Metal-organic frameworks based on the pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylate and a flexible bispyridyl ligand: syntheses, structures, and photoluminescence

Three new metal-organic coordination polymers, [Cu(2,3-pydc)(bpp)]center dot 2.5H(2)O (1), [Zn(2,3-pydc)(bpp)]center dot 2.5H(2)O (2) and [Cd(2,3-pydc)(bpp)(H2O)]center dot 3H(2)O (3) (2,3-pydcH(2) = pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid, bpp 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane), have been synthesized at room temvperature. All complexes have metal ions serving as 4-connected nodes but represent two quite different structural motifs. Complexes 1 and 2 are isomorphous, both of which feature 2D -> 3D parallel interpenetration. Each two-dimensional (2D) layer with (4, 4) topology is interlocked by two nearest neighbours, one above and one below, thus leading to an unusual 3D motif. Complex 3 has a non-interpenetrating 3D CdSO4 framework with cavities occupied by uncoordinated water molecules.

Near compensated half-metal in Sr2NiOsO6

The electronic and magnetic properties of tetragonal double perovskite Sr2NiOsO6 were studied by use of the density functional theory and including the spin-orbit coupling. Compensated half-metal is found if the spin-orbit coupling is not considered. Spin-orbit coupling induces orbital moments on both Ni and Os, making Sr2NiOsO6 a near compensated half-metal. Ferromagnetic phase is slightly favored over antiferromagnetic phase (by 4 meV). The small energy difference also suggests that both phases are competitive for the ground state. At ferromagnetic phase, the calculated net magnetic moment is 3.53 mu(B), in good agreement with experimental value of 3.44 mu(B). At antiferromagnetic phase, the net magnetic moment is 0.69 mu(B), in which the contribution from the net spin moment is 0.09 mu(B).

Green synthesis of highly stable platinum nanoparticles stabilized by amino-terminated ionic liquid and its electrocatalysts for dioxygen reduction and methanol oxidation

Preparation of monodispersed platinum nanoparticles with average size 2.0 nm stabilized by amino-terminated ionic liquid was demonstrated. The resulting platinum nanoparticles (Pt-IL) retained long-term stability without special protection. The Pt-IL nanoparticles exhibited high electrocatalytic activity toward reduction of oxygen and oxidation of methanol. Rotating disk electrode voltammetry and rotating ring-disk electrode voltammetry confirmed that the Pt-IL films could catalyze an almost four-electron reduction of dioxygen to water.

Adhesive strength of new thermal barrier coatings of rare earth zirconates

La2Zr2O7 (LZ) and La-2(Zr0.7Ce0.3)(2)O-7 (LZ7C3) as novel candidate materials for thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) were prepared by electron beam-physical vapor deposition (EB-PVD). The adhesive strength of the as-deposited LZ and LZ7C3 coatings were evaluated by transverse scratch test. Meanwhile, the factors affecting the critical load value were also investigated. The critical load value of LZ7C3 coating is larger than that of LZ coating, whereas both values of these two coatings are lower than that of the traditional coating material, i.e. 8 wt% yttria stabilized zirconia (8YSZ). The micro-cracks formed in the scratch channel can partially release the stress in the coating and then enhance the adhesive strength of the coating. The width of the scratch channel and the surface spallation after transverse scratch test are effective factors to evaluate the adhesive strength of LZ and LZ7C3 coatings.

Cytotoxicity of liver targeted drug-loaded alginate nanoparticles

In this study, novel liver targeted doxorubicin (DOX) loaded alginate (ALG) nanoparticles were prepared by CaCl2 crosslinking method. Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA, a liver targeted molecule) modified alginate (GA-ALG) was synthesized in a heterogeneous system, and the structure of GA-ALG and the substitution degree of GA were analyzed by H-1 NMR, FT-IR and elemental analysis. The drug release profile under the simulated physiological condition and cytotoxicity experiments of drug-loaded GA-ALG nanoparticles were carried out in vitro. Transmission electron micrographs (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis showed that drug-loaded GA-ALG nanoparticles have spherical shape structure with the mean hydrodynamic diameter around 214 +/- 11 nm.

Thermo- and pH-sensitive poly(vinylmethyl ether)/carboxymethylchitosan hydrogels crosslinked using electron beam irradiation or using glutaraldehyde as a crosslinker

BACKGROUND: Stimuli-sensitive or intelligent hydrogels have been investigated for many biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. Those hydrogels with dual sensitivity will have more extensive potential applications. The aim of the work presented was to prepare a series of thermo- and pH-sensitive hydrogels based on poly(vinylmethyl ether) (PVME) and carboxymethylchitosan (CMCS). The hydrogels were crosslinked using electron beam irradiation (EB) or using glutaraldehyde (GA) as a crosslinker at room temperature.

Preparation and characterization of poly (N-isopropylacrylamide)/polyvinylamine core-shell microgels

In this paper, well-defined temperature- and pH-sensitive core-shell microgels were synthesized by graft copolymerization in the absence of surfactant and stabilizer. The microgel particles consisted of poly (N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAm)) core crosslinked with N, N'-methylene-bisacrylamide (MBA) and polyvinylamine (PVAm) shell. The effect of MBA content and NIPAm/PVAm ratio on microgel size was investigated. SEM showed that the microgels were spherical and had narrow particle-size distribution. TEM images of the microgels clearly displayed well-defined core-shell morphologies. Zeta-potential measurement further elucidated that the microgels possessed positively charged PVAm molecules on the microgel surface. Turbidity measurement and H-1-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments indicated that the VPTT of microgels was the same as the LCST of PNIPAm.

Controllable Red, Green, Blue (RGB) and Bright White Upconversion Luminescence of Lu2O3:Yb3+/Er3+/Tm3+ Nanocrystals through Single Laser Excitation at 980 nm

Lu2O3:Yb3+/Er3+/Tm3+ nanocrystals have been successfully synthesized by a solvothermal process followed by a subsequent heat treatment at 800 degrees C. Powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, upconversion photoluminescence spectra, and kinetic decay were used to characterize the samples. Under single-wavelength diode laser excitation of 980 nm, the bright blue emissions of Lu2O3:Yb3+, Tm3+ nanocrystals near 477 and 490 nm were observed due to the (1)G(4)-> H-3(6) transition of Tm3+. The bright green UC emissions of Lu2O3:Er3+ nanocrystals appeared near 540 and 565 nm were observed and assigned to the H-2(11/2)-> I-4(15/2) and S-4(3/2)-> I-4(15/2) transitions, respectively, of Er3+. The ratio of the intensity of green luminescence to that of red luminescence decreases with an increase of concentration of Yb3+ in Lu2O3:Er3+ nanocrystals.

Rare Earth Fluorides Nanowires/Nanorods Derived from Hydroxides: Hydrothermal Synthesis and Luminescence Properties

In this paper, we reported the synthesis of nearly monodisperse and well-defined one-dimensional (1D) rare earth fluoride(beta-NaREF4) (RE = Y, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, and Ho) nanowires/nanorods by in situ acid corrosion and anion exchange approach using RE(OH)(3) as precursors via a facile hydrothermal route. X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM). high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and photoluminescence(PL)spectroscopy were used to characterize the samples. The results show that the as-prepared rare earth fluoride (beta-NaREF4) nanowires/nanorods preserve the basic morphology of the initial RE(OH)(3) precursors.

Microphase-Separated Brushes on Square Platelets in PS-b-PEO Thin Films

In polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene oxide) thin square platelets can be obtained via fast solvent evaporation by controlling the tethering density (0.08 < sigma < 0.11). The tethering density of the brushes is proportional to the thickness of the PEO crystal and increases with increasing initial solution heating temperature (T-i). When T-i < T-m, where T-m is the melting point of PEO, brushes with microphase-separated structures are observed. The formation of microphase-separated brushes depends on two factors: the strong incompatibility between PS and noncrystalline PEO chains (attached to the crystalline PEO) and the weak interaction between PS-PS brushes.

Cyclization of citronellal to p-menthane-3,8-diols in water and carbon dioxide

A clean process has been developed for the synthesis of p-menthane-3,8-diols from cyclization of citronellal in CO2-H2O medium without any additives. With the addition of CO2, the reaction rate could be enhanced about 6 times for the cyclization of citronellal in H2O, because CO2 dissolved into water and formed carbonic acid inducing an increase of the acidity. Although, the reaction conversion in CO2-H2O is slightly lower compared to that obtained with sulfuric acid as catalyst, CO2-H2O could replace the sulfuric acid at a relative higher reaction temperature. The reaction kinetics studies showed that the hydration of isopulegols to p-menthane-3,8-diols is a reversible reaction. The equilibrium constant and the maximum equilibrium yield obtained in CO2-H2O at a range of CO2 pressures are similar to that with sulfuric acid catalyst.

Highly efficient inverted top-emitting organic light-emitting diodes using a lead monoxide electron injection layer

By introducing an effective electron injection layer (EIL) material, i.e., lead monoxide (PbO), combined with the optical design in device structure, a high efficiency inverted top-emitting organic light-emitting diode (ITOLED) with saturated and quite stable colors for different viewing angles is demonstrated. The green ITOLED based on 10-(2-benzothiazolyl)-1, 1, 7, 7-tetramethyl-2, 3, 6, 7-tetrahydro-1H, 5H, 11H-[1] benzopyrano [6, 7, 8-ij] quinolizin-11-one exhibits a maximum current efficiency of 33.8 cd/A and a maximum power efficiency of 16.6 lm/W, accompanied by a nearly Lambertian distribution as well as hardly detectable color variation in the 140 forward viewing cone. A detailed analysis on the role mechanism of PbO in electron injection demonstrates that the insertion of the PbO EIL significantly reduces operational voltage, thus greatly improving the device efficiency.

Novel Oligo-9,9 '-spirobifluorenes through ortho-Linkage as Full Hydrocarbon Host for Highly Efficient Phosphorescent OLEDs

4-Bromo-9,9'-spirobifluorene is facilely synthesized, and from this precursor, two ortho-linked oligo-9,9'-spirobifluorenes, 44BSF and 24TSF, are constructed. Devices with 24TSF as the full-hydrocarbon host material and Ir(ppy)(3) or (ppq)(2)Ir(acac) as the triplet emitter show maximum external quantum efficiencies of 12.6 and 10.5% for green and red electrophosphorescence, respectively.

A Fully Diarylmethylene-Bridged Triphenylamine Derivative as Novel Host for Highly Efficient Green Phosphorescent OLEDs

A fully diarylmethylene-bridged triphenylamine derivative is efficiently synthesized. It has an almost planar triphenylamine (TPA) skeleton and exhibits excellent thermal and morphological stability. Devices with the novel TPA derivative as host material and Ir(ppy)(3) as triplet emitter show a maximum current efficiency of 83.5 cd/A and a maximum power efficiency of 71.4 Im/W for green electrophosphorescence.

A Novel Biodegradable and Light-Breakable Diblock Copolymer Micelle for Drug Delivery

A facile approach to the preparation of light-responsive copolymer micelles is developed. This approach is based on the attachment of hydrophobic groups to one block of a diblock copolymer via a light-sensitive linkage. The micelles can be dissociated under light irradiation and release the encapsulated pyrene. The obtained polymeric micelles are expected to be of use as drug-delivery vehicles.