High resolution scanning optical imaging of a frozen planar polymer light-emitting electrochemical cell: an experimental and modelling study

Light-emitting electrochemical cells(LECs) are organic photonic devices based on a mixed electronic and ionic conductor.The active layer of a polymer-based LEC consists of a luminescent polymer,an ion-solvating/transport polymer,and a compatible salt.The LEC p-n or p-i-n junction is ultimately responsible for the LEC performance.The LEC junction,however,is still poorly understood due to the difficulties of characterizing a dynamic-junction LEC.In this paper,we present an experimental and modeling study of the LEC junction using scanning optical imaging techniques.Planar LECs with an interelectrode spacing of 560μm have been fabricated,activated,frozen and scanned using a focused laser beam.The optical-beam-induced-current(OBIC)and photoluminescence(PL) data have been recorded as a function of beam location.The OBIC profile has been simulated in COMSOL that allowed for the determination of the doping concentration and the depletion width of the LEC junction.     

Comparable charge transport property based on S…S interactions with that of π-π stacking in a bis-fused tetrathiafulvalene compound

Compact molecular packing with short π-π stacking and large π-overlap in organic semiconductors is desirable for efficient charge transport and high carrier mobility.Thus charge transport anisotropy along different directions is commonly observed in organic semiconductors.Interestingly,in this article,we found that comparable charge transport property were achieved based on the single crystals of a bis-fused tetrathiafulvalene derivative(EM-TTP) compound along two interaction directions,that is,the multiple strong S…S intermolecular interactions and the π-π stacking direction,with the measured electrical conductivity and hole mobility of 0.4 S cm~(-1),0.94 cm~2 V~(-1) s~(-1) and 0.2 S cm~(-1),0.65 cm2 V~(-1) s~(-1),respectively.This finding provides us a new molecular design concept for developing novel organic semiconductors with isotropic charge transport property through the synergistic effect of multiple intermolecular interactions(such as S…S interactions) and π-π stacking.     

Organic transistor for bioelectronic applications

Organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) are recently considered to be attractive candidate for bioelectronic applications owing to their prominent biocompatibility, intrinsical flexibility, and potentially low cost associated with their solution processibility. Over the last few years, bioelectronic-application-motivated OFETs have attracted increasing attention towards next generation of biosensors, healthcare elements and artificial neural interfaces. This mini review highlights the basic principles and recent progress in OFET based bioelectronics devices. The key strategies and the forecast perspectives of this research field are also briefly summarized.     

Effect of furan π-bridge on the photovoltaic performance of D-A copolymers based on bi(alkylthio-thienyl)benzodithiophene and fluorobenzotriazole

The medium band gap donor-acceptor(D-A) copolymer J61 based on bi(alkylthio-thienyl)benzodithiophene as donor unit and fluorobenzotriazole as acceptor unit and thiophene as π-bridge has demonstrated excellent photovoltaic performance as donor material in nonfullerene polymer solar cells(PSCs) with narrow bandgap n-type organic semiconductor ITIC as acceptor.For studying the effect of π-bridges on the photovoltaic performance of the D-A copolymers,here we synthesized a new D-A copolymer J61-F based on the same donor and acceptor units as J61 but with furan π-bridges instead of thiophene.J61-F possesses a deeper the highest occupied molecular orbital(HOMO) level at-5.45 eV in comparison with that(-5.32 eV) of J61.The non-fullerene PSCs based on J61-F:ITIC exhibited a maximum power conversion efficiency(PCE) of 8.24%with a higher open-circuit voltage(V_(oc)) of 0.95 V,which is benefitted from the lower-lying HOMO energy level of J61-F donor material.The results indicate that main chain engineering by changing π-bridges is another effective way to tune the electronic energy levels of the conjugated D-A copolymers for the application as donor materials in non-fullerene PSCs.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tetra</Emphasis>-armed conjugated microporous polymers for gas adsorption and photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Two novel tetra-armed conjugated microporous polymers with different geometries have been designed and synthesized via Suzuki-Miyaura cross coupling polycondensation. Both polymers are stable in various organic solvents tested and are thermally stable. The pyrene-containing polymer of PrPy with the rigid pyrene unit shows a higher Brunauer-Emmet-Teller specific surface area of 1219 m² g^?1 than the tetraphenylethylene-containing polymer of PrTPE (770 m² g^?1), which leads to a high CO₂ uptake ability of 3.89 mmol g^?1 at 1.13 bar/273 K and a H₂ uptake ability of 1.69 wt% at 1.13 bar/77 K. The photocatalytic hydrogen production experiments revealed that PrPy also shows a better photocatalytic performance than PrTPE due to the higher conjugation degree and planar structure, the broader UV-visible (UV-Vis) absorption, the lower photoluminescence lifetime, and the higher specific surface area.     

Kinetic and thermodynamic modeling of Portland cement hydration at low temperatures

Portland cement have to hydrate in cold climates in some particular conditions. Therefore, a better understanding of cement hydration under low temperatures would benefit the cement-based composites application. In this study, Portland cement was, therefore, kinetically and thermodynamically simulated based on a simple kinetics model and minimization of Gibbs free energy. The results of an evaluation indicate that Portland cement hydration impact factors include the water–cement ratio (w/c), temperature, and specific surface area, with the latter being an especially remarkable factor. Therefore, increasing the specific surface area to an appropriate level may be a solution to speed the delayed hydration due to low temperatures. Meanwhile, the w/c ratio is believed to be controlled under cold climates with consideration of durability. The thermodynamic calculation results suggest that low-temperature influences can be divided into three levels: irrevocable effects (<0 °C), recoverable effects (0–10 °C), and insignificant effects (10–20 °C). Portland cement was additionally measured via X-ray diffraction, thermal gravity analysis, and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption test in a laboratory and comparisons were drawn that validate the simulation result.     

Separation of Ni<Superscript>2+</Superscript> from ammonia solution through a supported liquid membrane impregnated with Acorga M5640

Separation of Ni²⁺ from ammonia/ammonium chloride solution using a flat-sheet supported liquid membrane (SLM) impregnated with Acorga M5640 in kerosene was investigated. The fundamental experimental variables influencing Ni²⁺ transport, such as ammonia concentration, carrier concentration, H₂SO₄ concentration in the stripping solution, stirring speed, and initial Ni²⁺ concentration were studied. Almost all of Ni²⁺ was transported from the feed to the stripping phase after 18 h of operation with a permeability coefficient of 9.28 × 10^?6 m s^?1 under optimum conditions: stirring speed of 1000 rpm in both phases, 20 vol.% Acorga M5640 as the carrier, 1.70 mmol L^?1 Ni²⁺ in the feed phase and 0.10 mol L^?1 H₂SO₄ in the stripping phase. The flux value of Ni²⁺ was 15.82 × 10^?6 mol m^?2 s^?1. Additionally, the influences of temperature and ultrasound on flux were examined, and results indicated that higher temperature and ultrasonic assistance improved transport of Ni²⁺ through the SLM. Selective separation of nickel from cobalt in an ammonia/ammonium chloride solution was also achieved through SLM. The stability of the SLM was examined on a continuous run mode and satisfactory stability of the nickel permeation was observed for 84 h (7 runs).     

Effect of grinding method on the analysis of essential oil from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Baccharis articulata</Emphasis> (Lam.) Pers.

Grinding methods were evaluated aiming to determine yield and composition of essential oils (EOs) from Baccharis articulata (Lam) Pers., called as carqueja, a native plant from South Brazil. Cryogenic, knife (with and without cooling) and ball mills were used. The major constituents found in EOs were β-pinene, caryophyllene, spathulenol and caryophyllene oxide, but differences in 21 compounds were observed. All grinding processes reduced monoterpenes and oxygenated sesquiterpenes with concentration of hydrocarbon sesquiterpenes. The sesquiterpenes (hydrocarbons and oxygenated) were found from 63.55 to 86.02% while the monoterpene hydrocarbons’ concentration ranged from 13.98 to 36.45%. Plants milled with knife mill provided EOs with profile similar to those not grinded. Despite the lower working temperature, cryogenic milling resulted in smaller EO yield (0.40 ± 0.03%) in comparison to other grinding methods (yields from 0.50 ± 0.02 to 0.56 ± 0.03%) and different chromatographic profile. Microscopic analysis showed the smaller particle size provided by cryogenic grinding, which leads to glandular trichome rupture and consequently to loss of EOs. This study showed that grinding should be carefully evaluated to provide reproducible results in essential oil analysis.     

Evaluation of in vitro antioxidant activities of soyasaponins from soy hypocotyls in human HepG2 cell line

Soyasaponins were shown to have a wide range of biological activities in previous studies; however, the activities of their monomeric compounds are unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant activities of soyasaponins in HepG2 cells. Four soyasaponins were isolated from soy hypocotyls and identified as soyasaponin Aa, Ab, Ba, and Bb. The protective effects of these soyasaponins against production of hydrogen peroxide-induced reactive oxygen species in cells were investigated. The cellular antioxidant activity of soyasaponins was found to be in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations ranging between 25 and 400 μg/mL in 24 h. Finally, based on cell morphology observations, group A soyasaponins showed better cellular antioxidant activity and anti-oxidative enzyme activity than group B ones, with an optimal concentration of 100 μg/mL.     

Polyaniline/montmorillonite nanocomposite thin layers deposited on different substrates

Preparation method of polyaniline/montmorillonite (PANI/MMT) nanocomposite in the form of thin layer deposited on various substrates is optimized in this work to obtain high electrical conductivity. Simple method (i.e. polymerization of anilinium sulfate in the presence of MMT) has been used for the preparation and following four conditions were varied: preparation temperature (T = 10 or 20 °C), preparation time (t = 4 or 6 h), size fraction of MMT (p < 1 or 5 µm), and type of substrate (microscope glass slides, silica glass slides, polyester foils). Therefore, 24 samples were prepared, characterized and their electrical conductivity was compared. Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used for the characterization of the structure of samples. Thickness of layers was measured using atomic force microscopy. Based on the comparison of samples and with respect to the aim of obtaining high electrical conductivity, it was found that the most suitable substrate is polyester foil and preparation conditions are T = 20 °C, t = 6 h, p < 5 µm. To obtain highly conductive layers on glass substrates (although less conductive than layers on foil), preparation time have to be shortened to 4 h.