Electrostatic layer-by-layer assembled carbon nanotube multilayer film and its electrocatalytic activity for O2 reduction

Multilayer films of shortened multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) are homogeneously and stably assembled on glassy carbon electrodes with the layer-by-layer (LBL) method, based on electrostatic interaction of positively charged poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) and negatively charged and shortened MWNTs. The film assembly and electrochemical property as well as the electrocatalytic activity toward O2 reduction of the MWNT multilayer film are studied. Scanning electron microscopy, the quartz crystal microbalance technique, ultraviolet-visible-near-infrared spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry are used for characterization of film assembly. Experimental results revealed that film growth is uniform, almost with the same coverage of the MWNTs in each layer, and that the assembled MWNTs are mainly in the form of small bundles or single tubes on the electrodes. Electrochemical studies indicate that the LBL assembled MWNT films possess a remarkable electrocatalytic activity toward O2 reduction in alkaline media. This property, combined with the well-dispersed, porous and conductive features of the MWNT film illustrated with the LBL method, suggests the potential application of the MWNT film for constructing an efficient alkaline air electrode for energy conversions.     

High pressure-temperature Raman measurements of H2O melting to 22 GPa and 900 K

The melting curve of H(2)O has been measured by in situ Raman spectroscopy in an externally heated diamond anvil cell up to 22 GPa and 900 K. The Raman-active OH-stretching bands and the translational modes of H(2)O as well as optical observations are used to directly and reliably detect melting in ice VII. The observed melting temperatures are higher than previously reported x-ray measurements and significantly lower than recent laser-heating determinations. However, our results are in accord with earlier optical determinations. The frequencies and intensities of the OH-stretching peaks change significantly across the melting line while the translational mode disappears altogether in the liquid phase. The observed OH-stretching bands of liquid water at high pressure are very similar to those obtained in shock-wave Raman measurements.     

Colloidal adhesion of phospholipid vesicles: high-resolution reflection interference contrast microscopy and theory

High-resolution reflection interference contrast microscopy (HR-RICM) was developed for probing the deformation and adhesion of phospholipid vesicles induced by colloidal forces on solid surfaces. The new technique raised the upper limit of the measured membrane–substrate separation from 1 to 4.5 μm and improved the spatial resolution of the heterogeneous contact zones. It was applied to elucidate the effects of wall thickness, pH and osmotic stress on the non-specific adhesion of giant unilamellar vesicles (ULV) and multilamellar vesicles (MLV) on fused silica substrates. By simultaneous cross-polarization light microscopy and HR-RICM measurements, it was observed that ULV with the wall thickness of a single bilayer would be significantly deformed in its equilibrium state on the substrate as the dimension of its adhesive–cohesive zone was 29% higher than the theoretical value of a rigid sphere with the same diameter. Besides, electrostatic interaction was shown as a significant driving force for vesicle adhesions since the reduction in pH significantly increased the degree of deformation of adhering ULV and heterogeneity of the adhesion discs. The degree of MLV deformation on the solid surfaces was significantly less than that of ULV. When the wall thickness of vesicle increased, the dimension of contact zone was reduced dramatically due to the increase of membrane bending modulus. Most important, the adhesion strength of colloidal adhesion approached that of specific adhesion. Finally, the increase of osmotic stress led to the collapse of adhering vesicles on the non-deformable substrate and raised the area of adhesive contact zone. To interpret these results better, the equilibrium deformation of adhering vesicle was modeled as a truncated sphere and the adhesion energy was calculated with a new theory.     

Dinickel Complexes Bridged by Unusual (N,O,O′)-Coordinated α-Amino Acids: Syntheses,Structural Characterization and Magnetic Properties

Four novel dinickel complexes, coordinated by mixed ligands of tren and racemic amino acids, namely [Ni₂(tren)₂(dl-alaninato)(H₂O)]I₃·2H₂O (1), [Ni₂(tren)₂(dl-leucinato)(H₂O)]I₃·2.5H₂O (2), [Ni₂(tren)₂(dl-phenylalaninato)(H₂O)]I₃·H₂O (3), and {[Ni₂(tren)₂(dl-histinato)](ClO₄)₃·1.5H₂O} _n (4), have been synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography, FTIR, u.v. and e.s. spectra. They represent the first series of dinickel(II) complexes bridged by the unusual (N,O,O)-coordinated -amino acids. In complexes (1–3), one of the nickel(II) centers is coordinated by four N-atoms of the tren ligand, one O-atom of the carboxylate group of the amino acidato ligand and one H₂O molecule. The other nickel(II) center is also coordinated by the four N-atoms of the tren ligand, one carboxylic O-atom and the amino N-atom of the amino acidato ligand, resulting in an asymmetric dinuclear core with chromophores of NiN₄O₂ and NiN₅O. In the polymeric {[Ni₂(tren)₂(dl-histinato)](ClO₄)₃·1.5H₂O} _n (4), the imidazole N-atom is also involved in ligation with nickel(II) and both nickel(II) centers have the same chromophore described as NiN₅O. The Ni...Ni distances are in the 5.5199(10)–5.5807(15)Å range. Analyses of the magnetic properties of complexes (1), (3) and (4) show that a weak ferromagnetic interaction exists between the two nickel(II) centers.     

One-step synthesis ofα,β-unsaturated arylsulfones by a novel multicomponent reaction of aromatic aldehydes,chloroacetonitrile, benzenesulfinic acid sodium salt

A new and green method for the synthesis of α,β-unsaturated arylsulfones had been achieved through the condensation of aromatic aldehydes,chloroacetonitrile,benzenesulfinic acid sodium salt in the presence of l-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium hydroxide([bmim]OH) in EtOH under reflux.The ionic liquid was recovered and recycled for subsequent reactions.The advantages of this protocol were non-toxic,easy work-up and good yields.     

Effects of monomer structure on the morphology of polymer networks and the electro-optical properties of polymer-dispersed liquid crystal films

Polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films were prepared by photochemical polymerisation with a series of (meth)acrylate monomers. The effects of monomer structure on the morphology of polymer networks in the PDLC films were studied. The acrylate monomers without sidegroup chain formed uniform polymer networks. The methacrylate monomers with methyl as their sidegroup chains formed lace-like networks. The size of the LC droplets increased with increasing the length of the flexible chain of both methacrylate and acrylate monomers. Meanwhile, the effects of the morphology of the polymer network on the electro-optical properties of PDLC films were also investigated.