Sonochemical synthesis and characterization of Cu2HgI4 nanostructures photocatalyst with enhanced visible light photocatalytic ability

These days, an important concern in water contamination is the remaining dyes from various sources (for instance, dye and dye intermediates industries, pulp and paper industries, textile industries, craft bleaching industries, tannery, and pharmaceutical industries, etc.), and a broad range of persistent organic contamination has been entered to the wastewater treatment systems or natural water supplies. Indeed, it is extremely hazardous and toxic to the living organism. Therefore, it is necessary to remove these organic pollutants before releasing them into the environment. Photocatalysis is a quickly growing technology for sewage procedures. For this purpose, Cu₂HgI₄ nanostructures were prepared via facile, and cost-effective sonochemical method. The effect of varied circumstances, such as various surfactants, sonication power, and sonication time was considered on the crystallinity, structure, shape, and particle size of products. Cu₂HgI₄ possesses a suitable bandgap (2.2 eV) in the visible area. The photocatalytic performance of the Cu₂HgI₄ was surveyed for the elimination of various organic dyes under visible radiation and exposed that this compound could degrade and remove methyl orange about 94.2% in an acidic medium after 160 min under visible light. Besides, the result showed that various parameters, including, pH, dye concentration, types of dyes, catalyst dosages, and time of irradiation affected the photocatalytic efficiency.     

Influence of Potassium Metal-Support Interactions on Dendrite Growth

Combined synchrotron X-ray nanotomography imaging, cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and modeling elucidate how potassium (K) metal-support energetics influence electrodeposit microstructure. Three model supports are employed: O-functionalized carbon cloth (potassiophilic, fully-wetted), non-functionalized cloth and Cu foil (potassiophobic, nonwetted). Nanotomography and focused ion beam (cryo-FIB) cross-sections yield complementary three-dimensional (3D) maps of cycled electrodeposits. Electrodeposit on potassiophobic support is a triphasic sponge, with fibrous dendrites covered by solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and interspersed with nanopores (sub-10 nm to 100 nm scale). Lage cracks and voids are also a key feature. On potassiophilic support, the deposit is dense and pore-free, with uniform surface and SEI morphology. Mesoscale modeling captures the critical role of substrate-metal interaction on K metal film nucleation and growth, as well as the associated stress state.     

Synthetic K+ Channels Constructed by Rebuilding the Core Modules of Natural K+ Channels in an Artificial System

Different types of natural K⁺ channels share similar core modules and cation permeability characteristics. In this study, we have developed novel artificial K⁺ channels by rebuilding the core modules of natural K⁺ channels in artificial systems. All the channels displayed high selectivity for K⁺ over Na⁺ and exhibited a selectivity sequence of K⁺≈Rb⁺ during the transport process, which is highly consistent with the cation permeability characteristics of natural K⁺ channels. More importantly, these artificial channels could be efficiently inserted into cell membranes and mediate the transmembrane transport of K⁺, disrupting the cellular K⁺ homeostasis and eventually triggering the apoptosis of cells. These findings demonstrate that, by rebuilding the core modules of natural K⁺ channels in artificial systems, the structures, transport behaviors, and physiological functions of natural K⁺ channels can be mimicked in synthetic channels.     

Correlation between Interfacial Structures and Device Performance: The Double-Edged Sword Effect of Lead Iodide in Perovskite Solar Cells

The interfacial electronic structure of perovskite layers and transport layers is critical for the performance and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The device performance of PSCs can generally be improved by adding a slight excess of lead iodide (PbI₂) to the precursor solution. However, its underlying working mechanism is controversial. Here, we performed a comprehensive study of the electronic structures at the interface between CH₃NH₃PbI₃ and C₆₀ with and without the modification of PbI₂ using in situ photoemission spectroscopy measurements. The correlation between the interfacial structures and the device performance was explored based on performance and stability tests. We found that there is an interfacial dipole reversal, and the downward band bending is larger at the CH₃NH₃PbI₃/C₆₀ interface with the modification of PbI₂ as compared to that without PbI₂. Therefore, PSCs with PbI₂ modification exhibit faster charge carrier transport and slower carrier recombination. Nevertheless, the modification of PbI₂ undermines the device stability due to aggravated iodide migration. Our findings provide a fundamental understanding of the CH₃NH₃PbI₃/C₆₀ interfacial structure from the perspective of the atomic layer and insight into the double-edged sword effect of PbI₂ as an additive.     

New green process to increase the solubility of soil fertilizer based on Potassium Nitrate (KNO3)

Fertilization is the set of operations that consists of fertilizing the soil so that the plant finds all these mineral nutrition needs, among these nutrients is found potassium nitrate (KNO₃), as an important source of two elements which are nitrogen (N) and potassium (K). The need for potassium nitrate for plants will increase dramatically as its demand for nutrition growing up. However, the application of this potassium in fertilization is limited by a physicochemical parameter which is solubility. The availability of potassium and nitrogen in ionic form, which can be assimilated by the plant, is closely related to its solubility in irrigation water. Herein, we have chosen three experimental parameters such as the KNO₃ content, the magnetization time, and the type of water, to optimize the factors which have the maximum effect on KNO₃ solubility.We adopted a model from nine experiments performed with Minitab software, which informed us that the solubility of KNO₃ in irrigation water is strongly influenced by water type, magnetization time and KNO₃ content. The best conditions which allow the best solubility of potassium nitrate are 24% KNO₃, 30 ​min of water magnetization, and salt water (SW).     

Bis(4-benzhydryl-benzoxazol-2-yl)methane – from a Bulky NacNac Alternative to a Trianion in Alkali Metal Complexes

A novel sterically demanding bis(4-benzhydryl-benzoxazol-2-yl)methane ligand 6 (^4−BzhH2BoxCH₂) was gained in a straightforward six-step synthesis. Starting from this ligand monomeric [M(^4-BzhH2BoxCH)] (M=Na ( 7 ), K ( 8₁ )) and dimeric [{M(^4-BzhH2BoxCH)}₂] (M=K ( 8₂ ), Rb ( 9 ), Cs ( 10 )) alkali metal complexes were synthesised by deprotonation. Abstraction of the potassium ion of 8 by reaction with 18-crown-6 resulted in the solvent separated ion pair [{(THF)₂K@(18-crown-6)}{bis(4-benzhydryl-benzoxazol-2-yl)methanide}] ( 11 ), including the energetically favoured monoanionic (E,E)-(^4-BzhH2BoxCH) ligand. Further reaction of ^4−BzhH2BoxCH₂ with three equivalents KH and two equivalents 18-crown-6 yielded polymeric [{(THF)₂K@(18-crown-6)}{K@(18-crown-6)K(^4-BzhBoxCH)}]_n (n→∞) ( 12 ) containing a trianionic ligand. The neutral ligand and herein reported alkali complexes were characterised by single X-ray analyses identifying the latter as a promising precursor for low-valent main group complexes.     

Cu2O-Catalyzed Conversion of Benzyl Alcohols Into Aromatic Nitriles via the Complete Cleavage of the C≡N Triple Bond in the Cyanide Anion

Nitrogen transfer from cyanide anion to an aldehyde is emerging as a promising method for the synthesis of aromatic nitriles. However, this method still suffers from a disadvantage that a use of stoichiometric Cu(II) or Cu(I) salts is required to enable the reaction. As we report herein, we overcame this drawback and developed a catalytic method for nitrogen transfer from cyanide anion to an alcohol via the complete cleavage of the C≡N triple bond using phen/Cu₂O as the catalyst. The present condition allowed a series of benzyl alcohols to be smoothly converted into aromatic nitriles in moderate to high yields. In addition, the present method could be extended to the conversion of cinnamic alcohol to 3-phenylacrylonitrile.     

Sulfonyl Ketenimines as Key Intermediates in One‐Pot Synthesis of N‐Sulfonyl‐2‐alkaneimidoyl Selenocyanates

Sulfonyl‐ketenimine intermediates, generated by the addition of Cu acetylides to sulfonyl azides, are trapped by KSeCN to afford N‐sulfonyl‐2‐alkaneimidoyl selenocyanates in moderate‐to‐good yields.     

On solubility of europium monoxide in melts of (NaBr + NaI) system at T = 973 K

Equilibria of EuO dissolution and dissociation in molten (NaBr + NaI) mixtures of 0.77:0.23 and 0.31:0.69 compositions at T = 973 K were studied by potentiometric titration method using Pt(O₂)|ZrO₂(Y₂O₃) indicator electrode. The solubility product indices of EuO are (7.81 ± 0.08) and (8.43 ± 0.16) in the melts of 0.77:0.23 and 0.31:0.69 compositions. The corresponding dissociation constant indices are (4.96 ± 0.04) and (5.54 ± 0.06), respectively (all the parameters are in molality). Non-dissociated EuO is the prevailing form in all the saturated solutions of europium monoxide. The decrease of the iodide ion concentration in the melts results in strengthening of EuO dissociation that is explained by introduction of harder Pearson’s base (Br⁻) in sodium iodide melt. In its turn this increases the fixation degree of Eu²⁺ in mixed halide complexes. The total solubility of EuO decreases going from NaI melt to the (bromide + iodide) mixtures that is caused by the decrease of ‘physical’ solubility of non-dissociated oxide which occupies hollow spaces of enough large size in the ionic solvents. The quantity of these hollow spaces diminishes at the sequential Br⁻ → I⁻ substitution.