Synthesis, structure and optical properties of new organic-inorganic haloplumbates complexes (C5H10N3)PbX4 (X = Br, Cl), (C2H2N4)PbBr3

Layered organic-inorganic composite materials (C5H10N3)PbX4 (X = Br 1, Cl 2) containing histaminium dications were grown via a solution-cooling process, and their structure and optical properties were determined. The organic ligand-histaminium introduced into the corner-sharing octahedra of the 'PbX4- layer' contains both primary ammonium and imidazolium different from the traditionally primary amine found in this system. As comparison, another analogous amine of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazol was used as ligand to coordinate with PbBr2 in acid solution. A novel complex (C2H2N4)PbBr3 (3) was obtained with zigzag PbBr2 chains different from the PbX4 layer in compound as 1 and 2. The hybrid (C5H10N3)PbX4 show exciton absorption at 339 nm for X = Cl and 419 nm for X = Br with the corresponding emission at 360 and 436 nm, respectively. The different PbBr2 chain structure of compound 3 does not show photo luminescence.

Synthesis, structure and optical properties of different dimensional organic-inorganic perovskites

By varying the substituent position of aminomethyl on pyridine ring in acid solution, different dimensional lead bromide frameworks ranging from zero-dimension and one-dimension to two-dimension were obtained. 2-(Aminomethyl)pyridine (2-AMP) or 3-(aminomethyl)pyridine (3-AMP) and PbBr2 construct hybrid perovskites, of which (H(2)2-AMP)PbBr4 (1) exhibits two-dimensional perovskite sheets with special hydrogen bonds and (H(2)3-AMP)PbBr6 (2) shows an uncommon zero-dimensional inorganic framework with isolated octahedra. The characteristic exciton peaks in absorption spectra are located at 431 nm for compound 1 and at 428 nm for compound 2. (H(2)4-AMP)PbBr4 (3) with one-dimensional zigzag edge-sharing octahedral PbBr(4)(2-)chains can be obtained using 4-(aminomethyl)pyridine (4-AMP) as organic component under the same experimental conditions as those for 2-AMP and 3-AMP.

Surface enhanced Raman scattering of brilliant green on ag nanoparticles and applications in living cells as optical probes

In this article, surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of different concentrations of brilliant green (13G) on Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) has been investigated. The results indicate that only 10(-12) M BG can be detected on AgNPs while as low as 10(-11) M BG can be detected upon the activation of AgNPs by chloride ions. The additional improvement of the detection of BG mainly derives from the increase of the electromagnetic field around AgNPs and partially from the reorientation of BG on AgNPs induced by chloride ions, which was proved by the different spectra feature in the two systems. Adsorption of BG on AgNPs has also been demonstrated in applications of living cells as optical probes based on SERS, indicating that dye-AgNPs can probe the local environment in the living cells. The related cytotoxicity measurements demonstrated that BG-AgNPs produced little cytotoxicity to the cells, which shows great potential in biornedical applications of BG labeled-AgNPs for SERS nanosensors in cells as optical probes. Meanwhile, SERS spectra of BG on AgNPs in the presence chloride ions are expected to be used in living cells as more sensitive optical probes.

Colloidal crystal heterostructures by a two-step vertical deposition method

A two-step template-induced vertical deposition technique was introduced to fabricate the colloidal crystal heterostructures due to wettability differences and spatial confinement of the templates structured with microchannels. The heterostructures exhibited a bi-frequency Bragg diffraction whose position was determined by the microsphere diameter of the opals. It was demonstrated that the channel width had an influence on the optical properties of the colloidal crystal heterostructures. The strategy proposed is suited for fabrication of different micron-sized opal architectures with complex form and designed optical functionality.

The effect of Co-60 gamma-rays on the crystal structure, melting and crystallization behavior of poly(butylene succinate)

The results obtained for poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) after Co-60 gamma-ray irradiation, studied by wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and polarizing optical microscopy (POM), revealed that the degree of crystallinity, melting temperature and enthalpy decreased with increasing irradiation dose, but that the crystal structure of PBS did not vary when compared to non-irradiated PBS. By using Scherrer equation, small changes occurred in the crystal sizes of L-020, L-110 and L-111. The spherulitic morphology of PBS was strongly dependent on irradiation dose and changed significantly at higher irradiation dosages. The crystallization kinetics of PBS indicated that the Avrami exponent (n) for irradiated PBS was reduced to 2.3, when compared to non-irradiated PBS (3.3).

Liquid crystal properties of a mesogenic polyacetylene, poly(11-[(4 '-heptoxy-4-biphenylyl)carbonyloxy]-1-undecyne)

The liquid crystalline properties of a mesogenic poly(1-alkyne) and the corresponding monomer were studied using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, polarizing optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The monomer exhibits a monotropic smectic A phase and a metastable crystalline phase. The rigid polymer backbones do not prevent the mesogenic moieties from packing into smectic A and B phases in the temperature ranges 127.6 - 74.1degreesC and 74.1degreesC - room temperature, respectively, on cooling from the isotropic melt.

Novel < 110 >-oriented organic-inorganic perovskite compound stabilized by N-(3-aminopropyl) imidazole with improved optical properties

In the organic-inorganic perovskites family, the < 100 >-oriented type has been extensively investigated as a result of its unique magnetic, optical, and electrical properties, and only one type of < 110 >-oriented hybrid perovskite stabilized by methylammonium and iodoformamidinium cations or the latter themselves has been known so far. In this paper, another novel < 110 >-oriented organic-inorganic perovskite (C6H13N3)-PbBr4 (compound 1) has been prepared by reacting N-(3-aminopropyl)imidazole (API) with PbBr2 in hydrobromic acid. The crystal structure is determined, which indicates that the perovskite is stabilized by API. The introduction of the optically active organic ligand API into the hybrid perovskite results in a red shift and a great enhancement of photoluminescence in the perovskite with respect to organic ligand API itself. These results have been explained according to calculation based on density-functional theory. Moreover, the excellent film processing ability for the perovskite (C6H13N3)PbBr4 together with the improved optical properties makes it have potential application in optoelectronic devices.

Optical intensity gradient by colloidal photonic crystals with a graded thickness distribution

Gradient colloidal crystals with a thickness gradient were prepared by the vertical deposition technique with vertically graded concentration suspensions. The thickness of the gradient colloidal crystal gradually changes at different positions along the specific gradient direction of the crystal. The thickness gradient was determined by the concentration gradient, depending on the initial colloidal concentration and the settling time. The optical transmission intensity at the dip wavelength can be tuned by changing the thickness of the colloidal crystals. The gradient colloidal crystals lead to a gradient of optical intensity at the dip in transmission light. The gradient of optical intensity at the dip increases as the thickness gradient of the colloidal crystal increases.

Formation of a unique crystal morphology for the poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) diblock copolymer

The crystallization behaviors of the poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) diblock copolymer with the PEG weight fraction of 0.50 (PEG(50)-PCL50) was studied by DSC, WAXD, SAXS, and FTIR. A superposed melting point at 58.5 degrees C and a superposed crystallization temperature at 35.4 degrees C were obtained from the DSC profiles running at 10 degrees C/min, whereas the temperature-dependent FTIR measurements during cooling from the melt at 0.2 degrees C/min showed that the PCL crystals formed starting at 48 degrees C while the PEG crystals started at 45 degrees C. The PEG and PCL blocks of the copolymer crystallized separately and formed alternating lamella regions according to the WAXD and SAXS results. The crystal growth of the diblock copolymer was observed by polarized optical microscope (POM). An interesting morphology of the concentric spherulites developed through a unique crystallization behavior. The concentric spherulites were analyzed by in situ microbeam FTIR, and it was determined that the morphologies of the inner and outer portions were mainly determined by the PCL and PEG spherulites, respectively. However, the compositions of the inner and outer portions were equal in the analysis by microbeam FTIR.

Phase transition behavior and structure of the thermotropic liquid crystal 6-{[(4 '-{[(undecyl)carbonyl]oxy}biphenyl-4yl)carbonyl]oxy}-1-hexyne

The phase transition behaviors and corresponding structures of 6-{[(4'-([(undecyl)carbonyl]oxy)biphenyl-4yl)carbonyl]oxyl-l-hexyne (A4EE11) were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing optical microscopy (POM) and wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). In comparison with the published homologues, 5- [(4'-heptoxy-biphenyl-4-yl)carbonyl]oxyl-1-pentyne (A3EO7) which shows a monotropic smectic A (SmA) phase and a metastable monotropic smectic C (SmC) phase; 5-{ [(4'-heptoxybiphenyl-4-yl)oxy]carbonyl)- I-pentyne (A3E'O7) that exhibits three enantiotropic stable liquid crystalline (LC) phases, SmA phase, SmC phase and smectic X (SmX) phase; 5-{[(4'-heptoxy-biphenyl-4-yl)carbonyl]oxy}-1-undecyne (A9EO7) which has a monotropic SmA phase and a metastable crystal phase, A4EE11 integrates the enantiotropy, monotropy and metastability of the LC phases of those three compounds. Upon cooling from isotropic state to room temperature, in the temperature range of 62.0 to 58.5 degrees C, A4EE11 shows an enantiotropic smectic A (SmA) phase with a layer spacing d=32.69 angstrom.

Optical spectroscopy properties of KMgF3 : Eu2+ nanocrystals and powder synthesized by microemulsion and solvothermal process

Nanocrystals and powders of KMgF3 doped with Eu2+ were synthesized by the microemulsion method and the solvothermal process, respectively. The emission and excitation spectra of KMgF3:Eu2+ phosphors were measured and compared with those of the samples synthesized through a solid. state reaction, Bridgman-Stockbarger method, and mild hydrothermal technique. The KMgF3: Eu2+ samples synthesized by means of the microemulsion method and the solvothermal process show only a sharp emission peak located at 360 nm, in the emission spectra, which arises from the f -> f(P-6(1/2)-> S-8(1/2)) transition of Eu2+. The broad emission bands appear at 420 nm,,which arises from Eu2+ <- O2- cannot be observed(in the mild hydrothermal and single crystal samples, the emission peak at 420 nm besides the emission of Eu2+ at 360 nm is observed). In the excitation spectrum of the KMgF3: Eu2+ samples synthesized by the microemulsion method and the solvothermal process, the excitation peaks show an intensive blue shift. The blue shift can he attributed to the lower oxygenic content in the KMgF3: Eu2+ samples synthesized by the microemulsion method and the solvothermal process.

Phase structure and transition behavior of a liquid crystal 5-{[(4 '-heptoxy-4-biphenylyl)oxy]carbonyl}-1-pentyne

The phase structures and transition behaviors of a novel liquid crystal compound containing biphenylyl mesogen, 5-{[(4'-heptoxy-4-biphenytyl) oxy]carbonyl}-1-pentyne (A3E'O7), have been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing optical microscopy (POM) and wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). In contrast to the published compound 5- {[(4'-heptoxy-4-biphenyl-yl)carbonyl]oxy}-1-pentyne (A3EO7), in which the ester bridge between the mesogenic core and the flexible spacer has different linkage order, A3E'O7 shows strikingly different phase structure and transition behaviors. Overall, A3E'O7 has better packing order and higher transition temperatures. It undergoes three enantiotropic stable liquid crystalline phases which are associated to smectic A (S-A) phase (100.2-98.2 degrees C), smectic C (S-C) phase (98.2-87.2 degrees C) and highly ordered smectic X (S-X) phase (87.2-63.3 degrees C), respectively, till eventual crystallization takes place upon cooling from isotropic state to room temperature. However, A3EO7 only shows monotropic SA (72.4-53.6 degrees C) phase and the metastable monotropic S-C phase provided that the same thermal treatment is applied.

Synthesis of the complex fluoride LiBaF3 and optical spectroscopy properties of LiBaF3 : M(M = Eu,Ce) through a solvothermal process

The complex fluoride LiBaF3 and LiBaF3:M(M = Eu, Ce) is solvothermally synthesized at 180 degreesC and characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and infrared spectroscopy. In the solvothermal process, the solvents, molar ratios of initial mixtures and reaction temperature play important roles in the formation of products. The excitation and emission spectra of the LiBaF3:M(M= Eu,Ce) have been measured by fluorescence spectrophotometer. In the LiBaF3: Eu emission spectra, there is one sharp line emission located at 360 nm arising from f --> f transition of Eu2+ in the host lattice, and typical doublet 5d-4f emission of Ce3+ in LiBaF3 powder is shown.

Liquid crystal alignment generated by linearly polarized UV light on photoactive low molecular mass compounds

Alignment films prepared from low molar mass photo-crosslinkable materials containing the cinnamate group can be used for aligning LCs after irradiating the films with linearly polarized UV light. The high contrast observed in the polarizing optical microscope between dark and bright images indicates that the alignment is quite uniform. As the photoreaction progresses. the average roughness of the films is increased. All the aggregate structures, 'lamellar crystals'. produced by the photo-crosslinking reaction are of a square shape.

The single crystal-like banded textures in the films of a thermotropic liquid crystalline poly(aryl ether ketone) containing a lateral chloro group

The banded textures in the films of a thermotropic liquid crystalline poly(aryl ether ketone) containing a lateral chloro group have been studied by means of transmission electron microscopy(TEM), electron diffraction(ED) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The crystallization-induced Landed texture without external shear can be formed when the thin films were annealed at the temperature range(320-330 degrees C) of the liquid crystalline state from the melt, The results show that the banded regions have high orientation of single crystal based on the orthorhombic packing and the growing direction of the Lands is along the b axis of the crystals, This kind of single crystal-like bands is due to the different orientation of the packing molecular chains, The molecular chains of the dark bands in the bright field electron micrograph are perpendicular to the film plane, while the ones of the bright Lands are tilt along the b axis with the tilt angle upto +/-20 degrees.