Experimental Determination of Magnetic Anisotropy in Exchange-Bias Dysprosium Metallocene Single-Molecule Magnets.

We investigate a family of dinuclear dysprosium metallocene single-molecule magnets (SMMs) bridged by methyl and halogen groups [Cp'2 Dy(µ-X)]2 (Cp'=cyclopentadienyltrimethylsilane anion; 1: X=CH3 - ; 2: X=Cl- ; 3: X=Br- ; 4: X=I- ). For the first time, the magnetic easy axes of dysprosium metallocene SMMs are experimentally determined, confirming that the orientation of them are perpendicular to the equatorial plane which is made up of dysprosium and bridging atoms. The orientation of the magnetic easy axis for 1 deviates from the normal direction (by 10.3°) due to the stronger equatorial interactions between DyIII and methyl groups. Moreover, its magnetic axes show a temperature-dependent shifting, which is caused by the competition between exchange interactions and Zeeman interactions. Studies of fluorescence and specific heat as well as ab initio calculations reveal the significant influences of the bridging ligands on their low-lying exchange-based energy levels and, consequently, low-temperature magnetic properties.

Design principle of half-sandwich type erbium single-ion magnets through crystal field engineering: a combined magnetic and electronic structure study.

To conclude the design principle for high-performance erbium-based single-ion magnets (SIMs), two half-sandwich type erbium complexes 1Er [(LOMe)Er(COT)] (LOMe = [(η5-C5H5)Co{P([double bond, length as m-dash]O)(OMe)2}3], COT = cyclooctatetraenyl) and 2Er [(THF)2(OAr)Er(COT)] (Ar = 2,6-Dipp2C6H3, Dipp = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl) were synthesized, and structurally and magnetically characterized. Both of them exhibited SIM behavior. Their magnetic relaxation behaviours were further elucidated by ab initio calculations and near-IR emission spectroscopy. The results demonstrated that an axial ligand with a weaker electron-donating effect was preferential to construct high blocking barrier erbium-based SIMs.

Two-Coordinate Co(II) Imido Complexes as Outstanding Single-Molecule Magnets.

The pursuit of single-molecule magnets (SMMs) with better performance urges new molecular design that can endow SMMs larger magnetic anisotropy. Here we report that two-coordinate cobalt imido complexes featuring highly covalent Co═N cores exhibit slow relaxation of magnetization under zero direct-current field with a high effective relaxation barrier up to 413 cm-1, a new record for transition metal based SMMs. Two theoretical models were carried out to investigate the anisotropy of these complexes: single-ion model and Co-N coupling model. The former indicates that the pseudo linear ligand field helps to preserve the first-order orbital momentum, while the latter suggests that the strong ferromagnetic interaction between Co and N makes the [CoN]+ fragment a pseudo single paramagnetic ion, and that the excellent performance of these cobalt imido SMMs is attributed to the inherent large magnetic anisotropy of the [CoN]+ core with |MJ = ± 7/2⟩ ground Kramers doublet.

A new mass spectrometry electrospray tip obtained via precise mechanical micromachining.

A new electrospray tip incorporating a beveled edge has been designed for use in plastic electrophoresis chip/electrospray mass spectrometry. Theoretical hydrodynamic analysis has been conducted to model the analytical sensitivity of the spray tip shape. A larger sample wall, that provides increased hydraulic pressure, is recommended in order to preserve the fluid stability at the tip outlet. A polymer with better hydrophobic characteristics than glass was used for the spray tip in order to restrict moisture accumulation at the spray tip outlet. Experimental results demonstrate that the analytical sensitivity of the proposed scheme is better than that obtained using the flat-head tip. Although a tapered capillary tip is commonly used in electrophoresis chip/electrospray mass spectrometry, the proposed tip offers a similar sensitivity while being more rugged and durable than the conventional tapered capillary tip. The cost of our design is also much lower than conventional spray tips.

Dead volume free micro-machined electro-spray chip for mass spectrometry.

Design and fabrication themes of a dead volume free electro-spray chip for mass spectrometry based on mechanical micro-machining approach is discussed in this article. To implement the dead volume free concept, a cantilever needle is embedded inside the micro-channel of the spray-chip such that there is no connecting joint between the sample wall and the spray-tip. To ensure that the proposed spray-chip is able to produce efficient Taylor cone, embedded needles with different cone angles are fabricated to produce an efficient experiment. Experiments to distinguish amphetamine by a LCQ type mass spectrometry are conducted. Experimental results show that the proposed dead volume free electro-spray chip is able to reach the desired goal. It is also found from the experiments that the ringlike cross-section of the needle embedded micro-channel is critical to the stability of the Taylor cone at the spray-tip. To ensure a stable Taylor cone can be produced at the spray-tip, an embedded needle with a smaller diameter is desired.