Efficient Visible-to-UV Photon Upconversion Systems Based on CdS Nanocrystals Modified with Triplet Energy Mediators

Developing high-performance visible-to-UV photon upconversion systems based on triplet–triplet annihilation photon upconversion (TTA-UC) is highly desired, as it provides a potential approach for UV light-induced photosynthesis and photocatalysis. However, the quantum yield and spectral range of visible-to-UV TTA-UC based on nanocrystals (NCs) are still far from satisfactory. Here, three different sized CdS NCs are systematically investigated with triplet energy transfer to four mediators and four annihilators, thus substantially expanding the available materials for visible-to-UV TTA-UC. By improving the quality of CdS NCs, introducing the mediator via a direct mixing fashion, and matching the energy levels, a high TTA-UC quantum yield of 10.4% (out of a 50% maximum) is achieved in one case, which represents a record performance in TTA-UC based on NCs without doping. In another case, TTA-UC photons approaching 4 eV are observed, which is on par with the highest energies observed in optimized organic systems. Importantly, the in-depth investigation reveals that the direct mixing approach to introduce the mediator is a key factor that leads to close to unity efficiencies of triplet energy transfer, which ultimately governs the performance of NC-based TTA-UC systems. These findings provide guidelines for the design of high-performance TTA-UC systems toward solar energy harvesting.     

Structural and optical properties of CdTe-nanocrystals thin films grown by chemical synthesis

By mans of a chemical synthesis technique stoichiometric CdTe-nanocrystals thin films were prepared on glass substrates at 70 °C. First, Cd(OH)₂ films were deposited on glass substrates, then these films were immersed in a growing solution prepared by dissolution of Te in hydroxymethane sulfinic acid to obtain CdTe. The structural analysis indicates that CdTe thin films have a zinc-blende structure. The average nanocrystal size was 19.4 nm and the thickness of the films 170 nm. The Raman characterization shows the presence of the longitudinal optical mode and their second order mode, which indicates a good crystalline quality. The optical transmittance was less than 5% in the visible region (400–700 nm). The compositional characterization indicates that CdTe films grew with Te excess.     

Influence of the dispersion of Nanoclays on the cellular structure of foams based on polystyrene

In the present work blends of polystyrene (PS) with sepiolites have been produced using a melt extrusion process. The dispersion degree of the sepiolites in the PS has been analyzed by dynamic shear rheology and X-ray micro-computed tomography. Sepiolites treated with quaternary ammonium salts (O-QASEP) are better dispersed in the PS matrix than natural sepiolites (N-SEP) or sepiolites organo-modified with silane groups (O-SGSEP). A percolated network is obtained when using 6.0 wt% of O-QASEP, 8.0 wt% of N-SEP and 10.0 wt% of O-SGSEP. It has been shown that multiple extrusion processes have a negative effect on the polymer architecture. They produce a reduction in the length of the polymeric chains, and they do not lead to a better dispersion of the particles in the polymer matrix. Foams have been produced using a gas dissolution foaming process, where a strong effect of the dispersion degree on the cellular structure of the different foams was found. The effects on the cellular structure obtained by using different types of sepiolites, different contents of sepiolites and different extrusion conditions have been analyzed. The foams produced with the formulations containing O-QASEP present the lowest cell size and the most homogeneous cellular structures.     

反铁磁晶体的红外频率特性

研究了红外频段非线性s偏振表面波在反铁磁晶体和电介质交界面上的频率特性，求出了非线性色散方程，揭示了非线性s偏振表面波存在一个临界频率，低于这个频率，非线性s偏振表面波的频率范围，发现功率不再是决定导波频率范围的唯一因素，两种材料的介电常数比在这里起了至关重要的作用。     

Microwave heating synthesis of HgS and PbS nanocrystals in ethanol solvent

A novel route was developed to prepare PbS and HgS nanocrystals in ethanol solvent in the presence of sodium hydroxide by microwave heating method. PbS and HgS nanocrystals were obtained with an average size of approximately 10 and 6 nm, respectively. In the reaction, mercury acetate and lead acetate were used as mercury and lead source; sulfur powder was employed as chalcogenide source. The products were characterized by X-ray powder analysis (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy. The probable mechanism was presented.     

液相化学还原法制备不同形貌的多晶纳米镍

采用液相化学还原法,在1,2-丙二醇体系中,分别使用吐温-80（Tween-80）、聚乙二醇-6000（PEG-6000）和十二烷基硫酸钠（SDS）与聚乙二醇-6000（PEG-6000）的混合物作为修饰剂,利用1,2-丙二醇还原相同母体醋酸镍,制备形貌分别为海绵体、纤维状、雪花状的多晶纳米镍;在水体系中,使用SDS为修饰剂,利用水合肼还原相同母体醋酸镍,制备球形多晶纳米镍。通过X射线衍射（XRD）、透射电子显微镜（TEM）、选区电子衍射（SAED）对纳米镍进行表征。利用傅立叶红外（FTIR）分析初步解释不同形貌纳米镍的形成机理。     

Thermoplastic Starch Nanocomposites Reinforced with Cellulose Nanocrystal Suspensions Containing Residual Salt from Neutralization

Sulfuric acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of cellulose commonly isolates cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). Neutralizing the reactant solution with sodium hydroxide facilitates efficient downstream processing, but residual salt remains in the product. This study examines the reinforcing effects of CNCs from suspensions that contain residual salt on the mechanical properties of thermoplastic starch nanocomposites. By reinforcing starch films with up to 5 wt% CNCs, stiffness and strength are improved by 118% and 79%, respectively, indicating a good dispersion of CNCs in the starch matrix. Compared to nanocomposites incorporating salt-free CNCs, the remaining salt has no significant impact on the material's mechanical performance. The results indicate great potential of CNCs containing residual salt as biobased, low-cost nanofiller in hydrophilic polymer matrices.     

Facile Deposition of Silver Nanoparticles on Photonic Cellulose Nanocrystals Films: A Study on Solvent Stability and Post Antibacterial Activity

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) incorporated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) photonic films have drawn considerable attention due to their plasmonic chiroptical activity. However, the exploitation of some fundamental properties for practical use such as the affinity analysis of metal nanoparticles attached to the surface of photonic films according to the solvent compatibility and antibacterial activity under physical conditions has yet not been studied. Hence, a facile process of in situ deposition of AgNPs into the chiral structure of CNC films is proposed. CNC photonic films, cross-linked by glutaraldehyde are prepared. This interaction generated the solvents-stable photonic film with a considerable amount of unreacted aldehyde functional groups that facilitates the reduction of Ag salt to AgNPs. The formed AgNPs in the photonic films show excellent stability over immersion in various polar and non-polar solvents. The post-solvent treated photonic films display excellent contact-based antibacterial behavior against gram-negative Escherichia coli.     

均分散TiO2纳米晶的制备及应用研究进展

介绍了不同晶形TiO2纳米晶的制备、应用;对TiO2纳米晶的合成方法以及相关材料的应用进展,尤其是均分散TiO2纳米晶的制备技术进行了综述。     

Magnetic Behavior of Trinuclear Vanadium(II)–Diamine Complexes. Part 2. Large Intramolecular Antiferromagnetic Exchange Interactions in a Triangular Unit

This study reports the magnetic structures of newly reported trinuclear vanadium(II)–diamine complexes. Using the isotropic Heisenberg exchange Hamiltonian, it is suggested that there are strong intramolecular antiferromagnetic interactions among the vanadium(II) ions. It is also suggested that these complexes are good candidates to the geometrically frustrated systems. For part 1 see A. Bayri, J. Inorg. Organomet. Polym. Mater., (in press) An erratum to this article can be found at