Long-term stability in γ-CsPbI3 perovskite via an ultraviolet-curable polymer network

Black-colored (α, γ-phase) CsPbI3 perovskites have a small bandgap and excellent absorption properties in the visible light regime, making them attractive for solar cells. However, their long-term stability in ambient conditions is limited. Here, we demonstrate a strategy to improve structural and electrical long-term stability in γ-CsPbI3 by the use of an ultraviolet-curable polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) polymer network. Oxygen lone pair electrons from the PEGDMA are found to capture Cs+ and Pb2+ cations, improving crystal growth of γ-CsPbI3 around PEGDMA. In addition, the PEGDMA polymer network strongly contributes to maintaining the black phase of γ-CsPbI3 for more than 35 days in air, and an optimized perovskite film retained ~90% of its initial electrical properties under red, green, and blue light irradiation.

Unsaturated and Benzannulated N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes of Titanium and Hafnium: Impact on Catalysts Structure and Performance in Copolymerization of Cyclohexene Oxide with CO2

Tridentate, bis-phenolate N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) are among the ligands giving the most selective and active group 4-based catalysts for the copolymerization of cyclohexene oxide (CHO) with CO2. In particular, ligands based on imidazolidin-2-ylidene (saturated NHC) moieties have given catalysts which exclusively form polycarbonate in moderate-to-high yields even under low CO2 pressure and at low copolymerization temperatures. Here, to evaluate the influence of the NHC moiety on the molecular structure of the catalyst and its performance in copolymerization, we extend this chemistry by synthesizing and characterizing titanium complexes bearing tridentate bis-phenolate imidazol-2-ylidene (unsaturated NHC) and benzimidazol-2-ylidene (benzannulated NHC) ligands. The electronic properties of the ligands and the nature of their bonds to titanium are studied using density functional theory (DFT) and natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. The metal–NHC bond distances and bond strengths are governed by ligand-to-metal σ- and π-donation, whereas back-donation directly from the metal to the NHC ligand seems to be less important. The NHC π-acceptor orbitals are still involved in bonding, as they interact with THF and isopropoxide oxygen lone-pair donor orbitals. The new complexes are, when combined with [PPN]Cl co-catalyst, selective in polycarbonate formation. The highest activity, albeit lower than that of the previously reported Ti catalysts based on saturated NHC, was obtained with the benzannulated NHC-Ti catalyst. Attempts to synthesize unsaturated and benzannulated NHC analogues based on Hf invariably led, as in earlier work with Zr, to a mixture of products that include zwitterionic and homoleptic complexes. However, the benzannulated NHC-Hf complexes were obtained as the major products, allowing for isolation. Although these complexes selectively form polycarbonate, their catalytic performance is inferior to that of analogues based on saturated NHC.

Visible Light-Induced Homolytic Cleavage of Perfluoroalkyl Iodides Mediated by Phosphines

In an effort to explain the experimentally observed variation of the photocatalytic activity of t Bu 3 P, n Bu 3 P and (MeO) 3 P in the blue-light regime [Helmecke et al., Org. Lett. 21 (2019) 7823], we have explored the absorption characteristics of several phosphine– and phosphite–IC 4 F 9 adducts by means of relativistic density functional theory and multireference configuration interaction methods. Based on the results of these computational and complementary experimental studies, we offer an explanation for the broad tailing of the absorption of t Bu 3 P-IC 4 F 9 and (MeO) 3 P-IC 4 F 9 into the visible-light region. Larger coordinate displacements of the ground and excited singlet potential energy wells in n Bu 3 P-IC 4 F 9 , in particular with regard to the P–I–C bending angle, reduce the Franck–Condon factors and thus the absorption probability compared to t Bu 3 P-IC 4 F 9 . Spectroscopic and computational evaluation of conformationally flexible and locked phosphites suggests that the reactivity of (MeO) 3 P may be the result of oxygen lone-pair participation and concomitant broadening of absorption. The proposed mechanism for the phosphine-catalyzed homolytic C–I cleavage of perfluorobutane iodide involves S1 ← S0 absorption of the adduct followed by intersystem crossing to the photochemically active T 1 state.

Water Adsorption on the β-Dicalcium Silicate Surface from DFT Simulations

β-dicalcium silicate (β-Ca2SiO4 or β-C2S in cement chemistry notation) is one of the most important minerals in cement. An improvement of its hydration rate would be the key point for developing environmentally-friendly cements with lower energy consumption and CO2 emissions. However, there is a lack of fundamental understanding on the water/β-C2S surface interactions. In this work, we aim to evaluate the water adsorption on three β-C2S surfaces at the atomic scale using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Our results indicate that thermodynamically favorable water adsorption takes place in several surface sites with a broad range of adsorption energies (−0.78 to −1.48 eV) depending on the particular mineral surface and adsorption site. To clarify the key factor governing the adsorption of the electronic properties of water at the surface were analyzed. The partial density of states (DOS), charge analysis, and electron density difference analyses suggest a dual interaction of water with a β-C2S (100) surface including a nucleophilic interaction of the water oxygen lone pair with surface calcium atoms and an electrophilic interaction (hydrogen bond) of one water hydrogen with surface oxygen atoms. Despite the elucidation of the adsorption mechanism, no correlation was found between the electronic structure and the adsorption energies.

Water Adsorption on the β-Dicalcium Silicate Surface from DFT Simulations

β-dicalcium silicate (β-Ca2SiO4, or β-C2S in cement chemistry notation) is one of the most important minerals in cement. An improvement of its hydration rate would be the key point for developing environmentally friendly cements with lower energy consumption and CO2 emissions. However, there is a lack of fundamental understanding on the water/β-C2S surface interactions. In this work we aim to evaluate the water adsorption on three β-C2S surfaces at the atomic scale using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Our results indicate that thermodynamically favorable water adsorption takes place in several surface sites, with a broad range of adsorption energies (−0.78 to −1.48 eV), depending on the particular mineral surface and adsorption site. To clarify the key factor governing the adsorption, the electronic properties of water at the surface were analyzed. The partial density of states (DOS), charge analysis, and electron density difference analyses suggest a dual interaction of water with β-C2S (100) surface: a nucleophilic interaction of the water oxygen lone pair with surface calcium atoms, and an electrophilic interaction (hydrogen bond) of one water hydrogen with surface oxygen atoms. Despite the elucidation of the adsorption mechanism, no correlation was found between the electronic structure and the adsorption energies.

Water Adsorption on the β-Dicalcium Silicate Surface from DFT Simulations: a Dual Nucleophilic-Electrophilic Interaction

β-dicalcium silicate (β-Ca2SiO4, or β-C2S in cement chemistry notation) is one of the most important minerals in cement. An improvement of its hydration speed would be the key point for developing environmentally friendly cements with lower energy consumption and CO2 emissions. However, there is a lack of fundamental understanding on the water/β-C2S surface interactions. Therefore, in this work we aim to understand the water adsorption and dissociation mechanism on the β-C2S (100) surface using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Our results indicate that thermodynamically favorable water adsorption process takes place in several surface sites, with a broad range of adsorption energies (-0.78 to -1.24 eV), depending on the particular water conformation and surface site. To clarify the key factor governing the adsorption, the electronic properties of water at the surface sites were analyzed. The partial density of states (DOS), charge analysis, and electron density difference analyses suggest a dual interaction of water with β-C2S (100) surface: a nucleophilic interaction of the water oxygen lone pair with surface calcium atoms, and an electrophilic interaction (hydrogen bond) of one water hydrogen with surface oxygen atoms, being the first one the stronger interaction. Hence, we suggest that β-C2S hydration could be enhanced by introducing chemical or structural changes that increase both the electronegative/positive character of the surface.

Bond-length distributions for ions bonded to oxygen: Metalloids and post-transition metals

Bond-length distributions are examined for thirty-three configurations of the metalloid ions and fifty-six configurations of the post-transition-metal ions bonded to oxygen. Lone-pair stereoactivity is discussed.

Bond-length distributions for ions bonded to oxygen: Metalloids and post-transition metals

Bond-length distributions are examined for thirty-three configurations of the metalloid ions and fifty-six configurations of the post-transition-metal ions bonded to oxygen. Lone-pair stereoactivity is discussed.

Bond-length distributions for ions bonded to oxygen: Results for the non-metals and discussion of lone-pair stereoactivity and the polymerization of PO4

Bond-length distributions are examined for three configurations of the H+ ion, sixteen configurations of the group 14-16 non-metal ions and seven configurations of the group 17 ions bonded to oxygen. Lone-pair stereoactivity for ions bonded to O^2- is discussed, as well as the polymerization of the PO₄ group.

Bond-length distributions for ions bonded to oxygen: Results for the non-metals and discussion of lone-pair stereoactivity and the polymerization of PO4

Bond-length distributions are examined for three configurations of the H+ ion, sixteen configurations of the group 14-16 non-metal ions and seven configurations of the group 17 ions bonded to oxygen. Lone-pair stereoactivity for ions bonded to O^2- is discussed, as well as the polymerization of the PO₄ group.