Laboratory Studies of the Clathrate Hydrate Formation in the Carbon Dioxide-Water Mixtures at Interstellar Conditions.

This study investigates the formation of carbon dioxide clathrate hydrates under conditions simulating interstellar environments, a process of significant astrophysical and industrial relevance. Clathrate hydrates, where gas molecules are trapped within water ice cages, play an essential role in both carbon sequestration strategies and understanding of the behavior of ices in space. We employed a combination of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations to explore thin films of HO:CO ice mixtures with varying CO concentrations (5-75%) prepared by vapor deposition at temperatures ranging between 11 and 180 K.

Molecular engineering of supramolecular polymer adhesive with confined water and a single crown ether.

Here, we report a water-induced supramolecular polymer adhesive formed from confined water and an intrinsically amphiphilic macrocyclic self-assembly in a nanophase-separated structure. The selenium-containing crown ether macrocycle, featuring a strong hydrophilic hydrogen-bond receptor (selenoxide) and a synergistic hydrophobic selenium-substituted crown core, confines water within a segregated, interdigitated architecture. While water molecules typically freeze around 0 °C, the confined water in this supramolecular polymer remains in a liquid-like state down to -80 °C.

Cryovacuum setup for optical studies of astrophysical ice.

This paper presents a cryovacuum setup for the study of substances under near-space conditions. The setup makes it possible to study the infrared spectra, refractive index, and density of substances that are condensed from the vapor phase onto a cooled substrate in the temperature range from 11 to 300 K. At the same time, it is possible to obtain the ultimate pressure of 1 × 10 Torr in the vacuum chamber.

Analysis of Vibrational Spectra of Tetrafluoroethane Glasses Deposited by Physical Vapor Deposition.

This paper presents the results obtained in the study of structural phase transitions in thin films of R134A. The samples were condensed on a substrate by physical deposition of R134A molecules from the gas phase. Structural phase transformations in samples were investigated by observing the changes in characteristic frequencies of Freon molecules in the mid-infrared range with the help of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy.

IR Spectroscopic Degradation Study of Thin Organometal Halide Perovskite Films.

The advantages of IR spectroscopy include relatively fast analysis and sensitivity, which facilitate its wide application in the pharmaceutical, chemical and polymer sectors. Thus, IR spectroscopy provides an excellent opportunity to monitor the degradation and concomitant evolution of the molecular structure within a perovskite layer. As is well-known, one of the main limitations preventing the industrialization of perovskite solar cells is the relatively low resistance to various degradation factors.

Infrared Analysis and Effect of Nitrogen and Nitrous Oxide on the Glass Transition of Methanol Cryofilms.

Methanol plays an important role in studying the structure and dynamics of hydrogen bonds in alcohols and other physiologically important compounds in the condensed state. The physical vapor deposition method and two-beam interferometry make it possible to study the structure of polyatomic molecules, the nature and character of intermolecular interactions, and the internal structure of various compounds. Thus, it becomes possible to analyze changes in the internal structure of substances near the points of their phase transitions and glass transitions at ultralow temperatures.

A Multifaceted Approach for Cryogenic Waste Tire Recycling.

One of the important aspects for degradation of the life quality is the ever increasing volume and range of industrial wastes. Polymer wastes, such as automotive tire rubber, are a source of long-term environmental pollution. This paper presents an approach to simplifying the rubber waste recycling process using cryogenic temperatures.

Refractive Index at Low Temperature of Tetrachloromethane and Tetrafluoroethane Cryovacuum Condensates.

We present low-temperature measurements of the refractive index of cryofilms of tetrachloromethane and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane at different condensation and measurement temperatures between 16 and 130 K. Using cryovacuum condensation, we have been able to obtain thin films in an amorphous state for both substances despite them being very bad glass formers. Then, we have studied the evolution of the refractive index with an increasing temperature, including by transitions to ordered or partially disordered crystalline states.