3D Organic–Inorganic Perovskite Ferroelastic Materials with Two Ferroelastic Phases: [Et3P(CH2)2F][Mn(dca)3] and [Et3P(CH2)2Cl][Mn(dca)3]

Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite-type multiferroics have attracted considerable research interest owing to their fundamental scientific significance and promising technological applications in sensors and multiple-state memories. The recent achievements with divalent metal dicyanamide compounds revealed such malleable frameworks as a unique platform for developing novel functional materials. Herein, two 3D organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites [Et₃P(CH₂)₂F][Mn(dca)₃] ( 1 ) and [Et₃P(CH₂)₂Cl][Mn(dca)₃] ( 2 ) (dca=dicyanamide, N(CN)₂⁻) are presented. Accompanying the sequential phase transitions, they display a broad range of intriguing physical properties, including above room temperature ferroelastic behavior, switchable dielectricity, and low-temperature antiferromagnetic ordering (T_c=2.4 K for both 1 and 2 ). It is also worth noting that the spontaneous strain value of 1 is far beyond that of 2 in the first ferroelastic phase, as a result of the precise halogen substitution. From the point view of molecular design, this work should inspire further exploration of multifunctional molecular materials with desirable properties.     

Amphiphilic Graft Copolymers of Hydroxypropyl Cellulose Backbone with Nonpolar Polyisobutylene Branches

The novel amphiphilic graft copolymers with hydrophilic hard polar hydroxypropyl cellulose(HPC) backbone and hydrophobic soft nonpolar polyisobutylene(PIB) branches have been successfully synthesized through nucleophilic substitution reaction of living PIB chains carrying oxonium ions with the-OH groups along HPC backbone. The PIB branch length in the graft copolymers could be designed by living cationic polymerization and the grafting density could be adjusted by PIB~+/-OH molar ratio. The living PIB chains carrying oxonium ion were prepared by transformation of allyl bromide end groups in the presence of AgClO_4 and silver nanoparticles(3.2±0.3 nm, 0.7 wt%-1.8 wt%)generated in situ from AgBr. The phase-separation morphology was formed in the graft copolymers due to their incompatibility between backbone and branches. The hydrophilicity on the surface of graft copolymer films could be turned to hydrophobicity by increasing grafting density or/and length of PIB branches. The soft PIB segments in graft copolymers provided an unique surface via self-assembly for anti-protein adsorption against bovine serum albumin. A small amount of Ag nanoparticles in the copolymers contributed to good antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus or Escherichia coli.     

Rate sensitivity and deformation mechanism of semi-crystalline polymers during instrumented indentation

Instrumented indentation tests using both constant loading rate (CLR) and continuous stiffness measurement (CSM) operation modes were performed to investigate the deformation mechanism and their sensitivity to the deformation rate in semi-crystalline polymers through the quantitative analysis of load-depth loading and unloading curves. The strain rate was constant during the CSM tests, while the strain rate decreased with the increasing of loading time in CLR tests. The mechanical response mechanism of the semi-crystalline polymers to these tests was very complicated because of the combined effects of strain-hardening in the crystal phase and strain-softening in the amorphous phase. Results show that the loading index m reflects the strain-hardening or strain-softening response during indentation. When m > 2, the mechanical response was due to the strain-hardening, and when m < 2, the response was due to strain-softening. A method based on the measured contact hardness was proposed to obtain the unloading stiffness, and the other mechanical parameters could then be determined according to the unloading stiffness.     

Two Ag(I)-Containing Supramolecular Coordination Polymers Constructed from the Multidentate N-donor Ligand 1-((1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl)-3,5-bis(3-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole Based on Hydrogen-Bonding and π–π Interactions: Syntheses,Crystal Structures,Optical Band Gaps and Luminescent Properties

Two Ag(I)-based coordination polymers, namely [Ag₂(3,3′-tmbpt)(o-Hbdc)₂]·H₂O (1) and [Ag₈(3,3′-tmbpt)₄(1,2,4-Hbtc)₄(H₂O)] (2) (3,3′-tmbpt?=?1-((1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl)-3,5-bis(3-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole, o-H₂bdc?=?1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid and 1,2,4-H₃btc?=?1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic acid), have been synthesized. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses, elemental analyses, infrared spectra, powder X-ray diffraction analyses and thermogravimetric analyses have been carried out to characterize the structures of 1 and 2. Compound 1 shows a (3,4)-connected 2D layered structure with a Schläfli symbol of (4²·6)(4²·6³·8). The intermolecular O–H···O hydrogen-bonding interactions extend the 2D layer into a 3D supramolecular architecture. Compound 2 exhibits a (3,3)-connected double-layered structure with a Schläfli symbol of (4·8·10)₂(8²·10)₂. The intermolecular C–H···O hydrogen-bonding interactions link the double-layers to form a 3D supramolecular architecture. Moreover, there are intramolecular and intermolecular π–π interactions in 1 and 2, which stabilize the whole 3D supramolecular architectures. The band gaps of 1 and 2 are 3.19 and 3.09 eV, respectively, indicating the potential of 1 and 2 as semiconductive materials with wide band gaps. Moreover, 1 and 2 emit intense blue-green light, which may be potential photoactive materials.

Graphic Abstract

Two Ag(I)-based 3D supramolecular coordination polymers constructed from a multidentate N-donor ligand and two aromatic polycarboxylate anions via hydrogen-bonding and π–π interactions have been synthesized and characterized. The band gaps and photoluminescent properties of the compounds have been studied.

     

How do molecular interactions affect fluorescence behavior of AIEgens in solution and aggregate states?

Molecular interactions are crucial in diverse fields of protein folding,material science,nanotechnology,and life origins.Although mounting experimental research controls luminescent behavior by adjusting molecular interactions in light-emitting materials,it remains elusive to correlate microscopic molecular interactions with macroscopic luminescent behavior directly.Here,we synthesized three red luminogens with subtle structural variation and investigated the influence of molecular interactions on their luminescent behavior in solution and aggregate states.Our results indicate that strongπ-πand D-A interactions in both dilute solution(between luminogen and solvent molecules)and aggregate(between luminogens)states cause the redshift in emission,while weak interactions(e.g.,Van der Waals,C–H…π,and C–H…F interactions)enhance the quantum yield.This work provides a thoughtful investigation into the complicated influence of various molecular interactions on luminescent behavior.     

Facile galvanic replacement deposition of nickel on copper substrate in deep eutectic solvent and its activation ability for electroless Ni–P plating

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Electroless nickel-phosphorus plating is an important surface treatment method for copper due to its good corrosion resistance and nonmagnetic properties....     

Practical algorithm substitution attack on extractable signatures

Designs, Codes and Cryptography - An algorithm substitution attack (ASA) can undermine the security of cryptographic primitives by subverting the original implementation. An ASA succeeds when it...