From random coil polymers to helical structures induced by carbon nanotubes and supramolecular interactions.

A simple method is reported for the preparation of double-helical structures through a series of achiral random and block copolymers poly(styrene-co-4-vinylbenzyl triazolylmethyl methylthymine) (PS-co-PVBT) with various T units on the side chains through click reactions of poly(styrene-co-4-vinylbenzyl azide) (PS-co-PVBN(3)) with propargyl thymine (PT) and also the synthesis of the A-appended pyrene derivative (A-Py) through click chemistry. This double-helical structure is observed from achiral random-coil polystyrene (PS) main chains, stabilized through the combination of multiple A-T hydrogen bonds, and π-π stacking between pyrene units and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs).

The transfer and amplification of cyanostilbene molecular function to advanced flexible optical paints through self-crosslinkable side-chain liquid crystal polysiloxanes.

A self-crosslinkable side-chain liquid crystal polysiloxane containing cyanostilbene (Si-CSM) was newly synthesized for the development of a new generation of flexible optical paints. The photoisomerization of the cyanostilbene moiety at the molecular level was transferred and amplified to the phase transition of Si-CSM, resulting in changes in the macroscopic optical properties of the Si-CSM thin film. The self-crosslinking reaction between Si-H groups in the Si-CSM polymer backbone caused the self-crosslinked Si-CSM thin film to be very elastic and both thermally and chemically stable. Therefore, the self-crosslinked Si-CSM thin film endured stretching and bending deformations under relatively harsh conditions. In addition, the uniaxially oriented and self-crosslinked Si-CSM thin film generated linearly polarized light emission. Polarization-dependent and photopatternable secret coatings were fabricated via a spontaneous self-crosslinking reaction after coating the Si-CSM paint and irradiating ultraviolet (UV) light through a photomask. This newly developed flexible optical Si-CSM paint can be applied in next-generation optical coatings.

Construction of CdS quantum dots via a regioselective dendritic functionalized cellulose template.

Using regioselective dendritic functionalized cellulose, CdS quantum dot nanoparticles were prepared and their photo-optical properties and morphology as well as the preliminary biocompatibility of the hybrid were investigated.