Ultra-Robust Flexible Electronics by Laser-Driven Polymer-Nanomaterials Integration

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is the most widely used polymer in the world. For the first time, the laser-driven integration of aluminum nanoparticles (Al NPs) into PET to realize a laser-induced graphene/Al NPs/polymer composite, which demonstrates excellent toughness and high electrical conductivity with the formation of aluminum carbide into the polymer is shown. The conductive structures show an impressive mechanical resistance against >10000 bending cycles, projectile impact, hammering, abrasion, and structural and chemical stability when in contact with different solvents (ethanol, water, and aqueous electrolytes). Devices including thermal heaters, carbon electrodes for energy storage, electrochemical and bending sensors show this technology's practical application for ultra-robust polymer electronics. This laser-based technology can be extended to integrating other nanomaterials and create hybrid graphene-based structures with excellent properties in a wide range of flexible electronics’ applications.     

Acid Rock Drainage Remediation and Element Removal Using a Peat-Humic Agent with Subsequent Thermal Treatment of the Metal–Organic Residue

A novel, alternative method for acid rock drainage (ARD) remediation and metal recovery has been developed that uses a peat-humic agent (PHA) created by mechanical, chemical, and thermobaric treatment of peat from the Krugloe deposit (Novosibirsk region, Russia). The PHA effectively neutralised moderately acidic ARD and removed potential pollutants (e.g. Fe, Al, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, Co, and Hg), forming metal–organic residues. The organic matter can be removed completely from the metal–organic residues by heating them at 450–500 °C. After this treatment, the metal concentrate residues generally contained aggregates (20–350 μm in size), mainly composed of metal oxides and sulphates. Thermal decomposition of the organic matter in the PHA and metal–organic residues is an exothermic process with significant calorific value (9–15 kJ/g).     

The initial stage of high‐pressure induced β‐lactoglobulin aggregation: the long‐run simulation

Research objective of this study was to clarify how the initial stage of high‐pressure induced aggregation of β‐lactoglobulin takes place. For this purpose a special simulation method was developed. Distinctive features of this approach are: the lowest resolution model of protein particles, the local interaction potential and the abandonment of the continuous simulation of particle trajectories. Relatively short molecular dynamics trajectories are used only in order to find the average time step between the collisions. Results of particle collisions that occur with some probability, are separately (‘statically’) modelled using a random variable. This allows the analysis of the process which takes place within 10²–10³ s real‐time, with an existing probability of successful collision of 10^?10–10^?11. Modelling results confirm that at the initial stage of aggregation of 0.5–2% solutions with a neutral pH‐value only dimers as well as trimers arise due to SH/S–S interaction. In addition it was shown that aggregation follows the general principles of the reaction‐limited aggregation of colloids. The proposed approach could further be used in research projects examining the aggregation of β‐lactoglobulin or similar systems.     

Synthesis and characterization of C60‐based composites of amphiphilic N‐vinylpyrrolidone/triethylene glycol dimethacrylate copolymers

It was found that under mixing of aqueous solutions of copolymers and toluene solutions of C₆₀ two types of polymer composites can be produced with different matrix structure, the fullerene content and an aggregation degree. The dimethacrylate enriched macromolecules migrate to toluene and the VP units enriched copolymer chains remain in water to form copolymer micelles and their aggregates in these media that solubilize and encapsulate the fullerene. The structure and properties of obtained polymer composites were studied by GPC with dual detection (RI and MALLS), FT‐IR, WAXS and SAXS methods. It is shown that in a composite based on N‐vinylpyrrolidone copolymer isolated from toluene the fullerene form larger particles, compare to that isolated from water. According to SAXS, the fullerene particles in a solid copolymer are organized in spherical objects with fine coil‐like structure. The stability of the composites in water, ethanol, and chloroform was shown to depend on the original polymer matrix structure and on copolymer/fullerene ratio. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:1362–1371, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Study of point defects in CuGaSe2 single crystals by means of electron paramagnetic resonance and photoluminescence

Point defects in CuGaSe₂ single crystals as vacancies V_Se, V_Cu and defect pair (2V_Cu⁻+Ga_Cu²⁺) have been studied by means of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and low-temperature photoluminescence (PL). EPR hyperfine structure has been found at temperatures as low as 1.45–45 K and the temperature dependence of EPR line is discussed. Photo-EPR spectrum reveals optically active behavior of intrinsic point defects in CuGaSe₂ crystals. Three bands of PL emission show different origins and two low-energy bands at 1.55 and 1.58 eV have been found to be steady despite H₂-, O₂- and Se₂-annealings. The experimental data added with electric characterization in accordance with the used annealings and together with a defect physics model allow consideration of the point defect ensemble in CuGaSe₂ in more detail.     

Morphology and adsorption properties of chemically modified MWCNT probed by nitrogen,n-propane and water vapor

The poor compatibility of carbon materials with different dispersion media can be overcome by surface functionalization. In this work, multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were doped by oxygen and nitrogen at low concentrations. Morphological and structural changes caused by chemical treatment were monitored using nitrogen, propane and water vapor adsorption measurements. Pore size distribution (PSD) functions derived from various models are compared. The contribution of slit-shaped pores to the total surface area available for adsorbed molecules is smaller than that of cylindrical pores. Functionalities with heteroatoms (both O and N) enhance water adsorption onto MWCNTs. However, no statistical difference is observed between the water adsorption properties of O- or N-containing MWCNTs.     

Kontaktwechselwirkung einer Rohrleitung mit der Reparaturbandage aus einem Kompositwerkstoff

In the present work the contact interaction of a long cylindrical shell with a coaxial cylindrical wrap made of a composite material is investigated. The composite material is modeled as a homogeneous orthotropic medium with known effective elastic properties. Based on the classical shell theory governing equations for the contact problems and general solutions to the deflections and internal forces are formulated. The unknown integration constants and the contact surface area are determined numerically using the software package Maple. Three characteristic lengths of the wrap, for which the transition from one contact mode to another takes place, have been determined. It was found that the change in the internal pressure does not affect the transition between the contact modes. The nature of the contact interaction is determined by the geometric parameters of the contact pair and elastic material properties of the shell and the repair wrap.     

Increase in the length of poly(ethylene oxide) blocks in amphiphilic copolymers facilitates their cellular uptake

Amphiphilic nonionic block copolymers induce different biological effects on living cells. In particular, the hydrophobic members of the Pluronics family suppress drug efflux systems in multidrug‐resistant cells, whereas hydrophilic Pluronics support cell viability. However, the relationship between the copolymer structure and its binding to cells is still unclear. Using a tritium‐labeling approach, we analyzed interactions of nine Pluronics and three diblock copolymers with human and murine cells in vitro and revealed that the binding efficiency of the copolymers increased in line with the length of their poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) blocks. In contrast, partitioning of the same polymers into artificial lipid bilayers determined by Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) decreased with increasing length of the PEO block. The opposite influence of hydrophilic blocks on the copolymer affinity to living cells and artificial lipid bilayers implied the binding of long PEO blocks to the hydrophilic moieties of cellular membranes. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45492.     

Local-field resonance in light scattering by a single water droplet with spherical dielectric inclusions

Light scattering by an evaporating water droplet several micrometers in size with spherical dielectric inclusions was investigated. The evolution of the droplet radius and the effective refractive index was determined. A deviation from predictions by standard effective-medium theories in the form of a resonance was encountered. Simple analysis of the phenomenon was conducted, and a qualitative explanation was proposed.     

Synthesis,Structure and Magnetic Properties of Mn2Tb2 Tetranuclear Complex with p-tert-Butylthiacalix[4]arene

A new tert-buthylthiacalix[4]arene-based tetranuclear 3d-4f metal complex with the Mn₂Tb₂ core has been synthesized and its molecular and crystal structures have been studied by X-ray diffraction. The complex geometry is similar to that of the earlier synthesized tert-buthylthiacalix[4]arene-based M₂Ln₂ complexes with M=Mn(II), Co(II), and Ln=Gd, Pr, Eu, but unlike those systems, it exhibits intricated cooperative low-temperature magnetic properties arising from the presence of intercluster interactions. At T<8.5 K the complex shows weak spin-canted ferromagnetism and field induced metamagnetic phase transition. The paramagnetic behavior observed at temperatures higher than 8.5 K is similar to that previously reported for the Mn₂Gd₂ complex, this being indicative of the existence of competitive ferro- and antiferromagnetic intracluster interactions.