Classical statistical mechanics of identical particles and quantum effects

The identification of the phase space ofN classical identical particles with the equivalence class of points is of crucial importance for statistical mechanics. We show that the refined phase space leads to the correct statistical mechanics for an ideal gas; moreover, Gibbs's paradox is resolved and the Third Law of Thermodynamics is recovered. The presence of both induced and stimulated transitions is shown as a consequence of the identity of the particles. Other results are the quantum contribution to the second virial coefficient and the Bose-Einstein condensation. Photon bunching and Hanbury Brown-Twiss effect are also seen to follow from the classical model. The only element of quantum theory involved is the notion of phase cells necessary to make the entropy dimensionless. Assuming the existence of the light quantum or the phonon hypothesis we could derive the Planck distribution law for blackbody radiation or the Debye formula for specific heats respectively.     

Ligand-Mediated Revival of Degraded α-CsPbI3 to Stable Highly Luminescent Perovskite

Although α-CsPbI₃ is regarded as an attractive optical luminophore, it is readily degraded to the optically inactive δ-phase under ambient conditions. Here, we present a simple approach to revive degraded (“optically sick”) α-CsPbI₃ through “medication” with thiol-containing ligands. The effect of different types of thiols is systematically studied through optical spectroscopy. The structural reconstruction of degraded α-CsPbI₃ nanocrystals to cubic crystals in the presence of thiol-containing ligands is visualized through high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and supported by X-ray diffraction analysis. We found that 1-dodecanethiol (DSH) effectively revives degraded CsPbI₃ and results in high immunity towards moisture and oxygen, hitherto unreported. DSH facilitates the passivation of surface defects and etching of degraded Cs₄PbI₆ phase, thus reverting them back to the cubic CsPbI₃ phase, leading to enhanced PL and environmental stability.     

Synergistic effect of doping and defect in achieving white light emission and oxygen reduction catalysis in Ce1-xSmxPO4

Multifunctional materials owing to their efficacy to perform more than one job have attracted the attention of global materials science community to resolve the issue of material crunch and reduce the work load. Here, in this work, we have demonstrated the suitability of CePO₄:Sm³⁺ (CPOS) phosphor for white light luminophore and oxygen reduction catalyst. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the stabilization of monoclinic phase for CPOS. White light emission with correlated color temperature (CCT) favoring cool white feature in CPOS is endowed by inefficient host to dopant energy transfer (HDET). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) suggested presence of both Ce³⁺ and Ce⁴⁺ in CPOS with later in lower fraction. XPS results also showed the presence of surface oxygen in CPOS which along with mixed oxidation state of cerium on the surface may be aiding CPOS to work as electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The best electrocatalytic performance was achieved with 1.0% Sm doped sample which has higher concentration of oxygen associated with Ce (IV) on the surface.     

Thermally stimulated current and high temperature resistivity measurements of 4H semi-insulating silicon carbide

High purity semi-insulating 4H SiC single crystals have potential applications for room temperature radiation detectors because of the wide band gap and radiation hardness. To control carrier lifetime, a key parameter for high performance radiation detectors, it is important to understand the nature of the deep traps in this material. For this purpose, we have successfully applied thermally stimulated current (TSC) and high temperature resistivity measurements to investigate deep level centers in semi-insulating 4H SiC samples grown by physical vapor transport. High temperature resistivity measurements showed that the resistivity at elevated temperatures is controlled by the deep level with an activation energy of 1.56 eV. The dominant traps revealed by TSC measurements were at 1.1-1.2 eV. The deep trap levels in 4H-SiC samples, the impurity and point defect nature of TSC traps peaked at ∼106 K (0.23 eV), ∼126 K (0.32 eV), ∼370 K (0.95 eV), ∼456 K (1.1-1.2 eV) are discussed.     

Solid acid TS-1 catalyst: an efficient catalyst in Knoevenagel condensation for the synthesis of 5-arylidene-2,4-thiazolidinediones/Rhodanines in aqueous medium

Research on Chemical Intermediates - TS-1 zeolite was prepared for the synthesis of 5-arylidene-2,4-thiazolidinediones/Rhodanines in aqueous medium by incorporating titanium(IV) cations in a...     

Regioselective and Stereoselective Synthesis of Pyridine‐Fused Benzoxepine Derivatives by Intramolecular Reductive Heck Cyclization [1]

An efficient method for the synthesis of 6,11‐dihydro[2]benzoxepino[4,3‐b]pyridine derivatives via Pd(0) catalyzed intramolecular reductive Heck cyclization is reported. The method offers the regioselective and stereoselective synthesis of highly functionalized pyridine‐fused benzoxepine derivatives in 75–85% yields under mild conditions. Chemoselective Sonogashira coupling is utilized for the synthesis of cyclization precursors. The stereochemistry of the exocyclic double bond of 6,11‐dihydro[2]benzoxepino[4,3‐b]pyridine derivatives is confirmed from single crystal X‐ray diffraction. The absence of N–Pd(II) interaction results in a reverse stereochemistry of the exocyclic double bond of dibenzoxepine derivative.     

Synthesis and characterization of nanosilica prepared by precipitation method

Nanosilica was prepared by precipitation method and was characterized by various analytical tools. From transmission electron micrograph the silica particles are found to have almost spherical shape with a dimension of 50 nm. The surface area is found to be of 560 m² g⁻¹ and density 2.2 g cm⁻³. From thermogravimetric analysis the total silanol density in the silica is found to be 7.68 nm⁻². A two tier hydration model is proposed from the results of thermogravimetric analysis. The number of reactive silanols that forms hydrogen bond with water molecules is found to be 2.48. The infrared spectral data supports the presence of hydrogen bonded silanol group and the siloxane groups in silica.