Sensor technologies based on a cellulose supported platform

A simple approach to sensor development based on encapsulating a probe molecule in a cellulose support followed by regeneration from an ionic liquid solution is demonstrated here by the codissolution of cellulose and 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride followed by regeneration with water to form strips which exhibit a proportionate (1 : 1) response to Hg(II) in aqueous solution.     

Highly phosphorescent perfect green emitting iridium(iii) complex for application in OLEDs

A novel iridium complex, [bis-(2-phenylpyridine)(2-carboxy-4-dimethylaminopyridine)iridium(iii)] (N984), was synthesized and characterized using spectroscopic and electrochemical methods; a solution processable OLED device incorporating the N984 complex displays electroluminescence spectra with a narrow bandwidth of 70 nm at half of its intensity, with colour coordinates of x = 0.322; y = 0.529 that are very close to those suggested by the PAL standard for a green emitter.     

Engineering of efficient phosphorescent iridium cationic complex for developing oxygen-sensitive polymeric and nanostructured films

In this study, a novel phosphorescent Ir(III) complex [Ir(2-phenylpyridine)2(4,4'-bis(2-(4-N,N-methylhexylaminophenyl)ethyl)-2-2'-bipyridine)Cl] (for convenience, the complex was given the synonym N-948) has been designed and synthesized, to be used as an oxygen probe. It was characterized by spectroscopic and analytical methods when incorporated in a polystyrene and nanostructured metal oxide support. N-948 is the first Ir complex in the literature with a luminescence emission at a wavelength higher than 650 nm (665 nm), with a quantum yield higher than 0.50 (0.58 +/- 0.05) and an extremely long phosphorescence lifetime (102 micros) which has been used for developing oxygen-sensitive films. In addition, the new complex shows a Stern-Volmer constant which is 20 times higher than that of other Ir complexes known from the literature when they are immobilized in polystyrene. The sensing film shows long-term stability (up to 12 months), complete reversibility of the signal quenched by oxygen and a quick response time to various oxygen concentrations (<2 s changing from 10 vol% pO2 to 90 vol% pO2). Thus, it is an interesting and promising complex for developing oxygen-selective sensors for gas analysis and the analysis of dissolved oxygen.     

Spectroelectrochemical studies of hole percolation on functionalised nanocrystalline TiO2 films: a comparison of two different ruthenium complexes

We report the application of spectroelectrochemical techniques to compare the hole percolation dynamics of molecular networks of two ruthenium bipyridyl complexes adsorbed onto mesoporous, nanocrystalline TiO(2) films. The percolation dynamics of the ruthenium complex cis-di(thiocyanato)(2,2'-bipyridyl-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid)-(2,2'-bipyridyl-4,4'-tridecyl) ruthenium(II), N621, is compared with those observed for an analogous dye with an additional tri-phenyl amine (TPA) donor moiety, cis-di(thiocyanato)(2,2'-bipyridyl-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid)-(2,2'-bipyridyl-4,4'-bis(vinyltriphenylamine)) ruthenium(II), HW456. The in situ oxidation of these ruthenium complexes adsorbed to the TiO(2) films is monitored by cyclic voltammetry and voltabsorptometry, whilst the dynamics of hole (cation) percolation between adsorbed ruthenium complexes is monitored by potentiometric spectroelectrochemistry and chronoabsorptometry. The hole diffusion coefficient, D(eff), is shown to be dependent on the dye loading on the nanocrystalline TiO(2) film, with a threshold observed at ～60% monolayer surface coverage for both dyes. The hole diffusion coefficient of HW456 is estimated to be 2.6 × 10(-8) cm(2)/s, 20-fold higher than that obtained for the control N621, attributed to stronger electronic coupling between the TPA moieties of HW456 accelerating the hole percolation dynamics. The presence of mercuric ions, previously shown to bind to the thiocyanates of analogous ruthenium complexes, resulted in a quenching of the hole percolation for N621/TiO(2) films and an enhancement for HW456/TiO(2) films. These results strongly suggest that the hole percolation pathway is along the overlapped neighbouring -NCS groups for the N621 molecules, whereas in HW456 molecules cation percolation proceeds between intermolecular TPA ligands. These results are discussed in the context of their relevance to the process of dye regeneration in dye sensitised solar cells, and to the molecular wiring of wide bandgap inorganic materials for battery and sensing applications.     

Near-UV to red-emitting charged bis-cyclometallated iridium(III) complexes for light-emitting electrochemical cells

Herein we report a series of charged iridium complexes emitting from near-UV to red using carbene-based N^C: ancillary ligands. Synthesis, photophysical and electrochemical properties of this series are described in detail together with X-ray crystal structures. Density Functional Theory calculations show that the emission originates from the cyclometallated main ligand, in contrast to commonly designed charged complexes using bidentate N^N ancillary ligands, where the emission originates from the ancillary N^N ligand. The radiative process of this series of compounds is characterized by relatively low photoluminescence quantum yields in solution that is ascribed to non-radiative deactivation of the excited state by thermally accessible metal-centered states. Despite the poor photophysical properties of this series of complexes in solution, electroluminescent emission from the bluish-green to orange region of the visible spectrum is obtained when they are used as active compounds in light-emitting electrochemical cells.     

Towards flexibility: metal free plastic cathodes for dye sensitized solar cells

We report herein lightweight, and economical dye-sensitized solar cells fabrication facilitated by an all plastic, metal free cathode consisting of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene).