Synthesis and characterization of AgBr nanocomposites by templated amphiphilic comb polymer

A novel amphiphilic graft copolymer, poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-chlorotrifluoroethylene)-g-poly(4-vinyl pyridine) (P(VDF-co-CTFE)-g-P4VP) at 65:35 wt.%, respectively, was synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), as confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Silver bromide (AgBr) nanoparticles were in situ generated within the self-assembled P(VDF-co-CTFE)-g-P4VP graft copolymer. TEM, UV–visible spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses support the successful formation of P(VDF-co-CTFE)-g-P4VP nanocomposites consisting of stabilized AgBr nanoparticles mostly 20–40 nm in size, which is presumably due to the capping action of the coordinating pyridine groups of the graft copolymer. The wavenumber of pyridine nitrogen in FT-IR spectra and the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the graft polymer measured by DSC shifted upon the formation of AgBr nanoparticles, indicating specific interactions between the nanoparticles and the graft copolymer matrix.     

Thermodynamic predictions of various tetrahydrofuran and hydrogen clathrate hydrates

Tetrahydrofuran (THF) is one of the most widely used analogues for gas hydrates as well as a commonly used additive for reducing the formation pressure of a given hydrate process. Hydrates are also currently being investigated as storage materials for hydrogen as well as materials for hydrogen separations. Here we present a thermodynamic model, based on the CSMGem framework, that accurately captures the phase behavior of various hydrates containing THF and hydrogen. The model uses previously regressed parameters for components other than THF and H₂, and can reproduce hydrate formation conditions for a number of hydrates containing THF and/or hydrogen (simple THF, THF + CH₄, THF + N₂, THF + CO₂, THF + H₂, CH₄ + H₂, C₂H₆ + H₂ and C₃H₈ + H₂). The incorporation of THF and H₂ within this model framework will serve as a valuable tool for hydrate scenarios involving either of these components.     

Emission wavelength prediction of a full-color-tunable fluorescent core skeleton, 9-aryl-1,2-dihydropyrrolo[3,4-b]indolizin-3-one

In this paper we report on a novel fluorescent core skeleton, 9-aryl-1,2-dihydropyrrolo[3,4-b]indolizin-3-one, which we named Seoul-Fluor, having tunable and predictable photophysical properties. Using a concise and practical one-pot synthetic procedure, a 68-member library of new fluorescent compounds was synthesized with diverse substituents. In Seoul-Fluor, the electronic characteristics of the substituents, as well as their positional changes, have a close correlation with their photophysical properties. The systematic perturbation of electronic densities on the specific positions of Seoul-Fluor, guided with the Hammett constant, allows emission wavelength tunability covering the full color range. On the basis of these observations and a computational analysis, we extracted a simple first-order correlation of photophysical properties with the theoretical calculation and accurately predicted the emission wavelength of Seoul-Fluors through the rational design. In this study, we clearly demonstrate that Seoul-Fluor can provide a powerful gateway for the generation of desired fluorescent probes without the need for a tiresome synthesis and trial-and-error process.     

Fluorophore and dye-assisted dispersion of carbon nanotubes in aqueous solution

DNA short oligo, surfactant, peptides, and polymer-assisted dispersion of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNTs) in aqueous solution have been intensively studied. It has been suggested that van der Waals interaction, π-π stacking, and hydrophobic interaction are major factors that account for the SWCNTs dispersion. Fluorophore and dye molecules such as Rhodamine B and fluorescein have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties. These molecules also contain π-conjugated systems that can potentially interact with SWCNTs to induce its dispersion. Through a systematic study, here we show that SWCNTs can be dispersed in aqueous solution in the presence of various fluorophore or dye molecules. However, the ability of a fluorophore or dye molecule to disperse SWCNTs is not correlated with the stability of the fluorophore/dye-SWCNT complex, suggesting that the on-rate of fluorophore/dye binding to SWCNTs may dominate the efficiency of this process. We also examined the uptake of fluorophore molecules by mammalian cells when these molecules formed complexes with SWCNTs. The results can have potential applications in the delivery of poor cell-penetrating fluorophore molecules.     

Design and properties of functional nanotubes from the self-assembly of cyclic peptide templates

β-Sheet forming self assembling cyclic peptides offer a versatile scaffold for the construction and control of hydrogen-bonded nanotube assemblies. These structures have major advantages over other nanoscale tubular structures, including sub-nanometer control over the internal diameter, and the ability to control internal and external chemical functionality. This Tutorial Review presents an overview of nanotubes derived from this class of cyclic peptides. The design rationale for functional nanotubes based on cyclic peptide ring size and chemical functionality is discussed. Additionally, we highlight the recent expansion of the nanotube toolbox through conjugation of (macro)molecules to the cyclic peptides. These provide additional functionality and control nanotube dimensions that could potentially prove beneficial in future applications.     

Poly(oxyethylene methacrylate)–poly(4-vinyl pyridine) comb-like polymer electrolytes for solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells

Poly(oxyethylene methacrylate)–poly(4-vinyl pyridine) (POEM–P4VP) comb-like copolymers with 3:7, 5:5, and 6:4 wt ratio were synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization and confirmed by ¹H-NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy. The copolymers were quaternized with 1-iodopropane to convert the pyridine groups into pyridinium ions, i.e., POEM–qP4VP. Transmission electron microscopy showed that strongly segregated microphase separation in POEM–P4VP was less prominent upon quaternization due to interactions between the ether oxygens of POEM and the quaternized pyridine groups of qP4VP, as confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy. The energy conversion efficiencies of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with quaternized polymer electrolytes were always greater than those with pristine electrolytes due to greater ionic conductivity and concentrations of free iodide ions. The maximum energy conversion efficiency of a DSSC employing POEM–qP4VP electrolyte reached 3.0% at 100 mW/cm² when a 6:4 wt.% of POEM–qP4VP was used.     

Syntheses, structures, and magnetic characterizations of cyanide-bridged Fe(III)Mn(III) chains constructed by mer-Fe(III)tricyanide and Mn(III) Schiff bases: magnetostructural relationship

Five Fe(III)Mn(III) bimetallic compounds [Fe(iqc)(CN)(3)][Mn(5-Xsalen)]·pMeOH·qMeCN·rH(2)O [Hiqc = N-(quinolin-8-yl)isoquinoline-1-carboxamide; salen = N,N'-ethylenebis(salicylideneiminato) dianion; X = H(2), F(3, 3a), Cl(4), Br(5)] were prepared by assembling a newly designed mer-Fe tricyanide (Ph(4)P)[Fe(iqc)(CN)(3)]·0.5H(2)O (1) and the respective Mn Schiff bases Mn(5-Xsalen)(+). Compounds 2-4 show linear chain structures in which trans-positioned cyanides of the Fe precursor bridge neighbouring Mn atoms, while 5 is a zigzag chain coordination polymer where two cyanide groups of the precursor in the cis mode act as bridges. The structural change from linear to zigzag may arise from the size effect of the halogens. The reversible structural transformation occurs between 3 and 3a upon the solvation-desolvation protocol and the corresponding magnetic behaviours are affected. Furthermore, in 4 and 5, the helical chains are established through hydrogen bonding of solvent molecules. From a magnetostructural point of view, within the linear chain system, the ferromagnetic coupling in 2, contrary to antiferromagnetic interactions in 3-4, is associated with the large torsion angle of C(eq)-Fe-Mn-N(O)(eq) (eq = equatorial) as well as almost the linear Mn-N≡C angle.     

Bi‐directional organic light‐emitting diodes with nanoparticle‐enhanced light outcoupling

An effective method is presented for enhancing the outcoupling efficiency of translucent/bi‐directional organic light‐emitting diodes (TL/BD‐OLEDs) with a bottom indium tin oxide (ITO) anode and a top cathode comprised of a thin Ag layer covered with an organic capping layer. Upon insertion of a nanoparticle (NP)‐based scattering layer (NPSL) between the substrate and the ITO anode, the TL/BD‐OLEDs exhibit significantly enhanced external quantum efficiency (EQE) in both emission directions. Furthermore, the NPSL improves the color stability of the TL/BD‐OLEDs over a wide range of viewing angles. Simulations based on geometrical and statistical optics are performed to elucidate the mechanism by which the efficiency is enhanced and to establish strategies for further optimization. Simulations performed on the scattering layers with varying NP volume percentage reveal that the bottom‐side emission is governed by competition between waveguide‐mode extraction and backward scattering by NPs in the film, while the top‐side emission is largely dominated by the latter. Optimized bi‐directional OLEDs achieve a 1.64‐fold enhanced EQE compared to reference devices without NPSL.