Journal of Materials Chemistry Blog

UV-induced fluorescence recovery and solubility modulation of photocaged conjugated oligomers: A series of conjugated oligomers that show both increased fluorescence efficiency and pH-dependant solubility upon UV irradiation have been designed by a team at Tufts University, USA. The team behind the research say this approach is effective at tuning the properties of conjugated organics with light after traditional synthetic operations, and has potential for use in photoactivatable fluorophores or solution-processable multilayer devices. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, 21, 14041-14047)

Direct write tethered protein arrays: Protein arrays can be written directly onto a protein resistant surface. This approach eliminates the need for additional back-filling steps. The team behind the research say their method can tolerate a broad range of process conditions which allows the retention of proteins’ biological functionality. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, 21, 14072-14078)

Atomic layer deposition of metal fluorides through oxide chemistry: This hot article describes the deposition of metal fluoride thin films by an atomic layer deposition process using ozone based chemistry. The team say that using hexafluoroacetylacetonate as a fluorine source increased the purity of the films by reducing the oxygen content. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, 21, 14461-14465)

To keep up-to-date with all the latest research, sign up for the journal’s e-alerts or RSS feeds or follow Journal of Materials Chemistry on Twitter.

A flux coating method for preparing high-performance upconverting crystal layers has been developed by Japanese scientists. These upconverting crystal layers could improve the absorption properties of solar cells. The method developed by the Japanese team uses a relatively low temperature of 350 °C and makes it easier to create large-scale crystal layers. These advantages should make it more feasible for use in large-scale applications. Interested to know more? Read the full article for free until 24^th October:

Novel fabrication of NIR-vis upconversion NaYF₄:Ln (Ln = Yb, Er, Tm) crystal layers by a flux coating method: Sayaka Suzuki, Katsuya Teshima, Toshiko Wakabayashi, Hiromasa Nishikiori, Takahiro Ishizaki and Shuji Oishi, J. Mater. Chem., 2011, 21, 13847-13852

To keep up-to-date with all the latest research, sign up for the journal’s e-alerts or RSS feeds or follow Journal of Materials Chemistry on Twitter.

A method of creating antimicrobial coatings on catheters using a solvent-free hybrid grafting technique has been developed by scientists at Oklahoma State University, USA. The team demonstrate that vapor-based hybrid grafting enables a one-step surface modification and creates a durable antimicrobial effect. Interested to know more? Read the full article for free until 20th October (free registration required)

Yumin Ye, Qing Song and Yu Mao, J. Mater. Chem., 2011, 21, 13188-13194  

To keep up-to-date with all the latest research, sign up for the journal’s e-alerts or RSS feeds or follow Journal of Materials Chemistry on Twitter.

Synthesis, structures and electrical transport properties of the La_2−xSr_xNiTiO_6−δ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) perovskite series: In this hot article French and Spanish scientists investigate the synthesis, structures and electrical transport properties of double perovskites. The La_2−xSr_xNiTiO_6−δ series shows a p–n transition in the pO₂ range 10⁻¹⁸–10⁻¹⁹ atm. In air, the conductivity increases with increasing acceptor–dopant concentration. In reducing atmospheres, the Sr-free material is the most conductive. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, 21, 13195-13204)

Production of monoclonal antibodies from hybridoma cells immobilized in 3D sol–gel silica matrices: Hybridoma cells immobilized in sol–gel silica matrices can be used for in vitro production of monoclonal antibodies say Argentinean scientists. The team evaluated different matrices looking at cell viability and antibody diffusion to surrounding media as well as the physicochemical properties of the polymeric material. Hybridoma cells immobilized in THEOS matrices were able to produce monoclonal antibodies to the same extent as free cells, which the team claim could allow them to be used in the design of bioreactors for large-scale production of antibodies. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, 21, 13865-13872)

Monolayer and multilayer assemblies of spherically and cubic-shaped iron oxide nanoparticles: Nanoparticle thin films form surfaces with properties that make them attractive for many electronic, optical and magnetic devices. The assembly spherically shaped iron oxide nanoparticles and cubic-shaped nanoparticles is investigated in this hot paper using the Langmuir–Blodgett technique. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI:10.1039/C1JM12012C, Advance Article)

Read all the articles for free until 14th October (free registration required)

To keep up-to-date with all the latest research, sign up for the journal’s e-alerts or RSS feeds or follow Journal of Materials Chemistry on Twitter.