Photoconductive organic materials based on N-vinylcarbazole copolymers with higher alkenes as recording media in photonics

With the purpose to obtain novel photoconductive organic materials with improved complex of physical–mechanical properties and high sensitivity value, the possibility of N-vinylcarbazole copolymerization with higher alkenes was studied.The deposited films were 1.0–2.0 pm thin after drying in vacuum. The photosensitivity of the copolymer films is one order of magnitude greater than other carbazole containing copolymers. The investigation of spectral sensitivity was realized. Photosensitivity reaches its maximal value in 400–800 nm wave band.A photothermoplastic information registration medium was developed using synthesized copolymers. On the prepared photothermoplastic film, were recorded diffraction gratings with diffractional efficiency of 8–10% and resolution of 1000 mm⁻¹, using electrophotographic method. Photographical sensitivity of obtained films allows real time (1–3 s) photographical and holographic image recording.     

Self-Promoted N-Glycosylation: Extended Substrate Scope and Substituent Effects

A self-promoted glycosylation method for the stereoselective formation of β-glucosides from a substrate library of glycosyl trichloroacetimidate glycosyl donors and glycosyl acceptors is presented. The simple two-component reaction takes place at elevated temperatures, without the addition of any additives or catalysts. After a simple basic workup, N-glycosides were obtained in good yields and with high β-selectivity and hence this method allows for easy access to glycoconjugates under very mild conditions. The influences of neighboring group participation and substituents, in both the glycosyl donor and acceptor, were studied. Kinetic data were obtained from in situ IR and these were used for a Hammett study. A connection between the pK_a of the acceptor and reaction rate was found and new mechanistic insight in self-promoted glycosylations gained.     

Photoageing behaviour of epoxy nanocomposites: Comparison between spherical and lamellar nanofillers

The photochemical behaviour of a nanofilled epoxy resin has been studied. It has been shown that the filler content increases at the surface with irradiation time. Qualitative stiffness and adhesion measurements compare the surface properties of the filled and unfilled samples upon ageing. Depth profiling has been achieved by AFM nanoindentation and micro-FTIR. These two techniques allowed comparing stiffness and photooxidation of the aged samples. Both techniques showed an influence of nanofillers on thickness profiles. The relationship between the oxidation process and its consequences on the physical properties is explained taking into account oxygen permeability and light diffusion. Additionally, it has been shown that, whatever the content (5-10 wt%), the nature (silica or different organo-modified montmorillonites) or the shape of the filler (spherical or lamellar), the photoproducts were formed in comparable proportions and at similar rates as in the pristine matrix.     

Synthesis of halide glasses by reactive processing of sol-gel materials

This paper aims to introduce fluoride materials, their conventional processing and how sol-gel processing can be used both to simplify processing and to improve properties. A multistep process incorporating sol-gel synthesis and reactive treatment is used to prepare a monolithic ZBLA fluoride glass. The first step is synthesis of a porous, monolithic, atomically homogeneous hydrous oxide gel containing zirconium, barium, lanthanum, aluminum and possibly sodium as components (ZBLA or ZBLAN). The second step is a relatively low-temperature reactive treatment of the gel with a fluorinating agent to achieve a porous fluoride glass. Subsequently, the gel is viscous sintered to a dense glass. The present status and future challenges in the preparation of optical-quality fluoride glasses via this method will be presented.     

Degradation of tributyltin chloride in water photoinduced by iron(III)

The degradation of tributyltin chloride (TBT) photoinduced by iron(III) was investigated. Upon irradiation at λ_excitation >300 nm a photoredox process was observed, yielding iron(II) and ^·2OH radicals. The disappearance of TBT was proved to involve only an attack by ^·2OH radicals: the quantum yield of TBT disappearance was determined. A wavelength effect was observed; the shorter the excitation wavelength, the higher the rate of TBT disappearance. Most of the photoproducts were identified and the mechanism of degradation was elucidated. The main route to degradation is a stepwise debutylation of TBT to di‐ and mono‐butyltin with final formation of inorganic tin. The complete mineralization of TBT was achieved with long irradiation times, leading to innocuous inorganic tin. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Biocompatible Lipid‐Coated Persistent Luminescent Nanoparticles for In Vivo Imaging of Dendritic Cell Migration

Dendritic cell (DC)‐based vaccines for immunotherapy have already achieved promising results in the last decade. To further improve current treatment protocols and enhance the therapeutic outcome, noninvasive in vivo tracking of DCs remains of crucial importance. Persistent luminescent nanoparticles (PLNPs) are inorganic materials which show an afterglow for hours after the optical excitation has ceased. If the afterglow is in the near‐infrared, the emission of injected particles can be tracked in vivo. However, stability and toxicity issues limit the use of bare PLNPs for biological applications. Therefore, appropriate surface functionalization is needed to improve their biocompatibility. In this study, it is demonstrated that near‐infrared light emitting LiGa₅O₈:Cr³⁺ nanoparticles can be functionalized with a biocompatible lipid coating which provides them with outstanding stability in biological media. In vitro experiments show efficient uptake, absence of cytotoxicity even at very high particle concentrations, and no adverse effects on the maturation potential of DCs. DCs labeled with lipid‐coated LiGa₅O₈:Cr³⁺ nanoparticles injected in mice can be imaged over days, confirming efficient in vivo migration to the popliteal lymph node. Together the results show that lipid coated LiGa₅O₈:Cr³⁺ nanoparticles possess excellent possibilities for further use in research and development of DC based vaccines.     

Electronic and photophysical properties of a novel phenol bound dinuclear ruthenium complex: evidence for a luminescent mixed valence state

A novel dinuclear ruthenium(II) complex bridged by dianionic bridge 3-(2-phenol)-5-(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazole in which the ruthenium metal atoms are bound through N,N coordination to the pyridine and triazole and O,N coordination to the triazole and phenolate is described. The electrochemical, spectroscopic and photophysical behaviour of the dimer is compared with its associated N,N- and O,N-coordinated mononuclear complexes. The mixed valence complex was prepared electrochemically and a weak inter-valence charge transfer transition is observed which from Hush theory provides an electronic coupling matrix element of 666 cm(-1), suggesting the complex is weakly coupled and valence trapped. In its native state the dinuclear compound is essentially non-emissive but upon the oxidation of the O,N moiety luminescence from the complex is reversibly switched on at 0.3 V and reversibly switched off by application of 1.3 or 0 V. To our knowledge this is the first report of a luminescent mixed valence ruthenium complex.     

Hybrid materials for optics and photonics

The interest in organic-inorganic hybrids as materials for optics and photonics started more than 25 years ago and since then has known a continuous and strong growth. The high versatility of sol-gel processing offers a wide range of possibilities to design tailor-made materials in terms of structure, texture, functionality, properties and shape modelling. From the first hybrid material with optical functional properties that has been obtained by incorporation of an organic dye in a silica matrix, the research in the field has quickly evolved towards more sophisticated systems, such as multifunctional and/or multicomponent materials, nanoscale and self-assembled hybrids and devices for integrated optics. In the present critical review, we have focused our attention on three main research areas: passive and active optical hybrid sol-gel materials, and integrated optics. This is far from exhaustive but enough to give an overview of the huge potential of these materials in photonics and optics (254 references).