Błażej Scheibe

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy of Polydopamine Radicals

A thorough investigation of biomimetic polydopamine (PDA) by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) is shown. In addition, temperature dependent spectroscopic EPR data are presented in the range 3.8-300 K. Small discrepancies in magnetic susceptibility behavior are observed between previously reported melanin samples. These variations were attributed to thermally acitivated processes. More importantly, EPR spatial-spatial 2D imaging of polydopamine radicals on a phantom is presented for the first time. In consequence, a new possible application of polydopamine as EPR imagining marker is addressed.

Separation of surfactant functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes via free solution electrophoresis method

This work presents the application of the free solution electrophoresis method (FSE) in the metallic / semiconductive (M/S) separation process of the surfactant functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). The SWCNTs synthesized via laser ablation were purified through high vacuum annealing and subsequent refluxing processes in aqua regia solution. The purified and annealed material was divided into six batches. First three batches were dispersed in anionic surfactants: sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), sodium cholate (SC) and sodium deoxycholate (DOC). The next three batches were dispersed in cationic surfactants: cetrimonium bromide (CTAB), benzalkonium chloride (BKC) and cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC). All the prepared SWCNTs samples were subjected to FSE separation process. The fractionated samples were recovered from control and electrode areas and annealed in order to remove the adsorbed surfactants on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) surface. The changes of the van Hove singularities (vHS) present in SWCNTs spectra were investigated via UV-Vis-NIR optical absorption spectroscopy (OAS).

Single-walled carbon nanotubes fractionation via electrophoresis

Single-walled carbon nanotubes fractionation via electrophoresis This work presents the influence of the sonication time on the efficiency of the metallic/semiconducting (M/S) fractionation of diazonium salt functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) via free solution electrophoresis (FSE) method. The SWCNTs synthesized via laser ablation were purified from amorphous carbon and catalyst particles through high vacuum annealing and subsequent refluxing processes in aqua regia solutions, respectively. The purified material was divided into two batches. The SWCNTs samples were dispersed in 1% SDS solution in ultrasound bath for 2 and 12 hours. Both dispersed SWCNTs samples were functionalized with p-aminobenzoic acid diazonium salt and fractionated via free solution electrophoresis method. Afterwards, the fractionated samples were recovered, purified from surfactant/functionalities by annealing and investigated via UV-Vis-NIR optical absorption spectroscopy (OAS). The efficiency of the fractionation process was estimated through the comparison of the van Hove singularities (vHS) presented in the obtained fractions to the starting SWCNTs.

Anchoring Fe3O4 nanoparticles in a reduced graphene oxide aerogel matrix via polydopamine coating

Reduced graphene oxide–magnetite hybrid aerogels attract great interest thanks to their potential applications, e.g., as magnetic actuators. However, the tendency of magnetite particles to migrate within the matrix and, ultimately, escape from the aerogel structure, remains a technological challenge. In this article we show that coating magnetite particles with polydopamine anchors them on graphene oxide defects, immobilizing the particles in the matrix and, at the same time, improving the aerogel structure. Polydopamine coating does not affect the magnetic properties of magnetite particles, making the fabricated materials promising for industrial applications.

Preparation and characterization of partially reduced graphene oxide aerogels doped with transition metal ions

This work presents the preparation and characterization of pristine and transition metal doped partially reduced graphene oxide aerogels. The step-by-step preparation of aerogels from graphene oxide with an assistance of VCl3, CrCl3, FeCl2·4H2O, CoCl2, NiCl2 and CuCl2 chlorides as reducing agents is shown and explained. The influence of reducing agents on the structural and magnetic properties of prepared aerogels is investigated. The use of electron paramagnetic resonance in purification during synthesis of GO and characterization afterwards is shown. It was found that VCl3 was the strongest reducing agent leading to the formation of the most dense reduced graphene oxide aerogel, whereas vanadium is visible in EPR spectrum in form of V4+ complex as a VO2+ groups.