Diphenylamino-substituted derivatives of 9-phenylcarbazole as glass-forming hole-transporting materials for solid state dye sensitized solar cells

The synthesis and properties of glass-forming diphenylamino-substituted derivatives of 9-phenylcarbazole with methoxy groups in the different position of diphenylamino moieties are reported. A comparative study on their thermal, optical, photoelectrical and electrochemical properties is presented. The synthesized compounds exhibit high thermal stability with 5% weight loss temperatures ranging from 344 to 475 °C. The derivatives absorb electromagnetic irradiation in the range of 225–425 nm with the band gaps of 2.94–3.08 eV. The ionization energies of the synthesized compounds range from 5.04 to 5.56 eV. The lowest ionization energies and band gaps are observed for compounds containing para methoxy-substituted phenyl rings of diphenylamino moieties and for disubstituted carbazole derivatives. Charge-transporting properties of the selected compounds were tested by time-of-flight technique. Hole drift mobilities in the amorphous layers of the materials reach 10⁻³ cm²/V s at high electric fields. The derivatives were tested as hole transport materials in solid-state dye sensitized solar cells and showed conversion efficiency up to 0.54%.     

Student progress assessment with the help of an intelligent pupil analysis system

Students and lecturers would like to know how well students have learned the study materials being taught. A formal test or exam would cause needless stress for students. To resolve this problem, the authors of this article have developed an Intelligent Pupil Analysis (IPA) System. A sufficient amount of studies worldwide prove an interrelation between pupil size and a person's cognitive load. The obtained research results are comparable with the results from other similar studies. The original contribution of this article, compared to the research results published earlier, is as follows: the IPA System developed by the authors is superior to the traditional pupil analysis research due to the integration of pupil analysis with subsystems of decision support, recommender and intelligent tutoring systems and innovative Models of the Model-base, which permit a more detailed analysis of the knowledge attained by a student. This article ends with a case study to demonstrate the practical operation of the IPA System.     

Interfacing perovskite strontium molybdate to molybdenum disulfide nanoplatelts for boosting HER from water

Due to low hydrogen adsorption free energy at the edges of 2D-MoS₂ layered sheets, nanostructured MoS₂ materials recently are assigned to prospective electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) from water. However, the efficiency and stability of HER onto the MoS₂ designed on the conductive substrates are poor. To significantly increase the number of active sites and achieve a long-time working stability, the design of hybrid-type electrodes is crucial. Here, we report the synthesis of a new hybrid material composed of molybdenum disulfide and molybdenum oxides heterostructured with strontium molybdate. For this, a facile one-pot hydrothermal process was developed directly onto the TiO₂ nanotube carpet substrate. The interfacing of strontium molybdate at the electrode substrate verified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Time of flight secondary ions mass spectrometry (ToF SIMS) techniques. Considerable higher catalytic activity at the surface of this hybrid film, with the onset potential of 190 mV vs RHE and a Tafel slope of 66 mV dec^?1 attaining ~80 mA cm^?2 at 0.35 V overvoltage was ascertained. Exciting HER stability in comparison with the pure synthetic MoS₂ was verified by a prolonged potential cycling from 0.05 to ?0.35 V versus RHE potential and 45 h continuous HER processing at a constant current density.     

Charge-transporting 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene-based hydrazone monomers and oligomers

3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene-based hydrazones, containing reactive functional groups were synthesized and their optical, thermal, photophysical and electrochemical properties were studied. The monomers were subjected to cationic polymerization using boron trifluoride etherate as an initiator. The ionization potentials of the films of the hydrazones, measured by the electron photoemission technique, range from 5.53 to 5.62 eV. Room temperature time-of-flight hole mobilities in the solid solutions of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene hydrazone monomers in bisphenol-Z polycarbonate exceed 10^?5 cm² V^?1 s^?1 at high applied electric fields.     

Crosslinking of epoxidized natural oils with diepoxy reactive diluents

The different natural oils epoxidized with 3‐chloroperbenzoic acid were crosslinked with diepoxy reactive diluents, bisphenol A propoxylate diglycidyl ether, and 3,4‐epoxycyclohexylmethyl‐3,4‐epoxyclohexane‐carboxylate, using cationic initiator at 60°C and photoinitiators at the room temperature. The insoluble fraction of the polymeric products was 59–90%. The Young modulus of the crosslinked polymer films ranged from 2 to 861 MPa. The 10% weight loss temperatures of the crosslinked polymers estimated by thermogravimetric analysis were in the range from 250 to 420°C. The water vapor transmission rate of the crosslinked biopolymer films ranged from 6 to 49 g/m²/24 h. Biochemical oxygen demand and biodegradation in soil of the crosslinked polymers were studied. The crosslinked polymers showed higher biodegradation rate than cellulose, starch, and polyvinylalcohol. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

The Anthropocene and the international law of the sea

The current law of the sea provides a framework for various specific issues, but is incapable of responding adequately to the overall challenges facing humankind, now conceivably already living in the Anthropocene. The linkages between the development of the law of the sea and the current process towards formal recognition of an Anthropocene epoch are twofold. First, there is a linkage of origin. The ideological foundations of the law of the sea facilitated the emergence of forces that were to lead to the Industrial Revolution and, eventually, to levels of development entailing ever-greater human impacts on the Earth System. Second, there are linkages in interaction. Geological information has prompted key developments in the law of the sea since the introduction of the continental shelf concept in the mid-twentieth century. With the formalization of the Anthropocene epoch, geology might again act as a trigger for new developments needed in the law of the sea. This article explores those two aspects of linkages and examines prospects for further development of the law of the sea framework, through concepts such as the responsibility for the seas as well as those related to new approaches to global sustainability such as the 'planetary boundaries'.     

XRD studies of nickel hydride formation in alkaline solutions containing a promotor

An effect of cathodic charging conditions on the amount of the β-NiH_x phase formed in nickel electrode in alkaline solutions was studied by means of X-ray diffraction technique. Electrolytic nickel coatings on copper substrate were hydrogenated in KOH, NaOH, LiOH and NH₄OH solutions containing promoters such as As₂O₃, Sb and GeO₂. Dependences of the β-NiH_x phase volume fraction on the promotor concentration, charging current density and charging duration were studied. Optimal values of these charging conditions parameters were determined. The volume fraction of the β-NiH_x phase amounted up to ∼56% of 10 μm thick nickel coating. The quantity of nickel hydride did not depend on the alkali and its concentration. Promoters were arranged in the following order of effectiveness in causing nickel hydride formation: S>As>Sb>Ge. It was suggested that NiAs type compounds could take part in the nickel hydride formation.     

Effect of unloading on crack growth rate of Zr-2.5Nb tubes

Crack growth rates (CGRs) of a heat-treated Zr-2.5Nb tube were determined using compact tension specimens with 60 ppm H at 250 °C under the constant and cyclic loads where the load ratio R was changed from 0.13 to 0.68. CGR was the highest under the constant load and decreased under the cyclic load with decreasing R despite a decrease of the critical hydride length indicating the enhanced rate of hydride cracking. Hence, the decreased CGR under the cyclic load is due to unloading during the cyclic load inducing the compressive stress at the crack tip. This compressive stress suppresses hydride nucleation rate, leading it to govern the CGR, according to Kim’s new model. Evidence is provided by citing Simpson’s experiment demonstrating that unloading from 15 MPa √m decreased the CGR of a cold-worked Zr-2.5Nb tube but annealing did the reverse. This study demonstrates for the first time that the retarded CGR due to an overload during the DHC tests is understood in view of crack growth kinetics using Kim’s model.     

Glass-forming hole-transporting carbazole-based hydrazone monomers,polymers, and twin compounds

The synthesis, optical, thermal, and photoelectrical properties of new carbazole-based hydrazone monomers, polymers, and twin compounds are reported. All the synthesized materials are capable of glass formation. Their glass transition temperatures range from 27 to 90 °C. The ionization potentials of the films of carbazole-based hydrazones measured by the electron photoemission technique range from 5.18 to 5.48 eV. Hole-drift mobilities in the amorphous films of the synthesized hydrazone monomers measured by the time-of-flight technique at room temperature reach 10^?4 cm²/(V s) at high applied electric fields.