Fluorescence and sensitization performance of phenylene-vinylene-substituted polythiophene

A new kind of polythiophene derivative, Poly(3-{2-[4-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-phenyl]-vinyl}-2,2′-bithiophene) (PTh), was applied in dye-sensitized solar cell to extend the light response of nanocrystalline TiO2 electrode. UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectra were employed to investigate the interaction of PTh with nanocrystalline TiO2. The absorption coefficient of the PTh was high in visible part of spec- trum, and the fluorescence emission of the PTh can be efficiently quenched by TiO2 nanoparticles ow- i...     

Influence of O2/Ar ratio on the properties of transparent conductive niobium-doped ZnO films

Niobium-doped ZnO transparent conductive films are deposited on glass substrates by radio frequency sputtering at 300℃. The influence of O2/Ar ratio on the structural, electrical and optical properties of the as-deposited films is investigated by X-ray diffraction, Hall measurement and optical transmission spectroscopy. The lowest resistivity of 4.0×10^-4Ω· cm is obtained from the film deposited at the O2/Ar ratio of 1/12. The average optical transmittance of the films is over 90%.     

Performances improvement of eosin Y sensitized solar cells by modifying TiO2 electrode with silane-coupling reagent

Chemical fixing of xanthene dye （eosin Y） on the surface of TiO2 electrode was carried out by modifying the electrode with silane-coupling reagent to obtain stable dye-sensitized TiO2 electrode. Such silane modification can not only evidently enhance the stability of dye-sensitized TiO2 electrode but also improve the energy conversion efficiency of the assembled cells by increasing short-circuit photocurrent （Jsc） and open-circuit photovoltage （Voc）. It was found that the improvements of cell performances differ depending on the composition of the electrolyte. The optimum cell of the cell performance was achieved in the electrolyte with 0.5 mol/L TBAI/0.05 mol/L 12/EC：PC（3：1 w/w）, yielding Jsc of 4.69 mA. cm-2, Voc of 0,595 V, fill factor （FF） of 0.64 and ηof 1,78%, Different spectroscopic techniques including UV-Vis spectra, fluorescence spectra, EIS and dark current measurements were employed to derive reasonable analysis and explanations.     

Photovoltaic properties of MEH-PPV/TiO2 nanocomposites

Photovoltaic properties of photodiodes based on nano-TiO2 and poly[2-methoxy,5-（2＇-ethlhexyloxy）-p-phenylenevinylene] （MEH-PPV） composites are investigated. By comparing composite devices with the same weight of TiO2 （nanoparticles and nanotubes）：MEH-PPV, it was found that the device with TiO2 nanotubes exhibited better performance. By further optimizing the weight radio of TiO2 nanotubes： MEH-PPV, we gained the device with a short circuit current density of 9.27μA/cm^2 with a light intensity of 16.7mW/cm^2 at the 500 nm wavelength, the highest open-circuit voltage of 1.1V, and a photosensitivity of 332 at reverse bias of -0.6V. The photosensitivity is improved by a factor of 33 compared with the undoped MEH-PPV device.     

Modification of TiO2 nanotubes arrays by CdS and their photoelectrocatalytic hydrogen generation properties

In order to realize hydrogen generation under visible light, novel CdS/TiO2 nanotubes arrays are developed by electrochemical anodizaUon of Ti in 0.15 mol/L NHTF ＋ 0.08 mol/L H2C2O4 electrolyte. The diameter of the nanotube is 80-100 nm and the length is approximately 550 nm. The CdS nano-particles are deposited on the TiO2 nanotubes arrays by chemical bath deposition （CBD） in the ammonia-thiourea system. A 300 W Xe lamp is used as the light source, CdS/TiO2 nanotube arrays are used as the photoanode with the application of 1.0 V bath voltage, and 0.1 mol/L Na2S ＋ 0.04 mol/L Na2SO3 solution is used as the electrolyte, then the rate of photoelectrocatalytic hydrogen generation is 245.4 μL/（h·cm^2）. This opens new perspectives for photoelectrocatalytic hydrogen generation by using CdS/TiO2 nanotubes arrays.     

Human RBCs blood group conversion from A to O using a novel α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase of high specific activity

α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase （αNAGA） can convert group A human red blood cells （RBCs） to group O. One novel αNAGA gene was cloned by PCR from Elizabethkingia meningosepticum Isolated from a domestic clinical sample. Pure recombinant αNAGA was obtained by genetic engineering and protein purification with a calculated molecule of 49.6 kD. αNAGA was selective for terminal α-N-acetylgalacto- samine residue with a high specific activity, αNAGA could completely remove A antigens of 1 U （about 100 mL） group A1 or A2 RBCs in 1 h at pH 6.8 and 25℃ with s consumption of 1.5 or 0.4 mg recombinant enzyme. Enzyme-converted group A RBCs did not agglutinate after being mixed with monoclonal snti-A or sere of groups A, B, AB and O. Other blood group antigens except ABO had no change. FCM analysis showed that A antigens and A1 antigens disappeared while H antigens increased. It indicated that αNAGA successfully converted human blood group A RBCs to universally transfusable group O RBCs without the risk of ABO-incompaUble transfusion reactions. This αNAGA was suitable for producing universal RBCs to increase clinical transfusion safety, improve the RBCs supply, and to decrease transfusion cost and support transfusion service in case of emergency.     

Fabrication of visible-light responsive S-F-codoped TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanotubes

Fabrication and S-F-codoping of TiO2 nanotubes were carried out by a one-step electrochemical anodization process to extend the photoresponse of TiO2 to the visible-light region. The prepared samples were annealed in air and detected by SEM, XRD, XPS and UV-vis DRS spectrophotometer. The results showed that the average tube diameter of the nanotubes was 150 nm and the average tube length was 400 nm. The doped TiO2 nanotubes exhibited strong absorption in visible-light region. Photoelectrocatalytic degradation efficiency of 4-CP over S-F-codoped TiO2 nanotubes was 39.7% higher than that of only-F-doped sample. Moreover, sulfur and fluorine codoped into substitutional sites of TiO2 had been proven to be indispensable for strong response and high photocatalytic activity under visible light, as assessed by XPS.     

A novel Pd/silicalite-1 composite membrane for hydrogen separation

A novel Pd/silicalite-1 composite membrane supported on the macroporous tubular stainless steel substrate was successfully fabricated by electroless plating at 303 K. The structure, morphology and gaseous permeability of the membrane were detected by X-ray diffractiometry （XRD）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and single-gas permeation test, respectively. Results confirm the formation of a thin, smooth, and continuous Pd/silicalite-1 composite membrane. The obtained composite membrane shows a high H2 permeance of 1.15×10^-6 mol. m^-2. s^-1. Pa^-1 with moderate H2 selectivity of 250 for H2/N2 at 773 K, at 0.1 MPa pressure drop, suggesting the potential application for H2 separation.     

Fabrication of the 19-filament Fe/Cu clad MgB2 wire via in situ powder-in-tube method

Using commercial amorphous B powder (92% in purity) and Mg powder (99% in purity) as starting materials, 19-filament Fe/Cu clad MgB2 wires were fabricated by an in situ powder-in-tube method. Heat treatment was performed at 700℃ for 1 h under an argon gas atmosphere. The influence of Mg/B ratio on the microstructure and superconducting properties of the wires was investigated. It was found that the major phases of MgB2 wires were MgB2 accompanied with relatively small amounts of MgO and Fe2B impurities. With 5% excess Mg addition, the onset TC slightly decreased. However, the transport JC at 4.2 K and 4 T reached 1.07×104 A·cm-2, increasing by a factor of 1.4 compared to the stoichiometric sample. Moreover, the Mg1.05B2 sample showed an improved field dependence of JC, suggesting that less voids and smaller grain size of the Mg1.05B2 core lead to better grain connectivity and stronger flux pinning.     

Dielectric properties of low dielectric constant Ba0.60Sr0.40Mg0.15Ti0.85O3-Mg2TiO4 composite thin films for tunable applications

Ba0.60Sr0.40Mg0.15Ti0.85O3-xmol%Mg2TiO4 （x = 0-40 mol%） （BSTM-MT） composite thin films were fabricated by sol-gel method. The precursor solution of these composite thin films was prepared through mixing the Ba0.80Sr0.40Mg0.15Ti0.85O3 and Mg2TiO4 solution. The microstructures and dielectric tunability of composite thin films were investigated. The dielectric constant of composite thin films can be tailored from 155 to 55 by changing the concentration of Mg2TiO4. The dielectric loss of these composite thin films were still kept below 0.01 and the tunability was above 20% at a dc-applied electric field of 500 kV/cm. Suitable dielectric constant, low dielectric loss, and high tunability of this kind of composite thin films can be useful for potential microwave tunable applications.     

Magnetoelectric and converse magnetoelectric res ponses in TbxDy1-xFe2-y alloy ＆ Pb（Mg1/3Nb2/3）（1-x）TixO3 crystal laminated composites

Measured results of magnetoelectric （ME） and converse magnetoelectric （CME） effects of TbxDy1-xFe2-y/ Pb（Mg1/3Nb2/3）（1-x）TixO3/TbxDy1-xFe2-y （TD/PMNT/TD） and PMNT/TD/PMNT laminated composites are presented. ME effect was determined by measuring laminate voltage output under a Helmholtz-generated AC field biased by a DC field （0-1 kOe） （1Oe = 79.58 A/m）. The CME effect was measured by recording the voltage induced in a solenoid encompassing the ME sample while exposed to a DC bias field and PMNT layer driven by a 10 V AC source. The ME and CME responses in the two laminated structure are linear. The highest values of ME coefficients in TD/PMNT/TD and PMNT/TD/PMNT composites are 384 mV/Oe and 158 mV/Oe, respectively, while the highest values of CME coefficients in the two composites are 118 mG/V and 162 mG/V （1 G=10^-4 T）, respectively.     

On-line catalytic upgrading of biomass fast pyrolysis products

Pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry （Py-GC/MS） was employed to achieve fast pyrolysis of biomass and on-line analysis of the pyrolysis vapors. Four biomass materials （poplar wood, fir wood, cotton straw and rice husk） were pyrolyzed to reveal the difference among their products. Moreover, catalytic cracking of the pyrolysis vapors from cotton straw was performed by using five catalysts, including two microporous zeolites （HZSM-5 and HY） and three mesoporous catalysts （ZrO2＆TiO2, SBA-15 and AI/SBA-15）. The results showed that the distribution of the pyrolytic products from the four materials differed a little from each other, while catalytic cracking could significantly alter the pyrolytic products. Those important primary pyrolytic products such as levoglucosan, hydroxyacetaldehyde and 1-hydroxy-2-propanone were decreased greatly after catalysis. The two microporous zeolites were ef- fective to generate high yields of hydrocarbons, while the three mesoporous materials favored the formation of furan, furfural and other furan compounds, as well as acetic acid.     

Preparation of nano-compounded polyolefin materials through in situ polymerization technique: status quo and future prospects

Nano-compounding of polyolefins, an economical yet very effective route to high-performance polyolefin materials, has received considerable attention in recent years. Unlike most of the other polymers, polyolefins are chemically inert, which dictates that nano-compounding of polyolefins has to be conducted via in situ polymerization. In this review, a technological progress of the nano-compounding of polyolefins via in situ polymerization technique was summarized thoroughly, with emphasis laid on the current research status of polyolefin/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites. A clear perspective for future researches on this specific family of materials was envisaged. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 50373048) and State Key Development Program of Basic Research Program of Ministry of Science and Technology of China (Grant No. G2003CB615600)     

Ionic liquids based on S-alkylthiolanium cations and TFSI anion as potential electrolytes

New ionic liquids based on S-alkylthiolanium cations with TFSI anions were synthesized and charac-terized.The physical and electrochemical properties,including melting point,thermal stability,solubility,viscosity,conductivity and electrochemical window,were reported.Relation between these properties and the structure of the cations was discussed.In this series,T4TFSI and T5TFSI have melting points below -60℃,and their conductivities are 2.10 mS/cm and 1.46 mS/cm;their electrochemical windows are 4.1 V and 4...     

Comparison between P25 and anatase-based TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> quasi-solid state dye sensitized solar cells

Pure anatase TiO2 films have been made via hydration of titanium isopropoxide using a sol-gel tech-nique, while mixed TiO2 films which contained both anatase and rutile TiO2 were made from commercial P25 powder. Quasi-solid state dye-sensitized solar cells were fabricated with these two kinds of mesoporous films and a comparison study was carried out. The result showed that the open-circuit photovoltages （Voc） for both kinds of cells were essentially the same, whereas the short-circuit photo-currents （1sc） of the anatase-based cells were about 33% higher than that of the P25-based cells. The highest photocurrent intensity of the anatase-based cell was 6.12 mA/cm^2 and that of the P25-based cell was 4.60 mA/cm^2. Under an illumination with the light intensity of 30 mW/cm^2, the corresponding energy conversion efficiency was measured to be 7.07% and 6.89% for anatase-based cells and P25-based cells, respectively.     

Photodegradation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-nitrosodiethylamine in water with UV irradiation

The direct photolysis of N-nitrosodiethylamine （NDEA） in water with ultraviolet （UV） irradiation was investigated. Results showed that NDEA could be completely degraded under the direct UV irradiation. The effects of the experimental conditions, including the initial concentration of NDEA, humic acid and solution pH, were studied. The degradation products of NDEA were identified and quantified with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry （GC-MS） and high performance liquid chromatography （HPLC）. It was confirmed that methylamine （MA）, dimethylamine （DMA）, ethylamine （EA）, diethylamine （DEA）, NO2^- and NO3^- were the main degradation products. The photolysis degradation mechanism of NDEA was also discussed. As a result of N-N bond fission, NDEA was degraded by direct UV irradiation.     

Preparation and performance of LiNi0. 8Co0.2O2 cathode material based on Co-substituted α-Ni（OH）2 precursor

Co-substituted α-Ni（OH）2 was synthesized by a novel microwave homogeneous precipitation method in the presence of urea. LiNi0.8Co0.2O2 cathode material was synthesized by calcining Co-substituted α-Ni（OH）2 precursor and LiOH·H2O at 900℃for 10 h in flowing oxygen. XRD, FTIR, FESEM and electrochemical tests were used to study the physical and the electrochemical performances of the materials. The results show that the prepared LiNi0.8Co0.2O2 compound has a good layered hexagonal structure. Moreover, the LiNi0.8Co0.2O2cathode material demonstrates stable cyclability with a high initial specific discharge capacity of 183.9 mAh/g. The good electrochemical performance could be attributed to the uniform distribution of Ni^2＋ and Co^2＋ ions in the crystal structure and a minimal cation mixing in LiNi0.8Co0.2O2 host structure.     

Modified fiber qualities of the transgenic cotton expressing a silkworm fibroin gene

A silkworm gene for fibroin was introduced into the upland cotton WC line by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. PCR detection for fibroin, nptII and gus genes, Kanamycin (Km)-resistance analysis and GUS-histochemical assay were conducted on 30 regenerated plants from 9 callus lines, and 17 positive plants were obtained by these 5 screening methods. By Km-resistance analysis and PCR for fibroin, 6 homozygous lines in T₃ were obtained. Southern blot and Northern bolt demonstrated that the fibroin gene was inserted into the genome of these 6 lines, stably inherited and expressed. Compared to the control, the surface structure of mature fiber in the 6 lines was significantly distorted and an increased number of convolution was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Fiber quality traits analysis indicated that fiber elongation of the 6 homozygous lines was all increased and fiber strength of 3 lines was enhanced. These results indicated that fibroin expression influenced cotton fiber structure and quality, suggesting that fibroin has great potential for improving cotton fiber quality by genetic engineering. Supported by National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2006AA100105), Science & Technology Pillar Program of Jiangsu Province (Grant No. BE2008310) and Programme of Introducing Talents of Discipline to Universities (Grant No. B08025) Contributed equally to this work     

Preparation of Zn-doped TiO2 nanotubes electrode and its application in pentachlorophenol photoelectrocatalytic degradation

Zn-doped titanium oxide （TiO2） nanotubes electrode was prepared on a titanium plate by direct anodic oxidation and immersing method in sequence. Field emission scanning electron microscopy （FESEM） showed that the Zn-doped TiO2 nanotubes were well aligned and organized into high density uniform arrays with diameter ranging from 50 to 90 nm. The length and the thickness were about 200 and 15 nm respectively. TiO2 anatase phase was identified by X-ray diffraction （XRD）. X-ray photoelectronspectroscopy （XPS） indicated that Zn ions were mainly located on the surface of TiO2 nanotubes in form of ZnO clusters. Compared with TiO2 nanotubes electrode, about 20 nm red shift in the spectrum of UV-vis absorption was observed. The degradation of pentachlorophenol （PCP） in aqueous solution under the same condition （initial concentration of PCP： 20 mg/L; concentration of Na2SO4：0.01 mol/L and pH： 7.03） was carried out using Zn-doped TiO2 nanotubes electrode and TiO2 nanotubes electrode. The degradation rates of PCP using Zn-doped TiO2 nanotubes electrode were found to be twice and 5.8 times as high as that using TiO2 nanotubes electrode by UV radiation （400 μw/cm^2） and visible light radiation （4500 μw/cm^2）, respectively. 73.5% of PCP was removed using Zn-doped TiO2 nanotubes electrode against 45.5% removed using TiO2 nanotubes electrode in 120 min under UV radiation. While under visible light radiation, the degradation efficiency of PCP was 18.4% using Zn-doped TiO2 nanotubes electrode against 3.2% using TiO2 nanotubes electrode in 120 min. The optimum concentration of Zn doping was found to be 0.909%. The PCP degradation efficiencies of the 10 repeated experiments by Zn-doped TiO2 nanotubes electrode were rather stable with the deviation within 3.0%.     

Influence of location-dependent protuberance damage on cell viability

The influence of femtosecond laser-induced damages on viability of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) is investigated. Several cytokinetic processes including cellular damage, recovery and death are discussed. Using femtosecond laser with the power of 100 μW and cutting speed of 2 μm/s, we cut the cellular protuberance with smaller diameter twice in different locations, and then observe the viability of the damaged cells. Under the same conditions, the root of protuberance with larger diameter is cut six times to observe changes of cellular shape. Whether the damage is located in the end, middle or root of protuberance with smaller diameter, the cell viability can recover within 3 h. When the damage is located in the root of protuberance with larger diameter, the damaged cell will die in the way of oncosis. Cytokinetic phenomena including intracellular high Ca²⁺ concentration, cellular morphologic change, recovery and oncosis are discussed. Meanwhile, high Ca²⁺ concentration is observed after femtosecond laser surgery. Therefore, femtosecond laser surgery is an important tool for establishing cell damage model and studying cytokinetics. Supported by National High Technology Research & Development Program of China (Grant No. 2006AA04Z307), Author of National Excellent Doctoral Dissertation of PR China (Grant No. 2006039), National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 50775104), Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (Grant No. BK2006507) and Jiangsu Provincial Research Innovation Program for College Graduates (Grant No. CX07B_086z)