By mimicking natural
photosynthesis, generating hydrogen through
visible-light-driven splitting of water would be an almost ideal process
for converting abundant solar energy into a usable fuel in an environmentally
friendly and high-energy-density manner. In a search for efficient
photocatalysts that mimic such a function, here we describe a series
of cycloplatinated polymer dots (Pdots), in which the platinum complex
unit is presynthesized as a comonomer and then covalently linked to
a conjugated polymer backbone through Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling
polymerization. On the basis of our design strategy, the hydrogen
evolution rate (HER) of the cycloplatinated Pdots can be enhanced
by 12 times in comparison to that of pristine Pdots under otherwise
identical conditions. In comparison to the Pt-complex-blended counterpart
Pdots, the HER of cycloplatinated Pdots is over 2 times higher than
that of physically blended Pdots. Furthermore, enhancement of the
photocatalytic reaction time with high eventual hydrogen production
and low efficiency rolloff are observed by utilizing the cycloplatinated
Pdots as photocatalysts. On the basis of their performance, our cyclometallic
Pdot systems appear to be alternative types of promising photocatalysts
for visible-light-driven hydrogen evolution.
Semiconducting polymer dots (Pdots) have recently emerged as a novel type of ultrabright fluorescent probes that can be widely used in analytical sensing and material science. Here, we developed a dual visual reagent based on Pdots for anticounterfeiting applications. We first designed and synthesized two types of photoswitchable Pdots by incorporating photochromic dyes with multicolor semiconducting polymers to modulate their emission intensities and wavelengths. The resulting full-color Pdot assays showed that the colorimetric and fluorescent dual-readout abilities enabled the Pdots to serve as an anticounterfeiting reagent with low background interference. We also doped these Pdots into flexible substrates and prepared these Pdots as inks for pen handwriting as well as inkjet printing. We further applied this reagent in printing paper and checks for high-security anticounterfeiting purposes. We believe that this dual-readout method based on Pdots will create a new avenue for developing new generations of anticounterfeiting technologies.
Semiconducting polymer dots (Pdots) have recently been proven as a novel type of ultrabright fluorescent probes that can be extensively used in analytical detection. Here, we developed a dual visual sensor based on Pdots for fingerprint imaging. We first designed and synthesized two types of near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent polymers and then embedded ninhydrin into the Pdot matrix. The resulting Pdot assays showed the colorimetric and fluorescent dual-readout abilities to detect latent fingerprints on both porous and nonporous surfaces. The developed fingerprints clearly revealed first-, second-, and third-level details with high contrast, high selectivity, and low background interference. We also grafted the chemical groups on the nanoparticle surface to investigate the mechanisms involved in the fingerprint development processes. We further utilized this assay in note paper and checks for latent fingerprint imaging. We believe that this dual-readout method based on Pdots will create a new avenue for research in fingerprint detection and anticounterfeiting technology.
A mixed-metal uranyl aquofluoride, [(UO2)2F8(H2O)2Zn2(4,4'-bpy)2].(4,4'-bpy), has been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and has been structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, emission spectroscopy, and solid-state NMR spectroscopy. It is one of the few uranium fluoride-organic framework solids in which an organic molecule is directly incorporated into the extended structure of the metal fluoride and is the first example of mixed-metal uranium oxyfluoride incorporating an organic ligand. The structure consists of neutral layers of edge- and corner-sharing uranium-centered pentagonal bipyramids and zinc-centered octahedra, which are linked through 4,4'-bpy ligands into a 3-D framework. The 1H MAS NMR spectrum is in support of the conclusion that the occluded 4,4'-bpy molecules in the structural channels are not protonated. Crystal data: monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c, a = 9.4630(5) A, b = 22.384(1) A, c = 16.7534(8) A, beta = 91.899(2) degrees , V = 3546.7(4) A(3) and Z = 4.
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