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.     

Core–shell NTC materials with low thermal constant and high resistivity for wide-temperature thermistor ceramics

Core–shell structures have been proposed to improve the electrical properties of negative-temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor ceramics. In this work, Al₂O₃-modified Co_1.5Mn_1.2Ni_0.3O₄ NTC thermistor ceramics with adjustable electrical properties were prepared through citrate-chelation followed by conventional sintering. Co_1.5Mn_1.2Ni_0.3O₄ powder was coated with a thin Al₂O₃ shell layer to form a core–shell structure. Resistivity (ρ) increased rapidly with increasing thickness of the Al₂O₃ layer, and the thermal constant (B) varied moderately between 3706 and 3846 K. In particular, Co_1.5Mn_1.2Ni_0.3O₄@Al₂O₃ ceramic with 0.08 wt% Al₂O₃ showed the increase of ρ double, and the change in its B was less than 140 K. The Co_1.5Mn_1.2Ni_0.3O₄@Al₂O₃ NTC ceramics showed high stability, and their grain size was relatively uniform due to the protection offered by the shell. The aging coefficient of the ceramic was less than 0.2% after aging for 500 hours at 125°C. Taken together, the results indicate that as-prepared Co_1.5Mn_1.2Ni_0.3O₄@Al₂O₃ NTC ceramics with a core–shell structure may be promising candidates for application as wide-temperature NTC thermistor ceramics.     

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.     

核壳型铁钴纳米复合材料的制备及其性能

采用多元醇还原工艺和自组装技术,在微米级Fe粉表面包覆纳米Co粒子,一步法制备了一种具有核壳结构的复合磁性微球,用SEM表征了其相组成和形貌,用VSM测试了磁滞回线,初步研究了磁学性能。结果表明:用该法制备的核壳型Fe/Co纳米复合材料表面包覆致密,其比饱和磁化强度和矫顽力介于微米铁粉和纳米钴粉之间。     

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.     

Synthesis and microwave characterization of Co-SiC core-shell powders by electroless plating

Co-SiC core-shell powders were prepared by electroless plating. Scanning electron microscopy （SEM） revealed that Co-SiC core-shell powders were of nearly sphere-like shape and were about 0.3 pan. X-ray powder diffraction （XRD） patterns showed that the cobalt powder was hexagonal crystallite. The complex dielectric constant and the complex permeability of Co-SiC core-shell powders-paraffin wax composite were measured by the rectangle wavegnide method. It showed that the dielectric loss was less than 0.1 and the magnetic loss was about 0.2 in 8.2-12.4 GHz for prepared Co-SiC core-shell comoosite oowders.     

Coaxial Alginate Hydrogels: From Self-Assembled 3D Cellular Constructs to Long-Term Storage

Alginate as a versatile naturally occurring biomaterial has found widespread use in the biomedical field due to its unique features such as biocompatibility and biodegradability. The ability of its semipermeable hydrogels to provide a favourable microenvironment for clinically relevant cells made alginate encapsulation a leading technology for immunoisolation, 3D culture, cryopreservation as well as cell and drug delivery. The aim of this work is the evaluation of structural properties and swelling behaviour of the core-shell capsules for the encapsulation of multipotent stromal cells (MSCs), their 3D culture and cryopreservation using slow freezing. The cells were encapsulated in core-shell capsules using coaxial electrospraying, cultured for 35 days and cryopreserved. Cell viability, metabolic activity and cell–cell interactions were analysed. Cryopreservation of MSCs-laden core-shell capsules was performed according to parameters pre-selected on cell-free capsules. The results suggest that core-shell capsules produced from the low viscosity high-G alginate are superior to high-M ones in terms of stability during in vitro culture, as well as to solid beads in terms of promoting formation of viable self-assembled cellular structures and maintenance of MSCs functionality on a long-term basis. The application of 0.3 M sucrose demonstrated a beneficial effect on the integrity of capsules and viability of formed 3D cell assemblies, as compared to 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) alone. The proposed workflow from the preparation of core-shell capsules with self-assembled cellular structures to the cryopreservation appears to be a promising strategy for their off-the-shelf availability.     

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。     

Stereocomplex Crystallization Induced Significant Improvement in Transparency and Stiffness–Toughness Performance of Core-Shell Rubber Nanoparticles Toughened Poly(l-lactide) Blends

Toughening modification of poly(l -lactide) (PLLA) with rubber particles is often realized at the cost of transparency, mechanical strength, and modulus because high rubber loadings are generally required for toughening. In this work, a promising strategy to simultaneously improve the transparency and stiffness–toughness performance of poly(butyl acrylate)-poly(methyl methacrylate) (BAMMA) core-shell rubber nanoparticles toughened PLLA blends by utilizing the stereocomplex (SC) crystallization between PLLA and poly(d -lactide) (PDLA) is devised. The results reveal that the construction of SC crystallites in PLLA matrix via melt-mixing PLLA/BAMMA blends with PDLA can prevent BAMMA nanoparticles from aggregation and promote them to form network-like structure at lower contents. As a result, not only higher toughening efficiency with less rubber contents but also superior transparency is achieved in the PLLA/PDLA/BAMMA blends as compared with the PLLA/BAMMA ones where large aggregated BAMMA clusters are formed. Moreover, the outstanding reinforcement of SC crystallites network for PLLA can impart an enhanced tensile strength and modulus to PLLA/PDLA/BAMMA blends, thus improving the stiffness–toughness performance of PLLA/PDLA/BAMMA blends to a higher degree. This work demonstrates that SC crystallization is a promising solution to solve the contradiction between transparency and mechanical properties and then obtain superior comprehensive performances in rubber toughened PLLA blends.