The effect of γ-ray-irradiated conducting polymer electrolyte and its application of dye-sensitized solar cells to building window glass system

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - In the present study, γ-ray-irradiated and un-irradiated PVA/PPy/KI/I2 conducting polymer electrolytes have been prepared for dye-sensitized solar...     

Photoactive Thin-Film Structures of Curcumin,TiO2 and ZnO

Curcumin is known as a biologically active compound and a possible antimicrobial agent. Here, we combine it with TiO₂ and ZnO semiconductors, known for their photocatalytic properties, with an eye towards synergistic photo-harvesting and/or antimicrobial effects. We deposit different nanoscale multi-layer structures of curcumin, TiO₂ and ZnO, by combining the solution-based spin-coating (S-C) technique and the gas-phase atomic layer deposition (ALD) and molecular layer deposition (MLD) thin-film techniques. As one of the highlights, we demonstrate for these multi-layer structures a red-shift in the absorbance maximum and an expansion of the absorbance edge as far as the longest visible wavelength region, which activates them for the visible light harvesting. The novel fabrication approaches introduced here should be compatible with, e.g., textile substrates, opening up new horizons for novel applications such as new types of protective masks with thin conformal antimicrobial coatings.     

Impact of alkali treatment on physico-chemical,thermal, structural and tensile properties of Carica papaya bark fibers

This study aims to examine the effect of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treatment on the physico-chemical properties, structure, thermal, tensile and surface topography of Carica papaya fibers (CPFs). The surface of raw CPFs was modified by soaking with 5% NaOH solution for 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90?min. The results of thermo-gravimetric analysis revealed that the optimum treatment time for alkali treatment was 60?min. It was found that the alkali treatment improved the properties of the CPFs. The results of TGA, FT-IR, XRD and AFM suggest that the treated CPF is a suitable alternative as reinforcement in polymer composites.     

Metric Diophantine approximation over a local field of positive characteristic

The conjectures of Sprind?uk in the metric theory of Diophantine approximation are established over a local field of positive characteristic. In the real case, these were settled by D. Kleinbock and G.A. Margulis using a new technique which involved nondivergence estimates for quasi-polynomial flows on the space of lattices. We extend their technique to the positive characteristic setting.     

Nonuniversality and continuity of the critical covered volume fraction in continuum percolation

We establish, using mathematically rigorous methods, that the critical covered volume fraction (CVF) for a continuum percolation model with overlapping balls of random sizes is not a universal constant independent of the distribution of the size of the balls. In addition, we show that the critical CVF is a continuous function of the distribution of the radius random variable, in the sense that if a sequence of random variables converges weakly to some random variable, then the critical CVF based on these random variables converges to the critical CVF of the limiting random variable.     

Backbends in Directed Percolation

When directed percolation in a bond percolation process does not occur, any path to infinity on the open bonds will zigzag back and forth through the lattice. Backbends are the portions of the zigzags that go against the percolation direction. They are important in the physical problem of particle transport in random media in the presence of a field, as they act to limit particle flow through the medium. The critical probability for percolation along directed paths with backbends no longer than a given length n is defined as p _n. We prove that (p _n) is strictly decreasing and converges to the critical probability for undirected percolation p _c. We also investigate some variants of the basic model, such as by replacing the standard d-dimensional cubic lattice with a (d–1)-dimensional slab or with a Bethe lattice; and we discuss the mathematical consequences of alternative ways to formalize the physical concepts of percolation and backbend.     

Stereoselective CrCl2-mediated condensation of aldehydes with functionalized 1,1,1-trichlorides: synthesis of trisubstituted (Z)-chloroolefins

The CrCl₂-mediated condensation of aldehydes 1 with a variety of functionalized 1,1,1-trichlorides 2 affords trisubstituted chloroolefins 4 in excellent yields and generally high Z-stereoselectivity. The intermediate dichlorohydrin adducts 3 can be isolated in good yields under conditions of limited reagent and reduced temperature.     

Structural and spectroscopic investigations on the quenching free luminescence of europium oxalate nanocrystals

The structural features leading to the intense quenching free luminescence exhibited by europium oxalate nanocrystals, poly[[hexaaquatri‐μ₂‐oxalato‐dieuropium] 4.34‐hydrate], {[Eu₂(C₂O₄)₃(H₂O)₆]·4.34H₂O}_n, is the focal point of this report. Europium oxalate nanocrystals were synthesized by a simple microwave‐assisted co‐precipitation method. Powder X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed the monoclinic structure of the nanocrystals and the phase purity. The morphology and particle size were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. Luminescence measurements on a series of samples of La_2–xEu_x(C₂O₄)₃·10H₂O, with x varying in the range 0.1 to 2, established the quenching free nature exhibited by the europium oxalate nanocrystals. A single‐crystal structure analysis was carried out and the quenching free luminescence is explained on the basis of the crystal structure. A detailed photoluminescence characterization was carried out using excitation and emission studies, decay analysis, and CIE coordinate and colour purity evaluation. The various spectroscopic parameters were evaluated by Judd–Ofelt theoretical analysis and the results are discussed on the basis of the crystal structure analysis.     

[Cu18H3(S-Adm)12(PPh3)4Cl2]: fusion of Platonic and Johnson solids through a Cu(0) center and its photophysical properties

Structural elucidation of atom-precise thiolate-protected copper nanoclusters (Cu NCs) containing Cu(0) is quite challenging. Here, we report a new adamantane-thiol-protected NC, [Cu₁₈H₃(S-Adm)₁₂(PPh₃)₄Cl₂] (Cu₁₈), which represents the first observation of a rare mononuclear Cu(0)-containing Cu₁₀H₃Cl₂ core that is constructed via kernel fusion through vertex sharing of the Platonic-solid- and Johnson-solid-geometry-like kernels and hydride-bridging. The unique core is surrounded by a Cu₈S₁₂P₄ metal–ligand motif shell and adopts a butterfly-like structure. In comparison to its closest structural analogue, the predominant effect of the principal Cu atom vacancy-induced structural rearrangement is evidenced. The occupied orbitals of this NC have a major d-orbital contribution to the distorted Cu₆ octahedral kernel, whereas unoccupied orbitals owe a contribution to the distorted Cu₅ square-pyramidal kernel. Thus, the charge transfer phenomenon is uniquely instigated between the two fused kernels through Cu(d) → Cu(d) transition via the Cu(0) center. This NC exhibits violet emission due to kernel-dominated relaxation at room temperature, which is further enhanced by confining the surface protecting ligands through recognition-site-specific host–guest supramolecular adduct formation by β-cyclodextrin. The unique electronic structure of this NC further facilitates its application toward photocurrent generation. Thus, this study offers a unique strategy for the controllable synthesis of a Cu(0)-containing Cu NC, which enables atomic-level insights into their optoelectronic properties.

An example of a butterfly-like [Cu₁₈H₃(S-Adm)₁₂(PPh₃)₄Cl₂] cluster with vertex-sharing kernels through a Cu(0) center. Combined experimental and theoretical results correlate its photophysical properties with its unique structural architecture.