Synthetic Metals最新文献

Over the last decades, bacterial resistance has become one of the emerging health threats. Particularly dangerous are bacterial strains resistant to various antibacterial drugs. Herein, we modified graphene quantum dots (GQDs) to produce efficient photo-induced antibacterial agents. GQDs were modified with (a) ethylene-diamine (EDA), (b) with EDA and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), and (c) 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (TA) using carbodiimide coupling. Photo-induced antibacterial activity of modified GQDs was tested against 8 bacterial strains. Treatment with modified GQDs and blue light (wavelength of 470 nm) resulted in remarkable antibacterial activity with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 7.81 µg mL⁻¹ for K. pneumoniae and S. aureus and 3.9 µg mL⁻¹ against MRSA and E. faecalis. Planar organization of GQDs functionalized with AuNPs allowed direct access of molecular oxygen to AuNPs leading to more efficient ¹O₂ production as well as the ¹O₂ production from excited GQDs. Thus, GQDs functionalized with AuNPs showed outstanding efficiency in the battle against several bacterial strains, particularly those that lead to nosocomial infections.

Melatonin (MT) is a crucial hormone for biological rhythms that influences sleep-wake cycles. The therapeutic value of MT in neurological disorders highlights the need for precise detection. However, challenges like low concentrations in biological samples and complex matrix interferences persist, necessitating rapid and precise analytical techniques. This study presents the novelty of designing a novel sensor that combines a molecularly imprinted polymer with polytoluidine blue O (PTBO) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes on a glassy carbon electrode for MT detection and the study of the interaction between MT and the proposed sensor using density functional theory (DFT). DFT showed that MT has a high nucleophilic character and low electrophilicity compared to TBO, which is a strong electrophile. This supports electron transfer from MT to TBO/PTBO, as indicated by the electronic chemical potentials and molecular electrostatic potentials. Scanning electron microscopy was used to see the morphology. Electrochemical measurements using differential pulse voltammetry demonstrated enhanced sensitivity and selectivity. Under optimized conditions, the sensor exhibited a linear response ranging from 1 to 1000 µM with a limit of detection and limit of quantification of 0.027 µM and 0.092 µM respectively. The performance of the sensor was evaluated in pharmaceutical tablets and human serum. Validation experiments confirmed the reliability of the sensor, with recovery rates of 97.5 % for serum and 98.0 % for pharmaceutical tablets, alongside low relative standard deviations indicating good precision. Interference studies showed minimal effects from coexisting substances, highlighting the selectivity of the proposed sensor. Comparative analysis with existing sensors showed superior performance.

In this research, we have synthesized a thiophene Schiff base from 5-phenyl thiophene-2-carboxaldehyde and 2-thiophene carboxylic acid hydrazide and characterized by using FT-IR NMR, HRMS and SC-XRD analysis techniques. The probe exhibited a selective turn-on fluorescence response for Cu²⁺ over 20 other common metal ions in a CH₃CN (9:1, v/v) solution. The Job’s plot represents a 1:1 binding complexation mode and further DFT study was carried out to aid in understanding the geometric structure and interaction of the ligand and Cu²⁺. The detection limit (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were found to be 20 nM and 69 nM respectively. Furthermore, the probe’s sensing ability was tested in HeLa cells and their fluorescence imaging also supported the effective turn-on response towards Cu²⁺ ion.

This study explores how nitrogen substitution and gold electrodes collectively influence the electronic characteristics of naphthalenediimide (NDI) molecules (M = 1, 2, and 3) through theoretical analysis. Utilizing ELF, LOL, QTAIM, and NCI analyses, we reveal significant alterations in NDI's electronic structure and interactions upon bonding with gold electrodes (Au-M-Au). Both ELF and LOL analyses demonstrate increased electron localization and delocalization on the NDI surface due to gold electrodes, with a stronger effect on nitrogen-doped molecules (M = 2, 3). QTAIM analysis confirms favorable non-covalent interactions, including evident hydrogen bonding, between NDI molecules and gold electrodes, notably intensified in doped molecules, especially the Au…O interaction. NCI analysis provides insight into the diverse interactions within the molecular system. Overall, this research highlights the crucial role of gold electrodes and nitrogen substitution in fine-tuning NDI molecules' electronic properties. The observed modulation of electron behavior and formation of beneficial interactions with gold electrodes hint at promising applications for doped NDI-gold systems requiring efficient charge transport mechanisms.

This study explored the integration of polyethylene glycol (PEG) into InP-based quantum dot (QD) light-emitting diodes (LEDs). By 5 wt% of PEG 400 blended into the QD emission layer (EML), we achieved an enhancement in both current efficiency (100 %) and external quantum efficiency (91 %). X-ray reflectivity revealed significant morphological changes in the QD EML upon PEG incorporation, primarily manifesting as increased thickness in the dense surface region without affecting the total thickness. This adjustment influenced electron density distribution, impacting hole and electron flow. Overall, the addition of PEG not only improved the electrical properties of QD LEDs but also reshaped the internal morphology of the QD EML. Notably, the efficiency improvements observed rival those achieved by integrating traditional hole transport materials into QD EMLs.

As the pixel size continues to shrink, conventional display devices are unable to satisfy the increasing demand. Therefore, a novel light-emitting device has garnered significant attention. This device emitted light under an alternating current (AC) electric field and blocked the injection of external carriers by using the insulating layer. However, at the same time, this approach leads to a reduction in brightness. In this paper, we have realized the performance enhancement of AC-driven QLEDs by incorporating Au NPs of different sizes in PEDOT:PSS. Our investigation reveals that Au NPs of greater size exhibit a notable enhancement of the brightness, rising from 5512 cd/m² to 7234 cd/m², representing a substantial increase of approximately 31.2 %. It demonstrates the great potential of the "far-field" effect in AC-driven QLEDs.

A series of thieno[3,2-b]thiophene (TT) flanked para-azaquinodimethane (p-AQM) based quinoidal conjugated polymers PAQM2TT-T, PAQM2TT-BT and PAQM3TT were designed in a strategy to extend the aromatic-quinoidal π-system. The three polymers were synthesized by Stille polycondensation, and their opto-electronic properties and device performance in field-effect transistors have been explored. From absorption spectroscopy, the polymers show low bandgaps (1.54–1.57 eV) and high HOMO energy levels. They exhibit typical p-type behavior according to the results of the characterization of the field-effect transistors with average charge carrier mobilities of 0.08 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ for PAQM2TT-T, 0.12 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ for PAQM2TT-BT and 0.05 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ for PAM3TT. This report presents an alternative π-extended quinoidal-donor strategy to control the molecular design and properties of new p-AQM-based conjugated polymers.

Electrochromic fabric was formed by interfacial polymerization of polyaniline (PANI) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the surface of cotton cloth. The morphology and properties of the composite films were controlled by changing the content of multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The electrochromic properties of the fabric and its application in the field of near-infrared thermal shielding were studied. It is found that the electrochromic fabrics with MWCNTs have better electrochemical and color-changing properties. Electrochromic fabrics achieve color changes from light yellow to yellow-green to dark green in the voltage range of −1.0–1.2 V, and maintain a fast color switching time (2.15 s for coloring, 1.89 s for bleaching) after 600 cycles. The reflection contrast (ΔR) at 500 nm is 23.01 %. Moreover, the electrochromic devices are assembled with fabrics. The device has obvious discoloration and good bending stability. In addition, the thermal shielding is realized by using their reflection characteristics in the visual-near-infrared region. The results show that the electrochromic device has a low surface temperature at different environmental condition, and the thermal reduction from the original state to the bleached state is up to 3.8 ° C, indicating the potential application of the device in thermal regulation.