Theoretical study of the local structure and Raman spectra of CaO-SiO2 binary melts

A procedure for the Raman spectra calculation of vitreous and molten silicates was presented in this paper. It includes molecular dynamics MD simulation for the generation of equilibrium configurations, Wilson's GF matrix method for the calculations of eigenfrequencies and corresponding vectors, electro-optical parameters method (EOPM) for the Raman intensity calculations, and the bond polarizability model (BPM) for the determination of polarizability and polarizability derivative. One of the most important characteristics of this procedure is the achievement of the partial Raman spectra of five tetrahedral units, as well as the total spectral envelope. In this paper, the calculation was carried out for the vitreous and molten calcium silicates with different compositions and at various temperatures. It is worthwhile to note that the calculation is based on statistical configurations distribution in the space and so it is not needed to artificially adjust the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of spectra. It was also tested through the good agreement of the calculated spectra with the experimental, including some regularity of spectral properties. According to the calculation, the symmetrical stretching of whole tetrahedral units, to which the stretching of Si-O(nb) bond gives the main contribution to intensity, is proven to be the dominance in the high-frequency range (800-1200 cm(-1)) and the symmetrical bending of Si-O(b)-Si, to which the stretching of Si-O(b) bond exhibits the main contribution, is the dominance in the medium-frequency range (400-700 cm(-1)). As the first theoretical results, the Raman scattering coefficient of each Q(i) was found little change along with the variation of composition and temperature.     

三核钨钼簇合物对苯乙烯氧化反应的催化

关于烯烃的催化氧化,报道较多。Takao等研究了苯乙烯在Ir和Rh络合物存在下的氧化反应;Collman曾报道环己烯在Vaska络合物[IrX(CO)(PPh_3)_2]催化下氧化成环己酮和环已烯氧化物。本文采用Cotton合成的簇合物[W_3O_2(CH_3CO_2)_6(H_2O)_3]Br_2·     

Steric and kinetic effects of changing solvent and reactant in grignard reactions: Conformationally mobile versus rigid δ-keto esters

trans-7α-carbomethoxy-decal-1-one (2) yields a mixture of the two oxy-esters 6 and 7 on reacting with MeMgX. Ratios $\text{6}\text{7}$ were measured for reactions performed in benzene (with X = I) and in THF (with X = Cl). The small variations of the ratios $\text{6}\text{7}$ as compared to those obtained in analogous experiments performed with methyl (2-oxo-cyclohexyl)-propionate 4 and methyl 4-methyl-5-oxo-hexanoate 5 suggest that conformational mobility plays a fundamental role in determining the variations of stereospecificity with varying the reaction conditions. Competitive Grignard reactions among 2,4 and 5 show that their reactivities are in the order 4>2>5 ($\text{K}{}_4\text{k}{}_2$ = 1.7; $\text{k}{}_5\text{k}{}_2$=0.8) when reactions are performed in benzene with X  I and 2>4>5 ($\text{k}{}_4\text{k}{}_2$= 0.56; $\text{k}{}_5\text{k}{}_2$=0.25) when reactions are performed in THF with X  C1. The experimental data are interpreted in terms of anchimeric assistance given by the ester group to the reactions of the keto group in conformationally mobile δ-keto esters. The occurrence of this effect depends on the reaction conditions which can favour, or not, folded transition states.     

Thermal and photoluminescence properties of hydrated YPO4:Eu nanowires

In this work, we used the solution precipitation route to synthesize Eu³⁺-doped YPO₄·nH₂O nanowires. The structure, morphology, composition, thermal behavior, and photoluminescence of as-synthesized product were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopic (FE-SEM) and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The dependence of the structure, morphology, composition and luminescent properties on the thermal treatment was investigated. The results indicate that the aqueous synthesis has a better control on the structure, morphology, composition of the products, and that the heat treatment induces the transitions of the structure, composition, and luminescent properties.     

Progress,highlights and perspectives on NiO in perovskite photovoltaics

The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of NiO based perovskite solar cells has recently hit a record 22.1% with a hybrid organic–inorganic perovskite composition and a PCE above 15% in a fully inorganic configuration was achieved. Moreover, NiO processing is a mature technology, with different industrially attractive processes demonstrated in the last few years. These considerations, along with the excellent stabilities reported, clearly point towards NiO as the most efficient inorganic hole selective layer for lead halide perovskite photovoltaics, which is the topic of this review. NiO optoelectronics is discussed by analysing the different doping mechanisms, with a focus on the case of alkaline and transition metal cation dopants. Doping allows tuning the conductivity and the energy levels of NiO, improving the overall performance and adapting the material to a variety of perovskite compositions. Furthermore, we summarise the main investigations on the NiO/perovskite interface stability. In fact, the surface of NiO is commonly oxidised and reactive with perovskite, also under the effect of light, thermal and electrical stress. Interface engineering strategies should be considered aiming at long term stability and the highest efficiency. Finally, we present the main achievements in flexible, fully printed and lead-free perovskite photovoltaics which employ NiO as a layer and provide our perspective to accelerate the improvement of these technologies. Overall, we show that adequately doped and passivated NiO might be an ideal hole selective layer in every possible application of perovskite solar cells.

The power conversion efficiency of NiO based perovskite solar cells has recently hit a record 22.1%. Here, the main advances are reviewed and the role of NiO in the next breakthroughs is discussed.     

A new multi analytical approach for the identification of synthetic and natural dyes mixtures. The case of orcein-mauveine mixture in a historical dress of a Sicilian noblewoman of nineteenth century

Abstract

In this paper, the application of a multi-analytical approach for the characterisation of synthetic and natural dyes in a historical textile is presented. The work is focused on a historical dress of a Sicilian noblewoman, dating from about 1865–1870. Firstly, SERS on fibre was performed, in order to individuate the classes of dyes employed. The SERS spectra suggested the presence of two main dyes: mauveine and orcein. In order to confirm these preliminary results, two different extraction protocols were applied. The extracts obtained were analysed by ESI-MS, MALDI-ToF and UHPCL-MS analyses, confirming the SERS results. In particular, the application of the ammonia mild extraction technique allowed to selectively extract the phenoxazonic dyes, separating them already in the extraction step from the synthetic ones. Thanks to this multi-analytical approach, this dress could be considered as one of the first examples of employment of synthetic dyes in association with natural ones.     

Cyclic PNA-based compound directed against HIV-1 TAR RNA: modelling, liquid-phase synthesis and TAR binding

A cyclic molecule including a hexameric PNA sequence has been designed and synthesized in order to target the TAR RNA loop of HIV-1 through the formation of a "kissing complex". For comparison, its linear analogue has also been investigated. The synthesis of the cyclic and linear PNA has been accomplished following a liquid-phase strategy using mixed PNA and fully N-protected (aminoethylglycinamide) fragments. The interactions of this cyclic PNA and its linear analogue with TAR RNA have been studied and the results indicate clearly that no interaction occurs between the cyclic antisense PNA and TAR RNA, whereas a tenuous interaction has been detected with its linear PNA analogue.     

Role of catechin on collagen type I stability upon oxidation: a NMR approach

Abstract

The study focuses on the understanding, at molecular level, the mechanism of interaction between protein and flavonoids. Collagen and catechin interactions were investigated by NMR in solution and solid state. The effect of catechin on the stability of collagen to oxidation was also explored. Collagen was treated with two concentrations of catechin solutions. Oxidation was carried out by incubation of collagen solution with three oxidation systems: Fe(II)/H₂O₂, Cu(II)/H₂O₂, and NaOCl/H₂O₂. The effects of oxidation systems were evaluated by high resolution 1?D and 2?D proton spectroscopy and solid state NMR (¹³C CP MAS) experiments. Interactions between collagen and catechin preferentially occur between catechin B ring and the amino acids Pro and Hyp of collagen. Results showed that both iron and copper oxidation systems were able to interact with collagen by site specific attack. Moreover, catechin protects collagen proline from oxidation by metal/H₂O₂ systems, preventing copper and iron approach to collagene molecule;this behaviour was more evident for the copper/H₂O₂ system.     

Spectrophotometric determination of molybdenum based on charge transfer complex in PVA medium

A very simple, selective and sensitive method was developed for the spectrophotometric determination of Mo in the presence of W. The method was based on the formation of color charge transfer complex, molybdotungstophosphate-3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbezidine anion, which was solubilized and stabilized in PVA medium. Following the recommended procedure, molybdenum could be determined in the linear range of 0.04-2.5 mug ml(-1) and the molar absorptivity was 1.47x10(4) l mol(-1) cm(-1) at 660 nm. The proposed method had been applied to the determination of trace molybdenum in tungsten ore with satisfactory results.     

Single electron traps at the surface of polycrystalline MgO: assignment of the main trapping sites

Paramagnetic centers at the surface of ionic oxides in the form of trapped electrons can be generated by exposure of the material to alkali metal or hydrogen atoms or of molecular hydrogen under UV irradiation. For many years, it has been assumed that the resulting paramagnetic centers consist of oxygen vacancies filled by one electron. High-resolution electron spin resonance spectra and ab initio quantum chemical calculations show that the paramagnetic centers consist of (H(+))(e(-)) electron pairs formed at morphological irregularities of the surface. At least three different kinds of (H(+))(e(-)) centers, [A], [B], and [C], have been identified with abundances of 80%, 10%, and 8%, respectively. In this work, we compare a wide set of measured and computed g-factors and hyperfine coupling constants of the unpaired electron with the surrounding (25)Mg, (17)O, and (1)H nuclei and we propose a general assignment of the centers. (H(+))(e(-)) pairs formed at Mg(4c) ions at steps and edges account for species [A], centers formed at Mg(4c) ions at reverse corners correspond to species [B], and species [C] originates from (H(+))(e(-)) pairs formed at Mg(3c) ions at corners and kinks.