Provided are synthesis methods of polymerizing aniline or derivatives thereof. The production of polyaniline or polyaniline derivatives is controlled by the type of oxidant added in the reaction medium. The methods include the step of using a safe and environmentally friendly carbomethyl cellulose (CMC) or modified CMC as an oxidant in the polymerization reaction to produce polyaniline or aniline derivatives. Synthesis methods of producing O-CMC and O-CMC-S oxidants are also provided herein.

A method for at least partial deacetylation of a biopolymer comprising acetyl groups, including: a1) providing a biopolymer including acetyl groups; a2) reacting the biopolymer including acetyl groups with hydroxylamine (NH.sub.2OH) or a salt thereof at a temperature of 100° C. or less for 2-200 hours to form an at least partially deacetylated biopolymer; and a3) recovering the at least partially deacetylated biopolymer.

A method for at least partial deacetylation of a biopolymer comprising acetyl groups, including: a1) providing a biopolymer including acetyl groups; a2) reacting the biopolymer including acetyl groups with hydroxylamine (NH.sub.2OH) or a salt thereof at a temperature of 100° C. or less for 2-200 hours to form an at least partially deacetylated biopolymer; and a3) recovering the at least partially deacetylated biopolymer.

The present invention provides a method for preparing a conductive silk fibroin material, comprising the steps of: (1) preparation of a high-molecular-weight silk fibroin solution; (2) preparation of an insoluble silk fibroin material; (3) surface treatment of the silk fibroin material; (4) oxidation of the silk fibroin material; and (5) in-situ oxidative polymerization of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene on the surface of the graft-modified silk fibroin material. In the present invention, a conductive composite film grafted with 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene on the surface is prepared, and the surface resistance is 100 to 5000 ohms. The preparation process is simple and mild, and the obtained conductive silk fibroin material can be used as a flexible electronic device, especially as a device for measuring human blood glucose level and heartbeat.

The present invention provides a method for preparing a conductive silk fibroin material, comprising the steps of: (1) preparation of a high-molecular-weight silk fibroin solution; (2) preparation of an insoluble silk fibroin material; (3) surface treatment of the silk fibroin material; (4) oxidation of the silk fibroin material; and (5) in-situ oxidative polymerization of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene on the surface of the graft-modified silk fibroin material. In the present invention, a conductive composite film grafted with 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene on the surface is prepared, and the surface resistance is 100 to 5000 ohms. The preparation process is simple and mild, and the obtained conductive silk fibroin material can be used as a flexible electronic device, especially as a device for measuring human blood glucose level and heartbeat.

A heat energy storage system may have a shape-stabilized composite prepared using an easy impregnation method involving a porous Ca.sup.2+-doped MgCO.sub.3 matrix and PEG as the functional phase. The heat storage capability, microstructures, and interactions with the PEG/CaMgCO.sub.3 composite can be characterized by DSC, SEM imaging, FT-IR spectroscopy, and TGA. Likely because of the synergistic phase change effect of CaMgCO.sub.3 and PEG, the PEG/CaMgCO.sub.3 composites can have high thermal enthalpies, and their enthalpy efficiencies are substantially higher than those of traditional shape stabilized PCMs. The functional material PEG can permeate porous CaMgCO.sub.3 matrices under capillary action. Liquid PEG can be stabilized within the porous matrix, and/or the CaMgCO.sub.3 matrix can improve the thermal stability of the PEG. The high heat energy storage properties and good thermal stability of such organic-inorganic composites offers utility in a range of applications, including thermal energy storage.

A heat energy storage system may have a shape-stabilized composite prepared using an easy impregnation method involving a porous Ca.sup.2+-doped MgCO.sub.3 matrix and PEG as the functional phase. The heat storage capability, microstructures, and interactions with the PEG/CaMgCO.sub.3 composite can be characterized by DSC, SEM imaging, FT-IR spectroscopy, and TGA. Likely because of the synergistic phase change effect of CaMgCO.sub.3 and PEG, the PEG/CaMgCO.sub.3 composites can have high thermal enthalpies, and their enthalpy efficiencies are substantially higher than those of traditional shape stabilized PCMs. The functional material PEG can permeate porous CaMgCO.sub.3 matrices under capillary action. Liquid PEG can be stabilized within the porous matrix, and/or the CaMgCO.sub.3 matrix can improve the thermal stability of the PEG. The high heat energy storage properties and good thermal stability of such organic-inorganic composites offers utility in a range of applications, including thermal energy storage.

Disclosed are plastic compositions for use in forming plastic-metal hybrid materials, the compositions including an epoxy compound. Also provided are plastic-metal hybrid materials that are formed using the inventive plastic compositions, methods for forming such materials, and electronic devices that include the hybrid materials. The plastic compositions confer beneficial bonding strength with the metal partner of a hybrid material, good impact strength, and low color change following anodization, and retain these favorable characteristics under a range of processing conditions.

Disclosed are plastic compositions for use in forming plastic-metal hybrid materials, the compositions including an epoxy compound. Also provided are plastic-metal hybrid materials that are formed using the inventive plastic compositions, methods for forming such materials, and electronic devices that include the hybrid materials. The plastic compositions confer beneficial bonding strength with the metal partner of a hybrid material, good impact strength, and low color change following anodization, and retain these favorable characteristics under a range of processing conditions.

The present invention relates to a method of activating an organic coating to enhance adhesion of the coating to a further coating and/or to other entities comprising applying a solvent and a surface chemistry and/or surface topography modifying agent to the organic coating.

The invention also relates to a coated substrate having an activated coating, wherein the adhesion of the coating to a further coating and/or other entities has been enhanced by application of a solvent and a surface chemistry and/or surface topography modifying agent to the coating.

The invention further relates to an activation treatment for an organic coating to enhance adhesion of the coating to a further coating and/or to other entities comprising a solvent and a surface chemistry and/or surface topography modifying agent and a method for the preparation of the activation treatment.