Donor-acceptor copolymers from cyclopentannulation polymerizations with dicyclopenta[cd,jk]pyrene and dicyclopenta[cd,lm] perylene acceptors

A series of donor-acceptor copolymers with dicyclopenta[cd,jk]pyrene and dicyclopenta[cd,lm]perylene acceptor units was prepared via palladium catalyzed cyclopenta-annulation reactions. The acceptor units were paired with diethynyl containing donor groups based on benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b’]dithiophene, thieno[3,2-b]thiophene, and 4-octyl-4H-dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]pyrrole to create six polymer variants. The cyclopentannulation polymerization resulted in copolymers with molecular weights (Mn) of 6–14 kDa and broad light absorption in the visible region with band gaps of 1.38–1.85 eV. The synthetic methodology, as well as optoelectronic properties, including thin-film absorption and cyclic voltammetry, of the donor-acceptor copolymers are presented.     

Light-regulated electrostatic interactions in colloidal suspensions

The net charge of a colloidal particle was controlled using light and a new photocleavable self-assembled monolayer (SAM). The SAM contained a terminal ammonium group and a centrally located carboxylic acid group that was masked with an ortho-nitrobenzyl functionality. Once exposed to UV light, the 2-nitrobenzyl group was cleaved, therefore transforming the colloidal particle from a net positive (silica-SAM-NH3+) to a net negative (silica-SAM-COO-) charge. By varying the UV exposure time, their zeta potential could be tailored between +26 and -60 mV at neutral pH. To demonstrate a photoinduced gel-to-fluid phase transition, a binary colloidal suspension composed of silica-SAM-NH3+ and negatively charged, rhodamine-labeled silica particles was mixed to form a gel. Exposure to UV light rendered all of the particles negative and therefore converted the system into a colloidal fluid that settles to form a dense sediment.     

Supersilylating agents from chlorosilanes

The addition of R₃SiCl to B(OTf)₃ gives “supersilylating agents” formulated as R₃SiB(OTf)₃Cl. The catalytic properties of these species are similar to those of the previously-described (but less accessible) R₃SiB(OTf)₄.     

The structures and thermal decomposition of cupric mono,di and trichloracetates

Magnetic moment measurements and ultra-violet diffuse reflectance spectroscopy have been used to investigate the structure of the chloroacetates of copper(II). These studies indicate that cupric monochloroacetate dihydrate is dimeric and cupric trichloracetate tetrahydrate is monomeric. Cupric dichloracetate tetrahydrate forms an intermediate case. The thermal decomposition of these compounds under nitrogen has been studied using thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis, together with analysis of the products of the decomposition. The major organic product formed in the thermal decomposition of the mono- and dichloracetates is the corresponding chlorinated acetic acid; the solid inorganic product is cuprous chloride. Thermal decomposition of the trichloracetate yields cupric chloride and a mixture of trichloracetic acid and trichloracetyl chloride.

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Zusammenfassung Messungen des magnetischen Momentes sowie diffuse UV-Remissionspektroskopie wurden zur Untersuchung der Struktur der Kupfer(II)-chloracetate eingesetzt. Die Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, daß Kupfermonochloracetat-Dihydrat dimer und Kupfertrichloracetat-Tetrahydrat monomer ist. Das Kupferdichloracetat-Tetrahydrat bildet hierbei eine Zwischenstufe. Die thermische Zersetzung dieser Verbindungen wurde in Stickstoffatmosphäre unter Anwendung der Thermogravimetrie und Differentialthermoanalyse untersucht, bei gleichzeitiger Analyse der Zersetzungsprodukte. Das bei der thermischen Zersetzung des Mono- und Dichloracetats gebildete organische Hauptprodukt ist die entsprechende chlorierte Essigsäure; der feste anorganische Rückstands das Kupfer(I)-chlorid. Die thermische Zersetzung des Trichloracetats ergibt Kupfer(II)-chlorid sowie eine Mischung von Trichloressigsäure und Trichloracetylchlorid.

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Résumé La mesure du moment magnétique et la spectroscopie de réflexion diffuse dans l'U. V. sont utilisées pour étudier la structure des chloroacétates de cuivre (II). Les résultats indiquent que le monochloroacétate de cuivre (II) dihydraté est dimère et que le trichloroacétate de cuivre (II) tétrahydraté est monomère. Le dichloroacétate de cuivre (II) tétrahydraté représente un cas intermédiaire. La décomposition de ces composés dans l'azote a été suivie par thermogravimétrie et analyse thermique différentielle, en analysant simultanément les produits de décomposition. Le principal produit organique formé lors de la décomposition thermique des mono et dichloroacétates est l'acide chloroacétique correspondant; le produit solide inorganique est le chlorure de cuivre (I). La décomposition thermique du trichloroacétate fournit le chlorure de cuivre (II) et un mélange d'acide trichloracétique et de chlorure trichloroacétylique.

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Enhanced ethanol sensing properties of WO3 modified TiO2 nanorods

Pristine and WO₃ decorated TiO₂ nanorods (NRs) were synthesised to investigate n-n-type heterojunction gas sensing properties. TiO₂ NRs were fabricated via hydrothermal method on fluorine-doped tin oxide coated glass (FTO) substrates. Then, tungsten was sputtered on the TiO₂ NRs and thermally oxidised to obtain WO₃ nanoparticles. The heterostructure was characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. Fabricated sensor devices were exposed to VOCs such as toluene, xylene, acetone and ethanol, and humidity at different operation temperatures. Experimental results demonstrated that the heterostructure has better sensor response toward ethanol at 200 °C. Enhanced sensing properties are attributed to the heterojunction formation by decorating TiO₂ NRs with WO₃.     

Determination of coupled solvent mass in quartz crystal microbalance measurements using deuterated solvents

A simple method is described for determining of the contribution of hydrodynamically coupled solvent to the adsorbed film mass determined in a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) when operated in liquid. The method requires no additional apparatus and utilizes the change in QCM resonant frequency response between measurements made in non-deuterated and deuterated solvents. The mass of coupled water in a polymer film has been determined and is found to agree with that determined by XPS analysis of the dried polymer film.     

Comparison of two chelating agents immobilized on controlled-pore glass for the preconcentrationof aluminium from aqueous solutions

Aluminium at low μg cm^?3 levels can be preconcentrated on columns of 8-quinolinol or EDTA immobilized on controlled-pore glass. Distribution coefficients are ca. 45 and 370 cm² g^t-1, respectively, and recoveries of aluminium are >80% at pH >4.6 and pH >4.0, respectively. The eluted aliminium is determined by atomic absorption spectrometry in a nitrous oxide/acetylene flame.     

Experimental results on neutrino-electron scattering

A determination of sin² θ _w based on measurements of elastic scattering of muon-neutrinos and muon-anti-neutrinos on atomic electrons is described. These purely leptonic processes were studied using the CHARM calorimeter exposed to neutrino and antineutrino wide-band beams at the CERN super proton synchrotron. A total of 83±16 neutrino-electron and 112±21 antineutrino-electron events have been detected. From the measurement of the ratio of muon-neutrino and muon-antineutrino cross-sections a value of sin² θ _w =0.211±0.037 was obtained.     

Dispersive bending waves in uniform bars

The traveling bending waves in a long beam of rectangular cross section were measured and calculated. The bending waves were induced by impacting with a steel sphere and measured with strain gages at several distances from the point of impact. The impact force was calculated as a function of time by integrating the dynamic equations of the sphere and the beam. The force spectrum was then found using a fast-Fourier-transform (FFT) calculation and multiplied by the moment-frequency response of the beam to determine the moment spectrum. The moment-time function was calculated by an inverse FFT. The traveling wave is dispersive; its spectrum was found from that at the point of impact by phase shifting each component by an angle proportional to the distance and to the square root of the frequency. Again the time curve was determined by an inverse FFT. The indentation stiffness of the beam was found to be very much less than that of the elastic half space because of transverse bending. After the impact force was recalculated with this correction, the calculated moment-time traces agreed very well with the measured ones.