CdS-polymer nanocomposites and light-emitting fibers by in situ electron-beam synthesis and lithography

A straightforward, electron-beam induced synthesis and patterning approach to the in situ generation of CdS nanocrystals in nanocomposite films and light-emitting electrospun nanofibers is used. Smartly combining room-temperature nanoimprinting, electrospinning, and electron-beam decomposition of nanocrystal precursors and subsequent nucleation of nanoparticles in a polymer matrix allows exploitation of the most favorable flow conditions of organics to produce various nanocomposite nanostructures.

A polyferroplatinyne precursor for the rapid fabrication of L1(0) -FePt-type bit patterned media by nanoimprint lithography

A polyferroplatinyne polymer can be patterned on the surface of Si wafer in ordered nanoline or nanodot shapes with PDMS molds through nanoimprint lithography (NIL), and subsequent thermal treatment gives rise to the nanopatterned arrays of L1(0) -FePt nanoparticles with the same periodicities. The method offers excellent potential to be utilized in the simple and rapid fabrication of bit patterned media for magnetic data recording.

Functional soft materials from metallopolymers and metallosupramolecular polymers

Synthetic polymers containing metal centres are emerging as an interesting and broad class of easily processable materials with properties and functions that complement those of state-of-the-art organic macromolecular materials. A diverse range of different metal centres can be harnessed to tune macromolecular properties, from transition- and main-group metals to lanthanides. Moreover, the linkages that bind the metal centres can vary almost continuously from strong, essentially covalent bonds that lead to irreversible or 'static' binding of the metal to weak and labile, non-covalent coordination interactions that allow for reversible, 'dynamic' or 'metallosupramolecular', binding. Here we review recent advances and challenges in the field and illustrate developments towards applications as emissive and photovoltaic materials; as optical limiters; in nanoelectronics, information storage, nanopatterning and sensing; as macromolecular catalysts and artificial enzymes; and as stimuli-responsive materials. We focus on materials in which the metal centres provide function; although they can also play a structural role, systems where this is solely their purpose have not been discussed.

A universal approach for template-directed assembly of ultrahigh density magnetic nanodot arrays

L1(0) ordered alloys, such as FePt, CoPt and FePd alloys with high magnetocrystalline anisotropy, have attracted much attention due to their potential applications in ultrahigh density data storage. The assembly or organization of nanoparticle arrays is necessary for device application. A facile and general method to fabricate highly ordered ferromagnetic nanostructure arrays was demonstrated. It is found that simple oxygen plasma can make a hydrophilic polymer template, which would easily integrate with the widely used spin-coating process. With simple block copolymer lithography and spin-coating process, uniform ferromagnetic nanoparticle arrays can be easily fabricated over a large area. It is also significant that a very high coercivity up to 10 kOe was obtained in CoPt nanodot arrays. This method can find attractive applications in ultrahigh density storage media.

Recent Progress on the Photonic Properties of Conjugated Organometallic Polymers Built Upon the trans-Bis(para-ethynylbenzene)bis(phosphine)platinum(II) Chromophore and Related Derivatives

This review article surveys the electronic and photophysical properties of conjugated organometallic polymers built upon the title compound and its related derivatives focussing primarily on systems investigated in our laboratories. The general structure of the polymers is (trans-bis(para-ethynylbenzene)bis(phosphine)platinum(II)-G)(n) where G is a conjugated group such as thiophene, fluorene, carbazole, substituted silole, quinone derivative, and metalloporphyrin residue, or a non-conjugated main-group moiety. Systems based on substituted phenylene units and other related fused rings are also discussed. The phosphine ligands are generally triethyl- or tri-n-butylphosphine groups. These trans-platinum(II) polymers and the corresponding model compounds are compared to the corresponding ortho-derivatives in the quinone series, and the newly prepared paracyclophane-containing polymers. For the porphyrin series, a comparison of fully conjugated oligomers exhibiting the general structure (trans-bis(para-ethynyl(zinc(porphyrin)))bis(phosphine)platinum(II))(n) (i.e., the C(6) H(4) group is absent from the main chain) will be made. This contribution also includes a description of the properties of the mononuclear chromophore itself, properties that define those of the polymers. Potential applications with regard to electronic and optical devices will be highlighted. These soluble and stable materials feature both the processing advantages of polymers and the functionality provided by the presence of metal centers. These multifunctional organometallic polyyne polymers exhibit convenient structural variability as well as optical and electronic properties, which renders them important for use in different research domains as chemical sensors and sensor protectors, as converters for light/electricity signals, and as patternable precursors to magnetic metal alloy nanoparticles.