Heating-induced micelle to vesicle transition in the cationic-anionic surfactant systems: Comprehensive study and understanding

Heating-induced micelle to vesicle transition (MVT), which has been rarely reported in surfactant systems, was systemically studied in a number of mixed cationic-anionic surfactant systems. According to the turbidity measurements, the investigated systems can be divided into two classes: Class A and B. Heating-induced MVT was observed in Class A at certain total surfactant concentrations and mixed surfactant ratios, while no such transition was found in Class B. Further investigations revealed that the heating-induced MVT is more likely to take place in the cationic-anionic surfactant systems with relatively stronger molecule interaction and larger micelle aggregation number. The effects of several physicochemical factors, such as the variation of mixed surfactant ratios and the addition of n-decanol on the heating-induced MVT, were also studied.     

Morphological control and photoluminescence of zinc oxide nanocrystals

Nanocrystals of the wide band gap semiconductor zinc oxide of controllable morphologies were synthesized by a simple thermal decomposition method. The predominating factor in determining the morphology (spheres, triangular prisms, and rods) was the solvent, selected on the basis of coordinating power. The nanoparticles were structurally analyzed, and the photoluminescence of each shape was compared. The intensity of the green band emission, common to many ZnO structures, was found to vary with morphology. The strongest green band intensity corresponded to the shape with the largest surface/volume ratio and could be attributed to surface oxygen vacancies. Control over the morphology of ZnO at the nanoscale is presented as a means to control the green band emission.     

New enantiomeric polylactide-block-poly(butylene succinate)-block-polylactides: syntheses, characterization and in situ self-assembly

In situ self-assemblies of new biodegradable triblock PLLA-b-PBS-b-PLLA and PDLA-b-PBS-b-PDLA have been investigated in acetonitrile solution. At first, two series of PLLA-b-PBS-b-PLLA and PDLA-b-PBS-b-PDLA, respectively denoted as the P and Q triblock copolyester series, were prepared with fixed PBS block ((overline) M(n,NMR) = 6.9 kDa) and diverse enantiomeric PLLA/PDLA blocks. Further, their chemical structures and thermal properties were characterized by means of titration, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), polarimeter, wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and thermal analytical instruments. When mixing the synthesized enantiomeric copolyester pairs denoted as P(1)/Q(1) - P(8)/Q(8) in acetonitrile solution at 60 degrees C, in situ self-assemblies were found to happen for the P(4)/Q(4) to P(8)/Q(8) pairs, bearing longer enantiomeric PLA block lengths. DSC and WAXD analysis of the self-assembled microparticles demonstrated that PLLA/PDLA racemic crystals were formed for the P(5)/Q(5) - P(8)/Q(8) systems, as evidenced by their melting points over 200 degrees C, and a new X-ray diffraction peak detected at 2theta = 11.8 degrees . Moreover, morphological studies by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated the formation of disk- or platelet-like microparticles. It was noted that the diameters of the microparticles self-assembled in situ decreased from 1.28-1.50 mum down to 480-660 nm, through tailoring the enantiomeric PLA block length. Other factors, such as a central PBS block, the enantiomeric block length and the preparation conditions were suggested to play important roles in the in situ self-assembly of these enantiomeric triblock copolyesters. These results provide a facile way to self-assemble hydrophobic, biodegradable microparticles, through tuning the important van der Waals stereocomplexation interactions between two enantiomeric blocks in solution.     

Body-centered-cubic Ni and its magnetic properties

The body-centered-cubic (bcc) phase of Ni, which does not exist in nature, has been achieved as a thin film on GaAs(001) at 170 K via molecular beam epitaxy. The bcc Ni is ferromagnetic with a Curie temperature of 456 K and possesses a magnetic moment of 0.52+/-0.08 micro(B)/atom. The cubic magnetocrystalline anisotropy of bcc Ni is determined to be +4.0x10(5) ergs x cm(-3), as opposed to -5.7x10(4) ergs x cm(-3) for the naturally occurring face-centered-cubic (fcc) Ni. This sharp contrast in the magnetic anisotropy is attributed to the different electronic band structures between bcc Ni and fcc Ni, which are determined using angle-resolved photoemission with synchrotron radiation.     

Dialkylaminoacetonitrile derivatives as amide synthons. A one-pot preparation of heteroaryl amides via a strategy of sequential SNAr substitution and oxidation

Dialkylamino acetonitrile derivatives were utilized as alternative to cyanohydrin synthons for preparation of the corresponding heteroaryl dialkyl amides via a strategy of sequential base-mediated coupling and oxidation. The most advantageous oxidant, NiO(2)-H(2)O, can readily oxidize 2-substituted aminoacetonitriles to the corresponding amides under both basic and neutral conditions by forming cyanohydrins in situ.     

Synthesis and electronic properties of donor-acceptor pi-conjugated siloles

An efficient method is presented for the synthesis of novel donor-acceptor silole chromophores through selective monohalogenation of 2,5-dimetallosiloles followed by Negishi alkyne cross-coupling reactions. The electronic properties and crystal packing of these new siloles can be controlled through judicious combinations of peripheral functional groups.     

Self-assembly of CuS nanoparticles to solid,hollow, spherical and tubular structures in a simple aqueous-phase reaction

We report fabrication of CuS particles with solid, hollow, spherical and tubular structures in a simple aqueous system under microwave irradiation, employing CuSO₄ and Na₂S₂O₃ as the starting materials without assistance of any surfactant or template. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and an X-ray powder diffraction pattern proved that the product is hexagonal CuS phase. The morphologies of the product were observed by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Some factors affecting the morphologies of the product are discussed. PACS 81.05.Hd; 81.07.Bc; 81.16.Be; 81.16.Dn; 81.20.Ka     

Phase-matched high-order harmonics by interaction of Ar atoms with high-repetition-rate low-energy femtosecond laser pulses

High-order harmonics are generated by coherent interaction of an intense laser and atoms or molecules[1]. With the development of the intense ultrashort pulse laser, the research of high-order harmonic generation has reached the water-window in spectral region[2] and subfemtosecond in time domain[3]. Especially, the generation and application of subfemtosecond pulse led the study of high-order harmonic generation into a completely new world[4, 5]. It has made the study of ultrafast science fro…