金属有机框架材料对[Fe（HB（pz）3）2] 自旋转换行为的影响

通过在介孔结构金属有机框架材料MIL^-101（Cr）和MIL^-100（Al）的孔洞中合成自旋交叉化合物[Fe（HB（pz）₃）₂] 的方法,可以得到SCO@MOF复合物。通过红外光谱（FTIR）、粉末X射线衍射（PXRD）、原子吸收光谱（AAS）以及气体吸附-脱附等进行了进一步测试。通过变温磁测量对复合材料的温度诱导自旋转换行为的研究表明,复合材料的自旋转换行为发生改变甚至是消失了。复合材料的这一现象可以解释为[Fe（HB（pz）3）2] 在MOF主体材料的孔洞中形成了一种新的结晶相,且孔壁压力将会阻碍[Fe（HB（pz）₃）₂] 从低自旋态向高自旋态转变。不同SCO@MOF复合物得到了相似的自旋转换行为结果。这确认了当自旋交叉化合物在金属有机框架材料孔洞中形成时,MOFs材料的限制压力或基体效应对其自旋转换行为的影响显然是至关重要的。     

金属有机框架材料对[Fe(HB(pz)3)2]自旋转换行为的影响

通过在介孔结构金属有机框架材料MIL-101（Cr）和MIL-100（Al）的孔洞中合成自旋交叉化合物[Fe（HB（pz）₃）₂]的方法,可以得到SCO@MOF复合物。通过红外光谱（FTIR）、粉末X射线衍射（PXRD）、原子吸收光谱（AAS）以及气体吸附-脱附等进行了进一步测试。通过变温磁测量对复合材料的温度诱导自旋转换行为的研究表明,复合材料的自旋转换行为发生改变甚至是消失了。复合材料的这一现象可以解释为[Fe（HB（pz）₃）₂]在MOF主体材料的孔洞中形成了一种新的结晶相,且孔壁压力将会阻碍[Fe（HB（pz）₃）₂]从低自旋态向高自旋态转变。不同SCO@MOF复合物得到了相似的自旋转换行为结果。这确认了当自旋交叉化合物在金属有机框架材料孔洞中形成时,MOFs材料的限制压力或基体效应对其自旋转换行为的影响显然是至关重要的。     

Novel fibrous composites based on electrospun PSF and PVDF ultrathin fibers reinforced with inorganic nanoparticles: Evaluation as oil spill sorbents

Oil spill accidents and oily wastewaters induce a negative impact to the environment and human health. Therefore, the developing of new sorbent materials to combat promptly such type of pollution is of great interest. In this work, poly(vinylidene fluoride) and polysulfone ultrathin fibers reinforced with Halloysite nanoclay and CoFe₂O₄ were developed via electrospinning method as composite sorbent materials. Fibrous composites were characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The magnetic property and the wetting behavior were ascertained by magnetometric and contact angle measurements, respectively. Results showed that the morphology of fibers was homogeneous, and the inorganic particles were properly dispersed within the polymeric matrix. Finally, sorbents were tested for sorption of oily liquids. Produced materials revealed the sorption capacities ranging from 3.70 to 10.01 g/g for poly(vinylidene fluoride)‐based composites, and from 15.69 to 28.21 g/g for polysulfone‐based composites, depending on the nature of tested oil.     

Two‐Step Spin Transition in a 1D FeII 1,2,4‐Triazole Chain Compound

A thermochromic 1D spin crossover coordination (SCO) polymer [Fe(βAlatrz)₃](BF₄)₂ ? 2 H₂O ( 1? 2 H₂O), whose precursor βAlatrz, (1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐yl‐propionate) has been tailored from a β‐amino acid ester is investigated in detail by a set of superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer, differential scanning calorimetry, infrared, and Raman measurements. An hysteretic abrupt two‐step spin crossover (T_1/2^↓=230 K and T_1/2^↑=235 K, and T_1/2^↓=172 K and T_1/2^↑=188 K, respectively) is registered for the first time for a 1,2,4‐triazole‐based Fe^II 1D coordination polymer. The two‐step SCO configuration is observed in a 1:2 ratio of low‐spin/high‐spin in the intermediate phase for a 1D chain. The origin of the stepwise transition was attributed to a distribution of chains of different lengths in 1? 2 H₂O after First Order Reversal Curves (FORC) analyses. A detailed DFT analysis allowed us to propose the normal mode assignment of the Raman peaks in the low‐spin and high‐spin states of 1? 2 H₂O. Vibrational spectra of 1? 2 H₂O reveal that the BF₄^? anions and water molecules play no significant role on the vibrational properties of the [Fe(βAlatrz)₃]²⁺ polymeric chains, although non‐coordinated water molecules have a dramatic influence on the emergence of a step in the spin transition curve. The dehydrated material [Fe(βAlatrz)₃](BF₄)₂ ( 1 ) reveals indeed a significantly different magnetic behavior with a one‐step SCO which was also investigated.     

Four-step spin-crossover in an oxamide-decorated metal-organic framework

Spin-crossover（SCO） complexes with multiple spin states are promising candidates for high-order magnetic storage and multiple switches. Here, by employing the N,N’-4-dipyridyloxalamide（dpo） ligand, we synthesize two Hofmann-type metal-organic frameworks（MOFs） [Fe（dpo）{Ag（CN）₂}₂]·3DMF（1） and [Fe（dpo）{Ag（CN）₂}₂]·0.5Me CN·2DEF（2）, which exhibit guest dependent four-step SCO behaviors with the sequences of LS → ～LS_2/3HS_1/3→ LS_1/2...     

Evaluating the electrochemical properties of PEO‐based nanofibrous electrolytes incorporated with TiO2 nanofiller applicable in lithium‐ion batteries

In the present work, nanofibrous composite polymer electrolytes consist of polyethylene oxide (PEO), ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC), lithium perchlorate (LiClO₄), and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) were designed using response surface method (RSM) and synthesized via an electrospinning process. Morphological properties of the as‐prepared electrolytes were studied using SEM. FTIR spectroscopy was conducted to investigate the interaction between the components of the composites. The highest room temperature ionic conductivity of 0.085 mS.cm^?1 was obtained with incorporation of 0.175 wt. % TiO₂ filler into the plasticized nanofibrous electrolyte by EC. Moreover, the optimum structure was compared with a film polymeric electrolyte prepared using a film casting method. Despite more amorphous structure of the film electrolyte, the nanofibrous electrolyte showed superior ion conductivity possibly due to the highly porous structure of the nanofibrous membranes. Furthermore, the mechanical properties illustrated slight deterioration with incorporation of the TiO₂ nanoparticles into the electrospun electrolytes. This investigation indicated the great potential of the electrospun structures as all‐solid‐state polymeric electrolytes applicable in lithium ion batteries.     

New Type of Neutral Binuclear Spin-Crossover Complex of Iron(III) with Twist of Two Disulfide Bridges as a Product of Electrochemical Oxidation of [FeIII(5Cl-thsa)2]− Anions

As a result of the electrochemical oxidation process, the [Fe^III(5Cl-thsa)₂]⁻ spin-crossover (SCO) anion with N₂S₂O₂ coordination sphere transforms into N₄O₂-coordinated Fe^III SCO neutral binuclear complex 2 with twist of two disulfide bridges. Each dimeric complex is a binuclear double-stranded helicate with similar chirality of both Fe centers. The crystal structure of the complex 2 ⋅ 3H₂O at 100 K has a monoclinic C2/c space group and contains large cavities (about 21.5 % of the unit cell volume) half-filled by 3 water molecules per one dimer. The N₄O₂ coordination of iron(III) with two oxygen atoms (−O⁻) of phenoxy groups, two imine-type (−N_im=) nitrogen atoms of azomethine groups, one amidrazone-type (=N_amidH) nitrogen atom and one ionized terminal group (−N_ionizH) of nitrogen has not been observed in CCDC so far. The oxidation state of the iron atoms in the dimeric complex was confirmed by ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy on 90 % enriched ⁵⁷Fe sample. Mössbauer spectra and dc magnetic measurements demonstrated the partial HS-HS→LS-LS SCO in the 185–225 K temperature range. The details of the structure of complex 2 and the features of its magnetic properties were refined by theoretical analysis based on DFT calculations. The B3LYP* functional correctly predicting the energy of the spin-crossover process was revealed.     

Transparent and flame retardant cellulose/aluminum hydroxide nanocomposite aerogels

Cellulose-based nanocomposite aerogels were prepared by incorporation of aluminum hydroxide (AH) nanoparticles into cellulose gels via in-situ sol-gel synthesis and following supercritical CO₂ drying. The structure and properties of cellulose/AH nanocomposite aerogels were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectrometry, N₂ adsorption, thermogravimetric analysis, and micro-scale combustion calorimetry. The results indicated that the AH nanoparticles were homogeneously distributed within matrix, and the presence of AH nanoparticles did not affect the homogeneous nanoporous structure and morphology of regenerated cellulose aerogels prepared from 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride solution. The resultant nanocomposite aerogels exhibited good transparency and excellent mechanical properties. Moreover, the incorporation of AH was found to significantly decrease the flammability of cellulose aerogels. Therefore, this work provides a facile method to prepare transparent and flame retardant cellulose-based nanocomposite aerogels, which may have great potential in the application of building materials.     

New Polylactic Acid Composites for Packaging Applications: Mechanical Properties,Thermal Behavior,and Antimicrobial Activity

The interest in antimicrobial packaging materials based on polylactic acid (PLA) polymers has increased due to the need to improve food safety and environment quality and also to find alternatives to synthetic polymers made from petrochemicals. PLA films by addition of different fillers (grape wastes and celery fibers) were obtained. The mechanical, thermal, surface, and antimicrobial properties of the films were evaluated. The incorporation of inexpensive fillers into the PLA matrix could reduce costs and the studied formulations offer approaches to realize composites with high performances and antimicrobial response, suitable for film food-active packaging materials, especially by use of grape wastes.     

Preparation of porous CaCO3/PAM composites by CO2 in water emulsion templating method

Emulsion templating is an effective method to prepare well-defined porous polymeric materials. In this paper, porous CaCO₃/polyacrylamide (PAM) composites were prepared by emulsion templating polymerization in supercritical CO₂(scCO₂) by using a commercial grade surfactant (FC4430), therefore, the amount of the fillers and the pore size distribution of the composites can be modulated based on the demands of those potential applications as biomaterials. Calcium carbonate crystals can be in situ synthesized in the porous PAM matrix, and the morphology of CaCO₃ varied with the conditions of the reaction, the results indicated that three kinds of crystals were observed in the porous matrix. The results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) showed that the macropores in PAM were interconnected and with narrow pore size distributions.     

Photocatalytic Degradation of Dyes Using Titania Nanoparticles Supported in Metal-Organic Materials Based on Iron

Composite materials based on titania nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs) and three metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) called MIL-53 (Fe) ((Fe (III) (OH) (1,4-BDC)), MILs (Materials Institute Lavoisier)), MIL-100 (Fe) (Fe₃O(H₂O)₂OH(BTC)₂), and Fe-BTC (iron-benzenetricarboxylate) with different percentages of TiO₂ NPs (0.5, 1, and 2.5% wt.) were synthesized using the solvothermal method and used as photocatalytic materials in the degradation of two dyes (Orange II and Reactive Black 5 (RB5)). The pristine and composite materials were characterized with X-ray diffraction, Raman, UV–Vis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy techniques. The 2.5TiO₂/MIL-100 composite material showed the best results for the degradation of both dyes (Reactive Black 5 and Orange II dye, 99% and 99.5% degradation in 105 and 150 min, respectively). The incorporation of TiO₂ NPs into MOFs can decrease the recombination of the change carrier in the MOF, increasing the photocatalytic activity of a pristine MOF. Results therefore indicated that the synthesized MOF nanocomposites have good potential for wastewater treatment.     

Stabilization of the Low‐Spin State in a Mononuclear Iron(II) Complex and High‐Temperature Cooperative Spin Crossover Mediated by Hydrogen Bonding

The tetrapyridyl ligand bbpya (bbpya=N,N‐bis(2,2′‐bipyrid‐6‐yl)amine) and its mononuclear coordination compound [Fe(bbpya)(NCS)₂] ( 1 ) were prepared. According to magnetic susceptibility, differential scanning calorimetry fitted to Sorai’s domain model, and powder X‐ray diffraction measurements, 1 is low‐spin at room temperature, and it exhibits spin crossover (SCO) at an exceptionally high transition temperature of T_1/2=418 K. Although the SCO of compound 1 spans a temperature range of more than 150 K, it is characterized by a wide (21 K) and dissymmetric hysteresis cycle, which suggests cooperativity. The crystal structure of the LS phase of compound 1 shows strong N?H???S intermolecular H‐bonding interactions that explain, at least in part, the cooperative SCO behavior observed for complex 1 . DFT and CASPT2 calculations under vacuum demonstrate that the bbpya ligand generates a stronger ligand field around the iron(II) core than its analogue bapbpy (N,N′‐di(pyrid‐2‐yl)‐2,2′‐bipyridine‐6,6′‐diamine); this stabilizes the LS state and destabilizes the HS state in 1 compared with [Fe(bapbpy)(NCS)₂] ( 2 ). Periodic DFT calculations suggest that crystal‐packing effects are significant for compound 2 , in which they destabilize the HS state by about 1500 cm^?1. The much lower transition temperature found for the SCO of 2 compared to 1 appears to be due to the combined effects of the different ligand field strengths and crystal packing.     

Room temperature conductance switching in a molecular iron(iii) spin crossover junction

Herein, we report the first room temperature switchable Fe(iii) molecular spin crossover (SCO) tunnel junction. The junction is constructed from [Fe^III(qsal-I)₂]NTf₂ (qsal-I = 4-iodo-2-[(8-quinolylimino)methyl]phenolate) molecules self-assembled on graphene surfaces with conductance switching of one order of magnitude associated with the high and low spin states of the SCO complex. Normalized conductance analysis of the current–voltage characteristics as a function of temperature reveals that charge transport across the SCO molecule is dominated by coherent tunnelling. Temperature-dependent X-ray absorption spectroscopy and density functional theory confirm the SCO complex retains its SCO functionality on the surface implying that van der Waals molecule—electrode interfaces provide a good trade-off between junction stability while retaining SCO switching capability. These results provide new insights and may aid in the design of other types of molecular devices based on SCO compounds.

Herein, we report the first room temperature switchable Fe(iii) molecular spin crossover (SCO) tunnel junction.     

Synergistic Effect Between Sb2O3 Nanoparticles–Trichloromelamine and Carbon Nanotube on the Flame Retardancy and Thermal Stability of the Cellulose Acetate

Sb₂O₃ nanoparticles were synthesized via a simple surfactant-free sonochemical reaction. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) have been successfully functionalized with amino groups. Cellulose acetate (CA) as a polymeric matrix was choosing in this work. In order to improve the thermal stability and flame retardancy of the CA, nanoparticles, aminated-MWCNT and trichloromelamine (TCM) were added to the polymeric matrix. The nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and UL-94 analysis. Flame retardancy of the nanocomposite was improved as a result of synergistic effect between Sb₂O₃ and TCM. Result show that thermal decomposition of the nanocomposites was shifted towards higher temperatures.     

The potential use of electrospun polylactic acid nanofibers as alternative reinforcements in an epoxy composite system

This pilot study elaborates the development of novel epoxy/electrospun polylactic acid (PLA) nanofiber composites at the fiber contents of 3, 5, and 10 wt % to evaluate their mechanical and thermal properties using flexural tests and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The flexural moduli of composites increase remarkably by 50.8 and 24.0% for 5 and 10 wt % fiber contents, respectively, relative to that of neat epoxy. Furthermore, a similar trend is also shown for corresponding flexural strengths being enhanced by 31.6 and 4.8%. Fractured surface morphology with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirms a full permeation of cured epoxy matrix into nanofiber structures and existence of nondestructive fibrous networks inside large void cavities. The glass transition temperature (T_g) of composites increases up to 54–60 °C due to embedded electrospun nanofibers compared to 50 °C for that of epoxy, indicating that fibrous networks may further restrict the intermolecular mobility of matrix in thermal effects. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014 , 52, 618–623     

Spin‐Crossover Complex on Au(111): Structural and Electronic Differences Between Mono‐ and Multilayers

Submono‐, mono‐ and multilayers of the Fe(II) spin‐crossover (SCO) complex [Fe(bpz)₂(phen)] (bpz=dihydrobis(pyrazolyl)borate, phen=1,10‐phenanthroline) have beenprepared by vacuum deposition on Au(111) substrates and investigated with near edge X‐ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). As evidenced by NEXAFS, molecules of the second layer exhibit a thermal spin crossover transition, although with a more gradual characteristics than in the bulk. For mono‐ and submonolayers of [Fe(bpz)₂(phen)] deposited on Au(111) substrates at room temperature both NEXAFS and STM indicate a dissociation of [Fe(bpz)₂(phen)] on Au(111) into four‐coordinate complexes, [Fe(bpz)₂], and phen molecules. Keeping the gold substrate at elevated temperatures ordered monolayers of intact molecules of [Fe(bpz)₂(phen)] are formed which can be spin‐switched by electron‐induced excited spin‐state trapping (ELIESST).     

Effect of Polythiophene Content on Thermomechanical Properties of Electroconductive Composites

The thermal, mechanical and electrical properties of polymeric composites combined using polythiophene (PT) dopped by FeCl₃ and polyamide 6 (PA), in the aspect of conductive constructive elements for organic solar cells, depend on the molecular structure and morphology of materials as well as the method of preparing the species. This study was focused on disclosing the impact of the polythiophene content on properties of electrospun fibers. The elements for investigation were prepared using electrospinning applying two substrates. The study revealed the impact of the substrate on the conductive properties of composites. In this study composites exhibited good thermal stability, with T₅ values in the range of 230–268 °C that increased with increasing PT content. The prepared composites exhibited comparable PA T_g values, which indicates their suitability for processing. Instrumental analysis of polymers and composites was carried out using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

Dendrimers and Hyperbranched Polyesters as Structure‐Directing Agents in the Formation of Nanoporous Silica

Anionic dendritic macromolecules (hyperbranched polyesters and polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers) and amine‐functionalized PAMAM dendrimers have been used as structure‐directing agents in the synthesis of nanoporous silica structures. When utilizing carboxylates as structure‐directing agents the incorporation of the negatively charged species into a SiO₂ framework was achieved via a sol‐gel synthesis route using a quaternized aminosilane as co‐structure‐directing agent to yield silica materials of various morphologies and high surface areas. Amine dendrimers as porogens gave materials with high surface areas, revealing increasing pore sizes corresponding to the increasing size of the porogen. The resulting materials have been characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ adsorption/desorption (BET), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).     

Nano-bio interface study between Fe content TiO2 nanoparticles and adenosine triphosphate biomolecules

The advent of nano-biotechnology has inspired the interface interaction study between engineered nanoparticles (NPs) and biomolecules. The interaction between Fe content titanium dioxide (TiO₂) NPs and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) biomolecules has been envisioned. The effect of Fe content in TiO₂ matrix was studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The increase in Fe content caused a decrease in particle size with change in morphology from spherical to one-dimensional rod structure. The Fe incorporation in the TiO₂ matrix reduced the transition temperature from anatase to rutile (A-R) phase along with formation of haematite phase of iron oxide at 400°C. The interaction of Fe content TiO₂ NPs with ATP molecule has been studied using spectroscopic method of Raman scattering and infrared vibration spectrum along with TEM. Fe content in TiO₂ has enhanced the interaction efficiency of the NPs with ATP biomolecules. Raman spectroscopy confirms that the NPs interact strongly with nitrogen (N₇) site in the adenine ring of ATP biomolecule. Engineering of Fe content TiO₂ NP could successfully tune the coordination between metal oxide NPs with biomolecules, which could help in designing devices for biomedical applications.     

Light- and temperature-assisted spin state annealing: accessing the hidden multistability

Among responsive multistable materials, spin crossover (SCO) systems are of particular interest for stabilizing multiple spin states with various stimulus inputs and physical outputs. Here, in a 2D Hofmann-type coordination polymer, [Fe(isoq)₂{Au(CN)₂}₂] (isoq = isoquinoline), a medium-temperature annealing process is introduced after light/temperature stimulation, which accesses the hidden multistability of the spin state. With the combined effort of magnetic, crystallographic and Mössbauer spectral investigation, these distinct spin states are identified and the light- and temperature-assisted transition pathways are clarified. Such excitation-relaxation and trapping-relaxation joint mechanisms, as ingenious interplays between the kinetic and thermodynamic effects, uncover hidden possibilities for the discovery of multistable materials and the development of multistate intelligent devices.

Two new two-stage manipulation protocols, namely light- and temperature-assisted spin state annealing (LASSA/TASSA), are applied to a spin crossover coordination polymer, [Fe(isoq)₂{Au(CN)₂}₂], revealing the hidden multistability of spin states.