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At least 451 records · Page 25

Discovery of enhanced lattice dynamics in a single-layered hybrid perovskite

Layered hybrid perovskites exhibit emergent physical properties and exceptional functional performances, but the coexistence of lattice order and structural disorder severely hinders our understanding of these materials. One unsolved problem regards how the lattice dynamics are affected by the dimensional engineering of the inorganic frameworks and their interaction with the molecular moieties. Here, we address this question by using a combination of spontaneous Raman scattering, terahertz spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics simulations. This approach reveals the structural dynamics in and out of equilibrium and provides unexpected observables that differentiate single- and double-layered perovskites. While no distinct vibrational coherence is observed in double-layered perovskites, an off-resonant terahertz pulse can drive a long-lived coherent phonon mode in the single-layered system. This difference highlights the dramatic change in the lattice environment as the dimension is reduced, and the findings pave the way for ultrafast structural engineering and high-speed optical modulators based on layered perovskites.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Ordered macroporous materials

The present invention relates to an inorganic material comprising particles of three-dimensional ordered macroporous structure comprising spherical pores, The invention further relates to a process for preparing said inorganic material.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Nitrogen-sulfur-carbon nanocomposites and their application as cathode materials in lithium-sulfur batteries

The invention is directed in a first aspect to electron-conducting porous compositions comprising an organic polymer matrix doped with nitrogen atoms and having elemental sulfur dispersed therein, particularly such compositions having an ordered framework structure. The invention is also directed to composites of such S/N-doped electron-conducting porous aromatic framework (PAF) compositions, or composites of an S/N-doped mesoporous carbon composition, which includes the S/N-doped composition in admixture with a binder, and optionally, conductive carbon. The invention is further directed to cathodes for a lithium-sulfur battery in which such composites are incorporated.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

The growth of density perturbations in the last ~10 billion years from tomographic large-scale structure data

In order to investigate the origin of the ongoing tension between the amplitude of matter fluctuations measured by weak lensing experiments at low redshifts and the value inferred from the cosmic microwave background anisotropies, we reconstruct the evolution of this amplitude from z ~ 2 using existing large-scale structure data. To do so, we decouple the linear growth of density inhomogeneities from the background expansion, and constrain its redshift dependence making use of a combination of 6 different data sets, including cosmic shear, galaxy clustering and CMB lensing. We analyze these data under a consistent harmonic-space angular power spectrum-based pipeline. We show that current data constrain the amplitude of fluctuations mostly in the range 0.2 < z < 0.7, where it is lower than predicted by . This difference is mostly driven by current cosmic shear data, although the growth histories reconstructed from different data combinations are consistent with each other, and we find no evidence of systematic deviations in any particular experiment. In spite of the tension with , the data are well-described by the model, albeit with a lower value of S 8 ≡ σ 8 (Ω m /0.3) 0.5 . As part of our analysis, we find constraints on this parameter of S 8 = 0.7781 ± 0.0094 (68% confidence level), reaching almost percent-level errors comparable with CMB measurements, and 3.4σ away from the value found by .

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Non-resonant Raman optical activity from phase-space electronic structure theory

In order to model experimental non-resonant Raman optical activity, chemists must compute a host of second-order response tensors (e.g., the electric-dipole–magnetic-dipole polarizability) and their nuclear derivatives along a set of vibrational modes. While these response functions are almost always computed within a Born–Oppenheimer (BO) framework, here we provide a natural interpretation of the electric-dipole–magnetic-dipole polarizability within phase space electronic structure theory, a beyond-BO model whereby the electronic structure depends on nuclear momentum (P) in addition to nuclear position (R). By coupling to nuclear momentum, phase space electronic structure theory is able to capture the asymmetric response of the electronic properties to an external field, in so far as for a vibrating (non-stationary) molecule, $\frac{∂μ}{∂B}$≠$\frac{∂m}{∂F}$, where μ and m are the electrical linear and magnetic dipoles, and F and B are electric and magnetic fields. As an example, for a prototypical methyloxirane molecule, we show that phase space electronic structure theory is able to deliver a reasonably good match with experimental results in a manner that is formally invariant to gauge origin G 0 —provided that one uses a complete basis or, alternatively, gauge invariant atomic orbitals.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Experimental confirmation of the magnetic ordering transition induced by an electronic structure change in the metallic triangular antiferromagnet Co 1/3⁢ TaS 2

We report angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) studies combined with DFT+DMFT calculations to confirm that the magnetic ordering vector transition from Q=(1/2,0,0) to Q=(1/3,0,0) in the metallic triangular antiferromagnets Co 1/3±𝜀⁢ TaS 2 (𝜀 ≈ 0.007) is induced by the electronic structure change in the system. The ARPES-measured Fermi surface (FS) maps of Co 0.325 ⁢TaS 2 show two hexagonal and one circular holelike FSs around Γ, which matches well with the triple- Q state by taking into account the contribution of nesting vectors occurring between Co 3⁢𝑑 and Ta 5⁢𝑑 orbitals. In the case of Co 0.340 ⁢TaS 2 , a new electron pocket around K appears, and the FS geometry changes as a result of the correlation effect of Co 4 ⁢S 18 tripods forming in the system. The magnetic susceptibility calculations based on the charge-self-consistent DFT+DMFT band structures and the random phase approximation indicate that the most stable magnetic ordering vector (1/2,0,0) split into (1/6,0,0) and (1/2,0,0), which is consistent with the magnetic phase transition around 𝑥=1/3 in Co 𝑥 ⁢TaS 2 .

Fermi surface↗

Taming Molecular Folding: Anion-Templated Foldamers with Tunable Quaternary Structures

Higher-order foldamers represent a unique class of supramolecules at the forefront of molecular design. Herein we control quaternary folding using a novel approach that combines halogen bonding (XBing) and hydrogen bonding (HBing). We present the first anion-templated double helices induced by halogen bonds (XBs) and stabilized by “hydrogen bond enhanced halogen bonds” (HBeXBs). Our findings demonstrate that the number and orientation of hydrogen bond (HB) and XB donors significantly affect the quaternary structure and guest selectivity of two similar oligomers. Finally, this research offers new design elements to engineer foldamers and tailor their quaternary structure for specific guest binding.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Electromagnetic control of spin ordered Mn 3 qubits: a density functional study

[Mn 3 O(O 2 CMe)(dpd 3/2 )] 2 is composed of two monomers each of which contain three Mn atoms at the vertices of an equilateral triangle. A full analysis of the electronic and magnetic structure of the dimer shows that each Mn atom carries a local spin of S = 2 while other spin states are energetically much higher. This result suggests application for conventional as well as quantum tasks. A detailed analysis of the electronic and magnetic structure of the monomer, on the other hand, suggests that there are three spin states of S = 1, S = 3/2 and S = 2 per monomer which are energetically competitive. Additionally, we found that while monomer–monomer interactions are very weak, the coupling of monomers via covalent linkers affects both the magnetization and electronic energy levels of monomers. In particular, the isolated monomers prefer a ground state with local spin of S = 1 on Mn atoms and an antiferromagnetically ordered structure while the dimers possess a ground state with local spin of S = 2 on Mn atoms and a ferromagnetically ordered structure. The investigation of the polarizability of both monomer and dimer is examined for antiferromagnetically ordered structures which induces a high dipole moment of 0.08 (a.u.) and 0.16 (a.u.) for monomer and dimer, respectively. The energy of the antiferromagnetic structure is also high compared to other spin-electric molecules.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Highly tail-asymmetric lipids interdigitate and cause bidirectional ordering

Phospholipids form structurally and compositionally diverse membranes. A less studied type of compositional diversity involves phospholipid tail variety. Some phospholipids contain two acyl tails which differ in length. These tail-asymmetric lipids are shown to contribute to temperature sensitivity, oxygen adaptability, and membrane fluidity. Membranes of a highly virulent intracellular bacterium, Francisella tularensis, contain highly tail-asymmetric 1-lignoceroyl-2-decanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylethanolamine (XJPE) lipids which were previously shown to inhibit inflammatory responses in host cells. XJPE tails have unusually high asymmetry, and how they contribute to membrane properties on a molecular level is unknown. Here, we use small angle X-ray scattering and molecular dynamics simulations to investigate how varying XJPE ratios alters properties of simple membranes. Our results demonstrate that at high concentration they promote liquid-to-gel transition in otherwise liquid membranes, while at low concentration they are tolerated well, minimally altering membrane properties. In liquid membranes, XJPE lipids dynamically adopt two main conformations; with the long tail extended into the opposing leaflet or bent-back residing in its own leaflet. When added to both leaflets XJPE primarily adopts an extended confirmation, while asymmetric addition results in more bent-back orientations. The former increases tail ordering and the latter decreases it. XJPE tails adopt different conformations that induce composition- and leaflet-dependent bidirectional effect on membrane fluidity and this suggests that Francisella tularensis could use tail asymmetry to facilitate vesicle fusion and destabilize host cells. The effect of tail-asymmetric lipids on complex membranes should be further investigated to reveal the regulatory roles of high tail asymmetry.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Unraveling the Unconventional Order of a High-Mobility Indacenodithiophene-Benzothiadiazole Copolymer

We report a new class of donor–acceptor (D-A) copolymers found to produce high charge carrier mobilities competitive with amorphous silicon (>1 cm 2 V –1 s –1 ) exhibit the puzzling microstructure of substantial local order, however lacking long-range order and crystallinity previously deemed necessary for achieving high mobility. Here, we demonstrate the application of low-dose transmission electron microscopy to image and quantify the nanoscale and mesoscale organization of an archetypal D-A copolymer across areas comparable to electronic devices (≈9 μm 2 ). The local structure is spatially resolved by mapping the backbone (001) spacing reflection, revealing nanocrystallites of aligned polymer chains throughout nearly the entire film. Analysis of the nanoscale structure of its ordered domains suggests significant short- and medium-range order and preferential grain boundary orientations. Moreover, we provide insights into the rich, interconnected mesoscale organization of this new family of D-A copolymers by analysis of the local orientational spatial autocorrelations.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

On the Statistics of Elsasser Increments in Solar Wind and Magnetohydrodynamic Turbulence

In this Letter we investigate the dependency with scale of the empirical probability distribution functions (PDF) of Elsasser increments using large sets of WIND data (collected between 1995 and 2017) near 1 au. The empirical PDF are compared to the ones obtained from high-resolution numerical simulations of steadily driven, homogeneous reduced MHD turbulence on a 2048 3 rectangular mesh. A large statistical sample of Alfvénic increments is obtained by using conditional analysis based on the solar wind average properties. The PDF tails obtained from observations and numerical simulations are found to have exponential behavior in the inertial range, with an exponential decrement that satisfies power laws of the form α l ∝ l –μ , where l is the scale size, with μ between 0.17 and 0.25 for observations and 0.43 for simulations. PDF tails were extrapolated assuming their exponential behavior extends to arbitrarily large increments in order to determine structure function scaling laws at very high orders. Our results point to potentially universal scaling laws governing the PDF of Elsasser increments and to an alternative approach to investigate high-order statistics in solar wind observations.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

A Comparison of Order-Disorder in Several Families of Cubic Oxides

Order-disorder on both cation and oxygen sites is a hallmark of fluorite-derived structures, including pyrochlores. Ordering can occur on long- and short-range scales and can result in persistent metastable states. In various cubic oxide systems, different types of disorder are seen. The purpose of this paper is to review and compare the types and energetics of order-disorder phenomena in several families of cubic oxides having pyrochlore, weberite, defect fluorite, perovskite, rocksalt, and spinel structures. The goal is to better understand how structure, composition, and thermodynamic parameters (enthalpy and entropy) determine the feasibility of different competing ordering processes and structures in these diverse systems.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

A Polar Magnetic and Insulating Double Corundum Oxide: Mn2MnSbO6 with Ordered Mn(II) and Mn(III) Ions

A new magnetic insulator Mn2MnSbO6 with a polar crystal structure and an ordered Mn2+ and Mn3+ arrangement was synthesized under a high pressure of 7.5 GPa and 1300 degrees C. The crystal structure of Mn2MnSbO6, investigated by synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction, was found to be isomorphous with that of Ni3TeO6-type, space group R3. The non-centrosymmetric structure was confirmed by the second-harmonic generation measurements. The X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy measurement confirmed the nominal oxidation states of Mn22+Mn3+SbO6. Magnetic measurements indicate that Mn2MnSbO6 orders antiferromagnetically below 44 K and undergoes a field-induced spin-flop transition at 5 K. First-principles calculations indicate an antiferromagnetic ground state with up/up/up/down/down/down (uuuddd) spin configuration of the six crystallographically unique Mn ions in the c-axis doubled magnetic structure. The density functional theory calculations also substantiate the experimentally observed charge ordering of the Mn2+/Mn3+ ions and the insulating behavior due to a bandgap of 0.52 eV. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first double corundum oxide containing Jahn-Teller active Mn3+ ions.

Feng, Hai L.↗

Charge order landscape and competition with superconductivity in kagome metals

In the kagome metals AV 3 Sb 5 (A = K, Rb, Cs), three-dimensional charge order is the primary instability that sets the stage for other collective orders to emerge, including unidirectional stripe order, orbital flux order, electronic nematicity and superconductivity. In this report we use high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy to determine the microscopic structure of three-dimensional charge order in AV 3 Sb 5 and its interplay with superconductivity. Our approach is based on identifying an unusual splitting of kagome bands induced by three-dimensional charge order, which provides a sensitive way to refine the spatial charge patterns in neighbouring kagome planes. Here we found a marked dependence of the three-dimensional charge order structure on composition and doping. The observed difference between CsV 3 Sb 5 and the other compounds potentially underpins the double-dome superconductivity in CsV 3 (Sb,Sn) 5 and the suppression of T c in KV 3 Sb 5 and RbV 3 Sb 5 . Our results provide fresh insights into the rich phase diagram of AV 3 Sb 5 .

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗