Optical absorption spectra and energy levels of Er3+ ions in glassy lithium tetraborate matrix

The optical absorption spectra of Er:Li₂B₄O₇ glasses are studied in the range 200–800 nm. The lines corresponding to the direct f-f parity-forbidden intraconfigurational transitions from the ground ⁴ I _15/2 state to the levels of the excited ⁴ F _9/2, ⁴ S _3/2, ² H _9/2, ² H _11/2, ⁴ F _7/2, ⁴ F _5/2, ⁴ F _3/2, ² H _9/2, ⁴ G _11/2, ⁴ D _3/2, ⁴ D _1/2, and ² D _3/2 states are found.     

ZnO–Al2O3–CeO2–Ce2O3 mixed metal oxides as a promising photocatalyst for methyl orange photocatalytic degradation

In this research article, ZnO–Al₂O₃–CeO₂–Ce₂O₃ mixed metal oxides phases were prepared by calcination of Zn–Al/Ce–CO₃ layered double hydroxides (LDH) precursors, and evaluated for the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) as a model textile dye from aqueous solution under UV irradiation. First, Zn–Al–CO₃ and a series of Zn–Al/Ce–CO₃ with different Ce content (5, 10, 15, 20%) were synthesized through co-precipitation method at Zn/(Al+Ce) molar ratio (r) of 3, then subjected to calcination at 500 °C for 6 h. Samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis and pH point of zero charge. The experimental results of the photodegradation reveal that the photocatalyst developed from Zn–Al–Ce10%-CO₃ LDH exhibits the highest photocatalytic activity, with a degradation efficiency of 99.8% after 300 min of irradiation. This performance was mainly ascribed to the presence of difference state of Ce, leading a highest separation efficiency of electrons and holes. The recycling tests suggests a much high photostability and reusability of the photocatalyst.     

Iodinated ortho‐Carboranes as Versatile Building Blocks to Design Intermolecular Interactions in Crystal Lattices

The crystal structures of numerous iodinated ortho‐carboranes have been studied, which has revealed the diversity of intermolecular interactions that these substances can adopt in the solid state. The nature—mostly as it relates to hydrogen and/or halogen bonds—and relative strength of such interactions can be adjusted by selectively introducing substituents onto the cluster, thus enabling the rational design of crystal lattices. In this work we present the newly determined crystal structures of the following iodinated ortho‐carboranes: 9‐I‐1,2‐closo‐C₂B₁₀H₁₁, 4,5,7,8,9,10,11,12‐I₈‐1,2‐closo‐C₂B₁₀H₄, 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12‐I₁₀‐1,2‐closo‐C₂B₁₀H₂, 1‐Me‐8,9,10,12‐I₄‐1,2‐closo‐C₂B₁₀H₇, 1,2‐Me₂‐8,9,10,12‐I₄‐1,2‐closo‐C₂B₁₀H₆, and 1,2‐Ph₂‐8,9,10,12‐I₄‐1,2‐closo‐C₂B₁₀H₆. Their 3D supramolecular organization has been thoroughly investigated and compared to similar previously published crystal structures. Such a systematic survey has allowed us to draw some general trends. C_c? H???I? B hydrogen bonds (C_c= cluster carbon atoms) appear to be significant in the growth of the crystal lattices of these compounds, given the acidity of hydrogen atoms bonded to C_c, and the polarization of B? I bonds. These hydrogen bonds can be disrupted by selectively blocking the positions next to C_c, that is, B(3) and B(6), with bulky substituents that prevent iodine atoms from approaching as hydrogen acceptors. Halogen bonds of the type B? I???I? B are frequently observed in most cases, thus suggesting that these interactions could be attractive in boron clusters. In addition, different substituents can be grafted onto the ortho‐carborane surface, thereby providing further possibilities for homomeric or heteromeric molecular assembly.     

Some optical properties and peculiarities in the energy structure of layered bismuth oxyhalogenide crystals

The results of interference studies of the dispersion of the index of refraction n₀ in BiOBr crystals are presented. Indirect and direct transitions in BiOBr and BiOCl crystals are analyzed by the interacting-layer theory model.     

Isomerization Energy Decomposition Analysis for Highly Ionic Systems: Case Study of Starlike E5Li7+ Clusters

The most stable forms of E₅Li₇⁺ (E=Ge, Sn, and Pb) have been explored by means of a stochastic search of their potential‐energy surfaces by using the gradient embedded genetic algorithm (GEGA). The preferred isomer of the Ge₅Li₇⁺ ion is a slightly distorted analogue of the D_5h three‐dimensional seven‐pointed starlike structure adopted by the lighter C₅Li₇⁺ and Si₅Li₇⁺ clusters. In contrast, the preferred structures for Sn₅Li₇⁺ and Pb₅Li₇⁺ are quite different. By starting from the starlike arrangement, corresponding lowest‐energy structures are generated by migration of one of the E atoms out of the plane with the a corresponding rearrangement of the Li atoms. To understand these structural preferences, we propose a new energy decomposition analysis based on isomerizations (isomerization energy decomposition analysis (IEDA)), which enable us to extract energetic information from isomerization between structures, mainly from highly charged fragments.     

Identification of a novel series of alkylitaconic acids in wood cultures of Ceriporiopsis subvermispora by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

A novel series of long-chain unsaturated dicarboxylic acids consisting of a long aliphatic chain attached to the C-3 position of itaconic acid has been identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry during in vitro decay of eucalypt wood by the white-rot basidiomycete Ceriporiopsis subvermispora. The major compounds were identified as tetradecyl-, 7-hexadecenyl- and hexadecylitaconic acids by their mass fragmentation patterns. Other members of the same compound series, identified as dodecanyl-, tridecanyl-, tetradecenyl-, pentadecanyl-, octadecenyl- and octadecanylitaconic acids, were present in very minor amounts or traces. Whereas hexadecenylitaconic acid has already been reported in cultures of C. subvermispora, to our knowledge this is the first report of the presence of the other alkylitaconic acids in fungal cultures. These new alkylitaconic-type metabolites may constitute a source for peroxidizable lipids involved in lignin degradation during wood decay by C. subvermispora and other white-rot basidiomycetes.