Host Differential Sensitization toward Color/Lifetime-Tuned Lanthanide Coordination Polymers for Optical Multiplexing

Optical multiplexing based on luminescent materials with tunable color/lifetime has potential applications in information storage and security. However, the available tunable luminescent materials reported so far still suffer from several drawbacks of low efficiency or poor stability, thus restraining their further applications. Herein, we demonstrate a strategy to develop efficient and stable lanthanide coordination polymers (LCPs) with tunable luminescence as a new option for optical multiplexing. Their multicolor emission from green to red and naked-eye-sensitive green emission with tunable lifetime (from ca. 300 to ca. 600 μs) can be controlled by host differential sensitization and energy transfer between lanthanide ions. The quantum efficiencies of developed samples range from around 20 % to 46 % and the luminescence intensity/lifetime appear quite stable in polar solvents up to ten weeks. Furthermore, with the aid of inkjet printing and concepts of luminescence lifetime imaging and time-gated imaging, we illustrate their promising applications of information storage and security in spatial and temporal domains.     

PyCDFT: A Python package for constrained density functional theory

We present PyCDFT, a Python package to compute diabatic states using constrained density functional theory (CDFT). PyCDFT provides an object-oriented, customizable implementation of CDFT, and allows for both single-point self-consistent-field calculations and geometry optimizations. PyCDFT is designed to interface with existing density functional theory (DFT) codes to perform CDFT calculations where constraint potentials are added to the Kohn–Sham Hamiltonian. Here, we demonstrate the use of PyCDFT by performing calculations with a massively parallel first-principles molecular dynamics code, Qbox, and we benchmark its accuracy by computing the electronic coupling between diabatic states for a set of organic molecules. We show that PyCDFT yields results in agreement with existing implementations and is a robust and flexible package for performing CDFT calculations. The program is available at https://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3821097 .     

Highly efficient elimination of thorium(IV) from aqueous solution using poly(cyclotriphosphazene-co-melamine) microspheres

Highly crosslinked organic–inorganic hybrid polymer poly(cyclotriphosphazene-co-melamine) microspheres (PZM) were synthesized by a simple method. The microspheres was characterized by FTIR, SEM and EDX. It was applied to eliminate thorium(IV) from aqueous solution under various conditions, i.e., pH, initial concentration, dosage and contact time. The experimental data were well-imitated via the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and its adsorption processes comply with the Langmuir isotherm model. Adsorption thermodynamic studies demonstrated that the adsorption process, in essence, was spontaneous and endothermic. Furthermore, the maximum experimental adsorption capacity was 98.6 mg g^?1 for initial thorium(IV) concentration 50 mg L^?1. When pH?=?0.0, the thorium(IV) removal efficiency reached at 76.9%, which indicates that the adsorbent can also was used in a peracid environment. Adsorption behavior of thorium(IV) onto the microspheres were weakly affected via temperature, implying that adsorption would be done at room temperature.

     

Heterojunction of BiPO4/BiOBr photocatalysts for Rhodamine B dye degradation under visible LED light irradiation

BiOBr synthesized by alcoholysis precipitation is used in the preparation of BiPO₄/BiOBr composites by adding H₃PO₄. Pristine BiOBr and a series of BiPO₄/BiOBr composites have been successfully synthesized using an entirely room-temperature production process. X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, High-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV–vis absorption spectroscopy were used to investigated the bulk structure, surface morphology, element composition and optical properties of the samples. The degradation effect of different proportions of BiPO₄/BiOBr composites, BiOBr and BiPO₄ on Rhodamine B (RhB) was evaluated under visible LED light irradiation. Compared to pure BiOBr and BiPO₄, the as-synthesized BiPO₄/BiOBr composites showed enhanced performance, with 30% BiPO₄/BiOBr composite showing the best performance, as it could degrade 95.66% of RhB (100 ml, 15 mg/L) within 120 min. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of BiPO₄/BiOBr was attributed to the heterojunction formation between BiOBr and BiPO₄ and efficient charge separation.     

Single-Molecule Magnetism in Dy2 Cluster Based on a Schiff Base Ligand

Two dinuclear Ln^III-based clusters, namely [Dy₂L₂(NO₃)₂(DME)₄] ( 1 ) and [Gd₂L₂(NO₃)₂(DME)₄] ( 2 ) [H₂L = (E)-2-((2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino)phenol] were obtained under hydrothermal condition. Two Ln^III ions are bridged by two phenolic hydroxyl oxygen atoms, and the distances of them are 3.829 Å (Dy1–Dy1A) and 3.860 Å (Gd1–Gd1A). Two Dy1–O–Dy1A and Gd1–O–Gd1A angles are 109.4° and 109.8°, respectively. Magnetic studies reveal a weak antiferromagnetic interaction between Gd ions in complex 2 , and single-molecule magnet behavior for 1 with U_eff = 49.9 K and τ₀ = 1.54 × 10^–6 s.     

O-Doped Nanographenes: A Pyrano/Pyrylium Route Towards Semiconducting Cationic Mixed-Valence Complexes

Herein we report an efficient synthesis to prepare O-doped nanographenes derived from the π-extension of pyrene. The derivatives are highly fluorescent and feature low oxidation potentials. Using electrooxidation, crystals of cationic mixed-valence (MV) complexes were grown in which the organic salts organize into face-to-face π-stacks, a favorable solid-state arrangement for organic electronics. Variable-temperature electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements and relaxation studies suggest a strong electron delocalization along the longitudinal axis of the columnar π-stacking architectures. Electric measurements of single crystals of the MV salts show a semiconducting behavior with a remarkably high conductivity at room temperature. These findings support the notion that π-extension of heteroatom-doped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is an attractive approach to fabricate nanographenes with a broad spectrum of semiconducting properties and high charge mobilities.     

A Hydrolytically Stable Vanadium(IV) Metal–Organic Framework with Photocatalytic Bacteriostatic Activity for Autonomous Indoor Humidity Control

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with long-term stability and reversible high water uptake properties can be ideal candidates for water harvesting and indoor humidity control. Now, a mesoporous and highly stable MOF, BIT-66 is presented that has indoor humidity control capability and a photocatalytic bacteriostatic effect. BIT-66 (V₃(O)₃(H₂O)(BTB)₂), possesses prominent moisture tunability in the range of 45–60 % RH and a water uptake and working capacity of 71 and 55 wt %, respectively, showing good recyclability and excellent performance in water adsorption–desorption cycles. Importantly, this MOF demonstrates a unique photocatalytic bacteriostatic behavior under visible light, which can effectively ameliorate the bacteria and/or mold breeding problem in water adsorbing materials.     

Formation and Fate of Formaldehyde in Methanol-to-Hydrocarbon Reaction: In Situ Synchrotron Radiation Photoionization Mass Spectrometry Study

HCHO has been confirmed as an active intermediate in the methanol-to-hydrocarbon (MTH) reaction, and is critical for interpreting the mechanisms of coke formation. Here, HCHO was detected and quantified during the MTH process over HSAPO-34 and HZSM-5 by in situ synchrotron radiation photoionization mass spectrometry. Compared with conventional methods, excellent time-resolved profiles were obtained to study the formation and fate of HCHO, and other products during the induction, steady-state reaction, and deactivation periods. Similar formation trends of HCHO and methane, and their close correlation in yields suggest that they are derived from disproportionation of methanol at acidic sites. In the presence of Y₂O₃, the amount of HCHO changes, affecting the hydrogen-transfer processes of olefins into aromatics and aromatics into cokes. The yield of HCHO affects the aromatic-based cycle and the formation of ethylene, indicating that ethylene is mainly formed from the aromatic-based cycle.     

两种形貌纳米Fe2O3对TKX-50热分解的催化性能研究

Energy components used in solid rocket propellants are beneficial for improving the energy performance, and their thermal decomposition characteristics significantly affect the combustion properties of the propellants. As a kind of energetic material with both high energy and low sensitivity (impact and friction), 5, 5'-bistetrazole-1, 1'-diolate (TKX-50) can effectively improve the energy and safety characteristics of solid propellants. Burning catalyst is another important component of solid propellants, which can significantly improve the burning rate of the propellant and reduce the pressure exponent. Among various burning catalysts, nanoscale transition metal oxides can promote the thermal decomposition of the energetic component, thus enhancing the combustion properties of the solid propellant. However, the catalytic effects of nanoscale transition metal oxides with different morphologies on the thermal decomposition of TKX-50 have rarely been studied. Based on the excellent catalytic activity of Fe₂O₃ for TKX-50 thermal decomposition, nano-Fe₂O₃ particles with spherical and tubular microstructures were used for TKX-50 thermal decomposition. The Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles were successfully fabricated via the solvothermal method and characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses. The XRD, FT-IR, and XPS results confirmed the successful fabrication of spherical and tubular Fe₂O₃ samples. The SEM and TEM images showed that the spherical Fe₂O₃ samples are composed of agglomerated Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles with an average particle size of 110 nm. In addition, the average diameter and length of hollow tubular Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles are 120 nm and 200 nm, respectively. The catalytic activities of spherical and tubular Fe₂O₃ for TKX-50 decomposition were studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) methods. The DSC and TG-DTG curves showed that both tubular and spherical Fe₂O₃ could effectively promote TKX-50 thermal decomposition. The first thermal decomposition peak temperature (T_FDP) of TKX-50 was reduced by 36.5 K and 26.3 K in the presence of tubular and spherical Fe₂O₃, respectively, at 10 K·min⁻¹. The activation energy (E_a) of TKX-50, determined by the iso-conversional method, was significantly reduced in the presence of both tubular and spherical Fe₂O₃. The results indicated that the microstructure of the catalyst has a significant effect on its catalytic performance for TKX-50 thermal decomposition, and that tubular Fe₂O₃ with hollow microstructure possesses better catalytic activity than spherical Fe₂O₃. The excellent catalytic activity of tubular Fe₂O₃ can be attributed to the hollow microstructure, which has more active sites for TKX-50 thermal decomposition.     

选择性合成不同形貌的Sb2S3纳米结构应用于高性能的染料敏化太阳能电池（英文）

近几十年来,随着全球变暖和能源危机的日益严重,对取之不尽、用之不竭的清洁能源技术的需求越来越迫切.1991年Gratzel首次报道了染料敏化太阳能电池(DSSCs),它以低廉的价格、优异的理论功率转换效率(PCE)、环保、多色透明等优点而引起了研究者的关注.Sb2S3因其1.5-2.2 eV的间隙宽度被认为是最有前途的对电极材料之一.此外,Sb2S3是地球中含量丰富的无毒锑矿物的主要成分,还被广泛应用于太阳能转换材料、催化剂、光导探测器等领域.众所周知,石墨烯具有巨大的比表面积、显著的载流子迁移率和优异的热/化学稳定性,这使得提高电子转移效率和电催化活性成为可能.首先,采用改进的Hummers方法制备了氧化石墨烯纳米片;然后采用水热法通过改变Sb源以及实验pH值,合成了Sb2S3和Sb2S3@RGO样品.对样品进行X射线粉末衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜镜(SEM)、投射电子显微镜(TEM)以及比表面积表征.结果表明,在Sb源不变的情况下,Sb2S3样品的形貌随pH值的变化而变化.以三乙酸锑为Sb源,在pH=3时,Sb2S3的形貌类似于一个完整的纳米棒结构;在pH值为6时,样品为不规则球体;当pH值为8时,纳米片结构开始出现;但当p H=10时,纳米片结构并不均匀.根据XRD分析,只有当pH值为3时,样品的衍射峰才与标准卡(JCPDS42-1393)的衍射峰一致.当以氯化锑作为锑源,样品的形貌由不规则的杆状(pH=3)转变为纳米球(pH=6),然后出现纳米片结构(pH=8).不同的是,当p H值为10时,纳米薄片形成均一的花状结构.XRD结果表明,除pH值为3外,样品的衍射峰与标准卡(JCPDS42-1393)的值吻合较好.结果表明,合成条件所需的Sb源和碱性环境是合成具有均匀花状结构的纳米片状Sb2S3所必不可少的.测得Sb2S3的比表面积约为41.72 m^2g^-1,平均孔径为31.08nm,Sb2S3@RGO的分别为44.53 m^2g^-1和22.65 nm.Sb2S3和Sb2S3@RGO复合材料均具有介孔结构,为内部电催化剂提供了广阔的通道,从而提高了对电极的催化能力,促进了电化学反应.将Sb2S3纳米花球和Sb2S3@RGO纳米薄片作为染料敏化太阳能电池的对电极进行了测试,由于石墨烯的引入,后者比前者具有更好的电催化性能.电化学实验结果表明,与Sb2S3,RGO,Pt作为对电极相比,制备的Sb2S3@RGO纳米薄片具有更好的催化活性、电荷转移能力和电化学稳定性,Sb2S3@RGO的功率转换效率达到8.17%,优于标准Pt对电极(7.75%).