Photophysical Properties of Linear, Net-structured and Branched Polybenzimidazoles.

Polybenzimidazoles with three different network structures are synthesized by condensation polymerization between the conventional monomer 3,3'-Diaminobenzidine and three different acid monomers. The synthesised polymer networks are characterized using several characterization techniques such as FT-IR, powder XRD, HR-SEM and TG-DTA analyses. The polybenzimidazoles are amorphous in nature with excellent thermal stability up to 450 ºC.

Synthesis and Photoluminescence Properties of MoS/Graphene Heterostructure by Liquid-Phase Exfoliation.

Here, we report the synthesis of MoS/graphene heterostructure in single-stage, liquid-phase exfoliation using a 7:3 isopropyl alcohol/water mixture. Further, the synthesized heterostructure was characterized using UV-visible and micro-Raman spectroscopies, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis. UV-visible and micro-Raman analyses confirmed that the synthesized heterostructure had mostly few-layered (two-to-four sheets) MoS.

Structure and dynamics of poly(methacrylic acid) and its interpolymer complex probed by covalently bound rhodamine-123.

The dynamics and structural characteristics of polymethacrylic acid bound rhodamine-123 (PMAA-R123) and its interpolymer complex formed through hydrogen bonding between the monomeric units with poly(vinylpyrrolidone) were investigated using single molecular fluorescence studies. The time resolved fluorescence anisotropy decay of PMAA-R123 under acidic pH exhibits an associated anisotropy decay behavior characteristic of two different environments experienced by the fluorophore with one shorter and another longer rotational correlation time. The anisotropy decay retains normal bi-exponential behavior under neutral pH.

Measurement of Alcohol-Dependent Physiological Changes in Red Blood Cells Using Resistive Pulse Sensing.

Alcohol exposure has been postulated to adversely affect the physiology and function of the red blood cells (RBCs). The global pervasiveness of alcohol abuse, causing health issues and social problems, makes it imperative to resolve the physiological effects of alcohol on RBC physiology. Alcohol consumed recreationally or otherwise almost immediately alters cell physiology in ways that is subtle and still unresolved.

Discovery of carbon nanotubes in sixth century BC potteries from Keeladi, India.

Unique black coatings were observed in the inner wall of pottery shreds excavated from Keeladi, Tamilnadu, India. Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to understand the nature of the coating. The analysis revealed the presence of single, multi-walled carbon nanotubes and layered sheets in the coating.

3D Coincidence Imaging Disentangles Intense Field Double Detachment of SF6(–).

The efficient intense field double detachment of molecular anions observed in SF6(–) is studied by 3D coincidence imaging of the dissociation products. The dissociation anisotropy and kinetic energy release distributions are determined for the energetically lowest double detachment channel by virtue of disentangling the SF5(+) + F fragmentation products. The observed nearly isotropic dissociation with respect to the linear laser polarization and surprisingly high kinetic energy release events suggest that the dissociation occurs on a highly excited state.

Multiple detachment of the SF6(-) molecular anion with shaped intense laser pulses.

Interaction of molecular SF6(-) anions with intense near-IR laser pulses is found to produce cationic fragments by nonsequential multiple detachment. Dissociative ionization channels that lie more than 20 eV above the threshold energy for double detachment are observed. Mass-resolved product yields are presented and analyzed as a function of the femtosecond laser pulse energy, pulse shape, and polarization ellipticity.