Effects of hydroxyl radicals and oxygen species on the 4-chlorophenol degradation by photoelectrocatalytic reactions with TiO2-film electrodes

The supported nano-TiO₂ electrode was prepared by sol–gel and hydrothermal method, and the photoelectrocatalytic degradation of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) under UV irradiation has been investigated to reveal the roles of hydroxyl radicals and dissolved oxygen species for TiO₂-assisted photocatalytic reactions. The degradation kinetics, the formation and decay of intermediates, the isotopic tracer experiments with H₂O¹⁸, the removal yield of total organic carbon and the formation of active radical species in the presence of oxygen or not were examined by HPLC, GC–MS, TOC and spin-trap ESR spectrometry. It was found that most of OH radicals in the primary hydroxylated intermediates derived from the oxidation of adsorbed H₂O or HO⁻ by photo-holes in the electrochemically assisted TiO₂ photocatalytic system. It also indicates that the enhancement in the separation efficiency of photogenerated charges by applying a positive bias (+0.5 V vs SCE) has little role in the following decomposition and mineralization of these hydroxylated intermediates in the absence of oxygen. According to above experimental results, the pathway of 4-CP photocatalytic degradation was deduced initially. Due to the combined effect of OH radicals and dissolved oxygen species, the hydroxylated 4-chlorphenol, via cis, cis-3-chloromuconic acid, was decomposed into low molecular weight acid and CO₂.     

Association of metal cations with alkanes: Na(CH4)+ versus Cu(CH4)+ as molecular models

Summary Ab initio molecular orbital calculations give small stabilization energies for the various Na(CH₄)⁺ adducts (less than 4 kcal mol^–1), but predict a stronger binding for the copper compounds (about 13 kcal mol^–1). The different behaviour of Na⁺ and Cu⁺, already present at the SCF level, is reinforced by electron correlation. This can be attributed to an important contribution of the dispersion energy to the binding energy of the copper ion: about 40% of the total, including basis set superposition corrections.Dedicated to Mrs A. Pullman     

Charge transfer in complexes of C60 and C70 in solutions and solid state

Electronic absorption spectra of complexes of C₆₀ and C₇₀ fullerenes with donors, tetrathiafulvalene and pyranylidene derivatives, were studied in solutions and in the solid state. Charge transfer bands were found in the 680–1300 nm range. The charge transfer energies (hv _ct) for the C₆₀ and C₇₀ complexes in solutions are close and almost independent of the solvent polarity. For the C₆₀ complexes in the solid state, the dependence ofhv _ct on the ionization potential (IP) of donors was found to behv _ct=0.82IP–3.93 eV. In the C₆₀ complexes in the solid state, thehv _ct values are 0.15–0.20 eV lower than those in the solution. The linear dependences ofhv _ct onIP of donors for the C₆₀ complexes lie 0.6–0.7 eV higher than those in the complexes with tetracyanoethylene (TCNE). This is associated with lower values of the electron affinity of C₆₀ and the energy of the electrostatic interaction in the fullerene complexes as compared to those of the TCNE complexes. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 478–483, March, 1999.     

Comparison ofE a values obtained by thermal analysis with energy of ‘charge-transfer’ spectra for potassium and silver permanganates

The activation energy,E _a taken from the thermal decomposition of KMnO₄ and AgMnO₄ was compared with the energy of the longest wavelength O→Mn ‘charge transfer’ (CT) transition. TheE _a and CT correlation was found in these systems. However, such relationship can be valid when in the dissociation process the electron transfer is assumed to be the rate determining step. Thus, the permanganates as well as the previously studied chromates, are positive examples showing that in some cases, the energies derived from both methods can be comparable.     

Flow injection chemiluminescence determination of naproxen based on KMnO4-Na2SO3 reaction in neutral aqueous medium

A simple, rapid and sensitive flow injection chemiluminescence (CL) method is described for the determination of naproxen. It was found that strong CL signal was generated when naproxen was mixed with KMnO₄ and Na₂SO₃ in neutral aqueous medium. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the CL intensity was linearly related to the concentration of naproxen from 4.0 × 10⁻⁹ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ g mL⁻¹ (r = 0.9993). The detection limit was 2 × 10⁻⁹ g mL⁻¹ naproxen, the relative standard deviation for 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ g mL⁻¹ naproxen solution was 1.5% (n = 11) and the sampling frequency was 120 h⁻¹. The method was applied to the determination of naproxen in pharmaceutical preparation with satisfactory results. The mechanism of CL reaction was discussed briefly.     

Recent advances in fluorescent probes for the detection of reactive oxygen species

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have captured the interest of many researchers in the chemical, biological, and medical fields since they are thought to be associated with various pathological conditions. Fluorescent probes for the detection of ROS are promising tools with which to enhance our understanding of the physiological roles of ROS, because they provide spatial and temporal information about target biomolecules in in vivo cellular systems. ROS probes, designed to detect specific ROS with a high selectivity, would be desirable, since it is now becoming clear that each ROS has its own unique physiological activity. However, dihydro-compounds such as 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein (DCFH), which have traditionally been used for detecting ROS, tend to react with a wide variety of ROS and are not completely photostable. Some attractive fluorescent probes that exhibit a high degree of selectivity toward specific ROS have recently been reported, and these selective probes are expected to have great potential for elucidating unknown physiological mechanisms associated with their target ROS. This review focuses on the design, detection mechanism, and performance of fluorescent probes for the detection of singlet oxygen (¹O₂), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), hydroxyl radicals (^.OH), or superoxide anion (O₂ ^−.), a field in which remarkable progress has been achieved in the last few years.     

M5(PO4)3F (M=Ca, Sr, Ba)中Sm3+的电荷迁移态及Sm3+和Eu3+的电荷迁移能量关系

采用高温固相反应合成了M_5-2xSm_xNa_x(PO₄)₃F(M=Ca,Sr,Ba)荧光体,研究了其在真空紫外-可见光范围的发光特性。发现在Ca₅(PO₄)₃F中Sm³⁺的电荷迁移带约在191 nm,在Sr₅(PO₄)₃F中约在199 nm,而在Ba₅(PO₄)₃F中约在204 nm,随着被取代碱土离子半径的增大电荷迁移能量逐渐减小。比较了M₅(PO₄)₃F (M=Ca,Sr,Ba)中Sm³⁺和Eu³⁺电荷迁移能量的关系。     

Experimental and theoretical study of the hydration of phosphate groups in esters of biological interest

We have studied the influence of different groups esterified to phosphates on the strength of the interaction of the PO bond with one water molecule. Experimental vibrational spectra of PO(4)3-, HPO4(2-), H2PO4-, phosphoenolpiruvate (PEP) and ortho-phosphocholamine (o-PC) were obtained by means of FTIR spectroscopy. Geometry calculations were performed using standard gradient techniques and the default convergence criteria as implemented in GAUSSIAN 98 Program. In order to assess the behaviour of such DFT theoretical calculations using B3LYP with 6-31G* and 6-311++G** basis sets, we carried out a comparative work for those compounds. The results were then used to predict the principal bands of the vibrational spectra and molecular parameters (geometrical parameters, stabilisation energies, electronic density). In this work, the relative stability and the nature of the PO bond in those compounds were systematically and quantitatively investigated by means of Natural Bond Order (NBO) analysis. The topological properties of electronic charge density are analysed employing Bader's Atoms in Molecules theory (AIM). The hydrogen bonding of phosphate groups with water is highly stable and the PO bond wavenumbers are shifted to lower experimental and calculated values (with the DFT/6-311++G** basis set). Accordingly, the predicted order of the relative stability of the hydrogen bonding of the water molecule to the PO bond of the investigated compounds is: PO(4)3->HPO4(2-)>H2PO4->phosphoenolpiruvate>phosphocholamine for the two basis sets used.     

An intermediate neglect of differential overlap (INDO) technique for lanthanide complexes: studies on lanthanide halides

An intermediate neglect of differential overlap method of use for examining the electronic structure of lanthanide complexes is developed. It is characterized by a basis set obtained from relativistic Dirac-Fock atomic calculations, the inclusion of all one-center two-electron integrals, and a parameter set based on molecular geometry.Lanthanide halides MX₂, MX₃ and MX₄ are studied here, as well as initial results for the twelve coordinate Ce(NO₃)₆ ^–2 ion. Geometries obtained are in excellent agreement with experimental values when available. Many MX₃ complexes are found to be pyramidal, and EuCl₂ and YbCl₂ are calculated to be bent even at the SCF level. Models invoking London type forces are therefore not required. Ionization potentials are calculated for the trihalides (SCF) and are in reasonable agreement with experiment.Contrary to conclusion of others, f-orbital participation, although small, is required — at least in this model — to obtain the spread of metal to halide bond distance observed in these complexes. However f-orbital participation does not seem to be significant even in the twelve coordinate Ce(NO₃)₆ ^–2 complex: rather the large coordination number seems to be a consequence of the relatively large size of the lanthanide ion.     

Hydration of inorganic phosphates in crystal lattices and in aqueous solution. An experimental and theoretical study

B3LYP/6-31G* and 6-311++G** calculations have been carried out in order to study the hydration of phosphates in aqueous media. Optimized geometries and relative stabilities for PO4(-3), HPO(4)-2, H2PO4(-1) have been calculated considering the interaction with one, two, three, four and five discrete water molecules and taking into account the solvent effect by using the self-consistent reaction field theory (Onsager and PCM methods). The role of specific and bulk contributions of solvent effect on the observable properties of phosphate compounds is analysed. Good agreement between theoretical and available experimental results of harmonic vibration frequencies is found. Significant effects on the geometrical and vibrational frequencies are found for those studied phosphate anions. The results presented here provide a first step toward the understanding of the phosphate group as a hydration sensor in lipid bilayers.     

Perruthenate ion. Another metal oxo species able to promote the oxidative cyclisation of 1,5-dienes to 2,5-disubstituted cis-tetrahydrofurans

Perruthenate ion, from tetrapropylammonium perruthenate (TPAP), in the presence of tetrabutylammonium periodate (TBAPI) as reoxidant catalyses the stereospecific and stereoselective oxidative cyclisation of 1,5-dienes to cis-2,5-disubstituted tetrahydrofurans in good to moderate yields. NMO also works as co-oxidant in the process but is less effective and at least 0.7 equiv TPAP are required. Acidic conditions promote the formation of THF diols. 1,5-Dienes with two terminal double bonds give poor yields of THF’s or cleavage products.     

Comparative study on the synthesis, photoluminescence and application in InGaN-based light-emitting diodes of TAG:Ce phosphors

Cerium-doped terbium aluminum garnet phosphors, Tb₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺ (TAG:Ce³⁺), were prepared with different methods: co-precipitation (CP), half dry-half wet (HDHW), sol-combustion (SC) and Pechini method plus conventional solid state reaction (SS) method. Comparative study on the phase-formation, particle size, morphologies and luminescent characteristics of the phosphors synthesized with different methods was carried out by means of XRD, FE-SEM and photoluminescence (PL) analysis and SC method was confirmed by the comparison of the results to be an easy and an effective process for preparing efficient and nano-sized Tb₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺ phosphors. Various factors influencing particle size, morphology and PL of the phosphors, such as precursor preparation, reaction temperature and heating time, were also investigated. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) were fabricated with each phosphor and a ∼460 nm emitting InGaN chip. The LEDs from SS, HDHW and CP exhibit strong white emission while those from SC and Pechini emit yellow, revealing that the emission characteristics of LEDs are influenced not only by the morphology and the particle size of the phosphors, but also by the preparing process of the phosphors.     

Theoretical study of the mechanism for C-H bond activation in spin-forbidden reaction between Ti<Superscript>+</Superscript> and C<Subscript>2</Subscript>H<Subscript>4</Subscript>

The mechanism of the spin-forbidden reaction Ti⁺(⁴F, 3d²4s¹) + C₂H₄→TiC₂H₂ ⁺ (²A₂) + H₂ on both doublet and quartet potential energy surfaces has been investigated at the B3LYP level of theory. Crossing points between the potential energy surfaces and the possible spin inversion process are discussed by means of spin-orbit coupling (SOC) calculations. The strength of the SOC between the low-lying quartet state and the doublet state is 59.3 cm⁻¹ in the intermediate complex IM1-⁴B₂. Thus, the changes of its spin multiplicity may occur from the quartet to the doublet surface to form IM1-²A₁, leading to a sig-nificant decrease in the barrier height on the quartet PES. After the insertion intermediate IM2, two distinct reaction paths on the doublet PES have been found, i.e., a stepwise path and a concerted path. The latter is found to be the lowest energy path on the doublet PES to exothermic TiC₂H₂ ⁺(²A₂) + H₂ products, with the active barrier of 4.52 kcal/mol. In other words, this reaction proceeds in the following way: Ti⁺+C₂H₄→⁴IC→IM1-⁴B₂→^4,2ISC→IM1-²A₁→[²TS_ins]→IM2→[²TS_MCTS]→IM5→TiC₂H₂ ⁺(²A₂)+H₂. Supported by ‘Qinglan’ Talent Engineering Funds by Tianshui Normal University.     

PAN-based activated carbon nanofiber/metal oxide composites for CO2 and CH4 adsorption: influence of metal oxide

In the present study, we successfully prepared two different electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) based-activated carbon nanofiber (ACNF) composites by incorporation of well-distributed Fe₂O₃ and Co₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs). The influence of metal oxide on the structural, morphological, and textural properties of final composites was thoroughly investigated. The results showed that the morphological and textural properties could be easily tuned by changing the metal oxide NPs. Even though, the ACNF composites were not chemically activated by any activation agent, they presented relatively high surface areas (S_BET) calculated by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) equation as 212.21 and 185.12 m²/g for ACNF/Fe₂O₃ and ACNF/Co₃O₄ composites, respectively. Furthermore, the ACNF composites were utilized as candidate adsorbents for CO₂ and CH₄ adsorption. The ACNF/Fe₂O₃ and ACNF/Co₃O₄ composites resulted the highest CO₂ adsorption capacities of 1.502 and 2.166 mmol/g at 0 °C, respectively, whereas the highest CH₄ adsorption capacities were obtained to be 0.516 and 0.661 mmol/g at 0 °C by ACNF/Fe₂O₃ and ACNF/Co₃O₄ composites, respectively. The isosteric heats calculated lower than 80 kJ/mol showed that the adsorption processes of CO₂ and CH₄ were mainly dominated by physical adsorption for both ACNF composites. Our findings indicated that ACNF-metal oxide composites are useful materials for designing of CO₂ and CH₄ adsorption systems.     

The dependence of persistent phosphorescence on annealing temperatures in CaTiO3:Pr nanoparticles prepared by a coprecipitation technique

Red emitting phosphors of CaTiO₃:Pr³⁺ nanoparticles with size ranging from 6 to 95 nm have been prepared by a coprecipitation technique and structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The fluorescence and phosphorescence of CaTiO₃:Pr³⁺ nanoparticles as a function of annealing temperature are investigated. It is found that fluorescence intensities monotonously increase with increasing temperature. However, a maximum in phosphorescence with the increase of annealing temperature occurs for the sample prepared at 700 °C. Based on the measurement of fluorescence emission, fluorescence excitation and reflectance spectra as well as time decay patterns of fluorescence and phosphorescence, it is demonstrated that the dependence of fluorescence and phosphorescence on annealing temperature originates from the decrease of surface defects with the increase of temperature.     

Direct spectroelectrochemistry of peroxidases immobilised on mesoporous metal oxide electrodes: Towards reagentless hydrogen peroxide sensing

In this paper, we employ two peroxidases (horseradish peroxidase, HRP and cytochrome c peroxidase, CcP) to demonstrate their ability to retain their redox and biological functions after their immobilisation on mesoporous TiO₂ and SnO₂ electrodes. We will also demonstrate the use of HRP immobilised on the metal oxide electrodes for the development of reagentless optical and electrochemical biosensors for the detection of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) with low detection limit of 0.04 and 1 μM, respectively.     

空气中合成M2B4O7:Eu3+(M=Na,K)荧光体及其性质表征

以M2B4O7(M=Na,K)为基质,在空气中掺杂稀土元素Eu3+得到了Na2B4O7:Eu3+和K2B4O7:Eu3+荧光体.探讨了体系的烧结条件和荧光性质,分析了晶体的结构.结果表明,虽然两种体系的最佳合成条件不同,但是体系中都同时存在[BO4]和[BO3]结构;稀土离子Eu3+的发光以电偶极跃迁5D0-7F2为主,处于非中心对称的格位上,并且可以很好地存在于基质中,Na2B4O7:Eu3+具有较强的发光强度.     

Theoretical study of the triplet excited state of PtPOP and the exciplexes M-PtPOP (M = Tl, Ag) in solution and comparison with ultrafast X-ray scattering results

The [Pt₂(H₂P₂O₅)₄]⁴⁻ ions in the ground and excited states and the excited-state complexes M-[Pt₂(H₂P₂O₅)₄]³⁻ and M₂-[Pt₂(H₂P₂O₅)₄]²⁻ (M = Ag, Tl) were studied in solution with various density functional theory (DFT) functionals from Gaussian 09 and Amsterdam Density Functional (ADF) programs. Calculated results were compared with ultrafast X-ray solution scattering data. Time dependent DFT (TD-DFT) calculations with the B3PW91 functional and unrestricted open shell calculations with the mPBE functional produce good agreement with the experimental results. Compared to gas phase calculations, the surrounding solvent is found to play an important role to shorten the Pt-Pt and M-Pt (M = Ag, Tl) bond lengths, lowering the molecular orbital energies and influences the molecular orbital transitions upon excitation, which stabilizes the excited transient molecules in solution.     

Electron impact study of C6H5+ fragment ion obtained from three molecules

C₆H₅ ⁺ fragment ion produced from toluene,n-propylbenzene and acetophenone have been studied using an electron impact technique. The ionization efficiency data have been treated by the inverse convolution first differential technique. First and higher appearance energies for ions produced from the three precursors are reported. The heats of formation for the ions obtained at threshold from the three molecules are calculated     

A theoretical study on the ionization of tetrafluoroethylene with analysis of vibrational structure of the photoelectron spectra

Ab initio calculations have been performed to study on the molecular structures and the vibrational levels of the low-lying ionic states (²B_2u,²A_g,²B_2g,²B_3u,²A_u,²B_1g,²B_1u, and²B_3g) of tetrafluoroethylene. The equilibrium molecular structures and vibrational modes of these states are presented. The theoretical ionization intensity curves including the vibrational structures of the low-lying eight ionic states are also presented and compared with the photoelectron spectrum. Some new assignments of the photoelectron spectra are proposed.