Effect of temperature on the interactions between cellulose and lignin via molecular dynamics simulations

Cellulose - Heating is essential in various biomass pre-treatments and thermal conversion processes. It is of practical significance to study the characteristics of cellulose-lignin and...     

A microfluidics-dispensing-printing strategy for Janus photonic crystal microspheres towards smart patterned displays

From the implementation point of view, the printable magnetic Janus colloidal photonic crystals (CPCs) microspheres are highly desirable. Herein, we developed a dispensing-printing strategy for magnetic Janus CPCs display via a microfluidics-automatic printing system. Monodisperse core/shell colloidal particles and magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles precursor serve as inks. Based on the equilibrium of three-phase interfacial tensions, Janus structure is successfully formed, followed by UV irradiation and self-assembly of colloid particle to generate magnetic Janus CPCs microspheres. Notably, this method shows distinct superiority with highly uniform Janus CPCs structure, where the TMPTA/Fe₃O₄ hemisphere is in the bottom side while CPCs hemisphere is in the top side. Thus, by using Janus CPCs microspheres with two different structural colors as pixel points, a pattern with red flower and green leaf is achieved. Moreover, 1D linear Janus CPCs pattern encapsulated by hydrogel is also fabricated. Both the color and the shape can be changed under the traction of magnets, showing great potentials in flexible smart displays. We believe this work not only offers a new feasible pathway to construct magnetic Janus CPCs patterns by a dispensing-printable fashion, but also provides new opportunities for flexible and smart displays.     

Quantum Watermark Algorithm Based on Maximum Pixel Difference and Tent Map

International Journal of Theoretical Physics - A new quantum watermark algorithm is presented by combining maximum pixel difference partitioning with the least significant bit substitution...     

Concentrated steady vorticities of the Euler equation on 2-d domains and their linear stability

We consider concentrated vorticities for the Euler equation on a smooth domain $\mathrm{\Omega }?{\mathbf{R}}^2$ in the form of

$\omega =\sum _{j=1}^N{\omega }_j{\chi }_{{\mathrm{\Omega }}_j},|{\mathrm{\Omega }}_j|=\pi r_j^2,\underset{{\mathrm{\Omega }}_j}{\int }{\omega }_{j}d\mu ={\mu }_j\ne 0,$

supported on well-separated vortical domains ${\mathrm{\Omega }}_j$, $j=1,\dots ,N$, of small diameters $O(r_j)$. A conformal mapping framework is set up to study this free boundary problem with ${\mathrm{\Omega }}_j$ being part of unknowns. For any given vorticities ${\mu }_1,\dots ,{\mu }_N$ and small $r_1,\dots ,r_N\in {\mathbf{R}}^{+}$, through a perturbation approach, we obtain such piecewise constant steady vortex patches as well as piecewise smooth Lipschitz steady vorticities, both concentrated near non-degenerate critical configurations of the Kirchhoff–Routh Hamiltonian function. When vortex patch evolution is considered as the boundary dynamics of $?{\mathrm{\Omega }}_j$, through an invariant subspace decomposition, it is also proved that the spectral/linear stability of such steady vortex patches is largely determined by that of the 2N-dimensional linearized point vortex dynamics, while the motion is highly oscillatory in the 2N-codim directions corresponding to the vortical domain shapes.     

Direct visualization of the nanoscopic three‐phase structure and stiffness of NBR/PVC blends by AFM nanomechanical mapping

The PeakForce Quantitative Nanomechanical Mapping based on atomic force microscope (AFM) is employed to first visualize and then quantify the elastic properties of a model nitrile rubber/poly(vinyl chloride) (NBR/PVC) blend at the nanoscale. This method allows us to consistently observe the changes in mechanical properties of each phase in polymer blends. Beyond measuring and discriminating elastic modulus and adhesion forces of each phase, we tune the AFM tips and the peak force parameters in order to reliably image samples. In view of viscoelastic difference in each phase, a three‐phase coexistence of an unmixed NBR phase, the mixed phase, and PVC microcrystallites is directly visualized in NBR/PVC blends. The nanomechanical investigation is also capable of recognizing the crosslinked rubber phase in cured rubber. The contribution of the mixed phase was quantified and it was found that the mechanical properties of blends are mainly determined by the homogeneity and stiffness of the mixed phase. This study furthers our understanding the structure–mechanical property relationship of thermoplastic elastomers, which is important for their potential design and applications. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019 , 57, 662–669     

Designing Covalent Organic Frameworks with a Tailored Ionic Interface for Ion Transport across One-Dimensional Channels

A strategy based on covalent organic frameworks for ultrafast ion transport involves designing an ionic interface to mediate ion motion. Electrolyte chains were integrated onto the walls of one-dimensional channels to construct ionic frameworks via pore surface engineering, so that the ionic interface can be systematically tuned at the desired composition and density. This strategy enables a quantitative correlation between interface and ion transport and unveils a full picture of managing ionic interface to achieve high-rate ion transport. Moreover, the effect of interfaces was scaled on ion transport; ion mobility is increased in an exponential mode with the ionic interface. This strategy not only sets a benchmark system but also offers a general guidance for designing ionic interface that is key to systems for energy conversion and storage.     

A Photoluminescent Ag10Cu6 Cluster Stablized by a PNNP Ligand and Phenylacetylides Selectively and Reversibly Senses Ammonia in Air and Water

A photoluminescent bimetallic cluster [Ag₁₀Cu₆(bdppthi)₂(C≡CPh)₁₂(MeOH)₂(H₂O)](ClO₄)₄ ( 1 , bdppthi=N,N’-bis(diphenylphosphanylmethyl)-tetrahydroimidazole} was synthesized from the PNNP type ligand bdppthi generated in-situ. Upon excitation at 365 nm, 1 exhibited strong phosphorescent emission at 630 nm, which was selectively quenched by NH₃ in air or water. The sensing of NH₃ was rapid and recoverable, with detection limits of 53 ppm (v/v) in N₂ and 21 μmol/L (0.36 ppm, w/w) for NH₃ ⋅ H₂O in water. Cluster 1 could potentially serve as a bifunctional chemical sensor for the efficient detection of ammonia in waste-gas and waste-water.     

The Effect of the Spacer of Bis(biurea) Ligands on the Structure of A2L3‐type (A=anion) Phosphate Complexes

By tuning the length and rigidity of the spacer of bis(biurea) ligands L, three structural motifs of the A₂L₃ complexes (A represents anion, here orthophosphate PO₄^3?), namely helicate, mesocate, and mono‐bridged motif, have been assembled by coordination of the ligand to phosphate anion. Crystal structure analysis indicated that in the three complexes, each of the phosphate ions is coordinated by twelve hydrogen bonds from six surrounding urea groups. The anion coordination properties in solution have also been studied. The results further demonstrate the coordination behavior of phosphate ion, which shows strong tendency for coordination saturation and geometrical preference, thus allowing for the assembly of novel anion coordination‐based structures as in transition‐metal complexes.