Photoluminescence properties of color-tunable SrMgAl10O17:Eu2+,Mn2+ phosphors for UV LEDs

Aluminate phosphors SrMgAl₁₀O₁₇ codoped with Eu²⁺ and Mn²⁺ ions were prepared by solid-state reaction. The phase structure and photoluminescence properties of the as-prepared phosphors were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra. Upon excitation of UV light, two broad emission bands centered at 470 and 515 nm were observed, and they were assigned to Eu²⁺ and Mn²⁺ emissions, respectively. The emission color of the phosphors can be tuned from blue to cyan and finally to green by adjusting the concentration ratios of Eu²⁺ and Mn²⁺. Effective energy transfer occurs from Eu²⁺ to Mn²⁺ in the host due to the spectral overlap between the emission band of Eu²⁺ and the excitation bands of Mn²⁺. The energy transfer mechanism was demonstrated to be electric dipole–quadrupole interaction. The energy transfer efficiency and critical distance were also calculated. The phosphors exhibit strong absorption in near UV spectral region and therefore they are potentially useful as UV-convertible phosphors for white LEDs.     

Wall-liquid and wall-crystal interfacial free energies via thermodynamic integration: A molecular dynamics simulation study

A method is proposed to compute the interfacial free energy of a Lennard-Jones system in contact with a structured wall by molecular dynamics simulation. Both the bulk liquid and bulk face-centered-cubic crystal phase along the (111) orientation are considered. Our approach is based on a thermodynamic integration scheme where first the bulk Lennard-Jones system is reversibly transformed to a state where it interacts with a structureless flat wall. In a second step, the flat structureless wall is reversibly transformed into an atomistic wall with crystalline structure. The dependence of the interfacial free energy on various parameters such as the wall potential, the density and orientation of the wall is investigated. The conditions are indicated under which a Lennard-Jones crystal partially wets a flat wall.     

A coordination complex system for generic, ultrafast, and sensitive multimode fluorescent staining of biomolecules

Gel electrophoresis staining methodologies documented thus far are largely utilized in a biomolecule context-dependent manner. We report herein the development of a generic, ultrafast, and sensitive multimode fluorescent system for the efficient identification of DNA, RNA, and proteins. Interaction between a positively charged, planar ligand-based coordination complex with partner biomolecule leads to aggregation-induced fluorescence quenching and allows for the image contrast generation within one minute. Alternatively, successive reactions of the biomolecule-loaded gel with cation and ligand, in either order of sequence, provide an equally effective staining efficacy. Image contrast reversal is accomplished through a facile washing or photobleaching procedure. The versatility in the applicable target species and signal generation modes provides a hint at the design of novel staining structures and potentially enables the high-throughput readout of biomolecules.     

Synthesis of substituted 1H-indazoles from arynes and hydrazones

The 1H-indazole skeleton can be constructed by a [3 + 2] annulation approach from arynes and hydrazones. Under different reaction conditions, both N-tosylhydrazones and N-aryl/alkylhydrazones can be used to afford a variety of indazoles. The former reaction affords 3-substituted indazoles either via in situ generated diazo compounds or through an annulation/elimination process. The latter reaction leads to 1,3-disubstituted indazoles likely through an annulation/oxidation process. The reactions operate under mild conditions and can accommodate aryl, vinyl, and less satisfactorily, alkyl groups.     

Volumetric Properties of the Binary System Trihexyltetradecylphosphonium Bromide (CYPHOS IL 102) + N,N-Dimethylformamide (DMF) at Temperatures from T=293.15 to 313.15 K at Atmospheric Pressure

Volumetric properties for the trihexyltetradecylphosphonium bromide (CYPHOS IL 102) + N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) binary system were determined at temperatures from T=293.15 to 313.15?K and ambient pressure (p=0.7 atm). Densities were measured by means of a vibrating tube densimeter (VTD). These measurements covered the full range of compositions along with the pure compounds; expansion coefficients, excess molar volumes, and partial molar volumes were calculated from the experimental densities. Excess molar volumes were fitted to a Redlich?CKister type equation. The excess molar volumes exhibit negative deviations from ideal behavior.     

Electropolymerized surface ion imprinting films on a gold nanoparticles/single-wall carbon nanotube nanohybrids modified glassy carbon electrode for electrochemical detection of trace mercury(II) in water

Electrochemical detection of Hg(II) using a electropolymerized ion imprinting poly(2-mercaptobenzothiazole) films at the surface of gold nanoparticles/single-walled carbon nanotube nanohybrids modified glassy carbon electrode (PMBT/AuNPs/SWCNTs/GCE) is described for the first time. The Hg(II)-imprinted PMBT/AuNPs/SWCNTs/GCE sensor exhibits larger binding to functionalized capacity, larger affinity, faster binding kinetics and higher selectivity to template Hg(II). The differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) response of the Hg(II)-imprinted PMBT/AuNPs/SWCNTs/GCE sensor to Hg(II) is ca. 3.7- and 10.5-fold higher than that at the non-imprinted PMBT/AuNPs/SWCNTs/GCE and the imprinted PMBT/AuNPs/GCE, respectively, and the detection limit for Hg(II) is 0.08 nM (S/N = 3, which is well below the guideline value given by the World Health Organization) and a sensitivity of 0.749 μA nM⁻¹ was obtained. Excellent wide linear range (0.4–96.0 nM) and good repeatability (relative standard deviation of 2.6%) were obtained for Hg(II). The interference experiments show that Ag(I), Pb(II), Cd(II), Zn(II) and Cu(II) had little or no influence on the Hg(II) signal. These values, particularly the high sensitivity and excellent selectivity in contrast to the values reported previously in the area of electrochemical Hg(II) detection, demonstrate the analytical performance of the Hg(II)-imprinted PMBT/AuNPs/SWCNTs/GCE toward Hg(II) is superior to the existing electrodes and could be used for efficient determination of Hg(II) in natural water samples.     

Three New Lanthanide Coordination Polymers Built from H2bpdc Ligands: Syntheses,Structures, and Properties

Three new lanthanide‐organic coordination polymers, {[Ln₂(bpdc)₂(H₂O)₆(NO₃)] · NO₃} [Ln = La ( 1 ), Ce ( 2 ), Pr ( 3 )] (H₂bpdc = 2, 2′‐bipyridine‐6, 6′‐dicarboxylic acid) were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy as well as single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that compounds 1 – 3 are isostructural, composed of two dimensional honeycomb network linked by bpdc ligands. The magnetic property of compound 3 was investigated.     

Enhanced Performance of Organic Photovoltaic Cells Fabricated with a Methyl Thiophene‐3‐Carboxylate‐Containing Alternating Conjugated Copolymer

A new donor‐acceptor copolymer, containing benzodithiophene (BDT) and methyl thiophene‐3‐carboxylate (3MT) units, is designed and synthesized for polymer solar cells (PSCs). The 3MT unit is used as an electron acceptor unit in this copolymer to provide a lower highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) level for obtaining polymer solar cells with a higher open‐circuit voltage (V_OC). The resulting bulk heterojunction PSC made of the copolymer and [6,6]‐phenyl‐C71‐butyric acid methyl ester (PC₇₁BM) exhibits a power conversion efficiency (PCE) up to 4.52%, a short circuit current (J_SC) of 10.5 mA·cm‐², and a V_OC of 0.86 V.     

Density Functional Theory Studies on the Adsorption of NH2NO2 on Al13 Cluster

Density functional theory method with full geometry optimization was used to study the adsorption of nitroamine (NH₂NO₂) on Al₁₃ cluster. Both dissociative and nondissociative adsorption structures were predicted with different NH₂NO₂ molecule orientations on Al₁₃ cluster surfaces. In dissociative chemisorption, the main decomposition products of NH₂NO₂ are O atom(s) and NH₂NO or NH₂N species. The O atoms being ruptured from the N?CO bond form strong Al?CO bonds with the neighboring Al around the adsorbed sites. In addition, the species obtained as a result of O atom elimination remains bonded to the surface. The largest adsorption energy is ?737.66?kJ/mol when the NH₂NO₂ molecule decomposes into two O atoms and a NH₂N fragment. For nondissociative adsorption, the seriously deformed nitroamine forms various N?CO?CAl bonding configurations with Al. The significant charge transfer occurs for all adsorption configurations. The most charge transfer is 2.068 e from the Al cluster surface to the fragments of the decomposed NH₂NO₂. The change of the electronic structures is obvious due to the adsorption or dissociation of NH₂NO₂ molecule. Nitroamine readily oxidizes the aluminum surface of the Al₁₃ cluster.     

Hydrophilic silicone hydrogels with interpenetrating network structure for extended delivery of ophthalmic drugs

In the current work, hydrophilic silicone hydrogels were prepared for extended drug delivery applications. The preparation method was based on sequential interpenetrating network synthesis. A hydrophilic network was prepared by radical copolymerization of hydrophilic monomers 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate. A hydrophobic silicone network was obtained by crosslinking polymerization of bifunctional methacrylated polydimethylsiloxanes macromonomer. The morphology of the silicone hydrogels was characterized by transmission electron microscopy. The result showed that the silicone hydrogels exhibited heterogeneous morphology. The properties of the silicone hydrogels such as equilibrium swelling ratio (ESR), mechanical property, oxygen permeability, contact angle, and protein repelling ability were investigated. Finally, the silicone hydrogels were loaded with timolol by pre‐soaking in drug solution to evaluate drug‐loading capacity and in vitro release behavior. The results showed that mechanical strength and oxygen permeability increased, and the ESR decreased with the increase of silicone component in the silicone hydrogels. The result of the contact angle measurement indicated that the silicone hydrogels possessed hydrophilic surfaces. The drug loading and in vitro releases were dependent on the composition of hydrophilic/hydrophobic phase of silicone hydrogels. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.