Construction of an Artificial Sequential Light-Harvesting System and White-Light Material Utilizing Supramolecular Gels.

The molecular (pyren-1-yloxy)-acetic acid (Py) with excellent fluorescence properties was synthesized from 1-hydroxypyrene (Hp) and formed a supramolecular gel with an acid-base stimulus response in dimethylformamide and water. On the basis of gel, the fluorescent dye perylene 3, 9-dicarbxylic acid, and rhodamine 6g were added successively to construct a step-by-step artificial light-harvesting system, so that the fluorescence color changed from blue-purple to green to red, and white light emission was realized by adjusting the ratio of donors and acceptors.

An anti-freeze fluorescent organogel with rapid shape-forming properties for constructing artificial light harvesting systems used in extremely cold environments.

Using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and perylene-3,9-dicarboxylic acid (PDA) as raw materials, a new anti-freeze (-50 °C) fluorescent organogel with rapid shape-forming (2 h) properties was synthesised based on a certain proportion of the binary solvent of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Then, an artificial light-harvesting system (ALHS) used in extremely cold environments was successfully constructed by mixing fluorescent dyes sulphorhodamine101 (SR101) and rhodamine 6G (R6G) into them as acceptors.

Construction of Artificial Light-Harvesting Systems Based on Aggregation-Induced Emission Type Supramolecular Self-Assembly Metallogels.

A method for preparing new artificial light-harvesting systems (ALHSs) based on supramolecular metallogels was proposed. Various metal ions were introduced into a solution of a bi-benzimidazole compound (P) in ethylene glycol, and P exhibited high selectivity toward Al3+, as indicated by the noticeable red shift (49 nm) observed in the fluorescence spectra of P after the addition of Al3+. Interestingly, the gelator, P, could self-assemble into a stable supramolecular gel (P-gel) that exhibits strong aggregation-induced emission in ethylene glycol. Thus, two ALHSs were successfully prepared in a gel environment. The P-Al3+ assembly acts as the donor in the ALHSs, while BODIPY 505/515 (BDP) and rhodamine 6G (Rh6G), which are loaded onto the P-Al3+ assembly, act as acceptors. In these two diverse systems, the occurrence of an energy transfer process is confirmed from the P-Al3+ assembly to BDP and Rh6G. The findings of this study will enable the design and fabrication of ALHSs.

Shape-controlled hollow Cu2O@CuS nanocubes with enhanced photocatalytic activities towards degradation of tetracycline.

In view of recent advances in photodegradation of antibiotics, low cost and stable photocatalyst remain rare. In this article, shape-controlled Cu2O@CuS nanocubes with the larger specific surface area were successfully prepared via a simple template-engaged strategy. Cu2O nanocubes were synthesized through a reduction method as original templates, the core-shelled Cu2O@CuS nanocubes were formed by sulphuration with Na2S as sulphur source, and the Cu2O core can be incompletely removed by Na2S2O3 to generate the Cu2O@CuS nanoboxes. Herein, hierarchical nanoboxes with two-layered Cu2O@CuS were used as photocatalyst materials for photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline (TC). The obtained nanocubes manifested high specific surface area (39.65 m2 g-1) and large pore volume (12.3 cm3 g-1). The degradation performance for TC was investigated in detail, including the effect of parameters such as photocatalyst, pH and catalyst dosage. The results indicated that degradation efficiencies were higher than 90% under visible light. Moreover, the degradation efficiency was 71% after six times.

Artificial light-harvesting systems based on supramolecular self-assembly multi-component metallogels.

This paper proposes a strategy for fabricating new artificial light-harvesting systems (ALHSs) based on supramolecular multi-component metallogels. Al3+ was introduced into a solution of an acylhydrazone compound (L) in DMSO or DMF to form the L-Al3+ assembly. After adding Al3+ to the L solution, a noticeable blue shift appeared in the fluorescence spectra of L. Moreover, L could form a gel (L-B-gel) with 1,3:2,4-dibenzylidene sorbitol (B) in a DMSO-H2O binary solution. Finally, we obtained a multi-component metallogel (L-Al3+-B-gel) and successfully fabricated two ALHSs (L-Al3+/rhodamine 6G (Rh6G) and L-Al3+/rhodamine B (RhB)). In these systems, the L-Al3+ supramolecular assembly acts as the donor, while Rh6G and RhB act as acceptors. Additionally, we confirmed an energy-transfer process from the L-Al3+ component to Rh6G and RhB separately. The proposed fabrication strategy will facilitate the development of ALHSs.

Preparation of a multifunctional organogel and its electrochemical properties.

A facile methodology to fabricate a highly elastic organogel for supercapacitors is demonstrated. A stable polymer organogel was obtained in DMSO by a simple esterification reaction. This organogel showed high mechanical performance, flexibility, high elasticity, luminous performance and conductivity, as well as high potential values for application in the energy sector.

Efficient artificial light-harvesting systems based on aggregation-induced emission in supramolecular gels.

Based on a new designed acyl hydrazone gelator (G2), we developed a supramolecular organogel in glycol with two different hydrophobic fluorescent dyes, namely rhodamine B (RhB) and acridine red, as acceptors. Both the G2@gel-RhB and G2@gel-acridine red systems showed high levels of energy-transfer efficiency and high fluorescence quantum yields.

A new strategy for constructing artificial light-harvesting systems: supramolecular self-assembly gels with AIE properties.

An artificial light-harvesting system (ALHS) has been designed and constructed based on supramolecular organogels made of a simple hydrazide-functionalized benzimidazole derivative (HB), as well as the fluorescent dye rhodamine B (RhB). RhB acted as a good acceptor to realize the energy-transfer process with good efficiency based on a HB/RhB assembly, which showed considerable fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) efficiency of 53% for the energy transfer process. Remarkably, the obtained system showed superior color conversion abilities, converting blue light into orange light. By properly tuning the donor to acceptor ratio, bright orange light emission was achieved with a high fluorescence quantum yield of 35.5%. This system exhibited promise for applications relating to visible-light photo-transformation.

Intelligent writable material based on a supramolecular self-assembly gel.

A simple dual acylhydrazone-functionalized gelator (G1) has been designed and synthesized, and it was found to form a supramolecular organogel (G1-gel) in a mixed solvent of DMF-H2O. The gelator solution shows brilliant blue light upon mixing with Mg2+; this blue light can be erased by saliva or CO32-. Owing to this characteristic, a smart erasable writable material was prepared.

Emissive intelligent supramolecular gel for highly selective sensing of Al3+ and writable soft material.

A fluorine-containing acylhydrazone was newly designed and found to form gels in a mixed solvent of DMSO-ethylene glycol. The gelator could show brilliant blue light upon mixing with Al3+, which could be erased by F- ions and thus forming an erasable gel.

A thermo-responsive supramolecular gel and its luminescence enhancement induced by rare earth Y3.

A new acylhydrazone-functionalized dual benzimidazole derivative gelator (L) was synthesized. L can self-assemble in DMSO-EG (ethylene glycol) or DMF-water mixtures to form a thermo-responsive supramolecular organogel (L-gel). In order to increase the fluorescence intensity of L-gel (DMSO-EG system), L-gel slowly turned into a clear solution upon addition of one equivalent of RE (rare earth) Y3+. Interestingly, this gelator L and Y3+ can be assembled into an enhanced blue-light-emitting supramolecular metallogel (Y@gel) in DMF-water mixtures.

A novel thermo-responsive supramolecular organogel based on dual acylhydrazone: fluorescent detection for Al3+ ions.

A new dual acylhydrazone-functionalized gelator (L) has been synthesized, which behaves as a thermal-responsive supramolecular organogel (L-gel) in DMSO. This L-gel exhibits very weak fluorescence based on the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) mechanism. The L-gel can recognize Al3+ and assemble into an enhanced blue-light-emitting supramolecular metallogel (Al@gel).

A thermo-responsive supramolecular organogel: dual luminescence properties and luminescence conversion induced by Cd(2+).

A simple dual luminescent acylhydrazone-functionalized benzimidazole derivative (L) was blended with ethylene glycol affording a thermo-responsive green-light-emitting supramolecular gel (G-gel). This G-gel can convert to a blue-light-emitting gel (B-gel) by strongly increasing the luminescence of the benzimidazole moiety upon addition of one equivalent of Cd(2+).

Tb(3+)-containing supramolecular hydrogels: luminescence properties and reversible sol-gel transitions induced by external stimuli.

A dual-responsive green-light-emitting supramolecular metal hydrogel (G-gel) was prepared by the reaction of a simple hydrazide-functionalized benzimidazole ligand (L) with Tb(NO3)3. The green luminescence of gelator L is enhanced in the G-gel due to the coordination effect between L and Tb(3+). In addition, the G-gel shows different luminescence when in a semisolid state (gel) and in a solid state (xerogel). Remarkable reversible sol-gel transitions induced by temperature or pH were observed for this G-gel.

Trinuclear and tetranuclear magnesium alkoxide clusters as highly active initiators for ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide.

Trinuclear and tetranuclear magnesium alkoxide clusters supported by bulky phenolates with triangular or rhombic structures were readily synthesized in acceptable yields via the reaction of 2-N,N-dimethylaminoethanol/methoxyethanol, different phenols, and dibutylmagnesium. These complexes have been characterized using (1)H and (13)C NMR, elemental analyses, and X-ray crystallography. The experimental results indicate that these clusters are efficient and excellent initiators for the ring-opening polymerizations (ROPs) of l-lactide (LA) and afford polylactides with desired molecular weights and narrow polydispersity indexes (PDIs). Complex 2 can even catalyze the ROP of 4000 equiv of l-lactide in 1 min in a controlled model. Kinetic studies indicate that the polymerization is first-order for both the trinuclear magnesium complex 3 and LA. However, for the tetranuclear magnesium complex 5, the polymerization rate is first order for 5 and second order for LA.

[Fluorescence property of a chemical probe for naked-eye and detection of Fe3+].

A higher selective and sensitive probe for the detection of Fe(III) in aqueous media was made using 2,4-Diisocyanatotoluene (TDI) as a bridge to couple Fe3 O4 nanoparticles(NPs) and Rhodamine-6G hydrazide. The characterization of composite materials with Infrared spectra(IR), Thermal Gravimetric analysis(TGA) and Transmission Emission Microscopy(TEM) points to the graft of Rhodamine-6G hydrazide onto the surface of the Fe3O4. The obvious color change of the probe solution from light grey to pink upon the addition of Fe3+ demonstrated the probe could be used for "naked-eye" detection of Fe3+ in water at pH 7. The presence of 1 equivalent (10 micromol x L(-1) microm) of each of these metal ions, including Mn2+, Ni2+, Y2+, Eu3+, Ce3+, La3+, Pr3+, Cd2+, Cr3+, Sm3+, Fe2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions, did not demonstrate any obvious fluorescence change of the probe water solution, which confirmed the probe was a probe with remarkable selectivity for Fe3+. And the fluorescence images of HeLa cells in physiological solutions after incubation with Fe3+ and then further incubated with the probe leading to a strong intracellular fluorescence, which suggested the probe could penetrate the HeLa cell membrane and could respond to Fe3+ in intracellular within living cells.