One-step preparation of branched PEG functionalized AIE-active luminescent polymeric nanoprobes

The synthesis of amphiphilic aggregation-induced emission(AIE) dyes based organic nanoparticles has recently attracted increasing attention in the biomedical fields. These AIE dyes based nanoparticles could effectively overcome the aggregation caused quenching effect of conventional organic dyes, making them promising candidates for fabrication of ultrabright organic luminescent nanomaterials. In this work, AIE-active luminescent polymeric nanoparticles(4-NH_2-PEG-TPE-E LPNs) were facilely fabricated through Michael addition reaction between tetraphenylethene acrylate(TPE-E) and 4-arm-poly(ethylene glycol)-amine(4-NH_2-PEG) in rather mild ambient. The 4-NH_2-PEG can not only endow these AIE-active LPNs good water dispersibility, but also provide functional groups for further conjugation reaction. The size, morphology and luminescent properties of 4-NH_2-PEG-TPE-E LPNs were characterized by a series of techniques in detail. Results suggested that these AIE-active LPNs showed spherical morphology with diameter about 100–200 nm. The obtained 4-NH_2-PEG-TPE-E LPNs display high water dispersibility and strong fluorescence intensity because of their self assembly and AIE properties of TPE-E.Biological evaluation results demonstrated that 4-NH_2-PEG-TPE-E LPNs showed negative toxicity toward cancer cells and good fluorescent imaging performance. All of these features make 4-NH_2-PEG-TPE-E LPNs promising candidates for biological imaging and therapeutic applications.     

Evaluation of interfacial toughness curve of bimaterial in submicron scale

A novel method combining the experimental data at only two different mixed mode fractures and an empirical interface toughness function has been proposed to establish the interfacial toughness function of a bimaterial in submicron scale. The modified four-point bend specimen was used in experiment to evaluate the first type of mixed mode fracture, while the sandwiched cantilever specimen was employed to get the second one. An empirical interface toughness function reflecting quite accurately the delamination behavior was adopted as a typical one. The obtained results investigated that the proposed method could be used to calibrate not only the interfacial fracture criteria at pure modes but also at any mixed mode fracture of bimaterials in submicron scale.     

Dimesogenic liquid crystal consisting of cholesterol and Schiff base moieties: dependence of LC properties on the spacer length and fluorination of the alkoxy tails

The liquid crystalline properties of two series of non‐symmetric liquid crystal dimers consisting of cholesterol and Schiff base moieties interconnected by ω‐oxyalkanoyl spacers of varying length are compared: one series (SBOC‐ n ) carry the octyloxy tail on the Schiff base mesogen, and the other (SBOF‐ n ) a perfluoroheptylmethyloxy tail. In general, compounds with the fluorinated alkoxy tail exhibited mesophases over a much wider temperature range than those with the alkoxy tail. The latter series favoured the formation of more diverse mesophases than the former. SBOC‐4, ‐5 and ‐7, and SBOF‐4, ‐5 and ‐10 formed the chiral smectic C phase.     

Improved Compatibility of Styrene-Maleic Anhydride Copolymer/Polyethylene Blends Through Reactive Mixing

Abstract

To improve the compatibility of styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer/low density polyethylene (SMA/LDPE) blends, LDPE grafted with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-isophorone diisocyanate (LDPE-g-HI) was prepared and blended with SMA of which anhydride was converted to carboxylic acid (SMAAc). The infrared spectra of LDPE-g-HI established the presence of isocyanate group. In the blend morphology, some adhesions between the two phases and much finer dispersions were observed in the SMAAc/LDPE-g-HI blends, indicating that chemical reactions took place during the melt blending. The lower heat capacity change at the glass transition temperature demonstrated that chemical bonds were produced in the SMAAc/LDPE-g-HI blends. From the results of the rheological test, it was found that strong positive deviation from the mixing rule occurred in viscosity for the SMAAc/LDPE-g-HI blends, concerning with good adhesion and finer dispersions. In the measurement of tensile property, the improved mechanical properties for the SMAAc/LDPE-g-HI blends were shown.