Blue electroluminescent polymers with dopant-host systems and molecular dispersion features: polyfluorene as the deep blue host and 1,8-naphthalimide derivative units as the light blue dopants

We developed a series of highly efficient blue electroluminescent polymers with dopant-host systems and molecular dispersion features by selecting 1,8-naphthalimide derivatives as the light blue emissive dopant units, choosing polyfluorene as the deep blue emissive polymer host and covalently attaching the dopant units to the side chain of the polymer host. The polymers' EL spectra exhibited both deep blue emission from the polymer host and light blue emission from the dopant units because of the energy transfer and charge trapping from the polymer host to the dopant units.

Synergistic extraction of rare earths using acid-base coupling extractants of calix[4]arene carboxyl derivative and primary amine N1923

Synergistic effect in the extraction of rare earth (RE) metals by the acid-base coupling (ABC) extractants of calix[4]arene carboxyl derivative Bu-t[4]CH2COOH (H(4)A) and primary amine N1923 (RNH2) has been investigated. The extraction of RE was enhanced by the addition of sodium cations into the aqueous phase not only in the extraction system of Bu-t[4]CH2COOH alone but also in the mixture of Bu-t[4]CH2COOH and N1923. The separation factors (SFs) indicating the extraction selectivity of adjacent RE elements became higher in the mixture system.

A three-dimensional metal-organic framework based on a triazine derivative: syntheses, structure analysis, and sorption studies

A novel metal-organic framework [Cu-3(m-TATB)(2)Py(CH3OH)(2)] (1) constructed of a triazine-based trigonal-planar ligand, 3,3',3 ''-s-triazine-2,4,6- triyltribenzoate (m-H(3)TATB), has been synthesized and structurally characterized. Compound 1 features three-dimensional (3D) channels and cavities together, and exhibits high carbon dioxide sorption at normal pressure.

Preparation and photovoltaic property of a new polyfluorene derivative/ZnO nanoparticles hybrid composites

A new kind of polyfluorene copolymers, poly(2,7-(9,9-dioctyl-fluorene)-alt-5,5 -(4',7'-di-2-thienyl-2',1',3',-benzothiadiazole) (PFDTBT), was prepared. The introduction of ZnO nanoparticles with perfect wurtzite crystal character into PFDTBT makes the resulted single-layer photovoltaic device to perform a significant photovoltaic response. Among the tested devices, the best performance is observed for that containing 60 wt% of ZnO nanoparticles, which has a photocurrent density of 1.17 mu A/cm(2), an open circuit voltage of 0.81 V. a fill factor of 0.09 and a power conversion efficiency of 0.009%. The results show that the polyfluorene derivatives/ZnO nanoparticles hybrid composites are excellent fluorescence and photovoltaic materials. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Naphthalene-Based Poly(arylene ether ketone) Copolymers Containing Sulfobutyl Pendant Groups for Proton Exchange Membranes

A new monomer 1,5-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl)-2,6-dimethoxynaphthalene (DMNF) was prepared and further polymerized to form naphthalene-based poly(arylene ether ketone) copolymers containing methoxy groups (MNPAEKs). The side-chain-type sulfortated naphthalene-based poly(arylene ether ketone) copolymers (SNPAEKs) were obtained by demethylation and sulfobutylation. Flexible and tough membranes with reasonably high mechanical strength were prepared. The SNPAEKs membrane showed anisotropic membrane swelling with larger swelling in thickness than in plane. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed clear nano-phase separated structure of SNPAEKs membranes, which composed of hydrophilic side chain and hydrophobic main-chain domains.

Preparation and photovoltaic property of a new polyfluorene derivative/ZnO nanoparticles hybrid composites

A new kind of polyfluorene copolymers, poly(2,7-(9,9-dioctyl-fluorene)-alt-5,5 -(4',7'-di-2-thienyl-2',1',3',-benzothiadiazole) (PFDTBT), was prepared. The introduction of ZnO nanoparticles with perfect wurtzite crystal character into PFDTBT makes the resulted single-layer photovoltaic device to perform a significant photovoltaic response. Among the tested devices, the best performance is observed for that containing 60 wt% of ZnO nanoparticles, which has a photocurrent density of 1.17 mu A/cm(2), an open circuit voltage of 0.81 V. a fill factor of 0.09 and a power conversion efficiency of 0.009%. The results show that the polyfluorene derivatives/ZnO nanoparticles hybrid composites are excellent fluorescence and photovoltaic materials.

The first liquid crystalline phthalocyanine derivative capable of edge-on alignment for solution processed organic thin-film transistors

Tetraoctyl-substituted vanadyl phthalocyanine (OVPc4C8) as a new NIR-absorbing discotic liquid crystalline material can form highly ordered thin films with edge-on alignment of the molecules and molecular packing mode identical to that in the phase II of OVPc for solution processed OTFTs with mobility up to 0.017 cm(2) V-1 s(-1).

Synthesis of Soluble Poly(arylene ether sulfone) Ionomers with Pendant Quaternary Ammonium Groups for Anion Exchange Membranes

A new bisphenol monomer, 2,2'-dimethylaminemetllylene-4,4'-biphenol (DABP), was easily prepared by Mannich reaction of dimethylamine and formaldehyde with 4,4'-biphenol. Novel partially fluorinated poly(arylene ether sulfone)s with pendant quaternary ammonium groups were prepared by copolymerization of DABP, 4,4'-biphenol, and 3,3',4,4'- tetrafluorodiphenylsulfone, followed by reaction with iodomethane. The resulting copolymers PSQNI-x (where x represents the molar fraction of DABP in the feed) with high molecular weight exhibited outstanding solubility in polar aprotic solvents; thus, the flexible and tough membranes of PSQNI-x with varying ionic content could be prepared by casting from the DMAc solution. Novel anion exchange membranes, PSQNOH-x, were obtained by an anion exchange of PSQNI-x with 1 N NaOH.

Sulphonated Tetramethyl Poly(ether ether ketone)/Epoxy/Sulphonated Phenol Novolac Semi-IPN Membranes for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

The sulphonated phenol novolac (PNBS) which was used as a curing agent of epoxy was synthesised from phenol novolac (PN) and 1,4-butane sultone and confirmed by FTIR and H-1 NMR. The degree of sulphonation (DS) in PNBS was calculated by H-1 NMR. The semi-IPN membranes composed of sulphonated tetramethyl poly(ether ether ketone) (STMPEEK) (the value of ion exchange capacity is 2.01 meq g(-1)), epoxy (TMBP) and PNBS were successfully prepared. The semi-IPN membranes showed high thermal properties which were measured by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) With the introduction of the corss-linked TMBP/PNBS, the mechanical properties, dimensional stability, methanol resistance and oxidative stability of the membranes were improve in comparison to the pristine STMPEEK membrane.

Synthesis and property of a novel sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) with high selectivity for direct methanol fuel cell applications

Bisphenol monomer 4-carboxylphenyl hydroquinone (4C-PH) containing carboxyl groups was synthesized by diazotization reaction of p-aminobenzoic acid and 1,4-benzoquinone and subsequent reductive reaction. Copolymerization of bisphenol A, 4C-PH, sodium 5,5'-carbonylbis(2-fluorobenzene-sulfonate) and 4,4'-difluorobenzophenone at various molar ratios through aromatic nucleophilic substitution reaction resulted in a new sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) containing pendant carboxyl groups (C-SPEEK). The structures of the monomer 4C-PH and copolymers were confirmed by FT-IR and H-1 NMR. Flexible and transparent membranes with sulfonic and carboxylic acid groups as the proton conducting sites were prepared. The dependence of ion-exchange capacity (IEC), water uptake, proton conductivity and methanol permeability on the degree of sulfonation has been studied.

Novel sulfonated poly(arylene ether ketone) copolymers bearing carboxylic or benzimidazole pendant groups for proton exchange membranes

A novel strategy in which the benzimidazole group and sulfonic group are simultaneously attached to an aromatic polymer has been reported in this paper. For this purpose, sulfonated poly(arylene ether ketone) copolymers containing carboxylic acid groups (SPAEK-x-COOH, x refers to the molar percentage Of sulfonated repeating units) are prepared by the aromatic nucleophilic polycondensation of sodium 5,5'-carbonyl-bis(2-fluobenzene-sulfonate) (SDFBP), 4,4'-difluorobenzophenone (DFBP) and phenolphthalin (PPL). Then the carboxylic acid groups attached to the SPAEK-x-COOH are transformed to benzimidazole units through condensation reactions (referred to as SPAEK-x-BI). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and H-1 NMR measurements are used to characterize and confirm the structures of these copolymers.

Synthesis and characterization of novel sulfonated poly(arylene ether ketone) copolymers with pendant carboxylic acid groups for proton exchange membranes

A series of novel side-chain-type sulfonated poly(arylene ether ketone)s with pendant carboxylic acid groups copolymers (C-SPAEKs) were synthesized by direct copolymerization of sodium 5,5'-carbonyl-bis(2-fluorobenzenesulfonate), 4,4'-difluorobenzophenone and 4,4'-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) valeric acid (DPA). The expected structure of the sulfonated copolymers was confirmed by FT-IR and H-1 NMR. Membranes with good thermal and mechanical stability could be obtained by solvent cast process. It should be noted that the proton conductivity of these copolymers with high sulfonation degree (DS > 0.6) was higher than 0.03 S cm(-1) and increased with increasing temperature. At 80 degrees C, the conductivity of C-SPAEK-3 (DS = 0.6) and C-SPAEK-4 (DS = 0.8) reached up to 0.12 and 0.16 S cm-1, respectively, which were higher than that of Nafion 117 (0.10 S cm(-1)).

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.

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.

Synthesis and Characterization of Hyperbranched Poly(ether amide)s with Thermoresponsive Property and Unexpected Strong Blue Photoluminescence

A facile and efficient strategy for the syntheses of novel hyperbranched poly(ether amide)s (HPEA) from multihydroxyl primary amines and (meth)acryloyl chloride has been developed. The chemical structures of the HPEAs were confirmed by IR and NMR spectra. Analyses of SEC (size exclusion chromatography) and viscosity characterizations revealed the highly branched structures of the polymers obtained. The resultant hyperbranched polymers contain abundant hydroxyl groups. The thermoresponsive property was obtained from in situ surface modification of abundant OH end groups with N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm). The study oil temperature-dependent characteristics has revealed that NIPAAm-g-HPEA exhibits an adjustable lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of about 34-42 degrees C depending on the grafting degree. More interestingly, the work provided an interesting phenomenon where the HPEA backbones exhibited strong blue photoluminescence.