Effect of Particle Size on Electro-Optic Properties of Liquid Crystal Devices Doped with γ-Cyclodextrin Stabilized Barium Titanate Nanoparticles

Barium titanate stabilized by γ-cyclodextrin nanoparticles were prepared by using a microwave reactor equipped with ultrasonic nozzle mixing at 240°C in a tetraethylene glycol solution of barium ethoxide and titanium ethoxide in the presence of γ-cyclodextrin. Particles in γ-cyclodextrin-stabilized BaTiO₃ nanoparticles had an average diameter of 2.1 nm and mainly distributed within the range of about 1 to 4 nm. The γ-cyclodextrin-stabilized BaTiO₃ nanoparticles were mixed with 4-cyano-4′-pentylbiphenyl at room temperature resulting in a liquid crystal sol of 4-cyano-4′-pentylbiphenyl. The response time of liquid crystal devices in the presence of γ-cyclodextrin-stabilized BaTiO₃ nanoparticles was faster than that in the absence.     

Single‐Molecule Sensing of Environmental pH—an STM Break Junction and NEGF‐DFT Approach

Sensors play a significant role in the detection of toxic species and explosives, and in the remote control of chemical processes. In this work, we report a single‐molecule‐based pH switch/sensor that exploits the sensitivity of dye molecules to environmental pH to build metal–molecule–metal (m‐M‐m) devices using the scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) break junction technique. Dyes undergo pH‐induced electronic modulation due to reversible structural transformation between a conjugated and a nonconjugated form, resulting in a change in the HOMO–LUMO gap. The dye‐mediated m‐M‐m devices react to environmental pH with a high on/off ratio (≈100:1) of device conductivity. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations, carried out under the non‐equilibrium Green’s function (NEGF) framework, model charge transport through these molecules in the two possible forms and confirm that the HOMO–LUMO gap of dyes is nearly twice as large in the nonconjugated form as in the conjugated form.     

Amphibious sensor of temperature and refractive index based on D-shaped photonic crystal fibre filled with liquid crystal

ABSTRACT

A D-shaped photonic crystal fibre filled with liquid crystal was demonstrated as an amphibious sensor for detection of both temperature and refractive index, when combined with plasma materials. Specifically, the optical component is implanted into a complete optical system ensuring modulation of the external electric field. When the refractive index of the external solution changes from 1.0 to 1.6, the y-polarised mode has a loss spectrum with a wavelength sensitivity of up to 2275 nm/RIU, and the corresponding amplitude sensitivity is ?88.2RIU^?1. When the perceived temperature changes from 15°C to 50°C, the temperature of the sensor is correspondingly expressed as the maximum wavelength sensitivity of 9.09 nm/°C and the amplitude sensitivity of ?0.311°C^?1. In addition, the actual micro-operation processes have been studied in detail, such as polishing depth, coating thickness and coating method. This provides practical ideas for real-time sensing analysis that requires harsh environments.     

Optically Triggered Control of the Charge Carrier Density in Chemically Functionalized Graphene Field Effect Transistors

Field effect transistors (FETs) based on 2D materials are of great interest for applications in ultrathin electronic and sensing devices. Here we demonstrate the possibility to add optical switchability to graphene FETs (GFET) by functionalizing the graphene channel with optically switchable azobenzene molecules. The azobenzene molecules were incorporated to the GFET channel by building a van der Waals heterostructure with a carbon nanomembrane (CNM), which is used as a molecular interposer to attach the azobenzene molecules. Under exposure with 365 nm and 455 nm light, azobenzene molecules transition between cis and trans molecular conformations, respectively, resulting in a switching of the molecular dipole moment. Thus, the effective electric field acting on the GFET channel is tuned by optical stimulation and the carrier density is modulated.     

Templated‐Assembly of CsPbBr3 Perovskite Nanocrystals into 2D Photonic Supercrystals with Amplified Spontaneous Emission

Perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) have revolutionized optoelectronic devices because of their versatile optical properties. However, controlling and extending these functionalities often requires a light‐management strategy involving additional processing steps. Herein, we introduce a simple approach to shape perovskite nanocrystals (NC) into photonic architectures that provide light management by directly shaping the active material. Pre‐patterned polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) templates are used for the template‐induced self‐assembly of 10 nm CsPbBr₃ perovskite NC colloids into large area (1 cm²) 2D photonic crystals with tunable lattice spacing, ranging from 400 nm up to several microns. The photonic crystal arrangement facilitates efficient light coupling to the nanocrystal layer, thereby increasing the electric field intensity within the perovskite film. As a result, CsPbBr₃ 2D photonic crystals show amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) under lower optical excitation fluences in the near‐IR, in contrast to equivalent flat NC films prepared using the same colloidal ink. This improvement is attributed to the enhanced multi‐photon absorption caused by light trapping in the photonic crystal.     

Non‐Lithography Hydrodynamic Printing of Micro/Nanostructures on Curved Surfaces

A key issue of micro/nano devices is how to integrate micro/nanostructures with specified chemical components onto various curved surfaces. Hydrodynamic printing of micro/nanostructures on three‐dimensional curved surfaces is achieved with a strategy that combines template‐induced hydrodynamic printing and self‐assembly of nanoparticles (NPs). Non‐lithography flexible wall‐shaped templates are replicated with microscale features by dicing a trench‐shaped silicon wafer. Arising from the capillary pumped function between the template and curved substrates, NPs in the colloidal suspension self‐assemble into close‐packed micro/nanostructures without a gravity effect. Theoretical analysis with the lattice Boltzmann model reveals the fundamental principles of the hydrodynamic assembly process. Spiral linear structures achieved by two kinds of fluorescent NPs show non‐interfering photoluminescence properties, while the waveguide and photoluminescence are confirmed in 3D curved space. The printed multiconstituent micro/nanostructures with single‐NP resolution may serve as a general platform for optoelectronics beyond flat surfaces.     

A Photochemical/Thermal Switch Based on 4,4′-Bis(benzimidazolio)stilbene: Synthesis and Supramolecular Properties.

Stilbene derivatives are well-recognised substructures of molecular switches based on photochemically and/or thermally induced (E)/(Z) isomerisation. We combined a stilbene motif with two benzimidazolium arms to prepare new sorts of supramolecular building blocks and examined their binding properties towards cucurbit[n]urils (n=7, 8) and cyclodextrins (β-CD, γ-CD) in water. Based on the ¹H NMR data and molecular dynamics simulations, we found that two distinct complexes with different stoichiometry, i. e., guest@β-CD and guest@β-CD₂, coexist in equilibrium in a water solution of the (Z)-stilbene-based guests. We also demonstrated that the bis(benzimidazolio)stilbene guests can be transformed from the (E) into the (Z) form via UV irradiation and back via thermal treatment in DMSO.     

Electrochemistry in Carbon‐based Quantum Dots

Electrochemistry belongs to an important branch of chemistry that deals with the chemical changes produced by electricity and the production of electricity by chemical changes. Therefore, it can not only act a powerful tool for materials synthesis, but also offer an effective platform for sensing and catalysis. As extraordinary zero‐dimensional materials, carbon‐based quantum dots (CQDs) have been attracting tremendous attention due to their excellent properties such as good chemical stability, environmental friendliness, nontoxicity and abundant resources. Compared with the traditional methods for the preparation of CQDs, electrochemical (EC) methods offer advantages of simple instrumentation, mild reaction conditions, low cost and mass production. In return, CQDs could provide cost‐effective, environmentally friendly, biocompatible, stable and easily‐functionalizable probes, modifiers and catalysts for EC sensing. However, no specific review has been presented to systematically summarize both aspects until now. In this review, the EC preparation methods of CQDs are critically discussed focusing on CQDs. We further emphasize the applications of CQDs in EC sensors, electrocatalysis, biofuel cells and EC flexible devices. This review will further the experimental and theoretical understanding of the challenges and future prospective in this field, open new directions on exploring new advanced CQDs in EC to meet the high demands in diverse applications.     

一维光子晶体热辐射光谱控制模拟研究

将一维金属-介质光子晶体应用于热辐射光谱控制,基于电磁波理论建立了光谱能量关系和光谱特性计算方法.采用钨(W)和二氧化硅(SiO2)设计了一维金属-介质光子晶体,从麦克斯韦方程组出发,研究了该一维结构的光谱特性.研究结果表明,该结构能够有效地结合材料自身光谱属性和光子晶体的光谱控制特性实现热辐射光谱特性的选择控制,可被用于热光伏系统实现热辐射光谱控制.