Topological Diversity of Coordination Polymers Containing the Rigid Terephthalate and a Flexible N,N'-Type Ligand: Interpenetration, Polyrotaxane, and Polythreading

Reactions of zinc(II) or cadmium(II) salts with terephthalic acid (H(2)tp) and 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl) propane (bpp) have afforded four coordination polymers at room temperature, [Zn(mu-tp)(mu-bpp)](n)center dot 2nH(2)O (1), [Cd-2(mu-tp)(2)(mu-bpp)(3)](n)center dot 2nH(2)O (2), [Cd(mu-tp)(mu-bpp)(H2O)](n)center dot nH(2)O (3), and [Cd-2(mu-tp)(mu-bpp)(2)(bpp)(2)Br-2](n) (4). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction has revealed interesting topological features for these compounds.

Morphology-controlled synthesis of magnetites with nanoporous structures and excellent magnetic properties

Different morphological single-crystal magnetites (Fe3O4) with a nanoporous structure, which exhibit excellent magnetic properties, have been synthesized by a polyol process. Both the type of polyol and the concentration of KOH play important roles in the formation of various morphologies. Cubic, truncated-octahedral, and octahedral shapes can be prepared by changing the concentration of the KOH solution in ethylene glycol.

Two-dimensional beta-NaLuF4 hexagonal microplates

A simple hydrothermal method has been developed to synthesize monodisperse beta-NaLuF4 microplates in a large scale. The microcrystals have a perfect hexagonal shape with a diameter of about 5.2 mu m and a thickness of 300 nm. Trisodium citrate (Cit(3-)), which is introduced into the reaction mixture and acts as the chelating agent and shape modifier, plays a key role in fine-tuning the microstructures. The dominant adsorption of Cit(3-) onto the {0001} facets lowers the surface energy of these facets.

Polyol-Mediated Synthesis of PbS Crystals: Shape Evolution and Growth Mechanism

An interesting shape evolution of. PbS crystals, that is, from cubes to (truncated) octahedra and finally to stable star-shaped multipods with six arms along the < 100 > directions is first realized via a facile polyol-mediated reaction between lead acetate and sulfur powder in the absence of surfactants. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) techniques were employed to characterize the samples. We elucidate the important parameters (including reaction temperature and sulfur sources) responsible for the shape-controlled synthesis of PbS crystals.

Nucleation and growth of CUSO4 center dot 5H(2)O crystals on the liquid state stearic acid Langmuir-Blodgett film

Oriented crystallization of CUSO4 center dot 5H(2)O on a Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) film of stearic acid has been studied in the temperature ranges of 73-68 degrees C and 53-20 degrees C, respectively. This is the first time that the LB film at temperature above its melting point has been served as a template to induce nucleation and growth of crystals. The experimental results demonstrated that the LB film in the liquid state has the ability of directing the nucleation and growth of crystals. Moreover, X-ray diffraction patterns of the as prepared crystals revealed that the orientation of the attached crystals on the LB film is affected by temperature greatly.

Simultaneous synthesis of polyaniline nanotubules and gold nanoplates

This paper describes a facile route for simultaneous synthesis of polyaniline (PANI) nanotubules and gold nanoplates. The inner diameter of PANI nanotubules was less than 10 nm and the length was several micrometers. At the same time, uniform single-crystal gold nanoplates with thicknesses of tens of nanometers were obtained.

Self-Assembled Growth of Agln(MoO4)(2) Submicroplates into Hierarchical Structures and Their Near-Infrared Luminescent Properties

Layer-controlled hierarchical flowerlike AgIn(MoO4)(2) microstructures with "clean" surfaces using submicroplates as building blocks without introducing any template have been fabricated through a low-cost hydrothermal method. The near-infrared luminescence of lanthanide ion (Nd, Er, and Yb) doped AgIn(MoO4)(2) microstructures, in the 1300-1600 nm region, was discussed and is of particular interest for telecommunication applications. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction, and photoluminescence spectra were used to characterize these materials.

Dendritic Superstructures and Structure Transitions of Asymmetric Poly(L-lactide-b-ethylene oxide) Diblock Copolymer Thin films

The evolution of morphologies of isothermally crystallized thin films with different thicknesses of poly(L-lactide-bethylene oxide) diblock copolymer was observed by optical microscopy (OM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Dendritic superstructures stacked with lamellae were investigated in thin films with similar to 200 nm to similar to 400 nm thickness. The lamellar structure was a lozenge- or truncated-lozenge-shaped single crystal of PLLA confirmed by AFM observations. The contour of the dendritic superstructures is hexagonal, and two types of sectors, [110] and [100], can be classified in terms of the chain-folding and crystal growth directions. These phenomena Are due to the interplay of the crystallization of the PLLA block, the microphase separation of the block copolymer, and the effect of the film thickness.

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a New 3D Copper B-Paradodecatungstate Compound: [Na-2(H2O)(8)][Na-8(H2O)(20)][Cu(en)(2)][W12O42] center dot 3H(2)O

A new polyoxotungstate complex [Na-2(H2O)(8)][Na-8(H2O)(20)][Cu(en)(2)][W12O42] center dot 3 H2O (1) (en = ethylenediamine) has been synthesized in aqueous solution and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and TG analysis, together with a single crystal X-ray diffraction study. In compound 1, the Cu(en)(2)(2+) complex cation links the [W12O42](12-) anions to form a I D chain, and the ID chains are further interconnected with Na-8(H2O)(20)(8+) and Na-2(H2O)(8)(2+) cations to construct a new 3D framework.

Assembly of Seven Supramolecular Compounds with p-Sulfonatocalix[6]arene

Seven supramolecular compounds comprising p-sulfonatocalix[6]arene and transition metals, {[Cu(Imz)-(phen)(H2O)](4)[C6AS]}center dot 10H(2)O (1), {[Cu(Imz)(2)(phen)](2)[Cu(Imz)(phen)(H2O)(2)](2)[C6AS]}center dot 13.3H(2)O (2), {[M(phen)(2)(H2O)]-[(M(phen)(2)](2)[C6AS]}center dot nH(2)O (3 and 4) (3: M = Co and n = 29.6; 4: M = Zn and n = 29.9), {[Cu(phen)(2)](4)[C6AS]}(2)center dot 13H(2)O (5), [H3O](2)[Co(phen)(3)](2)[C6AS]center dot 10.7H(2)O(6), and [Cu(phen)(2)(H2O)](2){[Cu(phen)(2)](2)[C6AS]}center dot 8H(2)O(7)(phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, C6AS = p-sulfonatocalix[6]arene, Imz = imidazole), have been synthesized by a hydrothermal method and structurally characterized by IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), and single crystal X-ray diffraction.

Constructing Thin Polythiophene Film Composed of Aligned Lamellae via Controlled Solvent Vapor Treatment

Thin poly(3-butylthiophene) (P3BT) film composed of aligned lamellae attached to the edge of the original film has been achieved via a controlled solvent vapor treatment (C-SVT) method. The polarized optical microscopy operated at both single-polarization and cross-polarization modes has been used to investigate the alignment of the fiber-like lamellae. A numerical simulation method is used to quantitatively calculate angle distributions of the lamellae deviated from the film growth direction. Prepatterned P3BT film edge acts as nuclei which densely initialize subsequent crystal growth by exhausting the materials transported from the partially dissolved film. The growth of new film upon crystallization is actually a self-healing process where the two-dimensional geometric confinement is mainly responsible for this parallel alignment of P3BT crystals. The solvent vapor pressure should be carefully chosen so as to induce crystal growth but avoid liquid instability which will destroy the continuity of the film.

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.

Size-tailored synthesis and luminescent properties of one-dimensional Gd2O3 : Eu3+ nanorods and microrods

Nearly monodisperse and well-defined one-dimensional (1D) Gd2O3:Eu3+ nanorods and microrods were successfully prepared through a large-scale and facile hydrothermal method followed by a subsequent heat treatment process, without using any catalyst or template. X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (TGA-DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), photoluminescence (PL) and cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra as well as kinetic decays were used to characterize the samples. The size of the Gd2O3:Eu3+ rods could be modulated from micro- to nanoscale with the increase of pH value using ammonia solution. The as-formed product via the hydrothermal process, Gd(OH)(3):Eu3+, could transform to cubic Gd2O3:Eu3+ with the same morphology and a slight shrinking in size after a postannealing process.

Hydrothermal synthesis, crystal structure and electrochemical properties of a novel 3D Dawson-type polyoxometalate supramolecular network

A novel Dawson-type polyoxometalate supramolecular architecture of the formula [4,4'-H(2)bipy](2.5)center dot[4,4'-Hbipy]center dot[P2W18O62]center dot 6.25H(2)O (4,4'-bipy = 4,4'-bipyridine) has been hydrothermally synthesised and characterised by means of elemental analysis, IR, CV and X-ray single-crystal diffraction. X-ray crystallography indicates that the title compound consists of Dawson-type polyoxoaions [P2W18O62](6-), water molecules and 4,4'-bipy units. The polyoxoanion clusters together with 4,4'-bipy units and water molecules to construct the three-dimensional supramolecular network through hydrogen bonds. The crystal structure analyses reveal that water molecules and 4,4'-bipy units play the important role on the packing arrangements of crystals. Cyclic voltammetry shows that the title compound exhibits three chemically reversible steps

Facile synthesis of platinum nanoelectrocatalyst with urchinlike morphology

A very simple and effective wet chemical route to direct synthesis of well-dispersed Pt nanoparticles with urchinlike morphology is proposed, which was carried out by simply mixing H2PtCl6 aqueous solution and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) with the initial molar ratios of 1:3.5 kept constant at 30 degrees C for 3 days in the presence of formic acid. As-prepared urchinlike Pt nanostructures showed excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of dioxygen and oxidation of methanol and could be used as a promising nanoelectrocatalyst.