Tuning the Basicity of Cyano‐Containing Ionic Liquids to Improve SO2 Capture through Cyano–Sulfur Interactions

A new approach has been developed to improve SO₂ sorption by cyano‐containing ionic liquids (ILs) through tuning the basicity of ILs and cyano–sulfur interaction. Several kinds of cyano‐containing ILs with different basicity were designed, prepared, and used for SO₂ capture. The interaction between these cyano‐containing ILs and SO₂ was investigated by FTIR and NMR methods. Spectroscopic investigations and quantum chemical calculations showed that dramatic effects on SO₂ capacity originate from the basicity of the ILs and enhanced cyano–sulfur interaction. Furthermore, the captured SO₂ was easy to release by heating or bubbling N₂ through the ILs. This efficient and reversible process, achieved by tuning the basicity of ILs, is an excellent alternative to current technologies for SO₂ capture.     

Molecular dynamics study of cluster structure and rotational wave properties in solid-state nanostructures

Molecular dynamics simulation was performed to study the formation of cluster structure, interfaces, and surfaces with different curvature radii in a perfect nanocrystal passed through by a nonlinear wave. It is shown that this process is a type of nanostructure self-organization in response to an external energy flux with subsequent development of a strong rotational field.     

Negatively Charged Metallacarborane Redox Couples with Both Members Stable to Air

The metallacarborane [3,3′‐Co(1,2‐closo‐C₂B₉H₁₁)₂]^? has been synthesized. This species allows the formation of redox couples in which both partners are negatively charged. The E_1/2 potential can be tuned by adjusting the nature and number of substituents on B and C. The octaiodinated species [3,3′‐Co(1,2‐closo‐C₂B₉H₇I₄)₂]^? is the most favorable, as it is isolatable and stable in air. A DFT study on stability and redox potentials of complexes has been performed.     

Optimized spacer layer thickness for plasmonic-induced enhancement of photocurrent in a-Si:H

Journal of Nanoparticle Research - Plasmonic interfaces consisting of silver nanoparticles of different sizes (50–100&;nbsp;nm) have been processed by the self-assembled dewetting...     

Formation and pharmacological activity of silicon—chitosan-containing glycerohydrogels obtained by biomimetic mineralization

The biomimetic sol—gel synthesis of silicon—chitosan-containing glycerohydrogels was carried out using silicon tetraglycerolate as a precursor. It was found that chitosan accelerates gel formation in weakly acidic media. In more acidic media, the kinetics of the process changes according to the curve with a maximum, which can be attributed to different mechanisms of silanol condensation before and after the isoelectric point. The investigated silicon—chitosan-containing glycerohydrogels exhibit antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing activity. The synthesized hybrid glycerohydrogels are promising materials for biomedical applications.     

Lipase‐Supported Metal–Organic Framework Bioreactor Catalyzes Warfarin Synthesis

A green and sustainable strategy synthesizes clinical medicine warfarin anticoagulant by using lipase‐supported metal–organic framework (MOF) bioreactors (see scheme). These findings may be beneficial for future studies in the industrial production of chemical, pharmaceutical, and agrochemical precursors.     

Lithium Insertion Mechanism in Iron-Based Oxyfluorides with Anionic Vacancies Probed by PDF Analysis

The mechanism of lithium insertion that occurs in an iron oxyfluoride sample with a hexagonal–tungsten–bronze (HTB)-type structure was investigated by the pair distribution function. This study reveals that upon lithiation, the HTB framework collapses to yield disordered rutile and rock salt phases followed by a conversion reaction of the fluoride phase toward lithium fluoride and nanometer-sized metallic iron. The occurrence of anionic vacancies in the pristine framework was shown to strongly impact the electrochemical activity, that is, the reversible capacity scales with the content of anionic vacancies. Similar to FeOF-type electrodes, upon de-lithiation, a disordered rutile phase forms, showing that the anionic chemistry dictates the atomic arrangement of the re-oxidized phase. Finally, it was shown that the nanoscaling and structural rearrangement induced by the conversion reaction allow the in situ formation of new electrode materials with enhanced electrochemical properties.