Efficient Fluorescence “Turn-On” Sensing of Dissolved Oxygen by Electrochemical Switching

Poly(vinylidenefluoride) polymers and copolymers as versatile hosts for luminescent solar concentrators: compositional tuning for enhanced performance

Novel host matrices based on fluoropolymers blended with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) are presented in this work for application in efficient and photochemically stable thin-film luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs). These systems consist of blends of PMMA with three different partially fluorinated polymers in different proportions: polyvinylidenefluoride homopolymer, a copolymer of vinylidenefluoride and chloro-trifluoro-ethylene, and a terpolymer of vinylidenefluoride, hexafluoropropylene and hydroxyl-ethyl acetate. A detailed chemical, physical and structural characterization of the obtained materials allowed us to shed light on the structure–property relationships underlying the response of such blends as a LSC component, revealing the effect of the degree of crystallinity of the polymers on their functional characteristics. An optimization study of the optical and photovoltaic (PV) performance of these fluoropolymer-based LSC systems was carried out by investigating the effect of blend chemical composition, luminophore concentration and film thickness on LSC device output. LSCs featuring copolymer/PMMA blends as the host matrix were found to outperform their homopolymer- and terpolymer-based blend counterparts, attaining efficiencies comparable to those of reference PMMA-based LSC/PV assemblies. All optimized LSC systems were subjected to weathering tests for over 1000 h of continuous light exposure to evaluate the effect of the host matrix system on LSC performance decline and to correlate chemical composition with photochemical durability. It was found that all fluoropolymer/PMMA-based LSCs outperformed reference PMMA-based LSCs in terms of long-term operational lifetime. This work provides the first demonstration of thermoplastic fluoropolymer/PMMA blends for application as host matrices in efficient and stable LSCs and widens the scope of high-performance thermoplastic materials for the PV field.

Novel fluoropolymer–polymethylmethacrylate blends used as host matrices in luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) are presented. Fluoropolymer/PMMA-based LSC efficiency is comparable to that of PMMA-based LSCs and is stable over 1000 h of aging test.

Oxygen sensitive 1-amino-2-naphthol immobilized functionalized-carbon nanotube electrode

Immobilization of 1-amino-2napthol (AN) is enhanced complexing with Cu²⁺ on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNT) surface. Oxygen is reduced at the ligand (AN) site into water, therefore AN–Cu²⁺ immobilized on MWCNT exhibits oxygen sensing.

A novel fluorescent adhesive-assisted biomimetic mineralization

We propose a novel fluorescent adhesive-assisted biomimetic mineralization strategy, based on which 1 wt% of sodium fluorescein and 25 wt% of polyacrylic acid stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate (PAA-ACP) nanoparticles were incorporated into a mild self-etch adhesive (Clearfil S3 Bond) as a fluorescent mineralizing adhesive. The characterization of the PAA-ACP nanoparticles indicates that they were spherical particles clustered together, each particle with a diameter of approximately 20-50 nm, in a metastable phase with two characteristic absorption peaks (1050 cm-1 and 580 cm-1). Our results suggest that the fluorescent mineralizing adhesive was non-cytotoxic with minimal esthetic interference and its fluorescence intensity did not significantly decrease within 6 months. Our data reveal that the fluorescent mineralizing adhesive could induce the extra- and intra-fibrillar remineralization of the reconstituted type I collagen, the demineralized enamel and dentin substrate. Our data demonstrate that a novel fluorescent adhesive-assisted biomimetic mineralization strategy will pave the way to design and produce anti-carious materials for the prevention of dental caries.

Tuning the formation of reductive species of perylene-bisimide derivatives in DMF via aggregation matter

Host-guest interaction and chemical modification are found to be effective in tuning the formation of reductive species of perylene-bisimide (PBI) derivatives in DMF. Moreover, some of the PBI derivatives as synthesized produce radical anions in the solvent without the need of a base.

Base-driven keto–enol anion tautomerism of a perylene diimide derivative in DMF solution

A perylene diimide derivative (d-THBPDI) containing twisted heptatomic biphenyl substituents in the bay positions exhibited base (hydrazine, 1,2-ethylenediamine, triethylamine and K₂CO₃)-driven keto–enol anion tautomerism in DMF solution.

Superhydrophobic porous surfaces: dissolved oxygen sensing

Porous polymer films are necessary for dissolved gas sensor applications that combine high sensitivity with selectivity. This report describes a greatly enhanced dissolved oxygen sensor system consisting of amphiphilic acrylamide-based polymers: poly(N-(1H, 1H-pentadecafluorooctyl)-methacrylamide) (pC7F15MAA) and poly(N-dodecylacrylamide-co-5- [4-(2-methacryloyloxyethoxy-carbonyl)phenyl]-10,15,20-triphenylporphinato platinum(II)) (p(DDA/PtTPP)). The nanoparticle formation capability ensures both superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle greater than 160° and gas permeability so that molecular oxygen enters the film from water. The film was prepared by casting a mixed solution of pC7F15MAA and p(DDA/PtTPP) with AK-225 and acetic acid onto a solid substrate. The film has a porous structure comprising nanoparticle assemblies with diameters of several hundred nanometers. The film shows exceptional performance as the oxygen sensitivity reaches 126: the intensity ratio at two oxygen concentrations (I0/I40) respectively corresponding to dissolved oxygen concentration 0 and 40 (mg L(-1)). Understanding and controlling porous nanostructures are expected to provide opportunities for making selective penetration/separation of molecules occurring at the superhydrophobic surface.

1,7-Bis-(N,N-dialkylamino)perylene Bisimides: Facile Synthesis and Characterization as Near-Infrared Fluorescent Dyes

Three symmetric alkylamino-substituted perylene bisimides with different n-alkyl chain lengths (n = 6, 12, or 18), 1,7-bis-(N,N-dialkylamino)perylene bisimides (1a–1c), were synthesized under mild condition and were characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and high resolution mass spectroscopy. Their optical and electrochemical properties were measured using UV-Vis and emission spectroscopic techniques as well as cyclic voltammetry (CV). These compounds show deep green color in both solution and solid state, and are highly soluble in dichloromethane and even in nonpolar solvents such as hexane. The shapes of the absorption spectra of 1a–1c in the solution and solid state were found to be almost the same, indicating that the long alkyl chains could efficiently prevent intermolecular contact and aggregation. They show a unique charge transfer emission in the near-infrared region, of which the peak wavelengths exhibit strong solvatochromism. The dipole moments of the molecules have been estimated using the Lippert–Mataga equation, and upon excitation, they show larger dipole moment changes than that of 1,7-diaminoperylene bisimide (2). Moreover, all the dyes exhibit two irreversible one-electron oxidations and two quasi-reversible one-electron reductions in dichloromethane at modest potentials. Complementary density functional theory calculations performed on these chromophores are reported in order to rationalize their electronic structure and optical properties.

Visible-light-assisted photoelectrochemical water oxidation by thin films of a phosphonate-functionalized perylene diimide plus CoOx cocatalyst

A novel perylene diimide dye functionalized with phosphonate groups, N,N'-bis(phosphonomethyl)-3,4,9,10-perylenediimide (PMPDI), is synthesized and characterized. Thin films of PMPDI spin-coated onto indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates are further characterized, augmented by photoelectrochemically depositing a CoOx catalyst, and then investigated as photoanodes for water oxidation. These ITO/PMPDI/CoOx electrodes show visible-light-assisted water oxidation with photocurrents in excess of 150 μA/cm(2) at 1.0 V applied bias vs. Ag/AgCl. Water oxidation is confirmed by the direct detection of O2, with a faradaic efficiency of 80 ± 15% measured under 900 mV applied bias vs. Ag/AgCl. Analogous photoanodes prepared with another PDI derivative with alkyl groups in place of PMPDI's phosphonate groups do not function, providing evidence that PMPDI's phosphonate groups may be important for efficient coupling between the inorganic CoOx catalyst and the organic dye. Our ITO/PMPDI/CoOx anodes achieve internal quantum efficiencies for water oxidation ∼1%, and for hydroquinone oxidation of up to ∼6%. The novelty of our system is that, to the best of our knowledge, it is the first device to achieve photoelectrochemically driven water oxidation by a single-layer molecular organic semiconductor thin film coupled to a water-oxidation catalyst.

Green Perylene Bisimide Dyes: Synthesis, Photophysical and Electrochemical Properties

Three asymmetric amino-substituted perylene bisimide dyes with different n-alkyl chain lengths (n = 6, 12, or 18), 1-(N,N-dialkylamino)perylene bisimides (1a-1c), were synthesized under mild condition in high yields and were characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance), HRMS (High Resolution Mass Spectrometer), UV-Vis and fluorescence spectra, as well as cyclic voltammetry (CV). These molecules show intense green color in both solution and solid state and are highly soluble in dichloromethane and even in nonpolar solvents, such as hexane. The shapes of the absorption spectra of 1a-1c in solid state and in solution were found to be virtually the same, indicating that the long alkyl chains could efficiently prevent aggregation. They exhibit a unique charge transfer emission in the near-infrared region, of which the peak wavelengths show strong solvatochromism. The dipole moments of the compounds have been estimated using the Lippert-Mataga equation, and upon excitation, they show larger dipole moment changes than that of 1-aminoperylene bisimide (2). Furthermore, all of the compounds exhibit two quasi-reversible one-electron oxidations and two quasi-reversible one-electron reductions in dichloromethane at modest potentials. Complementary density functional theory (DFT) calculations performed on these dyes are reported in order to rationalize their molecular structures and electronic properties.

Optical methods for sensing and imaging oxygen: materials, spectroscopies and applications

We review the current state of optical methods for sensing oxygen. These have become powerful alternatives to electrochemical detection and in the process of replacing the Clark electrode in many fields. The article (with 694 references) is divided into main sections on direct spectroscopic sensing of oxygen, on absorptiometric and luminescent probes, on polymeric matrices and supports, on additives and related materials, on spectroscopic schemes for read-out and imaging, and on sensing formats (such as waveguide sensing, sensor arrays, multiple sensors and nanosensors). We finally discuss future trends and applications and summarize the properties of the most often used indicator probes and polymers. The ESI† (with 385 references) gives a selection of specific applications of such sensors in medicine, biology, marine and geosciences, intracellular sensing, aerodynamics, industry and biotechnology, among others.