Microhydration of the methylene blue cation in an electrospray ion source

Microhydrated methylene blue cations, MB⁺(H₂O) _n , are produced in an electrospray ion source and their size-distributions are measured as a function of the source temperature. A series of MB⁺(H₂O) _n ions is observed up to n ≃ 60. A striking feature observed in the mass spectra is that the series of hydrated ions starts at n = 4; intensities of n = 1–3 are extremely suppressed. The absence of n = 1–3 ions is well explained by the energetics concerning evaporation processes of water molecules, based on stable structures and the binding energies of MB⁺(H₂O) _n ions calculated by DFT calculations up to n = 5. MB⁺(H₂O) _n ions for n > 4 evaporate a single water molecule sequentially, while MB⁺(H₂O)₄ tends to fragment into MB⁺ and (H₂O)₄ rather than MB⁺(H₂O)₃ and an H₂O molecule. We have observed a clear magic peak at n = 24, which strongly suggests that the MB⁺(H₂O)₂₄ ion is formed by attaching a neutral (H₂O)₂₀ cage onto an MB⁺(H₂O)₄ ion.     

Cross-section and rate coefficient calculation for electron impact excitation, ionisation and dissociation of H2 and OH molecules

The weighted total cross-section (WTCS) theory is used to calculate electron impact excitation, ionisation and dissociation cross-sections and rate coefficients of OH, H₂, OH⁺, H₂ ⁺, OH^- and H₂ ^- diatomic molecules in the temperature range 1500–15000 K. Calculations are performed for H₂(X, B, C), OH(X, A, B), H₂ ⁺(X), OH⁺(X, a, A, b, c), H₂ ^-(X) and OH^-(X) electronic states for which Dunham coefficients are available. Rate coefficients are calculated from WTCS assuming Maxwellian energy distribution functions for electrons and heavy particles. One and two temperature (θ_e and θ_g respectively for electron and heavy particles kinetic temperatures) results are presented and fitting parameters (a, b and c) are given for each reaction rate coefficient: k(θ) = a (θ^b)exp (-c/θ).     

Photoinduced dissociation reactions of silver fluoride cluster ions

Photoinduced dissociation in the ultraviolet region has been investigated for Ag _nF _n-1 ⁺ cluster ions. Photodissociation spectrum of Ag₂F⁺ in the energy of 3.8–5.6 eV exhibits several sharp bands corresponding to the transition to electronically excited states. In this dissociation, only the Ag₂ ⁺ ion was observed as a fragment ion. Theoretical calculation indicates that the parent Ag₂F⁺ ion has a linear Ag-F-Ag equilibrium geometries in the ground and excited states. Since conformational changes by excitation of bending vibration are necessary for the fragmentation of an F atom, this indicates that production of Ag₂ ⁺ from Ag₂F⁺ is a result of internal conversion and following conformational changes.     

The infrared spectra of tutton salts 1. A comparative study of (NH4)2 M″(SO4)2·6H2O (M″=Ni,Co or Mg)

The infrared spectra of (NH₄)₂M″(SO₄)₂.6H₂O has been analysed in the region 4000–250 cm⁻¹. The dynamics of each crystal has been discussed in terms of 234 phonon modes, including 3 acoustical ones, using the unit cell approximation. The ambiguity in the assignments of the bands in the region 900–500 cm⁻¹ has been removed by assigning the bands in this region to the libratory modes of H₂O molecules. It has been concluded that the NH ₄ ⁺ and SO ₄ ²⁻ ions have a symmetry lower thanT _dand also the complex [M″(H₂O)₆]²⁺ has a symmetry lower than O _h . The hydrogen bonding is the strongest in the Ni-salt and the weakest in the Mg-salt.     

Infrared spectra and stability of CO and H2O sorption over Ag-exchanged ZSM-5 zeolite: DFT study

The infrared spectra and stability of CO and H₂O sorption over Ag-exchanged ZSM-5 zeolite were investigated by using density function theory (DFT). The changes of NBO charge show that the electron transfers from CO molecule to the Ag⁺ cation to form an σ-bond, and it accompanies by the back donation of d-electrons from Ag⁺ cation to the CO (π*) orbital as one and two CO molecules are adsorbed on Ag-ZSM-5. The free energy changes ΔG, −5.55 kcal/mol and 6.52 kcal/mol for one and two CO molecules, illustrate that the Ag⁺(CO)₂ complex is unstable at the room temperature. The vibration frequency of C-O stretching of one CO molecule bonded to Ag⁺ ion at 2211 cm⁻¹ is in good agreement with the experimental results. The calculated C-O symmetric and antisymmetric stretching frequencies in the Ag⁺(CO)₂ complex shift to 2231 cm⁻¹ and 2205 cm⁻¹ when the second CO molecule is adsorbed. The calculated C-O stretching frequency in CO-Ag-ZSM-5-H₂O complex shifts to 2199 cm⁻¹, the symmetric and antisymmetric O-H stretching frequencies are 3390 cm⁻¹ and 3869 cm⁻¹, respectively. The Gibbs free energy change (ΔGH₂O) is −6.58 kcal/mol as a H₂O molecule is adsorbed on CO-Ag-ZSM-5 complex at 298 K. The results show that CO-Ag-ZSM-5-H₂O complex is more stable at room temperature.     

Influence of covalence and anion symmetry on the structure of small metal hydroxide clusters: Sodium versus silver hydroxide

An ab initio study of the Na_n(OH)_n, Na_n(OH)_n-1 ⁺, Ag_n(OH)_n, and Ag_n(OH)_n-1 ⁺ clusters with n up to four is presented. The results of this study show that, in accordance with experimental observations, the sodium hydroxide clusters are almost purely ionic, while the Ag-O bond exhibits a significant covalent character. The perturbation caused by the non-spherical OH^- group relatively to an atomic anion, as well as the influence on structures and energies of the covalent character of the metal-oxygen bond are determined. The appearance of metal-metal bonds in the silver hydroxide clusters is also discussed. Finally, the theoretical results obtained on the Na-OH clusters are compared to experimental results available on the dissociation of the Na_n(OH)_n-1 ⁺ clusters. Received 9 August 1999 and Received in final form 1st December 1999     

Vibrational study of H3OUO2PO4 · 3 H2O (HUP) and related compounds. phase transitions and conductivity mechanisms: part I,KUO2PO4 · 3 H2O (KUP)

Infrared and Raman spectra of polycrystalline KUO₂PO₄ · 3 H₂O (KUP) and its isotopic derivatives KUO₂P¹⁸O₄ · 3 H₂O and KUO₂PO₄ · 3 D₂O have been investigated in the 4000-10-cm^?1 range at different temperatures. An assignment of the bands in terms of UO₂, PO₄ and H₂O vibrations has been proposed. Combined differential scanning calorimetry and spectroscopic data show two diffuse phase transitions near 130 and 230 K. Comparison of the vibrational spectra of phase I at 300 K and phase IV at 100 K indicates that ordering of the water molecules with subsequent ordering of PO₄ tetrahedra on a site with lower symmetry appears to be the main mechanism responsible for the phase transformation. All the six O-H distances of water molecules in phase IV are found to be crystallographically nonequivalent. Conducting ion frequencies and the corresponding force constants have been determined for the analogous compounds MUP with M = K⁺, Na⁺, Ag⁺, NH⁺₄, Tl⁺ and H₃O⁺ and compared with other properties of these ionic conductors. Conductivity mechanisms in these materials are discussed.     

Thermoelectric power of the vitreous electrolyte (AgI)0.79(Ag2O.B2O3)0.21

We have determined the thermoelectric power ? of the high ionic conductivity glass (AgI)_0.79(Ag₂O.B₂O₃)_0.21; ? is negative throughout the investigated T range, 320–500 K. The heat of transport of the mobile Ag⁺, Q_Ag, taken as the slope of the straight line fitting ? versus 1/T, is quite lower than the activation energy obtained from conductivity data, viz. Q_Ag = 2.81 kcal/mole^-1 < E_act = 4.34 kcalmole^-1. To circumvent this discrepancy, the analysis of the experimental data is carried out as follows: (i) it is supposed that Q_Ag = E_act in agreement with the free ion theory for solid electrolytes; (ii) the vibrational part of the silver ion entropy, S(Ag⁺, vib), is assumed to be equal to the entropy of silver, S(Ag); (iii) on the ground of a structural model for this kind of glasses, the ideal configurational entropy of the mobile Ag⁺, S(Ag⁺, conf)_id, is evaluated through a statistical approach. The ideal ionic entropy is defined as S(Ag⁺)_id = {S(Ag⁺, vib) + S(Ag⁺, conf)_id}; (iv) the difference {S(Ag⁺)_exp - S(Ag⁺)_id} is viewed as an excess entropy and is described according to the classical model of the regular solutions.     

Structural characterisation of [Cu2(bptd) (H2O) Cl4] and [Ni2(bptd)2(H2O)4] Cl4·3H2O; evidence of null intramolecular exchanges by EPR and magnetic measurements

Using the 2,5-bis(2-pyridyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole (bptd), we recently prepared [Cu₂(bptd) (H₂O) Cl₄] and [Ni₂(bptd)₂ (H₂O)₄] Cl₄, 3H₂O in which the magnetic centres are connected through one diazine+one chloro and two diazine ligand bridges, respectively. These two compounds are the first examples that show null intramolecular magnetic interactions despite M-M distances close to 3.7 Å within perfectly planar edifices:Down to , [Cu₂(bptd)Cl₄(H₂O)] is paramagnetic while, below T_t, half of the Cu²⁺ions interact, leading to residual paramagnetism of one Cu²⁺/f.u. Magnetic susceptibility measurements, EPR and pulsed EPR study indicate the original intermolecular nature of AF exchanges.[Ni₂(bptd)₂(H₂O)₄]Cl₄·3H₂O susceptibility obeys a Curie-law involving pure paramagnetism. Moreover, its EPR spectrum can be interpreted on the basis of virtual S=1 monomers. Below 70 K, Zero Field Splitting (D∼275 G) due to dipolar interactions without magnetic exchanges could be responsible for the LT spectra splitting. For both compounds, the thia role is suggested as partially responsible for the null-in-plane magnetic exchanges.     

A Novel Fluorescent Silver Ion Biosensor Based on Nucleic Acid Molecular “Light Switch”

As one of nucleic acid molecular “light switch”, Ru(bipy)₂(dppx)²⁺ is a good probe for the determination of double-helical DNA, which displays intense fluorescence when double-helical DNA is present. However, the fluorescence of Ru(bipy)₂(dppx)²⁺ is quenched when Ag⁺ is added to the Ru(bipy)₂(dppx)²⁺-DNA system. Based on the quenching of the fluorescence of Ru(bipy)₂(dppx)²⁺-DNA system by Ag⁺, a simple, rapid and specific method for Ag⁺ determination was proposed. In the optimum conditions, Ag⁺ concentration versus Ru(bipy)₂(dppx)²⁺ fluorescence intensity gave a linear response in the range from 0.2 to 6.0 μM with a detection limit (3σ) of 3.2 × 10⁻⁸ M. The proposed method has been applied to determine the Ag⁺ in water samples and sulfadiazine silver cream successfully. Because of the intense fluorescence of Ru(bipy)₂dppx²⁺ when DNA is present, the interaction between Ag⁺ and DNA was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy and the phenomenon of the fluorescence images agreed well with the results. The possible mechanism of the reaction was also discussed by circular dichroism spectra and isothermal titration calorimetry.     

Diode-laser absorption measurements of CO2, H2O, N2O, and NH3 near 2.0 μm

2 , H₂O, N₂O, and NH₃ concentrations in various flowfields using absorption spectroscopy and extractive sampling techniques. An external-cavity diode laser with a tuning range of 1.953–2.057 μm was used to record absorption lineshapes from measured transitions in the CO₂ 4ν₂ ⁰+ν₃, ν₁+2ν₂ ⁰+ν₃, and 2ν₁+ν₃ bands, H₂O ν₂+ν₃and ν₁+ν₂ bands, N₂O 2ν₁+4ν₂ ⁰, ν₂ ¹+2ν₃, 3ν₁+2ν₂ ⁰, and 4ν₁ bands, and NH₃ν₁+ν₄ and ν₃+ν₄ bands. Measured CO₂, H₂O, and N₂O survey spectra were compared to calculations to verify the HITRAN96 database and used to determine optimum transitions for species detection. Individual lineshape measurements were used to determine fundamental spectroscopic parameters including the line strength, line-center frequency, and self-broadening coefficient of the probed transition. The results represent the first measurements of CO₂, H₂O, N₂O, and NH₃ absorption near 2.0 μm using room-temperature near-IR diode lasers. Received: 12 March 1998/Revised version: 7 May 1998     

Investigations on field desorption products from silver surfaces by mass spectrometry

Field evaporation of silver and field desorption of silver surface compounds were investigated by analysing positive ions with a mass spectrometer. In particular, the well known adsorption states of oxygen, and further the interactions of H₂O, NH₃, H₂, CO and CH₄ were measured in the field ion mass spectrometer under steady state fields of > 0.1 V/Å with a sensitivity of < 0.1 ions s^?1 and at temperatures between 80 °K and 425 °K. Although oxygen is usually chemisorbed at Ag surfaces, no AgO⁺, AgO⁺₂ or other Ag-O compounds could be detected as positive ions, Ag⁺ and O₂⁺ are the only observed ions at best image fields in oxygen up to fields of field evaporation of Ag⁺(≈ 2.2 V/Å). Even after the actual adsorption of oxygen with zero-field (6 × 10⁵ Langmuir at 10^?3 Torr) at 323 °K and 473 °K and subsequent application of the desorption field at 210°K no silver-oxygen compounds were found in positive ionic form. Small quantities of AgO⁺ and AgO⁺₂ were only formed — besides Ag(H₂O)_x⁺ complexes — if atomic oxygen was supplied by the field induced dissociation of water.Gases which do not adsorb on silver under zero-field conditions (H₂, CO, CH₄, N₂) yield the ions Ag(H₂)_n, Ag(CO)_n⁺, n=1, 2; AgCH₄⁺, AgN₂⁺. The situation with H₂O and NH₃ is more complicated: Molecular ions [Ag(H₂O)_n]⁺·mH₂O, n=1,…, 4, m=1,…, 8 and [Ag(NH₃)_n]⁺·mNH₃, n=1, 2, m=1,…, 6 are found besides Ag⁺.From the temperature and field dependence conclusions are drawn about the mechanisms of evaporation and formation of ionic surface complexes. The activation energies of evaporation of Ag⁺ are found to depend on the square root of the field strength. In general, the generation of surface compounds can be described by field induced reactions rather than usual gas adsorption.     

Photoexcitation of rare-gas neon and argon clusters doped with <Emphasis Type="Bold">H</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Bold">2</Emphasis></Subscript><Emphasis Type="Bold">O</Emphasis>

We have studied the fluorescence of electronically excited OH^*, H^* and H₂O^+* dissociation fragments after VUV excitation ( h ν≥11.6 eV) of rare-gas clusters (Rg = Ne, Ar) doped with H₂O molecules. In contrast to a free molecule, where Balmer H-series dominate the UV-visible spectra, only the OH ^* ( A ² Σ ⁺ ↦ X ² Π) emission band is observed in neon clusters. No emission of excited water ions has been observed. We find that while higher excitation energies (Ne vs. Ar) induce higher vibrational excitation of the OH^* ( A ) fragment, the rotational temperature is lower. This effect is attributed to the difference in the geometric position of the H₂O molecule on the surface or inside the Rg-cluster. The rotational relaxation in neon clusters is rapid while the vibrational relaxation is slow because of the coupling with the low energy matrix phonons. Received 7 March 2002 / Received in final form 27 May 2002 Published online 19 July 2002     

Non-interferometric transient quantitative phase microscopy for ultrafast engineering

Lead-free piezoelectric ceramics Bi_0.5(Na_1-x-yK_xAg_y)_0.5TiO₃ [BNKAT(x/y)] have been synthesized by the mixed oxide method. The effects of the amount of K⁺ and Ag⁺ on the electrical properties were examined. X-ray diffraction patterns indicate that K⁺ and Ag⁺ ions partially substitute for the Na⁺ ions in Bi_0.5Na_0.5TiO₃ and form a solid solution during sintering. At room temperature, the ceramics exhibit good performances with piezoelectric constant d₃₃=189 pC/N, electromechanical coupling factor k_p=35.0%, remanent polarization P_r=39.5 μC/cm², and coercive field E_c=3.3 kV/mm, respectively. The curves of the dielectric constant ε_r and loss tangent tan δ versus temperature show that the transition temperature from ferroelectric to anti-ferroelectric phase decreases with increasing the K⁺ content for the compositions researched. The dependencies of k_p and polarization versus electric (P–E) hysteresis loops on temperature reveal that the depolarization temperature T_d of BNKAT(0.15/0.015) ceramics, which have good piezoelectric properties (d₃₃=134 pC/N, k_p=32.5%) and strong ferroelectricity (P_r=39.5 μC/cm², E_c=4.1 kV/mm) at room temperature, is above 160 °C. PACS 77.22.-d; 77.65.Bn; 77.80.Bh; 77.80.Dj; 77.84.Dy     

Synthesis,structures and near-infrared luminescence properties of Ho and Yb coordination complexes

Four Ln³⁺ coordination complexes with the formulas [Ln(p-toluylate)₂(Ac)(H₂O)]_n (Ln=Ho 1, Yb 2) and {[Ln₂(OOCCH₂CH₂COO)₃(H₂O)₄]·6H₂O}_n (Ln=Ho 3, Yb 4) were synthesized hydrothermally. Their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complexes 1 and 2 are isomorphic and form infinite 2D network structures comprising p-toluylate and acetate (Ac^–) moieties. Complexes 3 and 4 are also isomorphic and possess infinite 2D structures in which succinate acts as bridging ligands that are connected to a 3D hydrogen bonding network by O–H…O hydrogen bonds. Solid-state IR and UV-Vis-NIR spectra, excitation and emission spectra were determined for the four complexes at room temperature. Complexes 1 and 2 exhibit characteristic NIR emission bands of Ln³⁺ ions but these are shifted and split relative to the theoretical positions. This is also evident for their UV-Vis-NIR spectra. The influence of ligands on enhancing the NIR luminescence of Ln³⁺ ions in complexes is discussed.     

Double-stranded helical lanthanide(III) supramolecular networks with rigid diimine ligands: Synthesis, structure, and physical properties

Two lanthanide coordination complexes [Nd(NO₃)₃(CH₃OH)₂(4,4′-bipy)₂] (1) (4,4′-bipy=4,4′-bipyridine) and [4,4′-Hbipy][La(NO₃)₄(H₂O)₂(4,4′-bipy)] (2), with a salt of cationic diprotonated 4,4′-bipy, [2(4,4′-H₂bipy)][4(NO₃)] (3), have been identified and isolated from a methanol solution of Ln(NO₃)₃·6H₂O, 4,4′-bipyridine and pyrazine in 1:2:1 ratio. Their structures have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses, which reveal that 1 has an interesting three-dimensional supramolecular architecture containing 2₁ double-stranded helical chains through hydrogen bonding and π–π interactions, while 2 and 3 have well defined infinite chiral 3D open networks that undergo self-interpenetration. The electrospray ionization mass spectra (ESI-MS) indicate that the covalent complex has higher stability than the electrostatic bonding one. ESI-MS/MS of these ions reveal that the Ln–O bond forms a stronger coordinated bonding than that of Ln–N system and the nitrate anion remains bound to the lanthanide centers after complete dissociation in methanol solution.     

One-pot synthesis of Ag+ doped BiVO4 microspheres with enhanced photocatalytic activity via a facile hydrothermal method

The Ag⁺/BiVO₄ photocatalyst was fabricated through a facile hydrothermal method by using K₆V₁₀O₂₈·9H₂O as the vanadium source. The impact of Ag⁺ on the product's structure and morphology was studied. It was shown that the amount of Ag⁺ has no effect on the product’s crystal phases but plays an important role on the morphology of the nanoparticles that construct the shell of BiVO₄ microspheres. In addition, the Ag⁺-doped photocatalysts have much higher photocatalytic activities in removing RhB and MB under the UV light illumination than the pure BiVO₄. A possible photocatalytic mechanism was proposed in photoexcitation of the BiVO₄ electrons which subsequently captured by the dopant. The present work may offer a novel route to reach higher photocatalytic activity by doping the Ag⁺ in the semiconductor catalysts.     

Calculation of radiative transition probabilities and radiative recombination rate coefficients for H2, OH, H 2+ and OH+ molecules

A method is presented to calculate the radiative transition probabilities and the radiative recombination rate coefficients between electronic molecular states. Total transition probabilities are determined from vibrational transition probabilities without considering the detailed rotational structure of the molecular electronic states. Radiative recombination rate coefficients are obtained from the computation of vibrational photo-ionisation cross sections. Concerning spontaneous emission, Lyman (B → X) and Werner (C → X) band systems of H₂ and Meinel (A → X), (B → A) and (B → X) band systems of OH are investigated. For radiative recombination, transitions between H₂⁺ (X) and H₂(X), and between OH⁺(X, a, A, b, and c) and OH(X) are considered. Transition probabilities and recombination rate coefficients are calculated as a function of temperature in the range 1500–15 000 K.     

Intermolecular hydrogen bond and its spectroscopic manifestations in formation of small water complexes

Ab initio calculations of small water(H ₂ O) _n , n=2–7, complexes and the experimental evidence available are compared. The results obtained are used as a basis for a theoretical investigation into the water molecule association through hydrogen bonding and its spectroscopic manifestations. Basic structural and spectroscopic trends are established as the complex increases in size. Siberian Physicotechnical Institute at Tomsk State University. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 9, pp. 87–91, September 1999.     

Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Luminescent Property of Complex [Tb0.1Gd0.9(TPTZ)(H2O)6]Cl3·3H2O

The complex [Tb_0.1Gd_0.9(TPTZ)(H₂O)₆]Cl₃·3H₂O was prepared through the reaction of 2,4,6-tris-(2-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine (TPTZ) with TbCl₃:GdCl₃ (0.1:0.9) in absolute ethanol at room temperature. Single crystal X-ray diffraction revealed that the metal atom is nine-coordinated with three nitrogen atoms from one TPTZ ligand and six oxygen atoms from six water molecules. The complex emits intense green fluorescence under ultraviolet light. The luminescence peaks correspond to the characteristic emission ⁵D₄→⁷F_J (J = 3–6) transitions of the Tb³⁺ ion.