Treatment of nano-sized rutile phase TiO2 powder under ultrasonic irradiation in hydrogen peroxide solution and investigation of its sonocatalytic activity

The treated mixed-crystal TiO(2) powder with high sonocatalytic activity was obtained through utilizing ultrasonic irradiation in hydrogen peroxide solution. At the same time, some influencing factors (including heat-treated temperature and heat-treated time) on the sonocatalytic activity of treated mixed-crystal TiO(2) powder were also considered through the degradation of methylene blue in aqueous solution. In this work, it was found that the sonocatalytic degradation ratio of methylene blue in the presence of treated mixed-crystal TiO(2) powder was much higher than ones in the presence of nano-sized rutile phase TiO(2) powder and with onefold ultrasonic irradiation. At last, the methylene blue in aqueous solution was completely degraded and became some simple inorganic anions such as NO(3)(-), SO(4)(2-) and Cl(-). All experiments indicated that the sonocatalytic method adopting treated mixed-crystal TiO(2) powder as sonocatalyst was an advisable choice for the treatments of non- or low-transparent wastewaters in future.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Diisopropyl Hydroxy(4-methoxyphenyl)methylphosphonate

Abstract  The title compound, C₁₄H₂₃O₅P, was synthesized by the reaction of 4-methoxybenzaldehyde and diisopropyl phosphite. Its structure was determined with X-ray crystallographic, NMR, MS, and elemental analysis (EA) techniques. The crystal belongs to monoclinic, space group P 2_1/n with the following crystallographic parameters: a = 10.529 (2) ?, b = 8.424 (2) ?, c = 19.448 (4) ?, α = 90°, β = 105.2 (3)°, γ = 90°, μ = 0.180 mm⁻¹, V = 1664.1 (6) ?³, Z = 4, Dx = 1.207 mg/mm³, F (000) = 648, T = 293 (2) K, 2.00° ≤ θ ≤ 25.50°. The final residual factor is 0.049 for 1933 reflections with I > 2σ (I). Crystal packing is stabilized by interatomic hydrogen bond interactions between the doubly bonded phosphoryl O atom and the hydroxyl H atom which link the molecules into chains along the [011] plane of the unit cell. Index Abstract   The title compound, diisopropyl hydroxy(4-methoxyphenyl)methylphosphonate, was synthesized by the reaction of 4-methoxybenzaldehyde and diisopropyl phosphite. Its structure was determined with X-ray crystallographic, NMR, MS, and elemental analysis (EA) techniques. Crystal packing is stabilized by interatomic hydrogen bond interactions between the doubly bonded phosphoryl O atom and the hydroxyl H atom which link the molecules into chains along the [011] plane of the unit cell.      

Nitrogen‐rich Salts based on 3‐Dinitromethyl‐[1,2,4]triazine: Synthesis,Characterization, and Performance

1,1‐Diamino‐2,2‐dinitroethylene (FOX‐7), one of the most well‐known energetic materials, has attracted broad attention around the world. To extend the chemistry of FOX‐7, we present here a series of energetic salts based on 3‐dinitromethyl‐[1,2,4]triazine, which is prepared from FOX‐7. All these salts were fully characterized using ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR, and elemental analysis. In addition, the potassium salt ( 2 ), ammonium salt ( 5 ), and guanidinium salt ( 7 ) were further confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Extensive hydrogen bonds were observed in these salts. The salts exhibit moderate densities varying from 1.63 to 1.76 g · cm^–3. All the compounds possess good thermal stability with decomposition temperatures from 118 to 267 °C. The detonation performance for salts were calculated by using EXPLO 5, their detonation velocities are in the range from 6807 to 8614 m · s^–1 and detonation pressures fall between 18.8 to 31.6 GPa. All the salts exhibit very low mechanical sensitivity, which indicates their potential application as insensitive energetic materials.     

Non‐3d Metal Modulation of a Cobalt Imidazolate Framework for Excellent Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution in Neutral Media

Cobalt imidazolate frameworks are classical electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) but suffer from the relatively low activity. Here, a non‐3d metal modulation strategy is presented for enhancing the OER activity of cobalt imidazolate frameworks. Two isomorphous frameworks [Co₄(MO₄)(eim)₆] (M=Mo or W, Heim=2‐ethylimidazole) having Co(eim)₃(MO₄) units and high water stabilities were designed and synthesized. In different neutral media, the Mo‐modulated framework coated on a glassy carbon electrode shows the best OER performances (1 mA cm^?2 at an overpotential of 210 mV in CO₂‐saturated 0.5 m KHCO₃ electrolyte and 2/10/22 mA cm^?2 at overpotential of 388/490/570 mV in phosphate buffer solution) among non‐precious metal catalysts and even outperforms RuO₂. Spectroscopic measurements and computational simulations revealed that the non‐3d metals modulate the electronic structure of Co for optimum reactant/product adsorption and tailor the energy of rate‐determining step to a more moderate value.     

A Niobium Oxyiodate Sulfate with a Strong Second‐Harmonic‐Generation Response Built by Rational Multi‐Component Design

A novel niobium oxyiodate sulfate, Nb₂O₃(IO₃)₂ (SO₄), was fabricated by a rational multi‐component design under moderate hydrothermal conditions. This multi‐component design is inspired by an interesting niobium oxysulfate reaction, which opens a new door for synthetic method to effectively introduce refractory metals such as Nb into crystal structures by hydrothermal synthesis. Nb₂O₃(IO₃)₂(SO₄) features a cube‐like topological structure with a large phase‐matching second harmonic generation (SHG) response (6×KDP), a wide transparency window (0.38–8 μm), and a high laser damage threshold (LDT) (20×AgGaS₂). It has the highest thermostability (stable up to 580 °C under air) among reported non‐centrosymmetric (NCS) iodates and sulfates and is stable in water and even concentrated H₂SO₄. Furthermore, Nb₂O₃(IO₃)₂(SO₄) is a unique nonlinear optical (NLO) material among iodates and sulfates, because its SHG effect is mainly caused by the MO₆ units rather than the IO₃ or SO₄ units, which is demonstrated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations.     

Activating Inert,Nonprecious Perovskites with Iridium Dopants for Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction under Acidic Conditions

Simultaneous realization of improved activity, enhanced stability, and reduced cost remains a desirable yet challenging goal in the search of oxygen evolution electrocatalysts in acid. Herein we report iridium‐containing strontium titanates (Ir‐STO) as active and stable, low‐iridium perovskite electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in acid. The Ir‐STO contains 57 wt % less iridium relative to the benchmark catalyst IrO₂, but it exhibits more than 10 times higher catalytic activity for OER. It is shown to be among the most efficient iridium‐based oxide electrocatalysts for OER in acid. Theoretical results reveal that the incorporation of iridium dopants in the STO matrix activates the intrinsically inert titanium sites, strengthening the surface oxygen adsorption on titanium sites and thereby giving nonprecious titanium catalytic sites that have activities close to or even better than iridium sites.     

Platinum/Nickel Bicarbonate Heterostructures towards Accelerated Hydrogen Evolution under Alkaline Conditions

Heterostructured nanomaterials, generally have physicochemical properties that differ from those of the individual components, and thus have potential in a wide range of applications. New platinum (Pt)/nickel bicarbonate (Ni(HCO₃)₂) heterostructures are designed for an efficient alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Notably, the specific and mass activity of Pt in Pt/Ni(HCO₃)₂ are substantially improved compared to the bare Pt nanoparticles (NPs). The Ni(HCO₃)₂ provides abundant water adsorption/dissociation sites and modulate the electronic structure of Pt, which determine the elementary reaction kinetics of alkaline HER. The Ni(HCO₃)₂ nanoplates offer a platform for the uniform dispersion of Pt NPs, ensuring the maximum exposure of active sites. The results demonstrate that, Ni(HCO₃)₂ is an effective catalyst promoter for alkaline HER.     

A Main‐Group Element Radical Based One‐Dimensional Magnetic Chain

The first main‐group element radical based one‐dimensional magnetic chain ( 1K )_n was realized by one‐electron reduction of the pyridinyl functionalized borane 1 with elemental potassium in THF in the absence of 18‐crown‐6 (18‐c‐6). The electron spin density of ( 1K )_n mainly resides at the boron centers with a considerable contribution from central benzene and pyridine moieties. The spin centers exhibit an antiferromagnetic interaction as demonstrated by magnetic measurements and theoretical calculations. In contrast, the reduction in the presence of 18‐c‐6 afforded the separated radical anion salt 1K(Crown) , in which the potassium cation was trapped by THF and 18‐c‐6 molecules. Further one‐electron reduction of 1K(Crown) and ( 1K )_n led to the diamagnetic monomer and polymer, respectively.     

Porphyrin Nanocage‐Embedded Single‐Molecular Nanoparticles for Cancer Nanotheranostics

Single molecular nanoparticles (SMNPs) integrating imaging and therapeutic capabilities exhibit unparalleled advantages in cancer theranostics, ranging from excellent biocompatibility, high stability, prolonged blood lifetime to abundant tumor accumulation. Herein, we synthesize a sophisticated porphyrin nanocage that is further functionalized with twelve polyethylene glycol arms to prepare SMNPs ( porSMNPs ). The porphyrin nanocage embedded in porSMNPs can be utilized as a theranostic platform. PET imaging allows dynamic observation of the bio‐distribution of porSMNPs , confirming their excellent circulation time and preferential accumulation at the tumor site, which is attributed to the enhanced permeability and retention effect. Moreover, the cage structure significantly promotes the photosensitizing effect of porSMNs by inhibiting the π–π stacking interactions of the photosensitizers, ablating of the tumors without relapse by taking advantage of photodynamic therapy.     

Inexpensive Hole‐Transporting Materials Derived from Tröger's Base Afford Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells

The synthesis of three enamine hole‐transporting materials (HTMs) based on Tröger's base scaffold are reported. These compounds are obtained in a three‐step facile synthesis from commercially available materials without the need of expensive catalysts, inert conditions or time‐consuming purification steps. The best performing material, HTM3, demonstrated 18.62 % PCE in PSCs, rivaling spiro‐OMeTAD in efficiency, and showing markedly superior long‐term stability in non‐encapsulated devices. In dopant‐free PSCs, HTM3 outperformed spiro‐OMeTAD by a factror of 1.6. The high glass‐transition temperature (T_g=176 °C) of HTM3 also suggests promising perspectives in device applications.