Synergic effect of graphene oxide and boron nitride on the mechanical properties of polyimide composite films.

The addition of two-dimensional (2D) materials into polymers can improve their mechanical properties. In particular, graphene oxide (GO) and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) are expected to be potential nanoplatelet additives for polymers. Interactions between such nanoplatelets and polymers are effective in improving the above properties.

Annulative coupling of vinylboronic esters: aryne-triggered 1,2-metallate rearrangement.

A stereoselective annulative coupling of a vinylboronic ester ate-complex with arynes producing cyclic borinic esters has been developed. An annulation reaction that proceeded through the formation of two C-C bonds and a C-B bond was realized by exploiting a 1,2-metallate rearrangement of boronate triggered by the addition of a vinyl group to the strained triple bond of an aryne. The generated aryl anion would then cyclize to a boron atom to complete the annulation cascade.

Synthesis, optical and electrochemical properties of 4,4'-bibenzo[]thiophene derivatives.

We designed and synthesized unsubstituted 4,4'-bibenzo[]thiophene 4,4'-BBT and its silyl-substituted derivatives 1,1'-Si-4,4'-BBT and 1,1',3,3'-Si-4,4'-BBT with one or two -butyldimethylsilyl groups on each thiophene ring, as new π-building blocks in emitters, photosensitizers and semiconductors for organic optoelectronic devices. The characterization of 4,4'-BBT, 1,1'-Si-4,4'-BBT and 1,1',3,3'-Si-4,4'-BBT was successfully determined by FTIR, H and C NMR measurements, high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) analysis, photoabsorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Moreover, a single-crystal X-ray structural analysis was successfully made for 1,1'-Si-4,4'-BBT and 1,1',3,3'-Si-4,4'-BBT.

Zero-field slow relaxation of magnetization in cobalt(ii) single-ion magnets: suppression of quantum tunneling of magnetization by tailoring the intermolecular magnetic coupling.

The correlation between magnetic relaxation dynamics and the alignment of single-ion magnets (SIMs) in a crystal was investigated using four analogous cobalt(ii) complexes with unique hydrogen-bond networks. The hydrogen-bonding interactions in the crystals resulted in a relatively short intermolecular Co⋯Co distance, which led to non-zero intermolecular magnetic coupling. All the complexes with a Co⋯Co distance shorter than 6.

Disproportionation-induced solid-state fluorescence in 6,13-dihydropentacenes.

The thermally and photolytically induced disproportionation of 6,13-dihydropentacene derivatives into tetrahydropentacenes and pentacenes results in unique solid-state fluorescence. The fluorescence thereby depends on the molecular structure and the molecular arrangement in the solid state.

Simultaneous improvement in electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of PEDOT:PSS by N pressure-induced nitric acid treatment.

As a thermoelectric (TE) material suited to applications for recycling waste-heat into electricity through the Seebeck effect, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid) (PEDOT:PSS) is of great interest. Our research demonstrates a comprehensive study of different post-treatment methods with nitric acid (HNO) to enhance the thermoelectric properties of PEDOT:PSS. The optimum conditions are obtained when PEDOT:PSS is treated with HNO for 10 min at room temperature followed by passing nitrogen gas (N) with a pressure of 0.

Surface modification effects on the tensile properties of functionalised graphene oxide epoxy films.

Graphene oxide (GO) is a candidate for nanofillers to improve the mechanical and thermal stability of nanocomposites. In order to determine the molecular interaction to improve the mechanical properties of GO-epoxy resin composites, we investigated the relationship between GO oxidation properties and the tensile strength of the epoxy resin. With respect to GO preparation, graphite was oxidised by the Brodie or Hummers method, and the oxidised GO was reduced or chloride substituted.

A new PDAC mouse model originated from iPSCs-converted pancreatic cancer stem cells (CSCcm).

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most representative form of pancreatic cancers. PDAC solid tumours are constituted of heterogeneous populations of cells including cancer stem cells (CSCs), differentiated cancer cells, desmoplastic stroma and immune cells. The identification and consequent isolation of pancreatic CSCs facilitated the generation of genetically engineered murine models.

iPSC-derived cancer stem cells provide a model of tumor vasculature.

To grow beyond a size of approximately 1-2 mm, tumor cells activate many processes to develop blood vasculature. Growing evidences indicate that the formation of the tumor vascular network is very complex, and is not restricted to angiogenesis. Cancer cell-derived tumor vasculatures have been recently described.