A molecular fluorophore in citric acid/ethylenediamine carbon dots identified and quantified by multinuclear solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance

The composition of fluorescent polymer nanoparticles, commonly referred to as carbon dots, synthesized by microwave-assisted reaction of citric acid and ethylenediamine was investigated by ¹³C, ¹³C{¹H}, ¹H─¹³C, ¹³C{¹⁴N}, and ¹⁵N solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments. ¹³C NMR with spectral editing provided no evidence for significant condensed aromatic or diamondoid carbon phases. ¹⁵N NMR showed that the nanoparticle matrix has been polymerized by amide and some imide formation. Five small, resolved ¹³C NMR peaks, including an unusual ═CH signal at 84 ppm (¹H chemical shift of 5.8 ppm) and ═CN₂ at 155 ppm, and two distinctive ¹⁵N NMR resonances near 80 and 160 ppm proved the presence of 5-oxo-1,2,3,5-tetrahydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-7-carboxylic acid (IPCA) or its derivatives. This molecular fluorophore with conjugated double bonds, formed by a double cyclization reaction of citric acid and ethylenediamine as first shown by Y. Song, B. Yang, and coworkers in 2015, accounts for the fluorescence of the carbon dots. Cross-peaks in a ¹H─¹³C HETCOR spectrum with brief ¹H spin diffusion proved that IPCA is finely dispersed in the polyamide matrix. From quantitative ¹³C and ¹⁵N NMR spectra, a high concentration (18 ± 2 wt%) of IPCA in the carbon dots was determined. A pronounced gradient in ¹³C chemical-shift perturbations and peak widths, with the broadest lines near the COO group of IPCA, indicated at least partial transformation of the carboxylic acid of IPCA by amide or ester formation.     

Photo-Controlled Macroscopic Self-Assembly Based on Photo-Switchable Hetero-Complementary Quadruple Hydrogen Bonds

A photo-switchable hetero-complementary quadruple H-bonding array, which consists of an azobenzene-derived ureidopyrimidinone (UPy) module ( Azo-UPy ) and a nonphotoactive diamidonaphthyridine (DAN) derivative ( Napy-1 ), is constructed based on a reversible photo-locking approach. Upon UV (390 nm)/Vis (460 nm) light irradiations, photo-switchable quadruple H-bonded dimerization between Azo-UPy and Napy-1 can be achieved with exhibiting 4.8×10⁴-fold differences in binding strength (ON/OFF ratios). Furthermore, smart polymeric gels with unique photo-controlled macroscopic self-assembly behavior can be fabricated by introducing such quadruple H-bonding array as photo-regulable noncovalent interfacial connections.     

Water-induced formation of an alkali-ion dimer in cryptomelane nanorods

Tunneled metal oxides such as α-Mn₈O₁₆ (hollandite) have proven to be compelling candidates for charge-storage materials in high-density batteries. In particular, the tunnels can support one-dimensional chains of K⁺ ions (which act as structure-stabilizing dopants) and H₂O molecules, as these chains are favored by strong H-bonds and electrostatic interactions. In this work, we examine the role of water molecules in enhancing the stability of K⁺-doped α-Mn₈O₁₆ (cryptomelane). The combined experimental and theoretical analyses show that for high enough concentrations of water and tunnel-ions, H₂O displaces K⁺ ions from their natural binding sites. This displacement becomes energetically favorable due to the formation of K²⁺ dimers, thereby modifying the stoichiometric charge of the system. These findings have potentially significant technological implications for the consideration of cryptomelane as a Li⁺/Na⁺ battery electrode. Our work establishes the functional role of water in altering the energetics and structural properties of cryptomelane, an observation that has frequently been overlooked in previous studies.

Water displaces potassium ions and initiates the formation of a homonuclear dimer ion (K²⁺) in the tunnels of hollandite.     

Focusing and diffraction by an optical lens and a small circular aperture

Based on the vectorial Rayleigh–Sommerfeld diffraction integrals, analytical expressions for the transversal and axial field distribution of plane waves propagating through a thin lens followed by a small circular aperture are derived and used to study the focusing and diffraction properties of plane waves. Some special cases of our general result are discussed, and illustrative numerical calculation results are given. It is found that the vectorial nonparaxial approach should be applied if the aperture dimension is comparable with the wavelength or the focusing is strong.     

Energy loss effect in high energy nuclear Drell-Yan process

The energy loss effect in nuclear matter, which is a nuclear effect apart from the nuclear effect on the parton distribution as in deep-inelastic scattering process, can be measured best by the nuclear dependence of the high energy nuclear Drell-Yan process. By means of the nuclear parton distribution studied only with lepton deep-inelastic scattering experimental data, the measured Drell-Yan production cross sections for 800 GeV proton incident on a variety of nuclear targets are analyzed within the Glauber framework which takes into account the energy loss of the beam proton. It is shown that the theoretical results with considering the energy loss effect are in good agreement with the FNAL E866 data.Arrival of the final proofs: 24 June 2003     

Giant Magneto-Impedance of Co50Ni22Ga28 Alloy with High Chemical Ordering

The microstructure of CosoNi22Ga28 ribbon with the L10 structure is examined. The band-like morphology is observed. These bands with the width in a range of 40-200 nm appear along the transverse direction of the ribbon. The giant magnetoimpedance （GMI） effect in this alloy is measured. The results show that Co5oNi22Ga28 exhibits a sharp peak of the GAI effect. The maximum GAH ratio up to 360% is detected. The GMI effect measured versus temperature shows large jumps of the magnetoimpedance amplitude at the reversal martensitic transformation temperature 240℃ and Curie temperature 375℃C respectively. The jump ratios of the magnetoimpedance amplitude examined at these temperatures are about 5 and 10, respectively.     

In-time motion adjustment in laser cladding manufacturing process for improving dimensional accuracy and surface finish of the formed part

This paper presents in-time motion adjustment in laser cladding manufacturing process as a means to improve dimensional accuracy and surface finish of the built part. Defects occurring during laser cladding degrade the part quality such as dimensional accuracy and surface finish. In this paper, in-time motion adjustment strategy was presented to remedy and eliminate defects occurring during laser cladding to improve the dimensional accuracy and surface finish. Based on the relationship between the motion of laser head relative to the growing part and other parameters in effects on clad profile, the laser traverse speed, stand-off distance and laser approach orientation to the existing clad layer were adjusted by instructions from a close-loop control system in real time to remedy and eliminate defects. The results of the experiments verified the effects of in-time motion adjustment on dimensional accuracy and surface finish.