Gram-scale selective synthesis of WO nanorods and (NH)WO ammonium tungsten bronzes with tunable plasmonic properties.

Localized surface plasmon resonance properties in unconventional materials like metal oxides or chalcogenide semiconductors have been studied for use in signal detection and analysis in biomedicine and photocatalysis. We devised a selective synthesis of the tungsten oxides WO and (NH)WO with tunable plasmonic properties. We selectively synthesized WO nanorods with different aspect ratios and hexagonal tungsten bronzes (NH)WO as truncated nanocubes starting from ammonium metatungstate (NH)HWO·xHO.

Mixed Ligand Shell Formation upon Catechol Ligand Adsorption on Hydrophobic TiO Nanoparticles.

Modifying the surfaces of metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) with monolayers of ligands provides a simple and direct method to generate multifunctional coatings by altering their surface properties. This works best if the composition of the monolayers can be controlled. Mussel-inspired, noninnocent catecholates stand out from other ligands like carboxylates and amines because they are redox-active and allow for highly efficient surface binding and enhanced electron transfer to the surface.

TiO Nanoparticles Functionalized with Non-innocent Ligands Allow Oxidative Photocyanation of Amines with Visible/Near-Infrared Photons.

Photosynthesis is an efficient mechanism for converting solar light energy into chemical energy. We report on a strategy for the aerobic photocyanation of tertiary amines with visible and near-infrared (NIR) light. Panchromatic sensitization was achieved by functionalizing TiO with a 2-methylisoquinolinium chromophore, which captures essential features of the extended π-system of 2,7-diazapyrenium (DAP) dications or graphitic carbon nitride.

Elastic Modulus and Thermal Conductivity of Thiolene/TiO Nanocomposites.

Metal oxide based polymer nanocomposites find diverse applications as functional materials, and in particular thiol-ene/TiO nanocomposites are promising candidates for dental restorative materials. The important mechanical and thermal properties of the nanocomposites, however, are still not well understood. In this study, the elastic modulus and thermal conductivity of thiol-ene/TiO nanocomposite thin films with varying weight fractions of TiO nanoparticles are investigated by using Brillouin light scattering spectroscopy and 3ω measurements, respectively.

Joining Two Natural Motifs: Catechol-Containing Poly(phosphoester)s.

Numerous catechol-containing polymers, including biodegradable polymers, are currently heavily discussed for modern biomaterials. However, there is no report combining poly(phosphoester)s (PPEs) with catechols. Adhesive PPEs have been prepared via acyclic diene metathesis polymerization.

High-performance TiO2 nanoparticle/DOPA-polymer composites.

Many natural materials are complex composites whose mechanical properties are often outstanding considering the weak constituents from which they are assembled. Nacre, made of inorganic (CaCO3 ) and organic constituents, is a textbook example because of its strength and toughness, which are related to its hierarchical structure and its well-defined organic-inorganic interface. Emulating the construction principles of nacre using simple inorganic materials and polymers is essential for understanding how chemical composition and structure determine biomaterial functions.