ESR and fluorescence studies of Mn-doped Na2ZnP2O7 single crystal and glasses

X-band electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra and fluorescence measurements were performed on Mn-doped Na₂ZnP₂O₇ (NZPO) single crystal synthesized by the Czochralski pulling method and glasses synthesized by the quenching process. For the single crystal, ESR angular dependences were measured in both the zx and xy plans of the NZPO lattice. The fine and hyperfine structure parameters and g-factor values were determined by modelling the experimental spectra. Using the Newman superposition model, the resonating centres in the single crystal and powder (crushed from crystals) samples are assigned to Mn²⁺ ions substituting for both zinc and sodium. For the glass sample the analysis of the ESR data shows that Mn²⁺ ions substitute for the Na⁺ ions. These interpretations are confirmed by the fluorescence measurements with a unique broad red band for the glassy compound and the presence of two emission bands (green and red) in the case of the crystal sample.     

Selective Isomerization of Epoxides to Allylic Alcohols Catalyzed by TiO2‐Supported Gold Nanoparticles

ReacTiO ₂ ns for rings : Gold nanoparticles supported on TiO₂ are used as a novel heterogeneous catalyst for the isomerization of epoxides to allylic alcohols by a concerted mechanism (see scheme). The reaction proceeds in high yields and the product selectivity is often remarkable.

     

Photovoltaic activity of Ti/MCM‐41

Ti/MCM‐41 is a well‐known heterogeneous catalyst for alkene epoxidation with organic peroxides. This titanosilicate contains isolated titanium atoms forming part of a framework of mesoporous silica whose structure is formed by parallel hexagonal channels 3.2 nm in diameter. The surface area and porosity of Ti/MCM‐41 are about 880 m² g^?1 and 0.70 cm³ g^?1, respectively. These values are among the highest for any material. Herein, we show that Ti/MCM‐41 exhibits photovoltaic activity. Dye‐sensitized solar cells using mesoporous Ti/MCM‐41 (2.8–5.7 % Ti content) as active layer, black dye N3 as photosensitizer and I₃^?/I^? in methoxyacetonitrile as electrolyte exhibit a V_OC, J_SC and FF of 0.44 V, 0.045 mA cm^?2 and 0.33, respectively. These values compare well against 0.75 V, 4.1 mA cm^?2 and 0.64, respectively, measured for analogous solar cells using conventional P‐25 TiO₂. However, the specific current density (J_SC/Ti atom) for the Ti/MCM‐41 is very similar to that of P25 TiO₂.     

Near‐Infrared Emission Quantum Yield of Soluble Short Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Soluble short single‐walled carbon nanotubes in aerated D₂O emit in the near‐infrared (NIR) region (see picture) with a quantum yield of (3.9±0.5) ×10^?3 and a half‐life of 7.65 μs. This emission is quenched by electron‐ acceptor molecules.

     

On nontrivial solutions of critical polyharmonic elliptic systems

In the present work, we consider elliptic systems involving polyharmonic operators and critical exponents. We discuss the existence and nonexistence of nontrivial solutions to these systems. Our theorems improve and/or extend the ones established by Bartsch and Guo [T. Bartsch, Y. Guo, Existence and nonexistence results for critical growth polyharmonic elliptic systems, J. Differential Equations 220 (2006) 531-543] in both aspects of spectral interaction and regularity of lower order perturbations.     

Monotone normality free of T 1 axiom

Monotone normality is usually defined in the class of T ₁ spaces. In this paper new characterizations of monotone normality, free of T ₁ axiom, are provided and it is shown that in this context it is not a hereditary property. Also, a Tietze-type extension theorem for lattice-valued functions for this class of spaces is given.     

Anchoring dyes into multidimensional large-pore zeolites: a prospective use as chromogenic sensing materials

A versatile procedure for anchoring dyes into the pores of multidimensional zeolites by including organic dye precursors in the synthesis gel has been developed. To prove the concept, an aniline-functionalised zeolite Beta was obtained by reaction of triethylorthosilicate (TEOS), tetraethylammonium hydroxide, and N-methyl,N-(propyl-3-trimethoxysilyl)aniline (MPTMSA) in the presence of HF. Further extraction of the structure-directing agents resulted in a highly crystalline, white, functionalised zeolite Beta containing anchored aniline groups. Similar organic functionalised molecular sieves (OFMS) have been explored as novel catalysts, but, as far as we know, OFMS have never been used as precursors for dye-immobilisation or to design new solid-based host systems for selective molecular sensing processes as is reported here. In a second step the solids containing dyes were prepared by reaction of the hybrid material with the appropriate reactives to obtain tricyanovinylbenzene, triphenylpyrylium, azoic, and squaraine derivatives. All these reactions are straightforward and involve electrophilic aromatic substitution or diazotisation reactions at the electron-rich aniline ring. The final dye-functionalised solid materials were isolated by simple filtration and washing procedures and have been characterised by a number of techniques. In all cases the Beta structure of the solid remains unaltered. Among the large number of areas where dye-containing zeolites might be of importance, we were interested in testing their unconventional use as heterosupramolecular hosts in chromogenic protocols. To check their potential use as chemosensors, microporous solids with anchored triphenylpyrilium and squaraine dyes were selected and used as sensors for the chromogenic discrimination of amines. It was found that the response of both solids to amines was basically governed by the three-dimensional (3D) solid architecture that tuned the intrinsic unselective reactivity of the pyrylium dye. By using new solid-state supramolecular chemistry protocols we believe that these, and similar future dye-zeolite hosts, might be promising new sensor materials allowing the visible discrimination of selected target guests by size and/or polarity within families or closely related molecules.     

A convenient method for epichlorohydrin determination in water using headspace-solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography

A simple procedure for epychlorohydrin determination in water is presented. In order to optimize the epichlorohydrin extraction conditions in water using headspace (HS)-solid-phase microextraction (SPME), followed by gas chromatography, an experimental design in two steps is performed. Firstly, a 2(5-2) fractional factorial design for screening the significant variables is used. Secondly, a central composite design for optimizing them is carried out. The best experimental conditions are the followings: poly(dimethysiloxane)-divinylbenzene coating fiber; 20 min extraction time; 5 degrees C extraction temperature; 300 g/L sodium chloride; and 20 mL HS volume in a 40-mL vial. Using the previous extraction conditions with gas chromatography (GC)-flame ionization detection equipment, a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.8 microg/L and a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 3.8% (for 25 microg/L) are obtained. With a GC electron capture detection equipment the RSD is 6.6% (for 5 microg/L), and the LOD found is lower (0.08 microg/L). The method is applied to the analysis of water from four treatment plants at the entrance and effluent stream. The standard addition method is used to quantitate the epichlorohydrin that is found in the raw water of the three wastewater treatment plants.     

New efficient approach for the synthesis of 2‐alkyl(aryl) substituted 4H‐pyrido[1,2‐a]pyrimidin‐4‐ones

A new, efficient and easy route for the preparation of a series of 2‐alkyl(aryl) substituted 4‐oxo‐4H‐pyrido‐[1,2‐a]pyrimidines, where alkyl = CH₃; aryl = C₆H₅, 4‐FC₆H₄, 4‐ClC₆H₄, 4‐BrC₆H₄, 4‐CH₃C₆H₄, 4‐OCH₃C₆H₄, 4‐NO₂C₆H₄ in 45–80 % yield from the reaction of β‐alkoxyvinyl trichloromethyl ketones with 2‐aminopyridine under mild conditions, is then reported.