Preparation of dendritic‐like CdS by hydrothermal method and its photocatalytic performance

In this article, dendritic‐like CdS has been prepared by a hydrothermal method using thiourea as the sulfur source, and the effects of experimental conditions on the morphologies of CdS have been investigated. The performances of CdS have been analyzed by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and the fluorescence and photodegradation properties of CdS have also been investigated. The XRD result indicates that the dendritic‐like CdS are of hexagonal phase and they are highly crystallized. Also, the FESEM results show that the ratio of raw material affects the yield of CdS, the reaction time affects the morphology of CdS. The best morphology of CdS is dendritic structures and the length is about 6 μm. The fluorescence spectrum shows three peaks at 470 nm, 513 nm and 547 nm, which indicates that the dendritic‐like CdS mainly emits green and blue fluorescence. Moreover, the dendritic‐like CdS exhibits good photocatalytic activity and its photodegradation rate to methylene blue can reach 92%. The growth mechanism for the formation of CdS with dendritic structure is also described.     

Optical properties of flower‐like CdS prepared by a hydrothermal method with SDBS as surfactant

In this article, flower‐like CdS structures have been prepared by a hydrothermal method with SDBS as surfactant. The influences of different experimental conditions on the morphologies, UV‐Vis and fluorescence properties of CdS have been investigated. The performances of CdS have been analyzed by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), ultraviolet‐visible (UV–Vis) and room‐temperature photoluminescence (PL). The XRD result indicates that the flower‐like CdS structures are of hexagonal phase. The FESEM results indicate that the main role of SDBS is to make the CdS crystals assemble together to form the flower‐like structures. The UV–Vis results show CdS has a strong absorption in the ultraviolet region and visible‐light region. The PL results show CdS has two emission peaks, respectively at 461 nm and 553 nm. The growth mechanism for the formation of flower‐like CdS structures is also described.     

Theoretical studies of electronic structure and structural properties of anhydrous alkali metal oxalates

The theoretical analysis of electronic structure and bonding properties of anhydrous alkali metal oxalates, based on the results of DFT FP-LAPW calculations, Bader’s QTAIM topological properties of electron density, Cioslowski and Mixon’s topological bond orders [reported in the first part of this paper by Kole?yński (doi:10.1007/s10973-013-3126-z)] and Brown’s Bond Valence Model calculations, carried out in the light of thermal decomposition pathway characteristic for these compounds are presented. The obtained results shed some additional light on the origins of the complex pathway observed during thermal decomposition process (two stage process, first the formation of respective carbonate and then decomposition to metal oxide and carbon dioxide). For all structures analyzed, strong similarities in electronic structure and bonding properties were found (ionic-covalent bonds in oxalate anion with C–C bond as the weakest one in entire structure and almost purely ionic between oxalate group and alkali metal cations), allowing us to propose the most probable pathway consisting of consecutive steps, leading to carbonate anion formation with simultaneous cationic sublattice relaxations, which results in relative ease of respective metal carbonate formation.     

Thermogravimetric study of the reduction of basic lead sulphate

In this paper, the results of the study of the reduction of basic lead sulphate with a gas (CO + CO₂) mixture are presented. This is a secondary reaction during the reduction of lead sulphate. The change in the both lead and PbS content in the reaction products, depending on the process temperature and the composition of the gaseous phase, was established. The comparison of the rate of the reduction reaction of lead sulphate and basic lead sulphate shows that the process proceeding with a higher output is the reduction of basic lead sulphate.     

Synthesis of polyaniline/Au composite nanotubes and their high performance in the detection of NADH

Polyaniline (PANI)/Au composite nanotubes were synthesized and developed as an electrode material for a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) sensor. A MnO₂ self-degradable template method was used to prepare the tube-like PANI nanomaterial. By introducing PANI nanotubes into Au colloid, Au nanoparticles (NPs) were successfully decorated onto the surface of PANI nanotubes through electrostatic effects. The morphology, composition, and optical properties of the resulting products were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption spectra, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). In addition, the obtained PANI/Au composites were used as catalysts for the electrochemical oxidation of NADH. Cyclic voltammogram (CV) experiments indicated that PANI/Au-modified glassy carbon electrode showed a higher electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of NADH in a neutral environment. Differential pulse voltammogram (DPV) results illustrated that the fabricated NADH sensor had excellent anti-interference ability and displayed a wide linear range from 4?×?10^?4 to 8?×?10^?3 M with a detection limit of 0.5?×?10^?7 M.     

Unexpected Room‐Temperature Ferromagnetism in Nanostructured Bi2Te3

There is an urgent need for the development in the field of the magnetism of topological insulators, owing to the necessity for the realization of the quantum anomalous Hall effect. Herein, we discuss experimentally fabricated nanostructured hierarchical architectures of the topological insulator Bi₂Te₃ without the introduction of any exotic magnetic dopants, in which intriguing room‐temperature ferromagnetism was identified. First‐principles calculations demonstrated that the intrinsic point defect with respect to the antisite Te site is responsible for the creation of a magnetic moment. Such a mechanism, which is different from that of a vacancy defect, provides new insights into the origins of magnetism. Our findings may pave the way for developing future Bi₂Te₃‐based dissipationless spintronics and fault‐tolerant quantum computation.     

Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed ortho Alkenylation of N‐Phenoxyacetamides with N‐Tosylhydrazones or Diazoesters through CH Activation

A coupling reaction of N‐phenoxyacetamides with N‐tosylhydrazones or diazoesters through Rh^III‐catalyzed C? H activation is reported. In this reaction, ortho‐alkenyl phenols were obtained in good yields and with excellent regio‐ and stereoselectivity. Rh–carbene migratory insertion is proposed as the key step in the reaction mechanism.     

Magnolol and honokiol included green emissive terbium sol–gel materials and their recognition behaviors

Magnolol and honokiol as pharmaceutical ligands have been introduced into terbium complex systems for the first time and two hybrid organic–inorganic materials were successfully prepared. Both of them can sensitize terbium characteristic green emission effectively based on intra-molecular energy transfer channel. Moreover, they selectively recognized Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ through luminescence quenching effects. The photophysical properties and morphological structures were extensively investigated.