Broadband spin‐controlled focusing via logarithmic‐spiral nanoslits of varying width

This work presents analytical, numerical and experimental demonstrations of light diffracted through a logarithmic spiral (LS) nanoslit, which forms a type of switchable and focus‐tunable structure. Owing to a strong dependence on the incident photon spin, the proposed LS‐nanoslit converges incoming light of opposite handedness (to that of the LS‐nanoslit) into a confined subwavelength spot, while it shapes light with similar chirality into a donut‐like intensity profile. Benefitting from the varying width of the LS‐nanoslit, different incident wavelengths interfere constructively at different positions, i.e., the focal length shifts from 7.5 μm (at λ = 632.8 nm) to 10 μm (at λ = 488 nm), which opens up new opportunities for tuning and spatially separating broadband light at the micrometer scale.

     

Excited State Intramolecular Proton Transfer of New Diphenylethylene Derivatives Bearing Imino Group: A Combination of Experimental and Theoretical Investigation

In this paper, we described the synthesis and characterization of new diphenylethylene bearing imino group. We concentrated particularly on the investigation of the possibility of the excited state intramolecular charge transfer (ESIPT) of the new dyes experimentally and theoretically. The absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy of the dyes were determined in various solvents. The results showed that the maximal absorption wavelength of 2‐[(4′‐N,N‐dimethylamino‐diphenylethylene‐4‐ylimino)methyl]phenol ( C1 ) and 4‐[(4′‐N,N‐dimethylamino‐diphenylethylene‐4‐ylimino)methyl]phenol ( C2 ) exhibited almost independence on the solvent polarity. While as contrast, the maximal fluorescence wavelength of the dyes showed somewhat dependence on the solvent polarity. In particular, C1 displayed well‐separated dual fluorescence spectroscopy. The second fluorescence peak was characterized with an "abnormal" fluorescence emission wavelength in aprotic solvents with large Stokes shift (ca. 140 nm in THF), which was much more than normal Stokes shift (ca. 30 nm in THF). This emission spectroscopy could be assigned to ESIPT emission. On the other hand, the ESIPT fluorescence of C1 was much reduced or lost in the protic solvents. While, only normal fluorescence emission was detected in various solvents. Although the absorption maxima of C1 exhibited about 10 nm red‐shift with respect to those of C2 , the normal fluorescence maxima of C1 and C2 were almost identical in various solvents. These results suggested that C1 could undergo ESIPT, but C2 was not able to proceed ESIPT. The molecular geometry optimization of phototautomers in the ground electronic state (S₀) was carried out with HF method (Hartree‐Fock) and at DFT level (Density Functional Theory) using B3LYP both, while the CIS was employed to optimize the geometries of the first singlet excited state (S₁) of the phototautomers of C1 and C2 respectively. The properties of the ground state and the excited state of the phototautomers of C1 and C2 , including the geometrical parameter, the energy, the frontier orbits, the Mulliken charge and the dipole moment change were performed and compared completely. The data were analyzed further based on our experimental results. Furthermore, the absorption and fluorescence spectra were calculated in theory and compared with the measured ones. The rate constant of internal proton transfer (9.831×10¹¹ s^?1) of C1 was much lower than that of salicylidene methylamine ( C3 , 2.045×10¹⁵ s^?1), which was a typical Schiff base compound and was well demonstrated to undergo ESIPT easily under photoexcitation.     

Effect of additives on the structure and electrochemical performance of mesoporous nickel hydroxide

Nickel hydroxide mesoporous structures are synthesized by a simple method in the presence of different additives (oxalic acid, aminoacetic acid, and sulfosalicylic acid). Structural characterizations reveal that the additives can affect the crystal structure, increase the specific surface area, and reduce the pore size of the products. The electrochemical properties of the synthesized Ni(OH)₂ samples are dependent on their crystal phase, surface area, and pore size distribution. Mesoporous β-Ni(OH)₂ with poor crystallinity shows high specific capacitances at different current densities and excellent cycling ability. A highest specific capacitance of 1,693 F?g^?1 can be achieved at a scan rate of 5 mV?s^?1. The results suggest its potential application in electrochemical supercapacitors.     

Convergence and error bound analysis for the space‐time CESE method

In this work, we study the convergence behavior of a recently developed space‐time conservation element and solution element method for solving conservation laws. In particular, we apply the method to a one‐dimensional time‐dependent convection‐diffusion equation possibly with high Peclet number. We prove that the scheme converges and we obtain an error bound. This method performs well even for strong convection dominance over diffusion with good long‐time accuracy. Numerical simulations are performed to verify the results. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 17: 64–78, 2001     

Indoles from Simple Anilines and Alkynes: Palladium‐Catalyzed C?H Activation Using Dioxygen as the Oxidant

Pd doles it out : A palladium‐catalyzed approach to indoles using the title reaction was achieved (see scheme). The oxidant used in this catalytic cycle was O₂. Both N‐nonsubstituted and N‐alkyl monosubstituted anilines can be successfully transformed into the corresponding indoles by this method.

     

Analyzing topological characteristics of neuronal functional networks in the rat brain

In this study, we recorded spike trains from brain cortical neurons of several behavioral rats in vivo by using multi-electrode recordings. An NFN was constructed in each trial, obtaining a total of 150 NFNs in this study. The topological characteristics of NFNs were analyzed by using the two most important characteristics of complex networks, namely, small-world structure and community structure. We found that the small-world properties exist in different NFNs constructed in this study. Modular function Q was used to determine the existence of community structure in NFNs, through which we found that community-structure characteristics, which are related to recorded spike train data sets, are more evident in the Y-maze task than in the DM-GM task. Our results can also be used to analyze further the relationship between small-world characteristics and the cognitive behavioral responses of rats.     

Adsorption of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene on carboxylated porous polystyrene microspheres

Large-pore-size (150 nm) polystyrene (PSt) microspheres were carboxylated with phthalic anhydride (PA) through Friedel-Crafts acetylation to study the adsorption of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) on this material from aqueous solution. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and mercury porosimetry measurements (MPM) of the microspheres showed that the pore structure was unchanged during the reaction. High adsorption capacity (11.2 mg g⁻¹ of suction-dried adsorbent) and adsorption rate (33.9 mg g⁻¹ h⁻¹) for TNT were observed during the study. As shown by the adsorption isotherm, the adsorption of TNT on PA-PSt can be described by the Freundlich adsorption equation, indicating heterogeneous adsorption process. On-column adsorption of TNT on PA-PSt and elution indicated that TNT can be completely removed from aqueous solution and condensed into acetone.     

Tuning the electric transport behavior of AgCrSe2 by intrinsic defects

Science China Chemistry - The two-dimensional (2D) structure often leads to unusual phenomena for the impact of confined mean free path of carrier scattering. As a quasi-2D layered material,...