Novel poly(arylene ethynylene) derivatives containing main chain triphenylamine and pendent quinoxaline moieties: synthesis and elementary characterization

BACKGROUND: Various poly(arylene ethynylene)s (PAEs) have been prepared and applied as molecular wires, in sensors, in nonlinear optics and as electroluminescent materials. But, to our knowledge, there has been no attention paid to the investigation of conjugated PAEs containing both triarylamine and quinoxaline groups. The influence imparted by the introduction of triarylamine and quinoxaline on the photophysical and electrochemical properties of PAEs is of interest. RESULTS: Two kinds of novel PAE derivatives, with electron‐donating triphenylamine groups in the backbone and electron‐accepting pendent quinoxaline moieties and bearing side chains of different lengths, were successfully synthesized with the Sonogashira coupling reaction. These polymers are soluble in common organic solvents and exhibit good film‐forming ability and thermal stability. UV‐visible investigations indicate that the ground states of these materials are unaffected by the polarity of their medium. An efficient intramolecular charge transfer effect is observed from an investigation of their photoluminescence properties in different solvents. Cyclic voltammetry study reveals that these polymers possess relatively high highest occupied molecular orbital levels due to the incorporation of triphenylamine segments into the polymer backbones. CONCLUSION: Primary characterization of these novel PAE derivatives shows that they might serve as potential active materials in optoelectronic devices. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Activated hopping of the hydroxide ion through electrodeposited thin films of electrochromic cobalt oxyhydroxide

Thin films of cobalt(II) oxyhydroxide on platinum have been prepared by electrodeposition. The chemical diffusion coefficient D of the hydroxide ion through the material has a marked temperature dependence, showing a simple activated behaviour in the range 273–292 K. The activation energy to ionic movement was rather large at 54.5 kJ mol^–1 which, it is proposed, is ascribable to ion hopping. When spins have changed alignment, at the Néel transition temperature T _Nr the activation energy more than doubled to 125 kJ mol^–1; and the diffusion coefficients obtained above this temperature also increased dramatically. It is proposed that structural changes occur in the electrodeposited oxide at about T _Nr hence the change in activation energy.     

Cottage cheese whey as an ingredient of cottage cheese dressing mixes

The objective of this study was to formulate and develop a good quality cottage cheese dressing using acid whey as the main ingredient. Up to 72% of cottage cheese whey was used in the dressing mixes. The percentage of fat (4.10–5.05%) and total solids (19.41–20.24%) approached the desired level and was within the legal limits for regular cottage cheese. Sensory evaluation scores for flavour, body/texture and appearance were not adversely affected by the use of acid whey. The sensory evaluation scores for all four products made with whey- or skimmed milk-based dressings were higher than the commercial control.     

Damage of Neuroblastoma Cell SH-SY5Y Mediated by MPP+ Inhibits Proliferation of T-Cell Leukemia Jurkat by Co-Culture System

The adaptive immune system has implications in pathology of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Research data demonstrated that the peripheral CD4⁺ T-cell population decreased in pathogenesis of PD. The effect of damaged dopaminergic neurons on peripheral T cells of PD is still unknown. In this study, we constructed a neuronal and glial cells co-culture model by using human neuroblastoma cells SH-SY5Y and gliomas cells U87. After the co-culture cells were treated with neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP⁺) for 24 h, the conditioned media was harvested and used to cultivate T-cell leukemia Jurkat cells for another 24 h. We then analyzed the cell proliferation, cell cycle and necrosis effect of Jurkat cells. The results showed that co-culture medium of SH-SY5Y and U87 cells with MPP⁺ treatment inhibited the proliferation of Jurkat cells compared to control medium without MPP⁺, even though the same concentration of MPP⁺ had very little toxicity to the Jurkat cell. Furthermore, co-culture medium with low concentration of MPP⁺ (100 µM) arrested Jurkat cells cycle in G2/M phase through increasing cell cycle division 2 (CDC2) and CyclinB1 expression level, whereas co-culture medium with high concentration of MPP⁺ (500 µM) induced Jurkat cell necrosis through cellular swelling and membrane breakage. Our data implies that damaged dopamine neurons with glial cells can lead to the reduced number or inhibited proliferation activity of peripheral T cells.     

Modification of the structural and electrical properties of graphene layers by Pt adsorbates

The properties of graphene are strongly affected by metal adsorbates and clusters on graphene. Here, we study the effect of a thin layer of platinum (Pt) metal on exfoliated single, bi- and trilayer graphene and on chemical vapor deposition-grown single-layer graphene by using Raman spectroscopy and transport measurements. The Raman spectra and transport measurements show that Pt affects the structure as well as the electronic properties of graphene. The shift of peak frequencies, intensities and widths of the Raman bands were analyzed after the deposition of Pt with different thicknesses (1, 3, 5 nm) on the graphene. The shifts in the G and 2D peak positions of the Raman spectra indicate the n-type doping effect by the Pt metal. The doping effect was also confirmed by gate-voltage dependent resistivity measurements. The doping effect by the Pt metal is stable under ambient conditions, and the doping intensity increases with the increasing Pt deposition without inducing a severe degradation of the charge carrier mobility.     

Wear and frictional performance of polymeric composites aged in various solutions

The aim of the present work is to investigate the effect of aging process on the wear and frictional characteristics of polyester composites based on oil palm fibres. Prepared samples of treated oil palm fibre reinforced polyester (T-OPRP) composite were immersed in different types of solutions (i.e. water, salt water, diesel, petrol and engine oil) for three years. The samples were then tested on a Pin on disc (POD) machine subjected to a polished stainless steel counterface under dry adhesive wear at different sliding distances (0-6.72 km). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the damage features on the worn surfaces. Results revealed that aging process has pronounced influence on the adhesive wear and frictional behaviour of the T-OPRP composite. Immersing the samples in water and salt water demonstrated poorest wear performance as compared to the ones immersed in engine oil and diesel. This was mainly due to the higher viscosities of engine oil and diesel solutions as compared to the rest.     

Small unilamellar vesicles: a platform technology for molecular imaging of brain tumors

Molecular imaging enables the non-invasive investigation of cellular and molecular processes. Although there are challenges to overcome, the development of targeted contrast agents to increase the sensitivity of molecular imaging techniques is essential for their clinical translation. In this study, spontaneously forming, small unilamellar vesicles (sULVs) (30 nm diameter) were used as a platform to build a bimodal (i.e., optical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)) targeted contrast agent for the molecular imaging of brain tumors. sULVs were loaded with a gadolinium (Gd) chelated lipid (Gd-DPTA-BOA), functionalized with targeting antibodies (anti-EGFR monoclonal and anti-IGFBP7 single domain), and incorporated a near infrared dye (Cy5.5). The resultant sULVs were characterized in vitro using small angle neutron scattering (SANS), phantom MRI and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Antibody targeted and nontargeted Gd loaded sULVs labeled with Cy5.5 were assessed in vivo in a brain tumor model in mice using time domain optical imaging and MRI. The results demonstrated that a spontaneously forming, nanosized ULVs loaded with a high payload of Gd can selectively target and image, using MR and optical imaging, brain tumor vessels when functionalized with anti-IGFBP7 single domain antibodies. The unique features of these targeted sULVs make them promising molecular MRI contrast agents.