Nonlinear Optical Properties of Zn(II) Porphyrin, Graphene Nanoplates, and Ferrocene Hybrid Materials

Following some previous work by some of us on the second order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of Zn(II) meso-tetraphenylporphyrin (ZnP), fullerene, and ferrocene (Fc) diads and triads, in the present research, we explore the NLO response of some new hybrids with two-dimensional graphene nanoplates (GNP) instead of a zero-dimensional fullerene moiety as the acceptor unit. The experimental data, collected by Electric Field Induced Second Harmonic generation (EFISH) technique in CH2Cl2 solution with a 1907 nm incident wavelength, combined with Coupled-Perturbed (CP) and Finite Field (FF) Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations, show a strongly enhanced contribution of the cubic electronic term γ(-2ω; ω, ω, 0), due to the extended π-conjugation of the carbonaceous acceptor moiety.

Functionalization of Gold Nanoparticles with Ru-Porphyrin and Their Selectivity in the Oligomerization of Alkynes

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were functionalized by ruthenium porphyrins through a sulfur/gold covalent bond using a three-steps reaction. The catalyst was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in order to control the binding of ruthenium porphyrin on AuNPs’ surface. The catalyst was tested and compared with an analog system not bound to AuNPs in the oligomerization reaction using 1-phenylacetylene as the substrate.

Aggregated manganese complex-nanolayered manganese oxide: a new hybrid molecular-inorganic material

Layered materials such as clays, layered double hydroxides, and layered hydroxides are promising compounds for material science applications because, in addition to their structural and functional properties, the aggregation of these compounds with others results in new structural and functional characteristics. Notably, the aggregation of a metal complex and nanolayered material leads to new structures and properties. Mn oxides and complexes are different compounds, which show promising properties. Herein, a new hybrid molecular-inorganic material was synthesized by the aggregation of a manganese complex with a 2,4,6-tris(2-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine ligand and monolayers of Mn oxide. This new hybrid molecular-inorganic material was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, microanalysis, UV-Vis spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm, magnetic properties, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. All these methods showed that the aggregation of the manganese complex and layered Mn oxide occurred. A larger extent of aggregation for this hybrid molecular-inorganic material was observed compared to monolayered Mn oxide. The new material constitutes a new family of hybrid molecular-inorganic materials, in which transition metal complexes could be placed in a new environment.

NiO Pseudocapacitance and Optical Properties: Does The Shape Win?

In the present paper, we investigate the effects of alkali and operational temperature on NiO capacitive and optical properties. The NiO samples were prepared by a straightforward, surfactant-free hydrothermal synthesis, employing Ni(NO₃)₂ and either urea or moderately sterically hindered triethylamine (TEA). The syntheses were followed by calcinations at either 400 or 600 °C. NiO samples were characterized by XRD, scanning electron microscopy, and nitrogen adsorption isotherms. The optical properties were investigated by reflectance spectroscopy, and the pseudocapacitance was studied by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge charge-discharge measurements. We found that the synthesis with TEA yielded nanoflowers whereas the morphology of the synthesis with urea varied with the calcination temperature and resulted in nanoparticles or nanoslices at calcination temperatures of 400 and 600 °C, respectively. The NiO samples prepared at a lower temperature displayed a favorable combination of surface area and porosity that allowed for high performance with capacitances of 502 and 520 F g⁻¹ at a current density of 1 A g⁻¹ for nanoflowers and nanoparticles, respectively. The band gaps of all the samples were compatible with the estimated nanoparticle sizes. Finally, we used the synthesized NiO samples for the preparation of screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) modified by drop-casting and probed them against a [Fe(CN)₆]^3−/4− probe.

Ru(II) porphyrins as sensitizers for DSSCs: Axial vs. peripheral carboxylate anchoring group

In this study, two porphyrin chromophores metallated with ruthenium, RuTBP and RuTBPPy, were prepared and studied as sensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The difference between the two dyes is the position (axial vs. peripheral) of the carboxylic anchoring group. This work examines the impact of this variation towards the optical, electrochemical and photovoltaic performance of DSSCs. The thorough photophysical and photovoltaic measurements indicated that the peripherally substituted sensitizer (RuTBP) presented higher photovoltaic performance compared to RuTBPPy. More specifically, DSSCs sensitized with RuTBP and RuTBPPy displayed an overall power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.12% and 4.08%, respectively. The higher PCE value of the DSSC sensitized with RuTBP is mainly attributed to the enhancement of [Formula: see text] and FF values. These factors were enhanced due to the efficient dye regeneration process, the suppression of back-charge recombination reactions and the longer electron lifetimes as evidenced from the electrochemical impedance spectra.