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Optimization and Validation of Efficient Models for Predicting Polythiophene Self-Assembly
摘要： We develop an optimized force-field for poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and demonstrate its utility for predicting thermodynamic self-assembly. In particular, we consider short oligomer chains, model electrostatics and solvent implicitly, and coarsely model solvent evaporation. We quantify the performance of our model to determine what the optimal system sizes are for exploring self-assembly at combinations of state variables. We perform molecular dynamics simulations to predict the self-assembly of P3HT at ～350 combinations of temperature and solvent quality. Our structural calculations predict that the highest degrees of order are obtained with good solvents just below the melting temperature. We find our model produces the most accurate structural predictions to date, as measured by agreement with grazing incident X-ray scattering experiments.
关键词： organic photovoltaics,molecular dynamics,coarse-graining
更新于2025-09-23 15:22:29
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Mechanisim investigation on the enhanced and selective photoelectrochemical oxidation of atrazine on molecular imprinted mesoporous TiO2
摘要： In this work, enhanced and selective photoelectrochemical (PEC) oxidation of atrazine was realized on molecular imprinted mesoporous TiO2 (MI-meso-TiO2). The investigation revealed that, for one hand, the surface MI sites could function as surface defects for accelerating the separation of photogenerated holes and electrons, leading to enhanced generation of hydroxyl radicals. For the other hand, the MI sites showed enhanced binding affinity toward atrazine, resulted from the formation of multiple hydrogen bonds and halogen bonds etc., which was testified by in situ ATR-FTIR spectra. It led to the enhanced adsorption and improved local concentration of atrazine on the electrode surface. Both the two factors contributed to the improved PEC oxidation activity for atrazine on MI-meso-TiO2 compared with that on meso-TiO2. Moreover, the high binding affinity between MI sites and atrazine resulted in the selective recognition ability toward atrazine in the presence of the coexisting pollutants, so that selective PEC oxidation of atrazine in complex polluted water samples was successfully achieved on MI-meso-TiO2 with the apparent rate constant of 0.25 h-1, whereas that on meso-TiO2 was only 0.08 h-1. This work provided something new for explaining the selective and enhanced PEC performance on molecular imprinting catalyst.
关键词： mesoporous TiO2,molecular imprint,selective photoelectrochemical oxidation,atrazine
更新于2025-09-23 15:22:29
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Modelling of ‘sub-atomic’ contrast resulting from back-bonding on Si(111)-7×7
摘要： It has recently been shown that ‘sub-atomic’ contrast can be observed during NC-AFM imaging of the Si(111)-7×7 substrate with a passivated tip, resulting in triangular shaped atoms [Sweetman et al. Nano Lett. 2014, 14, 2265]. The symmetry of the features, and the well-established nature of the dangling bond structure of the silicon adatom means that in this instance the contrast cannot arise from the orbital structure of the atoms, and it was suggested by simple symmetry arguments that the contrast could only arise from the backbonding symmetry of the surface adatoms. However, no modelling of the system has been performed in order to understand the precise origin of the contrast. In this paper we provide a detailed explanation for ‘sub-atomic’ contrast observed on Si(111)-7×7 using a simple model based on Lennard-Jones potentials, coupled with a flexible tip, as proposed by Hapala et al. [Phys. Rev. B 2014, 90, 085421] in the context of interpreting sub-molecular contrast. Our results show a striking similarity to experimental results, and demonstrate how ‘sub-atomic’ contrast can arise from a flexible tip exploring an asymmetric potential created due to the positioning of the surrounding surface atoms.
关键词： NC-AFM,sub-atomic,qPlus,sub-molecular
更新于2025-09-23 15:22:29
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Oxidative and reductive cyclization in stiff dithienylethenes
摘要： The electrochemical behavior of stiff dithienylethenes, undergoing double bond isomerization in addition to ring-closure, has been investigated. Electrochromism was observed in almost all cases, with the major pathway being the oxidatively induced cyclization of the open isomers. The influence of the ring size (to lock the reactive antiparallel conformation) as well as substituents (to modulate the redox potential) on the electrocyclization was examined. In the series of derivatives with 6-membered rings, both the E- and the Z-isomer convert to the closed isomer, whereas for the 7-membered rings no cyclization from the E-isomer was observed. For both stiff and normal dithienylethenes bearing benzonitrile substituents an additional and rare reductive electrocyclization was observed. The mechanism underlying both observed electrocyclization pathways has been elucidated.
关键词： (spectro)electrochemistry,electrochromism,molecular switches,diarylethenes
更新于2025-09-23 15:22:29
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The effect of grain-size on fracture of polycrystalline silicon carbide: A multiscale analysis using a molecular dynamics-peridynamics framework
摘要： A robust atomistic to mesoscale computational multiscale/multiphysics modeling framework that explicitly takes into account atomic-scale descriptions of grain-boundaries, is implemented to examine the interplay between grain-size and fracture of polycrystalline cubic silicon carbide (3C-SiC). A salient feature of the developed framework is the establishment of scale-parity between the chosen atomistic and the mesoscale methods namely molecular dynamics (MD) and peridynamics (PD) respectively, which enables the ability to model the effect of the underlying microstructure as well as obtain relevant new insights into the role of grain-size on the ensuing mechanical response of 3C-SiC. Material properties such as elastic modulus, and fracture toughness of single crystals and bicrystals of various orientations are obtained from MD simulations, and using appropriate statistical analysis, MD derived properties are interfaced with PD simulations, resulting in mesoscale simulations that accurately predict the role of grain-size on failure strength, fracture energy, elastic modulus, fracture toughness, and tensile toughness of polycrystalline 3C-SiC. In particular, it is seen that the fracture strength follows a Hall-Petch law with respect to grain-size variations, while mode-I fracture toughness increases with increasing grain-size, consistent with available literature on brittle fracture of polycrystalline materials. Equally importantly, the developed MD-PD multiscale/multiphysics framework represents an important step towards developing materials modeling paradigms that can provide a comprehensive and predictive description of the microstructure-property-performance interplay in solid-state materials.
关键词： Peridynamics,Polycrystalline,Multiscale modeling,3C-SiC,Grain boundaries,Molecular dynamics
更新于2025-09-23 15:22:29
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Incremental Introduction of Organocatalytic Activity into Conformationally Engineered Porphyrins
摘要： To study the correlation of macrocycle nonplanarity and catalytic activity of free base porphyrins in detail, a series of six tetraphenylporphyrins with graded degree of β-ethyl substitution ('H2EtxTPPs' 1–6; x = 0, 2, 4, 6, 8) was applied in organocatalyzed reactions. They display incrementally increasing nonplanarity due to repulsive peri-interactions. This creates an out-of-plane vector and better accessibility of the core amine and imine groups as the number of alkyl substituents increases. Following such a molecular engineering approach, the inner core system could be used to activate small molecules as a result of significant saddle distortion. The potential organocatalyst 'H2EtxTPPs' were used in benchmark sulfa-Michael reactions and we found a distinct relationship between nonplanarity and conversion. These observations were attributed to the combined effect of enhanced basicity and increased H-bonding potential that could facilitate bifunctional organocatalysis. Ultimately, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed on 1–6 to monitor some electronic properties of the title compounds.
关键词： porphyrins,organocatalysis,hydrogen bonds,molecular engineering,macrocycles
更新于2025-09-23 15:22:29
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Prediction of Second-Order Nonlinear Optical Properties of D–π–A Compounds Containing Novel Fluorene Derivatives: A Promising Route to Giant Hyperpolarizabilities
摘要： Herein, ?rst attempt has been made to utilize ?uorene-based dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSCs) dye JK-201 as potential nonlinear optical (NLO) material and for the theoretical designing of novel NLO chromophores JK-D1–JK-D12. DFT/TDDFT calculations were performed to compute the effect of p-linkers and acceptors-steered modulation on electronic, photophysical and NLO properties of JK-201 and JK-D1–JK-D12. Results illustrate that computed kmax (484.74 nm) and experimentally calculated kmax (481 nm) of JK-201 was found in good agreement. Maximum red shifted absorption spectrum was observed in JK-D12 with 599.38 nm. JK-D1–JK-D12 showed narrow energy gap and broader absorption spectrum as compared to JK-201. NBO analysis con?rmed the formation of charge separation state due to robust range of electrons/charge transfer from donor to acceptor via p-bridge. Giant NLO response was observed in all compounds. Particularly, JK-D12 displayed surprisingly large hai and btot computed 1376.74 (a.u.) and 405,731.84 (a.u.) respectively. Although literature is ?ooded with D–p–A compounds investigated for their DSSCs properties, but research reports on their NLO properties and utilization as NLO materials are completely deserted. Our research will open new horizons to explore DSSCs materials for NLO applications. This theoretical framework also exposed that ?uorene-substituted chromophores are excellent NLO candidates for modern hi-tech applications.
关键词： D–p–A organic chromophores,Acceptor units,Molecular modeling,Density functional theory,NLO response properties,p-Conjugated linkers
更新于2025-09-23 15:22:29
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Structure and electrochromism of two-dimensional octahedral molecular sieve h’-WO3
摘要： Octahedral molecular sieves (OMS) are built of transition metal-oxygen octahedra that delimit sub-nanoscale cavities. Compared to other microporous solids, OMS exhibit larger versatility in properties, provided by various redox states and magnetic behaviors of transition metals. Hence, OMS offer opportunities in electrochemical energy harnessing devices, including batteries, electrochemical capacitors and electrochromic systems, provided two conditions are met: fast exchange of ions in the micropores and stability upon exchange. Here we unveil a novel OMS hexagonal polymorph of tungsten oxide called h’-WO3, built of (WO6)6 tunnel cavities. h’-WO3 is prepared by a one-step soft chemistry aqueous route leading to the hydrogen bronze h’-H0.07WO3. Gentle heating results in h’-WO3 with framework retention. The material exhibits an unusual combination of 1-dimensional crystal structure and 2-dimensional nanostructure that enhances and fastens proton (de)insertion for stable electrochromic devices. This discovery paves the way to a new family of mixed valence functional materials with tunable behaviors.
关键词： Tungsten oxide,Electrochromism,Octahedral molecular sieves,Proton insertion,Nanostructure
更新于2025-09-23 15:22:29
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Resonant inelastic x-ray incarnation of Young’s double-slit experiment
摘要： Young’s archetypal double-slit experiment forms the basis for modern diffraction techniques: The elastic scattering of waves yields an interference pattern that captures the real-space structure. Here, we report on an inelastic incarnation of Young’s experiment and demonstrate that resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) measures interference patterns, which reveal the symmetry and character of electronic excited states in the same way as elastic scattering does for the ground state. A prototypical example is provided by the quasi-molecular electronic structure of insulating Ba3CeIr2O9 with structural Ir dimers and strong spin-orbit coupling. The double “slits” in this resonant experiment are the highly localized core levels of the two Ir atoms within a dimer. The clear double-slit-type sinusoidal interference patterns that we observe allow us to characterize the electronic excitations, demonstrating the power of RIXS interferometry to unravel the electronic structure of solids containing, e.g., dimers, trimers, ladders, or other superstructures.
关键词： Resonant inelastic x-ray scattering,quasi-molecular orbitals,electronic excitations,Young's double-slit experiment,spin-orbit coupling,interference patterns
更新于2025-09-23 15:22:29
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Live-cell super-resolution microscopy reveals a primary role for diffusion in polyglutamine-driven aggresome assembly
摘要： The mechanisms leading to self-assembly of misfolded proteins into amyloid aggregates have been studied extensively in the test tube under well-controlled conditions. However, to what extent these processes are representative of those in the cellular environment remains unclear. Using super-resolution imaging of live cells, we show here that an amyloidogenic polyglutamine-containing protein first forms small, amorphous aggregate clusters in the cytosol, chiefly by diffusion. Dynamic interactions among these clusters limited their elongation and led to structures with a branched morphology, differing from the predominantly linear fibrils observed in vitro. Some of these clusters then assembled via active transport at the microtubule-organizing center and thereby initiated the formation of perinuclear aggresomes. Although it is widely believed that aggresome formation is entirely governed by active transport along microtubules, here we demonstrate, using a combined approach of advanced imaging and mathematical modeling, that diffusion is the principal mechanism driving aggresome expansion. We found that increasing surface area of the expanding aggresome increases the rate of accretion due to diffusion of cytosolic aggregates and that this pathway soon dominates aggresome assembly. Our findings lead to a different view of aggresome formation than that proposed previously. We also show that aggresomes mature over time, becoming more compacted as the structure grows. The presence of large perinuclear aggregates profoundly affects the behavior and health of the cell, and our super-resolution imaging results indicate that aggresome formation and development are governed by highly dynamic processes that could be important for the design of potential therapeutic strategies.
关键词： molecular modelling,protein aggregation,molecular imaging,passive transport,amyloid protein,aggresome formation,transport,live cell SIM,protein misfolding,molecular dynamics
更新于2025-09-23 15:21:21