@article { ISI:000300185800011, title = {Enhancing the hydrogen storage capacity of Pd-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes}, journal = {Applied Surface Science}, volume = {258}, number = {8}, year = {2012}, month = {FEB}, pages = {3405-3409}, publisher = {ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV}, address = {PO BOX 211, 1000 AE AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS}, abstract = {

We demonstrate that the hydrogen storage capacity of multi-walled carbon nanotubes can be enhanced by polyvinylpyrrolidone functionalization. The polyvinylpyrrolidone acts as a stabilizing agent for Pd-nanoparticles, reduces their size and facilitates their uniform and enhanced loading onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes. According to sorption studies, the polyvinylpyrrolidone capping and consequent nanostructural modification enables 2.3 times more hydrogen adsorption than mere Pd-functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Corresponding morphological changes before and after polyvinylpyrrolidone capping, characterized using Raman Spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, TEM and thermal analysis techniques, are also presented. The results contribute towards increasing the efficiency of hydrogen based sustainable energy sources. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

}, keywords = {Hydrogen based energy sources, Hydrogen storage capacity, Multiwalled carbon nanotubes, Pd functionalization, PVP capping}, issn = {0169-4332}, doi = {10.1016/j.apsusc.2011.11.075}, author = {Singh, Priyanka and Kulkarni, Mukta V. and Gokhale, Suresh P. and Chikkali, Samir H. and Kulkarni, Chandrashekhar V.} } @article {48942, title = {Emerging trends in olefin polymerization: a perspective}, journal = {Journal of macromolecular science part A- pure and applied chemistry }, volume = {60}, year = {2023}, month = {NOV}, pages = {731-750}, type = {Article}, abstract = {

The seemingly matured field of olefin polymerization still poses several challenges and holds enormous potential to meet contemporary material requirements. In this feature article, we examine the progress of olefin polymerization in the last two decades. Among the several emerging trends, we identify four most impactful discoveries, namely, (i) disentangled ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (dUHMWPE), (ii) disubstituted functional olefin copolymerization, (iii) incorporation of bioderived comonomers in polyolefins, and (iv) application of above (ii, iii) functional polyolefins as compatibilizers. The dUHMWPE has attracted significant attention and heterogeneous Ziegler-type catalysts, homogenous metallocene, and post-metallocene catalysts have been reported to produce disentangled ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. Insertion copolymerization of difunctional disubstituted olefins has been reported only recently and ortho-phosphinobenzene sulfonate palladium catalyst outperforms the other catalysts. Interestingly, insertion copolymerization of bioderived olefins has witnessed a surge in the number of reports. Sugar and plant oil-derived olefins have been copolymerized with ethylene to obtain relatively hydrophilic polyethylene. The functional polyethylene is finding a new application as compatibilizer or displays better adhesion to surfaces. Thus, the feature article offers a succinct account of emerging trends in polyolefins, identifies the most impactful contributions, and debates the application potential of these new materials.

}, keywords = {compatibilizer, Functional polyethylene, Insertion (co)polymerization, renewable monomers, uHMWPE}, issn = {1060-1325}, doi = {10.1080/10601325.2023.2269971}, author = {Birajdar, Rajkumar S. and Bodkhe, Dnyaneshwar and Gupta, Poonam and Shaikh, Maulali H. and Ramekar, Rohan and Chikkali, Samir H.} } @article {49528, title = {Electrochemical deconstruction of waste polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) to value-added products in batch and flow}, journal = {Chemistry-A European Journal}, volume = {31}, year = {2025}, month = {FEB}, type = {Article}, abstract = {

Chlorinated polymers have made enormous contributions to materials science and are commercially produced on a large scale. These chlorinated polymers could be recycled as chlorine sources to efficiently produce valuable chlorinated compounds owing to their facile release of HCl. Although the thermal stability of PVDC is low compared to PVC, this can be advantageous in terms of easy and fast dehydrochlorination. Herein, we report an efficient electrochemical chlorination using poly(vinylidene chloride) (PVDC) as a chlorine source that works in an undivided cell and applies to a good number of examples. This method works on commodity polymers such as waste PVDC-PVC pharma blister film, PVDC-PO multilayer food packaging, and compression molded sheets of Ixan PVDC (with heat stabilizer) with similar efficiency. Furthermore, this method also provides the dechlorination of PVDC up to 98 \%, leading to unsaturated dechlorinated material. Converting PVDC into more stable unsaturated compounds, the release of harmful chlorine-containing gases during incineration can be minimized. Additionally, this method is not only restricted to batch processes but an electroflow process for PVDC dechlorination and electrosynthesis has also been demonstrated.

}, keywords = {chlorination, Electrochemical recycling, Electroflow-synthesis, Graphitic material, Polyvinylidene chloride}, issn = {0947-6539}, doi = {10.1002/chem.202403980}, author = {Mishra, Subhadip and Kar, Sourav and Rangappa, Raghavendrakumar and Patil, Prashant and Kadam, Vijay and Chikkali, Samir H. and Samanta, Ramesh C.} }