A red-emitting molecular europium(III) complex has been doped into liquid-crystalline (LC) physical gels consisting of 4-pentyl-4′-cyanobiphenyl (5CB) with amino acid-based gelators. Light scattering cells on the basis of these LC physical gels could be switched between a non-transparent off-state and a transparent on-state by on–off application of electric fields. The gels produced intense red light when they were irradiated with UV-light.
Interested to know more? Read the full article here:
This feature article reviews Nanoporous Molecular Crystals (NMCs), which are nanoporous materials composed of discrete molecules between which there are only non-covalent interactions—i.e. they do not possess an extended framework composed of covalent or coordination bonds.
Interested to know more? Read the full article here:
A functional interface between PbS and CdSe NCs and a new fullerene ligand is demonstrated. The dramatic PL quenching upon increasing amount of attached fullerenes indicates photoinduced charge transfer from the NCs to the fullerene derivatives.
This molecule is an excellent candidate to serve as electroactive ligand for NCs and form novel complexes, which could be very promising building blocks for optoelectronic devices.
A conducting polymer film acts as a self healing coating to protect metals from corrosion, say researchers in Japan.
Steel is used to construct many different structures but is susceptible to corrosion, which can limit its practical uses and lifetime. Structures such as bridges or boats are often exposed to salt solutions that rapidly corrode them. This is a large problem and costs related to corrosion in developed countries amounts to approximately four per cent of their gross national product.
Damian Kowalski and coworkers at Hokkaido University have developed a new type of coating using an intrinsically conducting polymer (ICP), polypyrrole, which could be used as an alternative to expensive and toxic chromates currently used.
Interested to know more? Read Jon Watson’s article in Highlights in Chemical Science for free here:
Original research article available here: Damian Kowalski, Mikito Ueda and Toshiaki Ohtsuka, J. Mater. Chem., 2010, 20, 7630 – 7633, DOI: 10.1039/c0jm00866d
Alexis Laforgue creates electrically controlled colour-changing textiles suitable for clothing, active visual camouflage or interactive textiles.
A simple way of fabricating electrochromic textiles was developed by coating thermochromic inks on top of conductive electrospun nanofiber non-woven mats; the colour change is then triggered by the heat generated when applying a current through the mat.
Interested to know more? Read the full article here:
Hot Article: ‘Thermoreversible ionogels with tunable properties via aqueous gelation of an amphiphilic quaternary ammonium oligoether-based ionic liquid’ by Josep Casamada Ribot, Carlos Guerrero-Sanchez, Richard Hoogenboom and Ulrich S. Schubert.
The aqueous gelation of a quaternary ammonium oligoether-based ionic liquid yields thermoreversible ionogels with tunable and enhanced physical properties. Read the full article here:
There’s an interesting interview with Zhenan Bao in Highlights in Chemical Technology. Zhenan Bao is tipped to be one of the great innovators of the 21st century. Joanne Thomson finds out what inspires her to succeed.
You can also read Zhenan Bao’s recent review in Journal of Materials Chemistry on ‘Fused aromatic thienopyrazines: structure, properties and function’.
Ivo B. Rietveld’s latest paper ‘Electrospray induced ferroelectricity in poly(vinylidene fluoride) thin films’ was selected as a hot article in Journal of Materials Chemistry.
Electrospray deposition of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) allows control over the level of ferroelectricity in thin film. It is a single-step procedure involving deposition, β-phase formation and poling. The extent of β-phase formation and poling depends on the ratio of ion current and PVDF concentration and on spray time. Read the full article here:
Why not submit your own exciting research to Journal of Materials Chemistry?
Submit your best work to this high profile themed issue with Guest Editors Dmitri Talapin and Professor Yadong Yin.
Journal of Materials Chemistry is delighted to announce a high-profile themed issue on the Chemical Transformations of Nanoparticles to be published in 2011. The guest editors of the issue will be Professor Dmitri Talapin (University of Chicago, USA) and Professor Yadong Yin (University of California, Riverside, USA).
Journal of Materials Chemistry has published several themed issues on other important emerging topics in recent years, and it now seems particularly timely to publish a focused set of articles covering the Chemical Transformations of Nanoparticles. The key aim is to highlight the most important areas and directions in this field within a high quality and high impact issue.
The deadline for the receipt of manuscripts for this themed issue is: 25th January 2011.
Submissions, either communications or full papers, should be high-quality manuscripts of original, unpublished research, containing important new insight. All submissions will be subject to rigorous peer review to meet the usual high standards of Journal of Materials Chemistry.
Manuscripts can be submitted using our online submission service. Please indicate on you submission letter that your manuscript is submitted in response to the call for papers for the Chemical Transformations of Nanoparticles themed issue.
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