A formal construction of a divergence-free basis in the nonconforming virtual element method for the Stokes problem

Numerical Algorithms - We develop a formal construction of a pointwise divergence-free basis in the nonconforming virtual element method of arbitrary order for the Stokes problem introduced in Zhao...     

Rational Development of Remote C−H Functionalization of Biphenyl: Experimental and Computational Studies

A simple and efficient nitrile-directed meta-C−H olefination, acetoxylation, and iodination of biaryl compounds is reported. Compared to the previous approach of installing a complex U-shaped template to achieve a molecular U-turn and assemble the large-sized cyclophane transition state for the remote C−H activation, a synthetically useful phenyl nitrile functional group could also direct remote meta-C−H activation. This reaction provides a useful method for the modification of biaryl compounds because the nitrile group can be readily converted to amines, acids, amides, or other heterocycles. Notably, the remote meta-selectivity of biphenylnitriles could not be expected from previous results with a macrocyclophane nitrile template. DFT computational studies show that a ligand-containing Pd–Ag heterodimeric transition state (TS) favors the desired remote meta-selectivity. Control experiments demonstrate the directing effect of the nitrile group and exclude the possibility of non-directed meta-C−H activation. Substituted 2-pyridone ligands were found to be key in assisting the cleavage of the meta-C−H bond in the concerted metalation–deprotonation (CMD) process.     

New strategy for reversal tolerant anode for automotive polymer electrolyte fuel cell

New approach for the reversal tolerant anode for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell is suggested by using the multifunctional IrRu alloy catalyst having concurrent superior activities towards hydrogen oxidation reaction and oxygen evolution reaction to mitigate the degradation of anode under the fuel starvation condition.     

Self‐emulsion polymerization of amphiphilic monomers—a green route to synthesis of polymeric nanoscaffolds

Self‐emulsion polymerization (SEP), a green route developed by us for the polymerization of amphiphilic monomers, does not require any emulsifier or an organic solvent except that the water‐soluble initiators such as 2,2′‐azobis[2‐(2‐imidazolin‐2‐yl)propane]dihydrochloride (VA‐044) and potassium persulfate (KPS) are only used. We report here the polymer nanoscaffolds from a number of amphiphilic monomers, which can be used for in situ encapsulation of a variety of nanoparticles. As a demonstration of the efficacy of these nanoscaffolds, the synthesis of a biocompatible hybrid nanoparticle (nanohybrid), prepared by encapsulating Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticle (Fe₃O₄ MNPs) in poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) in water, for MRI application is presented. The nanohybrid prepared following the SEP in the form of an emulsion does not involve the use of any stabilizing agent, crosslinker, polymeric emulsifier, or surfactant. This water‐soluble, spherical, and stable nanohybrid containing Fe₃O₄ MNPs of average size 10 ± 2 nm has a zeta potential value of ?41.89 mV under physiological conditions. Magnetic measurement confirmed that the nanohybrid shows typical magnetic behavior having a saturation magnetization (Ms) value of 32.3 emu/g and a transverse relaxivity (r2) value of 29.97 mM^?1 s^?1, which signifies that it can be used as a T2 contrast agent in MRI. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019     

Ceramic fuel cells using novel proton-conducting BaCe0.5Zr0.3Y0.1Yb0.05Zn0.05O3-δ electrolyte

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Protonic ceramic fuel cells have become extremely interesting due to their high power output at the intermediate temperature range...     

Analysis of deuterated water contents using FTIR bending motion

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - An extensive series of evaluations have been performed as part of an IAEA coordinated research project to study a set of nuclear reactions that...     

Blue electroluminescent materials based on indeno[1,2-a]arene derivatives for Organic Light-Emitting Diodes

Abstract

In this study, as a continuous effort for searching efficient blue-emitting materials, we designed and synthesized materials based on indeno[1,2-a]arene. OLED devices using these materials were fabricated in the following sequence; ITO (180?nm)/N,N'-diphenyl-N,N'-(2-napthyl)-(1,1'-phenyl)-4,4'-diamine (NPB) (50?nm)/emitting materials (30?nm)/4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (Bphen) (30?nm)/Liq/Al (2/100?nm). Particularly, a device using 7,7-dimethyl-7H-indeno[1,2-a]pyrene as emitter showed maximum values of luminous efficiency, power efficiency, and external quantum efficiency of 1.10?cd/A, 0.49?lm/W, 1.47% at 20?mA/cm², respectively with CIE (x,y) coordinates of (0.15, 0.08) at 6.0V.     

Synthesis and property of diazocine derivatives substituted with imidazole in various positions

ABSTRACT

TIACA-I, TIACA-II were synthesized by changing the substitution position of the imidazole group in the diazocine core. TIACA-I, TIACA-II in the film state showed absorption in the range of 354 to 392 nm and exhibited blue photoluminescence (PL) emissions at 448 and 462 nm, respectively. The PL wavelength of TIACA-II is red-shifted by 14 nm than that of TIACA-I due to the electron-donating intensity depending on the position of the imidazole group. The use of TIACA-II in a non-doped OLED device resulted in blue emission with current efficiency of 2.84 cd/A and CIE of (0.15, 0.18).     

On the electronic structure and hydrogen evolution reaction activity of platinum group metal-based high-entropy-alloy nanoparticles

We report the synthesis of high-entropy-alloy (HEA) nanoparticles (NPs) consisting of five platinum group metals (Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir and Pt) through a facile one-pot polyol process. We investigated the electronic structure of HEA NPs using hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, which is the first direct observation of the electronic structure of HEA NPs. Significantly, the HEA NPs possessed a broad valence band spectrum without any obvious peaks. This implies that the HEA NPs have random atomic configurations leading to a variety of local electronic structures. We examined the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and observed a remarkably high HER activity on HEA NPs. At an overpotential of 25 mV, the turnover frequencies of HEA NPs were 9.5 and 7.8 times higher than those of a commercial Pt catalyst in 0.05 M H₂SO₄ and 1.0 M KOH electrolytes, respectively. Moreover, the HEA NPs showed almost no loss during a cycling test and were much more stable than the commercial Pt catalyst. Our findings on HEA NPs may provide a new paradigm for the design of catalysts.

RuRhPdIrPt high-entropy-alloy nanoparticles with a broad and featureless valence band spectrum show high hydrogen evolution reaction activity.