Local Structure and Photochromic Response in Ormosils Containing Dodecatungstophosphoric Acid

Two hybrid materials based on dodecatungstophosphoric acid (HPW) dispersed in ormosils modified with 3-aminopropiltrietoxysilane (APTS) or with N-(3-(trimethoxysilyl)-propyl)-ethylene-diamine (TSPEN) show reversible photochromic response induced by irradiation in the 200-390 nm UV range. A set of solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques was used to analyze the structural properties of the main components of these hybrids (the HPW polyanion, the inorganic matrix, and the organic functionalities). For the ormosils, the use of (29)Si NMR, {(1)H}-(29)Si cross-polarization, and {(1)H}-(29)Si HETCOR revealed a homogeneous distribution of silicon species Q ``, T(2), and T(3) for the APTS hybrid, contrasting with the separation of T(3) species in the TSPEN hybrid. The combination of (31)P NMR, {(1)H}-(31)P cross-polarization and (31)P-{(1)H} spin-echo double resonance (SEDOR) revealed the dispersion of the HPW ions in the ormosil, occupying sites with a high number of close protons (>50). Differences in the molecular dynamics at room temperature, inferred from SEDOR experiments, indicate a state of restricted mobility of the HPW ion and the surrounding molecular groups in the TSPEN hybrid. This behavior is consistent with the presence of more amino groups in the TSPEN, acting as chelating groups to the HPW ion. This hybrid, with the strong chelate interaction of the diamine group, shows the most intense photochromic response, in agreement with the charge transfer models proposed to explain the photochromic effect. Electronic reflectance spectroscopy in irradiated samples revealed the presence of one-electron and two-electron reduced polyanions. The one-electron reduced species could be detected also by (31)P NMR spectroscopy immediately after UV irradiation.

On the activation and physical degradation of boron-doped diamond surfaces brought on by cathodic pretreatments

The electrochemical activation and physical degradation of boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes with different boron doping levels after repeated cathodic pretreatments are reported. Galvanostatic cathodic pretreatment passing up to -14000 C cm(-2) in steps of -600 C cm(-2) using -1 A cm(-2) caused significant physical degradation of the BDD surface, with film detachment in some areas. Because of this degradation, a great increase in the electrochemically active area was observed in Tafel plots for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acid media. The minimum cathodic pretreatment needed for the electrochemical activation of the BDD electrodes without producing any observable physical degradation on the BDD surfaces was determined using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements and cyclic voltammetry: -9 C cm(-2), passed at -1 A cm(-2). This optimized cathodic pretreatment can be safely used when electrochemical experiments are carried out on BDD electrodes with doping levels in the range between 800 and 8000 ppm.

Síntese e caracterização físico-química de reticulados tridimensionais derivados de poli (isopreno) contendo grupos doadores e aceptores

Foram estudadas, neste trabalho, interacões por complexos de transferência de carga, através de medidas gravimétricas do grau de inchamento de géis de poli(isopreno) reticulado,contendo grupos aceptores de carga, em presença de grupos doadores de carga, de pequeno peso molecular, dissolvidos em tolueno. Para este fim, poli(isopreno) sintético proveniente da COPERBO - Companhia Pernambucana de Borracha Sintética, após purificação em clorofórmio, foi caracterizado por espectroscopia no infra-vermelho. O seu peso molecular médio foi determinado por viscosimetria em tolueno e o valor de Mv obtido foi 8,25 x 105. Através de epoxidação da dupla ligacão e hidrólise ácida do respectivo anel oxirano, foram introduzidos no poli(isopreno), previamente purificado, grupos aceptores de carga do tipo cloranil e ácido 3,5-dinitro-benzóico, e grupos doadores de carga do tipo carbazola. Obteve-se, desta forma, copolímeros aceptores do tipo poli (isopreno - co-cloranil) e poli(isopreno-co-(3,5-dinitro-benzoato)) e copolímero doador do tipo poli(isopreno- co-carbazola). A quantidade de cada espécie introduzida foi determinada por espectroscopia no ultra violeta. Poli(isopreno) e os copolímeros contendo grupos doadores ou aceptores foram reticulados em solução utilizando 4,4'-(4,4'-difenilmetileno)-bis- 1,2,4-triazolina-3,5-diona (BPMTD). Os filmes reticulados, após retirada a fase sol, e secos à vácuo, foram submetidos a inchamento em tolueno puro e em solução de tolueno contendo grupos aceptores ou doadores de carga, nas proporções 10:1, 1:1 e 1:10 (polímero: grupo doador ou polímero: grupo aceptor de carga), a 25, 30, 35 e 40ºC. Das medidas gravimétricas do grau de inchamento, foi verificado a formação de complexos por transferência de carga entre os copolímeros aceptores e carbazola. Foi verificado ainda que copolímeros contendo grupos aceptores do tipo cloranil possuem maior tendência a formar complexos por transferência de carga do que copolímeros aceptores contendo grupos 3,5-dinitro-benzoíla.

The effect of Eu3+ concentration on the Y2O3 host lattice obtained from citrate precursors

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Luminescent and morphological study of Sr2CeO4 blue phosphor prepared from oxalate precursors

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Desenvolvimento de um novo complexo macrocíclico do sistema cobalto cyclam

In this work were synthesized and studied the spectroscopic and electrochemical characteristics of the coordination compounds trans-[Co (cyclam)Cl2]Cl, trans- Na[Co(cyclam)(tios)2], trans-[Co(en)2Cl2]Cl and trans-Na[Co(en)2(tios)2], where tios = thiosulfate and en = ethylenediamine. The compounds were characterized by: Elemental Analysis (CHN), Absorption Spectroscopy in the Infrared (IR), Uv-Visible Absorption Spectroscopy, Luminescence Spectroscopy and Electrochemistry (cyclic voltammetry). Elemental Analysis (CHN) suggests the following structures for the complex: trans- [Co(cyclam)Cl2]Cl.6H2O and trans-Na[Co(cyclam)(tios)2].7H2O. The electrochemical analysis, when compared the cathodic potential (Ec) processes of the complexes trans- [Co(cyclam)Cl2]Cl and trans-[Co(en)2Cl2]Cl, indicated a more negative value (-655 mV) for the second complex, suggesting a greater electron donation to the metal center in this complex which can be attributed to a greater proximity of the nitrogen atoms of ethylenediamine in relation to metal-nitrogen cyclam. Due to the effect of setting macrocyclic ring to the metal center, the metal-nitrogen bound in the cyclam are not as close as the ethylenediamine, this fact became these two ligands different. Similar behavior is also observed for complexes in which the chlorides are replaced by thiosulfate ligand, trans-Na[Co(en)2(tios)2] (-640 mV) and trans-Na[Co(cyclam)(tios)2] (-376 mV). In absorption spectroscopy in the UV-visible, there is the band of charge transfer LMCT (ligand p d* the metal) in the trans-Na[Co(cyclam)(tios)2] (350 nm, p tios  d* Co3+) and in the trans-Na[Co(en)2(tios)2] (333 nm, p tios d* Co3+), that present higher wavelength compared to complex precursor trans- [Co(cyclam)Cl2]Cl (318 nm, pCl  d* Co3+), indicating a facility of electron density transfer for the metal in the complex with the thiosulfate ligand. The infrared analysis showed the coordination of the thiosulfate ligand to the metal by bands in the region (620-635 cm-1), features that prove the monodentate coordination via the sulfur atom. The νN-H bands of the complexes with ethylenediamine are (3283 and 3267 cm-1) and the complex with cyclam bands are (3213 and 3133 cm-1). The luminescence spectrum of the trans-Na[Co(cyclam)(tios)2] present charge transfer band at 397 nm and bands dd at 438, 450, 467, 481 and 492 nm.

Síntese e caracterização de compostos de coordenação homolépticos e heterolépticos com o ligante ácido kójico

The present work has as main objective to contribute to the coordination chemistry of the ligand kojic acid, with the synthesis and characterization of the homoleptic compounds [Al(kj)3], [Fe(kj)3], [Fe(kj)2], [Cu(kj)2] e [Ru(kj)3], and the new heteroleptic complexes, trans- K2[Fe(kj)2(CN)2] and trans-Na2[Ru(kj)2(CN)2]. The obtained compounds were characterized by vibrational spectroscopy in the infrared region (IV) and Electronic spectroscopy in the ultraviolet and visible region (Uv-Vis). The infrared results indicated the coordination of the bidentate ligand kojic acid, due to reductions in the values of the stretching frequencies of the carbonyl and double bonds, compared to the free ligand for all complexes obtained. The presence of new vibrational modes indicated the change of symmetry of the molecules in the new compounds synthesized. Additionally, the presence of vibrational modes assigned to metal-oxygen also contributed to confirm the ligand coordinating to the metal ions. Through this technique, was also possible to perform correlations of the numbers of vibrational modes, in the region 1400-900 cm-1 and the compounds geometry. The heteroleptic compounds exhibited υC≡N in 2065 and 2053 cm-1, respectively, for the trans-K2[Fe(kj)2(CN)2] and trans-Na2[Ru(kj)2(CN)2], indicating coordination of the cyano ligand to metal ions FeII e RuII. Comparing the obtained values with literature data was possible to identify the complex isomerism as trans. In relation to the results of electronic spectroscopy, studies of pH variation of kojic acid provided information on the distribution of electron density in the molecule, showing characteristic spectral profile of kojic ion and its protonated form (Hkj, kojic acid), with two bands at 215 and 269 nm, or deprotonated (kj-), with bands at 226 and 315 nm. The electronic spectra obtained for all complexes in aqueous medium, in the ultraviolet region, exhibited variations of the energies assigned to kojic acid intraligand transitions while in the visible region, only transitions assigned to charge transfer of iron and ruthenium complex have been identified

Transporte eletrônico e propriedades termodinâmicas de nanobiomoléculas

We use a tight-binding formulation to investigate the transmissivity and the currentvoltage (I_V) characteristics of sequences of double-strand DNA molecules. In order to reveal the relevance of the underlying correlations in the nucleotides distribution, we compare theresults for the genomic DNA sequence with those of arti_cial sequences (the long-range correlated Fibonacci and RudinShapiro one) and a random sequence, which is a kind of prototype of a short-range correlated system. The random sequence is presented here with the same _rst neighbors pair correlations of the human DNA sequence. We found that the long-range character of the correlations is important to the transmissivity spectra, although the I_V curves seem to be mostly inuenced by the short-range correlations. We also analyze in this work the electronic and thermal properties along an _-helix sequence obtained from an _3 peptide which has the uni-dimensional sequence (Leu-Glu-Thr- Leu-Ala-Lys-Ala)3. An ab initio quantum chemical calculation procedure is used to obtain the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) as well as their charge transfer integrals, when the _-helix sequence forms two di_erent variants with (the so-called 5Q variant) and without (the 7Q variant) _brous assemblies that can be observed by transmission electron microscopy. The di_erence between the two structures is that the 5Q (7Q) structure have Ala ! Gln substitution at the 5th (7th) position, respectively. We estimate theoretically the density of states as well as the electronic transmission spectra for the peptides using a tight-binding Hamiltonian model together with the Dyson's equation. Besides, we solve the time dependent Schrodinger equation to compute the spread of an initially localized wave-packet. We also compute the localization length in the _nite _-helix segment and the quantum especi_c heat. Keeping in mind that _brous protein can be associated with diseases, the important di_erences observed in the present vi electronic transport studies encourage us to suggest this method as a molecular diagnostic tool

Electrochemical Redox Behavior of Omeprazole Using a Glassy Carbon Electrode

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Understanding the origin of photoluminescence in disordered Ca0.60Sr0.40WO4: An experimental and first-principles study

Visible photoluminescence (PL) was observed for the first time at room temperature in structurally disordered calcium strontium tungstate powder, Ca0.60Sr0.40WO4 (CSW), obtained by the polymeric precursor method. The PL behavior of CSW powders has been analyzed as a function of the disorder rate, based on experimental and theoretical studies. Quantum mechanical theory based on density functional theory at the B3LYP level has been employed to study the electronic structure of two periodic models representing both crystalline and disordered powders. Their electronic structures have been analyzed in terms of density of states, band dispersion and charge densities. The calculations indicate a break in symmetry when passing from crystalline to disordered models, creating localized electronic levels above the valence band. Moreover, a negative charge transfer process takes place from the [WO3] cluster to the [WO4] cluster. The polarization induced by the break in symmetry and the existence of localized levels favors the creation of trapped holes and electrons, originating the PL phenomenon. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Surface Passivation of Nanoporous TiO2 via Atomic Layer Deposition of ZrO2 for Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Applications

We report here the utilization of atomid layer deposition to passivate surface map states in mosoporous TiO2 nanoparticles for solid state dye sensitized solar cells based on 9,9'-spirobifluorene (spiro-OMeTAD). By depositing ZrO2 films with angstrom-level precision, coating the mesoporous TiO2 produces over a two-fold enhancement in short-circuit current density, as compared to a control device. Impedance spectroscopy measurements provide evidence that the ZrO2 coating reduces recombination lossed at the TiO2/spiro-OMeTAD interface and passivates localized surface states. Low-frequency negative capacitances, frequently observed in nanocomposite solar cells, have been associated with the surface-state mediated charge transfer from TiO2 to the spiro-OMeTAD.

Platinum-coated nanostructured oxides for active catalytic electrodes

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Coloring ionic trapping states in WO3 and Nb2O5 electrochromic materials

Complex electro-optical analysis is a very useful approach to separate different kinetic processes that occur during ionic insertion reactions in electrochromic oxide materials. In this paper, we use this type of combined technique to investigate ionic and optical changes in different oxide host systems, i.e., in two oxide hosts, specifically WO3 and Nb2O5. A comparison of their electro-optical responses revealed the presence of an ionic trapping contribution to the kinetics of the coloring sites, which was named here as coloring ionic trapping state. As expected, this coloring trapping process is slower in Nb2O5 since the reduction potential of Nb2O5 is more negative (more energy is needed for a higher degree of coloration). A phenomenological solid-state model that encompasses homogeneous charge transfer and valence trapping was proposed to explain the coloring ionic trapping process. Basically the model is able to explain how ionic dynamics at low frequency region, i.e., the slower kinetic step, controls the coloring kinetics, i.e., how it is capable to regulate the coloring rates.Optical transient analyses demonstrated the possibility of the presence of more than one coloring ionic trap, indicating the complexity of the processes involved in coloration phenomenon in metal oxide host systems. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Electrochemical and spectroscopic characterization of screen-printed gold-based electrodes modified with self-assembled monolayers and Tc85 protein

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Optimization of incubation time of protein Tc85 in the construction of biosensor: Is the EIS a good tool?

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)