Cobalt oxide and carbon modified hematite nanorod arrays for improved photoelectrochemical water splitting

Given the proper band gap, low cost and good stability, hematite(α-Fe_2O_3) has been considered as a promising candidate for photoelectrochemical(PEC) water splitting, however suffers from the sluggish surface water oxidation reaction kinetics. In this study, a simple dip-coating process was used to modify the surface of α-Fe_2O_3 nanorod arrays with cobalt oxide(CoO_x) and carbon(C) for the improved PEC performance, with a photocurrent density at 1.6 V(vs. reversible hydrogen electrode, RHE) increased from 0.10 mA/cm~2 for the pristine α-Fe_2O_3 to 0.37 mA/cm~2 for the CoO_x/C modified α-Fe_2O_3 nanorods. As revealed by electrochemical analysis, thanks to the synergistic effect of CoO_x and C, the PEC enhancement could be attributed to the enhanced charge transfer ability, decreased surface charge recombination, and accelerated water oxidation reaction kinetics. This study serves as a good example for improving PEC water splitting performance via a simple method.     

A model for charge transport in semicrystalline polymer thin films

A model for simulating the charge transport properties of semicrystalline polymer (SCrP) using Monte Carlo simulation is reinvented. The model is validated by reproducing the experimentally observed field and temperature dependence of mobility in Poly(3‐hexylthiophene‐2,5‐diyl) (P3HT) thin films. This study also provides a new physical insight to the origin of much debated negative field dependence of mobility (NFDM) observed at low electric field strengths in P3HT thin films. The observed NFDM, which is not explainable with the mechanisms proposed earlier, is attributed to the weak dependence of transit time on the applied electric field strengths. In the semicrystalline films, the charge transport takes place mostly through the crystalline regions, in which the charge transport is weakly dependent on the strength of the applied electric field. In addition, a possible explanation for the origin of Arrhenius temperature dependence of mobility (lnμ ∝ 1/T) commonly observed in SCrP thin films is also proposed. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019 , 57, 137–141     

二维金属-六亚氨基苯框架材料的气体吸附效应

利用密度泛函理论研究了气体分子(NH₃, H₂O, H₂S, NO₂)吸附在二维M₃(HIB)₂(M=Ni, Cu; HIB为六亚氨基苯)薄膜上体系的几何结构和电子结构的变化. 结果表明, 2种薄膜对气体分子的响应不同. 其中NH₃, H₂O和H₂S在M₃(HIB)₂薄膜表面的吸附较弱, 主要与薄膜的亚氨基形成氢键, 吸附能均小于-0.36 eV, 吸附对体系电子性质的影响很小. 但是 NO₂分子在薄膜表面形成化学吸附, 吸附能在-0.65~-1.72 eV范围内. 吸附NO₂分子使其电子结构发生明显改变, 如Cu₃(HIB)₂在费米能级处打开带隙, 由金属性质转变为半导体性质. 这是由于NO₂分子的p_z轨道与金属原子$d_{z}^{2}$ 轨道发生了强烈的轨道杂化. 此外, 研究发现高浓度的NO₂分子吸附能够使Ni₃(HIB)₂薄膜由非磁性变为磁性体系, 由普通金属性质变为半金属性质; 而高浓度的NO₂分子使Cu₃(HIB)₂薄膜由金属性质变为半导体性质, 薄膜电导率降低.     

硬脂酸二茂铁酯L-B膜修饰SnO2电极的阻抗研究

测定了二茂铁衍生物——硬脂酸二茂铁酯L-B膜修饰SnO₂电极在Fe(CN)₆^3-/4-溶液中的阻抗性能,用单纯形法求出了等效电路中的元件参数值,计算了电极反应速度常数K_s。从分析SnO₂电极修饰不同层的硬脂酸二茂铁酯L-B膜的界面阻抗和电极反应的动力学性能,表明与在固相中研究的硬脂酸二茂铁酯L-B膜的阻抗性能明显不同,在Fe(CN)₆^3-/4-溶液中表现了电活性分子修饰电极的界面阻抗行为,进一步证实了修饰在SnO₂电极上的硬脂酸二茂铁酯L-B膜在Fe(CN)₆^3-/4-的氧化还原电极反应过程中,起电荷传递的中介作用。     

Equilibrium constants and kinetics of carbon monoxide insertion in alkyl complexes of ruthenium(II)

The equilibrium constants of the reaction of cis, trans-[Ru(CO)₂(PMe₃)₂(CH₃)I] (Mc) with carbon monoxide to give cis, trans[Ru(CO)₂(PMe₃)₂ (COMe)i] (Ac) and trans, trans[Ru(CO)₂(PMe₃)₂(COMe)I] (At) were measured at various temperatures in toluene. The thermodynamic parameters are compared with those obtained for the isoelectronic complexes of iron, and the trend is discussed. The kinetics of the carbonylation reaction of Mc, as well as those of the inverse decarbonylation reaction of At were measured. The kinetics of the carbonylation of the new complex trans, trans-[Ru(CO)₂(PMe₃)₂(CH₃)I] (Mt) were also investigated. All the results afford further support to the previously proposed CO insertion mechanism occurring via methyl migration. The comparison of these kinetic results with those of isoelectronic complexes of iron indicates that ruthenium is more reactive than iron, which is reflected by its greater aptitude to act as catalyst in many processes.     

IR study on the intensity of ν1 of carbon disulfide

The IR intensity of ν₁ of carbon disulfide is reported in various states. The intensity increases with a decrease in temperature. Less than 10% of the observed intensity can be explained in terms of an electric field applied from an adjacent molecule. On the other hand, nearly half of the intensity is explained in terms of a vibrational coupling of ν₁ with ν₃ or ν₂, which is estimated from dimer models, on the assumption that the observed IR and Raman frequencies can be attributed to dimers.     

三乙酰基丙酮合锰(Ⅲ)的敏化光分解光化学的研究

研究了含硫堇的三乙酰基丙酮合锰(Ⅲ)[简称Mn(AA)₃]溶液的紫外光谱的变化。Mn(AA)₃通过中间体Mn(AA)₂,最终还原形成Mn(Ac)₂。观察了氧对反应的影响。Mn(AA)₃的这一敏化分解还原过程与文献报道的它的直接光解反应是一致的,还讨论了反应机理,并为1100nm处的带,即Mn(AA)₃的电荷转移吸收带提供了新的证据。     

Boosting Photocatalytic Oxygen Evolution: Purposely Constructing Direct Z-Scheme Photoanode by Modulating the Interface Electric Field

Ti-Fe₂O₃ photoanode has received widespread attention in photoelectrochemical(PEC) water spilling because of its optimized oxidative and reductive capability of composites catalyst. However, its low efficiency could limit its development. Herein, in order to improve the efficiency of PEC water spilling, the all-solid-state direct Z-scheme Ti-ZnFe₂O₄/Ti-Fe₂O₃(TZFO/Ti-Fe₂O₃) nanorod arrays composited with the ideal energy band structure are synthesized by modulating the Fermi level of TZFO for PEC water splitting. The photophysical methods in this work, including the Kelvin probe measurement and transient photovoltage spectroscopy(TPV) measurement, are applied to explore the migration behavior of electric charges at the enhanced interface electric field. Finally, the Z-scheme charge transfer mechanism of TZFO/Ti-Fe₂O₃ photoanode is proved successfully. Benefiting from the desirable charge transfer at interface electric field, the TZFO/Ti-Fe₂O₃ exhibits the outstanding photocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction(OER) performance, and the photocurrent of 60TZFO/Ti-Fe₂O₃ photoanode reaches 2.16 mA/cm² at 1.23 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode(RHE), which is three times higher than that of pure Ti-Fe₂O₃ photoanode. This work provides a facile approach of modulating interface electric field to optimize the Z-scheme charge-transfer process.     

Experimental and theoretical investigations on the electric field gradient at the Br site in Sr(BrO3)2 · H2O and Ba(BrO3)2 · H2O

Single-crystal Zeeman effect studies have been done using ⁷⁹Br NQR in Sr(BrO₃)₂ · H₂O and Ba(BrO₃)₂ · H₂O and the electric field gradient (EFG) parameters at the Br site have been determined. The point-charge model for the evaluation of EFG at the Br site, when applied to these systems, has not yielded satisfactory results. In another model, the total EFG is obtained as the sum of the covalent contribution and the inter-ionic contribution. To obtain the covalent contribution CNDO/2 MO calculations have been done for the (BrO₃)⁻ ions of these systems. There is excellent agreement with the experimental values in the case of Sr(BrO₃)₂ · H₂O, while the results on Ba(BrO₃)₂ · H₂O indicate that the structural data on this crystal need refinement.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structures and Catalysis of Dinuclear Cd(Ⅱ) Complexes Bridged by Unusual (N,O,O′)-Coordinated α-Amino Acids

Four dinuclear amino acid cadmium(Ⅱ) complexes [Cd₂(tren)₂(dl-alaninato)](ClO₄)₃·H₂O(Ⅰ), [Cd₂(tren)₂·(l-alaninato)](ClO₄)₃·H₂O(Ⅱ), [Cd₂(tren)₂(dl-phenylalaninato)](ClO₄)₃(Ⅲ) and [Cd₂(tren)₂(l-phenylalaninato)]· (ClO₄)₃(Ⅳ), constructed from mixed ligands of tris(2-aminoethyl)amine(tren) and racemic or natural amino acids( amino acids=dl- or l-alanine, and dl- or l-phenylalanine), have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The structural analysis of complexes Ⅰ and Ⅲ reveals that the cadmium centers are coordinated by one tren ligand and one amino acid molecule with the unusual (N,O,O′)-bridged mode, resulting in asymmetric chromophores of CdN₄O and CdN₅O in complex Ⅰ, CdN₄O₂ and CdN₅O in complex Ⅲ, respectively. The utility of the four complexes as efficient water-compatible Lewis acid catalysts for the direct aldol reaction in water was examined. The reaction proceeded smoothly to afford the corresponding β-hydroxy ketones in up to 99% yield. Moreover, the diastereoselectivity of the reaction favors the formation of the syn-isomers.     

硝酸异丙酯与Cl原子、 OH和NO3自由基反应的机理及动力学

采用CCSD(T)//M06-2X/6-311++G(d,p)方法, 结合传统过渡态理论, 研究了硝酸异丙酯与Cl原子、 OH及NO₃自由基的反应机理和动力学. 两个反应物单体首先形成氢键复合物, 随后X(X=Cl原子、 OH和NO₃自由基)提取硝酸异丙酯中叔碳的α-H原子或甲基的β-H原子, 室温下, 以X提取α-H原子为主. 反应的主要历程为 Cl原子(OH或NO₃自由基)提取(CH₃)₂CHONO₂的α-H原子, 生成HCl(H₂O或HNO₃)分子和(CH₃)₂CONO₂自由基, 后者分解为丙酮和NO₂. 结果表明, 在200~500 K温度范围内, 随着温度的升高, 丙酮和NO₂的产率降低; 在室温下, 硝酸异丙酯与Cl原子、 OH和NO₃自由基反应的速率常数分别为3.933×10^-11, 1.182×10^-13和7.134×10^-19 cm³·molecule^-1·s^-1. 计算所得硝酸异丙酯与OH自由基反应的动力学数据与实验结论一致.     

An esca investigation of the low energy electron beam polymerisation of hexafluorobenzene

Irradiation of condensed hexafluorobenzene by low energy (2 keV) electrons is shown to result in the formation of thin films of involatile solids composed of carbon and fluorine. Cls ESCA spectra show that ₃, ₂, and type functional groups are present in the polymer produced, indicating that some rearrangement reactions have taken place.

A study of the dose rate dependence of the structure of the films has been undertaken, which indicates that under controlled conditions the films closely resemble films formed by plasma and ion beam polymerisation. Inferences are made as to the likely processes occurring in the electron beam polymerisation process.     

Electrochemical properties of a ruthenium complex immobilized as thin films and in carbon paste electrodes

The electrochemical properties of mer-[RuCl₃(dppb)(4-pic)] (dppb = Ph₂P(CH₂)₄PPh₂, 4-pic = CH₃C₅H₄N), Rupic, in CHCl₃ are governed by the formation of species such as [Ru₂Cl₅(dppb)₂], [Ru₂(dppb)₂Cl₄(4-pic)] and trans-[RuCl₂(dppb)(4-pic)₂] upon the reduction of “[RuCl₂(dppb)]”. The overall behavior depends on whether Rupic is immobilized in cast or Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) films, or incorporated into a carbon paste electrode (CPE). In cyclic voltammograms, one redox process appears for LB/Rupic films and CPE/Rupic, at E_pa = 0.35 V, E_pc = 0.25 V vs SCE, and E_pa = 0.32 V, E_pc = 0.24 V vs Ag/AgCl, respectively. This redox process was ascribed to the Ru^III/Ru^II charge transfer. For cast films the redox pair was poorly defined, with E_pa = 0.27 V and E_pc = 0.20 V. The reason for the difference lies in the phase separation and formation of aggregates onto ITO for the cast film, in contrast to the LB film. With aggregation, the formation of species occurring in solution is impaired for Rupic in cast films. The electrochemical properties for Rupic in LB films and incorporated into CPE allowed the electrocatalytic activity of Rupic to be exploited in sensors for dopamine and ascorbic acid.     

Dimethylaluminum and gallium amino alkoxides

An S,S′-thioether—thioester chelating ligand [7,8-μ-SCH₂C(O)S-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀]⁻ (L₁), incorporating the unit [—(C)₂B₉H₁₀]⁻ has been synthesized. Reactions have been conducted with RhCl(PPh₃)₃ and PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂ complexes in ethanol. With Rh, L₁ maintains its original cyclic nature and most probably chelation via thioether—thioester takes place. The carborane negative charge may stabilize this original thioether—thioester complex. The other two Rh positions are occupied by two PPh₃ ancillary ligands forming [Rh(L₁)(PPh₃)₂]. The reaction of L₁ with Pd induces ligand modifications and the cyclic nature of L₁ is lost. A transesterification process leading to a dianionic ligand L₂, [7-S-8-SCH₂C(O)OCH₂CH₃−7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀]²⁻ has taken place. In this way L₂ is capable of compensating the dipositive Pd charge. The other two Pd positions are occupied by two PPh₃. This reaction has been extended to methanol and isopropanol solvents. The crystal structure of [Pd(L₂)(PPh₃)₂] has been determined.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Molybdenum-Sulfur Cluster Compounds Coordinated by Nicotinic Acid and Isonicotinic Acid

Cuboidal Molybdenum have been paid much attention due to their structural resemble with those metallic centers in some biological systems^[1]. To explore the chemistry of trinuclear Mo-S cluster complexes^[2], we rationally synthesized two compounds:Mo₃S₄(DTP)₃(nicotinate)(Py)·EtOH (Ⅰ) (DTP=diethyl dithiophosphate) and Mo₃S₄(DTP)₃(isonicotinate)(Py)·EtOH (Ⅱ) by the substitution reaction of Mo₃S₄(DTP)₃(L)(Py) (L=ClCH₂COO-, CH₃COO-) with nicotinic acid and isonicotinic acid, respectively.     

Synthesis and molecular structure of Ba5(μ5-OH)[μ3-OCH(CF3)2]4[μ2-OCH(CF3)2]4 [OCH(CF3)2](THF)4(H2O)·THF: a source of barium fluoride

The reaction between metallic barium and fluoroisopropanol or alcoholysis of [Ba(OPrⁱ)₂] produces a pentanuclear fluoroalkoxide. Its X-ray structure determination showed its formulation to correspond to Ba₅(μ₅-OH)[μ₃-OCH(CF₃)₂]₄[μ₂-OCH(CF₃)₂]₄ [OCH(CF₃)₂](THF)₄(H₂O)·THF. The metallic core is based on a square pyramid encapsulating an hydroxo ligand. In addition to the barium---alkoxide bonds [2.53(3)–2.86(3) Å] neutral O-donors, four THF [2.82(2)–2.86(3) Å] and one H₂O [2.79(3) Å] and secondary barium---fluorine interactions [2.99(2)–3.31(2) Å] ensure high coordination numbers, from 9 to 11 for the metal centers. Hydrogen bonding between the apical fluoroisopropoxide, the water molecule and one THF molecule, non-bonded to a metal center, accounts for the stability of the hydrate and illustrates the Lewis acidity of fluoroalkoxides. Thermal decomposition leads to BaF₂.     

Synthesis, spectral and structural characterization of three zinc(II) azide complexes with aminopyrazine

The reaction between zinc(II) azide, Zn(N₃)₂ and aminopyrazine (ampyz) afforded the complexes: [Zn(N₃)₂(ampyz)₂] (1), [Zn(N₃)₂(ampyz)]_n (2) and [Zn₃(N₃)₆(ampyz)₂]_n (3). These complexes are characterized by spectroscopic and crystallographic methods. The IR spectra of these compounds are measured and discussed. The structure of 1 consists of isolated tetrahedral zinc atom surrounded by two mono-dentate N-ampyz and two terminal azido ligands. Complex 2 features a zigzag chain of zinc centers in which each zinc is surrounded by alternate di-EO (end-on) and di-EE (end-to-end) azide bridges, the chain thus contains alternate four-membered Zn₂N₂ and eight-membered Zn₂(NNN)₂ rings. The two ampyz ligands are located in cis-arrangement and each of them further binds another zinc atom giving rise to a 3D network. Complex 3 contains two structurally different zinc atoms; the six-coordinate Zn(1) center links two di-EO azido bridges and two trans ampyz, thus having ZnN₆ chromophore. The five-coordinate Zn(2) center binds two di-EO bridging azido groups and the fifth position is occupied by an N atom from a bridging ampyz molecule. Both zinc centers, therefore participate in the formation of a 1D chain of cyclic Zn₂N₂ units. Each ampyz ligand binds another zinc atom via the second pyrazinic N atom giving another cross-chain and thus the structure consists of 2D sheets. In these three complexes the azido ligands of all types are asymmetric and linear within the experimental error.     

Spectroelectrochemistry and investigation of charge transport mechanisms of iron poly(pyridyl) redox polymers

In this work, we describe the characterization of the complex [Fe(tpy-NH₂)₂](PF₆)₂ (tpy-NH₂ = bis[4′-(3-aminophenyl)-2, 2′:6′,2″-terpyridine]. The complex was oxidatively electropolymerized on glassy-carbon electrodes in CH₃CN/0.1 M tetraethylammonium perchlorate (TEAP) to generate polymer films that exhibit reversible oxidative electrochemical behavior in a wide potential range (0.0–1.6 V), as well as high conductivity and stability/durability. In situ spectrocyclic voltammetry of this modified electrode was carried out on a photodiode array spectrophotometer attached to a potentiostat, which provided UV–Vis absorption spectra of the redox species during the potential sweep. We determined charge transport parameters as a function of time and thickness of the modified electrode, and the results showed that poly-[[Fe(tpy-NH₂)₂]²⁺]_n can be made to exhibit three regimes of charge transport behavior by manipulation of the film thickness and the experimental time-scale. Morphological characterization of the film was provided by atomic force microscopy.     

Thermal studies of novel molecular perovskite energetic material (C6H14N2)[NH4(ClO4)3]

(C6H(14)N2)[NH4(ClO4)3] is a newly developed porous hybrid inorganic-organic framework material with easy access and excellent detonation performances,however,its thermal properties is still unclear and severely hampered further applications.In this study,thermal behaviors and non-isothermal decomposition reaction kinetics of(C6H(14)N2)[NH4(ClO4)3] were investigated systematically by the combination of differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) and simultaneous thermal analysis methods.In-situ FTIR spectroscopy technology was applied for investigation of the structure changes of(C6H(14)N2) NH4(ClO4)3]and some selected referents for better understanding of interactions between different components during the heating process.Experiment results indicated that the novel molecular perovskite structure renders(C6H(14)N2)[NH4(ClO4)3] better thermal stability than most of currently used energetic materials.Underhigh temperature s,the stability of the cage skeleton constructed by NH4^+and ClO4^-ions determined the decomposition process rather than organic moiety confined in the skeleton.The simple synthetic method,good detonation performances and excellent thermal properties make(C6H(14)N2)[NH4(ClO4)3] an ideal candidate for the preparation of advanced explosives and propellants.     

Photocatalytic degradation and kinetics of Orange G using nano-sized Sn(IV)/TiO2/AC photocatalyst

Sn(IV) doped and nano-sized TiO₂ immobilized on active carbon (AC) (Sn(IV)/TiO₂/AC) were prepared by the sol–gel and dip-calcination method. An azo dye, Orange G (OG), was used as a model compound to study its photocatalytic activity in a fluidized bed photoreactor. The addition of Sn(IV) on TiO₂ could greatly improve the activity of TiO₂, and the optimal amount of tin was 2.5 at.%. The effects of calcination temperature, pH value, the initial hydrogen peroxide concentration ([H₂O₂]₀), the catalyst amount ([TiO₂]), the initial OG concentration ([dye]₀) and co-existing negative ions on the photocatalytic activity of Sn(IV)/TiO₂/AC were studied. The optimal conditions were as follows: pH 2.00, [H₂O₂]₀ = 1.5mL/L, [dye]₀ = 50 mg/L, [TiO₂] = 12.5 g/L, when the 300 W high pressure mercury light was used as the light source. Under these conditions, the degradation efficiency of OG reached 99.1% after 60 min reaction. The kinetics of the OG degradation was also analyzed. The results showed that the kinetics of this reaction fit the Langmiur–Hinshelwood kinetics model well and the absorption of OG on the Sn(IV)/TiO₂/AC surface was the controlling step in the whole degradation process. In addition, the catalyst, liquid and gas were separated effectively, and the integrative process of reaction and separation was achieved during the experiment.