Papers by Keyword: Electron Transfer

Abstract: Very recently, crystallization of metallic glasses (MGs) has presented promising properties in the catalytic field. This work has investigated enhanced catalytic performance of crystallized Fe₇₈Si₉B₁₃ ribbons for fast activating persulfate (PS) with assistance of UV-vis light and heat. The ribbons were obtained by annealing at 750°C (Fe-A750) and cibacron brilliant yellow 3G-P (BY 3G-P) dye was used as pollutant. The results indicated that UV-vis light had limited capability to enhance PS activation efficiency by crystallized ribbons while the reaction rate using heat at 65°C was 7.5 times higher than at 25°C, suggesting an advanced performance with heat assistance of Fe-A750 ribbons. Activation energy ∆E for Fe-A750 was measured as 44.5 kJ mol^-1. In addition, 5 times reusability could be achieved for Fe-A750 ribbons under 45°C without catalytic decay. The surface morphologies of glassy ribbons, as-annealed Fe-A750 ribbons, HCl-treated Fe-A750 ribbons and after-reused Fe-A750 ribbons have also been systematically studied. This work provides a novel clue to promote applicability of novel crystallized ribbons from MGs.

Abstract: An aryl benzyl ester dendritic axially substituted silicon (IV) phthalocyanine, a di-{3,5-di-(4-methoxycarbonyl group benzyloxy) benzyloxy) benzyloxy} axially substituted silicon (IV) phthalocyanine (DSiPc) was synthesized. Its structure was characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, IR and ESI-MS. The photophysical property of DSiPc was studied by steady and time-resolved spectroscopic methods. The steric hindrance of dendritic structure can reduced the aggregation efficiently. The photoinduced intermolecular electron transfer between this novel macromolecule and benzoquinone was studied. The results showed that the fluorescence emission of this dendritic phthalocyanine could be quenched by BQ. Therefore, this novel dendritic phthalocyanine was an effective new electron donor and transmission complex could be used as a potential artificial photosynthesis system.

Abstract: Since the discovery, gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have been attracting scientific and research communities owing to their biocompatibility, excellent thermal conductivity, low cytotoxicity, ease of processability, and highly functionalization capability. In this report, we discuss synthesis of gold nanoparticles with poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) in 1–butanol from gold hydroxide, a new precursor salt. An emergence of a strong surface plasmon absorption band at 535 nm confirms formation of GNPs in the colloidal solution. The stability of Au colloid was studied by using UV–Visible and zeta potential measurements. The interfacial interaction between GNP and PVP molecules was studied in terms of Fourier transform infrared and X–ray photoemission spectrum (XPS). Marked enhancement in some of the vibrational bands (e.g., C=O, C–H, and C–N stretching) of PVP molecules in presence of GNPs reveals existence of an interaction between this two major constituents. However a small red-shift in the C=O stretching frequency of pyrrolidone group of PVP molecule implies that a weak interaction occurs via O–atom of carbonyl group. Appearance of Au4f doublet band at 82.7 and 86.4 eV in XPS spectrum with a chemical shift of 3.7 eV further confirms formation of GNPs by reduction of Au3+ to Au0 chemical state in presence of PVP. A noticeable negative shift in the binding energies of Au4f doublet band as compared to bulk Au atom suggests an interfacial interaction between GNP and PVP molecules. Transmission electron microscopic images propose that Au crystalline core is covered by an amorphous layer of PVP molecules.

Abstract: Following the previous study [Chemistry Letters 2007, 10, 1278.] on specific electron transport pathway in porphyrin, the electron transfer through oligomeric porphyrin molecular wires was studied in this work using first principle density function theory and non-equilibrium Green’s function calculations. The effects of chain length on the transportation behavior were discussed in terms of the electronic structures and transmission spectra. Through the analysis of spatial distribution of molecular frontier orbit we found that with the chain length increased, the whole delocalization of molecular frontier orbit enlarged, so e-transitivity became better. The results demonstrated that the frontier orbital energy gap decreased when the chain length increased, so that it should be conductive to electronic transmission. We presumed that the oligomeric porphyrin can be used to make moleculer electronic devices.

Abstract: Recently, dye-sensitized solar cells have attracted much attention relevant to global environmental issues. So far ruthenium(II) bipyridyl complexes have proven to be the most efficient TiO2 sensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells. However, the highest power conversion efficiency has been stagnated in recent years. More importantly, considering that ruthenium is rare and expensive, novel dyes without metal or using inexpensive metal are desirable for highly efficient dye-sensitized solar cells. To fulfill the requirement, it is crucial to develop inexpensive novel dyes that exhibit high efficiencies in terms of light-harvesting, charge separation, and charge collection. Porphyrins are important classes of potential sensitizers for highly efficient dye-sensitized solar cells owing to their photostability and potentially high light-harvesting capabilities that would allow applications in thinner, low-cost dye-sensitized solar cells. However, typical porphyrins possess an intense Soret band at 400 nm and moderate Q bands at 600 nm, which does not match solar energy distribution on the earth. Therefore, the unmatched light-harvesting property relative to the ruthenium complexes has limited the cell performance of porphyrin-sensitized TiO2 cells. Elongation of the -conjugation and loss of symmetry in porphyrins cause broadening and red-shift of the absorption bands together with an increasing intensity of the Q bands relative to that of the Soret band. On the basis of the strategy, the cell performance of porphyrin-sensitized solar cells has been improved remarkably by the enhanced light absorption. The efficiency of porphyrin-sensitized solar cells could be improved significantly if the dyes with larger red and near-infrared absorption could be developed.

Abstract: The decrease of initial relative permeability at 103-106Hz is observed in MgCuZn or MnMgCuZn ferrites. By measuring the temperature dependence of loss factor, the gradual deterioration of initial relative permeability is attributed to a relaxation phenomenon. The relaxation phenomena of MnMgCuZn ferrites occur in the condition of the stoichiometoric composition and the higher sintering temperatures. The activation energies of the relaxation phenomena are calculated to be 0.3-1.0eV. The relaxation times at infinite temperature are calculated to be 10-12-10-16 second. The initial relative permeability of MgCuZn or MnMgCuZn ferrites with the relaxation phenomena is higher than the value calculated from the resonance frequency and Snoek’s limit law.

Abstract: Microbial biofilms produce electrochemical interactions with metal surfaces by following a wide variety of different electron exchange pathways. Reviewing the mechanisms identified in the biocorrosion of steels leads us to distinguish direct and indirect mechanisms for biofilm-catalysed cathodic reactions. Indirect mechanisms are due to the production of metal oxides or hydrogen peroxide (aerobic corrosion) or metal sulphides (anaerobic corrosion), which further react with the metal surface. Direct mechanisms involve adsorbed biocompounds, generally enzymes or their active sites, which catalyse the cathodic reduction of oxygen for aerobic biocorrosion or the proton/water reduction in anaerobic processes. Recent studies dealing with the role of hydrogenases in anaerobic corrosion have shed light on the important role of phosphate species via so-called cathodic deprotonation. Advances in the development of microbial fuel cells have also resulted in new concepts, mainly for oxidation processes. Some microbial cells have been shown to be able to produce their own electron mediators. Others can transfer electrons directly to electrodes through membrane-bound electron shuttles or achieve long-range transfer through conductive pili.

Abstract: For the first time, it was found that low-valence additives could be employed to improve the conversion efficiency of dye sensitized solar cell. It was experimentally discovered that by forming nonstoichiometric compound, Ti3+ was located in the lattice of TiO2 film, generating surplus electrons within the film and affecting the morphology of TiO2 particle. The improvement of the conversion efficiency of the solar cell was mainly due to the increase of short circuit current along with the content of Ti3+. The surface of the TiO2 particle became more coarsely after TiCl3 added and the absorbed dye molecules was increased. It was another reason of the improvement of conversion efficiency.