2D Material Liquid Crystals for Optoelectronics and Photonics

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Royal Society of Chemistry via the DOI in this record.The merging of the materials science paradigms of liquid crystals and 2D materials promises superb new opportunities for the advancement of the fields of optoelectronics and photonics. In this review, we summarise the development of 2D material liquid crystals by two different methods; dispersion of 2D materials in a liquid crystalline host and the liquid crystal phase arising from dispersions of 2D material flakes in organic solvents. The properties of liquid crystal phases that make them so attractive for optoelectronics and photonics applications are discussed. The processing of 2D materials to allow for the development of 2D material liquid crystals is also considered. An emphasis is placed on the applications of such materials; from the development of films, fibers and membranes to display applications, optoelectronic devices and quality control of synthetic processes.We acknowledge financial support from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) of the United Kingdom via the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Electromagnetic Metamaterials (Grant No. EP/L015331/1) and via Grant Nos. EP/N035569/1, EP/G036101/1 and EP/M002438/1

Sea Coral-like NiCo2O4@(Ni, Co)OOH Heterojunctions for Enhancing Overall Water-Splitting

It is highly challenging to develop efficient and low-cost catalysts to meet stringent requirements on high current density for industrial water electrolysis application. We developed sea coral-like NiCo2O4@(Ni, Co)OOH heterojunctions, synthesized based on an epitaxial in-grown method using poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as a template, and explored its as efficient electrocatalyst for water-splitting. A two-electrode based alkaline electrolyzer was fabricated using NiCo2O4@(Ni, Co)OOH|| NiCo2O4@(Ni, Co)OOH, which achieved a current density value of 100 mA.cm−2 with a low potential of 1.83 V and high current density approached 600 mA.cm−2 at potential of 2.1 V along with a strong stability. These are superior to most reported data for the electrocatalysts operated at high current densities. In-situ calculations based on density function theory reveal that the occurrence of water-splitting on the NiCo2O4@(Ni, Co)OOH heterojunction surface. First-principles molecular dynamics simulation reveals that the stretching vibrations of metallic bonds of NiCo2O4@(Ni, Co)OOH heterojunctions open the hydrogen bonds of water. Understanding the mechanism of water-splitting at the heterojunction from in-situ theoretical calculations is helpful to develop new generation industrial catalysts

Solvent-less method for efficient photocatalytic [small alpha]-Fe2O3 nanoparticles using macromolecular polymeric precursors

We report a method for solvent-less growth of single crystalline hematite Fe2O3 nanoparticles from metal-containing polymeric macromolecular complexes, and demonstrate their efficient photocatalytic degradation of persistent cationic dye pollutants under visible light. Macromolecular complexes such as chitosan·(FeCl2)y, chitosan·(FeCl3)y, PS-co-4-PVP·(FeCl2)y and PS-co-4-PVP·(FeCl3)y with controlled polymer : metal molar ratios of 1 : 1 and 5 : 1 were prepared by single reaction of the respective polymers and iron chloride salts in CH2Cl2. The stable insoluble compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, infra-red spectroscopy, EPR and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and confirm Fe salts with degrees of coordination of ∼60–70%. Pyrolysis of these macromolecular precursors under air and at 800 °C forms networked Fe2O3 nanoparticles, whose volumetric density, size and shape is controlled by the metal content and the nature of the macromolecular complex (chitosan or PS-co-4-PVP). For both polymers, the 1 : 1 molar ratio precursor produces nanoparticles ranging from 10–200 nm with a moderate superparamagnetic behavior and optical bandgap marginally larger than bulk Fe2O3. A matrix-incubated formation mechanism involving the carbonization of the organic matter, forming voids within the macromolecular complex wherein the Fe centres coalesce, oxidize and crystallize into nanoparticles is also proposed. The hematite Fe2O3 nanoparticle materials demonstrate very efficient photocatalytic degradation of persistent water pollutants such as the cationic dye methylene blue. The nanoparticulate material obtained from chitosan·(FeCl2)y 1 : 1 under the simulated sunlight (full visible spectrum) irradiation provides high rate degradation of MB by 73% in 60 min and >94% after 150 min, measured at 655 nm

Formation of calcium phosphate nanostructures under the influence of self-assembling hybrid elastin-like-statherin recombinamers

The self-assembling properties of thermally-sensitive amphiphilic elastin-like multiblock recombinamers have been combined with the capacities of calcium phosphate binding of the SN(A)15 epitope inspired by the salivary protein statherin. In this regard, the interaction between calcium and phosphate ions was examined in the presence of two hybrid recombinamers. The first recombinamer comprised a simple amphiphilic diblock in which the SN(A)15 epitopes were combined, at the gene level, to the hydrophilic end. This recombinamer can self-assemble into nanoparticles that can control the transformation of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) into a fibre-like hydroxyapatite structure. In the other recombinamer, the SN(A)15 domains are distributed along the monomer chain, with the hydrophilic blocks being distributed amongst the hydrophobic ones. In this case, the resulting nanohybrid ACP/recombinamer organises into neuron-like structures. Thus, combining the amphiphilic elastin-like recombinamers to the SN(A)15 functionality is a powerful mean to tune the formation of different complex calcium phosphate nanostructures.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Engaging New Association Members : for Turun Laulelman Ystävät ry

The aim of this thesis is to design and test a concept suggestion for engaging adult music hobbyists as members for music association Turun Laulelman Ystävät ry. The mission of Turun Laulelman Ystävät ry is to support the tradition and hobby of the laulelma music genre. The average age of the members in Turun Laulelman Ystävät is high, most of them are seniors. In recent years, the association has not been successful enough in engaging new younger members. Therefore, the activity and continuity of the organisation is under threat. The research questions of the study are: what factors affect the desire and ability of users to engage with a hobby club or association, is the strategy of Turun Laulelman Ystävät supporting the desired state of the organisation, and what innovations are needed to achieve the desired state. The organisation culture and strategy is researched and evaluated in co-operation with the association. The methodology includes surveys, interviews and service design methods such as stakeholder mapping, customer journey and service blueprint. Previous studies in leadership, change management, service design, association and communication strategies, as well as laulelma music genre, are used as part of the research. To ensure the delivery and iterative development of the association, its strategy, activities, channels and behaviours were designed to sustain the organisation’s approach. The study will present co-designing and testing of new service concepts for Turun Laulelman Ystävät. New concepts such as organisation values, membership experience journey, communication plan and new communication channels will help the organisation’s change process and approach in achieving their desired state of engaging new younger members