The honeycomb network structure of poly[[[μ2‐1,3‐bis(1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl)benzene‐κ2N3:N3′](μ2‐terephthalato‐κ2O:O′)zinc(II)] ethanol solvate]

The terephthalate dianion and the bis(imidazolyl)benzene ligand of the title compound, {[Zn(C₈H₄O₄)(C₂₀H₁₄N₄)]·C₂H₆O}_n, each bridges two adjacent zinc centers, resulting in a layer‐type coordination polymer; the zinc center shows tetrahedral coordination. The disordered ethanol solvent molecules occupy the spaces between the layers and are hydrogen bonded to the layers. The two symmetry‐independent dianions lie on different inversion sites.     

A New Flow Instrument for Conductance Measurements at Elevated Temperatures and Pressures: Measurements on NaCl(aq) to 458 K and 1.4 MPa

A new flow electrical conductance instrument was constructed and tested on dilute NaCl solutions up to 458 K, and on more concentrated solutions (maximum 0.436 mol⋅kg⁻¹) at 373 K. The results of the new instrument agreed with those of previous authors within the estimated experimental errors. The model of Bernard et al. (J. Phys. Chem. 96, 3833–3840 (1992), MSA) was found to represent the high-temperature results without introducing an ion-pairing equilibrium constant. The Fuoss–Hsia conductance equation as given by Fernandez-Prini was found to represent the dilute concentrations with Λ° (NaCl) as the only adjustable parameter. It was found that Λ° (NaCl) could be expressed as a function of solvent viscosity and density by using three parameters found by regression of literature results between 278.15 and 523 K. This equation along with the FHFP theory permits the equivalent conductivity of dilute sodium chloride solutions to be calculated within the accuracy of the existing experimental measurements.     

Synthesis of grafted poly(p‐phenyleneethynylene) with energy donor–acceptor architecture via atom transfer radical polymerization: Towards nonaggregating and hole‐facilitating light‐emitting material

In this contribution, we demonstrate a new effective methodology for constructing highly efficient and durable poly(p‐phenyleneethynylene) (PPE) containing emissive material with nonaggregating and hole‐facilitating properties through the introduction of hole‐transporting blocks into the PPE system as the grafting coils as well as building the energy donor–acceptor architecture between the grafting coils and the PPE backbone. Poly(2‐(carbazol‐9‐yl)ethyl methacrylate) (PCzEMA), herein, is chosen as the hole‐transporting blocks, and incorporated into the PPE system as the grafting coils via atom transfer radical polymerization. The chemical structure of the resultant copolymer, PPE‐g‐PCzEMA, was characterized by NMR and gel permeation chromatography, showing that the desirable copolymer was obtained with the narrow polydispersity. The increased thermal stability of PPE‐g‐PCzEMA was confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry along with its macroinitiator. The optoelectronic properties of this copolymer were studied in detail by ultraviolet‐visible absorption, photoluminescence emission and excitation spectra, and cyclic voltammogram (CV). The results indicate that PPE‐g‐PCzEMA exhibits the solid‐state luminescent property dominated by individual lumophores, and also the energy transfer process from the PCzEMA blocks to the PPE backbone with a relatively higher energy transfer efficiency in the solid‐state compared to that of the solution state. Additionally, the hole‐injection property is greatly facilitated due to the presence of PCzEMA, as confirmed by CV profiles. All these data indicate that PPE‐g‐PCzEMA is a good candidate for use in optoelectronic devices. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3776–3787, 2007     

Optical reflectance of blue bronze crystals near the Peierls transition

We report on the reflectance of blue bronze crystals in the visible frequency range as a function of temperature. The observed large oscillations in the reflectance at all wavelengths at temperatures near the Peierls transition are interpreted as interference effects stemming from a surface layer. It is found that the surface layer, which appears to be tied to fluctuations, can be as much as 1.6 microns thick.     

Shape-controlled synthesis of nanocrystalline titania at low temperature

The interesting shape (shuttle-like, sphere with needles, uniform particles) rutile titania were prepared by the hydrolysis of TiCl₄ in high acidic aqueous solution in the absence or presence of PEG-1000. PEG-1000 acted as dispersant, which could control the shape and size of the precipitate of titania. As a result, shuttle-like nanocrystalline appeared and the aggregation was improved with the increase of the amount of acid and the decrease of the concentration of TiCl₄ in the absence of PEG-1000. Uniform nanoparticles were obtained in the presence of PEG-1000 and the diameter of the particles decreased with increasing the amount of PEG-1000. This process simplification will lower production cost and make continuous process possible. The products were analyzed using X-ray diffractometer, transmission electron microscopy.     

On the stability of bcc Co in Co/Fe superlattices an NMR and XRD study

While RHEED observations show that 10 to 11 As is the stability limit for an open bcc Co layer when grown on an Fe substrate, our XRD and NMR studies have shown that, in MBE grown Co/Fe superlattices, cobalt can be stabilised in a bcc structure up to a critical Co thickness of 21 Ås. In order to understand this apparent discrepancy, NMR experiments have been carried out in Co_x/Fe_y multilayers with thickness varying in the range 5 Å < x < 42 Å and 24 Å < y < 60 Å, grown on GaAs (1 1 0) as well as on MgO (1 0 0) substrates. The analysis of the chemical short range order by NMR concludes that the larger bcc Co thickness observed in superlattices results from the formation of a rather homogeneous CoFe_20% bcc alloy which contains the supplementary 10–11 As of Co and which coexists with pure Co grains. The concentration of about 20% Fe in the alloyed part of the Co layer happens to be close to the stability limit for a bcc structure in the equilibrium phase diagram of bulk CoFe alloys. However, while a mixture of bcc and fcc phases is observed in bulk alloys, the bcc structure is preserved in all phases under the MBE growth conditions and below the critical thickness. Above the critical thickness amixture of bcc Co, bcc CoFe and hcp Co is observed.     

Atomic scale properties of interior interfaces of semiconductor heterostructures as determined by quasi-digital highly selective etching and atomic force microscopy

We report on first experiments combining quasi-digital highly selective etching and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to examine the interior interfaces of semiconductor heterostructures. Lattice matched (GaIn)As/InP heterostructures grown by metalorganic vapour-phase epitaxy (MOVPE) are taken as a model system to check the capabilities of this new method. Standard selective etchants for different material systems have been optimized in selectivity and etch rate to achieve a quasi-digital etching behaviour. In this way, the real structure of interior interfaces can be determined by AFM. We find a significant difference between the surface of the heterostructure and the interior interfaces.