New Membrane-Forming Aromatic Co-Poly(amide-imide)s: Influence of the Chemical Structure on the Morphological, Thermal and Transport Properties

Polymer film membranes are used to solve specific separation problems that dictate structural requirements. Structural and morphological parameters of film membranes based on glassy polyheteroarylenes can be controlled in the process of preparation from solutions that opens up prospects for obtaining structured membranes required for targeted separation. In the case of aromatic poly(amide-imide)s, the possibility of controlling film formation and structure virtually has not been studied. In the present work, a series of homologous co-poly(amide-imide)s differing in the number of repeating units with carboxyl-substituted aromatic fragments was synthesized by polycondensation. Comparative analysis of the processes of formation of membranes with different morphologies based on these polymers under equal conditions was performed. New information was obtained about the influence of the amounts of carboxyl groups and the residual solvent on structural properties of asymmetric membranes. The influence of these factors on transport properties of dense membranes under pervaporation conditions was studied. It was demonstrated that in the case of carboxyl-containing poly(amide-imide)s, the domains formed during film preparation had a significant effect on membrane properties.

Continuous-flow synthesis of ultrahigh luminescent perovskite nanocrystals using forced thin film reactor and application for light-emitting diodes

Owing to their excellent optical properties, organolead halide perovskite nanocrystals (PeNCs) have gained significant attention. Considering their industrial contribution, exploring practical production of high-quality PeNCs is of major importance. In this work, we demonstrate continuous-flow synthesis of ultrahigh luminescent PeNCs with high color purity using a forced thin film reactor. We successfully demonstrate the effectiveness of this reactor as a crystal growth environment. The photoluminescence quantum yields were improved to 94% as a result of the unique mixing process. After film formation, this reactor enabled the application for perovskite light-emitting diodes.

Removing Gas from a Closed-End Small Hole by Irradiating Acoustic Waves with Two Frequencies

Filling microstructures in the air with liquid or removing trapped gases from a surface in a liquid are required in processes such as cleaning, bonding, and painting. However, it is difficult to deform the gas–liquid interface to fill a small hole with liquid when surface tension has closed one end. Therefore, it is necessary to have an efficient method of removing gas from closed-end holes in liquids. Here, we demonstrate the gas-removing method using acoustic waves from small holes. We observed gas column oscillation by changing the hole size, wettability, and liquid surface tension to clarify the mechanism. First, we found that combining two different frequencies enabled complete gas removal in water within 2 s. From high-speed observation, about half of the removal was dominated by droplet or film formation caused by oscillating the gas column. The other half was dominated by approaching and coalescing the divided gas column. We conclude that the natural frequency of both the air column and the bubbles inside the tube are important.

Structure and Photocatalytic Activity of Copper and Carbon-Doped Metallic Zn Phase-Rich ZnO Oxide Films

ZnO is one of the most important industrial metal oxide semiconductors. However, in order to fully realise its potential, the electronic structure of ZnO has to be modified to better fit the needs of specific fields. Recent studies demonstrated that reactive magnetron sputtering under Zn-rich conditions promotes the formation of intrinsic ZnO defects and allows the deposition of metallic Zn phase-rich ZnO films. In photocatalytic efficiency tests these films were superior to traditional ZnO oxide, therefore, the purposeful formation of intrinsic ZnO defects, namely Zn interstitials and oxygen vacancies, can be considered as advantageous self-doping. Considering that such self-doped ZnO remains a semiconductor, the natural question is if it is possible to further improve its properties by adding extrinsic dopants. Accordingly, in the current study, the metallic Zn phase-rich ZnO oxide film formation process (reactive magnetron sputtering) was supplemented by simultaneous sputtering of copper or carbon. Effects of the selected dopants on the structure of self-doped ZnO were investigated by X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscope and photoluminescence techniques. Meanwhile, its effect on photocatalytic activity was estimated by visible light activated bleaching of Methylene Blue. It was observed that both dopants modify the microstructure of the films, but only carbon has a positive effect on photocatalytic efficiency.

3D Simulation and Artificial Neural Networks Application in the Diffusion Study of Champignon Mushroom/Solution Interface During the Salting

The influence of the film formed during the salting of champignon mushrooms with brine containing NaCl and KCl was modeled using the finite elements method (FEM). It was verified that the film formed on the mushroom surface had a greater influence in the static salting since the diffusion of the ions was 7.5-fold smaller in this system than in the stirred salting. The application of self-organizing maps showed that the ions diffusion along the surface of the solid presented a heterogeneous occurrence and depended on the region for both static and stirred salting. A direct relation was observed among the mushroom surface morphology, the salts diffusion behavior, and the film formation. In addition, the film was not completely extinguished in the stirred system, although it has a minimal influence as the film formation is also dependent on the biosolid surface.

Quorum Sensing Bacteria in the Phycosphere of HAB Microalgae and Their Ecological Functions Related to Cross-Kingdom Interactions

It has been proven that the relationship between microalgae and bacteria affects the dynamic process of harmful algal blooms (HABs). Microalgae-associated microorganisms widely exist in the phycosphere and play an essential role in algae-bacteria cross-kingdom interactions. Among these processes, quorum sensing (QS), as a communication system of bacteria, is thought to participate in algae-bacteria interactions. However, the species of QS bacteria in the phycosphere and their ecological function are still unknown. In this study, microalgae-associated microorganisms with a QS system were screened by the biosensor method and identified based on 16S rRNA gene analysis. The types and number of acyl-L-homoserine lactone (AHL) signalling molecules produced by QS bacteria were analysed by thin layer chromatography (TLC) bioautography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The film formation, β-dimethylmercaptopropionic (DMSP) degradation and algae growth effects of QS bacteria were investigated. The results showed that 113 QS bacteria were isolated from 842 microalgae-associated bacteria. Detection of AHL molecules in 10 different species of QS bacteria showed that most of them were N-(3-Oxodecanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone (OC10-HSL), N-Octanoyl-L-homoserine lactone (C8-HSL) and N-(3-Oxooctanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone (OC8-HSL). All 10 QS bacteria had film-forming ability, and they could degrade DMSP (except strain E26). The crude metabolic extracts of the 10 QS bacteria can inhibit or promote microalgae growth to different degrees. Our study is helpful to understand the role of microalgae-associated microorganisms with the QS system in algae-bacteria interactions and community succession of HAB microalgae.