Ferroelectricity of polycrystalline GdMnO3 and multifold magnetoelectric responses

The multiferroic behaviors of polycrystalline GdMnO₃ are investigated by focusing on the ferroelectric response to the spin ordering sequence and external magnetic field. The polarization current shows sensitive response to both the Mn cycloidal spin order and Gd antiferromagnetic (AFM) order. The complicated magnetoelectric behaviors suggest that the Mn cycloidal spin order can be modulated by the Gd AFM order at low temperature via the Gd–Mn spin interaction. Due to the possible disorder and defects in polycrystalline nature, polycrystalline GdMnO₃ may accommodate the cycloidal spin order in addition to the A-type AFM order at Mn sites, as illustrated by simulation based on the two-orbit double exchange model and measured hysteresis loops of polarization against magnetic field, indicating the switching of the ferroelectric domains coupled with the magnetic domains in response to magnetic field.     

Compare study CaCO3 crystals on the cellulose substrate by microwave-assisted method and ultrasound agitation method

The purposes of this article were to investigate the influences of synthesis strategy on the CaCO₃ crystals on the cellulose substrate. In this study, CaCO₃ crystals were synthesized using cellulose as matrix by the microwave-assisted method and ultrasound agitation method, respectively. The CaCO₃ crystals on the cellulose substrate were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Experimental results demonstrated that the synthesis strategy had a dramatically influences on the phase, microstructure, morphology, thermal stability, and biological activity of the CaCO₃ crystals. The pure phase of vaterite spheres with the diameter of about 320–600 nm were obtained by ultrasound agitation method, meanwhile, the mixed phases of calcite and vaterite with the diameter of about 0.82–1.24 μm were observed by microwave-assisted method. In view of experimental results, one can conclude that the ultrasound agitation method do more favors to the synthesis of CaCO₃ crystals with uniform morphology and size, compared with microwave-assisted method. Furthermore, cytotoxicity experiments indicated that the CaCO₃ crystals on the cellulose substrate had good biocompatibility and could be a candidate for the biomedical applications.     

Sensitive detection of protein by an aptamer-based label-free fluorescing molecular switch

We report an aptamer-based method for the sensitive detection of proteins by a label-free fluorescing molecular switch (ethidium bromide), which shows promising potential in making protein assay simple and economical.     

An unusual chain cadmium(II) coordination polymer: catena‐poly[[(2,2′‐bipyridyl‐κ2N,N′)cadmium(II)]‐di‐μ‐chlorido‐[(2,2′‐bipyridyl‐κ2N,N′)cadmium(II)]‐di‐μ‐thiocyanato‐κ2N:S;κ2S:N]

The title complex, [CdCl(NCS)(C₁₀H₈N₂)]_n, represents an unusual Cd^II coordination polymer constructed by two types of anionic bridges and 2,2′‐bipyridyl (bipy) terminal ligands. These two types of bridges are arranged around inversion centers. The distorted octahedral coordination of the Cd^II center is provided by two chloride ions, one N‐ and one S‐donor atom from two thiocyanate ions, and a pair of N atoms from the chelating bipy ligand. Interestingly, adjacent Cd^II ions are interconnected alternately by paired chloride [Cd...Cd = 3.916 (1) Å] and thiocyanate bridges [Cd...Cd = 5.936 (1) Å] to generate an infinite one‐dimensional coordination chain. Furthermore, weak interchain C—H...S interactions between the bipy components and thiocyanate ions lead to the formation of a layered supramolecular structure.     

Spin and charge Nernst effect in a four-terminal double-dot interferometer

We investigate the spin and charge Nernst effect of a four-terminal Aharonov–Bohm interferometer with Rashba spin–orbit interaction (RSOI). It is shown that a pure spin Nernst effect or a fully spin-polarized Nernst effect can be obtained by modulating the magnetic flux phase ? and the RSOI induced phase φ. It is also demonstrated that some windows of ? (or φ) for maintaining an almost fully spin-polarized Nernst effect exist and their width is under the control of the other phase. Moreover, for the charge Nernst coefficient $N_c$ and spin Nernst coefficient $N_s$ the relationship $N_c(?,\phi )=?N_s(\phi ,?)$ always holds. These results suggest that our proposal may act as a controllable thermospin generator.     

Interactions of Safranin T with Nucleic Acids

The interactions of Safranin T (ST) with several nucleic acids have been investigated by electrochemical, UV‐visible and CD spectroscopic techniques. The form of the nucleic acid‐ST complexes is sensitive to the ratio of the two species. Two electrochemically inactive complexes such as, nucleic acid‐ST and nucleic acid‐2ST, were formed while ST interacts with nucleic acids. Two processes were obtained from spectral experiments: (1) at the high value of R (R is defined as the ratio of the total concentration of ST to that of nucleic acid), ST is groove‐binding with stacking, (2) at the low value of R, ST is groove‐binding without stacking. Intrinsic binding constants were obtained by spectral methods. The experiments also show that electrostatic binding plays an important role in the interaction of ST with nucleic acids.     

Highly stereoselective synthesis of (Z)-3-methoxy-1-methyleneisoindoles via DMAP catalyzed cyclization of methyl 2-alkynylbenzimidates

A DMAP (4-dimethylaminopyridine) catalyzed cyclization of methyl 2-alkynylbenzimidates has been developed, which affords 3-methoxy-1-methyleneisoindoles with excellent Z-stereoselectivity under mild and transition-metal-free conditions. The (Z)-3-methoxy-1-methyleneisoindole products can be converted to corresponding 3-amino-1-methyleneisoindoles, 3-methoxy-isoindoles, 3-methyleneisoindolinones and isoindolinones with high efficiency.     

Graphitic-C<Subscript>3</Subscript>N<Subscript>4</Subscript> quantum dots decorated {001}-faceted TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanosheets as a 0D/2D composite with enhanced solar photocatalytic activity

Zero-dimensional (0D)/two-dimensional (2D) heterojunctions have attracted great attention in photocatalysis due to their superior interfacial effects. In this work, 0D g-C₃N₄ quantum dots (CNQDs) were firstly used to modify {001}-faceted 2D TiO₂ nanosheets by a simple solvothermal method. During the controlled growth of TiO₂ nanosheets with exposed reactive {001} facets, the CNQDs can be simultaneously assembled on the surface of TiO₂ nanosheets in a highly dispersive way. The 0D/2D composite containing only 0.5% of CNQDs shows the optimized solar photocatalytic activity for the degradation of rhodamine B and 4-chlorophenol. More importantly, the 0D/2D composite exhibits a better solar photocatalytic activity than the bulk g-C₃N₄/TiO₂ nanosheets composite. This improvement can be ascribed to the close interfacial contact and strong interaction between the highly dispersed CNQDs and the TiO₂ nanosheets, which could lead to efficient separation of the photogenerated electron–hole pairs, provide more catalytic active sites, and enhance the absorption of solar light. The 0D/2D composite also shows good stability for its practical applications.     

Asymmetric Pauson-Khand-type reaction mediated by Rh(I) catalyst at ambient temperature

An efficient asymmetric PKR mediated by Rh(I) catalyst at ambient temperature was developed. The reaction utilizing a Rh(I) catalyst bearing a (R)-3,5-diMeC4H4-BINAP ligand at 18-20 degrees C under a reduced partial pressure of CO (0.1 atm) provided PKR products in high chemical yield as well as high enantioselectivity.