Fabrication of coloured liquid crystal device using photoluminescent biomolecular chlorophyll

We fabricated a coloured liquid crystal (LC) device using photoluminescent biomolecular chlorophyll. The chlorophyll molecule, which is inexpensive because of its abundance in nature, was doped in the LCs for manufacturing the coloured LC device. We confirmed the green colour property of the LC doped with chlorophyll dye using UV-vis spectroscopy. Although the LC cell filled with 0.5 wt% chlorophyll showed good vertical alignment and fast response time, the doping of LC medium with 1.5 wt% chlorophyll resulted in imperfect vertical alignment and slowed response time due to the aggregation of chlorophyll molecules at high concentration. Furthermore, the photoluminescence (PL) characteristics of the LC doped with chlorophyll were investigated using PL spectroscopy. The coloured LC cell doped with chlorophyll dye showed emission in the red wave number region under UV light. As the LC doped with chlorophyll exhibited good colour performance, conventional colour filter layers could be avoided with the employment of the proposed coloured LC device. By controlling the light source, it is possible to apply the advanced LC device for colour switching. Moreover, a full-colour-switching LC device can be realised using various biomolecular dyes that can emit other colours.     

Synthesis and photochromism of spirobenzopyran derivatives bearing an oxymethylcrown ether moiety: metal ion-induced switching between positive and negative photochromisms

Spirobenzopyran derivatives carrying an oxymethylcrown ether moiety were synthesized, and their photochromism was studied in the presence of various metal ions in acetonitrile. The metal ion complexing ability of the crown ether moiety in crowned spirobenzopyrans affects both thermal isomerization and photoisomerization of their spirobenzopyran moiety to a great extent. When the interaction of the crown ether moiety with a metal ion was strong enough to cause thermal isomerization of the spirobenzopyran moiety to its corresponding merocyanine form and to suppress UV-induced isomerization to the merocyanine form, a negative photochromism appears. On the other hand, a relatively weak interaction of the crown ether moiety with a metal ion affords a positive photochromism. This phenomenon enables us to switch the photochromic behavior between positive and negative photochromisms.     

Dielectric Spectroscopy Analysis of Liquid Crystals Recovered from End-of-Life Liquid Crystal Displays

In the present work, the dielectric properties of recycled liquid crystals (LCs) (non-purified, purified, and doped with diamond nanoparticles at 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 wt%) were investigated. The studied LC mixtures were obtained from industrial recycling of end-of-life LC displays presenting mainly nematic phases. Dielectric measurements were carried out at room temperature on a frequency range from 0.1 to 10⁶ Hz using an impedance analyzer. The amplitude of the oscillating voltage was fixed at 1 V using cells with homogeneous and homeotropic alignments. Results show that the dielectric anisotropy of all purified samples presents positive values and decreases after the addition of diamond nanoparticles to the LC mixtures. DC conductivity values were obtained by applying the universal law of dielectric response proposed by Jonscher. In addition, conductivity of the doped LC mixtures is lower than that of the undoped and non-purified LC.     

Effects on molecular orientation and phase transition of addition of carbon nanotubes into liquid crystalline matrix

For practical guest–host applications, it is important to choose dyes with a high ability of orientation in the liquid crystal (LC) matrix. In this experimental work, two different azo-structured dyes (disperse yellow 3 and 7) were separately doped to each of two different nematic LCs (E7 and ZLI-1132). Their solubilities, textures, phase transition temperatures and order parameters were determined. At the second stage, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) in a small amount were separately added to each of these solutions, and the experiments were repeated as similar to the previous ones. The solubilities of dyes in the LC E7 were lower than those of ZLI-1132. Moreover, the highest order parameter value was attained with yellow 7 dye in ZLI-1132 nematic host. Co-use of nanoparticles (CNTs) as dopant resulted in notable increases in order parameters. These dyes and CNTs did not significantly destabilise the mesomorphic phase of nematic hosts. An appreciable change in textures was not monitored with addition of dopant(s). In addition, it was observed that the narrowing on the temperature range of the LC did not take place with the addition of dopants to the crystal; on the contrary, an increase was recorded.     

Synthesis and mesomorphism of tetrafluoro substituted 4-cyano oligophenyls

ABSTRACT

The synthesis and characterisation of new liquid crystal (LC) compounds based on terphenyl core are described. New family of dielectrically positive compounds presents alternative molecular approach to the conventional LC design. Correlations between molecular structure and mesomorphic properties for compounds being cyano terminated analogues as well as other known from the literature have been drawn. Compounds are characterised by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (electron ionisation) analysis. They show monotropic nematic behaviour in broad temperature range, confirmed by a polarising thermomicroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry. Detailed synthetic procedures are attached. Synthesised compounds stand as promising components of medium to highly birefringent liquid crystalline mixtures.     

In-source fragmentation of partially oxidized mono- and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry coupled to liquid chromatography

Partially oxidized derivatives of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are known to be important environmental pollutants. For the identification of these substances in complex mixtures, e.g. atmospheric aerosol samples, liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (LC/APCI-MS) has been found to be a suitable analytical technique. In this study 31 derivatives of mono- and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with up to five condensed aromatic rings carrying different functional groups (carboxyl, dicarboxylic anhydride, lactone, hydroxyl, and carbonyl) were characterized by LC/APCI-MS. Each substance was measured in positive and negative ion detection mode at four different fragmentor voltages (90 to 190 V). For the first time, the results show that characteristic and well-interpretable fragmentation patterns can be obtained for these classes of compounds by in-source collision-induced dissociation in a single quadrupole LC/APCI-MS system. For each class of compounds typical spectral features and optimum measurement conditions are reported, and fragmentation pathways are proposed. The study demonstrates the applicability of LC/APCI-MS for the determination of most of the investigated compounds at trace levels, and it provides a database for the identification of unknown partially oxidized aromatic hydrocarbons. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Voltage-expandable liquid crystal surface

Based on dielectrophoretic effect, we report a novel approach which can extensively spread a liquid crystal (LC) interface. With interdigitated striped electrodes, the droplets can be stretched along the striped electrode direction; while with zigzag interdigitated electrodes, the droplets can be further stretched sidewise. In our demonstration, the occupied area of a 1.9-mm-aperture LC droplet doped with 1.2 wt% black dye could be expanded over ～3.5× at 78 V(rms). The spreading and recovering times were measured to be ～0.39 s and ～0.75 s, respectively. The slower response time confirms the extreme expanding of the LC surface. The contrast ratio is over ～120?:?1 in transmissive mode. Color light switch was also demonstrated by spreading colored-dye doped LC droplets. The mechanical stability of the device was also evaluated. Liquid devices based on this cell structure have the advantages of good stability, simple operation and low power consumption. This work opens a new gateway for voltage controllable, polarization-insensitive, and broadband liquid photonic devices which may find numerous applications in switchable windows, variable optical attenuators, and displays.     

Cyano terminated tolane compounds for polymer dispersed liquid crystal application: relationship between cyano terminated tolane based molecular structures and electro-optical properties

ABSTRACT

The structures of the liquid crystal (LC) molecules have a key role in impacting the electro-optical performance of a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) film. In this paper, the relationship between the LC molecular structures and the electro-optical properties of PDLC films is investigated based on an unexplored cyano-terminated tolane compounds (CTTCs) doped E8 LCs/UV polymers system. Due to the high polarity of CTTCs, LCs doped with the cyano-terminated tolane (CTT) molecules exhibit high birefringence and large positive dielectric anisotropy. On the whole, PDLC films doped with the CTT molecules exhibit a lower driving voltage than that doped with the pure E8. More excitingly, PDLC films based on CTT molecules with larger length-to-width ratio and longer conjugated system show higher contrast ratio (CR) and faster response time. Eventually, the mechanism of the effects of CTT-based molecular structures and the relationship between the electro-optical performance of PDLC films and CTT molecules are illustrated. This work paves a new way for optimising the electro-optical properties of PDLC films.     

Effect of functionalised silver nanoparticle on the elastic constants and ionic transport of a nematic liquid crystal

ABSTRACT

Addition of nanomaterial into pure nematic liquid crystals (NLCs) leads to improvement in the various physical properties of the liquid crystal (LC) host. Doping of nanomaterials affects the local molecular arrangement of the LC molecules. Here, we present the results of our investigation on the effect of functionalised silver nanoparticles (f-AgNPs) on the physical properties of the rod-shaped NLC, 4-trans-pentyl-cyclohexyl cyanobenzene (5PCH). The dielectric constant, threshold voltage, elastic constants, birefringence and conductivity measurements were performed on pure 5PCH and its f-AgNPs doped nanocomposites as a function of temperature in planar cell. The magnitude of dielectric anisotropy, elastic constants and birefringence in nanocomposites were enhanced with increasing concentration of f-AgNPs indicating enhancement of order parameter in the nematic medium. Threshold voltage decreases with increasing concentration of f-AgNPs. Both parallel and perpendicular components of conductivity decrease with increasing concentration of f-AgNPs due to the absorption of ion by the doped f-AgNPs. This observed decrease in conductivity in nanocomposites is further confirmed by calculating the ion transportation number and time of flight. The ion transport number i.e ionic contribution present in the LC cell was found to be 0.966 in pure 5PCH, whereas 0.830 in 0.5 wt% of f-AgNPs nanocomposite of 5PCH.     

18-冠-6修饰苝酰亚胺衍生物的合成及离子识别行为

合成了一种18-冠-6修饰的苝酰亚胺衍生物(1), 研究了其作为主体对金属离子与阴离子的选择性识别行为. 结果表明, 主体1对Ba²⁺离子具有一定的选择性响应, 并可以通过Ba²⁺调控主体1的堆积行为; 主体1还对F^-离子有选择性响应, F^-与苝酰亚胺单元之间发生了阴离子-π相互作用.     

Impact of co-doping concentration in copolymer network liquid crystals

ABSTRACT

The impact of varying the co-doping concentration of a mesogenic and a non-mesogenic monomer in the reactive mixtures used to create a copolymer network LCs was investigated. Use of copolymer has been found to improve the response properties in the obtained liquid crystal composites. The polymer network in the studied copolymer network LCs was examined by scanning electron microscopy and the response times in various samples were investigated. Samples were prepared with various reactive mixtures, each of which had a constant concentration of mesogenic monomer, various concentrations of non-mesogenic monomer, and the same amount of photoinitiator. These reactive mixtures were filled in home assembled test cells with planar alignment and then exposed to UV light. With increasing concentration of the non-mesogenic monomer, the response properties of the resulting copolymer network LC were improved. Usually, if the overall polymer content in a polymer network LC is increased, the threshold voltage is also increased. However, both threshold voltages and response times were lowered and the response properties were thus improved in the studied copolymer network LCs. This unexpected behavior could be traced back to inducing a grainy polymer morphology of the copolymer network by using a non-mesogenic monomer.     

Multiple-stage mass spectrometry analysis of bisphenol A diglycidyl ether, bisphenol F diglycidyl ether and their derivatives

The fragmentation of bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE), bisphenol F diglycidyl ether (BFDGE) and their derivatives was studied by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Multiple-stage mass spectrometry and accurate mass measurements were combined to establish the fragmentation pathways. BADGEs and BFDGEs tend to form ammonium adducts under electrospray conditions which fragmented easily. The fragmentation of [M+NH(4)](+) for BADGEs started with the cleavage of the phenyl-alkyl bond, which was followed by the α-cleavage of the ether group to generate the characteristic product ions at m/z 135, [C(9)H(11)O](+), and m/z 107, [C(7)H(7)O](+). The fragmentation of the BFDGE isomer mixtures was studied by on-line reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled to multiple-stage mass spectrometry (LC/MS(n)). Information obtained from product ion spectra for each BFDGE isomer and its comparison with the fragmentation pathway of BADGE allowed each isomer and the chromatographic elution order to be identified.     

Design of sodium lanthanide fluoride nanocrystals for NIR imaging and targeted therapy

Since the 18th century, rare-earth ions have been widely used as active dopants in inorganic lattices due to their unique optical properties. Rare-earth doping can control the crystal phase, morphology and size of nanomaterials, resulting in adjustable optical response of doped nanomaterials. The substrate of nanostructures can greatly affect the physical and chemical behavior of rare-earth ions. Therefore, it is also important to find suitable host materials. Among various new host materials, sodium lanthanide fluoride (NaLnF₄) nanoparticles are known for their photoluminescence properties and stability. This paper emphasizes the latest progress of NaLnF₄ and its derivatives nanoparticles and their related applications in various biological fields. This review covers the key criteria of NaLnF₄ and its derivatives, including basic electronic structure, lattice environment, doping strategy, surface functionalization and basic design principles for biological applications. At the same time, this paper also discusses the obstacles encountered in the development process and the research directions and challenges of future new applications.     

Effects of thiophene-based mesogen terminated with branched alkoxy group on the temperature range and electro-optical performances of liquid crystalline blue phases

A series of symmetrically thiophene-based bent-shaped molecules with branched terminal was synthesised and characterised. Then, their effects as dopants on the blue phase (BP) range of the chiral nematic liquid crystal (N*LC) host were investigated. It was found that the bent-shaped dopants with branched terminal had better miscibility in LC host than the bent-shaped dopants with straight terminal, and contributed to induce BP and enhance the BP temperature range, with the maximum BP temperature range about 20.4°C. Besides, the electro-optical (E-O) performances of the blue phase liquid crystal doped with Th-BC6 (a bent-shaped dopant with the widest induced BP range in N*LC) were also explored. It was found that the drive voltage reduced first and then increased with the doping amount of Th-BC6 increasing. When the doping amount of Th-BC6 was about 15 wt%, the hysteresis could be strikingly reduced.     

Two-dimensional analysis of phospholipids by capillary liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

A phospholipid mixture extracted from cultured cells was directly analyzed by capillary (Cap) liquid chromatography (LC)/electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry (MS). Using a quadrupole mass spectrometer, we analyzed positive molecular ions, negative molecular ions, positive fragment ions and negative fragment ions under four different functions. In the analysis of the elution patterns of the phospholipids, a two-dimensional map, in which the first dimension is elution time and the second dimension is mass, proved useful. Consequently, four different maps can be obtained by each of four different functions. Among them, from negative fragment ions at high cone voltage in the negative ion mode, ions that originated from acyl fatty acid and phosphorylcholine, phosphorylethanolamine and cyclic inositol phosphate can be detected at specific elution times. The map from positive fragment ions at high cone voltage in the positive ion mode indicated ions such as diradylglycerol and derivatives of 1-alkyl or 1-alkenyl cyclic phosphatidic acid from phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and phosphorylcholine from choline-containing phospholipids. The map produced from positive molecular ions indicated choline-containing phospholipids such as phosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin, lysophosphatidylcholine and PE. The map of negative molecular ions effectively indicated acidic phospholipids such as phosphatidylinositol. We were able to obtain more than 500 molecular species of phospholipids by this method within a few hours immediately after extraction from culture cells using a mixture of chloroform and methanol (2:1). In this context, we concluded that the combination of Cap-LC and ESIMS seems to be very effective in the analysis of phospholipid classes and their molecular species.     

Tunable Phosphorescence/Fluorescence Dual Emissions of Organic Isoquinoline-Benzophenone Doped Systems by Alkoxy Engineering

Dual/multi-component organic doped systems with room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) properties have been developed. However, the unknown luminescence mechanism still greatly limits the development of the doped materials. Herein, a new doped system exhibiting phosphorescence/fluorescence dual emission (Φ_phos=4–24 % and τ_phos=101–343 ms) is successfully constructed through prediction and design. A series of isoquinoline derivatives with different alkoxy chains were selected as the guests. Benzophenone was chosen as the host owing to the characteristics of low melting point and good crystallinity. The alkoxy chain lengths of the guests are first reported to be used to control the fluorescence and phosphorescence intensities of the doped materials, which results in different prompt emission colors. Additionally, the doped ratio of the guest and host can also control the luminous intensities of the materials. In particular, the doped materials still exhibit phosphorescent properties even if the ratio of the guest/host is as low as 1:100 000.     

Photo‐alignment material with azobenzene‐functionalized polymer linked in film

Application of a new azo‐polymer as a photo‐alignment material for liquid crystals (LCs) was demonstrated. 4‐(Vinyloxyethyloxy)azobenzene (VAZO), which has thermally reactive vinyl ether groups, reacted with the ? OH groups of poly(4‐hydroxystyrene) (PHS) during the baking process. The azo‐attached polymer (PHS‐VAZO) film showed anisotropic spectra after exposure to 365‐nm linear polarized light (LPL) unlike the VAZO‐doped poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) film. The anisotropy of the film was small at high concentration of the azo‐chromophore because of thermal randomization of the polarized state. In the evaluation of photo‐alignment of the LC, the LC hybrid cell using the PHS‐VAZO film achieved high LC alignment. The azo‐attached polymer using the thermal reaction of vinyl ethers is useful for a photo‐alignment material. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cation complexation behavior of pyrene- and anthracene-appended new crown ether derivatives

Pyrene- and anthracene-appended new crown ether derivatives have been synthesized by Schiff's base reaction, and cation complexation behavior was investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy measurements. Based on photo-induced electron transfer and intramolecular charge transfer mechanism, the host molecules emit stronger fluorescence in the presence of various cations Na(+), K(+), Rb(+), Cs(+) and NH(4)(+) since the complexation between guest cations and crown ether compounds inhibit partial electron transfer from the nitrogen atom to the chromophores and subsequently fluorescence is enhanced. The binding constants were estimated from the plots of the fraction of binding sites filled for crown ether compound as a function of free-ion concentration. Results show that 15-crown-5 derivatives exhibit higher binding ability with sodium cations while 18-crown-6 derivatives had higher affinity for potassium cations, which is consistent with the hole-size relationship of the crown ethers. Ammonium ion complexation caused largest fluorescence enhancement. It is understood that ammonium ion cannot only complex with crown ether, but also interact directly with the lone pair electrons of nitrogen atom in C=N bond so that electron transfer from the nitrogen atom to chromophores is further inhibited.     

Cooperative molecular recognition of dyes by dyad and triad cyclodextrin-crown ether conjugates

Three beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CyD) derivatives with crown ether units, that is N-(4'-benzo-15-crown-5)-6-imino-6-deoxy-beta-CyD (2), 6,6'-[N-(4,4'-dibenzo-18-crown-6)-imino]-bridged bis(beta-CyD)(3), and 2,2'-[O-(4',5'-benzo-15-crown-5)-ethyl]-bridged bis (beta-CyD)(5), were synthesized as cooperative recognition receptor models. Their molecular binding behavior with four representative fluorescent dyes, i.e., ammonium 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS), sodium-6-toluidino-2-naphthalene-sulfonate (TNS), Acridine Red (AR) and Rhodamine B (RhB), was investigated in buffer solutions (pH = 7.20) at 25 degreesC by means of circular dichroism, NMR and fluorescence spectroscopy. 2D-ROESY experiments showed that dyad host 2 and triad host 3 adopted a CyD-guest-crown ether binding mode, while triad host 5 adopted a CyD-guest-CyD binding mode, upon inclusion complexation with guest molecules. Therefore, hosts 2 and 3 showed high molecular recognition ability towards charged guests, giving an enhanced binding ability up to 115 times for ANS by 3 and fairly high molecular selectivity up to 1450 times for the ANS/AR pair by 2 as compared with native beta-CyD in an aqueous phosphate buffer solution. On the other hand, host 5 was found to be able to effectively recognize the shape of a guest molecule, showing significantly higher binding ability towards linear guests. The binding affinities and molecular recognition abilities of these CyD-crown ether conjugates towards guest molecules are discussed from the viewpoint of electrostatic and/or hydrophobic interactions, size/shape-fit concept, and multiple recognition mechanism between host and guest.     

Accurate mass and nuclear magnetic resonance identification of bisphenolic can coating migrants and their interference with liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometric analysis of bisphenol A

Two unknown compounds were previously determined to be potential interferences in liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) analysis of bisphenol A (BPA) in canned infant formula. Both yielded two identical MS/MS transitions to BPA. The identities of the unknowns were investigated using accurate mass LC/MS, LC/MS/MS, and elemental formula and structures proposed. Exact identities were confirmed through purification or synthesis followed by (1)H and (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments, as well as comparisons of one unknown with commercial standards. Comparisons of negative ion electrospray ionization (ESI) MS/MS and accurate mass spectra suggested both unknowns to be structurally identical (to BPA and each other). Positive ion ESI spectra confirmed both were larger molecules, suggesting that in the negative mode they likely fragmented to the deprotonated BPA ion in the source [corrected]. Elemental composition of positive ion accurate mass spectra and NMR analysis concluded the unknowns were oxidized forms of the known epoxy can coating monomer, bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE). One of the unknowns, 2,2-[bis-4-(2,3-dihydroxypropoxy)phenyl]propane, commonly known as BADGE*2H(2)O, is widely reported as an epoxy-phenolic can coating migrant, but has not been suggested to interfere with the MS/MS analysis of BPA. The other unknown, 2-[4-(2,3-dihydroxypropoxy)phenyl]-2-[4'-hydroxyphenyl]propane, or the oxidized form of bisphenol A monoglycidyl ether (BAMGE*H(2)O), has not been previously reported in food or packaging.