Te-Chin Tsai

Bio: Te-Chin Tsai is an academic researcher from Providence College. The author has contributed to research in topics: Polypyrrole & Hybrid material. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 4 publications receiving 15 citations. Previous affiliations of Te-Chin Tsai include Providence University.

Preparation of nanostructured organic/inorganic polymer hybrids and their humidity sensing properties

Abstract: Humidity sensitive nanostructured hybrid films were synthesized from hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) and tetra ethoxy ortho silicate (TEOS) via sol–gel route by microwave assistance method. HPMC and TEOS were used as organic and inorganic precursors, respectively. FT-IR spectra of the hybrid material revealed the formation of organic–inorganic networks between HPMC and TEOS. XRD spectra and micrographs showed the formation of HPMC/TEOS amorphous nano hybrids film like structures. Surface roughness was measured using an AFM was 120 nm and measured film thicknesses were between 20 and 24 μm. Hybrid films have showed better linear sensor response, lower hysteresis (

Fast detection of local anesthetic levobupivacaine by impedance method on PPy/SWCNT.

Abstract: Fast response electrochemical impedance (EI) method was developed to detect concentrations of local anesthetic Levobupivacaine. It revealed the EI method possessed fast response and recovery times and the lowest detected concentration was 1 ppm. Pyrrole was electrochemically polymerized to polypyrrole and made a composite with single walled carbon nanotubes coated over gold electrodes for sensing studies. Ppy and Ppy/SWCNT composite materials were coated upon Au electrodes and characterized by UV/Vis, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). Various concentrations of levobupivacaine in the range, 1 to 500 ppm were prepared in medically significant saline solution of 0.9% NaCI as test samples. A 10-kHz frequency was used for the calibration curve, and the short response and recovery time were tested as 5 s and 3 s, respectively. The Ppy/SWCNT material with R2 as 0.9971 showed better linearity than Ppy material. Using molecular dynamic simulation studies exothermic adsorption energies and bond lengths have been calculated and explained the fast response time and lower impedance of Ppy/SWCNT than Ppy.

Electrochemical impedance sensor for Levobupivacaine using conducting polypyrrole doped with SWCNTs as sensing material

Abstract: An electrochemical impedance method to detect concentrations of the local anesthetics Levobupivacaine was implemented and the concentration could be detected to 1 ppm. Electropolymerized pyrrole to polypyrrole (Ppy) and Carbon nanotube (CNT) was fabricated on gold electrodes and used as sensors. Various concentrations of Levobupivacaine from 1 to 500 ppm were prepared in DI water as the test samples.

Role of nanostructured polymers on the improvement of electrical response-based relative humidity sensors

Abstract: Nanostructured polymers, with different morphologies and different spatial organizations, have found, in last few years, a wide range of uses in humidity sensors, as a viable alternative to ceramic or semiconducting materials and to oxides (perovskite) compounds. Their enhanced sensitivity towards external stimuli has made them ideal candidates in the design of humidity sensors. This is mainly due to the fact that nanostructured polymers, when embedded with different content of water, represent a heterogeneous system whose dielectric and conductometric properties varies over a wide range, resulting in advantageous sensitive material in resistive-type or capacitive-type humidity sensors. The most notable property of nanostructured polymers is their inherent electrical behavior which is closely connected to the presence of heterogeneities at a nano- or micro-scale level. In the first part of this paper, we discuss and justify, on the basis of the dielectric theory of heterogeneous systems, how the dielectric properties of nanostructured polymers, independently of their chemical nature, could vary as a consequence of a different amount of water adsorption, meeting the basic requirement of any humidity sensor device. In particular, we have analyzed systems with different porosity and different pore interconnections to cover the most part of the structural arrangements and morphologies nanostructured polymers give rise. In the second part of the paper, we present some remarkable examples of nanostructured polymers employed in the fabrication of humidity sensors based on changes in the electrical properties (permittivity and electrical conductivity) upon exposure to moisture, highlighting the main features that make them suitable for sensors, with specific emphasis to characteristic parameters, such as sensitivity, response time, hysteresis and durability.

Electrochemistry of Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes of Pharmaceutical Compounds

Abstract: Electrochemistry of cyclodextrins (CDs) and cyclodextrin inclusion complexes with different pharmaceutical compounds is reviewed. The article highlights some electrochemical investigations of the CD-drugs interactions in solution. Cyclodextrin modified electrodes and their applications as electrochemical sensors in pharmaceutical analysis based on the self-assembly of CD derivatives on metal electrodes and nanoparticles, and cyclodextrin-modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes are also discussed.

Cyclodextrins as Supramolecular Recognition Systems: Applications in the Fabrication of Electrochemical Sensors.

Abstract: Supramolecular chemistry, although focused mainly on noncovalent intermolecular and intramolecular interactions, which are considerably weaker than covalent interactions, can be employed to fabricate sensors with a remarkable affinity for a target analyte. In this review the development of cyclodextrin-based electrochemical sensors is described and discussed. Following a short introduction to the general properties of cyclodextrins and their ability to form inclusion complexes, the cyclodextrin-based sensors are introduced. This includes the combination of cyclodextrins with reduced graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, conducting polymers, enzymes and aptamers, and electropolymerized cyclodextrin films. The applications of these materials as chiral recognition agents and biosensors and in the electrochemical detection of environmental contaminants, biomolecules and amino acids, drugs and flavonoids are reviewed and compared. Based on the papers reviewed, it is clear that cyclodextrins are promising molecular recognition agents in the creation of electrochemical sensors, chiral sensors, and biosensors. Moreover, they have been combined with a host of materials to enhance the detection of the target analytes. Nevertheless, challenges remain, including the development of more robust methods for the integration of cyclodextrins into the sensing unit.