Improvement in dye sensitized solar cells from past to present

Several emerging renewable technologies are available to satisfy the current energy demand and to minimize the effect of environmental degradation caused by high consumption of fossil fuels. These technologies are not mature enough to solve this problem but require more time for improving the efficiency, and cost reduction to become the economical alternative of fossil fuels. In this paper Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) has been discussed in detail owing to advancement in the technology. Since each component of DSSC is responsible for a specific function, therefore, comprehensive literature studies has been done on individual section to understand the technology in depth. All the advancement in sensitizer, semiconductors, electrolyte, electrodes, additives, sealing and anchoring groups are included in this review with performance parameter of DSSC. Focus of this article is to provide summary of all available literature since beginning to date.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic studies of some new oxazepine derivatives throughout [2+5] cycloaddition reactions (III)

The present work included condensation reactions of o-tolidine with different aromatic aldehydes in absolute ethanol to give Schiff bases (w ₉ –w ₁₂ ) in high yield which, on reaction with maleic and phthalic anhydride by [2+5] cycloaddition reactions in the presence of suitable solvents, give the corresponding [1,3]oxazepine-4,7-dione (w ₉ m–w ₁₂ m) and [1,3]oxazepine-1,5-dione (w ₉ ph–w ₁₂ ph), respectively. The structure of the newly synthesized compounds were monitored by TLC and established on the basis of elemental analysis, FT-IR, and ¹H NMR.     

Electromagnetic wave propagation through frequency-dispersive and lossy double-negative slab

This study presents the electromagnetic wave propagation through the frequency-dispersive and lossy double-negative slab embedded between two different semi-infinite media. The double-negative slab is realized by using two models, the Lorentz and Drude medium models. The properties and the required equations for the frequency-dispersive and lossy double-negative slab, the Lorentz medium and Drude medium are given in detail. After the construction of the problem, the reflection and transmission coefficients are derived for both TE and TM waves. Then, the reflected, transmitted and loss powers are determined using these coefficients. Finally, in the numerical results, the mentioned powers for TE and TM waves are computed and illustrated as a function of the incidence angle, the frequency and the slab thickness when the damping frequency changes.     

On the existence of the biharmonic Green kernels and the adjoint biharmonic functions

We study the existence and the regularity of the biharmonic Green kernel in a Brelot biharmonic space whose associated harmonic spaces have Green kernels. We show by some examples that this kernel does not always exist. We then introduce and study the adjoint of the given biharmonic space. This study was initiated by Smyrnelis, however, it seems that several results were incomplete and we clarify them here.     

A Synthetic,Transiently Thermoresponsive Homopolymer with UCST Behaviour within a Physiologically Relevant Window

Interactive materials that can respond to a trigger by changing their morphology, but that can also gradually degrade into a fully soluble state, are attractive building blocks for the next generation of biomaterials. Herein, we design such transiently responsive polymers that exhibit UCST behaviour while gradually losing this property in response to a hydrolysis reaction in the polymer side chains. The polymers operate within a physiologically relevant window in terms of temperature, pH, and ionic strength. Whereas such behaviour has been reported earlier for LCST systems, it is at present unexplored for UCST polymers. Furthermore, we demonstrate that, in contrast to LCST polymers, in aqueous medium the UCST polymer forms a coacervate phase below the UCST, which can entrap a hydrophilic model protein, as well as a hydrophobic dye. Because of their non‐toxicity, we also provide in vivo proof of concept of the use of this coacervate as a protein depot, in view of sustained‐release applications.     

MOFs for desulfurization of fuel oil: Recent advances and future insights

Nowadays, desulfurization of fuel oil has raised concern globally because of strict industrial and environmental legislations. Albeit hydrodesulfurization (HDS) has been extensively used in oil refineries to produce low sulfur oil (< 10 ppm) but not been proven as effective method for the removal of dibenzothiophene (DBT), benzothiophene (TH) and their derivatives. Subsequently, adsorptive desulfurization (ADS) and oxidative desulfurization (ODS) methods have been developed to achieve high removal efficiency. In the past decade, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and its composites as oxidative catalysts, as well as adsorbents, have attracted the researchers owing to high surface area, tunable properties, and reusable. The present review comprises use of MOFs and their composites for the removal of sulfur from fuel oil via ODS and ADS processes. Additionally, physicochemical properties of MOFs, mechanism, pros and cons of both process, regeneration, and future challenges have been discussed briefly. Moreover, current limitations and future prospective are also discussed.     

Synthesis of new chiral macrocycles-based glycolipids and its application in asymmetric Michael addition

A series of new mix aza- and thia-macrocyclic glycolipids (9, 10, 16 and 17) have been synthesized and their enantiomeric selectivity was studied. The synthesis of the macrocycles involved a simple protection of two hydroxyl groups of the glycolipids followed by building up the mix-heteroatom macrocyclic in simple sequences. The macrocycles and previously investigated analogues (18, 19, 20 and 21) have been applied as phase transfer catalysts in the enantioselective Michael addition of 2-nitropropane to chalcone and showed good-to-excellent enantiomer excess (ee). Among the catalysts, the galactose aza-crown ether-based glycolipid 21 proved to be the most effective with 90% ee.

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Importance of Outer‐Sphere and Aggregation Phenomena in the Relaxation Properties of Phosphonated Gadolinium Complexes with Potential Applications as MRI Contrast Agents

A series composed of a tetra‐, a tris‐ and a bisphosphonated ligand based on a pyridine scaffold ( L⁴ , L³ and L² , respectively) was studied within the frame of lanthanide (Ln) coordination. The stability constants of the complexes formed with lanthanide cations (Ln=La, Nd, Eu, Gd, Tb, Er and Lu) were determined by potentiometry in aqueous solutions (25.0 °C, 0.1 M NaClO₄), showing that the tetraphosphonated complexes are among the most stable Ln^III complexes reported in the literature. The complexation of L⁴ was further studied by different titration experiments using mass spectrometry and various spectroscopic techniques including UV/Vis absorption, and steady state and time‐resolved luminescence (Ln=Eu and Tb). Titration experiments confirmed the formation of highly stable [Ln L⁴ ] complexes. ³¹P NMR experiments of the Lu L⁴ complex revealed an intramolecular interconversion process which was studied at different temperatures and was rationalized by DFT modelling. The relaxivity properties of the Gd^III complexes were studied by recording their ¹H NMRD profiles at various temperatures, by temperature dependent ¹⁷O NMR experiments (Gd L⁴ ) and by pH dependent relaxivity measurements at 0.47 T (Gd L³ and Gd L² ). In addition to the high relaxivity values observed for all complexes, the results showed an important second‐sphere contribution to relaxivity and pH dependent variations associated with the formation of aggregates for Gd L² and Gd L³ . Finally, intravenous injection of Gd L⁴ to a mouse was followed by dynamic MRI imaging at 1.5 T, which showed that the complex can be immediately found in the blood stream and rapidly eliminated through the liver and in large part through the kidneys.     

1H and 13C NMR study of 2-alkyl thio-5-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole; The S-oxidation and dioxidation effects

High resolution proton and carbon-13 NMR spectra of 2-alkyl thio-; 2-alkyl sulfinyl, and 2-alkyl sulfonyl-5-phenyl-1, 3,4-thiadiazoles were analysed. The chirality of the sulfoxide group induced proehiralty at the oα-methylene or β-methylene carbon atom. Further more the S-oxidation and dioxidation effects on the carbon-13 chemical shifts were summarised.