Terahertz Dual-Band Near-Zero Effective Index Metamaterial Based on Double-Sided Metal Microstructure

Journal of Russian Laser Research - The zero-refractive-index metamaterials have excellent electromagnetic properties, which provide new ideas and methods to realize the control of electromagnetic...     

Free control of far-field scattering angle of transmission terahertz wave using multilayer split-ring resonators’ metasurfaces

To enhance transmission efficiency of Pancharatnam–Berry (PB) phase metasurfaces, multilayer splitring resonators were proposed to develop encoding sequences. As per the generalized Snell’s law, the deflection angle of the PB phase encoding metasurfaces depends on the metasurface period’s size. Therefore, it is impossible to design an infinitesimal metasurface unit; consequently, the continuous transmission scattering angle cannot be obtained. In digital signal processing, this study introduces the Fourier convolution principle on encoding metasurface sequences to freely control the transmitted scattering angles. Both addition and subtraction operations between two different encoding sequences were then performed to achieve the continuous variation of the scattering angle. Furthermore, we established that the Fourier convolution principle can be applied to the checkerboard coded metasurfaces.     

Hierarchical Carbon Nanowire/Ni@MnO2 Nanocomposites for High-Performance Asymmetric Supercapacitors

A 3D hierarchical carbon cloth/nitrogen-doped carbon nanowires/Ni@MnO₂ (CC/N-CNWs/Ni@MnO₂) nanocomposite electrode was rationally designed and prepared by electrodeposition. The N-CNWs derived from polypyrrole (PPy) nanowires on the carbon cloth have an open framework structure, which greatly increases the contact area between the electrode and electrolyte and provides short diffusion paths. The incorporation of the Ni layer between the N-CNWs and MnO₂ is beneficial for significantly enhancing the electrical conductivity and boosting fast charge transfer as well as improving the charge-collection capacity. Thus, the as-prepared 3D hierarchical CC/N-CNWs/Ni@MnO₂ electrode exhibits a higher specific capacitance of 571.4 F g⁻¹ compared with those of CC/N-CNWs@MnO₂ (311 F g⁻¹), CC/Ni@MnO₂ (196.6 F g⁻¹), and CC@MnO₂ (186.1 F g⁻¹) at 1 A g⁻¹ and remarkable rate capability (367.5 F g⁻¹ at 10 A g⁻¹). Moreover, asymmetric supercapacitors constructed with CC/N-CNWs/Ni@MnO₂ as cathode material and activated carbon as anode material deliver an impressive energy density of 36.4 W h kg⁻¹ at a power density of 900 W kg⁻¹ and a good cycling life (72.8 % capacitance retention after 3500 cycles). This study paves a low-cost and simple way to design a hierarchical nanocomposite electrode with large surface area and superior electrical conductivity, which has wide application prospects in high-performance supercapacitors.     

A regenerable fluorescent quantum dot based nanoprobe for zinc(II), and the design of a molecular logic gate

We report on a simple, sensitive and regenerable fluorescent nanoprobe for Zn(II) ion. It is based on the use of glutathione capped CdTe quantum dots (GSH-CdTe Q-dots). The bright fluorescence of these Q-dots is quenched on addition of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) due to the binding of DTPA to GSH. If, however, Zn(II) is added, it will bind DTPA and detach it from the surface of the Q-dots, this resulting in the fluorescence recovery. Under optimum conditions, the intensity of the restored fluorescence is proportional to the concentration of Zn(II) in the 0.48 to 90 μmol · L⁻¹ range, with a limit of detection of 0.14 μmol · L⁻¹. The nanoprobe was applied to the determination of Zn(II) in spiked tap water and river water and gave satisfactory results. The findings were also applied to design a molecular logic gate where DTPA acts as the first input to the system by quenching the fluorescence of the GSH-CdTe Q-dots. Zn(II) acts as the second input and causes the detachment of DTPA from the Q-dots and a restoration of fluorescence. This system therefore represents a new IMP (IMPLICATION) logic gate.

We describe a fluorescent nanoprobe for Zn(II) based on quantum dots, and its use in an IMP molecular logic gate. The nanoprobe was successfully applied to the determination of Zn(II) in spiked tap water and river water.

     

White up-conversion emission in Ho/Tm/Yb tri-doped glass ceramics embedding BaF2 nanocrystals

Ho³⁺/Tm³⁺/Yb³⁺ tri-doped glass ceramics with white light emitting have been developed and demonstrated. Pumped by 980 nm laser diode (LD), intensive red, green and blue up-conversions (UC) were obtained. The green emission is assigned to Ho³⁺ ion and the blue emission is assigned to Tm³⁺ ion, whereas the red emission is the combination contribution of the Ho³⁺ and Tm³⁺ ions. The RGB intensities could be adjusted by tuning the rare-earth ion concentration and pump power intensity. Thus, multicolor of the luminescence, including perfect white light with CIE-X=0.329 and CIE-Y=0.342 in the 1931 CIE chromaticity diagram can be obtained in 0.15 Ho³⁺/0.2Tm³⁺/3Yb³⁺ tri-doped glass ceramics embedding BaF₂ nanocrystals pumped by a single infrared laser diode source of 980 nm at 500 mW. The up-conversion luminescence mechanism of Yb³⁺ sensitize Ho³⁺ and Tm³⁺ ions and the energy transfer from Ho³⁺ to Tm³⁺ in oxy-fluoride silicate glass ceramics were analyzed.     

An Efficient Synthesis of 4H-Benzo[g]chromene-5,10-dione Derivatives through Triethylbenzylammonium Chloride Catalyzed Multicomponent Reaction under Solvent-free Conditions

A series of 4‐aryl‐5,10‐dihydro‐4H‐benzo[g]chromene‐5,10‐dione derivatives were synthesized by a three‐component reaction with aromatic aldehyde, 2‐hydroxy‐1,4‐dihydronaphthalene‐1,4‐dione, and malononitrile catalyzed by triethylbenzylammonium chloride under solvent‐free conditions. The novel efficient method has the advantages of environmental friendliness, high yield, simple work‐up and ease of operation.     

A Catalyst‐Free Aqueous Synthesis of 2‐Amino‐7,9‐dihydrothieno[3′,2′:5,6]pyrido[2,3‐d]pyrimidine‐4,6(3H,5H)‐dione Derivatives

A series of novel 7,9‐dihydrothieno[3′,2′:5,6]pyrido[2,3‐d]pyrimidine‐4,6(3H,5H)‐dione derivatives were synthesized efficiently via the catalyst‐free reaction of aldehyde, ethyl 2,4‐dioxotetrahydrothiophene‐3‐carboxylate, and 2,6‐diaminopyrimidine‐4(3H)‐one through the sequence of deethoxycarbonylation and three‐component condensation in aqueous media. This protocol featured mild reaction conditions, high yields, easy work‐up, and environmentally friendly procedure.     

Broadband infrared luminescence of Ni-doped silicate glass-ceramics containing lithium aluminate spinel nanocrystals

Transparent Ni²⁺-doped SiO₂-Al₂O₃-Ga₂O₃-Li₂O (LGAS) glass-ceramics embedding lithium aluminate spinel nanocrystals was prepared. After heat treatment, LiAl₅O₈ crystallite was precipitated in the glasses, and its size was about 3 nm. It was confirmed from the absorption spectra that the ligand environment of Ni²⁺ ions changed from the trigonal bi-pyramid fivefold sites in the as-made glass to the octahedral sites in the glass-ceramics. Upon excitation at 980 nm, broadband infrared luminescence centered at around 1250 nm with full width at half maximum (FWHM) more than 250 nm was observed originating from the ³T₂(³F) → ³A₂(³F) transition of Ni²⁺ in octahedral sites. The broadband near-infrared (NIR) emission from Ni²⁺-doped glass-ceramics can be as host materials for broadband optical amplifier.     

Molecular assembly in an inclusion crystal of tris(2-benzimidazylmethyl)amine with 4-nitrobenzoic acid

A 1:2 inclusion compound of tris(2-benzimidazylmethyl)amine with 4-nitrobenzoic acid [(C₂₄H₂₁N₇) · (C₇H₅NO₂)₂] has been prepared and the molecular assembly in solid state has been determined by X-ray crystal structural analysis. The crystal structure (C 2/c, a = 25.488(5), b = 13.304(3), c = 21.479(4) Å, = 93.35 (3)°, Z = 8, R = 0.065) consists of discrete dimeric inclusion compounds joined together by N(5)...N(6) intermolecular hydrogen bonds between pairs of centrosymmetrically related benzimidazole rings of the hosts. There are two types of guest molecules in the crystal, one is incorporated within the cavity of the host via three intramolecular N—H···O hydrogen bonds while the other is situated outside the cavity and connected with the host through one O—H···N hydrogen bond. The – stacking interactions between guests and benzimidazole rings result in one-dimensional columns. The aromatic face–face interactions between neighbouring columns facilitate the assembly of those columns into two-dimensional layers.     

An Enantioselective Assembly of Dihydropyranones through an NHC/LiCl‐Mediated in situ Activation of α,β‐Unsaturated Carboxylic Acids

A straightforward N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)/LiCl‐mediated synthesis of dihydropyranones from α,β‐unsaturated carboxylic acids and 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds was realized through the in situ activation strategy. The key advantages of this protocol include ready availability and high stability of starting materials, good yields, and excellent enantioselectivity.