Quantum-chemical study of adsorption of Ag<Subscript>2</Subscript>, Ag<Subscript>4</Subscript>, and Ag<Subscript>8</Subscript> on different parts of the TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> surface

Quantum-chemical study of the adsorption of two-, four- and eight-atomic silver clusters on stoichiometric and partially reduced rutile (110) surface, and of silver tetramer on the surface of anatase (101) was carried out in the framework of periodic DFT model. The most energetically favorable positions of clusters on the surface of TiO₂ and the mechanism of binding the clusters with the substrate were revealed. According to the calculations, the adsorption of silver clusters on the surface of stoichiometric rutile (110) is more preferable than on the partially reduced one. The mechanism of binding the clusters with the surface of anatase and rutile is shown to be similar.     

Thermodynamic study of Ag<Subscript>8</Subscript>GeSe<Subscript>6</Subscript> by EMF with an Ag<Subscript>4</Subscript>RbI<Subscript>5</Subscript> solid electrolyte

The Ag–Ge–Se system was studied in the range of compositions Ag₂Se–GeSe₂–Se by measuring the EMF of the concentration (relative to the silver electrode) circuits with a solid electrolyte Ag₄RbI₅ in the temperature range 290–430 K. The polymorphic transition temperature of Ag₈GeSe₆ (320 K) was determined and the partial molar functions of silver were calculated for both crystal modifications of this compound based on the EMF measurements. The thermodynamic functions of formation and entropy of both modifications of Ag₈GeSe₆ and the thermodynamic functions of its polymorphic transition were calculated.     

Preparation of Pt<Subscript>core</Subscript>Ag<Subscript>shell</Subscript> nanoparticles: Catalytic reduction of Ag<Superscript>+</Superscript> ions by hydrogen

It is shown that the saturation of an aqueous solution containing silver ions with hydrogen in the presence of 9.5-nm platinum nanoparticles leads to the reduction of silver and the formation of Pt_coreAg_shell bimetal nanoparticles. An increase in the concentration of silver ions gives rise to a number of elementary silver layers that cover the platinum core. It is established that the concentration of silver ions does not substantially affect the rate of the formation of a silver shell on the surface of platinum nanoparticles.     

MnO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Nanoparticles and Carbon Nanofibers Nanocomposites with High Sensing Performance Toward Glucose

By combining the advantages of manganese dioxide nanoparticles (MnO₂ NPs) and carbon nanofibers (CNFs), a biosensing electrode surface as a high-performance enzyme biosensor is designed in this work. MnO₂ NPs and CNFs nanocomposites (MnO₂–CNFs) were prepared by using a simple hydrothermal method and then were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry and electrochemisty. The results showed that MnO₂ NPs are uniformly attached to the surface of CNFs. Meanwhile, the MnO₂–CNFs nanocomposites as a supporting matrix can provide an efficient and advantageous platform for electrochemical sensing applications. On the basis of the improved sensitivity of MnO₂–CNFs modified electrode toward H₂O₂ at low overpotential, a MnO₂–CNFs based glucose biosensor was fabricated by monitoring H₂O₂ produced by an enzymatic reaction between glucose oxidase and glucose. The constructed biosensor exhibited a linear calibration graph for glucose in a concentration range of 0.08–4.6 mM and a low detection limit of 0.015 mM. In addition, the biosensor showed other excellent characteristics, such as high sensitivity and selectivity, short response time, and the relative low apparent Michaelis–Menten constant. Analysis of human urine spiked with glucose at different concentration levels yielded recoveries between 101.0 and 104.8%.     

Eight‐Electron Silver and Mixed Gold/Silver Nanoclusters Stabilized by Selenium Donor Ligands

The first atomically and structurally precise silver‐nanoclusters stabilized by Se‐donor ligands, [Ag₂₀{Se₂P(OⁱPr)₂}₁₂] ( 3 ) and [Ag₂₁{Se₂P(OEt)₂}₁₂]⁺( 4 ), were isolated by ligand replacement reaction of [Ag₂₀{S₂P(Oⁱ Pr)₂}₁₂] ( 1 ) and [Ag₂₁{S₂P(Oⁱ Pr)₂}₁₂]⁺ ( 2 ), respectively. Furthermore, doping reactions of 4 with Au(PPh₃)Cl resulted in the formation of [AuAg₂₀{Se₂P(OEt)₂}₁₂]⁺ ( 5 ). Structures of 3 , 4 , and 5 were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The anatomy of cluster 3 with an Ag₂₀ core having C ₃ symmetry is very similar to that of its dithiophosphate analogue 1 . Clusters 4 and 5 exhibit an Ag₂₁ and Au@Ag₂₀ core of O_h symmetry composed of eight silver capping atoms in a cubic arrangement and encapsulating an Ag₁₃ and Au@Ag₁₂ centered icosahedron, respectively. Both ligand exchange and heteroatom doping result in significant changes in optical and emissive properties for chalcogen‐passivated silver nanoparticles, which have been theoretically confirmed as 8‐electron superatoms.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Al(OH)<Subscript>3</Subscript>, Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Nanoparticles and Polymeric Nanocomposites

Applying of the most toxic halogenated and aromatic flame retardants is limited with respect to the environmental requirements. Nontoxic Al(OH)₃ nanoparticles were synthesized via a simple surfactant-free precipitation reaction at room temperature. The effect of various precipitation-agents on the morphology of the products was investigated. Al(OH)₃ nanoparticles were added to the polysulfone and poly styrene (PS) matrices. Electron microscope images show excellent dispersion of aluminium hydroxide in PS matrix. Nanoparticles appropriately enhanced both thermal stability and flame retardant property of the polymeric matrices. The enhancement of flame retardancy is due to endothermic decomposition of Al(OH)₃ that absorbs heat and simultaneously releases of water (makes combustible gases diluted and cold). Dispersed nanoparticles play the role of a barrier layer against flame, oxygen and polymer volatilization. Al(OH)₃ was converted to Al₂O₃ and its photo-catalyst property in degradation three different organic dyes as pollutants was investigated.     

Preparation and photoelectrochemical performance of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/Ag<Subscript>2</Subscript>Se interface composite film

Coupling TiO₂ with a narrow band gap semiconductor acting as the photosensitizer has attracted much attention in solar energy exploitation. In this work, the porous TiO₂ film was first formed on the conducting glass plate (CGP) substrate by the decomposition of polyethylene glycol (PEG) mixing in titanium hydroxide sol at 450°C. Then, the TiO₂/Ag²Se interface composite film was fabricated by interface reaction of AgNO₃ with NaSeSO₃ on the activated surface of porous TiO₂ film. The results of SEM and XRD analyses indicated that the porous TiO₂ layer was made up of the anatase crystal, and the Ag₂Se layer was made up of congregative small particles that have low-temperature α-phase structure. Due to its efficient charge separation for the photo-induced electron-hole pairs, the TiO₂/Ag₂Se interface composite film as-prepared has good photovoltaic property and high photocurrent response for visible light, which have been confirmed by the photoelectrochemical measurements.     

Pt<Subscript>core</Subscript>Ag<Subscript>shell</Subscript> nanoparticle-catalyzed reduction of methylviologene with hydrogen in aqueous solution

Bimetallic Pt_coreAg_shell nanoparticles demonstrate the ability to catalyze methylviologene reduction with hydrogen in water-alkali solutions, which is inherent in platinum nanoparticles. The onset of the reaction is preceded by an induction period whose duration increases with the thickness of a silver layer covering a platinum core. The reaction slows down with a rise in the thickness of the silver layer. The mechanism of catalysis is discussed.     

Synthesis and structure of the polymeric complex [Ag<Subscript>2</Subscript>(Ph<Subscript>3</Subscript>P)<Subscript>2</Subscript>B<Subscript>10</Subscript>H<Subscript>10</Subscript>]<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript>

A method for the synthesis of the silver(I) complex with the closo-decaborate anion and triphenylphosphine [Ag₂(Ph₃P)₂B₁₀H₁₀] _n was developed and the structure of this complex was studied. The polymeric chain of the complex is formed with participation of Ag(I) atoms, which coordinate the B₁₀H₁₀²⁻ anions through the apical (B(1)–B(2), B(9)–B(10)) and equatorial (B(3)–B(6), B(5)–B(8)) edges, the metalligand bonding occurring through three-center two-electron bonds (MHB). The P atoms of two triphenylphosphine molecules are also incorporated in the inner coordination sphere of the metal: the CN of the silver atom is 4 + 1.     

纳米银形状控制合成与聚合物纳米银复合材料

纳米银(Ag NPs)由于其独特的物理、化学和生物学特性备受研究人员的关注.纳米银应用性能除了受到粒子尺寸、分布、纯度等因素影响,还与纳米银的形状密切相关.纳米银的形状对纳米银的抗菌性能、光学性能以及聚合物纳米银复合材料的综合性能都会产生重要影响.纳米银的形状控制合成可以进一步发挥聚合物纳米银复合材料的性能潜力.因此,不断发展纳米银新的合成方法,研究纳米银形状控制的机理就显得尤为重要.本文综述了纳米银合成方法和不同形状纳米银的最新研究进展,合成方法重点介绍了辐射法、激光烧蚀法、电化学法、光化学法和生物合成法,评述了这些方法的优缺点;同时从模板法、动力学、热力学以及氧化刻蚀4个方面介绍了纳米银形状控制的机理.介绍了聚合物纳米银复合材料的研究进展.     

Phase formation in the Ag<Subscript>2</Subscript>MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-MgMoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>(MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> system

The subsolidus region of the Ag₂MoO₄-MgMoO₄-Al₂(MoO₄)₃ ternary salt system has been studied by X-ray phase analysis. The formation of new compounds Ag_{1 ? x} Mg_{1 ? x} Al_{1 + x} (MoO₄)₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4) and AgMg₃Al(MoO₄)₅ has been determined. The Ag_{1 ? x} Mg_{1 ? x} Al_{1 + x} (MoO₄)₃ variable-composition phase is related to the NASICON type structure (space group R \(\bar 3\) c). AgMg₃Al(MoO₄)₅ is isostructural to sodium magnesium indium molybdate of the same formula unit and crystallizes in triclinic system (space group P \(\bar 1\), Z = 2) with the following unit cell parameters: a = 9.295(7) Å, b = 17.619(2) Å, c = 6.8570(7) Å, α = 87.420(9)°, β = 101.109(9)°, γ = 91.847(9)°. The compounds Ag_{1 ? x} Mg_{1 ? x} Al_{1 + x} (MoO₄)₃ and AgMg₃Al(MoO₄)₅ are thermally stable up to 790 and 820°C, respectively.     

Solution,Solid-State Two Step Synthesis and Optical Properties of ZnO and SnO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Nanoparticles and Their Nanocomposites with SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Nanostructure luminescent ZnO and SnO₂ materials are prepared by a two-step solid-state method based on the solution preparation of the macromolecular precursors ZnCl₂·Chitosan and SnCl₂·Chitosan having different ratios (1:1, 1:5 and 1:10), their pyrolysis under air at 800 °C. The pyrolytic ZnO and SnO₂ nanomaterials show a dependence of the particle size, morphology and luminescent properties with the ratio [metal/polymer] in the MCl₂·Chitosan precursors. Thus, ZnO semiconductor materials exhibit luminescence spectra with several emission at 440 nm corresponds to a radiative transition of an electron from the shallow donor level of oxygen vacancies, and the zinc interstitial, to the valence band. On the other hand, the photoluminescence spectrum of the nanostructured SnO₂ shows an intense blue luminescence at a wavelength of 420 nm which may be attributed to oxygen-related defects that have been introduced during the growth process of the nanoparticles. Additionally, whereas SnO₂ was successfully incorporated into SiO₂ structure (SnO₂//SiO₂) by pyrolysis of solid-state mixtures of the precursors SnCl₂·Chitosan in the presence of SiO₂, the same reaction carried out with ZnCl₂·Chitosan precursors led to a mixture of Zn₂SiO₄ and SiO₂. Thus, this new methodology yields nanostructured semiconductor materials, ZnO and SnO₂, suitable for optoelectronic and sensor solid-state devices.     

Quantum chemical simulation of propylene oxidation on Ag<Subscript>20</Subscript>

The adsorption of atomic oxygen and the mechanism of propylene (C₃H₆) oxidation to oxide (C₃H₆O) on an Ag₂₀ tetrahedral cluster were studied using density functional theory. The effects of cluster structure and active site structure on the mechanism of this reaction were considered. The oxidation of C₃H₆ can occur both on an edge and at the apex of the silver cluster. The C₃H₆O formation steps on the cluster edge are characterized by lower activation energies.     

Peptide‐Stabilized,Fluorescent Silver Nanoclusters: Solid‐Phase Synthesis and Screening

Few‐atom silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) can exhibit strong fluorescence; however, they require ligands to prevent aggregation into larger nanoparticles. Fluorescent AgNCs in biopolymer scaffolds have so far mainly been synthesized in solution, and peptides have only found limited use compared to DNA. Herein, we demonstrate how solid‐phase methods can increase throughput dramatically in peptide ligand screening and in initial evaluation of fluorescence intensity and chemical stability of peptide‐stabilized AgNCs (P‐AgNCs). 9‐Fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (Fmoc) solid‐phase peptide synthesis on a hydroxymethyl‐benzoic acid (HMBA) polyethylene glycol polyacrylamide copolymer (PEGA) resin enabled on‐resin screening and evaluation of a peptide library, leading to identification of novel peptide‐stabilized, fluorescent AgNCs. Using systematic amino acid substitutions, we synthesized and screened a 144‐member library. This allowed us to evaluate the effect of length, charge, and Cys content in peptides used as ligands for AgNC stabilization. The results of this study will enable future spectroscopic studies of these peptide‐stabilized AgNCs for bioimaging and other applications.     

A Sulfide (Selenide)-Centered Nonanuclear Silver Cluster: A Distorted and Flexible Tricapped Trigonal Prismatic Ag<Subscript>9</Subscript> Framework

Two luminescent, monoanionic chalcogenide-centered nonanuclear silver clusters stabilized by dichalcogenophosphates were synthesized and fully characterized by various spectroscopies including multinuclear NMR and ESI-mass. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies on both cluster anions, [Ag₉(S){S₂P(OEt)₂}₈]^?, 1, and [Ag₉(Se){Se₂P(OEt)₂}₈]^?, 2, reveal that the nine silver atoms form an extremely distorted tricapped trigonal prism, which has an encapsulating chalcogenide. The coordination geometry of the central chalcogenide appears to be monocapped trigonal prismatic, which was analyzed by DFT calculations. The origin of the yellow emission is assigned by TDDFT calculations to originate from a chalcogen (ligand + encapsulated) → silver charge transfer.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of new double mercury silver phosphide iodide Hg<Subscript>12</Subscript>Ag<Subscript>41</Subscript>P<Subscript>88</Subscript>I<Subscript>41</Subscript>

New double mercury silver phosphide iodide Hg₁₂Ag₄₁P₈₈I₄₁ (1) was synthesized and its crystal structure was established. Compound 1 crystallizes in the cubic system. The characteristic feature of the crystal structure 1 is the presence of the anionic cage clusters P₁₁ ³⁻, which have been previously found in alkali metal compounds only. The well-ordered P₁₁ ³⁻ clusters form a system of polyhedra, which encapsulate various disordered α-AgI-type fragments. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 1882–1886, October, 2007.     

A Comparative Study of the Nonlinear Optical Properties of Cd<Subscript>n</Subscript>X<Subscript>n</Subscript> (X: S,Se and Te) Clusters

We report results of hyperpolarizability calculations on Cd_nX_n (X: S, Se and Te; n = 1–10) clusters. Our results show that the geometric configurations of different types of clusters under investigation are quite similar at specific values of n. Both static and frequency dependent components of first and second order hyperpolarizability tensors of Cd_nS_n, Cd_nSe_n and Cd_nTe_n are compared. It is observed that in general nonlinear optical coefficients show identical variation in all the cluster materials. The present investigation also manifests the improvement of these coefficients due to the introduction of asymptotically correct generalized gradient approximation functional over the local density functional and normal gradient corrected functional. Symmetrized fragment orbital analysis has been performed to provide explanation of the observed hyperpolarizability variation. We also analyse how geometries with closely lying energy values influence the hyperpolarizabilities of these cluster materials.     

Behavior of silver sulfide in the system Ag<Subscript>2</Subscript>S-Fe(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>-HNO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Behavior of silver sulfide in the system Ag₂S-Fe(NO₃)₃-HNO₃-H₂O was studied at 25, 55, and 80°C using the method of the simplex-lattice experiment design. The quantitative dependences of Ag₂S oxidation on the concentrations of the acid and Fe³⁺ were determined. The isoconcentration diagrams were obtained.     

Facile ultrasonic-assisted preparation of Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>/Ag<Subscript>3</Subscript>VO<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanocomposites as magnetically recoverable visible-light-driven photocatalysts with considerable activity

In this work, a facile ultrasonic-assisted method was applied for preparation of Fe₃O₄/Ag₃VO₄ nanocomposites with different compositions. The as-prepared products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive analysis of X-rays, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometery. Photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B under visible-light irradiation was investigated, and it was found that weight ratio of Fe₃O₄–Ag₃VO₄ has significant influence on the photocatalytic activity and the nanocomposite with 1:4 weight ratio of Fe₃O₄–Ag₃VO₄ has superior activity. In addition, the nanocomposite showed great activities in degradations of methylene blue and fuchsine, which are comparable with activity of the pure Ag₃VO₄. More importantly, this nanocomposite displayed remarkable saturation magnetization, leading to easily and quickly separation of its suspension from treated system by applying a magnetic field.