Self-doping of molecular quantum-dot cellular automata: mixed valence zwitterions

Molecular quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) is a promising paradigm for realizing molecular electronics. In molecular QCA, binary information is encoded in the distribution of intramolecular charge, and Coulomb interactions between neighboring molecules combine to create long-range correlations in charge distribution that can be exploited for signal transfer and computation. Appropriate mixed-valence species are promising candidates for single-molecule device operation. A complication arises because many mixed-valence compounds are ions and the associated counterions can potentially disrupt the correct flow of information through the circuit. We suggest a self-doping mechanism which incorporates the counterion covalently into the structure of a neutral molecular cell, thus producing a zwitterionic mixed-valence complex. The counterion is located at the geometrical center of the QCA molecule and bound to the working dots via covalent bonds, thus avoiding counterion effects that bias the system toward one binary information state or the other. We investigate the feasibility of using multiply charged anion (MCA) boron clusters, specifically closo-borate dianion, as building blocks. A first principle calculation shows that neutral, bistable, and switchable QCA molecules are possible. The self-doping mechanism is confirmed by molecular orbital analysis, which shows that MCA counterions can be stabilized by the electrostatic interaction between negatively charged counterions and positively charged working dots.     

Superior Electron‐Transport Ability of π‐Conjugated Redox Molecular Wires Prepared by the Stepwise Coordination Method on a Surface

Electronic conductivity of molecular wires is a critical fundamental issue in molecular electronics. π‐Conjugated redox molecular wires with the superior long‐range electron‐transport ability could be constructed on a gold surface through the stepwise ligand–metal coordination method. The β^d value, indicating the degree of decrease in the electron‐transfer rate constant with distance along the molecular wire between the electrode and the redox active species at the terminal of the wire, were 0.008–0.07 Å^?1 and 0.002–0.004 Å^?1 for molecular wires of bis(terpyridine)iron and bis(terpyridine)cobalt complex oligomers, respectively. The influences on β^d by the chemical structure of molecular wires and the terminal redox units, temperature, electric field, and electrolyte concentration were clarified. The results indicate that facile sequential electron hopping between neighboring metal–complex units within the wire is responsible for the high electron‐transport ability.     

Synthesis of Carbon–Metal Multi-Strand Nanocomposites by Discharges in Heptane Between Two Metallic Electrodes

We studied composite wires assembled from electric field-driven nanoparticles in a dielectric liquid (heptane) to elucidate the exact processes and controlling factors involved in the synthesis of the multi-phase nanocomposites. Filamentary wires are synthesized by a two-step process: (1) abundant nanoparticle production, mostly of carbonaceous types, from heptane decomposition by spark discharge and of metal nanoparticles by electrode erosion and (2) assembly of hydrogenated amorphous carbonaceous nano-clusters with incorporated metal nanoparticles forming wires by dielectrophoretic transport while maintaining a high electric field between electrodes kept sufficiently separated to avoid breakdown. Four types of nanocomposites products are identified to form at different steps in distinctive zones of the setup. The black carbonaceous agglomerates with metal spherules made by electrode erosion represent the pyrolytic residues of heptane decomposition by spark discharge during step 1. The filamentary wires grown in the interelectrode gap during step 2 get assembled by dielectrophoretic transport and chaining forces. Their great stability is shown to express the concurrent effect of polymerization favoured by the abundance of metal catalysts. The nature, abundance, and transformation of solid particles from the source materials versus discharge conditions control the morphological and compositional diversity of the wires. The production of mineral and metal nano-particles traces the efficiency of dielectrophoresis to separate compound particle mixtures by size and to co-synthesize nanostructured microcrystals and nanocomposites. The link between impurities and the variability from nano- to micro-scales of the synthesized products provides an innovative contribution to the knowledge of nanocomposite synthesis triggered by electric field.     

Measuring internal electric fields in organic light-emitting diodes using electroabsorption spectroscopy

A widely applicable electroabsorption technique to measure internal electric fields in organic light-emitting diodes is presented. The technique exploits the change in the a.c. electroabsorption response in the presence of a d.c. electric field. The electroabsorption signal is modulated at the fundamental frequency of the a.c. test signal, in addition to the usual modulation at the second harmonic frequency, when a d.c. bias is present. In metal/organic film/metal devices employing different metal contacts there is a built-in electric field in the organic film caused by the difference in work function between the two contacts. The electroabsorption response at the fundamental frequency of the applied a.c. bias is measured as a function of an external d.c. bias. The electroabsorption signal is nulled when the applied d.c. bias cancels the built-in electric field established by the different metals. We apply this technique to measure changes in metal–polymer Schottky barrier heights as a function of the contact metal. In metal/multiple organic films/metal structures the electroabsorption signals from the constituent organic films are identified spectroscopically and measured at both the fundamental and second harmonic frequency of the a.c. test signal. The amplitudes of the electroabsorption responses are then used to determine the a.c. and d.c. electric fields present in the organic layers. We apply this technique to determine the d.c. electric field distribution within a multi-layer organic light-emitting diode. These results highlight the general applicability of electroabsorption methods to probe internal electric fields in organic light-emitting diodes. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Unravelling the Relationship between Raman Enhancement and Photocatalytic Activity on Single Anisotropic Au Microplates

Anisotropic noble‐metal structures are attracting increasing attention because of interesting size‐ and shape‐dependent properties and have emerging applications in the fields of optics and catalysis. However, it remains a significant challenge to overcome chemical contributions and acquire molecular insight into the relationship between Raman enhancement and photocatalytic activity. This study gives visualized experimental evidence of the anisotropic spatial distribution of Raman signals and photocatalytic activity at the level of single nanometer‐thin Au microtriangles and microhexagons. Theoretical simulations indicate an anisotropic spatial distribution and sharpness‐dependent strength of the electric‐field enhancement. Analysis by using statistical surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) supports this view, that is, Raman enhancement is on the order of corner>edge>face for a single microplate, but SERS measurements at different depths of focus also imply a concentration‐dependent feature of SERS signals, especially at the corners and edges. Similarly, the SERS signals of product molecules in plasmonic photocatalysis also exhibit asymmetrical strengths at different corners of the same microplate. However, by examining the variations in the relative intensities of the SERS peaks, the difference in the photocatalytic activities at the corners, edges, and faces has been successfully calculated and is highly consistent with electric‐field simulations, thus indicating that an increased number of molecules adsorbed at specific sites does not necessarily lead to a higher conversion ratio in noble‐metal photocatalysis. Our strategy weakens the assumed impact of plasmonic local heating and, to a certain extent, excludes the influence of concentration effects and chemical contributions in noble‐metal photocatalysis, thus clearly profiling plasmon‐related characteristics. This study also promises a new research direction to understand the enhancement mechanism of SERS‐active structures.     

Crystal Structure of a Cyclotetraicosaphenylene

The biggest known quasi‐rigid macrocycle is the cyclotetraicosaphenylene 1 . Determining the X‐ray crystal structure was a challenge which took more than a year. The three‐dimensional packing shows the molecules to be piled up like coins or more precisely like garden chairs, giving rise to potentially endless tubes with diameters of ca. 28 Å. In the crystal these channels are filled with liquid solvent which is amorphously frozen during data collection at 133 K. In principle, it should be possible to replace the solvent molecules in the channels by metal atoms forming quantum wires.     

Evaluation of electroosmotic drag coefficient of water in hydrated sodium perfluorosulfonate electrolyte polymer

The electroosmotic drag coefficient of water molecules in hydrated sodium perfluorosulfonate electrolyte polymer is evaluated on the basis of the velocity distribution functions of the sodium cations and water molecules with an electric field applied using molecular dynamics simulations. The simulation results indicate that both velocity distribution functions of water molecules and of sodium cations agree well with the classic Maxwellian velocity distribution functions when there is no electric field applied. If an electric field is applied, the distribution functions of velocity component in directions perpendicular to the applied electric field still agree with the Maxwellian velocity distribution functions but with different temperature parameters. In the direction of the applied electric field, the electric drag causes the velocity distribution function to deviate from the Maxwellian velocity distribution function; however, to obey the peak shifted Maxwellian distribution function. The peak shifting velocities coincide with the average transport velocities induced by the electric field, and could be applied to the evaluation of the electroosmotic drag coefficient of water. By evaluation of the transport velocities of water molecules in the first coordination shells of sodium cations, sulfonate anion groups, and in the bulk, it is clearly shown that the water molecules in the first coordination shell of sodium cations are the major contribution to the electroosmotic drag and momentum transfer from water molecules within the first coordination shell to the other water molecules also contributes to the electroosmotic drag. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 2009     

Infrared absorption enhancement of fluorinated poly‐acrylate thin films on Co‐alloy substrate

Fluorinated poly‐acrylate films coated on continuous Co‐based metal substrate show significant IR absorption enhancement. The degree of enhancement depends greatly on the type of chemical bonds in the polymer molecules and the corresponding vibrations of chemical dipoles. Strong polar groups like C? O, C? F and C?O show the strongest absorption enhancement that also coincides with significant blueshift of the corresponding IR bands. In this paper, the possible mechanism for IR absorption enhancement and band shift are discussed on the basis of the electric field intensification on metal surface, charge transfer and dipole reorientation of the polymer molecules adsorbed on the metal surface. Chemisorption of the polymer molecules on Co‐alloy is established through the interaction between the oxygen atoms in carboxylic group and the substrate cobalt atoms reacting through electron overlap and spin‐coupling of oxygen π‐orbital and cobalt d‐orbital. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Electric‐Field Triggered Controlled Release of Bioactive Volatiles from Imine‐Based Liquid Crystalline Phases

Application of an electric field to liquid crystalline film forming imines with negative dielectric anisotropy, such as N‐(4‐methoxybenzylidene)‐4‐butylaniline (MBBA, 1 ), results in the expulsion of compounds that do not participate in the formation of the liquid crystalline phase. Furthermore, amines and aromatic aldehydes undergo component exchange with the imine by generating constitutional dynamic libraries. The strength of the electric field and the duration of its application to the liquid crystalline film influence the release rate of the expelled compounds and, at the same time, modulate the equilibration of the dynamic libraries. The controlled release of volatile organic molecules with different chemical functionalities from the film was quantified by dynamic headspace analysis. In all cases, higher headspace concentrations were detected in the presence of an electric field. These results point to the possibility of using imine‐based liquid crystalline films to build devices for the controlled release of a broad variety of bioactive volatiles as a direct response to an external electric signal.     

Electronic and Magnetic Properties of Encapsulated MoS2 Quantum Dots: The Case of Noble Metal Nanoparticle Dopants

With the rise of 2D materials, such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides, as viable materials for numerous experimental applications, it becomes more necessary to maintain fine control of their properties. One expedient and efficacious technique to regulate their properties is surface functionalization. In this study, DFT calculations are performed on triangular MoS₂ quantum dots (QDs) either partially or completely doped with nanoparticles (NPs) of the noble metals Au, Ag, and Pt. The effects of these dopants on the geometry, electronic properties, magnetic properties, and chemical bonding of the QDs are investigated. The calculations show that the structural stability of the QDs is reduced by Au or Ag dopants, whereas Pt dopants have a contrasting effect. The NPs diminish the metallicity of the QD, the extent of which is contingent on the number of NPs adsorbed on the QD. However, these NPs exert distinctly disparate charge transfer effects—Ag NPs n‐dope the QDs, whereas Au and Pt NPs either n‐ or p‐dope. The molecular electrostatic potential maps of the occupied states show that metallic states are removed from the doping sites. Notwithstanding the decrease of magnetization in all three types of hybrid QD, the distribution of spin density in the Pt‐doped QD is inherently different from that in the other QDs. Bond analyses using the quantum theory of atoms in molecules and the crystal orbital Hamilton population suggest that bonds between the Pt NPs and the QDs are the most covalent and the strongest, followed by the Au?QD bonds, and then Ag?QD bonds. The versatility of these hybrid QDs is further examined by applying an external electric field in the three orthogonal orientations, and comparing their properties with those in the absence of the electric field. There are two primary observations: 1) dopants at the tail, head and tail, and in the fully encased configuration are most effective in modifying the distribution of metallic states if the electric field is absent, and 2) the metallic states in these aforementioned QDs are generally insensitive to the electric field. Conversely, the asymmetric electric effects on the charge transfer in these QDs have to be carefully monitored to allow finer control of their structural stability. This study aptly demonstrates the value of noble metal dopants for manipulating the properties of MoS₂ QDs, and shows the versatility of these hybrid QDs as tunable nanodevices. This notably extends the functionality of these nanostructures for applications such as catalysis and nanoelectronics.     

金属串配合物(n,m)[Cr3(PhPyF)4Cl2](n=2, 3, 4; m=2, 1, 0)的配位结构及其与电场的关系

应用密度泛函理论BP86 方法研究具有分子导线潜在应用的金属串配合物(n, m)[Cr₃(PhPyF)₄Cl₂](HPhPyF=N, N'-苯基吡啶基甲脒; n=2, 3, 4; m=2, 1, 0)的配位结构及其受电场作用的影响, n、m分别表示PhPyF-的苯环在左侧和在右侧的配体个数. 结果表明: (1) 零电场下, 四个PhPyF-的(2, 2)、(3, 1)和(4, 0)三种配位方式能量差别很小, 为竞争态, (2, 2)最稳定. (4, 0)结构中两端轴向配体Cl 均可与Cr 配位, 且Cl₄―Cr1 键比Cl5―Cr3键更强, 若作为分子器件可与电极结合, 这与(4, 0)[CuCuM(npa)₄Cl][PF₆](M=Pd, Pt; Hnpa=2-萘啶苯胺)靠近苯环一端的轴向配体无法与M配位不同. (2) 在(2, 2)、(3, 1)和(4, 0)中, Cr₃⁶⁺链均具有三中心三电子离域σ键, 但离域性逐渐减弱. 随四个PhPyF-配位方式趋于一致, 分子极性逐渐增大, 由Cl₄指向Cl5(Z)方向, Cr1的α自旋密度增大, Cr2 的β和Cr3 的α自旋密度减小. (3) 分子的几何结构和电子结构在电场下发生规律性变化, 在-Z方向电场作用下, (3, 1)、(4, 0)电子移动方向与极性方向相同, 使分子的键长、自旋密度、电荷和能隙变化显著性均大于Z方向电场, 且极性越大变化越显著, 有利于提高分子导电性.     

Continuous-Flow Nanoparticle Trapping Driven by Hybrid Electrokinetics in Microfluidics

We introduce herein an efficient microfluidic approach for continuous transport and localized collection of nanoparticles via hybrid electrokinetics, which delicately combines linear and nonlinear electrokinetics driven by a composite DC-biased AC voltage signal. The proposed technique utilizes a simple geometrical structure, in which one or a series of metal strips serving as floating electrode (FE) are attached to the substrate surface and arranged in parallel between a pair of coplanar driving electrodes (DE) in a straight microchannel. On application of a DC-biased AC electric field across the channel, nanoparticles can be transported continuously by DC bulk electroosmotic flow, and then trapped selectively onto the metal strips due to AC-field induced-charge electrokinetic (ICEK) phenomenon, which behaves as counter-rotating micro-vortices around the ideally polarizable surfaces of FE. Finite-element simulation is carried out by coupling the dual-frequency electric field, flow field and sample mass transfer in sequence, for guiding a practical design of the microfluidic nanoparticle concentrator. With the optimal device geometry, the actual performance of the technique is investigated with respect to DC bias, AC voltage amplitude, and field frequency by using both latex nanospheres (∼500 nm) and BSA molecules (∼10 nm). Our experimental observation indicates nanoparticles are always enriched into a narrow bright band on the surface of each FE, and a horizontal concentration gradient even emerges in the presence of multiple metal strips, which therefore permits localized analyte enrichment. The proposed trapping method is supposed to guide an elaborate design of flexible electrokinetic frameworks embedding FE for continuous-flow analyte manipulation in modern microfluidic systems.     

脉冲电场O/W乳状液破乳的分子动力学模拟

采用分子动力学方法研究了水包油(O/W)型乳状液体系中重油油滴在脉冲电场中的聚集行为. 通过改变电场占空比的模拟参数, 探讨了一定电场强度下的油滴聚集行为, 以及电场破乳时电场强度参数与占空比参数之间的联系. 同时利用静电势分布、 相互作用势能以及结合构象统计等分析方法, 从微观角度说明在电场作用下油滴的电荷分布与聚集机制. 模拟结果表明, 在近0.40~0.75 V/nm范围内电场强度下, 距离一定的重油滴聚集, 低电场强度可通过增加占空比促使油滴聚集, 且占空比随电场强度的增大而减小; 油滴在电场中发生形变, 油滴电荷出现两极化分布, 带负电沥青质分子引导油滴朝电场反方向移动; 无电场下聚集过程中沥青质处于两油滴界面, 范德华作用力为油滴聚集的主要作用力, 同时油滴界面沥青质分子与周围分子形成π-π结合构象, 增强了油滴间的相互作用力.     

金属串配合物[MoMoCo(npo)4(NCS)2]的配位结构及其与电场的关系

应用密度泛函理论B3LYP方法研究了具有分子导线潜在应用的金属串配合物[MoMoCo(npo)4(NCS)2](npo=1,8-萘基-2-酮)的配位结构及其受电场作用的影响。配位方式记为(n,m),其中n、m分别表示4个赤道配体npo^-的O与Co和Mo配位的个数:n=0,1,2,3,4;m=4,3,2,1,0。结果表明:(1)零电场下,基态能量高低为(0,4)>(4,0)>(3,1)≈(1,3)>(2,2),5种配位方式均可稳定存在且互为竞争态。Z方向偶极矩μ(Z)值大小为(0,4)(+)>(1,3)(+)>(2,2)(-)>(3,1)(-)>(4,0)(-)(+、-表示μ(Z)值的正负,与Z方向相同即为正,相反即为负),4个npo^-趋向越一致能量越高极性越大。(2)Mo-Mo具有四重键,键长随μ(Z)值减小而减小,而Mo-Co键长则相反。随μ(Z)值减小前线轨道中πNCS(1)轨道能降低,π'NCS(2)轨道能升高。(3)Z方向电场作用下,除(0,4)外所有配位方式的Mo1-N8键显著增长,结构不稳定。(4)电场作用下前线轨道能级交错,μ(Z)为正值的(0,4)、(1,3)的能隙E_LUMO-HOMO在-Z方向电场中降低更显著,μ(Z)为负值的(2,2)、(3,1)和(4,0)的能隙在Z方向电场中降低更显著。分子极性越大,随电场强度增强能隙降低越显著,分子导电性可能越好。(0,4)、(3,1)和(4,0)可能具有整流效应,但(3,1)和(4,0)的稳定性较低。     

Melt electrospinning in a parallel electric field

Electrospinning is an efficient and direct method of fabricating nanofibers. Fibers are frequently unstable in the electrospinning process, and the uneven distribution of the electric field is an important factor leading to instability. Experimental and finite element simulation studies are conducted on the process of melt electrospinning in a parallel electric field. Two parallel metal disks are used to successfully generate a uniform electric field. Electric field intensity on the edges of the metal disk is always stronger than the field at the center of the disk or at the spinneret bottom. The diameters, distances, and relative areas of these disks significantly affect the distribution of the electric field. Thus, the parallel electric field effectively reduces jet buckling in melt electrospinning. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014 , 52, 946–952     

Controllable Growth of Fullerene Nanostructures

One‐dimensional fullerene nanostructures with well‐defined morphology have been prepared by a controllable method. Fullerene molecules, such as C₆₀ derivatives and endohedral metallofullerenes, are introduced into the pores of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates under a direct current (DC) electric field. Then several nanostructures such as porous‐wall and solid‐wall fullerene nanowires and nanotubes were fabricated in the pores. The morphology of the fullerene nanostructures is well controllable, and the fullerene nanotubes can be further fabricated through filling nickel atoms inside to form fullerene‐metal composite structures. The results provide, in principle, a step toward broader applications of fullerene‐related materials in nanoscience and nanotechnology.     

Field distribution in an electrospray ionization source determined by finite element method

Three‐dimensional computer models of electrospray ionization sources were constructed in COMSOL Multiphysics? to solve the static electric fields using finite element methods. The magnitude of the electric field strength for onset of electrospray and optimum signal was calculated under various conditions. The modification of the electric field distribution in the ion source by an atmospheric pressure ion lens was also investigated by plotting the equipotential surfaces, electric field lines and trajectories of charged droplets. Both the calculated and the experimental results demonstrate that the changes in the ion signal detected by the mass spectrometer are attributable to the focusing effect of the ion lens when appropriate voltages are applied on the sprayer and ion lens. The optimum signal was found by setting the sprayer voltage from 3000 to 5000 V while scanning the ion lens voltage. The calculated strengths of the electric field at the sprayer tip for optimum signals are similar although the applied voltages at the sprayer and ion lens are significantly different. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Lightweight Polymer Solar Cell Textile that Functions when Illuminated from Either Side

An all‐solid‐state, lightweight, flexible, and wearable polymer solar cell (PSC) textile with reasonable photovoltaic performance has been developed. A metal textile electrode made from micrometer‐sized metal wires is used as the cathode, and the surfaces of the metal wires are dip‐coated with the photoactive layers. Two ultrathin, transparent, and aligned carbon nanotube sheets that exhibit remarkable electronic and mechanical properties were coated onto the modified metal textile at both sides as the anode to produce the desired PSC textile. Because of the designed sandwich structure, the PSC textile displays the same energy conversion efficiencies regardless of which side it is irradiated from. As expected, the PSC textiles are highly flexible, and their energy conversion efficiencies varied by less than 3 % after bending for more than 200 cycles. The PSC textile shows an areal density (5.9 mg cm^?2) that is lower than that of flexible film‐based PSCs (31.3 mg cm^?2).     

The Development of G‐Quadruplex‐Based Assays for the Detection of Small Molecules and Toxic Substances

G‐Quadruplexes can be induced to form guanine‐rich DNA sequences by certain small molecules or metal ions. In concert with an appropriate signal transducer, such as a fluorescent dye or a phosphorescent metal complex, the ligand‐recognition event can be transduced into a luminescent response. This focus review aims to highlight recent examples of aptamer‐based and metal‐mediated G‐quadruplex assays for the detection of small molecules and toxic substances in the last three years. We discuss the mechanisms and features of the different assays and present an outlook and a perspective for the future of this field.     

Fully Automated Quantum‐Chemistry‐Based Computation of Spin–Spin‐Coupled Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectra

We present a composite procedure for the quantum‐chemical computation of spin–spin‐coupled ¹H NMR spectra for general, flexible molecules in solution that is based on four main steps, namely conformer/rotamer ensemble (CRE) generation by the fast tight‐binding method GFN‐xTB and a newly developed search algorithm, computation of the relative free energies and NMR parameters, and solving the spin Hamiltonian. In this way the NMR‐specific nuclear permutation problem is solved, and the correct spin symmetries are obtained. Energies, shielding constants, and spin–spin couplings are computed at state‐of‐the‐art DFT levels with continuum solvation. A few (in)organic and transition‐metal complexes are presented, and very good, unprecedented agreement between the theoretical and experimental spectra was achieved. The approach is routinely applicable to systems with up to 100–150 atoms and may open new avenues for the detailed (conformational) structure elucidation of, for example, natural products or drug molecules.