Research Archive

Molecular-Level Insight into Semiconductor Nanocrystal Surfaces

We critically evaluate the insight into surface structure and reactivity that can be gained from multiple techniques and demonstrate how their strategic combination is already advancing our molecular-level understanding of nanocrystal surface chemistry.

Deformation Model of Chains and Networks with Extendable Bonds

The nonlinear stress–strain response of synthetic and biological networks and gels manifested in a monotonic increase of an instantaneous modulus is a result of the nonlinear deformation of individual network strands. To describe this behavior, we develop a nonlinear network deformation model, which relates macroscopic stress–strain response with force-elongation behavior of polymer chains with bending rigidity and extendable bonds.

Exogenous Nitric Oxide Improves Antibiotic Susceptibility in Resistant Bacteria

Our research group has developed nitric oxide-releasing biopolymers as alternatives to conventional antibiotics. Here, we show that nitric oxide acts as a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent while also improving the efficacy of conventional antibiotics when delivered sequentially.

Functionalization of Benzotriazole-Based Conjugated Polymers for Solar Cells: Heteroatom vs Substituents

In this study, we systematically explore the impact of a variety of functional groups, including nitrogen heteroatoms, fluorine substituents, and cyano groups, on benzotriazole (TAZ)-based acceptor moieties that are incorporated into the conjugated polymers.

mu-MIP: Molecularly Imprinted Polymer-Modified Microelectrodes for the Ultrasensitive Quantification of GenX (HFPO-DA) in River Water

Here, we present a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-modified microelectrode (r = 6.25 μm) sensor for the quantification of a pervasive environmental PFAS, GenX (HFPO-DA), in surface water obtained from the Haw River in North Carolina.

Stabilization of a molecular water oxidation catalyst on a dye−sensitized photoanode by a pyridyl anchor

We demonstrate here that, following surface loading of a [Ru(bpy)3]2+ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) chromophore on nanoparticle electrodes, addition of the molecular catalysts, Ru(bda)(L)2 (bda = 2,2′-bipyridine-6,6′-dicarboxylate) with phosphonate or pyridyl sites for water oxidation, gives surfaces with a 5:1 chromophore to catalyst ratio.

Reactive Oxygen Species, Mitochondrial Membrane Potential, and Cellular Membrane Potential Are Predictors of E-Liquid Induced Cellular Toxicity

We tested e-liquids on the human cell line HEK293T and measured toxicity, mitochondria! membrane potential (Delta Psi(m)), reactive oxygen species production (ROS), and cellular membrane potential (V-m) using high-throughput screening (HTS) approaches.

Independently Tuning Elastomer Softness and Firmness by Incorporating Side Chain Mixtures into Bottlebrush Network Strands

We explore a hierarchical bottom-up approach via architectural modulation of bottlebrush mesoblocks followed by their self-assembly into linear–brush–linear triblock copolymer networks.

Degradation of Block Copolymer Films Confined in Elastic Media: Molecular Dynamics Simulations

We performed coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations of swelling and degradation of copolymer films confined within polymer networks with different values of shear modulus.

Direct Radiofluorination of Arene C-H Bonds via Photoredox Catalysis Using a Peroxide as the Terminal Oxidant

Herein, we describe an organic photoredox system for direct arene C–H radiofluorination, using a peroxide oxidizing agent and LEDs as the light source.

Electrochemical Sensing of Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) Using Ambient Oxygen in River Water

Here, we take advantage of ambient oxygen present in river water to quantify one of the more harmful PFAS molecules, perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), from 0 to 0.5 nM on a MIP-modified carbon substrate.

Enabling Aqueous NiO Photocathodes by Passivating Surface Sites That Facilitate Proton-Coupled Charge Transfer

Here, using first-principles calculations, we find that adsorption of water to a defective NiO(111) surface can result in intraband gap surface electronic states that are associated with hydroxyl and oxygen moieties adjacent to Ni vacancies.