Vibrational temperatures of pure and mixed 13-atom Ni/Al clusters as a function of the cluster composition and internal energy.

Abstract

A novel analysis of the dynamical behavior of nanoalloy systems, as represented by model Ni/Al 13-atom clusters, over a broad range of energies that cover the stage-wise transition of the systems from their solid-like to liquid-like state is presented. Conceptually, the analysis is rooted in partitioning the systems into judiciously chosen subsystems and characterizing the latter in terms of subsystem-specific dynamical descriptors that include dynamical degrees of freedom, root-mean-square bond-length fluctuation, and element-specific subsystem temperature. The analysis reveals a host of intriguing new peculiarities in the dynamical behavior of the Ni/Al 13-mers, among which are what we call the chameleon effect and the difference in the temperatures of the Ni and Al subsystems at high energies, a difference that strongly depends on the cluster composition and also changes with energy. These do not have an analog in pure Ni₁₃ and Al₁₃ and are explained in terms of the coupled effects of the difference between the masses of the Ni and Al atoms (the mass effect) and of the difference in the anharmonicity of the overall interaction potential as experienced by the Ni and Al subsystems of the clusters (the potential effect).

Crystalline–amorphous biphasic ZnMnO₃ was photodeposited by a one-step, room-temperature process from an aqueous precursor solution onto ZnO nanowires. The specific morphology of the photodeposit and its homogeneous dispersion at the nanowire surface give rise to an electrode architecture, where ZnMnO₃ shells act as an electroactive, pseudocapacitive phase in aqueous electrolytes.

Abstract

Compositionally and structurally complex semiconductor oxide nanostructures gain importance in many energy-related applications. Simple and robust synthesis routes ideally complying with the principles of modern green chemistry are therefore urgently needed. Here we report on the one-step, room-temperature synthesis of a crystalline–amorphous biphasic ternary metal oxide at the ZnO surface using aqueous precursor solutions. More specifically, conformal and porous ZnMnO₃ shells are photodeposited from KMnO₄ solution onto immobilized ZnO nanowires acting not only as the substrate but also as the Zn precursor. This water-based, low temperature process yields ZnMnO₃/ZnO composite electrodes featuring in 1 M Na₂SO₄ aqueous solution capacitance values of 80–160 F g⁻¹ (as referred to the total mass of the porous film i. e. the electroactive ZnMnO₃ phase and the ZnO nanowire array). Our results highlight the suitability of photodeposition as a simple and green route towards complex functional materials.

Beyond a critical doping level, Ag - 2D TiO2 sheets (ATO) are deemed to be a flexible transparent conductor, useful for visible-range functional photonic/optoelectronic devices/sensors, sunlight-sensitive catalysis, and light-activated resistive switching. Due to the lack of control of surface energy which often leads to the formation of structural defects and even dimensionality crossover (2D to 0D) of materials during doping reaction, it is challenging to obtain ATO with a controlled doping level. Gauging the urgency, therefore we report the surface energy-controlled synthesis of ATO employing liquid phase exfoliation of TiO2 and subsequent hydrothermal Ag-doping in the presence of Hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA). Electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy reveal ATO sheets with large lateral dimensions. 6-fold, 4-fold, and strain-mediated crystallographic phases of 2D ATO have been revealed by high-resolution electron imaging. Successful tuning of the band gap down to ~ 2 eV with Ag doping up to ~ 10% is obtained. Synthesized 2D ATO have been investigated for their electrical, optical, optoelectronic, photoluminescence, and ferromagnetic behaviour. Visible light-sensitive thermally/structurally robust semiconductor/conductor via tuneable doping will pave the way for their flexible as well as wearable device applications. Self-healing effect of AFM tip-generated mechanical stress has also been demonstrated.

Phase diagrams show the transitions of O/Cu→Cu₂O→CuO on both Cu(111) and Cu(110) surfaces during the oxidation process. The oxygen adsorption induced c(6×2)-O reconstruction provides a relatively stable surface oxide layer on Cu(110), resulting a higher oxidation resistance than Cu(111).

Abstract

The surface structure effect on the oxidation of Cu has been investigated by performing ambient-pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (APXPS) on Cu(111) and Cu(110) surfaces under oxygen pressures ranging from 10⁻⁸ to 1 mbar and temperatures from 300 to 750 K. The APXPS results show a subsequential phase transition from chemisorbed O/Cu overlayer to Cu₂O and then to CuO on both surfaces. For a given temperature, the oxygen pressure needed to induce initial formation of Cu₂O on Cu(110) is about two orders of magnitude greater than that on Cu(111), which is in contrast with the facile formation of O/Cu overlayer on clean Cu(110). The depth profile measurements during the initial stage of Cu₂O formation indicate the distinct growth modes of Cu₂O on the two surface orientations. We attribute these prominent effects of surface structure to the disparities in the kinetic processes, such as the dissociation and surface/bulk diffusion over O/Cu overlayers. Our findings provide new insights into the kinetics-controlled process of Cu oxidation by oxygen.

Ratiometric detection of analyte is highly deserving since the technique is free from background correction. This work reports the design and synthesis of a pyridine-end oligo p-phenylenevinylene (OPV) derivative, 1 and its application in ratiometric dual-mode (both colorimetric and fluorogenic) recognition of dual anions, bisulphate (LOD= 12.5 ppb) followed by fluoride (LOD= 18.2 ppb) by sequence-specific relay (SPR) technique. The colorless probe turns brown with addition of bisulphate and again becomes colorless with the sequential addition of fluoride ion. In addition to such naked-eye color change, interestingly the ratiometric spectroscopic signals are reversible and evidently, the probe is reusable for several cycles. Besides, in presence of bisulphate, the protonated probe molecules, owing to their larger amphiphilic characteristics, formed self-assembled nanostructures. In addition to colorimetric and fluorescent changes, 1H NMR titration and systematic DFT study evidently establish the underneath proton transfer mechanisms. Such reusable OPV-based chemosensor particularly with the capability of naked-eye recognition of dual anions using the SPR technique is seminal and possibly the first report in the literature.

Aza-Michael additions are key reactions in organic synthesis. We investigate, from a theoretical and computational point of view, several examples ranging from weak to strong electrophiles in dimethylsulfoxide treated as explicit solvent. We use the REG-IQA method, which is a quantum topological energy decomposition (Interacting Quantum Atoms, IQA) coupled to a chemical-interpretation calculator (Relative Energy Gradient, REG). We focus on the rate-limiting addition step in order to unravel the different events taking place in this step, and understand the influence of solvent on the reaction, with an eye on predicting the Mayr electrophilicity. For the first time a link is established between an REG-IQA analysis and experimental values.

Nanoscale quantum plasmon is an important technology that restricts the application of optics, electricity, and graphene photoelectric devices. Establishing a structure-effect relationship between the structure of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) under stress regulation and the properties of plasmons is a key scientific issue for promoting the application of plasmons in micro-nano photoelectric devices. In this study, zigzag graphene nanoribbon (Z-GNR) and armchair graphene nanoribbon (A-GNR) models of specific widths were constructed, and density functional theory (DFT) was used to study their lattice structure, energy band, absorption spectrum, and plasmon effects under different stresses. The results showed that the Z-GNR band gap decreased with increasing stress, and the A-GNR band gap changed periodically with increasing stress. The plasmon effects of the A-GNRs and Z-GNRs appeared in the visible region, whereas the absorption spectrum showed a redshift trend, indicating the range of the plasmon spectrum also underwent significant changes. This study provides a theoretical basis for the application of graphene nanoribbons in the field of optoelectronics under strain-engineering conditions.

A bifunctional ZrO₂  : Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ co-sensitized dye-sensitized solar cell shows a power conversion efficiency of 12.35 %. Six cells connected in series gave a V_OC of 4.52 V, which is sufficient to power up internet of things (IoT) devices.

Abstract

Giant power conversion efficiency is achieved by using bifunction ZrO₂ : Er³⁺/Yb³⁺assisted co-sensitised dye-sensitized solar cells. The evolution of the crystalline structure and its microstructure are examined by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy studies. The bi-functional behaviour of ZrO₂ : Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ as upconversion, light scattering is confirmed by emission and diffused reflectance studies. The bi-function ZrO₂ : Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ (pH=3) assisted photoanode is co-sensitized by use of N719 dye, squaraine SPSQ2 dye and is sandwiched with Platinum based counter electrode. The fabricated DSSC exhibited a giant power conversion efficiency of 12.35 % with V_OC of 0.71 V, J_SC of 27.06 mA/cm², FF of 0.63. The results, which motivated the development of a small DSSC module, gave 6.21 % and is used to drive a tiny electronic motor in indoor and outdoor lighting conditions. Small-area DSSCs connected in series have found that a V_OC of 4.52 V is sufficient to power up Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

Classical electric double layer (EDL) models fail to describe ion distributions at charged solid-liquid interfaces at high salinity, where non-classical effects such as ion-ion correlations play a role. Here, the authors report the direct experimental determination of interfacial cation and anion distributions yielding new insights into the EDL structure and the associated adsorption isotherm data in the overcharging regime.

Abstract

Classical electric double layer (EDL) models have been widely used to describe ion distributions at charged solid-water interfaces in dilute electrolytes. However, the chemistry of EDLs remains poorly constrained at high ionic strength where ion-ion correlations control non-classical behavior such as overcharging, i. e., the accumulation of counter-ions in amounts exceeding the substrate's surface charge. Here, we provide direct experimental observations of correlated cation and anion distributions adsorbed at the muscovite (001)-aqueous electrolyte interface as a function of dissolved RbBr concentration ([RbBr]=0.01–5.8 M) using resonant anomalous X-ray reflectivity. Our results show alternating cation-anion layers in the EDL when [RbBr]≳100 mM, whose spatial extension (i. e., ~20 Å from the surface) far exceeds the dimension of the classical Stern layer. Comparison to RbCl and RbI electrolytes indicates that these behaviors are sensitive to the choice of co-ion. This new in-depth molecular-scale understanding of the EDL structure during transition from classical to non-classical regimes supports the development of realistic EDL models for technologies operating at high salinity such as water purification applications or modern electrochemical storage.

Density functional calculations demonstrate that the Fe^IV=O²⁺ _aq complexes form different analogous complexes according to the pH of the system.

Abstract

Fe^IV=O_aq is a key intermediate in many advanced oxidation processes and probably in biological systems. It is usually referred to as Fe^IV=O²⁺. The pKa's of Fe^IV=O_aq as derived by DFT are: pKa1=2.37 M06 L/6-311++G(d,p) (SDD for Fe) and pKa2=7.79 M06 L/6-311++G(d,p) (SDD for Fe). This means that in neutral solutions, Fe^IV=O_aq is a mixture of (H₂O)₄(OH)Fe^IV=O⁺ and (H₂O)₂(OH)₂Fe^IV=O. The oxidation potential of Fe^IV=O_aq in an acidic solution, E⁰{(H₂O)₅Fe^IV=O²⁺/Fe^III(H₂O)₆ ³⁺, pH 0.0} is calculated with and without a second solvation sphere and the recommended value is between 2.86 V (B3LYP/Def2-TZVP, with a second solvation sphere) and 2.23 V (M06 L/Def2-TZVP without a second solvation sphere). This means that Fe^IV=O_aq is the strongest oxidizing agent formed in systems involving Fe^VIO₄ ²⁻ even in neutral media.