Efficient tandem polymer photovoltaic cells with two subcells in parallel connection

Tandem polymer photovoltaic cells with the subcells having different absorption characteristics in series connection are widely investigated to enhance absorption coverage over the solar spectrum. Herein. we demonstrate efficient tandem polymer photovoltaic cells with the two stacked subcells comprising different band-gap conjugated polymer and fullerene derivative bulk heterojunction in parallel connection. A semitransparent metal layer combined with inorganic semiconductor compounds is utilized as the intermediate electrode of the two stacked subcells to create the required built-in potential for collecting photo-generated charges. The short-circuit current of the stacked cell is the sum of the subcells and the open-circuit voltage is similar to the subcells.

A high-performance tandem white organic light-emitting diode combining highly effective white-units and their interconnection layer

By utilizing 2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline:Li/MoO3 as an effective charge generation layer (CGL), we extend our recently demonstrated single-emitting-layer white organic light-emitting diode (WOLED) to realize an extremely high-efficiency tandem WOLED. This stacked device achieves maximum forward viewing current efficiency of 110.9 cd/A and external quantum efficiency of 43.3% at 1 mu A/cm(2) and emits stable white light with Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage coordinates of (0.34, 0.41) at 16 V. It is noted that the combination of effective single units and CGL is key prerequisite for realizing high-performance tandem WOLEDs.

Studies on principal components and antioxidant activity of different Radix Astragali samples using high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization multiple-stage tandem mass spectrometry

The principal components, isoflavonoids and astragalosides, in the extract of Radix Astragali were detected by a high-performance liquid chromatography Couple to electrospray ionization ion trap multiple-stage tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-IT-MSn) method. By comparing the retention time (t(R)) of HPLC, the ESI-MSn data and the structures of analyzed Compounds with the data of reference compounds and in the literature, 17 isoflavonoids and 12 astragalosides have been identified or tentatively deduced. By Virtue of the extracted ion chromatogram (EIC) mode, simultaneous determination of isoflavonoids and astragalosides could be achieved when the different components formed overlapped peaks. And this method has been utilized to analyze the constituents in extracts of Radix Astragali from Helong City and of different growth years. Then the antioxidant activity of different samples has been Successfully investigated by HPLC-ESI-MS method in multiple selected ion monitoring(MIM) mode, applying the spin trapping technology, and the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay was applied to support the result.

Structural analysis of monoterpene glycosides extracted from Paeonia lactiflora Pall. using electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Paeoniflorin standard was first investigated by electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-FTICR-MS/MS) using a sustained off-resonance irradiation (SORI) collision-induced dissociation (CID) method at high mass resolution. The experimental results demonstrated that the unambiguous elemental composition of product ions can be obtained at high mass resolution. Comparing MS/MS spectra and the experimental methods of hydrogen and deuterium exchange, the logical fragmentation pathways of paeoniflorin have been proposed. Then, the extracts of the traditional Chinese medicine Paeonia lactiflora Pall. were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI-MS/MS). By comparison with the ESI-FTICR-MS/MS data of paeoniflorin, the isomers paeoniflorin and albiflorin in Paeonia lactiflora Pall. have been identified using HPLC/MS with CID in an ion trap and in-source CID. Furthermore, using the characteristic fragmentation pathways, the retention times (t(R)) in HPLC and MS/MS spectra, the structures of three other kinds of monoterpene glycoside compounds have been identified on-line without time-consuming isolation.

Studies on lignan constituents from Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. fruits using high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization multiple-stage tandem mass spectrometry

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector-electrospray ionization multiple-stage tandem mass spectrometry (RP-HPLC-DAD-ESl-MSn) method has been developed for the detection and analysis of lignan constituents in the methanol extract from the fruits of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. RP-HPLC-DAD-ESI-MSn and electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance multiple-stage tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-FT-TCR-MSn) have been applied to investigate the characteristic product ions of four lignan reference compounds. Then, the logical fragmentation pathways of the lignans have been proposed. By comparing the retention time (t(R)) of HPLC, the ESI-MSn data and the structures of analyzed compounds with the data of reference compounds and in the literature, 11 peaks in HPLC have been unambiguously identified and another 5 peaks have been tentatively identified or deduced. Also, in the present paper, the extracted ion chromatograms (EIC) have been used to analyze the lignan isomers. The experimental results demonstrate that RP-HPLC-DAD-ESI-MSn is a specific and useful method for the identification of the lignan constituents and their isomers.

Studies on the doubly charged cluster ions of sodium and potassium nitrates by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Doubly charged cluster ions, besides singly charged cluster ions, from sodium and potassium nitrates were produced evidently under normal source capillary temperature of 200 degrees C in both positive and negative ion electrospray ionization (ESI) ion trap mass spectrometry. The fragmentation pathways for doubly charged cluster ions were studied in detail using ESI tandem mass spectrometry and two pathways were observed depending on the cluster sizes of alkali metal nitrates. In addition, factors that affect the formation of cluster ions were also interrogated.

Analysis of two trace alkaloid isomers in Strychnos nux-vomical by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

According to their molecular mass and ESI-MSn data, the trace alkaloid isomers pseudostrychnine and strychnine N-oxide in extracts of the total alkaloids from Strychnos nux-vomical were qualitatively analyzed by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MSn) method after rough silica gel-column chromatographic separation. We also investigated the relationship between their fragmentation mechanism and structures of the two alkaloid isomers. A new method for quickly and highly sensitively analyzing the two alkaloid isomers was proposed.

Analysis of norditerpenoid alkalods in processing Radix Aconiti Lateralis preparata with Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Norditerpenoid alkaloids in the processing of Radix aconiti lateralis preparata with Radix glycyrrhizae preparata was studied by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. A method of ESI-MS couple with internal standard was applied for semi quantitative analysis of norditerpenoid alkaloids before and after processing. The combined-decoction-to single-decoction-ratios of the relative abundance of toxic hypaconitine, mesaconitine and aconitine were 5. 67%, 4. 05% and 4. 88%, respectively. The chemical changes of processing can been comprehensive observed by ESI-MS/MS analysis. The scientific basis of reducing the toxicity of Radix aconiti lateralis preparata with Radix glycyrrhizae preparata was enlightened by compareing with the single-decotion, the combined-decoction and residue for the compatibility of Radix aconiti lateralis preparata and Radix glycyrrhizae preparata.

High efficiency tandem organic light-emitting devices with Al/WO3/Au interconnecting layer

An interconnecting layer of Al (2 nm)/WO3 (3 nm)/Au (16 nm) was studied for application in tandem organic light-emitting devices. It can be seen that the Al/WO3/Au structure plays the role of an excellent interconnecting layer. The introduction of WO3 in the connection unit significantly improves the device efficiency as compared to the case of Al/Au. Thus, the current efficiency of the two-unit tandem devices is enhanced by two factors with respect to the one-unit devices. The green two-unit tandem device of indium tin oxide/MoO3/4,4(')-N,N-'-bis[N-(1-naphthyl)-N-phenyl-amino]biphenyl(NPB)/tris(8-hydroxylquinoline) aluminum (Alq(3)):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 (C545T)/Alq(3)/LiF/Al/WO3/Au/MoO3/NPB/Alq(3):C545T/Alq(3)/LiF/Al showed a maximum current efficiency of 33.9 cd/A and a power efficiency of 12.0 lm/W.

Characterization of the rutin-metal complex by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

According to the strong application background of bioflavonoid and metal-flavonoid complexes, novel electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MSn) was applied to investigate the structure and fragmentation mechanism of transition metal-rutin complexes. In the full-scan mass spectra, different stoichiometric ratios of rutin-metal complexes were found. In the reaction between rutin and Cu, four kinds of complexes with four different stoichiometric ratios were produced. In the reaction between rutin and Zn, Mn(II), and Fe(II), only two kind of complexes with stoichiometric ratios of 1:1 and 1:2 occured. In further tandem mass spectrometric experiments of different rutin-metal complexes, product fragments, came from the neutral loss of the external rhamnose and the internal glucose unit, oligosaccharide chain, aglycone, and small organic molecules. According to the MSn data, we proposed a mechanism for all fragments of the rutin-Cu complex A and the structure of two rutin-Cu complexes, C and D.

Structural analysis of selected characteristic flavones by electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

Seven structure analogical flavonoid aglycones have been analyzed using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MSn) in the negative-ion mode. The spectra obtained ESI-MSn allowed us to propose plausible schemes for their fragmentation mechanism. By analyzing the product ions spectra of deprotonated molecule ions [M-H](-), some neutral diagnostic losses and specific retro Diels-Alder fragments were obtained. By using all of these characteristic fragment ions we can specially differentiate the flavone isomer.

Multiple-stage tandem mass spectrometry for differentiation of isomeric saponins

Four isomers of steroidal saponins were differentiated using multiple-stage tandem mass spectrometry combined with electrospray ionization (ESI-MSn). With the addition of lithium salt, the [M+Li](+) ions of saponins were observed in the ESI spectra. MSn spectra of these [M+Li](+) ions provided detailed structural information and allowed differentiation of the four isomeric saponins. The cross-ring cleavage ions from the saccharide chains of the saponins could be used as diagnostic ions for information concerning the linkage of the sugar moieties of the saponins. The masses of the X, A, Y and C type fragment ions formed from [M+Li](+) ions of the isomeric saponins provided information defining the methyl group locations.

Studies on the flavones using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Fragmentation pathways of nine flavone compounds have been studied by using electrospray ionization multi-stage tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MSn). Analyzing the product ion spectra of flavonoids and aglycones, we observed some diagnostic neutral losses, such as *CH3, H2O, residue of glucose and gluconic acid, which are very useful for the identification of the functional groups in the structures. Furthermore, specific retro Diels-Alder (RDA) fragments for flavones with different hydroxyl substitution have also been discussed. The information is helpful for the rapid identification of the location site of hydroxyl substitution on flavones. Fragmentation pathways of C-glycosidic flavonoid have also been discussed using ESI-MSn, demonstrating ions [M-H-60](-), [M-H-90](-), [M-H-120](-) are characteristic ions of C-glycosidic flavonoid. According to the fragmentation mechanism of mass spectrometry and HPLC-MS data, the structures of seven flavones in Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi have been identified on-line without time-consuming isolation. The HPLC-ESI-MSn method for analyzing constituents in the Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi has been established.

Structural elucidation and identification of alkaloids in Rhizoma Coptidis by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Simple, convenient, sensitive and accurate analytical methods are needed for the structural characterization and identification of alkaloid components in Rhizoma Coptidis in traditional Chinese herbal medicine, which has important bioactivity. In this work, the identification of alkaloid compounds in Rhizoma Coptidis was investigated by obtaining molecular mass information using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Multi-stage tandem mass spectrometric (ESI-MSn) data for the alkaloid compounds were used for detailed structural characterization, then structure information was obtained by comparison of the fragmentation mechanisms of both alkaloids in Rhizoma Coptidis and standard samples of berberine, palmatine, coptisine and jatrorrhizine by MS. Based on the results obtained, the structure of a novel compound was elucidated. The results of the experiments demonstrate that ESI-MSn is a sensitive, selective and effective tool for the rapid determination of alkaloids in Rhizoma Coptidis.

Characterization of non-covalent complexes of rutin with cyclodextrins by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MSn) and the phase solubility method were used to characterize the gas-phase and solution-phase non-covalent complexes between rutin (R) and alpha-, beta- and gamma-cyclodextrins (CDs). The direct correlation between mass spectrometric results and solution-phase behavior is thus revealed. The order of the 1:1 association constants (K-c) of the complexes between R and the three CDs in solution calculated from solubility diagrams is in good agreement with the order of their relative peak intensities and relative collision-induced dissociation (CID) energies of the complexes under the same ESI-MSn condition in both the positive and negative ion modes. Not only the binding stoichiometry but also the relative stabilities and even binding sites of the CD-R complexes can be elucidated by ESI-MSn. The diagnostic fragmentation of CD-R complexes, with a significant contribution of covalent fragmentation of rutin leaving the quercetin (Q) moiety attached to the CDs, provides convincing evidence for the formation of inclusion complexes between R and CDs. The diagnostic fragment ions can be partly confirmed by the complexes between Q and CDs. The gas-phase stability order of the deprotonated CD-R complexes is beta-CD-R > alpha-CD-R > gamma-CD/R; beta-CD seems to bind R more strongly than the other CDs.