Infrared spectroscopy and photochemistry of NCCN+ and CNCN+ trapped in solid neon

When a Ne:NCCN sample is codeposited at 4.3 K with neon atoms that have been excited in a microwave discharge, the infrared and near infrared spectra of the resulting deposit include a prominent peak at 1799.5 cm-1, previously assigned to nu3 of NCCN+, and several new absorptions at higher frequencies which are contributed by combination bands of ground-state NCCN+. The exposure of the deposit to near infrared and red light results in the appearance of two new absorptions which are attributed to CNCN+. The reverse isomerization occurs when the sample is exposed to near ultraviolet radiation, but the two new absorptions are regenerated upon subsequent irradiation with near infrared and red light.     

Degenerate Effect on the Mobility of Holes in Graphane: A Study Based on Density Functional Theory Coupled with Deformation Potential Theory

The traditional deformation potential method is not able to calculate the charge mobility of heavily doped degenerate semiconductors, in which inter‐band scattering is not negligible. To theoretically predict the charge mobility of such semiconductors, an improved deformation potential method is required, in which the deformation potential constant is decomposed into two parts (hydrostatic and uniaxial terms) based on k?p theory to incorporate the inter‐band scattering between degenerate valence bands. We propose a new method to calculate the heavy‐ and light‐hole mobilities of graphane. The proposed method produces more appropriate values than the traditional methods. Hence, the new method can be applied to other 2D materials with degenerate bands.     

The electronic spectrum of AuO: a combined theoretical and experimental study

The near-infrared electronic spectrum of AuO(1) has been re-examined in light of the new microwave data on the v = 0 and v = 1 vibrations of the X(2)Pi(3/2) state of AuO. The two observed bands in the spectrum, with red-degraded bandheads located at 10726 and 10665 cm(-1), have been reanalyzed. New theoretical work on AuO clarifies the electronic structure, and the bands in the infrared are now assigned as the (0,1) and (1,2) bands of the a(4)Sigma(-)(3/2) - X(2)Pi(3/2) transition, respectively.     

Vibrational studies in aqueous solutions: Part I. The oxalate ion

The assignment of the fundamental modes and the symmetry of the oxalate ion in solution are re-examined in the light of new experimental evidence. Particular attention is given to the Raman bands at 1455 and 1488 cm^?.     

Study on hydration of poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) microgels by near-IR and mid-IR spectroscopy

Hydration of poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) microgels was investigated by near-infrared (NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy. The thermosensitive microgels were prepared by emulsion polymerization, and turbidity, dynamic light scattering, and differential scanning calorimetry measurements were carried out. In MIR spectra, carbonyl bands consist of three components due to double, single, and zero hydrogen-bonding carbonyl groups as verified by density functional theory calculations. The relative intensities changed critically at the volume phase transition temperature upon heating. In NIR spectra, two absorbance peaks around 5,900?cm^?1 were observed, which can be assigned to the first overtone of C–H bands. Both of them undergo red shifts during the phase transition in a similar way to that of fundamental bands in MIR spectra. The result suggests that NIR spectroscopy may be a new general method that can provide new information for research on hydration of thermosensitive microgels.     

Formation of kink bands in oriented polymers

The circumstances of the formation of kink bands have been investigated with a newly designed shearing device and light and electron microscopes. Kink bands having sharp edges and reflection symmetry about the edges were formed and studied in the two crystalline polymers, high-density polyethylene and isotactic polypropylene, but could not be formed in the two glassy polymers, poly(4,4′-dioxydiphenyl-2,2-propane carbonate) and poly(2,6-dimethylphenylene oxide). The characteristics of the oriented polymer that promote kink bands seem to be easy slip along the orientation axis, and resistance of the oriented fibrils to length changes. Kink bands were found to initiate at sites of shear stress concentration, where the fibrils are first deformed into an S-shaped curve, that then tightens and finally collapses into kinks.     

Matrix-isolation infrared and ultraviolet spectroscopic studies of less stable conformers of 1,3,5-hexatriene

The infrared spectra of the 3-trans and 3-cis isomers of 1,3,5-hexatriene in low-temperature Ar matrices deposited from a high-temperature nozzle or deposited under irradiation of the Hg 253.7 nm light show a number of new bands. Correspondingly, the ultraviolet spectra of the 3-trans isomer observed under similar experimental conditions show a new absorption at 276 nm. Most of these new infrared bands and the new ultraviolet absorption are attributable to less stable isomers which have the planar s-cis conformation [or gauche conformation(s) close to the planar s-cis] about either one or both of the two CC bonds.     

Polypeptide patterns obtained by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of thylakoid membranes isolated from light and dark grown strains of Chlorogloea fritschii

Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis has been used to determine the difference between thylakoid polypeptide patterns of light and dark grown strains of the cyanobacterium Chlorogloea fritschii. There were only 2 prominent bands present in the dark grown strains, polypeptide Mr50,000 and polypeptide Mr90,000, also five fainter bands in the Mr range 45,000-66,200 corresponding to photosystem one, compared with the 32 bands present in the light grown strains. There was no obvious indication of the Mr 33,000 3-(3,4-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethyl-urea binding protein. In addition the progressive daily development of the various photosystem components in the light and their relationship in photosynthesis was determined. It was observed that the increase of the relative concentrations of the photosystem two and phycocyanin components indicated their developments are mutually synchronized. The effect of light to dark and dark to light transfer on established strains was investigated. Appreciable loss of photosystem two components and the presence of an additional band Mr22,500 of unknown function in the light to dark transfer, and little reactivation of the photosynthetic capabilities in the dark to light transfer was observed.     

Cholesteric liquid crystalline siloxanes with azo dye. Generation of additional reflection bands with linearly polarized light

Photosensitive cholesteric polysiloxanes, which contain an azo dye, were irradiated with linearly polarized light. The cholesteric samples were oriented in the Grandjean texture. Before irradiation they reflected circularly polarized light in the near infrared region. For perpendicular incidence, only one order of reflection was observed. Upon irradiation with linearly polarized light, which is absorbed by the azo dye, additional reflection bands appeared in the visible part of the spectrum. It turned out that the additional reflection is caused by a new Bragg type grating which shows higher reflection orders. The formation of the grating is based on the periodic deformation of the helical ordering of the molecules. The deformation is periodic, as due to photoselection, only dye molecules in equidistant layers with a suitable orientation absorb radiation. For low exposure, the grating reflects linearly polarized light. After continued irradiation, the reflection bands disappear almost completely. High birefringence, strongly dichroic dye absorption and the loss of the reflecting properties prove that a planar nematic texture has developed. The formation of this texture from the Grandjean texture is a new example for photoinduced rotational diffusion.     

Cooperative Chirality and Sequential Energy Transfer in a Supramolecular Light‐Harvesting Nanotube

By constructing a supramolecular light‐harvesting chiral nanotube in the aqueous phase, we demonstrate a cooperative energy and chirality transfer. It was found that a cyanostilbene‐appended glutamate compound (CG) self‐assembled into helical nanotubes exhibiting both supramolecular chirality and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL). When two achiral acceptors, ThT and AO, with different energy bands were co‐assembled with the nanotube, the CG nanotube could transfer its chirality to both of the acceptors. The excitation energy could be transferred to ThT but only be sequentially transferred to AO. During this process, the CPL ascribed to the acceptor could be sequentially amplified. This work provides a new insight into the understanding the cooperative chirality and energy transfer in a chiral supramolecular system, which is similar to the natural light‐harvesting antennas.     

Chlorophyll fluorescence imaging for the noninvasive assessment of anthocyanins in whole grape (Vitis vinifera L.) bunches

The distribution of anthocyanins in grape (Vitis vinifera L.) bunches from the Sangiovese cultivar was measured nondestructively by chlorophyll fluorescence imaging using two excitation light bands at 550 and 650 nm in sequence. The pixel intensity in the derived logarithm of the fluorescence excitation ratio image was directly related, by an exponential function (r2 = 0.93), to the anthocyanin concentration of berry extracts. The method will be useful for the assessment of the heterogeneity of anthocyanin accumulation in berries that is known to depend on physiologic and climatic factors. It can also represent a new, rapid and noninvasive technique for the assessment of grape ripening and the appropriate time of harvest.     

IR absorption intensities as a new spectral criterion for the activation of adsorbed molecules in heterogeneous acid catalysis

The criterion conventionally used to judge bond activation in molecules adsorbed on active sites of heterogeneous catalysts is the bathochromic shift of the corresponding IR absorption bands. The intensity of these bands, which characterizes bond polariability, can be used as an additional bond activation criterion. This new spectral criterion is particularly promising for acid and acid-base catalysis, in which the activation of adsorbed molecules is due to their polarization by active sites. Examples are provided here to illustrate the fruitfulness of the new approach. These examples include judging the strength of Brønsted acid sites from the intensity of the OH stretching band and an analysis of the dissociative adsorption and dehydrogenation of light paraffins on metal cation forms of zeolites and of proton transfer from Brønsted acid sites to adsorbed paraffin molecules.     

Upconverting nanoparticles for nanoscale thermometry

Upconverting materials are capable of absorbing near-infrared light and converting it into short-wavelength luminescence. The efficiency of this remarkable effect is highly temperature dependent and thus can be used for temperature determination (thermometry) on a nanometer scale. All the upconverting materials discovered so far display several (mainly two) narrow emission bands, each of which has its own temperature dependence. The ratio of the intensity of two of these bands provides a referenced signal for optical sensing of temperature, for example inside cells.     

Photophysical properties of Hypericum perforatum L. extracts--novel photosensitizers for PDT

We report the preparation of the methanolic extract (ME), and polar methanolic fraction (PMF) from the plant Hypericum perforatum L. The extracts contain various photosensitizing constituents such as naphthodianthrone derivatives (in 1.37% w/w), and chlorophylls (in 0.08% w/w). Upon light emission these constituents can be activated, providing photodynamic properties to the extracts, and making them a potent, new class, natural photosensitizers for use in photodynamic therapy (PDT), and photodynamic diagnosis (PDD). The absorbance spectra of the extracts are similar to the spectrum of hypericin, the main naphthodianthrone identified within, with two major bands at 548 and 590 nm. The fluorescence spectra in ethanol exhibit two main bands around 595 and 640 nm, in accordance with the spectrum of pure hypericin. The fluorescence intensity of PMF at 595 nm is only eight times less than the intensity of pure hypericin at the same wavelength, even though its hypericin concentration is only 0.57% w/w. The dependence of the PMF fluorescence signal on the pH of the medium, alone and in comparison with the signal of hypericin, has been investigated. PMF signal fades steadily, and smoothly both in acidic, and basic environment.     

Reconsideration of the electroabsorption spectrum of the anthracene crystal

A non-linear least-squares procedure is applied directly to resolve the electroabsorption spectrum of anthracene into individual bands. Statistical tests and recent theoretical results are used to determine the number of bands. The band at around 3.68 eV is confirmed and two new bands are detected at 3.842 and 4.023 eV.     

Floquet engineering of topological states in realistic quantum materials via light-matter interactions

Electronic states in quantum materials can be engineered by light irradiation, which is greatly advanced by ab-initio computational predictions in realistic light-matter coupled systems. Here we review the most recent progresses from first principles computation in the light-driven Floquet steady states and transient dynamical states with topological electronic bands in real crystals. We first introduce the first-principles modeling approach, dubbed time-dependent Wannier scheme, for simulating real quantum materials under light irradiation. Then, we present a few examples of theoretically-predicted Floquet-Bloch electronic bands engineered by time-periodic light fields, which include the three types of Floquet-Dirac fermions in graphene and black phosphorus, the Floquet-Chern flat bands with an unprecedented high flatness ratio of band width over band gap in a Kagome material, and the Floquet conversion between bright and dark valley excitons in monolayer transition-metal dichalcogenides. Next, we show the ultrafast dynamical evolution of Weyl nodal points in orthorhombic WTe₂ driven by a time-aperiodic short light pulse, and discuss the connection between the Floquet and transient states engineered by light. After that, we introduce three prominent experiments, inspired by theoretical predictions, on the light-induced topological Floquet electronic bands in quantum crystalline materials. Finally, we make a brief summary and perspective on the engineering of topological electronic states through light-matter interactions.     

Mechanism of revert spacing in a PbCrO4 Liesegang system

Periodic precipitation of sparingly soluble salts yields parallel Liesegang bands in 1D whose spacings obey either one of two known trends. The overwhelming trend is an increase in spacing as we move away from the junction, while some systems display a decrease in spacing as the bands get further away from the interface. The latter trend is much less common and is known as the revert spacing law. Whereas the direct (normal) spacing law is generally well-understood, the revert spacing trend has not been explicitly and distinctly elucidated. In this paper, we propose a mechanism of revert spacing governed by the adsorption of the diffusing CrO4(2?) ions on the formed PbCrO4 Liesegang bands and carry out a set of experiments that support the suggested scenario. It is shown that this adsorption increases as the band number (n) increases in revert spacing systems, while it decreases as n increases in direct spacing systems. It is concluded that this correlation in opposite directions decisively reveals the role of adsorption in the mechanism. The attraction between the CrO4(2?) and Pb(2+) in the gel causes the bands to form gradually closer and closer. Secondary structure (thinner bands formed within the main ones) obtained under some conditions is discussed in view of the light sensitivity of the chromate ion and the stability of the lead chromate sol.     

Application of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to mechanistic electrochemistry: Oxidation of iodide at gold electrodes

The electrooxidation of dilute (1 mM) iodide at the gold-aqueous interface has been examined by rotating disk voltammetry combined with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) in order to identify the surface species formed and hence to shed light on the electrooxidation mechanism. Marked changes in the SER spectra occur upon shifting the electrode potential through the region where faradaic current flows, the characteristic 123 and 158 cm⁻¹ bands associated with adsorbed iodide being supplemented and eventually supplanted by bands at 110, 145 and 160–175 cm⁻¹, the latter two being especially intense. The new bands are assigned to higher polyiodides and molecular iodine. The latter species appears to be the major interfacial product associated with faradaic current flow. Iodide forms an irreversibly adsorbed and electroinactive layer at gold in the absence of solution iodide, as evidenced by the survival of the 123 and 158 cm⁻¹ SERS bands even at far positive potentials under these conditions. The results obtained for dilute iodide solutions are compared and contrasted with those obtained at higher iodide concentrations. For the latter conditions, the observed “surface” Raman spectra arise from resonance enhancement of the thick insoluble iodine films and solution triiodide formed in the convective diffusion layer rather than from SERS of species present in the double layer. Criteria for distinguishing between these two possibilities for systems involving such electrogenerated species are described.     

The structure of the FeNO group in two metastable states (MS1 and MS2) of the nitroprusside anion in Na2[Fe(CN)5NO].2H2O. Infrared spectra and quantum chemistry calculations for the normal and the 15NO and N18O isotopic substituted substance

Low temperature infrared spectra of light induced metastable states MS1 and MS2 of the nitroprusside anion in Na(2)[Fe(CN)(5)NO].2H(2)O, isotopically normal and substituted with (15)NO and N(18)O, are presented and discussed. As a consequence of the relatively high population of the MS2 state achieved by further irradiation with 1064 nm light of samples previously irradiated with 488.0 nm light, new bands were seen for the first time, and others, previously reported, were confirmed. The comparison of the spectral data obtained for the FeNO moiety of the isotopically normal as well as of the (15)NO and N(18)O substituted anion with the results of quantum chemical (DFT) calculations support the assignment of the bands which appear after successive irradiations to MS1, the linear Fe(eta(1)-ON) linkage isomer, and to MS2, the side-bound Fe(eta(2)-NO) isomer.     

Upconverting‐Nanoparticle‐Assisted Photochemistry Induced by Low‐Intensity Near‐Infrared Light: How Low Can We Go?

Upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) convert near‐infrared (NIR) light into UV or visible light that can trigger photoreactions of photosensitive compounds. In this paper, we demonstrate how to reduce the intensity of NIR light for UCNP‐assisted photochemistry. We synthesized two types of UCNPs with different emission bands and five photosensitive compounds with different absorption bands. A λ=974 nm laser was used to induce photoreactions in all of the investigated photosensitive compounds in the presence of the UCNPs. The excitation thresholds of the photoreactions induced by λ=974 nm light were measured. The lowest threshold was 0.5 W cm^?2, which is lower than the maximum permissible exposure of skin (0.726 W cm^?2). We demonstrate that low‐intensity NIR light can induce photoreactions after passing through a piece of tissue without damaging the tissue. Our results indicate that the threshold for UCNP‐ assisted photochemistry can be reduced by using highly photosensitive compounds that absorb upconverted visible light. Low excitation intensity in UCNP‐assisted photochemistry is important for biomedical applications because it minimizes the overheating problems of NIR light and causes less photodamage to biomaterials.