DOI :
            10.2240/azojomo0214
            
        
        
            Jul 18 2006
       Yingliang Liu, Yuanrong Xin, Jianghui 
            Li, Fenglian Bai and Shaokui Cao
       
Copyright AD-TECH; licensee AZoM.com Pty Ltd.
This is an AZo Open Access Rewards System (AZo-OARS) article 
  distributed under the terms of the AZo–OARS https://www.azom.com/oars.asp which permits 
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AZojomo (ISSN 1833-122X) Volume 2 July 2006
       Topics Covered 
       
Abstract
 Keywords
 Introduction
 Experiments
      Instruments
      Reagent
      Synthesis
      Synthesis of N-octylcarbazole 
(Compound 1)
      Synthesis of N-octyl-3, 6-diformylcarbazole 
(Compound 2)
      Synthesis of N-octyl-3-formylcarbazole 
(Compound 3)
      Synthesis of Model Compound 4 
      Synthesis of Polymer
 Results and Discussion
      Synthesis
      Computer Simulation
      Photophysical Property
      Helical Conformation and Helical 
Aggregation
 Conclusion
 References
 Contact Details  
Abstract 
       The formation of a cylinder-like helical 
            conformation induced by chloroform was observed from a conjugated 
            polymer, which was prepared by Knoevenagel condensation using N-octyl-3, 
            6-diformylcarbazole and p-phenylene diacetonitrile as the monomers. 
            The helical conformation by solvent induction was further proved by 
            the measurements of CD spectrum and specific rotatory power. 
            Additionally, a helical aggregation of the conjugated polymer was 
            obtained by volatilizing the solvent in the polymer solution and observed 
            by polarized optical microscopy. The helical aggregation took 
            the form of a right-handed helix. Computer simulation revealed 
            that the polymer could form into a hollow tubular nanostructure with 
            a cavity less than 1.5 nm in diameter by folding of its strand.
       
Keywords
       conjugated polymer, helical conformation, 
            helical aggregation, solvent-induction, tubular nanostructure
       
Introduction
In the past two decades, 
            conjugated polymers have successively been used as organic conducting 
            materials, light-emitting diodes (LEDs)[1], photovoltaic cells (PVs)[2, 
            3], solid-state laser materials[4] and biosensors[5]. It is currently noticeable that helical conjugated 
            polymers have been applied to second-order nonlinear optics[6, 7], 
            circularly polarized luminescence[8, 9] and organic nanotube[10, 11], 
            which may be used for optical information processing, display and 
            data storage. In addition, nano polymer materials with 
            a cylinder-like helical architecture at the molecular scale have been 
            prepared by solvophobically driven folding[12], intramolecular cross-linking 
            of helical folds[11], etc. Therefore, 
            macromolecular design related to helical architecture is an interesting 
            subject, especially for helical conjugated polymers. On 
            the other hand, helical macromolecules are indispensable in 
            biological systems such as proteins. Consequently, research 
            on helical conjugated polymers is propitious not only to capacity 
            improvement of optical information storage for artificial polymers 
            but also to a better understanding on the stereochemistry of biological 
            polymers. 
          Helical architecture is 
            the necessory factor to result in chiroptical property[13], such as 
            helicenes and atropisomers. Generally, 
            the helical architecture of synthetic polymers 
            is shaped through the introduction of a chiral substituent into the 
            polymeric chain[14-17], direct synthesis using a chiral catalysis[18, 
            19], synthesis in a chiral field[13], or chiral molecular induction 
            through supramolecular effect,[20, 21] etc. However, 
            the achievement of helical architecture is rarely reported directly 
            from the folding of a synthetic polymer[12]. According to Moore’s “shape-persistent” 
            approach to nanoscale architectures[22], the formation of a helical 
            conformation can result from a geometrical condition in the polymeric 
            main chain, such as the introduction of a turn unit like m-phenylene[12] 
            or 2, 5-thiophene[23], and an external condition, such as an appropriate 
            solvent,[12] to stabilize the helical conformation by folding of the 
            linear synthetic polymer under solvophobically-driven packing. 
            In other words, the helical conformation is formed and stabilized 
            by spontaneous folding of a linear molecular strand under a certain 
            driving force and a proper external condition when there is a turn 
            angle in the polymeric main chain. This kind of synthetic linear 
            molecular strand, which can be folded into a compact and defined molecular 
            shape, is termed a “foldamer” [24, 25].
          On the basis of the understanding of Moore’s “shape-persistent” 
            approach to nanoscale architectures, we previously reported a conjugated polymer, which 
            was folded into a helical conformation by solvent induction, employing 
            McMurry condensation polymerization using the alkylcarbazolyl group 
            as a turn angle (approximately 60°, an optimal bond angle)[26]. The helical conformation formed by solvent 
            induction was further proved by the measurements of CD spectrum, specific 
            rotatory power and FL spectrum. However, the mechanism of McMurry 
            condensation reaction, consisting of coupling and elimination reactions, 
            made it difficult to obtain a polymer with a regular molecular structure, 
            in which the alkylcarbazolyl and the vinylene units were strictly 
            alternated in the polymer main chain. Therefore, a helical aggregation 
            is difficult to observe from the polymer. In order to obtain 
            a polymer having regular molecular structure, we herein reported a 
            conjugated polymer employing Knoevenagel condensation reaction. 
            As the monomers, N-octyl-3, 6-diformylcarbazole and p-phenylene 
            diacetonitrile, were used and the alkylcarbazolyl group functioned as a turn angle; this polymer could be 
            expected to form a helical conformation induced by solvent. 
            Computer simulation suggested that the polymer folded a cylinder-like 
            conformation with a cavity about 1.6 nm in diameter. In addition, 
            helical aggregation was acquired by volatilizing the solvent in the 
            solution of the synthesized conjugated polymer and was observed by 
            polarized optical microscopy.
 
Experiments
          
Instruments
 
          1H-NMR (400 MHz) spectra were recorded 
            on a Bruker DPX-400 spectrometer. IR spectra (KBr tablets) were 
            measured on a Nicolet Protégé 460 infrared spectrophotometer. 
            Relative molecular weights were determined by gel permeation chromatography 
            (GPC) on a Waters M515 instrument with a Waters 410 differential refractometer 
            at 40°C calibrated with polystyrene standards using tetrahydrofuran 
            as eluent. Melting points were determined using an X-5A melting 
            point measurement instrument. Fluorescent spectra were recorded 
            on a Hitachi F-4500 fluorescence spectrophotometer. UV-vis spectra 
            were measured on a Shimadzu UV-3010 instrument. Circular dichrosm 
            (CD) spectra were recorded on JASCO J-810 spectropolarimeter. 
            The observation of helical aggregation was performed on a 
            Leica DML polarized optical microscope (POM).
          
Reagent
p-phenylene 
            diacetonitrile, 1-bromooctane and carbazole were purchased from ACROS. 
            Chemical reagents were obtained with analytical or chemical purity 
            and used as received. Tetrahydrofuran (THF) was dried with anhydrous 
            calcium dichloride overnight, distilled over calcium hydride, and 
            then distilled over sodium prior to use.
          
.jpg)
Scheme 1. Synthetic routes of the polymer and 
  the model compound.
          
Synthesis
          The intermediates, the model compound and the conjugated 
            polymer were synthesized following the procedure in the Reference 
            [27] according to the synthetic route shown in Scheme 1.
          
Synthesis of N-octylcarbazole (Compound 1)
Compound 
            1 was synthesized by the reaction of carbazole with 1-bromooctane. 
            1-Bromooctane (20.3 g, 105 mmol) was added dropwise to a mixture of carbazole (15 g, 30 mmol) and sodium hydride (NaH, 6 g, 250 mmol) in N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF, 
            60 ml), followed by refluxing for 2 h. The mixture was poured into distilled water 
            (600 ml), extracted with n-hexane for three times (400 ml each) and dried with anhydrous magnesium sulfate 
            overnight. The amaranthine residue was purified by silica-gel 
            column chromatography using n-hexane as eluent (Rf=0.15). A 
            transparent viscous liquid was obtained with 81% yield. 1H-NMR, (CDCl3, 
            TMS, δ): 
            0.86 (t, 3H, J=7.2Hz), 1.23-1.40 (m, 10H), 1.85 (m, 2H), 4.28 
            (t, 2H, J=7.2Hz), 7.22 (t, 2H, J=7.2Hz), 7.40 (d, 2H, J=8.0Hz), 7.46 
            (t, 2H, J=7.2Hz), 8.09 (d, 2H, J=7.6Hz). IR, υmax (KBr / cm-1): 
            3050 (Ar-H), 2926 (υas, CH), 2869 (υs, 
            CH), 1598, 1489, 1466 (benzene ring), 1453 (CH2), 1380 
            (CH3), 1229 (Ar-N), 1065 (C-N), 722 (CH2).
          
Synthesis of N-octyl-3, 6-diformylcarbazole (Compound 2)
 
          
Compound 2 was synthesized by Vilsmeier reaction. Phosphoryl chloride (43.9 
  g, 290 mmol) was added dropwise to a mixture of DMF (31.9 g, 340 mmol) and 1, 
  2-dichloroethane (26 ml) cooled to 0°C. Then, N-octylcarbazole (4.0 
  g, 14 mmol) was added to the vigorously stirred mixture, and then heated to 
  90°C. The reaction was maintained for 2 days, and then the mixture was poured 
  into distilled water (300ml), extracted with chloroform and dried over anhydrous 
  magnesium sulfate. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The residue 
  was dissolved in a minimal amount of methylene dichloride and then purified 
  by silica-gel column chromatography using methylene dichloride as eluent (Rf=0.06). 
  The product was obtained as a white powder with 51% yield. Mp = 128-129°C. 
  1H-NMR, (CDCl3, TMS, δ): 0.86 (t, 3H, J=6.4Hz), 1.24-1.42 
  (m, 10H), 1.92 (m, 2H), 4.39 (t, 2H, J=7.2Hz), 8.11 (d, 2H, J=7.2Hz), 8.68 (s, 
  2H), 10.09 (s, 2H). IR, υmax (KBr / cm-1): 2922 
  (υas, CH), 2847 (υs, CH), 1686 (C=O), 
  1593, 1489, 1473 (benzene ring), 1383 (CH3), 1350 (Ar-N), 725 (CH2).
          
Synthesis of N-octyl-3-formylcarbazole (Compound 3)
 
          
Compound 3 was prepared by the same procedure as compound 2 except that the 
  amount of phosphoryl chloride was reduced to 140 mmol (21.2 g). The amounts 
  of other reagents including N-octylcarbazole were equal to those in the 
  procedure of compound 2. The product was obtained with 63% yield. Mp = 57-58°C. 
  1H-NMR, (CDCl3, TMS, δ): 0.86 (t, 3H, J=6.4Hz), 
  1.23-1.40 (m, 10H), 1.88 (m, 2H), 4.32 (t, 2H, J=7.2Hz), 7.33 (t, 1H, J=7.2Hz), 
  7.47 (t, 2H, J=5.6Hz), 7.54 (t, 1H, J=7.2Hz), 8.00 (d, 1H, J=8.4Hz), 8.15 (d, 
  1H, J=8.0Hz), 8.61 (s, 1H), 10.09 (s, 1H). IR, υmax (KBr 
  / cm-1): 2921 (υas, CH), 2849 (υs, 
  CH), 1691 (C=O), 1594, 1567, 1498, 1473 (benzene ring), 1470 (CH2), 
  1382 (CH3), 1355 (Ar-N), 720 (CH2).
          
Synthesis of Model Compound 4
(n-Bu)4NOH (10%, 0.5 ml) was dropwise added to a stirred 
  solution of N-octyl-3-diformylcarbazole (2 mmol) and p-phenylene 
  diacetonitrile (1 mmol) in THF (5 ml). Then, the mixture was heated to 60°C 
  under the protection of a nitrogen atmosphere. After the reaction was carried 
  out for 4 hours, the mixture was cooled to room temperature and precipitated 
  with distilled water (300 ml). The precipitate was filtered and dried in vacuo. 
  The crude product was dissolved in a small quantity of chloroform and purified 
  by silica-gel column chromatography using chloroform as eluent. The yellow powder 
  was obtained in 71% yield. Mp = 172-174°C. 1H-NMR, (CDCl3, 
  TMS, δ): 0.869 (t, 6H, J=7.2 Hz), 1.25-1.41 (m, 20H), 1.89 (m, 4H), 4.31 
  (t, 4H, J=7.2 Hz), 7.31 (t, 2H, J=7.2Hz), 7.45 (d, 4H, J=8.0Hz), 7.52 (t, 2H, 
  J=8.0Hz), 7.77 (s, 2H), 7.78 (s, 4H), 8.16 (d, 4H, 8.4Hz), 8.66 (s, 2H). IR, 
  υmax (KBr / cm-1): 3134 (=CH), 2925 (υas, 
  CH), 2853 (υs, CH), 2208 (CN), 1585, 1495, 1471 (benzene 
  ring), 1351 (Ar-N).
          
Synthesis of Polymer
          
(n-Bu)4NOH (10%, 1ml) was dropwise added to a stirred solution of 
  N-octyl-3, 6-diformylcarbazole (5 mmol) and p-phenylene diacetonitrile 
  (5 mmol) in THF (10 ml). Then, the mixture was heated to 60°C under the 
  protection of a nitrogen atmosphere. After the reaction was carried out for 
  4 hours, the mixture was cooled to room temperature and precipitated with methanol 
  (100ml) for four times. The precipitate was filtered and dried in vacuo. 
  The yellow powder was obtained in 54% yield. 1H-NMR, (CDCl3, 
  TMS, δ in ppm): 0.78 (CH3), 1.19 (CH2), 1.49 (CH2), 
  1.77 (CH2), 4.24 (NCH2), 6.7-8.5 (the protons on the benzene 
  ring and the double bond). IR, υmax (KBr / cm-1): 
  2924 (υas, CH), 2853 (υs, CH), 2210 (CN), 
  1584, 1483 (benzene ring), 1352 (Ar-N).
          
Results and Discussion
          
Synthesis
 
          
The conjugated polymer was synthesized by an ordinary Knoevenagel condensation 
  between 1,4-phenylene diacetonitrile and N-octyl-3, 6-diformylcarbazole 
  in THF at 60°C under the protection of nitrogen following the synthetic 
  route in Scheme 1. Mn, Mw and polydispersity were respectively 
  111000, 482000 and 4.19 as measured by GPC using polystyrene as a standard. 
  Therefore, the polymer had approximately 243 repeating units. Spectral analysis 
  through 1H-NMR (in CDCl3) and IR (KBr tablet) was basically 
  in agreement with the chemical structure shown in Scheme 1. In addition, the 
  synthesized polymer can be dissolved in common organic solvents such as tetrahydrofuran, 
  chloroform, dichloromethane, acetone, etc. Surprisingly, a signal at d 3.46 
  appeared in the Figure 1. This signal could not be ascribed to the protons on 
  the polymeric backbone according to the general rule of nuclear magnetic resonance. 
  In order to understand this signal, we synthesized a model compound 4 following 
  the same procedure as the conjugated polymer. The result of 1H-NMR 
  spectrum (in CDCl3) in Figure 2 showed that no signal at δ 
  3.46 appeared. A similar phenomenon was also found in the Reference [28]. We 
  assume that the unexpected peak is probably due to the special conformation 
  of the resulting polymer. 
          
.jpg)
Figure 1. 1H-NMR spectrum of 
  the conjugated polymer in CDCl3.
          
.jpg)
Figure 2. 1H-NMR spectrum of 
  model compound 4 in CDCl3.
          
Computer Simulation
Computer simulation 
            after minimizing molecular energy by MM2 (molecular mechanics) force 
            field in Chem3D Ultra 8.0 suggested that the model compound 4 took 
            on an arched conformation as illustrated in Figure 3. It was natural that the polymer should 
            take on a helical conformation with an increase in the polymeric repeating 
            unit. The result by computer simulation showed that the synthesized 
            polymer had exactly a cylinder-like helical conformation folded into 
            a hollow tubular nanostructure with a cavity about 1.6 nanometer in 
            diameter (Figure 4). The structure was similar to that previously 
            reported by McMurry condensation polymerization[26]. However, the presently prepared polymer had 
            a somewhat larger cavity than the previously reported polymer (0.7 
            nm). This indicated that the cavity formed by individual macromolecules 
            can be tuned by introduction of different group between alkylcarbazoles 
            in the main chain. The formation of helical conformation was 
            further proved by measurements of CD, specific rotatory power and 
            POM. In addition, one pitch of helical conformation consisted 
            of approximately 4 repeating units. The outside diameter of 
            the helical conformation was about 3.2 nm and the inside diameter 
            was about 1.6 nm on average. The length of one pitch of helical 
            conformation was about 5.6 nm.
          
.jpg)
Figure 3. 3-D ball & stick model of 
  model compound after minimizing molecular energy by MM2.
          
.jpg)
Figure 4. 3-D space-filling model of the p-polymer 
  after minimizing molecular energy by MM2 (a, top view) and the helical conformation 
  model (b, side view).
Photophysical Property
          The photophysical properties of the intermediates, 
            the model compound 4 and the synthesized conjugated polymer were characterized 
            by UV-vis and fluorescence (FL) spectra. The data of UV-vis 
            and FL spectra are listed in Table 1. From the UV-Vis spectra 
            of intermediates and model compound 4 in THF in Figure 5a, the absorption maximum (405.5 nm) of model compound 4 was red-shifted about 68.5 nm compared with that (337 nm) of compound 2. Additionally, the absorption 
            maximum (406.5 nm) of the polymer in THF was approximately equal 
            to that of model compound 4 from the UV-vis spectra of the polymer 
            in Figure 5b, which indicated that the effective conjugated 
            length of the polymer was approximately equivalent to the molecular 
            length of model compound 4. However, the band gap (2.55 eV) of the polymer, which was calculated using the 
            formula Eg =1240/ 
            λonsetabs eV from the onset absorption 
            in THF, was less 0.13 eV than that (2.68 eV) of model compound 4.
          From UV-vis spectra of the dilute solutions of the 
            polymer in different organic solvents (Figure 5b) such as benzene, dioxane, chloroform and 
            tetrahydrofuran, whose dipole moments are 0, 1.50, 3.84 and 5.70 (x10-30 C·m), respectively, 
            it was found that the absorption maxima were respectively 386.5, 393, 
            385, 406.5 nm and gradually red-shifted (Table 1) with increase in 
            dipole moment except in chloroform. The band gap (Eg) of the polymer also 
            decreased with increase in dipole moment except in chloroform. 
            All the data of UV-vis spectra are listed in Table 1.
          
.jpg)
Figure 5. Normalized UV-vis spectra of 
  intermediates, model compound in THF (a) and the polymer in different solvents 
  (b).
          
.jpg)
Figure 6. Normalized excitation spectra 
  (a) and emission spectra excitated by the excitation maxima (b) of the polymer 
  in different solvents.
The polymer was characterized by 
            FL spectra including excitation spectra and emission spectra (Figure 6). From the excitation spectra, the wavelength 
            of the excitation maxima was observed at longer wavelength compared 
            with that of the absorption maxima, as shown in Table 1. The 
            emission spectra are excitated by the wavelengths of the excitation 
            maxima of 410, 404, 422 and 409 nm for benzene, dioxane, chloroform 
            and tetrahydrofuran, respectively. As a result, the emission 
            maxima were observed at 521, 502, 486 and 492 nm. Therefore, 
            Stokes’ shifts were 111, 98, 64 and 83 nm respectively and gradually 
            decreased with increase in dipole moment, except in chloroform. 
            The data are listed in Table 1.
          
Table 1. Data from UV-vis and FL data of the polymer*
   
    | Solvents | Benzene | Dioxane | Choloform | Tetrahydrofurane | 
   
    | Dipole Moments/10-31C.m | 0 | 1.50 | 3.84 | 5.70 | 
   
    | λmaxabs/nm | 386.5 | 393 | 385 | 406.5 | 
   
    | λonsetabs/nm | 461 | 473 | 453 | 487 | 
   
    | Eg/eV | 2.69 | 2.62 | 2.74 | 2.55 | 
   
    | λmaxex/nm | 410 | 404 | 422 | 409 | 
   
    | λmaxem/nm | 521 | 502 | 486 | 492 | 
   
    | Stokes Shift/nm | 111 | 98 | 64 | 83 | 
* λmaxabs: the absorption maximum; λonsetabs: 
  the onset on the absorption spectrum; Eg: the band gap calculated 
  from λonsetabs; λmaxex 
  : the excitation maximum; λmaxex: the emission 
  maximum.
          
Helical Conformation and Helical Aggregation
 
          From the circular dichroism (CD) spectrum of the 
            polymer solution in chloroform as shown in Figure 7, it was indicated 
            that the polymer was CD-active and showed a positive Cotton effect. 
            Since the chiroptical property does not necessarily result from a 
            chiral center but from a helical architecture[13], such as helicenes 
            and atropisomers, the CD result 
            indicated that a right-handed helical conformation was shaped in the 
            chloroform solution of the polymer. Unfortunately, the polymer 
            was CD-silent in hexane solution, as shown in Figure 7. The 
            CD spectra in benzene, dioxane and THF were the same as in hexane 
            and were CD-silent. This indicated that the helical conformation 
            of the polymer was induced by chloroform.
          
.jpg)
Figure 7. CD spectra of the polymer in chloroform 
  and in hexane.
The formation of helical conformation 
            was also explained by the measurement of specific rotatory power in 
            spite of a vibrational range from -1774° to -1041° 
            in chloroform. The vibrational specific rotatory power was caused 
            by the tertiary amine in the carbazolyl group flipping inside out 
            very rapidly, as showed in the inset of Figure 8. Although no rapid flip permits the chiral 
            tertiary amines to be separated into two enantiomers, the chirality 
            of the tertiary amine in the carbazolyl group may be stabilized and 
            measurable to a certain extent. Here, despite the vibration 
            of specific rotatory power as a result of the increase in steric hindrance, 
            the helical conformation formed under solvent induction. However, 
            the specific rotatory power changed from a negative-value range (-1774°, 
            -1041°) in chloroform to near zero range (-6°,+13°) 
            in hexane, as the hexane content increased in the solvent component. 
            This implied the disappearance of helical conformation, as shown in 
            Figure 9. This is proved by the above CD spectrum 
            in hexane as illustrated in Figure 7. Figure 8 shows the change in specific rotatory power 
            observed with different hexane chloroform ratios. Additionally, 
            the vibration of specific rotatory power was mainly induced by the 
            vibration of helical radius and helical pitch of the assembled helix 
            because the molar rotatory power ([M]) was connected with the helical 
            radius and the helical pitch[26]: [M]=kr2s/l2 
            where k was constant, r the helical radius, and l the length of helical 
            line[29]. Finally, a great deal of helical aggregation 
            was observed by POM, as shown in Figure 10. These data were obtained by volatilizing 
            the solvent in the polymer solution. It was notable that the 
            helical aggregation became a right-handed helix, as shown in the inset 
            of Figure 10. In accordance with the CD result, the 
            formation of helical aggregation suggested the formation of helical 
            conformation from the conjugated polymer.
          
.jpg)
Figure 8. Change of specific rotatory power 
  (20°C, 365 nm, 0.1mg/ml) for the polymer in component solvent with different 
  ratios of chloroform and hexane; configuration of alkylcarbazole (inset).
          
.jpg)
Figure 9. Disappearance of helical conformation 
  with the increase of the hexane content in the component solvent.
          
.jpg)
Figure 10. POM photo (x1000) of the helical 
  aggregation from the polymer solution in chloroform; different forms of helical 
  aggregation (a, b in the inset and c in the photo).
          
Conclusion
 
          A conjugated polymer was prepared by Knoevenagel 
            condensation using N-octyl-3, 
            6-diformylcarbazole and p-phenylene diacetonitrile as the monomers. The polymer can be dissolved 
            in ordinary solvents such as THF and chloroform. The alkylcarbazolyl group functioned as a turn angle. 
            Computer simulation after minimizing molecular energy by MM2 indicated 
            that the polymer could form into a hollow tubular nanostructure with 
            a cavity less than 1.5nm in diameter by folding of its strand. 
            The photophysical property of the polymer was affected by the dipole 
            moment of the solvents. The measurements of specific rotatory 
            power and CD indicated the formation of helical conformation in chloroform 
            and the helical conformation takes a right-handed helical architecture. 
            The formation of a helical aggregation from the conjugated polymer 
            by volatilizing the solvent in the polymer solution was observed by 
            POM, where the helical aggregation forms a right-handed helix, which 
            is in accordance with the CD result.
          
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Contact Detail
   
    | Yingliang Liu  School of Materials Science & EngineeringZhengzhou University
 Zhengzhou 450052
 P. R. China
 | Yuanrong Xin School of Materials Science & EngineeringZhengzhou University
 Zhengzhou 450052
 P. R. China
 | 
   
    | Jianghui Li School of Materials Science & EngineeringZhengzhou University
 Zhengzhou 450052
 P. R. China
 | Fenglian Bai Institute of ChemistryChinese Academy of Science
 Beijing 100080
 P. R. China
 | 
  
    | Shaokui Cao School of Materials Science & EngineeringZhengzhou University
 Zhengzhou 450052
 P. R. China
 E-mail: [email protected] |  | 
This paper was also published in print form in “Advances in 
  Technology of Materials and Materials Processing”, 8[2] (2006) 204-213.