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At least 1,495 records · Page 83

The equation of state of 5-nitro-2,4-dihydro-1,2,4,-triazol-3-one determined via in-situ optical microscopy and interferometry measurements

Quasi-hydrostatic high-pressure equations of state (EOS) are typically determined, for crystalline solids, by measuring unit-cell volumes using x-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. However, when characterizing low-symmetry materials with large unit cells, conventional XRD approaches may become problematic. To overcome this issue, we examined the utility of a “direct” approach toward determining high pressure material volume by measuring surface area and sample thickness using optical microscopy and interferometry (OMI), respectively. We have validated this experimental approach by comparing results obtained for 2,4,6-triamino-1,3,5-trinitrobenzene TATB with an EOS determined from synchrotron XRD measurements; and, a good match is observed. We have measured the high pressure EOS of 5-nitro-2,4-dihydro-1,2,4,-triazol-3-one (α-NTO) up to 28 GPa. No high-pressure XRD EOS data have been published on α-NTO, probably due to its complex crystal structure. The results of this study suggest that OMI is a reliable and versatile alternative for determining EOSs, especially when conventional methodologies are impractical.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Study of complex impedance spectroscopic properties of Na{sub 2}Pb{sub 2}Pr{sub 2}W{sub 2}Ti{sub 4}Nb{sub 4}O{sub 30} Ceramic

The polycrystalline sample of Na{sub 2}Pb{sub 2}Pr{sub 2}W{sub 2}Ti{sub 4}Nb{sub 4}O{sub 30} was prepared by high temperature solid state reaction technique. The formation of compounds with an orthorhombic structure was confirmed by X-ray diffraction technique. Surface morphology study showed homogenous distribution of plate and rod like grains over the entire surface with less porosity. The study of effect of temperature on impedance parameters in the frequency range 10{sup 2}-10{sup 6} Hz and temperature range 30-500 Degree-Sign C revealed the presence of both bulk and grain boundary effects above 275 Degree-Sign C. The bulk resistance of the material decreased with rise in temperature exhibiting a typical negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR) behavior like a semiconductor. Both the complex impedance and modulus studies suggested the presence of non-Debye type of relaxation in the materials. The ac conductivity spectrum obeys Johnsche's universal power law.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Spectroscopic and theoretical studies of potassium sodium L-(+)-tartrate tetrahydrate and L-tartaric acid used as precursors for in situ laser-induced deposition of the catalytically active copper microstructures

In this work we study the influence of L-(+)-КNaC{sub 4}H{sub 4}O{sub 6} × 4H{sub 2}O (KNaT) and L-H{sub 2}C{sub 4}H{sub 4}O{sub 6} (H{sub 2}T) on the complexation processes occurring during in situ laser-induced catalytic destruction of the organic components of the aqueous solutions with formation of the unsaturated hydrocarbons. For that purpose, ATR-FTIR, Raman, IR, and NIR spectroscopy as well as quantum chemical calculations were implemented. It was observed that hydration of T{sup 2−} anion via carboxylate groups is stronger than that via hydroxyl groups. We also established the changes in the spectral characteristics of the absorption bands corresponding to vibrations of T{sup 2−}, HT{sup −}, and H{sub 2}T, at solid state-liquid and acid-salt transitions, depending on concentration of the solution components and the [OH{sup −}]/[H{sub 2}T] ratio. Finally, it was shown that ethylene is a main product of the catalytic destruction of the copper tartrate complexes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Nanoscale Structure and Dynamics in Geochemical Systems

Neutron scattering is a powerful tool to elucidate the structure and dynamics of systems that are important to geochemists, including ion association in complex aqueous solutions, solvent-exchange reactions at mineral–water interfaces, and reaction and transport of fluids in nanoporous materials. This article focusses on three techniques: neutron diffraction, which can reveal the atomic-level structure of aqueous solutions and solids; quasi-elastic neutron scattering, which measures the diffusional dynamics at mineral–water interfaces; and small-angle neutron scattering, which can show how properties of nanoporous systems change during gas, liquid, and solute imbibition and reaction. Furthermore, the usefulness and applicability of the experimental results are extended by rigorous comparison to computational simulations.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Self-Assembled Ordered Three-Phase Au-BaTiO 3 -ZnO Vertically Aligned Nanocomposites Achieved by a Templating Method

Complex multiphase nanocomposite designs present enormous opportunities for developing next-generation integrated photonic and electronic devices. Here, a unique three-phase nanostructure combining a ferroelectric BaTiO 3 , a wide-bandgap semiconductor of ZnO, and a plasmonic metal of Au toward multifunctionalities is demonstrated. By a novel two-step templated growth, a highly ordered Au–BaTiO 3 –ZnO nanocomposite in a unique “nanoman”-like form, i.e., self-assembled ZnO nanopillars and Au nanopillars in a BaTiO 3 matrix, is realized, and is very different from the random three-phase ones with randomly arranged Au nanoparticles and ZnO nanopillars in the BaTiO 3 matrix. The ordered three-phase “nanoman”-like structure provides unique functionalities such as obvious hyperbolic dispersion in the visible and near-infrared regime enabled by the highly anisotropic nanostructures compared to other random structures. Such a self-assembled and ordered three-phase nanocomposite is obtained through a combination of vapor–liquid–solid (VLS) and two-phase epitaxy growth mechanisms. In this study, we open up new possibilities in the design, growth, and application of multiphase structures and provides a new approach to engineer the ordering of complex nanocomposite systems with unprecedented control over electron–light–matter interactions at the nanoscale.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A nitrogen-hyperdoped silicon material formed by femtosecond laser irradiation

A supersaturation of nitrogen atoms is found in the surface layer of microstructured silicon after femtosecond (fs) laser irradiation in NF{sub 3}. The average nitrogen concentration in the uppermost 50 nm is about 0.5 ± 0.2 at. %, several orders of magnitude higher than the solid solubility of nitrogen atoms in silicon. The nitrogen-hyperdoped silicon shows high crystallinity in the doped layer, which is due to the repairing effect of nitrogen on defects in silicon lattices. Nitrogen atoms and vacancies can be combined into thermal stable complexes after fs laser irradiation, which makes the nitrogen-hyperdoped silicon exhibit good thermal stability of optical properties.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Synthesis and structure of Americium(III) diglycolate oxalate Trihydrate, Am(ODA)(C 2 O 4 )(H 2 O) 3

Improving f-element separations is important for actinide(III) (An 3+ ) and lanthanide(III) (Ln 3+ ) based technologies. Unfortunately, An 3+ and Ln 3+ ions are difficult to separate from one another because they have similar chemical characteristics. One successful separation method utilizes anion exchange chromatography. This approach exploits differences in An 3+ and Ln 3+ Lewis acidities and their varying abilities to attract anionic complexing agents, like oxalates (C 2 O 4 2– ) and diglycolates (ODA 2– ). The resulting negatively charged complexes are then separated using an anion exchange resin. To better understand how this anion exchange separation works, we reacted Am 3+ (aq) (aq designates Am 3+ dissolved in water) with the anion exchange complexing agents (H 2 C 2 O 4 and H 2 ODA). Here, the resulting Am(ODA)(C 2 O 4 )(H 2 O) 3 product was characterized using single crystal X-ray diffraction and UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy. The Am(ODA)(C 2 O 4 )(H 2 O) 3 structure was similar to that established previously for Ln 3+ analogues, namely Ln(ODA)(C 2 O 4 )(H 2 O) x . These compounds were all isomorphous, had bridging C 2 O 4 2– and ODA 2– ligands, and crystallized as 2-dimensional extended solids. In addition, the Am 3 +–O bond distances could be predicted based on relative differences in Am 3+ and Ln 3+ 9-coordinate metal ionic radii. Overall, isolation of Am(ODA)(C 2 O 4 )(H 2 O) 3 showcased similarities in complexation and crystallization chemistry for Am 3+ and Ln 3+ .

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Utilization of mixed ligands to construct two new coordination polymers: Syntheses, structures and properties

The use of triazine and aromatic carboxylic acid as mixed chelating ligands in preparing two coordination polymers is described. Two new transition-metal coordination polymers, namely, [Co{sub 2}(bpdc){sub 4}(phdat){sub 2}] (1) and [Zn(bpdc)]{sub n} (2) (H{sub 2}bpdc=2,4-biphenyldicarboxylic acid, phdat=2,4-diamine-6-phenyl-1,3,5-triazine), have been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by IR, elemental analyses, X-ray single-crystal diffraction and TGA. Compound 1 is a 0D structure and extends to a 3D network by two different N–H···O and N–H···N hydrogen bonds. Compound 2 exhibits a 2D network with 4{sup 4}.6{sup 2} topological net, which contains two kinds of single helical chains. The interactions within each Co(II)–Co(II) pair of compound 1 are antiferromagnetic (g=2.19, J=−22 K, zj′=−0.00351 K). Furthermore, the photoluminescence property of 2 was also investigated in the solid state at room temperature. - Graphical abstract: Two polymeric metal compounds based on mixed-ligands were synthesized and characterized. The use of different metal ions results in distinct structures. The magnetic and fluorescent properties were also studied. - Highlights: • The first bpdc{sup 2−}/phdat-based 0D discrete coordination complex. • A new 2D architecture with two kinds of helical chains. • The structure-dependent magnetism and photoluminescence properties.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Structural Trends and Vibrational Analysis of N,N,N′,N′−Tetramethylmalonamide Complexes Across the Lanthanide Series

Fundamental understanding of coordination chemistry across the lanthanide series is essential for explaining chemical behavior of rare-earth metals in complex liquid-liquid extraction processes, which in turn affects the distribution ratios and efficacy of separations as a whole. In this work, we explore the structural trends between the lanthanides and a neutral N,N,N',N'-tetramethylmalonamide (TMMA) ligand within four isolated families of solid-state compounds: Ln(trans-TMMA) 2 (NO 3 ) 3 Ln=La-Nd, Sm; Ln(cis-TMMA) 2 (NO 3 ) 3 Ln=Eu-Tb, Er; [Ln(TMMA) 3 (NO 3 ) 2 ][Ln(TMMA)(NO 3 ) 4 ] Ln=Dy-Tm; Ln(Κ 2 -TMMA)(iPrOH)(NO 3 ) 3 and Ln(Κ 1 -TMMA)(Κ 2 -TMMA)(NO 3 ) 3 Ln=Yb, Lu. Moving across the lanthanide series, we note the formation of both discrete charge-neutral complexes, as well as charged molecular anion-cation pairs, with variations in spatial ligand arrangement, coordination numbers, and ligand denticities. IR and Raman spectroscopy paired with DFT frequency calculations were used for an in-depth investigation of vibrational modes unique to each structural family. The collection of isolated model compounds was also discussed in the context of liquid-liquid separations based on reported distribution ratios from malonamide extraction.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Optical and electronic functionality arising from controlled defect formation in nanoscale complex oxide lateral epitaxy

Epitaxial crystallization of complex oxides provides the means to create materials with precisely selected composition, strain, and orientation, thereby controlling their functionalities. Extending this control to nanoscale three-dimensional geometries can be accomplished via a three-dimensional analog of oxide solid-phase epitaxy, lateral epitaxial crystallization. The orientation of crystals within laterally crystallized SrTiO 3 systematically changes from the orientation of the SrTiO 3 substrate. This evolution occurs as a function of lateral crystallization distance, with a rate of approximately 50° μm -1 . The mechanism of the rotation is consistent with a steady-state stress of tens of megapascal over a 100–nanometer scale region near the moving amorphous/crystalline interface arising from the amorphous-crystalline density difference. Second harmonic generation and piezoelectric force microscopy reveal that the laterally crystallized SrTiO 3 is noncentrosymmetric and develops a switchable piezoelectric response at room temperature, illustrating the potential to use lateral crystallization to control the functionality of complex oxides.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Redistribution of Electron Equivalents between Magnetite and Aqueous Fe 2+ Induced by a Model Quinone Compound AQDS

The complex interactions between magnetite and aqueous Fe 2+ (Fe 2+ (aq) ) pertain to many biogeochemical redox processes in anoxic subsurface environments. The effect of natural organic matter, abundant in these same environments, on Fe 2+ (aq) -magnetite interactions is an additional complex that remains poorly understood. We investigated the influence of a model quinone molecule anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS) on Fe 2+ (aq) -magnetite interactions by systematically studying equilibrium Fe 2+ (aq) concentrations, rates and extents of AQDS reduction, and structural versus surface-localized Fe(II)/Fe(III) ratios in magnetite under different controlled experimental conditions. The equilibrium concentration of Fe 2+ (aq) in Fe 2+ -amended magnetite suspensions with AQDS proportionally changes with solution pH or initial AQDS concentration, but independent of magnetite loadings through the solid concentrations that were studied here. The rates and extents of AQDS reduction by Fe 2+ -amended magnetite proportionally increased with solution pH, magnetite loading, and initial Fe 2+ (aq) concentration, which correlates with the corresponding change of reduction potentials for the Fe 2+ -magnetite system. AQDS reduction by surface-associated Fe(II) in the Fe2+-magnetite suspensions induces solid-state migration of electron equivalents from particle interiors to the near-surface region and the production of nonmagnetic Fe(II)-containing species, which inhibits Fe 2+ (aq) incorporation or electron injection into the magnetite structure. Finally, this study demonstrates the significant influence of quinones on reductive activity of the Fe 2+ -magnetite system.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

The Overlooked Potential of Sulfated Zirconia: Reexamining Solid Superacidity Toward the Controlled Depolymerization of Polyolefins

Closed-loop recycling via an efficient chemical process can help alleviate the global plastic waste crisis. However, conventional depolymerization methods for polyolefins, which compose more than 50% of plastics, demand high temperatures and pressures, employ precious noble metals, and yield complex mixtures of products limited to single-use fuels or oils. Superacidic sulfated zirconia (SZrO) with Hammet Acidity Functions (H 0 ) = -12 (i.e., stronger than 100% H 2 SO 4 ) is an industrially deployed heterogeneous catalyst capable of activating hydrocarbons under mild conditions and is shown to decompose polyolefins at ambient pressure and temperatures near 200 °C. Additionally, confinement of active sites in porous supports is known to radically increase selectivity, coking and sintering resistance, and acid site activity, presenting a possible approach to low-energy polyolefin depolymerization. However, a critical examination of the literature on SZrO led us to a surprising conclusion: despite 40 years of catalytic study, engineering, and industrial use, the surface chemistry of SZrO is poorly understood. Ostensibly spurred by SZrO's impressive catalytic activity, the application-driven study of SZrO has resulted in deleterious ambiguity in requisite synthetic conditions and insufficient characterization of acidity, porosity, and active site structure. Here, this ambiguity has produced significant knowledge gaps surrounding the synthesis, structure, and mechanisms of hydrocarbon activation for optimized SZrO, stunting the potential of this catalyst in olefin cracking and other industrially relevant reactions, such as isomerization, esterification, and alkylation. Toward mitigating these long extant issues, we herein identify and highlight these current shortcomings and knowledge gaps, propose explicit guidelines for characterization of and reporting on characterization of solid acidity, and discuss the potential of pore-confined superacids in the efficient and selective depolymerization of polyolefins.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Quantum emitters dynamically coupled to a quantum field

We study theoretically the dynamical response of a set of solid-state quantum emitters arbitrarily coupled to a single-mode microcavity system. Ramping the matter-field coupling strength in round trips, we quantify the hysteresis or irreversible quantum dynamics. The matter-field system is modeled as a finite-size Dicke model which has previously been used to describe equilibrium (including quantum phase transition) properties of systems such as quantum dots in a microcavity. Here we extend this model to address non-equilibrium situations. Analyzing the system’s quantum fidelity, we find that the near-adiabatic regime exhibits the richest phenomena, with a strong asymmetry in the internal collective dynamics depending on which phase is chosen as the starting point. We also explore signatures of the crossing of the critical points on the radiation subsystem by monitoring its Wigner function; then, the subsystem can exhibit the emergence of non-classicality and complexity.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Ambient Mass Spectrometry Imaging Using Direct Liquid Extraction Techniques

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is a powerful analytical technique that enables label-free spatial localization and identification of molecules in complex samples.1-4 MSI applications range from forensics5 to clinical research6 and from understanding microbial communication7-8 to imaging biomolecules in tissues.1, 9-10 Recently, MSI protocols have been reviewed.11 Ambient ionization techniques enable direct analysis of complex samples under atmospheric pressure without special sample pretreatment.3, 12-16 In fact, in ambient ionization mass spectrometry, sample processing (e.g., extraction, dilution, preconcentration, or desorption) occurs during the analysis.17 This substantially speeds up analysis and eliminates any possible effects of sample preparation on the localization of molecules in the sample.3, 8, 12-14, 18-20 Venter and co-workers have classified ambient ionization techniques into three major categories based on the sample processing steps involved: 1) liquid extraction techniques, in which analyte molecules are removed from the sample and extracted into a solvent prior to ionization; 2) desorption techniques capable of generating free ions directly from substrates; and 3) desorption techniques that produce larger particles subsequently captured by an electrospray plume and ionized.17 This review focuses on localized analysis and ambient imaging of complex samples using a subset of ambient ionization methods broadly defined as “liquid extraction techniques” based on the classification introduced by Venter and co-workers.17 Specifically, we include techniques where analyte molecules are desorbed from solid or liquid samples using charged droplet bombardment, liquid extraction, physisorption, chemisorption, mechanical force, laser ablation, or laser capture microdissection. Analyte extraction is followed by soft ionization that generates ions corresponding to intact species. Some of the key advantages of liquid extraction techniques include the ease of operation, ability to analyze samples in their native environments, speed of analysis, and ability to tune the extraction solvent composition to a problem at hand. For example, solvent composition may be optimized for efficient extraction of different classes of analytes from the sample or for quantification or online derivatization through reactive analysis. In this review, we will: 1) introduce individual liquid extraction techniques capable of localized analysis and imaging, 2) describe approaches for quantitative MSI experiments free of matrix effects, 3) discuss advantages of reactive analysis for MSI experiments, and 4) highlight selected applications (published between 2012 and 2015) that focus on imaging and spatial profiling of molecules in complex biological and environmental samples.

Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory↗

Pushing the Limits of Delta Bonding in Metal–Chromium Complexes with Redox Changes and Metal Swapping

Into the metalloligand Cr[N(o-(NCH 2 P( i Pr) 2 )C 6 H 4 ) 3 ] (1, CrL) was inserted a second chromium atom to generate the dichromium complex Cr 2 L (2), which is a homobimetallic analogue of the known MCrL complexes, where M is manganese (3) or iron (4). The cationic and anionic counterparts, [MCrL] + and [MCrL] - , respectively, were targeted, and each MCr pair was isolated in at least one other redox state. The solid-state structures of the [MCrL] +,0,– redox members are basically the same, with ultrashort metal–metal bonds between 1.96 and 1.74 Å. The formal shortness ratios (r) of these interactions are between 0.84 and 0.74 and are interpreted as triple to quintuple metal–metal bonds with the aid of theory. The trio of (d–d) 10 species [Cr 2 L] - ( 2 red), MnCrL (3), and [FeCrL] + (4 ox ) are S = 0 diamagnets. On the basis of M—Cr bond distances and theoretical calculations, the strength of the metal–metal bond across the (d–d) 10 series increases in the order Fe < Mn < Cr. The methylene protons in the ligand are shifted downfield in the 1H NMR spectra, and the diamagnetic anisotropy of the metal–metal bond was calculated as -3500 × 10 –36 , -3900 × 10 –36 , and -5800 × 10 –36 m 3 molecule –1 for 2 red , 3, and 4 ox respectively. The magnitude of diamagnetic anisotropy is, thus, affected more by bond polarity than by bond order. A comparative vis–NIR study of quintuply bonded 2 red and 3 revealed a large red shift in the δ 4 → δ 3 δ * transition energy upon swapping from the (Cr 2 ) 2+ to the (MnCr) 3+ core. Complex 2 red was further investigated by resonance Raman spectroscopy, and a band at 434 cm –1 was assigned as the Cr—Cr bond vibration. Lastly, 4 ox exhibited a Mössbauer doublet with an isomer shift of 0.18 mm/s that suggests a primarily Fe-based oxidation to Fe(I).

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Simulating hindered grain boundary diffusion using the smoothed boundary method

Abstract Grain boundaries can greatly affect the transport properties of polycrystalline materials, particularly when the grain size approaches the nanoscale. While grain boundaries often enhance diffusion by providing a fast pathway for chemical transport, some material systems, such as those of solid oxide fuel cells and battery cathode particles, exhibit the opposite behavior, where grain boundaries act to hinder diffusion. To facilitate the study of systems with hindered grain boundary diffusion, we propose a model that utilizes the smoothed boundary method to simulate the dynamic concentration evolution in polycrystalline systems. The model employs domain parameters with diffuse interfaces to describe the grains, thereby enabling solutions with explicit consideration of their complex geometries. The intrinsic error arising from the diffuse interface approach employed in our proposed model is explored by comparing the results against a sharp interface model for a variety of parameter sets. Finally, two case studies are considered to demonstrate potential applications of the model. First, a nanocrystalline yttria-stabilized zirconia solid oxide fuel cell system is investigated, and the effective diffusivities are extracted from the simulation results and are compared to the values obtained through mean-field approximations. Second, the concentration evolution during lithiation of a polycrystalline battery cathode particle is simulated to demonstrate the method’s capability.

Materials Science↗

Non-traditional stable isotope measurements using laser desorption Orbitrap mass spectrometry: Implications for planetary missions.

Isotopic fractionation recorded in planetary materials provides insights into physical, chemical, and/or potential biological processes occurring on Solar System bodies. As we enter into the next decades of planetary exploration, the crucial information revealed by isotopic compositions of rocky and icy samples mandates that next generation spaceflight instrumentation possess the capability to measure isotope ratios in situ with sufficient precision/accuracy to distinguish between such processes. Here, in addition to identifying and fingerprinting complex organic materials with high accuracy and ultrahigh mass resolutions, laser desorption Orbitrap™ mass spectrometry (LD-O-MS) has the capability to determine the elemental and isotopic composition of solid planetary materials such as rock, regolith, organics, ice, etc. Here, we use a space-qualified LD-O-MS instrument comprising a 266 nm ultraviolet (UV) laser and Orbitrap mass analyzer ruggedized for planetary applications to investigate the stable isotopic composition of Ti and Zn metal plates. Based on the isotopic analyses, we constrain the performance of the CORALS instrument to sub per mille (‰) level accuracy and precision for Ti and at the per mille (‰) level for Zn. An LD-O-MS instrument is a versatile instrument capable of measuring isotopic composition of a variety of planetary samples and would constitute a critical instrument in the exploration of various planetary bodies including but not limited to Moon, Mars, Enceladus and other ocean or icy worlds, Ceres and other asteroids, and comets, thereby answering several high-priority questions pertaining to the formation and evolution of our Solar System.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗