Record-high near-band-edge optical nonlinearities and two-level model correction of poled polymers by spectroscopic electromodulation and ellipsometry

The determination of nonlinearities near the band edge of organic and polymeric electro-optic(EO)materials is important from the viewpoint of molecular nonlinear optics(NLO)and photonic device applications.Based on transmission-mode Stark effect electromodulation(EM)spectroscopy,we study the electric-field-induced changes in optical absorption and refraction of newly developed EO polymers from the visible to near-infrared(NIR)wavelengths and report record-high near-band-edge complex EO effects from poled thin films.Values ofΔn andΔk up to 10^-3 and 10^-2 are found at an applied electric field of 2.0×10⁵-3.0×10⁵V/cm.The study of linear optical properties of poled films by spectroscopic ellipsometry shows large polinginduced birefringence and a nearly two-fold increase in the extinction coefficients at the extraordinary polarization.Through the Kramers-Kronig analysis,we obtained the real and imaginary second-order nonlinear coefficients up to~3,500 and~5,600 pm/V,respectively,which are believed to be the highest NLO coefficients of poled polymers through the resonance enhancement.Our approach goes beyond the previous works,applicable only to several discrete wavelengths,to a full-spectral analysis with independent verification of slab waveguide measurements.By considering both the electroabsorption and electrorefraction effects,our study overcomes the limitation of the classic qualitative two-level model and provides a quantitative understanding of near-resonance optical nonlinearities of organic EO materials.It can inspire the exploration of high-speed,absorptive,or phase-shifting light-modulators using EO polymers for on-chip applications.     

QbD approached comparison of reaction mechanism in microwave synthesized gold nanoparticles and their superior catalytic role against hazardous nirto‐dye

Microwave irradiation (MI) process characteristically enables extremely rapid “in‐core” heating of dipoles and ions, in comparison to conventional thermal (conductance) process of heat transfer. During the process of nanoparticles synthesis, MI both modulates functionality behaviors as well as dynamic of reaction in favorable direction. So, MI providing a facile, favorable and alternative approach during nanoparticles synthesis nanoparticles with enhanced catalytic performances. Although, conventionally used reducing and capping reagents of synthetic origin, are usually environmentally hazardous and toxic for living organism. But, in absence of suitable capping agent; stability, shelf life and catalytic activity of metallic nanoparticles adversely affected. However, polymeric templates which emerged as suitable choice of agent for both reducing and capping purposes; bearing additional advantages in terms of catalyst free one step green synthesis process with high degree of biosafety and efficiency. Another aspect of current works was to understand role of process variables in growth mechanism and catalytic performances of microwave processed metallic nanoparticles, as well as comparison of these parameters with conventional heating method. However, due to poor prediction ability with previously published architect OFAT (One factor at a time) design with these nanoparticles as well as random selection of process variables with their different levels, such comparison couldn't be possible. Hence, using gum Ghatti (Anogeissus latifolia) as a model bio‐template and under simulated reaction conditions; architect of QbD design systems were integrated in microwave processed nanoparticles to establish mechanistic role these variables. Furthermore, in comparison to conventional heating; we reported well validated mathematical modeling of process variables on characteristic of nanoparticles as well as synthesized gold nanoparticles of desired and identical dimensions, in both thermal and microwave‐based processes. Interestingly, despite of identical dimension, MI processed gold nanoparticles bearing higher efficiency (kinetic rate) against remediation of hazardous nitro dye (4‐nitrophenol), into safer amino (4‐aminophenol) analogues.     

Vortex Shedding: A Review on Flat Plate

Flat plates, both single and in tandem or side by side arrangement, are widely used in many engineering applications. Despite vast investigations of the flow structures and wakes downstream of these bluff bodies, this unsteady phenomenon yet remains a fundamental issue in many industrial applications. This paper reviews the state of the art concerning the flow over flat plates in different arrangements focusing on plates normal to the flow. Turbulent wake regions are discussed for the flat plates in side by side or tandem arrangement. Numerical studies are reviewed with emphasis on the realized turbulent models. The effect of the chosen turbulence model on the prediction of the wake region is discussed.     

Comparative analysis of refrigerant performance between LPG and R134a under subtropical climate

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - In this investigation, a series of experiments were conducted to explore the effects of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) mixture of 60% propane and 40%...     

Amphiphilic liquid‐crystalline 4‐miktoarm star copolymers with a siloxane junction leading to cylindrically nanostructured templates for a siloxane‐based nanodot array

Well‐defined A₃B‐, A₂B₂‐, and AB₃‐type 4‐miktoarm star copolymers (M_n = 10,500–16,200, M_w/M_n = 1.16–1.18) consisting of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and polymethacrylate bearing an azobenzene mesogen (PMA(Az)) as the arms and cyclotetrasiloxane as the core unit were synthesized using a combined route composed of a thiol‐ene click reaction and atom transfer radical polymerization. Microphase‐separated structures of the star copolymers in thin films with a thickness of approximately 100 nm were investigated by GISAXS and TEM. The A₃B‐type star‐(PEO)₃[PMA(Az)]₁ copolymer formed a more highly ordered PEO cylinder array with perpendicular alignment in the PMA(Az) matrix than that of the corresponding linear‐type block copolymer. The center‐to‐center distance of the PEO cylinders and the cylinder diameter were 13 and 4 nm, respectively. The highly ordered star‐(PEO)₃[PMA(Az)]₁ thin film was directly transferred to a siloxane‐based nanodot array by oxygen reactive ion etching. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 1175–1188     

Porous shape memory polymers: Design and applications

Porous shape memory polymers (SMPs) exhibit geometric and volumetric shape change when actuated by an external stimulus and can be fabricated as foams, scaffolds, meshes, and other polymeric substrates that possess porous three-dimensional macrostructures. These materials have applications in multiple industries such as textiles, biomedical devices, tissue engineering, and aerospace. This review article examines recent developments in porous SMPs, with a focus on fabrication methods, methods of characterization, modes of actuation, and applications. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 1300–1318     

In situ ultrasonic measurements: a powerful tool to control the synthesis of zeolites from coal fly ash

An in situ ultrasonic diagnostic technique was applied to monitoring the hydrothermal synthesis of zeolite A and X of clear solution extracted from alkaline fused class F coal fly ash. In this context, kinetic evaluations based on in situ ultrasonic diagnostic data displayed an important approach to study the synthesis process. The impact on nucleation and crystal growth was demonstrated by variation of a few relevant parameters such as reaction temperature, amount of water, Na₂O and ageing time, including templated colloidal synthesis mixtures as model solution. To complement the kinetic analysis, ex situ techniques such as ICP, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering were used to investigate liquid phase and reaction products extracted from the reaction mixture during the synthesis.     

Highly active polymeric organocatalyst: Chiral ionic polymers prepared from 10,11‐didehydrogenated cinchonidinium salt

Since few examples of 10,11‐didehydrogenated (3‐ethynyl) cinchona alkaloids have been utilized as organocatalysts in asymmetric reaction, we synthesized 10,11‐didehydrogenated cinchonidine. The 3‐vinyl group of cinchonidine was transformed into a 3‐ethynyl functionality. Based on the resulting 10,11‐didehydrogenated cinchonidine, the corresponding quaternary ammonium salt and its dimers were prepared. The ion‐exchange reaction between the quaternary ammonium salt and sodium sulfonate produced the quaternary ammonium sulfonate as a stable ionic compound. Chiral ionic polymers were then synthesized by the ion‐exchange polymerization of the 10,11‐didehydrogenated cinchonidinium salt dimer and a disulfonate. The chiral ionic polymers were found to be capable of efficiently catalyzing the asymmetric alkylation of N‐(diphenylmethylene)glycine tert‐butyl ester. The enantioselectivities obtained with the polymeric catalysts were higher than those obtained with the corresponding monomeric catalyst. Dimers of 10,11‐didehydrogenated cinchonidinium salts were prepared. Treatment of the dimer with disodium disulfonate gave the chiral ionic polymers, which showed high catalytic activity in asymmetric benzylation of N‐(diphenylmethylen)glycine tert‐butyl ester. The polymeric catalysts were reused several times without the loss of catalytic activity. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 621–627