Noncentrosymmetric Crystal [CHNO]SiF·HO with Large Birefringence.

Crystals with noncentrosymmetric structures are applied in many fields, but reported compounds have a high probability of forming a centrosymmetric structure. Here, by hydrogen-bonding the π-conjugated [CHNO] cation with the separated [SiF] octahedron, a noncentrosymmetric isoquinoline hexafluorosilicate monohydrate optical crystal of [CHNO]SiF·HO was formed under the regulatory influence of hydrogen bonding. It not only possesses a moderate second harmonic generation response (1.

(CHNO)[BiBr]·2HO and (CHNO)[BiCl]Cl·2HO: Exploring Birefringent Crystals in Hybrid Halide Systems.

In this study, new hybrid birefringent crystals of (CHNO)[BiBr]·2HO and (CHNO)[BiCl]Cl·2HO were successfully synthesized by introducing a new birefringent group [CHNO] by a simple aqueous solution evaporation method. They crystallize in the 2/ space group, and their structure consists mainly of the π-conjugated group [CHNO] and the octahedron centered on Bi. By first-principles calculations, the birefringence response comes from the [CHNO] group with a planar π-conjugated structure.

CHNBrX (X = Cl, Br, NO): Three Excellent Birefringent Crystals with Distinct Optical Anisotropy Regulated by Anions.

A large optical anisotropy is the most important parameter of birefringent crystals. Integrating π-conjugated groups with large polarizable anisotropy into target compounds is a common strategy for constructing brilliant birefringent crystals. However, the key problem is to enhance the density of the birefringence-active units and further arrange them parallelly.

Naphthalene-Like Unit That Induces Strong Optical Anisotropy in CHNOBr and CHNOBr·HO.

Two metal-free birefringent crystals, CHBrNO and CHBrNO·HO, which contain a new birefringence-active [CHNO] gene, were synthesized via a mild solution evaporation method. In their crystal structures, the π-conjugated naphthalene-like [CHNO] groups are basically aligned, which induces high optical anisotropy; i.e.

CHNOCd(NO)·2HO: a birefringent crystal with an enlarged band-gap derived from covalent edge-sharing connection.

A new birefringent crystal, CHNOCd(NO)·2HO, was designed by combining a π-conjugated [CHNO] group with a CdON polyhedron. Notably, the experimental energy gap is 0.02 eV higher than that of the organic raw material, which resulted from a covalent edge-sharing connection, implying a new strategy to improve the band-gap of birefringent materials.

(CNH)SbF·HO Exhibiting Strong Optical Anisotropy from the Optimal Arrangement of π-Conjugated (CNH) Groups.

An antimony fluoride melamine birefringent crystal, (CNH)SbF·HO, was obtained by introducing the π-conjugated delocalized melamine and antimony trifluoride via a simple aqueous solution evaporation method. It features one-dimensional parallel [CNH] chains further connected by hydrogen bonds originated from [SbF] groups with lone pairs. The experimental optical band gap (4.

CsY(SO)·4HO: A Deep-Ultraviolet Birefringent Crystal Induced by an Edge-Sharing Connection.

SO tetrahedral groups have weak polarization anisotropy, which thus results in the small birefringence of sulfates. Here, we report new sulfate CsY(SO)·4HO with unprecedented birefringence among deep-ultraviolet (deep-UV) sulfates. Its single crystal (10 mm × 3.

Ag-Modified ZnO Nanorod Array Fabricated on Polyester Fabric and Its Enhanced Visible-Light Photocatalytic Performance by a Built-in Electric Field and Plasmonic Effect.

ZnO nanorod arrays (NRAs) were fabricated on polyester fabrics (PFs) by a two-step method and modified with Ag by magnetron sputtering. The photogenerated charge transport properties of the Ag/ZnO nanorod heterojunctions were studied by a self-made Kelvin probe system and a surface photovoltage (SPV) test system. The measured work functions (WFs) of the deposited Ag and ZnO nanorod are 4.

High electrochemical performance of Ni-foam supported TiCTMXene/rGO nanocomposite.

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have attracted extensive attention owing to their unique electronic/physiochemical properties, and wide application potential in energy storage and conversion. However, 2D materials are often tendency to aggregate due to the strong van der Waals interactions, leading to gradually decrease of an efficient mass transfer pathway and accessible surface area for the electrolyte. Here, we demonstrate an efficient approach for large-scale production of a hybrid nanostructures (TiCT/rGO) based on ultrathin MXene nanosheets anchored on layered reduced graphene (rGO) supported by porous Ni-foam via a plain chemical dipping method followed by high temperature annealing process.

Abrupt Structural Transformation in Asymmetric ABPOF (A = K, Rb, Cs).

An asymmetric structure is the necessary requirement for second-order nonlinear-optical (NLO) materials, which have important applications in modern science and technology. Here we report two isostructural asymmetric compounds, RbBPOF and CsBPOF. Both compounds crystallize in cubic space group P23 (No.

A Langbeinite-Type Yttrium Phosphate LiCsY(PO).

Langbeinite-type inorganic compounds have a wide range of applications, but nonlinear-optical properties are rarely mentioned in this series. Here, we report a new orthophosphate, LiCsY(PO), with a langbeinite-type structure, which is the first example in the system of mixed alkali-metal yttrium phosphates. Notably, LiCsY(PO) exhibits a moderate second-harmonic-generation efficiency of 0.

Mixing Halogens To Assemble an All-Inorganic Layered Perovskite with Warm White-Light Emission.

Most of single-component white-light-emitting materials focus on organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites, metal-organic frameworks, as well as all-inorganic semiconductors. In this work, we successfully assembled an all-inorganic layered perovskite by mixing two halogens of distinct ionic radii, namely, Rb CdCl I , which emits "warm" white light with a high color rendering index of 88. To date, Rb CdCl I is the first single-component white-light-emitting material with an all-inorganic layered perovskite structure.

Broad-Band-Emissive Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Semiconducting Nanowires Based on an ABX-Type Chain Compound.

Organic-inorganic hybrid lead halide (e.g., CHNHPbX, where X = CI, Br, and I) nanowires (NWs) with remarkable electric and optical properties have recently garnered increasing attention, owing to their structural flexibility and tunability compared to inorganic semiconducting NWs.

Cooperation of Three Chromophores Generates the Water-Resistant Nitrate Nonlinear Optical Material Bi TeO OH(NO ).

Nitrates have long been ignored for practical uses as nonlinear optical (NLO) materials because they are usually very easy to dissolve in water; despite this, the π-conjugated [NO ] is among the most desirable NLO-active structural units. The cooperation of three structural chromophores, namely, Bi O OH short chains with 6s lone pair electrons, distorted TeO octahedra with d electrons, and π-conjugated [NO ] triangles, generates a new nitrate NLO material, Bi TeO OH(NO ) , which exhibits an enhanced phase-matchable NLO response of three times that of KH PO (3×KH PO ), exceeding those of most nitrate NLO materials. Remarkably, the new material did not show obvious weight loss and degeneration of NLO response after being dipped in de-ionized water for 24 h, indicating that it is highly resistant to water.

Strong Nonlinear-Optical Response in the Pyrophosphate CsLiCdPO with a Short Cutoff Edge.

A high efficiency of laser-light conversion and short cutoff edge is essential to an ultraviolet (UV) nonlinear-optical (NLO) material. Previous researches on phosphates were mainly centered on alkali-metal or alkali-earth-metal phosphate systems, resulting in relatively weak NLO responses. Through the introduction of transition-metal cadmium and alkali-metal cesium elements with large radii into the phosphate system, a new UV NLO pyrophosphate, CsLiCdPO, has been synthesized.

Designing a Beryllium-Free Deep-Ultraviolet Nonlinear Optical Material without a Structural Instability Problem.

A beryllium-free deep-ultraviolet (deep-UV) nonlinear optical (NLO) material K3Ba3Li2Al4B6O20F is developed mainly by the element substitution of Be for Al and Li from Sr2Be2B2O7 that was considered as one of the most promising deep-UV NLO materials. K3Ba3Li2Al4B6O20F preserves the structural merits of Sr2Be2B2O7 and thus exhibits no layering growth tendency and possesses the optical properties required for deep-UV NLO applications, including deep-UV transparency, phase-matchability, and sufficiently large second-harmonic generation (1.5 × KH2PO4).