Synthesis and photophysics of novel 8-hydroxyquinoline aluminum metal complex with 1,3,4-oxadiazole units

A novel luminescent metal complex, (OXHQ)3Al, with 8-hydroxyquinoline aluminum and electron-transporting 1,3,4-oxadiazole unit was designed and synthesized. The photophysical processes were investigated by UV-vis absorption and fluorescence emission spectra in diluent solution. The results showed that the luminescence quantum yield of (OXHQ)3Al was 0.67 in DMSO and it emitted blue light with the band gap of 3.13 eV estimated from the onset absorption. In addition, the light-emitting of (OXHQ)3Al can be quenched by electron acceptor (dimethylterephalate), where the processes followed the Stern-Volmer equation. However, with the addition of electron donor (N,N-dimethylaniline) fluorescent intensity of (OXHQ)3Al was increased and emission peak was lightly blue-shift. Furthermore, the molecular interactions of (OXHQ)3Al with fullerene (C60) or carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were also carefully investigated.     

Synthesis and photophysics of novel 8-hydroxyquinoline aluminum metal complex with fluorene units

A novel luminescent metal complex, (MQPF)3Al2, with 8-hydroxyquinoline aluminum and 9,9-diphenylfluorene was synthesized. The optical properties were investigated by UV-vis absorption and fluorescence emission spectra. The results showed that the luminescence quantum yield of (MQPF)3Al2 was 0.612 in THF and it emitted red light with the band gap of 3.18 eV estimated from the onset absorption. The emission spectra exhibited obvious solvent effect. With the increase of polarity of solvents the fluorescence spectra changed obviously and appeared blue shift about 60 nm at room temperature. In addition, the light-emitting can be quenched by both electron donor (N,N-dimethylaniline) and electron acceptor (Fullerene), where the processes followed the Stern-Volmer equation. However, when adding 1,4-dicyanobenzene (DCB) which was a stronger electron acceptor to the solution of (MQPF)3Al2, the fluorescent intensity was increased.     

Synthesis and photophysical processes of an anthracene derivative containing hole transfer groups

A novel luminescent compound 9,10-di-(N-carbazovinylene)anthracene (DCVA) was synthesized by Heck reaction of 9,10-dibromoanthracene and N-vinylcarbazole. The structure was characterized by MS, 1H NMR and Elemental analysis. The photoluminescent properties of DCVA have been carefully investigated by UV-vis absorption and fluorescence emission spectra. The results showed that the luminescent quantum yield of DCVA was 0.73 in THF and it emitted blue-light with the band gap of 3.60 eV estimated from the onset absorption. In addition, the light-emission of DCVA can be quenched by electron acceptor (dimethyl terephthalate), however, the fluorescent intensities of DCVA were slowly increased with the addition of electron donor (N,N-dimethylaniline). Furthermore, the molecular interactions of DCVA with fullerene (C60) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were also investigated, which indicated the organic luminescent compound can be used as new fluorescent probe.     

4-[2-(二甲氨基)乙氧基]-N-十八烷基-1,8-萘酰亚胺荧光染料的合成及其性能研究

以4-溴-1,8-萘酐为原料,合成脂溶性4-[2-(二甲氨基)乙氧基]-N-十八烷基-1,8-萘酰亚胺。对其进行了1H NMR和IR表征。考察了荧光染料在DMF、乙腈、丙酮、乙酸乙酯和乙醚5种溶剂中的荧光光谱和吸收光谱,发现由于溶剂效应,随溶剂极性由小到大,荧光光谱和吸收光谱的最大峰值波长逐渐红移。考察了不同金属离子和pH对荧光染料荧光光谱的影响,结果表明荧光强度随Fe3+、Zn2+、Co2+浓度增大而逐渐增强,Fe3+的影响最为显著;当pH<7时,荧光强度随着pH的降低逐渐增强;进一步考察了Fe3+、Zn2+、Co2+对吸收光谱的影响,结果发现吸收光谱均蓝移。分析认为荧光染料的光致电子转移被阻碍,实验结果表明,合成的新型荧光染料可用于溶液中金属离子和pH的检测。     

双吲哚啉螺吡喃化合物的合成及其酸和金属离子致变色性能

设计、合成了一种新型双吲哚啉螺吡喃化合物1,用核磁、红外及质谱等技术手段表征了其结构。 利用紫外可见吸收光谱研究了化合物1的酸致变色和金属离子变色性能。 结果表明,化合物1能够在氢离子或金属离子的作用下发生可逆的开环与闭环反应。 当氢离子或金属离子加入到化合物1的异丙醇溶液中,溶液颜色从无色变为红色,同时产生460 nm新吸收峰。 进一步加入氢氧根离子或EDTA溶液后,溶液颜色变回无色,460 nm处的吸收峰又消失。 该化合物的酸和金属离子致变色性质在分子传感和离子识别等领域有潜在的应用价值。     

Ratiometric Fluorescent Probe Based on Novel Red-emission BODIPY for Determination of Bovine Serum Albumin

A novel red-emission boron-dipyrromethene（BODIPY） dye with a pyrrole ring was synthesized simply via one-pot reaction. The spectral properties of it were investigated under the conditions of different solvents. The results show that the as-prepared BODIPY dye is extremely sensitive to solvent polarity, and the fluorescent emission enhances with the decrease of solvent polarity. In aqueous buffer, the addition of bovine serum albumin leads to a ratiometric change in absorption spectra with an association constant of 1.16×10^6 L/mol. Meanwhile, the fluorescence emission increases greatly at 622 nm but changes slightly at 575 nm. The response time is very short（less than 3 min）, and the changes of color can be noticed by naked eyes. Bovine serum albumin can be detected by this ratiometric fluorescence probe, but other proteins or enzymes cannot be detected by this method, which indicates that this novel dye has high selectivity towards bovine serum albumin. The reason is that bovine serum albumin has suitable hydro- phobic cavities for binding with the dye. In addition, the dye molecule can penetrate cell membrane easily and make a fast fluorescent stain, which makes it a potential probe for living-cell fluorescence imaging.     

Iodinated AlIII‐Based Phthalocyanines are Promising Sensitizers for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells; A Theoretical Comparison Between ZnII,MgII, and AlIII‐Based Phthalocyanine Sensitizers

To design efficient dyes for dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), using a Zn‐coordinated phthalocyanine (TT7) as the prototype, a series of phthalocyanine dyes (Pcs) with different metal ions and peripheral/axial groups have been investigated by means of density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent DFT (TDDFT) methods. Computational results show that the iodinated Al‐based dye with a peripheral amino group (Al‐I‐NH₂‐Pc) exhibits the largest redshift in the maximum absorbance (λ_max). In addition, Al‐based dyes have appropriate energy‐level arrangements of frontier orbitals to keep excellent balance between electron injection and regeneration of oxidized dyes. Further, it has been found that the intermolecular π‐staking interaction in Al‐I‐Pc molecules is weaker than the other metal‐based Pcs, which may effectively reduce dye aggregation on the semi‐conductor surface. All these results suggest iodinated Al‐based Pcs (Al‐I‐Pcs) to be potentially promising sensitizers in DSSCs.     

Bluish-white emission from radical carbonyl impurities in amorphous Al(2)O(3) prepared via the Pechini-type sol-gel process

Many efforts have been devoted to exploring novel luminescent materials that do not contain expensive or toxic elements, or do not need mercury vapor plasma as the excitation source. In this paper, amorphous Al2O3 powder samples were prepared via the Pechini-type sol-gel process. The resulting samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), photoluminescence (PL) excitation and emission spectra, kinetic decay, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The obtained amorphous Al2O3 powder samples annealed at 500 and 600 degrees C exhibit bright bluish-white emission centered at 430 and 407 nm, respectively. The luminescent mechanisms of the amorphous Al2O3 powder samples can be ascribed to the carbon-related impurities such as radical carbonyl species. The calculated band structure of the defective amorphous Al2O3 agrees well with the results of spectral analysis and the proposed luminescent mechanism.     

BODIPY-based hydroxyaryl derivatives as fluorescent pH probes

[structures: see text] Seven new 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (BODIPY) dyes with phenolic or naphtholic subunits on position 8 and with substituents having different electron driving forces on positions 3 and 5 were synthesized. Their absorption and steady-state fluorescence properties were investigated as a function of solvent. The novel compounds, with the exception of 4,4-difluoro-8-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,5-bis-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene, are characterized by absorption maxima in the range 493-515 nm and small (400-600 cm(-1)) Stokes shifts. The exceptional dye has absorption maxima in the 570-580 nm region and fluorescence emission maxima around 610-620 nm, depending on the solvent. In aqueous solution, the dyes show a large fluorescent enhancement upon increasing the acidity of the solution. They can be used in aqueous solution as fluorescent pH probes excitable with visible light, with pKa values ranging from 7.5 to 9.3, depending on the substitution pattern on positions 3, 5, and 8.     

Highly fluorescent colloids based on rhodamine 6G, modified layered silicate, and organic solvent

Synthetic layered silicate saponite was modified with dodecyltrimethylammonium (C12), octadecyltrimethylammonium (C18), and dioctadecyldimethylammonium (2C18) cations for use as sorbents of the laser dye, rhodamine 6G (R6G). Via solvent exchange, transparent colloids in xylene were prepared and investigated using absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies. Molecular aggregation and partial quenching of the fluorescence were observed for the colloids based on 2C18 cations. Maximal fluorescence yields were observed for the colloids with C12 and C18 cations. Transparent gels without an apparent loss of luminescent efficiency could be prepared by concentrating the colloids. These highly fluorescent colloids and gels represent new types of materials with interesting optical properties.     

XANES研究Al2O3包覆LiNi0.4Co0.2Mn0.4O2材料的稳定性

采用溶胶凝胶水解法在LiNi0.4Co0.2Mn0.4O2(NCM)表面包覆了0.5 wt%Al2O3.透射电镜(TEM)表明在NCM表面形成了均匀的Al2O3包覆层;分别采用恒电位极化及热重分析(TG)研究了包覆前后NCM的析氧特性;采用X射线吸收近边结构谱(XANES)研究了包覆前后O的电子结构.结果表明,包覆后的NCM析氧量更少;Al2O3包覆使得NCM表面层中与金属3d轨道杂化的O比例减少,而更稳定的、与金属4sp轨道杂化的O比例增加.这些因素导致Al2O3包覆后的NCM更加稳定、安全性更高.     

Charge transport versus recombination in dye-sensitized solar cells employing nanocrystalline TiO2 and SnO2 films

We report a comparison of charge transport and recombination dynamics in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) employing nanocrystalline TiO(2) and SnO(2) films and address the impact of these dynamics upon photovoltaic device efficiency. Transient photovoltage studies of electron transport in the metal oxide film are correlated with transient absorption studies of electron recombination with both oxidized sensitizer dyes and the redox couple. For all three processes, the dynamics are observed to be 2-3 orders of magnitude faster for the SnO(2) electrode. The origins of these faster dynamics are addressed by studies correlating the electron recombination dynamics to dye cations with chronoamperometric studies of film electron density. These studies indicate that the faster recombination dynamics for the SnO(2) electrodes result both from a 100-fold higher electron diffusion constant at matched electron densities, consistent with a lower trap density for this metal oxide relative to TiO(2), and from a 300 mV positive shift of the SnO(2) conduction band/trap states density of states relative to TiO(2). The faster recombination to the redox couple results in an increased dark current for DSSCs employing SnO(2) films, limiting the device open-circuit voltage. The faster recombination dynamics to the dye cation result in a significant reduction in the efficiency of regeneration of the dye ground state by the redox couple, as confirmed by transient absorption studies of this reaction, and in a loss of device short-circuit current and fill factor. The importance of this loss pathway was confirmed by nonideal diode equation analyses of device current-voltage data. The addition of MgO blocking layers is shown to be effective at reducing recombination losses to the redox electrolyte but is found to be unable to retard recombination dynamics to the dye cation sufficiently to allow efficient dye regeneration without resulting in concomitant losses of electron injection efficiency. We conclude that such a large acceleration of electron dynamics within the metal oxide films of DSSCs may in general be detrimental to device efficiency due to the limited rate of dye regeneration by the redox couple and discuss the implications of this conclusion for strategies to optimize device performance.     

Dimerization of Organic Dyes on Luminescent Gold Nanoparticles for Ratiometric pH Sensing

Synergistic effects arising from the conjugation of organic dyes onto non‐luminescent metal nanoparticles (NPs) have greatly broadened their applications in both imaging and sensing. Herein, we report that conjugation of a well‐known pH‐insensitive dye, tetramethyl‐rhodamine (TAMRA), to pH‐insensitive luminescent gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) can lead to an ultrasmall nanoindicator that can fluorescently report local pH in a ratiometric way. Such synergy originated from the dimerization of TAMRA on AuNPs, of which geometry was very sensitive to surface charges of the AuNPs and can be reversely modulated through protonation of surrounding glutathione ligands. Not limited to pH‐insensitive dyes, this pH‐dependent dimerization can also enhance the pH sensitivity of fluorescein, a well‐known pH‐sensitive dye, within a larger pH range, opening up a new pathway to design ultrasmall fluorescent ratiometric nanoindicators with tunable wavelengths and pH response ranges.     

Switch‐On Fluorescence of a Perylene‐Dye‐Functionalized Metal–Organic Framework through Postsynthetic Modification

A perylene dye was introduced directly as a linker into a metal–organic framework (MOF) during synthesis. Depending on the dye concentration in the MOF synthesis mixture, different fluorescent materials were generated. The successful incorporation of the dye was proven by using ¹³C and ²⁷Al MAS NMR spectroscopy, by solution NMR spectroscopy after digestion of the MOF sample, and by synthesizing a reference dye without connecting groups, which could coordinate on the metal–oxo cluster inside the MOF. Fluorescence quenching effects of the MOF linker, 2‐aminoterephthalate, were observed and overcome by postsynthetic modification with acetic anhydride. We show here for the first time that amino groups, which can be used as anchoring points for covalent attachment of other molecules, are responsible for fluorescence quenching. Thus, a very promising strategy to implement switchable fluorescence into MOFs is shown here.     

Spectral characterization of a novel near-infrared cyanine dye: a study of its complexation with metal ions

The spectral features of the near-infrared (NIR) dye TG-170 in different solutions and its complexation with several metal ions were investigated. The absorbance maxima of the dye are at λ=819, 805, and 791 nm in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), methanol, and a buffer of pH 5.9, respectively. These values match the output of a commercially available laser diode (780 nm), thus making use of such a source practical for excitation. The emission wavelengths of the dye are at λ_em =822, 812, and 803 nm in DMSO, methanol, and the buffer, respectively. The molar absorptivity and fluorescence quantum yield increase accordingly. The addition of either an Al(III) ion or Be(II) ion resulted in fluorescence quenching of the dye. The Stern–Volmer quenching constant, K_SV, was calculated from the Stern–Volmer plot to be K_SV=3.11×10⁵ M⁻¹ for the Al(III) ion and K_SV=1.17×10⁶ M⁻¹ for the Be(II) ion. The molar ratio of the metal to the dye was established to be 1:1 for both metal ions. The stability constant, K_S, of the metal–dye complex was calculated to be 4.37×10⁴ M⁻¹ for the Al–dye complex and 1.94×10⁶ M⁻¹ for the Be–dye complex.     

The Development of G‐Quadruplex‐Based Assays for the Detection of Small Molecules and Toxic Substances

G‐Quadruplexes can be induced to form guanine‐rich DNA sequences by certain small molecules or metal ions. In concert with an appropriate signal transducer, such as a fluorescent dye or a phosphorescent metal complex, the ligand‐recognition event can be transduced into a luminescent response. This focus review aims to highlight recent examples of aptamer‐based and metal‐mediated G‐quadruplex assays for the detection of small molecules and toxic substances in the last three years. We discuss the mechanisms and features of the different assays and present an outlook and a perspective for the future of this field.     

Benzocarbazole anions intercalated layered double hydroxide and its tunable fluorescence

Luminescent benzocarbazole anions (BCZC) intercalated into the interlayer region of Mg-Al-layered double hydroxides (BCZC/LDH) with different layered charge densities (LCD) were prepared. The structure and chemical composition of the composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), infrared spectra (FT-IR), UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The photoemission behavior of BCZC in the LDH matrix with high (Mg/Al ratio = 1.801) and low (Mg/Al ratio = 3.132) LCD is similar to that of BCZC solid and aqueous solution states respectively, indicating that the luminescence performances of the intercalated dye anions can be tuned by adjusting the LCD of the LDH layer. Moreover, the thermal stability and stacking order of BCZC are largely improved upon intercalation, and the BCZC/LDH thin film exhibits well polarized luminescence with the luminescent anisotropy of 0.15-0.20. In addition, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was employed to calculate the basal spacing and molecular arrangement of the intercalated BCZC within the LDH matrix. The simulation results show that the distribution of BCZC anions is much broader in the gallery of Mg-Al-LDH with high LCD, while BCZC anions exhibit a more ordered arrangement in LDH with low LCD. Furthermore, the radial distribution functions of interlayer water molecules were also studied. Based on the combination of experiment and theoretical simulation, this work provides a detailed understanding of the tunable photoluminescence, orientation and diffusion behavior of the luminescent molecules confined within the gallery of a 2D inorganic matrix.     

A squaraine-based colorimetric and "turn on" fluorescent sensor for selective detection of Hg2+ in an aqueous medium

A novel squaraine-based chemosensor SQ-1 has been synthesized, and its sensing behavior toward various metal ions was investigated by UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopies. In AcOH-H(2)O (40:60, v/v) solution, Hg(2+) ions coordinate with SQ-1 causing a deaggregation which induces a visual color and absorption spectral changes as well as strong fluorescence. In contrast, the addition of other metals (e.g., Pb(2+), Cd(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Al(3+), Ni(2+), Co(2+), Fe(3+), Ca(2+), K(+), Mg(2+), Na(+), and Ag(+)) does not induce these changes at all. Thus SQ-1 is a specific Hg(2+) sensing agent due to the inducing deaggregation of the dye molecule by Hg(2+).     

The synthesis and spectral properties of a stimuli-responsive D-π-A charge transfer dye

A new donor-π-acceptor (D-π-A) type isophorone dye was synthesized by the condensation reaction between 2-(3,5,5-trimethylcyclohex-2-enylidene)-malononitrile and indole-3-carboxaldehyde. The chemical structure of the dye was characterized by 1H NMR, EA and MS. A novel, chromogenic, fluorescent dye based on indol as donor unit and isophorone as acceptor unit displayed marked UV-visible absorption changes and highly selective fluorescence quenching in the presence of fluoride ion. The dye also exhibited sizeable colour changes when used as a pH-induced molecular switch and as a detector for volatile organic compounds. The absorption and fluorescent intensity of the dye can be reversibly selected by protonation/deprotonation of the amine moiety via control of intramolecular charge transfer (ICT), leading to a molecular switch with "on" and "off" states.     

蒽端基聚对苯亚乙炔的发光性能

报道了一种新的蒽端基聚对苯亚乙炔的合成与发光特性,分别考察了聚合物 P2的紫外吸收,荧光发射和电致发光光谱。结果表明,在聚对苯亚乙炔主链末端引 入蒽基团可改变其有效共轭长长及发光颜色,合成的模型小分子可证明这一点。电 致发光器件ITO/P2/Al在600 nm处发红光。