Comprehending the Formation of Eutectics and Cocrystals in Terms of Design and Their Structural Interrelationships

The phenomenon of cocrystallization, which encompasses the art of making multicomponent organic solids such as cocrystals, solid solutions, eutectics, etc. for novel applications, has been less studied in terms of reliably and specifically obtaining a desired cocrystallization product and the issues that govern their formation. Further, the design, structural, and functional aspects of organic eutectics have been relatively unexplored as compared to solid solutions and cocrystals well-established by crystal engineering principles. Recently, eutectics were proposed to be designable materials on par with cocrystals, and herein we have devised a systematic approach, based on the same crystal engineering principles, to specifically and desirably make both eutectics and cocrystals for a given system. The propensity for strong homomolecular synthons over weak heteromolecular synthons and vice versa during supramolecular growth was successfully utilized to selectively obtain eutectics and cocrystals, respectively, in two model systems and in two drug systems. A molecular level understanding of the formation of eutectics and cocrystals and their structural interrelationships which is significant from both fundamental and application viewpoints is discussed. On the other hand, the obscurity in establishing a low melting combination as a eutectic or a cocrystal is resolved through phase diagrams.

High frequency millimetre wave absorbers derived from polymeric nanocomposites

The world has dominated by automation, wireless communication and various electronic equipments, which has led to the most undesirable offshoots like electromagnetic (EM) pollution. The rationale is environmental concern and the necessity to develop EM absorbing materials. This paper reviews the state of the art of designing polymer based nanocomposites containing nanoscopic particles with high electrical conductivity and complex microwave properties for enhanced EM attenuation. Given the brevity of this review article, herein we have summarized the high frequency millimetre wave absorbing properties of polymer nanocomposites consisting of various nanoparticles that either reflect or absorb microwave radiation like electrically conducting carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene nanosheets (GNs), high dielectric constant ceramic nanoparticles that show relaxation loss in the microwave frequency and magnetic metal and ferrite nanoparticles that absorb microwave radiation through natural resonance, eddy current and hysteresis losses. Furthermore, we have stressed the necessity and impact of hybrid nanoparticles consisting of magnetic and dielectric nanoparticles along with conducting inclusions like CNT and GNs in this review. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) theory and necessary criterion for attenuation has been briefly discussed. The emphasis is made on various mechanisms towards EM attenuation controlled by these nanoparticles. Various structures developed using polymer nanocomposites like bulk, foam and layered structures and their effect on EM attenuation has been elaborately discussed. In addition, various covalent/non-covalent modifications on nanoparticles have been juxtaposed in context to EM attenuation. In addition, we have highlighted important facets and direction for enhancing the microwave attenuation. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.