Poly[(3-hexylthiophene)-block-(3-semifluoroalkylthiophene)] for Polymer Solar Cells

We report the synthesis of poly[(3-hexylthiophene)-block-(3-(4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,7-nonafluoroheptyl)thiophene)], P(3HT-b-3SFT), carried out by the Grignard Metathesis Method (GRIM). The copolymers composition was determined by 1H and 19F NMR spectroscopies, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The thin films of P(3HT-b-3SFT) were investigated by ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). We also fabricated bulk-hetero junction (BHJ) solar cells based on blends of P(3HT-b-3SFT) and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM). Although the composition ratio of P3SFT in P(3HT-b-3SFT) was low, the influence of P3SFT on the morphology and properties of solar cells was significant. The annealing process for the BHJ solar cells induced the formation of large domains and led to poor solar cell performance. The BHJ solar cells, based on PCBM and P(3HT-b-3SFT), prepared by the non-annealing process, had a maximum power conversion efficiency of 0.84% under 100 mW/cm2 (AM 1.5 solar illumination) in air

A Colourful Past : A Re-examination of a Swedish Rococo Set of Furniture with a Focus on the Urushi Components

Two artefacts in royal custody, an étagère (inventory number HGK401) and a writing desk (inventory number HGK1249), display specific aspects of Swedish Rococo furniture in an exciting combination are re-examined through scientific means. Microscopy of cross sections, wood species identification, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence microscopy, and pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses reveal some of their physical and chemical characteristics. The results show that the original wood includes hinoki, and the actual urushi ware originates from at least two different artefacts, of which one was made in Japan. A specific mixture of saps hitherto only confirmed on historical Ryukyu Island urushi artefacts was detected. Blue coloured urushi is verified

A White Gem from Kyoto

A small box, hitherto described as white lacquerware, currently displayed at the Chinese Pavilion, Drottningholm, Sweden, is an unusual example of artefacts imported from the Far East during the era of the East India Companies. By using microscopy for cross- and thin sections, X-ray fluorescence microscopy, attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, some of the specific characteristics of the box are described, and it was possible to differentiate original from more recent restoration material. Among other findings, the results suggest that white glue tempera is a better description, based on indications of calcium carbonate and protein, and support an earlier attribution of the box to an Edo period doll maker in Kyoto

A Significant Japanese Coffer: A Multi-disciplinary Approach to Examining Late Sixteenth- — Early Seventeen-Century Export Urushi Ware

A significant coffer in the Royal Swedish collection, inventory number HGK 406, is examined. The aim is to confirm or add new data concerning its age, provenance, and components. The scientific analyses include microscopy of cross and thin sections, wood species identification, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X−ray fluorescence microscopy, pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, strontium isotope ratio measurement, and radiocarbon dating. The investigation also includes excerpting and examining historical documents to a lesser degree. The results show that the body wood is Thujopsis dolabrata BUN 1248, a strong indication of the coffer's Japanese origin. The urushi coating is made with sap harvested in Japan from the species Toxicodendron vernicifluum. The decorations include gold powder, red iron oxide, and cinnabar pigments. Radiocarbon dating supports the dating of the coffer, also based on its style, as of the late sixteenth or early seventeenth century. While all the results may not stand alone, the study shows that a methodology with a multidisciplinary approach can produce new knowledge and support or reject hypotheses arrived at from other kinds of sources

Miyakoshi T. Studies on acetone powder and purified Rhus laccase immobilized on zirconium chloride for oxidation of phenols. Enzyme Res

Rhus laccase was isolated and purified from acetone powder obtained from the exudates of Chinese lacquer trees (Rhus vernicifera) from the Jianshi region, Hubei province of China. There are two blue bands appearing on CM-sephadex C-50 chromatography column, and each band corresponding to Rhus laccase 1 and 2, the former being the major constituent, and each had an average molecular weight of approximately 110 kDa. The purified and crude Rhus laccases were immobilized on zirconium chloride in ammonium chloride solution, and the kinetic properties of free and immobilized Rhus laccase, such as activity, molecular weight, optimum pH, and thermostability, were examined. In addition, the behaviors on catalytic oxidation of phenols also were conducted

Application of Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry in Lacquer Research: A Review

Examination of thermal degradation of natural and synthetic lacquer films by pyrolysis-gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) is reviewed. Due to the instantaneous heating decomposition, side reactions of internal or intermediate samples hardly occur, and the pyrolysis products can be retrieved without any change. Py-GC/MS has been used to analyze the composition of insoluble polymers and investigate degradation of resin materials. Lacquer film is a cross-linked polymer that is insoluble in any solvent. The aim of this review is to describe the application of Py-GC/MS to the analysis of lacquer, including natural lacquer saps, synthetic lacquer derivatives, and their films. After analyzing the chemical structures of the specific pyrolysis products by mass spectrometry, the lacquer tree species and growing region can be determined. These results have great significance for the protection and restoration of lacquer-coated cultural treasures

Recent Advances in Research on Lacquer Allergy

Allergic contact dermatitis caused by contact with lacquer sap and lacquerware affects the welfare of lacquer workers and the lacquerware industry. Many studies of the mechanism of urushiol allergy, including animal models, have been carried out and have established several hypotheses. In order to provide a comprehensive understanding of lacquer allergy, we review recent advances in the research on lacquer allergy including the chemical properties of lacquer lipid components, allergic mechanism analyses, immunological explanations, allergy medications, and the prevention combined with the research results from our laboratory

A 'meta effect' in the fragmentation reactions of ionised alkyl phenols and alkyl anisoles.

International audienceThe competition between benzylic cleavage (simple bond fission [SBF]) and retro-ene rearrangement (RER) from ionised ortho, meta and para RC(6) H(4) OH and RC(6) H(4) OCH(3) (R = n-C(3) H(7) , n-C(4) H(9) , n-C(5) H(11) , n-C(7) H(15) , n-C(9) H(19) , n-C(15) H(31) ) is examined. It is observed that the SBF/RER ratio is significantly influenced by the position of the substituent on the aromatic ring. As a rule, phenols and anisoles substituted by an alkyl group in meta position lead to more abundant methylene-2,4-cyclohexadiene cations (RER fragmentation) than their ortho and para homologues. This 'meta effect' is explained on the basis of energetic and kinetic of the two reaction channels. Quantum chemistry computations have been used to provide estimate of the thermochemistry associated with these two fragmentation routes. G3B3 calculation shows that a hydroxy or a methoxy group in the meta position destabilises the SBF and stabilises the RER product ions. Modelling of the SBF/RER intensities ratio has been performed assuming two single reaction rates for both fragmentation processes and computing them within the statistical RRKM formalism in the case of ortho, meta and para butyl phenols. It is clearly demonstrated that, combining thermochemistry and kinetics, the inequality (SBF/RER)(meta) < (SBF/RER)(ortho) < (SBF/RER)(para) holds for the butyl phenols series. It is expected that the 'meta effect' described in this study enables unequivocal identification of meta isomers from ortho and para isomers not only of alkyl phenols and alkyl anisoles but also in other alkyl benzene series