Photoinduced change in the charge order pattern in the quarter-filled organic conductor (EDO-TTF)2PF6 with a strong electron-phonon interaction

The quasistable state in the photoinduced phase transition for the quasi-one-dimensional quarter-filled organic conductor (EDO-TTF)2PF6 has been examined by ultrafast reflective measurements and time-dependent model calculations incorporating both electron-electron and electron-phonon interactions. The transient optical conductivity spectrum over a wide probe photon-energy range revealed that photoexcitation induced a new type of charge-disproportionate state. Additionally, coherent and incoherent oscillations dependent on probe photon energies were found, as predicted by the calculation.     

pH-Operated mechanized porous silicon nanoparticles

Porous silicon nanoparticles (PSiNPs) were synthesized by silver-assisted electroless chemical etching of silicon nanowires generated on a silicon wafer. The rod-shaped particles (200-400 nm long and 100-200 nm in diameter) were derivatized with a cyclodextrin-based nanovalve that was closed at the physiological pH of 7.4 but open at pH <6. Release profiles in water and tissue culture media showed that no cargo leaked when the valves were closed and that release occurred immediately after acidification. In vitro studies using human pancreatic carcinoma PANC-1 cells proved that these PSiNPs were endocytosed and carried cargo molecules into the cells and released them in response to lysosomal acidity. These studies show that PSiNPs can serve as an autonomously functioning delivery platform in biological systems and open new possibilities for drug delivery.     

Synthesis and electric properties of dicobalt silicide nanobelts

Single crystalline Co(2)Si nanobelts were synthesized for the first time. Temperature-dependent electrical transport studies show the Co(2)Si nanobelts exhibit metallic behavior with a large negative magnetoresistance over 10% at low temperature, which may be attributed to alignment of the spins in surface cobalt atoms.     

Quasiparticle interference of C2-symmetric surface states in a LaOFeAs parent compound

We present scanning tunneling microscopy studies of the LaOFeAs parent compound of iron pnictide superconductors. High resolution spectroscopic imaging reveals strong standing wave patterns induced by quasiparticle interference of two-dimensional surface states. Fourier analysis shows that the distribution of scattering wave vectors exhibits pronounced twofold (C(2)) symmetry, strongly reminiscent of the nematic electronic state found in CaFe(1.94)Co(0.06)As(2). The implications of these results to the electronic structure of the pnictide parent states will be discussed.     

Molecular and Crystal Structure Diversity,and Physical Properties of Tetrathiafulvalene Derivatives Substituted with Various Aryl Groups through Sulfur Bridges

A library of tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) derivatives ( TTF‐1 – TTF‐47 ) bearing aryl groups attached through sulfur bridges has been created. The peripheral aryl groups exert a significant influence on both the electronic and crystallographic properties of the resulting TTFs. These TTFs display broad absorption bands at 400–500 nm caused by intramolecular charge‐transfer transitions between the aryl groups and central TTF core, and their first redox potentials increase with increasing electron‐withdrawing ability of the aryl groups. In their crystal structures (22 examples), the central TTF cores adopt various conformations, including chair, half‐chair, boat, and planar conformations. Moreover, the peripheral aryl groups exhibit multiple alignment modes with respect to the central TTF core, caused by their rotation about the two C? S bonds of the sulfur bridges. The packing motifs of these TTFs depend on both the nature of the aryl groups and their spatial alignment modes. Driven by intermolecular van der Waals forces and π–π interactions between the aryl groups and between the aryl groups and the TTF core, these TTFs adopt various packing structures. As a typical example, TTF‐14 , an achiral molecule, adopts a helical chain stack through intermolecular atomic close contacts. Moreover, the molecular geometries and packing motifs of these TTFs are sensitive to environmental variation, as exemplified by TTF‐28 , which adopts three distinct crystal modifications with diverse molecular geometries and stacking modes under different crystallization conditions. This work indicates that these TTFs are potential candidates as electronic materials, as well as functional building blocks for supramolecular assembly.     

Non-Isothermal Crystallization of Poly(vinylidene Fluoride)/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Composites

Poly(vinylidene fluoride)/multiwalled carbon nanotube (PVDF/MWCNT) composites were prepared by the method of solution blending. The non-isothermal crystallization of PVDF and its composites was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results showed that the crystallization peaks shifted to lower temperature and the exothermic trace became wider when cooling rate increased for PVDF and its composites. The MWCNTs caused an increase in crystallization temperature and initial crystallization temperature. In addition, the Jeziorny and Mo methods were used to analyze the non-isothermal crystallization kinetics. The results showed that the crystallization rate rose with an increase in cooling rate, however, the MWCNTs decreased the crystallization rates of PVDF.     

Corrosion and electrochemical behavior of water glass coatings embedded with graphite/titanium oxide on 2A12 aluminum alloy

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Graphite/titanium oxide composite anti-corrosion coatings with five proportions of graphite were applied on the surface of aluminum alloy. The surface...     

Substituent-dependent fluorescent sensors for zinc ions based on carboxamidoquinoline

A series of carboxamidoquinoline-based fluorescent sensors (the AQZ family) were synthesized and characterized. The AQZ family members were highly soluble in water and showed good selectivity for Zn(2+)via enhanced fluorescence in aqueous buffer solution. Fluorescence signals could be tuned from dual-wavelength ratiometric changes to changes in the intensity of a single wavelength upon binding Zn(2+) through the introduction of different substituents onto the quinoline ring. Concentrations of free Zn(2+) of 10(-5)-10(-6) M could be detected using the sensors. Changes of substituents and their positions on the quinoline ring influenced the sensitivity for Zn(2+), but had little effect on Zn(2+) affinities.     

Porous, conductive metal-triazolates and their structural elucidation by the charge-flipping method

A new family of porous crystals was prepared by combining 1H-1,2,3-triazole and divalent metal ions (Mg, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, and Zn) to give six isostructural metal-triazolates (termed MET-1 to 6). These materials are prepared as microcrystalline powders, which give intense X-ray diffraction lines. Without previous knowledge of the expected structure, it was possible to apply the newly developed charge-flipping method to solve the complex crystal structure of METs: all the metal ions are octahedrally coordinated to the nitrogen atoms of triazolate such that five metal centers are joined through bridging triazolate ions to form super-tetrahedral units that lie at the vertexes of a diamond-type structure. The variation in the size of metal ions across the series provides for precise control of pore apertures to a fraction of an Angstrom in the range 4.5 to 6.1??. MET frameworks have permanent porosity and display surface areas as high as some of the most porous zeolites, with one member of this family, MET-3, exhibiting significant electrical conductivity.