Self-Recovery of Pd Nanoparticles That Were Dispersed over La(Sr)Fe(Mn)O(3) for Intelligent Oxide Anodes of Solid-Oxide Fuel Cells

Self-recovery is one of the most-desirable properties for functional materials. Recently, oxide anodes have attracted significant attention as alternative anode materials for solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) that can overcome reoxidation, deactivation, and coke-deposition. However, the electrical conductivity and surface activity of the most-widely used oxide anodes remain unsatisfactory. Herein, we report the synthesis of an "intelligent oxide anode" that exhibits self-recovery from power-density degradation in the redox cycle by using a Pd-doped La(Sr)Fe- (Mn)O(3) cell as an oxide anode for the SOFCs. We investigated the anodic performance and oxidation-tolerance of the cell by using Pd-doped perovskite as an anode and fairly high maximum power densities of 0.5 and 0.1?W?cm(-2) were achieved at 1073 and 873?K, respectively, despite using a 0.3?mm-thick electrolyte. Long-term stability was also examined and the power density was recovered upon exposure of the anode to air. This recovery of the power density can be explained by the formation of Pd nanoparticles, which were self-recovered through reoxidation and reduction. In addition, the self-recovery of the anode by oxidation was confirmed by XRD and SEM and this process was effective for improving the durability of SOFC systems when they were exposed to severe operating conditions.     

Kinetically controlled one-pot formation of DEFGH-rings of type B physalins through domino-type transformations

The characteristic DEFGH-ring system of type B physalins has been synthesized by means of a one-pot procedure incorporating domino-type ring transformations. Unexpectedly, we found that introduction of an α-hydroxyester functionality at C17 in ring E allowed the key 7-endo oxy-Michael reaction to proceed. Originally this was thought to be an unfavored process. This afforded the desired caged ring system to be formed in a kinetically controlled manner. Consecutive treatment with AcOH at 100 °C furnished the DEFGH-ring system in one pot.     

A novel crystal polymorph of volborthite,Cu3V2O7(OH)2·2H2O

A new polymorph of volborthite [tricopper(II) divanadium(V) heptaoxide dihydroxide dihydrate], Cu₃V₂O₇(OH)₂·2H₂O, has been discovered in a single crystal prepared by hydrothermal synthesis. X‐ray analysis reveals that the monoclinic structure has the space group C2/c at room temperature, which is different from that of the previously reported C2/m structure. Both structures have Cu₃O₆(OH)₂ layers composed of edge‐sharing CuO₄(OH)₂ octahedra, with V₂O₇ pillars and water molecules between the layers. The Cu atoms occupy two and three independent crystallographic sites in the C2/m and C2/c structures, respectively, likely giving rise to different magnetic interactions between Cu^II spins in the kagome lattices embedded in the Cu₃O₆(OH)₂ layers.     

Thermal annealing of a-Si/Au superlattice thin films

The superlattice films, which consist of amorphous silicon (a-Si) and amorphous gold (Au), were prepared by ultra-high vacuum evaporation system. The first layer was grown a-Si with a thickness of 4.2 nm and the second layer was grown Au with a thickness of 0.8 nm. Thermal annealing was performed at 473, 673, and 873 K, respectively. The structural properties of the films were investigated using transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman scattering spectroscopy. The electrical property was assessed by the temperature dependence of electrical conductivity. A crystallization of Si and a forming of Au nanoparticles were observed in all of the annealing films. The crystalline volume fraction reached 70% by annealing time for 15 min. An average diameter of the Au nanoparticles embedded in Si matrix also increased with increasing the annealing temperature. At annealing temperature above 873 K, Au atoms migrated toward the film surface. It was observed that the electrical conductivity changed in several temperatures.     

A magic bullet for antibiotic discovery

Activation/exploitation of biosynthetic pathways for useful metabolites is a major current interest. The metabolism remodeling approach developed by Craney and colleagues in this issue of (Chemistry & Biology), in which small molecule probes alter the secondary metabolites produced by streptomycetes, could lead to discovery of a multitude of novel antibiotics and other drugs.     

An unexpected disproportional reaction of 2H-azirines giving (1E,3Z)-2-aza-1,3-dienes and aromatic nitriles in the presence of nickel catalysts

An unprecedented nickel-catalysed disproportional reaction of 2,3-diaryl-2H-azirines forming azabutadienes and aromatic nitriles was discovered. This reaction involves the cleavage of two bonds of the 2H-azirine framework, which provides a novel type of transformation of 2H-azirines.     

Practical synthesis of aromatic nitriles via gallium-catalysed electrophilic cyanation of aromatic C-H bonds

A gallium-catalysed, direct cyanation reaction of aromatic and heteroaromatic C-H bonds with cyanogen bromide was developed as a practical synthetic method for the preparation of aromatic nitriles.     

Origin of the large polarization in multiferroic YMnO3 thin films revealed by soft- and hard-X-ray diffraction

We investigated the magnetic structure of an orthorhombic YMnO(3) thin film by resonant soft x-ray and hard x-ray diffraction. We observed a temperature-dependent incommensurate magnetic reflection below 45 K and a commensurate lattice-distortion reflection below 35 K. These results demonstrate that the ground state is composed of coexisting E-type and cycloidal states. Their different ordering temperatures clarify the origin of the large polarization to be caused by the E-type antiferromagnetic states in the orthorhombic YMnO(3) thin film.