Extended pi-conjugated dendrimers based on truxene

The largest pi-conjugated dendrimers containing up to nine 10,15-dihydro-5H-diindeno[1,2-alpha;1',2';-c]fluorene (truxene) moieties have been prepared with good yields by repetitive Friedel-Crafts acetylation and acid-promoted cyclotrimerization reactions. An alternative approach to the convergent synthesis of desired dendrimers has been developed, in which the core is generated "in-situ" by acid-promoted cyclotrimerizations of aryl methyl ketones. This proves valuable to afford large-size and precisely well-defined dendrimers in an accelerated dendrimer-growth strategy utilizing enlarged repeat units. The increasing amount of SiCl4 dramatically improves the yield of cyclotrimerization reactions. The introduction of hexahexyl groups onto C-5, C-10, C-15 positions of the truxene moiety greatly enhances the solubility of our compounds. Further investigation indicates that the torsion angle between the truxene segment and the benzene ring might play a key role in determining the photo properties of pi-conjugated dendrimers.     

Dye-sensitized solar cells based on functionalized truxene structure

Three new metal-free organic dyes(TX1, TX2 and TX3) based on truxene core structure, with triphenylamine as the electron donor, thiophene as the p spacers, and cyanoacetic acid or rhodanine-3-acetic acid as the electron acceptor are designed and synthesized. Their UV–vis absorption spectra,electrochemical and photovoltaic properties were investigated. The cyanoacrylic acid is verified to be a better acceptor unit(meanwhile the anchoring group) compared to the rhodanine-3-acetic acid. And also, two anchoring groups in TX2 could provide stronger adsorption ability on the Ti O2 surface. In addition, the EIS results indicate a slower charge recombination processes for TX2. As a result, dye TX2 bearing two cyanoacetic acid outperforms the other two dyes, exhibiting the photo-conversion efficiency of 2.64%, with Jsc= 5.09 m A cm–2, Voc= 729 m V, FF = 71.1.     

pi-Conjugated twin molecules based on truxene: synthesis and optical properties

[structure: see text] A series of novel extended pi-conjugated twin molecules based on 10,15-dihydro-5H-diindeno[1,2-alpha;1',2'-c]fluorene (truxene) have been prepared via Pd(0)-catalyzed Suzuki coupling, Sonogashira coupling, and McMurry reactions, respectively. 9,9'-Spirobifluorenylene, ethynylene, and vinylene groups as the bridge are introduced to connect both truxene moieties to understand the effect of the large steric chromophores on the properties of the desired materials. The investigation of optical properties of TM1-3 by UV-vis and photoluminescent spectroscopy demonstrates that the optical properties of the twin molecules are strongly affected by the pi-linkages.     

Energy transfer rates and pathways of single donor chromophores in a multichromophoric dendrimer built around a central acceptor core

An artificial light-harvesting dendrimer showing highly efficient electronic excitation energy transfer from four peripheral donors to one central acceptor has been investigated by single-molecule spectroscopy at low temperatures. Confocal imaging in combination with frequency selective excitation spectroscopy gives direct access to energy transfer rates of individual donors and allows the determination of energy transfer pathways within a single multichromophoric aggregate.     

三聚茚有机光电功能材料在太阳电池领域的应用

三聚茚可经一步反应合成,功能化程度高,是规整的、纳米级的刚性结构,能通过平衡分子之间聚集尺寸的大小来控制激子扩散长度继而调节分子之间的相互作用;而且,三聚茚具有优良的荧光性能、热稳定性能和空穴传输性能,是应用广泛的有机光电材料.本文从太阳电池领域(有机太阳电池、钙钛矿太阳电池和染料敏化太阳电池)出发,综述了国内外对三聚茚材料的研究工作,总结了三聚茚材料对太阳电池领域的发展所做出的贡献.     

Fluorescence-based fibre optic arrays: a universal platform for sensing

Optical fibres provide a universal sensing platform as they are easily integrated with a multitude of different sensing schemes. Such schemes enable the preparation of a multitude of sensors from relatively straightforward pH sensors, to more complex ones, including artificial olfaction sensors, high-density oligonucleotide arrays, and high-throughput cell-based arrays. Imaging fibre bundles comprised of thousands of fused optical fibres are the basis for an optically connected, individually addressable parallel sensing platform. Fibre optic imaging bundles possess miniature feature sizes (3-10 micron diameter fibres), allowing high-density sensor packing (approximately 2 x 10(7) sensors per cm2). Imaging fibre bundles transmit coherent images enabling combined imaging and sensing, relating the responses monitored by the sensor to observable physical changes. The individual fibre cores can also be selectively etched to form a high-density microwell array capable of housing complementary sized microsensors. The miniature feature sizes facilitate a faster response and more sensitive measurement capabilities. The platform is extremely versatile in its sensing design, allowing the sensing scheme to be tailored to fit the experimental design, whether for monitoring single analytes or more complex multiplexed assays. A number of sensing schemes and applications are described in this review.     

Facile solution route to vertically aligned, selective growth of ZnO nanostructure arrays

For any future cost-effective applications of inorganic nanostructures, in particular, hybrid photovoltaic cells, it is essential that these inorganic nanomaterials be solution processable and selectively printable. This letter reports the selective growth of single-crystal ZnO nanostructures based on the microcontact printing of an inorganic nanocrystal seeding film. The pattern-transfer quality is dependent on the concentration of the inking solution. Variable yet controllable anisotropic growth of ZnO nanowires has been demonstrated on the transferred patterns of ZnO nanocrystal films. The patterning and growth of these highly ordered arrays of ZnO nanostructures employ a simple soft lithography technique and mild reaction conditions at low temperature and in the absence of harmful organic additives.     

Nanosized pi-conjugated molecules based on truxene and porphyrin: synthesis and high fluorescence quantum yields

[reaction: see text] A series of novel nanosized pi-conjugated molecules based on both truxene and porphyrin moieties with high fluorescence quantum yields have been prepared via the Suzuki cross-coupling and the Lindsey reactions. The investigation of optical properties demonstrates that various aryl groups as the antenna efficiently enhance the intramolecular and intermolecular energy transfer. These nanosized macromolecules emitting intense red light might be good candidates for photonic and electronic devices.     

A multichromophoric dendrimer: from synthesis to energy up-conversion in a rigid matrix

A dendrimer with a [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) complex as a core and four diphenylanthracene units at the periphery was prepared from a scaffold based on a bipyridyl ligand bearing four terminal alkyne groups. Upon green light excitation, the dendrimer shows blue luminescence even in a rigid matrix at 77 K thanks to the dendritic multichromophoric structure.     

Sensor technologies based on a cellulose supported platform

A simple approach to sensor development based on encapsulating a probe molecule in a cellulose support followed by regeneration from an ionic liquid solution is demonstrated here by the codissolution of cellulose and 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride followed by regeneration with water to form strips which exhibit a proportionate (1 : 1) response to Hg(II) in aqueous solution.     

Cross-reactive arrays based on three-way junctions

We report herein a novel system for the parallel processing of molecular recognition events utilizing arrays of oligonucleotide-based fluorescent sensors to characterize hydrophobic molecules in solution. The binding domains of the sensors were based on three-way junctions that utilize double helical stems as framework regions to reliably fold regardless of variations in or around the binding domain. A reporting domain was introduced by the specific substitution of a single phosphodiester group with a phosphorothioate, followed by selective functionalization with a fluorophore. The sensors were organized into cross-reactive arrays to yield characteristic fingerprints for samples containing hydrophobic molecules. The fingerprints can be used to characterize steroids in solution, including complex biologically important fluids. Arrays have the potential for clinical applications such as the detection of gross errors in steroidogenesis.     

Star-shaped polycyclic aromatics based on oligothiophene-functionalized truxene: synthesis,properties, and facile emissive wavelength tuning

A facile approach to soluble star-shaped oligothiophene-functionalized polycyclic aromatics based on truxene is developed in this Communication. The Suzuki coupling reactions afford the thiophene-containing polycyclic aromatics with long branches (about 2.1 nm length from the heart to the periphery) from truxene precursor with excellent yields. The unsubstituted alpha-positions of thiophene rings allow for efficient halogenation and for further functionalization. The investigation of proton NMR spectra indicates that the hexahexyl groups efficiently prevent the self-association through the arene-arene pi-stacking. Chemical shifts belonging to methylene groups move more upfield than do those of methyl groups. These chemical shift values (about 0.5-0.6 ppm) are quite lower than those of normal methyl and methylene groups. We also prepare a dendritic hyperbranched polymer P1 through FeCl3 mediated oxidative polymerizations. The photophysical properties of all compounds possessing good symmetry are investigated by UV-vis and emission measurement.     

Ultrafast photoinduced charge separation in naphthalene diimide based multichromophoric systems in liquid solutions and in a lipid membrane

The photophysical properties of multichromophoric systems consisting of eight red or blue naphthalene diimides (NDIs) covalently attached to a p-octiphenyl scaffold, as well as a blue bichromophoric system with a biphenyl scaffold, have been investigated in detail using femtosecond time-resolved spectroscopy. The blue octachromophoric systems have been recently shown to self-assemble as supramolecular tetramers in lipid bilayer membranes and to enable generation of a transmembrane proton gradient upon photoexcitation ( Bhosale, S. ; Sisson, A. L. ; Talukdar, P. ; Fürstenberg, A. ; Banerji, N. ; Vauthey, E. ; Bollot, G. ; Mareda, J. ; R?ger, C. ; Würthner, F. ; Sakai, N. ; Matile, S. Science 2006, 313, 84 ). A strong reduction of the fluorescence quantum yield was observed when going from the single NDI units to the multichromophoric systems in methanol, the effect being even stronger in a vesicular lipid membrane. Fluorescence up-conversion measurements reveal ultrafast self-quenching in the multichromophoric systems, whereas the formation of the NDI radical anion, evidenced by transient absorption measurements, points to the occurrence of photoinduced charge separation. The location of the positive charge could not be established unambiguously from the transient absorption measurements, but energetic considerations indicate that charge separation should occur between two NDI units in the blue systems, whereas both an NDI unit and the p-octiphenyl scaffold could act as electron donor in the red system. The lifetime of the charge-separated state was found to increase from 22 to 45 ps by going from the bi- to the octachromophoric blue systems in methanol, while a 400 ps decay component was observed in the lipid membrane. This lifetime lengthening is explained in terms of charge migration that is most efficient when the octachromophoric systems are assembled as supramolecular tetramers in the lipid membrane. Furthermore, the average charge-separated state lifetime of the red system in methanol is even larger and amounts to 750 ps. This effect cannot be simply explained in terms of Marcus inverted regime as the driving force for charge recombination in the red system is only slightly larger than in the blue one. A better spatial separation of the charges in the red system stemming from the localization of the hole on the p-octiphenyl scaffold could additionally contribute to the slowing down of charge recombination.     

Quantification of bacterial cells based on autofluorescence on a microfluidic platform

Bacterial counts provide important information during the processes such as pathogen detection and hygiene inspection and these processes are critical for public health and food/pharmaceutical production. In this study, we demonstrate the quantification of the number of bacterial cells based on the autofluorescence from the cell lysate on a microfluidic chip. We tested three model pathogenic bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes F4244, Salmonella Enteritidis PT1 and Escherichia coli O157:H7 EDL 933). In the experiment, a plug of approximately 150 pL containing lysate from 240 to 4100 cells was injected into a microfluidic channel with downstream laser-induced fluorescence detection under electrophoresis conditions. We found that the autofluorescence intensity increased with the number of cells almost linearly for all three bacteria. The autofluorescence remained a single peak when the cell lysate contained a mixture of different bacterial species. We also demonstrate a simple microfluidic device that integrates entrapment and electrical lysis of bacterial cells with fluorescence detection. Such a device can carry out the quantification of bacterial cells based on lysate autofluorescence without off-chip procedures. This study offers a simple and fast solution to on-chip quantification of bacterial cells without labeling. We believe that the method can be extended to other bacterial species.     

Amperometric sensors based on tyrosinase-modified screen-printed arrays

This paper describes the design, development and characteristics of a tyrosinase (polyphenol oxidase) modified amperometric screen-printed biosensor array, with the enzyme cross-linked in a redox-hydrogel namely the PVI₁₃-dmeOs polymer. Two types of Au-screen-printed four-channel electrode arrays, differing in design and insulating layer, were compared and investigated. Au-, graphite-coated-Au- and Carbopack C-coated-Au-surfaces, serving as the basis for tyrosinase immobilisation, were investigated and the performances of the different arrays were evaluated and compared in terms of their electrocatalytic characteristics, as well as operational- and storage stability using catechol as model substrate. It was found that the Carbopack C-coated array was the best choice for tyrosinase immobilisation procedure mainly due to a higher mechanical stability of the deposited enzyme layer, combined with good sensitivity and stability for up to 6 months of use. In the batch mode the biosensors responded linearly to catechol up to 30 μM with limits of detection from 0.14 μM. Parameters from cyclic voltammograms indicated that the reversibility of the direct electrochemical reaction for catechol on the three types of electrode surfaces (no tyrosinase modification) was not the limiting factor for the construction and performance of tyrosinase biosensors.     

Ratiometric sensing of fluoride anions based on a BODIPY-coumarin platform

Based on a new coumarin-BODIPY platform, compound 4 was rationally designed and synthesized as a novel ratiometric fluorescent sensor for fluoride anions. The sensor exhibited a large red shift (88 nm) in absorption and a drastic ratiometric fluorescent response (I(472)/I(606) = 17.4) to fluoride anions. Density function theory and time-dependent density function theory calculations were conducted to rationalize the optical response of the sensor.     

Facile synthesis and characterization of a novel thiophene-fused polycyclic aromatics based on pyrene

A novel large thiophene-fused polycyclic aromatics 1 based on pyrene 5 has been synthesized,and its structure was confirmed by ¹H NMR,¹³C NMR,MS,UV -vis and elemental analysis.The key steps of the synthesis involved the Stille cross-coupling reaction and followed by selectiveβ-βoxidative cyclization of pendant thienyl rings by FeCl₃ under mild conditions.     

Functionally layered dendrimers: a new building block and its application to the synthesis of multichromophoric light-harvesting systems

[reaction: see text] A divergent synthesis of internally functionalized dendrimers based on a modular functional monomer has been developed. This strategy was applied to the construction of a light-harvesting dendrimer containing one set of naphthopyranone dyes located at the interior and another set of coumarin chromophores located in the adjacent outer layer surrounding a porphyrin acceptor. Quantitative energy transfer from both donor pigments is observed, giving rise to exclusive emission from the porphyrin core over all excitation wavelengths.     

Thread‐based microfluidic chips as a platform to assess acetylcholinesterase activity

In this paper, a microfluidic thread‐based analytical device (μTAD) to assess the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) via colorimetric analylsis is described. Fabrication of the device consists of two platforms, both with a nylon thread trifurcated into three channels terminating at open analysis sites at the end of the thread. 5,5’‐Dithiobis‐(2‐nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) was spotted and dried on the analysis sites. Acetylthiocholine iodide (ATC) (or cysteine, Cys) is transported through an inlet channel of the nylon thread by capillary action due to the hydrophilic nature of nylon. AChE is transported through the other inlet channel and mixes with the ATC (or Cys) as they travel up to the analysis sites. As the solution reaches the analysis sites, an intense yellow color change occurs indicating the reaction of the thiol with DTNB to produce the yellow anion TNB²⁻. The sites are then dried, scanned, yielding a linear range of inverse yellow mean intensity versus substrate concentration. An IC₅₀ value (1.74 nM) with a known inhibitor, neostigmine bromide (NB), is obtained on the device. The multiplex design enables triplicate data collection in a device that is easy to use. μTADs have great potential to be employed in a myriad of tests including point‐of‐care diagnostic devices for resource‐challenged settings.     

A universal approach to fabricate ordered colloidal crystals arrays based on electrostatic self-assembly

We present a novel and simple method to fabricate two-dimensional (2D) poly(styrene sulfate) (PSS, negatively charged) colloidal crystals on a positively charged substrate. Our strategy contains two separate steps: one is the three-dimensional (3D) assembly of PSS particles in ethanol, and the other is electrostatic adsorption in water. First, 3D assembly in ethanol phase eliminates electrostatic attractions between colloids and the substrate. As a result, high-quality colloidal crystals are easily generated, for electrostatic attractions are unfavorable for the movement of colloidal particles during convective self-assembly. Subsequently, top layers of colloidal spheres are washed away in the water phase, whereas well-packed PSS colloids that are in contact with the substrate are tightly linked due to electrostatic interactions, resulting in the formation of ordered arrays of 2D colloidal spheres. Cycling these processes leads to the layer-by-layer assembly of 3D colloidal crystals with controllable layers. In addition, this strategy can be extended to the fabrication of patterned 2D colloidal crystals on patterned polyelectrolyte surfaces, not only on planar substrates but also on nonplanar substrates. This straightforward method may open up new possibilities for practical use of colloidal crystals of excellent quality, various patterns, and controllable fashions.