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1. Dynamics of self-hybridized exciton–polaritons in 2D halide perovskites

   https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-023-01334-9  

   Anantharaman, Surendra B.; Lynch, Jason; Stevens, Christopher E.; Munley, Christopher; Li, Chentao; Hou, Jin; Zhang, Hao; Torma, Andrew; Darlington, Thomas; Coen, Francis; et al (January 2024, Light: Science & Applications)

   Abstract Excitons, bound electron–hole pairs, in two-dimensional hybrid organic inorganic perovskites (2D HOIPs) are capable of forming hybrid light-matter states known as exciton-polaritons (E–Ps) when the excitonic medium is confined in an optical cavity. In the case of 2D HOIPs, they can self-hybridize into E–Ps at specific thicknesses of the HOIP crystals that form a resonant optical cavity with the excitons. However, the fundamental properties of these self-hybridized E–Ps in 2D HOIPs, including their role in ultrafast energy and/or charge transfer at interfaces, remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that >0.5 µm thick 2D HOIP crystals on Au substrates are capable of supporting multiple-orders of self-hybridized E–P modes. These E–Ps have high Q factors (>100) and modulate the optical dispersion for the crystal to enhance sub-gap absorption and emission. Through varying excitation energy and ultrafast measurements, we also confirm energy transfer from higher energy E–Ps to lower energy E–Ps. Finally, we also demonstrate that E–Ps are capable of charge transport and transfer at interfaces. Our findings provide new insights into charge and energy transfer in E–Ps opening new opportunities towards their manipulation for polaritonic devices. 

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2. Local Glass Transition Temperature T _g ( z ) Profile in Polystyrene next to Polybutadiene with and without Plasticization Effects

   https://doi.org/10.1002/macp.201700328  

   Kasavan, Benjamin L.; Baglay, Roman R.; Roth, Connie B. (November 2017, Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics)

   Abstract Rubber toughening of glassy polystyrene (PS) has been manufactured commercially for decades as high impact polystyrene, where rubbery poly‐butadiene (PB) inclusions are added to modify the PS matrix response to deformation and impact. In this study, measurements of the local glass transition temperatureT_g(z) of PS next to PB rubber are presented, expanding the previous data to a polymer with a much lowerT_gvalue (PBT_g^bulk= −96 °C). After accounting for a small molecule additive present in the commercial PB sample that would otherwise migrate over to the PS domain causing plasticization, it is found that theT_g(z) profile in PS next to PB is consistent with previous results. It is also demonstrated that these broad and asymmetric experimentally observedT_g(z) profiles are not caused by the migration of low molecular weight chains across the interface by comparing samples made with two different poly(n‐butyl methacrylate) molecular weights. 

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3. Probing Electronic Communication and Excited-State Dynamics in the Unprecedented Ferrocene-Containing Zinc MB-DIPY

   https://doi.org/acsomega.0c03764  

   Zatsikha, Yuriy V.; Shamova, Liliya I.; Schaffner, Jacob W.; Healy, Andrew T.; Blesener, Tanner S.; Cohen, Gabriel; Blank, David A.; Nemykin, Victor N. (October 2020, ACS omega)

   The electronic communication between two ferrocene groups in the electron-deficient expanded aza-BODIPY analogue of zinc manitoba-dipyrromethene (MB-DIPY) was probed by spectroscopic, electrochemical, spectroelectrochemical, and theoretical methods. The excited-state dynamics involved sub- ps formation of the charge-separated state in the organometallic zinc MB-DIPYs, followed by recovery of the ground state via charge recombination in 12 ps. The excited-state behavior was contrasted with that observed in the parent complex that lacked the ferrocene electron donors and has a much longer excited-state lifetime (670 ps for the singlet state). Much longer decay times observed for the parent complex without ferrocene confirm that the main quenching mechanism in the ferrocene-containing 4 is reflective of the ultrafast ferrocene-to-MB-DIPY core charge transfer (CT 

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4. Studies of Functional Defects for Fast Na‐Ion Conduction in Na _{3− y} PS _{4− x} Cl _x with a Combined Experimental and Computational Approach

   https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.201807951  

   Feng, Xuyong; Chien, Po‐Hsiu; Zhu, Zhuoying; Chu, Iek‐Heng; Wang, Pengbo; Immediato‐Scuotto, Marcello; Arabzadeh, Hesam; Ong, Shyue_Ping; Hu, Yan‐Yan (January 2019, Advanced Functional Materials)

   Abstract All‐solid‐state rechargeable sodium (Na)‐ion batteries are promising for inexpensive and high‐energy‐density large‐scale energy storage. In this contribution, new Na solid electrolytes, Na_3−yPS_4−xCl_x, are synthesized with a strategic approach, which allows maximum substitution of Cl for S (x= 0.2) without significant compromise of structural integrity or Na deficiency. A maximum conductivity of 1.96 mS cm⁻¹at 25 °C is achieved for Na_3.0PS_3.8Cl_0.2, which is two orders of magnitude higher compared with that of tetragonal Na₃PS₄(t‐Na₃PS₄). The activation energy (E_a) is determined to be 0.19 eV. Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations shed light on the merit of maximizing Cl‐doping while maintaining low Na deficiency in enhanced Na‐ion conduction. Solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) characterizations confirm the successful substitution of Cl for S and the resulting change of P oxidation state from 5+ to 4+, which is also verified by spin moment analysis. Ion transport pathways are determined with a tracer‐exchange NMR method. The functional detects that promote Na ‐ion transport are maximized for further improvement in ionic conductivity. Full‐cell performance is demonstrated using Na/Na_3.0PS_3.8Cl_0.2/Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃with a reversible capacity of ≈100 mAh g^‐1at room temperature. 

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5. Structural and genetic basis for the binding of a mouse monoclonal antibody to Flavobacterium psychrophilum lipopolysaccharide

   https://doi.org/10.1111/jfd.13958  

   Cisar, John_O; Wang, Xiaocong; Woods, Robert_J; Cain, Kenneth_D; Wiens, Gregory_D (June 2024, Journal of Fish Diseases)

   Abstract A mouse monoclonal antibody (mAb FL100A) previously prepared againstFlavobacterium psychrophilum(Fp) CSF259‐93 has now been examined for binding to lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of this strain andFp950106‐1/1. The corresponding O‐polysaccharides (O‐PS) of these strains are formed by identical trisaccharide repeats composed ofl‐Rhamnose (l‐Rha), 2‐acetamido‐2‐deoxy‐l‐fucose (l‐FucNAc) and 2‐acetamido‐4‐R₁‐2,4‐dideoxy‐d‐quinovose (d‐Qui2NAc4NR₁) where R₁represents a dihydroxyhexanamido moiety. The O‐PS loci of these strains are also identical except for the gene (wzy1orwzy2) that encodes the polysaccharide polymerase. Accordingly, adjacent O‐PS repeats are joined throughd‐Qui2NAc4NR₁andl‐Rha bywzy2‐dependent α(1–2) linkages inFpCSF259‐93 versuswzy1‐dependent β(1–3) linkages inFp950106‐1/1. mAb FL100A reacted strongly withFpCSF259‐93 O‐PS and LPS but weakly or not at all withFp950106‐1/1 LPS and O‐PS. Importantly, it also labelled cell surface blebs on the former but not the latter strain. Additionally, mAb binding was approximately 5‐times stronger to homologousFpCSF259‐93 LPS than to LPS from a strain with a different R‐group gene. A conformational epitope for mAb FL100A binding was suggested from molecular dynamic simulations of each O‐PS. Thus,FpCSF259‐93 O‐PS formed a stable well‐defined compact helix in which the R₁groups were displayed in a regular pattern on the helix exterior while unreactiveFp950106‐1/1 O‐PS adopted a flexible extended linear conformation. Taken together, the findings establish the specificity of mAb FL100A for Wzy2‐linkedF. psychrophilumO‐PS and LPS. 

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