Origin of Polarization in Bismuth Sodium Titanate-Based Ceramics.

The classical view of the structural changes that occur at the ferroelectric transition in perovskite-structured systems, such as BaTiO3, is that polarization occurs due to the off-center displacement of the B-site cations. Here, we show that in the bismuth sodium titanate (BNT)-based composition 0.2(Ba0.4Sr0.6TiO3)-0.8(Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3), this model does not accurately describe the structural situation. Such BNT-based systems are of interest as lead-free alternatives to currently used materials in a variety of piezo-/ferroelectric applications. A combination of high-resolution powder neutron diffraction, impedance spectroscopy, and ab initio calculations reveals that Ti4+ contributes less than a third in magnitude to the overall polarization and that the displacements of the O2- ions and the A-site cations, particularly Bi3+, are very significant. The detailed examination of the ferroelectric transition in this system offers insights applicable to the understanding of such transitions in other ferroelectric perovskites, particularly those containing lone pair elements.

Structure-Property Relationships for the Electronic Applications of Bis-Adduct Isomers of Phenyl-C61 Butyric Acid Methyl Ester.

Higher adducts of a fullerene, such as the bis-adduct of PCBM (bis-PCBM), can be used to achieve shallower molecular orbital energy levels than, for example, PCBM or C60. Substituting the bis-adduct for the parent fullerene is useful to increase the open-circuit voltage of organic solar cells or achieve better energy alignment as electron transport layers in, for example, perovskite solar cells. However, bis-PCBM is usually synthesized as a mixture of structural isomers, which can lead to both energetic and morphological disorder, negatively affecting device performance. Here, we present a comprehensive study on the molecular properties of 19 pure bis-isomers of PCBM using a variety of characterization methods, including ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, single crystal structure, and (time-dependent) density functional theory calculation. We find that the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital of such bis-isomers can be tuned to be up to 170 meV shallower than PCBM and up to 100 meV shallower than the mixture of unseparated isomers. The isolated bis-isomers also show an electron mobility in organic field-effect transistors of up to 4.5 × 10-2 cm2/(V s), which is an order of magnitude higher than that of the mixture of bis-isomers. These properties enable the fabrication of the highest performing bis-PCBM organic solar cell to date, with the best device showing a power conversion efficiency of 7.2%. Interestingly, we find that the crystallinity of bis-isomers correlates negatively with electron mobility and organic solar cell device performance, which we relate to their molecular symmetry, with a lower symmetry leading to more amorphous bis-isomers, less energetic disorder, and higher dimensional electron transport. This work demonstrates the potential of side chain engineering for optimizing the performance of fullerene-based organic electronic devices.

Pillared Vanadium Molybdenum Disulfide Nanosheets: Toward High-Performance Cathodes for Magnesium-Ion Batteries.

If magnesium-ion batteries (MIBs) are to be seriously considered for next-generation energy storage, then a number of major obstacles need to be overcome. The lack of reversible cathode materials with sufficient capacity and cycle life is one of these challenges. Here, we report a new MIB cathode constructed of vertically stacked vanadium molybdenum sulfide (VMS) nanosheets toward addressing this challenge. The integration of vanadium within molybdenum sulfide nanostructures acts so as to improve the total conductivity, enhancing charge transfer, and to produce abundant lattice defects, improving both the accommodation and transport of Mg2+. Additionally, electrolyte additive-induced interlayer expansion provides a means to admit Mg2+ cations into the electrode structure and thus enhance their diffusion. The VMS nanosheets are capable of exhibiting capacities of 211.3 and 128.2 mA h g-1 at current densities of 100 and 1000 mA g-1, respectively. The VMS nanosheets also demonstrate long-term cycling stability, retaining 82.7% of the maximum capacity after 500 cycles at a current density of 1000 mA h g-1. These results suggest that VMS nanosheets could be promising candidates for high-performance cathodes in MIBs.

Highly porous phosphate-based glasses for controlled delivery of antibacterial Cu ions prepared via sol-gel chemistry.

Mesoporous glasses are a promising class of bioresorbable biomaterials characterized by high surface area and extended porosity in the range of 2 to 50 nm. These peculiar properties make them ideal materials for the controlled release of therapeutic ions and molecules. Whilst mesoporous silicate-based glasses (MSG) have been widely investigated, much less work has been done on mesoporous phosphate-based glasses (MPG). In the present study, MPG in the P2O5-CaO-Na2O system, undoped and doped with 1, 3, and 5 mol% of Cu ions were synthesized via a combination of the sol-gel method and supramolecular templating. The non-ionic triblock copolymer Pluronic P123 was used as a templating agent. The porous structure was studied via a combination of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS), and N2 adsorption-desorption analysis at 77 K. The structure of the phosphate network was investigated via solid state 31P Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (31P MAS-NMR) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Degradation studies, performed in water via Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES), showed that phosphates, Ca2+, Na+ and Cu ions are released in a controlled manner over a 7 days period. The controlled release of Cu, proportional to the copper loading, imbues antibacterial properties to MPG. A significant statistical reduction of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacterial viability was observed over a 3 days period. E. coli appeared to be more resistant than S. aureus to the antibacterial effect of copper. This study shows that copper doped MPG have great potential as bioresorbable materials for controlled delivery of antibacterial ions.

Structure and Conductivity in LISICON Analogues within the Li4GeO4-Li2MoO4 System.

New solid electrolytes are crucial for the development of all-solid-state lithium batteries with advantages in safety and energy densities over current liquid electrolyte systems. While some of the best solid-state Li+-ion conductors are based on sulfides, their air sensitivity makes them less commercially attractive, and attention is refocusing on air-stable oxide-based systems. Among these, the LISICON-structured systems, such as Li2+2xZn1-xGeO4 and Li3+xV1-xGexO4, have been relatively well studied. However, other systems such as the Li4GeO4-Li2MoO4 system, which also show LISICON-type structures, have been relatively little explored. In this work, the Li4-2xGe1-xMoxO4 solid solution is investigated systematically, including the solid solution limit, structural stability, local structure, and the corresponding electrical behavior. It is found that a γ-LISICON structured solution is formed in the range of 0.1 ≤ x < 0.4, differing in structure from the two end members, Li4GeO4 and Li2MoO4. With increasing Mo content, the ß-phase becomes increasingly more stable than the γ-phase, and at x = 0.5, a pure ß-phase (ß-Li3Ge0.5Mo0.5O4) is readily isolated. The structure of this previously unknown compound is presented, along with details of the defect structure of Li3.6Ge0.8Mo0.2O4 (x = 0.2) based on neutron diffraction data. Two basic types of defects are identified in Li3.6Ge0.8Mo0.2O4 involving interstitial Li+-ions in octahedral sites, with evidence for these coming together to form larger defect clusters. The x = 0.2 composition shows the highest conductivity of the series, with values of 1.11 × 10-7 S cm-1 at room temperature rising to 5.02 × 10-3 S cm-1 at 250 °C.

Local Structure in α-BIMEVOXes (ME = Ge, Sn).

The BIMEVOXes are among the best oxide ion conductors at low and intermediate temperatures. Their high conductivity is associated with local defect structure. In this work, the local structures of two BIMEVOX compositions, Bi2V0.9Ge0.1O5.45 and Bi2V0.95Sn0.05O5.475, are examined using total neutron and X-ray scattering methods, with both compositions exhibiting the ordered α-phase at 25 °C and the disordered γ-phase at 700 °C. While the diffraction data for the α-phase do not allow for the polar (C2) and nonpolar (C2/m) structures to be readily distinguished, measurements of dielectric permittivity suggest the α-phase is weakly ferroelectric in character, consistent with calculations of spontaneous polarization based on a combination of density functional calculations and machine learning methodology. Reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) analysis of total scattering data reveals Ge preferentially adopts tetrahedral geometry at both temperatures, while Sn is found to predominantly adopt octahedral coordination in the α-phase and tetrahedral coordination in the γ-phase. In all cases, V polyhedra are found to consist of tetrahedral, pentacoordinate, and octahedral geometries, as also predicted by the crystallographic analysis and confirmed by 51V solid state NMR spectroscopy. Although similar long-range structures are observed at room temperature, the oxide ion vacancy distributions were found to be quite different between the two studied compositions, with a nonrandom deficiency in vacancy pairs in the second-nearest shell along the ⟨100⟩ tetragonal direction for BIGEVOX10, compared with a long-distance (>8.0 Å) ordering of equatorial vacancies for BISNVOX05. This is attributed to the differences in the preferred coordination geometries of the substituent cations in the two systems. Impedance spectroscopy measurements reveal both compositions show high conductivity in the order of 10-1 S cm-1 at 600 °C.

Antiferroelectric-like Behavior in a Lead-Free Perovskite Layered Structure Ceramic.

Antiferroelectric (AFE) materials have been intensively studied due to their potential uses in energy storage applications and energy conversion. These materials are characterized by double polarization-electric field (P-E) hysteresis loops and nonpolar crystal structures. Unusually, in the present work, Sr1.68La0.32Ta1.68Ti0.32O7 (STLT32), Sr1.64La0.36Ta1.64Ti0.36O7 (STLT36), and Sr1.85Ca0.15Ta2O7 (SCT15), lead-free perovskite layered structure (PLS) materials, are shown to exhibit AFE-like double P-E hysteresis loops despite maintaining a polar crystal structure. The double hysteresis loops are present over wide ranges of electric field and temperature. While neutron diffraction and piezoresponse force microscopy results indicate that the STLT32 system should be ferroelectric at room temperature, the observed AFE-like electrical behavior suggests that the electrical response is dominated by a weakly polar phase with a field-induced transition to a more strongly polar phase. Variable-temperature dielectric measurements suggest the presence of two-phase transitions in STLT32 at ca. 250 and 750 °C. The latter transition is confirmed by thermal analysis and is accompanied by structural changes in the layers, such as in the degree of octahedral tilting and changes in the perovskite block width and interlayer gap, associated with a change from non-centrosymmetric to centrosymmetric structures. The lower-temperature transition is more diffuse in nature but is evidenced by subtle changes in the lattice parameters. The dielectric properties of an STLT32 ceramic at microwave frequencies was measured using a coplanar waveguide transmission line and revealed stable permittivity from 1 kHz up to 20 GHz with low dielectric loss. This work represents the first observation of its kind in a PLS-type material.

Grain Size Effects in Mn-Modified 0.67BiFeO3-0.33BaTiO3 Ceramics.

Grain size can have significant effects on the properties of electroceramics for dielectric, piezoelectric, and ferroelectric applications. Here, we systematically investigate the effect of grain size on the structure and properties of Mn-modified 0.67BiFeO3-0.33BaTiO3 ceramics, an important lead-free piezoelectric ceramic that exhibits both a high piezoelectric coefficient and a high Curie point. Ceramics with average grain sizes ranging from 0.46 to 6.85 µm were prepared using conventional and spark plasma sintering. It was found that the morphotropic phase boundary compositions are composed of two polar structures, rhombohedral and tetragonal, with DC poling inducing an increase in the fraction of the rhombohedral phase. All ceramics show relaxor behavior and their freezing temperature moves to higher temperatures with increasing grain size, although their Burns temperature is independent of grain size. In fine-grained ceramics, which show pronounced relaxor behavior, significant grain size dependency is seen in dielectric, piezoelectric, and ferroelectric properties, which is attributed to the presence of single ferroelectric domains and high concentrations of polar nanoregions. In coarse-grained ceramics, a critical grain size of 2.83 µm yields the highest dielectric permittivity at room temperature, with the piezoelectric coefficient plateauing at this grain size, which can be attributed to the contribution of both polar nanoregions and high domain wall density.

Structural Evolution in BiNbO4.

The sequence of transitions between different phases of BiNbO4 has been thoroughly investigated and clarified using thermal analysis, high-resolution neutron diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy. The theoretical optical phonon modes of the α-phase have been calculated. Based on thermoanalytical data supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the ß-phase is proposed to be metastable, while the α- and γ-phases are stable below and above 1040 °C, respectively. Accurate positional parameters for oxygen positions in the three main polymorphs (α, ß, and γ) are presented and the structural relationships between these polymorphs are discussed. Even though no significant changes, only relaxation phenomena, are observed in the dielectric behavior of α-BiNbO4 below 1000 °C, evidence of two further subtle transitions at ∼350 and 600 °C is presented through careful analysis of structural parameters from variable temperature neutron diffraction measurements. Such phase variations are also evident in the phonon modes in Raman spectra and supported by changes in the thermoanalytical data. These subtle transitions may correspond to the previously proposed antiferroelectric to ferroelectric and ferroelectric to paraelectric phase transitions, respectively.

Effect of substituting non-polar chains with polar chains on the structural dynamics of small organic molecule and polymer semiconductors.

The processability and optoelectronic properties of organic semiconductors can be tuned and manipulated via chemical design. The substitution of the popular alkyl side chains by oligoethers has recently been successful for applications such as bioelectronic sensors and photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Beyond the differences in polarity, the carbon-oxygen bond in oligoethers is likely to render the system softer and more prone to dynamical disorder that can be detrimental to charge transport for example. In this context, we use neutron spectroscopy as a master method of probe, in addition to characterisation techniques such as X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and polarized optical microscopy to study the effect of the substitution of n-hexyl (Hex) chains by triethylene glycol (TEG) chains on the structural dynamics of two organic semiconducting materials: a phenylene-bithiophene-phenylene (PTTP) small molecule and a fluorene-co-dibenzothiophene (FS) polymer. Counterintuitively, inelastic neutron scattering (INS) reveals a general softening of the modes of PTTP and FS materials with Hex chains, pointing towards an increased dynamical disorder in the Hex-based systems. However, temperature-dependent X-ray and neutron diffraction as well as INS and differential scanning calorimetry evidence an extra reversible transition close to room temperature for PTTP with TEG chains. The observed extra structural transition, which is not accompanied by a change in birefringence, can also be observed by quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS). A fastening of the TEG chains dynamics is observed in the case of PTTP and not FS. We therefore assign this transition to the melt of the TEG chains. Overall the TEG chains are promoting dynamical order at room temperature, but if crystallising, may introduce an extra reversible structural transition above room temperature leading to thermal instabilities. Ultimately, a deeper understanding of chain polarity and structural dynamics can help guide new materials design and navigate the intricate balance between electronic charge transport and aqueous swelling that is being sought for a number of emerging organic electronic and bioelectronic applications.

Terahertz Reading of Ferroelectric Domain Wall Dielectric Switching.

Ferroelectric domain walls (DWs) are important nanoscale interfaces between two domains. It is widely accepted that ferroelectric domain walls work idly at terahertz (THz) frequencies, consequently discouraging efforts to engineer the domain walls to create new applications that utilize THz radiation. However, the present work clearly demonstrates the activity of domain walls at THz frequencies in a lead-free Aurivillius phase ferroelectric ceramic, Ca0.99Rb0.005Ce0.005Bi2Nb2O9, examined using THz-time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS). The dynamics of domain walls are different at kHz and THz frequencies. At low frequencies, domain walls work as a group to increase dielectric permittivity. At THz frequencies, the defective nature of domain walls serves to lower the overall dielectric permittivity. This is evidenced by higher dielectric permittivity in the THz band after poling, reflecting decreased domain wall density. An elastic vibrational model has also been used to verify that a single frustrated dipole in a domain wall represents a weaker contribution to the permittivity than its counterpart within a domain. The work represents a fundamental breakthrough in understanding the dielectric contributions of domain walls at THz frequencies. It also demonstrates that THz probing can be used to read domain wall dielectric switching.

Phyto-inspired Cu/Bi oxide-based nanocomposites: synthesis, characterization, and energy relevant investigation.

A modified and sustainable approach is reported in this research for the synthesis of a spherical-shaped CuO-Bi2O3 electrode material for electrochemical studies. Aqueous extract derived from the plant Amaranthus viridis L. (Amaranthaceae) (AVL) was used as a reducing agent for morphological control of the synthesis of CuO-Bi2O3 nanocomposites. The modified nanomaterial revealed an average crystal size of 49 ± 2 nm, which matches very well with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) findings. Furthermore, the synthesized material was characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission SEM and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The optical band gap energy of 3.45 eV was calculated using a Tauc plot. Finally, the bioorganic framework-derived CuO-Bi2O3 electrode was tested for energy generating and storage applications and the results revealed a capacitance of 389 F g-1 by cyclic voltammetry, with a maximum energy density of 12 W h kg-1 and power density of 5 kW kg-1. Hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction studies showed good potential of CuO-Bi2O3 as an electrocatalyst for water splitting, with maximum efficiency of the electrode up to 16.5 hours.

Determining phase transitions of layered oxides via electrochemical and crystallographic analysis.

The chemical diffusion coefficient in LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 was determined via the galvanostatic intermittent titration technique in the voltage range 3 to 4.2 V. Calculated diffusion coefficients in these layered oxide cathodes during charging and discharging reach a minimum at the open-circuit voltage of 3.8 V and 3.7 V vs. Li/Li+, respectively. The observed minima of the chemical diffusion coefficients indicate a phase transition in this voltage range. The unit cell parameters of LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 cathodes were determined at different lithiation states using ex situ crystallographic analysis. It was shown that the unit cell parameter variation correlates well with the observed values for chemical diffusion in NMC cathodes; with a notable change in absolute values in the same voltage range. We relate the observed variation in unit cell parameters to the nickel conversion into the trivalent state, which is Jahn-Teller active, and to the re-arrangement of lithium ions and vacancies.

Solution-Processed Epitaxial Growth of Arbitrary Surface Nanopatterns on Hybrid Perovskite Monocrystalline Thin Films.

Semiconductor surface patterning at the nanometer scale is crucial for high-performance optical, electronic, and photovoltaic devices. To date, surface nanostructures on organic-inorganic single-crystal perovskites have been achieved mainly through destructive methods such as electron-beam lithography and focused ion beam milling. Here, we present a solution-based epitaxial growth method for creating nanopatterns on the surface of perovskite monocrystalline thin films. We show that high-quality monocrystalline arbitrary nanopatterns can form in solution with a low-cost simple setup. We also demonstrate controllable photoluminescence from nanopatterned perovskite surfaces by adjusting the nanopattern parameters. A seven-fold enhancement in photoluminescence intensity and a three-time reduction of the surface radiative recombination lifetime are observed at room temperature for nanopatterned MAPbBr3 monocrystalline thin films. Our findings are promising for the cost-effective fabrication of monocrystalline perovskite on-chip electronic and photonic circuits down to the nanometer scale with finely tunable optoelectronic properties.

Conformational Analysis of [60]PCBM via Second-Order Proton NMR Spin-Spin Coupling Effects.

The 1H NMR spectrum of phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester ([60]PCBM) was recorded at high resolution (600 MHz). All of the 1H resonances expected of the Cs-symmetric molecule were observed. The spin-spin couplings in the 1H NMR spectrum were not as expected at first order. Instead, the effects of AA'BB'-type second-order couplings were clearly observed for the protons attached to both ester carbons C3 and C4, which were analyzed in terms of seven coupling constants. This indicates that there is no free rotation of the σ bonds of the alkyl chain in the ester group, although rotation becomes free at a larger distance from the fullerene bridge carbon (C61). The 1H NMR results further indicated that there is a 1:6:1 population ratio of the three staggered conformers (gauche:anti:gauche') about the ester group C3-C4 bond. These results may aid in the understanding of the morphological interactions between [60]PCBM and its surroundings in condensed-phase organic electronic devices such as organic and perovskite photovoltaics.

Mesoporous Strontium-Doped Phosphate-Based Sol-Gel Glasses for Biomedical Applications.

Mesoporous phosphate-based glasses have great potential as biomedical materials being able to simultaneously induce tissue regeneration and controlled release of therapeutic molecules. In the present study, a series of mesoporous phosphate-based glasses in the P2O5-CaO-Na2O system, doped with 1, 3, and 5 mol% of Sr2+, were prepared using the sol-gel method combined with supramolecular templating. A sample without strontium addition was prepared for comparison. The non-ionic triblock copolymer EO20PO70EO20 (P123) was used as a templating agent. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed that all synthesized glasses have an extended porous structure. This was confirmed by N2 adsorption-desorption analysis at 77 K that shows a porosity typical of mesoporous materials. 31P magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (31P MAS-NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies have shown that the glasses are mainly formed by Q1 and Q2 phosphate groups. Degradation of the glasses in deionized water assessed over a 7-day period shows that phosphate, Ca2+, Na+, and Sr2+ ions can be released in a controlled manner over time. In particular, a direct correlation between strontium content and degradation rate was observed. This study shows that Sr-doped mesoporous phosphate-based glasses have great potential in bone tissue regeneration as materials for controlled delivery of therapeutic ions.

Mesoporous Phosphate-Based Glasses Prepared via Sol-Gel.

In the present study, a mesoporous phosphate-based glass (MPG) in the P2O5-CaO-Na2O system was synthesized, for the first time, using a combination of sol-gel chemistry and supramolecular templating. A comparison between the structural properties, bioactivity, and biocompatibility of the MPG with a non-porous phosphate-based glass (PG) of analogous composition prepared via the same sol-gel synthesis method but in the absence of a templating surfactant is also presented. Results indicate that the MPG has enhanced bioactivity and biocompatibility compared to the PG, despite having a similar local structure and dissolution properties. In contrast to the PG, the MPG shows formation of hydroxycarbonate apatite (HCA) on its surface after 24 h of immersion in simulated body fluid. Moreover, MPG shows enhanced viability of Saos-2 osteosarcoma cells after 7 days of culturing. This suggests that textural properties (porosity and surface area) play a crucial role in the kinetics of HCA formation and in interaction with cells. Increased efficiency of drug loading and release over non-porous PG systems was proved using the antibiotic tetracycline hydrochloride as a drug model. This study represents a significant advance in the field of mesoporous materials for drug delivery and bone tissue regeneration as it reports, for the first time, the synthesis, structural characterization, and biocompatibility of mesoporous calcium phosphate glasses.

Preparation of an Anti-Aggregation Silica/Zinc/Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite with Enhanced Adsorption Capacity.

Nanomaterials play a significant role in adsorption treatment of dye wastewater, but irreversible aggregation of nanoparticles poses a significant problem. In this work, nanomesoporous zinc-doped silicate (NMSZ) was prepared by an in situ method. To prevent agglomeration, NMSZ was covalently bonded to graphene oxide (GO) sheets to form a nano-silica/zinc/graphene oxide composite (GO-NMSZ), aimed at removal of cationic dye methylene blue (MB). For comparison, undoped mesoporous silica (MS) was also synthesized and modified to obtain a silica/graphene oxide composite (GO-MS). The materials were characterized by powder XRD, SEM, FTIR spectroscopy, TEM, nitrogen sorption, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Preservation of the oxygen-containing groups of GO in the composites led to higher adsorption capacities. The best GO-NMSZ composite exhibited an enhanced adsorption capacity of 100.4 mg g-1 for MB compared to those of undoped GO-MS (80.1 mg g-1 ) and nongrafted NMSZ (55.7 mg g-1 ). The nonselective character of GO-NMSZ is demonstrated by effective adsorption of anionic dye Congo red (127.4 mg g-1 ) and neutral dye isatin (289.0 mg g-1 ). The adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherms, and a thermodynamic study suggested that MB adsorption occurs by chemisorption and is endothermic in nature.

Defect structure in δ-Bi5PbY2O11.5.

A detailed study of the defect structure in a di-substituted δ-Bi2O3 type phase, δ-Bi5PbY2O11.5, is presented. Using a combination of conventional Rietveld analysis of neutron diffraction data, reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) analysis of total neutron scattering data and ab initio molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, both average and local structures have been characterized. δ-Bi5PbY2O11.5 represents a model system for the highly conducting δ-Bi2O3 type phases, in which there is a higher nominal vacancy concentration than in the unsubstituted parent compound. Uniquely, the methodology developed in this study has afforded the opportunity to study both oxide-ion vacancy ordering as well as specific cation-cation interactions. Oxide-ion vacancies in this system have been found to show a preference for association with Pb2+ cations, with some evidence for clustering of these cations. The system shows a non-random distribution of vacancy pair alignments, with a preference for 〈100〉 ordering, the extent of which shows thermal variation. MD simulations indicate a predominance of oxide-ion jumps in the 〈100〉 direction.

Structural Identification of 19 Purified Isomers of the OPV Acceptor Material bisPCBM by 13C NMR and UV-Vis Absorption Spectroscopy and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography.

The molecular structures of 19 purified isomers of bis-phenyl-C62-butyric acid methyl ester were identified by a combination of 13C NMR and UV-vis absorption spectroscopies and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) retention time analysis. All 19 isomers are dicyclopropafullerenes (none are homofullerenes). There were seven isomers with C1 molecular point-group symmetry, four with C s, six with C2, one with C2 v, and one with C2 h symmetry. The C2 h, C2 v, and all five nonequatorial C1 isomers were unambiguously assigned to their respective HPLC fractions. For the other 12 isomers, the 13C NMR and UV-vis spectra placed them in six groups of two same-symmetry isomers. On the basis of the widely spaced HPLC retention times of the two isomers within each of these six groups, and the empirical inverse correlation between retention time and addend spacing, each isomer was assigned to its corresponding HPLC fraction. In addition, the missing trans-1 isomer was found, purified, and characterized.