Cooperatively assembled liquid crystals enable temperature-controlled Förster resonance energy transfer

Balancing the rigidity of a π-conjugated structure for strong emission and the flexibility of liquid crystals for self-assembly is the key to realizing highly emissive liquid crystals (HELCs). Here we show that (1) integrating organization-induced emission into dual molecular cooperatively-assembled liquid crystals, (2) amplifying mesogens, and (3) elongating the spacer linking the emitter and the mesogen create advanced materials with desired thermal–optical properties. Impressively, assembling the fluorescent acceptor Nile red into its host donor designed according to the aforementioned strategies results in a temperature-controlled Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) system. Indeed, FRET exhibits strong S-curve dependence as temperature sweeps through the liquid crystal phase transformation. Such thermochromic materials, suitable for dynamic thermo-optical sensing and modulation, are anticipated to unlock new and smart approaches for controlling and directing light in stimuli-responsive devices.

A temperature-sensitive Förster resonance energy transfer system was constructed using a highly emissive liquid crystal co-assembled with Nile red, enabling thermo-optical modulation for controlling and directing light in stimuli-responsive devices.     

Quantum mechanics in Dirac's front form

In 1949 Dirac published a paper in which he proposed various ways to combine special relativity with the Hamiltonian formulation of dynamics; these were referred toas forms and three differentforms, theinstant, thepoint, and thefront forms, were discussed. Dirac considered thefront form to be mathematically the most interesting. Despite this, thefront form appears to have been the least explored. This paper presents the results of a study of quantum mechanics in thefront form.     

A high-power X-band pulsed microwave induced catalytic decomposition of methane with integral acoustic measurements

A high-power microsecond pulsed microwave system operating in the X-band region was used for the catalytic conversion of methane. Microwave microsecond pulses at repetition rates of 50 and 80 Hz were used to initiate chemical reactions. The Microwave-Induced Acoustic technique was employed in combination with gas chromatography for on-line detection of chemical products. Methane was converted to C₂ and C₃ hydrocarbons. The selectivity of ethane in hydrocarbon products can be >90 %. The contribution of hydrogen evolution and carbon deposition has been shown to be important. A comparison between previous experiments performed with millisecond pulse durations is given.     

Visible light induced photocatalytic reaction of rhodamine B dye via 12-tungstosilicic acid in water

Using 12-tungstosilicic acid (SiW124-) as the catalyst, rhodamine B (RhB) dye in an aerated aqueous solution can undergo an effective photocatalytic stepwise N-deethylation process under visible light irradiation, and dioxygen is reduced to hydrogen peroxide by the reducedSiW12 4-. This provides the potential for moving polyoxometalate-based photocatalytic processes from the near-UV into the visible region of the spectrum.     

A polystyrene-supported triflating reagent for the synthesis of aryl triflates

An insoluble polystyrene-supported triflating reagent has been prepared by suspension co-polymerization of N-(4-vinylphenyl)trifluoromethanesulphonimide, styrene and the JandaJel^® cross-linker. This reagent, in the presence of triethylamine, allows for the efficient synthesis of aryl triflates from a wide range of phenols in a process that permits the desired product to be isolated from the reaction mixture in essentially pure form via several filtration and concentration operations. Adding to the utility of this reagent is its ability to be easily recovered, regenerated and reused. Both soluble and insoluble bifunctional polymers containing trialkylamine moieties in addition to triflimide groups were also prepared and examined as triflating reagents. Unfortunately these reagents afforded only modest yields of the desired products in representative reactions.     

SYNTHESIS AND THERMAL PROPERTIES OF POLYBENZOXAZOLE FROM SOLUBLE PRECURSOR WITH HYDROXY-SUBSTITUTED POLYENAMINONITRILE

Aromatic polybenzoxazole (PBO) precursor, hydroxy-substituted polyenaminonitrile, was prepared by direct polycondensation of 1,4-bis(l-chloro-2,2-dicyanovinyl)benzene (CCB) and 4,6-diaminoresorcinol dihydrochloride (DAR) using pyridine and N,N-dimethylacetamide as condensing agent and solvent. The precursor has good solubility in polar aprotic solvent which is due to the strong dipolar nature of the main chain. The soluble precursor was subjected to thermal cyclization in an inert atmosphere to convert it into the corresponding PBO, which has its 5% weight loss temperature at 540℃ The fully cyclized PBO were characterized by FT-IR and TGA. The introduction of 10% mol 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic chloride (BTC) into the main chain not only has little effect on the solubility of PBO precursor but also raises its 5% weight loss temperature to 552℃ and char yield at 700℃ for the cyclized PBO with BTC.