Shaping the Light: The Key Factors Affecting the Photophysical Properties of Fluorescent Polymer Nanostructures

To manipulate the functions of nanomaterials more precisely for diverse applications, the controllability and critical influencing factors of their properties must be thoroughly investigated. In this work, the macroscopic and microscopic effects are studied on the photophysical properties of various pyrene‐ended poly(styrene‐block‐methyl methacrylate) nanostructures. Fluorescent polymer nanospheres, nanorods, and nanotubes are prepared by different template‐based methods using anodic aluminum oxide membranes. Chain arrangements and conformations are determined as the key factors affecting the photophysical properties of the fluorescent polymer nanostructures. This work not only gives a deeper understanding of the effects on the photophysical properties of polymer nanomaterials influenced by morphologies, chain arrangements, and chain conformations, but also provides a reference for designing proper fluorescent nanostructures for specific applications.

     

Synthesis and Crystal Structures of the Molybdenum(II) Complexes with the N,N‐dimethylthiocarbamoyl Containing Ligand: Crystal Structures of [Mo(CO)2(η2‐S2COEt)(η2‐SCNMe2)(PPh3)] and [Mo(CO)2(η2‐S2CNC4H8)(η2‐SCNMe2)(PPh3)]

The reaction of the thiocarbamoyl‐molybdenum complex [Mo(CO)₂(η²‐SCNMe₂)(PPh₃)₂Cl] 1 , with EtOCS2K and C4H8NCS2NH4 in dichloromethane at room temperature yielded the seven coordinated ethyldithiocarbonate thiocarbamoyl‐molybdenum complex [Mo(CO)₂(η²‐S₂COEt)(η²‐SCNMe₂)(PPh₃)] 2 , and the dithiocarbamate thiocarbamoyl‐molybdenum complex [Mo(CO)₂(η²‐S₂CNC₄H₈)(η²‐SCNMe₂)(PPh₃)] 3 . The geometry around the metal atom of compounds 2 and 3 are capped octahedrons as revealed by X‐ray diffraction analyses. The thiocarbamoyl and ethyldithiocarbonate or pyrrolidinyldithiocarbamate ligands coordinate to the molybdenum metal center through the carbon and sulfur and two sulfur atoms, respectively. Structure parameters, NMR, IR and Mass spectra are in agreement with the crystal chemistry of the two compounds.     

The Flow Patterns and Wall Stresses in a Louvered‐Wall Moving Granular Filter Bed of Quartz Sand

The flow patterns and wall stresses in a two‐dimensional louvered moving granular filter bed of quartz sand were investigated. The flow pattern histories of granular solids in the filter bed were recorded using a digital camcorder and a pressure gauge for simultaneously measuring the normal stresses as well as shear stresses of the granular solids. The static wall stress distributions produced by the granular solids were measured, and agreed with a theoretical prediction formed using the differential slice and Runge‐Kutta (order four) methods. The variations in the dynamic wall stresses with time in a moving granular filter bed were obtained and the effect of the louver angle upon the flow patterns and wall stresses was also investigated. Employing the results obtained by stress measurements and image processing, the wall pressure pulsation phenomena in a moving granular filter bed may be further understood. The results reported here provide fundamental information for the design of moving granular filter beds to act as high‐temperature flue gas cleanup filters.     

Synthetic Studies of Nitro-Chlorotropones and Trihalotropones

Nitration of 2-chlorotropone with fuming nitric acid gave 2-chloro- 4,7-dinitrotropone in good yield. 2,4,7-Trichlorotropone, a new compound, and 2,4,7-tribromotropone have been derived successfully from 2-chloro-4,7-dinitrotropone by heating with hydrogen chloride or hydrogen bromide in acetic acid. The structures of 2-chloro-4,7-dinitrotropone, 2,4,7-trichlorotropone and 2,4,7-tribromotropone have been confirmed on the basis of chemical facts together with the spectroscopical evidences. The chemical and physical properties of the above compounds have also been investigated.     

Increasing the Open‐Circuit Voltage in High‐Performance Organic Photovoltaic Devices through Conformational Twisting of an Indacenodithiophene‐Based Conjugated Polymer

A fused ladder indacenodithiophene (IDT)‐based donor–acceptor (D–A)‐type alternating conjugated polymer, PIDTHT‐BT, presenting n‐hexylthiophene conjugated side chains is prepared. By extending the degree of intramolecular repulsion through the conjugated side chain moieties, an energy level for the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of –5.46 eV – a value approximately 0.27 eV lower than that of its counterpart PIDTDT‐BT – is obtained, subsequently providing a fabricated solar cell with a high open‐circuit voltage of approximately 0.947 V. The hole mobility (determined using the space charge‐limited current model) in a blend film containing 20 wt% PIDTHT‐BT) and 80 wt% [6,6]‐phenyl‐C₇₁ butyric acid methyl ester (PC₇₁BM) is 2.2 × 10^–9 m² V^–1 s^–1, which is within the range of reasonable values for applications in organic photovoltaics. The power conversion efficiency is 4.5% under simulated solar illumination (AM 1.5G, 100 mW cm^–2).