Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Philipp Dullinger, Dominik Horinek
Summary: In recent years, it has been increasingly recognized that nanometer-sized ions exhibit superchaotropic effects in solution, resembling typical surfactants. However, the extension of the Hofmeister series to nanoions has not been achieved. By studying a generic model and conducting molecular dynamics simulations, a qualitative classification scheme based on ion size as a second dimension is proposed and supported.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Atsushi Hirano, Tomoshi Kameda, Momoyo Wada, Takeshi Tanaka, Hiromichi Kataura
Summary: In this study, carbon nanobelts (CNBs) were successfully solubilized using aliphatic surfactant micelles through host-guest complexation. The solubility of CNB in non-aliphatic surfactant solutions was found to be poor. This finding provides important knowledge for the application of aliphatic compounds in solubilizing CNBs and their derivatives.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Zonghan Wang, Fawen Yin, Deyang Li, Xinmiao Wang, Chao Guo, Donghong Liu, Beiwei Zhu, Dayong Zhou
Summary: This study proposed an ordered encapsulation strategy using cyclodextrin-based metal-organic frameworks (CD-MOFs) to alleviate the auto-browning phenomenon of catechins while preserving their antioxidant capability. The encapsulated catechins showed delayed browning and reduced generation of oxidative dimers and semiquinone radicals, even in aqueous solutions. The mechanism insights revealed that ordered encapsulation restricted molecular mobility and constrained molecular conformations of catechins.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yoshio Nishiyama, Hirohisa Nagatani
Summary: In this study, the photochemical reaction of deprotonated ketoprofen in aqueous solutions at neutral pH was investigated using the transient grating method. At low excitation fluences or concentrations, molecular diffusion was observed, while at high fluences or concentrations, aggregation dynamics were observed.
CHEMICAL PHYSICS LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Iwona Plowas-Korus, Richard Buchner
Summary: An extensive dielectric relaxation study was conducted on aqueous xylitol solutions, revealing weak hydration of xylitol and formation of aggregates due to the lack of separating bulk water. The aggregation of xylitol molecules is driven by rising temperature and results in the formation of larger fluctuating entities.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Grzegorz Czernel, Dominika Bloch, Arkadiusz Matwijczuk, Jolanta Ciesla, Monika Kedzierska-Matysek, Mariusz Florek, Mariusz Gagos
Summary: The study synthesized silver nanoparticles using different concentrations of honey solutions, with the 20% honey solution inhibiting nanoparticle synthesis at 35 degrees Celsius. Among the variants, AgNPs-H2 exhibited the strongest antifungal activity, while AgNPs-H10 and AgNPs-H20 showed no activity or even stimulated fungal growth.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Zhengli Peng, Mo Zhu, Jinxian Yang, Lianwei Li
Summary: This study systematically investigated the effects of PEG molar mass and solution concentration on the thermal response behavior of methyl cellulose (MC) aqueous solutions. The results demonstrate the impact of PEG chain length on the stabilization and extension of formed MC fibers.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Felix Geissler, Maria Martinez-Cabanas, Pablo Lodeiro, Eric P. Achterberg
Summary: The study focused on characterizing and optimizing an AF4-UVNis-DLS system for the size separation and multi-parameter characterization of AgNPs, demonstrating successful separation and characterization of different sized AgNPs under various conditions.
ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Han Tang, Jin Cai, Chen -Yang Zhu, Guang-Jin Chen, Xiao-Hui Wang, Chang -Yu Sun
Summary: This study primarily reviews the research on clustering behavior in aqueous solutions, including structural characteristics, cluster populations, anomalous properties, and modeling approaches, and discusses the current challenges and future prospects of research in this field.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bingru Zhang, Peter J. Collings
Summary: This study investigates the behavior of lyotropic chromonic liquid crystal molecules in aqueous solutions to test the assembly process in different systems. The results confirm that an isodesmic process is an appropriate model for these lyotropic chromonic liquid crystal systems.
Correction
Chemistry, Physical
Hend Baza, Taras Turiv, Bing-Xiang Li, Ruipeng Li, Benjamin M. Yavitt, Masafumi Fukuto, Oleg D. Lavrentovich
Summary: This study investigated the polydomain structures of nematic lyotropic chromonic liquid crystal disodium cromoglycate, and found that shear force can induce changes in its structure.
Article
Spectroscopy
Luigi Stagi, Riccardo Farris, Leon de Villiers Engelbrecht, Francesca Mocci, Carlo Maria Carbonaro, Plinio Innocenzi
Summary: L-lysine exhibits peculiar optical properties in aqueous solutions, emitting blue light as the concentration increases, while remaining non-emissive in crystalline form. This study combines quantum mechanics, classical simulations, and experimental techniques to demonstrate that optical absorption and excitation-dependent fluorescence are directly correlated with the formation of aggregates, their dimensions, and intermolecular interactions. L-lysine aggregation and intermolecular H-bonding are found to be responsible for the emission in the blue range.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A-MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mara Dubnicka, William B. Euler
Summary: The absorption and emission spectra of six rhodamine dyes were investigated in solution and thin films, and their characteristics were found to be influenced by molecular structure. The photophysical behavior of thin films differed from that of solution, depending on interactions with the substrate.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tianchi Cao, Menachem Elimelech
Summary: The aggregation kinetics and surface charging properties of rod-like sulfated cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) in aqueous suspensions with monovalent, divalent, or trivalent inorganic salts were investigated. The phenomenon of charge neutralization and charge reversal was observed with divalent and trivalent salts, impacting the colloidal stability of the CNCs significantly. These findings have important implications for applications of CNCs in nanotechnology and materials science.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gideon K. Gogovi, Swabir Silayi, Amarda Shehu
Summary: The study examines the structural dynamics and energetic properties of a C-terminal domain of the Rift Valley Fever Virus L protein solvated in glycerol and aqueous glycerol solutions in different concentrations using all-atom molecular dynamics. It is found that peptide helices and sheets are maintained only when the modeling strategy considers the solvent with lower glycerol concentration, and that solvent-peptide interaction becomes more cohesive with decreasing glycerol concentrations. The density and radial distribution function of glycerol solvent calculated with modified atomic charges show good agreement with experimental results and other simulations at 298.15K.
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
P. Priscilla, Praveen Malik, Supreet, Ajay Kumar, Riccardo Castagna, Gautam Singh
Summary: This review focuses on the alignment of liquid crystals (LCs) controlled by nanoparticles. It is found that doping nanoparticles in LCs or patterning nanostructures on substrates can achieve the desired alignment of LCs. Using nanoparticles for LC alignment has similar quality to conventional alignment techniques, but it is less time consuming and cost-effective. Furthermore, nanoparticles can greatly improve the electro-optical properties of LC devices.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN SOLID STATE AND MATERIALS SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Depanshu Varshney, Anu, Jai Prakash, Vinay Pratap Singh, Kamlesh Yadav, Gautam Singh
Summary: This study reports on the concentration and temperature dependent optical, electro-optical, and dielectric properties of a bismuth titanate nanocomposite doped with a nematic liquid crystal. The results show that the nanocomposite is uniformly dispersed in the liquid crystal without agglomeration, and it significantly affects the dielectric properties and optical memory of the liquid crystal. These findings have important implications for the development of wearable devices and smart switchable windows.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2022)
Review
Physics, Applied
Ajay Kumar, Dharmendra Pratap Singh, Gautam Singh
Summary: The integration of liquid crystals and nanotechnology has brought new features to liquid crystal materials, and carbon-based nanomaterials have shown synergistic interaction with liquid crystals. However, achieving uniform dispersion of carbon-based nanomaterials in liquid crystal matrix is a challenging step in the preparation of carbon-based nanomaterial/liquid crystal composites.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS D-APPLIED PHYSICS
(2022)
Review
Physics, Condensed Matter
Ajay Kumar, Priyam, Harikesh Meena, Jai Prakash, Ling Wang, Gautam Singh
Summary: Ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs) have excellent electro-optical properties compared to nematic liquid crystals (LCs), and the dispersion of nanomaterials (NMs) in FLCs can further improve their electro-optical properties. Semiconducting nanomaterials (SNMs), in particular, have shown great potential in enhancing molecular alignment, dielectric behavior, memory effect, switching response, and photoluminescence in FLCs.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Daniele Eugenio Lucchetta, Andrea Di Donato, Melania Paturzo, Gautam Singh, Riccardo Castagna
Summary: In this study, the photophobicity of unpolymerized parts of holographic photomobile polymers (H-PMP) was investigated through measuring diffraction efficiency, surface tension, and mixture properties. The results provided a better understanding of the light-controlled bending mechanism in these compounds.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lokesh K. Gangwar, Amit Choudhary, Sonal Rewri, Gautam Singh, Ashok M. Biradar, Gajjala Sumana, Rajesh
Summary: We investigated the crystallization of cholesterol in combination with ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) and found that the addition of cholesterol resulted in a reduction in relative dielectric permittivity and a decrease in the transition temperature from ferroelectric (chiral smectic C, SmC*) to paraelectric (chiral smectic A, SmA*) phase in FLC. Crystallized needles were observed at higher concentrations of cholesterol, and these needles exhibited optical birefringence. The needles disappeared with increasing temperature and were not present in the nematic and isotropic phases. The results suggested that the presence of cholesterol influenced the properties of FLC, and this understanding could be valuable in the development of FLC-based biosensors for cholesterol and other molecules.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Anu, Depanshu Varshney, Kamlesh Yadav, Jai Prakash, Harikesh Meena, Gautam Singh
Summary: In this study, ferroelectric layered perovskite Bi4Ti3O12 (BT4) nanoparticles were synthesized and their temperature-dependent dielectric and electro-optical properties in 4-pentyl-4'-cyanobiphenyl (5CB) nematic liquid crystal were investigated. The BT4 nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed in the 5CB matrix without agglomeration. The optical memory of the 5CB-BT4 composite was decreased compared to 5CB, and the dielectric parameters were estimated using dielectric spectroscopy. The anisotropy of the dielectric properties decreased in the 5CB-BT4 composite, and the DC conductivity increased four times compared to 5CB. This study demonstrates the tunability of the dielectric and optical memory features of the 5CB matrix by doping BT4 nanoparticles.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Daniele Eugenio Lucchetta, Paolo Castellini, Milena Martarelli, Lorenzo Scalise, Giuseppe Pandarese, Cristiano Riminesi, Gautam Singh, Andrea Di Donato, Oriano Francescangeli, Riccardo Castagna
Summary: This work examines the changes in rotational speed of a thin photomobile film induced by light using a single-axis acoustic levitator. The film is suspended in air within a stationary acoustic field and its rotations are detected in real time by monitoring a low power He-Ne laser. By illuminating the film with an external laser source, it bends and its rotational speed alters by approximately 20 Hz. This contactless long-distance interaction provides an ideal platform for developing and studying electro-optics devices in microgravity and low-friction conditions, with potential applications in fields like 3D dynamic displays and aerospace.
Article
Optics
Daniele Eugenio Lucchetta, Andrea Di Donato, Oriano Francescangeli, Cristiano Riminesi, Gautam Singh, Riccardo Castagna
Summary: We report on the development of easily-made, flexible, wearable, and stretchable holographic gratings for tunable distributed-feedback lasers. These gratings are formed by integrating reflection volume phase grating in a flexible substrate using optical holography. Photopolymerizable mixture containing a new compound derived from haloalkanes and acrylates is used for recording the gratings. The laser devices exhibit low emission threshold and the amplified spontaneous emission can be continuously tuned by bending the film.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Depanshu Varshney, Jai Prakash, Gautam Singh
Summary: This article investigates the alignment of liquid crystal (LC) molecules on the desired substrate using the noncontact-based technique. The study demonstrates the achievement of various alignment modes (homogeneous and homeotropic) by dispersing indium tin oxide (ITO) nanoparticles (0.25 wt% and 1 wt%) in an ITO sample cell without an alignment layer. The tunability in alignment is attributed to the interaction between ITO nanoparticles and their arrangements on the substrate.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Riccardo Castagna, Cristiano Riminesi, Maria Savina Pianesi, Simona Sabbatini, Andrea Di Donato, Gautam Singh, Oriano Francescangeli, Emma Cantisani, Paolo Castellini, Daniele Eugenio Lucchetta
Summary: We have developed a photo-mobile polymer film that can be triggered by light or heat. The film is made using recycled quartz and consists of a multi-acrylate polymer layer and a layer containing oxidized 4-amino-phenol and N-Vinyl-1-Pyrrolidinone. It has high temperature resistance and asymmetrical design that allows for independent motion when exposed to heat. ATR-FTIR measurements confirm its asymmetrical configuration. This technology may have potential applications in energy harvesting due to the piezoelectric properties of quartz.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
P. Priscill, Deepanshu Varshney, Jai Prakash, Sandeep Kumar, Ashwani Singh, Praveen Malik, Supreet, Arvind K. Gathania, Riccardo Castagna, Daniele Eugenio Lucchetta, Gautam Singh
Summary: We report the induction of thermally stable vertical alignment of nematic liquid crystal in a planar anchored cell by doping with eco-friendly carbon dots. Optical and dielectric studies confirm the induced vertical alignment and suggest the potential application of these composites in eco-friendly liquid crystal displays and other photonic devices.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Neha, G. Singh, S. Kumar, Praveen Malik, Supreet
Summary: The technique of dispersing nanomaterials into liquid crystal (LC) matrix has shown promising results in improving physical parameters of electro-optic devices. Carbon Dots (CDs) with extraordinary properties have attracted attention in the field of nanoscience. This article provides a comprehensive review of the achievements and insights in CDs dispersed LC composites, including their synthesis methods and effects on optical, dielectric, and electro-optical properties of LCs. The study suggests that CDs are a better alternative dopant in the LC matrix compared to conventional nanomaterials, offering potential for low-cost, high-performance, and environmentally safe electro-optical and photonic applications.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Ajay Kumar, Gautam Singh
Summary: Liquid crystal materials play a significant role in the field of displays and other photonic devices, and some organic liquid crystals with inherent emission can reduce the dependence on backlighting and color filters. By using highly emissive nanomaterials, the photoluminescence intensity of liquid crystal nanocomposites can be enhanced, potentially eliminating the need for color filters and improving the brightness of liquid crystal displays.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Depanshu Varshney, Jai Prakash, Gautam Singh
Summary: In this article, the researchers investigate the influence of indium tin oxide (ITO) nanoparticles on the macroscopic molecular arrangement of a nematic liquid crystal material. They observe the dispersion and miscibility of ITO nanoparticles in the liquid crystal phase and study the dielectric parameters of the composites. The results show that the concentration of ITO nanoparticles affects the dielectric permittivity and relaxation frequency, as well as the clearing temperature of the liquid crystal material.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2023)