Efficient P3HT:PC61BM solar cells employing 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene as the processing additives

The efficiency of the poly(3-hexylthiophene)(P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl C_(61)-butyric acid methyl ester(PC_(61)BM) based organic solar cells was enhanced by using 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene(TCB) as a processing additive to control the blend morphology. The addition of TCB improved the arrangement of P3HT which resulted in good phase separated blend films. Correspondingly, the optimized solar cells showed a power conversion efficiency(PCE) of 4.17% with a fill factor(FF) of 0.69, which were higher than those of common thermal annealing devices(PCE 3.84%, FF 0.67). The efficiency was further improved to 4.74% by thermal annealing at 150 °C for 10 min with a higher FF of 0.74.     

Stopped-flow kinetic analysis of the oxidation of semicarbazide by hexachloroiridate(IV)

A kinetic analysis of the oxidation of semicarbazide (SEM) by the single-electron oxidant [IrCl₆]^2? has been carried out by stopped-flow spectrometric techniques. The reaction proved to be first order each in [IrCl₆ ^2?] and [SEM]_tot, leading to overall second-order kinetics. The variation in the observed second-order rate constant k′ with pH was explored over the pH range of 0–7.11. Spectrophotometric titration revealed a stoichiometry of Δ[IrCl₆ ^2?]/Δ[SEM]_tot = 4:1 for the redox reaction. On the basis of the rate law, the redox stoichiometry, and the rapid scan spectra, a reaction mechanism is proposed which involves parallel attacks of [IrCl₆]^2? on both H₂NCONHNH₃ ⁺ and H₂NCONHNH₂ as rate-determining steps, followed by several rapid reactions. The rate expression, derived from the reaction mechanism, was utilized to simulate the k′–pH profile yielding a virtually perfect fit and indicating that the reaction path involving H₂NCONHNH₃ ⁺ does not make a significant contribution to the overall rate. The reaction between [IrCl₆]^2? and H₂NCONHNH₂ was further studied as a function of both temperature and ionic strength. From the temperature dependence, activation parameters were obtained as: ?H ₂ ^?  = 34.9 ± 1.5 kJ mol^?1 and ?S ₂ ^?  = ?78 ± 5 J K^?1 mol^?1. The observed ionic strength dependence suggests that the rate-determining step is between [IrCl₆]^2? and a neutral species of SEM. Hence, both the temperature and ionic strength dependency studies are in good agreement with the proposed reaction mechanism, in which the rate-determining step involves an outer sphere electron transfer.     

Separation of Ni<Superscript>2+</Superscript> from ammonia solution through a supported liquid membrane impregnated with Acorga M5640

Separation of Ni²⁺ from ammonia/ammonium chloride solution using a flat-sheet supported liquid membrane (SLM) impregnated with Acorga M5640 in kerosene was investigated. The fundamental experimental variables influencing Ni²⁺ transport, such as ammonia concentration, carrier concentration, H₂SO₄ concentration in the stripping solution, stirring speed, and initial Ni²⁺ concentration were studied. Almost all of Ni²⁺ was transported from the feed to the stripping phase after 18 h of operation with a permeability coefficient of 9.28 × 10^?6 m s^?1 under optimum conditions: stirring speed of 1000 rpm in both phases, 20 vol.% Acorga M5640 as the carrier, 1.70 mmol L^?1 Ni²⁺ in the feed phase and 0.10 mol L^?1 H₂SO₄ in the stripping phase. The flux value of Ni²⁺ was 15.82 × 10^?6 mol m^?2 s^?1. Additionally, the influences of temperature and ultrasound on flux were examined, and results indicated that higher temperature and ultrasonic assistance improved transport of Ni²⁺ through the SLM. Selective separation of nickel from cobalt in an ammonia/ammonium chloride solution was also achieved through SLM. The stability of the SLM was examined on a continuous run mode and satisfactory stability of the nickel permeation was observed for 84 h (7 runs).     

Design,synthesis and biological evaluation of some novel <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-arylpyrazole derivatives bearing the sulfonamide moiety as cytotoxic agents

A series of novel N-arylpyrazole derivatives (4a–4l) bearing the sulfonamide moiety were synthesized by the condensation reaction of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with 4-hydrazinylbenzenesulfonamide. The structures of the obtained compounds were established on the basis of elemental (C, H, and N) and spectral analysis (¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ESIMS, and FT-IR). These compounds were tested for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against three human tumor cell lines: MCF-7, Hela, and A549. The results showed that most of the obtained compounds exhibited promising cytotoxicity against the tested cell lines with low IC₅₀ values. The pyrazole derivative 4k, bearing two methoxy groups on the 3-position and 4-position of the phenyl ring, was the most effective one. Its inhibition of cell growth of MCF-7 cells was better than that of celecoxib and cisplatin.     

超声提取–离子色谱法测定土壤易溶盐中的氯离子和硫酸根离子

采用超声提取的方式,以离子色谱法测定土壤易溶盐中的氯离子和硫酸根离子。对实验条件进行了优化,色谱柱为NJ–SA–4A柱(250 mm×2 mm),保护柱为SI–92G柱(50 mm×4 mm),淋洗液为1.8 mmol/L Na_2CO_3–1.7mmol/L NaHCO_3,流量为1.0 m L/min;在40℃下,对土壤样品提取10 min。Cl~–和SO_4~(2–)在检测范围内均线性良好,线性相关系数为0.999 8,加标回收率分别为95.0%~99.0%,96.0%~101.0%,测定结果的相对标准偏差分别为1.4%,1.0%(n=4)。与传统的方法相比,该法试剂用量少,操作简单,可用于土壤易溶盐样品的测定。     

An isothermal strand displacement amplification strategy for nucleic acids using junction forming probes and colorimetric detection

The authors describe a method for DNA target recognition and signal amplification that is based on the target-induced formation of a three way junction. The subsequent assembly of two DNA probes releases the inhibitory strand and triggers a downstream strand displacement amplification. This causes the formation of a G-rich single sequence that binds to a hemin monomer with its peroxidase-mimicking properties. The resulting peroxidase (POx) activity is quantified by using H₂O₂ and TMB as the substrate. In the presence of an inhibitor, in contrast, the POx-like activity is strongly reduced. This forms the basis for a highly sensitive DNA assay. It has a 0.8 pM detection limit when operated at a wavelength of 450 nm and was applied to the isothermal determination of target DNA with high selectivity.

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Graphical abstract Schematic of the assay: Introduction of target results in the formation of a three way junction. The subsequent assembly of two probes releases the inhibitory strand and triggers a downstream strand displacement amplification, generating amount of G-rich single sequence which causes peroxidase-mimicking activity on binding to a hemin monomer.

     

Synthesis and properties of a thiophene-substituted diaza[7]helicene for application as a blue emitter in organic light-emitting diodes

Carbazole-based diaza[7]helicene substituted by thiophene groups, 2,12-dithiophene-5,15-dihexyl-5,15-diaza[7]helicene (6), was synthesised successfully and confirmed by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, High Resolution Mass Spectrometry, Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry. Compound 6 exhibited good solubility and excellent thermal stability with no melting point and a high decomposition temperature of 453.64 °C. A doped device with a structure of ITO/NPB (50 nm)/CBP: 10% 6 (30 nm)/Bphen (20 nm)/Mg:Ag (150 nm)/Ag (50 nm) emitted the blue light at 460 nm with Commission Internationale de LEclairage (CIE) coordinate of (0.176, 0.26). The maximum brightness and external quantum efficiency (EQE) were 2306 cd m^?2 and 0.41%, respectively.     

Double-Layered Plasmonic–Magnetic Vesicles by Self-Assembly of Janus Amphiphilic Gold–Iron(II,III) Oxide Nanoparticles

Janus nanoparticles (JNPs) offer unique features, including the precisely controlled distribution of compositions, surface charges, dipole moments, modular and combined functionalities, which enable excellent applications that are unavailable to their symmetrical counterparts. Assemblies of NPs exhibit coupled optical, electronic and magnetic properties that are different from single NPs. Herein, we report a new class of double-layered plasmonic–magnetic vesicle assembled from Janus amphiphilic Au-Fe₃O₄ NPs grafted with polymer brushes of different hydrophilicity on Au and Fe₃O₄ surfaces separately. Like liposomes, the vesicle shell is composed of two layers of Au-Fe₃O₄ NPs in opposite direction, and the orientation of Au or Fe₃O₄ in the shell can be well controlled by exploiting the amphiphilic property of the two types of polymers.     

Self-Optimization of the Active Site of Molybdenum Disulfide by an Irreversible Phase Transition during Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

The metallic 1T-MoS₂ has attracted considerable attention as an effective catalyst for hydrogen evolution reactions (HERs). However, the fundamental mechanism about the catalytic activity of 1T-MoS₂ and the associated phase evolution remain elusive and controversial. Herein, we prepared the most stable 1T-MoS₂ by hydrothermal exfoliation of MoS₂ nanosheets vertically rooted into rigid one-dimensional TiO₂ nanofibers. The 1T-MoS₂ can keep highly stable over one year, presenting an ideal model system for investigating the HER catalytic activities as a function of the phase evolution. Both experimental studies and theoretical calculations suggest that 1T phase can be irreversibly transformed into a more active 1T′ phase as true active sites in photocatalytic HERs, resulting in a “catalytic site self-optimization”. Hydrogen atom adsorption is the major driving force for this phase transition.     

Enhancing effect of boron trifluoride diethyl etherate electrolytes on capacitance performance of electropolymerized poly[poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-vinyl-carbazole)] films

In this paper, poly[poly(N-vinyl-carbazole)] (PPVK) films electrodeposited in tetrahydrofuran (THF) containing 12 % boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BFEE) were studied as electrode active material for supercapacitors. The morphology and thermal property were characterized by SEM, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and thermogravimetry (TG), respectively. The electrochemical capacitive behaviors of the PPVK films were also investigated by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The electrochemical results showed that the specific capacitance of PPVK films in CH₃CN solution was about 126 mF cm^?2 at 1.5 mA cm^?2 and the capacitance retention was only 14.4 % after 1000 cycles. It was exciting to improve the specific capacitance up to 169.3 mF cm^?2 at 1.5 mA cm^?2 and to make the cyclic stability increase to 81.8 % capacitance retention after 5000 cycles when the equivalent BFEE was added into the CH₃CN solution containing 0.05 M Bu₄NBF₄ electrolyte. These results clearly demonstrated that BFEE was an efficient promoter for the enhancement of the capacitance performance of PPVK films. Therefore, with the help of BFEE electrolyte, the PPVK films have potential application as capacitive materials in high-performance energy storage devices.