High refractive index hyperbranched polyvinylsulfides for planar one‐dimensional all‐polymer photonic crystals

We report on the growth and characterization of one‐dimensional (1D) planar all‐polymer photonic crystals (PhC) with high dielectric contrast (Δn = 0.3) prepared by spin coating using hyperbranched polyvinylsulfide polymers (HB‐PVS) as high refractive index material and cellulose acetate as low refractive index material. Solution processable HB‐PVS show a near ultraviolet absorption inducing an increased refractive index in the visible‐near infrared (n = 1.68, λ = 1000 nm). HBPVS:Cellulose Acetate Distributed Bragg Reflectors show a very clear fingerprint of the photonic band gap possessing the expected polarized dispersion properties as a function of the incidence angle. Moreover, engineered microcavities tuned on the weak fluorescence spectrum of the HB‐PVS show directional fluorescence enhancement effects due to spectral redistribution of the emission oscillator strength. The combination of all these properties testifies the high optical quality of the obtained photonic structures thus indicating HB‐PVS as an interesting material for the preparation of such PhC. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 73–80     

MALDI‐MS of flavonoids: a systematic investigation of ionization and in‐source dissociation mechanisms

Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) is a technique widely employed in the analysis of proteins and peptides, and nowadays it has also been applied to small molecules. There is little significant information regarding the in‐source dissociation processes on MALDI for natural products. Twenty‐six flavonoids (flavanones, flavones and flavonols) were analyzed by MALDI using different methods (with different matrices) and without matrix to comprehend the in‐source reactions and establish good analysis methods for these compounds. Depending on the class, structure and the laser intensity applied, methoxylated flavonoid aglycones can eliminate methyl radicals (˙CH₃) in the source, such as flavonols, but lithium 2,4‐dihydroxybenzoate matrix suppresses the ˙CH₃ eliminations and retro‐Diels–Alder cleavages in the source. All of the flavonoid O‐glycosides evaluated herein eliminated the sugar in source, even in the presence of the matrix, and its product radical ions ([M‐H‐sugar]^?˙) were observed in the negative mode. The flavone C‐glycosides suffered intense dissociation, which was reduced by the addition of a matrix and the application of low laser intensity, mainly in the negative mode. Depending on the hydroxyl substituents, the [M‐H‐H]^?˙ ion was observed with variable relative intensity in the spectra. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On Leon's criterion

Summary The theory of limit surfaces of resistance for isotropic materials in the space of the principal stress components is recalled. This resistance is viewed in terms of the phenomena of ductile or brittle failure that may arise in alternation for a given material, depending on the type of stress state. A transformation of coordinates is introduced that proves to be very useful for comparing the various limit conditions with that deriving from intrinsic curve theory. Reference is made to the criterion of Stassi, certainly the most reliable of the criteria that allow for dependence of the limit condition on the value of the principal intermediate stress. The theory of the intrinsic curve is generalised by means of Leon's modification, which interprets the phenomenon of tensile fracture. It is shown how Griffith's theory of brittle fracture leads to a limit condition that may be regarded as a special case of the one deriving from Leon's theory. Comparison with some experimental data shows that Leon's theory is well suitable for the study of brittle fracture. A generalisation that takes account of the influence of the principal intermediate stress and so permits good agreement with the experimental data in the field of ductile failure too, whilst conserving the characteristics of Leon's theory in brittle fracture, is proposed.

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Sommario Si richiama la teoria delle superfici limiti di resistenza per materiali isotropi nello spazio delle componenti principali di tensione. Tale resistenza è intesa nei riguardi dei fenomeni di rottura duttile o fragile che possono intervenire in alternativa per uno stesso materiale in dipendenza dei diversi tipi di stato tensionale. Si introduce una trasformazione di coordinate che risulta particolarmente utile per il confronto delle varie condizioni limiti con quella derivante dalla teoria della curva intrinseca. In particolare si fa riferimento al criterio di Stassi, certo il più attendibile fra quelli che prendono in considerazione la dipendenza della condizione limite dal valore della tensione principale intermedia. La teoria della curva intrinseca viene generalizzata attraverso la modifica di Leon, che interpreta il fenomeno della crisi per distacco. Si mostra come la teoria di Griffith della rottura fragile conduca ad una condizione limite che si può considerare un caso particolare di quella derivante dalla teoria di Leon. Per confronto con alcuni dati sperimentali si verifica che questa ultima teoria bene si presta allo studio dei fenomeni di rottura fragile. Si propone una generalizzazione che, tenendo conto dell'influenza della tensione principale intermedia, consente di ottenere un buon accordo con l'esperienza anche nel campo di rottura duttile, pur conservando le caratteristiche della teoria di Leon in quello della rottura fragile.

     

Syntheses and Study of New 2-Hydroxy-5,6-Dihydro-2H-1,4-Oxazines by NMR and X-ray Crystallography

The preparation of six new 2-hydroxy-5,6-dihydro-2H-[1,4]-oxazines and four oxazino-oxazine type structures is described. The structures of four of these compounds were established by X-ray crystallographic analyses.     

Electrolytes for quasi solid‐state dye‐sensitized solar cells based on block copolymers

The first use of PS_n‐b‐PEO_m‐b‐PS_n block copolymers (PS = polystyrene, PEO = poly(ethylene oxide)) as solid hosts for iodine/iodide electrolytes in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is described. Using the benchmark photosensitizer N719, DSSC based on the quasi solid‐state electrolytes afforded efficiencies up to 6.7%, to be compared with an efficiency of 7.3% obtained in similar conditions with a conventional iodine/iodide liquid electrolyte. By varying the PS:PEO relative volume ratio in the block copolymers different properties and morphologies were obtained. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 719–727     

L‐lysine and EDTA polymer mimics as resins for the quantitative and reversible removal of heavy metal ion water pollutants

Traditional precipitation methods for inorganic micropollutant removal from waters are increasingly being replaced by sorption methods based on both natural and synthetic materials. In this context, two novel effective heavy metal ions absorbers are presented. These resins, LYMA and LMT85, were crosslinked poly(amidoamine)s carrying amine and carboxyl groups in their repeating units. In particular, the LYMA‐repeating unit contains one carboxyl and two amine groups and is a mimic of L ‐lysine, whereas LMT85 contains two amine and five carboxyl groups and is a mimic of EDTA. Both resins were prepared at moderate cost by simple eco‐friendly procedures. The heavy metal ion set adopted as benchmark was Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Co²⁺. LYMA proved selective for Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺, the other ions tested being negligibly absorbed, whereas LMT85 proved capable of rapidly and quantitatively absorbing all the ions tested either singly or in mixed solution. The absorption process was reversible, and the resins were easily regenerated by acidification. The absorption of several metal ions imparted intense coloring to the resins, a feature possibly exploitable for analytical purposes. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012