Photoinduced electron transfer of [ Ru (bpy)_2 (4, 4'-dcbpy)]~(2 ) with electron donors

Emission quenching of [Ru(bpy)2(4, 4'-dcbpy)] (PF6)2 (1) by benzenamine,4-[2-[5-[4-[4-dimethylamino]phenyl]-4,5-di-hydro-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl]-ethenyl]-N,N-dimetyl (2) or 1, 5-diphenyl-3-(2-phenothiazine)-2-pyrazoline (3) was observed. Measurements of the emission decay of 1 before and after addition of 2 or 3 by single photon counting technique con-finned the observations. The emission quenching of 1 by 2 or 3 was submitted to Stern-Volmer equation. It was calculated that the quenching rate constants (kq) are 5.5 × 109(mol/L)-1s-1 for 2 and 4.0 × 109(mol/L)-1s-1 for 3, respectively. These results indicated a character of dynamic quenching process. The singlet-state of 2 or 3 was also quenched by 1. The quenching behaviors did not conform to the Stern- Volmer equation and involved both static and dynamic quenching processes. The apparent quenching rate constant (kapp) was calculated to be 3 × 109 (mol/L)-1 for the interaction of excited 2 with 1, and 1.2 × 109 (mol/L)-1 for that of excited 3 wit     

Studies of optical and structural properties of CdSe/polymer nanocomposites: evidence of charge transfer and photostability

In this work, the role of conducting [poly (p-phenylinevinylene) (PPV)] and nonconducting (polystyrene) polymers on the properties of their respective composites with CdSe quantum dots of varied sizes has been investigated. The emission and structural properties of polymer–CdSe composites are found to be dependent on the crystallite size and morphology of CdSe nanocrystallites. Smaller CdSe quantum dots (size, ∼5 nm) ensures efficient charge transfer process across polymer–CdSe interface as evident by almost complete quenching of photoluminescence (PL) emission as compared to larger CdSe quantum dots (size, ∼7 nm). Presence of residual trioctylphosphine (TOP)/ tri-n-octylphosphine-oxide (TOPO) species and agglomeration of particles act as a hindrance for quenching of emission and hence charge transfer for larger CdSe nanocrystallites. Emission studies indicated an increased conjugation length for PPV polymers in different solvents (toluene, pyridine) and in solid state. Nonconducting polymer polystyrene shows charge transfer across polymer–CdSe interface as well. However, polystyrene polymer has a shorter chain length, which ensures maximum coverage on the surface of CdSe nanocrystallites and provides better photostability to CdSe QDs within the polymer matrix as compared to that for PPV–CdSe nanocomposites.     

Fluorescence Quenching of Poly[2-methoxy-5-（2′-ethylhexoxy）-p-phenylene vinylene] （MEH-PPV） in Solutions

Fluorescence quenching processes of poly[2-methoxy-5-(2‘ethyl-hexoxy)-p-phenylene vinylene] (MEH-PPV) in solution by electron acceptors, O2 and acid, have been studied. Static quenching of the fluorescence from MEH-PPV by an electron acceptor (DDQ or TCNE) occurs due to electron transfer from MEH-PPV to the electron acceptor and this electron transfer quenching can be promoted by chloroform. Photooxidation takes place in the MEH-PPV solution and singlet oxygen is an intermediate in the photooxidation, according to the results of ESR spectroscopy. Acid also plays an important role in the fluorescence quenching process of MEH-PPV, by the protonation of the alkoxy groups in the molecular chain.     

Large enhancement of the ionic conductivity in an electron‐beam‐irradiated [poly(ethylene glycol)]xLiClO4 solid polymer electrolyte

The effect of electron‐beam (4–8 MeV) irradiation on the ionic conductivity of a solid polymer electrolyte, poly(ethylene glycol) complexed with LiClO₄, was studied. A large enhancement of the conductivity of nearly two orders of magnitude was observed for the highest dose of irradiation (15 kGy) used. The samples were characterized with differential scanning calorimetry, matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization, and electron spin resonance spectroscopy. Although no free radicals were present in the irradiated samples, a decrease in the glass‐transition temperature and an increase in the amorphous fraction were observed. Even though pure poly(ethylene glycol) underwent considerable fragmentation, unexpectedly, no significant fragmentation was observed in the polymer–salt complexes. The enhancement of the conductivity was attributed to an increase in the amorphous fraction of the systems and also to an increase in the flexibility of the polymer chains due to the irradiation. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 1299–1311, 2004     

Structural changes of silver polymer electrolytes: Comparison between poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline) and poly(N‐vinyl pyrrolidone) complexes with silver salt

The difference between the polymer matrices of poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline) (POZ) and poly(N‐vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) does not have a significant effect on the facilitated propylene transport and propylene solubility in 1:1 polymer/silver salt complex membranes, according to our previous work. In this article, its origin is investigated in terms of both microstructures of silver polymer electrolytes and the coordinative interaction of silver ion with polymer and with the counteranion. Initially different microstructures of POZ and PVP become similar to each other upon dissolving a large amount of silver salt, as evidenced by propane transport properties, specific volume, and Bragg d‐spacing. The dissolution of the silver salt in the polymer solvent strongly depends on the coordinative interaction between silver ion and carbonyl oxygen of POZ and PVP. Thus, the structural similarity upon dissolving silver salts in POZ and PVP is primarily determined by the coordinative interaction between silver ion and carbonyl oxygen, which was confirmed by theoretical structure calculation based on density functional theory and by IR and Raman spectroscopy. Therefore, facilitated olefin transport for silver polymer electrolyte membranes does not strongly depend on the polymeric matrix at high silver concentrations. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 232–237, 2004     

Tuning of the [Cu3(mu-O)]4+/5+ redox couple: spectroscopic evidence of charge delocalization in the mixed-valent [Cu3(mu-O)]5+ species

Trinuclear Cu (II)-complexes of formula [Cu (II) 3(mu 3-E)(mu-4-R-pz) 3X 3] (+/- n ), E = O and OH; R = H, Cl, Br, CH(O) and NO 2; X = Cl, NCS, CH 3COO, and py, have been synthesized and characterized and the effect of substitution of terminal ligands, as well as 4-R-groups, in the one-electron oxidation process has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry. In situ UV-vis-NIR spectroelectrochemical characterization of the mixed valence Cu 3 (7+)-complex [Cu 3(mu 3-O)(mu-pz) 3Cl 3] (-) revealed an intervalence charge transfer band at 9550 cm (-1) (epsilon = 2600 cm (-1) M (-1)), whose analysis identifies this species as a delocalized, Robin-Day class-III system, with an electronic coupling factor, H ab, of 4775 cm (-1).     

Poly(ethylene oxide)-polyurethane/poly(acrylonitrile) semi-interpenetrating polymer networks for solid polymer electrolytes: vibrational spectroscopic studies in support of electrical behavior

Studies on solid polymer electrolyte systems based on semi-interpenetrating polymer networks of poly(ethylene oxide)-polyurethane and poly(acrylonitrile) (PEO-PU/PAN) doped with lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate (LiCF₃SO₃) is reported. Room temperature FT-IR analysis indicates a salt solvation process that occurs predominantly in the polyether segments of the semi-IPNs and incorporation of salt is also seen to favor a morphological change in the matrix with a transition from semi-crystalline to amorphous phase. From the relative band areas a critical concentration (C_c) of salt can be identified where concentration of ionic species, morphology and amount of transient crosslinks is optimal to impart maximum conductivity, which is in agreement with the room temperature conductivity results. Thermal analysis of the semi-IPN lends further support to this observation. The temperature dependence of conductivity is found to follow the Arrhenius behavior at low temperatures (∼ upto 328 K) and VTF dependence at higher temperatures. This crossover in temperature dependent conductivity is attributed to the change in the phase morphology of the semi-IPNs beyond the crystalline melting temperature (T_m1) of the polyether segments.     

Highly sensitive detection of transient absorption in dye-doped ultrathin polymer films by the TiO(2)/K(+) composite optical waveguide method upon pulsed laser excitation

A composite optical waveguide (OWG) composed of a 10–18 nm thick titanium dioxide (TiO₂) film sputtered on a conventional K⁺-doped optical waveguide was first applied to detect transient absorption of organic dyes in ultrathin polymer films upon excitation with ns laser. The thickness of the TiO₂ film considerably affected the relative sensitivity of the composite OWG. The composite OWG with 10 nm thick TiO₂ gave much stronger transient absorption for 30–415 nm thick polymer films containing organic dyes than that with 18 nm TiO₂. Transient absorption of phthalocyanine and spiropyran in 20–135 nm thick polymer films was detected 3–20 times more sensitively by the composite OWG with 10 nm TiO₂ than the conventional K⁺-doped OWG which showed a 150-fold sensitivity as compared with the usual normal incidence method. The relative sensitivity of the composite waveguide was also affected by the thickness and refractive index of polymers.     

Complexes in polymers: FT-IR spectra and photochemistry of some monomeric organometallic carbonyl complexes in polystyrene,poly(methyl methacrylate), polystyrene—poly(methyl methacrylate) and polystyrene—polyacrylonitrile copolymers

A convenient method for embedding organometallic complexes in polymer films has been developed and the FT-IR spectra of these films have been investigated at room temperature. Infrared data in the n?(CO) stretching region are reported for M(CO)₆ (M = Cr, Mo, W), CpMn(CO)₃ (Cp = η⁵-C₅H₅), η-C₆H₆Cr(CO)₂L [L = CO, P(n-Bu)₃], (η₆-C₆H₅NH₂)Cr(CO)₃, [η⁶-o-C₆H₄(NH₂)MeCr(CO)₃], CpFe(CO)LR [L = CO, PPh₃; R = Me, C(O)Me] embedded in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polystyrene (PS), polystyrene-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS-PMMA), and polystyrene–polyacrylonitrile (PS-AN) plastic films. These matrices appear to approximate the common solvents ethyl acetate, toluene, toluene–ethyl acetate, and toluene–acetonitrile, respectively, with respect to n?(CO) vibrational band behavior. Several of the films have been subjected to UV irradiation and the photoproducts formed have been identified by FT-IR spectroscopy. PS-AN effectively traps photogenerated coordinatively unsaturated species via coordination of its pendant nitrile groups.     

Sorption and filtration of Hg(II) ions from aqueous solutions with a membrane containing poly(ethyleneimine) as a complexing polymer

The performances of a PVA/PEI complexing membrane for the removal of Hg(II) from aqueous solutions were investigated by performing sorption and filtration experiments. This membrane, that was previously shown to ensure efficient sorption of the heavy metal ions Pb(II), Cd(II) and Cu(II) at pH 5, presented a higher affinity for Hg(II) at pH 2.5. The sorption equilibrium was satisfactorily represented by the Langmuir model. In view of possible application to the treatment of industrial wastewaters, the effects of parameters such as pH, temperature, water hardness, and the presence of complexing chloride anions were investigated. The effect of increasing temperature was not straightforward: the complexation equilibrium constant decreased, but the mass of mercury sorbed increased, probably due to the higher mobility of the polymer chains that made internal sites available for complexing mercury. The maximum retention capacity of the membrane was 311 mg Hg g⁻¹. Also, operating at large calcium or chloride concentrations was not detrimental to the membrane performances. For regeneration of the membrane, a 0.05 M solution of EDTA is recommended on the basis of limited performance loss. When used in the filtration mode, the elimination ratio of Hg(II) was close to 99%.     

Positron annihilation lifetime (PAL) in poly[1-(trimethyl-silyl)propine] (PTMSP): Free volume determination and time dependence of permeability

PTMSP membranes were prepared and characterized. The mean molecular weight of the polymer was found to be 450,000 Da. Time dependence of the density, mechanical properties, IR spectra, DSC, PAL, and permeability data of the polymer and membranes are presented. A detailed analysis of PAL results for PTMSP samples under vacuum, in air, oxygen, and nitrogen atmosphere is presented with the aim to investigate the influence of the external atmosphere on the experimental PAL measurements and to determine correctly the size and the number of the free volume holes. From all the experimental data a model of a channel network is proposed for PTMSP with large holes (mean radium r = 0.75 nm) connected by channel-like holes (mean radium 0.45 nm). The number of large holes decreases by ageing, but not their size, whereas the number of small holes does not change but their size decreases. According to our model the decrease in the permeability of PTMSP with time could be caused by the decrease of the size of the channel-like holes. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

End‐group modification of poly(butyl acrylate) prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization: Mechanistic study using gradient polymer elution chromatography

The introduction of a functional group into a poly(butyl acrylate) polymer prepared by copper‐mediated atom transfer radical polymerization and the characterization of the prepared polymer by gradient polymer elution chromatography are reported. The bromo end group of the initial polymer can be transformed into a different functional group with several functionalization reactions, including nucleophilic substitution and atom transfer radical addition (ATRA), in combination with comonomers, addition–fragmentation transfer agents, or stable radicals. Several new functionalization agents are reported, including ATRA using 1‐(3‐hydroxymethyl‐phenyl)‐pyrrole‐2,5‐dione and trimethyl{1‐[4‐(2‐trimethylsiloxyethoxy)]phenylethenyloxy}silane and nucleophilic substitution using 2‐mercapto ethanol. The rate constant of the functionalization reaction and the final functionality are determined with gradient polymer elution chromatography, a technique by which qualitative and quantitative information about the conversion can be obtained. Polymers with a functionality greater than 95% are reported. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 2350–2359, 2002     

The spectroscopy, dynamics, and electronic structure of pyrenyl-dU nucleosides: P/dU charge transfer state photophysics

Various spectroscopies including UV-vis absorbance, emission, and emission quantum yield are combined with a variety of kinetics measurements including time resolved emission and nanosecond, picosecond, and femtosecond transient absorbance (TA) to systematize the P⁺/dU⁻ charge transfer (CT) state dynamics of a variety of pyrenyl-dU nucleoside conjugates in several solvents of varying polarity. These results are then analyzed further by means of electronic structure computations in vacuum and using two different solvent models. Finally, the excess electron dynamics of a number of DNA duplex structures substituted with two different pyrenyl-dU nucleosides and 5-XdU, where X=Br or F, electron traps are discussed in terms of achieving high yields of long-lived photoinduced CT products in DNA.     

Crystallographic report: Crystal structure of a three‐dimensional coordination polymer, [Cd(Hbtc)(H2O)]n (btc = 1, 2, 4−benzenetricarboxylate)

The three-dimensional coordination polymer [Cd(Hbtc)(H₂O)]_n ( 1 ) (btc = 1, 2, 4−benzenetricarboxylate) has been synthesized by hydrothermal reaction of cadmium(II) ions and 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic acid anhydride in which the cadmium(II) center is coordinated by one water molecule and five separated Hbtc ligands that define a distorted octahedral geometry. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Crystallization and structure formation in polymer blends with strong intermodular interactions: blends of poly(ethylene oxide) and styrene-hydroxystyrene copolymers

Time-resolved synchrotron wide- and small-angle X-ray scattering experiments were used to investigate crystallization behavior and microstructure development of a nearly monodisperse poly(ethylene oxide) [PEO] (M_w = 53,500), and its melt-miscible blends with two fractionated styrene - hydroxystyrene random copolymers [SHS]. PEO crystallization rates decrease significantly in the presence of the melt-miscible SHS copolymers. All low and high molecular weight SHS blends exhibit a crystallization process at relatively short times characterized by large Avrami exponents (n), followed by a dominant process with n near that of neat PEO. A model for the crystallization of these blends is proposed.     

Ionic interaction behavior and facilitated olefin transport in poly(n‐vinyl pyrrolidone):Silver triflate electrolytes; Effect of molecular weight

Interactions of cation/anion and cation/polymer in poly(N‐vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP):silver triflate (AgCF₃SO₃) electrolytes with different weight‐average molecular weights (M_w's) of 1 × 10⁶ (1 M), 3.6 × 10⁵ (360 K), 4 × 10⁴ (40 K), and 1 × 10⁴ (10 K) have been studied with IR and Raman spectroscopies. According to the change of the C?O peak, coordination of silver ions by C?O in a low M_w (10 or 40 K) PVP matrix tend to be always thermodynamically favorable than high M_w (1 M or 360 K) PVP, demonstrating that the polymer matrix of low M_w dissolves silver salts more effectively. In addition, silver cations interact with both larger SO and smaller CF₃ to form ion pairs, and the former interaction is stronger than the latter in a monomer or low M_w polymer matrix (40 K, 10 K), as demonstrated by theoretical ab initio calculation or experimental spectroscopy, respectively. However, CF₃ interacts more favorably with silver cation than SO in high M_w (1 M and 360 K) PVP, which is ascribed to the steric effect of the bulky SO anion by highly entangled polymer chains. Despite the superior dissolving property of the low M_w polymer matrix, the membranes consisting of low M_w PVP and AgCF₃SO₃ exhibited poor separation performance for propylene/propane mixtures in comparison with those of high M_w, presumably because of the poor mechanical property for membrane formation in low M_w PVP. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 1813–1820, 2002     

Proton-transfer polyaddition reactions in syntheses of linear,branched, and functionalized poly(p-divinyl aromatics). I. Synthesis,kinetics, and mechanism of formation of linear unsaturated poly[bis(p-vinylphenyl) ether]

A peculiar step-growth (cationic) polymerization of bis(p-vinylphenyl) ether (BVPE) in nonpolar or slightly polar aromatic solvents in the temperature range from 70 to 150°C in the presence of 2.5–5.0 mmol/L of p-toluenesulfonic acid has been studied. Optimum polymerization conditions were found. New linear unsaturated polymers of BVPE with terminal vinyl groups and weight-average molecular weight from 1500 to 10,000 were obtained. The structure and the formation mechanism of these oligomers and polymers were established, and the accompanying side reactions were considered. The rate constants were measured for eight temperatures, and the activation energy was found to be −42 kJ/mol. The optimum polymerization temperature was about 80°C. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions by filtration with a novel complexing membrane containing poly(ethyleneimine) in a poly(vinyl alcohol) matrix

A novel complexing membrane was used for the removal of heavy metal ions such as Pb(II), Cd(II) and Cu(II) from aqueous solutions. The membrane consists in a semi-interpenetrating polymer network of crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol) as the matrix and poly(ethyleneimine) as the complexing polymer. The absorption reactions followed pseudo-first-order kinetics with similar rate constants for the three cations. A model is proposed for the absorption–desorption process in order to rationalize the data obtained for the retention ratio and the retention efficiency ratio. The corresponding equilibrium constants were determined for the three metal ions, showing that the affinity order of the membrane is Pb > Cu > Cd. This sequence is consistent with the order of maximum uptake of the ions per gram of membrane: 0.59, 0.47 and 0.33 mmol g⁻¹, respectively. On the other hand, the uptake order is different on a mass basis: 123, 30 and 37 mg g⁻¹, respectively. Regeneration of the membrane and metal recovery were studied with HCl and HNO₃ at different concentrations. Filtration of solutions of each metal ion showed large elimination ratios (96–99.5%) with a retention sequence Cd > Cu > Pb. The membrane remained efficient until complete saturation of its sites. Moreover, Cu retention is larger than expected, indicating possible additional chelation by the PVA matrix. Better retention ratios were observed when the concentration of the feed solution was kept constant. Filtration of a mixture of the three cations (all at 100 ppm concentration) resulted in the same retention sequence, but the elimination ratios were smaller and Pb was eventually displaced by Cu and Cd that were present in larger molar concentrations.     

Homoconjugation in poly(phenylene methylene)s: A case study of non‐π‐conjugated polymers with unexpected fluorescent properties

Poly(phenylene methylene) (PPM) exhibits pronounced blue fluorescence in solutions as well as in the solid state despite its non‐π‐conjugated nature. Optical spectroscopy was used to explore the characteristics and the physical origin of its unexpected optical properties, namely absorption in the 350–450 nm and photoluminescence in the 400–600 nm spectral regions. It is shown that PPM possesses two discrete optically active species, and a relatively long photoluminescence lifetime (>8 ns) in the solid‐state. Given the evidence reported herein, π‐stacking and aggregation/crystallization, as well as the formation of anthracene‐related impurities, are excluded as the probable origins of the optical properties. Instead there is sufficient evidence that PPM supports homoconjugation, that is: π‐orbital overlap across adjacent repeat units enabled by particular chain conformation(s), which is confirmed by DFT calculations. Furthermore, poly(2‐methylphenylene methylene) and poly(2,4,6‐trimethylphenylene methylene) – two derivatives of PPM – were synthesized and found to exhibit comparable spectroscopic properties, confirming the generality of the findings reported for PPM. Cyclic voltammetry measurements revealed the HOMO–LUMO gap to be 3.2–3.3 eV for all three polymers. This study illustrates a new approach to the design of light‐emitting polymers possessing hitherto unknown optical properties. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017 , 55, 707–720