Dielectric properties and frequency response of self-assembled monolayers of alkanethiols

This paper presents dielectric properties of alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) under an ac electric field. Using a Hg-SAM/SAM-Hg junction, we measured the ac impedance of alkanethiol SAMs using a sinusoidal perturbation of 30 mV (peak-to-peak) with frequency ranging from 1 Hz to 1 MHz at zero bias. Semicircles at higher frequencies and at middle frequencies along with Warburg lines at lower frequencies were observed in complex plane impedance plots, that is, Nyquist plots. The frequency response of SAMs was analyzed by modeling the junction using an equivalent circuit and fitting the Nyquist plots. The semicircles at higher frequencies are attributed to the effect of the SAM/SAM interfaces, and the ones at middle frequencies are attributed to the effect of alkanethiol SAMs. The comparison in the plots of the imaginary part of the impedance Z against frequency for the bare Hg electrodes (in pure ethanal) and the SAM-covered Hg electrodes (in alkanethiol solution) supports the analysis. The Warburg lines are attributed to a certain ionic impurity. The dielectric loss spectra are further analyzed. Chain-length-dependent peaks, which correspond to different relaxation mechanisms, at higher frequencies and middle frequencies were observed in the spectra of the dissipation factor (tan delta vs frequency). The peaks move to small frequency with the increase of chain length of alkanethiols. Using a correlation of peak position with the chain length, we then derived active energies of 39-99 meV for alkanethiol SAMs of C7-C18 under an ac electric field.     

The Mutual Conversion of CO2 and CO in Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD)

Non-equilibrium plasma, which was engendered by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) was used to analyze the mutual conversion between CO₂ and CO. The results showed that the conversion ratio of CO increased monotonously with the increasing voltage. But CO₂ was not so. Its conversion ratio reached maximum when the voltage was 3600 V in Ar system. It also showed that the existence of water molecules was more advanageous for the conversion of CO to CO₂ in Air system than in oxygen system, and the conversion ratio could reach 75.8% when the relative humidity was 100%. We also discussed the energy yield and energy efficiency, and the result was that high voltage and high concentration of reactant was disadvantageous for energy utilization.     

SYNTHESIS AND PROPERTIES OF POLYSTYRENE／LAPONITE NANOCOMPOSITES

Exfoliated polystyrene (PS)/laponite nanocomposites were prepared successfully. The characteristic doo1 diffraction peak of organo-laponite disappeared in the XRD patterns of nanocomposites, indicating that the laponite layers were exfoliated and the ordered crystal structure of laponite was destroyed because of the styrene polymerization. TEM observations showed that the exfoliated laponite primary particles were dispersed randomly in the PS matrix with lateral dimensions from 1 nm to 10 rim. SEM results showed that the PS/laponite nanocomposite particles were almost monodispersed spheres with the size of about 120 rim. Because of the interaction between PS and laponite nanolayers, the nanocomposites exhibited higher thermal stability and glass transition temperature when compared to pure PS.     

CARRIER PHOTOGENERATION IN POLY（N-VINYL-CARBAZOLE）-BASED PHOTOCONDUCTIVE THIN-FILM DEVICES

In this paper, photoexcitation processes in the bilayer devices based on inorganic materials and poly（N-vinylcarbazole） （PVK） were investigated. In order to clarify the roles of inorganic materials in photoconductive properties of bilayer devices, TiO2 and ZnS were chosen to combine with PVK. A model for generation of photocurrent （Iph） in single layer device of PVK was obtained. It is deduced that the recombination rate constant （Pcomb） and the ionization rate constant （y） ofexcitons should be considered as the most important factors for Iph. For inorganic materials （TiO2 or ZnS）/PVK bilayer devices, in reverse bias of-4 V, the photocurrent of 115 mA/cm^2 in the TiO2/PVK device was observed, but the photocurrent in the ZnS/PVK device was only 10 mA/cma under the illumination light of 340 nm and the light intensity of 14.2 mW/cm^2. The weaker photocurrent is attributed to the absorption of ZnS within UV region and the energy offset at the interface between PVK and ZnS, which impedes the transport of charge carriers.     

Hybrid subconvexity bounds for $$L(1/2,\hbox {sym}^{2} f \otimes \chi )$$ L ( 1 / 2 , sym 2 f ⊗ χ )

The Ramanujan Journal - Let $$k\ge 2$$ be an even integer, and let M be a positive integer. We prove a hybrid subconvexity bound for $$L(1/2,\text {sym}^2 f\otimes \chi )$$ with the associated...     

Analytical solutions of the lattice Boltzmann BGK model

Analytical solutions of the two-dimensional triangular and square lattice Boltzmann BGK models have been obtained for the plane Poiseuille flow and the plane Couette flow. The analytical solutions are written in terms of the characteristic velocity of the flow, the single relaxation time , and the lattice spacing. The analytic solutions are the exact representation of these two flows without any approximation. Using the analytical solution, it is shown that in Poiseuille flow the bounce-back boundary condition introduces an error of first order in the lattice spacing. The boundary condition used by Kadanoffet al. in lattice gas automata to simulate Poiseuille flow is also considered for the triangular lattice Boltzmann BGK model. An analytical solution is obtained and used to show that the boundary condition introduces an error of second order in the lattice spacing.     

Single-Atom Metal Sites Anchored Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Frameworks for Superior “Two-In-One” Photocatalytic Reaction

Photoredox catalysis is a green solution for organics transformation and CO₂ conversion into valuable fuels, meeting the challenges of sustainable energy and environmental concerns. However, the regulation of single-atomic active sites in organic framework not only influences the photoredox performance, but also limits the understanding of the relationship for photocatalytic selective organic conversion with CO₂ valorization into one reaction system. As a prototype, different single-atomic metal (M) sites (M²⁺ = Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Zn²⁺) in hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (M-HOF) backbone with bridging structure of metal-nitrogen are constructed by a typical “two-in-one” strategy for superior photocatalytic C N coupling reactions integrated with CO₂ valorization. Remarkably, Zn-HOF achieves 100% conversion of benzylamine oxidative coupling reactions, 91% selectivity of N-benzylidenebenzylamine and CO₂ conversion in one photoredox cycle. From X-ray absorption fine structure analysis and density functional theory calculations, the superior photocatalytic performance is attributed to synergic effect of atomically dispersed metal sites and HOF host, decreasing the reaction energy barriers, enhancing CO₂ adsorption and forming benzylcarbamic acid intermediate to promote the redox recycle. This work not only affords the rational design strategy of single-atom active sites in functional HOF, but also facilitates the fundamental insights upon the mechanism of versatile photoredox coupling reaction systems.     

In Situ Polymerizing Internal Encapsulation Strategy Enables Stable Perovskite Solar Cells toward Lead Leakage Suppression

Despite the outstanding power conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) achieved over the years, unsatisfactory stability and lead toxicity remain obstacles that limit their competitiveness and large-scale practical deployment. In this study, in situ polymerizing internal encapsulation (IPIE) is developed as a holistic approach to overcome these challenges. The uniform polymer internal package layer constructed by thermally triggered cross-linkable monomers not only solidifies the ionic perovskite crystalline by strong electron-withdrawing/donating chemical sites, but also acts as a water penetration and ion migration barrier to prolong shelf life under harsh environments. The optimized MAPbI₃ and FAPbI₃ devices with IPIE treatment yield impressive efficiencies of 22.29% and 24.12%, respectively, accompanied by remarkably enhanced environmental and mechanical stabilities. In addition, toxic water-soluble lead leakage is minimized by the synergetic effect of the physical encapsulation wall and chemical chelation conferred by the IPIE. Hence, this strategy provides a feasible route for preparing efficient, stable, and eco-friendly PSCs.