Gamma-Fe2O3/II-VI sulfide nanocrystal heterojunctions

Heterostructure nanocrystals (NCs) of gamma-Fe(2)O(3) and MS (M = Zn, Cd, Hg) are synthesized. The large lattice mismatch between gamma-Fe(2)O(3) and MS NCs leads to noncentrosymmetric structures. Crystallographic planes at the heterojunctions are identified by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Preferential formation of trimers and higher oligomers for ZnS and dimers or isolated particles for CdS and HgS with gamma-Fe(2)O(3) NCs are observed and explained by changes in the effective mismatch between the coincidence lattices of the most commonly observed junction planes.     

Synthesis and interface structures of zinc sulfide sheathed zinc-cadmium nanowire heterojunctions

Zinc sulfide (ZnS) sheathed zinc (Zn)-cadmium (Cd) nanowire heterojunctions have been prepared by thermal evaporating of ZnS and CdS powders in a vertical induction furnace at 1200 degrees C. Studies found that both the Zn and Cd subnanowires, within a single nanoheterojunction, are single-crystallines with the growth directions perpendicular to the [210] plane, whereas the sheathed ZnS is polycrystalline with a thickness of ca. 5 nm. The Zn/Cd interface structure in the ZnS sheathed Zn-Cd nanowire heterojunctions was thoroughly experimentally studied by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and theoretically studied using a near-coincidence site lattice (NCSL) concept. The results show that the Cd and Zn have a crystalline orientation relationship as [0001]Zn//[0001]Cd, (10(-)10)Zn//(10(-)10)Cd, (01(-)10)Zn//(01(-)10)Cd, and ((-)1100)Zn//((-)1100)Cd.     

Phenomenon of sinter network formation of ZnO in high-temperature environments

The process of sintering oxidation of zinc and lead sulfide concentrates is discussed. The process product is Zn?Pb sinter, the main metal-bearing ingredient for the ISP shaft furnace. Zn?Pb concentrates contain three principal metal sulfides: ZnS, PbS and FeS₂, of which ZnS plays the main role in forming the Zn?Pb sinter structure. It was decided to investigate the formation of ZnO crystallites. Zn?Pb sinters obtained on a D-L sinter belt (operating temperature 1250–1350°C) were subjected to SEM observations with simultaneous micro-X-ray analysis of sites chosen in the field under observation; ZnO crystallites formed as a result of the oxidation of ZnS have a typical dendrite structure leading to the formation of ‘sinter networks’; their structure is illustrated by SEM microphotographs.     

Coordination Polymer Route to Wurtzite ZnS and CdS Nanorods

Wurtzite MS nanorods were synthesized from coordination polymer [M(tp)(4,4′-bipy)]_∞ at 140°C under solvothermal condition (M=Zn, Cd). The morphology determined by TEM gives the average diameters of width/length as 50/200 nm and 20/75 nm for ZnS and CdS, respectively. X-ray powder diffraction and XPS spectra proved that the as-prepared products were pure ZnS and CdS, respectively.     

Synthesis of hexadecylamine capped nanoparticles using group 12 complexes of N-alkyl-N-phenyl dithiocarbamate as single-source precursors

Metal complexes of the type ML¹L² [M = Zn, Cd, Hg; L¹ = N-methyl-N-phenyldithiocarbamato and L² = N-ethyl-N-phenyldithiocarbamato] have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy. The complexes are formulated as four coordinate species with the dithiocarbamates acting as bidentate chelating ligands. The complexes were thermolysed and used as single-source precursors for the synthesis of HDA-capped MS (M = Zn, Cd, Hg) nanoparticles. The HgS nanoparticles show a narrow size distribution from their TEM images, while the CdS nanoparticles gave crystalline particles with a sharp band absorption edge and a narrow PL band. The ZnS nanoparticles gave crystalline particles with a stacking arrangement.     

Photoinduced chemical reactions on natural single crystals and synthesized crystallites of mercury(II) sulfide in aqueous solution containing naturally occurring amino acids

Photoirradiation at >300 nm of aqueous suspensions of several natural crystal specimens and synthesized crystallites of mercury(II) sulfide (HgS) induced deaminocyclization of optically active or racemic lysine into pipecolinic acid (PCA) under deaerated conditions. This is the first example, to the best of our knowledge, of photoinduced chemical reactions of natural biological compounds over natural minerals. It was found that the natural HgS crystals had activity higher than those of synthesized ones but lower than those of other sulfides of transition metals, e.g., CdS and ZnS, belonging to the same II-IV chalcogenides. In almost all of the photoreactions, decompostion of HgS occurred to liberate hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) and Hg(2+), and the latter seemed to have undergone in-situ reductive deposition on HgS as Hg(0) after a certain induction period (24-70 h) during the photoirradiation, as indicated by the darkened color of the suspensions. The formation of PCA, presumably through combination of oxidation of lysine and reduction of an intermediate, cyclic Schiff base, could also be seen after a certain induction time of the Hg(0) formation. This was supported by the fact that the addition of small amount of Hg(2+) (0.5 wt % of HgS) increased the PCA yield by almost 2-fold. We also tried to elucidate certain aspects of the plausible stereochemical reactions in relation to the chiral crystal structure of HgS. Although, in some experiments, slight enantiomeric excess of the product PCA was observed, the excess was below or equal to the experimental error and no other supporting analytical data could not be obtained; we cannot conclude the enantiomeric photoproduction of PCA by the natural chiral HgS specimen.     

Spectral,BVS, and Thermal Studies on Bisdithiocarbamates of Divalent Zn,Cd, and Their Adducts: Single Crystal X-Ray Structure Redetermination of (Diiodo) (Tetraethylthiuramdisulfide)mercury(II), [Hg(tetds)I2]

The current article describes the TG and DT analyses of divalent Zn, Cd, and Hg dithiocarbamato (dtc) complexes and their adducts (dchdtc = N,N-dicyclohexyldithiocarbamate anion, 4-mpzdtc = 4-methylpiperazinecarbodithioato anion, padtc = N,N′-(iminodiethylene)bisphthalimidedithiocarbamate anion, pipdtc = piperidinecarbodithioate anion, 1,10-phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, and 2,2′-bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine) along with the structural reinvestigation of [Hg(tetds)I ₂ ], where tetds = tetraethylthiuramdisulfide. In the case of Zn(II) and Cd(II) dithiocarbamates and their nitrogenous adducts, thermal decomposition of the nitrogenous bases is followed by the decay of dithiocarbamate leading to the formation of ZnS or CdS as residue. The interaction of iodine with [Hg(dedtc) ₂ ] in CHCl ₃ results in the oxidation of diethyldithiocarbamate leading to the formation of [Hg(tetds)I ₂ ], and the structure was redetermined because the earlier determination was by a Polaroid crystallographic technique with a higher R value. The S-Hg-I bond angles [105.09(3); 105.59(3); 109.26(3), and 100.99(3)°] indicate the near tetrahedral environment around the metal ion. ¹ H and ¹³ C NMR spectra of the complex were analyzed. Whether the product formed upon oxidation is a disulfide or an iodo-substituted product, in the present investigation, is clearly decided by the bulkiness of the substituent attached to the nitrogen. Interestingly, the steric influence is a deciding factor only in the case of mercury compounds and the dithiocarbamates involving Zn, Cd forms of the disulfide complexes.     

XAFS spectral analysis of the cadmium coordination geometry in cadmium thiolate clusters in metallothionein

We report the combination of measurement and prediction of X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) data, where the term XAFS refers to the overall spectrum that encompasses both the X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) region as well as the Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) region, to evaluate the cadmium thiolate cluster structures in the metalloprotein metallothionein. XAFS spectra were simulated using coordinates from molecular models of the protein calculated by molecular mechanics/molecular dynamics (MM3/MD), from NMR analyses, and from analysis of X-ray diffraction data. XAFS spectra were also simulated using the coordinates from X-ray crystallographic data for [Cd(SPh)4]2-, CdS, [Cd2(mu-SPh)2(SPh)4]2-, and [Cd4(mu-SPh)6(SPh)4]2-. The simulated XAFS data that were calculated using the FEFF8 program closely resemble the experimental data reported for [Cd(SPh)4]2-, CdS, [Cd2(mu-SPh)2(SPh)4]2-, [Cd4(mu-SPh)6(SPh)4]2-, rabbit liver metallothionein cadmium alpha-domain (Cd4-alpha MT), and cadmium rabbit liver betaalpha metallothionein (Cd7-betaalpha MT). MM3 force field parameters were modified to include cadmium-sulfur bonding and were initially set to values derived from published X-ray diffraction and EXAFS experimental data. The force field was further calibrated and adjusted through comparison between experimental spectra taken from the literature and simulated XAFS spectra calculated using the FEFF8 program in combination with atomic coordinates from MM3/MD energy minimization. MM3/MD techniques were used with the calibrated force field to predict the high-resolution structure of the metal clusters in rabbit liver Cd7-MT. Structures for Cd3S9 (beta) MT and Cd4S11 (alpha) MT domains from MM3/MD calculations and those previously reported for Cd7-MT on the basis of 1H and 113Cd NMR data were compared. Structural differences between the different models for these cadmium thiolate clusters were evident. Combining the measurement and simulation of XAFS data provides an excellent method of assessing, modeling, and predicting metal-binding sites in metalloproteins when X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) data are available.     

Diagrammes potentiel—niveau d'acidite dans les milieux H2OH3PO4—I Systemes electrochimiques ne faisant pas intervenir le proton

The conditional potentials of redox systems not involving protons have been studied as a function of phosphoric acid concentration (1–14M), with the ferricinium/ferrocene couple as the comparison system. The following systems were considered: Cu(II)/Cu, Cd(II)/Cd, Sn(II)/Sn, Zn(II)/Zn, Ag(I)/Ag, Pb(II)/Pb, Hg(II)/Hg, Bi(III)/Bi and particularly Fe(III)/Fe(II) and Fe(II)/Fe. The hexacyanoferrate(III)/hexacyanoferrate(II) and iodine/iodide couples were also studied. The results are presented as a potential—H₃PO₄ concentration diagram (or potential—acidity level diagram).     

1,4‐Bis((1H‐pyrrol‐2‐yl)methylene)thiosemicarbazide Complexes of Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II): Single Source Precursor in Thermal Synthesis of Nanoparticle

Six complexes of Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) with sulphur containing Schiff base ligand, 1,4‐bis((1H‐pyrrol‐2‐yl)methylene)thiosemicarbazide in 1:1 and 1:2 ratio has been synthesized. Complexes were characterized by molar conductance measurement, elemental analyses, FT‐IR, ¹H‐NMR, and FAB/ESI‐Mass. The complexes were used as a single source precursor for the synthesis of ZnS/CdS/HgS nanoparticles by their thermal decomposition in the presence of different surfactants. The precursor: surfactant ratio and temperature plays important role in determining the size of the nanoparticles. The size and morphology of nanoparticles has been ascertained by UV‐Vis spectroscopy, XRD measurements and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Schiff base, complexes and nanoparticles were tested for antibacterial activity and MIC values against E. coli. The complexes were found more potent than the corresponding Schiff bases and nanoparticles.     

Vibrational Spectroscopic Studies on the tn-Td-Type Mn(tn)Zn(CN)4_2C6H6 and the Chelated tn-Td-Type Zn(tn)Zn(CN)4_2C6H6 Clathrates

IR spectra of Mn(trimethylenediamine)Zn(CN)₄2C₆H₆ and IR and Raman spectra of Zn(trimethylenediamine)Zn(CN)₄_2C₆H₆ are reported. The spectral data suggest that the host frameworks of these compounds are similar to those of the tn-Td-type Cd(trimethylenediamine)M(CN)₄_2benzene (M = Cd or Hg) and the chelated pn-Td-type Cd(propylenediamine)Cd(CN)₄_1,2-dichloro-ethane clathrates, respectively.     

Integration of Semiconducting Sulfides for Full‐Spectrum Solar Energy Absorption and Efficient Charge Separation

The full harvest of solar energy by semiconductors requires a material that simultaneously absorbs across the whole solar spectrum and collects photogenerated electrons and holes separately. The stepwise integration of three semiconducting sulfides, namely ZnS, CdS, and Cu_2?xS, into a single nanocrystal, led to a unique ternary multi‐node sheath ZnS–CdS–Cu_2?xS heteronanorod for full‐spectrum solar energy absorption. Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) in the nonstoichiometric copper sulfide nanostructures enables effective NIR absorption. More significantly, the construction of pn heterojunctions between Cu_2?xS and CdS leads to staggered gaps, as confirmed by first‐principles simulations. This band alignment causes effective electron–hole separation in the ternary system and hence enables efficient solar energy conversion.     

Porous phosphate heterostructures containing CdS quantum dots: assembly, characterization and photoluminescence

The synthesis and characterization of cadmium sulphide (CdS) quantum dots, conjugated in a porous phosphate heterostructure functionalized with aminopropyl groups is described. The resulting material has fluorescence properties with maximum emission intensity at 575 nm. The fluorescent materials are not soluble in water and exhibit high stability in aqueous solution in the pH ranges from 2 to 9. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed the qualitative elemental composition of the synthesized materials and X-ray photoelectron spectra showed a surface S/Cd atomic ratio of 1.09. SEM images show that the materials are amorphous, possessing porous with sizes of several tens nanometres, homogeneous and exhibit a layered morphology. The adsorption–desorption analysis by N₂ at 77 K showed the accessibility of the CdS quantum dots onto the pores of the structure. The CdS quantum dots were stabilized by mercaptopropionic acid and bounded to the host materials by amine groups.     

Equilibrium Gas Phase Composition of IIB/VIA compounds and identification of gaseous MeX(g) molecules

The equilibrium vaporization behaviour of twelve IIB/VIA-compounds of the type MeX (Me = Zn, Cd, Hg and X = O, S, Se, Te) was studied by means of high-temperature mass spectrometry. In the case of seven compounds (ZnO, CdO, HgO, CdS, HgS, ZnSe and CdSe) the existence of stable gaseous molecules MeX(g) was proven by verifying the isotopic distribution. The experimentally determined isotopic patterns of ZnS(g), ZnTe(g), CdTe(g) and HgSe(g) deviate from the calculated distributions due to the interference of background peaks. Analysis of the exact gas phase compositions of the IIB/VIA compounds shows that, with the exception of HgTe which decomposes according to the IIB/VIA compounds vaporize as follows: x_i: mole fraction of the gaseous species X_i.     

Thermal behavior of some compounds of methanesulfonic acid with transition metals

The following compounds of methanesulfonic acid, CH₃SO₃H, have been prepared: Cu(CH₃SO₃)₂ · 4 H₂O; Zn(CH₃SO₃)₂ · 4 H₂O; Mn(CH₃SO₃)₂ · 2 H₂O; Cd(CH₃SO₃)₂ · 2 H₂O and Ag(CH₃SO₃). Their thermal behavior has been studied using TG and DTA, together with X-ray analysis of the solid products formed during the heating. The water of hydration is evolved in one step (Mn, Cd) or in two step (Cu, Zn). The intermediate hydrates and the anhydrous salts are crystallized. The anhydrous Zn, Ag and Cd compounds melt, the anhydrous Cd salt undergoing a polymorphic transition before melting. They then begin to decompose in the temperature range 325–440°C. Under an inert atmosphere, the decomposition yields well-crystallized residues of various composition: Cu + Cu₂S; Ag + Ag₂S (the sulfides being in very minute amounts); MnS; CdS; ZnO + ZnS.     

One-Dimensional Intercalation Compound 2 HgS⋅SnBr2: Ab Initio Electronic Structure Calculations and Molecular Dynamics Simulations

The one-dimensional intercalation compound 2 HgS⋅SnBr₂ (figure; white: Hg, light gray: S, dark grey: Sn, and black: Br) is an example of the ability of weak host–guest interactions to induce structural modifications in the HgS host. The stability and dynamic behavior of the intercalation compound and its precursors HgS and SnBr₂ have been analyzed by means of DFT/plane wave calculations. The molecular dynamics simulations facilitate the understanding of the structural rearrangements during the intercalation process.     

The N-alkyldithiocarbamato complexes [M(S2CNHR)2] (M=Cd(II) Zn(II); R=C2H5, C4H9, C6H13, C12H25); their synthesis, thermal decomposition and use to prepare of nanoparticles and nanorods of CdS

A series of N-alkyldithiocarbamato complexes [M(S2CNHR)2] (M=Cd(II), Zn(II); R=C2H5, C4H9, C6H13, C12H25) have been synthesised and characterized. The decomposition of these complexes to sulfates has been investigated, and a mechanism proposed. The structures of [Zn(S2CNHHex)2], [Cd(SO4)2(NC5H5)4)]n and [Cd(SO4)2(NC5H5)2(H2O)2)]n have been determined by X-ray single crystal method. The cadmium complex [Cd(S2CNHC12H25)2] and zinc complex [Zn(S2CNHC6H13)2] were used as single-source precursors to synthesize CdS and ZnS nanoparticles, respectively. The synthesis of CdS nanoparticles was carried under various thermolysis conditions and changes in the shape of derived nanoparticles were studied by transmission electron microscope (TEM).     

核壳结构CdS/ZnS纳米微粒的制备与光学特性

CdS and CdS/ZnS core-shell structure nano particles were synthesized in micro emulsion, and characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV absorption spectra and PL. The average diameter of CdS was about 3.3 nm, and CdS/ZnS core-shell structure was confirmed by XRD and UV. Considering the optical properties of CdS/ZnS core-shell structure nanoparticles which have different ZnS shell thickness, the UV absorption edge of CdS/ZnS becomes as lightred-shift with the thickness of ZnS layer increasing, and the absorption of shortwave band is strongly enhanced at the same time. The PL spectra indicate that ZnS shell layer can greatly eliminate surface defects of CdS nanoparticles and make its band-edge directed recombination increased, and the luminous efficiency of CdS is improved greatly when it has appropriate shell thickness.     

Preconcentration of trace metals from acidic solutions by coprecipitation with dithizone

Traces of Ag, Bi, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, Pd and Zn are separated by carrier precipitation with dithizone from diluted HNO₃ and HCl solutions. The separated trace elements are determined by flame AAS and/or by spectrophotometry. The preconcentration recovery is dependent on the acid concentration of the sample solution. The amount of dithizone precipitated is optimized. The detection limits (ng/ml) are 15.0 (Pb, Zn), 12.0 (Pd), 10.0 (Bi), 6.0 (Ag), 5.0 (Hg), 2.0 (Cu) and 1.0 (Cd). Aluminium, aluminium sulfate and gallium are analyzed with the method. The accuracy of the results was checked by differential pulse voltammetry.     

Studies on tetrachlorodithizone isomers and their applications to the extraction of metal ions

Six isomeric tetrachlorodithizones were synthesized and their electronic and i.r. spectra were measured. Their acid dissociation constants and partition coefficients between 0.5 M NaClO₄ solution and carbon tetrachloride are reported. Their extraction equilibria with Cd(II). Co(II), Cu(II), Hg(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), Tl(I), Zn(II) and Bi(III) and the spectrophotometric characteristics of the complexes formed are described. The 3,3',4,4'-tetrachloro isomer is spectrophotometrically more sensitive than dithizone for Zn, Pb, Hg(II) and Bi(III) whereas the 2,2',3,3'- and 2,2',5,5'-isomers are more sensitive for copper ions. For most of the metals tested, the tetrachlorodithizones allowed quantitative extraction at lower pH than is possible with dithizone.