Preparation of dye sensitized titanium oxide nanoparticles for solar cell applications

A new method for synthesis of titanium dioxide (TiO₂)-dye nanoparticles is reported. TiO₂ nanocrystals were obtained at 150 and 200 °C by using chemically bonded TiO₂-sensitizer dye as a precursor. Titanium tetraisopropoxide was first modified with a dye molecule and then precipitated by dropping into acidic water. A strongly colored precipitate was obtained. Hydrothermal growth of a colloidal solution was carried out in a Teflon-lined stainless steel autoclave. Dye sensitized solar cell efficiencies obtained were comparable and fill factor values were close to the analogous cells prepared by the use of conventional TiO₂ paste techniques. This method allows the use of different substrates together with nanocrystalline TiO₂ for many technological applications.     

Highly soluble perylene dyes: Synthesis, photophysical and electrochemical characterizations

Highly soluble perylene diimide derivatives with symmetrical and unsymmetrical secondary, tertiary alkyl side chains were synthesized and their photophysical properties, redox potentials and thermal stabilities were measured and compared with previously reported 1-pentylhexyl substituted swallow-tailed perylene diimide. Diasteroisomers of the novel, unsymmetrical swallow-tailed substituted perylene diimide compound could not be detected using low temperature NMR spectroscopy. The novel dyes were soluble in a range of organic solvents indicating potential for photo-electronic applications and photocatalytic reactions. Two dyes were not only soluble in organic solvents but also showed solubility in aqueous media as the hydrochloride salt, thus offering potential use in biological applications.     

Cytotoxicity and tolerance to DNA adducts of alicyclic mixed amine platinum(II) homologs in tumor models sensitive and resistant to cisplatin or tetraplatin

Structure-cytotoxicity relationships for six alicyclic cis-(NH3)(R-NH2)Cl2Pt(II) complexes, where R=C3H5, C4H7, C5H9, C6H11, C7H13 and C8H15 (complexes abbreviated C3, C4, C5, C6, C7 and C8, respectively), were evaluated against four sensitive (L1210/0, A2780, FSaIIC and Colon 26), two cisplatin-resistant (L1210/DDP and 2780CP) and two tetraplatin-resistant (L1210/DACH and 2780TP) murine and human tumor cell lines. The studies demonstrated that in general the structure of C6 was optimal within the homologous series for cytotoxic potency against these tumor models. Biochemical pharmacologic studies indicated that the greater sensitivity of cells to C6 could be correlated with their low tolerance to DNA damage induced by this homolog. These results provide evidence for the alicyclic ring size as a structural determinant of DNA damage tolerance and anti-tumor activity in sensitive and resistant tumor cells.     

New perylene derivative dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells

We have studied the influence of the spacer alkyl chain length of perylenemonoimide (PMI) dyes on the device performance in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). We observed that the dyes with longer and brunched alkyl chains exhibit higher efficiencies in DSSCs. In line with these statements we now report the highest efficiency obtained under standard conditions for a perylene imide derivative with PMI-DA1 that performs 300 mV open circuit voltage, 9.79 mA/cm² short-circuit current and 1.61% overall conversion efficiency.     

Size effect and fracture energy studies using compact compression specimens

The size effect has been investigated and fracture energy, G_F, determined for a range of different strength concretes. The test specimen geometry used in the study was a compact compression prism. Five sizes of geometrically similar specimens with increasing square cross-sectional area (length=depth) and constant thickness (100 mm) were used in the experimental work; the length/depth dimensions of the test specimens were 100, 150, 200, 300, and 400 mm, giving an overall size range ratio of 1:4. The grades of concrete used in this study were C50, C70, C80, C90, and the maximum coarse aggregate (crushed limestone) size was 10 mm. A strong size effect was observed in the results and it is concluded that the test geometry is good for size effect studies in concrete. Furthermore, it was observed that with increasing strength the size effect becomes more pronounced as the brittleness is increased.

---

Résumé On a étudie l'effet de taille et l'énergie de rupture, G_F, déterminés pour une gamme de bétons ayant des résistances différentes. La géométrie des éprouvettes choisie pour cette étude était le prisme compact de compression. Cinq tailles d'éprouvettes de géométrie similaire, ayant une épaisseur constante (100 mm) et de section transversale carrée (longueur=profondeur) croissante ont été utilisées pour ce travail. Les dimensions longueur/profondeur des éprouvettes étaient de 100, 150, 200, 300 et 400 mm, résultant en un rapport général de 1:4. Les bétons utilisés dans cette étude étaient de qualités C50, C70, C80 et C90, et la dimension maximale des granulats (calcaire concassé) était de 10 mm. On a observé dans les résultats un fort effet de taille et on a conclu que la géométrie utilisée pour l'essai convient pour des études d'effet de taille sur le béton. Qui plus est, on a observé qu'avec une résistance croissante, l'effet de taille devient plus prononcé lorsque la fragilité augmente.

---

---

Editorial note Prof. Benjamin I. G. Barr is a RILEM Senior Member. He participates in the Editorial Group of TC 909-FMA, “Fracture Mechanics of Concrete-Applications”, and is a member of TC 162-TDF, “Test and Design Methods for Steel Fibre reinforced Concrete” and TC QFS, “Size effect and Scaling of Quasibrittle Fracture”.     

Size effect tests of torsional failure of plain and reinforced concrete beams

The current design code formulae for the torsional failure of plain or longitudinally reinforced beams exhibit no size effect, i.e. the failure of geometrically similar beams of different sizes is supposed to occur at the same nominal stress. Experiments on reduced-scale beams were carried out, and the results confirm that there is a significant size effect, such that the nominal stress at failure decreases as the beam size increases. This is found for both plain and longitudinally reinforced beams. The results are consistent with the recently proposed Bažant's size-effect law. However, the scatter of the results and the scope, and range limitations prevent it from being concluded that the applicability of this law is proven.     

Electrochemical and optical properties of biphenyl bridged-dicarbazole oligomer films: Electropolymerization and electrochromism

4,4′-Di(N-carbazoyl)biphenyl monomer (CBP) was synthesized and coated onto ITO–glass surface by electrochemical oxidative polymerization. Its CV shows two distinct one-electron and stepwise oxidation processes occurred at 1.29 and 1.61 V. By using this property, the monomer was electrochemically polymerized separately at these oxidation states and thus, two different oligomer films were obtained afterwards. Their spectro-electrochemical and electrochromic properties were also investigated. Switching ability of the oligomers was evaluated by kinetic studies upon measuring the percent transmittance (%T) at their maximum contrast point, indicating that these oligomers were found to be suitable material for electrochromic devices.     

A new conducting polymer of 2,5-bis(2-thienyl)-1H-(pyrrole) (SNS) containing carbazole subunit: Electrochemical, optical and electrochromic properties

We report here the synthesis of a new electroactive monomer 3,6-di-tert-butyl-[4-(2,5-di-2-thienyl-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)phenyl]-9H-carbazole in five steps and polymerization of this monomer by two different procceses: Kumada Coupling and electro-oxidative. The product obtained by chemical polymerization exhibits a high thermal stability and narrow molecular weight distribution. While, in the UV–vis absorption spectrum of monomer the absorption peaks appear at 338 nm, the chemically synthesized polymer absorbs at 428 nm with 90 nm red shift. Cyclic voltammogram of monomer shows two separate oxidation processes which reflect the first oxidation at +0.84 V and a second one at +1.43 V. When the polymeric film prepared by electrochemical process was subjected to a repeated cyclic scan between −0.2 V and +1.0 V, it switches among three different colors (orange, green and blue). The oxidation and reduction response times were calculated as 2.0 s for this polymer film and exhibits high redox stability. The results anticipate that this kind of polymers can be used for designing electrochromics based on the use of one molecule for the generation of three basic colors (RGB).