Structure and photoelectrochemical properties of phthalocyanine and perylene diimide composite clusters deposited electrophoretically on nanostructured SnO2 electrodes

Clusters of phthalocyanine and phthalocyanine-perylene diimide have been prepared and electrophoretically deposited on nanostructured SnO2 electrodes. The structure and photoelectrochemical properties of the clusters have been investigated by using UV-visible absorption, dynamic light scattering (DLS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and photoelectrochemical and photodynamical measurements. Enhancement of the photocurrent generation efficiency in the composite system has been achieved relative to that in the phthalocyanine reference system without the perylene diimide. Such information will be valuable for the design of molecular photoelectrochemical devices that exhibit efficient photocurrent generation.     

A photoelectrochemical device with a nanostructured SnO2 electrode modified with composite clusters of porphyrin-modified silica nanoparticle and fullerene

A silica nanoparticle has been successfully employed as a nanoscaffold to self-organize porphyrin and C60 molecules on a nanostructured SnO2 electrode. The quenching of the porphyrin excited singlet state on the silica nanoparticle is suppressed significantly, showing that silica nanoparticles are promising scaffolds for organizing photoactive molecules three-dimensionally in nanometer scale. Marked enhancement of the photocurrent generation was achieved in the present system compared with the reference system, where a gold core was employed as a scaffold of porphyrins instead of a silica nanoparticle. The rather small incident photon-to-current efficiency relative to a similar photoelectrochemical device using a silica microparticle may result from poor electron and hole mobility in the composite film due to poor connection between the composite clusters of a porphyrin-modified silica nanoparticle and C60 in micrometer scale.     

Effects of porphyrin substituents on film structure and photoelectrochemical properties of porphyrin/fullerene composite clusters electrophoretically deposited on nanostructured SnO2 electrodes

We have systematically examined the substituent effects of meso-tetraphenylporphyrins on film structures and the photoelectrochemical properties of the composite clusters of free-base porphyrin and C(60) electrophoretically deposited on nanostructured SnO(2) electrodes. The photocurrent generation efficiency was found to correlate with the complexation ability of the porphyrin for C(60). Basically, the incident photon-to-current efficiency (IPCE) value was increased with increasing relative amounts of the porphyrin versus C(60) in the films. The unique molecular arrangement of the porphyrin with the simple, specific substituents (i.e., methoxy groups at the meta-positions of the meso-phenyl rings of tetraphenylporphyrins (3,5-OMeTPP; TPP=tetraphenylporphyrin)) and C(60) on SnO(2) electrodes resulted in the largest IPCE value (ca. 60 %) among this type of photoelectrochemical device. The rapid formation of the composite clusters and microcrystals from the combination of 3,5-OMeTPP and C(60) in a mixed solvent is unique as the association is accelerated by intermolecular interactions (i.e., hydrogen-bonding and CH-pi interactions) between the methoxy groups of the porphyrins and the porphyrin/C(60), in addition to the pi-pi interactions between the porphyrins/C(60) and C(60) molecules. Both the films and single crystals composed of the porphyrin and C(60) exhibited remarkably high electron mobility (7x10(-2) and 0.4 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1)), which is comparable to the value for highly efficient bulk heterojunction solar cells. Our experimental results have successfully demonstrated the importance of nanostructured electron- and hole-transporting pathways in bulk heterojunction solar cells. Such a finding will provide basic and valuable information on the design of molecular photovoltaics at the molecular level.     

Effects of fullerene substituents on structure and photoelectrochemical properties of fullerene nanoclusters electrophoretically deposited on nanostructured SnO2 electrodes

Two kinds of fullerene derivatives have been designed to examine the effect of the fullerene substituents on the structure and photoelectrochemical properties of fullerene clusters electrophoretically deposited on nanostructured SnO(2) electrodes. The cluster sizes increase and the incident photon-to-current efficiencies decrease with introduction of large substituents into C(60). The trend for photocurrent generation efficiency as well as surface morphology on the electrode can be explained by the steric bulkiness around the C(60) molecules. A C(60) molecule with two alkoxy chains is suggested to give a bilayer vesicle structure, irrespective of the hydrophobic nature of both the C(60) and alkoxy chain moieties. Such information will be valuable for the design of photoactive molecules, which are fabricated onto electrode surfaces to exhibit high energy conversion efficiency.     

An oxacalix[2]arene[2]pyrimidine-bis(Zn-porphyrin) tweezer as a selective receptor towards fullerene C70

An oxacalix[2]arene[2]pyrimidine-bis(Zn^II-porphyrin) conjugate was readily prepared via nucleophilic aromatic substitution of a phenolic AB₃-Zn-porphyrin on the upper rim of a (1,3-alternate) 5,17-bis(methylsulfonyl)oxacalix[4]arene precursor. Efficient 1:1 complex formation between the ‘jaws’ bisporphyrin tweezer and fullerene C₇₀ was evidenced by ¹H NMR titrations (K = 3.0 × 10⁴ M⁻¹), while no detectable complexation could be observed with C₆₀. On the other hand, an analogous oxacalix[4]arene-bis(Cu-corrole) conjugate did not show any measurable (C₆₀ or C₇₀) fullerene binding.     

Efficient photocurrent generation by SnO2 electrode modified electrophoretically with composite clusters of porphyrin-modified silica microparticle and fullerene

A silica microparticle has been successfully employed as a nanoscaffold to self-organize porphyrin and C60 molecules on a nanostructured SnO2 electrode which exhibits efficient photocurrent generation.     

Hydrogen bonding effects on the surface structure and photoelectrochemical properties of nanostructured SnO2 electrodes modified with porphyrin and fullerene composites

Hydrogen bonding effects on surface structure, photophysical properties, and photoelectrochemistry have been examined in a mixed film of porphyrin and fullerene composites with and without hydrogen bonding on indium tin oxide and nanostructured SnO2 electrodes. The nanostructured SnO2 electrodes modified with the mixed films of porphyrin and fullerene composites with hydrogen bonding exhibited efficient photocurrent generation compared to the reference systems without hydrogen bonding. Atomic force microscopy, infrared reflection absorption, and ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopies and time-resolved fluorescence lifetime and transient absorption spectroscopic measurements disclosed the relationship between the surface structure and photophysical and photoelectrochemical properties relating to the formation of hydrogen bonding between the porphyrins and/or the C60 moieties in the films on the electrode surface. These results show that hydrogen bonding is a highly promising methodology for the fabrication of donor and acceptor composites on nanostructured semiconducting electrodes, which exhibit high photoelectrochemical properties.     

Synthesis of Au/SnO2 core-shell structure nanoparticles by a microwave-assisted method and their optical properties

Au/SnO₂ core-shell structure nanoparticles were synthesized using the microwave hydrothermal method. The optical and morphological properties of these particles were examined and compared with those obtained by the conventional hydrothermal method. In microwave preparation, the peak position of the UV-visible plasmon absorption band of Au nanoparticles was red-shifted from 520 to 543 nm, due to the formation of an SnO₂ shell. An SnO₂ shell formation was complete within 5 min. The thickness of the SnO₂ shell was 10-12 nm, and the primary particle size of SnO₂ crystallites was 3-5 nm. For the core-shell particles prepared by a conventional hydrothermal method, the shell formed over the entire synthesis period and was not as crystalline as those produced, using the microwave method. The relationship between the morphological and spectroscopic properties and the crystallinity of the SnO₂ shell are discussed.     

H2O@open-cage fullerene C60: control of the encapsulation property and the first mass spectroscopic identification

A novel open-cage C₆₀ derivative (a 19-membered ring orifice), prepared by the sequential cage scission reactions of the ketolactam derivative of C₆₀ with o-phenylenediamine, allows the encapsulation of one water molecule. The resulting endohedral water complexes were confirmed for the first time by mass spectroscopy. The efficiency of the encapsulation was affected by the substituent on the nitrogen atom.     

Morphology and photoelectrochemical properties of TiO2 electrodes prepared using functionalized plant oil binders

Chemically functionalized plant oils, viz. acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO) and maleinized acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (MAESO), were used as bio-based binders for the TiO₂ electrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). The surface roughness and number of appropriate pores were increased in the TiO₂ films prepared using the plant oil binders in comparison with the film prepared using polyethylene glycol (PEG), due to the larger number of functionalities. The short circuit photocurrent (I_SC) and open circuit photovoltage (V_OC) were increased, and the conversion efficiency was significantly improved, in the cell using the plant oil binders.     

The support and characterization of C60 and MoO3 on Al2O3

A new type of catalyst from supporting C₆₀ on MoO₃ and Al₂O₃ has been prepared. The effect of different order of impregnation and calcination atmosphere on catalyst are investigated by the solution test in toluene, UV-VIS spectroscopy and temperature programmed reduction (TPR). The results show that when the catalyst was prepared by supporting MoO₃ on C₆₀/Al₂O₃ and calcined in N₂, there is a stronger interaction between C₆₀, MoO₃ and Al₂O₃, but when supporting C₆₀ on MoO₃/Al₂O₃, the interaction is relatively weak. We consider that in the former method a new complex, Mo–C₆₀–O–Al, is formed.     

Preparation and magnetic properties of Fe-Nb co-doped SnO2

Fe³⁺-Nb⁵⁺ co-doped SnO₂ was prepared at 1200 °C by a simple chemical co-precipitation method. The Sn_1−2xFe_xNb_xO₂ solid solutions kept cassiterite structure in the range of 0<x?0.33, and their cell parameters decrease with increasing x. While x=0.40, a second phase with orthorhombic FeNbO₄ structure co-exists with the cassiterite phase, and the second phase becomes dominant while x?0.45. The magnetic measurements indicated that low doping ratio sample (x=0.03) exhibits paramagnetic behavior. A paramagnetic-to-antiferromagnetic phase transition was observed for the samples with higher doping ratio (x?0.15).     

Binary systems of C60 with positional isomers 1,2- and 1,3-C6H4Br2

Thermodynamic properties of binary systems of C₆₀ with 1,2- and 1,3-dibromobenzenes have been studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Solid solvates with the compositions C₆₀3(1,2-C₆H₄Br₂); C₆₀2(1,3-C₆H₄Br₂) and C₆₀0.6(1,3-C₆H₄Br₂) have been found. The solvates have been characterised by their enthalpies and temperatures of incongruent melting transition and in part by X-ray powder data. It has been shown that positional isomers 1,2- and 1,3- of the substituted benzenes formed two series of “typical” phase diagrams. Solubility behaviour of C₆₀ in positional isomers has been discussed.     

A theoretical study on a fullerene derivative C54N4 and some of its protonated forms

Semiempirical quantum chemical calculations at the level of AM1 (restricted Hartree–Fock) have been performed on a fullerene derivative, C₅₄N₄, theoretically obtained from C₆₀ and its mono and diprotonated forms. All these structures are stable, but endothermic in nature. Some calculated geometrical and physicochemical properties of these have also been reported.     

过渡金属掺杂SnO2的电子结构与磁性

采用密度泛函理论及赝势平面波方法, 对未掺杂SnO2以及过渡金属V、Cr、Mn掺杂SnO2的超原胞体系进行了几何优化, 计算了晶格常数、电子结构与磁学性质. 结果表明, 6.25%与12.5%两种掺杂浓度时, 体系的电子自旋和磁学性质没有发生很大的变化; 相对于未掺杂SnO2, 过渡金属掺杂后SnO2中O原子有向过渡金属移动的趋势, 并使得O与掺杂金属之间键长变短; 在V和Cr掺杂后, SnO2具有半金属性质, 而Mn掺杂SnO2没有发现上述性质. 6.25%与12.5%的杂质浓度对自旋和磁矩影响不大, 掺杂产生的磁矩主要来自于过渡金属3d电子态, 且磁矩的大小与过渡金属的电子排布有关. V、Cr、Mn掺杂SnO2后的总磁矩分别为0.94μB、2.02μB、3.00μB. 磁矩主要来源于过渡金属3d轨道的自旋极化, 当O原子出现负磁矩的时候, 还有很小一部分磁矩来源于临近过渡金属的Sn原子.     

Se-decorated SnO2/rGO composite spheres and their sodium storage performances

SnO₂ is considered a promising anode material for sodium-ion batteries due to its high theoretical capacity and low cost.However,the poor electrical conductivity and dramatic volume variation during cha rge/discharge cycling is a major limitation in its practical applicability.Here we propose a simple onepot spray pyrolysis process to construct unique pomegranate-like SnO₂/rGO/Se spheres.The ideal structural configuration of these architectures was effective in alleviating the large volume variation of SnO₂,besides facilitating rapid electron transfer,allowing the devised anode to exhibit superior sodium sto rage performances in terms of capacity(506.7 mAh/g at 30 mA/g),cycle performance(397 mAh/g after100 cycles at 50 mA/g) and rate capability(188.9 mAh/g at an ultrahigh current density of 10 A/g).The experimental evidence confirms the practical workability of p-SnO₂/rGO/Se spheres in SIBs.     

Interfacial electron transfer at TiO2 nanostructured electrodes modified with capped gold nanoparticles: The photoelectrochemistry of water oxidation

We have studied the photoelectrochemical behavior of nanostructured anatase electrodes modified with gold nanoparticles stabilized either with citrate (Au_cit) or with tetraoctylammonium bromide (Au_TOAB). An increase both in photocurrent and in photopotential was observed in 0.05 M NaOH upon modification with Au_TOAB. This behavior is attributed to an efficient hole consumption at the gold nanoparticles, which implies an effective hole transport to them from the TiO₂ nanostructure, probably facilitated by the capping agent. Once in the Au particles, the holes would promote an oxidation process (O₂ generation), which requires that the Au nanoparticles attain a high enough local electrode potential. This is possible as long as the Au_TOAB nanoparticles may behave as nanocapacitors with a very low capacity (ca. 1 aF) and thus the accumulation of a few holes may induce important changes in their potential. In acidic medium or in the presence of 0.1 M CH₃OH no enhancement was detected. In the case of TiO₂ modified with Au_cit, no increase of the photoelectrochemical response was observed in any case. It is suggested that a proper design of the metal/semiconductor nanojunctions may lead to an enhanced charge separation and to the eventual development of photoinduced metal electrocatalysis.     

TiO2 nanoparticles incorporated with CuInS2 clusters: preparation and photocatalytic activity for degradation of 4-nitrophenol

TiO₂ nanoparticles incorporated with CuInS₂ clusters were prepared in a solvothermal process and characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy-dispersion X-ray analysis (EDX). Compared with pure TiO₂ nanoparticles, the TiO₂ nanoparticles incorporated with CuInS₂ clusters display higher photocatalytic activity with 99.9% of degradation ratio of 4-nitrophenol after 2 h irradiation. In order to investigate the effect of the CuInS₂ clusters on the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ nanoparticles, diffuse reflectance UV–Vis spectra (DRS), photoluminescence (PL) spectra, and photocurrent action spectra were measured. The results indicate that the enhanced photocatalytic activity is probably due to the interface between TiO₂ and CuInS₂ as a trap of the photogenerated electrons to decrease the recombination of electrons and holes.     

SnO_2改性TiO_2对V_2O_5-WO_3/TiO_2催化剂结构和SCR性能影响

采用共沉淀法将SnO_2组分掺入到V_2O_5-WO_3/TiO_2催化剂载体TiO_2中,并通过多种物理化学手段,考察了不同SnO_2掺入量时对催化剂结构,表面分散物种和SCR性能影响.结果表明,SnO_2掺入到TiO_2中,元素Sn与Ti以Sn—O—Ti键形式相互作用,促进锐钛矿型TiO_2向金红石型TiO_2转变.在特定条件下,VO_x与WO_x物种和SnTi氧化物之间以V—O—Ti(Sn)和W—O—Ti(Sn)键形式相互作用,提高了VO_x物种可还原能力、促进了具有更多B酸酸量四面体WOx物种和V~(5+)物种生成.VW/SnTi催化剂表面VO_x物种与WO_x物种之间的相互作用更强.因此,VW/SnTi催化剂具有更好的SCR活性.     

Synthesis and molecular structures of heptafluoroisopropylated fullerenes: C60(i-C3F7)8, C60(i-C3F7)6, and C60(CF3)2(i-C3F7)2

One isomer of C₆₀(i-C₃F₇)₈, three isomers of C₆₀(i-C₃F₇)₆, and the first mixed perfluoroalkylated fullerene, C₆₀(CF₃)₂(i-C₃F₇)₂, have been isolated by HPLC from a mixture prepared by reaction of C₆₀ with heptafluoroisopropyl iodide in a glass ampoule at 260-290 °C. The molecular structures of the four new compounds have been determined by means of X-ray single crystal diffraction partially also by use of synchrotron radiation. Theoretical calculations at the DFT level of theory have been employed to rationalize the energetics of isomers and of C₆₀-R_f binding.