Structural Peculiarities and Thermoelectric Study of Iron Indium Thiospinel

The homogeneity range of ternary iron indium thiospinel at 873 K was investigated. A detailed study was focused on two distinct series (y=z): 1) a previously reported charge-balanced (In_0.67+0.33y□_0.33−0.33y)_tetr[In_2−zFe_z]_octS₄ (A1-series; □ stands for vacancy; the abbreviations “tetr” and “oct” indicate atoms occupying tetrahedral 8a and octahedral 16d sites, respectively) and 2) a new charge-unbalanced (In_0.67+y□_0.33−y)_tetr[In_2−zFe_z]_octS₄ (A2-series). Fe atoms were confirmed to exclusively occupy an octahedral position in both series. An unusual reduction of the unit cell parameter with increasing Fe content is explained by differences in the ionic radii between Fe and In, as well as by an additional electrostatic attraction originating from charge imbalance (latter only in A2-series). The studied compound is an n-type semiconductor, and its charge carrier concentration increases or decreases for larger Fe content within the A1- and A2-series, respectively. The thermal conductivity κ_tot is significantly reduced upon increasing vacancy concentration, whereas the change of power factor is insufficient to drastically improve the thermoelectric figure of merit.     

Distinctive contributions from organic filler and relaxorlike polymer matrix to dielectric response of CuPc-P(VDF-TrFE-CFE) composite

The dielectric response of copper-phthalocyanine (CuPc) oligomers embedded in a poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene-chlorofluoroethylene) terpolymer matrix was studied. Although admixture of CuPc strongly increases the dielectric constant of the terpolymer at all temperatures, each of the two constituents determines the dielectric dynamics in a different temperature region-the relaxorlike matrix above and CuPc below the terpolymer's freezing temperature. Two relaxations, reflecting the charge carriers' response in CuPc, were detected. Results on ac conductivity reveal that the tunneling of polarons is the dominating charge transport mechanism.     

On singular univariate specializations of bivariate hypergeometric functions

It is tempting to evaluate F₂(x,1) and similar univariate specializations of Appell's functions by evaluating the apparent power series at x=0 straight away using the Gauss formula for ₂F₁(1). But this kind of naive evaluation can lead to errors as the ₂F₁(1) coefficients might eventually diverge; then the actual power series at x=0 might involve branching terms. This paper demonstrates these complications by concrete examples.     

Evaluating the accuracy of theoretical one‐bond 13C─13C scalar couplings and their ability to predict structure in a natural product

This study explores the feasibility of using a combination of experimental and theoretical 1‐bond ¹³C─¹³C scalar couplings (¹J_CC) to establish structure in organic compounds, including unknowns. Historically, ⁿJ_CC and ⁿJ_CH studies have emphasized 2 and 3‐bond couplings, yet ¹J_CC couplings exhibit significantly larger variations. Moreover, recent improvements in experimental measurement and data processing methods have made ¹J_CC data more available. Herein, an approach is evaluated in which a collection of theoretical structures is created from a partial nuclear magnetic resonance structural characterization. Computed ¹J_CC values are compared to experimental data to identify candidates giving the best agreement. This process requires knowledge of the error in theoretical methods, thus the B3LYP, B3PW91, and PBE0 functionals are evaluated by comparing to 27 experimental values from INADEQUATE. Respective errors of ±1.2, ±3.8, and ±2.3 Hz are observed. An initial test of this methodology involves the natural product 5‐methylmellein. In this case, only a single candidate matches experimental data with high statistical confidence. This analysis establishes the intramolecular hydrogen‐bonding arrangement, ring heteroatom identity, and conformation at one position. This approach is then extended to hydroheptelidic acid, a natural product not fully characterized in prior studies. The experimental/theoretical approach proposed herein identifies a single best‐fit structure from among 26 candidates and establishes, for the first time, 1 configuration and 3 conformations to complete the characterization. These results suggest that accurate and complete structural characterizations of many moderately sized organic structures (<800 Da) may be possible using only ¹J_CC data.     

Influence of the retardation of the multiplexing element in a dual channel Q-switched laser

We present an experimental and numerical analysis, how deviations of the multiplexer-retardation influence the output power of a time-multiplexed dual channel laser. The laser has two different channels, each one with its own gain medium. The channels are time-multiplexed by a single crystal photo-elastic modulator. It enables to double the repetition rate and output power of the laser. However, as multiplexing is based on polarization-switching, the retardation of the modulator should be kept within certain limits. By experimental measurement and theoretical analysis, we determine the operational window within which the retardation should be kept to avoid additional losses into the resonator. The analysis was done for two configurations of the laser setup, namely with and without a quarter-wave plate.     

A Monte Carlo simulation of diffusion-controlled reactions in inhomogeneous systems

A random-walk model has been developed to treat the kinetics of reactions taking place in spurs at different solute concentrations. The dependence of the molecular yields on solute concentration has been studied using Monte Carlo techniques for simulation of the formation of spurs and of the random movement of the reactive species.     

Ca12[Mn19N23] and Ca133[Mn216N260]: Structural Complexity by 2D Intergrowth

Two new calcium nitridomanganates, Ca₁₂[Mn₁₉N₂₃] (P3, a=11.81341(3) Å, c=5.58975(2) Å, Z=1) and Ca₁₃₃[Mn₂₁₆N₂₆₀] ( , a=39.477(1) Å, c=5.5974(2) Å, Z=1), were obtained by a gas–solid reaction of Ca₃N₂ and Mn with N₂ at 1273 K and 1223 K, respectively. The crystal structure of Ca₁₂[Mn₁₉N₂₃] was determined from high‐resolution X‐ray synchrotron powder diffraction data, whereas single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction was employed to establish the crystal structure of the Ca₁₃₃[Mn₂₁₆N₂₆₀] phase, which classifies as a complex metallic alloy (CMA). Both crystal structures have 2D nitridomanganate layers containing similar building blocks but of different levels of structural complexity. Bonding analysis as well as magnetic susceptibility and electron spin resonance measurements revealed that only a fraction of the Mn atoms in both structures carries a localized magnetic moment, while for most Mn species the magnetism is quenched as a result of metal–metal bond formation.     

The role of transition metals in oxidative degradation of cellulose

The role of transition metals in oxidative degradation of cellulose has been studied. Degradation experiments with model papers and studies of hydroxyl radical production in solution have been performed with Fe, Cu, Mn, Co, Cr, Ni, and Zn. Rates of production of hydroxyl radicals in solution have been estimated using the radical scavenger N,N′-(5-nitro-1,3-phenylene)bisglutaramide in the pH interval 7-9. Hydroxyl radical production during degradation of Cu-containing cellulose has been studied. To gain a better insight into chemistry behind degradation processes, chemiluminometric experiments were also performed.The experiments provide strong evidence that the role of transition metals during the oxidative degradation of cellulose is catalytic. A correlation between the behaviour of transition metals in solution and in paper was established at low contents of transition metal in paper.