Crosslinking of a Single Poly(ionic liquid) by Water into Porous Supramolecular Membranes

Reversible regulation of membrane microstructures via non‐covalent interactions is of considerable interest yet remains a challenge. Herein, we discover a general one‐step approach to fabricate supramolecular porous polyelectrolyte membranes (SPPMs) from a single poly(ionic liquid) (PIL). The experimental results and theoretical simulation suggested that SPPMs were formed by a hydrogen‐bond‐induced phase separation of a PIL between its polar and apolar domains, which were linked together by water molecules. This unique feature was capable of modulating microscopic porous architectures and thus the global mechanical property of SPPMs by a rational design of the molecular structure of PILs. Such SPPMs could switch porosity upon thermal stimuli, as exemplified by dynamically adaptive transparency to thermal fluctuation. This finding provides fascinating opportunities for creating multifunctional SPPMs.     

A Simple Chemical Method for Synthesis of NiFe2O4 Nanoparticles and Polystyrene-Based Magnetic Nanocomposites

Magnetic NiFe₂O₄ (NiFe) nanoparticles were synthesized via a facile chemical reaction between Ni(NO₃)₂ and Fe(NO₃)₃. Different percents of NiFe nanoparticles were then added to polystyrene (PS) matrix. Nanoparticles were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The magnetic properties of the samples were also investigated using an alternating gradient force magnetometer. The nanoparticles exhibit ferromagnetic behaviour at room temperature, with a saturation magnetization of 20.8 emu/g and a coercivity of 99.6 Oe. Preparation of NiFe₂O₄ -PS nanocomposite leads to decrease in the coercivity.     

Comment on: ‘‘The effect of pressure on morphological features and quality of synthesized graphene’’ [Res Chem Intermed journal DOI 10.1007/s11164-016-2594-8]

In their recent article, Alipour et al. (Res Chem Intermed, 1. doi: 10.1007/s11164-016-2594-8) studied the effect of pressure on the morphological characteristics and quality of synthesized graphene from SEM data. Here, the basics of fractal calculations and depth histogram will be explained to avoid such egregious mistakes between using AFM, SEM and stereo SEM images by authors.     

Exploring the scope of the Gewald reaction: Expansion to a four-component process

An efficient four-component reaction was developed to take advantage of the reactivity of the 2-aminothiophene-3-carbonitrile functionality, which is obtained during the classical three-component Gewald reaction. Various α-methylene bearing ketones were reacted with malononitrile, elemental sulfur, and aryl/heteroarylnitrile derivatives in t-BuOH/NaOH to afford 2-arylthieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-amines in high yields. Preliminary studies revealed the photophysical properties of the products and their potential for use as metal sensors.     

Single‐crystal sapphire microstructure for high‐resolution synchrotron X‐ray monochromators

We report on the growth and characterization of sapphire single crystals for X‐ray optics applications. Structural defects were studied by means of laboratory double‐crystal X‐ray diffractometry and white‐beam synchrotron‐radiation topography. The investigations confirmed that the main defect types are dislocations. The best quality crystal was grown using the Kyropoulos technique. Therein the dislocation density was 10²–10³ cm⁻² and a small area with approximately 2*2 mm² did not show dislocation contrast in many reflections. This crystal has suitable quality for application as a backscattering monochromator. A clear correlation between growth rate and dislocation density is observed, though growth rate is not the only parameter impacting the quality.     

Interface engineering in high-performance low-voltage organic thin-film transistors based on 2,7-dialkyl-[1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophenes

We investigated two different (2,7-dialkyl-[1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophenes; C(n)-BTBT-C(n), where n = 12 or 13) semiconductors in low-voltage operating thin-film transistors. By choosing functional molecules in nanoscaled hybrid dielectric layers, we were able to tune the surface energy and improve device characteristics, such as leakage current and hysteresis. The dipolar nature of the self-assembled molecules led to a shift in the threshold voltage. All devices exhibited high charge carrier mobilities of 0.6-7.0 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1). The thin-film morphology of BTBT was studied by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM), presented a dependency upon the surface energy of the self-assembled monolayer (SAM) hybrid dielectrics but not upon the device performance. The use of C(13)-BTBT-C(13) on hybrid dielectrics of AlO(x) and a F(15)C(18)-phosphonic acid monolayer led to devices with a hole mobility of 1.9 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) at 3 V, on/off ratio of 10(5), small device-device variation of mobility, and a threshold voltage of only -0.9 V, thus providing excellent characteristics for further integration.     

Synthesis of Dendrimer‐Like Polyindolyl Compounds

Syntheses of polyindolyl compounds from the Friedel–Crafts reaction of indoles and tri‐ or tetra‐aldehydes catalyzed by silica sulfuric acid are described. These dendrimeric supramolecules were effectively prepared at room temperature in quantitative yield. These novel products have potential in the synthesis of dyes and pigments and also in various pharmaceutical applications.