Water-triggered conversion of Cs4PbBr6@TiO2 into Cs4PbBr6/CsPbBr3@TiO2 three-phase heterojunction for enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants

Poor stability and light absorption are the main factors hindering the application of Cs₄PbBr₆ nanocrystals (NCs) in photocatalysis, and acquiring heterostructure of semiconductor/perovskite still is a challenging task. Here, we successfully synthesized Cs₄PbBr₆ NCs and then coated with titania (TiO₂) to construct Cs₄PbBr₆/CsPbBr₃@TiO₂ ternary heterojunction by one-pot water-triggered conversion. The newly formed interface phase of CsPbBr₃ between Cs₄PbBr₆ NCs and TiO₂ enhanced visible-light absorption capacity of composites, promoting the effective separation and transfer of photoelectron–hole pairs. CsPbBr₃ interfacial phase levels in Cs₄PbBr₆/CsPbBr₃@TiO₂ can be regulated by controlling water content, and its content can affect the photocatalytic performance of the obtained composites. Ternary Cs₄PbBr₆/CsPbBr₃@TiO₂ composite exhibits highest photocatalytic activity for degradation of Rhodamine B and tetracycline in water system under visible-light irradiation, which is higher than that of CsPbBr₃@TiO₂ and commercial P25, respectively. Meanwhile, the obtained composite shows good stability in the water system. This work demonstrates a critical interface modulation action of CsPbBr₃ for the application of Cs₄PbBr₆ NCs in the fields of photocatalysis.     

聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯包覆(CH3NH3)PbBr3纳米晶静电纺丝膜的制备及对氨气的荧光传感

采用原位合成法制备了聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯包覆MAPbBr₃纳米晶(MAPbBr₃@PMMA,MA=甲铵离子)静电纺丝膜。当氨气(NH₃)通入MAPbBr₃@PMMA纤维膜时与MAPbBr₃中的MA发生取代,能显著降低MAPbBr₃@PMMA纤维的荧光强度,以此构建了基于MAPbBr₃@PMMA纤维荧光猝灭的NH₃传感器。通过扫描电镜、透射电镜、粉末X射线衍射和红外对静电纺丝膜的形貌和结构进行表征,通过紫外可见光谱、荧光光谱对其光学特性进行表征。结果表明,传感器的荧光强度与NH₃浓度在8~90 mg·L^-1之间呈现出良好的线性关系(r=0.995 9),NH₃的检出限低(3 mg·L^-1),且具有良好的重现性和选择性。在实际样品气体的测定中,加标回收率为92.2%~102.1%,相对标准偏差(RSD)为1.8%~3.2%。     

Stabilizing RbPbBr3 Perovskite Nanocrystals through Cs+ Substitution

ABX₃-type halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) have been a hot topic recently due to their fascinating optoelectronic properties. It has been demonstrated that A-site ions have an impact on their photophysical and chemical properties, such as the optical band gap and chemical stability. The pursuit of halide perovskite materials with diverse A-site species would deepen the understanding of the structure–property relationship of the perovskite family. In this work we have attempted to synthesize rubidium-based perovskite NCs. We have discovered that the partial substitution of Rb⁺ by Cs⁺ help to stabilize the orthorhombic RbPbBr₃ NCs at low temperature, which otherwise can only be obtained at high temperature. The inclusion of Cs⁺ into the RbPbBr₃ lattice results in highly photoluminescent Rb_1−xCs_xPbBr₃ NCs. With increasing amounts of Cs⁺, the band gaps of the Rb_1−xCs_xPbBr₃ NCs decrease, leading to a redshift of the photoluminescence peak. Also, the Rb_1−xCs_xPbBr₃ NCs (x=0.4) show good stability under ambient conditions. This work demonstrates the high structural flexibility and tunability of halide perovskite materials through an A-site cation substitution strategy and sheds light on the optimization of perovskite materials for application in high-performance optoelectronic devices.     

聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯包覆(CH3NH3) PbBr3纳米晶静电纺丝膜的制备及对氨气的荧光传感

采用原位合成法制备了聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯包覆MAPbBr₃纳米晶（MAPbBr₃@PMMA,MA=甲铵离子）静电纺丝膜。当氨气（NH₃）通入MAPbBr₃@PMMA纤维膜时与MAPbBr₃中的MA发生取代,能显著降低MAPbBr₃@PMMA纤维的荧光强度,以此构建了基于MAPbBr₃@PMMA纤维荧光猝灭的NH₃传感器。通过扫描电镜、透射电镜、粉末X射线衍射和红外对静电纺丝膜的形貌和结构进行表征,通过紫外可见光谱、荧光光谱对其光学特性进行表征。结果表明,传感器的荧光强度与NH₃浓度在8~90 mg·L^-1之间呈现出良好的线性关系（r=0.995 9）,NH₃的检出限低（3 mg·L^-1）,且具有良好的重现性和选择性。在实际样品气体的测定中,加标回收率为92.2%~102.1%,相对标准偏差（RSD）为1.8%~3.2%。     

Controlled Growth of Monocrystalline Organo‐Lead Halide Perovskite and Its Application in Photonic Devices

Organo‐lead halide perovskites (OHPs) have recently emerged as a new class of exceptional optoelectronic materials, which may find use in many applications, including solar cells, light emitting diodes, and photodetectors. More complex applications, such as lasers and electro‐optic modulators, require the use of monocrystalline perovskite materials to reach their ultimate performance levels. Conventional methods for forming single crystals of OHPs like methylammonium lead bromide (MAPbBr₃) afford limited control over the product morphology, rendering the assembly of defined microcavity nanostructures difficult. We overcame this by synthesizing for the first time (MA)[PbBr₃]⋅DMF ( 1 ), and demonstrating its facile transformation into monocrystalline MAPbBr₃ microplatelets. The MAPbBr₃ microplatelets were tailored into waveguide based photonic devices, of which an ultra‐low propagation loss of 0.04 dB μm⁻¹ for a propagation distance of 100 μm was demonstrated. An efficient active electro‐optical modulator (AEOM) consisting of a MAPbBr₃ non‐linear arc waveguide was demonstrated, exhibiting a 98.4 % PL intensity modulation with an external voltage of 45 V. This novel synthetic approach, as well as the demonstration of effective waveguiding, will pave the way for developing a wide range of photonic devices based on organo‐lead halide perovskites.     

Modulating Hierarchical Micro/Mesoporosity by a Mixed Solvent Approach in Al-MOF: Stabilization of MAPbBr3 Quantum Dots

Various hierarchical micro/mesoporous MOFs based on {[Al(μ-OH)(1,4-NDC)]⋅H₂O} ( MOF1 ) with tunable porosities (pore volume and surface area) have been synthesized by assembling Al^III and 1,4-NDC (1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylate) under microwave irradiation by varying water/ethanol solvent ratio. Water/ethanol mixture has played a crucial role in the mesopore generation in MOF1M₂₅ , MOF1M₅₀ , and MOF1M₇₅ , which is achieved by in situ formation of water/ethanol clusters. By adjusting the ratio of water/ethanol, the particle size, surface area and micro/mesopore volume fraction of the MOFs are controlled. Furthermore, reaction time plays a critical role in mesopore formation as realized by varying reaction time for the MOF with 50 % ethanol ( MOF1M₅₀ ). Additionally, hierarchical MOF ( MOF1M₅₀ ) has been used as a template for the stabilization of MAPbBr₃ (MA=methylammonium) perovskite quantum dots (PQDs). MAPbBr₃ PQDs are grown inside MOF1M₅₀ , where mesopores control the size of PQDs which leads to quantum confinement.     

Impact of Zn-doping on the composition,stability, luminescence properties of silica coated all-inorganic cesium lead bromide nanocrystals and their biocompatibility

Cesium lead halide (CsPbX₃: X = I, Br, Cl) nanocrystals (NCs) are believed to be potential candidates for bioimaging applications. However, their low structural stability against polar solvents remains as a major limitation. To improve the NCs stability and maintain high emission intensity, we synthesized silica coated Zn-doped core@shell perovskite NCs via modified ligand assisted reprecipitation (LARP) synthetic method under relatively high humid condition. We systemically varied the composition inside the perovskite structure and then studied their photophysical properties and stability. Interestingly, the Zn-doping amount controls the ratio of CsPbBr₃ to Cs₄PbBr₆ perovskites inside the core and also facilitates the growth of (OA)₂PbBr₄ shell, enables overall increase in NCs emission intensity and stability. We observed green color emission from these NCs in the spectral range of 494-506 nm with a maximum photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) up to 88%. The optimized Zn-doped NCs exhibited nearly four times better water stability compared to the bare NCs and retain emission properties for several months even in highly polar solvents. Finally, we performed biocompatibility test of the NCs generated on biological samples and hydroponics test in a gardenia leaf for their potential bioimaging applications.     

Introducing lanthanide metal–organic framework and perovskite onto pulp fibers for fluorescent anti-counterfeiting and encryption

The research of anti-counterfeiting and encryption has always been a subject of universal concern all over the world. Herein, lanthanide metal–organic framework (Eu-MOF) and CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ (MAPbBr₃) perovskite were introduced onto pulp fibers (PFs) to prepare fluorescent anti-counterfeiting and encryption papers. Eu-MOF@PFs paper emitted red fluorescence at 254 nm UV excitation. The optimum preparation conditions of Eu-MOF@PFs were 2.5 mmol of Eu(NO₃)₃, 4 h of reaction time and room temperature. When MABr ink was written on Pb/Eu-MOF@PFs paper, the green fluorescent handwriting and red fluorescent paper were observed under 365 nm and 254 nm UV excitation, respectively. The appropriate addition amount of lead nitrate was 0.6 mmol. Pb/Eu-MOF@PFs paper was immersed in MABr solution to prepare MAPbBr₃@Pb/Eu-MOF@PFs paper. Under 254 nm and 365 nm UV irradiations, MAPbBr₃@Pb/Eu-MOF@PFs paper emitted red-green double fluorescence and the quantum yields of which were 3.11% and 2.48%, respectively. The crystal structure of MAPbBr₃ was easily destroyed by polar solution, which realized on/off switching of the luminescence signal for multistage information encryption. The above paper-based fluorescence materials were potential for advanced anti-counterfeiting and encryption applications.

     

Comparative Structural,Optical, and Photoluminescence Studies of YF3:Pr,YF3:Pr@LaF3, and YF3:Pr@LaF3@SiO2 Core–Shell Nanocrystals

Praseodymium (Pr³⁺)‐doped YF₃ (core) and LaF₃ ‐covered YF₃ :Pr (core–shell) nanocrystals (NCs ) were prepared successfully by an ecofriendly, polyol‐based, co‐precipitation process, which were then coated with a silica shell by using a sol–gel‐based Stober method. X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM ), thermal analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) , UV /vis, energy bandgap, and photoluminescence studies were used to analyze the crystal structure, morphology, and optical properties of the nanomaterial. XRD and TEM results show that the grain size increases after sequential growth of crystalline LaF₃ and the silica shell. The silica surface modification enhances the solubility and colloidal stability of the core–shell‐SiO₂ NCs . The results indicate that the surface coating affects the optical properties because of the alteration in crystalline size of the materials. The emission intensity of silica‐modified NCs was significantly enhanced compared to that of core and core–shell NCs . These results are attributed to the formation of chemical bonds between core–shell and noncrystalline SiO₂ shell via La–O–Si bridges, which activate the “dormant” Pr³⁺ ions on the surfaces of the nanoparticles. The luminescence efficiency of the as‐prepared core, core–shell, and core–shell‐SiO₂ NCs are comparatively analyzed, and the observed differences are justified on the basis of the surface modification surrounding the luminescent seed core NCs .     

Halogen in materials design: Revealing the nature of hydrogen bonding and other non-covalent interactions in the polymorphic transformations of methylammonium lead tribromide perovskite

Methylammonium lead tribromide (CH₃NH₃PbBr₃) perovskite as a photovoltaic material has attracted a great deal of recent interest. Factors that are important in their application in optoelectronic devices include their fractional contribution of the composition of the materials as well as their microscopic arrangement that is responsible for the formation of well-defined macroscopic structures. CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ assumes different polymorphs (orthorhombic, tetragonal and cubic) depending on the evolution temperature of the bulk material. An understanding of the structure of these compounds will assist in rationalizing how halogen-centered non-covalent interactions play an important role in the rational design of these materials. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been performed on polymorphs of CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ to demonstrate that the H atoms on C of the methyl group in CH₃NH₃⁺ entrapped within a PbBr₆^4? perovskite cage are not electronically innocent, as is often contended. We show here that these H atoms are involved in attractive interactions with the surrounding bromides of corner-sharing PbBr₆^4? octahedra of the CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ cage to form Br?H(C) hydrogen bonding interactions. This is analogous to the way the H atoms on N of the NH₃⁺ group in CH₃NH₃⁺ form Br?H(N) hydrogen bonding interactions to stabilize the structure of CH₃NH₃PbBr₃. Both these hydrogen bonding interactions are shown to persist regardless of the nature of the three polymorphic forms of CH₃NH₃PbBr₃. These, together with the Br?C(N) carbon bonding, the Br?N(C) pnictogen bonding, and the Br?Br lump-hole type intermolecular non-covalent interactions identified for the first time in this study, are shown to be collectively responsible for the eventual emergence of the orthorhombic geometry of the CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ system. These conclusions are arrived at from a systematic analysis of the results obtained from combined DFT, Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM), and Reduced Density Gradient Non-Covalent Interaction (RDG-NCI) calculations carried out on the three temperature-dependent polymorphic geometries of CH₃NH₃PbBr₃.     

The Decomposition of Aqueous Dithionite and its reactions with polythionates SnO2−6 (n = 3–5) studied by ion-pair chromatography

Aqueous dithionite decomposes at 20°C and pH values not far from 7.0 to give thiosulfate and sulfite from which trithionate may form. Addition of thiosulfate accelerates this reaction only at pH < 6. The pH dependence is explained by formation of HS₂O₃^? ions which are reduced by dithionite to HS^? and SO^2?₃. Sulfide destroys dithionite by nucleophilic cleavage, probably with formation of sulfoxylate and thiosulfite ions. The polythionates S_nO^2?₆ (n = 3–5) are reduced by dithionite at pH = 7.0 and 20°C according to S_nO^2?₆ + S₂O^2?₄ + 2 H₂O→S₂O₃^2? + S_n–3SO₃^2? + 4H¹ + 2SO₃^2? The reaction rate rapidly increases with the number n of sulfur atoms. In secondary reactions sulfite attacks S_nO₆^2? ions with thiosulfate formation.     

Peak Force Infrared–Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy

Correlative scanning probe microscopy of chemical identity, surface potential, and mechanical properties provide insight into the structure–function relationships of nanomaterials. However, simultaneous measurement with comparable and high resolution is a challenge. We seamlessly integrated nanoscale photothermal infrared imaging with Coulomb force detection to form peak force infrared–Kelvin probe force microscopy (PFIR-KPFM), which enables simultaneous nanomapping of infrared absorption, surface potential, and mechanical properties with approximately 10 nm spatial resolution in a single-pass scan. MAPbBr₃ perovskite crystals of different degradation pathways were studied in situ. Nanoscale charge accumulations were observed in MAPbBr₃ near the boundary to PbBr₂. PFIR-KPFM also revealed correlations between residual charges and secondary conformation in amyloid fibrils. PFIR-KPFM is applicable to other heterogeneous materials at the nanoscale for correlative multimodal characterizations.     

Polyaniline emeraldine base in N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone containing secondary amine additives: A rheological investigation of solutions

From a rheological study of emeraldine base (EB)/N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone (NMP)/2‐methyl‐aziridine (2MA) solutions, a correlation between the solution concentration and solution viscosity was found. We investigated the rheokinetic mechanism of the EB dissolution process and determined the reaction rate, activation energy, equilibrium constant, and Gibbs free energy (ΔG_o) for the complexation between 2MA and EB tetrameric molecules ({EB}). The low rate constant (～3.0 × 10^?4 mol^?2 L² min^?1 at 298 K) indicates that the process of EB/NMP/2MA solution formation is slow. The {EB} and 2MA molecules need approximately 76 kJ/mol energy to form the complexes, and this implies that stable bonds may need to be broken before the complexes can form. Therefore, increasing the temperature can accelerate solution formation. The equilibrium constant increases with temperature, and this indicates that EB · 2MA complexation is endothermic. A positive value of ΔG_o (5.26 kJ/mol) indicates that EB · 2MA complexation is a thermodynamically unfavorable reaction; therefore, the concentrated EB/NMP/2MA solutions eventually gel. Furthermore, we find that the activation energy of EB/NMP viscous flow is 80 kJ/mol, which is about 3–4 times the energy of ? N? H? hydrogen bonding. This suggests that at least three hydrogen bonds can form between two {EB} molecules, which might be responsible for the poor solubility of EB in organic solvents. The effects of the temperature, EB concentration, and 2MA:{EB} molar ratio on the gelation process have also been investigated. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 2702–2713, 2002     

Low‐temperature controlled free‐radical polymerization of vinyl monomers in the presence of a novel cyclic dixanthate under γ‐ray irradiation

The free‐radical polymerization of methyl acrylate (MA) has been studied in the presence of a novel cyclic dixanthate under γ‐ray irradiation (80 Gy min^?1) at room temperature (～28 °C), ?30 °C, and ?76 °C respectively. The resultant polymers have controlled molecular weights and relatively narrow molecular weight distributions, especially at low temperatures (i.e., ?30 and ?76 °C). The polymerization control may be associated with the temperature: the lower the temperature is, the more control there is. Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry analysis of poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA) samples shows that there are at least three distributions: [3‐(MA)_n‐H]⁺ cyclic polymers, [3‐(MA)_n‐THF‐H]⁺, and [3‐(MA)_n‐(THF)₂‐H]⁺ linear PMAs. The relative content of the cyclic polymers markedly increases at a lower temperature, and this may be related to the reduced diffusion rate and the suppressed chain‐transfer reaction at the low temperature. It is evidenced that the good control of the polymerization at the low temperature may be associated with the suppressed chain‐transfer reaction, unlike reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. In addition, styrene bulk polymerizations have been performed, and gel permeation chromatography traces show that there is only one cyclic dixanthate moiety in the polymer chain. This article is the first to report the influence of a low temperature on controlled free‐radical polymerizations. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 2847–2854, 2007     

The formation of an antitubercular complex [Fe(CN)5(INH)]3− through mercury(II)‐catalyzed ligand substitution reaction: A kinetic and mechanistic study

The kinetics and mechanism of the formation of an antitubercular complex [Fe(CN)₅(INH)]^3? based on the substitution reaction between K₄[Fe(CN)₆] and isoniazid (INH), i.e., isonicotinohydrazide, catalyzed by Hg²⁺ in aqueous medium was studied spectrophotometrically at 435 nm (the λ_max of the golden‐yellow‐colored complex [Fe(CN)₅(INH)]^3?) as a function of pH, ionic strength, temperature, and the concentration of the reactants and the catalyst. The replacement of coordinated CN^? in [Fe(CN)₆]^4? was facilitated by incoming ligand INH under the optimized reaction conditions: pH 3.5 ± 0.02, temperature = 30.0 ± 0.1°C, and ionic strength I = 0.05 M (KNO₃). The stoichiometry of the reaction and the stability constant of the complex ([Fe(CN)₅(INH)]^3?) have been established as 1:1 and 2.10 × 10³ M, respectively. The rate of catalyzed reaction was found to be slow at low pH values, to increase with increasing pH, to attain a maximum value at 3.50 ± 0.02, and finally to decrease after pH > 3.5 due to less availability of H⁺ ions needed to regenerate the catalytic species. The initial rates were evaluated for each variation from the absorbance versus time curves. The reaction was found to be pseudo‐first order with respect to [INH] and first order with respect to [Fe(CN)₆^4?] at lower concentration, whereas it was found to be fractional order at higher [INH] and [Fe(CN)₆^4?]. The ionic strength dependence study showed a negative salt effect on the rate of the reaction. Based on experimental results, a mechanism for the studied reaction is proposed. The rate equation derived from this mechanism explains all the experimental observations. The evaluated values of activation parameters for the catalyzed reaction suggest an interchange dissociative (I_d) mechanism. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 44: 398–406, 2012     

Peak Force Infrared–Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy

Correlative scanning probe microscopy of chemical identity, surface potential, and mechanical properties provide insight into the structure–function relationships of nanomaterials. However, simultaneous measurement with comparable and high resolution is a challenge. We seamlessly integrated nanoscale photothermal infrared imaging with Coulomb force detection to form peak force infrared–Kelvin probe force microscopy (PFIR‐KPFM), which enables simultaneous nanomapping of infrared absorption, surface potential, and mechanical properties with approximately 10 nm spatial resolution in a single‐pass scan. MAPbBr₃ perovskite crystals of different degradation pathways were studied in situ. Nanoscale charge accumulations were observed in MAPbBr₃ near the boundary to PbBr₂. PFIR‐KPFM also revealed correlations between residual charges and secondary conformation in amyloid fibrils. PFIR‐KPFM is applicable to other heterogeneous materials at the nanoscale for correlative multimodal characterizations.     

Dynamics of the CH3 + OH reaction

We study dynamics of the CH₃ + OH reaction over the temperature range of 300–2500 K using a quasiclassical method for the potential energy composed of explicit forms of short‐range and long‐range interactions. The explicit potential energy used in the study gives minimum energy paths on potential energy surfaces showing barrier heights, channel energies, and van der Waals well, which are consistent with ab initio calculations. Approximately, 20% of CH₃ + OH collisions undergo OH dissociation in a direct‐mode mechanism on a subpicosecond scale (<50 fs) with the rate coefficient as high as ～10^?10 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. Less than 10% leads to the formation of excited intermediates CH₃OH? with excess vibrational energies in CO and OH bonds. CH₃OH? stabilizes to CH₃OH, redissociates back to reactants, or forms one of various products after intramolecular energy redistribution via bond dissociation and formation on the time scale of 50–200 fs. The principal product is ¹CH₂ (k being ～10^?11), whereas ks for CH₂OH, CH₂O, and CH₃O are ～10^?12. The minor products are HCOH and CH₄ (k～10^?13). The total rate coefficient for CH₃ + OH → CH₃OH? → products is ～10^?11 and is weakly dependent on temperature. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 43: 455–466, 2011     

The silver(I)‐catalyzed exchange of coordinated cyanide in hexacyanoferrate(II) by phenylhydrazine in aqueous medium

The [Ag]⁺‐catalyzed exchange of coordinated cyanide in [Fe(CN)₆]^4? by phenylhydrazine (PhNHNH₂) has been studied spectrophotometrically at 488 nm by monitoring increase in the absorbance for the formation of cherry red colored complex [Fe(CN)₅PhNHNH₂]^3?. The other reaction conditions were pH 2.80±,0.02, temperature = 30.0 ± 0.1^°C, and ionic strength (I) = 0.02 M (KNO₃). The reaction was followed as a function of pH, ionic strength, temperature, [Fe(CN)^4?₆], [PhNHNH₂], [Ag⁺] by varying one variable at a time. The initial rates were evaluated for each variation using the plane mirror method. The initial rates evaluated as a function of [Fe(CN)^4?₆] clearly indicate that the initial rate increases with the increase in [Fe(CN)^4?₆] and finally reaches to a limiting value when [Fe(CN)^4?₆]/[AgNO₃] ? 1000. It indicates the formation of a strong adduct between [Fe(CN)₆]^4? and AgNO₃ prior to the abstraction of CN^?. The variation in initial rates with [PhNHNH₂] also showed limiting values at [Fe(CN)^4?₆]/[PhNHNH₂] ? 8.30. The complex behavior due to pH and [Ag⁺] variations on the rate has been explained in detail. The composition of the final reaction product [Fe(CN)₅PhNHNH₂] formed during the course of reaction has been found to be 1:1 using the mole ratio method. The evaluated values of activation parameters for the catalyzed reaction are E_a = 53.85 kJ mol^?1, Δ H^≠, = 51.33 kJ mol^?1, and Δ S^≠ = ?134.63 J K^?1 mol^?1, which suggest an interchange dissociative mechanism. A most plausible mechanistic scheme has been proposed based on the experimental observations. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 39: 447–456, 2007     

Colloidal Synthesis of CH3NH3PbBr3 Nanoplatelets with Polarized Emission through Self‐Organization

We report a combined experimental and theoretical study of the synthesis of CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ nanoplatelets through self‐organization. Shape transformation from spherical nanodots to square or rectangular nanoplatelets can be achieved by keeping the preformed colloidal nanocrystals at a high concentration (3.5 mg mL⁻¹) for 3 days, or combining the synthesis of nanodots with self‐organization. The average thickness of the resulting CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ nanoplatelets is similar to the size of the original nanoparticles, and we also noticed several nanoplatelets with circular or square holes, suggesting that the shape transformation experienced a self‐organization process through dipole–dipole interactions along with a realignment of dipolar vectors. Additionally, the CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ nanoplatelets exhibit excellent polarized emissions for stretched CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ nanoplatelets embedded in a polymer composite film, showing advantageous photoluminescence properties for display backlights.     

Manganese‐Doping‐Induced Quantum Confinement within Host Perovskite Nanocrystals through Ruddlesden–Popper Defects

The concept of doping Mn²⁺ ions into II–VI semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) was recently extended to perovskite NCs. To date, most studies on Mn²⁺ doped NCs focus on enhancing the emission related to the Mn²⁺ dopant via an energy transfer mechanism. Herein, we found that the doping of Mn²⁺ ions into CsPbCl₃ NCs not only results in a Mn²⁺‐related orange emission, but also strongly influences the excitonic properties of the host NCs. We observe for the first time that Mn²⁺ doping leads to the formation of Ruddlesden–Popper (R.P.) defects and thus induces quantum confinement within the host NCs. We find that a slight doping with Mn²⁺ ions improves the size distribution of the NCs, which results in a prominent excitonic peak. However, with increasing the Mn²⁺ concentration, the number of R.P. planes increases leading to smaller single‐crystal domains. The thus enhanced confinement and crystal inhomogeneity cause a gradual blue shift and broadening of the excitonic transition, respectively.