Synthesis and properties of functional dyes with squaraine–naphthalene diimide hybrid structure

Naphthalene diimides (NDIs) are promising candidate for electron acceptors due to their low-lying HOMOs and LUMOs. The functinalization of soluble NDIs at the 2,6-position affects the absorption and electrochemical properties. In this study, NDI-based hybrid dyes NDI-SQ-A, B fused with squaraine chromophore were designed and synthesized in order to elucidate the effects of the substitution on their optical and electrochemical properties. These dyes were successfully synthesized by Stille coupling reactions using 3-stannylcyclobutenediones and brominated NDI derivative, followed by a condensation reaction. DFT calculation predicts that the present dyes adopt distorted structures coming from a steric hindrance between semisquaraine and NDI moieties. The hybrid dyes show low-lying LUMOs due to the introduction of electron-deficient NDI moiety and broad absorption spectra in the far-red region. The absorption spectra of their thin films were bathochromically shifted relative to those in solution, indicating that hybrid dyes formed J aggregates.     

Synthesis and properties of organic–inorganic hybrid liquid crystal gels

Organic–inorganic hybrid liquid crystal (LC) gels have been synthesised by the thiol-ene reaction of a multifunctional cyclic siloxane, 1,3,5,7-tetravinyl-1,3,5,7-tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane (TVMCTS) and alkane dithiols, 1,6-hexanedithiol (HDT) or 1,9-decanedithiol (DDT), in LC matrices, 4-cyano-4?-pentylbiphenyl (5CB) or 4′-n-octyl-4-cyano-biphenyl (8CB). The LC gels were prepared in an isotropic phase at 70°C or mesophases at 25°C using radical initiators. The phase transition temperatures from a mesophase to an isotropic phase of the resulting gels were lower than those of the original LCs. The gels containing 8CB (8CB gels) prepared at 25°C showed two phase transitions: smectic-to-nematic and nematic-to-isotropic transitions. By contrast, the 8CB gels synthesised in the isotropic phase showed only one phase transition from smectic phase directly to isotropic phase. Reaction conversions in the LC gels prepared at 70°C were higher than that in the gels prepared at 25°C. Scanning microscopic light scattering analysis of the LC gels cleared homogeneous small size mesh with a small amount of large defect. Polarisation micrographs of the LC gels showed framed optical textures derived from the LC molecules at room temperature. The LC gels containing more than 90 wt% of LC showed electro-optic response.     

Graphene cross-linked phenol–formaldehyde hybrid organic and carbon xerogel during ambient pressure drying

A new method of synthesizing hybrid organic and carbon xerogel using graphene oxide as the cross-linking agent in the polycondensation of phenol and formaldehyde is presented. The organic xerogel is dried under ambient conditions, and the graphene cross-linked phenol–formaldehyde hybrid carbon xerogel (GCPFCX) is obtained through carbonization. Mechanically strong graphene oxide (GO) increases gel skeleton strength, giving organic xerogel very low drying shrinkage, low density and high mechanical property. The GCPFCX exhibits a layered structure, indicating a change in the gel structure resulting from the addition of GO. The PF molecular chains possibly grow along the GO surface because of strong interactions between the two compounds.     

Synthesis and characterization of cobalt acrylate–melamine co-crystals

A new co-crystal of tetraaqua acrylato cobalt (II) complex and melamine, [Co(acr)₂(H₂O)₄]·4MA·2DMF (acr = acrylate, MA = melamine, DMF = dimethylformamide), has been synthesized and characterized using IR, UV-Vis, thermogravimetric analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The complex contains discrete unities of [Co(acr)₂(H₂O)₄], melamine, and DMF linked by hydrogen bonds. Investigations evidenced that Co(II) has an octahedral stereochemistry and both acrylate ions present unidentate coordination mode. Thermal decomposition occurs in four steps and denotes that melamine is lost at high temperatures, and this indicates a greater stability that may be associated with the presence of hydrogen bonds network.

     

Fabrication and characterization of resorcinol–formaldehyde gradient aerogels by double-diffusive convection

Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology - Density gradient aerogel is a kind of porous material with non-uniform density change in a specific direction. It has some unique properties and can be...     

Synthesis of palladium–polypyrrole nanocomposite and its electrocatalytic properties in the oxidation of formaldehyde

Three alternative methods were developed for the synthesis of modifying palladium–polypyrrole layers on the surface of an inert electrode. Their electrocatalytic activity toward formaldehyde under inert atmosphere was checked. All the suggested methods are one-stage and allow synthesis of a film on the electrode surface from a solution containing a palladium salt and pyrrole in the absence of other active reagents. The electrochemical methods (potentiodynamic and double cathodic and anodic pulses techniques) in an aqueous medium give films with poorly reproducible electrocatalytic properties, while the chemical redox synthesis affords films with reproducibly high electroactivity toward methylene glycolate.     

Elastic organic–inorganic hybrid aerogels and xerogels

Novel aerogels and xerogels with methylsilsesquioxane (MSQ, CH₃SiO_1.5) networks have been prepared by a modified sol–gel process using surfactant and urea as a phase-separation inhibitor and as an accelerator for the condensation reaction, respectively. Optimized aerogels dried under a supercritical condition not only showed the similar properties as conventional pure silica aerogels such as high transparency and porosity etc, but also demonstrated outstanding mechanical strength against compression; the aerogel drastically shrank upon loading and then recovered when unloaded, which is called a “spring-back” behavior. On ambient pressure drying, the wet gel also exhibited the similar response against compression stress originated from the capillary pressure, and thus xerogels with the comparative structure and properties to those of corresponding aerogels have also been obtained. This unusual mechanical behavior is attributed to the trifunctional flexible networks of MSQ, low silanol concentration which prevents the irreversible shrinkage, and high concentration of a hydrophobic methyl group directly attached to every silicon atom which helps re-expansion after the temporal shrinkage.     

Synthesis and sorption properties of new hybrid chelating sorbents with β-alanine functional groups

A series of -aminopropylsilylated sorbents was obtained from different oxide supports (silica gels, silica fillers, macroporous glasses, alumina) and by the direct synthesis (hydrolytic polycondensation of tetraalkoxysilanes with -aminopropyltriethoxysilane). The highest degree of immobilization was achieved for silicas, while the most convenient solvent was methanol. Sorbents with -alanine functional groups were obtained by the subsequent reaction with acrylic acid. The degree of -carboxyethylation was 1.3–1.9, and the highest content of functional groups (v_COOH = 3.23 mmol g^–1) was achieved for carboxyethylated xero gel synthesized by the copolycondensation of tetraethoxysilane with -aminopropyltriethoxysilane. The sorbents containing -alanine possess a higher selectivity of Cu²⁺ ion sorption than the initial -aminopropylsilylated sorbents.__________Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 12, pp. 2620–2625, December, 2004.     

Production of chiral matrices with hybrid silver–thiocholesterol nanosystems and study of their properties

A new type of chiral matrix based on silver–thiocholesterol hybrid nanosystems adsorbed on silica gel has been proposed. The molar ratio of stabilized thiocholesterol (L) ligand and silver (Ag) was found to have little effect on the size of the resulting silver nanoparticles (SNPs). The average diameter of SNPs was 2.7 ± 0.4, 2.2 ± 0.4, and 2.1 ± 0.6 nm upon the ratios Ag: L = 1: 5, Ag: L = 1: 2, and Ag: L = 1: 0.5, respectively. The resulting chiral matrices possess enantioselectivity relative to the 1,1’-binaphthyl-2,2’-diamine (BNDA) and trifluoroanthranyl ethanol (TFAE) optical isomers. The TFAE optical isomers were successfully separated using thin layer chromatography (α = 1.56).     

Improvement of the bioactivity of organic–inorganic hybrid aerogels/wollastonite composites with TiO2

Organic–inorganic hybrid aerogels containing P and Ti have been synthesized by supercritical drying of alkogels prepared by hydrolysis and poly-condensation of metalo-organic precursors under high-power ultrasound. These materials become bioactive when doped with Ca. Wollastonite particles (CaSiO₃) were added as an active phase, instead of incorporating Ca into the aerogel atomic network. These particles had previously been precipitated and were then added to the sol. The aerogels were studied by Fourier transform infrared analysis, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction and N₂ adsorption. The stress–strain behaviours were evaluated under compression to obtain the Young’s modulus. It was found that the incorporation of TiO₂ into wollastonite-P₂O₅ hybrid aerogels increased their capacity to form apatite and, consequently, improving their bioactive response.     

Thermogravimetric study of 8-hydroxyquinoline 5-sulfonic acid–melamine–formaldehyde terpolymer resins-II

The title terpolymer (8-HQ5-SAMF-II) is synthesized by the condensation of 8-hydroxyquinoline 5-sulfonic acid (8-HQ5-SA) and melamine (M) with formaldehyde (F) in the presence of acid catalyst and using 2:1:3 M proportions of the reacting monomers. The synthesized terpolymer resin is then characterized by different physicochemical techniques viz. number average molecular mass determination, intrinsic viscosity determination, and spectral studies like UV–Visible, IR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectra. The morphology of synthesized terpolymer was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The thermogravimetry of the terpolymer resin prepared in this study has been carried out by non-isothermal thermogravimetry technique in which sample is subjected to condition of continuous increase in temperature at linear rate. Thermal study of the resin was carried out to determine their mode of decomposition and relative thermal stabilities. Thermal decomposition curves were studied carefully with minute details. The Freeman-Carroll and Sharp-Wentworth methods have been used in the present investigation to calculate thermal activation energy and different kinetic parameter of the terpolymer resins. Thermal activation energy E _a calculated with the two above-mentioned methods are in close agreement. The advantage of Freeman-Carroll method is to calculate both the order of reaction n and energy of activation in one single stage by keeping heating rate constant. By using data of thermogravimetry, various thermodynamic parameters like frequency factor Z, entropy change ΔS, free energy change ΔF, and apparent entropy S* have been determined using Freeman-Carroll method.     

Synthesis, characterization and properties of biodegradable polylactic acid-β-cyclodextrin cross-linked copolymer microgels

The novel biodegradable polylactic acid-β-cyclodextrin (PLA-β-CD) cross-linked copolymer microgels were prepared by the radical copolymerization of PLA macromonomer and polymerizable β-CD derivatives. The β-CD derivatives with various numbers of polymerizable vinyl groups were synthesized from 1-allyloxy-2,3-epoxy propane (also called allylglycidyl ether, AGE) and β-CD. The chemical structures of polymerizable monomers were determined by NMR. The thermal properties, size, morphology, in vitro degradation and swelling behavior of the microgels were investigated. The results indicated that the microgels were stable under thermal conditions up to 200 °C. The microgels were spherical in aqueous solution. The hydrophilicity of the microgels increased with increasing β-CD contents, while the swelling ratios and degradation rate decreased. The more vinyl groups on β-CD, the higher cross-linked density, which resulted in a decrease of the swelling ratios and the rate of degradation.     

Synthesis,characterization and luminescence properties of a coordination polymer based on self-assembly of PrIII with inorganic–organic hybrid bridging ligands

A new coordination polymer having the formula [Pr(μ ₅-S₂O₃)(μ ₄-tp)_0.5(H₂O)] _n (1) (S₂O₃ = thiosulfate dianion; tp = terephthalate dianions) was obtained by in situ reaction of Pr₂(SO₄)₃ · 6H₂O with H₂tp ligands under solvothermal conditions (H₂O/ethanol). The coordination polymer obtained was characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, thermogravimetry (TG), fluorescent spectra and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The most intriguing structural feature is that the complex exhibits a 3D open framework resulting from bridge-linking coordination between ligands and praseodymium ions. Additionally, 1 has characteristic emission spectra of Pr^III with good fluorescence properties. This is the first coordination polymer based on thiosulfate/terephthalate ligands and a rare earth metal and has an unprecedented pentadentate-bridge-linking coordination mode of the thiosulfate group.     

Fabrication and interfacial morphologies of methanol–melamine–formaldehyde (MMF) shell microPCMs/epoxy composites

Microcapsules containing phase change materials (microPCMs) have many potential applications because of their thermoregulation or thermosaving abilities. At the same time, it is still essential to understand the interface stability of microPCMs/polymer composites during a thermal transmission. The aim of this work was to fabricate novel microPCMs containing dodecanol by an in situ polymerization using methanol-modified melamine–formaldehyde (MMF) prepolymer as shell material and investigate the interface morphologies of microPCMs/epoxy composites treated by a simulant thermal process with a ten times repeated temperature variation. A series of microPCMs were fabricated by 1,000–3,000 r·min⁻¹ emulsion speed with the PCM contents of 40–70%. The average diameter, melting temperature, and encapsulation efficiency of microPCMs were 1–16 μm, 19.5 °C, and 97.4%, respectively. Tests results indicated that the properties of the microPCMs were greatly affected by core/shell ratios and emulsification stirring rates of preparation conditions. With the increasing of stirring rates, the average diameters of microPCMs were sharply decreased. The encapsulation efficiency (E _e) values of microPCMs increased with the increasing of stirring rates. The contents of PCM in microcapsules (C _t) and the average diameter of microPCMs both affected the interface morphologies of microPCMs/epoxy composites after the repeated thermal treatments. Microcracks and gaps occurred after a thermal treatment in the interface of microPCMs and epoxy matrix obviously. The internal stress generated by the expansion or shrinking of the microPCMs was the main factor leading to the interface morphology changes and damaged of composites.     

Synthesis and physical properties of TEOS-based silica aerogels prepared by two step (acid–base) sol–gel process

The experimental results on the synthesis and physical properties of tetraethoxysilane- (TEOS) based silica aerogels produced by two step (acid–base) sol–gel process, are reported. The oxalic acid (A) and NH₄OH (B) concentrations were varied from 0 to 0.1 M and from 0.4 to 3 M, respectively. Monolithic and transparent aerogels have been obtained for the values of A=0.001 M and B=1 M. The effect of time interval (t) before the base catalyst (NH₄OH) addition to the acidic sol was studied from 0 to 72 h. The time interval at t=24 h of NH₄OH addition was found to be the best, in terms of low volume shrinkage, high optical transmission and monolithicity. The molar ratio of EtOH/TEOS (S) was varied from 3 to 7.5. Monolithic and transparent aerogels were obtained for an S value of 6.9. Also, the effects of molar ratio of acidic water, i.e., H₂O/TEOS (W₁) and basic water, i.e., H₂O/TEOS (W₂) on the physical properties of the aerogels have been studied. Highly transparent (∼90%) and monolithic aerogels with lower volume shrinkage (<10%) were obtained for the molar ratio 1:6.9:3.5:2.2 of TEOS:EtOH:acidic (H₂O):basic (H₂O). The results are discussed by taking into consideration the hydrolysis and polycondensation reactions. The aerogels were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical transmission, bulk density, volume shrinkage and porosity measurements.     

Degradation mechanism and increased stability of chitosan-based hybrid scaffolds cross-linked with nanostructured carbon: Process–structure–functional property relationship

The degradation behavior of porous scaffolds plays an important role in the synthesis of new tissue. In this study, three-dimensional hybrid porous scaffolds of chitosan (CS) comprised of nanostructured carbon (graphene oxide (GO) and single-walled carbon nanohorns (SWCNH)) were prepared by freeze-drying method. In-vitro degradation behavior of scaffolds was investigated up to 8 weeks in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solution at 37 °C. The characteristics of scaffolds explored as a function of degradation time include crystalline structure, pore morphology, molecular weight, and wet/dry weight. The pH value of the PBS solution during degradation was also monitored. The study demonstrates for the first time that hybrid chitosan scaffolds with nanostructured carbon (GO and SWCNH) are potentially more stable than pure chitosan scaffolds during the time period required for tissue regeneration. The stability of hybrid scaffolds is attributed to nanostructured carbon that was processed with the objective that it is present in a robust manner via a highly cross-linked dense network structure. The chemical structure of chitosan was disrupted within a short period of two weeks, while disruption occurred in hybrid scaffolds after eight weeks. This was accompanied by a weight loss of ∼28% in pure chitosan and ∼20% in hybrid scaffolds. Furthermore, the degraded products were of low molecular weight in pure chitosan and high molecular weight in hybrid chitosan scaffolds. This led to significant decrease in the pH of solution to ∼6.2 in pure chitosan and to ∼7.2 in hybrid scaffolds. The observations clearly underscore that the introduction of GO and SWCNH via cross-link mechanism in CS is a potentially viable approach to tune the degradation rate of hybrid scaffolds in tissue engineering.     

Synthesis and luminescence behavior of inorganic–organic hybrid materials covalently bound with pyran-containing dyes

A DCM derivative, namely 4-Dicyanomethylene-2-methyl-6-{[4′-(N-hydroxyethyl-N-methyl)amino]styryl}-4H-pyran (DCMH), has been synthesized and covalently incorporated into the inorganic silica network as pendants via a sol–gel process. Molecular structures of the resultants are confirmed by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, DSC, TGA, FTIR and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra shows that the emission of DCMH peaked at 625 nm is almost completely quenched in DMF solution with a concentration of 1 × 10⁻⁴ mol/L, however, in hybrid films, the PL intensity enhances obviously with increasing DCMH concentration even at the high loading content of 40 mol%. All the hybrid films exhibit PL emission around 646–650 nm and the peak position reveal little dependence on the concentration of dye, suggesting they can be used as red emissive materials in light-emitting diodes. The relationship between fluorescence lifetime and dye concentration is also investigated by time-resolved PL measurements.     

Thermal degradation of lignin–phenol–formaldehyde and phenol–formaldehyde resol resins

Resol resins are used in many industrial applications as adhesives and coatings, but few studies have examined their thermal degradation. In this work, the thermal stability and thermal degradation kinetics of phenol–formaldehyde (PF) and lignin–phenol–formaldehyde (LPF) resol resins were studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TG) in air and nitrogen atmospheres in order to understand the steps of degradation and to improve their stabilities in industrial applications. The thermal stability of samples was estimated by measuring the degradation temperature (T _d), which was calculated according to the maximum reaction rate criterion. In addition, the ash content was determined at 800 °C in order to compare the thermal stability of the resol resin samples. The results indicate that 30 wt% ammonium lignin sulfonate (lignin derivative) as filler in the formulation of LPF resin improves the thermal stability in comparison with PF commercial resin. The activation energies of degradation of two resol resins show a difference in dependence on mass loss, which allows these resins to be distinguished. In addition, the structural changes of both resins during thermal degradation were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), with the results indicating that PF resin collapses at 300 °C whereas the LPF resin collapses at 500 °C.     

Structure and surface properties of fluorinated organic–inorganic hybrid films

Fluorinated organic–inorganic hybrid films were prepared by sol–gel process from tridecafluoroctyltriethoxysilane (PFAS), 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). It has been found that the fluorinated hybrid films possessed fluorinated side chains originating from PFAS as top layer, and silica network as bottom layer, which had very low surface energy and could be used as water repellent functional coatings. The outermost layer of the water-repellent film may be fully covered by the perfluoroalkyl side chains as the molar ratio of PFAS/TEOS increases up to about 0.005:1. The addition of BPA can enhance the cross-link density of fluorinated hybrid films, and make more perfluoroalkyl groups enriching at the coating film-air interface to lower the surface free energy. However, the improvement of the cross-link density of fluorinated hybrid films tends to exhibit brittleness and micro-cracks. Consequently, it can be concluded that a small BPA additive content is preferred for the formation of fluorinated hybrid films with a smooth surface and less detectable cracks.     

The preparation and characterization graphene-cross-linked phenol–formaldehyde hybrid carbon xerogels

A new synthesis route based on polycondensation of phenol and formaldehyde cross-linked by graphene oxide (GO) was developed. Wet gel after gelation was converted into an organic xerogel by ambient pressure drying to obtain GO-cross-linked phenol–formaldehyde (PF) organic xerogels (GOCPFOX). Graphene-cross-linked PF carbon xerogels (GCPFCX) were produced by carbonization. The morphology and chemical structure of GOCPFOX and GCPFCX were analyzed. The electrochemical behavior of GCPFCX as an electrode material in electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) was investigated. Results show that the high mechanical strength of GO increased the gel skeleton strength; thus, organic xerogels exhibit very low drying shrinkage. Scanning electron micrographs indicated that addition of GO altered the gel structure. Thus, when GO was added into the PF solution, the PF molecular chains were anchored on the surface of GO by chemical and physical interaction. The GCPFCX-10 sample achieved the highest specific surface area, mesoporous volume, and specific capacity with 378 m²/g, 0.56 cm³/g, and 116 F/g, respectively. Hence, GCPFCX is a potential material for EDLCs owing to its low production cost and ability to avoid supercritical drying.