Assembling exceptionally-structured Janus nanoribbons into a highly anisotropic electrically conductive array film that exhibits red fluorescence and superparamagnetism†
Abstract
A novel and exceptionally structured Janus nanoribbon array film, was proposed, designed and fabricated for the first time. The flexible array film composed of ordered Janus nanoribbons was constructed by electrospinning using a purpose made co-axis//single-axis spinneret and an aluminum drum collection device, and simultaneously possesses anisotropically electrical conduction, superparamagnetism and fluorescence. Each one-dimensional (1D) Janus nanoribbon is composed of a fluorescent–superparamagnetic bifunctional [Fe3O4/polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)]@[Eu(BA)3phen/PMMA] coaxial nanoribbon and conducting polyaniline (PANI)/PMMA nanoribbon. Moreover, all of the Janus nanoribbons are aligned in the same aspect to generate a two-dimensional (2D) array film. The conductance along the length aspect is much stronger than the conductance in the width aspect (two perpendicular aspects). Therefore, the array film has excellent anisotropic electrical conduction. The conduction ratio reaches 108 times between the length and width aspect of the Janus nanoribbons array film, which presents the highest internationally reported conduction ratio between the two perpendicular aspects for nanoribbons materials. Furthermore, we can modulate the degree of the electrically conducting anisotropism of the samples by varying the amount of PANI. In addition, the Janus nanoribbons array film is concurrently endowed by superior and adjustable superparamagnetism and fluorescence. More importantly, the innovative philosophy and manufacturing technique of the new Janus nanoribbons array film provide an easy method of preparing multifunctional nano-films.