Density functional study on electronic and optical properties of C (or N)-doped cubic cerium dioxide

Density functional calculations were performed on electronic and optical properties of C (or N)-doped cubic cerium dioxide (CeO₂). When O is replaced by C (or N) in CeO₂, obvious band-gap (E_g) reduction is observed. Meanwhile, it is interesting to find that the substitutional doping of C (or N) in CeO₂ obviously increases the O 2p–Ce 4f transition intensity and also the refractive index. The increase in the O 2p–Ce 4f transition intensity on going from undoped, N-doped and C-doped CeO₂ was related to the covalent character of the Ce–O bond. Compared with the undoped CeO₂, the C (or N)-doped CeO₂, with steep absorption peaks at lower energy, can be used for visible-light absorption applications.     

Final-state effects in the 3d and 4d X-Ray photoelectron spectra of CeO2

The complex 3d and 4d X-ray photoelectron spectra of CeO₂ arc re-interpreted with the aid of multiple scattering Xα and intermediate coupling calculations. Features in the 3d spectrum are identified with Ce 3d⁹4f⁰, 3d⁹4f¹VB^?1, and 3d⁹5p⁵np final-state configurations. Multiplet coupling in the 3d⁹4f¹ system is found to be significant.     

A comparative multi-reference configuration interaction study of the low-lying states of two thione isomers of thiophenol

Multi-reference configuration interaction, MR-CI (including extensivity corrections, named +Q), calculations were performed on the S₀–S₃ states of cyclohexa-2,4-diene-1-thione (thione 24 ) and cyclohexa-2,5-diene-1-thione (thione 25 ), which are thione isomers of thiophenol. Several types of uncontracted MR-CIS and MR-CISD wavefunctions were employed, comprising MR-CI expansions as large as ~365 × 10⁶ configuration state functions. The nature of the studied excited states was characterized. Vertical excitation energies (ΔE) and oscillator strengths (f) were computed. The most intense transitions (S₀ → S₂ for 24 and S₀ → S₃ for 25 ) did not change with the wavefunction, although a variation as large as ~1 eV was obtained for the S₃ state of 24 , at the highest (MR-CI+Q) level. On the other hand, ΔE changed at most by ~0.56 eV for 25 as the wavefunction changes, at the same level. The S₁ state of both thiones was found to have nπ* character and is in the visible region. For 24 , S₂ and S₃ are ππ* and nπ* states, respectively, while for 25 the reverse order is obtained. S₂ and S₃ are in the range ~3.5 to 5.2 eV, again at the highest level. It is the first time that the excited states of the title molecules are studied. The computed results agree with the experimental onset of photoreactions of thiones 24 and 25 found by Reva et al (Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2015 , 17, 4888).     

Theoretical insight into the magnetic circular dichroism of uranium N6,7-edge X-ray absorption

We use ligand-field density functional theory to determine the electronic structure and to model magnetic circular dichroism in the X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) of uranium compounds. This study extends earlier work on tetravalent uranium ion, in which a model Hamiltonian was set up in order to study electronic structure with three nonequivalent 4f, 5f, and 6d electrons. In the earlier work, the model Hamiltonian took into consideration the interelectron repulsion, spin-orbit coupling interaction, and ligand-field splitting. Uranium N_6,7-edge XAS spectra were calculated on the basis of the 5f² → 4f¹³5f²6d¹ electron transition, showing spectral profiles that were mainly dominated by 4f electron spin-orbit coupling, as well as 6d ligand-field splitting. Fine structures were also observed due to the interelectronic repulsion between 4f-5f, 4f-6d, and 5f-6d electrons. Here, the theoretical study is extended to take into consideration the presence of an external magnetic field, incorporating into the model Hamiltonian for three-open-shell electron configuration a term for Zeeman interaction. Therefore, we are able to model spectra with a left-circularly and right-circularly polarized X-ray, demonstrating evidence of X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) for a tetravalent U⁴⁺ ion in the molecular (U(η⁸-C₈H₈)₂) complex. The XMCD originates from a ground-state electronic structure with open-shell 5f electrons. Furthermore, the present calculation of uranium N_6,7-edge XAS and XMCD spectra also enables the ligand-field bonding analysis of the coordination compound.     

Electron spectroscopic investigation of metal-insulator transition in Ce1-xSrxTiO3

We have carried out detailed electron spectroscopic investigation of Ce_1−x Sr_xTiO₃ exhibiting insulator-metal transition withx. Core level X-ray photoelectron spectra of Ce3d as well as resonant photoemission spectra obtained at the Ce4d→4f resonant absorption threshold establish Ce as being in the trivalent state throughout the series. Using the ’off-resonance’ condition for Ce 4f states, we obtain the Ti3d dominated spectral features close toE _F , exhibiting clear signatures of coherent and incoherent peaks. We discuss the implications of our findings in relation to the metalinsulator transition observed in this series of compounds. Dedicated to Professor C N R Rao on his 70th birthday     

On the Bond Length Change upon 4f 1 → 5d 1 Excitations in Eightfold Coordination: CaF2:Ce3+ Cubic Defects

The bond lengths of 4f ¹ and 5d ¹ electronic states of cubic (CeF₈)⁵⁻ defects in fluorite have been calculated using quantum mechanical embedding, spin-free relativistic Hamiltonian, and dynamic electron correlation through second-order perturbation theory. The results predict the bond length between Ce and the surrounding eight F to shorten upon 4f ¹ → 5d ¹ excitation. This result coincides with previous findings for lanthanide and actinide ions in sixfold octahedral complexes where the ligand field splitting of the 5d (6d) orbitals is inverted with respect to the eightfold cubic field splitting. Altogether, the results of sixfold and eightfold coordination indicate that the bond shrinkage experienced upon 4f ⁿ to 4f ^n-15d ¹ excitations (5f ⁿ to 5f ^n-16d ¹ in the actinides) seems to be a general result of f-element complexes. These theoretical results contradict a widespread assumption according to which the bond length increases upon f→ d excitation and, therefore, experimental measurements of the sign of the bond length distortion that either validate or refute the quantum chemical predictions are most desirable.     

Perturbation calculation of atomic correlation energies for the first transition period

Results are presented for calculations of Hartree—Fock and correlation energies for the 3dⁿ 4s² and 3dⁿ⁺¹ 4s ground and excited states of the first transition series atoms using second-order Møller—Plesset perturbation theory starting with an unrestricted Hartree—Fock wavefunction.     

Sol–gel synthesis and optical behavior of Mg–Ce–O nano-crystallites

The Mg–Ce–O powder are shown to contain periclase-type MgO and/or fluoride-type cerium oxide (CeO₂) depending upon the composition (x) defined by Ce/(Ce + Mg) atomic ratio. Lattice contraction of pariclase phase of MgO (average crystallite size ~8.8 nm) at Ce content of ‘x’ = 0.20 in comparison to pure MgO (crystallite size ~9.5 nm) has been realized due to oxygen vacancy formation. The optical band gap values of CeO₂ varies (3.0–3.2 eV) due to oxygen vacancy formation in CeO₂ phase, crystallite size and/or Ce³⁺/Ce⁴⁺ ratio. Further, the addition of Ce has shown to reduce the physisorption and chemisorption of water significantly as reflected by (1) suppression of related absorption peaks and (2) absence of magnesium hydroxide, Mg(OH)₂, bands in Fourier transform infrared spectra.     

CeO2掺量对铝硼硅玻璃固化体抗浸出性能的影响

通过XRD、XPS、SEM和ICP-MS等表征方法,研究不同掺量下CeO2在铝硼硅玻璃固化体中物相的变化及其对抗浸出性能的影响。结果表明:玻璃网络结构中nCe4+∶nCe3+=9.25∶1,且CeO2质量分数达到或超过7%时,固化体内开始析出方铈矿晶体结构。1 d时随着CeO2掺量的增加,玻璃固化体rCe先降低后升高,28 d时则表现出逐渐降低的趋势。而在同一CeO2掺量下,rCe随浸出时间的延长逐渐降低,其中CeO2质量分数为9%的玻璃样品bE的rCe在7 d后稳定在4×10-6g.m-2.d-1以下,抗浸出性能较为优异。因此控制CeO2在一定范围内过量析出,可获得抗浸出性能优于完全溶于玻璃体的固化体。     

Chemical effects on valence→L emissions of lanthanide compounds

Ce Lβ emission spectra of CeF₃ and CeO₂ have been measured with energy resolution of ~ 3 eV by a wave-dispersive spectrometer. The observed Ce Lβ₇ band shows certain difference between the two compounds both in profile and intensity. The chemical effects can be reproduced by a band calculation using WIEN2k, which suggests that the Ce Lβ₇ reflects valence-band structure of compounds, and therefore, is hopeful as a probe of selective X-ray absorption fine structure.     

Evidence for long-lived excited states of [CnH2]2+ carbodications

The energetics, structures, stabilities and reactivities of[C_nH₂]²⁺ ions have been investigated using computational methods and experimental mass spectrometric techniques. Spontaneous decompositions of [C_nH₂]²⁺ into [C_nH]⁺ + H⁺ products, observed for ions with odd-n values, have been explained by invoking the formation of excited triplet states. Even-n [C_nH]⁺ ions possess triplet ground states with low-lying excited states, whereas odd-n ions have triplet states with energies several eV above ground singlet states. Radiationless transitions of vibrationally excited long-lived triplet state ions into singlet state continua are suggested as possible mechanisms for spontaneous deprotonation processes of odd-n [C_nH₂]²⁺ ions. Evidence for these long-lived excited states has been obtained in bimolecular single electron transfer reactions.     

Growth,characterization and interfacial reaction of magnetron sputtered Pt/CeO2 thin films on Si and Si3N4 substrates

Growth of magnetron sputtered Pt/CeO₂ thin films on Si and Si₃N₄ were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Interaction of Pt/CeO₂ films with Si on Si and Si₃N₄ substrates was extensively investigated by XPS. XRD studies show that films are oriented preferentially to (200) direction of CeO₂. XPS results show that Pt is mainly present in +2 oxidation state in Pt/CeO₂/Si film, whereas Pt⁴⁺ predominates in Pt/CeO₂/Si₃N₄ film. Concentration of Pt⁴⁺ species is more than four times on Si₃N₄ substrate as compared with that on Si. Ce is present as both +4 and +3 oxidation states in Pt/CeO₂ films deposited on Si and Si₃N₄ substrates, but concentration of Ce³⁺ species is more in Pt/CeO₂/Si film. Interfacial reaction between CeO₂ and Si substrate is controlled in the presence of Pt. Pt/Ce concentration ratio decreases in Pt/CeO₂/Si₃N₄ film upon successive sputtering, whereas this ratio decreases initially and then increases in Pt/CeO₂/Si film. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

XPS primary excitation spectra of Zn 2p,Fe 2p,and Ce 3d from ZnO, α-Fe2O3, and CeO2

Metal oxides are important for current development in nanotechnology. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) is a widely used technique to study the oxidation states of metals, and a basic understanding of the photoexcitation process is important to obtain the full information from XPS. We have studied core level excitations of Zn 2p, Fe 2p, and Ce 3d photoelectron emissions from ZnO, α-Fe₂O₃, and CeO₂. Using an effective energy-differential XPS inelastic-scattering cross section evaluated within the semiclassical dielectric response model for XPS, we analysed the experimental spectra to determine the corresponding primary excitation spectra, ie, the initial excitation processes. We find that simple emission (Zn 2p) as well as complex multiplet photoemission spectra (Fe 2p and Ce 3d) can be quantitatively analysed with our procedure. Moreover, for α-Fe₂O₃, it is possible to use the software package CTM4XAS (Charge Transfer Multiplet program for X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy) to calculate its primary excitation spectrum within a quantum mechanical model, and it was found to be in good agreement with the spectrum determined by analysis of the experiment.     

Deep Red Emitting Heteroleptic Ir(III) Complexes that Incorporate Unsymmetrical 4-quinoline Carboxylic Acid Derived Ligands

Six disubstituted ligands based upon 2-(2′-pyridinyl/pyrazinyl)quinoline-4-carboxylic acids have been synthesised, solvent-free, in one step from a range of commercially available isatin derivatives. These species behave as ancillary chelating ligands for Ir(III) complexes of the form [Ir(C^N)₂(N^N)]PF₆ (where C^N=cyclometalating ligand; N^N=2-(2′-pyridinyl/pyrazinyl)quinoline-4-carboxylic acids). An X-ray crystallographic study on one complex shows a distorted octahedral geometry wherein a cis-C,C and trans-N,N coordination mode is observed for the cyclometalating ligands. DFT calculations predicted that variations in N^N ligand from 2,2′-bipyridine to L^{1 – 6} should localise the LUMO on to the Lⁿ ligand and that the complexes are predicted to display MLCT/LLCT character. All complexes displayed luminescence in the deep red part of the visible region (674–679 nm) and emit from triplet states, but with little apparent tuning as a function of L^{1 – 6} . Further time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy supports the participation of these triplet states to the excited state character.     

RE4[P1–x(C2)x]3 (RE = La–Nd): the Mixed Anionic Substructure Formed by Phosphorus and Carbon

The rare‐earth phosphide carbides RE₄[P_1–x(C₂)_x]₃ (RE = La, Ce, Pr, Nd) represent the first example of a mixed anionic substructure formed by phosphorus and carbon, being the first step toward the formation of the mixed inorganic P–C species. The peculiarities of the crystal structure, magnetic properties, XAS data, and quantum chemical calculation results confirm the ionic nature of the interaction between the rare‐earth cations RE and phosphorus anions, while complex interaction of π states of the C₂ anions and d (and/or f) states of the RE components is indicated. Thus, despite the extensive chemical analogy between the phosphide carbides and phosphide silicides, the atomic interactions stabilizing the structural motif are slightly different.     

Chemical effects on L shell fluorescence yields of Ba, La and Ce compounds

Chemical effects on the average L shell fluorescence yields (v_L) for Ba, La and Ce compounds were investigated. Samples were excited by gamma-rays with 59.5 keV energy photons from a ²⁴¹Am radioisotope source. L X-rays emitted by samples were counted by a Si(Li) detector with a resolution 155 eV at 5.9 keV. Chemical effects on the average L shell fluorescence yield (v _L) for Ba, La and Ce compounds were observed. The values are compared with theoretical and experimental ones for the pure elements.     

Cerium triiodate,Ce(IO3)3

The crystal structure of Ce(IO₃)₃ consists of one‐dimensional chains of edge‐sharing CeO₉ polyhedra which are crosslinked into two‐dimensional layers through bridging IO₃⁻ groups. The layers are held together via long I⋯O contacts, resulting in an extended three‐dimensional network. The I—O bond distances and O—I—O angles are normal, lying in the ranges 1.806 (4)–1.846 (4) Å and 89.9 (2)–100.9 (2)°, respectively. The three crystallographically independent iodate groups all show different coordination modes.     

Analysis of pseudo jahn–teller distortion based on natural bond orbital theory: Case study for silicene

Ground state (GS) instability of nondegenerate molecules in high symmetric structures is understood through Pseudo Jahn–Teller mixing of the electronic states through the vibronic coupling. The general approach involves setting up of a Pseudo Jahn–Teller (PJT) problem wherein one or more symmetry allowed excited states couple to the GS to create vibrational instability along a normal mode. This faces two major complications namely (1) estimating the adiabatic potential energy surfaces for the excited states which are often difficult to describe in case the excited states have charge-transfer or multi-excitonic (ME) character and (2) finding out how many such excited states (all satisfying the symmetry requirements for vibronic coupling) of increasing energies need to be coupled with the GS for a particular PJT problem. An analogous alternative approach presented here for the well-known case of symmetry breaking of planar (D_6h) hexasilabenzene (Si₆H₆) to the buckled (D_3d) structure involves identifying the second-order donor–acceptor, hyperconjugative interactions (E²_{i → j}) that stabilize the distorted structure. Following the recent work of Nori-Shargh and Weinhold, one observes that the orbitals involved in the vibronic coupling between the S₀/S_n states and those for the donor (filled)–acceptor (empty) interactions are identical. In fact, deletion of any particular pair of E²_{i → j} interaction creates vibrational instability in the buckled structure and as a corollary, deleting it for the planar structure removes its instability. The one-to-one correlation between the natural bond orbital theory and PJT theory assists in an intuitive identification of the relevant (few) excited states from a manifold of computed ones that cause symmetry breaking by vibronic coupling. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Triple Helicates with Golden Strands: Self‐Assembly of M2Au6 Complexes from Gold(I) Metallaligands and Iron(II), Cobalt(II) or Zinc(II) Cations

Alkynyl gold(I) metallaligands [(AuC≡Cbpyl)₂(μ‐diphosphine)] (bpyl=2,2′‐bipyridin‐5‐yl; diphosphine=Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh₂, [n=3 (L^Pr), 4 (L^Bu), 5 (L^Pent), 6 (L^Hex)], dppf (L^Fc), Binap (L^Binap) and Diop (L^Diop)) react with MX₂ (M=Fe, Zn, X=ClO₄; M=Co, X=BF₄) to give triple helicates [M₂(L^R)₃]X₄. These complexes, except those containing the semirigid L^Binap metallaligand, present similar hydrodynamic radii (determined by diffusion NMR spectroscopy measurements) and a similar pattern in the aromatic region of their ¹H NMR spectra, which suggests that in solution they adopt a compact structure where the long and flexible organometallic strands are folded. The diastereoselectivity of the self‐assembly process was studied by using chiral metallaligands, and the absolute configuration of the iron(II) complexes with L^Binap and L^Diop was determined by circular dichroism spectroscopy (CD). Thus, (R)‐L^Binap or (S)‐L^Binap specifically induce the formation of (Δ,Δ)‐[Fe₂((R)‐L^Binap)₃](ClO₄)₄ or (Λ,Λ)‐[Fe₂((S)‐L^Binap)₃](ClO₄)₄, respectively, whereas (R,R)‐ or (S,S)‐L^Diop give mixtures of the ΔΔ‐ and ΛΛ‐diastereomers. The ΔΔ helicate diastereomer is dominant in the reaction of Fe^II with (R,R)‐L^Diop, whereas the ΛΛ isomer predominates in the analogous reaction with (S,S)‐L^Diop. The photophysical properties of the new dinuclear alkynyl complexes and the helicates have been studied. The new metallaligands and the [Zn₂(L^R)₃]⁴⁺ helicates present luminescence from [π→π*] excited states mainly located in the C≡Cbpyl units.