphology of the films were studied by using infrared spectroscopy, scanning and transmission microscopes. The experimental results demonstrated that the nanoparticles were formed by self-assembling P3HDP at air-water surface. The water contact angles of these films with different deposition layers were measured to be as high as 110°.

Effects of concentration and annealing on the performance of regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) field-effect transistors

This paper investigates the effects of concentration on the crystalline structure, the morphology, and the charge carrier mobility of regioregular poly（3-hexylthiophene） （RR-P3HT） field-effect transistors （FETs）. The RR-P3HT FETs with RR-P3HT as an active layer with different concentrations of RR-P3HT solution from 0.5 wt% to 2 wt% are prepared. The results indicate that the performance of RR-P3HT FETs improves drastically with the increase of RR-P3HT weight percentages in chloroform solution due to the formation of more microcrystalline lamellae and bigger nanoscale islands. It finds that the field-effect mobility of RR-P3HT FET with 2 wt% can reach 5.78×10^-3 cm^2/Vs which is higher by a factor of 13 than that with 0.5 wt%. Further, an appropriate thermal annealing is adopted to improve the performance of RR-P3HT FETs. The field-effect mobility of RR-P3HT FETs increases drastically to 0.09 cm^2/Vs by thermal annealing at 150 ℃, and the value of on/off current ratio can reach 104.

THERMAL PROPERTY, MISCIBILITY AND CRYSTALLIZATION BEHAVIOR OF POLY(3-HYDROXYBUTYRATE-co-3-YDROXYHEXANOATE) AND POLY(BUTYLENE SUCCINATE-ADIPATE) (PHBHHX/PBSA) BLENDS

Blends of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx) and poly(butylene succinate-adipate) (PBSA), both biodegradable semicrystalline polyesters, were prepared with the ratio of PHBHHx/PBSA ranging from 80/20 to 20/80 by melt mixing method. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMA), polarizing optical microscopy (POM) and wide angle X-ray diffractometer (WAXD) were used to study the miscibility and crystallization behavior of PHBHHx/PBSA blends. Experimental results indicate that PHBHHx is immiscible with PBSA as shown by the almost unchanged glass transition temperature and the biphasic melt.

Platinum Wire Implants Coated with PEDOT/Carbon Nanotube Conducting Polymer Films in the Brain of Rats: A Histological Evaluation

Platinum （Pt） implants coated with poly （3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene）/carbon nanotube （PEDOT/CNT） composite films were implanted into the brain of rats, and the brain response was evaluated 6 weeks after the implantation. The surface morphology of Pt implants with and without the PEDOT/CNT coating was studied using scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. After 6 weeks post-implantation, the expression of laminin （vascular endothelial marker） and neuronal nuclei （NeuN, neuronal marker） were evaluated by immnohistochemistry. It is revealed that the obvious improvements of the surface density of blood vessels and neurons aound the Pt implants with the coating, which were evidenced by laminin and NeuN staining in the zone within the distance of 150 μm to the implant interface. These results suggest the PEDOT/CNT composite films can improve the biocompatibility of the Pt electrodes while it is implanted in brain.

Nanofibrous nerve conduits for repair of 30-mm-long sciatic nerve defects

It has been confirmed that nanofibrous poly（3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate） nerve conduit can promote peripheral nerve regeneration in rats. However, its efficiency in repair of over 30-mm-long sciatic nerve defects needs to be assessed. In this study, we used a nanofibrous poly（3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate） nerve conduit to bridge a 30-mm-long gap in the rat sciatic nerve. At 4 months after nerve conduit implantation, regenerated nerves were macroscopi- cally observed and histologically assessed. In the nanofibrous graft, the rat sciatic nerve trunk had been reconstructed by restoration of nerve continuity and formation of myelinated nerve fiber. There were Schwann cells and glial cells in the regenerated nerves. Masson＇s trichrome staining showed that there were no pathological changes in the size and structure of gastrocnemius muscle cells on the operated side of rats. These findings suggest that nanofibrous poly（3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3- hydroxyvalerate） nerve conduit is suitable for repair of long-segment sciatic nerve defects.

Effect of Chemical Doping and Ion Implantation on Cond uctivity of Poly(p-phenylene vinylene) Derivatives

The surface conductivity of poly [ 2-methoxy-5-（3＇-methyl） butoxy]-p-phenylene vinylene （PMOMBOPV） films doped with FeCl3 and H2SO4 by chemical method and implanted by N^＋ ions was studied and the comparison of environmental stability of conductive behavior was also investigated. The energy and dose of N^＋ ions were in the rang 15～35 keV and 3. 8×10^15～9. 6×10^16 ions/cm^2, respectively. The conductivity of PMOMBOPV film was enhanced remarkably with the increases of the energy and dose of N^＋ ions. For example, the conductivity of PMOMBOPV film was 3. 2×10^-2S/cm when ion implantation was performed with an energy of 35 keV at a dose of 9. 6 × 10^14 ions/cm^2 , which was almost seven orders of magnitude higher than that of film unimplanted. The environmental stability of conductive behavior for ionimplanted film was much better than that of chemical doped films. Moreover, the conductive activation energy of ion-implanted films was measured to be about 0.17 eV.

Preparation and characterization of icariin/PHBV drug delivery coatings on anodic oxidized titanium

A composite material was fabricated by applying a biodegradable drug delivery coating,consisting of poly（3-hydroxyburyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate）（PHBV） and icariin,to an anodic oxidized titanium plate.The coating was prepared by evaporating chloroform solution containing PHBV and icariin on the titanium plate under vacuum condition.Icariin/PHBV coated titanium plates significantly enhance the proliferation of MG-63 cells compared with the PHBV coated and anodic oxidized ones.Increased icariin contained in the coating displays an elevated influence on cell proliferation.The results show that icariin gradually releases from the coating to cells mainly through the phospholipid-based cellular membrane instead of the culture medium.The overall results suggest that the novel icariin/PHBV coating can be used to enhance the bioactivity of titanium based orthopedic implants.

Analysis on the Characteristic Properties of PEDOT Nano-particle Based on Reversed Micelle Method

Based on the study of a new type of conducting polymer poly （3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene） （PEDOT）,we focussed on the preparation and characteristics of PEDOT nanoparticles made by reversed micelle method.Moreover,we deeply investigated the optical,electrical and the thermal stability of PEDOT nanoparticles.The main results are as follows： the small-sized PEDOT nanoparticles were prepared and utilized by different methods,such as ultraviolet/visible （UV-Vis） spectroscopy,Fourier-transform infrared （FT- IR） spectrum,scanning electron microscopy（SEM） and so on.The results show that the amount of oxidizer,ultrasonic treatment,polymerizing temperature and doping degree can influent morphology,electrical ability and gas sensitivity of PEDOT nanoparticles.The Bragg peaks of nanoparticles at 6.7°,12.7°,25° were observed by XRD and the better orientation of molecular chain was attributed to the effective doping of toluene-p-sulfonic acid,which also resulted in an enhancement of thermal stability of nanoparticles than conventional PEDOT.

Differentiation of smooth muscle progenitor cells in peripheral blood and its application in tissue engineered blood vessels

Background： A major shortcoming in tissue engineered blood vessels （TEBVs） is the lack of healthy and easily attainable smooth muscle cells （SMCs）. Smooth muscle progenitor cells （SPCs）, especially from peripheral blood, may offer an alternative cell source for tissue engineering involving a less invasive harvesting technique. Methods： SPCs were isolated from 5-ml fresh rat peripheral blood by density-gradient centrifugation and cultured for 3 weeks in endothelial growth medium-2-MV （EGM-2-MV） medium containing platelet-derived growth factoroBB （PDGF BB）. Before seeded on the synthesized scaffold, SPC-derived smooth muscle outgrowth cell （SOC） phenotypes were assessed by immuno-fluorescent staining, Western blot analysis, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）. The cells were seeded onto the silk fibroin-modified poly（3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate） （SF-PHBHHx） scaflblds by 6× 10^4 cells/cm^2 and cultured under the static condition for 3 weeks. The growth and proliferation of the seeded cells on the scaffold were analyzed by 3-（4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-diphenyltetrazolium bromide （MTT） assay, scanning electron microscope （SEM）, and 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole （DAPI） staining. Results： SOCs displayed specific ＂hill and valley＂ morphology, expressed the specific markers of the SMC lineage： smooth muscle （SM） a-actin, calponin and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain （SM MHC） at protein and messenger ribonucleic acid （mRNA） levels. RT-PCR results demonstrate that SOCs also expressed smooth muscle protein 22a （SM22a, a contractile protein, and extracellular matrix components elastin and matrix Gla protein （MGP）, as well as vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）. After seeded on the SF-PHBHHx scaffold, the cells showed excellent metabolic activity and proliferation. Conclusion： SPCs isolated from peripheral blood can be differentiated the SMCs in vitro and have an impressive growth potential in the biodegradable synthesized scaffold. Thus, SPCs may be a promising cell sointo urce for constructing TEBVs.

Efficacy of nanofibrous conduits in repair of longsegment sciatic nerve defects

Our previous studies have histomorphologically confirmed that nanofibrous poly（3-hydroxybutyrate- co-3-hydroxyvalerate） conduit can be used to repair 30-mm-long sciatic nerve defects. However, the repair effects on rat behaviors remain poorly understood. In this study, we used nanofibrous poly（3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate） conduit and autologous sciatic nerve to bridge 30-ram-long rat sciatic nerve gaps. Within 4 months after surgery, rat sciatic nerve functional re- covery was evaluated per month by behavioral analyses, including toe out angle, toe spread anal- ysis, walking track analysis, extensor postural thrust, swimming test, open-field analysis and no- ciceptive function. Results showed that rat sciatic nerve functional recovery was similar after nanofibrous poly（3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate） conduit and autologous nerve grafting. These findings suggest that nanofibrous poly（3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate） conduit is suitable in use for repair of long-segment sciatic nerve defects.

The fabrication and optimization of OTFT formaldehyde sensors based on Poly(3-hexythiophene)/ZnO composite films

Formaldehyde(HCHO),a colorless and pungent-smelling gas,is confirmed be a huge threat to human health.The detection of formaldehyde is necessary and important.The Poly(3-hexythiophene)(P3HT)/ZnO organic-inorganic composite thin film was fabricated and used as the sensitive layer of organic thin film transistors(OTFT) by spray-deposited method to detect HCHO at room temperature.The process parameters such as P3HT/ZnO weight ratios and airbrushed masses were optimized.The results showed that P3HT/ZnO OTFT exhibited good sensing response to HCHO.Airbrushed mass of 1ml was the optimal mass,and the 1:1 and 1:5 weight ratios of P3HT/ZnO exhibited better sensing properties compared with others.OTFT gas sensors based on P3HT/ZnO composite film provides a novel promising approach to the detection of HCHO.

Electrochemical determination of quercetin by self-assembled platinum nanoparticles/poly(hydroxymethylated-3,4-ethylenedioxylthiophene) nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode

A simple and sensitive platinum nanoparticles/poly（hydroxymethylated-3,4-ethylenedioxylthiophene） nanocomposite （PtNPs/PEDOT-MeOH） modified glassy carbon electrode （GCE） was successfully developed for the electrochemical determination of quercetin. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy results indicated that the PtNPs were inserted into the PEDOT- MeOH layer. Compared with the bare GCE and poly（3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene） （PEDOT） electrodes, the PtNPs/PEDOT-MeOH/GCE modified electrode exhibited a higher electrocatalytic ability toward the oxidation of quercetin due to the synergic effects of the electrocatalytic activity and strong adsorption ability of PtNPs together with the good water solubility and high conductivity of PEDOT-MeOH. The electrochemical sensor can be applied to the quantification of quercetin with a linear range covering 0.04-91μmol L-1 and a low detection limit of 5.2 nmol L-1. Furthermore, the modified electrode also exhibited good reoroducibilitv and long-term stability, as well as high selectivity.

Ascorbate oxidase electrochemical biosensor based on the biocompatible poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) matrices for agricultural application in crops

The vitamin C（VC） in crops was successfully determined using ascorbate oxidase（AO） electrochemical biosensor based on the biocompatible poly（3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene）（PEDOT） matrices,which was easily prepared by one-step electrodeposition technique in ionic liquid microemulsions.The fabricated biosensor displayed excellent bioelectrocatalytic performance to the oxidation of VC,wide linear range,low detection limit,fast response time,good operational and storage stability,the good results of the determination of VC in vegetable crops indicated that the fabricated biosensor will be a good candidate for the physiological and biochemical studies of crops in near future.

Structure of Friction-transferred Highly Oriented Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Thin Films

Oriented thin films of P3HT were obtained by a friction-transfer technique. The morphology and structure of the film were studied by means of optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Optical microscopy observation indicates that large size well-ordered P3HT thin films can be produced by a friction-transfer technique. Highly ordered lamellae were observed in P3HT friction-transferred films by electron microscopy. Electron diffraction results confirm the existence of high orientation with the a- and c-axes of P3HT crystals aligned in the film plane while the c-axis parallel to the friction-transfer direction. The atomic force microscopy observation of the as-prepared P3HT thin film shows, however, a featureless top surface morphology, indicating the structure inhomogeneity of the obtained film. To get highly oriented P3HT thin films with homogenous structure, high temperature annealing, solvent vapor annealing and self-seeding recrystallization of the friction-transferred film were performed. It is confirmed that solvent vapor annealing and self-seeding recrystallization methods are efficient in improving the surface morphology and structure of the friction- transferred P3HT thin film. Highly oriented P3HT films with unique structure can be obtained through friction-transfer with subsequent solvent vapor annealing and self-seeding recrystallization.