Superresolution Imaging with Switchable Fluorophores Based on Oxazine Auxochromes

The spatial resolution of fluorescence microscopes is limited by diffraction to about half of the light wavelength, hampering the observation of many important intracellular processes. Recent emerging techniques have overcome that diffraction barrier using the temporal discrimination of close objects that are otherwise unresolved or blurred within the spatial resolution of the microscope. The key of these techniques is to switch the signal of fluorescence markers on and off exploiting their distinct molecular states, and detect and localize these markers at the single‐molecule level. This underlying principle highlights the critical role of the photophysical properties of the probes, and the importance of finding adequate switching mechanisms. Here, we present strategies to achieve fluorescence modulation based on novel molecular assemblies containing a [1,3]oxazine as the two states, building block responsible for the transformation. Two different triggering events, based on the photochromic and halochromic properties of the oxazine, induce a large absorption and emission bathochromic shift of a pendant fluorophore, as the ultimate fluorescence switching event. The implementation of these approaches to achieve spatial resolution beyond the diffraction limit is also discussed.     

Enhanced Clay Dispersion in Polypropylene by the Modification of Clay with Poly(Oxypropylene) Diamine

Polypropylene (PP) is a highly non-polar polymer. Where as the clay is a polar material. Hence generally we get poor dispersion out of it. In this work, effort has been taken to improve the dispersion of clay in to polypropylene matrix. Clay was modified with Poly (oxypropylene) ammonium chloride. Composites were prepared by melt blending method in a twin screw extruder. Three different ratios namely 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 weight % loadings of clay were adopted to prepare these composites by this technique. Their structures were characterized by FTIR, x-ray diffraction (XRD). Notable change in the crystallization and melting temperatures were observed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The distribution of clay in the matrix was also studied through optical microscope (OM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The effect of clay modification on the performance of the composites was studied.     

Novel Tailored Polymeric Surfactant for Dispersing Clay into the Non Polar Polymer

Polymers have entropy nearly zero which cause mixing of different polymers or with the fillers become very difficult. There is generally a third component necessary which is called surfactant to enhance the miscibility. The surfactant reduces interfacial tension and improves the interfacial adhesion. In this work, tailored polymeric surfactant is designed and utilized for dispersing the clay in nano scale in to the polymer matrix Polypropylene (PP). These were prepared directly from Na⁺ Bentonite by reactive processing in which melt intercalation technique was carried. They are Polypropylene-g-acrylic amido Poly(oxypropylene) ammonium chloride (POPA). This ammonium salt was prepared from diamine and Polypropylene-g-acrylic acid by the formation of amido amine and sequentially neutralized it with the hydrochloric acid solution. The amido amine formation was verified by the FTIR technique. Clay loading was kept at 5 weight % by this new technique. Their structures were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD). The distribution of clay in the matrix was also studied through optical microscope (OM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). These techniques revealed that the polymeric surfactant enhances the dispersion and the dispersed clay is hardly found in the SEM images.