Implications of Nitrogen Doping on Geometrical and Electronic Structure of the Fullerene Dimers

Because of its unsaturated bonds, C₆₀ is susceptible to polymerize into dimers. The implications of nitrogen doping on the geometrical and electronic structure of C₆₀ dimers have been ambiguous for years. A quarter‐century after the discovery of azafullerene dimer (C₅₉N)₂, we reported its single crystallographic structure in 2019. Herein, the unambiguous crystal structure information of (C₅₉N)₂ is elucidated specifically, revealing that the inter‐cage C—C single bond length of (C₅₉N)₂ is comparable with that of an ordinary C(sp³)‐C(sp³) single bond, and that the most stable conformer of (C₅₉N)₂ is gauche‐conformer with a dihedral angle of 66°. To amend the structural deviations, geometrical structure of (C₅₉N)₂ is optimized by a B3LYP‐D3BJ function, which is proved to be more consistent with its single crystal structure than those by the commonly used B3LYP function. Moreover, the calculation method is also suitable for other representative fullerene dimers, such as (C₆₀)₂ and its divalent anion. Additionally, the dissociation of (C₅₉N)₂ at 473 K under mass spectrometric conditions suggests the inter‐cage C—C bond is relatively weaker than an ordinary C—C single bond, which can be explained by the interaction energies of inter‐cages.     

Research Progress of Lithium Plating on Graphite Anode in Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Lithium plating on graphite anode is triggered by harsh conditions of fast charge and low temperature, which significantly accelerates SOH (state of health) degradation and may cause safety issues of lithium ion batteries (LIBs). This paper has reviewed recent research progress of lithium plating on graphite anode. Firstly, we summarize the forming mechanisms of Li plating with corresponding influence factors, the detecting methods and hazard of Li plating. Then, approaches to suppress Li plating are discussed, including anode surface modification, electrolyte composition optimization and development of optimal charge strategies. Finally, we conclude and propose the remaining challenges and prospects in terms of mechanism research, detecting approaches, and suppressing methods of Li plating. This review highlights the development of Li plating research and plays a guiding rule of further study on Li plating in LIBs.     

Ni<Subscript>0.37</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.63</Subscript>S<Subscript>2</Subscript>-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites for highly efficient electrocatalytic oxygen evolution and photocatalytic pollutant degradation

A series of Ni_0.37Co_0.63S₂-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites with different graphene contents (NCS@rGO-x) has been successfully prepared via a facile one-step hydrothermal method and applied as the catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and degradation of organic pollutants. The XRD and FESEM analyses revealed that the phase structure and morphology of NCS nanoparticles were substantially influenced by the graphene contents. The phase structure of NCS nanoparticles gradually transformed from primary NiCo₂S₄ to Ni_0.37Co_0.63S₂ and the morphology and size of NCS nanoparticles were found to become more regular and homogeneous with the increase of graphene concentration. On the NCS@rGO-x nanocomposites, the NCS@rGO-2 sample demonstrated the best catalytic activity toward the OER, which delivers a stable current density of 10 mA cm^?2 at a small overpotential of ～276 mV (vs. RHE) with a Tafel slope as low as 48 mV dec^?1. Furthermore, the NCS@rGO-2 sample showed the remarkable photocatalytic activity for degradation of methylene blue (MB), which may be attributed to the increased reaction sites and high separation efficiency of photogenerated charge carries due to the electronic interaction between NCS nanoparticles and rGO. All these impressive performances indicate that the NCS@rGO-2 nanocomposite is a promising catalyst in energy and environmental fields.

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Graphical abstract A series of Ni_0.37Co_0.63S₂-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites with different graphene contents has been successfully prepared and applied as the catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and degradation of organic pollutants. The NCS@rGO-2 catalyst-modified stainless steel wire mesh (SSWM) electrode delivers a stable current density of 10 mA cm^?2 at a small overpotential of ～276 mV (vs. RHE) with a Tafel slope as low as 48 mV dec^?1. At the same time, the NCS@rGO-2 catalyst is also first investigated as an efficient photocatalyst for degradation of MB.

     

Advanced solvent signal suppression for the acquisition of 1D and 2D NMR spectra of Scotch Whisky

A simple and robust solvent suppression technique that enables acquisition of high‐quality 1D ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of alcoholic beverages on cryoprobe instruments was developed and applied to acquire NMR spectra of Scotch Whisky. The method uses 3 channels to suppress signals of water and ethanol, including those of ¹³C satellites of ethanol. It is executed in automation allowing high throughput investigations of alcoholic beverages. On the basis of the well‐established 1D nuclear Overhauser spectroscopy (NOESY) solvent suppression technique, this method suppresses the solvent at the beginning of the pulse sequence, producing pure phase signals minimally affected by the relaxation. The developed solvent suppression procedure was integrated into several homocorrelated and heterocorrelated 2D NMR experiments, including 2D correlation spectroscopy (COSY), 2D total correlation spectroscopy (TOCSY), 2D band‐selective TOCSY, 2D J‐resolved spectroscopy, 2D ¹H, ¹³C heteronuclear single‐quantum correlation spectroscopy (HSQC), 2D ¹H, ¹³C HSQC‐TOCSY, and 2D ¹H, ¹³C heteronuclear multiple‐bond correlation spectroscopy (HMBC). A 1D chemical‐shift‐selective TOCSY experiments was also modified. The wealth of information obtained by these experiments will assist in NMR structure elucidation of Scotch Whisky congeners and generally the composition of alcoholic beverages at the molecular level.     

Exploring Si/Mg composite supported Ziegler-Natta Ti-based catalysts for propylene polymerization

A series of(Si_O2/MgO/ID/MgCl_2)·TiClx Ziegler-Natta catalysts for propylene polymerization has been prepared with a new method. These catalysts were synthesized using soluble Mg-compounds as the Mg-source and the preparation progress was relatively simple. The catalyst could copy the spherical shape of the carrier very well. The propylene polymerization results showed that the catalyst revealed the best activity with 9,9-di(methoxymethyl)fluorene(BMMF) as internal donor at 50 °C with the optimal molar ratio Al/Ti = 5, which was much lower than what the industrial polypropylene catalyst used(at least molar ratio Al/Ti = 100), resulting in great cost saving. Additionally, the polymerization kinetics of the catalyst exhibited very stable property after achieving a relatively high value. These catalysts possessed rather high activity and good hydrogen response. The isotactic index(Ⅱ.) value of the PP products could be higher than 98% in the presence of both internal and external electron donors. Moreover, temperature rising elution fractionation method was used to understand the influence of donors and H2 on the properties of the PP products.     

离子交换法制备廉价而高效的可见光驱动CaMg(CO3)2@Ag2CO3微球光催化剂

Ag2CO3是一种典型的银基半导体,可在可见光照射下降解各种有机染料,但制备成本高,光腐蚀严重,稳定性差,难以循环利用等,因而限制了它的实际应用.针对这些问题,目前多数的改进措施是构建异质结,有效的分离光生电子与空穴来提高Ag2CO3的光催化性能.比如典型的异质结光催化剂有TiO2/Ag2CO3,Ag2CO3/ZnO,Ag2O/Ag2CO3和AgX/Ag2CO3等.也有在表面化学沉积,光化学还原Ag等贵金属形成等离子体等方式提高其光催化性能,但是很少通过特殊形貌控制以提高Ag2CO3的光催化性能.最近的研究表明,由于多尺度微球结构催化剂具有高效的光捕能力,同时具有比表面积大、易沉降,良好的物质传输能力和表面的渗透性,因而在液相光催化反应中具有明显的优势.因此,我们期望制备出一个多尺度微球结构Ag2CO3光催化剂.CaMg(CO3)2是一种具有微球结构的半导体,它与Ag2CO3有相同的阴离子结构,但是两者在水溶液中的溶解度相差较大,利用这个特性理论上可以将两个不同的半导体结合在一起,得到一种新型的复合微球.本文以CaMg(CO3)2微球为硬模板,通过简单的离子交换成功制备了粒径约为10μm的CaMg(CO3)2@Ag2CO3微球.利用X射线衍射、N2物理吸附、扫描电镜、傅里叶变换红外光谱和紫外-可见漫反射吸收光谱、光电流等手段对在不同反应时间与温度下制得的CaMg(CO3)2与Ag2CO3的复合物进行了表征.结果表明,在40°C下Ag+与Ca2+、Mg2+离子交换4 h后,得到了一种多尺度CaMg(CO3)2@Ag2CO3复合微球.此时,微球中Ag2CO3的含量约为2.56%.结果表明,这种具有多尺度结构的复合微球能够增强可见光的吸收.电化学阻抗测试和光电流测试表明,CaMg(CO3)2核的存在可以降低光生载流子的迁移阻力,进而促进光生电子与空穴的分离.在光降解酸性橙II的测试中,核壳结构的CaMg(CO3)2@Ag2CO3复合微球表现出了更高的催化活性,而且具有更好的循环使用性能.同时,相对于纯Ag2CO3光催化剂来说,CaMg(CO3)2@Ag2CO3复合微球制备的成本大幅度降低.ESR测试证明了·OH为CaMg(CO3)2@Ag2CO3复合微球光催化过程中的主要活性物质.     

光响应超分子聚合物

超分子聚合物是超分子化学、高分子化学和材料化学领域的研究热点.将光响应的功能基团以非共价作用构筑到超分子聚合物体系中,得到光响应型超分子聚合物,从而能够将超分子聚合物的独特性质与光化学反应的优势有效地结合起来,从而构筑新型的光功能材料.本文总结了近年来本课题组有关光响应超分子聚合物方面的研究工作:介绍了主链型的光响应超分子聚合物的光调控组装和解离,超分子聚合物和共价聚合物的光控可逆切换和光调控组装形貌;另外还举例介绍了具有自修复和室温磷光发射等功能的侧链型光响应超分子聚合物,并对刺激-响应的超分子聚合物领域的发展做了展望.     

基于氟代异靛蓝并[7,6-g]异靛蓝的共轭聚合物的合成及其半导体性质

采用Stille缩聚,合成了3个异靛蓝并[7,6-g]异靛蓝(DIID)和乙烯单元交替排列的共轭聚合物P0F、P2F和P4F,三者在DIID单元中分别含0、2和4个氟原子(F).3个聚合物均具有良好的平面性,前线分子轨道几乎在整个共轭骨架上离域.它们均具有宽的吸收光谱,吸收范围在400~1000 nm,光学带隙约为1.25 eV;随着氟原子数目的增加,聚合物的最高占有分子轨道(HOMO)和最低空分子轨道(LUMO)能级依次下降0.1~0.2 eV.以这3个聚合物作为活性层,制备了顶栅-底接触型有机场效应晶体管器件,随着氟原子数目的增加,聚合物的传输性质由双极传输变为n型传输.P0F和P2F是双极传输型聚合物,空穴迁移率(μ_h)分别达到0.11和0.30 cm~2 V~(-1) s~(-1),电子迁移率(me)分别达到0.22和1.19 cm~2 V~(-1) s~(-1).P4F是n型聚合物,me达到0.18 cm~2 V~(-1) s~(-1).     

Br~-掺杂Bi_2WO_6的水热法合成及其可见光催化性能

以Bi(NO_3)_3·5H_2O和Na_2WO_4·2H_2O为主要原料,采用水热法合成了纯相Bi_2WO_6,并对其进行非金属离子Br-掺杂改性。采用XRD、SEM、TEM、XPS、Raman、PL和DRS研究了Br~-掺杂对Bi_2WO_6的物相结构、形貌和可见光催化性能的影响。结果表明,Br-掺杂可有效提高Bi_2WO_6的可见光催化性能,当掺杂量(物质的量百分数)为8%时,溴掺杂Bi_2WO_6的光催化性能最好,可见光照射40 min后,可降解96.73%的罗丹明-B,与未掺杂Bi_2WO_6相比,其降解率提高了36.32%。