Application of the INAA methods for KRISS infant formula CRM analysis: standardization of INAA at KRISS

We have established an instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) method, including k₀-based INAA, at the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) for the certification of reference materials. As part of establishing INAA measurements, KRISS infant formula certified reference material was analysed for multiple elements at three different metrological institutes: KRISS and NIST for the standard comparator method, and JSI for the k₀-INAA method. The mass fraction of most elements was consistent within expanded uncertainty (k?=?2). In addition, the results were used to verify the validity of elemental analysis of Zn using the standard comparator INAA at KRISS, and spreadsheet-based INAA calculations were evaluated.

     

An anisotropic snowflake-like structural assembly of polymer-capped gold nanoparticles

Snowflake-like structural assembly of isotropic gold nanoparticles (GNPs) is reported. A modified polyamine method has been employed to synthesize positively charged GNPs in presence of a polymeric metaphosphate. This process yields fascinating dendritic self-assembled morphologies. Structural characterization revealed that there was aggregation of crystalline GNPs. The aggregates of GNPs formed in the initial stage of synthesis are assumed to act as the bulging seeds for final growth of complex morphologies at nanometer to micrometer length scale. Self-assembly of GNPs was found to be greatly influenced by the concentration of gold precursor. Diffusion limited aggregation of GNPs is suggested as the plausible mechanism for this nanoparticle self-organization process.     

Spinel copper ferrite nanoparticles: Preparation,characterization and catalytic activity

The magnetic CuFe₂O₄ nanoparticles have been synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopic methods, including X‐ray diffraction (XRD), O K, Cu and Fe K ‐edge X‐ray absorption near edge structure (XANES), energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The azide‐alkyne cycloaddition by the reaction of various phenylacetylenes with a mixture of benzyl halides and NaN₃ and also three component (A³) coupling reaction of aldehyde, alkyne and amine catalyzed by CuFe₂O₄ nanoparticles under aerobic conditions led to the formation of the 1,4‐disubstituted‐1,2,3‐triazoles and propargylamines in excellent yields. The catalyst can be recovered by applying an external magnetic field for the subsequent cycloaddition reactions and reused without any tangible loss in catalytic efficiency.     

POLARIZATION STUDY OF 5(E)-STYRYL-1,3-DIMETHYL URACIL IN DIISOOCTYL SULFOSUCCINATE (AEROSOL-OT) REVERSED MICELLE SOLUTIONS

The degree of polarization around the water pool generated in aerosol- OT/hexane/water reversed micelle solutions was studied by monitoring the depolarization of solubilized probe fluorescence. The 5(E)-styryI-1, 3-dimethyl uracil (SDU) used in this study was moderately polar and proved to be solubilized between the interface and hydrocarbon phases in reversed micelle solution by a fluorescence quenching study with hydrophilic and hydrophobic quenchers. The degree of polarization monitored by SDU was parallel with that obtained from the fluorescence depolarization study of hydrophylic probes solubilized in the water pool and interface. A dramatic increase in microviscosity was observed when ω value became small.     

Utilizing 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene(EDOT)-bridged non-fullerene acceptors for efficient organic solar cells

A rational design of efficient low-band-gap non-fullerene acceptors(NFAs)for high-performance organic solar cells(OSCs)remains challenging;the main constraint being the decrease in the energy level of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals(LUMOs)as the bandgap of A-D-A-type NFAs decrease.Therefore,the short current density(J_sc)and open-circuit voltage(V_oc)result in a trade-off relationship,making it difficult to obtain efficient OSCs.Herein,three NFAs(IFL-ED-4 F,IDT-ED-4 F,and IDTT-ED-2 F)were synthesized to address the above-mentioned issue by introducing 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene(EDOT)as aπ-bridge.These NFAs exhibit relatively low bandgaps(1.67,1.42,and 1.49 eV,respectively)and upshifted LUMO levels(-3.88,-3.84,and-3.81 eV,respectively)compared with most reported low-band-gap NFAs.Consequently,the photovoltaic devices based on IDT-ED-4 F blended with a PBDB-T donor polymer showed the best power conversion efficiency(PCE)of 10.4%with a high J_sc of 22.1 mA cm^-2 and Voc of 0.884 V among the examined NFAs.In contrast,IDTT-ED-4 F,which was designed with an asymmetric structure of the D-p-A type,showed the lowest efficiency of 1.5%owing to the poor morphology and charge transport properties of the binary blend.However,when this was introduced as the third component of the PM6:BTP-BO-4 Cl,complementary absorption and cascade energy-level alignment between the two substances could be achieved.Surprisingly,the IDTT-ED-4 F-based ternary blend device not only improved the Jscand Voc,but also achieved a PCE of 15.2%,which is approximately 5.3%higher than that of the reference device with a minimized energy loss of 0.488 eV.In addition,the universality of IDTT-ED-2 F as a third component was effectively demonstrated in other photoactive systems,specifically,PM6:BTPe C9 and PTB7-Th:IEICO-4 F.This work facilitates a better understanding of the structure–property relationship for utilizing efficient EDOT-bridged NFAs in high-performance OSC applications.