Physicochemical characterization of α‐chitin, β‐chitin,and γ‐chitin separated from natural resources

We isolated α‐chitin, β‐chitin, and γ‐chitin from natural resources by a chemical method to investigate the crystalline structure of chitin. Its characteristics were identified with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and solid‐state cross‐polarization/magic‐angle‐spinning (CP–MAS) ¹³C NMR spectrophotometers. The average molecular weights of α‐chitin, β‐chitin, and γ‐chitin, calculated with the relative viscosity, were about 701, 612, and 524 kDa, respectively. In the FTIR spectra, α‐chitin, β‐chitin, and γ‐chitin showed a doublet, a singlet, and a semidoublet at the amide I band, respectively. The solid‐state CP–MAS ¹³C NMR spectra revealed that α‐chitin was sharply resolved around 73 and 75 ppm and that β‐chitin had a singlet around 74 ppm. For γ‐chitin, two signals appeared around 73 and 75 ppm. From the X‐ray diffraction results, α‐chitin was observed to have four crystalline reflections at 9.6, 19.6, 21.1, and 23.7 by the crystalline structure. Also, β‐chitin was observed to have two crystalline reflections at 9.1 and 20.3 by the crystalline structure. γ‐Chitin, having an antiparallel and parallel structure, was similar in its X‐ray diffraction patterns to α‐chitin. The exothermic peaks of α‐chitin, β‐chitin, and γ‐chitin appeared at 330, 230, and 310, respectively. The thermal decomposition activation energies of α‐chitin, β‐chitin, and γ‐chitin, calculated by thermogravimetric analysis, were 60.56, 58.16, and 59.26 kJ mol^?1, respectively. With the Arrhenius law, ln β was plotted against the reciprocal of the maximum decomposition temperature as a straight line; there was a large slope for large activation energies and a small slope for small activation energies. α‐Chitin with high activation energies was very temperature‐sensitive; β‐Chitin with low activation energies was relatively temperature‐insensitive. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3423–3432, 2004     

Nanostructured Ni3Sn2 thin film as anodes for thin film rechargeable lithium batteries

Thin film Ni₃Sn₂ anodes were deposited on a Cu substrate by e-beam evaporator at room temperature. The deposited films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). They were tested as anodes for thin film rechargeable lithium batteries. These film electrodes exhibited an excellent cycle performance over 500 cycles. Ni₃Sn₂ films remained without undergoing any crystallographic phase change during cycling.     

Impedance Analysis of Single Melanoma Cells in Microfluidic Devices

The electrical impedance analysis of single cells can provide information on cells’ pathological condition in various environments. Cell electrical properties are affected by factors such as the location, adhesion, and size of the cell. The proposed microfluidic device captures a single cell, maintains growth conditions, and allows single‐melanoma‐cell impedance to be measured using an impedance analyzer and a function generator. The rate of impedance variation (ROIV) can be used to determine cell growth conditions. Cellular apoptosis affects cell size and membrane surface area, and thus the electrical properties of cells. At 24 h without Antrodia cinnamomea (AC) addition, ROIV was 15.23 %, 17.04 %, and 12.60 % at temperatures of 34 °C, 37 °C, and 40 °C, respectively. At 24 h and 37 °C, ROIV was 17.04 %, 40.37 %, and 45.02 % for AC concentrations of 0, 20, and 40 µL/mL, respectively. The results show that the cell impedance variation of cells cultured without AC is much lower than that of cells cultured with AC. Regarding cellular morphology, with AC addition, the cells shrank obviously after 24 h, whereas they barely shrank without AC addition.     

A Facile Synthesis of Dynamic,Shape‐Changing Polymer Particles

We herein report a new facile strategy to ellipsoidal block copolymer nanoparticles that exhibit a pH‐triggered anistropic swelling profile. In a first step, elongated particles with an axially stacked lamellae structure are selectively prepared by utilizing functional surfactants to control the phase separation of symmetric polystyrene‐b‐poly(2‐vinylpyridine) (PS‐b‐P2VP) in dispersed droplets. In a second step, the dynamic shape change is realized by cross‐linking the P2VP domains, thereby connecting glassy PS discs with pH‐sensitive hydrogel actuators.     

The synthesis and characterization of graphene oxides based on a modified approach

Graphene (G), and its derivatives, is an ideal two-dimensional material. It is comprised of a single sheet of hexagonally packed carbon atoms. Graphene has attracted significant research interest because of its excellent elastic, optical, electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties. Currently there are some synthesis methods regarding graphene production on the macroscopic-scale level; however, these methods, such as chemical vapor deposition, are expensive. A method for large-scale growth of graphene using widely accessible equipment is currently not an option. In this report, we select an approach based on the Modified Hummer’s method. A comparison is given between the Hummer’s method and the modified Hummer’s method based on extended characterizations using TG for their thermal stability, FTIR for their functional groups, TEM for their surface diagram, UV–Vis for their photo-activity, Raman spectroscopy for the identification of GO quality, and electrochemical methods for their reduction potentials.     

Multifunctional Ag‐Decorated Porous TiO2 Nanofibers in Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells: Efficient Light Harvesting,Light Scattering,and Electrolyte Contact

Designing the photoanode structure in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is vital to realizing enhanced power conversion efficiency (PCE). Herein, novel multifunctional silver‐decorated porous titanium dioxide nanofibers (Ag/pTiO₂ NFs) made by simple electrospinning, etching, and chemical reduction processes are introduced. The Ag/pTiO₂ NFs with a high surface area of 163 m² g^?1 provided sufficient dye adsorption for light harvesting. Moreover, the approximately 200 nm diameter and rough surface of the Ag/pTiO₂ NFs offered enough light scattering, and the enlarged interpores among the NFs in the photoanode also permitted electrolyte circulation. Ag nanoparticles (NPs) were well dispersed on the surface of the TiO₂ NFs, which prevented aggregation of the Ag NPs after calcination. Furthermore, a localized surface plasmon resonance effect by the Ag NPs served to increase the light absorption at visible wavelengths. The surface area and amount of Ag NPs was optimized. The PCE of pTiO₂ NF‐based DSSCs was 27 % higher (from 6.2 to 7.9 %) than for pure TiO₂ NFs, whereas the PCE of Ag/pTiO₂ NF‐based DSSCs increased by about 12 % (from 7.9 to 8.8 %). Thus, the PCE of the multifunctional pTiO₂ NFs was improved by 42 %, that is, from 6.2 to 8.8 %.     

Guest‐Induced Photophysical Property Switching of Artificial Light‐Harvesting Dendrimers

An artificial light‐harvesting multiporphyrin dendrimer ( 8P_ZnP_FB ) composed of a focal freebase porphyrin ( P_FB ) with eight zinc(II) porphyrin ( P_Zn ) wings exhibited unique photophysical property switching in response to specific guest molecule binding. UV/Vis titration studies indicated stable 1:2 host–guest complex formation between 8P_ZnP_FB and meso‐tetrakis(4‐pyridyl)‐porphyrin ( TPyP ) for which the first and second association constants were estimated to be >10⁸ M ^?1 and 3.0×10⁷ M ^?1, respectively. 8P_ZnP_FB originally shows 94 % energy transfer efficiency from P_Zn to the focal P_FB . By the formation of the host–guest complex ( 8P_ZnP_FB? 2 TPyP ) the emission intensity of 8P_ZnP_FB is significantly decreased, and an ultrafast charge separation state is generated. The energy transfer process from P_Zn wings to the P_FB core in 8P_ZnP_FB is almost entirely switched to an electron transfer process by the formation of 8P_ZnP_FB? 2 TPyP .     

Efficient Synthesis of Epoxides from Vicinal Diols Via Cyclic Sulfates

Reaction of cyclic sulfates of vic-diols with sodium hydroxide in THF-MeOH produced the corresponding epoxides in excellent isolated yields at room temperature. Cyclic sulfates of trans-diols gave cis-epoxides, and cyclic sulfates of cis-diols afforded trans-epoxides exclusively. Various cyclic sulfates of vic-diols can be converted into the epoxides under the conditions.     

Direct Sulfonylation of Lithiated Alkyl Phosphonates with Benzenesulfonyl Fluoride; Facile Method for Preparation of α-Sulfonyl Alkyl Phosphonates and Vinyl Sulfones

α-Sulfonyl phosphonates were synthesized by direct sulfonylation of lithiated alkyl phosphonates with benzenesulfonyl fluoride which have shown different reactivity from benzenesulfonyl chloride, generally known as a sulfonylating reagent.     

Benzimidazole-based chromogenic chemosensor for the recognition of oxalic acid via counter ion displacement assay in semi-aqueous medium

An azo dye-coupled benzimidazole-based receptor 1 was synthesized and investigated as a receptor for metal ions in semi-aqueous medium. The receptor recognizes Cu²⁺ with high selectivity over other metal ions. The resultant complex 1·Cu²⁺ was found to selectively bind oxalic acid via counter ion displacement.