W-translated Schubert divisors and transversal intersections

Science China Mathematics - We study the toric degeneration of Weyl group translated Schubert divisors of a partial flag variety $$F{\ell _{{n_1}, \ldots,{n_k};n}}$$ via Gelfand-Cetlin polytopes....     

Uranyl peroxide ((UO2)(O2)·4H2O; UO4) precipitation for uranium sequestering: formation and physicochemical characterization

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Applicability of uranium peroxide ((UO2)(O2)·4H2O; UO4) precipitation to remove uranium from secondary wastewaters, generated as part of a...     

Facile preparation of superhydrophobic nanorod surfaces through ion-beam irradiation

Obtaining superhydrophobic surfaces for their application in electronics and flexible wearable devices remains a significant challenge. Most previously reported methods for obtaining superhydrophobic surfaces involve complex and expensive preparation techniques and thus cannot be used for practical applications. Ion-beam irradiation is a simple and promising method for fabricating superhydrophobic nanostructures on large areas at a low cost. Ion-beam irradiation using argon and oxygen gases was used to prepare silica nanorod structures on glass substrates. This study is not just a modification of the surface of nanoparticles, but a change in nanoparticle shape. The nanorods were subsequently treated with perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane to obtain superhydrophobicity. The surface of the silica nanorods exhibited a static water contact angle of 153°, indicating superhydrophobicity. The combination of rough structures of silica nanorods and low surface energy resulted in superhydrophobicity. The surface properties were evaluated in detail using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The proposed method is facile, inexpensive, and can be used for the large-scale production of nanorod structures for potential industrial applications.     

Synthesis and characterization of new homologue multinary selenides,M2Sb5Bi5Se17 (M = Sn,Pb)

New quaternary selenides M₂Sb₅Bi₅Se₁₇ (M = Sn, Pb) were synthesized using solid-state sintering reactions that crystallize in the monoclinic system with C2/m (No. 12) space group with lattice parameters a = 27.914(7) Å, b = 4.0804(11) Å, c = 15.512(4) Å, and β = 114.881(9)° for M = Sn, and a = 27.987(3) Å, b = 4.1062(5) Å, c = 15.6372(19) Å, and β = 115.318(3)° for M = Pb, respectively. The crystal structure is related to a homologous series [A⁺²_2x−4B⁺³₄ Se⁻²_2x−2][B⁺³_2y−2Se⁻²_3y−3] with (x, y) = (3, 4) that contains building units of two-dimensional slabs of NaCl¹¹¹-type [Sb₂Bi₄Se₁₁] separated by 1D ribbons NaCl¹⁰⁰-type [Pb₂Sb₃BiSe₆]. The NaCl¹¹¹ unit contains edge-shared octahedra filled with Sb³⁺ and Bi³⁺ cations, which are parallel and overlapped to form a step-layer 2D network stacking alone [001]. The NaCl¹⁰⁰ type ribbons containing Pb²⁺ and Sb³⁺ in square or trigonal pyramidal environments with the general formula [M₆Se₆] filled in the space between 2D layers of NaCl¹¹¹ units. The conductivity measurement revealed semiconducting property with band gaps of ~0.1 eV. Pb₂Sb₅Bi₅Se₁₇ exhibits low thermal conductivity 3,000 μW cm⁻¹ K⁻¹ in a temperature range of 300–480 K.     

Structural characterization,thermal stability,and solvent de-/ad-sorption behavior of two d10 M(II) (M = Cd and Zn) coordination polymers constructed by 1,3,5-tris(4-pyridylsulfanyl-methyl)-2,4,6-trimethyl-benzene (L1)

Two d¹⁰ M(II) (M = Cd and Zn) coordination polymers (CPs) with chemical formulas, {[Cd(L¹)(NCS)₂(H₂O)]⋅C₂H₅OH}_n (1) , and {[Zn(L¹)(NCS)₂]⋅C₂H₅OH⋅0.5H₂O}_n (2) (L¹ = 1,3,5-tris(4-pyridylsulfanylmethyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene) were synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal x-ray diffraction method. In compound 1 , the coordination environment of Cd(II) ion is distorted octahedral bonded to three nitrogen donors from three L¹ ligands located in a facial-position, two nitrogen donors from NCS⁻ and one water molecule. The L¹ acts as a bridge ligand with tris-monodentate coordination mode in a cis-cis-cis structural conformation, connecting the Cd(II) to form a two-dimensional (2D) zigzag-like layered metal-organic frameworks. Adjacent 2D layers are then arranged orderly in an ABAB manner to complete its three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular architecture. In compound 2 , the coordination environment of Zn(II) ion is distorted tetrahedral bonded to two nitrogen donors from two L¹ ligands and two nitrogen donors from two NCS⁻ ligands. The L¹ acts as a bridge ligand with bis-monodentate coordination mode in a cis-cis-cis structural conformation, connecting the Zn(II) ions to form a one-dimensional (1D) zigzag-like polymeric chain. Adjacent chains are arranged orderly in an alternate ABAB manner to generate a 2D framework and then further arranged in an AAA manner to complete its 3D supramolecular architecture. The structural characterization as well as thermal-stability and solvents de-/ad-sorption behavior of 1 and 2 are studied and discussed in details.     

Synthesis of aryl-functionalized, 1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles and derivatives by arylation of zwitterionic ruthenium triazolato complexes

The synthesis of a series of ruthenium 1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazolato complexes, 1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles, and a triazolium salt is reported. Treatment of the ruthenium azido complex [Ru]-N₃ ( 1 , [Ru] = (η⁵-C₅H₅)(dppe)Ru, dppe = Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂) with an excess of ethyl propiolate results in the formation of a mixture of the Z- and E-forms of zwitterionic N(1)-bound N(3)-ethyl acryl-4-carboxylate triazolato complexes [Ru]N₃(CH=CHCO₂Et)C₂H(CO₂) ( Z - 2 ) and ( E - 2 ). The arylation of 2 with aromatic bromides gives a series of cationic N(1)-bound N(3)-ethyl acryl-4-alkoxycarbonyl triazolato complexes {[Ru]N₃(CH=CHCO₂Et)C₂H(CO₂CH₂R)}[Br] ( 3a , R = Ph ; 3b , R = C₆F₅; 3c , R = 4-C₆H₄CN, 3d , R = 2,6-C₆H₃F₂) and the subsequent cleavage of the Ru-N bond of 3a–d gives 1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles N₃(CH=CHCO₂Et)C₂H(CO₂CH₂R) ( 4a , R = Ph; 4b , R = C₆F₅; 4c , R = 4-C₆H₄CN; 4d , R = 2,6-C₆H₃F₂) and [Ru]-Br. A 1,2,3-triazolium salt [N₃(CH=CHCO₂Et)(CH₂C₆F₅)C₂H₂][Br] ( 5 ) was formed by transformation of 4b in BrCH₂C₆F₅/chloroform mixture. The structures of Z-3a and Z-5 were confirmed by single-crystal x-ray diffraction analysis and both complexes participate in non-covalent aromatic interactions in the solid-state structures which can be favorable in the binding of DNA/biomolecular targets and have shown great potential in the application of biologically active anticancer drugs.     

Structure determination and magnetic studies of triazole chelated Co(II) coordination polymers

Two cobalt(II) halide complexes with 1,2,4-triazole as a ligand were synthesized. Their structures were determined by extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and powder x-ray diffraction (XRD). Both complexes [Co(Htrz)Cl₂]_n ( 1 ) and {[Co(Htrz)₂(trz)]BF₄}_n ( 2 ) form one-dimensional polymeric chain and the distances of Co⋯Co are 3.3521(2) Å and 3.8629(2) Å, respectively. The Htrz and Cl⁻ are bridging ligands to connect two Co(II) ions in 1 , and the local environment of Co site is in a distorted octahedron with {CoN₂Cl₄} core. In complex 2 , two Htrz and one trz are bridging ligands to connect two Co(II) ions, and the local geometry of Co is in a pseudo octahedron with {CoN₆} core. The analysis of Co L_II,III-edge XAS indicates that the Co(II) of both complexes are at high spin state with t_2g⁵e_g² configuration and the crystal field strength (10Dq) is about 1.2 eV. The broken-symmetry DFT calculations indicate that antiferromagnetic coupling state of Co⋯Co is the most stable state in both complexes; and the coupling constants of 1 and 2 are −0.32 cm⁻¹ and −3.70 cm⁻¹, respectively. Based on the distances of Co⋯Co and coupling constants, such antiferromagnetic interaction is achieved through triazole ligands.     

Cellulose nanofibrils derived from pulp as a high performance separator for lithium-ion batteries

Cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) from hardwood bleached kraft pulp (HwBKP) are produced via enzymatic, chemical, and mechanical treatment. A nanoporous structured CNF-based separator is produced, and the electrochemical performance, morphology, and thermal stability analyses are performed in comparison to the commercial polyethylene separator. The results obtained show that the electrolyte-philic CNF separator has capacity retention of 88.6% over 200 cycles and very good ionic conductivity and wettability results due to its high hydrophilic nature. At 140°C, the CNF separator was resilient to heat and remained intact. The CNF separator reflects high thermal resistance and good electrolyte uptake properties that are among the mandatory requirements of a separator hence, a promising contender for use in lithium-ion batteries.     

Enantioselective Rhodium-Catalyzed Pauson–Khand Reactions of 1,6-Chloroenynes with 1,1-Disubstituted Olefins

An enantioselective rhodium(I)-catalyzed Pauson–Khand reaction (PKR) using 1,6-chloroenynes that contain challenging 1,1-disubstituted olefins is described. In contrast to the previous studies with these types of substrates, which are only suitable for a single type of tether and alkyne substituent, the new approach results in a more expansive substrate scope, including carbon and heteroatom tethers with polar and non-polar substituents on the alkene. DFT calculations provide critical insight into the role of the halide, which pre-polarizes the alkyne to lower the barrier for metallacycle formation and provides the proper steric profile to promote a favorable enantiodetermining interaction between substrate and chiral diphosphine ligand. Hence, the chloroalkyne enables the efficient and enantioselective PKR with 1,6-enynes that contain challenging 1,1-disubstituted olefins, thereby representing a new paradigm for enantioselective reactions involving 1,6-enynes.