Automatic microcircuit formation based on gold-coated SU-8 microrods via dielectrophoresis

To explore the application of the characteristics of metallic microparticles, alternating current electric trapping of the SU-8 microrods coated with a thin gold layer by the chemical approach is investigated. Positive dielectrophoresis is used to absorb the gold-coated SU-8 microrods at the edge of the parallel electrodes, thereby forming chains to connect the electrodes. This is a fast automatic microcircuit formation process. Moreover, a non-charged molecule is modified on the surface of the gold-coated SU-8 microrod, and the modified microrods are controlled by the alternating electric field to form a number of chains. The different chains between the parallel electrodes consist of various parallel circuits. In order to compare these chains with different electric surfaces, the impedances of the metallic and modified microrods are measured and compared, and the results show that the gold-coated microrods act as pure resistors, while the microrods functionalized by a non-charged molecule behave as good capacitors.

Control of the Dielectric Microrods Rotation in Liquid by Alternating Current Electric Field

Microfluidics is a promising system for the manipulation of micro-nano particles and fluids. In this platform, alternating current （AC） electric field is usual an effective tool for the general particles control. However, traditional work paid more attention on the regular spherical particles with no obvious distinction when rotating, resulting in imprecise rotation speed calculation. In essence, non-spherical especially biocompatible particles are not only important for biology application but also significant for obtaining accurate rotating results. Hence, in this paper, SU-8, one of the most biocompatible materials was selected as the manipulation object. AC electric field is employed to rotate SU-8 microrods, in order to obtain a controllable rotation angle for both the accurate experimental results and biosensor applications. Firstly, Clausius-Mossotti（CM） factors frequency spectra with different surface conductance and medium conductivities are presented, thereby the theoretical formula is carried out, including both the torque and rotation velocity expressions of SU-8 microrods. Moreover, simulations for the electric field distribution are developed, indicating the rotating direction. Secondly, the quadrupole electrodes are used to generate rotating electric field, and the electrorotation of SU-8 microrods in different medium is carried out, showing that the particles rotate in the opposite direction of the electric field, meanwhile, the peak frequency increases with the conductivity increases. Finally, the experimental results are discussed and compared with theoretical analysis, and the comparison result shows that they have a good agreement. This work proposes an effective and controllable method to rotate microrods, showing extend application potentials in microelectronics and biosensors.

Fluorinated pillared-layer metal-organic framework microrods for improved electrochemical cycling stability

Developing metal-organic framework(MOF)-based materials with good cyclic stability is the key to their practical application. Fluorinated organic compounds are usually highly chemically stability due to the high electronegativity of fluorine. Also, the pillared-layer structures based on coordination bonds have better structure and thermal stability than those based on hydrogen bonds. Herein, the fluorinated pillared-layer [Ni(2,3,4,5-tetrafluorobenzoic acid)(4,4-bipyridine)]nMOF([Ni(TFBA)(Bpy)]n) materials were constructed through a facile room-temperature solution reaction and used as electrode materials for supercapacitors. Surprisingly, the size/morphology of Ni(TFBA)(Bpy)nMOFs could be adjusted by varying the synthesis time. Benefting from the short ion diffusion length, unique pillar-layer structure, and strong intercomponent synergy of organic ligands, the Ni(TFBA)(Bpy)nMOF microrods showed a higher electrochemical energy storage capability than bulk MOFs. At the same time, compared to the non-fluorinated [Ni(benzoic acid)(Bpy)]nMOFs(31.5% capacitance decay), the fluorinated Ni(TFBA)(Bpy)n MOFs have a higher cycle stability with only 2.6% capacitance loss after 5000 cycles at 3 m A/cm^(2).

Ionic Liquid-assisted Formation of Lanthanide Metal-organic Framework Nano/Microrods for Superefficient Removal of Congo Red

New lanthanide metal-organic framework（MOF） nano/microrods, [C4mim]Cl-Eu-MOF, [C8mim]Cl-Eu- MOF and [C12mim]Cl-Eu-MOF, were conveniently synthesized via an ionic liquid-assisted hydrothermal method and characterized by means of powder X-ray diffraction（XRD）, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy（FTIR）, thermo- gravimetric analysis（TG） and transmission electron microscopy（TEM）. The obtained nano/microrods with low sur- face areas were efficient for the removal of Congo red（CR） from aqueous solutions. Under the optimum conditions, [C4mim]Cl-Eu-MOF with a specific surface area of 5.1 m^2/g exhibited an ultrahigh adsorption capacity of 2606 mg/g toward CR. Notably, the adsorption efficiency of [C4mim]Cl-Eu-MOF for CR via nano/microscale stacking can be directly demonstrated by TEM. In-depth understanding of CR removal by [C4mim]Cl-Eu-MOF nano/microrods was also supported by FTIR, Raman spectroscopy and zeta potential analyses.

Sacrificial template synthesis of(V_(0.8)Ti_(0.1)Cr_(0.1))_(2)AlC and carbon fiber@(V_(0.8)Ti_(0.1)Cr_(0.1))_(2)AlC microrods for efficient microwave absorption

The morphology of MAX phase powders significantly influences their microwave absorption properties.However,the traditional synthesis via solid-state reactions produces irregular powders,and the preparation of MAX phase powders with specific morphology remains a challenge.Herein,(VTiCr)Al C MAX phase microrods were fabricated for the first time in NaCl/KCl molten salts using vanadium,titanium,chromium,aluminum,and short carbon fibers as precursors.It was found that despite acting as a carbon source,carbon fibers also acted as sacrificial templates.By adjusting the molar ratio of metal powders and short carbon fibers,a series of carbon fiber@(V_(0.8)Ti_(0.1)Cr_(0.1))_(2)AlC microrods with core-sheath structure were also obtained.Carbon fiber@(V_(0.8)Ti_(0.1)Cr_(0.1))_(2)AlC microrods with a molar ratio of 8:2 showed the optimum microwave absorption performance.The reflection loss(RL)value reached up to–63.26 d B at 2.40 mm,and the effective absorption bandwidth(EAB)was about 5.28 GHz with a thickness of2.02 mm.Based on the electromagnetic parameter analysis and theoretical simulation,the enhanced microwave absorption performance was attributed to the synergistic effect of different factors like dielectric loss,magnetic loss,multiple reflection,and scattering.This work offers a facile route to modulate the morphology of MAX phase powders and may accelerate its application as microwave absorbers.

Optical Field Confinement Enhanced Single ZnO Microrod UV Photodetector

ZnO microrods are synthesized using the vapor phase transport method, and the magnetron sputtering is used to decorate the A1 nanoparticles （NPs） on a single ZnO microrod. The micro-PL and I-V responses are measured before and after the decoration orAl NPs. The FDTD stimulation is also carried out to demonstrate the optical field distribution around the decoration of Al NPs on the surface of a ZnO microrod. Due to an implementation of AI NPs, the ZnO microrod exhibits an improved photoresponse behavior. In addition, AI NPs induced localized surface plasmons （LSPs） as well as improved optical field confinement can be ascribed to an enhancement of ultraviolet （UV） response. This research provides a method for improving the responsivity of photodetectors.

One-dimensional molecular co-crystal alloys capable of full-color emission for low-loss optical waveguide and optical logic gate

The luminescence color of molecule-based photoactive materials is the key to the applications in lighting and optical communication.Realizing continuous regulation of emission color in molecular systems is highly desirable but still remains a challenge due to the individual emission band of purely organic molecules.Herein,a novel alloy strategy based on molecular co-crystals is reported.By adjusting the molar ratio of pyrene(Py)and fluorathene(Flu),three types of molecular co-crystal alloys(MCAs)assemblies are prepared involving Py-Flu-OFN-x%,Py-Flu-TFP-x%,Py-Flu-TCNB-x%.Multiple energy level structure and Förster resonance energy transfer(FRET)process endow materials with tunable full-spectra emission color in visible region.Impressively,these MCAs and co-crystals can be successfully applied to low optical loss waveguide and optical logic gate by virtue of all-color luminescence from blue across green to red,together with smooth surface of onedimensional microrods,which show promising applications as continuous light emitters for advance photonics applications.

Morphological and Dimensional Control via Assembly of Polyaniline Crystals

A facile and general route to a new generation of polyaniline （PANI）-citric acid （CA） crystals such as 2D nanoplates, 2D nanosheets and 3D microrods self-assembled by the n-n stacking interaction is reported. Dramatic, 3D rectangular shaped microrods and 2D nanosheets are single crystals indicated by SAED patterns and HRTEM images. Moreover, the method does not depend on any specific equipment or heating, cooling and complex procedures. The novel polyaniline crystals will be useful for next generation organic electronics such as nano-transistors.

Plasmon enhancement for Vernier coupled single-mode lasing from ZnO/Pt hybrid microcavities

It is essential to develop a single mode operation and improve the performance of lasing in order to ensure practical applicability of microlasers and nanolasers. In this paper, two hexagonal microteeth with varied nanoscaled air-gaps of a ZnO microcomb are used to construct coupled whispering-gallery cavities. This is done to achieve a stable single mode lasing based on Vernier effect without requiring any complicated or sophisticated manipulation to achieve positioning with nanoscale precision. Optical gain and the corresponding ultraviolet lasing performance were improved greatly through coupling with localized surface plasmons of Pt nanoparticles. The ZnO/Pt hybrid microcavities achieved a seven-fold enhancement of intensity of single mode lasing with higher side- mode suppression ratio and lower threshold. The mechanism that led to this enhancement has been described in detail.

Synergistic graphene/aluminum surface plasmon coupling for zinc oxide lasing improvement

Collective oscillations of free electrons generate plasmons on the surface of a material. A whispering-gallery microcavity effectively confines the light field on its surface based on the total reflection from its internal wall. When these two kinds of electromagnetic waves meet each other, the stimulated emissions from an individual ZnO microrod were enhanced more than 50-fold and the threshold was reduced after the whispering-gallery microcavity was coated with a monolayer of graphene and A1 nanoparticles. The improvement of the lasing performance was attributed to the synergistic energy coupling of the graphene/A1 surface plasmons with ZnO excitons. The lasing characteristics and the coupling mechanism were investigated systematically.