The copolymer route to new luminescent materials for LEDs

The synthesis of the highly fluorescent mono‐ and bis‐silylated poly(1,4‐phenylene vinylene) derivatives 1 and 2 is reported. The Gilch dehydrohalogenation polycondensation and the Horner synthesis of strictly alternating copolymers have been used to prepare the copolymers 8‐11 and 14, 16‐18 , respectively, in which the tunability of various optoelectonic properties may be examined systematically.     

Vortex fluidic induced mass transfer across immiscible phases

Mixing immiscible liquids typically requires the use of auxiliary substances including phase transfer catalysts, microgels, surfactants, complex polymers and nano-particles and/or micromixers. Centrifugally separated immiscible liquids of different densities in a 45° tilted rotating tube offer scope for avoiding their use. Micron to submicron size topological flow regimes in the thin films induce high inter-phase mass transfer depending on the nature of the two liquids. A hemispherical base tube creates a Coriolis force as a ‘spinning top’ (ST) topological fluid flow in the less dense liquid which penetrates the denser layer of liquid, delivering liquid from the upper layer through the lower layer to the surface of the tube with the thickness of the layers determined using neutron imaging. Similarly, double helical (DH) topological flow in the less dense liquid, arising from Faraday wave eddy currents twisted by Coriolis forces, impact through the less dense liquid onto the surface of the tube. The lateral dimensions of these topological flows have been determined using ‘molecular drilling’ impacting on a thin layer of polysulfone on the surface of the tube and self-assembly of nanoparticles at the interface of the two liquids. At high rotation speeds, DH flow also occurs in the denser layer, with a critical rotational speed reached resulting in rapid phase demixing of preformed emulsions of two immiscible liquids. ST flow is perturbed relative to double helical flow by changing the shape of the base of the tube while maintaining high mass transfer between phases as demonstrated by circumventing the need for phase transfer catalysts. The findings presented here have implications for overcoming mass transfer limitations at interfaces of liquids, and provide new methods for extractions and separation science, and avoiding the formation of emulsions.

Micron to submicron size Coriolis and Faraday wave induced high shear topological flow regimes in 45° titled rapidly rotating tubes result in high inter-phase mass transfer of immiscible liquids and spontaneous demixing.     

Bio-based Poly(hydroxy urethane)s: Synthesis and Pre/Post-Functionalization

New and emerging demand for polyurethane (PU) continues to rise over the years. The harmful isocyanate binding agents and their integrated PU products are at the height of environmental concerns, in particular PU (macro and micro) pollution and their degradation problems. Non-isocyanate poly(hydroxy urethane)s (NIPUs) are sustainable and green alternatives to conventional PUs. Since the introduction of NIPU in 1957, the market value of NIPU and its hybridized materials has increased exponentially in 2019 and is expected to continue to rise in the coming years. The secondary hydroxyl groups of these NIPU′s urethane moiety have revolutionized them by allowing for adequate pre/post functionalization. This minireview highlights different strategies and advances in pre/post-functionalization used in biobased NIPU. We have performed a comprehensive evaluation of the development of new ideas in this field to achieve more efficient synthetic biobased hybridized NIPU processes through selective and kinetic understanding.     

The synthesis and applications of α-zirconium phosphate

The synthesis of α-ZrP with a range of crystallinity is of high importance due to the different requirements in various applications.Nanosized crystalline α-ZrP is typically obtained by refluxing amorphous ZrP in concentrated H3PO4 solutions.Microcrystalline α-ZrP are obtained by direct precipitation in the presence of either HF or oxalic acid which are used as complexing agents for zirconium.These larger crystals are useful as ion-exchangers in column-type applications as the back pressure can be significantly reduced.A novel minimalistic synthesis that is green,simple and fast is highlighted in this review.Both nano-sized and micro-sized α-ZrP can be prepared via this protocol to meet many potential applications.Applications of α-ZrP in ion-exchange,catalysis,lubricants,intercalation hosts,polymer fillers and fire retardants are discussed.     

Enhanced curcumin loaded nanocellulose: a possible inhalable nanotherapeutic to treat COVID-19

Cellulose - Nanocellulose/polyvinyl alcohol/curcumin (CNC/PVA/curcumin) nanoparticles with enhanced drug loading properties were developed by the dispersion of nanocellulose in curcumin/polyvinyl...     

Finite order automorphisms on contragredient Lie superalgebras

We add combinatorial data to the Dynkin diagrams to classify all finite order automorphisms on contragredient Lie superalgebras, and study their invariant subalgebras.     

Ultrasensitive electrochemical detection of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) using gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles as 'dispersible electrodes'

Herein, we demonstrate the use of modified gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles as 'dispersible electrodes' which act as selective capture vehicles for electrochemical detection of prostate-specific antigen (PSA). A key advantage of this system is the ability to quantify non-electrochemical active analytes such as proteins with unprecedented detection limits and fast response times.     

The biochemiresistor: an ultrasensitive biosensor for small organic molecules

New sensation: A resistance-based biosensor uses gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles (Au@MNPs) functionalized with the antibiotic enrofloxin (see picture; purple), which bind to anti-enrofloxin as analyte (blue). The Au@MNPs can be magnetically assembled between electrodes, and the measured resistance R is a function of analyte concentration.     

Inclined fire whirls

Air entrainment, leading to strong fire whirls, is commonly thought to be caused by the buoyant rise of the hot combustion products under the influence of gravity. We have, however, created in the laboratory steady, axisymmetric strong fire whirls with axes inclined 30° from the vertical orientation, whirls which model an inclined fire whirl, about 30 m tall, observed in California wildland near the Cleveland National Forest. The results contradict the common notion of buoyancy being significant for the structure of the whirl, implying that strong fire whirls instead are dominated by rotation only, even if their axis is vertical. The new concept of rotation-controlled fire whirls is explained by a Rossby number displacing the Froude number (or the Richardson number) in describing the phenomenon.