Effect of solvent on the cation-sensitive fluorescence of polyanions bearing 4′-acryloylbenzo-18-crown-6 Units

Changes in the fluorescence intensity of polyanions bearing 4-acryloylbenzo-18-crown-6 units on the addition of cations were studied in a mixed solvent of methanol and water at 30°C. The sensitivity of the change in fluorescence intensities of the polymers toward cations was strongly enhanced compared to that of the corresponding model compound. When alkali metal cations were added, the fluorescence intensity of the polymers decreased in the orders Li⁺>Na⁺>Cs⁺>Rb⁺>K⁺ in a methanol-water (19) mixture and Li⁺>Na⁺>Rb⁺>K⁺Cs⁺ in a methanol-water (91) mixture. Alkaline earth metal cations and alkylamine hydrochlorides decreased the fluorescence intensity of the polymers in a methanol-water (19) mixture. The cation-dependent decrease in the fluorescence intensity of the polymers was affected by the water fraction in a mixed solvent of methanol and water.     

Temperature effects on the diffusion of water and monovalent counterions in the hydrated montmorillonite

We investigate here the effect of temperature on the diffusion of water and cations in the Wyoming-type montmorillonite clay. The considered cations are monovalent compensating ions, such as Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺ and Cs⁺ in one-, two- and three-hydration states. For this purpose, molecular dynamics simulations have been performed to obtain the dynamic behaviour regarding the interlayer ions and water molecules under a temperature range between 260 and 400 K. The diffusion coefficient of water and cations in different hydrated clays increases with temperature. The influence of temperature on the diffusion of water is much greater than that of cations in one-, two- or three-hydrated clay. The degree of hydration plays an important role on the diffusion behaviour of water and counterions. We found that the effect of temperature is negligible in weakly hydrated clay, whereas it became significant in highly hydrated one. Besides, the size and mass of cations’ hydrate also affect the diffusion behaviour of water and cations in the interlayer space of hydrated clay.     

Colorimetric quantitative sensing of alkali metal ions based on reversible assembly and disassembly of gold nanoparticles

A novel and simple method for the colorimetric quantitative sensing of individual alkali metal ions (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, and Rb⁺) based on the reversible properties of self-assembled aggregates and individual gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) is described. This paper demonstrates reversible self-assembly processes where the degree of assembly and disassembly is dependent on the individual alkali metal ion concentration, nanoparticle size, and alkali metal ionic radii. The color changes of the colloidal Au NPs with metal ion concentrations in colloidal NP solutions occur reversibly. Below a certain concentration of alkali metal ions, the aggregates of Au NPs are redispersed. As the Au NP diameters and the alkali metal ionic radii increase, the critical concentration decreases.     

Intensities of DNA ion-phosphate modes in the low-frequency Raman spectra

The Raman intensities of counterion vibrations with respect to the phosphate groups of the double-helix backbone (ion-phosphate modes) in the low-frequency spectra (< 200 cm^-1) of B -DNA with different alkali metal counterions have been calculated using the model for DNA conformational vibrations and the valence-optic approach. The results have showed that the spectra of DNA with heavy counterions ( Rb⁺ and Cs⁺ differ from the spectra of DNA with light counterions ( Na⁺ and K⁺ . The calculated spectra of DNA with heavy counterions are characterized by intensive modes of ion-phosphate vibrations that form one united band near 115cm^-1. Ion-phosphate modes in the spectra of DNA with light counterions are characterized by higher frequencies (near 180cm^-1) and much lower intensity. Our calculations explain why the modes of ion-phosphate vibrations are observed in Cs-DNA spectra rather than in Na-DNA. The determined sensitivity of the intensities of DNA low-frequency spectra to the counterion type proves the existence of the ion-phosphate modes.     

Energy of migration of monovalent ions in NaCl: An experimental and theoretical study

Experimental diffusion measurements show that migration enthalpies of Cl^?, Br^? and I^? in NaCl are comparable, while that of F^? is considerably lower. Earlier studies had shown that migration enthalpies of Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺ and Cs⁺ in NaCl were similar. The polarised point ion model predicts migration energies of ions (by vacancy mechanism) to monotonically increase with ion size, contrary to experiment. Inversely, the shell model calculations rightly predict the variation of migration energies with ionic size. Thus, migration energies by vacancy mechanism do not vary significantly for ions larger than the host ions. However, in the case of the small ions, Li⁺ and F^?, the migration energies by vacancy mechanism are much lower and in good agreement with experiment for F^?.     

Diffusion of ions in supercritical water: Dependence on ion size and solvent density and roles of voids and necks

We have performed molecular dynamics simulations of alkali metal (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺) and halide (F⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻) ions in supercritical water at 673 K. The calculations were done for water at three different densities of 1.0, 0.7 and 0.35 g cm⁻³ to investigate the effects of solute size on the diffusion of ions in supercritical water. On increase of ion size, we observe a maximum for diffusion of ions in supercritical water of higher densities (1.0 and 0.7 g cm⁻³). However, no such maximum is found for ion diffusion in the supercritical water of low density (0.35 g cm⁻³) or for diffusion of neutral solutes at all densities. These results are analyzed in terms of passage through voids and necks present in supercritical water. Correlations of the observed diffusion behavior with the sizes of ions and voids present in the systems are discussed.     

How water and counterions diffuse into the hydrated montmorillonite

Molecular dynamics simulations have been performed to study the diffusive transport properties of water and counterions in 1-, 2- and 3-layer hydrated Wyoming-type montmorillonite (MMT). The considered counterions included in the clay are monovalent cations, such as Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺, and divalent cations, such as Ca²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Pb²⁺. The diffusion simulation results of Li-, Na-, K-, Cs-MMT, based on NVE ensemble and SPC/E water model, compared well to available experimental quantities and previous simulations, which permit us to study the diffusion behaviour of heavy metal counterion including in the different hydrated montmorillonite. Our simulation results show that the diffusion coefficients of both water molecule and counterions increase versus the quantity of water content. At the same hydrated state, the diffusion of cations strongly depends on their size, weight and capacity of attracting water. Monovalent cations diffuse always much faster than divalent ones. Although the increasing of hydrate degree can raise the diffusion coefficient of divalent heavy cations, the activity of these heavy counterions is still very weak. The diffusion of cations in the interlayer space of clay is much weaker than that in bulk water. That means the presence of charged clay has great influence on the diffusion of cations, which change totally the diffusion behaviour of cations.     

Density functional theory study on the adsorption of alkali metal ions with pristine and defected graphene sheet

The graphene-based materials along with the adsorption of alkali metal ions are suitable for energy conversion and storage applications. Hence in the present work, we have investigated the structural and electronic properties of pristine and defected graphene sheet upon the adsorption of alkali metal ions (Li⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺) using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The presence of vacancies or vacancy defects enhances the adsorption of alkali ions than the pristine sheet. From the obtained results, it is found that the adsorption energy of Li⁺ on the vacancies defected graphene sheet is higher (3.05?eV) than the pristine (2.41?eV) and Stone–Wales (2.50?eV) defected sheets. Moreover, the pore radius of the pristine and defected graphene sheets are less affected by metal ions adsorption. The increase in energy gap upon the adsorption of metal ions is found to be high in the vacancy defected graphene than that of other sheets. The metal ions adsorption in the defective vacancy sheets has high charge transfer from metal ions to the graphene sheet. The bonding characteristic between the metal ions and graphene sheet are analysed using QTAIM analysis. The influence of alkali ions on the electronic properties of the graphene sheet is examined from the Total Density of States (TDOS) and Partial Density of States (PDOS).     

Counterion vibrations in the DNA low-frequency spectra

The vibrations of univalent metal cations with respect to phosphate groups of the DNA backbone are described using the four-mass model approach (S.N. Volkov, S.N. Kosevich, J. Biomol. Struct. Dyn. 8, 1069 (1991)) extended in this paper. The force constant of the counterion-phosphate interaction is determined by considering the DNA with counterions as a lattice of ion crystal. For such ion-phosphate lattice the Madelung constant and the dielectric constant are estimated. The obtained value of the Madelung constant is lower than for the NaCl crystal, and its value is about 1.3. The dielectric constant is within 2.3-2.7 depending on the counterion type and form of the double helix. The calculations of the low-frequency spectra show that for the DNA with metal cations Na⁺ , K⁺ , Rb⁺ and Cs⁺ the frequency of ion-phosphate vibrations decreases from 174 to 96cm^-1 as the counterion mass increases. The obtained frequencies agree well with the vibrational spectra of polynucleotides in a dry state which prove our suggestion about the existence of the ion-phosphate lattice around the DNA double helix. The amplitudes of conformational vibrations for DNA in B -form are calculated as well. The results demonstrate that light counterions ( Na⁺ do not disturb the internal dynamics of the DNA. However, heavy counterions ( Cs⁺ have effect on the internal vibrations of the DNA structural elements.     

Electronic polarisabilities of ions in alkali halide crystals

Tessman, Kahn and Shockley calculated the electronic polarisabilities of ions in alkali halide crystals using the long wavelength limiting values of the visible light dielectric constants. We have recalculated these widely used polarisabilities using the more accurate room-temperature dielectric constant data of Lowndes and Martin and a better minimisation procedure of Pirenne and Kartheuser. We have also calculated for the first time the low temperature values of these polarisabilities. The computed values of the polarisability in ų are Li⁺ 0·029, Na⁺ 0·285, K⁺ 1·149, Rb⁺ 1·707, Cs⁺ 2·789, F^? 0·876, Cl^? 3·005, Br^? 4·168, I^? 6·294 at 300°K and Li⁺ 0·029, Na⁺ 0·290, K⁺ 1·133, Rb⁺ 1·679, Cs⁺ 2·743, F^? 0·858, Cl^? 2·947, Br^? 4·091, I^? 6·116 at 4°K. The relative standard deviations for all the alkali halides are 1·20 and 1·43 per cent at 300°K and 4°K respectively justifying the additive nature of the individual ion polarisabilities.     

Density functional theory study of the bis‐3‐benzo‐crown ethers and their complexes with alkali metal cations Na+, K+, Rb+ and Cs+

The binding interactions of bis‐3‐benzo‐15‐crown‐5 ethers and bis‐3‐benzo‐18‐crown‐6 ethers (neutral hosts) with a series of alkali metal cations Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺ and Cs⁺ (charged guests) were investigated using quantum chemical density functional theory. Different optimized structures, binding energies and various thermodynamic parameters of free crown ethers and their metal cation complexes were obtained based on the Becke, three‐parameter, Lee–Yang–Parr functional using mixed basis set (C, H, O, Na⁺ and K⁺ using 6‐31 g, and the heavier cation Rb⁺ and Cs⁺ using effective core potentials). Natural bond orbital analysis is conducted on the optimized geometric structures. The main types of driving force host–guest interactions are investigated. The electron donating O offers a lone pair of electrons to the contacting LP* (1‐center valence antibond lone pair) orbitals of metal cations. The bis‐3‐benzocrown ethers are assumed to have sandwich‐like conformations, considering the binding energies to gauge the exact interactions with alkali cations. It is found that there are two different types of complexes: one is a tight ion pair and the other is a separated ion pair. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cation-sensitive fluorescence of anionic polymers bearing naphtho-18-crown-6 units

Changes in the fluorescence intensity of anionic polymers bearing naphtho-18-crown-6 moieties on addition of cations were studied in water at 30 °C. On addition of alkali metal cations, the fluorescence intensity of the polymers decreased sharply for Tl⁺ less for Cs⁺ and little for Li⁺, K⁺ and Rb⁺. On addition of alkaline earth metal cations, Ba²⁺ caused the strongest decrease of the fluorescence intensity of the polymers. The decrease of the fluorescence intensity of the polymers was suggested to be caused by the external heavy-atom effect of the cations bound to the cavity of the crowned naphthalene moiety. The content of the crowned naphthalene units in the polymers affected the cation-dependent fluorescence change. The fluorescence change of the polymers based on the cation complexation competition was also studied.     

Synthesis and Spectral Study of Several Solid M3[Eu(2,6-Pyridinedicarboxylate)3] Salts (M=Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+, Cs+, NH4 +, and Pyridinium+)

Abstract

Salts of the [Eu(2,6-pyridinedicarboxylate)₃]^3- complex anion and various monovalent inorganic and organic counterions (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺, NH₄ ⁺, and pyridinium⁺) have been synthesized and studied by emission spectroscopy. The Eu³⁺ ion emission spectra exhibited by these salts have been observed with high resolution (less than 1.0 cm^?1) and at low temperature (77 K). The emission spectra of these compounds indicate that changing the attached counterion does not affect the site symmetry observed by the europium ion beyond slight distortions indicated by small shifts in the energies of the Eu³⁺ electronic levels.     

Effects of alkali metal ions on upconversion photoluminescence intensity of Er3+-doped Y2O3 nanocrystals

We investigate upconversion emissions in alkali metal ions (Li⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺) and Er³⁺-codoped Y₂O₃ nanocrystals. By introducing Li⁺, upconversion intensity is significantly enhanced, while Na⁺ and K⁺ hardly have this influence. FT-IR data give evidence that the main mechanisms of the enhanced upconversion emission cannot be attributed to the decreased surface defects. EXAFS data and variations of enhanced upconversion intensities in different samples indicate that Li⁺ can occupy the interstitial sites in lattice and thus arouse large site asymmetry. In addition, locations in the samples and effects on the upconversion emission of Na⁺ and K⁺ are discussed.     

Pseudo potential calculations for Na+2, K+2, Rb+2 and Cs+2

A Hellmann type pseudopotential, is used to calculate the six lowest Σ potential energy curves of Na⁺₂, K⁺₂, Rb⁺₂ and Cs⁺₂ molecular ions.     

Computational investigations into new fluorescence quenching process induced by complexation of alkali metal ion

A novel fluorescent switchable chemosensor 1 , which is composed of an anthracene‐modified calix[4]crown in the 1,3‐alternate conformation, was calculated by density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory method. Geometries, molecular orbitals and binding thermal energies were evaluated at the restricted hybrid Becke's three‐parameter exchange functional using 6‐31 G(d) basis set and relativistic effective core potentials. The metal–ligand and cation–π interactions were investigated acting as two main types of driving force. Our calculations clearly show that solvent effects strongly influence cation selectivity, and K⁺ selectivity is recovered when even a few waters of hydration are considered. The calculations indicate that because of the photoinduced electron transfer effect, the addition of alkali metal ions have hardly any effect on the fluorescence of ligand 1 under neutral or basic conditions. Also, the high selectivity of ligand 1 for K⁺ and Rb⁺, under acidic conditions, the complexed metal ion can result in ammonium ion deprotonation, which leads to quenching of fluorescence of 1 ?H⁺. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cation-mediated sandwich formation between benzene and pillar[5]arene: a DFT study

Cation–π interactions in alkali metal ion (Li⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺)–pillar[5]arene complexes and sandwiches of pillar[5]arene and benzene formed via alkali metal ions are studied in the light of density functional theory. Several possible modes of interaction between metal ions and pillar[5]arene have been studied. Results suggest that interaction is stronger in the complexes with the metal ion present inside the cavity of the pillar[5]arene as compared to that where the metal ion is outside the cavity. The calculated interaction energy further reveals that though cation–π complexes with larger number of alkali metal ions are unstable, however, corresponding sandwiches are stable, which further support the fact that pillar[5]arene–metal ion complexes can interact with other π–electron-rich species. Absorption spectra of the complexes formed undergo both blue and red shifts as compared to the pillar[5]arene.     

Interaction between guest AgI and host zeolite FAU studied by optical spectra and EXAFS

AgI molecules were dilutely adsorbed into nano-cages of Na⁺, K⁺ and Cs⁺ type FAU zeolites in order to understand the interaction between host zeolite and guest AgI. This interaction was investigated using optical absorption spectroscopy and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS). The optical spectra strongly depend on the type of the alkali cations. Compared with the lowest absorption band of AgI molecules in gas phase, the spectra of AgI molecules adsorbed in the zeolite cages shifts to higher energy in the order of Cs⁺, K⁺, and Na⁺. On the contrary, Ag-I bond lengths of adsorbed AgI molecules obtained from EXAFS were independent of the type of the alkali-cations. The bond length was very close to gas phase AgI molecules. Therefore, the interaction between AgI molecules and the zeolite, whose magnitude is Na⁺ > K⁺ > Cs⁺, is important in the photo-excited electronic state.     

Reactive ion scattering from ice in a molecular dynamics perspective

This is a study into the scattering dynamics of the alkaline ions Cs⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, and Li⁺ from an ice surface, and the process of abstracting water molecules by the scattered ions to form ion–water clusters as a result of the ion–dipole attraction. In a classical molecular dynamics computer simulation a semi-empirical ion–water interaction potential and a modified version of the TIP3P ice model are employed.The thickness of the ice structure at the surface greatly affects the abstraction efficiency. From a thin ice overlayer all alkaline ions exhibit similar scattering probabilities, but Cs⁺ abstracts water molecules most efficiently; its lower speed facilitates a mechanism where the Cs⁺ in its outgoing trajectory pulls water molecules out of the ice structure. From a thick ice structure the scattering probabilities decrease dramatically due to an effective energy transfer to the ice structure. A more grazing angle of incidence reduces the energy transfer and enhances the scattering probabilities for the lighter alkaline ions. The deprived formation of ion–water clusters in the simulations confirms that from thick ice the cluster formation probability is reduced by at least three orders of magnitude.     

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of fast-frozen hematite colloids in aqueous solutions. 4. Coexistence of alkali metal (Na+, K+, Rb+, Cs+) and chloride ions

Colloidal suspensions of hematite in contact with aqueous solutions of 50 mM alkali metal chloride electrolytes (NaCl, KCl, RbCl, CsCl) were investigated by cryogenic X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electrophoretic mobility. Suspension pH values were varied from 2 to 11 in order to evaluate effects of positively- and negatively-charged hematite surfaces. XPS revealed coexisting cations and chloride ions both below and above the point of zero charge. Concentration profiles of adsorbed cations point to a Hofmeister series in the order of Na⁺ > K⁺ > Rb⁺ ≈ Cs⁺. Binding energies of photoelectrons emitted from electrolyte ions increased with pH at roughly 0.04 eV per pH unit. This shift was attributed to variations in the surface electric potential of hematite. This effect, compounded by rises in aliphatic carbon signals with pH, called for referencing of all spectra to the 530.0 eV oxide component of the hematite O1s spectrum. This departure from the traditional use of the external C 1s 285.0 eV peak is hereby proposed for cryogenic XPS studies of interfacial reactions involving hematite.