Enhancing c-Si Solar Cell Efficiency in the UV Region: Photophysical Insights into the Use of Eu3+ Complexes for Down-Shifting Layer Applications.

[Eu(3DPIQC)3] (where DPIQC = 3-(diphenyl phosphoryl)-1-isoquinolinecarboxylate), a luminescent europium complex with antenna ligands, has been carefully embedded within a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) matrix and the resulting material was used to prepare films used as luminescent down-shifting layers (LDSLs) for crystalline Si-based solar cells. The films were characterized using photoluminescence spectroscopy, atomic force spectroscopy (AFM), UV-Vis spectroscopy, and fluorescence microscopy. The AFM analysis shows films with low surface roughness, while fluorescence microscopy revealed that the Eu complex embedded in PVB assumed a spheroidal configuration, a morphology especially beneficial for optical applications. The so-obtained LDSLs were utilized as energy converters in c-Si solar cells to enhance the utilization of high-energy photons, thereby improving their overall efficiency. The determination of photovoltaic parameters carried out before and after the deposition of the LDSLs on the c-Si cells confirms a positive effect on the efficiency of the cell. The Jsc increases from 121.6 mA/cm2 to 124.9 mA/cm2, and the open circuit voltage (Voc) is found to be unrelated to the complex concentration in the films. The fill factor (FF) remains constant with the Eu concentration. The EQE curves indicate an enhancement in the performance of the photovoltaic cells within the UV region of the spectrum for all coated devices. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was also carried out in order to analyze the effect of the Eu complex in the charge transfer process of the devices.

Structure and Properties of (CH3NH3)3Tl2Cl9: A Thallium-Based Hybrid Perovskite-Like Compound.

The new compound (CH3NH3)3Tl2Cl9 was synthesized and fully characterized. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy are consistent with the crystal structure solved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. This compound is a semiconductor with a measured band gap of Eg = 2.91 eV. It is the first thallium-based hybrid perovskite and shows remarkably high stability to ambient conditions.

The Positional Isomeric Effect on the Structural Diversity of Cd(II) Coordination Polymers, Using Flexible Positional Isomeric Ligands Containing Pyridyl, Triazole, and Carboxylate Fragments.

To systematically investigate the influence of the positional isomeric effect on the structures of polymer complexes, we prepared two new polymers containing the two positional isomers ethyl 5-methyl-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole-3-carboxylate (L1) and ethyl-5-methyl-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylate (L2), as well as Cd(II) ions. The structures of the metal⁻organic frameworks were determined by a single crystal XRD analysis. The compound [Cd(L1)2·4H2O] (1), is a hydrogen bond-induced coordination polymer, whereas the compound [Cd(L2)4·5H2O]n (2) is a three-dimensional (3-D) coordination polymer. Their structures and properties are tuned by the variable N-donor positions of the ligand isomers. This work indicates that the isomeric effect of the ligand isomers plays an important role in the construction of the Cd(II) complexes. In addition, the thermal and luminescent properties are reported in detail.

Electronic Structure and Magnetic Properties of CuFeS2.

Chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) is an antiferromagnetic semiconductor with unusual magnetic and electrical properties, which are still not clearly understood. Neutron diffraction experiments reveal a phase transition at ∼50 K that has been attributed to an unexpected appearance of magnetic moments on Cu ions, having a paramagnetic arrangement down to 50 K and then ordering to an antiferromagnetic state at lower temperatures. In this study we use DFT-based computational methods to investigate the electronic structure and magnetic properties of CuFeS2 in order to obtain a reliable source of information for the interpretation of the observed magnetic behavior, and in particular to shed some light on the magnetic behavior of copper atoms in this compound. We have calculated the electronic structure of the ground and low-energy magnetically excited states and deduced a set of exchange coupling constants that are used afterward in classical Monte Carlo simulations to obtain magnetic susceptibility data, which compare successfully with our experimental results above ∼170 K. From our results it can be inferred that copper atoms remain in a diamagnetic state in this temperature range, although spin delocalization from neighboring iron atoms results in a non-negligible spin density on the copper atoms at high temperatures.

The Methylene Spacer Matters: The Structural and Luminescent Effects of Positional Isomerism of n-Methylpyridyltriazole Carboxylate Semi-Rigid Ligands in the Structure of Zn(II) Based Coordination Polymers.

Two Zn(II) coordination polymers (CPs) based on n-methylpyridyltriazole carboxylate semi-rigid organic ligands (n-MPTC), with n = 3 (L1) and 4 (L2), have been prepared at the water n-butanol interphase by reacting Zn(NO3)2·4H2O with NaL1 and NaL2. This allows us to systematically investigate the influence of the isomeric positional effect on their structures. The organic ligands were obtained by saponification from their respective ester precursors ethyl-5-methyl-1-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylate (P1) and ethyl-5-methyl-1-(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylate (P2), resulting in their corresponding sodium salt forms, 3-MPTC, and 4-MPTC. The structure of the Zn(II) CPs determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that both CPs have 2D supramolecular hydrogen bond networks. The 2D supramolecular network of [Zn(L1)]n (1) is built up by hydrogen bond interactions between oxygen and hydrogen atoms between neighboring n-methylpyridyltriazole molecules, whereas in [Zn(L2)·4H2O]n (2) the water molecules link 1D polymeric chains forming a 2D supramolecular aggregate. The structures of 1 and 2 clearly show that the isomeric effect in the semi-rigid ligands plays a vital role in constructing the Zn(II) coordination polymers, helped by the presence of the methylene spacer group, in the final structural conformation. The structures of 1 and 2 significantly affect their luminescent properties. Thus, while 2 shows strong emission at room temperature centered at 367 nm, the emission of 1 is quenched substantially.

Structural stability of quaternary ACuFeS2 (A = Li, K) phases: a computational approach.

At ambient conditions, the quaternary sulfides LiCuFeS(2) and KCuFeS(2) present totally different crystal structures: while LiCuFeS(2) crystallizes in a trigonal CaAl(2)Si(2)-type structure, a tetragonal ThCr(2)Si(2)-like structure is found for KCuFeS(2). In this work, we present a computational study describing first the changes in the structural preference of the ACuFe(2) phases as a function of the alkali ion and second, the structural stability of the CuFeS(2) phases obtained by electrochemical removal of the alkali cations from the two ACuFeS(2) compounds. A high copper mobility is found to be responsible for the observed metastability of the layered trigonal CuFeS(2) phase obtained by delithiation of LiCuFeS(2). In contrast, the tetragonal CuFeS(2) structure obtained removing potassium from KCuFeS(2) is predicted to be stable, both from the kinetic and thermodynamic points of view. The possibility of stabilizing mixed Li(x)Cu(1-x)FeS(2) phases with a ThCr(2)Si(2)-type structure and the mobility of lithium in these is also explored.

Crystallization Induced Enhanced Emission in Two New Zn(II) and Cd(II) Supramolecular Coordination Complexes with the 1-(3,4-Dimethylphenyl)-5-Methyl-1H-1,2,3-Triazole-4-Carboxylate Ligand.

Two new d10 metal supramolecular metal-organic frameworks (SMOFs) with general formula [ML2(H2O)2]n (M = Zn, Cd) have been synthetized using the sodium salt of the anionic 1-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)-5-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylate ligand (Na+L-). Both SMOFs have been structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and IR spectroscopy. The compounds are isostructural and form supramolecular aggregates via hydrogen bonds with the presence of less common dihydrogen bonds. Interestingly, they show ionic conductivity and porosity. The luminescent properties have been also studied by means of the excitation and emission spectra. Periodic DFT and molecular TD-DFT calculations have been used to unravel the emergence of luminescence in the otherwise non-emitting 1-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)-5-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylate ligand once incorporated in the SMOFs. Our results also illustrate the importance of considering the dielectric environment in the crystal when performing excited state calculations for isolated fragments to capture the correct electronic character of the low-lying states, a practice which is not commonly adopted in the community.

Self-Assembly of Discrete Metallocycles versus Coordination Polymers Based on Cu(I) and Ag(I) Ions and Flexible Ligands: Structural Diversification and Luminescent Properties.

Three new Ag(I) and one Cu(I) coordination compounds with two different positional isomers, propane-1,3-diyl bis(pyridine-4-carboxylate) (L1) and propane-1,3-diyl bis(pyridine-3-carboxylate) (L2), of a bis-(pyridyl-carboxylate) ligand have been synthesized. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the self-assembly of L1 with AgCF3SO3 and AgClO4 salts leads to the formation of discrete binuclear metallocycles {Ag(L1)CF3SO3}2 (1) and {Ag(L1)ClO4}2 (2), respectively. However, self-assembly of the other ligand, L2, with AgCF3SO3 and CuCl salts, results in a 1-D zig-zag chain {Ag(L2)CF3SO3}∞ (3) and a 1-D double-stranded helical chain {Cu2Cl2(L2)2}∞ (4) coordination polymers, respectively. Solid emission spectra recorded at room temperature show interesting luminescence properties for all four compounds in the range from 438 to 550 nm, especially for compound 4 that was found to change its emission color when the wavelength of the excitation radiation is switched from 332 to 436 nm.

Cutis verticis gyrata as a clinical manifestation of Touraine-Solente-Gole' syndrome (pachydermoperiostosis).

Cutis verticis gyrata is a descriptive term for a condition of the scalp consisting of deep grooves and convolutions that resemble the surface of the brain. We present a case of a 22-year-old man who presented with pain and swelling of both knees and hands. Enlarged wrists, ankles and feet were also noted, along with facial seborrhoea, thickening of the skin and deformity of the fingers. Physical examination of the scalp showed a cerebriform appearance with accentuating folds and deep furrows (cutis verticis gyrata), thickening in the face, frontal and parietal regions. Bone enlargement of the hands, knees, ankles and feet was also found. Secondary causes of pachydermoperiostosis were negative.

Síndrome antifosfolípido: reporte de 10 casos / Reporting 10 cases of anti phospholipid syndrome

Se presentan 10 pacientes con Síndrome Antifosfolípido, diagnosticados en el período de 1973 a 1988, tanto en pr ctica privada como en la Sección de Reumatología del Hospital General San Juan de Dios y quienes manifestaron uno o varios fenómenos trombóticos y una alta incidencia de aborto (75/100).En ocho de los 10 pacientes se demostró un VDRL falso positivo, prolongación del tiempo parcial de tromboplastina se encontró en los 8 pacientes en quienes fue investigado y anticuerpos de las clases IgA, IgM e IgG contra la cardiolipina fueron detectados,por el método de ELISA, en la única paciente a quien se efectuó este tipo de investigación. En 4 pacientes el Síndrome Antifosfolípido fue secundario a Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico, en el resto el síndrome es Primario por no presentar enfermedad asociada y aunque en dos se encontró anticuerpos antinucleares positivos no llenaron el número de criterios necesario para el diagnóstico de Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico. Durante el período de seguimiento, han fallecido tres pacientes y en dos de ellos la causa fue directamente relacionada a su síndrome trombótico