Synthesis and Characterization of New Chiral Smectic Four-Ring Esters.

Orthoconic antiferroelectric liquid crystals (OAFLCs) represent unique self-organized materials with significant potential for applications in photonic devices due to their sub-microsecond switching times and high optical contrast in electro-optical effects. However, almost all known OALFCs suffer from low chemical stability and short helical pitch values. This paper presents the synthesis and study results of two chiral AFLCs, featuring a four-ring structure in the rigid core and high chemical stability.

Combustion Synthesis of Functionalized Carbonated Boron Nitride Nanoparticles and Their Potential Application in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy.

In this research, we developed boron-rich nanoparticles that can be used for boron neutron capture therapy as potential carriers for boron delivery to cancerous tissues. Functionalized carbonated boron nitride nanostructures (CBNs) were successfully synthesized in self-propagating combustion waves in mixtures of high-nitrogen explosives and boron compounds. The products' composition, morphology, and structural features were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, low-temperature nitrogen sorption analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, high-resolution scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy.

Pyrolysis of Porous Organic Polymers under a Chlorine Atmosphere to Produce Heteroatom-Doped Microporous Carbons.

Three types of cross-linked porous organic polymers (either oxygen-, nitrogen-, or sulfur-doped) were carbonized under a chlorine atmosphere to obtain chars in the form of microporous heteroatom-doped carbons. The studied organic polymers constitute thermosetting resins obtained via sol-gel polycondensation of resorcinol and five-membered heterocyclic aldehydes (either furan, pyrrole, or thiophene). Carbonization under highly oxidative chlorine (concentrated and diluted Cl atmosphere) was compared with pyrolysis under an inert helium atmosphere.