Dissociation of N2 on a Si(111)-7x7 Surface at Room Temperature

We demonstrate that the strong N₂ bond can be efficiently dissociated at low pressure and ambient temperature on a Si(111)-7x7 surface. The reaction was experimentally investigated by scanning tunnelling microscopy and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy. Experimental and density functional theory results suggest that relatively low thermal energy collision of N₂ with the surface can facilitate electron transfer from the Si(111)-7x7 surface to the π*-antibonding orbitals of N₂ that significantly weaken the N₂ bond. This activated N₂ triple bond dissociation on the surface leads to the formation of a Si₃N interface.     

Microstructure and corrosion properties of diode laser melted friction stir weld of aluminum alloy 2024 T351

Friction stir welding is a promising solid state joining process for high strength aluminum alloys. Though friction stir welding eliminates the problems of fusion welding as it is performed below melting temperature (T_m), it creates severe plastic deformation. Friction stir welds of some aluminum alloys exhibit relatively poor corrosion resistance. This research enhanced the corrosion properties of such welds through diode laser surface melting.A friction stir weld of aluminum alloy 2024 T351 was laser melted using a 1 kW diode laser. The melt-depth and microstructure were investigated using optical and scanning electron microscopy. The melt zone exhibited epitaxially grown columnar grains. At the interface between the melted and the un-melted zone, a thick planar boundary was observed. Energy dispersive spectroscopy analyzed the redistribution of elemental composition. The corrosion properties of the laser melted and native welds were studied in aqueous 0.5 M sodium chloride solution using open circuit potential and cyclic potentiodynamic polarization. The results show noticeable increase in the pit nucleation resistance (390 mV) after the laser surface treatment. The repassivation potential was nobler to the corrosion potential after the laser treatment, which confirmed that the resistance to pit growth was improved.     

Spontaneous resolution through helical association of a Cu-azamacrocyclic complex with Lindqvist-type isopolyanion

Anionic metathesis reaction between the perchlorate salt of a copper-tetraazamacrocycle complex and the tetrabutylammonium salt of Lindqvist-type isopolyoxometalates in acetonitrile leads to the formation of two new inorganic-organic hybrid solids formulated as [Cu(L)(MeCN)][W(6)O(19)] (1) and [Cu(L)(MeCN)][Mo(6)O(19)] (2). Interestingly, both ion-pair complexes crystallize in a chiral space group P2(1)2(1)2(1). Crystallographic analysis of the obtained compounds reveals the occurrence of spontaneous resolution during crystallization. Both the enantiomorphs of compound 1 have been structurally characterized, whereas the resolution of compound 2 is rather poor.     

A value-adding approach to reliability under preventive maintenance costs and its applications

No equipment (system) can be perfectly reliable in spite of the utmost care and best efforts on the part of the designer, decision-maker and manufacturer. The two sides of maintenance are corrective and preventive maintenance. It is generally assumed that a preventive maintenance action is less costly than a repair maintenance action. We examine this proposition in detail on the basis of a failure-time model that relates conformance quality to reliability. Illustratively, we present reliability in the context of contracts with asymmetric information. The model shows how to overcome information rents through price distortions and quantity rationing. The paper ends with a conclusion and an outlook to future studies.     

Mixed-ligand organometallic polymers containing the "Pd(2)(dmb)2(2+)" fragment: properties of the [Pd2(dmb)2(diphos)2+](n) polymers/oligomers in solution and in the solid state

The 1:1 reaction between the d(9)-d(9) Pd(2)(dmb)(2)Cl(2) complex (dmb = 1,8-diisocyano-p-menthane) and the diphosphine ligands (diphos) bis(diphenylphosphino)butane (5, dppb), bis(diphenylphosphino)pentane (6, dpppen), bis(diphenylphosphino)hexane (7, dpph), and bis(diphenylphosphino)acetylene (8, dpa) in the presence of LiClO(4) leads to the [[Pd(2)(dmb)(2)(diphos)](ClO(4))(2)](n) polymers. These new materials are characterized by NMR ((1)H, (13)C, (31)P), IR, Raman, and UV-vis spectroscopies (466 < lambda(max)(dsigma-dsigma*) < 480 nm), by ATG, XRD, and DSC methods, and by the capacity to make stand-alone films. From the measurements of the intrinsic viscosity in acetonitrile, the M(n) ranges from 16000 to 18400 (12 to 16 units). The dinuclear model complex [Pd(2)(dmb)(2)(PPh(3))(2)](ClO(4))(2) (4) is prepared and investigated as well. The molecular dynamic of the title polymers in acetonitrile solution is investigated by means of (13)C spin-lattice relaxation time (T(1)) and nuclear Overhauser enhancement methods (NOE). The number of units determined by T(1)/NOE methods is 3 to 4 times less than that found from the measurements of intrinsic viscosity, and is due to flexibility in the polymer backbone, even for bridging ligands containing only one (dmb) or two C-C single bonds (dpa). During the course of this study, the starting material Pd(2)(dmb)(2)Cl(2) was reinvestigated after evidence for oligomers in the MALDI-TOF spectrum was noticed. In solution, this d(9)-d(9) species is a binuclear complex (T(1)/NOE). This result suggests that the structure of the title polymers in solution and in the solid state may not be the same either. Finally, these polymers are strongly luminescent in PrCN glasses at 77 K, and the photophysical data (emission lifetimes, 1.50 < tau(e) < 2.75 ns; quantum yields, 0.026 < Phi(e) < 0.17) are presented. X-ray data for [Pd(2)(dppe)(2)(dmb)(2)](PF(6))(4): monoclinic, space group C2/c, a = 24.3735 A, b = 21.8576(13) A, c = 18.0034(9) A, b = 119.775(1) degrees, V = 8325.0(8) A(3), Z = 4.     

Synthesis and characterization of a polyoxovanadate cluster representing a new topology

A new type of mixed-valence polyoxoanionic cluster, [V(V)13V(IV)3O42(Cl)]8-, composed of 14 {VO5} square pyramids and 2 {VO4} tetrahedral units, hosting a chloride ion has been synthesized and characterized.     

New series of asymmetrically substituted Bis(1,2-dithiolato)-nickel(III) complexes exhibiting near IR absorption and structural diversity

The synthesis, structural characterization, and properties of a new series of asymmetrically substituted bis(dithiolene) nickel(III) compounds [Bu4N][Ni(Phdt)2] (1) (Phdt = 2-Phenyl-1,2-dithiolate), [Bu4N][Ni(NO2Phdt)2] (2) (NO2Phdt = 2-( p-nitrophenyl)-1,2-dithiolate), [Bu4N][Ni(FPhdt)2] (3) (FPhdt = 2-( p-fluorophenyl)-1,2-dithiolate), [Bu4N][Ni(ClPhdt)2] (4) (ClPhdt = 2-( p-chlorophenyl)-1,2-dithiolate), and [Bu4N][Ni(BrPhdt)2] (5) (BrPhdt = 2-( p-bromophenyl)-1,2-dithiolate) have been described. All complexes 1- 5 exhibit absorptions in the near-infrared region; the shift of these absorption bands can be tuned by the choice of the substituents on the relevant dithiolene moieties. The substituents on the dithiolene moiety are also responsible for their structural diversities. The nature of the substituents on the dithiolene moiety play an important role in tuning the redox potentials along this series. The nitro derivative (compound 2) exhibits several redox couples in its cyclic voltammogram in contrast to the other compounds in this series. The synthesis and characterization of two asymmetrically halogen substituted tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) derivatives 4,4'-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-tetrathiafulvalene ClPhTTF (6) and 4,4'-bis(4-bromophenyl)-tetrathiafulvalene (BrPhTTF) (7) have been described. One of these compounds has been structurally characterized. Iodine treatment of the monoanionic Ni(III) compound [Bu4N][Ni(ClPhdt)2] (4) results in the formation of a neutral Ni(IV) complex [Ni(ClPhdt)2] (8). All monoanionic compounds 1- 5 are Ni(III) complexes, as evidenced by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. Interestingly, strong Cl...Cl interactions are observed in the solid state structures of the chlorinated compounds 6 and 8. Finally, the structural features of compound [Ni(ClPhdt)2] (8) and the TTF derivative ClPhTTF (6) are compared based on their enormous structural similarities, and the neutral compound [Ni(ClPhdt)2] (8) is classed as the "an inorganic counterpart of TTF".     

When Metathesis Reactions Go Wrong: Novel Structural Consequences

The complex [Yb(Ph₂pz)₃(LiOBu)]₂ ( 1 ) (Ph₂pz = 3,5‐diphenylpyrazolate), fortuitously obtained from reaction of Yb metal with a lithium containing sample of [SnMe₃(Ph₂pz)] at elevated temperatures forms a centrosymmetric butoxy‐ and pyrazolate‐bridged open box structure. Each ytterbium atom is eight coordinate with one chelating Ph₂pz ligand, one μ‐η²:η² bridging pyrazolate, one μ‐η²(Yb):η⁴(Li) Ph₂pz group and two bridging butoxide ligands. Each lithium atom is unsymmetrically chelated by an η²‐Ph₂pz group, η⁴(N,C(pz)C₂(Ph)) bonded by another pyazolate group, and bridged through a butoxide oxygen atom to two ytterbium atoms. The type of η⁴‐pyrazolate coordination is unprecedented and is the first observation of interactions to a metal by the Ph rings of the Ph₂pz ligand. The complex [Li(dme)₃][Eu(Ph₂pz)₃(dme)] ( 2 ) obtained from reaction of Eu metal with the same sample of [SnMe₃(Ph₂pz)] in dme at room temperature is a charged separated species with the first anionic pyrazolatolanthanoidate(II) complex in which europium is eight coordinate with three chelating Ph₂pz ligands and a chelating dme.     

Thermal behavior of modified urea–formaldehyde resins

The thermal stability of pure urea–formaldehyde resin (PR) and modified urea–formaldehyde (UF) resins with hexamethylenetetramine-HMTA (Resin 1), melamine-M (Resin 2), and ethylene urea (EU, Resin 3) including nano-SiO₂ was investigated by non-isothermal thermo-gravimetric analysis (TG), differential thermal gravimetry (DTG), and differential thermal analysis (DTA) supported by data from IR spectroscopy. Possibility of combining inorganic filler in a form of silicon dioxide with UF resins was found investigated and percentage of free formaldehyde was determined. The shift of DTG peaks to a high temperature indicates the increase of thermal stability of modified UF resin with EU (Resin 3) which is confirmed by data obtained from the FTIR study. The minimum percentage (6%) of free formaldehyde was obtained in Resin 3.     

A Mononuclear CoII Coordination Complex Locked in a Confined Space and Acting as an Electrochemical Water‐Oxidation Catalyst: A “Ship‐in‐a‐Bottle” Approach

Preparing efficient and robust water oxidation catalyst (WOC) with inexpensive materials remains a crucial challenge in artificial photosynthesis and for renewable energy. Existing heterogeneous WOCs are mostly metal oxides/hydroxides immobilized on solid supports. Herein we report a newly synthesized and structurally characterized metal–organic hybrid compound [{Co₃(μ₃‐OH)(BTB)₂(dpe)₂} {Co(H₂O)₄(DMF)₂}_0.5]_n?n H₂O ( Co‐WOC‐1 ) as an effective and stable water‐oxidation electrocatalyst in an alkaline medium. In the crystal structure of Co‐WOC‐1 , a mononuclear Co^II complex {Co(H₂O)₄(DMF)₂}²⁺ is encapsulated in the void space of a 3D framework structure and this translationally rigid complex cation is responsible for a remarkable electrocatalytic WO activity, with a catalytic turnover frequency (TOF) of 0.05 s^?1 at an overpotential of 390 mV (vs. NHE) in 0.1 m KOH along with prolonged stability. This host–guest system can be described as a “ship‐in‐a‐bottle”, and is a new class of heterogeneous WOC.