Electro-Mechanochemical Atom Transfer Radical Cyclizations using Piezoelectric BaTiO3

The formation and regeneration of active Cu^I species is a fundamental mechanistic step in copper-catalyzed atom transfer radical cyclizations (ATRC). Typically, the presence of the catalytically active Cu^I species in the reaction mixture is secured by using high Cu^I catalyst loadings or the addition of complementary reducing agents. In this study it is demonstrated how the piezoelectric properties of barium titanate (BaTiO₃) can be harnessed by mechanical ball milling to induce electrical polarization in the strained piezomaterial. This strategy enables the conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy, leading to the reduction of a Cu^II precatalyst into the active Cu^I species in copper-catalyzed mechanochemical solvent-free ATRC reactions.     

Electro‐Mechanochemical Atom Transfer Radical Cyclizations using Piezoelectric BaTiO3

The formation and regeneration of active Cu^I species is a fundamental mechanistic step in copper‐catalyzed atom transfer radical cyclizations (ATRC). Typically, the presence of the catalytically active Cu^I species in the reaction mixture is secured by using high Cu^I catalyst loadings or the addition of complementary reducing agents. In this study it is demonstrated how the piezoelectric properties of barium titanate (BaTiO₃) can be harnessed by mechanical ball milling to induce electrical polarization in the strained piezomaterial. This strategy enables the conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy, leading to the reduction of a Cu^II precatalyst into the active Cu^I species in copper‐catalyzed mechanochemical solvent‐free ATRC reactions.     

单晶BaTiO3纳米线的低温溶剂热法制备和表征

采用溶剂热技术,以有机钛偶合体胶束作模板成功制备了立方相单晶钛酸钡纳米线,并通过X射线衍射(XRD)、能量损失谱(EDX)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、高分辨电子显微镜(HRTEM)、选区电子衍射(SAED)对钛酸钡纳米线进行了表征。钛酸钡纳米线呈均匀的直线形,直径为20～60nm,长度达到十几微米。并对BaTiO3纳米线的形成机理进行了浅析。     

Enhancing effect of Sn doping for the optical absorption of BaO/BaTiO3 interphase by first principles calculations

A narrow bandgap and high optical absorption are significantly important for the development of ferroelectric photovoltaic (FE-PV). Nine lateral interface structures, which consist of Sn-doped BaO (BSO) and BaTiO₃ (BTO), are constructed in this work. The bandgap of BSO/BTO decreases to 1.20 eV from 2.46 eV of BTO based on first principles calculations. The electronic structures show that the Sn doping plays a very important role for the bandgap decrease of BaO/BTO. The optical adsorption coefficient of BSO/BTO remarkably increases compared with that of BTO.     

The influence of grafted cellulose nanofibers and postextrusion annealing treatment on selected properties of poly(lactic acid) filaments for 3D printing

l ‐lactide monomers were grafted onto cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) via ring‐opening polymerization, forming poly(lactic acid) grafted cellulose nanofibers (PLA‐g‐CNFs). PLA‐g‐CNFs and pristine PLA were then blended in chloroform and dried to prepare a master batch. PLA‐g‐CNFs/PLA composite filaments targeted for 3D printing were produced by compounding the master batch in PLA matrix and melt extrusion. The as‐extruded composite filaments were subsequently thermal annealed in a conventional oven, and their morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties were evaluated. PLA was successfully grafted on the surface of CNFs as demonstrated by elemental analysis, and the concentration of grafted PLA was estimated to be 33 wt %. The grafted PLA were highly crystallized, contributing to the growth of crystalline regions of PLA matrix. The incorporation of PLA‐g‐CNFs improved storage modulus of the composite filaments in both low temperature glassy state and high temperature rubbery state. Postextrusion annealing treatment led to 28 and 63% increases for tensile modulus and strength of the filaments, respectively. Simulated Young's moduli from the Halpin‐Tsai and Krenchel models were found comparable with the experimental values. The formed composite filaments are suitable for use in 3D printing. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017 , 55, 847–855     

Promotion of the γ‐phase of polyamide 6 in its nanocomposite with phosphate glass

The effect of tin fluorophosphate‐glass (Pglass) nanoparticles on the polyamide‐6 (PA6) matrix in Pglass/PA6 hybrids has been investigated by ¹³C solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The crystallinity determined by direct‐polarization ¹³C NMR combined with longitudinal relaxation‐time (T_1C) filtering varied between 31 and 44%. T_1C‐filtered ¹³C spectra with cross polarization clearly showed resonances of both the α‐ and γ‐crystalline phases of PA6, typically at ratios near 45:55, while the similarly processed neat polymer contained only the α‐phase. This suggests that the Pglass promotes the growth of the γ‐crystalline phase. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 857–860, 2008     

Simultaneous Observation of Hyperfine Multistage Transitions of BaTiO3 with Thermal Analysis and Thermal Expansion

A new method to measure heat flux and thermal expansion simultaneously with a temperature resolution of milli-Kelvin is presented to observe the multistage transitions. At least six thermal anomalies are observed between 402 and 403 K in BaTiO₃ simultaneously in heat flux and thermal expansion in the cooling process. The correspondence of the anomalies observed in the two physical properties is excellent. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Electrospun poly(3‐hexylthiophene)/poly(ethylene oxide)/graphene oxide composite nanofibers: effects of graphene oxide reduction

In this article, we report on the production by electrospinning of P3HT/PEO, P3HT/PEO/GO, and P3HT/PEO/rGO nanofibers in which the filler is homogeneously dispersed and parallel oriented along the fibers axis. The effect of nanofillers' presence inside nanofibers and GO reduction was studied, in order to reveal the influence of the new hierarchical structure on the electrical conductivity and mechanical properties. An in‐depth characterization of the purity and regioregularity of the starting P3HT as well as the morphology and chemical structure of GO and rGO was carried out. The morphology of the electrospun nanofibers was examined by both scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The fibrous nanocomposites are also characterized by differential scanning calorimetry to investigate their chemical structure and polymer chains arrangements. Finally, the electrical conductivity of the electrospun fibers and the elastic modulus of the single fibers are evaluated using a four‐point probe method and atomic force microscopy nanoindentation, respectively. The electrospun materials crystallinity as well as the elastic modulus increase with the addition of the nanofillers while the electrical conductivity is positively influenced by the GO reduction. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Single crystals of the filled Ti2N‐type η‐phase Ti3Zn3Ox (x = 1.07 and 1.23) prepared using a Bi flux

Single crystals of the filled Ti₂Ni‐type Ti₃Zn₃O_x η‐phase (cubic, space group Fdm) having {111} facets were obtained by heating Ti, Zn and ZnO with a Bi flux. The lattice parameter of a single crystal prepared at 800°C was 11.4990 (2) Å, which is close to that of Ti₃Zn₃O_∼0.5 (a = 11.502 Å), as reported by Rogl & Nowotny [Monatsh. Chem. (1977), 108 , 1167–1180]. The occupancies of the O1 (16c) and O2 (8a) sites were 1 and 0.071 (12), respectively, and the composition of the crystal was determined to be Ti₃Zn₃O_1.04. A single crystal from the sample prepared at 650°C had the same structure type, with a lattice parameter of 11.5286 (2) Å. However, O atoms were situated at a new 32e site in addition to the original 16c and 8a sites, and the Zn‐atom positions were split in accordance with the new O‐atom site. The chemical formula Ti₃Zn₃O_1.27 determined by X‐ray diffraction occupancy refinement agreed with the chemical composition obtained for the cross section of the single crystal determined with an electron probe microanalyzer.     

Core–Shell Structured Polystyrene/BaTiO3 Hybrid Nanodielectrics Prepared by In Situ RAFT Polymerization: A Route to High Dielectric Constant and Low Loss Materials with Weak Frequency Dependence

A novel route to prepare core–shell structured nanocomposites with excellent dielectric performance is reported. This approach involves the grafting of polystyrene (PS) from the surface of BaTiO₃ by an in situ RAFT polymerization. The core–shell structured PS/BaTiO₃ nanocomposites not only show significantly increased dielectric constant and very low dielectric loss, but also have a weak frequency dependence of dielectric properties over a wide range of frequencies. In addition, the dielectric constant of the nanocomposites can also be easily tuned by varying the thickness of the PS shell. Our method is very promising for preparing high‐performance nanocomposites used in energy‐storage devices.     

Catalytic decomposition of CH4 over Ni-Al2O3-SiO2 catalysts: Influence of pretreatment conditions for the production of H2

This article reports the production of COx free hydrogen and carbon nanofibers by the catalytic decomposition of methane over Ni-Al2O3-SiO2 catalysts. The influence of reaction temperature, pretreatment temperature, and effect of reductive pretreatment on the decomposition of methane activity is investigated. The physico-chemical characteristics of fresh and deactivated samples were characterized using BET-SA, XRD, TPR, SEM/TEM, CHNS analyses and correlated with the methane decomposition results obtained. The Ni-Al-Si （4 ： 0.5 ： 1.5） catalyst reduced with hydrazine hydrate produced better H2 yields of ca. 1815 mol H2/mol Ni than the catalyst reduced with 5% H2/N2.     

The effect of amino acid backbone length on molecular packing: crystalline tartrates of glycine, β‐alanine, γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) and dl‐α‐aminobutyric acid (AABA)

We report a novel 1:1 cocrystal of β‐alanine with dl ‐tartaric acid, C₃H₇NO₂·C₄H₆O₆, (II), and three new molecular salts of dl ‐tartaric acid with β‐alanine {3‐azaniumylpropanoic acid–3‐azaniumylpropanoate dl ‐tartaric acid–dl ‐tartrate, [H(C₃H₇NO₂)₂]⁺·[H(C₄H₅O₆)₂]⁻, (III)}, γ‐aminobutyric acid [3‐carboxypropanaminium dl ‐tartrate, C₄H₁₀NO₂⁺·C₄H₅O₆⁻, (IV)] and dl ‐α‐aminobutyric acid {dl ‐2‐azaniumylbutanoic acid–dl ‐2‐azaniumylbutanoate dl ‐tartaric acid–dl ‐tartrate, [H(C₄H₉NO₂)₂]⁺·[H(C₄H₅O₆)₂]⁻, (V)}. The crystal structures of binary crystals of dl ‐tartaric acid with glycine, (I), β‐alanine, (II) and (III), GABA, (IV), and dl ‐AABA, (V), have similar molecular packing and crystallographic motifs. The shortest amino acid (i.e. glycine) forms a cocrystal, (I), with dl ‐tartaric acid, whereas the larger amino acids form molecular salts, viz. (IV) and (V). β‐Alanine is the only amino acid capable of forming both a cocrystal [i.e. (II)] and a molecular salt [i.e. (III)] with dl ‐tartaric acid. The cocrystals of glycine and β‐alanine with dl ‐tartaric acid, i.e. (I) and (II), respectively, contain chains of amino acid zwitterions, similar to the structure of pure glycine. In the structures of the molecular salts of amino acids, the amino acid cations form isolated dimers [of β‐alanine in (III), GABA in (IV) and dl ‐AABA in (V)], which are linked by strong O—H…O hydrogen bonds. Moreover, the three crystal structures comprise different types of dimeric cations, i.e. (A…A)⁺ in (III) and (V), and A⁺…A⁺ in (IV). Molecular salts (IV) and (V) are the first examples of molecular salts of GABA and dl ‐AABA that contain dimers of amino acid cations. The geometry of each investigated amino acid (except dl ‐AABA) correlates with the melting point of its mixed crystal.     

Synthesis, structural characterization and magnetic property of nanocomposite materials: Intercalation compounds of FePS_3 with 1,10-phenanthroline or 2,2''''-bipyridine

Two new intercalation compounds Fe0.90PS3(phen)0.41 (1) (phen stands for 1,10-phenanthroline including a part of 1, 10-phenanthroline H ) and Fe0.83PS3(bipy)0.34 (2) (bipy stands for 2,2'-bipyridine H ) were synthesized by the reaction of the layered FePS, with 1,10-phenanthroline or 2,2'-bipyridine in the presence of anilinium chloride. They were characterized by elemental analyses, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy. The lattice spacing of the intercalate was expanded by 0.90 nm for Fe0.90PS3(phen)0.41 and 0.57 nm for Fe0.83PS3(bipy)0.34 withrespect to the pristine FePS3, indicating that the ring plane of the guests is perpendicular to the layer of the host. The UV-vis absorption spectra of the filtrate in preparation of the intercalates indicate that 1, 10-phenanthroline or 2,2'-bipyridine also acts as a complexing agent to remove intralamellar Fe2 ions into the solution during intercalation. The magnetic properties of 1 and 2 were studied.     

Cocrystallization of N-donor type compounds with 5-sulfosalicylic acid: The effect of hydrogen-bonding supramolecular architectures

Benzotriazole,N,N’-dimethylpiperazine and N-methylpiperazine were applied to crystallize with 5-sulfosalicylic acid(5-H2SSA),affording three new binary molecular cocrystals [(C6H6N3+).(C7H5O6S-)].H2O(1),[(C6H16N22+)1/2.(C7H5O6S-)].H2O(2) and [(C5H14N22+).(C7H5O6S-)2].3H2O(3) under general conditions.Proton-transferring occurs from acid to nitrogen of N-donor compounds in all compounds 1,2 and 3.Analysis of the hydrogen-bonding synthons and their effects on crystal packing were also presented in the context of crystal engineering and host-guest chemistry.In compound 1,1-D infinite chains are extended to a 2-D layered architecture via strong O-H...O hydrogen bonds and then to a 3-D network by N-H...O interactions.Compound 2 and 3 both have the 1-D chain which is formed by O-H...O bonds and weak C-H...O hydrogen bonds.A common intramolecular S(6) [synthon I] ring is formed by the hydroxyl with the carboxyl group in all three compounds.     

(H3O)3Sb2Br9: the first member of the M3E2X9 structure family with oxonium cations

(H₃O)₃Sb₂Br₉ [trihydroxonium enneabromidodiantimonate(III)] is the first representative of the M₃E₂X₉ family (M = cation, E = Sb and Bi, and X = Br and I) with oxonium cations. The metastable compound was obtained in trace amounts from a solution of CsBr and SbBr₃ in concentrated aqueous HBr. Single crystals were isolated from the mother liquor and investigated by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction at 100 K. (H₃O)₃Sb₂Br₉ crystallizes with the Tl₃Bi₂I₉ structure type, which is a distorted defect variant of cubic perovskite. The crystal structure comprises characteristic ²_∞[SbBr₃Br_3/2] double layers of corner‐sharing SbBr₆ octahedra with a [001] stacking direction. Due to the small size of the H₃O⁺ cation and O—H…Br hydrogen bonding, the octahedra are tilted.     

Fe(III)-Catalyzed direct C3 chalcogenylation of indole: The effect of iodide ions

A mild and efficient iron (III)-catalyzed C3 chalcogenylation of indoles has been developed and the role of the iodide ions in this transformation was investigated. EPR experiments revealed the reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II) under the reaction conditions, supporting the formation of molecular iodine in the system, which in effect catalyze the reaction. The scope of the chalcogenylation was broad and the synthesis of more functionalized 3-selenylindoles was explored.     

The effect of substituents and operating conditions on the electrochemical fluorination of alkyl phenylacetates in Et3N·4HF medium

Selective electrochemical fluorination of alkyl phenylacetates (Ph-CH₂-COOR, where R is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, i-propyl and sec-butyl) under galvanostatic conditions were reported in Et₃N·4HF medium. Preparative electrolysis experiments were carried out both in pre-electrolysed dry Et₃N·4HF and the same electrolyte medium without pre-electrolysis. Very little hydrolysed fluorinated products were obtained in pre-electrolysed medium where as significant quantities of hydrolysed products leading to fluorinated phenylacetic acid were obtained from Et₃N·4HF without pre-electrolysis. Under optimum experimental conditions up to 87% selectivity of monofluoro ester could be achieved. Difluoro alkyl phenylacetate, monofluoro and difluoro phenylacetic acids were the other predominant side products obtained. The hydrolysis appears to be initiated by tautomeric transformation of proton after the initial electro oxidative formation of the cation radical. ¹⁹F as well as ¹H NMR spectroscopy have been employed to identify the minor constituents formed during the electro oxidative process.     

C-H Activation of 3,3-diphenylcyclopropene in the reaction with Os(CO)2(PPh3)3: 3,3-diphenylcyclopropenyl, 2,2-diphenylcyclopropyl, and 3-phenylindenyl complexes of osmium(II)

Reaction between Os(CO)₂(PPh₃)₃ and 3,3-diphenylcyclopropene under quartz-halogen irradiation leads to C(sp²)-H bond activation and the formation of the 3,3-diphenylcyclopropenyl complex, OsH[C₃H(Ph-2)₂](CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ (1). When complex 1 is heated there is ring-opening of the cyclopropene ring and rearrangement to the 3-phenylindenyl complex, OsH[C₉H₆(Ph-3)](CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ (2). Compound 1 reacts with HCl forming the 2,2-diphenylcyclopropyl complex, OsCl[C₃H₃(Ph-2)₂](CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ (3). Reaction of either 1 or 3 with excess HCl leads to reversible formation of the hydroxycarbene complex, OsCl₂[C(OH)C₃H₃(Ph-2)₂](CO)(PPh₃)₂ (4), through protonation of the acyl group formed by a migratory insertion reaction involving a carbonyl ligand and the σ-bound 2,2-diphenylcyclopropanyl ligand. An X-ray crystal structure determination of 2 is reported.     

Contributions on the Properties of Titanates with Ilmenite Structure. IV. The effect of an order-disorder transition on the high temperature electrical conductivity of NiTiO3

NiTiO₃ shows an order-disorder transition from an ordered ilmenite structure to a corundum structure at high temperatures. The transition is followed by a strong increase of the specific electrical conductivity. The conductivity was investigated as a function of temperature and oxygen activity. An order parameter according to common phase transition theories can be used to describe the behaviour of the conductivity in the transition region and vice versa. A model for the defect structure of NiTiO₃ is presented.     

The effect of analyte lipophilicity on the resolution of α-amino acids on a HPLC chiral stationary phase based on crown ether

The effect of analyte lipophilicity on the resolution of α-amino acids on a chiral stationary phase based on chiral crown ether has been examined by the chromatographic resolution trends for the resolution of a homologous series of five α-amino acids with an alkyl group of different length at the chiral center. The retention factors (k₁ and k₂) for the two enantiomers and the separation factors (α) were found to depend on the lipophilicity of the α-amino acid. In general, the retention factors increased as the organic modifier content in the mobile phase increased, the degree of the enhancement of retention factors being dependent on the analyte lipophilicity. The separation factors also increased as the analyte lipophilicity and the organic modifier content in the mobile phase increased. Possible rationales for these behaviors have been proposed.