The polyaniline-bentonite composite (Bent−APTES−PANI), as a novel adsorbent for anionic dyes, was successfully synthesized by the oxidative polymerization method using ammonium persulfate as an oxidant. The prepared samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), zeta potential, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Our results indicated that the polyaniline was successfully grafted on the surface of bentonite. The positive charge on the surface of the adsorbent was generated by using amino-activated bentonite (Bent−APTES) grafted with the polyaniline doped with citric acid. The adsorbent was applied to remove metanil yellow (MY) from aqueous solution. The adsorption process is hardly influenced by pH, because there are many amino groups (−NR3+) on the surface of the adsorbent. And the maximum adsorption capacity of Bent−APTES−PANI is 444.44 mg g−1, which is better than other materials. Furthermore, the adsorption kinetics study of MY onto Bent−APTES−PANI obeyed pseudo-second-order model and the adsorption isotherm data were fitted well by Langmuir isotherm. The results of this study suggest Bent−APTES−PANI is a promising material for anionic dye removal.

A zwitterionic “schizophrenic” copolymer with dual-responsiveness to temperature and carbon dioxide self-assembles to undergo a reversible phase transition in a weakly alkaline borate buffer solution. It can be switched “on” and “off” when sequentially treated with carbon dioxide/nitrogen (CO2/N2) due to the protonation–deprotonation of the tertiary amine groups along the polymer skeleton.

Novel adsorbent, montmorillonite supported porous carbon nanospheres (MMT-PCN) were conveniently synthesized by a hydrothermal carbonization and chemical activation treatment with ZnCl2. The as-prepared MMT-PCN material was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and N2 adsorption technology. The results indicated that the material possessed superior porosity with high surface area and large pore volume, which was utilized to remove methylene blue (MB) from an aqueous solution. The batch adsorption results implied that this novel MMT-PCN adsorbent exhibited greater performance (686.94 mg g−1) for the removal of MB than other adsorbents. Adsorption kinetics of MB onto the composite followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the adsorption isotherm data were fitted well to the Langmuir isotherm. Thermodynamic parameters, such as ΔG°, ΔH° and ΔS° were also determined and evaluated. In addition, the MMT-PCN composite exhibited satisfactory reusability properties after five consecutive cycles.

A novel aptasensor based on a novel composite film consisting of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), ionic liquid (IL) of 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (HMIMPF6), and nanoporous PtTi (NP-PtTi) alloy was constructed for ultrasensitive detection of kanamycin. The NP-PtTi alloy was successfully fabricated by a simple dealloying of PtTiAl source alloy in HCl solution. The NP-PtTi alloy has uniform interconnected network structure with specific surface area and was used to immobilize aptamer. After modified with the composite material, current signal was amplified obviously, which attributed to the larger specific surface area and excellent electrical conductivity of NP-PtTi and MWCNTs. A number of factors affecting the activity of the aptasensor have been discussed and optimized. Under the optimized conditions, the proposed aptasensor provided a linear range of 0.05–100 ng mL−1 with a low detection limit of 3.7 pg mL−1. This aptasensor displayed high sensitivity, stability and reproducibility. In addition, the as-prepared aptasensor was successfully used for the determination of kanamycin in a real sample.

A facile procedure to fabricate superhydrophobic surfaces based on nano calcium carbonate–polymer composites has been described. The hydrophobicity of the resulting surfaces can be tuned by varying the weight ratio of nano calcium carbonate–polymer composites. The simple and robust strategy can facilitate the fabrication of superhydrophobic surfaces on general substrates.

A sensitive label-free immunosensor adopting a novel signal amplification strategy was proposed for the electrochemical detection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Firstly, a novel composite film consisting of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and a room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIMPF6), which combined the advantages of MWCNTs and RTILs, was fabricated on a glassy carbon electrode surface. The mechanism of the synergy between the MWCNTs and RTIL has been discussed. Secondly, the first film was modified with nanoporous Pd (NP-Pd) prepared by a simple dealloying method. The structure of NP-Pd has been confirmed by EDS, XRD, SEM, TEM and BET analysis. Due to the large specific surface area and excellent electrical conductivity of NP-Pd, electron transfer was promoted and the amount of hCG antibody was enhanced significantly. The results showed that MWCNTs–BMIMPF6/NP-Pd composites were successfully designed as a sensitive immunosensor platform for hCG determination. Under the optimum conditions, the immunosensor exhibited high sensitivity and a wide linear range for hCG from 0.05 to 50 ng mL−1 with a detection limit of 3.2 pg mL−1. The prepared immunosensor showed high sensitivity, reproducibility and stability. This immunosensor preparation strategy presents a promising platform for clinical application.

Well-defined amphiphilic triblock copolymers PMAGP-b-PLA-b-PMAGP with varied compositions and molecular weights were obtained via a four-step procedure. The hydrophilicity and water absorption increase with an increase of the PMAGP chain length. The presence of active hydroxyl groups was confirmed by a dyeing procedure.

Novel thermo-sensitive zwitterionic ABC-type triblock copolymers poly(ethylene glycol)-block-[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]dimethyl(3-sulfopropyl)-ammonium hydroxide-block-poly[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (MPEG-b-PSBMA-b-PDMAEMA) were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The bromide-terminated diblock copolymers poly(ethylene oxide)-block-[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]dimethyl(3-sulfopropyl)-ammonium hydroxide (MPEG-b-PSBMA-Br) were prepared by the ATRP of methacryloxyethyl sulfobetaine initiated by the macroinitiator MPEG-Br, which was obtained by the esterification of poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether (MPEG) with 2-bromoisobutyryl bromide. Then, poly(2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) was introduced by a sequential ATRP process to obtain the triblock copolymers. These copolymers with varied compositions, molecular weights and polydispersities were characterized by 1H NMR and GPC. Variable temperature ultraviolet analysis was employed to test their stimuli-sensitive properties. These block copolymers exhibited distinct thermo-sensitivity under different molecular compositions or solution conditions. The resistance to the non-specific protein adsorption of the triblock copolymers was evaluated, and excellent antifouling property occurred. This can be attributed to surface hydration via hydrogen bonds between PEG and water molecules and the surface hydration via ionic-induction between PSBMA and water molecules. The synergistic effect resulted in an effective reduction of protein adsorption. These copolymers have potential applications as antifouling and antibacterial agents.

In this research, chitosan coated Fe3O4 as a new adsorbent for the removal of furfural from aqueous solutions was successfully synthesized. The adsorbent was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). These results indicate that the Fe3O4 is coated with chitosan successfully. In order to find the optimum adsorption conditions, a series of batch adsorption experiments were performed. As a result, the maximum adsorption capability (121.7 mg g−1) was obtained at pH = 8, rotational speed = 200 rpm, contact time = 5 h. Moreover, the adsorption kinetics of furfural by adsorbent were examined and the kinetic data indicates that the adsorption process could be well described by the Freundlich isotherm model.

A one-step dip coating process was applied to fabricate a transparent superhydrophobic coating on the surface of paper using silica nanoparticles modified with long-chain hydrocarbon hexadecyltrimethoxysilane in an ethanolic solution.

Superhydrophobic surfaces were facilely fabricated by a brush coating process based on silica/polymer composites. The hydrophobicity of the obtained surfaces can be tuned by varying the weight ratio of silica/polymer. The simple and robust strategy can facilitate the fabrication of superhydrophobic surfaces in large-scale on general substrates.

The electrochemical copolymerization of carbazole (CZ) and dibenzo-18-crown-6 (DBC) was successfully achieved in pure boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BFEE) by direct anodic oxidation of the monomer mixtures on the platinum or stainless steel electrodes. The optimal feed ratio together with the suitable applied potential for their copolymerization was determined. The copolymer films, which were electrosynthesized with a feed ratio of CZ/DBC = 1:5, owned both the advantages of poly(dibenzo-18-crown-6) (PDBC) and polycarbazole (PCZ), such as nice electrochemical behavior, excellent fluorescence properties and good mechanical properties. Besides, the copolymers possessed better thermal stability and higher electrical conductivity than those of PDBC or PCZ. The structure of the copolymers was investigated by UV–vis and FT-IR spectroscopy. Fluorescent spectral studies revealed that the dedoped copolymer film was a good blue-light emitter with strong emission at 410 nm. With these advantageous properties, as-formed poly(CZ-co-DBC) films may be a good candidate for optoelectronic devices.