Test‐Strip‐Based Fluorometric Detection of Fluoride in Aqueous Media with a BODIPY‐Linked Hydrogen‐Bonding Receptor

The measurement of biologically relevant anions, such as fluoride, is an important task in analytical chemistry, in particular, for dental health and osteoporosis. Although a large number of fluoride probes are known, the applicability under relevant conditions is limited to a few examples. To improve this situation, BODIPY‐amidothiourea dyes with varying hydrogen‐bond donating strengths were developed, the most H‐acidic of which ( 1 c ) could detect F^? from an inorganic source (NaF) in 50 % aqueous solution (DMSO/water 1:1, v/v) with 0.01 ppm sensitivity through selective fluorescence quenching by a photoinduced electron‐transfer (PET) process. Use of the probe and a reference dye with a test‐strip assay and a portable and rapidly recording lateral‐flow fluorescence reader made determination of F^? in neat aqueous solutions, such as spiked water samples and toothpaste extracts, possible in a self‐referenced manner, achieving a detection limit of 0.2 ppm.     

Supramolecular Luminescent Lanthanide Dimers for Fluoride Sequestering and Sensing

Lanthanide complexes (Ln=Eu, Tb, and Yb) that are based on a C₂‐symmetric cyclen scaffold were prepared and characterized. The addition of fluoride anions to aqueous solutions of the complexes resulted in the formation of dinuclear supramolecular compounds in which the anion is confined into the cavity that is formed by the two complexes. The supramolecular assembly process was monitored by UV/Vis absorption, luminescence, and NMR spectroscopy and high‐resolution mass spectrometry. The X‐ray crystal structure of the europium dimer revealed that the architecture of the scaffold is stabilized by synergistic effects of the Eu? F? Eu bridging motive, π stacking interactions, and a four‐component hydrogen‐bonding network, which control the assembly of the two [EuL] entities around the fluoride ion. The strong association in water allowed for the luminescence sensing of fluoride down to a detection limit of 24 nM .     

The Mosaic Structure of Zeolite Crystals

Zeolites are widely used in many commercial processes, mostly as catalysts or adsorbents. Understanding their intimate structure at the nanoscale is the key to control their properties and design the best materials for their ever increasing uses. Herein, we report a new and controllable fluoride treatment for the non‐discriminate extraction of zeolite framework cations. This sheds new light on the sub‐structure of commercially relevant zeolite crystals: they are segmented along defect zones exposing numerous nanometer‐sized crystalline domains, separated by low‐angle boundaries, in what were apparent single‐crystals. The concentration, morphology, and distribution of such domains analyzed by electron tomography indicate that this is a common phenomenon in zeolites, independent of their structure and chemical composition. This is a milestone to better understand their growth mechanism and rationally design superior catalysts and adsorbents.     

聚偏氟乙烯微孔膜的亲水化改性及功能化研究进展

聚偏氟乙烯(PVDF)微孔膜的亲水化改性方法有物理共混、化学共聚、表面涂覆、表面化学处理、表面接枝等几种。其中物理共混和表面涂覆法比较成熟且已获得应用，而PVDF微孔膜的表面化学处理、等离子体或光引发改性技术以及环境敏感性等将成为PVDF微孔膜的改性和功能化研究的主要方向。     

纳米NaYF4:Yb,Ho上转换荧光粉的合成及其性质研究

以EDTA为螯合剂,采用络合共沉淀法合成了纳米级镱、钬共掺杂的氟化钇钠上转换荧光材料.所合成的纳米材料颗粒均匀,分散性好.通过调节EDTA的加入量,可在41～148nm范围内调控纳米颗粒的大小.在980nm红外激光器照射下,肉眼可观察到明亮的上转换荧光,对发光机理进行了探讨.     

TiO_2/PVDF复合中空纤维膜的制备和表征

采用相转化法制备了二氧化钛 (TiO2 ) 聚偏氟乙烯 (PVDF)复合中空纤维膜 .应用牛血清白蛋白截留实验、扫描电子显微镜、热重分析、X射线衍射分别对复合膜的分离性能、微观结构、热稳定性和晶相组成进行了分析 .结果表明复合膜的性能与纯PVDF膜的相比有显著的改善 ,其中对牛血清白蛋白的截留率从 3 2 7%提高到 86 6 7% ,单根纤维的断裂应力从 3 35MPa提高到 4 70MPa ,提高了 4 0 3% .氮气吸附实验测定的孔径分布进一步表明复合膜的孔径分布变窄 ,孔径变小 .     

偏氟乙烯/三氟氯乙烯交替共聚物在TATB表面吸附的分子动力学模拟

采用COMPASS力场和NVT正则系综的动力学模拟方法, 搭建了聚合度分别为10, 50和100的偏氟乙烯(VDF)/三氟氯乙烯(CTFE)交替共聚物, 对交替共聚物在1,3,5-三氨基-2,4,6-三硝基苯(TATB)的(0,0,1)晶面上的吸附和结构进行了分子动力学(MD)模拟. 结果表明, 在300～320 K温区, 聚合度为100的VDF/CTFE交替共聚物链对TATB晶体有理想的表面活性和吸附能力, 以train型构象平铺于TATB表面. 通过对聚合度为10的交替共聚物的多链体系在TATB表面吸附的MD模拟, 表明了VDF/CTFE交替共聚物具有非凝聚吸附的高表面活性特征. 对搭建的乙酸乙酯溶剂化的聚合度为50的VDF/CTFE交替共聚物在TATB晶体表面吸附的模拟, 实验证明了溶剂小分子能够降低共聚物链的吸附能力, 且链以tail型构象吸附于TATB表面.     

Recent study of nanomaterials prepared by inert gas condensation using ultra high vacuum chamber

The ultra high vacuum chamber was developed in the Department of Nuclear Physics, University of Madras with the funding from DST, India. This UHV chamber is used to prepare nanocrystalline materials by inert gas condensation technique (IGCT). Nanocrystalline materials such as PbF₂, Mn²⁺-doped PbF₂, Sn-doped In₂O₃ (ITO), ZnO, Al₂O₃, Ag₂O, CdO, CuO, ZnSe:ZnO etc., were prepared by this technique and characterized. Results of some of these materials will be presented in this paper. In solid-state²⁰⁷Pb NMR on PbF₂ a separate signal due to the presence of grain boundary has been observed. The structural phase transition pressure during the phase transformation from the cubic phase to orthorhombic phase under high pressure shows an increase with the decrease in grain size. Presence of electronic centres in nanocrystalline PbF₂ is observed from Raman studies and the same has been confirmed by photoluminescence studies. Al₂O₃ was prepared and⁵⁶Fe ions were implanted. After implantation segregation of⁵⁶Fe ions was examined by SEM. The oxidation properties of ITO were studied by HRTEM. As against the expectation of oxide coating on individual nanograins of In-Sn alloy, ITO nanograins grew into faceted nanograins on heat treatment in air and O₂ atmosphere. The growth of ITO under O₂ atmosphere showed pentagon symmetry. The PMN was initially prepared by solid-state reaction. Further, this PMN relaxor material will be used to convert into nanocrystalline PMN by IGCT with sputtering and will be studied     

Radical copolymerization of vinylidene cyanide with 2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl methacrylate: Structure and characterization

A novel copolymer of vinylidene cyanide (VCN) and 2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl methacrylate (MATRIF) was synthesized by bulk free radical process in a 52% yield from an equimolar comonomer feed. The copolymer's composition and microstructure were analyzed by FTIR, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy, SEC, and elemental analysis. The reactivity ratios calculated from both the Q‐e Alfrey‐Price parameters and the Jenkins' Patterns Scheme indicate a tendency to alternation in the copolymerization, the latter method suggesting that MATRIF homopropagation be slightly favoured (r_V = r₁₂ = 0.1, r_M = r₂₁ = 0.3). The molar incorporation of VCN in the copolymer was only 42 mol % according to the 9.0 wt % nitrogen content determined by elemental analysis, in good agreement with the value obtained by ¹H‐NMR. High‐resolution ¹H and ¹³C‐NMR spectra were used to study the microstructure of the copolymer. As an example, the three well‐resolved carbonyl resonances in the ¹³C‐NMR spectrum were assigned to the MATRIF‐centered triads VMV, VMM, and MMM, respectively, (V and M stand for VCN and MATRIF, respectively). The presence of VCN dyads (e.g., in VVM and VVV sequences) was shown to be marginal or absent altogether. Thermogravimetric analysis of poly(VCN‐co‐MATRIF) copolymer showed good thermal stability, and its main pyrolytic degradation taking place only above 368 °C. A 4% weight loss at about 222 °C suggested the presence of a few VCN homodyads, possibly inducing thermal depolymerization. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

From superhydrophobic‐ to superhydrophilic‐patterned poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐chlorotrifluoroethylene) architectures as a novel platform for biotechnological applications

The manufacture of three‐dimensional patterned electroactive poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐chlorotrifluoroethylene) microstructures with tailored architecture, morphology, and wettability is presented. The patterned microstructures are fabricated using a simple, effective, low cost, and reproducible technique based on microfluidic technology. These novel structures can represent innovative platforms for advanced strategies in a wide range of biotechnological applications, including tissue engineering, drug delivery, microfluidic, and sensors and actuators devices. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 1802–1810