Nanoparticle-Polymer Surface Functionalizations for Capacitive Energy Storage: Experimental Comparison to First Principles Simulations.

Dielectric capacitors present many advantages for large-scale energy storage, but they presently require higher energy density. We demonstrate novel high energy density polymer-nanoparticle composite capacitors utilizing thiol-ene click chemistry surface groups to bond the nanoparticles covalently to the polymer matrix. Interfacial effects in composites cannot be observed directly, and in our previous work, we examined the nanoparticle-polymer interface in silico. In this work, we experimentally examine the five surface functionalizations modeled previously, fabricating high energy density thin film capacitors to test our predictions. Results from this study, in conjunction with properties previously determined in silico, further improve the understanding of the role of surface functionalizations in composites prepared using click chemistry. The coating density of the surface functionalizations is shown to be a key factor in relating our computational results to experimental results. We show how using both coating density and our previous modeling in combination allows for prescreening of surface functionalizations for future composites, reducing experimental cost. We also demonstrate high energy density capacitors with ~20 J/cm3.

Pulsed photoinitiated fabrication of inkjet printed titanium dioxide/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite thin films.

This work reports a new technique for scalable and low-temperature processing of nanostructured TiO2 thin films, allowing for practical manufacturing of TiO2-based devices such as perovskite solar cells at low-temperature or on flexible substrates. Dual layers of dense and mesoporous TiO2/graphitic oxide nanocomposite films are synthesized simultaneously using inkjet printing and pulsed photonic irradiation. Investigation of process parameters including precursor concentration (10-20 wt%) and exposure fluence (4.5-8.5 J cm-2) reveals control over crystalline quality, graphitic oxide phase, film thickness, dendrite density, and optical properties. Raman spectroscopy shows the E g peak, characteristic of anatase phase titania, increases in intensity with higher photonic irradiation fluence, suggesting increased crystallinity through higher fluence processing. Film thickness and dendrite density is shown to increase with precursor concentration in the printed ink. The dense base layer thickness was controlled between 20 and 80 nm. The refractive index of the films is determined by ellipsometry to be 1.92 ± 0.08 at 650 nm. Films exhibit an energy weighted optical transparency of 91.1%, in comparison to 91.3% of a thermally processed film, when in situ carbon materials were removed. Transmission and diffuse reflectance are used to determine optical band gaps of the films ranging from 2.98 to 3.38 eV in accordance with the photonic irradiation fluence and suggests tunability of TiO2 phase composition. The sheet resistance of the synthesized films is measured to be 14.54 ± 1.11 Ω/□ and 28.90 ± 2.24 Ω/□ for films as-processed and after carbon removal, respectively, which is comparable to high temperature processed TiO2 thin films. The studied electrical and optical properties of the light processed films show comparable results to traditionally processed TiO2 while offering the distinct advantages of scalable manufacturing, low-temperature processing, simultaneous bilayer fabrication, and in situ formation of removable carbon nanocomposites.

Laser direct-write based fabrication of a spatially-defined, biomimetic construct as a potential model for breast cancer cell invasion into adipose tissue.

Epithelial-adipose interaction is an integral step in breast cancer cell invasion and progression towards lethal metastatic disease. Understanding the physiological contribution of obesity, a major contributor to breast cancer risk and negative prognosis in post-menopausal patients, on cancer cell invasion requires detailed co-culture constructs that reflect mammary microarchitecture. Using laser direct-write, a laser-based CAD/CAM bioprinting technique, we have demonstrated the ability to construct breast cancer cell-laden hydrogel microbeads into spatially defined patterns in hydrogel matrices containing differentiated adipocytes. Z-stack imaging confirmed the three-dimensional nature of the constructs, as well as incorporation of cancer cell-laden microbeads into the adipose matrix. Preliminary data was gathered to support the construct as a potential model for breast cancer cell invasion into adipose tissue. MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell invasion was tracked over 2 weeks in an optically transparent hydrogel scaffold in the presence of differentiated adipocytes obtained from normal weight or obese patient tissue. Our model successfully integrates adipocytes and gives us the potential to study cellular and tissue-level interactions towards the early detection of cancer cell invasion into adipose tissue.

Click-In Ferroelectric Nanoparticles for Dielectric Energy Storage.

Polymer-ceramic nanocomposites have been thoroughly investigated previously for high energy storage devices. However, the increase in performance of these nanocomposites has proven to be significantly lower than predicted values. Through surface functionalization of high dielectric constant nanoparticles (NP), the flaws that reduce composite performance can be eliminated to form high energy density composite materials. Functionalization methods utilize high throughput printing and curing techniques (i.e., inkjet printing and xenon flash lamp curing) that are crucial for rapid adoption into industrial production. (Ba,Ca) (Zr,Ti)O3 NPs (50 nm) are synthesized through the solvothermal method and functionalized with alkene terminated methoxysilanes. A thiol-ene monomer ink system, PTD3 [pentaerythritol tetrakis (3-mercaptopropionate) (PEMP, P), 1,3-Diisopropenylbenzene (DPB, D), 2,4,6-Triallyloxy-1,3,5-triazine (TOTZ, T)], is used as a high breakdown polymer matrix. Neat polymer, alkene terminated NP-polymer composites, and hydrophilic, TBAOH functionalized NP-polymer composites were spin coated onto both copper laminated glass slides and printed onto copper substrates in 1 cm(2) patterns for testing. Alkene functionalized NPs increased the breakdown strength by ∼38% compared to the nonfunctionalized NPs. Functionalized NPs increased both the breakdown strength and dielectric constant compared to the neat polymer, increasing the energy density nearly 3-fold from 13.3 to 36.1 J·cm(-3).