Phase behavior of hard colloidal platelets using free energy calculations

We investigate the phase behavior of a model for colloidal hard platelets and rigid discotic molecules: oblate hard spherocylinders (OHSC). We perform free energy calculations using Monte Carlo simulations to map out the phase diagram as a function of the aspect ratio L∕D of the particles. The phase diagram displays a stable isotropic phase, a nematic liquid crystal phase for L∕D≤0.12, a columnar phase for L∕D?0.3, a tilted crystal phase for L?0.45, and an aligned crystal phase for L∕D?0.45. We compare the results to the known phase diagram of hard cut spheres. Thin cut spheres are almost cylinder-shaped, while the interactions between real discotic mesogens and colloidal platelets are more consistent with the toroidal rims of the OHSC. Since the shapes of the OHSC and the cut spheres are otherwise similar, the phase diagrams of the two types of particles are quite akin. However, the tilted crystal phase for OHSC, which is of a crystal type that is frequently found in experiments on disklike molecules, has not been found for hard cut spheres. Furthermore, although we have found a cubatic phase, it was shown to be definitely unstable, whereas the stability of the cubatic phase of cut spheres is still disputed. Finally, we also show that the phase boundaries differ significantly from those for cut spheres. These are remarkable consequences of a subtle change in particle shape, which show that for a detailed comparison with the phase behavior of experimental particles, the OHSC should be used as a model particle.     

Organogel formation rationalized by Hansen solubility parameters

Some organic compounds gelate particular solvents by forming a network of anisotropic fibres. We show that Hansen solubility parameters can be used to predict the range of solvents that are likely to be gelled by any given gelator.     

Controlled electrodeposition of Cu-Ga from a deep eutectic solvent for low cost fabrication of CuGaSe2 thin film solar cells

The electrochemical deposition of Ga and Cu-Ga alloys from the deep eutectic solvent choline chloride/urea (Reline) is investigated to prepare CuGaSe(2) (CGS) semiconductors for their use in thin film solar cells. Ga electrodeposition is difficult from aqueous solution due to its low standard potential and the interfering hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Ionic liquid electrolytes offer a better thermal stability and larger potential window and thus eliminate the interference of solvent breakdown reactions during Ga deposition. We demonstrate that metallic Ga can be electrodeposited from Reline without HER interference with high plating efficiency on Mo and Cu electrodes. A new low cost synthetic route for the preparation of CuGaSe(2) absorber thin films is presented and involves the one-step electrodeposition of Cu-Ga precursors from Reline followed by thermal annealing. Rotating disk electrode (RDE) cyclic voltammetry (CV) is used in combination with viscosity measurements to determine the diffusion coefficients of gallium and copper ions in Reline. The composition of the codeposited Cu-Ga precursor layers can be controlled to form Cu/Ga thin films with precise stoichiometry, which is important for achieving good optoelectronic properties of the final CuGaSe(2) absorbers. The morphology, the chemical composition and the crystal structure of the deposited thin films are analysed by scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Annealing of the Cu-Ga films in a selenium atmosphere allowed the formation of high quality CuGaSe(2) absorber layers. Completed CGS solar cells achieved a 4.1% total area power conversion efficiency.     

A rhenium tris-carbonyl derivative as a single core multimodal probe for imaging (SCoMPI) combining infrared and luminescent properties

A rhenium tris-carbonyl derivative has been designed to couple infrared and luminescent detection in cells. Both spectroscopies are consistent with one another; they point out the reliability of the present SCoMPI (for Single Core Multimodal Probe for Imaging) for bimodal imaging and unambiguously indicate a localization at the Golgi apparatus in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells.     

Formation of Quaternary Stereogenic Centers by NHC–Cu‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Conjugate Addition Reactions with Grignard Reagents on Polyconjugated Cyclic Enones

The copper‐catalyzed conjugate addition of various Grignard reagents to polyconjugated enones (dienone and enynone derivatives) is reported. The catalyst system, composed of copper triflate and an NHC ligand, led to the unusual selective formation of the 1,4‐addition products. This reaction allows for the creation of all‐carbon chiral quaternary centers with enantiomeric excesses up to 99 %. The remaining unsaturation on the 1,4 adducts give access to valuable synthetic transformations.     

Thin-film growth of low temperature lead antimony sulfide plagionite phases

Smooth and compact Pb5Sb8S17 and Pb9Sb8S21 thin films were synthesized via sulfurization of unique layered precursor films of amorphous (Sb,S) and crystalline PbS; our syntheses suggest that these plagionite group phases are metastable and indicate that their formation does not require hydrogen incorporation.     

Stability of JSQ in queues with general server-job class compatibilities

Queueing Systems - We consider Poisson streams of exponentially distributed jobs arriving at each edge of a hypergraph of queues. Upon arrival, an incoming job is routed to the shortest queue among...