Photoinduced Charge Separation in an Aqueous Phase Using Nanoporous TiO2 Film and a Quasi‐Solid Made of Natural Products

Solar cells comprised of nanoparticulate TiO₂ porous film photosensitized with an adsorbing dye have been utilized as photoinduced charge separation systems in aqueous media with the view to forming future artificial photosynthetic systems able to create fuels from solar energy and water. The photoinduced charge separation of the sensitized TiO₂ cell in a quasi‐solid, made from agarose or κ‐carrageenan, was investigated.

I–V curves under 98 mW · cm⁻² irradiation of ITO/TiO₂/Ru(dcbpy)₂(NCS)₂. Electrolyte: 0.1 M LiI/0.01 M I₂ in a quasi‐solid of 0.2 wt.‐% gelatin containing a large excess of water.     

Low‐Band Gap Polymeric Cyanine Dyes Absorbing in the NIR Region

Two new, fully conjugated polymeric cyanine dyes based on trimethine and heptamethine moieties have been synthesized. Both polymers were characterized by gel permeation chromatography, UV‐vis and IR spectroscopy, elementary analysis and cyclic voltammetry. The structure of one material could be confirmed with NMR spectroscopy. Upon head‐to‐tail coupling of the dye moieties distinct bathochromic shifts up to 159 nm were observed for the polymers which absorb solely in the near infrared (NIR) region with maxima up to 1 002 nm and very high molar absorption coefficients. This highly efficient absorption in the NIR spectral domain combined with the strong electron accepting properties makes these dyes interesting candidates for many optical applications; investigations on photovoltaic devices based on polymeric cyanine dye/C₆₀ heterojunctions identify one of these possibilities.

     

Fabrication of Highly Photoluminescent TiO2/PPV Hybrid Nanoparticle‐Polymer Fibers by Electrospinning

In this study, we have synthesized highly photoluminescent TiO₂/poly (phenylene vinylene) (PPV) hybrid nanoparticle‐polymer fibers by electrospinning a PPV precursor added to a TiO₂ sol‐gel solution. The diameters of the hybrid fibers ranged from 100–300 nm and the average size of TiO₂ nanoparticles within the fibers was 10–60 nm. FT‐IR analysis indicated that a new band around 1 632 cm⁻¹ assigned to the Ti O C vibration appeared, which resulted in the stronger luminance of the fluorescence of the TiO₂/PPV hybrid fibers compared to free standing PPV nanofibers.

     

Is the Reduction in Tracer Diffusivity under Nanoscopic Confinement Related to a Frustrated Segmental Mobility?

We developed an experimental method for the determination of the tracer diffusivity D_tr in ultrathin polymer films, and the changes in the segmental mobility of tracer molecules while they diffuse through matrices of different thickness and get adsorbed onto a target substrate. D_tr starts decreasing already at 120–150 nm and drops to 1% of its bulk value in films as thin as 7.5 nm. We discuss the results highlighting a strong decoupling between the reduction in mass transport at the nanoscale and the increase in the glass transition temperature determined via capacitive dilatometry together with a breakdown of the Stokes–Einstein relation between orientational and translational degrees of freedom.

     

Photoactive Polythiophene:Titania Hybrids with Excellent Miscibility for Use in Polymer Photovoltaic Cells

A series of poly{(3‐hexylthiophene)‐co‐[3‐(6‐hydroxyhexyl)thiophene]}:titania (P3HT‐OH:TiO₂) hybrids were synthesized via the in situ polycondensation of titanium (IV) n‐butoxide in the presence of P3HT‐OH. Introducing a hydroxyl moiety onto the side‐chain of poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) significantly promotes the polymer‐titania interaction, resulting in the formation of homogeneous hybrid colloids. The UV‐vis spectra of P3HT‐OH:TiO₂ films demonstrate that TiO₂ markedly affects the stacking structure and the chain conformation of P3HT‐OH. The maximum absorption wavelength of these hybrid materials can be tailor‐made by merely varying the weight percentage of TiO₂. Moreover, P3HT‐OH:TiO₂ can be further utilized as an efficient compatibilizer in preparing photoactive P3HT:P3HT‐OH:TiO₂ films with excellent miscibility. The photovoltaic cell based on such a hybrid exhibited a 2.4‐fold higher value of power‐conversion efficiency compared to the cell based on P3HT:TiO₂.

     

Reversible Photocontrolled Swelling‐Shrinking Behavior of Micron Vesicles Self‐Assembled from Azopyridine‐Containing Diblock Copolymer

Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐block‐poly{6‐[4‐(4‐pyridyazo)phenoxy] hexylmethacrylate} (PNIPAM‐b‐PAzPy) was synthesized by successive reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. In a water/tetrahydrofuran (H₂O/THF) mixture, amphiphilic PNIPAM‐b‐PAzPy self‐assembles into giant micro‐vesicles. Upon alternate ultraviolet (UV) and visible light irradiation, obvious reversible swelling‐shrinking of the vesicles was observed directly under an optical microscope. The maximum percentage increase in volume, caused by the UV light, reached 17%. Moreover, the swelling could be adjusted using the UV light power density. The derivation of this effect is due to photoinduced reversible isomerization of azopyridine units in the vesicles.

     

Cell Uptake and Trafficking Behavior of Non‐covalent,Coiled‐coil Based Polymer–Drug Conjugates

This paper reports on the cell uptake and trafficking properties of a series of non‐covalent polymer–drug conjugates. These nanomedicines are composed of a poly(N‐(2‐hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide) backbone functionalized with multiple copies of a drug. The drug moieties are attached to the polymer via a non‐covalent, so called coiled coil motif, which is formed by heterodimerization of two complementary peptide strands, one of which is attached to the polymer carrier and the other to the drug. Cytotoxicity and FACS experiments, which were carried out with model anticancer drug or fluorophore conjugates, provided insight into the cell uptake and trafficking behavior of these conjugates.

     

Multiple Sol‐Gel Transitions of PEG‐PCL‐PEG Triblock Copolymer Aqueous Solution

An aqueous solution of a poly(ethylene glycol)‐polycaprolactone‐poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG‐PCL‐PEG) with a composition of EG₁₃CL₂₃EG₁₃ undergoes multiple transitions, from sol‐to‐gel (hard gel)‐to‐sol‐to‐gel (soft gel)‐to‐sol, in the concentration range 20.0∼35.0 wt.‐%. Through dynamic mechanical analysis, UV‐vis spectrophotometry, small angle X‐ray scattering, differential scanning calorimetry, microcalorimetry and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, the mechanism of these transitions was investigated. The hard gel and soft gel are distinguished by the crystalline and amorphous state of the PCL. The extent of PEG dehydration and the molecular motion of each block also played a critical role in the multiple transitions. This paper suggests a new mechanism for these multiple transitions driven by temperature changes.

     

Fabrication of Biomimetic Superhydrophobic Coating with a Micro‐Nano‐Binary Structure

Summary: A superhydrophobic coating was facilely fabricated in one step by casting bisphenol A polycarbonate (PC) solution under moisture. Vapor‐induced phase separation occurred during the solidifying process and a rough surface with a micro‐nano‐binary structure (MNBS) similar to the microstructure shown on lotus leaf was formed.

SEM image of a single micro‐flower.     

Novel Chromophore‐Functionalized Poly[2‐(trifluoromethyl) adamantyl acrylate‐methyl vinyl urethane]s with High Poling Stabilities of the Nonlinear Optical Effect

Nonlinear optical vinyl polymers with high glass transition temperature (T_g) were prepared by the functionalization of a fluorinated acrylate‐methyl vinyl isocyanate copolymer. A modified pathway to obtain a thiophene bridged chromophore was worked out. Poled films of the polymers show a fairly high and stable nonlinear optical response, even at elevated temperatures.

The thiophene‐bridged chromophore, based on a substituted dicyanomethylene‐dihydrofuran acceptor, synthesized here.     

Binding and Sulfonation of Poly(acrylic acid) on Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: a Novel,Magnetic, Strong Acid Cation Nano‐Adsorbent

Summary: A novel, magnetic, strong acid cation nano‐adsorbent has been developed by the covalent binding of poly(acrylic acid) on the surface of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles followed by sulfonation using sulfanilic acid via carbodiimide activation. The nano‐absorbent can be easily recovered or manipulated with an external magnetic field and shows a good capacity for the rapid and efficient adsorption of multivalent metal cations from aqueous solutions.

An illustration for the binding and sulfonation of PAA on Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles to produce a magnetic, strong acid cation nano‐adsorbent.     

Novel Semiconducting Polymer Particles by Supercritical Fluid Process

Summary: A simple method to prepare surfactant‐free and solvent‐free semiconducting polymer particles by using an environmentally benign supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂) process is reported. The process of the rapid expansion of supercritical solutions (RESS) is used to produce spherical particles of poly[2‐(3‐thienyl)acetyl 3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8‐tridecafluorooctanoate] (PSFTE), 50–500 nm in size, from 0.1–0.5 wt.‐% PSFTE solutions in CO₂ at pre‐expansion temperatures of 40 °C and pre‐expansion pressures of 276 bar.

An FESEM image of PSFTE particles produced by the RESS process with CO₂.     

Transparent,Versatile Chemical Vapor Sensor Using Supramolecular Assembly of Block Copolymer and Carbon Nanotubes

Here, a simple and novel approach is reported for developing a new class of transparent chemical vapor sensors with a low power consumption, high sensitivity, good selectivity, and excellent environmental stability by depositing multiwalled carbon nanotubes on prepatterned polymer substrates using supramolecular assembly. The patterned polymer substrates were fabricated from block copolymers, whereas the supramolecular assembly between the carbon nanotubes and block copolymer is utilized for the selective localization of carbon nanotubes at the block copolymer–air interface. The thin film devices made from the block copolymer and carbon nanotubes are highly transparent (transmittance > 90%) and respond to a wide range of solvents of different polarity, both hydrophilic and hydrophobic, with good selectivity and fast response time.

     

Polymerized Lyotropic Liquid Crystal Assemblies for Membrane Applications

Cross‐linked lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC) assemblies represent a new class of polymer materials for membrane applications. These materials are formed by the phase‐segregation and self‐assembly of polymerizable amphiphiles in water into condensed ordered ensembles that can be cross‐linked in situ with retention of microstructure. The resulting LLC polymer networks have ordered, nanometer‐scale aqueous and cross‐linked organic domains, which can be used to affect gas solubility and diffusivity through the polymer to help separate molecules via the solution–diffusion mechanism. The open aqueous domains can also be used for pore transport and size exclusion with resolution on the molecular size level. The use and application potential of cross‐linked LLC assemblies as gas separation membranes, selective vapor barrier materials, and water nanofiltration and desalination membranes are presented.

     

Polymerization of Norbornene with CoCl2 and Pyridine Bisimine Cobalt(II) Complexes Activated with MAO

Addition polymerization of norbornene was performed with several pyridine bis(imine) cobalt dichloride complexes activated with methylaluminoxane (MAO), first described for ethylene polymerization. For the first time, norbornene was also polymerized with CoCl₂ associated to MAO. The influence of several reaction parameters has been investigated. Quite different behavior was observed compared with ethylene polymerization. Moreover, the copolymerization of ethylene and norbornene with these complexes was not possible but led to a mixture of both homopolymers.

The pyridine bis(imine) cobalt dichloride complexes used in this study.     

Controlling the Optical Properties of Hyperbranched Conjugated Polyazomethines through Terminal‐Backbone Interactions

A simple approach to tune the optical properties of the hyperbranched conjugated polymers by only adjusting the terminal‐backbone interactions has been reported in this article. Hyperbranched conjugated polyazomethines have been successfully prepared by the reaction of tetramine and dialdehyde. Not only varying the monomer feed ratio to change the quantity of terminal amino groups, but also adopting protonation or complexion with proper dopants (SnCl₂ and β‐cyclodextrin), can alter the interactions between amino terminals and imine bonds in the backbone. Correspondingly, the optical properties of the resulting hyperbranched polymers are controlled.

     

The Use of an Emulsion Templated Microcellular Poly(dicyclopentadiene‐co‐norbornene) Membrane as a Separator in Lithium‐Ion Batteries

The preparation of open‐cell macroporous membranes made by the ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of a mixture of norbornene and dicyclopentadiene, and their basic applicability as separators in lithium‐ion batteries, is discussed. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements of negative electrodes (graphite) and positive electrodes (LiCoO₂) are performed and the results prove the absence of parasitic decomposition reactions within the membrane at high oxidative or reductive potentials. Furthermore, LiCoO₂/Li half cell cycling studies of 100 charging/discharging cycles reveal that the newly disclosed separator and conventional commercial polyolefin based separators have similar performance. These results demonstrate that a potential weakness in the newly disclosed separator, namely residual double bonds present in the polymer network, does not limit the use of this material as a separator in lithium‐ion batteries.

     

A New Strategy for the Synthesis of Polyaniline Nanostructures: From Nanofibers to Nanowires

A new approach for the synthesis of polyaniline (PANI) nanostructures under UV light illumination has been developed, which is the first report of a templateless chemical process for preparing pure PANI nanowires. The acceleration effect of photo‐assistance on the polymerization can promote the homogeneous nucleation and elongation of the nanofibers and nanowires, leading to easy preparation of tunable diameters of the nanowires and nanofibers of PANI.

     

Photoactive Modified Hydroxyethylcellulose

A water‐soluble polymeric photosensitizer that contains naphthalene chromophores and absorbs light in the near UV region was obtained by modification of hydroxyethylcellulose. The excitation energy migrates along the naphthalene chromophores covalently attached to the polymer chain and can be used to induce photochemical reactions such as photoinduced electron transfer.

UV‐vis absorption (○), fluorescence emission (□), and fluorescence excitation (×) spectra of HENC in water at c_HENC = 0.232 g/L, and (+) emission spectrum of the lamps used for irradiations.     

Highly Efficient and Well‐Controlled Ambient Temperature RAFT Polymerization under Solar Radiation

Highly efficient and well‐controlled ambient temperature reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization is readily carried out under environmentally friendly mild solar radiation. This discovery has significantly extended studies from man‐made separated‐spectroscopic‐emission UV‐vis radiation (Macromolecules 2006 , 39, 3770) to natural continuous‐spectroscopic‐emission solar radiation for ambient temperature RAFT polymerization.