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Air-stable ambipolar organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) are fabricated from the active layers of π-conjugated polymer and elastomer composites. Compared to the p-channel dominant charge transport behavior of pure donor–acceptor-type copolymer semiconductors, the polymer composites exhibited superior ambipolar charge transport characteristics with well-balanced and high electron and hole mobilities, both of more than 1.0 cm2/Vs. Moreover, these OFETs exhibited significantly improved air stabilities, particularly in the n-channel regime, which is because the encapsulation effect of the nanofibril conjugated polymers surrounded by the elastomer matrix efficiently suppressed electron trapping. At the optimal composition, spinodal decomposition of the constituent polymers is induced, forming fibrillar network structures during the solution casting and thermal annealing processes. These anisotropic polymer aggregates embedded in the elastomer matrix are induced to align in a direction parallel to the channel by directional printing techniques, such as off-centered spin coating and bar coating. This strategy of controlling the semiconductor film morphology is beneficial for the fabrication of high-performance and air-stable complementary-like electronic circuits. Furthermore, the embedded nanofibril morphology in a deformable elastomer can be widely used to realize stretchable optoelectronic devices.

Sodium-ion batteries (SiBs) have recently attracted considerable interest due to the plentiful supply of raw materials for their production and their electrochemical behavior, which is similar to that of lithium-ion batteries (LiBs). However, the relatively larger radius of sodium ions than that of lithium ions is not suitable for storage in conventional graphite, which is widely used as the anode. To resolve this issue, in this study, we developed a new harmonized carbon material with a three-dimensional (3D) grapevine-like structure and a sulfur component using an efficient synthesis process. On the basis of these advantages, the harmonized sulfur-carbon material exhibited a highly reversible capacity of 146 mA h g

To obtain soft electronics, it is essential to develop high-performance and mechanically flexible energy storage at the industry level. Herein, we report flexible high-energy-density lithium-sulfur (Li–S) batteries based on all-fibrous sulfur cathodes and separators. To implement free-standing and flexible sulfur cathodes, electrically conductive single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are impregnated with cellulose nanofibers. This fibrous structure forms a 3D porous electrode with a large surface area to improve redox kinetics and achieve a high sulfur loading content without the use of a metal collector, which can then be applied in high-energy-density batteries. These flexible sulfur cathodes are combined with a commercial glass fiber separator coated with a CNT layer through a cost-effective solution process to suppress the shuttle effects of lithium–polysulfide, thereby exhibiting robust cycling stability. The prepared Li–S batteries exhibit high capacities of 940 mAh g−1 at a charge current density of 1.57 mA cm−2 and at 25 °C, and the Coulombic efficiency exceeds 90% even after 50 charge/discharge cycles. Moreover, Li-S batteries with a high gravimetric energy density of 443 Wh kg−1 per cell is achieved, and these batteries demonstrate excellent reliability in regard to electrochemical performance even under severe mechanical stress conditions for over 100 cycles. Flexible and high-energy-density lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries based on all-fibrous sulfur cathodes and separators have structural uniqueness and chemical functionality, exhibit a high gravimetric energy density of 435 Wh kg−1 per cell and excellent reliability in terms of electrochemical performance with a slow decay rate of

Hot dry rocks are important resource for geothermal energy development. In this study, a novel technique to exploit hot dry rocks with circulating working fluid through a closed-loop in a horizontal well has been presented. A comprehensive wellbore pressure-temperature model has been established. Two typical heat transmission fluids, water and isobutane, are selected for comparison. The effects of the flow rate, the horizontal well length and the wellbore size on heat mining rate are analyzed. The power generation systems suitable for these two heat transmission fluids are compared. The simulation results indicate that a long horizontal well with a moderate mass flow rate can be applied for geothermal exploitation, and isobutane via a direct power plant has a better power generation performance than water through a binary power plant. In the case with water circulation at a mass flow rate of 3 kg/s, a net power of 143.5 kW can be obtained, while it can be increased to 258.1 kW with isobutane at a mass flow rate of 5 kg/s. Under different cost scenarios, the generalized unit cost of electricity generation can be reduced to 0.187 $/kW h when using isobutane with a reasonable low well cost and longer operation time.

Solution-processed nonvolatile organic transistor memory devices are fabricated by employing semiconductor blends of p-channel 6,13-bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl)pentacene and n-channel poly{[ N, N'-bis(2-octyldodecyl)-naphthalene-1,4,5,8-bis(dicarboximide)-2,6-diyl]- alt-5,5'-(2,2'-bithiophene)} (P(NDI2OD-2T); N2200) on polystyrene-brush as a polymer electret. Electret-based memory characteristics are significantly changed depending on the frontier molecular orbitals of the active semiconductors because the charge-trapping efficiency is mainly determined by the energy barrier to transfer electrons and holes from the active channel to the electret layer. A semiconductor mixture with an optimized blending ratio results in an efficient programming and erasing process. Thus, we obtained a remarkably high ratio of ON/OFF current (memory ratio) about 107 and a large amount of shifts in the threshold voltage (memory window) between the programmed and erased states of 55 V, while single-component N2200 showed only writing-once-read-many (WORM)-type memory. Especially, the programmed data can be stably retained more than 10 years with a sufficient memory ratio of 103. Furthermore, our semiconductor blend system leads to preferable vertical phase separation, which affords good reliability under a sequential memory operation condition as well as stability in ambient air. It is expected that our memory devices can be applied for versatile data storage in printed and flexible electronic applications.

The facile fabrication of an organic-inorganic hybrid nanocomposite film was investigated for a cost-effective gas barrier coating. Highly stable PAA/bentonite nanoink dispersion was achieved with high power ultrasonication treatment. The bar-coated PAA/bentonite film on PET substrate showed high barrier performance of oxygen transmission rate (OTR) value of 0.86 cc/m2·day at optimized nanoink concentration (5 wt%). In contrast, the OTR value was increased about 200 times with high ink concentraton (20 wt%). The detailed analysis of film morphology and microstructure revealed that the optimization of gas barrier properties have been achieved with proper clay platelet alignment and efficient water removal at interlayer. The gas barrier properties of one-step bar-coated barrier in this study provide industrially scalable simple gas barrier coating method for food and pharmaceutical packaging application.

Purpose: To investigate the correlation between nitric oxide (NO) and urodynamics in men with bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) by analyzing nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the urothelium.Methods: We prospectively enrolled 25 men who planned to undergo surgical treatment for benign prostatic obstruction and identified as BOO in the preoperative urodynamics. Bladder tissue was taken during surgical prostate resection. Expressions of endothelial NOS (eNOS), inducible NOS (iNOS), and neuronal NOS (nNOS) in the urothelium were analyzed, and their correlation with urodynamic parameters was also assessed in all patients. We also compared the expressions of eNOS, iNOS, and nNOS between BOO with detrusor underactivity (DU) group and BOO without DU group.Results: In all patients, the level of eNOS positively correlated with maximal flow rate and with maximum cystometric capacity (MCC). The level of iNOS positively correlated with MCC. nNOS levels were positively correlated with detrusor pressure at maximal flow and with bladder contractility index in all patients. The level of eNOS, iNOS, and nNOS did not significantly differ between BOO without DU group and BOO with DU group.Conclusions: This study suggests that NO was correlated with bladder dysfunction in men with BOO. Particularly, nNOS may reflect the change in detrusor function.

We aim to investigate the role of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), a novel endogenous pro-inflammatory cytokine, in the development of ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). Moreover, the protective effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on VILI through inhibiting local mtDNA release was examined.From March 2015 to March 2016, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from 36 patients with VILI and well-matched 36 patients without VILI after major surgery were consecutively collected. The expression levels of mtDNA and inflammatory cytokines in BALF were tested. SD rats were divided into five groups: control, low tidal volume (7 ml/kg) group, high tidal volume (HTV, 40 ml/kg) group, HTV+low dose EGCG and HTV+high dose EGCG groups. BALF were collected to examine the expression levels of mtDNA and several inflammatory cytokines and the lung tissue was harvested for pathological examinations. In addition, cyclic stretch cell culture was used and culture media was collected to analyze expressions of inflammatory cytokines. Administration of mtDNA in a rat model and in vitro cell culturing were used to confirm its pro-inflammatory properties in the development of inflammatory lung injury.A Significant elevation of mtDNA was detected in BALF from patients with VILI (581 ± 193 vs. 311 ± 137, p 0.05) and also in rats ventilated with HTV. EGCG could significantly inhibit HTV-induced local mtDNA release and attenuate the level of inflammatory lung injuries (reduced infiltration of local inflammatory cells, lower lung wet/dry ratio and expression levels of inflammatory cytokines). The beneficial effects of EGCG on preventing inflammatory lung injuries were in a concentration-dependent manner. Meanwhile, higher expression levels of mtDNA and inflammatory cytokines were observed in the media of cyclic stretched cell culture compared to those in the control group (p 0.05). Furthermore, intra-tracheal administration of mtDNA in rats could lead to a marked increase of local inflammatory cytokines and subsequent inflammatory lung injuries (p 0.05). And by adding mtDNA into the cell culture, higher level of inflammatory cytokines in the media was detected (p 0.05). EGCG also showed preventive effects on inflammatory responses on a concentration-dependent manner (p 0.05).The increased expression level of mtDNA and subsequent inflammatory cytokines overproduction may play an important role in the development of VILI. EGCG may be a potential novel therapeutic candidate for protection against VILI by inhibiting the local release of mtDNA.

Lilium bulbs have long been used as Chinese traditional medicines to alleviate the symptoms of various human inflammatory diseases. However, mechanisms of Lilium bulb-mediated anti-inflammatory activity and the bioactive components in Lilium bulbs remain unknown. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory activity of Lilium bulbs and the underlying mechanism of action were investigated in macrophages using Lilium bulb ethanol extracts (Lb-EE). In a dose-dependent manner, Lb-EE inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) without causing significant cytotoxicity. Lb-EE also down-regulated mRNA expression of inflammatory genes in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, which included inducuble nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2), and tumor necrosis factor-[Formula: see text] (TNF-[Formula: see text]). Furthermore, Lb-EE markedly restored LPS-induced morphological changes in RAW264.7 cells to a normal morphology. HPLC analysis identified quercetin, luteolin, and kaempferol as bioactive components contained in Lb-EE. Mechanistic studies in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells revealed that Lb-EE suppressed MyD88- and TRIF-induced NF-[Formula: see text]B transcriptional activation and the nuclear translocation of NF-[Formula: see text]B transcription factors. Moreover, Lb-EE inhibited IKK[Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text]-induced activation of the NF-[Formula: see text]B signaling pathway and IKK inhibition significantly reduced NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Taken together, these results suggest that Lb-EE plays an anti-inflammatory role by targeting IKK[Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text]-mediated activation of the NF-[Formula: see text]B signaling pathway during macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses.

Flexible organic field-effect-transistor (OFET) memory is one of the promising candidates for next-generation wearable nonvolatile data storage due to its low price, solution-processability, light-weight, mechanically flexibility, and tunable energy level via molecular tailoring. In this paper, we report flexible nonvolatile OFET memory devices fabricated with solution-processed polystyrene-brush electret and organic semiconductor blends of p-channel 6, 13-bis-(triisopropylsilylethynyl)pentacene (TIPS-PEN) and n-channel poly-{[N,N′-bis(2- octyldodecyl)-naphthalene-1,4,5,8-bis-(dicarboximide)-2,6-diyl]-alt-5,5′-(2,2′-bithiophene)} (P-(NDI2OD-2T); N2200). Fabricated flexible OFET memory devices exhibited high memory window (30 V) and ON/OFF current ratio (memory ratio) over 103. Furthermore, we obtained reliable memory ratio (~103) over retention time of 108 s, 100 times of repeated programming/erasing cycles, and 1000 times of bending tests at a radius of 3 mm.

Unlike commercial lithium-ion batteries, the high cost and low ionic conductivity of solid electrolytes (SEs) continues to be a big hurdle in commercially available all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs). Rather than the conventional dry-process and high-energy ball milling processes, the productive solution synthesis of bulk-type SEs is the most crucial issue in the successful application of high-energy-density ASSBs. In this study, the way is paved to overcome the hurdle for commercial lithium phosphorus sulfide chloride (LPSCl) SEs via a readily processable bulk-type solution-based synthesis without acquiring any high-energy ball-milling processes. By incorporating an elemental sulfur additive during the preparation process, Li

A bimodal texturing effect of semiconducting polymers is investigated by incorporating conjugated small molecules to significantly improve the charge transport characteristics via formation of 3D transport pathways. Solution blending of the electron-transporting polymer, poly{[N,N′-bis(2-octyldodecyl)-naphthalene-1,4,5,8-bis(dicarboximide)-2,6-diyl]-alt-5,5′-(2,2′-bithiophene)} (P(NDI2OD-T2)), with small molecular crystals of tetrathiafulvalene and tetracyanoquinodimethane is used, and the thin film microstructures are studied using a combination of atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, 2D grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, and surface-sensitive near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure. Blended thin films show edge-on and face-on bimodal texture with long-range order and microstructure packing orientation preferable for electron transport through the channel in organic field-effect transistors, which is confirmed by high electron mobility 1.91 cm2 V−1 s−1, small contact resistance, and low energetic disorder according to temperature dependence of the field-effect mobility. Structural changes suggest a 3D network charge transport model via lamella packing and bimodal orientation of the semiconducting polymers.

Herein, we demonstrate the preparation of a scalable bar-coated nanocomposite organic-inorganic hybrid film and developed robust barrier films for general purpose packaging. Using combinatory printing of polymers and nanocomposites by bar coating, a facile and effective barrier film fabrication method was developed. Based on a preliminary survey with several material combinations, a rationalized two-fold nanocomposite film was fabricated. The number of layers in the barrier film significantly modified oxygen barrier performance such that, for the 1 wt% ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) intercalated film, the oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of the 5-layer sample was reduced to 31.69% of the OTR of the 3-layer sample (112.8 vs. 35.75 cc/(m² · day)). In addition, fine tuning the amount of EVOH polymer enabled further improvement of oxygen barrier performance. Intercalation of 2 wt% EVOH resulted an OTR improvement from 35.75 in the 1 wt% sample to 11.90 cc/(m² ·day), which is a 4.25-fold enhancement. Overall barrier characteristics proved that our approach could be used for large-area deposited, oxygen resistant, general purpose packaging applications.

A specific design for solution-processed doping of active semiconducting materials would be a powerful strategy in order to improve device performance in flexible and/or printed electronics. Tetrabutylammonium fluoride and tetrabutylammonium hydroxide contain Lewis base anions, F− and OH−, respectively, which are considered as organic dopants for efficient and cost-effective n-doping processes both in n-type organic and nanocarbon-based semiconductors, such as poly[[N,N′-bis(2-octyldodecyl)-naphthalene-1,4,5,8-bis(dicarboximide)-2,6-diyl]-alt-5,5′-(2,2′-bithiophene)] (P(NDI2OD-T2)) and selectively dispersed semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes by π-conjugated polymers. The dramatic enhancement of electron transport properties in field-effect transistors is confirmed by the effective electron transfer from the dopants to the semiconductors as well as controllable onset and threshold voltages, convertible charge-transport polarity, and simultaneously showing excellent device stabilities under ambient air and bias stress conditions. This simple solution-processed chemical doping approach could facilitate the understanding of both intrinsic and extrinsic charge transport characteristics in organic semiconductors and nanocarbon-based materials, and is thus widely applicable for developing high-performance organic and printed electronics and optoelectronics devices.

Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) is known to prevent apoptosis through the Bax pathway and to promote neovascularization by enhancing the mobilization of stem cells, their differentiation. This study was performed to investigate the effect of TUDCA on erythropoiesis in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Since erythropoiesis of CD34+ HSCs is divided into four phases, the total cell number, viable cell number, cell viability, cell morphology, and expressed erythroid markers in each phase were examined. The number of viable control cells and their viability did not differ from those of the TUDCA-treated cells in phase I and II. However, TUDCA increased cell viability compared to the control in phases III and IV. Cell distribution differed that the immature erythroid cell number was higher for the TUDCA-treated cells than for the control cells until phase III, but all developed into RBCs in the last. The final RBC number and viability was significantly higher in TUDCA-treated cells compared to the control cells. Taken together, we suggest that TUDCA addition to cell cultures for artificial RBC production could be used as a new protocol for improving the viability of RBCs.

We report the design, synthesis, and implemention in semiconducting polymers of a novel head-to-head linkage containing the TRTOR (3-alkyl-3′-alkoxy-2,2′-bithiophene) donor subunit having a single strategically optimized, planarizing noncovalent S···O interaction. Diverse complementary thermal, optical, electrochemical, X-ray scattering, electrical, photovoltaic, and electron microscopic characterization techniques are applied to establish structure–property correlations in a TRTOR-based polymer series. In comparison to monomers having double S···O interactions, replacing one alkoxy substituent with a less electron-donating alkyl one yields TRTOR-based polymers with significantly depressed (0.2–0.3 eV) HOMOs. Furthermore, the weaker single S···O interaction and greater TRTOR steric encumberance enhances materials processability without sacrificing backbone planarity. From another perspective, TRTOR has comparable electronic properties to ring-fused 5H-dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]pyran (DTP) subunits, but a cen...

Adsorption of Sb(III) ions onto mercapto-functionalized silica-supported organic–inorganic hybrid sorbent from aqueous solutions was studied by a batch technique. The mercapto-functionalized hybrid sorbent was prepared via sol–gel method and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra and scanning electron microscopy coupled to an energy dispersive spectrometer. The effects of parameters (such as pH, contact time, initial concentration and temperature) on the adsorption of Sb(III) onto mercapto-functionalized hybrid sorbent were investigated. Mercapto-functionalized hybrid sorbent had a tendency toward higher adsorption affinity for Sb(III) compared with the Sb(V), a fast adsorption equilibrium time within 20 min, and a wide pH range (3–8) for Sb(III) adsorption. The Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubbin–Radushkevich isotherm models were applied to describe the equilibrium data of Sb(III) adsorption. The analysis of adsorption isotherms indicated that Langmuir model described well the equilibrium data of Sb(III) adsorption. The capacity of mercapto-functionalized hybrid sorbent for Sb(III) was found to be 108.8 mg g−1. The analysis of the kinetic data by the pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich and intraparticle diffusion kinetic models revealed that pseudo-second-order model gave the best fit for Sb(III) adsorption. Thermodynamic parameters demonstrated that adsorption of Sb(III) ions onto mercapto-functionalized hybrid sorbent was an endothermic, spontaneous and thermodynamically feasible process. As the results indicated, mercapto-functionalized hybrid sorbent has a suitable potential for the removal of Sb(III) ions in practical process.

The environmentally benign synthesis of ultra-long copper nanowires with successful control of diameter and length for stretchable transparent conducting electrodes (TCEs) is reported. Ultra-long copper nanowires (CuNWs) with an average length of 92.5 μm (maximum length up to 260 μm) and an average diameter of 47 nm were synthesized using environmentally friendly water–alcohol mixtures and L-ascorbic acid as a reducing agent. A facile removal of insulating surface layers, such as organic capping molecules and copper oxide/hydroxide, by short-chain organic acid treatment allowed low contact resistance between the CuNWs without post-reductive treatment at elevated temperatures. The CuNWs were directly spray-coated on glass or polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) at a low processing temperature of 130 °C. The CuNW TCE on a glass substrate exhibited a low sheet resistance of 23.1 Ohm sq−1 and a high optical transmittance of 84.1% at 550 nm. Furthermore, the CuNWs were directly spray-coated on stretchable PDMS, which showed a low sheet resistance of 4.1 Ohm sq−1 and a high optical transmittance of 70% at 550 nm.

The CO2 foam generated by the conventional surfactants usually does not show long-term stability due to the substantial solubility and diffusivity of CO2 in water. Silica nanoparticles with different wettability and high adsorption energy on the gas–water interface can be used as a stabilizer to enhance the stability of the CO2 foam. In this study, nine kinds of nonionic amine surfactants were employed to generate the CO2 foam, while three kinds of silica nanoparticles were selected and added to improve the CO2 foam stability. The influences of various factors, including pressure, temperature, pH, surfactant, and nanoparticle, on the CO2 foam stability have been investigated. The experimental results show that without nanoparticles, the CO2 foam stability decreases with the increase of the number of EO groups in the ethoxylated amine surfactant, especially under high-temperature and high-pressure (HTHP) conditions. In general, the nanoparticles with a low concentration (

Aortic valve calcification (AVC), which used to be recognized as a passive and irreversible process, is now widely accepted as an active and regulated process characterized by osteoblastic differentiation of aortic valve interstitial cells (AVICs). Apelin, the endogenous ligand for G-protein-coupled receptor APJ, was found to have protective cardiovascular effects in several studies. However, the effects and mechanisms of apelin on osteoblastic differentiation of AVICs have not been elucidated. Using a pro-calcific medium, we devised a method to produce calcific human AVICs. These cells were used to study the relationship between apelin and the osteoblastic calcification of AVICs and the involved signaling pathways. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity/expression and runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) expression were examined as hallmark proteins in this research. The involved signaling pathways were studied using the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor, PD98059, and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) inhibitor, LY294002. The results indicate that apelin attenuates the expression and activity of ALP, the expression of Runx2, and the formation of mineralized nodules. This protective effect was dependent on the dose of apelin, reaching the maximum at 100 pM, and was connected to activity of ERK and Akt (a downstream effector of PI3-K). The activation of ERK and PI3-K initiated the effects of apelin on ALP activity/expression and Runx2, but PD98059 and LY294002 abolished the effect. These results demonstrate that apelin attenuates the osteoblastic differentiation of AVICs via the ERK and PI3-K/Akt pathway.

Although serum bile acid concentrations are approximately 10 µM in healthy subjects, the crosstalk between the biliary system and vascular repair has never been investigated. In this study, tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) induced dissociation of CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from stromal cells by reducing adhesion molecule expression. TUDCA increased CD34+/Sca1+ progenitors in mice peripheral blood (PB), and CD34+, CD31+, and c-kit+ progenitors in human PB. In addition, TUDCA increased differentiation of CD34+ HSCs into EPC lineage cells via Akt activation. EPC invasion was increased by TUDCA, which was mediated by fibroblast activating protein via Akt activation. Interestingly, TUDCA induced integration of EPCs into human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) by increasing adhesion molecule expression. In the mouse hind limb ischemia model, TUDCA promoted blood perfusion by enhancing angiogenesis through recruitment of Flk-1+/CD34+ and Sca-1+/c-kit+ progenitors into damaged tissue. In GFP+ bone marrow-transplanted hind limb ischemia, TUDCA induced recruitment of GFP+/c-kit+ progenitors to the ischemic area, resulting in an increased blood perfusion ratio. Histological analysis suggested that GFP+ progenitors mobilized from bone marrow, integrated into blood vessels, and differentiated into VEGFR+ cells. In addition, TUDCA decreased cellular senescence by reducing levels of p53, p21, and reactive oxygen species and increased nitric oxide. Transplantation of TUDCA-primed senescent EPCs in hind limb ischemia significantly improved blood vessel regeneration, as compared with senescent EPCs. Our results suggested that TUDCA promoted neovascularization by enhancing the mobilization of stem/progenitor cells from bone marrow, their differentiation into EPCs, and their integration with preexisting endothelial cells. Stem Cells 2015;33:792–805

Monolithically structured reduced graphene oxide (rGO), prepared from a highly concentrated and conductive rGO paste, is introduced as an anode material for lithium ion batteries with high rate capacities. This is achieved by a mixture of rGO paste and the water-soluble polymer sodium carboxymethylcellulose (SCMC) with freeze drying. Unlike previous 3D graphene porous structures, the monolithic graphene resembles densely branched pine trees and has high mechanical stability with strong adhesion to the metal electrodes. The structures contain numerous large surface area open pores that facilitate lithium ion diffusion, while the strong hydrogen bonding between the graphene layers and SCMC provides high conductivity and reduces the volume changes that occur during cycling. Ultrafast charge/discharge rates are obtained with outstanding cycling stability and the capacities are higher than those reported for other anode materials. The fabrication process is simple and straightforward to adjust and is therefore suitable for mass production of anode electrodes for commercial applications.

// Kun Liu 1 , Honglin Chen 2 , Qing-Sheng You 1 , Qing Ye 3 , Fei Wang 1 , Shuo Wang 1 , Shuang-Long Zhang 1 , Kang-Jun Yu 1 and Qi Lu 4 1 Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, P.R. China 2 School of Nursing, Nantong University, Nantong, P.R. China 3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, P.R. China 4 Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, P.R. China Correspondence to: Qi Lu, email: ntluqi@sina.com Keywords: curcumin; myocardial ischemia–reperfusion; inflammation Received: September 19, 2017 Accepted: November 06, 2017 Published: December 06, 2017 ABSTRACT Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are at a badly high-risk of morbidity and mortality in the world. Methods: Our study was attempted to investigate the cardioprotective role of curcumin. Hearts injury was assessed in isolated hearts and the rats of coronary artery ligated. Results and Conclusions: The inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines was observed by curcumin in coronary artery ligated rats. ST segment was also reduced by curcumin. Triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining (TTC) staining and pathological analysis were also showed that curcumin could dramatically alleviate myocardial injury. Besides, the results in vitro also demonstrated that curcumin could improved the function of isolated hearts. Besides, the expressions of inflammation-related pathway in both rats and isolated hearts treated with curcumin were significantly decreased. The present study investigated the protective effects of curcumin on myocardial injury and its mechanism.

We investigated changes in the levels of adenosine triphosphate and nitric oxide in the urothelium of men with detrusor underactivity and benign prostatic hyperplasia.We prospectively enrolled in study 30 men who planned to undergo surgical treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia. The 15 patients with a bladder contractility index less than 100 were assigned to the detrusor underactivity group while the 15 with a bladder contractility index more than 100 were assigned to the no detrusor underactivity group. Bladder mucosal specimens were collected at surgical prostate resection, and adenosine triphosphate and endothelial nitric oxide synthase were analyzed in these specimens. The levels of adenosine triphosphate and endothelial nitric oxide synthase were compared between the 2 groups. The correlation of urodynamic parameters with adenosine triphosphate and endothelial nitric oxide synthase was assessed in all patients.Mean ± SEM endothelial nitric oxide synthase did not significantly differ between the detrusor underactivity and no underactivity groups (3.393 ± 0.969 vs 1.941 ± 0.377 IU/ml, p = 0.247). However, the mean level of adenosine triphosphate in the detrusor underactivity group was significantly lower than in the no detrusor underactivity group (1.289 ± 0.320 vs 9.262 ± 3.285 pmol, p = 0.011). In addition, in all patients adenosine triphosphate positively correlated with the bladder contractility index (r = 0.478, p = 0.018) and with detrusor pressure on maximal flow (r = 0.411, p = 0.046).Adenosine triphosphate was significantly decreased in the urothelium in men with detrusor underactivity and benign prostatic hyperplasia, reflecting the change in detrusor function.

In this study, we investigated chemically exfoliated two-dimensional (2-D) nanoflakes of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) as charge-storing elements for use in organic multilevel memory devices (of the printed/flexible non-volatile type) based on organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) containing poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT). The metallic MoS2 nanoflakes were exfoliated in 2-methoxyethanol by the lithium intercalation method and were deposited as nano-floating gates between polystyrene and poly(methyl methacrylate), used as bilayered gate dielectrics, by a simple spin-coating and low temperature (150 °C) process. In the developed OFET memory devices, electrons could be trapped/detrapped in the MoS2 nano-floating gates by modulating the charge carrier density in the active channel through gate bias control. Optimal memory characteristics were achieved by controlling the thickness and concentration of few-layered MoS2 nanoflakes, and the best device showed reliable non-volatile memory properties: a sufficient memory window of ∼23 V, programming-reading-erasing cycling endurance of10(2) times, and most importantly, quasi-permanent charge-storing characteristics, i.e., a very long retention time (longer than the technological requirement of commercial memory devices (10 years)). In addition, we successfully developed multilevel memory cells (2 bits per cell) by controlling the gate bias magnitude.

We report a cross-linkable diblock copolymer at a mild temperature by Diels-Alder click-chemistry for a gate dielectric layer in the top-gate, bottom contact organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). The Diels-Alder reaction between poly[(methyl methacrylate)-co-(9-anthracenyl methyl methacrylate)] (P(MMA-AMA)) and 1,1′-(methylenedi-4,1-phenylene)bismaleimide (MPB) enables the preparation of robust cross-linked films at 100 °C annealing for 10 min. Poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-alt-bithiophene (F8T2) or poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) OFETs exhibited charge carrier mobilities of 3 ∼ 4 × 10−3 cm2 V−1 s−1 with the 250 nm thick crosslinked (P(MMA-AMA)) films at gate voltages of less than −20 V. Moreover, the ratio of MMA and AMA was controlled to observe the effects of crosslinking density on the properties of the gate dielectric layer. When the portion of a crosslinkable anthracenyl unit in (P(MMA-AMA)) is increased to 50 mol.% in the base polymer, the gate leakage current of OFETs decreases below 10−8 A at Vg = −...

We present a straightforward method for simultaneously enhancing the electrical conductivity, environmental stability, and photocatalytic properties of graphene films through one-step transfer of CVD graphene and integration by introducing TiO2/graphene oxide layer. A highly durable and flexible TiO2 layer is successfully used as a supporting layer for graphene transfer instead of the commonly used PMMA. Transferred graphene/TiO2 film is directly used for measuring the carrier transport and optoelectronic properties without an extra TiO2 removal and following deposition steps for multifunctional integration into devices because the thin TiO2 layer is optically transparent and electrically semiconducting. Moreover, the TiO2 layer induces charge screening by electrostatically interacting with the residual oxygen moieties on graphene, which are charge scattering centers, resulting in a reduced current hysteresis. Adsorption of water and other chemical molecules onto the graphene surface is also prevented by the passivating TiO2 layer, resulting in the long term environmental stability of the graphene under high temperature and humidity. In addition, the graphene/TiO2 film shows effectively enhanced photocatalytic properties because of the increase in the transport efficiency of the photogenerated electrons due to the decrease in the injection barrier formed at the interface between the F-doped tin oxide and TiO2 layers.

Clean chemical vapor deposition (CVD)-grown graphene surfaces with intrinsic electrical properties were obtained by a modified poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) transfer method. The modified method entails UV irradiation, followed by wet cleaning of the UV-irradiated PMMA layer using a mixture of isopropyl alcohol (IPA), acetone, and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK). The chemical structure of the PMMA layer degrades following UV irradiation under atmospheric conditions, via side-chain cleavage of the ester groups, resulting in reduced intermolecular interactions between the PMMA layer and the underlying graphene film. Furthermore, the IPA/MIBK/acetone mixture is shown to be a powerful solvent that can effectively remove the PMMA layer without leaving any PMMA residue, which could act as a source of cracks and scattering centers for charge carrier transport, on the graphene surface. Graphene transistors fabricated by this modified transfer method show high electron and hole mobilities with ideal threshold voltages of near 0 V.

Here we report high-performance polymer OFETs with a low-cost Mo source/drain electrode by efficient charge injection through the formation of a thermally deposited V2O5 thin film interlayer. A thermally deposited V2O5 interlayer is formed between a regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (rr-P3HT) or a p-type polymer semiconductor containing dodecyl-substituted thienylenevinylene (TV) and dodecylthiophene (PC12TV12T) and the Mo source/drain electrode. The P3HT or PC12TV12T OFETs with the bare Mo electrode exhibited lower charge carrier mobility than those with Au owing to a large barrier height for hole injection (0.5-1.0 eV). By forming the V2O5 layer, the P3HT or PC12TV12T OFETs with V2O5 on the Mo electrode exhibited charge carrier mobility comparable to that of a pristine Au electrode. Best P3HT or PC12TV12T OFETs with 5 nm thick V2O5 on Mo electrode show the charge carrier mobility of 0.12 and 0.38 cm(2)/(V s), respectively. Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy results exhibited the work-function of the Mo electrode progressively changed from 4.3 to 4.9 eV with an increase in V2O5 thickness from 0 to 5 nm, respectively. Interestingly, the V2O5-deposited Mo exhibits comparable Rc to Au, which mainly results from the decreased barrier height for hole carrier injection from the low-cost metal electrode to the frontier molecular orbital of the p-type polymer semiconductor after the incorporation of the transition metal oxide hole injection layer, such as V2O5. This enables the development of large-area, low-cost electronics with the Mo electrodes and V2O5 interlayer.

Poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) derivatives with 2,5-diphenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole-diyl (OXD) as the side chain, poly[2-{4-[5-(4-(heptyloxy)phenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-yI]phenyl-oxy}-1,4-phenylene-vinylene] (OXH-PPV), poly[2-{4-[5-(4-(heptyloxy)phenyl)-1,3,4-oxadia-zole-2-yl]phenyl-oxy}-1,4-phenylenevinylene-co-2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethylhexyloxy)-p-phenylene vinylene] (OXH-PPV-co-MEH-PPV), and poly[2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethylhexyl-oxy)-p-phenylene vinylene] (MEH-PPV), were synthesized via a modified Gilch route. The electron-deficient oxadiazole moiety was introduced on the side chain of the polymer backbone to increase the electron-affinity of the polymers. The electroluminescent (EL) properties of the resulting polymers as an active layer, were investigated by the fabrication of single-layer LEDs and the devices using OXH-PPV-co-MEH-PPV showed better EL properties than those using pure MEH-PPV. Also, to investigate the switching properties of the resulting polymers as an active layer, OFET devices were fabricated in a top-contact/bottom-gate configuration. The resulting FETs exhibited typical p-channel characteristics, field-effect mobility of 6.5 x 10(-4) - 7.0 x 10(-5) cm2 V(-1) s(-1), and on-off ratio of about 10(4)-10(5).

We report the development of high-performance inkjet-printed organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) and complementary circuits using high- k polymer dielectric blends comprising poly(vinylidenefluoride-trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) for high-speed and low-voltage operation. Inkjet-printed p -type polymer semiconductors containing alkyl-substituted thienylenevinylene (TV) and dodecylthiophene (PC12TV12T) and n -type P(NDI2OD-T2) OFETs showed high field-effect mobilities of 0.1–0.4 cm 2 V −1 s −1 and low threshold voltages down to 5 V. These OFET properties were modified by changing the blend ratio of P(VDF-TrFE) and PMMA. The optimum blend – a 7:3 wt% mixture of P(VDF-TrFE) and PMMA – was successfully used to realize high-performance complementary inverters and ring oscillators (ROs). The complementary ROs operated at a supplied bias ( V DD ) of 5 V and showed an oscillation frequency ( f osc ) as high as ∼80 kHz at V DD = 30 V. Furthermore, the f osc of the complementary ROs was significantly affected by a variety of fundamental parameters such as the electron and hole mobilities, channel width and length, capacitance of the gate dielectrics, V DD , and the overlap capacitance in the circuit configuration.

We report the synthesis and characterization of thienylenevinylene-based donor–acceptor alternating copolymers (PTVPhI-Eh and PTVPhI-C12) as highly efficient ambipolar semiconductors in a thin film transistor. These polymers exhibit significantly improved hole and electron mobilities after thermal annealing. To determine the relationship between ambipolar charge transport and thermal annealing, we investigated these polymers using various analyses such as optical spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, computational quantum chemical calculation, X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and ambipolar charge mobility measurements. In pristine films, the polymer chains exhibited weak intra- and interchain ordering. However, when samples were annealed at sufficiently high temperatures, they exhibited a more ordered intra- and interchain conformation. As a result, we found a strong relationship between intra- and interchain conformational changes of the polymers and corresponding ambipolar charge transport proper...

The effects of using a blocking dielectric layer and metal nanoparticles (NPs) as charge-trapping sites on the characteristics of organic nano-floating-gate memory (NFGM) devices are investigated. High-performance NFGM devices are fabricated using the n-type polymer semiconductor, poly{[N,N′-bis(2-octyldodecyl)-naphthalene-1,4,5,8-bis(dicarboximide)-2,6-diyl]-alt-5,5′-(2,2′-bithiophene)} (P(NDI2OD-T2)), and various metal NPs. These NPs are embedded within bilayers of various polymer dielectrics (polystyrene (PS)/poly(4-vinyl phenol) (PVP) and PS/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)). The P(NDI2OD-T2) organic field-effect transistor (OFET)-based NFGM devices exhibit high electron mobilities (0.4–0.5 cm2 V−1 s−1) and reliable non-volatile memory characteristics, which include a wide memory window (≈52 V), a high on/off-current ratio (Ion/Ioff ≈ 105), and a long extrapolated retention time (>107 s), depending on the choice of the blocking dielectric (PVP or PMMA) and the metal (Au, Ag, Cu, or Al) NPs. The best memory characteristics are achieved in the ones fabricated using PMMA and Au or Ag NPs. The NFGM devices with PMMA and spatially well-distributed Cu NPs show quasi-permanent retention characteristics. An inkjet-printed flexible P(NDI2OD-T2) 256-bit transistor memory array (16 × 16 transistors) with Au-NPs on a polyethylene naphthalate substrate is also fabricated. These memory devices in array exhibit a high Ion/Ioff (≈104 ± 0.85), wide memory window (≈43.5 V ± 8.3 V), and a high degree of reliability.

We report here the development of high-performance p- and n-channel organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) and complementary circuits using inkjet-printed semiconducting layers and high-k polymer dielectric blends of poly(vinylidenefluoride-trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). Inkjet-printed p-type polymer semiconductors containing alkyl-substituted thienylenevinylene (TV) and dodecylthiophene (PC12TV12T) and n-type poly{[N,N'-bis(2-octyldodecyl)-naphthalene-1,4,5,8-bis(dicarboximide)-2,6-diyl]-alt-5,5'-(2,2'-dithiophene)} (P(NDI2OD-T2)) OFETs typically show high field-effect mobilities (μ(FET)) of 0.2-0.5 cm²/(V s), and their operation voltage is effectively reduced to below 5 V by the use of P(VDF-TrFE):PMMA blends. The main interesting result is that the OFET characteristics could be tuned by controlling the mixing ratio of P(VDF-TrFE) to PMMA in the blended dielectric. The μ(FET) of the PC12TV12T OFETs gradually improves, whereas the P(NDI2OD-T2) OFET properties become slightly worse as the P(VDF-TrFE) content increases. When the mixing ratio is optimized, well-balanced hole and electron mobilities of more than 0.2 cm²/(V s) and threshold voltages below ±3 V are obtained at a 7:3 ratio of P(VDF-TrFE) to PMMA. Low-voltage-operated (∼2 V) printed complementary inverters are successfully demonstrated using the blended dielectric and exhibit an ideal inverting voltage of nearly half of the supplied bias, high voltage gains of greater than 25, and excellent noise margins of more than 75% of the ideal values.

Inflammation serves an important role in the pathogenesis of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Fragments of endogenous damaged‑associated molecular patterns, recently identified as mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), have been proven to be a potent pro‑inflammatory mediator. Epigallocatechin‑3‑gallate (EGCG) is able to regulate the expression levels of a series of inflammatory cytokines. However, the involvement of endogenous mtDNA in EGCG‑regulated inflammatory activities in the context of myocardial I/R injury remains to be elucidated. The present study was designed to investigate the role of mtDNA in EGCG‑mediated myocardial protection in a rat I/R model. Significant positive correlations between elevated plasma mtDNA copy numbers and the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukins (IL)‑6 and ‑8 were observed in the myocardial tissue following an I/R injury (P

Herein is a description of the mass production of poly(9, 9-dioctylfluorene-co-benthiadiazole) (F8BT) and poly(9, 9-dioctylfluorene) (PFO) nanowires (NWs) using a melt-assisted wetting method with an anodic alumina membrane. The conjugated polymer NWs had a uniform shape (D = 250-300 nm/L = 10-30 microm) and a defect-free smooth surface. Optical properties were investigated by UV-vis, photoluminescent spectroscope, and fluorescent optical microscope. Individual F8BT and PFO NWs had a bright yellow (lambda = 541 nm) andblue (lambda = 442 nm) luminescence, respectively, under UV light irradiation.

We investigated the effects of a gate dielectric and its solvent on the characteristics of top-gated organic fieldeffect transistors (OFETs). Despite the rough top surface of the inkjet-printed active features, the charge transport in an OFET is still favorable, with no significant degradation in performance. Moreover, the characteristics of the OFETs showed a strong dependency on the gate dielectrics used and its orthogonal solvents. Poly(3hexylthiophene) OFETs with a poly(methyl methacrylate) dielectric showed typical p-type OFET characteristics. The selection of gate dielectric and solvent is very important to achieve high-performance organic electronic circuits.

A series of conjugated polymers (PDTP, PDTPT, PDTPTT) based on dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]pyrrole (DTP) containing branched side-chains is synthesized. The synthesized polymers show good solubility due to branched side-chains in the organic solvent in the absence of heat treatment. To increase the oxidation potential, unsubstituted thiophene units are introduced into the polymer backbone. The introduction of unsubstituted thiophene units increases the oxidation potential, elevates degradation temperature, and enhances electronic properties. The PDTPTT FETs show the highest charge-carrier mobility among the three polymers. These polymers are used as a donor material in bulk heterojunction solar cells, and the PDTPTT photovoltaic cells exhibit high performance.

Magnesium borate ball of wires, nanowires and petaliforms were prepared via calcination of magnesium borate hydroxide synthesized by hydrothermal route. Results of SEM characterization indicated that the morphology of magnesium borate hydroxide and magnesium borate could be talored via varying reaction temperature, reaction time and water's volume. And pure magnesium borate could be achieved when magnesium borate hydroxide was calcinated at 700°C.

Magnesium borate hydroxide (MgBO2(OH) ) were synthesized using magnesium nitrate hexahydrate(MgNO3.6H2O) and borax decahydrate(Na2B4O7.10H2O) by hydrothermal route. Effect of reaction temperature , reaction time and water's volume on the composition , structure , and crystal morphology of the products were investigated, and the products were characterized by XRD and SEM. The results indicated that all of the products were szaibelyite with the reaction condition investigated, and crystal morphology could be tailored via varying the reaction condition.

Different Pd precursors were used to prepare Pd catalysts supported by using organic group modified silica. The catalysts were characterized by TEM and FTIR analysis. The results indicated that the small Pd nanoparticles (1-2nm) were achieved using Pd precursors with negative charge, while the size of Pd particle increased to 2-4 nm using Pd precursors with positive charge. For semihydrogenation of phenylacetylene, large-sized Pd partcles (2-4nm) exhibited high styrene selectivity compared with small-sized ones (1-2nm).

Aminopropyl-functionalized silica (NH2-SiO2) was obtained via a sol-gel process using tetraethoxylsilicate (TEOS) and aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). Aminopropyl group contained silica was further modified with formaldehyde to achieve a novel organic group modified silica, denoted as CH2O-SiO2. Using CH2O-SiO2 as support to prepare surported Pd catalyst (denoted as Pd/M-SiO2), small Pd nanoparticles (1-2 nm) were fabricated on CH2O-SiO2 surport. Hydrogenation of acetylene is used as probe reaction to evaluate the catalytic performance of Pd/M-SiO2. The results indicate that Pd/M-SiO2 exhibits unique catalytic property, which the selectivity of ethylene increases with the increase of acetylene conversion. In-situ DRIFTS spectra of CO adsorption show that the organic groups presented on the silica affect the electronic property of the very small Pd nanoparticles, which causes the change of reaction paths of hydrogenation of acetylene over Pd/M-SiO2 compared with traditional supported Pd catalyst.

Aluminum borate (Al4B2O9) nanomaterials were synthesized via a sol-gel process using Na2B4O7·10H2O and Al (NO3)3·9H2O. The effect of reaction volume concentration, calcination temperature and feeding modes on the morphology of Aluminum borate was investigated. The material was characterized with SEM and XRD. Results reveal that Al4B2O9 nanowires, nanorods could be synthesized, and its morphology also can be tailored by controlling calcination temperature and feeding modes.

In the present study, we demonstrate inkjet-printed n-type organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) and their complementary inverters with high performance uniformity, using soluble N,N′-bis(n-octyl)-(1,7&1,6)-dicyanoperylene-3,4:9,10-bis(dicarboximide) (PDI8-CN2). The device performance and uniformity were improved by ink-jet printing a PDI8-CN2 solution onto a heated substrate (60 °C). The printed features, which were discontinuous crystalline films at RT, were uniform films when the substrate temperature was increased to 60 °C. Optimized n-channel PDI8-CN2 FETs showed a high field-effect mobility of 0.05–0.06 cm2/Vs, a high on/off ratio of ∼106, and a high uniformity that was within 10% with a bottom-gate/bottom-contact device configuration. Inkjet-printed organic complementary inverters were constructed by direct inkjet-printing of n-channel (PDI8-CN2) and p-channel (6,13-bis(triisopropyl-silylethynyl)-pentacene or poly(3-hexylthiophene)) organic semiconductors onto silicon dioxide gate dielectrics. The inkjet-printed organic complementary inverters exhibited a high voltage gain of more than 15 and small standard deviation of inverting voltage and gain of ±0.95 V and ±0.56, respectively, for measuring 12 samples from four difference batches.

A green process for the oxygen-free conversion of methane to high-concentration ethylene and hydrogen in a plasma-followed-by-catalyst (PFC) reactor is presented. Without any catalysts and with pure methane used as the feed gas, a stable kilohertz spark discharge leads to an acetylene yield of 64.1%, ethylene yield of 2.5% and hydrogen yield of 59.0% with 80.0% of methane conversion at a methane flow rate of 50 cm3/min and a specific input energy of 38.4 kJ/L. In the effluent gas from a stable kilohertz spark discharge reactor, the concentrations of acetylene, ethylene and hydrogen were 18.1%, 0.7% and 66.9%, respectively. When catalysts Pd-Ag/SiO2 were employed in the second stage with discharge conditions same as in the case of plasma alone, the PFC reactor provides an ethylene yield of 52.1% and hydrogen yield of 43.4%. The concentrations of ethylene and hydrogen in the effluent gas from the PFC reactor were found to be as high as 17.1% and 62.6%, respectively. Moreover, no acetylene was detected in the effluent gas. This means that a high concentration of ethylene and oxygen-free hydrogen can be co-produced directly from methane in the PFC reactor.

We investigate here charge transfer and trapping characteristics of various chargeable polymer dielectric layers, polystyrene (PS), poly(4-vinyl naphthalene) (PVN), and amorphous fluoropolymer (Teflon ® AF) in non-volatile pentacene field-effect transistor (FET) memory devices. Non-volatile memory properties, i.e., the degree of threshold voltage ( V Th ) shifts (memory window), the programming and erasing bias, and the retention time, strongly depended on the selection of a charge storage layer, due to its electronic and dielectric properties. The pentacene FETs with PVN or PS showed reversible positive and negative V Th shifts by an application of external gate bias. In Teflon ® AF device, most significant positive V Th shift was obtained indicating a efficient electron injection whereas showed inefficient erasing characteristics via hole injection and storing due to a high electronegative properties of fluorine units in the dielectric. This result indicates importance of a selection of the chargeable polymer dielectric to obtain efficient organic non-volatile memory with a long retention time.

We report a thermally resistant and air-stable n-type semiconductor based on our study of naphthalene diimide (NTCDI) derivatives ( N1 , N2 , and N3 ) with various numbers of electron-withdrawing CF 3 groups. The device using N3 , which contains aromatic NTCDI, was found to exhibit an electron mobility ( μ e ) of 0.15 (±0.04) cm 2 /V s (the maximum μ e observed was 0.24 cm 2 /V s) and an I on /I off (at V d = 80 V) of approximately 2 × 10 5 . Moreover, the N3 device exhibits excellent air stability, even when exposed to the open air for 42 days, and significantly better thermal resistance than the previously reported benzylic imide derivative R1 .