The effect of lanthanide on the degradation of RB in nanocrystalline Ln/TiO2 aqueous solution

A series of Nd³⁺, Pr³⁺, Er³⁺, and Dy³⁺ (0.25–5 at.%) homogeneously doped nanocrystalline titanium dioxides (Ln/TiO₂) were prepared by an easy sol–gel technique, and the roles of lanthanide doping on the photocatalytic activity in the degradation of rhodamine B (RB) in aqueous solution were studied. Both the concentration of the lanthanide dopant and calcination temperature showed significant effect to the photodegradation of RB. The photocatalytic activity of pure titania was drastically decreased when calcination temperature was at 700 °C, while the high photocatalytic activity was still maintained for lanthanide-doped samples. HPLC-MS method was used to study the degradation process, and it is demonstrated that the degradation of RB catalyzed by Ln/TiO₂ was principally go through with a stepwise de-ethylation photochemical process.     

Preparation and optical properties of Eu(III) complexes J-aggregate formed on the surface of silver nanoparticles

Ag colloidal nanoparticles coated with Eu(TTA)₃ · 2H₂O complexes were prepared, and it was found that Eu(TTA)₃ · 2H₂O complexes J-aggregate was formed on the surface of Ag nanoparticles according to a red shift (18.2 nm) in UV–Vis spectra. However, there had similar excitation wavelength, which was attributed to existence of Ag nanoparticles. Highly luminescent properties of Ag colloidal nanoparticles were observed, and it was believed to result from low energy transfer between Eu(III) complexes and Ag and the large electromagnetic field arising from the excitation of surface plasmon polariton of Ag nanoparticles.     

Ab initio study of the complexes of halogen-containing molecules RX (X=Cl, Br, and I) and NH3: towards understanding the nature of halogen bonding and the electron-accepting propensities of covalently bonded halogen atoms

Ab initio calculations have been performed on a series of complexes formed between halogen-containing molecules and ammonia to gain a deeper insight into the nature of halogen bonding. It appears that the dihalogen molecules form the strongest halogen-bonded complexes with ammonia, followed by HOX; the charge-transfer-type contribution has been demonstrated to dominate the halogen bonding in these complexes. For the complexes involving carbon-bound halogen molecules, our calculations clearly indicate that electrostatic interactions are mainly responsible for their binding energies. Whereas the halogen-bond strength is significantly enhanced by progressive fluorine substitution, the substitution of a hydrogen atom by a methyl group in the CH(3)X...NH(3) complex weakened the halogen bonding. Moreover, remote substituent effects have also been noted in the complexes of halobenzenes with different para substituents. The influence of the hybridization state of the carbon atom bonded to the halogen atom has also been examined and the results reveal that halogen-bond strengths decrease in the order HC triple bond CX > H(2)C=CHX approximately O=CHX approximately C(6)H(5)X > CH(3)X. In addition, several excellent linear correlations have been established between the interaction energies and both the amount of charge transfer and the electrostatic potentials corresponding to an electron density of 0.002 au along the R-X axis; these correlations provide good models with which to evaluate the electron-accepting abilities of the covalently bonded halogen atoms. Finally, some positively charged halogen-bonded systems have been investigated and the effect of the charge has been discussed.     

Oxidative coupling of methane over Na-Mn-W/SiO2 catalyst at higher pressure

Na-Mn-W/SiO₂ catalysts were prepared and their catalytic performance for oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) was evaluated in a stainless-steel microreactor at elevated pressure. The results show that a CH₄ conversion of 15.1% with a C₂₊ selectivity of 71.8% was obtained under 750^oC, 1.0×10⁵h^-1 GHSV, CH₄/O₂ ratio of 8 and 1.0 MPa. Moreover, 17.3% CH₄ conversion with 51.6% C₂ selectivity and 23.6% C₃-C₄ selectivity was obtained under 750^oC, 2.0×10⁵h^-1 GHSV, CH₄/O₂ ratio of 8 and 1.0 MPa.     

Metrological role of neutron activation analysis. IB. Inherent characteristics of relative INAA as a primary ratio method of measurement

This is the second part of a paper which deals with the advantages and disadvantages of relative instrumental neutron activation analysis concerning traceability and uncertainty, and the current scope and possible future extensions of neutron activation analysis as a primary ratio method. The first part of this paper has been published in this Journal [1]. Received: 19 March 2001 Accepted: 2 October 2001     

Oligonucleotide Analogues with Integrated Bases and Backbone. Part 14

The self‐complementary tetrameric propargyl triols 8, 14, 18 , and 21 were synthesized to investigate the duplex formation of self‐complementary, ethynylene‐linked UUAA, AAUU, UAUA, and AUAU analogues with integrated bases and backbone (ONIBs). The linear synthesis is based on repetitive Sonogashira couplings and C‐desilylations (34–72% yield), starting from the monomeric propargyl alcohols 9 and 15 and the iodinated nucleosides 3, 7, 11 , and 13 . Strongly persistent intramolecular H‐bonds from the propargylic OH groups to N(3) of the adenosine units prevent the gg‐type orientation of the ethynyl groups at C(5′). As such, an orientation is required for the formation of cyclic duplexes, this H‐bond prevents the formation of duplexes connected by all four base pairs. However, the central units of the UAUA and AAUU analogues 18 and 14 associate in CDCl₃/(D₆)DMSO 10 : 1 to form a cyclic duplex characterized by reverse Hoogsteen base pairing. The UUAA tetramer 8 forms a cyclic UU homoduplex, while the AUAU tetramer 21 forms only linear associates. Duplex formation of the O‐silylated UUAA and AAUU tetramers is no longer prevented. The self‐complementary UUAA tetramer 22 forms Watson–Crick‐ and Hoogsteen‐type base‐paired cyclic duplexes more readily than the sequence‐isomeric AAUU tetramer 23 , further illustrating the sequence selectivity of duplex formation.     

Preparation and characterization of C16 monolithic columns for capillary electrochromatography

A series of methacrylamide-based C16 monolithic columns were prepared and characterized to determine how their porous structural properties and chromatographic behavior are affected by the percentages of functional monomer, base monomer, and cross-linker in the polymerization solution. Baseline separation of 6 neutral compounds can be readily obtained in an optimized column. Furthermore, the effects of organic additive in the mobile phase, operating voltages, and temperature on retention behaviors and separation efficiencies were also studied. The separation mechanism is also discussed. High column efficiency and good reproducibility indicate that the monolithic columns hold considerable promise.     

Diffusion characteristics of a T-type microchannel with different configurations and inlet angles.

A series of symmetrical and asymmetrical microfluidic T-sensors with different inlet angles were fabricated to study the mixing characteristics of a T-type microstructure for generating concentration gradient. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations showed that the concentration gradient, transition zone and diffusion length were different for various configurations and inlet angles. Quick mix and sharp concentration gradient occurred in the asymmetrical structure with large inlet angle. The observed concentration gradients in the fabricated microchannel were consistent with the theoretical prediction. In this microstructure, stagnant zone and z-direction diffusion also affected the concentration gradient. Based on the simulation results, the microfluidic structure was optimized to generate desired concentration gradient for a cell-based study.     

The recent progress of wide bandgap donor polymers towards non-fullerene organic solar cells

The recent progress of wide bandgap (WBG) donor polymers for non-fullerene polymer solar cells (NF-PSCs) were reviewed in detail, which was classified by D-type and D-A type molecular backbones to discuss the related structure-property correlations and put forward an outlook for future innovations.     

1‐Acetyl‐3′‐(4‐bromophenyl)‐3′‐chlorospiro[3H‐indole‐3,2′‐oxetan]‐2(1H)‐one

In the title compound, C₁₈H₁₃BrClNO₃, the heterocyclic ring of the indole is distorted from planarity towards an envelope conformation. The orientations of the indole, oxetane, chloro and bromo­phenyl substituents are conditioned by the sp³ states of the spiro‐junction and the Cl‐attached C atoms.