High Performance Dynamic X-ray Flexible Imaging Realized Using a Copper Iodide Cluster-Based MOF Microcrystal Scintillator

X-ray imaging technology has achieved important applications in many fields and has attracted extensive attentions. Dynamic X-ray flexible imaging for the real-time observation of the internal structure of complex materials is the most challenging type of X-ray imaging technology, which requires high-performance X-ray scintillators with high X-ray excited luminescence (XEL) efficiency as well as excellent processibility and stability. Here, a macrocyclic bridging ligand with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) feature was introduced for constructing a copper iodide cluster-based metal–organic framework (MOF) scintillator. This strategy endows the scintillator with high XEL efficiency and excellent chemical stability. Moreover, a regular rod-like microcrystal was prepared through the addition of polyvinyl pyrrolidone during the in situ synthesis process, which further enhanced the XEL and processibility of the scintillator. The microcrystal was used for the preparation of a scintillator screen with excellent flexibility and stability, which can be used for high-performance X-ray imaging in extremely humid environments. Furthermore, dynamic X-ray flexible imaging was realized for the first time. The internal structure of flexible objects was observed in real time with an ultrahigh resolution of 20 LP mm⁻¹.     

Pseudo-2D Layered Organic-Inorganic Manganese Bromide with a Near-Unity Photoluminescence Quantum Yield for White Light-Emitting Diode and X-Ray Scintillator

Eco-friendly lead-free organic–inorganic manganese halides (OIMHs) have attracted considerable attention in various optoelectronic applications because of their superior optical properties and flexible solution processibility. Herein, we report a novel pseudo-2D layered OIMH (MTP)₂MnBr₄ (MTP: methyltriphenylphosphonium), which exhibits intense green emission under UV/blue or X-ray excitation, with a near-unity photoluminescence quantum yield, high resistance to thermal quenching (I_{150 °C}=84.1 %) and good photochemical stability. These features enable (MTP)₂MnBr₄ as an efficient green phosphor for blue-converted white light-emitting diodes, demonstrating a commercial-level luminous efficiency of 101 lm W⁻¹ and a wide color gamut of 116 % NTSC. Moreover, these (MTP)₂MnBr₄ crystals showcase outstanding X-ray scintillation properties, delivering a light yield of 67000 photon MeV⁻¹, a detection limit of 82.4 nGy s⁻¹, and a competitive spatial resolution of 6.2 lp mm⁻¹ for X-ray imaging. This work presents a new avenue for the exploration of eco-friendly luminescent OIMHs towards multifunctional light-emitting applications.     

Hydrogen Bonds Strengthened Metal-Free Perovskite for Degradable X-ray Detector with Enhanced Stability,Flexibility and Sensitivity

Metal-free perovskites (MFPs) with flexible and degradable properties have been adopted in flexible X-ray detection. For now, figuring out the key factors between structure and device performance are critical to guide the design of MFPs. Herein, MPAZE-NH₄I₃ ⋅ H₂O was first designed and synthesized with improved structural stability and device performance. Through theoretical calculations, the introducing methyl group benefits modulating tolerance factor, increases dipole moment and strengthens hydrogen bonds. Meanwhile, H₂O increases the hydrogen bond formation sites and synergistically realizes the band nature modulation, ionic migration inhibition and structural stiffness optimization. Spectra analysis also proves that the improved electron-phonon coupling and carrier recombination lifetime contribute to enhanced performance. Finally, a flexible and degradable X-ray detector was fabricated with the highest sensitivity of 740.8 μC Gy_air⁻¹ cm⁻² and low detection limit (0.14 nGy_air s⁻¹).     

Microtiter plate assay for phosphate using a europium-tetracycline complex as a sensitive luminescent probe

A new luminescent europium probe is presented for the determination of phosphate (P) in microtiter plate format. The assay is based on the quenching of the luminescence of the europium-tetracycline (EuTc) 1:1 complex by phosphate using a reagent concentration of 20.8 μmol/L. The probe is excited at 400 nm and displays a large Stokes’ shift of 210 nm. The emission maximum is located at 616 nm. The system works best at neutral pH 7 and is therefore suitable for phosphate determination in biological and biochemical systems. The linear range of the calibration plot is from 5 × 10⁻⁶ mol/L to 7.5 × 10⁻⁴ mol/L of phosphate, and the limit of detection is 3 μmol/L.     

A Photoconductive X-ray Detector with a High Figure of Merit Based on an Open-Framework Chalcogenide Semiconductor

A wide range of tunability in the physical parameters of a semiconductor used for X-ray detection is desirable to achieve targeted performance optimization. However, in a dense-phase semiconductor, fine-tuning one parameter often leads to unwanted changes in other parameters. Herein, the intrinsic openness in an open-framework semiconductor has been confirmed, for the first time, to be a key structural factor that weakens the mutual exclusivity of the adjustable physical parameters owing to a non-linear control mechanism. The controllable doping of S in a zeolitic In–Se host results in an optimal balance between resistivity, band gap, and carrier mobility, which finally results in an excellent X-ray detector with a high figure of merit for the mobility–lifetime product (7.12×10⁻⁴ cm² V⁻¹); this value is superior to that of a commercial α-Se detector. The current strategy of choosing open-framework semiconductor materials opens a new window for targeting high-performance X-ray detection.     

Harnessing Plasticity in an Amine-Borane as a Piezoelectric and Pyroelectric Flexible Film

We demonstrate that trimethylamine borane can exhibit desirable piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties. The material was shown to be able operate as a flexible film for both thermal sensing, thermal energy conversion and mechanical sensing with high open circuit voltages (>10 V). A piezoelectric coefficient of d₃₃≈10–16 pC N⁻¹, and pyroelectric coefficient of p≈25.8 μC m⁻² K⁻¹ were achieved after poling, with high pyroelectric figure of merits for sensing and harvesting, along with a relative permittivity of 6.3.     

Ring-opening Polymerization of ε-Caprolactone Using Lanthanide Tris（4-tert-butylphenolate）s as a Single-component Initiator

The ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone (CL) initiated by novel singlelanthanide tris(4-tert-butylphenolate)s [Ln(OTBP)3] is reported. Single-component La(OTBP)3can effectively prepare polycaprolactone (PCL) with over 90% yield and viscosity averagemolecular weight about 60 × 103 under quite mild conditions: molar ratio of CL to initiator is 1000,60 ℃, 2 h in toluene. Mechanism study indicates that the monomer inserts into the growing chainvia the break of acyl-oxygen bond of CL.     

A Systematic Approach for the Evaluation of Triethanolamine as a Possible Sulfur Dioxide Sorption Detector Coating

Abstract

A change in the vibrating frequency of a quartz crystal can be an accurate measurement of the mass change on the surface of the crystal. When coated with an absorbing compound, the subsequent frequency change indicates the sorption of a chemical species by the coating. An approach is proposed for evaluating potential crystal coatings and is. applied to the evaluation of Triethanolamine as a possible sulfur dioxide sorption detector coating.     

Ring-opening Polymerization of e-Caprolactone Using Lanthanide Tris(4-tert-butylphenolate)s as a Single-component Initiator

The ring-opening polymerization of e-caprolactone (CL) initiated by novel single lanthanide tris(4-tert-butylphenolate)s [Ln(OTBP)3] is reported. Single-component La(OTBP)3 can effectively prepare polycaprolactone (PCL) with over 90% yield and viscosity average molecular weight about 60 x 10 under quite mild conditions: molar ratio of CL to initiator is 1000, 60 C, 2 h in toluene. Mechanism study indicates that the monomer inserts into the growing chain via the break of acyl-oxygen bond of CL.     

Excitation Wavelength-Dependent Fluorescence of a Lanthanide Organic Metal Halide Cluster for Anti-Counterfeiting Applications

The achievement of significant photoluminescence (PL) in lanthanide ions (Ln³⁺) has primarily relied on host sensitization, where energy is transferred from the excited host material to the Ln³⁺ ions. However, this luminous mechanism involves only one optical antenna, namely the host material, which limits the accessibility of excitation wavelength-dependent (Ex-De) PL. Consequently, the wider application of Ln³⁺ ions in light-emitting devices is hindered. In this study, we present an organic–inorganic compound, (DMA)₄LnCl₇ (DMA⁺=[CH₃NH₂CH₃]⁺, Ln³⁺=Ce³⁺, Tb³⁺), which serves as an independent host lattice material for efficient Ex-De emission by doping it with trivalent antimony (Sb³⁺). The pristine (DMA)₄LnCl₇ compounds exhibit high luminescence, maintaining the characteristic sharp emission bands of Ln³⁺ and demonstrating a high PL quantum yield of 90–100 %. Upon Sb³⁺ doping, the compound exhibits noticeable Ex-De emission with switchable colors. Through a detailed spectral study, we observe that the prominent energy transfer process observed in traditional host-sensitized systems is absent in these materials. Instead, they exhibit two independent emission centers from Ln³⁺ and Sb³⁺, each displaying distinct features in luminous color and radiative lifetime. These findings open up new possibilities for designing Ex-De emitters based on Ln³⁺ ions.     

Formation of Novel Dinuclear Lanthanide Luminescent Samarium(III), Europium(III), and Terbium(III) Triple‐Stranded Helicates from a C2‐Symmetrical Pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxamide‐Based 1,3‐Xylenediyl‐Linked Ligand in MeCN

The synthesis of the C₂‐symmetrical ligand 1 consisting of two naphthalene units connected to two pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxamide moieties linked by a xylene spacer and the formation of Ln^III‐based (Ln=Sm, Eu, Tb, and Lu) dimetallic helicates [Ln₂? 1 ₃] in MeCN by means of a metal‐directed synthesis is described. By analyzing the metal‐induced changes in the absorption and the fluorescence of 1 , the formation of the helicates, and the presence of a second species [Ln₂? 1 ₂] was confirmed by nonlinear‐regression analysis. While significant changes were observed in the photophysical properties of 1 , the most dramatic changes were observed in the metal‐centred lanthanide emissions, upon excitation of the naphthalene antennae. From the changes in the lanthanide emission, we were able to demonstrate that these helicates were formed in high yields (ca. 90% after the addition of 0.6 equiv. of Ln^III), with high binding constants, which matched well with that determined from the changes in the absorption spectra. The formation of the Lu^III helicate, [Lu₂? 1 ₃], was also investigated for comparison purposes, as we were unable to obtain accurate binding constants from the changes in the fluorescence emission upon formation of [Sm₂? 1 ₃], [Eu₂? 1 ₃], and [Tb₂? 1 ₃].     

Synthesis,Structures, and Properties of Four Novel Coordination Compounds based on a Flexible Tetrakis(imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)methane Ligand

Four coordination polymers, namely, [Zn₂(TIYM)(2,6‐PYDC)₂]_n · n(CH₃OH) · 3n(H₂O) ( 1 ), [Cu(TIYM)(2,6‐PYDC)]_n · 3n(H₂O) ( 2 ), [Co(TIYM)(2,6‐PYDC)]_n · n(CH₃OH) · 3n(H₂O) ( 3 ), and [Cd₂(TIYM)(2,6‐PYDC)₂(H₂O)]_n · n(H₂O) ( 4 ) with the flexible N‐containing ligand [tetrakis(imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)methane (TIYM)] and the N‐containing dicarboxylic acid [2,6‐pyridinedicarboxylic acid (2,6‐PYDC)] were prepared. Compounds 1 – 4 show various structures because of different N–C_center–N angles (θ) of TIYM ligands and changing coordination modes of 2,6‐PYDC. Compounds 1 , 2 , and 3 display a similar 1D ladder‐like chain, whereas 4 gives a 1D quad‐core lifting platform shaped belt. The structural diversities in 1 – 4 suggest that the multiple coordination modes or the different freely twist angles of ligands and the presence of different metal atoms play important roles in the resulting structures of the coordination polymers. Furthermore, the solid‐state luminescence properties of 1 and 4 , and the magnetic properties of 3 were investigated.     

Synthesis, luminescence properties of a novel aromatic carboxylic acid (L) and corresponding Eu(III) and Tb(III) compounds as well as the binding characteristics of L with bovine serum albumin (BSA)

A novel polyamino polycarboxylic pyridine derivative ligand, N,N,N¹,N¹-(2,6-bis((3-(aminoethyl)-5-methyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)pyridine)hexakis(acetic acid) (L), was designed and synthesized with the motive that it is able to sensitize the emission of lanthanides. Its corresponding Eu(III) and Tb(III) complexes Na₄EuLCl₃·3H₂O and Na₄TbLCl₃·5H₂O were successfully prepared. The ligand and the complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, MS, NMR and TG-DTA. The luminescence properties of the compounds in solid state were investigated; each complex had very narrow emission bands and strong luminescence intensity up to about 10,000. The TG-DTA studies showed that the initial decomposition temperature of both complexes was over 250 °C, elucidating the complexes had a high thermal stability. Meanwhile, the comparison with similar complexes suggested that the ligand with more coordination sites possessed more efficient antenna effect. To explore the potential medicinal value of L, the binding interaction of L and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was carried out by fluorescence spectrum. The studies indicated that the reaction between L and BSA was a static quenching procedure. The binding site number n and binding constant Ka were calculated according to the double logarithm regression equation. The thermodynamic parameters showed the Van der Waals and hydrogen bond interactions were the mainly impulse to the reaction.     

Inspired by Grape Seed and Wine: Tannic Acid as a Modified Coating for Fabricating Highly Flexible,Transparent and Conductive Film

The application of transparent conductive films in flexible electronics has shown promising prospects recently. Tannic acid(TA) was successfully applied to modifying the surface of polydimethylsiloxane(PDMS) to fhbricate highly flexible, transparent and conductive Ag nanowires(NWs) based films. TA modification transformed the PDMS surface from hydrophobicity into hydrophilicity without decreasing the transparence. A sheet resistance(Rs) of 80 Ω/cm^2 with an optical transmittance of 94% was achieved, which was superior to that of indium tin oxide(ITO) films. More importantly, the TA layer enhanced the interaction between Ag NWs and the PDMS substrate. The Ag NWs films on TA modified PDMS substrate exhibited excellent stability in Rs when subjected to a bending test.     

Characterization of an energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence imaging system based on a Micropattern Gaseous Detector

An energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) imaging system based on a Micropattern Gas Detector has already shown good results for different applications. An X-ray tube, a pinhole camera and a Micro-Hole and Strip Plate (MHSP) based detector are the main components of the experimental system. The detector uses an MHSP in a Xe atmosphere at 1 bar, and acting as a photon counting device, i.e., it is capable to record each single event retaining the energy and the interaction position (2D-sensitive detector) information of the incident photon, demonstrating to be a promising device for EDXRF imaging applications. This work presents studies of energy resolution, energy linearity and spatial resolution/elemental mapping as a function of image magnification of the system.     

柔性复合织物电极Graphene/Cotton和MnO2/Graphene/Cotton的合成及在电化学电容器中的应用

通过热还原法成功地制备出了柔性复合织物电极石墨烯/棉布(graphene/cotton)。热还原条件对电极的导电性能具有较大的影响。导电柔性织物电极graphene/cotton特有的多级结构使其既有利于进一步负载膺电容材料,又有利于电子和电解质离子的传输与扩散。通过电化学沉积方法,利用导电柔性织物电极graphene/cotton进一步制备出了电极MnO₂/graphene/cotton。利用扫描电子显微镜(SEM),傅里叶变换红外(FTIR)光谱,四探针测试法等表征技术对电极的结构进行了较为详细的表征。结果表明电极MnO₂/graphene/cotton的比电容可以达到536 F·g^-1。良好的电化学性能和柔性使得此类电极在柔性储能材料应用中具有极大的应用前景。     

New concept for the preparation of potassium sodides: the use of hexane as a non-polar solvent

NaK alloy in contact with 15-crown-5 hexane solution became potassium sodide K⁺(15-crown-5)₂Na⁻. After the evaporation of hexane the crystalline solid product was analyzed by X-ray diffraction and the lattice parameters were calculated. The potassium sodide thus obtained could be easily dissolved in tetrahydrofuran. A deep blue solution containing sodium anions and complexed potassium cations was formed with a very low concentration of solvated electrons, i.e. of the order of 10⁻⁷ M. Potassium anions were not detected in this case. A new crystalline potassium sodide K⁺(DCH-24-crown-8)₂Na⁻ was obtained using NaK alloy and dicyclohexano-24-crown-8 hexane solution.     

Precipitation as a simple and versatile method for preparation of optical nanochemosensors

Optical nanosensors for such important analytes as oxygen, pH, temperature, etc. are manufactured in a simple way via precipitation. Lipophilic indicators are entrapped into nanobeads based on poly(methyl methacrylate), polystyrene, polyurethanes, ethylcellulose, and other polymers. Charged groups greatly facilitate formation of the small beads and increase their stability. Sensing properties of the beads can be tuned by choosing the appropriate indicator. Nanosensors for carbon dioxide and ammonia are found to be cross-sensitive to pH if dispersed in aqueous media. These nanobeads are successfully employed to design bulk optodes. Nanochemosensors with enhanced brightness via light-harvesting and multi-functional magnetic nanosensors also are prepared.     

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of a dansyled amino acid derivative as an imaging agent for apoptosis

To develop a small molecule-based biomarker for in vivo apoptosis imaging, a dansyled amino acid derivative (BNSBA) was designed and synthesized in good yield. The biological evaluation demonstrated that BNSBA selectively binds to apoptotic cancer cells and is localized within the cytoplasm of cells that bound annexin V on the plasma membrane.     

Real‐Time Detection of Traces of Benzaldehyde in Benzyl Alcohol as a Solvent by a Flexible Lanthanide Microporous Metal–Organic Framework

Luminescent 3D lanthanide metal–organic framework (Ln‐MOF) {[Tb₂(TATAB)₂] ? 4 H₂O ? 6 DMF}_n ( 1 ) was synthesized under solvothermal conditions by using flexible ligand 4,4′,4′′‐s‐triazine‐1,3,5‐triyltri‐p‐aminobenzoate (TATAB). A phase transition was observed between low temperature and room temperature. The luminescence of 1 could be enhanced by formaldehyde and quenched efficiently by trace amounts of benzaldehyde in solvents such as benzyl alcohol (0.01–2.0 vol %) and ethanol (0.01–2.5 vol %). This is the first use of a Ln‐MOF as chemical sensor for both formaldehyde and benzaldehyde. The high sensitivity and selectivity of the luminescence response of 1 to benzaldehyde allows it to be used as an excellent sensor for identifying benzaldehyde and provides a simple and convenient method for detecting traces of benzaldehyde in benzyl alcohol based injections. This work establishes a new strategy for detection of benzaldehyde in benzyl alcohol by luminescent MOFs.