Theoretical evaluation to improve the performance of composite wax powder: cooperativity effects involving the strong Na+···π/σ and weak hydrogen-bonding interactions in the complex of graphene oxide with Na+ and CH4

ABSTRACT

To provide a reasonable design scheme to improve the performance of composite wax powder, the ternary complex Na⁺···graphene oxide (GO)···CH₄ was selected as a model system to evaluate the cooperativity effect between the Na⁺···σ/π and H-bonding interactions in the composite wax powder doped with GO at the M06-2X/6-311++G(2d,p) and MP2/6-311++G(2d,p) levels. The cooperativities in GO···(CH₄)_n (n?=?1～10) and thermodynamic cooperativity effects in Na⁺···GO···CH₄ were also investigated. Although the changes of the absolute values of H-bonding interactions were slight, from those of relative values, the influence of the Na⁺···π or Na⁺···O interaction on the C–H···π, O–H···C or C–H···O interaction was notable upon the formation of ternary systems. The anti-cooperativity effect was found in the cyclic structure, while the cooperativity effect appeared in the linear conformation. The Na⁺···σ/π and H-bonding interactions as well as cooperativities in Na⁺···GO···CH₄ were stronger than those in Na⁺···coronene···CH₄. The formation of Na⁺···GO···CH₄ is a thermodynamic cooperativity process driven by the enthalpy change. Therefore, it could be inferred that, when graphite powder or carbon black was replaced by GO, the compatibilities could be strengthened among various components, and thus the performance of casting moulds could be improved. Atoms-in-molecules (AIM) and reduced density gradient (RDG) analyses confirmed the cooperativity effect and revealed the nature of the improved performance of composite wax powder with GO. The GO···(CH₄)_n (n?=?1～3) are positively cooperative, while the negative cooperativity is shown when n?=?4～10.     

Relationship between cation–π and anion–π interactions: individual binding energies in the π–Mz+–π–X−–π system

The mutual influence of cation–π and anion–π interactions in the π–M^z+–π–X^?–π system (M^z+ = Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Be²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and X^? = F^?, Cl^?) has been studied by quantum mechanical calculations. Both geometric parameters and energy data reveal that cation–π and anion–π interactions enhance each other in the π–M^z+–π–X^?–π system. Individual binding energies (E_ion···π) have been estimated in the quintuplet system using a simple new method from electron charge densities calculated at the bond critical points (BCPs) of the ion···π interaction by the atoms in molecules (AIM) method at the M062X/6-31+G(d) level of theory. With respect to the obtained individual binding energies, the strength of an ion···π interaction depends on the cooperative effects of other components.     

Spectroscopic properties, energy transfer and structural analysis of Sr2CeO4:M+ and Sr2CeO4:Eu3+, M+ (M+ = Li+, Na+, K+)

The room-temperature luminescent emission characteristics of Sr₂CeO₄:M⁺ and Sr₂CeO₄:Eu³⁺,M⁺ (M⁺ = Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺) have been investigated under UV excitation. By introducing appropriate alkali metal cations dopants (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺) into the crystalline lattice, not only emission color of the blue-white-emitting Sr₂CeO₄ doped with low Eu³⁺ content can be tuned to green, but also the red emission intensity of Sr₂CeO₄ doped with high Eu³⁺ concentration is strengthened significantly. The relevant mechanisms have been elucidated in detail.     

Theoretical explanation for the DNA cleavage by GO with cation: anti-cooperativity effect among the π⋯π, cation⋯π/σ and H-bonding interactions in cytosine⋯GO⋯Mn+ (Mn+ = Na+, Mg2+, Al3+)

In order to reveal the nature of DNA cleavage by inorganic intercalator GO (graphene oxide) with cation, the cooperativity effects among the π?π, cation?π/σ and H-bonding interactions were evaluated in the cytosine?GO?Mⁿ⁺ (Mⁿ⁺?=?Na⁺, Mg²⁺, Al³⁺) model systems using the M06-2X, MP2 and ω B97X-D methods with the 6-311++G(2d,p) and 6-311++G(3df,3pd) basis sets. The Mⁿ⁺?O (ether) and N–H?O interactions induce the formation of the π?π stacking between cytosine and GO, and the anti-cooperativity effect are dominant in controling of the aggregation process of cytosine, GO and Mⁿ⁺, which was confirmed by the AIM (atoms-in-molecules) and RDG (reduced density gradient) analyses. Furthermore, the solvent effects of H₂O weaken greatly the anti-cooperativity effects. Thus, a deduction on the DNA cleavage by GO?cation with the intercalation mode is put forward: due to the anti-cooperativity effect and solvent effect, the π?π stacking is weakened in the complexes with Na⁺ or broken in those with Mg²⁺ or Al³⁺. Then the GO?Mg²⁺ moiety is squeezed out from the intercalating sites, leading to an invalid cleavage of DNA, while Na⁺ or Al³⁺ is bound tightly to cytosine, with a notable DNA cleavage. This deduction was used to explain reasonably the previous experimental phenomena.     

Proton NMR of isomorphous paramagnetic and diamagnetic monohydrates MeSO4.1 H2O Me = Mn2+, Fe2+, Ni2+ AND Mg2+

Nuclear magnetic resonance of protons of crystallization water in isomorphous paramagnetic and diamagnetic monohydrates MeSO₄. 1 H₂O with Me = Mn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Mg²⁺ is studied in the present paper. Proton NMR spectra in paramagnetic hydrates are asymmetric and their second moments, M₂, depend linearly on the square of the induction of the external magnetic field B₀. NMR spectrum of diamagnetic hydrate MgSO₄. 1 H₂O is symmetric and its shape and the second moment do not change with B₀. The parameters M₂₀ andK which characterize nuclear dipole-dipole interaction of protons and interaction of protons and paramagnetic ions, respectively, are derived from experimentally obtained dependences M₂ vs B ₀ ² and on the other hand, they are calculated by means of crystallographic data for substances studied. Calculations were realized in approximation where two nearest neighbour ions Me²⁺ to each water molecule are considered. The influence of the demagnetizing magnetic field of the sample was neglected.     

Solvothermal synthesis of nanocrystalline zinc oxide doped with Mn2+, Ni2+, Co2+ and Cr3+ ions

ZnO nanopowders doped with Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺ and Cr³⁺ ions have been synthesised for the first time using a solvothermal reaction with microwave heating. The nanopowders were produced from a solution of zinc acetate and manganese (II), chromium (III), nickel (II) and cobalt (II) acetates, using ethylene glycol as a solvent. The content of Ni²⁺, Co²⁺ and Cr³⁺ ions in the solution and in the solid phase were close to each other up to 5 mol%. The doping level of Mn²⁺ ions in the solid is about 50% of that in the solution. No phases or compounds other than ZnO were detected by X-ray diffraction with Mn²⁺, Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺ doping. With Cr³⁺ ions a small amount of chromium oxide was found. None of the powders displayed any luminescence after doping. The Mn²⁺-doped powder displayed a paramagnetic behaviour. ESR and magnetisation investigations have revealed that no clustering of Mn²⁺ ions occurred up to a doping level of 3.9 mol%. The average grain size of powders doped with Ni²⁺, Cr³⁺, Co²⁺ and Mn²⁺ for a 10 mol% ion content in the solution was about 20 nm and the grain size dispersion 30%. With increasing dopant content the grain size decreased. It appears that the solvothermal process employed allows relatively high doping levels of the transition metal ions to be achieved without any dopant clustering or oxide precipitation.     

Determination of the Association Constants of Macrocyclic Ethers by the Aid of 13C Dipole-dipole Relaxation Time Measurements. I.,: Li+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ complexes of 1,4,7,10-tetraoxacyclododecane

Abstract

The association constants of Li⁺, Ca⁺² and Mg⁺² ions complexing with 1, 4, 7, 10-tetraoxcyclododecane in DHO were determined by the aid of ¹³C dipole-dipole relaxation time measurements. To obtain the K_a, association constant, the T^O ₁ values of the stoichiometric complex solutions and the T₁₀ of the free molecules were applied to the equation derived, 1/K_a· A_o + 2 = 1/P + P, for the 1:1 ratio of the complexing and to the equation 1/2K_a·A_o + 3/2 = P + 1/2P for the 1:2 ratio of the complexing where P, is molar ratio of the crown complexed ions.

Accordingly we found that the binding ability of the macrocyclic ether towards to the cations is in the following order of Li⁺ < Mg⁺² ? Ca⁺² in DHO solutions.     

Luminescence and energy transfer in Eu2+,Mn2+ codoped Na2BaMgP2O8 phosphor

Eu²⁺ single-doped and Eu²⁺/Mn²⁺-codoped Na₂BaMgP₂O₈ phosphors were prepared by a combustion-assisted synthesis method. The phase formation was confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction measurement. Na₂BaMgP₂O₈:Eu²⁺,Mn²⁺ shows a broad blue emission band and a red emission band, which originate from Eu²⁺ occupying the Ba²⁺ sites and Mn²⁺ occupying the Mg²⁺ sites, respectively. The efficient energy transfer from Eu²⁺ to Mn²⁺ is verified by the excitation and emission spectra together with the luminescence decay curves. Based on the principle of energy transfer, the relative intensities of blue and red emissions could be tuned by adjusting the contents of Eu²⁺ and Mn²⁺.     

Theory studies of the local lattice distortions and the EPR parameters for Cu2+, Mn2+ and Fe3+ centres in ZnWO4

The local lattice distortions and the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) parameters (g factors, hyperfine structure constants and zero-field splittings) for Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺ and Fe³⁺ in ZnWO₄ are theoretically studied based on the perturbation calculations for rhombically elongated octahedral 3d⁹ and 3d⁵ complexes. The impurity centres on Zn²⁺ sites undergo the local elongations of 0.01, 0.002 and 0.013 Å along the C₂ axis and the planar bond angle variations of 8.1°, 8.0° and 8.6° for Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺ and Fe³⁺, respectively, due to the Jahn–Teller effect and size and charge mismatch. In contrast to the host Zn²⁺ site with obvious axial elongation (～0.31 Å) and perpendicular (angular) rhombic distortion, all the impurity centres demonstrate more regular octahedral due to the above local lattice distortions. The copper centre exhibits significant Jahn–Teller reductions for the spin-orbit coupling and orbital angular momentum interactions, characterised by the Jahn–Teller reduction factor J (≈0.29 ? 1). The calculated EPR parameters agree well with the experimental results. The local structures of the impurity centres are analysed in view of the corresponding lattice distortions.     

Theoretical insight into the influence of molecular ratio on the binding energy and mechanical property of HMX/2-picoline-N-oxide cocrystal,cooperativity effect and surface electrostatic potential

Molecular dynamics method was employed to study the binding energies and mechanical properties of the selected crystal planes of the energetic/nonenergetic 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazacyclooctane (HMX)/2-picoline-N-oxide cocrystal in different molecular ratios. The solvent effect in HMX:2-picoline-N-oxide (1:1) was calculated, and the cooperativity effect was discussed in HMX···HF/CH₄···2-picoline-N-oxide by using the M06-2X and MP2(full) methods at the 6-311++G^** basis set. The density, oxygen balance and detonation velocity were calculated. The results indicate that HMX/2-picoline-N-oxide prefers cocrystalising in the 1:1, 2:1 and 3:1 molar ratios, in which the cocrystals own the highest binding energy and best ductility. The cooperativity effect is present in the cyclic complex with CH₄, while the anti-cooperativity effect is found in the HF complex. Thus, in order to obtain stable HMX/2-picoline-N-oxide cocrystal, the solvent with low dielectric constant should be chosen, as is in accordance with the result from solvent effect. The reduced density gradient (RDG) and surface electrostatic potential analysis confirms the cooperativity effect and reveals the nature of decreased sensitivity in complex (or cocrystal). The cocrystals in the molar ratios of 5:1–10:1 could be satisfactory in view of explosive properties.     

EPR study of Fe3+ and Mn2+ in CeO2 and ThO2

Attempts were made to grow CeO₂ and ThO₂ single crystals doped with transition metal ions. Only Fe³⁺ and Mn²⁺ could be detected by the EPR technique. The EPR spectrum of Fe³⁺ in CeO₂ exhibits the well-known fine structure in cubic fields. The parameters areg=2.0044(1) anda=15.6(1)·10^?4 cm^?1. The hyperfine constantA for⁵⁷Fe in hexahedral coordination was found to be 8.9(1)·10^?4 cm^?1. The EPR spectrum of Mn²⁺ in CeO₂ reveals two cubic Mn²⁺ centers. The parameters for center 1 areg=1.9999(1) andA=86.9(1)·10^?4 cm^?1 and for center 2g=1.9984(1) andA=87.0(1)·10^?4 cm^?1. Heating the Mn doped CeO₂ samples in hydrogen, the Mn²⁺ centers transform from cubic into trigonal centers with approximate values ofg=1.9988(2),A=84.5(6)·10^?4 cm^?1 andD=203(1)·10^?4 cm^?1. The two observed Mn²⁺ centers in ThO₂ exhibita priori axial symmetry with approximate values ofg=2.0006(2),A=88.9(4)·10^?4 cm^?1 andD=33(3)·10^?4 cm^?1.     

Substituent effects in cooperativity of chalcogen bonds

In the present work, substituent effects on cooperativity of S···N chalcogen bonds are studied in XHS···NCHS···4-Z–Py (X = F, Cl; Z = H, F, OH, CH₃, NH₂, NO₂, and CN; and Py = pyridine) complexes using ab initio calculations. An increased attraction or a positive cooperativity is observed on introduction of a third molecule to the XHS···NCHS and NCHS···4-Z–Py binary systems. The shortening of each chalcogen bond distance in the ternary systems is dependent on the substituent Z and is increased in the order Z = NH₂ > OH > CH₃ > H > F > CN > NO₂. The electronic aspects of the complexes are analysed using molecular electrostatic potential, and the parameters derived from the atoms in molecules and natural bond orbital methodologies. According to interaction energy decomposition analysis, the electrostatic energies are important in the interaction energy of S···N bonds and may be regarded as being responsible for the stability of these complexes.     

Cooperativity of tetrel bonds tuned by substituent effects

Substituent effects on cooperativity between N···X and C···X interactions are studied in the 4-Z-Py···XH₃(NC)···XH₃(NC) complexes, where X = C, Si; Z = H, F, OH, CH₃, NH₂, F, NC, CN, NO₂ and Py = pyridine. All N···X and C···X binding distances in the ternary complexes are always shorter than those in the corresponding binary complex. This indicates that the formation of the N···X interaction strengthens C···X bond in these complexes and vice versa. Our results reveal that the strength of N···X and C···X interactions in the ternary complexes considerably depends on the nature of X and Z substituents. For a given aromatic system, the shortening of N···X and C···X distances is more important for SiH₃(NC) complexes than CH₃(NC) counterparts. The mechanism of cooperative effects in the ternary complexes is unveiled by electrostatic potential analyses and natural bond theory.     

Nonradiative energy transfer from Mn2+ to Eu3+ in K2CaP2O7:Mn2+,Eu3+ phosphor

A series of color tunable phosphors K₂Ca_1?x?yP₂O₇:xMn²⁺, yEu³⁺ are synthesized by solid state reaction method. The energy transfer phenomenon from Mn²⁺ to Eu³⁺ has been observed in the Mn²⁺/Eu³⁺ codoped non-magnetic K₂CaP₂O₇ host, which was confirmed by PL spectra and decay curves. The Mn²⁺→Eu³⁺ energy transfer is controlled by quadrupole–quadrupole interaction between sensitizer and activator. The maximum efficiency of energy transfer is estimated to be 33% with x=0.125 and y=0.03 in K₂Ca_1?x?yP₂O₇:xMn²⁺, yEu³⁺ phosphor. The phosphors can emit light from green to yellow and eventually to orange under 400 nm excitation by changing the Mn²⁺/Eu³⁺ content ratio, indicating that K₂CaP₂O₇: Mn²⁺, Eu³⁺ would be potential candidates for use in lighting and displays applications.     

Enhancement of up-conversion luminescence in Zn2SiO4:Yb3+, Er3+ by co-doping with Li+ or Bi3+

Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ co-doped Zn₂SiO₄ ceramics are rapidly synthesized by the microwave radiation method. Green and red up-conversion emissions are observed in Zn₂SiO₄: Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ ceramics under 980 nm excitation. The influence of co-doped Li⁺ or Bi³⁺ ion on luminescence intensity for the phosphors has been investigated. At Li⁺ or Bi³⁺ doping concentration of 1 mol%, up-converted green emission can be increased by 6 times and 20 times, respectively. It is believed that co-doped Li⁺ or Bi³⁺ ion results in the local distortion of Er³⁺ in Zn₂SiO₄, increasing the intra-4f transitions of Er³⁺ ions. The local distortion is proved by spectral probing method with Eu³⁺.     

Phase dependent photoluminescence and energy transfer in Ca2P2O7: Eu2+, Mn2+ phosphors for white LEDs

α- and β-Ca₂P₂O₇: Eu²⁺, Mn²⁺ phosphors were prepared by solid-state reaction. Phase transition from tetragonal (β-phase) to monoclinic (α-phase) is performed. A strong orange emission of Mn²⁺ is observed in both α-and β-Ca₂P₂O₇: Eu²⁺, Mn²⁺ upon near ultraviolet (UV) excitation through energy transfer from Eu²⁺ to Mn²⁺. The transfer efficiencies for various Mn²⁺ concentrations are estimated based on lifetime measurements of the fluorescence of Eu²⁺ in the two phases. The photoluminescence excitation spectra of α-Ca₂P₂O₇: Eu²⁺, Mn²⁺ can cover 400 nm of the near-UV range, denoting its potential use as a phosphor with intense orange component for white light emitting diodes (LEDs).     

Chalcogen bonds tuned by an N–H···π or C–H···π interaction: investigation of substituent,cooperativity and solvent effects

In the present work, ab-initio calculations are performed to investigate cooperativity effects between chalcogen bond and H···π interactions in XHY···NCH···C₆H₆ and XHY···CNH···C₆H₆ complexes, where X = F, Cl, Br, CN, NC, and Y = S, Se. The nature of these interactions and the mechanism of cooperativity are studied by means of quantum theory of atoms in molecules, noncovalent interaction index, many-body analysis of interaction energy and electron density shift analysis. For each ternary complex, the shortening of the Y···N(C) distance is more pronounced than that of the H···π. The cooperative energies of these complexes are all negative which demonstrate a positive cooperativity between the Y···N(C) and H···π interactions. The many-body analysis of interaction energy reveals that the two-body energy term has the largest contribution to the total interaction energies of ternary complexes. A good linear correlation is established between the three-body energy and cooperative energy values in the ternary systems. The cooperative energies of XHY···CNH···C₆H₆ complexes indicate a larger sensitivity on the polarity of solvent than XHY···NCH···C₆H₆ ones.     

Stereodynamics of the reactions Ne+H2+/Ne+D2+/Ne+T2

The vector correlations between products and reagents for the reactions Ne+H + 2 , Ne+D + 2 , and Ne+T + 2 are calculated by means of the quasi-classical trajectory method on a new potential energy surface constructed by Lü et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 2010 132, 014303]. The polarization-dependent differential cross-sections (2π/σ)(dσ 00 /dω t ), (2π/σ)(dσ 20 /dω t ), (2π/σ)(dσ 22+ /dω t ), and (2π/σ)(dσ 21 /dω t ), and the distributions of P (θ r ), P (φ r ), and P (θ r ,φ r ) are calculated. The isotopic effect, which is associated with the difference in mass factor among the three reactions, is revealed.     

Half-life and configuration of the 1/2+ intruder state in203Bi

The decay properties of theJ ^π=1/2⁺,E _exc=1,098 keV state in²⁰³Bi were studied. The state was populated via the²⁰⁴Pb(p, 2n) reaction and the activity was studied with the ion guide isotope separator on-line system IGISOL. The half-life of the 1/2⁺ state was measured to beT _1/2=303 ±5 ms. From this value the partial half-lives of the three depopulating branches 1/2⁺ →7/2^? (E3), 1/2⁺→5/2^? (E3 +M2) and 1/2⁺→9/2 _g.s. ^? (M4) were deduced. Since all the transitions are configuration forbidden in first order, a detailed study of second-order shell-model configuration mixing could be performed.