A squarate-pillared titanium oxide quantum sieve towards practical hydrogen isotope separation

Isotope engineering achieved by local coordination design in Ti-Pd co-doped ZrCo-based alloys

Deuterium/Tritium (D/T) handling in defined proportions are pivotal to maintain steady-state operation for fusion reactors. However, the hydrogen isotope effect in metal-hydrogen systems always disturbs precise D/T ratio control. Here, we reveal the dominance of kinetic isotope effect during desorption. To reconcile the thermodynamic stability and isotope effect, we demonstrate a quantitative indicator of Tgap and further a local coordination design strategy that comprises thermodynamic destabilization with vibration enhancement of interstitial isotopes for isotope engineering. Based on theoretical screening analysis, an optimized Ti-Pd co-doped Zr0.8Ti0.2Co0.8Pd0.2 alloy is designed and prepared. Compared to ZrCo alloy, the optimal alloy enables consistent isotope delivery together with a three-fold lower Tgap, a five-fold lower energy barrier difference, a one-third lower isotopic composition deviation during desorption and an over two-fold higher cycling capacity. This work provides insights into the interaction between alloy and hydrogen isotopes, thus opening up feasible approaches to support high-performance fusion reactors.

Aggregate assembly of ferrocene functionalized indium-oxo clusters

In this study, we synthesized multi-nuclear indium oxide clusters (InOCs) using 1,1'-ferrocene dicarboxylic acid (H2FcDCA) as the chelating and surface protection ligand. The obtained clusters include the cubane-type heptanuclear InOCs ([In7]) and the sandwich-type thirteen-nuclear InOCs ([In13]). Notably, [In13] represents the highest nuclear number reported within the InOC family. In addition, the presence of labile coordination sites in these clusters allowed for structural modification and self-assembly. A series of [In7] clusters with adjustable band gaps have been obtained and the self-assembly of [In7] clusters resulted in the formation of an Fe-doped dimer, [Fe2In12], and an imidazole-bridged tetramer, [In28]. Similarly, in the case of [In13] clusters, the coordinated water molecules could be replaced by imidazole, methylimidazole, and even a bridged carboxylic acid, allowing the construction of one-dimensional extended structures. Additionally, part of the H2FcDCA could be substituted by pyrazole. This flexibility in replacing solvent molecules offered diverse possibilities for tailoring the properties and structures of the InOCs to suit specific applications.