scholarly journals Embedding Photoacids into Polymer Opal Structures: Synergistic Effects on Optical and Stimuli-Responsive Features

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (23) ◽  
pp. 7350
Author(s):  
Martin Bitsch ◽  
Anna Katharina Boehm ◽  
Alexander Grandjean ◽  
Gregor Jung ◽  
Markus Gallei

Opal films with their vivid structural colors represent a field of tremendous interest and obtained materials offer the possibility for many applications, such as optical sensors or anti-counterfeiting materials. A convenient method for the generation of opal structures relies on the tailored design of core-interlayer-shell (CIS) particles. Within the present study, elastomeric opal films were combined with stimuli-responsive photoacids to further influence the optical properties of structurally colored materials. Starting from cross-linked polystyrene (PS) core particles featuring a hydroxy-rich and polar soft shell, opal films were prepared by application of the melt-shear organization technique. The photoacid tris(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) 8-hydroxypyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonate (TFEHTS) could be conveniently incorporated during freeze-drying the particle dispersion and prior to the melt-shear organization. Furthermore, the polar opal matrix featuring hydroxylic moieties enabled excited-state proton transfer (ESPT), which is proved by spectroscopic evaluation. Finally, the influence of the photoacid on the optical properties of the 3-dimensional colloidal crystals were investigated within different experimental conditions. The angle dependence of the emission spectra unambiguously shows the selective suppression of the photoacid’s fluorescence in its deprotonated state.

Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Kredel ◽  
Christian Dietz ◽  
Markus Gallei

The preparation of highly ordered colloidal architectures has attracted significant attention and is a rapidly growing field for various applications, e.g., sensors, absorbers, and membranes. A promising technique for the preparation of elastomeric inverse opal films relies on tailored core/shell particle architectures and application of the so-called melt-shear organization technique. Within the present work, a convenient route for the preparation of core/shell particles featuring highly fluorinated shell materials as building blocks is described. As particle core materials, both organic or inorganic (SiO2) particles can be used as a template, followed by a semi-continuous stepwise emulsion polymerization for the synthesis of the soft fluoropolymer shell material. The use of functional monomers as shell-material offers the possibility to create opal and inverse opal films with striking optical properties according to Bragg’s law of diffraction. Due to the presence of fluorinated moieties, the chemical resistance of the final opals and inverse opals is increased. The herein developed fluorine-containing particle-based films feature a low surface energy for the matrix material leading to good hydrophobic properties. Moreover, the low refractive index of the fluoropolymer shell compared to the core (or voids) led to excellent optical properties based on structural colors. The herein described fluoropolymer opals and inverse opals are expected to pave the way toward novel functional materials for application in fields of coatings and optical sensors.


1996 ◽  
Vol 452 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. P. Johnson ◽  
S. G. Romanov ◽  
V. Butko ◽  
H. Yates ◽  
M. E. Pemble ◽  
...  

AbstractOpal consists of a three dimensional array of silica balls with diameter in the range 150 -350 nm and acts as a 3-D grating. Within the microcrystals (a few hundred microns) of opal there is typically 5% variation in ball diameter arranged in a fee structure. Using a specially modified MOCVD process InP can be grown within the voids between the touching silica balls. These interconnecting voids are approximately 1/5 and 2/5 the silica sphere diameter, Raman spectroscopy confirms the crystallinity of the InP for two samples loaded with 2.5 volume % of InP. The LO phonon is shifted to the red by 10 cm−l from the bulk value of 345 cm−1, while the TO phonon is shifted 22 cm−l to the blue from the bulk value of 303.7 cm−l. This shift is attributed to strain in the nanocry stals.The half width of the reflectance is dependent upon InP loading with the 2.5 vol.% samples giving 0.19 eV and the lower loaded 0.4 vol. % giving 0.17 eV for samples with the same ball diameter. Photoluminescence emission near 1.7 eV is attributed to confined InP compared with a bulk value of 1.4 eV. The energy of the emission is determined by the combined contribution of the laterally confined InP and its interaction with the opal matrix.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dilawar Hassan ◽  
Hadi Bakhsh ◽  
Asif M. Khurram ◽  
Shakeel A. Bhutto ◽  
Nida S. Jalbani ◽  
...  

Background: The optical properties of nanomaterials have evolved enormously with the introduction of nanotechnology. The property of materials to absorb and/or emit specific wavelength has turned them into one of the most favourite candidates to be effectively utilized in different sensing applications e.g organic light emission diodes (OLEDs) sensors, gas sensors, biosensors and fluorescent sensors. These materials have been reported as a sensor in the field of tissue and cell imaging, cancer detection and detection of environmental contaminants etc. Fluorescent nanomaterials are heling in rapid and timely detection of various contaminants that greatly impact the quality of life and food, that is exposed to these contaminants. Later, all the contaminants have been investigated to be most perilous entities that momentously affect the life span of the animals and humans who use those foods which have been contaminated. Objective: In this review, we will discuss about various methods and approaches to synthesize the fluorescent nanoparticles and quantum dots (QDs) and their applications in various fields. The application will include the detection of various environmental contaminants and bio-medical applications. We will discuss the possible mode of action of the nanoparticles when used as sensor for the environmental contaminants as well as the surface modification of some fluorescent nanomaterials with anti-body and enzyme for specific detection in animal kingdom. We will also describe some RAMAN based sensors as well as some optical sensing-based nanosensors. Conclusion: Nanotechnology has enabled to play with the size, shape and morphology of materials in the nanoscale. The physical, chemical and optical properties of materials change dramatically when they are reduced to nanoscale. The optical properties can become choosy in terms of emission or absorption of wavelength in the size range and can result in production of very sensitive optical sensor. The results show that the use of fluorescent nanomaterials for the sensing purposes are helping a great deal in the sensing field.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Mihai ◽  
F. Sava ◽  
I. D. Simandan ◽  
A. C. Galca ◽  
I. Burducea ◽  
...  

AbstractThe lack of order in amorphous chalcogenides offers them novel properties but also adds increased challenges in the discovery and design of advanced functional materials. The amorphous compositions in the Si–Ge–Te system are of interest for many applications such as optical data storage, optical sensors and Ovonic threshold switches. But an extended exploration of this system is still missing. In this study, magnetron co-sputtering is used for the combinatorial synthesis of thin film libraries, outside the glass formation domain. Compositional, structural and optical properties are investigated and discussed in the framework of topological constraint theory. The materials in the library are classified as stressed-rigid amorphous networks. The bandgap is heavily influenced by the Te content while the near-IR refractive index dependence on Ge concentration shows a minimum, which could be exploited in applications. A transition from a disordered to a more ordered amorphous network at 60 at% Te, is observed. The thermal stability study shows that the formed crystalline phases are dictated by the concentration of Ge and Te. New amorphous compositions in the Si–Ge–Te system were found and their properties explored, thus enabling an informed and rapid material selection and design for applications.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-10
Author(s):  
Gaurav Singh ◽  
Madan Mishra ◽  
Amit Gaur ◽  
Dhritiman Pathak

Background: Fractures of the mandible can be studied and described in anatomic terms, functional considerations, treatment strategies, and outcome measures. The performance of any fixation system depends on multiple factors including plate adaptation, screw placement, bone quality, drilling conditions, and postoperative patient compliance. Bite force assesses masticatory muscle function under clinical and experimental conditions. Method: 30 patients with isolated, noncomminuted mandibular fractures were randomly divided into two equal groups. Group 1 patients were treated using 3-dimensional locking miniplates and group 2 patients were treated with standard miniplates. The bite forces were recorded at definite time intervals: preoperatively, and second week, sixth week, third month, and sixth month postoperatively. Result: At 6 weeks postoperative, 3 month postoperative, and 6 month postoperative, the mean bite force was found to be significantly higher among group 1 patients as compared to those in group 2 in all the sites. While at 2 week postoperative, the mean bite force was found to be significantly higher in Group 2 as compared to Group 1 at incisor region. Conclusion: The overall results of the present study show better performance in bite force for the 3-dimensional locking miniplate when compared with standard miniplates.


2014 ◽  
Vol 92 (9) ◽  
pp. 1021-1025 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bandar Ali Al-Asbahi ◽  
Mohammad Hafizuddin Haji Jumali

The influence of colloidal TiO2 nanoparticle contents on the optical properties of poly (9,9′-di-n-octylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl) conjugated polymer (PFO) has been investigated. The solution blending method was used to prepare homogenous PFO/TiO2 nanocomposite. The nanocomposite films were prepared on glass substrates using the spin-coating technique. The films were divided into two groups, the first was left to dry at room temperature while the second was heat-treated at 120 °C for 1 h. Absorption and emission spectra showed that the PFO existed in α- and β-phases morphology having monomeric, excimeric, and double excimeric states. In addition, both spectra revealed that TiO2 contents and heat treatment temperature extended the conjugation length of PFO. Finally, emission spectra for both cases exhibited decreasing in the line width of zero-phonon emission spectra and increasing in the vibronic splitting energy, upon increment of the TiO2, led to a significant increase in π-electron delocalization and lower degree in chain disorder.


2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 3437-3454 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. S. Zender ◽  
A. G. Krolewski ◽  
M. G. Tosca ◽  
J. T. Randerson

Abstract. Land clearing for crops, plantations and grazing results in anthropogenic burning of tropical forests and peatlands in Indonesia, where images of fire-generated aerosol plumes have been captured by the Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) since 2001. Here we analyze the size, shape, optical properties, and age of distinct fire-generated plumes in Borneo from 2001–2009. The local MISR overpass at 10:30 a.m. misses the afternoon peak of Borneo fire emissions, and may preferentially sample longer plumes from persistent fires burning overnight. Typically the smoke flows with the prevailing southeasterly surface winds at 3–4 m s−1, and forms ovoid plumes whose mean length, height, and cross-plume width are 41 km, 708 m, and 27% of the plume length, respectively. 50% of these plumes have length between 24 and 50 km, height between 523 and 993 m and width between 18% and 30% of plume length. Length and cross-plume width are lognormally distributed, while height follows a normal distribution. Borneo smoke plume heights are similar to previously reported plume heights, yet Borneo plumes are on average nearly three times longer than previously studied plumes. This could be due to sampling or to more persistent fires and greater fuel loads in peatlands than in other tropical forests. Plume area (median 169 km2, with 25th and 75th percentiles at 99 km2 and 304 km2, respectively) varies exponentially with length, though for most plumes a linear relation provides a good approximation. The MISR-estimated plume optical properties involve greater uncertainties than the geometric properties, and show patterns consistent with smoke aging. Optical depth increases by 15–25% in the down-plume direction, consistent with hygroscopic growth and nucleation overwhelming the effects of particle dispersion. Both particle single-scattering albedo and top-of-atmosphere reflectance peak about halfway down-plume, at values about 3% and 10% greater than at the origin, respectively. The initially oblong plumes become brighter and more circular with time, increasingly resembling smoke clouds. Wind speed does not explain a significant fraction of the variation in plume geometry. We provide a parameterization of plume shape that can help atmospheric models estimate the effects of plumes on weather, climate, and air quality. Plume age, the age of smoke furthest down-plume, is lognormally distributed with a median of 2.8 h (25th and 75th percentiles at 1.3 h and 4.0 h), different from the median ages reported in other studies. Intercomparison of our results with previous studies shows that the shape, height, optical depth, and lifetime characteristics reported for tropical biomass burning plumes on three continents are dissimilar and distinct from the same characteristics of non-tropical wildfire plumes.


2014 ◽  
Vol 895 ◽  
pp. 155-161
Author(s):  
M.I. Khairuldin ◽  
N.M.A. Aziz ◽  
N.M. Nashaain ◽  
S. Wedianti ◽  
I. Farehah ◽  
...  

Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) films doped with Eu (TTA)3phen complex (TTA=2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone, phen=1,10-phenanthroline) were fabricated by hot-blowing technique for thickness of 100 μm. The films were doped with 0.1 % of Eu (TTA)3phen to the total weight of LDPE and exposed to UV irradiation from deuterium lamp for 5, 10, 20, 40 and 60 hours to investigate the effect of its optical properties. The films were characterized by Spectrofluorometer, UV/VIS Spectrophotometer and FT-IR Spectrometer to measure their emission spectra, lifetimes, transmission transparency and chemical bonding. Photoluminescence of the room-temperature Eu (TTA)3phen doped films consist of typical Eu3+emission transition lines with hypersensitive5D07F2emission band at 610 nm. After 20 hours UV treatment, the peak intensity dropped by 90 % and shortened the luminescent lifetimes from 0.654 ms to 0.305 ms. Longer UV treatment also has accelerated degradation in doped LDPE films shown by significant reducing in absorption peak of FTIR at 3395, 3186 and 1645 cm-1. The results would provide a mechanism to improve the lifetime of the LDPE by utilizing the light-manipulation property of Eu (TTA)3phen complex to absorb UV spectrum and covert into red emission.Keywords: LDPE, rare-earth complex, photoluminescence


2006 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 314-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
David C. English ◽  
Kendall L. Carder

Abstract An unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) with hyperspectral optical sensors that measure downwelling irradiance and upwelling radiance was deployed over sandy bottoms, sea grass patches, and coral reefs near Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas, during the Coastal Benthic Optical Properties (CoBOP) program of 2000. These deployments occurred during both sunny and cloudy weather. If the rate of irradiance change due to cloud cover is slight, then the inclusion of a variable cloudy-irradiance factor will allow a reasonable estimation of water column absorption. Examination of data from a deployment in May 2000 under cloudy skies shows that the combination of hyperspectral light-field measurements, knowledge of the UUV's position in the water column, and a cloudy-irradiance factor permits consistent estimations of bottom reflectivity to be made from UUV measured reflectances. The spatial distribution of reflectance estimates obtained from a UUV may be useful for validation of airborne ocean color imagery.


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