O-Alkyldithiophosphate Nickel Complexes with dcpf Ligand as Efficient Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution

Six new O-alkyldithiophosphate nickel complexes with dcpf ligand, [(dcpf)Ni(S₂P{O}OR)] (dcpf = 1,1′-bis (dicyclohexylphosphino)ferrocene, R = CH₃ ( 1 ), CH₃CH₂ ( 2 ), Ph ( 3 ), 4-MeC₆H₄ ( 4 ), PhCH₂ ( 5 ) and PhCH₂CH₂ ( 6 )), have been synthesized by the treatment of dcpf with ((RO)₂PS₂)₂Ni in satisfactory yields. These complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopy (FTIR, UV–vis, ¹H, ¹³C, and ³¹P NMR), thermogravimetric analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The nickel atom in 1 , 2 ·CH₂Cl₂, 3 ·CH₂Cl₂, 4 ·2CH₂Cl₂·THF, and 2( 5 )·hexane adopts a slightly distorted square-planar coordination environment finished by two phosphorus atoms of dcpf ligand and two sulfur atoms of O-alkyldithiophosphate ligand. Furthermore, the electrochemical properties for complexes 1 – 6 were also investigated by cyclic voltammetry. With the addition of 120 mM trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), the turnover frequency (TOF) values for 1 – 6 are estimated to be 1243.83, 1046.54, 1331.71, 2545.29, 1899.03, and 1191.37 s⁻¹, with the overpotential (η) values of 0.62, 0.58, 0.71, 0.67, 0.60, and 0.56 V, respectively. The result of electrochemical studies indicates that all complexes can be used as efficient molecular eletrocatalysts for the reduction of protons to hydrogen in the presence of TFA in MeCN.     

Nanostructures for Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction

One of the most effective ways to cope with the problems of global warming and the energy shortage crisis is to develop renewable and clean energy sources. To achieve a carbon-neutral energy cycle, advanced carbon sequestration technologies are urgently needed, but because CO₂ is a thermodynamically stable molecule with the highest carbon valence state of +4, this process faces many challenges. In recent years, electrochemical CO₂ reduction has become a promising approach to fix and convert CO₂ into high-value-added fuels and chemical feedstock. However, the large-scale commercial use of electrochemical CO₂ reduction systems is hindered by poor electrocatalyst activity, large overpotential, low energy conversion efficiency, and product selectivity in reducing CO₂. Therefore, there is an urgent need to rationally design highly efficient, stable, and scalable electrocatalysts to alleviate these problems. This minireview also aims to classify heterogeneous nanostructured electrocatalysts for the CO₂ reduction reaction (CDRR).     

Redox-Active Supramolecular Heteroleptic M4L2L′2 Assemblies with Tunable Interior Binding Site

Three Pt₄L₂L′₂ heteroleptic rectangles ( 1 – 3 ), containing ditopic redox-active bis-pyridine functionalized perylene bisimide (PBI) ligands PBI-pyr₂ ( L ) are reported. Co-ligand L′ is a dicarboxylate spacer of varying length, leading to modified overall size of the assemblies. ¹H NMR spectroscopy reveals a trend in the splitting and upfield chemical shift of the PBI-hydrogens in the rectangles with respect to free PBI, most pronounced with the largest strut length ( 3 ) and least with the smallest strut length ( 1 ). This is attributed to increased rotational freedom of the PBI-pyr ₂ ligand over its longitudinal axis (N_py-N_py), due to increased distance between the PBI-surfaces, which is corroborated by VT-NMR measurements and DFT calculations. The intramolecular motion entails desymmetrization of the two PBI-ligands, in line with cyclic voltammetry (CV) data. The first (overall two-electron) reduction event and re-oxidation for 1 display a subtle peak-to-peak splitting of 60 mV, whilst increased splitting of this event is observed for 2 and 3 . The binding of pyrene in 1 is probed to establish proof of concept of host-guest chemistry enabled by the two PBI-motifs. Fitting the binding curve obtained by ¹H NMR titration with a 1:1 complex formation model led to a binding constant of 964±55 m ⁻¹. Pyrene binding is shown to directly influence the redox-chemistry of 1 , resulting in a cathodic and anodic shift of approximately 46 mV on the first and second reduction event, respectively.     

Electrochemical Iodine-Mediated Oxidation of Enamino-Esters to 2H-Azirine-2-Carboxylates Supported by Design of Experiments

An electrochemical iodine-mediated transformation of enamino-esters for the synthesis of 2H-azirine-2-carboxylates is presented. In addition, a thermic conversion of azirines to 4-carboxy-oxazoles in quantitative yield without purification was described. Both classes 2H-azirines-2-carboxylates and the 4-carboxy-oxazoles are substructures in natural products and therefore are of considerable interest for synthetic and pharmaceutical chemists. The optimization was not performed in a conventional manner with a one-factor-at-a-time process but with a Design of Experiments (DoE) approach. Beside a broad substrate scope the reaction was also employed to a robustness screen, a sensitivity assessment, and complemented with mechanistic considerations from cyclic voltammetry experiments.     

Solution-Based,Anion-Doping of Li4Ti5O12 Nanoflowers for Lithium-Ion Battery Applications

Solution-based, anionic doping represents a convenient strategy with which to improve upon the conductivity of candidate anode materials such as Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ (LTO). As such, novel synthetic hydrothermally-inspired protocols have primarily been devised herein, aimed at the large-scale production of unique halogen-doped, micron-scale, three-dimensional, hierarchical LTO flower-like motifs. Although fluorine (F) doping has been explored, the use of chlorine (Cl) dopants is the primary focus here. Several experimental variables, such as dopant amount, lithium hydroxide concentration, and titanium butoxide purity, were probed and perfected. Furthermore, the Cl doping process did not damage the intrinsic LTO morphology. The analysis, based on interpreting a compilation of SEM, XRD, XPS, and TEM-EDS results, was used to determine an optimized dopant concentration of Cl. Electrochemical tests demonstrated an increased capacity via cycling of 12 % for a Cl-doped sample as compared with pristine LTO. Moreover, the Cl-doped LTO sample described in this study exhibited the highest discharge capacity yet reported at an observed rate of 2C for this material at 143mAh g⁻¹. Overall, these data suggest that the Cl dopant likely enhances not only the ion transport capabilities, but also the overall electrical conductivity of our as-prepared structures. To help explain these favorable findings, theoretical DFT calculations were used to postulate that the electronic conductivity and Li diffusion were likely improved by the presence of increased Ti³⁺ ion concentration coupled with widening of the Li migration channel.     

CoO–xCo(OH)2 supported silver nanoparticles: electrosynthesis in acetonitrile and catalytic activity

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Surface Polymers on Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes for Selective Extraction and Electrochemical Determination of Rhodamine B in Food Samples

In this study, we combine magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE), with the screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) modified by a molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) for sensitive and selective extraction and electrochemical determination of Rhodamine B in food samples. A magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE) was carried out using magnetic poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) (PS-DVB) and magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) synthetized on the surface of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). An MIP was prepared on the surface of MWCNTs in the presence of titanium oxide nanoparticles (TiO₂NPs) modifying the SPCE for the rapid electrochemical detection of Rhodamine B. The MIPs synthesis was optimized by varying the activated titanium oxide (TiO₂) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) amounts. The MSPE and electrochemical detection conditions were optimized as well. The present method exhibited good selectivity, high sensitivity, and good reproducibility towards the determination of Rhodamine B, making it a suitable method for the determination of Rhodamine B in food samples.     

ZnO超细纳米线阵列的制备及其电化学性能

以Zn(NO₃)₂· 6H₂O和C₆H₁₂N₄为原材料,采用二步水热法在碳纤维布上合成了形貌尺寸均匀的ZnO超细纳米线阵列。用 X 射线衍射(XRD)和扫描电镜(SEM)对其晶体结构和形貌进行了表征,利用恒流充放电测试等手段对其进行电化学性能测试。测试结果表明,材料表现出优异的电化学性能。在200 mA/g的电流密度下循环150次后,ZnO超细纳米线阵列仍然约有730 mAh/g的充放电比容量,库伦效率保持在95%以上。在1 200 mA/g的大倍率条件下,材料的充放电比容量依旧可达481 mAh/g左右,表现出十分良好的循环稳定性和可逆性能,是一种较为理想的锂离子电池负极复合材料。     

Elucidating the Influence of Electrical Potentials on the Formation of Charged Oligopeptide Self-Assembled Monolayers on Gold

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) based on oligopeptides have garnered immense interest for a wide variety of innovative biomedical and electronic applications. However, to exploit their full potential, it is necessary to understand and control the surface chemistry of oligopeptides. Herein, we report on how different electrical potentials affect the adsorption kinetics, stability and surface coverage of charged oligopeptide SAMs on gold surfaces. Kinetic analysis using electrochemical surface plasmon resonance (e-SPR) reveals a slower oligopeptide adsorption rate at more positive or negative electrical potentials. Additional analysis of the potential-assisted formed SAMs by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrates that an applied electrical potential has minimal effect on the packing density. These findings not only reveal that charged oligopeptides exhibit a distinct potential-assisted assembly behaviour but that an electrical potential offers another degree of freedom in controlling their adsorption rate.     

Role of FTFSI Anion Asymmetry on Physical Properties of AFTFSI (A=Li,Na and K) Based Electrolytes and Consequences on Supercapacitor Application

This study compares the physicochemical properties of six electrolytes comprising of three salts: LiFTFSI, NaFTFSI and KFTFSI in two solvent mixtures, the binary (3EC/7EMC) and the ternary (EC/PC/3DMC). The transport properties (conductivity, viscosity) as a function of temperature and concentration were modeled using the extended Jones-Dole-Kaminsky equation, the Arrhenius model, and the Eyring theory of transition state for activated complexes. Results are discussed in terms of ionicity, solvation shell, and cross-interactions between electrolyte components. The application of the six formulated electrolytes in symmetrical activated carbon (AC)//AC supercapacitors (SCs) was characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic cycling with potential limitation (GCPL), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and accelerated aging. Results revealed that the geometrical flexibility of the FTFSI anion allows it to access and diffuse easily in AC whereas its counter ions (Li⁺, Na⁺ or K⁺) can remain trapped in porosity. However, this drawback was partially resolved by mixing LiFTFSI and KFTFSI salts in the electrolyte.