Carbon‐Coated Supraballs of Randomly Packed LiFePO4 Nanoplates for High Rate and Stable Cycling of Li‐Ion Batteries

One of the key strategies used to obtain high‐rate Li‐ion battery is the reduction of the Li‐ion path length inside the active materials and the enhancement of the ionic diffusion outside the active materials. It is demonstrated that electrochemical performance can be improved significantly at high C‐rates using carbon‐coated spherical aggregates or “supraballs” of randomly packed olivine LiFePO₄ (LFP) nanoplates as cathode active materials. 258 nm LFP nanoplates with 30 nm thickness are synthesized through a high‐temperature solvothermal method, in which short lithium‐ion channels are formed perpendicular to the top or bottom planes. These thin nanoplates are formed into carbon‐coated “supraballs” through a spray‐drying and thermal annealing process, in which nanoplates are not stacked but randomly packed due to relatively fast drying. Internal and external nanoplate ion diffusion is therefore enhanced simultaneously due to the optimal molecular crystalline structure and interparticle pore structures of the nanoplates. Indeed, the initial capacity of the carbon‐coated supraballs is 162 mAh g^?1 (173.34 mAh cm^?3) at 0.1 C and more than 80% is retained (≈130.91 mAh g^?1) at 50 C. Furthermore, they offer durable cycling stability (>500 cycles) at 1 C without compromising their capacity.     

Spectroscopic and thermal studies on the inclusion of trans‐cinnamic acid and a number of its hydroxyl‐derivatives with α, β and γ‐cyclodextrins molecules

The inclusion compounds of α‐, β‐ and γ‐cyclodextrins (α‐CD, β‐CD and γ‐CD) with trans‐cinnamic acid (t‐CIA), 3‐hydroxy‐trans‐cinnamic acid (t‐3OHCIA), 4‐hydroxy‐trans‐cinnamic acid (t‐4OHCIA) and 3,4‐dihydroxy‐trans‐cinnamic acid (t‐3,4OHCIA) were prepared and characterized, in the solid state, by means of thermogravimetry and Raman spectroscopy. The effects of the inclusion process on the guest molecules and on the hydrogen bond interactions of the guest were studied by monitoring sensitive vibrational modes, such as CO, CC and ring C H stretching modes. By combining Raman and TG data with ab initio calculations and information from CSD database on similar compounds, inclusion geometries for the different compounds are proposed. The size of the host cavity and the maximization of host/guest hydrogen‐bonding contacts appear to be the main factors determining the inclusion geometries. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

HP-β-CD降低油田地层水中SDBS胶束对其检测光谱的干扰

采用同步荧光光谱法测定了十二烷基苯磺酸钠(SDBS)在不同浓度的羟丙基-β-环糊精(HP-β-CD)水溶液中的临界胶束浓度(cmc)。结果表明,同步荧光光谱法在扫描的波长差Δλ为25 nm 时,HP-β-CD不仅具有增强SDBS荧光强度的作用,同时还具有增加SDBS临界胶束浓度的特性。SDBS在水溶液中的标准摩尔吉布斯函变Δ_γGΘ_m随HP-β-CD浓度的增加而增大,表明了在水溶液中,相比于形成胶束,SDBS单体更容易与HP-β-CD形成包结物。SDBS与HP-β-CD包结物的job’s曲线表明了在水溶液中SDBS与HP-β-CD按摩尔计量比1∶1进行包结。按摩尔计量比1∶1加入HP-β-CD后,SDBS胶束对其检测光谱的干扰可显著降低,该定量标准曲线适用于检测临盘采油厂T5-X15和T9-X4两种水样中SDBS的含量(包括浓度大于cmc时),方法的回收率在100.5% ～101.2%之间。红外光谱及核磁共振氢谱分析结果表明包结物结构中SDBS分子的苯环基团位于HP-β-CD分子的大口径端。     

Ultra‐thin (002)‐oriented Al‐doped zinc oxide transparent electrode grown on oxygen‐controlled homo‐seed layer

Highly (002)‐oriented Al‐doped zinc oxide (AZO) thin films with the thickness of less than 200 nm have been deposited on an oxygen‐controlled homo‐seed layer at 200 °C by DC magnetron sputtering. With the homo‐seed layer being employed, the full‐width at half maximum (FWHM) of the (002) diffraction peak for the AZO ultra‐thin films decreased from 0.33° to 0.22°, and, the corresponding average grain size increased from 26.8 nm to 43.0 nm. The XRD rocking curves revealed that the AZO ultra‐thin film grown on the seed layer deposited in atmosphere of O₂/Ar of 0.09 exhibited the most excellent structural order. The AZO ultra‐thin film with homo‐seed layer reached a resistivity of 4.2 × 10^–4 Ω cm, carrier concentration of 5.2 × 10²⁰ cm^–3 and mobility of 28.8 cm² V^–1 s^–1. The average transmittance of the AZO ultra‐thin film with homo‐seed layer reached 85.4% in the range of 380–780 nm including the substrate. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

含偶氮苯类星型液晶化合物的光致变色

研究了一种以Si为中心外围含4个丁氧基偶氮苯液晶基元的星型液晶化合物Si(AZO)4的光致变色规律,利用紫外-可见吸收光谱研究了在氯仿和四氢呋喃溶液中的量子产率、光致变色和光回复反应.实验结果表明样品在各溶液的光致变色和光回复反应均为一级动力学反应,并求算了光致变色反应的正、逆反应速率常数均为10-1s-1数量级,是偶氮类侧链液晶高分子的速率常数的107倍,表明Si(AZO)4的星型结构对末端偶氮基团的吸收光谱没有明显影响,产物具有类似小分子的光致变色性,并且Si(AZO)4的正、逆反应速率常数比值小于液晶基元的比值,表明具有更好的光可逆性,有望作为光控开关和新型信息功能材料.     

Interaction of water‐soluble triphenylphosphines with β‐cyclodextrin: a quantum chemistry study

The interaction of β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) with meta‐trisulfonated triphenylphosphine derivatives bearing one or two methyl (or methoxy) groups on the aromatic rings has been investigated by PM3 calculations. The results show that phosphine molecules interact with β‐CD having either an unsubstituted sulfophenyl group or a substituted sulfophenyl group at the para and/or meta‐position. The presence of one methyl or methoxy group in the ortho‐position on each aromatic ring prevents the formation of an inclusion complex between meta‐trisulfonated triphenylphosphine derivatives and β‐CD. The deeply included phosphines in the β‐CD cavity show significant van der Waals interactions with β‐CD. These interactions are at the origin of the high association constants between these molecules and β‐CD. Phosphines exhibiting small association constants interact with β‐CD by forming H‐bonds and weak (or null) van der Waals interactions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Anti‐CRLF2 Antibody‐Armored Biodegradable Nanoparticles for Childhood B‐ALL

B‐precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B‐ALL) lymphoblast (blast) internalization of anti‐cytokine receptor‐like factor 2 (CRLF2) antibody‐armored biodegradable nanoparticles (AbBNPs) are investigated. First, AbBNPsaere synthesized by adsorbing anti‐CRLF2 antibodies to poly(D,L‐lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles of various sizes and antibody surface density (Ab/BNP) ratios. Second, AbBNPs are incubated with CRLF2‐overexpressing (CRLF2+) or control blasts. Third, internalization of AbBNPs by blasts is evaluated by multicolor flow cytometry as a function of receptor expression, AbBNP size, and Ab/BNP ratio. Results from these experiments are confirmed by electron microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and Western blotting. The optimal size and Ab/BNP for internalization of AbBNPs by CRLF2+ blasts is 50 nm with 10 Ab/BNP and 100 nm with 25 Ab/BNP. These studies show that internalization of AbBNPs in childhood B‐ALL blasts is AbBNP size‐ and Ab/BNP ratio‐dependent. All AbBNP combinations are non‐cytotoxic. It is also shown that CD47 is very slightly up‐regulated by blasts exposed to AbBNPs. CD47 is “the marker of self” overexpressed by blasts to escape phagocytosis, or “cellular devouring”, by beneficial macrophages. The results indicate that precise engineering of AbBNPs by size and Ab/BNP ratio may improve the internalization and selectivity of future biodegradable nanoparticles for the treatment of leukemia patients, including drug‐resistant minority children and Down's syndrome patients with CRLF2+B‐ALL.     

A novel photo‐responsive organogel based on azobenzene

A novel triarmed cis‐1, 3, 5‐cyclohexanetricarboxamides gelator, functionalized by three azobenzene moieties grafted with three long alkyl chains, was designed and synthesized. The gelator can gel most of the organic solvents in low concentration. The morphologies of the xerogels show one‐dimensional aggregated bundles or helical fibres. The azobenzene groups in the gel state form H‐type aggregation and perform expected trans–cis photoisomerization with a gel to sol phase transition upon irradiation of UV light. The main driving force for gelation is intermolecular hydrogen bonding between amides and π–π interaction of azobenzene moieties. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of the structural order of all‐trans‐β‐carotene on the Raman scattering cross section at low concentrations

Using the technique of liquid‐core optical fiber (LCOF), we measured the Raman scattering cross sections (RSCSs) of the carbon–carbon (C C) stretching vibrational modes of all‐trans‐β‐carotene in carbon disulfide (CS₂) at concentrations ranging from 10⁻⁶ to 10⁻¹¹ M . It was found that the RSCSs of all‐trans‐β‐carotene were extremely high with decreasing concentration, and the absolute RSCS of C stretching modes of all‐trans‐β‐carotene reached the value of 2.6 × 10⁻²⁰ cm² molecule⁻¹ Sr⁻¹ at 8 × 10⁻¹¹ M , which is larger than at 8 × 10⁻⁶ Mby 4 orders of magnitude. A theoretical interpretation of the anomalous experimental results is given, which introduces a qualitative nonlinear model of coherent weakly damped electron‐lattice vibrations in structural order of all‐trans‐β‐carotene. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A combined experimental and theoretical study on p‐sulfonatocalix[4]arene encapsulated 7‐methoxycoumarin

Host‐guest interactions are essential in chemistry, biology, medicine and environmental science. In this combined experimental and theoretical contribution, the encapsulation of 7‐methoxycoumarin (herniarin, 7MC) with p‐sulfonatocalix[4]arene (p‐SC4) is studied using absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and computational approaches. The 1:1 stoichiometry is confirmed using Job's plot. Our results show that the keto group of 7MC is the main source for electrochemical conversion of this complex. The excited state 7MC radiative decay is studied using time‐correlated single photon counting technique. The computed UV‐Vis absorption spectra for this complex at gas phase and solvent are online with the experimental spectra. Moreover, we determined the binding energy and the binding constant of the 7MC‐p‐SC4 complex. Density functional theory computations revealed that stabilization of the complex formed by p‐SC4 and 7MC is due to weak noncovalent and dispersive types of interactions. A comparison with encapsulation of amino acids by p‐SC4 is also conducted. Finally, we show that the flexibility of p‐SC4 and the weak nature of its interaction with 7MC are on the origin of the reversibility of encapsulation, which is mandatory for applications such as drug delivery.     

Double‐layer channel structure based ZnO thin‐film transistor grown by atomic layer deposition

A double channel structure has been used by depositing a thin amorphous‐AlZnO (a‐AZO) layer grown by atomic layer deposition between a ZnO channel and a gate dielectric to enhance the electrical stability. The effect of the a‐AZO layer on the electrical stability of a‐AZO/ZnO thin‐film transistors (TFTs) has been investigated under positive gate bias and temperature stress test. The use of the a‐AZO layer with 5 nm thickness resulted in enhanced subthreshold swing and decreased V_th shift under positive gate bias/temperature stress. In addition, the falling rate of the oxide TFT using a‐AZO/ ZnO double channel had a larger value (0.35 eV/V) than that of pure ZnO TFT (0.24 eV/V). These results suggest that the interface trap density between dielectric and channel was reduced by inserting a‐AZO layer at the interface between the channel and the gate insulator, compared with pure ZnO channel. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Ultrahigh‐Density Plasmonic‐Nanoparticle‐Sensitized Semiconductor Photocatalysts Profit from Cooperative Light Harvesting and Charge Separation Processes: Experiments,Simulations, and Multifunctional Plasmonics

Here, a controlled synthesis of remarkable 3D photocatalysts is presented that is composed of ultrahigh‐density unaggregated plasmonic Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) chemically bound to vertically aligned ZnO nanorod arrays (ZNA) through bifunctional molecular linkers. Experimental probes and electromagnetic simulations of electron transfer and localized plasmonic coupling processes are exploited to gain insight into the underlying light‐irradiation‐induced interactions in the 3D ZNA–AuNPs photocatalysts. Highly dense AuNPs on ZNA surfaces act as sinks for the storage of UV‐generated electrons, which promote the separation of charge carriers and create numerous photocatalytic reaction centers. Furthermore, 3D finite‐difference time domain simulation indicates that significant visible light confinement and enhancement around the ZNA–AuNPs interfacial plasmon “hot spots” contribute to efficient conversion of light energy to electron‐hole pairs. Significantly, in comparison with the bare ZNA, the 10‐nm‐sized AuNPs‐decorated ZNA exhibits 10.6‐fold enhanced photoreaction rate in the entire UV–vis region. Moreover, various novel hybrid structures based on the plasmonic AuNPs and diverse nanostructures (films, powdered nanorods, mesoporous, and nanotubes) or functional materials (multiferroic BiFeO₃, CuInGaSe₂ absorber layers, and photoactive TiO₂) are successfully constructed using the present synthesis methodology. It may stimulate the progress in materials science toward the synthesis of multifunctional plasmonic heterostructures or devices.     

Inclusion complexes of estrone and estradiol with β‐cyclodextrin: Voltammetric and HPLC studies

The interaction of estrone and estradiol with β‐cyclodextrins (βCD) was investigated by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in mixed media. The co‐solvent influence on the tendency of these estrogens to form inclusion complexes with βCD was examined. Thus, acetonitrile (MeCN) and ethanol (EtOH) were used in a mixed aqueous medium containing phosphate buffer. The association constant of the inclusion complexes (K_a) of estrone and estradiol with βCD were determined in two different media by using both voltammetric and chromatographic techniques. Estradiol was found to bind to βCD with higher affinities than estrone, irrespective of the medium. We have also found a clear influence of the co‐solvent on the K_a value, which means a competition of co‐solvent molecules with estrogens for binding to the cavity of βCD. Consequently, interaction between βCD and the steroids is weakened when acetonitrile is used. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Complexation of niflumic acid with native and hydroxypropylated α‐ and β‐cyclodextrins in aqueous solution

Interactions between niflumic acid and native and hydroxypropylated α‐ and β‐cyclodextrins (CDs) were investigated by ¹H NMR, UV‐vis spectroscopy, densimetry, and calorimetry at pH = 7.4 (phosphate buffer) and T = 298.15 K. Thermodynamic parameters of 1:1 complex formation were calculated and discussed in terms of influence of cavity size and availability of hydroxypropyl substituents on the complex stability. The ¹H NMR data indicated the inclusion of niflumic acid into macrocyclic cavity of all CDs under study. It was found that both phenyl and pyridine rings of niflumic acid molecule can be included in the cyclodextrin cavity. The co‐existence of two different kinds of 1:1 inclusion complexes in the solution was suggested. In spite of the fact that binding of niflumic acid with α‐cyclodextrin is more enthalpically favorable, stability of the inclusion complexes is very low due to the enthalpy–entropy compensation effect. Complex formation of β‐CDs with niflumic acid is characterized by the higher enthalpy and entropy changes caused by more intense dehydration. Introduction of hydroxypropyl groups in the cyclodextrin molecule was found to promote the binding with niflumic acid. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tuning the absorption spectra and nonlinear optical properties of D‐π‐A azobenzene derivatives by changing the dipole moment and conjugation length: a theoretical study

The optical properties of several azobenzene derivatives were modulated by varying the dipole moments and conjugation lengths of the D‐π‐A systems. The relationship between the structure and absorption spectrum and polarizability was studied in the gas phase, THF and MeOH solutions, respectively, by using the density functional theory. The calculated absorption spectra and second‐order polarizabilities are in good agreement with the available experimental observations. In comparison with the D‐π‐A monomer, the H‐shaped D‐π‐A dimer almost doubles the dipole moments and hence increases the second‐order polarizabilities, without a significant shift in the maximum absorption bands. The addition of another azobenzol group between electron‐donating and ‐accepting groups increases the second‐order polarizabilities by 4–6 times, but leads to an evident red‐shift of about 65–80 nm in spectra. The relative second‐order polarizability of the halogen‐substituted derivatives is in the sequence of ? CF₃ > ? F > ? Cl > ? Br, without obvious substituent effects on the optical transparency. The D‐π‐A chromophores with the strong electron‐donating (amino) and ‐accepting (acetyl) substituent present the larger second‐order polarizabilities, at the cost of about 20 nm red‐shift of the maximum absorption lengths relative to the halogen‐substituted species. It is also demonstrated that both the linear and nonlinear optical properties augment with the increase in solvent polarity, accompanied by a red‐shift in the wavelengths of maximum absorption by about 18 and 23 nm, respectively, in THF and MeOH solutions. The changes in optical properties upon the structural modifications are further rationalized by the electronic structures of various H‐shaped dimers. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Intermolecular H‐bond in propan‐2‐ol and its solutions with acetonitrile

Formation of propan‐2‐ol–acetonitrile dimers is manifested in the Raman spectra as an appearance of a band of aggregates in the high‐wavenumber side of the CN vibrational band of liquid acetonitrile (∼2 cm⁻¹). The intensity of the band of aggregates changes with a change in the concentration of the mixture (1–0.05 mole fraction). For propan‐2‐ol we carried out nonempirical calculations of a structure of isolated dimer aggregates. The formation of an intramolecular H‐bond between the H and the O atom of the \newbox\osprulebox \newdimen\osprulewd \def\osprule#1#2{ \global\setbox\osprulebox=\hbox{#1} \osprulewd=\wd\osprulebox\advance\osprulewd by ‐8pt \raise0.5pc\hbox{$\matrix{\hskip‐1pt\lower6.5pt\hbox{\vrule height #2pt}\lower4.5pt\hbox to \osprulewd{\hrulefill}\lower6.5pt\hbox{\vrule height #2pt}\cr \noalign{\vskip‐1pt} \hbox{#1}\cr}$} } $\osprule{{\rm HCO}}{2.5} \hbox{H}$ group of length 2.045 Å is possible in the monomer molecule. The CH₃ groups of alcohol are not equivalent. In the dimer formation, intramolecular H‐bond in the \newbox\osprulebox \newdimen\osprulewd \def\osprule#1#2{ \global\setbox\osprulebox=\hbox{#1} \osprulewd=\wd\osprulebox\advance\osprulewd by ‐8pt \raise0.5pc\hbox{$\matrix{\hskip‐1pt\lower6.5pt\hbox{\vrule height #2pt}\lower4.5pt\hbox to \osprulewd{\hrulefill}\lower6.5pt\hbox{\vrule height #2pt}\cr \noalign{\vskip‐1pt} \hbox{#1}\cr}$} } $\osprule{{\rm HCO}}{2.5} \hbox{H}$ group is preserved. An intermolecular H‐bond of length 2.045 Å and energy 15 kJ/mole is formed between the H atom of one molecule and the O atom of another molecule of the O H. The length and energy of the H‐bond for the propan‐2‐ol–acetonitrile dimer formations calculate to 2.27 Å and 12.9 kJ/mole, respectively. The H‐bond is formed by σ‐electrons of nitrogen. The experimental data and the results of calculations are in good agreement. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Amphiphilic p‐tert‐butylthiacalix[4]arenes containing quaternary ammonium groups: from small molecules toward water‐soluble nanoscale associates

The formation of supramolecular associates based on water‐soluble p‐tert‐butylthiacalix[4]arenes with amino acids has been studied. It was shown that amphiphilic p‐tert‐butylthiacalix[4]arenes preferably formed supramolecular associates with aromatic α‐amino acids (tyrosine and tryptophan). Increasing size of the substituents of p‐tert‐butylthiacalix[4]arenes led to increase molecular weight of supramolecular associates based on the macrocycles and “guest” molecules. The spatial structures of p‐tert‐butylthiacalix[4]arenes and their associates with phenylalanine were studied by two‐dimensional ¹H‐¹H nuclear Overhauser effect NMR spectroscopy. The ability of aggregates based on p‐tert‐butylthiacalix[4]arenes and amino acids to effectively interact with bovine serum albumin with the formation of 7‐ to 8‐nm nanoparticles was shown. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

用弛豫法探寻新的双开口膜泡

基于面积差弹性模型, 用弛豫法探寻满足开口膜泡边界条件的欧拉-拉格朗日方程组的新解, 得到了双开口的哑铃形分支解, 并结合以前得到的单开口哑铃形及闭合哑铃形, 对它们之间的相变进行了深入的研究. 为了探究实验上是否可能发现这些形状, 与以往实验上观察到的较小约化弛豫面积差的杯形、管形、烟囱形开口形状的能量进行了比较, 发现这些新形状在较大的约化弛豫面积差值时, 在某些线张力区间比以往发现的形状能量更低. 另外为了对比, 本文对于实验上已知的杯形、管形、烟囱形及球形之间的相变行进行了探讨, 并对两者之间的不同特点进行了对比.     

Experimental and theoretical study on 3,5‐(oxo/thioxo) derivatives of 2,7‐dimethyl‐1,2,4‐triazepines–iodine molecular complexes

Intermolecular charge‐transfer (CT) spectra of 3‐thioxo‐5‐oxo‐, 5‐thioxo‐3‐oxo‐, and 3,5‐dithioxo‐ derivatives of 2,7‐dimethyl‐[1,2,4]‐triazepine 1:1 molecular complexes with molecular iodine were studied in the UV‐visible region. Equilibrium constants and free energy changes of the formed complexes were determined in solution. Ab initio calculations at HF/LANL2DZ* and MP2/LANL2DZ* were carried out to establish the nature of the complexation site, to determine the complex structures, and to examine the basicity of these compounds toward molecular iodine. The 3,5‐dithioxo‐2,7‐dimethyl‐[1,2,4]‐triazepine is the most basic one toward molecular iodine. In all cases, the complexation takes place at the heteroatom attached to position 3 of the triazepine. Hence, although in general, thiocarbonyls are stronger bases than carbonyls in the gas phase, 5‐thioxo‐2,7‐dimethyl‐[1,2,4]‐triazepin‐3‐one behaves as an oxygen base towards I₂. Experimental free energies in solution and gas‐phase computational values are linearly correlated. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The study on interactions between 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride and benzene/pyridine /pyrrole/thiophene

The density functional theory was used to investigate the interactions between 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride ([EMIM]Cl) and benzene/pyridine/pyrrole/thiophene. The complexes formed between [EMIM]Cl and benzene/pyridine/pyrrole/thiophene were optimized at the ωB97XD/6‐31++G** level, and the optimized complexes were further analyzed by natural bond orbital, atoms in molecules, and noncovalent interaction. The calculated results show that the interaction energy between ionic liquid and benzene/pyridine/pyrrole/thiophene is in the order pyrrole > pyridine > thiophene > benzene. The major interactions between ionic liquid and benzene/pyridine/pyrrole/thiophene are hydrogen bonding and π‐π interaction, accompanied by C···H, N···H, H···H, and S···H weak interactions. Both cation and anion of ionic liquid are involved in interactions with aromatic compounds.