CuInS2 solar cell absorber plasmonically modified by gold nanoparticles

Thin CuInS₂ light-absorbing layer prospective for the solar cell applications is modified by gold nanoparticles. Theoretical and experimental possibilities of placement nanoparticles over or under the CuInS₂ coating were tested. It was revealed that placement of nanoparticles under the CuInS₂ layer is better in terms of spray pyrolysis technique. It results in more effective plasmon-enhanced light absorption in the CuInS₂ layer at the visible/near infrared 650–700 nm spectral range.     

Structure and evolved gas analyses (TG/DTA-MS and TG-FTIR) of <Emphasis Type="Italic">mer</Emphasis>-trichlorotris(thiourea)-indium(III), a precursor for indium sulfide thin films

The indium complex, mer-trichlorotris(thiourea)-indium(III) (In(tu)₃Cl₃, 1), crystallized from aqueous solution of InCl₃ and SC(NH₂)₂ (tu) with molar ratio of 1:3, is a single-source precursor for In₂S₃ films by chemical spray pyrolysis. The structural model of the triclinic crystal 1 (space group P-1 with a = 8.4842(2) Å, b = 10.5174(2) Å, c = 13.1767(2) Å, α = 111.1870(10)°, β = 98.0870(10)°, γ = 97.889(2)°) has been improved by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis through successful separation of the disordered positions of the asymmetric complex molecule situated on the inversion centre into two spatial arrangements. Thermal decomposition of 1 occurs with very similar mass loss courses till 400 °C in both nitrogen and air, anyhow the DTA curve indicates a gas-phase oxidation with an additional exothermic heat effect at 255 °C in air. Partial or more advanced oxidation of the initially evolved CS₂ has taken place in both atmospheres, as its oxidation products, SO₂, COS, CO₂ are accompanied by the release of NH₃, HCl in temperature range of 205–275 °C, while H₂NCN and HCN evolve in air. In the third mass loss step, in the temperature interval of 405–750 °C in nitrogen and 405–700 °C in air, two processes, evaporation and oxidation of the solid residues are competing with each other, resulting in final decomposition product of 1 in air In₂O₃, while also some In₂O₃ in inert atmosphere beyond the main phase of In₂S₃ where, in addition considerable extent of loss of indium occurs, probably through volatile dimeric indium chloride species, which could not be detected either by EGA-MS or EGA-FTIR systems of ours. Nevertheless, evolution of HNCS is confirmed by EGA-FTIR, and release of CO₂, H₂NCN, SO₂, and a little HCl is detected at temperatures above 450 °C in both atmospheres.     

Scanning near-field IR microscopy of proteins in lipid bilayers

We use infrared near-field microscopy to chemically map the morphology of biological matrices. The investigated sample is built up from surface-tethered membrane proteins (cytochrome c oxidase) reconstituted in a lipid bilayer. We have carried out infrared near-field measurements in the frequency range between 1600 and 1800 cm(-1). By simultaneously recording the topography and chemical fingerprint of the protein-tethered lipid bilayer with a lateral resolution of 80 nm × 80 nm, we were able to probe locally the chemical signature of this membrane and to provide a local map of its surface morphology.     

Pretreatment of Chicken Feather Waste for Improved Biogas Production

This study deals with the utilization of chicken feather waste as a substrate for anaerobic digestion and improving biogas production by degradation of the compact structure of the feather keratin. In order to increase the digestibility of the feather, different pretreatments were investigated, including thermal pretreatment at 120 °C for 10 min, enzymatic hydrolysis with an alkaline endopeptidase [0.53–2.66 mL/g volatile solids (VS) feathers] for 0, 2, or 24 h at 55 °C, as well as a combination of these pretreatments. The effects of the treatments were then evaluated by anaerobic batch digestion assays at 55 °C. The enzymatic pretreatment increased the methane yield to 0.40 Nm³/kg VS_added, which is 122 % improvement compared to the yield of the untreated feathers. The other treatment conditions were less effective, increasing the methane yield by 11–50 %. The long-term effects of anaerobic digestion of feathers were examined by co-digestion of the feather with organic fraction of municipal solid waste performed with and without the addition of enzyme. When enzyme was added together with the feed, CH₄ yield of 0.485 Nm³/kg VS^?1 d^?1 was achieved together with a stable reactor performance, while in the control reactor, a decrease in methane production, together with accumulation of undegraded feather, was observed.     

New extraction procedures for isolation of famotidine from aqueous samples

Liquid-liquid and solid-phase extraction procedures are proposed for famotidine isolation from aqueous samples. The isolation and spectrophotometric determination of famotidine is based on its complexation reaction with thymol blue. The composition of a complex between drug and reagent (1?:?1) was established. Dichloromethane and methanol were used as extraction solvents for LLE and SPE processes. Quantification of famotidine was done spectrophotometrically at 544?nm for dichloromethane or at 434?nm for methanolic extracts. The Beer law is obeyed in the famotidine concentration range 3?·?10^?5?mol?L^?1–2.0?·?10^?4?mol?L^?1 for LLE procedure and 2.0?·?10^?6?mol?L^?1–8.0?·?10^?5?mol?L^?1 for SPE.     

Redox Active Dipyrromethene?Cu(II) Monolayer for Oriented Immobilization of His‐Tagged RAGE Domains – the Base of Electrochemical Biosensor for Determination of Aβ16–23′

The new system which consists of the thiol derivative of dipyrromethene–Cu(II) complex created on the surface of a gold electrode was applied for the first time for oriented immobilization of selected His‐tagged domains of a receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE). Cyclic voltammetry (CV), Osteryoung square‐wave voltammetry (OSWV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used for characterization of the redox active sensing layer. The biosensor proposed was applied for determination of Aβ_16–23′ peptide. In its presence, a decrease of the maximum Cu(II) redox current was observed. These values correlated linearly with the Aβ_16–23′ concentration in the range 0.001–1.000 µM. The presence of diluted human plasma has no influence on the sensor responses.     

Coalescence of particle-laden drops with a planar oil-water interface

The coalescence mechanism of a particle-laden drop resting at an oil-water interface has been studied. Two mechanisms for drop coalescence are observed; (i) complete coalescence, in which the drop experiences total coalescence in one event, and (ii) partial coalescence, where a drop is observed to separate during coalescence, producing a smaller secondary drop that rebounds and comes to rest at the planar oil-water interface. For particle-laden drops of approximately 4mm in diameter, we show the critical condition for partial to complete coalescence to be dependent on the particle concentration, and the interparticle interaction energy. Colloidal silica spheres dispersed in 10(-4) M KNO(3) electrolyte solution are highly charged and remain dispersed in the drop. By increasing the solids concentration, we measure the transition from partial to complete coalescence at 20 wt.%. However, this critical condition can be reduced by increasing the interparticle interaction energy. In 1 M KNO(3) electrolyte solution, the particle surface charge is sufficiently screened such that particle clusters readily form in the water drop. With particle clustering, transition from partial to complete coalescence is measured at 8 wt.% solids.     

Synthesis of Silolide Dianions via Reduction of Dichlorosiloles: Important Role of the Solvent

The reduction of 1,1-dichloro-2,5-bistrimethylsilyl-3,4-diphenylsilole to silolide dianion by alkali metals was investigated. As previously demonstrated, the outcome of the reaction depends strongly on the applied alkali metal, solvent, reaction conditions, and substituent pattern. We showed that lithium is a powerful reducing agent in THF or DME solvents, the reaction is even faster than the same reaction with sodium. The X-ray structures of the corresponding dilithio and disodium silolide dianion were investigated, interestingly recrystallization of the dilithio salt results in a coordination polymer. In order to support the synthetic work DFT calculations were performed.     

Veranstaltung des AKCC in der GDCh: Frauenkarrieren ‐ gestern,heute, morgen

Das Potenzial von Frauen in wissenschaftlichen und technischen Berufen ausschöpfen ist ein zentrales Thema der Veranstaltung „Women in Science — Careers in History, Presence and Future”︁, die am 1. November in Köln stattfindet.     

ChemInform Abstract: Hydrodesulfurization of FeS+: Predominance of Kinetic over Thermodynamic Control.

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