An Atomically Precise Au10Ag2 Nanocluster with Red–Near‐IR Dual Emission

A red–near‐IR dual‐emissive nanocluster with the composition [Au₁₀Ag₂(2‐py?C≡C)₃(dppy)₆](BF₄)₅ ( 1 ; 2‐py?C≡C is 2‐pyridylethynyl, dppy=2‐pyridyldiphenylphosphine) has been synthesized. Single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis reveals that 1 has a trigonal bipyramidal Au₁₀Ag₂ core that contains a planar Au₄(2‐py?C≡C)₃ unit sandwiched by two Au₃Ag(dppy)₃ motifs. Cluster 1 shows intense red–NIR dual emission in solution. The visible emission originates from metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer (MLCT) from silver atoms to phosphine ligands in the Au₃Ag(dppy)₃ motifs, and the intense NIR emission is associated with the participation of 2‐pyridylethynyl in the frontier orbitals of the cluster, which is confirmed by a time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) calculation.     

Synthesis of cysteamine-coated CdTe quantum dots and its application in mercury (II) detection

High-quality cysteamine-coated CdTe quantum dots (CA-CdTe QDs) were successfully synthesized in aqueous phase by a facile one-pot method. Through hydroxylamine hydrochloride-promoted kinetic growth strategy, water-soluble CA-CdTe QDs could be obtained conveniently in a conical flask by a stepwise addition of raw materials. The photoluminescence quantum yield (PL QY) of the obtained QDs reached 9.2% at the emission peak of 520 nm. The optical property and the morphology of the QDs were characterized by UV–vis absorption spectra, photoluminescence spectra (PL) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) respectively. Furthermore, the fluorescence of the resultant QDs was quenched by copper (II) (Cu²⁺) and mercury (II) (Hg²⁺) meanwhile. It is worthy of note that to separately detect Hg²⁺, cyanide ion could be used to eliminate the interference of Cu²⁺. Under the optimal conditions, the response was linearly proportional to the logarithm of Hg²⁺ concentration over the range of 0.08–3.33 μM with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.07 μM.     

Dual input–output pairs for modeling hysteresis inspired by mem-models

We call attention to a dual-pair concept for modeling hysteresis involving instantaneous switching: Specifically, there are two input–output pairs for each hysteresis model under one specific input, namely a differential pair and an integral pair. Currently in engineering mechanics, only one pair is being recognized and utilized, not the other. Whereas this dual-pair concept is inherent in the differential and algebraic forms of memristors and memcapacitors, the concept has not been carried over to memristive system theory, nor to memcapacitive system theory. We show that the “zero-crossing” feature in memristors, memcapacitors, and memristive/memcapacitive models (i.e., the “mem-models”) is also a feature of the differential pairs of well-known non-mem-models, examples of which are Ramberg–Osgood, Bouc–Wen, bilinear hysteresis, and classical Preisach. The dual-pair concept thus connects mem-models and non-mem-models, thereby facilitating the modeling of hysteresis, and raising a set of scientific questions for further studies that might not otherwise come to awareness.     

Fluorescence Properties of Europium and Terbium Triundecylenate-Containing Polymers and Solutions

Europium triundecylenate, Eu(UA)₃, and terbium triundecylenate, Tb(UA)₃, were prepared by the method described in our previous paper. Either Eu(UA)₃ or Tb(UA)₃ was dissolved in methacrylic acid (<20%) and copolymerized as a crosslinker with methyl methacrylate (>80) by bulk polymerization in molds made of two glass plates. The fluorescence spectroscopy of these Eu- or Tb-containing polymers under ultraviolet/visible excitation light was investigated. The fluorescence spectroscopy of solutions of Eu(UA)₃ or Tb(UA)₃ in methacrylic acid was measured and compared with that of the solid-state Eu- or Tb-containing polymers. The fluorescence excitation and emission spectra of the solutions and polymers showed the characteristic features of free Eu³⁺ or Tb³⁺. The lifetime fluorescence of the solutions and polymers with Eu³⁺ are also included.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Silicone Modified Polyurethane Surfactant Useable at High Temperature

A series of novel silicone modified polyurethane (Si-PU) surfactants were successfully synthesized by using hydroxypropyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (HPMS), polyethylene glycol (PEG), dimethylolpropionic acid (DMPA) and isophoronediisocyanate (IPDI). The chemical structure of the surfactant was confirmed by FTIR and ¹H-NMR. TEM photographs showed that the micelles of the Si-PU surfactants dispersed in aqueous solution were spherical with the particle size in the range of 100–400 nm. Surface tension measurements indicated that these surfactants had low surface tension to 29.9 mN·m^?1and a definite critical micelle concentration to, approximately 5.0×10^?4–7.5×10^?4mol·L^?1. When the content of HPMS was 20 wt%, the surfactant's, emulsifying performance was superior to the traditionally available Span80/Tween80 mixed emulsifiers. In addition to that, no phase transition temperature was detected from 20°C to 90°C by fluorescence probe and DSC measurements, confirming the high thermal stability of the micelles.     

Microwave solid phase synthesis, characterization, and antimicrobial activity of 3,5-diiodo-salicylalidene-glycine-cobalt(II)

One mononuclear complex, C₉H₇I₂NO₄Co(II) (I) with 3,5-diiodo-salicylalidene, glycine and Co(CH₃COO)₂ · 4H₂O were microwave solid synthesized. The complex was characterized by X-ray crystallography, UV, IR, ESI-MS, and elemental analyses. In addition, further investigation revealed that the central cobalt(II) atom in complex is five-coordinated by one nitrogen atom and four oxygen atoms. The complex was assayed for antibacterial (B. subtilis, S. aureus, S. faecalis, P. aeruginosa, E. coli, and E. cloacae) activities by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl trtrazolium bromide) method. Complex I showed favorable antimicrobial activity with MICs of 3.125, 6.25, 6.25, 6.25, 3.125, and 6.25 μg/mL against B. subtilis, S. aureus, S. faecalis, P. aeruginosa, E. coli, and E. cloacae, respectively.