Boron-Thioketonates: A New Class of S,O-Chelated Boranes as Acceptors in Optoelectronic Devices

Development of new n-type semiconductors with tunable band gap and dielectric constant has significant implication in dissociating bound charge carrier relevant for demonstrating high performance optoelectronic devices. Boron-β-thioketonates (MTDKB), analogues to boron-β-diketonates containing a sulfur atom in the framework of β-diketones were synthesized. Bulk transport measurement exhibited an outstanding bulk electron mobility of ≈0.003 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹, which is among the best values reported till date in these class of semiconducting materials and correspondingly a single junction photo responsivity of upto 6 mA W⁻¹ was obtained. This new family of O,S-chelated boron compounds exhibited luminescence in the far red/near-infrared region. The remarkable red shift of 89 nm (fluorescence) observed for 4 a in comparison with analogues boron-β-diketonate signifies the importance of sulfur in these molecules. MTDKBs with amine functionality have also been investigated as an ON/OFF fluorescent sensor.     

Colossal Stability of SiB11(BO)12−: An Implication as Potential Electrolyte in High-Voltage Alkali-ion Battery

High-voltage alkali metal-ion batteries (AMIBs) require a non-hazardous, low-cost, and highly stable electrolyte with a large operating potential and rapid ion conductivity. Here, we have reported a halogen-free high-voltage electrolyte based on SiB₁₁(BO)₁₂⁻. Because of the weak π-orbital interaction of −BO as well as the mixed covalent and ionic interaction between SiB₁₁-cage and −BO ligand, SiB₁₁(BO)₁₂⁻ has colossal stability. SiB₁₁(BO)₁₂⁻ possesses extremely high vertical detachment energy (9.95 eV), anodic voltage limit (∼10.05 V), and electrochemical stability window (∼9.95 V). Furthermore, SiB₁₁(BO)₁₂⁻ is thermodynamically stable at high temperatures, and its large size allows for faster cation movement. The alkali salts MSiB₁₁(BO)₁₂ (M=Li, Na, and K) are easily dissociated into ionic components. Electrolytes based on SiB₁₁(BO)₁₂⁻ greatly outperform commercial electrolytes. In short, SiB₁₁(BO)₁₂⁻-based compound is demonstrated to be a high-voltage electrolyte for AMIBs.     

Phase transition and optoelectronic properties of MgH2

In this article, structural and electronic properties of MgH₂ have been studied. The aim behind this study was to find out the ground state crystal structure of MgH₂. For the purpose, density functional theory (DFT)-based full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) calculations have been performed in three different space groups: P4₂/mnm (α-MgH₂), Pa3 (β-MgH₂) and Pbcn (γ-MgH₂). It has been found that the ground state structure of MgH₂ is α-MgH₂. The present study shows that α-MgH₂ transforms into γ-MgH₂ at a pressure of 0.41 GPa. After further increase in pressure, γ-MgH₂ transforms into β-MgH₂ at a pressure of 3.67 GPa. The obtained results are in good agreement with previously reported experimental data. In all the studied phases, the behavior of MgH₂ is insulating and its optical conductivity is around 6.0 eV. The α-MgH₂ and γ-MgH₂ are anisotropic materials while β-MgH₂ is isotropic in nature.     

Inclusion properties of 3-fluoromesotetraphenylporphyrin with C60 and C70

To improve the selectivity ratio of C70 over C60, a new designer molecule, viz., 3-fluoromesotetraphenylporphyrin (1) has been reported in the present investigations. Fluorescence studies reveal that the Q-absorption band of 1 gets sufficient quenching effect upon addition of both C60 and C70. Binding constants (K) of the C60/1 and C70/1 complexes are estimated to be 580 and 10,800 dm3 mol(-1), respectively. Thus, K(C70)/K(C60) is approximately 19 which is very large and even comparable with other macrocyclic host molecules like calix[5]arene, azacalix[m]arene[n]pyridine, cyclotriveratrylenophane and calixarene bisporphyrin. 1H NMR chemical shift measurements show that the -NH- proton of 1 suffers more shifts in presence of C70 compared to C60. This finding also offers a good support in favor of high K value for C70/1 complex as well as large selectivity ratio of C70 over C60.     

Spectrophotometric study of the supramolecular complexes of [60]- and [70]Fullerenes with biscalix[6]arene and crown[4]calix[6]arene

[60]- and [70]Fullerenes have been shown to form 1:1 supramolecular complexes with bis[2-(5,11,17,23,29,35-hexa-tert-butyl-37,38,39,40,41-pentahydroxycalix[6]arenyl-oxy ethyl ether) (1) and 5,11,17,23,29,35-hexa-tert-butyl-37,38,40,41-tetra hydroxyl-39,42-(crown-4)calix[6]arene (2) in CHCl3 medium by electronic absorption spectroscopy. Formation constants (K) of the complexes of [60]- and [70]fullerenes with 1 and 2 have been determined at room temperature from which free energy of formation values of the complexes have been estimated. The very high formation constant value of [60]fullerene/1 complex (5900 dm3 mol-1) in indicative of formation of inclusion complex. Moreover, PM3 calculations reveal that intermolecular interaction between [60]fullerene and 1 proceeds through quite deep energy molecular orbital.     

A Micellar Complex of a Conjugated Polyelectrolyte for Efficient FRET to Dye‐Labeled DNA

A polymer–surfactant micellar complex has been studied as a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) donor to fluorescein‐labeled DNA (ssDNA‐Fl). In water, the molar absorptivity and fluorescence quantum efficiency of cationic poly(fluorene‐co‐phenylene) (c‐PFP) are substantially increased in the presence of non‐ionic surfactants. A TEM microscopic study shows the formation of a nanowire micellar complex of c‐PFP and the surfactants. About a 400% enhancement of the FRET signal is measured in c‐PFP/ssDNA‐Fl with Brij 30, relative to that without surfactants. The signal amplification is successfully modulated using different types of non‐ionic surfactants which perturb the complexation, fine‐structure of the complex (i.e., donor‐acceptor separation), and the resulting energy transfer process.

     

Einstein equations and inertial forces in axially symmetric stationary spacetimes

We investigate the relations between the inertial forces and the Einstein equations in axially symmetric stationary spacetimes. For the vacuum stationary axially symmetric spacetimes, we use the Geroch formalism to express the Einstein equations in terms of inertial forces. For the spacetimes with the perfect fluid sources, we use the formalism developed by Hansen and Winicour for establishing the relations. As expected intuitively, the gradients of inertial forces represent the field equations.     

Studies on bio-accumulation of <Superscript>51</Superscript>Cr by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Piper nigrum</Emphasis>

The present study is performed to examine the accumulation efficiency of ⁵¹Cr(III) and ⁵¹Cr(VI) by the alkaloid piperine, derived from the fruits of Piper nigrum (Family Piperaceae) as well as using the fruit commonly known as black pepper by radiometric technique. The pH dependence and the effect of the concentration of chromium on the accumulation have also been examined. The maximum accumulation (52%) of Cr(III) is found by black pepper at pH 4 whereas piperine shows slight accumulation at this condition. Accumulation of Cr(VI) by black pepper is always negligible. It has also been observed that some other constituents of the black pepper like gum, terpenoid, etc., besides piperine is responsible for the accumulation of chromium.     

Soret and Dufour effects on mixed convection unsteady MHD boundary layer flow over stretching sheet in porous medium with chemically reactive species

This paper studies the thermal-diffusion and diffusion thermo-effects in the hydro-magnetic unsteady flow by a mixed convection boundary layer past an imperme- able vertical stretching sheet in a porous medium in the presence of chemical reaction. The velocity of t~he stretching surface, the surface temperature, and the concentration are assumed to vary linearly with the distance along the surface. The governing partial differential equations are transformed into self-similar unsteady equations using similarity transformations .and solved numerically by the Runge-Kutta fourth order scheme in as- sociation with the shooting method for the whole transient domain from the initial state to the final steady state flow. Numerical results for the velocity, the temperature, the concentration, the skin friction, and the Nusselt and Sherwood numbers are shown graph- ically for various flow parameters. The results reveal that there is a smooth transition of flow from unsteady state to the final steady state. A special case of our results is in good agreement with an earlier published work.