Growth pattern of Ag(n) (n = 1-8) clusters on the α-Al2O3(0001) surface: a first principles study

We report an extensive first-principles study of the structure and electronic properties of Ag(n) (n = 1-8) clusters isolated in gas phase and deposited on the α-Al(2)O(3) surface. We have used the plane wave based pseudopotential method within the framework of density functional theory. The electron ion interaction has been described using projector augmented wave (PAW), and the spin-polarized GGA scheme was used for the exchange correlation energy. The results reveal that, albeit interacting with support alumina, the Ag atoms prefers to remain bonded together suggesting an island growth motif is preferred over wetting the surface. When compared the equilibrium structures of Ag clusters between free and on alumina substrate, a significant difference was observed starting from n = 7 onward. While Ag(7) forms a three-dimensional (3D) pentagonal bipyramid in the isolated gas phase, on alumina support it forms a planar hexagonal structure parallel to the surface plane. Moreover, the spin moment of the Ag(7) cluster was found to be fully quenched. This has been attributed to higher delocalization of electron density as the size of the cluster increases. Furthermore, a comparison of chemical bonding analysis through electronic density of state (EDOS) shows that the EDOS of the deposited Ag(n) cluster is significantly broader, which has been ascribed to the enhanced spd hybridization. On the basis of the energetics, it is found that the adsorption energy of Ag clusters on the α-Al(2)O(3) surface decreases with cluster size.     

The allylic nucleophilic substitution of Morita-Baylis-Hillman acetates with isocyanides: a facile synthesis of trisubstituted olefins

Morita-Baylis-Hillman acetates undergo smooth allylic nucleophilic substitution (S_N2′) with tosylmethyl isocyanide (TosMIC) in the presence of a catalytic amount of BF₃·OEt₂ under mild conditions to furnish trisubstituted olefins in high yields with (E)-stereoselectivity.     

Synthesis and electrochemical characterization of xLi(Ni0.8Co0.15Mg0.05)O2–(1−x)Li[Li1/3Mn2/3]O2 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) cathodes for Li rechargeable batteries

Using solution based processing route, we have successfully synthesized xLi(Ni_0.8Co_0.15Mg_0.05)O₂–(1?x)Li[Li_1/3Mn_2/3]O₂ (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) cathode materials for lithium rechargeable batteries. The phase formation behavior of these cathode materials is characterized by X-ray diffraction measurements. The Galvanostatic charge–discharge characteristic of these cathodes is reported in various cut-off voltage limits. When these composite cathodes are charged to 4.8 V, electrochemical extraction of lithium takes place from active (Li[Ni_0.8Co_0.15Mg_0.05]O₂) as well as inactive (Li[Li_1/3Mn_2/3]O₂) components. Good cycleability of these cathodes is obtained when cycled in the cut-off voltage limits of 4.6–3.0 V. The cycleability of these cathodes are deteriorated when charged above 4.8 V and deep discharged up to 1.2 V followed by repeated cycling in these voltage limits. Based on the analyses of impedance spectra at various charge and discharge states, the probable reasons for such findings are discussed.     

A facile strategy for the fabrication of uniform CdS nanowires with high yield and its controlled morphological growth with the assistance of PEG in hydrothermal route

A series of novel wurtzite cadmium sulphide (CdS) nanowires with uniform diameter were synthesized by using a rapid and simple solvothermal route. CdS nano structures with certain morphology could be selectively produced by only varying the concentration of poly ethylene glycol (PEG) as a surfactant in the reaction system with cadmium acetate, sulphur powder and ethelynediamine (EDA). We extensively studied UV-vis absorption spectra, photoluminescence spectra after confirming CdS nanowires with diameter 24-25 nm and length ranging up to several nano meters by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Therefore we may definitely propose a new formation mechanism of CdS nanowires assisted by PEG with its illustrating optical properties.     

Percolative dielectric behavior of wet chemical synthesized lead lanthanum titanate-cobalt iron oxide composite thin films

We have investigated the electrical and magnetic properties of solution synthesized Pb_0.85La_0.15TiO₃-CoFe₂O₄ composite thin films. These composite films exhibit both polarization as well as magnetic hysteresis characteristics at room temperature. The dielectric constant of the composite films is found to increase remarkably up to 6.0 vol% CFO contents. The increase of the dielectric constant and loss tangent follow a general percolation model originally developed for metal-ceramic composites. It is argued that Maxwell-Wagner polarization, as well as diffusion of transition metal cation(s) from CFO to PLT15 lattice are responsible for the percolative behavior of the dielectric properties in these films.     

Ugi-type four-component reaction for a novel synthesis of 5-oxo-perhydrofuro[3,2-b]pyran carboxylate derivatives

The four-component coupling (4CC) of sugar hydroxyaldehyde, Meldrum’s acid, isocyanide, and a secondary alcohol in dichloromethane has been accomplished at room temperature in a highly stereoselective manner to produce a novel class of carbohydrate derivatives, 5-oxo-perhydrofuro[3,2-b]pyrans in good yields with trans-selectivity. The stereochemistry of the products was assigned by various NMR experiments.     

Meromorphic functions with deficiencies generating unique range sets

With the help of weighted sharing of sets we deal with the problem of unique range set for meromorphic functions with deficient values and obtain a result which improves, generalizes and extends some previous results. We provide two examples to show that the condition in one of our results is the best possible.     

Generation of low-density plasma by two-step photoionization of barium and its evolution in electric field

Two-color, two-step resonant photoionization has been used to produce low-density (∼10⁶ – 10⁷cm⁻³) barium photoplasma in an atomic beam. The two-photon induced specific absorption coefficient at 355nm for the photoionization process has been measured. The motion of the finite size photoplasma bounded by vacuum is experimentally studied in a static electric field in parallel-plate electrode configuration. It is observed that at sufficiently high electric fields all electrons leave the plasma and the evolution of the left over ion bunch is understood on the basis of independent particle motion.     

Status ofV ub measurement with BELLE detector

Semileptonic decays ofB →X _u lv have great importance both from theoretical and experimental point of view, as they are useful for extracting the magnitude ofV _ub, one of the tiniest elements of CKM matrix. Similarly measurement ofB √ D_s×_u can be used to calculateV _ub The Belle Collaboration has measured these branching ratios and extractedV _ub for various theoretical models.