Enviromental utility materials

The influence of agents originated in a municipal landfill on the thermal degradation of a polymeric system composed of a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (n=0) and 1,2-diaminecyclohexane was studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TG) in order to obtain the lifetime of this material before and after being attacked. The different data obtained were analyzed to check the resistance of these materials to chemical attack and the possibility of their use as coating materials in plants where those reagents were present. At the optimum temperature of service for this material, 373.16 K, the lifetimes obtained from the experimental results were 2633 years and 2135 years, respectively. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Synthesis of polypyridyl ruthenium complexes with 2-(1-aryl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f]-1,10-phenanthroline ligand and its application for luminescent oxygen sensing

Polypyridyl ruthenium (Ru) complexes 1–3 were prepared. Their photophysical properties were investigated by UV-Vis absorption and luminescence emission spectra. The luminescent lifetimes of these Ruthenium complex were prolonged by more than 5 folds (τ = 2.50 μs for complex 3) when compared with the parent Ru complex 1 (τ = 0.45 μs). We propose that the extended luminescent lifetime of complex 3 is due to the equilibrium between ³MLCT state and the pyrene localized ³π-π* triplet state (³IL). The luminescent O₂-sensing property of the complexes in solution and the IMPEK-C polymer film were studied, and the O₂ sensing was quantified with the two-site model. The oxygen-sensing property of the Ru complexes can be improved by 104-fold with extension of the luminescent lifetimes. For example, the quenching constant K _SV was improved from 0.0023 Torr⁻¹ of 1 to 0.2393 Torr⁻¹ for 3. Our results demonstrated a versatile approach for the preparation of Ru (II) polypyridine complexes with extended luminescent lifetimes as functional materials, for example, for luminescent oxygen-sensing applications.     

Effect of axial ligands on the photophysical properties of new silicon(IV) phthalocyanines

A series of axial di-substituted silicon(IV) phthalocyanines with electron-donating and electron-withdrawing properties were synthesized. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, IR, and ESI-MS. The effect of axial ligands on the photophysical properties of silicon phthalocyanines was studied by UV/Vis, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopic analyses. Compared with silicon phthalocyanines with electron-donating properties, silicon phthalocyanines with electron-withdrawing properties could expand the π-conjugation in the dyes, resulting in a redshift of Q bands, lower fluorescence emission intensity and fluorescence quantum yields, but increasing fluorescence lifetimes. These results strongly suggest that the molecular design of phthalocyanines is essential for construction of photoactive materials.     

Special anticorrosion coatings (sealing pastes) for high-strength steel resistance spot welding

The results of application of new anticorrosion coatings (sealing pastes) during resistance spot welding, which provide for protection of weld joints from corrosive action, are given. The studied anticorrosion coatings (sealing pastes) are proved to allow for flawless weld joints of 30KhGSN2A and Kh15N5D2T steel without degrading their mechanical properties.     

Terpyridine-Functionalized Calixarenes: Synthesis,Characterization and Anion Sensing Applications

Lanthanide complexes have been developed and are reported herein. These complexes were derived from a terpyridine-functionalized calix[4]arene ligand, chelated with Tb³⁺ and Eu³⁺. Synthesis of these complexes was achieved in two steps from a calix[4]arene derivative: (1) amide coupling of a calix[4]arene bearing carboxylic acid functionalities and (2) metallation with a lanthanide triflate salt. The ligand and its complexes were characterized by NMR (¹H and ¹³C), fluorescence and UV-vis spectroscopy as well as MS. The photophysical properties of these complexes were studied; high molar absorptivity values, modest quantum yields and luminescence lifetimes on the ms timescale were obtained. Anion binding results in a change in the photophysical properties of the complexes. The anion sensing ability of the Tb(III) complex was evaluated via visual detection, UV-vis and fluorescence studies. The sensor was found to be responsive towards a variety of anions, and large binding constants were obtained for the coordination of anions to the sensor.     

Absorption and fluorescence properties of aryl substituted porphyrins in different media

Absorption and fluorescence properties of aryl substituted porphyrins, 5,10,15,20-tetra-4-oxy(aceticacid)phenylporphyrin (TAPP), 5,10,15,20-tetra-(4-phenoxyphenyl) porphyrin (TPPP), 5,10,15,20-tetra-(3-bromo-4-hydroxyphenyl) porphyrin (TBHPP), and 5,10,15,20-tetra-p-chloromethylphenyl porphyrin (CMPP) were investigated. The UV/vis absorption, fluorescence and excited spectra as the fluorescence quantum yields and fluorescence lifetimes for the compounds were measured in organic solvents (chloroform (CHCl₃), tetrahydrofuran (THF)) and immobilized media (PVC film, sol–gel matrix). The fluorescence quantum yields of TAPP and TPPP were higher than the others. The fluorescence lifetimes of all studied porphyrin derivates were found to be fifty percent lower and their fluorescence intensities were increased fifty percent more in both of immobilized mediums, as compared to organic solvents.     

Photophysics of boron difluoride chelates with dihalogenated tetraphenyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">ms</Emphasis>-azadipyrromethenes

Spectral, luminescent, and photophysical properties of the BF₂ chelates with dichloroand dibromotetraphenyl-ms-azadipyrromethene (derivatives of tetraphenyl-aza-BODIPY) have been studied experimentally and theoretically by quantum chemistry methods. The positions of fluorescence bands, quantum yields, and lifetimes were measured experimentally. The rate constants of intramolecular photophysical processes have been estimated, and the quantum yields of fluorescence and phosphorescence and the lifetimes of excited states have been calculated. Complete energy schemes of electronically excited states and photophysical processes in the molecules of the compounds under study have been built on the basis of calculation results. The decrease in the fluorescence quantum yields upon excitation into the second absorption band and the absence of the phosphorescence of the chelates have been explained.     

Fluorescence lifetimes and spectral properties of protochlorophyllide in organic solvents in relation to the respective parameters in vivo

In this work, absorption and fluorescence spectra of protochlorophyllide (Pchlide), as well as its fluorescence lifetime, were investigated in organic solvents having different physical properties. The obtained Pchlide spectral features are discussed in relation to the parameters describing solvent properties (refractive index and dielectric constant) and taking into account the specific solvent-Pchlide interaction. The correlation of Pchlide Qy and Soret absorption bands with solvent polarizability function ((n2 - 1)/(n2 + 2)) has been found; however, the dispersion of the observed points was rather high. A small Stokes shift of a magnitude between 50 and 300 cm(-1) was found, which indicates low sensitivity of Pchlide to nonspecific solvation. The fluorescence decay of Pchlide was single exponential in all the investigated solvents, with the lifetime value ranging from 5.2 ns for dioxane to 3.5 ns for methanol. Dependence of the obtained fluorescence lifetimes on the solvent orientation polarizability, a parameter being the function of both refractive index and dielectric constant, was discussed. In water-methanol mixtures, a further decrease of the fluorescence lifetime was observed, giving values of 2.9 ns for 25% methanol. Double-exponential decay of Pchlide fluorescence was found for Pchlide in a solution of 15% methanol with the lifetimes of 4.5 +/- 0.5 ns and 1.2 +/- 0.3 ns and in pure water with the lifetimes of 2.5 +/- 0.5 ns and 0.4 +/- 0.1 ns. The obtained results are discussed in relation to spectroscopic properties of Pchlide in vivo.     

Modification of molecular properties of some dyes in sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) micellar aqueous solution

The influence of SDS upon the molecular properties of proflavine (3,6-diaminoacridine), acridine yellow (2,7-dimethyl-3,6-diaminoacridine) and methylene blue (3,7-bis-dimethylamino-phenothiazine) was studied comparatively to their properties in that of aqueous media. The absorption and emission spectra of the three dyes in SDS aqueous solution (1–100 mmol/l) were recorded. The spectroscopic data also allowed the evaluation of the critical micellization concentration (CMC), acidity constants in fundamental (pk_a) and excited (pK^*_a) states, and lifetimes of excited singlet states.     

Photophysical Study of Pyridoxal 5'-Phosphate and Its Schiff Base with n-Hexylamine

Abstract— Phosphopyridoxal enzymes exhibit a wide variety of reactions. The activation mechanism proceeds with the formation of Schiff bases that undergo loss or transfer of one or more protons. Changes in the fluorescent properties of the pyridoxal 5'-phosphate and its Schiff base may signal changes in the protonation state and/or in the microenvironment of the cofactor. In this paper the average fluorescence lifetime of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) as a function of pH was studied in a medium of 0.1 M ionic strength at 25°C. The ionic species of PLP with an unprotonated hydrogen atom were found to exhibit fluorescence lifetimes in the region of 100 ps on excitation at λ= 390 nm. The average fluorescence lifetimes for PLP in its Schiff bases with n-hexylamine in media of low polarity are reported.     

Enabling luminescence decay time-based sensing using integrated organic photodiodes

The use of organic photodiodes (OPDs) for measuring phosphorescent lifetimes of optochemical oxygen sensors is described. Phosphorescent indicators with lifetimes ranging from ～5 to 60 μs have been studied using light-emitting diodes as the excitation source and organic photodiodes integrated into the sensor substrate for detection. A measurement system using an adjusted electronic circuitry to detect photocurrents in the nanoampere range is presented. The response behaviour of the organic photodiodes has been characterized, and it was found that a forward (positive) bias had to be applied in order to decrease the response time of the OPDs to a range suitable for phosphorescence decay time measurements. A modulation cutoff frequency of ～100 kHz has been determined, corresponding to a response time of the organic photodiodes of 1.6 μs. Two sensor dyes have been characterized regarding their lifetimes upon exposure to 0–20 % oxygen, and it was shown that results comparable to literature data and inorganic photodetectors can be achieved.     

Spectroscopic properties of anisole in mixed polar solvents

Absorption and emission spectra, fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes were studied for anisole in binary ethanol-water mixtures. The spectroscopic and photophysical properties show an exceptional behaviour in the aqueous solution. In water a strong nonradiative process, originating from the fluorescent state decreases the emission yield and lifetime. The results are discussed in terms of short range interactions between the solute and solvent.     

Effect of compatibilizer and electron irradiation on free-volume and microhardness of syndiotactic polypropylene/clay nanocomposites

Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) and microindentation methods were applied to study the modification of syndiotactic polypropylene properties (PP) due to introducing of nanoclay (4 wt%) and maleic anhydride-modified PP oligomer into the polymer matrix.The influence of electron irradiation of nanocomposites with different doses (⩽440 kGy) was also studied. It was found that the initial irradiation with 30 kGy has a considerable effect on o-Ps lifetimes and intensities. However, the studied materials do not show noticeable differences in their behavior.     

Fluorescence behavior of individual charge-transfer complexes revealed by single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy: Influence of the host polymer matrix

Extremely pure polymer matrices were used for elucidating the fluorescence properties of singly isolated charge-transfer (CT) complexes formed between the donor N-ethylcarbazole and the acceptor 1,2,4,5-tetracyanobenzene. Simultaneous measurements (time traces of CT fluorescence intensities and lifetimes) using single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy showed three patterns: (1) fluctuations in the fluorescence intensities and lifetimes seldom occurred, (2) the fluorescence intensities frequently fluctuated together with the lifetimes, or (3) in addition to the above fluctuations with time, blinking and/or off-states longer than 1 s were observed. For methacrylate polymers, both the degree of fluctuations in the CT fluorescence lifetimes and the percentage of the CT complexes showing off-states increased with the free volume of the host polymers. These results suggest that the degree of fluctuations in the relative geometrical arrangements of the donor and acceptor molecules is related to the availability of space in the host polymer, and that the free volume provides the necessary space for formation of non-fluorescent donor-acceptor geometries of the CT complexes and/or temporal dissociation of the CT complexes. Survival times of the CT fluorescence were also closely related with the free volume of the host polymers.     

Singlet excited-state behavior of uracil and thymine in aqueous solution: a combined experimental and computational study of 11 uracil derivatives

The excited-state properties of uracil, thymine, and nine other derivatives of uracil have been studied by steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopy. The excited-state lifetimes were measured using femtosecond fluorescence upconversion in the UV. The absorption and emission spectra of five representative compounds have been computed at the TD-DFT level, using the PBE0 exchange-correlation functional for ground- and excited-state geometry optimization and the Polarizable Continuum Model (PCM) to simulate the aqueous solution. The calculated spectra are in good agreement with the experimental ones. Experiments show that the excited-state lifetimes of all the compounds examined are dominated by an ultrafast (<100 fs) component. Only 5-substituted compounds show more complex behavior than uracil, exhibiting longer excited-state lifetimes and biexponential fluorescence decays. The S(0)/S(1) conical intersection, located at CASSCF (8/8) level, is indeed characterized by pyramidalization and out of plane motion of the substituents on the C5 atom. A thorough analysis of the excited-state Potential Energy Surfaces, performed at the PCM/TD-DFT(PBE0) level in aqueous solution, shows that the energy barrier separating the local S(1) minimum from the conical intersection increases going from uracil through thymine to 5-fluorouracil, in agreement with the ordering of the experimental excited-state lifetime.     

Lanthanide complexes of new polyaminocarboxylate complexes with two chromophores derived from bispyrazolylpyridine and aceto or benzophenone: synthesis, characterization and photophysical properties

New ionophores derived from 2,6-bis(N-pyrazolyl)pyridine and aceto/benzophenone have been synthesized and fully characterized. The lanthanide complexes of these new ligands were studied from their UV-vis and fluorescence data. Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ complexes were easily formed and their photophysical properties measured. In all cases, lanthanide emission lifetimes were in the range of ms albeit quantum yields were relatively low. Possible flaws in the energy-transfer mechanisms are discussed.     

Synthesis,Photophysics and Redox Properties of Aza-BODIPY Dyes with Electron-Donating Groups

A series of novel aza-BODIPY dyes substituted with p-(dimethylamino)phenyl groups were synthesized and their spectral and electrochemical properties were compared. In particular, the impact of p-(Me₂N)Ph- groups on these characteristics was of consideration. For two aza-BODIPYs studied, a near-IR absorption band was observed at circa λ_abs=796 nm. Due to the pronounced intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) exerted by the presence of strongly electron-donating p-(Me₂N)Ph- substituents, the compounds studied were weakly emissive with the singlet lifetimes (τ_S) in the picosecond range. Nanosecond laser photolysis experiments of the brominated aza-BODIPYs revealed T₁→T_n absorption spanning from ca. 350 nm to ca. 550 nm with the triplet lifetimes (τ_T) ranged between 6.0 μs and 8.5 μs. The optical properties of the aza-BODIPYs studied were pH-sensitive. Upon protonation of the dimethylamino groups with trifluoroacetic acid in toluene, a stepwise disappearance of the NIR absorption band at λ_abs=790 nm was observed with the concomitant appearance of a blue-shifted absorption band at λ_abs=652 nm, which was accompanied by a prominent emission band at λ_fl=680 nm. The transformation from a non-emissive to an emissive compound is associated with the inhibition of the ICT. As estimated by CV/DPV measurements, all aza-BODIPYs studied exhibited two irreversible oxidation and two quasi-reversible reduction processes. All compounds studied exhibit extremely high photostability and thermal stability.     

Visible‐Light Photoactive,Highly Efficient Triplet Sensitizers Based on Iodinated Aza‐BODIPYs: Synthesis,Photophysics and Redox Properties

A series of novel iodinated NO₂‐substituted aza‐BODIPYs have been synthesized and characterized. Highly desirable photophysical and photochemical properties were induced in NO₂‐substituted aza‐BODIPYs by iodination of the pyrrole rings. In particular, high values of singlet oxygen quantum yields (Φ_Δ) ranging from 0.79 to 0.85 were measured. The photooxygenation process proceeds via a Type II mechanism under the experimental conditions applied. The compounds studied exhibited an absorption band within the so‐called “therapeutic window”, with λ_max located between 645 nm to 672 nm. They were non‐fluorescent at room temperature with excited singlet‐state lifetimes within the picosecond range as measured by femtosecond transient absorption. Nanosecond laser flash photolysis experiments revealed T₁→T_n absorption spanning from ca. 400 nm to ca. 500 nm and allowed determination of the triplet‐state lifetimes. The estimated triplet lifetimes (τ_T) in deaerated acetonitrile ranged between 2.74 μs and 3.50 μs. As estimated by CV/DPV measurements, all iodinated aza‐BODIPYs studied exhibited one irreversible oxidation and two quasi‐reversible reductions processes. Estimation of the E_HOMO gave the value of ?6.06 to ?6.26 eV while the E_LUMO was found to be located at ca. ?4.6 eV. Thermogravimetric (TGA) analysis revealed that iodinated aza‐BODIPYs were stable up to approximately 300 °C. All compounds studied exhibit high photostability in toluene solution.     

Long-lived photoinduced charges in donor-acceptor anthraquinone-substituted thiophene copolymers

The photoinduced charge-transfer properties of a series of polyalkylthiophene copolymers, carrying anthraquinone substituents covalently linked to the conjugated backbone, have been studied in the solid state by photoinduced absorption (PA) and light-induced electron spin resonance (LESR) spectroscopy. The measurements indicate the formation of metastable charges arising from the photoinduced electron transfer from the polythiophene backbone to the anthraquinone moieties. At low temperatures (below 200 K), long-lived persistent charges are formed, exhibiting lifetimes that extend for several minutes; their recombination kinetics has been studied by following the formation and decay of the PA and LESR signals. The results are rationalized using a model originally proposed to describe the low-temperature recombination kinetics of long-lived photoexcited carriers in amorphous inorganic semiconductors. It is clearly evidenced that, in these polymers, the number of acceptor substituents in the chain, easily tuned by chemical tailoring, plays a key role in the photoexcitation scenario.     

Mechanistic insights into the photochromism of trans-10b,10c-dimethyl-10b,10c-dihydropyrene derivatives

A series of dimethyldihydropyrene derivatives was studied to elucidate the photochemical mechanism associated with the switching between the dimethyldihydropyrene (DHP, closed) and metacyclophanediene (CPD, open) forms of the molecule. Quantum yields of ring opening and closure, fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes, as well as laser flash photolysis studies were performed to establish the effect of substituents on the switching efficiency. Ring opening of the DHPs occurs from the first singlet excited state. The low quantum yields for the ring opening reaction observed (< or =0.042) are a consequence of the low rate constant (< or =1.7 x 10(7) s(-1)) for this process. The quantum yields for ring closure of the CPD were determined for select compounds and were of the order of 0.1-0.4. These results show that the efficiency for ring opening of this class of compounds is intrinsically low, but can be modulated to some extent by the introduction of substituents. These properties should be taken into account when considering what type of photoswitching devices DHPs might be useful for.