Journal of Materials Chemistry Blog

Light-trapping nano-structures in organic photovoltaic cells: Iridescent photonic crystal nano-patterns in a bulk heterojunction polymer blend are reminiscent of the metallic sheen reflected from butterfly wings. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI: 10.1039/C1JM12300A, Advance Article)

Structure–property relationships of iron arsenide superconductors: Unique structure–property relationships of iron-arsenide superconductors prove to be a good recipe for future discoveries in the lively field of superconducting materials. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, 21, 13726-13736)

Nucleic acid-functionalized nanomaterials for bioimaging applications: This review covers recent advances in nucleic acid-functionalized nanomaterials as sensing platforms for bioimaging applications. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI: 10.1039/C1JM12588E, Advance Article)

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In this Hot Paper ionic liquids serve as multifunctional agents in the synthesis of epoxy-silica nanocomposites. The ionic liquids make it possible to control the silica structure formed by the sol–gel process and also the interaction between silica and the epoxy matrix. Changing the ionic liquids allows control over the morphology and mechanical properties of the hybrids. Interested to know more? Why not read the full article available for free until 16th September (free registration required):

Ricardo Keitel Donato, Libor Matějka, Henri S. Schrekker, Josef Pleštil, Alexander Jigounov, Jiři Brus and Miroslav Šlouf, J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI: 10.1039/C1JM11752A, Advance Article

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Multiwall carbon nanotube@mesoporous carbon with core-shell configuration: a well-designed composite-structure toward electrochemical capacitor application: A multiwall carbon nanotube@mesoporous carbon composite has been prepared for electrochemical capacitor applications by scientists at Fudan University, China. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, 21, 13025-13031)  

New BODIPY chromophores bound to polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) with improved thermo- and photostability: Stable hybrid dyes that are analogs of the BODIPY laser dye PM567 have been prepared by Spanish researchers. The dyes show higher thermostability in solid state, as well as higher photostability in thin films of poly(methyl methacrylate) than the parent unbound dyes. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, 21, 12803-12811)

Reversible assembly of metal nanoparticles induced by penicillamine. Dynamic formation of SERS hot spots: A system for pH-driven reversible assembly of gold nanoparticles has been reported by a team of scientists working in Spain and the UK. The surface of the nanoparicles is modified with a submonolayer of penicillamine. Changes to the hydrogen bonding between different nanoparticles caused by changes in pH is thought to be responsible for the reversible assembly of the nanoparticles. The aggregation of the nanoparticles also creates SERS hotspots. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI:10.1039/C1JM12175H, Advance Article)

In situ cross-linkable gelatin–poly(ethylene glycol)–tyramine hydrogel via enzyme-mediated reaction for tissue regenerative medicine: A hydrogel made from gelatin–poly(ethylene glycol)–tyramine has been developed by South Korean scientists. The hydrogel could act an injectable scaffold for tissue regenerative medicine they claim. An enzyme-mediated reaction allows the hydrogel to be formed in situ.  Controlling the reaction conditions allowed the team to prepare hydrogels with storage moduli that ranged from approximately 200 to over 8000 Pa. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI:10.1039/C1JM12527C, Advance Article)

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Self-assembly of polystyrene with pendant hydrophilic gold nanoparticles: the influence of the hydrophilicity of the hybrid polymers: Controlling the number of hydrophilic nanoparticles attached to a polymer offers control over the type of self-assembled structures formed say scientists from Nankai University, China. Decreasing the number of hydrophilic gold nanoparticles allows a transition from a micellar structure to vesicular structure. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI:10.1039/C1JM11384D, Advance Article)

Template-free co-assembly of preformed Au and TiO₂ nanoparticles into multicomponent 3D aerogels: Surface-functionalized titania nanoparticles can be assembled into 3-dimensionally connected networks without the use of any structure-directing agents. These networks bridge several lengths scales from nanometres to centimetres. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI:10.1039/C1JM11740H, Advance Article)

Polyamide 6 composite nano-fiber/net functionalized by polyethyleneimine on quartz crystal microbalance for highly sensitive formaldehyde sensors: An effective formaldehyde detection system has been successfully developed by scientists at Donghua University, China, and Los Alamos National Laboratory, USA. The system uses a functionalized nano-fiber net as a novel sensing coating on quartz crystal microbalance. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, 21, 12784-12792)

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Hot Article: DNA nanofabrication by scanning near-field photolithography of oligo(ethylene glycol) terminated SAMs: Controlled scan-rate dependent switching between head group oxidation and tail group degradation

Control of exposure in near-field lithography enables simple, convenient switching between alternate photochemical reaction pathways say scientists from the UK and China. The team behind the research claim this approach could be used to create biosensors by assembling bio-functionalised nanoparticles onto nanofeatures embedded in an inert background.

Read the article here: Shuqing Sun, David G. Thompson, Duncan Graham and Graham J. Leggett, J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI: 10.1039/C1JM11803J Advance Article

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A Cu²⁺ sensor based on click chemistry and azide- and alkyne-functionalized polydiacetylene vesicles has been developed by South Korean scientists. In the presence of ascorbic acid, Cu2+ is reduced to Cu+ and catalyzes a click reaction between the two functional groups. The sensor changes colour from blue to red due to a conformational transition in the conjugated backbone. Interested to know more? Read the full article for free until 8th September.

Visual detection of copper ions based on azide- and alkyne-functionalized polydiacetylene vesicles: Qingling Xu, Kyung Mi Lee, Fang Wang and Juyoung Yoon, J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI: 10.1039/C1JM11660F (Advance Article)

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