Parity-violating electron scattering from 4He and the strange electric form factor of the nucleon

We have measured the parity-violating electroweak asymmetry in the elastic scattering of polarized electrons from 4He at an average scattering angle = 5.7 degrees and a four-momentum transfer Q2 = 0.091 GeV2 . From these data, for the first time, the strange electric form factor of the nucleon G(E)s can be isolated. The measured asymmetry of A(PV) = (6.72 +/- 0.84(stat) +/- 0.21(syst) x 10(-6) yields a value of G(E)s = -0.038 +/- 0.042(stat) +/- 0.010(syst), consistent with zero.     

Platinum nanofilm formation by EC-ALE via redox replacement of UPD copper: studies using in-situ scanning tunneling microscopy

The growth of Pt nanofilms on well-defined Au(111) electrode surfaces, using electrochemical atomic layer epitaxy (EC-ALE), is described here. EC-ALE is a deposition method based on surface-limited reactions. This report describes the first use of surface-limited redox replacement reactions (SLR(3)) in an EC-ALE cycle to form atomically ordered metal nanofilms. The SLR(3) consisted of the underpotential deposition (UPD) of a copper atomic layer, subsequently replaced by Pt at open circuit, in a Pt cation solution. This SLR(3) was then used a cycle, repeated to grow thicker Pt films. Deposits were studied using a combination of electrochemistry (EC), in-situ scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) using an electrochemical flow cell, and ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) surface studies combined with electrochemistry (UHV-EC). A single redox replacement of upd Cu from a PtCl(4)(2-) solution yielded an incomplete monolayer, though no preferential deposition was observed at step edges. Use of an iodine adlayer, as a surfactant, facilitated the growth of uniformed films. In-situ STM images revealed ordered Au(111)-(square root 3 x square root 3)R30 degrees-iodine structure, with areas partially distorted by Pt nanoislands. After the second application, an ordered Moiré pattern was observed with a spacing consistent with the lattice mismatch between a Pt monolayer and the Au(111) substrate. After application of three or more cycles, a new adlattice, a (3 x 3)-iodine structure, was observed, previously observed for I atoms adsorbed on Pt(111). In addition, five atom adsorbed Pt-I complexes randomly decorated the surface and showed some mobility. These pinwheels, planar PtI(4) complexes, and the ordered (3 x 3)-iodine layer all appeared stable during rinsing with blank solution, free of I(-) and the Pt complex (PtCl(4)(2-)).     

Construction of frustrated Lewis pair from nitride and phosphine for the activation and cleavage of molecular hydrogen

Activation and cleavage of molecular hydrogen (H₂) to proton and hydride is an important task for several reasons, especially as a reagent in hydrogenation. In this scenario, with the support of density-functional theory methods, a novel strategy has been devised for the conversion of coordinated nitride into ammonia using molecular hydrogen in the presence of tri-tert-butylphosphine (P^tBu₃). The proposed methodology is based on the formation of frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) from [Os^VI(tpy)(Cl)₂(N)]⁺ (tpy = 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine ) and P^tBu₃ followed by reaction with molecular hydrogen to form an FLP–H₂ adduct. The FLP–H₂ adduct can further undergo H–H bond cleavage heterolytically to produce proton and hydride which can be eventually used for the functionalization of coordinated nitride to ammonia. The calculated energy profile comprising all possible intermediates and transition-state molecules suggests that the proposed reaction pathway is energetically viable at elevated temperatures.     

Semisynthesis of ursolic acid-2-(2-thienylidene)-oxadiazole hybrid molecule and an evaluation of its COX inhibition property

A new derivative of ursolic acid containing dual functionality was synthesized. Molecular docking studies and in vitro analysis indicated promising COX inhibition potential for the molecule. The synthesis, characterization, in silico and in vitro studies of the molecule are described here.     

Enhanced Lithium‐Ion Storage Capability of a Bismuth Sulfide/Graphene Oxide/Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) Composite

A Bi₂S₃/graphene oxide (GO) composite enwrapped by a poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) coating was prepared for the first time for use as an anode in Li‐ion batteries. Pristine Bi₂S₃ nanoflowers and composites of Bi₂S₃/GO and Bi₂S₃/GO/PEDOT were assembled into half cells with Li metal as the counter electrode, and initial discharge capacities of 833, 1020, and 1300 mAh g^?1, respectively, were obtained. Composites of Bi₂S₃/GO/PEDOT and Bi₂S₃/GO showed superior cycling stability and better rate capability than pristine Bi₂S₃. GO provides highly conducting interconnections, which allow facile propagation of electrons during charge/discharge, and this improves the ion‐uptake capability of the Bi₂S₃ nanoflowers and also increases the rate capability. PEDOT furnishes a protective coating that prevents detachment of the material from the current collector during cycling, and it also imparts better cycling stability to the Bi₂S₃/GO/PEDOT composite.     

Influence of Organic Additive on the Morphological, Electrical and Electrochromic Properties of Sol-Gel Derived WO3 Coatings

The WO₃ electrode is ubiquitous in an electrochromic device (ECD) and is a common choice as the electrochromic (EC) layer. EC films were deposited on different substrates by spin coating using peroxotungstic acid based precursor solutions followed by appropriate thermal treatment. Many properties of the films, including some of the EC properties dependant on microstructure of the films, were found to be modified by the addition of small amounts of organic acid to the precursor solution. A study of structural, electrical and electrochromic properties of films cast by using precursor solution comprising 0 to 10 wt% of oxalic acid dihydrate (OAD) was carried out in terms of surface morphology, electrical resistance, structure and EC response. The important findings are that the addition of oxalic acid to the precursor solution results in films with excellent EC properties, devoid of cracks and decreases their dc electrical resistance.     

Synthesis,spectral characterization,electrochemistry and catalytic activities of Cu(II) complexes of bifunctional tridentate Schiff bases containing O?N?O donors

Paramagnetic copper(II) complexes of the type [Cu(PPh₃)(L)] (where L = bifunctional tridentate Schiff bases) were synthesized from the reaction of anthranillic acid with salicylaldehyde (H₂L¹), 2‐hydroxy‐1‐naphthaldehyde (H₂L²), o‐hydroxyacetophenone (H₂L³) and o‐vanillin (H₂L⁴) with monomeric metal precursor [CuCl₂(PPh₃)₂]. The obtained complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic susceptility and spectroscopic methods (FT‐IR, UV–vis and EPR and cyclic voltammetry). EPR and redox potential studies have been carried out to elucidate the electronic structure, nature of metal–ligand bonding and electrochemical features. EPR spectra exhibit a four line pattern with nitrogen super‐hyperfine couplings originating from imine nitrogen atom. These planar complexes possess a significant amount of tetrahedral distortion leading to a pseudo‐square planar geometry, as is evidenced from EPR properties. Cyclic voltammograms of all the complexes display quasireversible oxidations, Cu(III)? Cu(II), in the range 0.31–0.45 V and reduction peaks, Cu(II)? Cu(I),in the range ?0.29 to ?0.36 V, involving a large geometrical change and irreversible. The observed redox potentials vary with respect to the size of the chelate ring of the Schiff base ligands. Further, the catalytic activity of all the complexes has been found to be high towards the oxidation of alcohols into aldehydes and ketones in the presence of N‐methylmorpholine‐N‐oxide as co‐oxidant. The formation of high valent Cu^IV?O oxo species as a catalytic intermediate is proposed for the catalytic process. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Polyurethane–oligo(phenylenevinylene) random copolymers: π‐Conjugated pores,vesicles, and nanospheres via solvent‐induced self‐organization

We report a new series of polyurethane–oligo(phenylenevinylene) (OPV) random copolymers and their self‐assembled nanomaterials such as pores, vesicles, and luminescent spheres. The polymers were synthesized through melt transurethane process by reacting a hydroxyl‐functionalized OPV with diurethane monomer and diol under solvent‐free and nonisocyanate conditions. The amount of OPV was varied up to 50 mol % in the feed to incorporate various amounts of π‐conjugated segments in the polyurethane backbone. The π‐conjugated segmented polymers were subjected to solvent induced self‐organization in THF or THF+water to produce variety of morphologies ranging from pores (500 nm to 1 μm) to spheres (100 nm to 2 μm). Upon shining 370‐nm light, the dark solid nanospheres of the copolymers transformed into blue luminescent nanoballs under fluorescence microscope. The mechanistic aspects of the self‐organization process were studied using solution FTIR and photophysical techniques such as absorption and emission to trace the factors which control the morphology. FTIR studies revealed that the hydrogen bonding plays a significant role in the copolymers with lower amount of OPV units. Time resolved fluorescent decay measurements of copolymers revealed that molecular aggregation via π‐conjugated segments play a major role in the samples with higher OPV content in the random block polymers. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 46: 5897–5915, 2008     

Effect of pump power on the tuning range of a filterless erbium-doped fiber ring laser

In this paper, we establish the influence of pump power on the tuning characteristics of a filterless erbium-doped fiber laser, operating in the L band. Tunable action is achieved with the control of intra cavity loss. The explicit dependence of tunability on the average inversion levels is brought out. The shift in the lower limit of tuning range and the non-linear dependence of lasing wavelength on the intra cavity loss are analytically deduced using the gain spectra and experimentally interpreted using amplified spontaneous emission spectra. Continuous tunability is achieved with the careful control of pump power. PACS 42.55.Wb; 42.60.Da; 42.55.-f