Synthesis and characterization of metal-chalcogenide MQ 2-Nanoparticles (M = Mo, W, Zr; Q = S, O)

Here, we present the adaptation and optimization of (i) the solvothermal and (ii) the metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) approach as simple methods for the high-yield synthesis of MQ2 (M=Mo, W, Zr; Q = O, S) nanoparticles. Extensive characterization was carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning and transmission electron micros¬copy (SEM/TEM) combined with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA), Raman spectroscopy, thermal analyses (DTA/TG), small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and BET measurements. After a general introduction to the state of the art, a simple route to nanostructured MoS2 based on the decomposition of the cluster-based precursor (NH4)2Mo3S13∙xH2O under solvothermal conditions (toluene, 653 K) is presented. Solvothermal decomposition results in nanostructured material that is distinct from the material obtained by decomposition of the same precursor in sealed quartz tubes at the same temperature. When carried out in the presence of the surfactant cetyltrimethyl¬ammonium bromide (CTAB), the decomposition product exhibits highly disordered MoS2 lamellae with high surface areas. The synthesis of WS2 onion-like nanoparticles by means of a single-step MOCVD process is discussed. Furthermore, the results of the successful transfer of the two-step MO¬CVD based synthesis of MoQ2 nanoparticles (Q = S, Se), comprising the formation of amorphous precursor particles and followed by the formation of fullerene-like particles in a subsequent annealing step to the W-S system, are presented. Based on a study of the temperature dependence of the reactions a set of conditions for the formation of onion-like structures in a one-step reaction could be derived. The MOCVD approach allows a selective synthesis of open and filled fullerene-like chalcogenide nanoparticles. An in situ heating stage transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study was employed to comparatively investigate the growth mechanism of MoS2 and WS2 nanoparticles obtained from MOCVD upon annealing. Round, mainly amorphous particles in the pristine sample trans¬form to hollow onion-like particles upon annealing. A significant difference between both compounds could be demonstrated in their crystallization conduct. Finally, the results of the in situ hea¬ting experiments are compared to those obtained from an ex situ annealing process under Ar. Eventually, a low temperature synthesis of monodisperse ZrO2 nanoparticles with diameters of ~ 8 nm is introduced. Whereas the solvent could be omitted, the synthesis in an autoclave is crucial for gaining nano-sized (n) ZrO2 by thermal decomposition of Zr(C2O4)2. The n-ZrO2 particles exhibits high specific surface areas (up to 385 m2/g) which make them promising candidates as catalysts and catalyst supports. Co-existence of m- and t-ZrO2 nano-particles of 6-9 nm in diameter, i.e. above the critical particle size of 6 nm, demonstrates that the particle size is not the only factor for stabilization of the t-ZrO2 modification at room temperature. In conclusion, synthesis within an autoclave (with and without solvent) and the MOCVD process could be successfully adapted to the synthesis of MoS2, WS2 and ZrO2 nanoparticles. A comparative in situ heating stage TEM study elucidated the growth mechanism of MoS2 and WS2 fullerene-like particles. As the general processes are similar, a transfer of this synthesis approach to other layered transition metal chalcogenide systems is to be expected. Application of the obtained nanomaterials as lubricants (MoS2, WS2) or as dental filling materials (ZrO2) is currently under investigation.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in river bank soils

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous and found in the atmosphere, aquatic environment, sediments and soils. For environmental risk assessments and the allocation of the polluter it is important to know the PAH sources. PAH contamination sites are usually the result of anthropogenic processes. Three major sources are known: i) petroleum, including crude oil and its refined products and coals (petrogenic PAHs), ii) burning of organic matter (pyrogenic PAHs) and iii) transformation products of natural organic precursors present in the environment (diagenetic processes). In one case elevated PAH concentrations were found in river bank soils when building a retention area along the Mosel River. The source of the PAHs in this area was unclear and required the investigation of possible sources. To evaluate the PAH distribution along the Mosel River, a section of ~ 160 km along the river and a short section along the Saar River were investigated within this study. Concentrations of the Σ16 EPA PAHs were as high as 81 mg kg-1 dry weight (dw). Additionally, coal particles were identified in some soils, which originated from mining activities in the Saarland region. PAH distribution patterns of the 16 EPA PAHs suggest a mainly pyrogenic origin and in some cases a mixture of pyrogenic and petrogenic origin. For a comprehensive investigation five sampling sites were selected. Two sites were located before the confluence of the Mosel and Saar River, one site at the confluence and two sites after the confluence. The examination included typical forensic methods such as PAH distribution patterns of 45 PAHs (including alkylated PAHs), calculation of PAH ratios, determination of PAH alkyl homologues, n-alkanes, principal component analysis (PCA) and coal petrography. The results revealed a mainly pyrogenic source at sampling sites before the confluence of the two rivers. At and after the confluence, a mixture of pyrogenic and petrogenic inputs were present. With the help of coal petrography, coal derived particles could be identified in these soils. Therefore, coal was suggested to be the petrogenic source. It could be shown that sites with diffuse sources of contaminants, like the bank soils of the Mosel River, are difficult to characterize. As previously mentioned for detailed source identifications, the use of various forensic methods is essential. Determination of PAH alkyl homologue series, biomarkers and isotopes are often recommended. Source identification was evaluated using three different methods (i.e. PAH distribution patterns of an extended PAH spectrum, PAH ratios and analyses of n-alkanes). It was assessed if these methods were sufficient for the initial steps in identifying sources of PAHs in selected samples, and if they could be used for decision-making purposes. Point- and non-point sources were identified by applying the three methods and it could be shown that these relatively simple methods are sufficient in determining the primary source. In a last step of this study two soils (one before the confluence of the Mosel and Saar rivers and one after the confluence), and one sediment of the Mosel River were evaluated by investigating the mutagenic potential of the soils and the sediment with a fluctuation version of the Ames-test. The study showed that coal bearing soils at the Mosel River do not exhibit a greater mutagenic potential than other soils or sediments without coal particles.

Internally contracted multireference coupled-cluster methods

This thesis details the development of quantum chemical methods for the accurate theoretical description of molecular systems with a complicated electronic structure. In simple cases, a single Slater determinant, in which the electrons occupy a number of energetically lowest molecular orbitals, offers a qualitatively correct model. The widely used coupled-cluster method CCSD(T) efficiently includes electron correlation effects starting from this determinant and provides reaction energies in error by only a few kJ/mol. However, the method often fails when several electronic configurations are important, as, for instance, in the course of many chemical reactions or in transition metal compounds. Internally contracted multireference coupled-cluster methods (ic-MRCC methods) cure this deficiency by using a linear combination of determinants as a reference function. Despite their theoretical elegance, the ic-MRCC equations involve thousands of terms and are therefore derived by the computer. Calculations of energy surfaces of BeH2, HF, LiF, H2O, N2 and Be3 unveil the theory's high accuracy compared to other approaches and the quality of various hierarchies of approximations. New theoretical advances include size-extensive techniques for removing linear dependencies in the ic-MRCC equations and a multireference analog of CCSD(T). Applications of the latter method to O3, Ni2O2, benzynes, C6H7NO and Cr2 underscore its potential to become a new standard method in quantum chemistry.

Computer simulation methods to study interfacial tensions : from the Ising model to colloidal crystals

In condensed matter systems, the interfacial tension plays a central role for a multitude of phenomena. It is the driving force for nucleation processes, determines the shape and structure of crystalline structures and is important for industrial applications. Despite its importance, the interfacial tension is hard to determine in experiments and also in computer simulations. While for liquid-vapor interfacial tensions there exist sophisticated simulation methods to compute the interfacial tension, current methods for solid-liquid interfaces produce unsatisfactory results.rnrnAs a first approach to this topic, the influence of the interfacial tension on nuclei is studied within the three-dimensional Ising model. This model is well suited because despite its simplicity, one can learn much about nucleation of crystalline nuclei. Below the so-called roughening temperature, nuclei in the Ising model are not spherical anymore but become cubic because of the anisotropy of the interfacial tension. This is similar to crystalline nuclei, which are in general not spherical but more like a convex polyhedron with flat facets on the surface. In this context, the problem of distinguishing between the two bulk phases in the vicinity of the diffuse droplet surface is addressed. A new definition is found which correctly determines the volume of a droplet in a given configuration if compared to the volume predicted by simple macroscopic assumptions.rnrnTo compute the interfacial tension of solid-liquid interfaces, a new Monte Carlo method called ensemble switch method'' is presented which allows to compute the interfacial tension of liquid-vapor interfaces as well as solid-liquid interfaces with great accuracy. In the past, the dependence of the interfacial tension on the finite size and shape of the simulation box has often been neglected although there is a nontrivial dependence on the box dimensions. As a consequence, one needs to systematically increase the box size and extrapolate to infinite volume in order to accurately predict the interfacial tension. Therefore, a thorough finite-size scaling analysis is established in this thesis. Logarithmic corrections to the finite-size scaling are motivated and identified, which are of leading order and therefore must not be neglected. The astounding feature of these logarithmic corrections is that they do not depend at all on the model under consideration. Using the ensemble switch method, the validity of a finite-size scaling ansatz containing the aforementioned logarithmic corrections is carefully tested and confirmed. Combining the finite-size scaling theory with the ensemble switch method, the interfacial tension of several model systems, ranging from the Ising model to colloidal systems, is computed with great accuracy.