Synthesis and characterization of cyclopentadithiophene‐based low bandgap copolymers containing electron‐deficient benzoselenadiazole derivatives for photovoltaic devices

We have synthesized two cyclopentadithiophene (CDT)‐based low bandgap copolymers, poly[(4,4‐bis(2‐ethyl‐hexyl)‐4H‐cyclopenta[2,1‐b:3,4‐b′]dithiophene‐2,6‐diyl)‐alt‐(benzo[c][1,2,5]selenadiazole‐4,7‐diyl)] (PCBSe) and poly[(4,4‐bis(2‐ethyl‐hexyl)‐4H‐cyclopenta[2,1‐b:3,4‐b′]dithiophene‐2,6‐diyl)‐alt‐(4,7‐dithiophen‐2‐yl‐benzo[c][1,2,5]selenadiazole‐5,5′‐diyl)] (PCT2BSe), for use in photovoltaic applications. Through the internal charge transfer interaction between the electron‐donating CDT unit and the electron‐accepting benzoselenadiazole, we realized exceedingly low bandgap polymers with bandgaps of 1.37–1.46 eV. The UV–vis absorption maxima of PCT2BSe were subjected to larger hypsochromic shifts than those of PCBSe, because of the distorted electron donor–acceptor (D–A) structures of the PCT2BSe backbone. These results were supported by the calculations of the D–A complex using the ab initio Hartree‐Fock method with a split‐valence 6‐31G* basis set. However, PCT2BSe exhibited a better molar absorption coefficient in the visible region, which can lead to more efficient absorption of sunlight. As a result, PCT2BSe blended with [6,6]‐phenyl‐C₆₁‐butyric acid methyl ester (PC₆₁BM) exhibited a better photovoltaic performance than PCBSe because of the larger spectral overlap integral with respect to the solar spectrum. Furthermore, when the polymers were blended with PC₇₁BM, PCT2BSe showed the best performance, with an open circuit voltage of 0.55 V, a short‐circuit current of 6.63 mA/cm², and a power conversion efficiency of 1.34% under air mass 1.5 global illumination conditions. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1423–1432, 2010     

Tracing the geographical origin of beefs being circulated in Korean markets based on stable isotopes

We have examined the carbon, nitrogen and oxygen isotopic compositions of American, Mexican, Australian, New Zealand and Korean beefs, which are currently being circulated in Korean markets, to check whether stable isotope ratios can identify their country of origin. Each beef exhibited statistically distinct isotopic compositions, especially in oxygen and carbon, because of the different isotopic compositions of their water and cattle feeds. Nevertheless, their isotopic compositions still showed some overlap, especially among USA, Australian, and Korean beefs, which sometimes resulted in significant misidentification when a single isotope was considered. However, the discrimination was generally successful when both the carbon and the oxygen isotopes were used. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and properties of phenothiazylene vinylene‐based polymers: New organic semiconductors for field‐effect transistors and solar cells

A series of new phenothiazylene vinylene‐based semiconducting polymers, poly[3,7‐(4′‐dodecyloxyphenyl)phenothiazylene vinylene] ( P1 ), poly[3,7‐(4′‐dodecyloxyphenyl)phenothiazylene vinylene‐alt‐1,4‐phenylene vinylene] ( P2 ), and poly[3,7‐(4′‐dodecyloxyphenyl)phenothiazylene vinylene‐alt‐2,5‐thienylene vinylene] ( P3 ), have been synthesized via a Horner‐Emmons reaction. FTIR and ¹H NMR spectroscopies confirmed that the configurations of the vinylene groups in the polymers were all‐trans (E). The weight‐averaged molecular weights (M_w) of P1 , P2 , and P3 were found to be 27,000, 22,000, and 29,000, with polydispersity indices of 1.91, 2.05, and 2.25, respectively. The thermograms for P1 , P2 , and P3 each contained only a broad glass transition, at 129, 167, and 155 °C, respectively, without the observation of melting features. UV–visible absorption spectra of the polymers showed two strong absorption bands in the ranges 315–370 nm and 450–500 nm, which arose from absorptions of the phenothiazine segments and the conjugated main chains. Solution‐processed field‐effect transistors fabricated from these polymers showed p‐type organic thin‐film transistor characteristics. The field‐effect mobilities of P1 , P2 , and P3 were measured to be 1.0 × 10^?4, 3.6 × 10^?5, and 1.0 × 10^?3 cm² V^?1 s^?1, respectively, and the on/off ratios were in the order of 10² for P1 and P2 , and 10³ for P3 . Atomic force microscopy and X‐ray diffraction analysis of thin films of the polymers show that they have amorphous structures. A photovoltaic device in which a P3 /PC₇₁BM (1/5) blend film was used as the active layer exhibited an open‐circuit voltage (V_OC) of 0.42 V, a short circuit current (J_SC) of 5.17 mA cm^?2, a fill factor of 0.35, and a power conversion efficiency of 0.76% under AM 1.5 G (100 mW cm^?2) illumination. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 635–646, 2010     

TRPC3 cation channel plays an important role in proliferation and differentiation of skeletal muscle myoblasts

During membrane depolarization associated with skeletal excitation-contraction (EC) coupling, dihydropyridine receptor [DHPR, a L-type Ca²⁺ channel in the transverse (t)-tubule membrane] undergoes conformational changes that are transmitted to ryanodine receptor 1 [RyR1, an internal Ca²⁺-release channel in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membrane] causing Ca²⁺ release from the SR. Canonical-type transient receptor potential cation channel 3 (TRPC3), an extracellular Ca²⁺-entry channel in the t-tubule and plasma membrane, is required for full-gain of skeletal EC coupling. To examine additional role(s) for TRPC3 in skeletal muscle other than mediation of EC coupling, in the present study, we created a stable myoblast line with reduced TRPC3 expression and without α1_SDHPR (MDG/TRPC3 KD myoblast) by knock-down of TRPC3 in α1_SDHPR-null muscular dysgenic (MDG) myoblasts using retrovirus-delivered small interference RNAs in order to eliminate any DHPR-associated EC coupling-related events. Unlike wild-type or α1_SDHPR-null MDG myoblasts, MDG/TRPC3 KD myoblasts exhibited dramatic changes in cellular morphology (e.g., unusual expansion of both cell volume and the plasma membrane, and multi-nuclei) and failed to differentiate into myotubes possibly due to increased Ca²⁺ content in the SR. These results suggest that TRPC3 plays an important role in the maintenance of skeletal muscle myoblasts and myotubes.     

Preparation of silica/perfluoroalkyl methacrylate polymer inorganic/organic particles in supercritical carbon dioxide

Silica/perfluoroalkyl methacrylate polymer (PHDFDMA) particles were prepared using various types of silica by polymerization in supercritical carbon dioxide. There are three steps in the fabrication of inorganic/organic hybrid composites: silane treatment, polymerization, and soxhlet extraction. After these steps, we observed the morphology of silica/PHDFDMA particles using field emission scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. From these analyses, we can confirm that the silica/PHDFDMA core/shell particles were obtained when we used Ludox and silica gel as a silica template. On the other hand, core/shell particles were not formed when using fused silica and precipitated silica. In addition, to confirm the amount of polymer on silica, we performed an analysis using thermogravimetric analysis and electron probe micro-analyzer. In this case, PHDFDMA was approximately 20 wt.% on the silica gel and 40 wt.% on the Ludox, respectively. When using fused silica and precipitated silica as a template, amount of PHDFDMA on silica was maximum 5 wt.% and over 40 wt.%, respectively. From these results, to obtain enough PHDFDMA encapsulated silica particle, colloidal silica, Ludox is the best template in four different types of silica.     

Electrospinning fabrication and characterization of poly(vinyl alcohol)/montmorillonite/silver hybrid nanofibers for antibacterial applications

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/montmorillonite clay (MMT)/silver (Ag) nanoparticles have been electrospun for fabricating PVA/MMT/Ag nanofiber in aqueous solutions. Since PVA is a water-soluble and biocompatible polymer, it is one of the best materials for preparation of antibacterial nanofiber. MMT has been used as an inorganic filler to enhance properties of homopolymeric nanofiber. The PVA/MMT/Ag nanofiber diameter increases with increasing contents of MMT clay and Ag nanoparticles. In preservation test, the PVA/MMT/Ag nanofiber confirms an excellent antibacterial performance, elucidating for practical uses as a new preservative. Moreover, the PVA/MMT/Ag nanofiber shows improved thermal properties.     

Electrospinning and characterization of poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitosan oligosaccharide/clay nanocomposite nanofibers in aqueous solutions

Submicron fibers of the composite of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), chitosan oligosaccharide [COS, (1→4)2-amino-2-deoxy-β-d-glucose], and montmorillonite clay (MMT) were prepared using electrospinning method with aqueous solutions. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric analyzer, and tensile strength testing machine (Zwick) were utilized to characterize the PVA/COS/MMT nanofiber mats morphology and properties. The PVA/COS ratio and MMT concentration play important roles in nanofiber mat properties. XRD and TEM data demonstrated that exfoliated MMT layers were well-distributed within nanofiber. It was also found that the mechanical property and thermal stability were increased with COS and MMT contents.     

Preparation and decarboxylative rearrangement of (Z)-enyne esters

A method to assemble (Z)-enyne esters via palladium-catalyzed cross coupling reactions of enol tosylates is reported. A base-mediated one-pot decarboxylative rearrangement of the enynes to enones is described. The scope of this process is examined.