In situ Raman and UV-vis spectroscopic studies of polypyrrole and poly(pyrrole-2,6-dimethyl-β-cyclodextrin)

Polypyrrole (PPy) and poly(pyrrole-2,6-dimethyl-β-cyclodextrin) [P(Py-β-DMCD)] films prepared by potential cycling in aqueous acidic solutions on indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass and gold electrodes were studied by in situ UV-vis and Raman spectroscopy. Characteristic UV-vis and Raman bands were identified and their dependencies on the electrode potential have been discussed. Spectroelectrochemical results reveal differences both in the position of the spectral bands and their potential dependence for PPy and P(Py-β-DMCD) films indicating interactions between polymer chains and CDs during electropolymerization process. The films were also characterized by cyclic voltammetry and FT-IR spectroscopy.     

On the development of a triple‐preserving Maxwell's equations solver in non‐staggered grids

We present in this paper a finite difference solver for Maxwell's equations in non‐staggered grids. The scheme formulated in time domain theoretically preserves the properties of zero‐divergence, symplecticity, and dispersion relation. The mathematically inherent Hamiltonian can be also retained all the time. Moreover, both spatial and temporal terms are approximated to yield the equal fourth‐order spatial and temporal accuracies. Through the computational exercises, modified equation analysis and Fourier analysis, it can be clearly demonstrated that the proposed triple‐preserving solver is computationally accurate and efficient for use to predict the Maxwell's solutions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chemical and physical characteristics of self-fabricated radiophotoluminescent glass dosimeter

Thermoluminescent dosimeters are widely applied in the measurement of radiation dose. Since the luminescent centers are not lost during the reading process, radiophotoluminescent glass dosimeters (RPLGDs) can be repeatedly readout. The aims of this study were to make RPLGD and to analyze its physical and chemical properties. This study used chemical compounds such as Na₃PO₄, AlPO₄, AgCl, AgNO₃, B₂O₃, H₃PO₄ and P₂O₅ as the main ingredients. Depending on the self-fabricated glass compounds, the melting temperatures were between 1100 and 1500 °C. When the 0.1 mol% of silver was added, the radiation detection of self-fabricated RPLGD reached to the highest sensitivity. However, when silver concentration was larger than 0.1 mol%, the radiation detection sensitivity plummets rapidly. Excess amounts of silver and aluminum decreased the penetrate capability of ultraviolet spectrum. Based on our study, we found that chemical compound concentrations and melting process, which all affect radiation sensitivity and stability of self-fabricated RPLGD.     

New Dual Donor–Acceptor (2D‐π‐2A) Porphyrin Sensitizers for Stable and Cost‐Effective Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

A series of porphyrin sensitizers that featured two electron‐donating groups and dual anchoring groups that were connected through a porphine π‐bridging unit have been synthesized and successfully applied in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The presence of electron‐donating groups had a significant influence on their spectroscopic, electrochemical, and photovoltaic properties. Overall, the dual anchoring groups gave tunable electronic properties and stronger attachment to TiO₂. These new dyes were readily synthesized in a minimum number of steps in gram‐scale quantities. Optical and electrochemical data confirmed the advantages of these dyes for use as sensitizers in DSSCs. Porphyrins with electron‐donating amino moieties provided improved charge separation and better charge‐injection efficiencies for the studied dual‐push–pull dyes. Attenuated total reflectance–Fourier‐transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy of the porphyrin dyes on TiO₂ suggest that both p‐carboxyphenyl groups are attached onto TiO₂, thereby resulting in strong attachment. Among these dyes, cis-Zn2BC2A , with two electron‐donating 3,6‐ditertbutyl‐phenyl‐carbazole groups and dual‐anchoring p‐carboxyphenyl groups, showed the highest efficiency of 4.07 %, with J_SC=9.81 mA cm^?2, V_OC=0.63 V, and FF=66 %. Our results also indicated a better photostability of the studied dual‐anchored sensitizers compared to their mono‐anchored analogues under identical conditions. These results provide insight into the developments of a new generation of high‐efficiency and thermally stable porphyrin sensitizers.     

Protonation and bromination of an osmabenzyne: reactions leading to the formation of new metallabenzynes

The reactivities of benzynes and metal-carbyne complexes are normally associated with the triple bond units. However, we have now found that electrophiles do not attack the formal osmium-carbon triple bond of osmabenzyne complex 1. Instead, 1 undergoes electrophilic substitution reactions-the typical reactions of aromatic systems.     

Factors that regulate the conformation of m-benziporphodimethene complexes: agostic metal-arene interaction, hydrogen bonding, and η2,π coordination

Group 12 and silver(I) tetramethyl‐m‐benziporphodimethene (TMBPDM) complexes with phenyl, methylbenzoate, or nitrophenyl groups as meso substituents were synthesized and fully characterized. The dimeric silver(I) complex displays an unusual η²,π coordination from the β‐pyrrolic C?C bond to the silver ion. All of the complexes displayed a close contact between the metal ion and the inner C(22)? H(22) on the m‐phenylene ring. The downfield chemical shifts of H(22) and large coupling constants between Cd^II and H(22) strongly support the presence of an agostic interaction between the metal ion and inner C(22)–H(22). Crystal structures revealed that the syn form is the predominant conformation for TMBPDM complexes. This is distinctively different from the exclusive anti conformation observed in m‐benziporphyrin and tetraphenyl‐m‐benziporphodimethene (TPBPDM) complexes. Evidently, intramolecular hydrogen‐bonding interactions between axial chloride and methyl groups stabilize syn conformations. Unlike the merely syn conformation observed in the solid‐state structures of TMBPDM complexes that contain an axial chloride, in solution these complexes display highly solvent‐ and temperature‐dependent syn/anti ratio changes. The observation of dynamic ¹H NMR spectroscopic scrambling between syn and anti conformations from the titration of chloride ion into the solution of the TMBPDM complex suggests that axial ligand exchange is a likely pathway for the conversion between syn and anti forms. Theoretical calculations revealed that intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding interactions between the axial chloride and CHCl₃ stabilizes the anti conformation, which explains the increased ratio for the anti form when dichloromethane or chloroform was used as the solvent.     

Generation and Reactivity of a One-Electron-Oxidized Manganese(V) Imido Complex with a Tetraamido Macrocyclic Ligand

The synthesis and X-ray structure of a new manganese(V) mesitylimido complex with a tetraamido macrocyclic ligand (TAML), [Mn^V(TAML)(N-Mes)]⁻ ( 1 ), are reported. Compound 1 is oxidized by [(p-BrC₆H₄)₃N ]^+.[SbCl₆]⁻ and the resulting Mn^VI species readily undergoes H-atom transfer and nitrene transfer reactions.