Self-assembly of cationic surfactant in choline chloride-based deep eutectic solvents: structural solvation and dynamics.

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have gained popularity in various applications due to their improved environmental sustainability and biodegradability. For the present study, several polyhydric alcohols, including ethylene glycol (EG), diethylene glycol (DEG), triethylene glycol (TEG), and glycerol (Gly), have been used as hydrogen bond donors (HBDs) and choline chloride (ChCl) as a hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) in a fixed molar ratio to form a homogenous and stable DES. Controlled water mixing into such neat DESs has always been thought to be a quick and efficient method to tune the chemical and thermodynamic properties of DESs.

Unraveling the treasure trove of phytochemicals in mitigating the Salmonella enterica infection.

Foodborne diseases triggered by various infectious micro-organisms are contributing significantly to the global disease burden as well as to increasing mortality rates. Salmonella enterica belongs to the most prevalent form of bacteria accountable for significant burden of foodborne illness across the globe. The conventional therapeutic approach to cater to Salmonella enterica-based infections relies on antibiotic therapy, but the rapid emergence of the antibiotic resistance strains of Salmonella sp.

Synergistic Enhancement of Water-Splitting Performance Using MOF-Derived Ceria-Modified g-CN Nanocomposites: Synthesis, Performance Evaluation, and Stability Prediction with Machine Learning.

Diminishing the charge recombination rate by improving the photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance of graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) is essential for better water oxidation. In this concern, this research explores the competent approach to enhance the PEC performance of g-CN nanosheets (NSs), creating their nanocomposites (NCs) with metal-organic framework (MOF)-derived porous CeO nanobars (NBs) along with ZnO nanorods (NRs) and TiO nanoparticles (NPs). The synthesis involved preparing CeO NBs and g-CN NSs through the calcination of respective precursors, while the sol-gel method is employed for ZnO NRs and TiO NPs.

Inkjet-printed sub-zero temperature sensor for real-time monitoring of cold environments.

Real-time monitoring of low temperatures (usually below 0 °C) or cold environments is a specific requirement that finds its high demand in the aerospace, pharmaceutical, food, and beverage industries to maintain the temperature at high altitudes or in refrigerators and cold storage. In general, this purpose is achieved by using a sub-zero temperature sensor coupled with a control system. However, the market available such temperature sensors are very expensive, and bulky, thus not being suitable for portable operation, and also they suffer from poor accuracy.

Charge Transport across Proteins inside Proteins: Tunneling across Encapsulin Protein Cages and the Effect of Cargo Proteins.

Charge transport across proteins can be surprisingly efficient over long distances-so-called long-range tunneling-but it is still unclear as to why and under which conditions (e.g., presence of co-factors, type of cargo) the long-range tunneling regime can be accessed.

Dynamic molecular switches with hysteretic negative differential conductance emulating synaptic behaviour.

To realize molecular-scale electrical operations beyond the von Neumann bottleneck, new types of multifunctional switches are needed that mimic self-learning or neuromorphic computing by dynamically toggling between multiple operations that depend on their past. Here, we report a molecule that switches from high to low conductance states with massive negative memristive behaviour that depends on the drive speed and number of past switching events, with all the measurements fully modelled using atomistic and analytical models. This dynamic molecular switch emulates synaptic behavior and Pavlovian learning, all within a 2.

Smart Eutectic Gallium-Indium: From Properties to Applications.

Eutectic gallium-indium (EGaIn), a liquid metal with a melting point close to or below room temperature, has attracted extensive attention in recent years due to its excellent properties such as fluidity, high conductivity, thermal conductivity, stretchability, self-healing capability, biocompatibility, and recyclability. These features of EGaIn can be adjusted by changing the experimental condition, and various composite materials with extended properties can be further obtained by mixing EGaIn with other materials. In this review, not only the are unique properties of EGaIn introduced, but also the working principles for the EGaIn-based devices are illustrated and the developments of EGaIn-related techniques are summarized.

Synthesis, Self-Aggregation, Surface Characteristics, Electrochemical Property, Micelle Size, and Antimicrobial Activity of a Halogen-Free Picoline-Based Surface-Active Ionic Liquid.

We present a new approach toward the design of a halogen-free picoline-based surface-active ionic liquid (SAIL) (1-octyl-4-methyl pyridinium dodecyl sulfate) [CγPic]DS consisting of long dodecyl sulfate (DS) as an anion. The surface properties, micellization behavior, and antimicrobial activity in an aqueous solution were investigated using tensiometry, conductometry, and ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy. Incorporating the DS group in SAIL leads to lower critical micellar concentration (CMC) and enhanced adsorption at the air/water interface of the functionalized ionic liquid compared to the C-alkyl chain-substituted pyridine ionic liquids.

Empirical Parameter to Compare Molecule-Electrode Interfaces in Large-Area Molecular Junctions.

This paper describes a simple model for comparing the degree of electronic coupling between molecules and electrodes across different large-area molecular junctions. The resulting coupling parameter can be obtained directly from current-voltage data or extracted from published data without fitting. We demonstrate the generalizability of this model by comparing over 40 different junctions comprising different molecules and measured by different laboratories.

Synergistic 2D MoSe@WSe nanohybrid heterostructure toward superior hydrogen evolution and flexible supercapacitor.

Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) heterostructure is a new age strategy to achieve high electrocatalytic activity and ion storage capacity. The less complex and cost-effective applicability of the large-area TMDC heterostructure (HS) for energy applications require more research. Herein, we report the MoSe@WSe nanohybrid HS electrocatalyst prepared using liquid exfoliated nanocrystals, followed by direct electrophoretic deposition (EPD).

Real-time photovoltaic parameters assessment of carbon quantum dots showing strong blue emission.

The need for replacing conventional sources of energy with renewable ones has been on a swift rise since the last couple of decades. In this context, the progress in third-generation solar cells has taken a good leap in the last couple of years with increasing prospects of high efficiency, stability, and lifetime. Quite recently, a new form of carbon has been discovered accidentally in the form of carbon quantum dots (C QD), which is being pursued actively owing to its chemical stability and luminescent properties.

Hierarchically Porous Metal-Organic Gel Hosting Catholyte for Limiting Iodine Diffusion and Self-Discharge Control in Sustainable Aqueous Zinc-I Batteries.

Rechargeable aqueous zinc-iodine batteries (AZIBs) represent excellent zinc-iodine redox chemistry and emerged as a promising aspirant due to their high safety, low cost, ease of fabrication, and high energy density. Nevertheless, the high-dissolution-induced iodide diffusion toward the zinc anode brings the self-discharge, which governs the capacity fading and poor cycling life of the battery. Herein, a multipurpose sponge-like porous matrix of a metal-organic gel to host a substantial amount of an iodine-based catholyte and uniform distribution of iodine with controlled iodide diffusion is introduced.

Intermolecular Effects on Tunneling through Acenes in Large-Area and Single-Molecule Junctions.

This paper describes the conductance of single-molecules and self-assembled monolayers comprising an oligophenyleneethynylene core, functionalized with acenes of increasing length that extend conjugation perpendicular to the path of tunneling electrons. In the Mechanically Controlled Break Junction (MCBJ) experiment, multiple conductance plateaus were identified. The high conductance plateau, which we attribute to the single molecule conformation, shows an increase of conductance as a function of acene length, in good agreement with theoretical predictions.

Immobilization of Agrobacterium tumefaciensd-psicose 3-epimerase onto titanium dioxide for bioconversion of rare sugar.

d-Psicose (d-ribo-2-hexulose or d-allulose) is the Carbon-3 epimer of d-fructose sugar and considered as an unnatural (rare) sugar found in low amount in nature. It has about 70% of the relative sweetness but 0.3% of the energy of sucrose, which is suggested as the most suitable sucrose substitute for food additives.

Correlating the Influence of Disulfides in Monolayers across Photoelectron Spectroscopy Wettability and Tunneling Charge-Transport.

Despite their ubiquity, self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of thiols on coinage metals are difficult to study and are still not completely understood, particularly with respect to the nature of thiol-metal bonding. Recent advances in molecular electronics have highlighted this deficiency due to the sensitivity of tunneling charge-transport to the subtle differences in the overall composition of SAMs and the chemistry of their attachment to surfaces. These advances have also challenged assumptions about the spontaneous formation of covalent thiol-metal bonds.

Understanding the Role of Parallel Pathways via In-Situ Switching of Quantum Interference in Molecular Tunneling Junctions.

This study describes the modulation of tunneling probabilities in molecular junctions by switching one of two parallel intramolecular pathways. A linearly conjugated molecular wire provides a rigid framework that allows a second, cross-conjugated pathway to be effectively switched on and off by protonation, affecting the total conductance of the junction. This approach works because a traversing electron interacts with the entire quantum-mechanical circuit simultaneously; Kirchhoff's rules do not apply.

Above 800 mV Open-Circuit Voltage in Solid-State Photovoltaic Devices Using Phosphonium Cation-Based Solid Ionic Conductors.

Here, we report phosphonium-based two solid ionic conductors (SICs), namely, triphenylphosphonium methyl iodide (TPPMeI) and triphenylphosphonium iodide (TPPHI), prepared via simple protocol at room temperature and were used as an electrolyte for solid-state photovoltaic devices (ss-PVDs) with open-circuit voltage () exceeding 800 mV. Here, for the first time, detailed electrochemical investigations with theoretical aspects of phosphonium electrolytes were conducted, where PVDs prepared from these SICs, TPPMeI, showed the highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 4.08% with a of 810 mV.

Eliminating Fatigue in Surface-Bound Spiropyrans.

This paper describes an experimental approach to eliminating the loss of reversibility that surface-bound spiropyrans exhibit when switched with light. Although such fatigue can be controlled in other contexts, on surfaces, the photochromic compounds are held in close proximity to each other and relatively few molecules modulate the properties of a device, leading to a loss of functionality after only a few switching cycles. The switching process was characterized by photoelectron spectroscopy and differences in tunneling currents in the spiropyran and merocyanine forms using eutectic Ga-In.

Systematic experimental study of quantum interference effects in anthraquinoid molecular wires.

In order to translate molecular properties in molecular-electronic devices, it is necessary to create design principles that can be used to achieve better structure-function control oriented toward device fabrication. In molecular tunneling junctions, cross-conjugation tends to give rise to destructive quantum interference effects that can be tuned by changing the electronic properties of the molecules. We performed a systematic study of the tunneling charge-transport properties of a series of compounds characterized by an identical cross-conjugated anthraquinoid molecular skeleton but bearing different substituents at the 9 and 10 positions that affect the energies and localization of their frontier orbitals.

Correction: Systematic experimental study of quantum interference effects in anthraquinoid molecular wires.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/C8NA00223A.].

Electrophoretically Deposited MoSe/WSe Heterojunction from Ultrasonically Exfoliated Nanocrystals for Enhanced Electrochemical Photoresponse.

The solar response ability and low-cost fabrication of the photoanode are important factors for the effective output of the photoelectrochemical system. Modification of the photoanode by which its ability to absorb irradiation can be manipulated has gained tremendous attention. Here, we demonstrated the MoSe, WSe, and MoSe/WSe nanocrystal thin films prepared by the liquid-phase exfoliated and electrophoresis methods.

Tunneling Probability Increases with Distance in Junctions Comprising Self-Assembled Monolayers of Oligothiophenes.

Molecular tunneling junctions should enable the tailoring of charge-transport at the quantum level through synthetic chemistry but are hindered by the dominance of the electrodes. We show that the frontier orbitals of molecules can be decoupled from the electrodes, preserving their relative energies in self-assembled monolayers even when a top-contact is applied. This decoupling leads to the remarkable observation of tunneling probabilities that increase with distance in a series of oligothiophenes, which we explain using a two-barrier tunneling model.

Two-Terminal Molecular Memory through Reversible Switching of Quantum Interference Features in Tunneling Junctions.

Large-area molecular tunneling junctions comprising self-assembled monolayers of redox-active molecules are described that exhibit two-terminal bias switching. The as-prepared monolayers undergo partial charge transfer to the underlying metal substrate (Au, Pt, or Ag), which converts their cores from a quinoid to a hydroquinoid form. The resulting rearomatization converts the bond topology from a cross-conjugated to a linearly conjugated π system.

A Smart Flexible Solid State Photovoltaic Device with Interfacial Cooling Recovery Feature through Thermoreversible Polymer Gel Electrolyte.

Quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) fabricated with lightweight flexible substrates have a great potential in wearable electronic devices for in situ powering. However, the poor lifespan of these DSSCs limits their practical application. Strong mechanical stresses involved in practical applications cause breakage of the electrode/electrolyte interface in the DSSCs greatly affecting their performance and lifetime.

Controlling destructive quantum interference in tunneling junctions comprising self-assembled monolayers bond topology and functional groups.

Quantum interference effects (QI) are of interest in nano-scale devices based on molecular tunneling junctions because they can affect conductance exponentially through minor structural changes. However, their utilization requires the prediction and deterministic control over the position and magnitude of QI features, which remains a significant challenge. In this context, we designed and synthesized three benzodithiophenes based molecular wires; one linearly-conjugated, one cross-conjugated and one cross-conjugated quinone.