New 2-in-1 polyelectrolyte step-by-step film buildup without solution alternation: from PEDOT-PSS to polyelectrolyte complexes

Although never emphasized and increasingly used in organic electronics, PEDOT-PSS (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrene sulfonate)) layer-by-layer (lbl) film construction violates the alternation of polyanion and polycation rule stated as a prerequisit for a step-by-step film buildup. To demonstrate that this alternation is not always necessary, we studied the step-by-step construction of films using a single solution containing polycation/polyanion complexes. We investigated four different systems: PEDOT-PSS, bPEI-PSS (branched poly(ethylene imine)-poly(sodium 4-styrene sulfonate)), PDADMA-PSS (poly(diallyl dimethyl ammonium)-PSS), and PAH-PSS (poly(allylamine hydrochloride)-PSS). The film buildup obtained by spin-coating or dipping-and-drying process was monitored by ellipsometry, UV-vis-NIR spectrophotometry, and quartz-crystal microbalance. The surface morphology of the films was characterized by atomic force microscopy in tapping mode. After an initial transient regime, the different films have a linear buildup with the number of deposition steps. It appears that, when the particles composed of polyanion-polycation complex and complex aggregates in solution are more or less liquid (case of PEDOT-PSS and bPEI-PSS), our method leads to smooth films (roughness on the order of 1-2 nm). On the other hand, when these complexes are more or less solid particles (case of PDADMA-PSS and PAH-PSS), the resulting films are much rougher (typically 10 nm). Polycation/polyanion molar ratios in monomer unit of the liquid, rinsing, and drying steps are key parameters governing the film buildup process with an optimal polycation/polyanion molar ratio leading to the fastest film growth. This new and general lbl method, designated as 2-in-1 method, allows obtaining regular and controlled film buildup with a single liquid containing polyelectrolyte complexes and opens a new route for surface functionalization with polyelectrolytes.     

A bifunctional luminescent single-ion magnet: towards correlation between luminescence studies and magnetic slow relaxation processes

A new heterodinuclear [Zn(L)Dy](3+) complex, with L being a compartmental Schiff base ligand, exhibits the characteristic Dy(3+) luminescence associated with a single-ion field induced slow relaxation of the magnetisation. This complex may be considered as one of the rare examples of a bifunctional luminescent single-ion magnet.     

Optical, Electrochemical, and Catalytic Properties of the Unsaturated Host Pd3(dppm)3(CO)2+ and Pd4(dppm)4(H)2+ 2 Clusters: An Overview

This paper presents an overview of the optical, photophysical, and photochemical properties including UV-visible and luminescence spectra in solution at 298 and 77 K, along with electrochemical, and catalytic behavior under reduction conditions (for both thermally and electrochemically assisted systems) of the tri- and tetranuclear Pd₃(dppm)₃(CO)²⁺ and Pd₄(dppm)₄(H)²⁺ ₂ clusters (dppm=bis(diphenylphosphino)methane). This review is also complemented with relevant information about their syntheses, molecular and electronic structures supported from computer modeling, EHMO and DFT calculations, and their host-guest behavior with anions and neutral molecules, in relation with their observed reactivity.     

Effects of thermal treatment on biaxially oriented poly (ethylene terephthalate). III. Creep behavior following various thermal histories

Elongational creep measurements were carried out on a biaxially oriented poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) film parallel to, orthogonal to, and at 45° to the principal optic axis. Measurements made after various thermal treatments which were intended to stabilize the physical state of the PET were shown to be ineffective. Samples were annealed at 140°C for 12 days and aged at 95°C for over 24 days before measurement without success. Thermal cycling between 41 and 91°C which was also employed to stabilize the mechanical response also failed. Significant deceleration of the creep rate caused by densification of amorphous regions of the samples during storage below the glass temperature T_g is illustrated. Because of physical aging below T_g and morphological changes occurring above T_g during the various thermal treatments and histories, time-scale shift factors were found to be not unique.