Uncovering the role of the ZnS treatment in the performance of quantum dot sensitized solar cells

Among the third-generation photovoltaic devices, much attention is being paid to the so-called Quantum Dot sensitized Solar Cells (QDSCs). The currently poor performance of QDSCs seems to be efficiently patched by the ZnS treatment, increasing the output parameters of the devices, albeit its function remains rather unclear. Here new insights into the role of the ZnS layer on the QDSC performance are provided, revealing simultaneously the most active recombination pathways. Optical and AFM characterization confirms that the ZnS deposit covers, at least partially, both the TiO(2) nanoparticles and the QDs (CdSe). Photoanodes submitted to the ZnS treatment before and/or after the introduction of colloidal CdSe QDs were studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and photocurrent experiments. The corresponding results prove that the passivation of the CdSe QDs rather than the blockage of the TiO(2) surface is the main factor leading to the efficiency improvement. In addition, a study of the ultrafast carrier dynamics by means of the Lens-Free Heterodyne Detection Transient Grating technique indicates that the ZnS shell also increases the rate of electron transfer. The dual role of the ZnS layer should be kept in mind in the quest for new modifiers for enhancing the performance of QDSCs.     

Preparation of cationic chelate ylide complexes of palladium(II) and platinum(II)

Cationic palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes with chelate ylides and neutral ligands of the type, [MCl (Y) (L)]⁺BPh₄^? (M  Pd or Pt; Y  bdep or bdmp*; L = 4-methylpyridine, 3,5-dimethylpyrazole, PPh₃, PCy₃, PMePh₂, P(OMe)₃, AsPh₃ or SbPh₃) and [M(bdep) (4-methylpyridine)₂] (BPh₄)₂ (M = Pd or Pt) were prepared and characterized by means of infrared and ¹H NMR spectra.     

Total Synthesis of Crotophorbolone

The complex ABC‐tricyclic structure of crotophorbolone, a derivative of the tigliane diterpenoids, was assembled by coupling of simple fragments. The six‐membered C‐ring fragment, having five contiguous stereocenters, was stereoselectively constructed from (R)‐carvone. After attachment of the five‐membered A‐ring through the π‐allyl Stille coupling reaction, the α‐alkoxy bridgehead radical reaction effected the endo‐cyclization of the seven‐membered B‐ring by forming the sterically congested bond at C9 and C10 stereospecifically and stereoselectively, respectively. Finally, the functional groups on the 5/7/6‐membered ring system were manipulated by rhodium‐catalyzed C2 olefin isomerization, C13 decarboxylative oxidation, and C4 hydroxylation, thus completing the first total synthesis of crotophorbolone.     

On theorems of Brauer-Nesbitt and Brandt for characterizations of small block algebras

Let A be a finite group acting on a finite group G via automorphisms. Assume that $$(|A|,|G|)=1$$ . We prove that if $$C_G(A)$$ is a Hall $$\pi $$ -subgroup of G, then G has a normal $$\pi $$ -complement.     

A Convenient Synthesis of Methyl 4-Substituted Benzoates via Diels-Alder Reaction in the Presence of Palladium on Activated Carbon

The thermal reaction of methyl 2-oxo-2H-pyran-5-carboxylates with substituted styrenes in the presence of 10% palladium on activated carbon afforded directly the corresponding methyl 4-biphenylcarboxylates in good yields. By the similar procedure, methyl 4-heteroaryl- and 4-alkyl-substituted benzoates were obtained from heteroaromatic olefins and alkenes, respectively.     

Generation of subterawatt sub-10-fs blue pulses at 1-5 kHz by broadband frequency doubling

Blue pulses with durations of 8.5 fs are generated by broadband frequency doubling of subterawatt Ti:sapphire laser systems at 1-5-kHz repetition rates. The average powers are 1.6 W at 5 kHz and 1.9 W at 1 kHz. The peak power is 0.16 TW with a duration of 12 fs at 1 kHz.     

Circularly Polarized Luminescence of Chiral Pt(pppb)Cl (pppbH=1‐pyridyl‐3‐(4,5‐pinenopyridyl)benzene) Aggregate in the Excited State

We prepared enantiomers of chiral Pt^II complexes, Pt(pppb)Cl and Pt(pppb)CN (pppbH=1‐pyridyl‐3‐(4,5‐pinenopyridyl)benzene), and measured their CPL (circularly polarized luminescence) spectra for excimer and trimer emission. The contribution of the pinene moiety to CPL was considerably low for the π–π* emission of the monomer but large for MMLCT (metal‐metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer) of the excimer and trimer which had a helical structure induced in a face‐to‐face stacking fashion. The trimer CPL for (+)‐Pt(pppb)Cl was larger in intensity than that of excimer CPL; on the other hand, that for (+)‐Pt(pppb)CN was opposite in sign compared with that of excimer CPL. We conclude that differences in the excited‐state structure of the aggregate between Pt(pppb)Cl and Pt(pppb)CN account for the variation in the CPL spectra. By the aid of TD‐DFT calculations it was predicted that the dihedral angle θ(Cl‐Pt‐Pt‐Cl) was 50–60° or 110–140° for Pt(pppb)Cl aggregates and 160° for Pt(pppb)CN aggregates.     

Photocurrent generation from hierarchical zinc-substituted hemoprotein assemblies immobilized on a gold electrode

All connected: a protein-immobilized electrode comprising hierarchical assemblies of photoactive cytochrome b(562) reconstituted with zinc protoporphyrin IX exhibits remarkably enhanced photocurrent generation relative to an electrode bearing a single zinc-substituted hemoprotein layer. The protein oligomers, which bear a covalently linked protoporphyrin group, assemble by a supramolecular heme/heme pocket interaction.