Nano-enabled microtechnology: polysulfone nanocomposites incorporating cellulose nanocrystals

Microchannel devices hold the potential to transform many separation processes. This preliminary study investigated the feasibility of incorporating cellulose nanocrystals (CNXLs) into polysulfone, a commonly used ultrafiltration membrane polymer. Incorporating CNXLs into non-water soluble polymers without aggregation has been problematic. A solvent exchange process was developed that successfully transferred an aqueous CNXL dispersion into the organic solvent N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP), which is a solvent for polysulfone (PSf). Films were prepared from the solution of PSf in NMP with dispersed CNXLs by a phase inversion process. Films were then examined by scanning electron microscopy and tested for their transport and mechanical properties. The interaction between the polymer matrix and the CNXL filler was studied by means of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), which suggested a close interaction between the polymer and filler at the 2% filler loading. The tensile modulus showed a large increase beyond 1% filler loading, which could be due to a percolation effect. The water vapor transport rate increased with increase in filler loading. Agglomeration of the CNXLs seemed to be taking place at filler loadings >7%.     

Needle-Trap Device (NTD) Packed with Reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) for Sample Preparation Prior to the Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) from Aqueous Samples by Gas Chromatography–Mass spectrometry (GC-MS)

A needle trap device (NTD) was developed for the extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from liquid samples followed by determination by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The extraction was performed using the dynamic sampling approach, in which a liquid sample was pumped through the system. Due to the flexibility and softness of graphene, its application in NTD may be difficult. Herein, the effectiveness of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) packed in NTD in dynamic extraction of PAHs was evaluated. Several experimental parameters, such as the adsorbent mass, eluent type and its volume, as well as the sample volume were optimized to achieve satisfactory performance for dynamic extraction. Comparative studies showed that the extraction performance of rGO-NTD was better than using NTDs packed with other sorbents such as activated carbon. The recovery rate for reduced graphene oxide exceeded 92%. Comparison of dynamic and headspace sampling showed comparable results but the dynamic mode is more suitable for field measurements. The recovery rates of PAHs spiked in water samples were from 76.5 to 100.2% and the relative standard deviation values were from 2.7 to 7.5% under the optimal conditions. This work reveals the potential of NTD with a graphene-based material for sample preparation before chromatographic analysis of liquid samples.     

电致发光聚合物/纳米半导体材料及其双功能器件

电致发光材料在大屏幕平板显示和移动通讯器件方面有着极大的优越性。Ⅱ-Ⅵ族无机半导体、金属有机化合物及共轭聚合物等都是电致发光材料。由半导体纳米晶体和电致发光聚合物组成的双发光器件中,纳米半导体的发光不仅可以通过掺杂及形成核壳结构来加以调节,而且受到其复合体系类型、纳晶含量、外加电压等因素制约;而无机半导体的高电荷输运特性也将影响聚合物发光层的效率。同时,利用无机纳米半导体的光导特性,这种复合体系也可以制成光导与电致发光双功能器件,且其发光效率可有较大幅度提高。     

Enhancing electroluminescence performance of MEH-PPV based polymer light emitting device via blending with organosoluble polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes

Organosoluble polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) blending effect on electroluminescence properties of MEH-PPV based polymer light emitting device was investigated. Excellent compatibility and surface morphology of organosoluble POSS and MEH-PPV based composite films were observed using AFM spectroscopy. The surface roughness of POSS:MEH-PPV composite film increased with increasing POSS content. Interfacial area between the light-emitting layer and cathode was favorably enhanced for cathode electron-injection. MEH-PPV blended with POSS would create a better balance between the electron and hole fluxes for POSS:MEH-PPV composite film based devices. This led to greater current efficiency of the POSS:MEH-PPV composite film based device as compared to one with a light emitting layer of MEH-PPV. Organosoluble POSS concentration effects on the PL spectra and EL performances were also studied for the POSS:MEH-PPV composite film based polymer light emitting devices.     

Focused electrophoretic motion and selected electrokinetic dispensing of particles and cells in cross-microchannels

The electrokinetic focusing and the resultant accelerated electrophoretic motion of polystyrene particles and red blood cells were visualized in microfluidic cross-channels. The experimentally measured width of the focused stream and the measured velocity increase of particles and cells at different voltage ratios follow the proposed analytical formula within the experimental error. The attained velocity increase is insensitive to the particle size, particle property (i.e., particle or cell), and particle trajectory. By solving the electrical potential field in the cross-channel at the experimental conditions, we demonstrate that the squeezed electrical field lines in the channel intersection determine the shape of the focused stream, and the nonuniform distribution of axial electrical field strength underlies the variation of particle/cell electrophoretic velocity through the focusing region. However, the dielectrophoretic force resulting from the nonuniform electrical field in the intersection seems to push the acceleration region of particles and cells slightly in the downstream direction. We have also achieved the single particle/cell dispensing by instantly triggering an electrical pulse perpendicular to the focused particulate flow in a double-cross microchannel. The electrokinetic manipulation of particle/cell in microchannels demonstrated in this work can be used for developing integrated lab-on-a-chip devices for studies of cells.     

An automatic sampling device for capillary zone electrophoresis

An automatic sampling device has been developed for capillary zone electrophoresis. The sample is introduced to the column electrokinetically by rapidly exchanging buffer for sample in a narrow channel drilled in a plexiglass block. The autosampler is capable, under computer control, of performing multiple sample injections from a large volume sample source (such as a reaction vessel) as the sample concentration changes, and thus presents the possibility of analyzing time-varying processes by CZE. Peak area reproducibility in electropherograms obtained after use of the sampler is less than 1% and efficiency is more than 2.2 × 10⁵ theoretical plates.     

一种新型在线近红外光谱分析仪的研制

研制了一种新型的电荷耦合器件(CCD)在线近红外光谱分析仪，它由光谱仪系统、电源电路与控制系统、光纤及其附件与流通池系统、防爆系统、样品前处理系统、模型界外样品抓样系统、实时光谱测量和化学计量学软件等部分组成。在兰州炼油厂联合重整装置上连续5个月的工业实验表明，该仪表测定汽油辛烷值的准确性为0．3个辛烷值单位，重复性为0．2个辛烷值单位，具有准确性高、稳定性好、测量速度快、安全性强、自动化程度高和分析测试项目扩展性宽等特点。该仪表可与APC技术或其它自动化系统联用，对石化等大型生产装置的技术进步将产生积极的推动作用。     

Ion-triggered multistate molecular switching device based on regioselective coordination-controlled ion binding

Molecular devices capable of accessing different controlled conformational states, while optically signaling the occupied state, are attractive tools for nanotechnology since they relate to both areas of molecular mechanical devices and logic gates. We report here a simple molecular system that allows access to four distinct conformational and optical states. It is based on the regioselective complexation of metal ions to a heterocyclic ligand triad, which is dictated by the accessible coordination geometry and electrostatic properties of two distinct binding subunits. Thus, local conformational switching is brought about by tetrahedral coordination (of Cu(I)) or octahedral coordination (of M(2+) ions) to bidentate and tridentate binding subunits, respectively. The shape modifications undergone represent an ion-controlled nanomechanical device. They give controlled access to four different states that display different physico-chemical (e.g. optical) properties and provide a basis for logic gate operations.     

Anodic polymerization of dithienosilole and electroluminescent properties of the resulting polymer

Anodic oxidation of 2,6-bis(trimethylsilyl)-4,4-di(p-tolyl)dithienosilole gave a dark orange solid polymer with a small band gap. The spectral analysis of the polymer indicated that decomposition of the dithienosilole ring system had competed the polymerization to an extent. This, however, could be suppressed by optimizing the reaction conditions. Applications of the spin-coated polymer films to electroluminescent materials are described.