Study of the peak effect phenomenon in single crystals of 2H-NbSe2

The weakly pinned single crystals of the hexagonal 2H-NbSe₂ compound have emerged as prototypes for determining and characterizing the phase boundaries of the possible order-disorder transformations in the vortex matter. We present here a status report based on the ac and dc magnetization measurements of the peak effect phenomenon in three crystals of 2H-NbSe₂, in which the critical current densities vary over two orders of magnitude. We sketch the generic vortex phase diagram of a weakly pinned superconductor, which also utilizes theoretical proposals. We also establish the connection between the metastability effects and pinning.     

Catenated polysulfur ligands: the pentasulfides of di-η5-cyclopentadienyl-zirconium(IV) and -hafnium(IV)

The thiols Cp₂M(SH)₂, where M = Ti and Zr, react to form the complexes Cp₂MS₅ when treated with mono- and di-sulfur transfer reagents. Treatment of Cp₂MCl₂ with Li₂S₂ and sulfur gave Cp₂MS₅, M = Ti, Zr and Hf, in better yield. The new Zr and Hf complexes have a six-membered MS₅ ring in a chair conformation similar to the previously observed for M = Ti. Variable temperature NMR studies show that the barriers to MS₅ ring inversion decrease in the order Ti > Hf > Zr.     

Shaping Solid-State Supramolecular Cavities: Chemically Induced Accordionlike Movement of gamma-Zirconium Phosphate Containing Polyethylenoxide Pillars

The hydrophilic oxygen atoms of polyethylenoxide chains inserted as pillars in gamma-zirconium phosphate form hydrogen bonds with the acid groups of the host. As a result the pillars are almost perpendicular to the gamma layers. Upon changing the pH level of the supernatant solution the hydrogen bonds are broken and the pillars become almost perpendicular to the layers (shown schematically). Thus there is a reversible enlargement-shortening of the interlayer space.     

Polymer Intermediates and Polymers Derived from 5-t-Butyl-m-Xylene

Abstract

A series of condensation polymer intermediates, which included several new compositions, was prepared from 5-t-butyl-m-xylene (I) so that the effect of the bulky t-butyl group on polymer properties could be determined. Compound (I) was oxidized with nitric acid to obtain 5-t-butyl-isophthalic acid (II), which was converted successively to the diacid chloride, the diamide, the dinitrile, and finally to 5-t-butyl-m-xylene-α,α′-diamine (VI); the overall yield was 80%. The dimethyl ester of (II) was prepared and converted to 5-t-butyl-m-xylene-α,α′-diol (VIII), a new composition, in 79.5% overall yield; the diphenyl ester was also prepared. The sodium salt of (II) was catalytically reduced to obtain 5-t-butyl-1,3-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid (IIa) in 95% yield. (IIa) was converted successively to the diacid chloride, the diamide, the dinitrile, and finally to 5-t-butyl-1,3-cyclohexanebis(methylamine) (VIa), a new composition; the overall yield was 37%. (IIa) was also converted to the dimethyl ester and finally to 5-t-butyl-1,3-cyclohexanedimethanol (VIIIa), a new composition; the overall yield was 64%. Condensation polymers were prepared from the intermediates (II), (IIa), (VI), (VIa), (VIII), and (VIIIa). These polymers had higher glass transition temperatures (T_g) than corresponding polymers containing no t-butyl groups. This general effect of the t-butyl group to increase the T_g value of the polymer was noted in all polymers prepared, regardless of whether the intermediate carrying the t-butyl group was a diacid, a diol, or a diamine, or whether the polymer was a polyamide, a polyester, or a polyurethane.     

Expanding the 0D Rb7M3X16 (M=Sb,Bi; X=Br,I) Family: Dual-Band Luminescence in Rb7Sb3Br16

Inorganic, lead-free metal halides are widely sought after following the rise of the halide perovskites as outstanding optoelectronic materials, due to their enhanced stability and reduced toxicity. Herein, we report on the solvothermal synthesis of Rb₇Sb₃Br₁₆, which exhibits a 0D structure comprised of [SbBr₆]³⁻ octahedra and edge-sharing bioctahedra [Sb₂Br₁₀]⁴⁻ dimers that order into layers along the c-axis. This all-inorganic material is air-stable and exhibits weak orange photoluminescence (PL) at room temperature. Low-temperature PL and PL excitation (PLE) measurements reveal the presence of two distinct emission bands that originate from these structural units, with the high-energy emission quenching as temperature rises beyond 150 K. We are also able to obtain Rb₇Bi₃Br₁₆ and Rb₇Bi₃I₁₆ which both crystallize in orthorhombic symmetry, with Rb₇Bi₃Br₁₆ presenting weak low-temperature luminescence while Rb₇Bi₃I₁₆ is non-luminescent. This work expands the library of emissive inorganic metal halides and provides further evidence for the efficacy of low-dimensional Sb−X luminescent centers based on octahedral and edge-sharing [Sb₂X₁₀]⁴⁻ dimers.     

White CsPbBr3: Characterizing the One-Dimensional Cesium Lead Bromide Polymorph

Inorganic lead halide perovskites have gained immense scientific interest for optoelectronic applications. In this work, we present a one-dimensional polymorph of cesium lead bromide (δ-CsPbBr₃) synthesized through a simple anion-exchange reaction, wherein distorted edge-sharing PbBr₆ octahedra form 1D chains isolated by Cs ions. δ-CsPbBr₃ was characterized by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, ²⁰⁷Pb and ¹³³Cs solid-state NMR, and by optical emission and absorption spectroscopies. This non-perovskite material irreversibly transforms into the well-known three-dimensional perovskite phase (γ-CsPbBr₃) upon heating to above 151 °C. The indirect bandgap was determined by absorption measurements and calculation to be 2.9 eV. δ-CsPbBr₃ exhibits broadband yellow photoluminescence with a quantum yield of 3.2 %±0.2 % at room temperature and 95 %±5 % at 77 K, and this emission is attributed to the recombination of self-trapped excitons. This study emphasizes that the metastable δ-CsPbBr₃ may be a persistent, concomitant phase in Cs−Pb-Br-containing materials systems, such as those used in solar cells and LEDs, and it showcases the characterization tools used for its detection.