13C NMR investigations of molecular order of rod-like,bent-core,and thiophene mesogens

In this review, methods to obtain the orientational order of topologically variant molecular mesogens using by one- and two-dimensional (2D) solid-state ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy are described. Besides ¹³C chemical shifts, the ¹³C─¹H dipolar couplings measured from 2D-separated local field (SLF) technique are used for computing the order parameters of a variety of mesogens. The investigated molecules are composed of a variable number of rings in the core, that is, core ranging from simply one ring to five rings. Among the mesogens investigated, a special focus has been placed on mesogens with thiophene rings, which are gaining popularity as liquid crystalline organic semiconductors. The replacement of a phenyl ring by thiophene in the core has a dramatic influence on molecular topology, as observed from the measured order parameters. The review highlights the advantages of the 2D SLF method for understanding the local dynamics and for mapping the topology of mesogens through the measured order parameters. SLF NMR studies of as many as 24 molecular mesogens that vary in terms of the molecular structure as well as topology are covered in the review. Order parameters of the rings have been estimated from the ¹³C─¹H dipolar couplings in the nematic, smectic A, smectic C, and tilted hexatic phases as well as in B₁ and B₂ mesophases of various mesogens. It is anticipated that, in the years to come, the 2D SLF method would provide advanced molecular information on structurally complex mesogens that are emerging in liquid crystal science through the incessant efforts of synthetic chemists. The mini review covers the orientational order of topologically variant molecular mesogens determined by 1D and 2D solid-state ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Accordingly, rod-like, bent-core, and thiophene mesogens were subjected to 2D SLF measurements to get the order parameters from which the topology was established. The replacement of phenyl ring by thiophene and its influence on order parameters as well as on molecular topology is also discussed.     

Molecularly engineering polymeric membranes for H2/CO2 separation at 100–300 °C

Over the last two decades, polymers with superior H₂/CO₂ separation properties at 100–300 °C have gathered significant interest for H₂ purification and CO₂ capture. This timely review presents various strategies adopted to molecularly engineer polymers for this application. We first elucidate the Robeson's upper bound at elevated temperatures for H₂/CO₂ separation and the advantages of high-temperature operation (such as improved solubility selectivity and absence of CO₂ plasticization), compared with conventional membrane gas separations at ~35 °C. Second, we describe commercially relevant membranes for the separation and highlight materials with free volumes tuned to discriminate H₂ and CO₂, including functional polymers (such as polybenzimidazole) and engineered polymers by cross-linking, blending, thermal treatment, thermal rearrangement, and carbonization. Third, we succinctly discuss mixed matrix materials containing size-sieving or H₂-sorptive nanofillers with attractive H₂/CO₂ separation properties.     

CN-Modified Imidazopyridine as a New Electron Accepting Unit of Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescent Emitters

Two efficient thermally activated delayed fluorescent (TADF) emitters were developed by utilizing CN-modified imidazopyridine as an acceptor unit. The CN-modified imidazopyridine acceptor was combined with either an acridine donor or a phenoxazine donor through a phenyl linker to produce two TADF emitters, Ac-CNImPy and PXZ-CNImPy. The acridine-based Ac-CNImPy emitter exhibited sky-blue emission with a CIE coordinate of (0.18, 0.38), whereas the phenoxazine-donor-based PXZ-CNImPy showed greenish-yellow emission with a CIE coordinate of (0.32, 0.58). A high photoluminescence quantum yield of 80 % was observed for the PXZ-CNImPy emitter compared with 40 % for the Ac-CNImPy emitter. Organic light-emitting diodes based on the PXZ-CNImPy emitter demonstrated high external quantum efficiency of 17.0 %. Hence, the CN-modified imidazopyridine unit can be considered as a useful electron acceptor for the future design of highly efficient TADF emitters.     

Tetrazole Azasydnone (C2N7O2H) And Its Salts: High-Performing Zwitterionic Energetic Materials Containing A Unique Explosophore

This work reports the first compound containing both a tetrazole and an azasydnone ring, a unique energetic material. Several energetic salts of the tetrazole azasydnone were synthesized and characterized, leading to the creation of new secondary and primary explosives. Molecular structures are confirmed by ¹H and ¹³C NMR, IR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallographic analysis. The high heats of formation, fast detonation velocities, and straight-forward synthesis of energetic azasydnones should capture the attention of future energetics research.     

Pitch-Based Laminated Carbon Formed by Pressure Driving at Low Temperature as High-Capacity Anodes for Lithium Energy Storage Systems

Pitch has been used to prepare electrodes by high-temperature heat treatments for supercapacitors, lithium-ion batteries, on account of its rich aromatic ring structure. Here, the toluene-soluble component of pitch is used to prepare a kind of laminated carbon. This was realized by a template-free synthesis at low temperature with the addition of pressure. The toluene-soluble component has a small molecular weight, which makes the thermal deformation ability stronger and then enhances the orientation of the carbon layer with the help of pressure. The prepared anode exhibits a splendid electrochemical performance compared with the traditional graphite anode. A high stable capacity of approximately 550 mAh g⁻¹ at 50 mA g⁻¹, which is much higher than graphite (372 mAh g⁻¹), is obtained. Also, when the current density is up to 2 A g⁻¹, the capacity is about 150 mAh g⁻¹. Surprisingly, it also delivers a superior cycling performance. And when used as the anode/cathode electrode for lithium-ion capacitors, a high energy density can be obtained. The present work offers an opportunity to utilize the pitch source in lithium energy storage with promising cycle life, high energy/power density, and low cost.     

Optimal control and numerical methods for hybrid stochastic SIS models

This work focuses on optimal controls of a class of stochastic SIS epidemic models under regime switching. By assuming that a decision maker can influence the infectivity period, our aim is to minimize the expected discounted cost due to illness, medical treatment, and the adverse effect on the society. In addition, a model with the incorporation of vaccination is proposed. Numerical schemes are developed by approximating the continuous-time dynamics using Markov chain approximation methods. It is demonstrated that the approximation schemes converge to the optimal strategy as the mesh size goes to zero. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate our results.     

Review on the Properties of Boron-Doped Diamond and One-Dimensional-Metal-Oxide Based P-N Heterojunction

This review is mainly focused on the optoelectronic properties of diamond-based one-dimensional-metal-oxide heterojunction. First, we briefly introduce the research progress on one-dimensional (1D)-metal-oxide heterojunctions and the features of the p-type boron-doped diamond (BDD) film; then, we discuss the use of three oxide types (ZnO, TiO₂ and WO₃) in diamond-based-1D-metal-oxide heterojunctions, including fabrication, epitaxial growth, photocatalytic properties, electrical transport behavior and negative differential resistance behavior, especially at higher temperatures. Finally, we discuss the challenges and future trends in this research area. The discussed results of about 10 years’ research on high-performance diamond-based heterojunctions will contribute to the further development of photoelectric nano-devices for high-temperature and high-power applications.     

(Sm0.5Gd0.2Nd0.3)2(Hf0.3Ce0.7)2O7复合氧化物的热物理性能

为寻求新型热障涂层用陶瓷材料,本文采用高温固相烧结法制备了(Sm_0.5Gd_0.2Nd_0.3)₂(Hf_0.3Ce_0.7)₂O₇复合氧化物。利用XRD分析了其晶体结构,SEM分析其显微组织,膨胀仪测试其热膨胀性能,激光热导仪测试其热扩散系数。结果表明,成功制备了具有单一萤石晶体结构的(Sm_0.5Gd_0.2Nd_0.3)₂(Hf_0.3Ce_0.7)₂O₇复合氧化物。其显微组织结构致密,晶界清晰无其他相存在。由于复杂的元素组成和较大的原子量,其热导率明显低于7YSZ和Sm₂Ce₂O₇。其较低的热膨胀系数则归因于B位离子较小的离子半径,但其热膨胀系数依然满足热障涂层的要求。     

Novel rubidium polyfluorides with F_3, F_4, and F_5 species

Pressure has an important effect on chemical bonds and their chemical properties. The atypical compounds NaCl_3 and CsF_3 are predicted to be stable at high pressure and show unique physical and chemical properties. By using ab initio random structure searching and density functional theory calculations, we predicted multiple thermodynamically stable atypical compounds, which are RbF_2, RbF_3, RbF_4, and RbF_5 in the pressure range of 0–300 GPa. In these stable compounds, homonuclear bondings of F_3, F_4, and F_5 species are easily formed. The electron structure calculation showed that except for Fd-3 m phase of RbF_2, these stable compounds are insulators and F 5 p orbitals play an important role in the Fermi level. It is interesting that the compounds RbF_5 could be stable at nearly ambient pressure and 0 K which will stimulate experimental studies in the future.     

三元层状MAX相固溶体研究进展

MAX相是一类具有层状结构的三元碳化物或(和)氮化物,M是过渡金属元素,A主要是ⅢA~ⅤA族元素,X是C或N元素。这类化合物兼具陶瓷材料和金属材料的特点,具有优异的导电、导热、耐腐蚀以及抗氧化等性能,在诸多领域具有潜在应用价值。近年来,新元素、新结构和固溶体MAX相的不断出现,进一步扩展了MAX相家族。固溶体MAX相是将合适的元素固溶到已知MAX相中而得到的新MAX相。本文分四类总结了127种MAX相固溶体,对其结构改变和性能调控进行了概括,并指出目前研究存在的理论问题和亟须解决的关键技术,最后对MAX相固溶体的发展进行了预测和展望。