Anti-solvent assisted treatment for improved morphology and efficiency of lead acetate derived perovskite solar cells

An efficient solution-processable route employing Pb(Ac)₂ as lead source and anti-solvent treatment to achieve fully covered and homogenous perovskite films is reported.     

An evaluation of the performance of porous polymer monolith assisted electrospray

A novel electrospray interface, which has distinct advantages over conventional pulled silica emitters, has been developed. This novel interface can be easily fabricated by forming a porous polymer monolith (PPM) at the end of a fused-silica capillary that facilitates a stable electrospray over a wide range of flow rates with only a modest increase in back-pressure. A comparison was made between the PPM-assisted electrospray and a commercial nanosprayer in terms of sensitivity, stability and robustness. A PPM-filled electrospray tip produced a day-to-day signal variation of 23% relative standard deviation (RSD) over a 3-day period when spraying a 1.0 microM test peptide solution. Furthermore, three different capillaries fabricated by the same process produced a signal variation of 17% RSD, indicating that the fabrication process shows good reproducibility. The multiple flow paths of the PPM function to split the flow and reduce clogging. Even following the accumulation of debris after prolonged use, a stable spray could still be generated with the PPM-filled capillary while the commercial nanosprayer ceased to function properly. In terms of sensitivity, PPM-assisted electrospray showed an enhancement in sensitivity at infusion flow rates between 100 to 1000 nL/min while commercial nanosprayers performed slightly better at flow rates below 100 nL/min. A sample purification step can be combined with the PPM-assisted sprayer, using the PPM as a stationary phase to desalt and preconcentrate samples prior to mass spectrometric detection.     

ON A CLASS OF METHOD FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS WITH RANDOM BOUNDARY NOTCHES AND/OR CRACKS(Ⅱ) COMPUTATIONS FOR BOUNDARY NOTCHES

This work is a continuation of the discussion of [1], On a class of method for solving problems with random boundary notches and/or cracks, (I) by C. Ouyang (Appl. Math. & Mech., vol. 1, No. 2, 1980). Here computations for boundary notches are made by using the theory and formulas presented in [1]. In the computation modification is also made for the boundary conditions in parametric plane in [1]. Numerical results for examples show that within ranges of parameter considered in the paper, for example L, the present method in quite workable in practical computations.     

Triboelectric pulsed direct current for self-powered sterilization of cellulose fiber

A variety of liquid energy exists in papermaking engineering and has not yet been developed and utilized. In addition, for the papermaking industry, the presence of slime can seriously affect the quality of the finished paper and can lead to paper breaking. The current slime control strategies cannot completely solve the problem and also have some low toxicity. In this study, a method of self-powered sterilization of cellulose fibers by using triboelectric pulsed direct current is reported. A liquid–solid triboelectric nanogenerator (L–S TENG) was used to convert the liquid energy of nanocellulose suspension into electrical energy and convert this electrical energy into pulsed direct current for self-powered sterilization of cellulose fiber. A hydrophobic coating material is used as solid triboelectric material and electrode for sterilization. Driven by L–S TENG, the electrodes exhibited an excellent sterilization rate against four microorganisms including Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, which from slime in the papermaking industry. This study could provide a basic research theory for liquid energy harvesting in the papermaking industry, and also provide a new strategy for pulp sterilization.

Graphical abstract

     

catena‐Poly[[tetra­aqua­manganese(II)]‐μ‐4‐(carboxyl­ato­methyl­sulfanyl)­phenoxy­acetato]

The title compound, [Mn(C₁₀H₈O₅S)(H₂O)₄]_n, a one‐dimensional manganese(II) complex comprising helical chains bridged by 4‐(carboxylatomethylsulfanyl)phenoxyacetate ligands has been characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Hydrogen‐bonding inter­actions between adjacent chains extend the complex into a three‐dimensional supra­molecular architecture.     

The remarkable reactivity of high oxidation state ruthenium and osmium polypyridyl complexes

There is a remarkable redox chemistry of higher oxidation state M(IV)-M(VI) polypyridyl complexes of Ru and Os. They are accessible by proton loss and formation of oxo or nitrido ligands, examples being cis-[RuIV(bpy)2(py)(O)]2+ (RuIV=O2+, bpy=2,2'-bipyridine, and py=pyridine) and trans-[OsVI(tpy)(Cl)2(N)]+ (tpy=2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine). Metal-oxo or metal-nitrido multiple bonding stabilizes the higher oxidation states and greatly influences reactivity. O-atom transfer, hydride transfer, epoxidation, C-H insertion, and proton-coupled electron-transfer mechanisms have been identified in the oxidation of organics by RuIV=O2+. The Ru-O multiple bond inhibits electron transfer and promotes complex mechanisms. Both O atoms can be used for O-atom transfer by trans-[RuVI(tpy)(O)2(S)]2+ (S=CH3CN or H2O). Four-electron, four-proton oxidation of cis,cis-[(bpy)2(H2O)RuIII-O-RuIII(H2O)(bpy)2]4+ occurs to give cis,cis-[(bpy)2(O)RuV-O-RuV(O)(bpy)2]4+ which rapidly evolves O2. Oxidation of NH3 in trans-[OsII(tpy)(Cl)2(NH3)] gives trans-[OsVI(tpy)(Cl)2(N)]+ through a series of one-electron intermediates. It and related nitrido complexes undergo formal N- transfer analogous to O-atom transfer by RuIV=O2+. With secondary amines, the products are the hydrazido complexes, cis- and trans-[OsV(L3)(Cl)2(NNR2)]+ (L3=tpy or tpm and NR2-=morpholide, piperidide, or diethylamide). Reactions with aryl thiols and secondary phosphines give the analogous adducts cis- and trans-[OsIV(tpy)(Cl)2(NS(H)(C6H4Me))]+ and fac-[OsIV(Tp)(Cl)2(NP(H)(Et2))]. In dry CH3CN, all have an extensive multiple oxidation state chemistry based on couples from Os(VI/V) to Os(III/II). In acidic solution, the OsIV adducts are protonated, e.g., trans-[OsIV(tpy)(Cl)2(N(H)N(CH2)4O)]+, and undergo proton-coupled electron transfer to quinone to give OsV, e.g., trans-[OsV(tpy)(Cl)2(NN(CH2)4O)]+ and hydroquinone. These reactions occur with giant H/D kinetic isotope effects of up to 421 based on O-H, N-H, S-H, or P-H bonds. Reaction with azide ion has provided the first example of the terminal N4(2-) ligand in mer-[OsIV(bpy)(Cl)3(NalphaNbetaNgammaNdelta)]-. With CN-, the adduct mer-[OsIV(bpy)(Cl)3(NCN)]- has an extensive, reversible redox chemistry and undergoes NCN(2-) transfer to PPh3 and olefins. Coordination to Os also promotes ligand-based reactivity. The sulfoximido complex trans-[OsIV(tpy)(Cl)2(NS(O)-p-C6H4Me)] undergoes loss of O2 with added acid and O-atom transfer to trans-stilbene and PPh3. There is a reversible two-electron/two-proton, ligand-based acetonitrilo/imino couple in cis-[OsIV(tpy)(NCCH3)(Cl)(p-NSC6H4Me)]+. It undergoes reversible reactions with aldehydes and ketones to give the corresponding alcohols.     

Deoxygenative α-alkylation and α-arylation of 1,2-dicarbonyls

Construction of C–C bonds at the α-carbon is a challenging but synthetically indispensable approach to α-branched carbonyl motifs that are widely represented among drugs, natural products, and synthetic intermediates. Here, we describe a simple approach to generation of boron enolates in the absence of strong bases that allows for introduction of both α-alkyl and α-aryl groups in a reaction of readily accessible 1,2-dicarbonyls and organoboranes. Obviation of unselective, strongly basic and nucleophilic reagents permits carrying out the reaction in the presence of electrophiles that intercept the intermediate boron enolates, resulting in two new α-C–C bonds in a tricomponent process.

α-Branched carboxylic acids and other carbonyls are readily accessed by a metal- and base-free deoxygenative α-alkylation and α-arylation of 1,2-dicarbonyls via boron enolates, resulting in a tricomponent coupling with unconventional electrophiles.     

Iminic N-bound iminophosphorano versus nitrilic n-bound iminophosphorano Os(IV) complexes: a new double derivatization of the nitrido ligand

The reactions between trans-[Os(IV)(tpy)(Cl)(2)(NCN)] (1) and PPh(3) and between trans-[Os(IV)(tpy)(Cl)(2)(NPPh(3))](+) (2) and CN(-) provide new examples of double derivatization of the nitrido ligand in an Os(VI)-nitrido complex (Os(VI)N). The nitrilic N-bound product from the first reaction, trans-[Os(II)(tpy)(Cl)(2)(NCNPPh(3))] (3), is the coordination isomer of the first iminic N-bound product from the second reaction, trans-[Os(II)(tpy)(Cl)(2)(N(CN)(PPh(3)))] (4). In CH(3)CN at 45 degrees C, 4 undergoes isomerrization to 3 followed by solvolysis and release of (N-cyano)iminophosphorane, NCNPPh(3). These reactions demonstrate new double derivatization reactions of the nitrido ligand in Os(VI)N with its implied synthetic utility.     

Manganese/Bicarbonate-catalyzed epoxidation of lipophilic alkenes with hydrogen peroxide in ionic liquids

[reaction: see text] Effective epoxidation of lipophilic alkenes using hydrogen peroxide was accomplished with the manganese sulfate/bicarbonate catalytic system in an ionic liquid at room temperature.     

Mitigation of Jahn–Teller distortion and Na+/vacancy ordering in a distorted manganese oxide cathode material by Li substitution

Layered manganese-based oxides are promising candidates as cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) due to their low cost and high specific capacity. However, the Jahn–Teller distortion from high-spin Mn³⁺ induces detrimental lattice strain and severe structural degradation during sodiation and desodiation. Herein, lithium is introduced to partially substitute manganese ions to form distorted P′2-Na_0.67Li_0.05Mn_0.95O₂, which leads to restrained anisotropic change of Mn–O bond lengths and reinforced bond strength in the [MnO₆] octahedra by mitigation of Jahn–Teller distortion and contraction of MnO₂ layers. This ensures the structural stability during charge and discharge of P′2-Na_0.67Li_0.05Mn_0.95O₂ and Na⁺/vacancy disordering for facile Na⁺ diffusion in the Na layers with a low activation energy barrier of ∼0.53 eV. It exhibits a high specific capacity of 192.2 mA h g⁻¹, good cycling stability (90.3% capacity retention after 100 cycles) and superior rate capability (118.5 mA h g⁻¹ at 1.0 A g⁻¹), as well as smooth charge/discharge profiles. This strategy is effective to tune the crystal structure of layered oxide cathodes for SIBs with high performance.

Li-Substitution in P′2-Na_0.67MnO₂ mitigates the anisotropic change of Mn–O bonds and Na/vacancy ordering, and hence significantly promotes its cycling stability and rate capability as a cathode material for sodium-ion batteries.