1
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Maniam S, Skidmore M, Leeke GA, Collis GE. Solar Cell Enhancement from Supercritical CO 2 Dye Surface Modification of Mesoporous TiO 2 Photoanodes. CHEMSUSCHEM 2024:e202400560. [PMID: 38772861 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202400560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, in an effort to reach Net Zero Emissions, there has been growing interest by various academic and industry communities to develop chemicals and industrial processes that are circular, sustainable and green. We report the rapid, simple and effective surface modification of a porous metal oxide with organic dyes using supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2). Titanium dioxide (TiO2) photoanodes were coated in very short times, under mild conditions and the excess dye recovered afterwards for reuse. The process obviates the need for conventional toxic solvents, the generation of unwanted waste streams, and more importantly, we see an unexpected device performance enhancement of 212 and 163 % for TerCOOTMS, 2 a and TerCN/COOTBDMS, 4 dyes, respectively, when compared to the conventional solvent deposition method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subashani Maniam
- Manufacturing, Advanced Materials and Processes, CSIRO, Clayton South, Victoria, 3168, Australia
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3001, Australia
| | - Melissa Skidmore
- Manufacturing, Advanced Materials and Processes, CSIRO, Clayton South, Victoria, 3168, Australia
| | - Gary A Leeke
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Gavin E Collis
- Manufacturing, Advanced Materials and Processes, CSIRO, Clayton South, Victoria, 3168, Australia
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2
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Bhartia B, Jayaraman S, Troadec C, Madapusi SP, Puniredd SR. Grafting of Organophosphonic Acid Monolayers on Hydrogen-Terminated Silicon Surface and Secondary Functionalization in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Media. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:12063-12074. [PMID: 37581455 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c01278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
The monolayer grafting on the oxide-free Si surface is challenging due to vulnerability of the surface against oxide formation in an ambient atmosphere. Most of the conventional studies focused on organic solvent-based chemistry and solvent and substrate interfaces, and residual solvents after the monolayer grafting play a key role in producing the highly stable monolayers. CO2 in its supercritical state (SCCO2) provides an elegant engineering solution for the problem faced as it can be used as inert processing environment and as carrier fluid for monolayer grafting taking up the role of organic solvents. In this work, monolayers of alkyl organophosphonic acids (OPAs) and functional OPAs were grafted on hydrogen-terminated oxide-free Si surfaces using the SCCO2 process. Grafted monolayers were physically and chemically characterized to verify the successful monolayer formation and determine the nature of the covalent binding configuration on the surface. To broaden the prospects of practical utility of the process and the OPA monolayer, the (3-bromopropyl)phosphonic acid (BPPA) monolayer was demonstrated to undergo secondary functionalization by terminal group substitution to convert the Br terminal group to the OH terminal group and secondary monolayer grafting to assemble 4-fluorothiophenol on top of the BPPA monolayer. The ability of monolayers to sustain secondary functionalization processing qualitatively hints toward ordered and stable monolayers of OPAs. The developed SCCO2 process in this work presents a single-step, green, and scalable method to graft the OPA monolayer on oxide-free Si which can employed in the future for monolayer doping, highly selective biochemical sensors, and targeted biological interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhavesh Bhartia
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, #08-3, Singapore 138634, Republic of Singapore
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore,4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore 117585, Republic of Singapore
| | - Sundaramurthy Jayaraman
- YSQ International Pte Ltd, 401 Commonwealth Drive, #07-01, Singapore 149598, Republic of Singapore
| | - Cedric Troadec
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, #08-3, Singapore 138634, Republic of Singapore
| | - Srinivasan Palavedu Madapusi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus, Dubai International Academic City, P.O. Box No. 345055, Dubai 500001, UAE
| | - Sreenivasa Reddy Puniredd
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, #08-3, Singapore 138634, Republic of Singapore
- Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation (SIFBI), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 31 Biopolis Way, Nanos, #01-02, Singapore 138669, Republic of Singapore
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3
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Bhartia B, Das S, Jayaraman S, Sharma M, Ting YP, Troadec C, Madapusi SP, Puniredd SR. Universal Single-Step Approach to the Immobilization of Cyclodextrins in a Supercritical Medium for Capturing Drug, Dye, and Metal Nanoclusters. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023. [PMID: 37379523 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c01143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
By utilizing nanoreactor-like structures, the immobilization of macromolecules such as calixarenes and cyclodextrins (CD) with bucket-like structures provides new possibilities for engineered surface-molecule systems. The practical use of any molecular system depends on the availability of a universal procedure for immobilizing molecules with torus-like structures on various surfaces while maintaining identical operating parameters. There are currently several steps, including toxic solvent-based approaches using modified β-CD to covalently attach to surfaces with multistep reactions. However, the existing multistep process results in molecular orientation, restricts the accessibility of the hydrophobic barrel of β-CD's for practical use, and is effectively unable to use the surfaces immobilized with β-CD for a variety of applications. In this study, it was demonstrated that β-CD attached to the oxide-based semiconductor and metal surfaces through a condensation reaction between the hydroxyl-terminated oxide-based semiconductor/metal oxide and β-CD in supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2) as a medium. The primary benefit of SCCO2-assisted grafting of unmodified β-CD on various oxide-based metal and semiconductor surfaces is that it is a simple, efficient, one-step process and that it is ligand-free, scalable, substrate-independent, and uses minimal energy. Various physical microscopy and chemical spectroscopic methods were used to analyze the grafted β-CD oligomers. The application of the grafted β-CD films was demonstrated by the immobilization of rhodamine B (RhB), a dye, and dopamine, a drug. The in situ nucleation and growth of silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) in the molecular systems were studied for antibacterial and tribological properties by utilizing the guest-host interaction ability of β-CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhavesh Bhartia
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, #08-32, Singapore 138634, Singapore
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore,4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore 117585, Singapore
| | - Subhabrata Das
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore,4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore 117585, Singapore
| | | | - Mohit Sharma
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, #08-32, Singapore 138634, Singapore
| | - Yen Peng Ting
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore,4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore 117585, Singapore
| | - Cedric Troadec
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, #08-32, Singapore 138634, Singapore
| | - Srinivasan Palavedu Madapusi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus, Dubai International Academic City, P.O. Box No. 345055, Dubai, UAE
| | - Sreenivasa Reddy Puniredd
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, #08-32, Singapore 138634, Singapore
- Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation (SIFBI), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Nanos Level 6, Singapore 138669, Singapore
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4
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Reimers JR, Yang J, Darwish N, Kosov DS. Silicon - single molecule - silicon circuits. Chem Sci 2021; 12:15870-15881. [PMID: 35024111 PMCID: PMC8672724 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc04943g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2020, silicon - molecule - silicon junctions were fabricated and shown to be on average one third as conductive as traditional junctions made using gold electrodes, but in some instances to be even more conductive, and significantly 3 times more extendable and 5 times more mechanically stable. Herein, calculations are performed of single-molecule junction structure and conductivity pertaining to blinking and scanning-tunnelling-microscopy (STM) break junction (STMBJ) experiments performed using chemisorbed 1,6-hexanedithiol linkers. Some strikingly different characteristics are found compared to analogous junctions formed using the metals which, to date, have dominated the field of molecular electronics. In the STMBJ experiment, following retraction of the STM tip after collision with the substrate, unterminated silicon surface dangling bonds are predicted to remain after reaction of the fresh tips with the dithiol solute. These dangling bonds occupy the silicon band gap and are predicted to facilitate extraordinary single-molecule conductivity. Enhanced junction extendibility is attributed to junction flexibility and the translation of adsorbed molecules between silicon dangling bonds. The calculations investigate a range of junction atomic-structural models using density-functional-theory (DFT) calculations of structure, often explored at 300 K using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. These are aided by DFT calculations of barriers for passivation reactions of the dangling bonds. Thermally averaged conductivities are then evaluated using non-equilibrium Green's function (NEGF) methods. Countless applications through electronics, nanotechnology, photonics, and sensing are envisaged for this technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey R Reimers
- International Centre for Quantum and Molecular Structures and School of Physics, Shanghai University Shanghai 200444 China
- School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney NSW 2007 Australia
| | - Junhao Yang
- International Centre for Quantum and Molecular Structures and School of Physics, Shanghai University Shanghai 200444 China
| | - Nadim Darwish
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin Institute of Functional Molecules and Interfaces, Curtin University Bentley WA 6102 Australia
| | - Daniel S Kosov
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University Townsville QLD 4811 Australia
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5
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Garvey S, Holmes JD, Kim YS, Long B. Vapor-Phase Passivation of Chlorine-Terminated Ge(100) Using Self-Assembled Monolayers of Hexanethiol. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:29899-29907. [PMID: 32501666 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c02548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Continued scaling of electronic devices shows the need to incorporate high mobility alternatives to silicon, the cornerstone of the semiconductor industry, into modern field effect transistor (FET) devices. Germanium is well-poised to serve as the channel material in FET devices as it boasts an electron and hole mobility more than twice and four times that of Si, respectively. However, its unstable native oxide makes its passivation a crucial step toward its potential integration into future FETs. The International Roadmap for Devices and Systems (IRDS) predicts continued aggressive scaling not only of the device size but also of the pitch in nanowire arrays. The development of a vapor-phase chemical passivation technique will be required to prevent the collapse of these structures that can occur because of the surface tension and capillary forces that are experienced when tight-pitched nanowire arrays are processed via liquid-phase chemistry. Reported here is a vapor-phase process using hexanethiol for the passivation of planar Ge(100) substrates. Results benchmarking it against its well-established liquid-phase equivalent are also presented. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to monitor the effectiveness of the developed vapor-phase protocol, where the presence of oxide was monitored at 0, 24, and 168 h. Water contact angle measurements compliment these results by demonstrating an increase in hydrophobicity of the passivated substrates. Atomic force microscopy monitored the surface topology before and after processing to ensure the process does not cause roughening of the surface, which is critical to demonstrate suitability for nanostructures. It is shown that the 200 min vapor-phase passivation procedure generates stable, passivated surfaces with less roughness than the liquid-phase counterpart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane Garvey
- School of Chemistry & AMBER Centre, University College Cork, Cork T12 YN60, Ireland
- Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork, Cork T12 R5CP, Ireland
| | - Justin D Holmes
- School of Chemistry & AMBER Centre, University College Cork, Cork T12 YN60, Ireland
| | - Y S Kim
- Lam Research Corp., Fremont, California 94538, United States
| | - Brenda Long
- School of Chemistry & AMBER Centre, University College Cork, Cork T12 YN60, Ireland
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6
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Zizovic I. Supercritical Fluid Applications in the Design of Novel Antimicrobial Materials. Molecules 2020; 25:E2491. [PMID: 32471270 PMCID: PMC7321342 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25112491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is one of the biggest problems in the modern world. The prevention of bacterial spreading from hospitals to the community and vice versa is an issue we have to deal with. This review presents a vast potential of contemporary high-pressure techniques in the design of materials with antimicrobial activity. Scientists from all over the world came up with ideas on how to exploit extraordinary properties of supercritical fluids in the production of advantageous materials in an environmentally friendly way. The review summarizes reported methods and results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irena Zizovic
- Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeze Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland
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7
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Peiris CR, Ciampi S, Dief EM, Zhang J, Canfield PJ, Le Brun AP, Kosov DS, Reimers JR, Darwish N. Spontaneous S-Si bonding of alkanethiols to Si(111)-H: towards Si-molecule-Si circuits. Chem Sci 2020; 11:5246-5256. [PMID: 34122981 PMCID: PMC8159313 DOI: 10.1039/d0sc01073a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the synthesis of covalently linked self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on silicon surfaces, using mild conditions, in a way that is compatible with silicon-electronics fabrication technologies. In molecular electronics, SAMs of functional molecules tethered to gold via sulfur linkages dominate, but these devices are not robust in design and not amenable to scalable manufacture. Whereas covalent bonding to silicon has long been recognized as an attractive alternative, only formation processes involving high temperature and/or pressure, strong chemicals, or irradiation are known. To make molecular devices on silicon under mild conditions with properties reminiscent of Au–S ones, we exploit the susceptibility of thiols to oxidation by dissolved O2, initiating free-radical polymerization mechanisms without causing oxidative damage to the surface. Without thiols present, dissolved O2 would normally oxidize the silicon and hence reaction conditions such as these have been strenuously avoided in the past. The surface coverage on Si(111)–H is measured to be very high, 75% of a full monolayer, with density-functional theory calculations used to profile spontaneous reaction mechanisms. The impact of the Si–S chemistry in single-molecule electronics is demonstrated using STM-junction approaches by forming Si–hexanedithiol–Si junctions. Si–S contacts result in single-molecule wires that are mechanically stable, with an average lifetime at room temperature of 2.7 s, which is five folds higher than that reported for conventional molecular junctions formed between gold electrodes. The enhanced “ON” lifetime of this single-molecule circuit enables previously inaccessible electrical measurements on single molecules. Spontaneously formed Si–S bonds enable monolayer and single-molecule Si–molecule–Si circuits.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandramalika R Peiris
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin Institute of Functional Molecules and Interfaces, Curtin University Bentley WA 6102 Australia
| | - Simone Ciampi
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin Institute of Functional Molecules and Interfaces, Curtin University Bentley WA 6102 Australia
| | - Essam M Dief
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin Institute of Functional Molecules and Interfaces, Curtin University Bentley WA 6102 Australia
| | - Jinyang Zhang
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin Institute of Functional Molecules and Interfaces, Curtin University Bentley WA 6102 Australia
| | - Peter J Canfield
- International Centre for Quantum and Molecular Structures, School of Physics, Shanghai University Shanghai 200444 China.,School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney NSW 2006 Australia
| | - Anton P Le Brun
- Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO) Lucas Heights NSW 2234 Australia
| | - Daniel S Kosov
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University Townsville QLD 4811 Australia
| | - Jeffrey R Reimers
- International Centre for Quantum and Molecular Structures, School of Physics, Shanghai University Shanghai 200444 China.,School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney NSW 2007 Australia
| | - Nadim Darwish
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin Institute of Functional Molecules and Interfaces, Curtin University Bentley WA 6102 Australia
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8
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Yang N, Li W, Dong L. Modification of a H-terminated silicon surface by organic sulfide molecules: the mechanism and origin of reactivity. NEW J CHEM 2020. [DOI: 10.1039/c9nj06115k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
For the reactions of disulfide molecules (RSSR), the steric effect rather than the electronic effect of the R group is the main origin of the different reactivity. In the reactions of sulfide molecules (RSXR′, X = S, P, Si, O, N, C), charges on the S atom and dissociation energies of the S–X bonds have a great impact on the reactivity of these reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Yang
- Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry
- China Academy of Engineering Physics
- Mianyang
- P. R. China
| | - Weiyi Li
- School of Science, Xihua University
- Chengdu
- P. R. China
| | - Liang Dong
- Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry
- China Academy of Engineering Physics
- Mianyang
- P. R. China
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9
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Chang LY, Kuo YC, Shiu HW, Wang CH, Lee YC, Yang YW, Gwo S, Chen CH. n-Alkanethiols Directly Grown on a Bare Si(111) Surface: From Disordered to Ordered Transition. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2017; 33:14244-14251. [PMID: 29148786 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b03302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We observed the growth phase transition of n-alkanethiols (AT), CH3(CH2)n-1SH, n = 4-16, directly implanted on a bare Si(111) surface, forming an AT monolayer. These monolayers were characterized with static water-contact angle, high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, near-edge X-ray fine-structure spectroscopy, and grazing-angle reflection absorption Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The integrated spectral results indicated that the implanted n-AT molecules formed a self-oriented and densely packed monolayer through formation of an S-Si bond. With the number of carbons in the alkyl chain at six or more, namely beginning at hexanethiol, the molecular monolayer began to develop an orientation-ordered structure, which is clearly shorter than that for AT monolayers on Au and Ag. This result implies that, with a stronger molecule-substrate interaction, an ordered molecular monolayer can form with a short chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lo Yueh Chang
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center , Hsinchu, 30076, Taiwan
- Department of Physics, National Tsing Hua University , Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Chien Kuo
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center , Hsinchu, 30076, Taiwan
| | - Hung Wei Shiu
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center , Hsinchu, 30076, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hsin Wang
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center , Hsinchu, 30076, Taiwan
| | - Yao-Chang Lee
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center , Hsinchu, 30076, Taiwan
| | - Yaw-Wen Yang
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center , Hsinchu, 30076, Taiwan
| | - Shangjr Gwo
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center , Hsinchu, 30076, Taiwan
- Department of Physics, National Tsing Hua University , Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hao Chen
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center , Hsinchu, 30076, Taiwan
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10
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Marinins A, Zandi Shafagh R, van der Wijngaart W, Haraldsson T, Linnros J, Veinot JGC, Popov S, Sychugov I. Light-Converting Polymer/Si Nanocrystal Composites with Stable 60-70% Quantum Efficiency and Their Glass Laminates. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2017; 9:30267-30272. [PMID: 28853276 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b09265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Thiol-ene polymer/Si nanocrystal bulk hybrids were synthesized from alkyl-passivated Si nanocrystal (Si NC) toluene solutions. Radicals in the polymer provided a copassivation of "dark" Si NCs, making them optically active and leading to a substantial ensemble quantum yield increase. Optical stability over several months was confirmed. The presented materials exhibit the highest photoluminescence quantum yield (∼65%) of any solid-state Si NC hybrid reported to date. The broad tunability of thiol-ene polymer reactivity provides facile glass integration, as demonstrated by a laminated structure. This, together with extremely fast polymerization, makes the demonstrated hybrid material a promising candidate for light converting applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandrs Marinins
- Department of Applied Physics, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology , 16440 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Reza Zandi Shafagh
- Department of Micro and Nanosystems, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology , 10044 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Wouter van der Wijngaart
- Department of Micro and Nanosystems, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology , 10044 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tommy Haraldsson
- Department of Micro and Nanosystems, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology , 10044 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jan Linnros
- Department of Applied Physics, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology , 16440 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonathan G C Veinot
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta , Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G2, Canada
| | - Sergei Popov
- Department of Applied Physics, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology , 16440 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ilya Sychugov
- Department of Applied Physics, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology , 16440 Stockholm, Sweden
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11
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Du G, Peng J, Zhang Y, Zhang H, Lü J, Fang Y. One-Step Synthesis of Hydrophobic Multicompartment Organosilica Microspheres with Highly Interconnected Macro-mesopores for the Stabilization of Liquid Marbles with Excellent Catalysis. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2017; 33:5223-5235. [PMID: 28489386 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b00346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The combination of an emulsion template with polymerization is a very convenient approach to the one-step realization of both simple control porous structures via a change in emulsion formulation and easy functionalization via the concomitant choice of an on-demand monomer. A major challenge of this approach is the inherent instability of the oil/water interface in emulsions, especially the occurrence of chemical reactions in oil or aqueous phases. This study reports the pioneering preparation of highly interconnected macro-mesopores and multicompartment (HIMC) vinyl organosilica microspheres with hydrophobicity by the one-step formation of W/O/W emulsions acting as a template. The emulsion system consists of acidified deionized water, a stabilizer, and vinyltriethoxysilane (VTEO) in which VTEO can be used to produce an organosilica skeleton of the resultant microsphere by a sol-gel process. The study demonstrated that the marvelous stability of W/O/W emulsions aids the formation of multicompartment organosilica microspheres with highly interconnected macro-mesopores by emulsion droplets rather than single-compartment (SC) microspheres. Meanwhile, the internal porous structure and surface morphology of as-prepared organosilica microspheres could be largely tuned by a simple variation of the pH value, the volume fraction of the water phase, and the stabilizer concentration in the initiating multiemulsions. Benefiting from such a well-orchestrated structure and the existence of numerous vinyl groups on the surface, HIMC organosilica microspheres exhibit very high hydrophobicity (with a water contact angle larger than 160°), which allows them to stabilize liquid marbles with excellent stability and high mechanical robustness. Because of its strong catalyst, Ag nanoparticles within HIMC organosilica microspheres enable Ag/HIMC-vinyl organosilica microsphere-based liquid marbles to be an efficient catalytic microreactor, realizing the complete degradation of MB to leuco methylene blue by NaBH4 in 10 min. The result of this work could provide some guidance for the easy, low-cost, benign preparation of HIMC microspheres having the potential to be excellent supporter of metal nanoparticles or other functionalized compounds for applications in sensing, optoelectronics, and catalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanqun Du
- Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University , Xi'an 710119, P. R. China
| | - Junxia Peng
- Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University , Xi'an 710119, P. R. China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University , Xi'an 710119, P. R. China
| | - Hongxia Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University , Xi'an 710119, P. R. China
| | - Jieli Lü
- Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University , Xi'an 710119, P. R. China
| | - Yu Fang
- Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University , Xi'an 710119, P. R. China
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