Effect of bication (Cu-Cr) substitution on the structure and electrochemical performance of LiMn2O4 spinel cathodes at low and high current rates

This report describes the detailed structural and electrochemical characterization of a series of low content (0.01 to 0.05) Cu-Cr bi-metal doped LiMn₂O₄ cathode material synthesized by sol–gel method. The structural and morphological features were described using XRD, SEM, TEM, EDAX and FTIR techniques. The electron transfer and its feasibility were discussed through cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. The charge–discharge studies were performed to evaluate the capacity fading and rate capability. It was found that the electrochemical performance is very much dependent on the amount of Cu-Cr bi-metal doping and interestingly decreased the capacity fading with high cycleability. The sample with the least amount of dopants (i.e., LiCu_0.01Cr_0.01Mn_1.98O₄) demonstrated much improved capacity, cycleability and high rate capability. The LiCu_0.01Cr_0.01Mn_1.98O₄ cathode exhibited a discharge capacity of 112 mA h g^?1 at very first cycle and retained 93 mA h g^?1 after 100 cycles at a C rate of 0.3. Further, the same material at very high current density (5 C) retained 83% of the initial discharge capacity. The Cu-Cr doping stabilized the spinel structure by suppressing the Jahn-Teller distortion effect and Mn dissolution and the resultant material showed the workability of the cathodes for devices which work at substantially high C-rate of 5C.     

Cucurbit[7]uril‐Dimethyllysine Recognition in a Model Protein

Here, we provide the first structural characterization of host–guest complexation between cucurbit[7]uril ( Q7 ) and dimethyllysine (KMe₂) in a model protein. Binding was dominated by complete encapsulation of the dimethylammonium functional group. While selectivity for the most sterically accessible dimethyllysine was observed both in solution and in the solid state, three different modes of Q7 ‐KMe₂ complexation were revealed by X‐ray crystallography. The crystal structures revealed also entrapped water molecules that solvated the ammonium group within the Q7 cavity. Remarkable Q7 ‐protein assemblies, including inter‐locked octahedral cages that comprise 24 protein trimers, occurred in the solid state. Cucurbituril clusters appear to be responsible for these assemblies, suggesting a strategy to generate controlled protein architectures.     

Chiral guest in a chiral framework: X-ray diffraction study

The inclusion compound of zinc lactate terephthalate with R-butan-2-ol, [Zn₂(R-Bu^sOH) (bdc)(S-lac)]?(R-Bu^sOH) (Bu^sOH is butan-2-ol, H₂bdc is terephthalic acid, S-H₂lac is lactic acid), was prepared by soaking crystals of [Zn₂(dmf)(bdc)(S-lac)]?DMF in pure R-butan-2-ol. The positions of chiral alcohol molecules in voids of the chiral framework and the host–guest contacts were determined by X-ray diffraction. These data provide an explanation for the origin of chiral discrimination of zinc lactate terephthalate toward the R-isomer of butan-2-ol.     

Applicability Evaluation of Bright Green‐Emitting Carbon Dots in the Solid State for White Light‐Emitting Diodes

Self‐quenching‐resistant and bright green‐emitting carbon dots (CDs) in the solid state were synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method. Their structure, optical properties together with their thermal and photostabilities, as well as their applicability in white LEDs were investigated. The obtained CDs have nearly spherical shape with a size around 4–5 nm. The resulting powder CDs show excitation‐independent emission behavior, and can be excited over a broad range from 300–450 nm. Under optimal excitation at 400 nm, the resultant powder CDs yield bright and broad green emission around 505 nm with full width at half maximum (FWHM) of about 110 nm and under 360 nm excitation with lifetime of 15.8 ns. A potential application of the green‐emitting CDs was evaluated by constructing a white light‐emitting diode lamp. The fabricated white LED lamp emitted bright, warm white light with excellent color rendering properties (a color rendering index of 86.9 and a correlated color temperature of 3863 K).     

Determination of Cadmium in Human Serum and Blood Samples after Dispersive Liquid–Liquid Microextraction Using a Task-Specific Ionic Liquid

Task-specific ionic liquid dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (TSIL-DLLME) is a simple and rapid preconcentration approach for the measurement of cadmium in serum and blood samples of human subjects. In this method a novel task-specific ionic liquid, trioctylmethyl ammonium thiosalicylate (TOMATS), which has dual characteristics as a chelating agent and extractive solvent, was investigated. TOMATS complexes with Cd due to the chelating effect of the ortho-positioned carboxylate relative to the thiol functionality. The assessment of the optimum values of variables including the pH, amount of reagents (TOMATS, diluents, Triton X114, and back extracting acid solution), temperature, and incubation time, which affect the recoveries of analyte by TSIL-DLLME method were studied. After enrichment experiments, acidic solution was used to back extract the metal ions from the ionic liquid rich phase and with determination by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Using the optimal experimental conditions, the limit of detection (3?s), precision (relative standard deviation), preconcentration, and enhancement factors of developed method for Cd were found to be 0.05?µg/L, greater than 5%, 62.5, and 52.8, respectively. To check the accuracy of the developed method, certified reference material of serum and blood were analyzed by the developed method, and the measured values of Cd were in good agreement with the certified values. The developed method was applied successfully to determine Cd in blood and serum samples of lymphatic cancer patients relative to healthy controls.     

Synthesis of γ-butyrolactone fused cyclooctene

The expeditious route for the synthesis of γ-butyrolactone fused cyclooctene starting from the γ-butyrolactone fused cyclopentane through bicyclo[4.2.1]nonan-9-one is reported. Retro-Dieckmann’s condensation of bicyclo[4.2.1]nonan-9-one in presence of sodium methoxide and methanol furnished γ-butyrolactone fused cyclooctene in good yield. Surprisingly, the stereochemistry of ring-junction of γ-butyrolactone fused cyclooctene is different from the γ-butyrolactone fused cyclopentane, and the position of new ester group, which were confirmed unambiguously by X-ray analysis.     

Microwave-assisted asymmetric ring opening of meso-epoxides with aromatic amines catalyzed by a Ti-S-(−)-BINOL complex

Catalytic asymmetric ring opening of cyclohexene oxide and meso-stilbene oxide with anilines was catalyzed by a Ti-(S)-(−)-BINOL complex to afford β-amino alcohols in high yield (up to 95%) and good enantioselectivities (ee up to 55%) under microwave irradiation. The reaction using a microwave was found to be 10 times faster than traditional oil-bath heating with retention of enantioselectivity.