The authors have no acknowledgements.

1. Sintesi di CMP film sottili attraverso l&#39;aggiunta sequenziale <ol><li> Auto-assemblati monostrato (SAM) funzionalizzazione di oro su mica. <ol><li> Preparare la soluzione 1 mM di 11-thioacetyl-undecano acid-propargyl ammide 14 in etanolo (SAM-soluzione). Miscelare con bagno a ultrasuoni fino a soluzione è limpida. Proteggere la bottiglia dalla luce utilizzando un foglio di alluminio. </li><li> Ottenere l&#39;oro rivestite mica wafer sotto argon. Dopo il ritiro dal contenitore immergere il wafer mica direttamente alla SAM-soluzione per 18 ore. </li><li> Prendere il preparato Au-mica cialda fuori dalla SAM-soluzione, risciacquare con etanolo e secco sotto corrente di azoto. Successivamente memorizzare il substrato al riparo dalla luce e sotto gas inerte. </li></ol></li><li> Soluzioni Precursore. <ol><li> Pesare 18.64 mg di Cu-catalizzatore (Tetrakis (acetonitrile) rame (I) esafluoro-fosfato), 20,83 mg tetrafenilmetano (TPM) -alkyne e 24.22 mg TPM-azide e riempire ogni componente in un pallone Schlenk separata.Vedere la Figura 1 per TPM-alchino e TPM-azide, la sintesi è descritto in riferimento 15. Evacuare e riempire con gas inerte (N 2 o argon) 3 volte. </li><li> Aggiungere 25 ml di tetraidrofurano privo di acqua (THF) ad ogni pallone Schlenk. Proteggere i palloni con TPM-azide e TPM-alkyne dalla luce con un foglio di alluminio. </li></ol></li><li> Preparare apparecchi per la fabbricazione CMP. Nota: L&#39;apparato di sintesi è illustrato nella figura 2. <ol><li> Utilizzare un pallone a fondo tondo da 250 ml un collo. Compilare 130 ml THF. Mettere il substrato preparata rivestito con alkyne terminato SAM nel vano campione. Utilizzare un portacampioni, in modo che il substrato è in piedi. </li><li> Collegare l&#39;apparecchiatura alla linea schlenk tramite giunzione sopra il refrigerante a ricadere. </li><li> Evacuare e ventilare con gas inerte per 3 volte. </li></ol></li><li> Inoltre sequenziale in condizioni inerti. <ol><li> Impostare il riscaldamento a 90 ° C e aspettare che il THF è reflussaggio. </li><li> Lasciare fuori THF dal vano del campione sopra la presa sul fondo del vano campione. Chiudere la presa. </li><li> Dare 1 ml della soluzione TPM-azide preparati e 0,5 ml della soluzione di Cu (I) catalizzatore per il compartimento del campione attraverso il tappo a vite con setto. Utilizzare una siringa con un ago cavo per trasferire la soluzione in sequenza dal pallone Schlenk all&#39;apparecchio reazione. Nota: La sequenza non ha alcuna influenza alla reazione. </li><li> Attendere circa 30 minuti. </li><li> Lasciare la soluzione di reazione sopra la presa sul fondo del vano campione. Chiudere l&#39;uscita e raccogliere il THF condensata per il risciacquo del campione. Attendere circa 30 minuti. </li><li> Lasciare la soluzione di risciacquo sopra la presa sul fondo del vano campione. Chiudere la presa. </li><li> Dare 1 ml della soluzione TPM-alchino preparati e 0,5 ml della soluzione di Cu (I) catalizzatore per il compartimento del campione attraverso il tappo a vite con setto. Utilizzare una siringa con una cavitàago per trasferire la soluzione in sequenza dal pallone Schlenk all&#39;apparecchio reazione. Nota: La sequenza non ha alcuna influenza alla reazione. </li><li> Attendere circa 30 minuti. </li><li> Lasciare la soluzione di reazione sopra la presa sul fondo del vano campione. Chiudere l&#39;uscita e raccogliere il THF condensata per il risciacquo del campione. Attendere circa 30 minuti. </li><li> Ripetere i passaggi da 1.4.3 a 1.4.9 fino al raggiungimento della quantità desiderata di strati. Nota: Un uno spessore di circa 1 nm. </li><li> Estrarre il substrato di mica rivestite CMP, sciacquarlo con THF, etanolo e asciugare in corrente di azoto. </li></ol></li></ol> 2. Trasferimento di CMP nanomembrane <ol><li> Soluzione di poli (metilmetacrilato) (PMMA). <ol><li> Preparare una soluzione di 4% (in peso) PMMA (M 996 kDa) in acetato di etile. Sciogliere il PMMA utilizza bagno a ultrasuoni fino alla soluzione è limpida. </li></ol></li><li> Spin coating di soluzione PMMA. <ol><li> Impostare il dispositivo a induzione di rotazione a Ratempo mp 10 secondi da 0 a 4.000 giri, tempo di mantenimento 40 sec e il tempo di rampa 10 secondi da 4.000 a 0 rpm. </li><li> Posizionare il CMP substrato di mica rivestito sulla coater rotazione e mettere la soluzione PMMA sul wafer finchè è completamente coperto. Avviare il dispositivo a induzione di rotazione. </li><li> Dopo spin coating è completato, mettere il campione per 5 minuti su una piastra riscaldante a 90 ° C. </li><li> Tagliare 1 mm da ogni bordo del substrato mica rivestita. Utilizzare una forbice per tagliare i bordi. </li></ol></li><li> Trasferimento di PMMA rivestito CMP nanomembrana. <ol><li> Preparare la soluzione di I 2 / KI / H 2 O (1: 4: 40 m / m / m) e KI / H 2 O (1:10 m / m). </li><li> Riempire la soluzione che ho 2 / KI H 2 O in 150 ml cristallizzazione piatto e riempire la soluzione KI / H 2 O in 100 ml di cristallizzazione piatto. Mettere l&#39;oro CMP PMMA rivestiti su substrato di mica, mica in contatto soluzione, in cima alla I 2 / KI / H 2 O soluzione. Fate attenzione che non affonda.Attendere almeno 5 minuti. </li><li> Mettere il CMP oro substrato di mica rivestite PMMA dalla I 2 / KI / H 2 O soluzione sopra della soluzione KI / H 2 O, con mica in contatto soluzione. Fate attenzione che non affonda. Attendere almeno 5 minuti. </li><li> Riempire acqua distillata in 250 ml cristallizzazione piatto. Togliere il / pellicola / oro CMP PMMA dal mica. A tale scopo, leggermente immergendo il substrato, a partire da un bordo, in acqua distillata. Tenere il substrato in modo che la mica punta all&#39;acqua. Nota: La procedura è illustrata nella figura 3. </li><li> Dip-coat PMMA / CMP / oro sul wafer di silicio. A tale scopo, si avvicina il PMMA / CMP / oro lentamente con la cialda fino a toccare bordo della piscina PMMA / membrana / oro CMP. Estrarre il wafer di silicio lentamente, una volta che il Si-wafer è in contatto con il / CMP membrana PMMA / oro. </li><li> Striscia la / CMP pellicola PMMA / oro fuori dal wafer di silicio. A tale scopo, un po &#39;immergendo il substrato, a cominciare da una cura dige, in I 2 / KI / H 2 O soluzione. Aspettare 15 minuti. </li><li> Dopo l&#39;oro è completamente inciso, trasferire la membrana PMMA / CMP di acqua attraverso il wafer di silicio. Aspettare 15 minuti. </li><li> Ripetere il punto 2.3.7 tre volte per lavare la membrana con acqua. </li><li> Trasferire la membrana PMMA / CMP lavato al substrato desiderato, ad esempio, un vetrino o un oro rivestite wafer di silicio, tramite il metodo indicato nel passaggio 2.3.5. Lasciate che il PMMA / CMP supporto asciutto in aria per almeno 2 ore. </li></ol></li><li> Scioglimento del PMMA. <ol><li> Mettere il substrato PMMA / CMP in acetone. Attendere 30 min. Estrarre il substrato e risciacquare con acetone. </li><li> Ripetere il punto 2.4.1 tre volte. </li><li> Lasciate che il CMP supporto asciutto per almeno 2 ore. </li></ol></li></ol>

<ol>
	<li>Lindemann, P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Preparation+of+Freestanding+Conjugated+Microporous+Polymer+Nanomembranes+for+Gas+Separation.">Preparation of Freestanding Conjugated Microporous Polymer Nanomembranes for Gas Separation.</a> Chemistry of Materials. 26 (24), 7193-71 (2014).</li><li>Kim, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Preparation+of+Ultrathin+Films+of+Molecular+Networks+through+Layer-by-Layer+Cross-Linking+Polymerization+of+Tetrafunctional+Monomers.">Preparation of Ultrathin Films of Molecular Networks through Layer-by-Layer Cross-Linking Polymerization of Tetrafunctional Monomers.</a> Macromolecules. 44 (18), 7092-7095 (2011).</li><li>Vonh&#246;ren, B., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ultrafast+Layer-by-Layer+Assembly+of+Thin+Organic+Films+Based+on+Triazolinedione+Click+Chemistry.">Ultrafast Layer-by-Layer Assembly of Thin Organic Films Based on Triazolinedione Click Chemistry.</a> ACS Macro Letters. 4 (3), 331-334 (2015).</li><li>Shekhah, O., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Step-by-Step+Route+for+the+Synthesis+of+Metal&#8722;Organic+Frameworks.">Step-by-Step Route for the Synthesis of Metal&#8722;Organic Frameworks.</a> Journal of the American Chemical Society. 129 (49), 15118-15119 (2007).</li><li>Shekhah, O., Wang, H., Zacher, D., Fischer, R. A., W&#246;ll, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Growth+Mechanism+of+Metal&#8211;Organic+Frameworks:+Insights+into+the+Nucleation+by+Employing+a+Step-by-Step+Route.">Growth Mechanism of Metal&#8211;Organic Frameworks: Insights into the Nucleation by Employing a Step-by-Step Route.</a> Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 48 (27), 5038-5041 (2009).</li><li>Shekhah, O., Liu, J., Fischer, R. A., W&#246;ll, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=MOF+thin+films:+existing+and+future+applications.">MOF thin films: existing and future applications.</a> Chemical Society Reviews. 40 (2), 1081-1106 (2011).</li><li>Liu, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Deposition+of+Metal-Organic+Frameworks+by+Liquid-Phase+Epitaxy:+The+Influence+of+Substrate+Functional+Group+Density+on+Film+Orientation.">Deposition of Metal-Organic Frameworks by Liquid-Phase Epitaxy: The Influence of Substrate Functional Group Density on Film Orientation.</a> Materials. 5 (9), 1581-1592 (2012).</li><li>Such, G. K., Quinn, J. F., Quinn, A., Tjipto, E., Caruso, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Assembly+of+Ultrathin+Polymer+Multilayer+Films+by+Click+Chemistry.">Assembly of Ultrathin Polymer Multilayer Films by Click Chemistry.</a> Journal of the American Chemical Society. 128 (29), 9318-9319 (2006).</li><li>Ai, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Carbon+Nanomembranes+(CNMs)+Supported+by+Polymer:+Mechanics+and+Gas+Permeation.">Carbon Nanomembranes (CNMs) Supported by Polymer: Mechanics and Gas Permeation.</a> Advanced Materials. 26 (21), 3421-3426 (2014).</li><li>Jiang, J. -. X., Cooper, A. I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=in+Functional+Metal-Organic+Frameworks:+Gas+Storage,+Separation+and+Catalysis.">in Functional Metal-Organic Frameworks: Gas Storage, Separation and Catalysis.</a> Topics in Current Chemistry. (ed Martin Schr&#246;der) Ch. 293, 1-33 (2010).</li><li>Dawson, R., Cooper, A. I., Adams, D. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nanoporous+organic+polymer+networks.">Nanoporous organic polymer networks.</a> Progress in Polymer Science. 37 (4), 530-563 (2012).</li><li>Muller, T., Br&#228;se, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Click+Chemistry+Finds+Its+Way+into+Covalent+Porous+Organic+Materials.">Click Chemistry Finds Its Way into Covalent Porous Organic Materials.</a> Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 50 (50), 11844-11845 (2011).</li><li>Tsotsalas, M., Addicoat, M. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Covalently+linked+organic+networks.">Covalently linked organic networks.</a> Frontiers in Materials. 2, (2015).</li><li>Kleinert, M., Winkler, T., Terfort, A., Lindhorst, T. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+modular+approach+for+the+construction+and+modification+of+glyco-SAMs+utilizing+1,3-dipolar+cycloaddition.">A modular approach for the construction and modification of glyco-SAMs utilizing 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition.</a> Organic &amp; Biomolecular Chemistry. 6 (12), 2118-2132 (2008).</li><li>Plietzsch, O., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Four-fold+click+reactions:+Generation+of+tetrahedral+methane-+and+adamantane-based+building+blocks+for+higher-order+molecular+assemblies.">Four-fold click reactions: Generation of tetrahedral methane- and adamantane-based building blocks for higher-order molecular assemblies.</a> Organic &amp; Biomolecular Chemistry. 7, (2009).</li><li>Greenler, R. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Infrared+Study+of+Adsorbed+Molecules+on+Metal+Surfaces+by+Reflection+Techniques.">Infrared Study of Adsorbed Molecules on Metal Surfaces by Reflection Techniques.</a> The Journal of Chemical Physics. 44 (1), (1966).</li></ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

Per la sintesi del CMP film la soluzione del catalizzatore deve essere fresco. Un catalizzatore rotto (cioè, ossidato) è indicato da una colorazione blu della soluzione. La soluzione fresca è incolore. Un punto cruciale è per tagliare i bordi del substrato di mica dopo spin coating PMMA. Anche difetti del substrato deve essere tagliato, cioè, ogni punto fosse il PMMA può venire in contatto con il substrato di mica, a causa di uno strato di oro mancante. Altrimenti lo ...

The preparation of ultra-thin polymer membranes is of high interest for applications in gas separation and nanofiltration. Challenges in the synthesis are represented by (a) the control of the membrane thickness and the homogeneity and (b) transfer of such fragile membranes. To overcome challenge (a), molecular layer-by-layer synthesis1 has shown great promise in controlling the thickness and homogeneity of thin films grown at the solid-liquid interface.2,3 Controlling the number of layers linearly controls the film thickness. The l-b-l method has been successfully used to fabricate surface mounted metal organic frameworks (SURMOFs),4-7 also the synthesis of thin polymer films via l-b-l reaction of polymer chains was demonstrated.8 The challenge (b) concerns the handling of these ultra-thin membranes. To avoid rupture or wrinkling of the nanomembranes sacrificial supports of coatings have shown great promise. 9
Here we will present a detailed protocol for synthesis of conjugated microporous polymer (CMP)10-13 thin films through sequential addition of the molecular building blocks, with desired thickness and composition. The preparation of free-standing CMP nanomembranes is achieved by using a sacrificial support. To handle and transfer the CMP nanomembranes to other supports we will describe a simple protocol to protect the membranes with sacrificial coatings and their upfloating to the liquid air interface and subsequent transfer using dip-coating.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Acetone</td>
			<td>VWR BDH Prolabo</td>
			<td>20066.330</td>
			<td>AnalR NORMAPUR</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Potassium iodide</td>
			<td>VWR BDH Prolabo</td>
			<td>26846.292</td>
			<td>AnalR NORMAPUR</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ethyl acetate</td>
			<td>VWR BDH Prolabo</td>
			<td>23882.321</td>
			<td>AnalR NORMAPUR</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tetrahydrofurane (THF)</td>
			<td>VWR BDH Prolabo</td>
			<td>28559.320</td>
			<td>HiPerSolv CHROMANORM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>THF waterfree</td>
			<td>Merck Millipore</td>
			<td>1.08107.1001</td>
			<td>SeccoSolv</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Iodine</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>20,777-2</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tetrakis(acetonitrile)copper(I)hexafluoro-phosphate</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>346276-5G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Poly(methyl methacrylate) 996 kDa (PMMA)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>182265-25G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1.1.1.1 Methanetetrayltetrakis(4-azidobenzene) (TPM-azide)</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>provided by AK Prof. Br&#228;se. Institute of organic chemistry, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. Synthesized according to9</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1.1.1.1 Methanetetrayltetrakis(4-ethinylenebenzene) (TPM-alkyne)</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>provided by AK Prof. Br&#228;se. Institute of organic chemistry, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. Synthesized according to9</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>11-thioacetyl-undecaneacid propargylamide</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>provided by AK Prof. Br&#228;se. Institute of organic chemistry, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. Synthesized according to8</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>gold/titan coated silicium-wafer</td>
			<td>Georg Albert PVD, 76857 Silz, Germany</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>gold coated mica</td>
			<td>Georg Albert PVD, 76857 Silz, Germany</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

layer-by-layer synthesis and transfer of freestanding conjugated microporous polymer nanomembranes

CMP come grandi materiali Superficie hanno suscitato crescente interesse recente, a causa della loro elevata variabilità nella incorporazione di gruppi funzionali in combinazione con loro eccezionale stabilità termica e chimica e basse densità. Tuttavia, la loro natura insolubile causa problemi nella loro lavorazione poiché le tecniche normalmente applicate come rivestimento a rotazione non sono disponibili. Specialmente per le applicazioni di membrana, in cui il trattamento di CMP come film sottili è desiderabile, i problemi di elaborazione hanno ostacolato la loro applicazione commerciale. Qui si descrive la sintesi interfacciale di film sottili su substrati funzionalizzati CMP tramite layer-by-layer (LBL) sintesi molecolare. Questo processo consente di ottenere film con spessore desiderato e composizione e gradienti di composizione persino desiderati. L&#39;uso di supporti sacrificali permette la preparazione di membrane autoportanti mediante dissoluzione del supporto dopola sintesi. Per gestire tali membrane autoportanti ultrasottili di protezione con rivestimenti sacrificali ha mostrato grande promessa, per evitare la rottura delle nanomembrane. Per trasferire i nanomembrane al substrato desiderato, le membrane sono rivestite upfloated all&#39;interfaccia aria-liquido e quindi trasferiti tramite dip coating.

Le membrane sono caratterizzati mediante spettroscopia di assorbimento infrarosso riflessione (IRRAS). 16 Figura 4 mostra IRRA-spettri da un CMP-membrana trasferito ad un wafer oro. Bande tipiche vibrazioni della dorsale aromatico sono a 1,605 cm -1, 1.515 cm -1 e 1.412 cm -1. Reagiti gruppi alchini e azide può essere osservato da bande caratteristici a 2.125 cm -1 e 1.227 cm -1. La Figura 5 mostra una i...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Layer-by-layer Synthesis and Transfer of Freestanding Conjugated Microporous Polymer Nanomembranes at JoVE.com

Layer-by-layer Synthesis and Transfer of Freestanding Conjugated Microporous Polymer Nanomembranes

In this paper we describe the interfacial synthesis of conjugated microporous polymers (CMP) on sacrificial substrates, and the dissolution of the substrate for the preparation of freestanding CMP nanomembranes. In addition, we will describe how the fragile nanomembranes can be transferred to other substrates.

Sintesi layer-by-layer e di trasferimento delle Freestanding coniugati microporosi Polymer nanomembrane

CMP as large surface area materials have attracted growing interest recently, due to their high variability in the incorporation of functional groups in ...

layer-layer-synthesis-transfer-freestanding-conjugated-microporous

Research

JoVE Journal

Chemistry

9.3K Views.  Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. In this paper we describe the interfacial synthesis of conjugated microporous polymers (CMP) on sacrificial substrates, and the dissolution of the substrate for the preparation of freestanding CMP nanomembranes. In addition, we will describe how the fragile nanomembranes can be transferred to other substrates.

Video: Layer-by-layer Synthesis and Transfer of Freestanding Conjugated Microporous Polymer Nanomembranes

Confocal Imaging of Confined Quiescent and Flowing Colloid-polymer Mixtures

The behavior of confined colloidal suspensions with attractive interparticle interactions is critical to the rational design of materials for directed assembly1-3, drug delivery4, improved hydrocarbon recovery5-7, and flowable electrodes for energy storage8. Suspensions containing fluorescent colloids and non-adsorbing polymers are appealing model systems, as the ratio of the polymer radius of gyration to the particle radius&#160;and concentration of polymer control the range and strength of the interparticle attraction, respectively. By tuning the polymer properties and the volume fraction of the colloids, colloid fluids, fluids of clusters, gels, crystals, and glasses can be obtained9.&#160;Confocal microscopy, a variant of fluorescence microscopy, allows an optically transparent and fluorescent sample to be imaged with high spatial and temporal resolution in three dimensions. In this technique, a small pinhole or slit blocks the emitted fluorescent light from regions of the sample that are outside the focal volume of the microscope optical system. As a result, only a thin section of the sample in the focal plane is imaged. This technique is particularly well suited to probe the structure and dynamics in dense colloidal suspensions at the single-particle scale: the particles are large enough to be resolved using visible light and diffuse slowly enough to be captured at typical scan speeds of commercial confocal systems10. Improvements in scan speeds and analysis algorithms have also enabled quantitative confocal imaging of flowing suspensions11-16,37.&#160;In this paper, we demonstrate confocal microscopy experiments to probe the confined phase behavior and flow properties of colloid-polymer mixtures. We first prepare colloid-polymer mixtures that are density- and refractive-index matched. Next, we report a standard protocol for imaging quiescent dense colloid-polymer mixtures under varying confinement in thin wedge-shaped cells. Finally, we demonstrate a protocol for imaging colloid-polymer mixtures during microchannel flow.

Confocal microscopy is used to image quiescent and flowing colloid-polymer mixtures, which are studied as model systems for attractive suspensions. Image analysis algorithms are used to calculate structural and dynamic metrics for the colloidal particles that measure changes due to geometric confinement.

Imaging confocale di confinati riposo e fluenti miscele colloidali e polimeri

The behavior of confined colloidal suspensions with attractive interparticle interactions is critical to the rational design of materials for directed ...

Ricerca

Chimica

Fabrication of Large-area Free-standing Ultrathin Polymer Films

This procedure describes a method for the fabrication of large-area and ultrathin free-standing polymer films. Typically, ultrathin films are prepared using either sacrificial layers, which may damage the film or affect its mechanical properties, or they are made on freshly cleaved mica, a substrate that is difficult to scale. Further, the size of ultrathin film is typically limited to a few square millimeters. In this method, we modify a surface with a polyelectrolyte that alters the strength of adhesion between polymer and deposition substrate. The polyelectrolyte can be shown to remain on the wafer using spectroscopy, and a treated wafer can be used to produce multiple films, indicating that at best minimal amounts of the polyelectrolyte are added to the film. The process has thus far been shown to be limited in scalability only by the size of the coating equipment, and is expected to be readily scalable to industrial processes. In this study, the protocol for making the solutions, preparing the deposition surface, and producing the films is described.

We describe a method for the fabrication of large-area (up to 13 cm diameter) and ultrathin (as thin as 8 nm) polymer films. Instead of using a sacrificial interlayer to delaminate the film from its substrate, we use a self-limiting surface treatment suitable for arbitrarily large areas.

Fabbricazione di ampia superficie Free-standing ultrasottili film polimerici

This procedure describes a method for the fabrication of large-area and ultrathin free-standing polymer films.  Typically, ultrathin films are prepared ...

Preparation of Highly Porous Coordination Polymer Coatings on Macroporous Polymer Monoliths for Enhanced Enrichment of Phosphopeptides

We describe a protocol for the preparation of hybrid materials based on highly porous coordination polymer coatings on the internal surface of macroporous polymer monoliths. The developed approach is based on the preparation of a macroporous polymer containing carboxylic acid functional groups and the subsequent step-by-step solution-based controlled growth of a layer of a porous coordination polymer on the surface of the pores of the polymer monolith. The prepared metal-organic polymer hybrid has a high specific micropore surface area. The amount of iron(III) sites is enhanced through metal-organic coordination on the surface of the pores of the functional polymer support. The increase of metal sites is related to the number of iterations of the coating process.
The developed preparation scheme is easily adapted to a capillary column format. The functional porous polymer is prepared as a self-contained single-block porous monolith within the capillary, yielding a flow-through separation device with excellent flow permeability and modest back-pressure. The metal-organic polymer hybrid column showed excellent performance for the enrichment of phosphopeptides from digested proteins and their subsequent detection using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The presented experimental protocol is highly versatile, and can be easily implemented to different organic polymer supports and coatings with a plethora of porous coordination polymers and metal-organic frameworks for multiple purification and/or separation applications.

A procedure for the preparation of porous hybrid separation media composed of a macroporous polymer monolith internally coated by a high surface area microporous coordination polymer is presented.

Preparazione di altamente poroso Coordinamento rivestimenti polimerici su macroporosi Polymer Monoliti di avanzata Arricchimento fosfopeptidi

We describe a protocol for the preparation of hybrid materials based on highly porous coordination polymer coatings on the internal surface of macroporous ...

Photodynamic Therapy with Blended Conducting Polymer/Fullerene Nanoparticle Photosensitizers

In this article a method for the fabrication and reproducible in-vitro evaluation of conducting polymer nanoparticles blended with fullerene as the next generation photosensitizers for Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is reported. The nanoparticles are formed by hydrophobic interaction of the semiconducting polymer MEH-PPV (poly[2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene]) with the fullerene PCBM (phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester) in the presence of a non-compatible solvent. MEH-PPV has a high extinction coefficient that leads to high rates of triplet formation, and efficient charge and energy transfer to the fullerene PCBM. The latter processes enhance the efficiency of the PDT system through fullerene assisted triplet and radical formation, and ultrafast deactivation of MEH-PPV excited stated. The results reported here show that this nanoparticle PDT sensitizing system is highly effective and shows unexpected specificity to cancer cell lines.

This protocol describes a method for the fabrication of conducting polymer nanoparticles blended with fullerene. These nanoparticles were investigated for their potential use as a next generation photosensitizers for Photodynamic Therapy (PDT).

Terapia fotodinamica con Blended Condurre Polimero / Fullerene nanoparticelle fotosensibilizzanti

In this article a method for the fabrication and reproducible in-vitro evaluation of conducting polymer nanoparticles blended with fullerene as the next ...

The Preparation and Properties of Thermo-reversibly Cross-linked Rubber Via Diels-Alder Chemistry

A method for using Diels Alder thermo-reversible chemistry as cross-linking tool for rubber products is demonstrated. In this work, a commercial ethylene-propylene rubber, grafted with maleic anhydride, is thermo-reversibly cross-linked in two steps. The pending anhydride moieties are first modified with furfurylamine to graft furan groups to the rubber backbone. These pendant furan groups are then cross-linked with a bis-maleimide via a Diels-Alder coupling reaction. Both reactions can be performed under a broad range of experimental conditions and can easily be applied on a large scale. The material properties of the resulting Diels-Alder cross-linked rubbers are similar to a peroxide-cured ethylene/propylene/diene rubber (EPDM) reference. The cross-links break at elevated temperatures (&#62; 150 &#176;C) via the retro-Diels-Alder reaction and can be reformed by thermal annealing at lower temperatures (50-70 &#176;C). Reversibility of the system was proven with infrared spectroscopy, solubility tests and mechanical properties. Recyclability of the material was also shown in a practical way, i.e., by cutting a cross-linked sample into small parts and compression molding them into new samples displaying comparable mechanical properties, which is not possible for conventionally cross-linked rubbers.

A simple two-step approach involving rubber modification and cross-linking yields fully reworkable, elastic rubber products.

La preparazione e la proprietà di Thermo-reversibile reticolato Chimica Gomma Via Diels-Alder

A method for using Diels Alder thermo-reversible chemistry as cross-linking tool for rubber products is demonstrated. In this work, a commercial ...

Monitoring the Effects of Illumination on the Structure of Conjugated Polymer Gels Using Neutron Scattering

We demonstrate a protocol to effectively monitor the gelation process of a high concentration solution of conjugated polymer both in the presence and absence of white light exposure. By instituting a controlled temperature ramp, the gelation of these materials can be precisely monitored as they proceed through this structural evolution, which effectively mirrors the conditions experienced during the solution deposition phase of organic electronic device fabrication. Using small angle neutron scattering (SANS) and ultra-small angle neutron scattering (USANS) along with appropriate fitting protocols we quantify the evolution of select structural parameters throughout this process. Thorough analysis indicates that continued light exposure throughout the gelation process significantly alters the structure of the ultimately formed gel. Specifically, the aggregation process of poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) nano-scale aggregates is negatively affected by the presence of illumination, ultimately resulting in the retardation of growth in conjugated polymer microstructures and the formation of smaller scale macro-aggregate clusters.

A protocol for the analysis of gels formed from the optoelectronic conjugated polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) using small and ultra-small angle neutron scattering in both the presence and absence of illumination is presented.

Monitoraggio degli effetti di illuminazione sulla struttura del gel di polimeri coniugati utilizzando lo Scattering di neutroni

We demonstrate a protocol to effectively monitor the gelation process of a high concentration solution of conjugated polymer both in the presence and ...

Microfluidic Dry-spinning and Characterization of Regenerated Silk Fibroin Fibers

The protocol demonstrates a method for mimicking the spinning process of silkworm. In the native spinning process, the contracting spinning duct enables the silk proteins to be compact and ordered by shearing and elongation forces. Here, a biomimetic microfluidic channel was designed to mimic the specific geometry of the spinning duct of the silkworm. Regenerated silk fibroin (RSF) spinning doped with high concentration, was extruded through the microchannel to dry-spin fibers at ambient temperature and pressure. In the post-treated process, the as-spun fibers were drawn and stored in ethanol aqueous solution. Synchrotron radiation wide-angle X-ray diffraction (SR-WAXD) technology was used to investigate the microstructure of single RSF fibers, which were fixed to a sample holder with the RSF fiber axis normal to the microbeam of the X-ray. The crystallinity, crystallite size, and crystalline orientation of the fiber were calculated from the WAXD data. The diffraction arcs near the equator of the two-dimensional WAXD pattern indicate that the post-treated RSF fiber has a high orientation degree.

A protocol for the microfluidic spinning and microstructure characterization of regenerated silk fibroin monofilament is presented.

A secco microfluidic-spinning e caratterizzazione delle fibre rigenerate seta Fibroin

The protocol demonstrates a method for mimicking the spinning process of silkworm. In the native spinning process, the contracting spinning duct enables ...

Time-resolved Photophysical Characterization of Triplet-harvesting Organic Compounds at an Oxygen-free Environment Using an iCCD Camera

Here, we present a sensible method of the acquisition and analysis of time-resolved photoluminescence using an ultrafast iCCD camera. This system enables the acquisition of photoluminescence spectra covering the time regime from nanoseconds up to 0.1 s. This enables us to follow the changes in the intensity (decay) and emission of the spectra over time. Using this method, it is possible to study diverse photophysical phenomena, such as the emission of phosphorescence, and the contributions of prompt and delayed fluorescence in molecules showing thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF). Remarkably, all spectra and decays are obtained in a single experiment. This can be done for solids (thin film, powder, crystal) and liquid samples, where the only limitations are the spectral sensitivity of the camera and the excitation wavelength (532 nm, 355 nm, 337 nm, and 266 nm). This technique is, thus, very important when investigating the excited state dynamics in organic emitters for their application in organic light-emitting diodes and other areas where triplet harvesting is of paramount importance. Since triplet states are strongly quenched by oxygen, emitters with efficient TADF luminescence, or those showing room temperature phosphorescence (RTP), must be correctly prepared in order to remove any dissolved oxygen from solutions and films. Otherwise, no long-lived emission will be observed. The method of degassing solid samples as presented in this work is basic and simple, but the degassing of liquid samples creates additional difficulties and is particularly interesting. A method of minimizing solvent loss and changing the sample concentration, while still enabling to remove oxygen in a very efficient and a repeatable manner, is presented in this work.

Here, we present a method of the spectroscopic characterization of organic molecules by means of time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy on the nanosecond-to-millisecond timescale in oxygen-free conditions. Methods to efficiently remove oxygen from the samples and, thus, limit luminescence quenching are also described.

Tempo-risolta caratterizzazione fotofisica di tripletto-raccoglitrici composti organici a un utilizzo di ambiente privo di ossigeno un iCCD telecamera

Here, we present a sensible method of the acquisition and analysis of time-resolved photoluminescence using an ultrafast iCCD camera. This system enables ...

Raman and IR Spectroelectrochemical Methods as Tools to Analyze Conjugated Organic Compounds

In the presented work, two spectroelectrochemical techniques are discussed as tools for the analysis of the structural changes occurring in the molecule on the vibrational level of energy. Raman and IR spectroelectrochemistry can be used for advanced characterization of the structural changes in the organic electroactive compounds. Here, the step-by-step analysis by means of Raman and IR spectroelectrochemistry is shown. Raman and IR spectroelectrochemical techniques provide complementary information about structural changes occurring during an electrochemical process, i.e. allows for the investigation of redox processes and their products. The examples of IR and Raman spectroelectrochemical analysis are presented, in which the products of the redox reactions, both in solution and solid state, are identified.

A protocol of step-by-step Raman and IR spectroelectrochemical analysis is presented.

Raman e IR Spettroelettrochimica metodi come strumenti per analizzare composti organici coniugati

In the presented work, two spectroelectrochemical techniques are discussed as tools for the analysis of the structural changes occurring in the molecule ...

Reactive Vapor Deposition of Conjugated Polymer Films on Arbitrary Substrates

We demonstrate a method of conformally coating conjugated polymers on arbitrary substrates using a custom-designed, low-pressure reaction chamber. Conductive polymers, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene) (PProDOT), and a semiconducting polymer, poly(thieno[3,2-b]thiophene) (PTT), were deposited on unconventional highly-disordered and textured substrates with high surface areas, such as paper, towels and fabrics. This reported deposition chamber is an improvement of previous vapor reactors because our system can accommodate both volatile and nonvolatile monomers, such as 3,4-propylenedioxythiophene and thieno[3,2-b]thiophene. Utilization of both solid and liquid oxidants are also demonstrated. One limitation of this method is that it lacks sophisticated in situ thickness monitors. Polymer coatings made by the commonly used solution-based coating methods, such as spin-coating and surface grafting, are often not uniform or susceptible to mechanical degradation. This reported vapor phase deposition method overcomes those drawbacks and is a strong alternative to common solution-based coating methods. Notably, polymer films coated by the reported method are uniform and conformal on rough surfaces, even at a micrometer scale. This feature allows for future application of vapor deposited polymers in electronics devices on flexible and highly textured substrates.

This paper presents a protocol for reactive vapor deposition of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene), and poly(thieno[3,2-b]thiophene) films on glass slides and rough substrates, such as textiles and paper.