A rapid response photochromic diarylethene material for rewritable holographic data storage

Synthesis and Photochromic Properties of Diaryl [5]Helicene Derivatives

Photoinduced tuning of aromaticity and correlative molecular properties has attracted enormous interest in recent years both for modulating photochromism properties and designing novel photochromic materials. Here, we report the synthesis and photochemical characterization of diaryl[5]helicene-based diarylethene molecular switches. 3,4-Bis(2,4-dimethyl-5-phenylthiophen-3-yl)dibenzo[c,g]phenanthrene derivative 1 a showed no photochromic reaction, whereas 3,4-bis(2-methyl-5-phenylthiophen-3-yl)dibenzo[c,g]phenanthrene derivative 2 a and 3,4-bis(5-methyl-2-phenylthiazol-4-yl)dibenzo[c,g]phenanthrene derivative 3 a exhibited reversible photochromism in different aprotic solvents with specific light irradiation. Meanwhile, the diarylethene compounds 2 a and 3 a underwent turn-off mode fluorescence photoswitching together with photoisomerization upon light irradiation. Remarkably, the photoinduced changes in the aromaticity of [5]helicene as a central ethene bridge along with the relative smaller activation energy and higher frequency factor facilitated the thermal bleaching rates of diarylethene switches 2 and 3 in solution. This research provides new insight for designing aromatic diarylethene photoswitches for reversible fluorescence switching, photoinduced changes in aromaticity and further fast thermal back reactions.

Effect of exogenous ammonium gluconate on growth, ion flux and antioxidant enzymes of maize (Zea Mays L.) seedlings under NaCl stress

Ammonium gluconate (AG) provides both an organic carbon source and a nitrogen source, which can positively improve soil fertility and delay soil degradation. We investigated the underlying mechanisms of both NH₄ ⁺ - and C₆ H₁₁ O₇ ^- -mediated resistance to high salt concentrations in maize (Zea mays L.), and how they relate to antioxidant cellular machinery, root system architecture, root activity and lignin content in roots. Seedlings treated with AG maintained lower Na⁺ content, higher chlorophyll content, higher CAT and POD activity, compared with those without AG and ammonium carbonate (AC). The total size of the root system, primary root length and number of lateral roots detected on the primary root treated with AG decreased compared with those not treated with AG at the same NaCl concentration. However, average root diameter and root activity when treated with AG were significantly higher than roots without AG at the same NaCl concentration. Furthermore, total size of the root system, primary root length and number of lateral roots detected on primary rootsof seedlings treated with AG were higher than those treated with AC at the same NaCl concentration. These results suggested that AG may be a good organic fertiliser under salt stress by decreasing Na⁺ content and increasing chlorophyll content, activity of antioxidant enzymes, root diameter and root activity in maize seedlings.

A Photochromic Copolymer Hydrogel Contact Lens: From Synthesis to Application

A photochromic poly(2-hydroxyl-ethyl methacrylate-N-vinylpyrrolidone-spironaphthoxazine) hydrogel (p(HEMA-NVP-SPO)) has been designed and synthesized by free radical polymerization in this work. The chemical and structural information of hydrogels was investigated by IR spectra, equilibrium water content (EWC), and SEM. The IR spectra confirmed successful synthesis of copolymer. The domain of NVP contributed to not only EWC but also inner structure of hydrogel, while SPO had little influence on these properties of hydrogel. The photochromic behaviors of hydrogel including photochromic properties and thermal fading kinetics were systematically studied and compared with hydrogel made by immersing method. Results showed that when SPO was incorporated in hydrogel by polymerization, maximum absorbance wavelength got shorter, and the relaxation half-life became longer. In addition, salicylic acid as a drug model could be loaded into hydrogel by immersing method, and its sustained drug release in a given period was dependent on the characteristics of solution and loading time.