Cylindrical Confinement of Nanocolloidal Cholesteric Liquid Crystal

The organization of nanocolloidal liquid crystals in constrained geometries has fundamental and practical importance, since under confinement, liquid crystals contain stable topological defects that can serve as templates for nanoparticle organization. Three-dimensional confinement of cholesteric (Ch) liquid crystals formed by cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have been extensively studied; however, their two-dimensional confinement remains under-investigated. Here, we report the results of systematic experimental studies of two-dimensional confinement of Ch-CNC liquid crystal in cylindrical capillaries with varying inner diameters. Confinement resulted in phase separation of the Ch-CNC liquid crystal into a Ch shell formed by concentric CNC pseudolayers with the helicoidal axis perpendicular to the inner surface of the capillary walls, and a micrometer-diameter isotropic core thread running parallel to the long axis of the capillary. The morphology of the confined Ch-CNC liquid crystal varied when progressively increasing the degree confinement. Finally, we show that phase separation of the Ch-CNC liquid crystal into a Ch shell and an isotropic core is preserved in flexible capillary tubing, suggesting the applicability of this system for the fabrication of flexible optical waveguides.

Selective grating obtained by dye microstructuration based on local photobleaching using a laser writer

We propose a method to pattern organic optically active materials based on local photobleaching for creating a wavelength-selective grating. Usually, photobleaching is considered a limitation for an organic emitter. Here, this property is exploited to locally suppress dye emission and absorption at the microscale with an abrupt interface and no changes in layer thickness. Periodic patterns were fabricated and exhibit diffraction only at a 590 nm wavelength with a spectral selectivity of 11 nm. Based on laser writer flexibility and efficiency, this study shows the potential of local photobleaching for applications such as wavelength-selective grating fabrication.

Uracil-doped DNA thin solid films: a new way to control optical dispersion of DNA film using a RNA constituent

Among five nucleobases, adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), thymine (T) and uracil (U), uracil is a key distinctive constituent existing only in ribonucleic acid (RNA). RNA shares the common A, G, and C with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) made of A-T, G-C hydrogen bonding. We explored a new attempt to combine uracil (U) with DNA, successfully realizing U-doped DNA thin solid films for the first time. Impacts of uracil on optical properties of the films were thoroughly investigated. The method was based on optimal spin-coating of an aqueous solution of DNA and uracil over silicon or silica substrates. Optical absorption of both aqueous solution and U-doped DNA thin solid films was characterized in a wide spectral range covering UV-visible-IR. Immobilization of uracil within DNA thin solid films was experimentally confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy studies. By using an ellipsometer, we measured the refractive indices of the films and discovered that U-doping was a very effective means to control optical dispersion DNA thin solid film. We further investigated thermo-optic behavior to find impacts of U-doping in DNA films. Detailed thin film processes and optical characterizations are discussed.

Copper-Catalyzed Regioselective C-H Sulfonyloxylation of Electron-Rich Arenes with p-Toluenesulfonic Acid and Sulfonyloxylation of Aryl(mesityl)iodonium Sulfonates

Copper-catalyzed regioselective C-H sulfonyloxylation of electron-rich arenes with p-toluenesulfonic acid has been developed. Electron-rich benzene derivatives and heteroarenes can undergo this C-H sulfonyloxylation reaction to generate aryl tosylates. Furthermore, sulfonyloxylation of aryl(mesityl)iodonium sulfonates has also been investigated. Both aryl(mesityl)iodonium tosylates and triflates can react smoothly to get aryl sulfonates. The formed aryl sulfonates can be converted to phenols, as well as used as good partners of cross-coupling reactions.

Laser-induced microstructuring of two-dimensional layered inorganic–organic perovskites

Non-contact bi-directional micropatterning of two-dimensional (2D) layered inorganic–organic (IO) perovskite [(R-NH₃)₂PbI₄, R = organic moiety] thin films by direct laser writing (DLW) has been reported.

Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Polymers as Adsorbents for Removal of Heavy Metal Ions from Solutions: A Review

Over the past decades, organic-inorganic hybrid polymers have been applied in different fields, including the adsorption of pollutants from wastewater and solid-state separations. In this review, firstly, these compounds are classified. These compounds are prepared by sol-gel method, self-assembly process (mesopores), assembling of nanobuilding blocks (e.g., layered or core-shell compounds) and as interpenetrating networks and hierarchically structures. Lastly, the adsorption characteristics of heavy metals of these materials, including different kinds of functional groups, selectivity of them for heavy metals, effect of pH and synthesis conditions on adsorption capacity, are studied.

Hybrid materials for optics and photonics

The interest in organic-inorganic hybrids as materials for optics and photonics started more than 25 years ago and since then has known a continuous and strong growth. The high versatility of sol-gel processing offers a wide range of possibilities to design tailor-made materials in terms of structure, texture, functionality, properties and shape modelling. From the first hybrid material with optical functional properties that has been obtained by incorporation of an organic dye in a silica matrix, the research in the field has quickly evolved towards more sophisticated systems, such as multifunctional and/or multicomponent materials, nanoscale and self-assembled hybrids and devices for integrated optics. In the present critical review, we have focused our attention on three main research areas: passive and active optical hybrid sol-gel materials, and integrated optics. This is far from exhaustive but enough to give an overview of the huge potential of these materials in photonics and optics (254 references).