Annealing-free Poly(3-hexylthiophene):[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester-based organic solar cells

We report on the fabrication of efficient annealing-free organic solar cells using co-solvent solution considered as a promising method for low-cost and time-saving manufacturing. Higher device efficiency could be obtained compared to the pure solvent casted device, resulting from the improved crystallinity, optical absorption and transport properties. The power conversion efficiency of 2.8% was obtained, demonstrating the feasibility of achieving low-cost and high-efficiency organic solar cells without any additional treatment and processing additives.     

Controlled water flooding of polymer electrolyte fuel cells applying superhydrophobic gas diffusion layer

Water transport is critical to the successful implementation of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC), especially in long-term and dynamic operation in automotives. Liquid water appears in the fuel cells not only from the water generated at the cathode catalyst layer but also as a result of condensation of water vapor from the humidified gases. In this study, we report a simple approach to prepare a superhydrophobic gas diffusion layer by chemical vapor deposition of polydimethylsiloxane without significant change in pore size of gas diffusion layer unlike other approach adding hydrophobic agent such as polytetrafluoroethylene. A superhydrophobic coating on the GDL can be obtained, leading to exceptionally enhanced power performance and stability of PEFC especially at a high current where water transport becomes more critical.     

Corrosion inhibition of ammonium molybdate for AA6061 alloy in NaCl solution and its synergistic effect with calcium gluconate

The corrosion inhibition of ammonium heltamolybdate (AH) and calcium gluconate (CG) for AA6061 alloy in 3% NaCl solution was investigated by the electrochemical measurements. It indicates that AH inhibits the corrosion of AA6061 alloy and acts as an anodic inhibitor. Maximum inhibition efficiency reaches 74.3% at the concentration of 1 × 10^?4 mol.l^?1 AH. The results of the electrochemical studies reveal AH is physically adsorbed on the AA6061 alloy surface and the adsorption follows Langmuir isotherm. The combination of AH and CG enhances the inhibition efficiency to 95.9%. The enhanced inhibition is attributed to the promotion of AH adsorption by CG. The mixture of AH and CG is a mixed‐type inhibitor and renders the corrosion potential to more positive values. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Short syntheses of (−)-clavaminol A and deacetyl (+)-clavaminol H

Concise stereoselective syntheses of (?)-clavaminol A and deacetyl (+)-clavaminol H have been achieved from simple starting materials. Highlights of the synthesis for (?)-clavaminol A include a highly diastereoselective chelation-controlled hydride reduction of an amino ketone to give the anti amino alcohol directly, and NaBH₄-mediated dehalogenation. The main synthetic approach for deacetyl (+)-clavaminol H features a highly diastereoselective chelation-controlled hydride reduction of the amino ketone to construct the anti amino alcohol and a palladium catalyzed hydrogenation reaction at the final step.     

Ionic Copolymerizations

It is shown that for the reported instances of “random” copolymerization in cationic systems, N values related to relative reactivity may be derived for monomers. The N values approximate reasonably well the values of the function, exp (-e) - 1.23, where e is the polarity e of the Q-e scheme for free-radical copolymerizations.

In a recent paper [1] it was shown that for the reported instances [2-4] of “random” copolymerization (r₁,r₂ = 1) in cationic systems, N values, related to relative reactivity, might be derived for monomers, employing styrene as a base monomer (N = 1). Thus d[M₁]/d[M₂] =N₁[M₁]/N₂[M₂] (1)

where d[M₁]/d[M₂] is the instantaneous copolymer composition, [M₁]/[M₂] is the ratio of unreacted monomers, and N₁ and N₂ are parameters related to general monomer reactivity of monomers 1 and 2, respectively, in cationic copolymerization.     

Copolymerization Parameters of Allyl Glycidyl Ether

Interest in the copolymerizability of allyl glycidyl ether has been stimulated by recent industrial and academic interest in the monomer, because of its epoxy as well as allylic functionality, There is a paucity of information in the literature, however, concerning its copolymerization parameters with other monomers, and none, apparently, concerning its Q and e values.     

Anion Receptor with Xylene Bridged Two Imidazolium Rings

A m-xylene bridged imidazolium receptor 1 has been designed and synthesized. The receptor 1 utilizes two imidazole (C–H)⁺—anion hydrogen bonds and one aromatic hydrogen—anion hydrogen bond. The major driving force of complexation between the receptor 1 and anions comes from two imidazole (C–H)⁺—anion hydrogen bonding. However, some hydrogen bonding energy between aromatic hydrogen and anion exists, although it is expected to be much smaller than that of imidazole (C–H)⁺—anion hydrogen bonds.

     

Biochemical and Structural Studies of Conserved Maf Proteins Revealed Nucleotide Pyrophosphatases with a Preference for Modified Nucleotides

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Transfection of Mammalian Cells Using Block Copolypeptide Vesicles

An arginine‐leucine block copolypeptide (R₆₀L₂₀) is synthesized, which is capable of forming vesicles with controllable sizes, able to transport hydrophilic cargo across the cell membrane, and exhibit relatively low cytotoxicity. The R₆₀L₂₀ vesicles also possess the ability to deliver DNA into mammalian cells for transfection. Although the transfection efficiency is lower than that of the commercially available transfection agent Lipofectamine 2000, the R₆₀L₂₀ vesicles are able to achieve transfection with significantly lower cytotoxicity and immunogenicity. This behavior is potentially due to its stronger interaction with DNA which subsequently provides better protection against anionic heparin.