Strategies for Improving the Catalytic Performance of 2D Covalent Organic Frameworks for Hydrogen Evolution and Oxygen Evolution Reactions

Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) have been deemed as clean and sustainable strategies to solve the energy crisis and environmental problems. Various catalysts have been developed to promote the process of HER and OER. Among them, two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks (2D COFs) have received great attention due to their diverse and designable structure. In this minireview, we mainly summarize the diverse linkages of 2D COFs and strategies for enhancing the catalytic performance of 2D COFs for HER and OER, such as introducing active building blocks, metal ions and tailored linkages. Furthermore, a brief outlook for the development directions of COFs in the field of HER and OER is provided, expecting to stimulate new opportunities in future research.     

A Photoluminescent Ag10Cu6 Cluster Stablized by a PNNP Ligand and Phenylacetylides Selectively and Reversibly Senses Ammonia in Air and Water

A photoluminescent bimetallic cluster [Ag₁₀Cu₆(bdppthi)₂(C≡CPh)₁₂(MeOH)₂(H₂O)](ClO₄)₄ ( 1 , bdppthi=N,N’-bis(diphenylphosphanylmethyl)-tetrahydroimidazole} was synthesized from the PNNP type ligand bdppthi generated in-situ. Upon excitation at 365 nm, 1 exhibited strong phosphorescent emission at 630 nm, which was selectively quenched by NH₃ in air or water. The sensing of NH₃ was rapid and recoverable, with detection limits of 53 ppm (v/v) in N₂ and 21 μmol/L (0.36 ppm, w/w) for NH₃ ⋅ H₂O in water. Cluster 1 could potentially serve as a bifunctional chemical sensor for the efficient detection of ammonia in waste-gas and waste-water.     

Synthesis and Characterization of 5‐Cyanotetrazolide‐Based Ionic Liquids

New salts based on imidazolium, pyrrolidinium, phosphonium, guanidinium, and ammonium cations together with the 5‐cyanotetrazolide anion [C₂N₅]^? are reported. Depending on the nature of cation–anion interactions, characterized by XRD, the ionic liquids (ILs) have a low viscosity and are liquid at room temperature or have higher melting temperatures. Thermogravimetric analysis, cyclic voltammetry, viscosimetry, and impedance spectroscopy display a thermal stability up to 230 °C, an electrochemical window of 4.5 V, a viscosity of 25 mPa s at 20 °C, and an ionic conductivity of 5.4 mS cm^?1 at 20 °C for the IL 1‐butyl‐1‐methylpyrrolidinium 5‐cyanotetrazolide [BMPyr][C₂N₅]. On the basis of these results, the synthesized compounds are promising electrolytes for lithium‐ion batteries.     

Functional Carbazole Liquid‐Crystal Block Codendrimers with Optical and Electronic Properties

The synthesis and characterisation of a family of block codendrimers consisting of highly versatile mesogenic and carbazole‐containing 2,2‐bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid (bis‐MPA) dendrons are reported. The liquid‐crystal behaviour was investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry, polarised‐light optical microscopy and X‐ray diffraction. Depending on the chemical structure of the constituent dendrons, the codendrimers show lamellar or columnar mesophases. On the basis of the experimental results, models both at the molecular level and in the mesophase are proposed. The physical properties of the block codendrimers derived from the presence of the carbazole moiety in their structure were investigated: photoluminescence in solution and in the mesophase, electrochemical behaviour and hole transport. Electrodeposition of carbazole dendrons afforded a globular supramolecular conformation in which the mesogenic molecular side plays a key role.     

The Effect of the Spacer of Bis(biurea) Ligands on the Structure of A2L3‐type (A=anion) Phosphate Complexes

By tuning the length and rigidity of the spacer of bis(biurea) ligands L, three structural motifs of the A₂L₃ complexes (A represents anion, here orthophosphate PO₄^3?), namely helicate, mesocate, and mono‐bridged motif, have been assembled by coordination of the ligand to phosphate anion. Crystal structure analysis indicated that in the three complexes, each of the phosphate ions is coordinated by twelve hydrogen bonds from six surrounding urea groups. The anion coordination properties in solution have also been studied. The results further demonstrate the coordination behavior of phosphate ion, which shows strong tendency for coordination saturation and geometrical preference, thus allowing for the assembly of novel anion coordination‐based structures as in transition‐metal complexes.     

Control over Nanostructures and Associated Mesomorphic Properties of Doped Self‐Assembled Triarylamine Liquid Crystals

We have synthesized a series of triarylamine‐cored molecules equipped with an adjacent amide moiety and dendritic peripheral tails in a variety of modes. We show by ¹H NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy that their supramolecular self‐assembly can be promoted in solution upon light stimulation and radical initiation. In addition, we have probed their molecular arrangements and mesomorphic properties in the bulk by integrated studies on their film state by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), variable‐temperature polarizing optical microscopy (VT‐POM), variable‐temperature X‐ray diffraction (VT‐XRD), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Differences in the number and the disposition of the peripheral tails significantly affect their mesomorphic properties associated with their lamellar‐ or columnar‐packed nanostructures, which are based on segregated stacks of the triphenylamine cores and the lipophilic/lipophobic periphery. Such structural tuning is of interest for implementation of these soft self‐assemblies as electroactive materials from solution to mesophases.     

Self‐Assembly and Gelation of Poly(aryl ether) Dendrons Containing Hydrazide Units: Factors Controlling the Formation of Helical Structures

Self‐assembly of AB₂ and AB₃ type low molecular weight poly(aryl ether) dendrons that contain hydrazide units were used to investigate mechanistic aspects of helical structure formation during self‐assembly. The results suggest that there are three important aspects that control helical structure formation in such systems with acyl hydrazide/hydrazone linkage: i) J‐type aggregation, ii) the hydrogen‐bond donor/acceptor ability of the solvent, and iii) the dielectric constant of the solvent. The monomer units self‐assemble to form dimer structures through hydrogen‐bonding and further assembly of the hydrogen‐bonded dimers leads to macroscopic chirality in the present case. Dimer formation was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy and by mass spectrometry. The self‐assembly in the system was driven by hydrogen‐bonding and π–π stacking interactions. The morphology of the aggregates formed was examined by scanning electron microscopy, and the analysis suggests that aprotic solvent systems facilitate helical fibre formation, whereas introduction of protic solvents results in the formation of flat ribbons. This detailed mechanistic study suggests that the self‐assembly follows a nucleation–elongation model to form helical structures, rather than the isodesmic model.     

Mechanistic Aspects of a Highly Active Dinuclear Zinc Catalyst for the Co‐polymerization of Epoxides and CO2

The dinuclear zinc complex reported by us is to date the most active zinc catalyst for the co‐polymerization of cyclohexene oxide (CHO) and carbon dioxide. However, co‐polymerization experiments with propylene oxide (PO) and CO₂ revealed surprisingly low conversions. Within this work, we focused on clarification of this behavior through experimental results and quantum chemical studies. The combination of both results indicated the formation of an energetically highly stable intermediate in the presence of propylene oxide and carbon dioxide. A similar species in the case of cyclohexene oxide/CO₂ co‐polymerization was not stable enough to deactivate the catalyst due to steric repulsion.     

Terahertz radiation from pentacene organic diode at room temperature

We investigate terahertz radiation(T-rays) from a pentacene organic diode at room temperature. The quantum chemistry calculation for frequency-related Huang–Rhys factor of pentacene is also carried out. The results demonstrate that the T-rays can come from a bending vibration of pentacene skeleton after the energy of pentacene exciton transferring to the vibrational excited state via electron–phonon coupling. Frequency and natural bond orbital analytics of pentacene and its derivatives are performed in order to explain the result and develop new materials to get higher emission. This work provides a new way to produce T-rays with a simple device at room temperature.