Abstract: The existence of the [SrF(0.8)O(0.1)](2.5)[Mn(6)O(12)] = Sr(2.5)Mn(6)O(12.5 – delta)F(2) compound was established in the SrO-Mn(2)O(3)-SrF(2) system at 900A degrees C and p(O(2)) = 1 atm. The crystal structure of strontium fluoromanganite was determined from the X-ray powder diffraction data, electron diffraction, and high-resolution electron microscopy. It can be described in the monoclynic system with four Miller hklm indices: hklm: H = h a* + k b* + l c (1) (*) + m q (1), q (1), q (1) = c (2) (*) = gamma c (1) (*) , gamma a parts per thousand 0.632, a a parts per thousand a a parts per thousand 9.72 , b a parts per thousand 9.55 , c (1) a parts per thousand 2.84 , c (2) a parts per thousand 4.49 , monoclinic angle gamma a parts per thousand 95.6A degrees. The electromotive force method with a solid fluorine ion electrolyte was used to refine the composition of fluoromanganite and determine the thermodynamic functions of its formation from phases neighboring in the phase diagram (SrMn(3)O(6), Mn(2)O(3), SrF(2), and oxygen), Delta GA degrees, kJ/mol = -(111.7 +/- 1.9) + (89.5 +/- 1.5) x 10(-3) T.

Abstract: Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) represent a green alternative to common organic solvents in the biochemical industry due to their benign behavior and tailorable properties, in particular as media for enzymatic reactions. However, to fully exploit their potential in enzymatic reactions, there is a need for a more fundamental understanding of how these neoteric solvents influence the course of these reac-tions. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the influence of NADES with various molar composi-tions on the stability and structure of enzymes, applying molecular dynamics simulations. This can help to better understand the effect of individual compounds of NADES, in addition to eutectic mixtures. More specifically, we simulate the behavior of Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) enzyme in NADES com-posed of choline chloride with either urea, ethylene glycol or glycerol. Hereto, we monitor the NADES microstructure, the general stability of the enzyme and changes in the structure of its active sites and sur-face residues. Our simulations show that none of the studied NADES systems significantly disrupt the microstructure of the solvent or the stability of the CALB enzyme within the time scales of the simula-tions. The enzyme preserves its initial structure, size and intra-chain hydrogen bonds in all investigated compositions and, for the first time reported, also in NADES with increased hydrogen bond donating com-pound ratios. As the main novelty, our results indicate that, in addition to the composition, the molar ratio can be an additional variable to fine-tune the physicochemical properties of NADES without altering the enzyme characteristics. These findings could facilitate the development and application of task -tailored NADES media for biocatalytic processes. (c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract: Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) are mixtures of naturally derived compounds with a significantly decreased melting point due to the specific interactions among the constituents. NADES have benign properties (low volatility, flammability, toxicity, cost) and tailorable physicochemical properties (by altering the type and molar ratio of constituents), hence they are often considered as a green alternative to common organic solvents. Modeling the relation between their composition and properties is crucial though, both for understanding and predicting their behavior. Several efforts were done to this end, yet this review aims at structuring the present knowledge as an outline for future research. First, we reviewed the key properties of NADES and relate them to their structure based on the available experimental data. Second, we reviewed available modeling methods applicable to NADES. At the molecular level, density functional theory and molecular dynamics allow interpreting density differences and vibrational spectra, and computation of interaction energies. Additionally, properties at the level of the bulk media can be explained and predicted by semi-empirical methods based on ab initio methods (COSMO-RS) and equation of state models (PC-SAFT). Finally, methods based on large datasets are discussed; models based on group contribution methods and machine learning. A combination of bulk media and dataset modeling allows qualitative prediction and interpretation of phase equilibria properties on the one hand, and quantitative prediction of melting point, density, viscosity, surface tension and refractive indices on the other hand. In our view, multiscale modeling, combining the molecular and macroscale methods, will strongly enhance the predictability of NADES properties and their interaction with solutes, yielding truly tailorable solvents to accommodate (bio)chemical reactions.

Abstract: Novel synthetic protocols based on both template and multi-step methods were developed for phenyl-substituted pyrazinoporphyrazine complexes of rare-earth elements (Y, Eu, Gd, Dy, Er and Lu). p-Hydroquinone was employed as a reaction medium and as a reducing agent in the process of porphyrazine macrocycle formation. Both thermal and microwave irradiation techniques were successfully applied for activation of the template macrocyclization process. An alternative multi-step approach involving the initial stage of free-base ligand formation was realized for the lutetium compound. The target complexes were identified by high-resolution mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Electrochemical behavior in solution and UV-vis absorbance in solutions and films were studied as well. Shifts in the position of the Q band and oxidationreduction potentials in comparison with corresponding phthalocyanine analogues were noticed. Using the IR absorption spectra recorded in the temperature range of 170300 K, the position of the Fermi level of −4.7 ± 0.1 eV and a characteristic energy diagram were obtained for the erbium complex.

Abstract: Both even- and odd-numbered neutral carbon clusters Cn (n=210) are systematically studied using the energy minimization method and the modified Brenner potential for the carbon-carbon interactions. Many stable configurations were found, and several new isomers are predicted. For the lowest energy stable configurations we obtained their binding energies and bond lengths. We found that for n5 the linear isomer is the most stable one while for n>5 the monocyclic isomer becomes the most stable. The latter was found to be regular for all studied clusters. The dependence of the binding energy for linear and cyclic clusters versus the cluster size n (n=210) is found to be in good agreement with several previous calculations, in particular with ab initio calculations as well as with experimental data for n=25.

Abstract: In this work, a simple method to measure the indirect band gap of diamond with electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is showed. The authors discuss the momentum space resolution achievable with EELS and the possibility of deliberately selecting specific transitions of interest. Based on a simple 2 parabolic band model of the band structure, the authors extend our predictions from the direct band gap case discussed in previous work, to the case of an indirect band gap. Finally, the authors point out the emerging possibility to partly reconstruct the band structure with EELS exploiting our simplified model of inelastic scattering and support it with experiments on diamond.

Abstract: Semiconductor monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have brought a new paradigm by introducing optically addressable valley degree of freedom. Concomitantly, their high flexibility constitutes a unique platform that links optics to mechanics via valleytronics. With the intention to expedite the research in this direction, we investigated ten TMDs, namely MoS2, MoSe2, MoTe2, WS2, WSe2, WTe2, MoSSe, MoSeTe, WSSe, and WSeTe, which particularly includes their so-called janus types (JTMDs). First, we obtained their electronic band structures using regular and hybrid density functional theory (DFT) calculations in the presence of the spin-orbit coupling and biaxial or uniaxial strain. Our DFT results indicated that against the expectations based on their reported piezoelectric behavior, JTMDs typically interpolated between the standard band properties of the constituent TMDs without producing a novel feature. Next, by fitting to our DFT data we generated both spinless and spinful k center dot p parameter sets which are quite accurate over the K valley where the optical activity occurs. As an important application of this parametrization, we considered the circular and linear dichroism under strain. Among the studied (J)TMDs, WTe2 stood out with its largest linear dichroism under uniaxial strain because of its narrower band gap and large K valley uniaxial deformation potential. This led us to suggest WTe2 monolayer membranes for optical polarization-based strain measurements, or conversely, as strain tunable optical polarizers.

Abstract: Levels of urban gaseous and particulate pollutants were investigated in the Cathedral of Cologne, Germany in the framework of the EU-project VIDRIO. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of a protective double glazing system on the preservation of ancient stained glass windows by sampling at protected and unprotected windows (indoors, in the interspace and outdoor of the Cathedral). The interspace between the ancient stained glass window and the protective glazing is flushed in the Cathedral by indoor air, hence isolating the historic glass from the outdoor air and exposing it to indoor air on both sides of the glass panels. Concentrations of aggressive gaseous pollutants such as NO2, SO2, O3 and CO2 as well as elemental concentrations of bulk particles and relative abundances of single particles were surveyed at all sampling locations. Elemental concentrations in bulk particulate matter were found to be significantly lower inside the Cathedral in comparison to the outdoor air. This result is advantageous for the stained glass windows. Single particle analysis of the samples from Cologne showed also soil dust and organic particles as well as sulphates and nitrates, from which the latter two compounds are dangerous for the stained glass windows. On the base of the obtained results, it can be concluded that the protective glazing system in the Cathedral of Cologne can be considered as predominantly advantageous from both the gases' point of view (except for NO2-candles burning) and from the particles' point of view.

Abstract: Ion chromatographic (IC) methods have been compared in order to achieve an optimal separation of fluoride, acetate and formate under various elution conditions on two formerly introduced analytical columns (i and ii) and a novel one (iii): (i) an IonPac AS14 (250 mm × 4 mm I.D.), (ii) Allsep A-2 (150 mm × 4.6 mm I.D.), and (iii) an IC SI-50 4E (250 mm (length) × 4 mm (internal diameter – I.D.)). The IC conditions for the separation of the anions concerned were optimized on the IC SI-50 4E column. A near baseline separation of these anions was attained on the IonPac AS14, whereas the peaks of fluoride and acetate could not be resolved on the Allsep A-2. A baseline separation for the three anions was achieved on the IC SI-50 4E column, when applying an eluent mixture of 3.2 mmol/L Na2CO3 and 1.0 mmol/L NaHCO3 with a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The highest precision of 1.7, 3.0 and 2.8% and the best limits of detection (LODs) of 0.014, 0.22 and 0.17 mg/L for fluoride, acetate and formate, respectively, were obtained with the IC SI-50 4E column. Hence, this column was applied for the determination of the acetic and formic acid contents of air samples taken by means of passive gaseous sampling at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, USA. Atmospheric concentrations of acetic and formic acid up to 1050 and 450 μg/m3, respectively, were found in non-aerated showcases of the museum. In galleries and outdoors, rather low levels of acetic and formic acid were detected with average concentrations of 50 and 10 μg/m3, respectively. The LOD data of acetate and formate on the IC SI-50 4E column correspond to around 0.5 μg/m3 for both acetic and formic acid in air samples.

Abstract: Microporous zeolite NaX-FAU has been systemically evaluated for the oral delivery of the poorly water-soluble compound danazol. For this purpose, danazol-loaded zeolitic particles were prepared by the incipient wetness method and were characterized by means of N-2 physisorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The zeolitic formulation shows a high drug payload and drug stability over a period of six months under accelerated storage conditions. The dissolution profile of danazol-loaded zeolitic particles was assessed in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) pH 1.2; fasted state simulated intestinal fluids (FaSSIF) and fed state simulated intestinal fluid (FeSSIF) showing a gradual and increasing drug dissolution in the different media. Ex vivo studies using the everted gut sac model show an increased drug transport across rat intestinal epithelium when loaded in the zeolitic particles. Our results suggest that microporous Faujasite zeolite (NaX-FAU) could be used as a drug delivery system to facilitate the oral delivery of poorly water soluble compounds.

Abstract: In van der Waals heterostructures consisting of graphene and a substrate, lattice mismatch often leads to a moire pattern with a huge supercell, preventing its treatment within first- principles calculations. Previous theoretical works considered mostly simple stacking models such as AB, AA with straining the lattice of graphene to match that of the substrate. Here, we propose a moire superlattice build from graphene and porous graphene or graphyne like monolayers, having a lower interlayer binding energy, needing little strain in order to match the lattices. In contrast to the results from the simple stacking models, the present ab initio calculations for the moire superlattices show different properties in lattice structure, energy, and band structures. For example, the Dirac cone at the K point is preserved and a linear energy dispersion near the Fermi level is obtained.

Abstract: The quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) effect is a topologically nontrivial phase, characterized by a non-zero Chern number defined in the bulk and chiral edge states in the boundary. Using first-principles calculations, we demonstrate the presence of the QAH effect in a 1T-YN2 monolayer, which was recently predicted to be a Dirac half metal without spin-orbit coupling (SOC). We show that the inclusion of SOC opens up a large nontrivial bandgap of nearly 0.1 eV in the electronic band structure. This results in the nontrivial bulk topology, which is confirmed by the calculation of Berry curvature, anomalous Hall conductance and the presence of chiral edge states. Remarkably, a QAH phase of high Chern number C = 3 is found, and there are three corresponding gapless chiral edge states emerging inside the bulk gap. Different substrates are also chosen to study the possible experimental realization of the 1T-YN2 monolayer, while retaining its nontrivial topological properties. Our results open a new avenue in searching for QAH insulators with high temperature and high Chern numbers, which can have nontrivial practical applications.