Caught in Action: Visualizing Dynamic Nanostructures Within Supramolecular Systems Chemistry.

Supramolecular systems chemistry has been an area of active research to develop nanomaterials with life-like functions. Progress in systems chemistry relies on our ability to probe the nanostructure formation in solution. Often visualizing the dynamics of nanostructures which transform over time is a formidable challenge.

Rubicene, an Unusual Contorted Core for Discotic Liquid Crystals.

Rubicene, an unusual contorted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, was realized to function as a novel core fragment for discotic liquid crystals. The central π-conjugated motif was prepared from dialkoxyiodobenzene via Sonagashira coupling followed by pentannulation and Scholl cyclodehydrogenation. The synthesized rubicene derivatives were found to be thermally stable and exhibit enantiotropic columnar mesophases.

Plant seed extract assisted, eco-synthesized C-ZnO nanoparticles: Characterization, chromium(VI) ion adsorption and kinetic studies.

This report attempts to elucidate the potential of plant seed extract assisted synthesis of graphite-based zinc oxide nanoparticles (C-ZnO NPs) towards removal of chromium(VI) ions from water samples. The graphite-based zinc oxide (C-ZnO) composites were characterized using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The C-ZnO nanocomposites have found to remove chromium from the sample through an adsorption process.

Salt-induced swelling transitions of a lamellar amphiphile-Polyelectrolyte complex.

We report salt-induced swelling transitions of a lamellar complex of the anionic polyelectrolyte, poly(acrylic acid sodium salt) (PAANa), and the cationic amphiphile, didodecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC). Increasing the concentration of NaCl in the solution is found to lead to a collapsed → swollen → collapsed transition of the complex. The swelling transition is driven by an abrupt increase in PAANa adsorption on DDAC bilayers above a threshold salt concentration.