Optoelectronic and morphology properties of perovskite/silicon interface layer for tandem solar cell application

Silicon (Si) solar cell has low optical absorption because of the low and indirect bandgap of Si, and the efficiency was trapped at 25% for 15 years. Si solar cell is able to achieve efficiency up to 30% by adding perovskite as multiple bandgap material through tandem formation. In this paper, the Si/perovskite interface layer was characterized to study the compatibility of perovskite on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass and p-type Si wafer (p-Si). The single solution deposition step of methyl ammonium lead iodide, CH₃NH₃PbI₃ (MAPbI₃) perovskite film, was spin-coated at different concentration. The physical properties of the MAPbI₃/FTO and MAPbI₃/p-Si were obtained by profilometer, atomic force microscope, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy. The optical properties were analyzed by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and infrared transmission. Then the electrical properties were measured by Hall effect. From the measurement, it is observed that 1.2M concentration of MAPbI₃ thin film has the highest thickness, smoothest film surface, and largest crystallite size compared with 0.8M and 1.0M. It is found that there is an interaction in perovskite/Si interface and caused in a low-wavelength shift, and the increase in concentration of MAPbI₃ helped in intensifying the Raman signal produced. 1.2M MAPbI₃ thin film had the highest enhancement in light trapping property rather than 0.8M and 1.0M. The bulk concentration and conductivity of 1.2M perovskite were higher, but the resistivity was lower than 0.8M MAPbI₃ because of more CH₃NH₃I and PbI₂ concentration within MAPbI₃ perovskite compound.     

Optical nonlinearities of tetracarbonyl-chromium triphenyl phosphine complex

The new tetracarbonyl — chromium-triphenyl phosphine complex was synthesized and characterized using ultraviolet(UV)-visible,Fourier transform infrared(FTIR),and nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) techniques.The characterization results confirm the molecular structure of the new complex.The z-scan measurements were done by diode laser[continuous wave(CW)]to estimate the nonlinear optical parameter(X~3).The results led to calculate three parameters:the groundstate cross sections(σ_g),the excited-state cross sections(σ_(ex)),and thermo-optic coefficient of the new complex.This study indicated that our complex is a suitable for photonic applications.     

Optimized free energies from bidirectional single-molecule force spectroscopy

An optimized method for estimating path-ensemble averages using data from processes driven in opposite directions is presented. Based on this estimator, bidirectional expressions for reconstructing free energies and potentials of mean force from single-molecule force spectroscopy-valid for biasing potentials of arbitrary stiffness-are developed. Numerical simulations on a model potential indicate that these methods perform better than unidirectional strategies.     

Hit-to-Lead Short Peptides against Dengue Type 2 Envelope Protein: Computational and Experimental Investigations

Data from the World Health Organisation show that the global incidence of dengue infection has risen drastically, with an estimated 400 million cases of dengue infection occurring annually. Despite this worrying trend, there is still no therapeutic treatment available. Herein, we investigated short peptide fragments with a varying total number of amino acid residues (peptide fragments) from previously reported dengue virus type 2 (DENV2) peptide-based inhibitors, DN58wt (GDSYIIIGVEPGQLKENWFKKGSSIGQMF), DN58opt (TWWCFYFCRRHHPFWFFYRHN), DS36wt (LITVNPIVTEKDSPVNIEAE), and DS36opt (RHWEQFYFRRRERKFWLFFW), aided by in silico approaches: peptide–protein molecular docking and 100 ns of molecular dynamics (MD) simulation via molecular mechanics using Poisson–Boltzmann surface area (MMPBSA) and molecular mechanics generalised Born surface area (MMGBSA) methods. A library of 11,699 peptide fragments was generated, subjected to in silico calculation, and the candidates with the excellent binding affinity and shown to be stable in the DI-DIII binding pocket of DENV2 envelope (E) protein were determined. Selected peptides were synthesised using conventional Fmoc solid-phase peptide chemistry, purified by RP-HPLC, and characterised using LCMS. In vitro studies followed, to test for the peptides’ toxicity and efficacy in inhibiting the DENV2 growth cycle. Our studies identified the electrostatic interaction (from free energy calculation) to be the driving stabilising force for the E protein–peptide interactions. Five key E protein residues were also identified that had the most interactions with the peptides: (polar) LYS36, ASN37, and ARG350, and (nonpolar) LEU351 and VAL354; these residues might play crucial roles in the effective binding interactions. One of the peptide fragments, DN58opt_8-13 (PFWFFYRH), showed the best inhibitory activity, at about 63% DENV2 plague reduction, compared with no treatment. This correlates well with the in silico studies in which the peptide possessed the lowest binding energy (−9.0 kcal/mol) and was maintained steadily within the binding pocket of DENV2 E protein during the MD simulations. This study demonstrates the use of computational studies to expand research on lead optimisation of antiviral peptides, thus explaining the inhibitory potential of the designed peptides.     

A novel, one-pot, three-component synthesis of 4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidines

A novel, one-pot, three-component synthesis of 4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidines is described. The reactive 1:1 zwitterionic intermediate, formed by the addition of isocyanides to dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates, was trapped by N-(2-pyridyl)amides to produce the title compounds under mild reaction conditions in good yields.     

A new, one-pot, three-component synthesis of 4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidines, 4H-pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrimidines, and 4H-pyrazino[1,2-a]pyrimidines

A new, one-pot and three-component synthesis of 4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidines, 4H-pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrimidines, and 4H-pyrazino[1,2-a]pyrimidines is described. The reactive 1:1 zwitterionic intermediate, formed by the addition of isocyanides to dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates, was trapped by N-(2-heteroaryl)amides to yield a ketenimine intermediate, which was cyclized and then rearranged under the reaction conditions to afford the title compounds under mild reaction conditions in good yields. Single-crystal X-ray analysis conclusively confirms the structure of the obtained bridgehead bicyclic 6-6 heterocyclic compounds.     

Synthesis and Dynamic NMR Spectroscopic Study of Dialkyl 4-Ethoxy-1-(1-naphthyl)-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-pyrrole-2,3-dicarboxylates

Summary. Protonation of the reactive 1:1 intermediate produced in the reaction between triphenylphosphine and dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates with ethyl 2-(1-naphthylamino)-2-oxoacetate, leads to a vinylphosphonium salt, which undergoes intramolecular Wittig reaction to produce dialkyl 4-ethoxy-1-(1-naphthyl)-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrole-2,3-dicarboxylates in excellent yields. A dynamic NMR effect is observed in the ¹H NMR spectra of the title compounds as a result of restricted rotation around the single bond linking the naphthalene moiety and the heterocyclic system, which is attributed to the peri interaction between the pyrrole residue and the peri CH group. The free energy of activation (G ) for this process is 58±2kJmol^–1.Received December 6, 2002; accepted December 11, 2002 Published online June 12, 2003     

An efficient one-pot,multi-component diastereoselective synthesis of functionalized cyclopenta[c]chromenes

A novel one-pot, multi-component diastereoselective synthesis of functionalized cyclopenta[c]chromenes is described. This transformation proceeds via a Michael addition-cyclization reaction sequence between trialkyl phosphites, dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates and in situ generated 2-(1-(2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl)alkylidene)malononitriles from the condensation of 3-acyl-2H-chromen-2-ones and malononitrile.     

An efficient synthesis of fully substituted pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-5-amines from α-azidochalcones

A facile, mild and efficient procedure for the synthesis of fully substituted pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-5-amines is reported. A mixture of an α-azidochalcone, a 5-aminopyrazole and t-BuOK was stirred in DMF at ambient temperature for 5?min to afford the corresponding pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-5-amines in good to excellent yields.