Nano-modification of polyester has become a research hotspot due to the growing demand for high-performance polyester. As a functional carrier, silica nanoparticles show large potential in improving crystalline properties, enhancing strength of polyester, and fabricating fluorescent polyester. Herein, we briefly traced the latest literature on synthesis of silica modifiers and the resultant polyester nanocomposites and presented a review. Firstly, we investigated synthesis approaches of silica nanoparticles for modifying polyester including sol-gel and reverse microemulsion technology, and their surface modification methods such as grafting silane coupling agent or polymer. Then, we summarized processing technics of silica-polyester nanocomposites, like physical blending, sol-gel processes, and in situ polymerization. Finally, we explored the application of silica nanoparticles in improving crystalline, mechanical, and fluorescent properties of composite materials. We hope the work provides a guideline for the readers working in the fields of silica nanoparticles as well as modifying polyester.
The composite particles composed of quantum dots coated with silica and grafted with copolymer of polyethylene glycol and low molecular weight polyethylene terephthalate (QDs@SiO2-PEG-LMPET) are synthesized. The internal QDs provide luminescent performance and combine with SiO2 to form QDs@SiO2 with good dispersion to solve the defect that small-sized SiO2 is prone to agglomerate. The block polymer LMPET-PEG grafted on the surface can make the composite particles better compatible with the PET matrix. In summary, QDs@SiO2-PEG-LMPET not only play the same role as SiO2 to enhance the crystallization performance of PET matrix, but also provide stable luminescence performance, which is multifunctional additive with broad application prospects.
The mechanical strength of polymeric membranes is one of the limitations for their applications. Carbon materials are effective in reinforcing polymeric materials, but it is unknown whether they would degrade the membranes’ gas separation performance. In this paper, using brominated poly (2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (BPPO) as matrix, nanocomposite membranes of BPPO/graphene, BPPO/carbon back and BPPO/fullerene were prepared. The CO2 permeability and CO2/N2 selectivity of the nanocomposite membranes were studied. Different from the BPPO/carbon black and BPPO/fullerene membranes, the BPPO/graphene membrane was found having improved gas separation performance after incorporation 2 wt. % graphene.
Ferrocenecarboxaldehyde (FcCHO) was covalently bound onto the multi-wall carbon nanotubes functionalized with amino groups (AMWNTs) to achieve Fc-AMWNTs conjugate. The cyclic voltammetry were used to characterize the nanocomposites. Here, Fc-AMWNTs were applied to construct glucose biosensors with IO4--oxidized glucose oxidase (IO4--oxidized GOx) through the covalent assembly method without any cross-linker. The presence of both ferrocene as mediator of electron transfer and MWNTs as conductor enhanced greatly the electrocatalytic response toward the glucose. Furthermore, our enzyme electrodes also showed remarkable stability due to the covalent interaction between the Fc-AMWNTs and the GOx.
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