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Abstract: Methylammonium (MA+) lead halide perovskites (MAPbX3) have been widely investigated for photovoltaic applications, with the addition of Cs improving structural and thermal stability. This study reports the complete A site miscibility of Cs+ and MA+ cations in the lead chloride and lead bromide perovskites with nominal stoichiometric formulae (CsxMA1−x)Pb(Cl/Br)3 (x = 0, 0.13, 0.25, 0.37, 0.50, 0.63, 0.75, 0.87, 1). These suites of materials were synthesized mechanochemically as a simple, cost-effective synthesis technique to produce highly ordered, single phase particles. In contrast to previous studies using conventional synthetic routes that have reported significant solubility gaps, this solvent-free approach induces complete miscibility within the dual cation Cs+/MA+ system, with the resultant structures exhibiting high short-range and long-range atomic ordering across the entire compositional range that are devoid of solvent inclusions and disorder. The subtle structural evolution from cubic to orthorhombic symmetry reflecting PbX6 octahedral tilting was studied using complementary high resolution TEM, powder XRD, multinuclear 133Cs/207Pb/1H MAS NMR, DSC, XPS and UV/vis approaches. The phase purity and exceptional structural order were reflected in the very high resolution HRTEM images presented from particles with crystallite sizes in the ∼80–170 nm range, and the stability and long lifetimes of the Br series (10–20 min) and the Cl series (∼30 s–1 min) under the 200 kV/146 μA e− beam. Rietveld refinements associated with the room temperature PXRD study demonstrated that each system converged towards single phase compositions that were very close to the intended target stoichiometries, thus indicating the complete miscibility within these dual cation Cs+/MA+ solid solution systems. The multinuclear MAS NMR data showed a distinct sensitivity to the changing solid solution compositions across the MAPbX3–CsPbX3 partition. In particular, the 133Cs shifts demonstrated a sensitivity to the cubic–orthorhombic phase transition while the 133Cs T1s exhibited a pronounced sensitivity to the variable Cs+ cation mobility across the compositional range. Variable temperature PXRD studies facilitated the production of phase diagrams mapping the Cs+/MA+ compositional space for the (CsxMA1−x)PbCl3 and (CsxMA1−x)PbBr3 solid solution series, while Tauc plots of the UV/vis data exhibited reducing bandgaps with increasing MA+ incorporation through ranges of cubic phases where octahedral tilting was absent.

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Abstract: Inorganic/organic hybrids have co-networks of inorganic and organic components, with the aim of obtaining synergy of the properties of those components. Here, a silica-gelatin sol-gel hybrid “ink” was directly 3D printed to produce 3D grid-like scaffolds, using a coupling agent, 3-glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (GPTMS), to form covalent bonds between the silicate and gelatin co-networks. Scaffolds were printed with 1 mm strut separation, but the drying method affected the final architecture and properties. Freeze drying produced <40 μm struts and large ~700 μm channels. Critical point drying enabled strut consolidation and optimal mechanical properties, with ~160 μm struts and ~200 μm channels, which improved mechanical properties. This architecture was critical to cellular response: when chondrocytes were seeded on the scaffolds with 200 μm wide pore channels in vitro, collagen Type II matrix was preferentially produced (negligible amount of Type I or X were observed), indicative of hyaline-like cartilaginous matrix formation, but when pore channels were 700 μm wide, Type I collagen was prevalent. This was supported by Sox9 and Aggrecan expression. The scaffolds have potential for regeneration of articular cartilage regeneration, particularly in sports medicine cases.

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Abstract: The strong directing effects and difficulties in the removal of organic based surfactants makes the templated synthesis of nanoparticles in solid porous structures of defined molecular sizes such as SBA-15, without the use of surfactants, considerably attractive. However, the effects of their internal surface structures, adsorption affinities and lattice mis-match on the particle morphology grown therein have not been fully appreciated. Here, we report the internal surface of the silica preferentially hosts isolated tetrahedrally coordinated oxidic Zn species on the molecular walls of the SBA-15 channels from wet impregnated Zn2+ and Pt2+ species. This leads to less thermodynamic stable but kinetic controlled configuration of atomic zinc deposition on core platinum nanoparticles with unique confined lattice changes and surface properties to both host and guest structures at the interface upon reduction of the composite. This method for the formation templated nanoparticles may generate interests to form new tunable materials as dehydrogenation catalysts.

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Abstract: 87Sr, 127I and 119Sn wideline NMR spectroscopy was successfully applied to inorganic and hybrid materials: (i) Sr derivatives of medicinal interest (Sr-malonate, Sr-pyrophosphates, mixed Ca,Sr-fluoroapatites); (ii) apatitic structures acting as host matrices for iodine; and (iii) Sn-derived oxo-clusters which can be used as inorganic nanobuilding blocks. The BRAIN (BRoadband Adiabatic INversion) CP (Cross Polarization) approach (by Schurko et al.) was applied to a non integer quadrupolar nucleus (87Sr, I=9/2). The sequence was used in combination with WURST (Wideband Uniform-Rate Smooth-Truncation) QCPMG (Quadrupolar Carr-Purcell Meiboom-Gill) for optimal sensitivity. We showed that 127I WURST QCPMG experiments were sufficiently sensitive to allow rapid characterization of the incorporation of iodide (I−) anions in lead vanadate/phosphate apatites, and that 127I acted as a sensitive probe for the description of local disorder. 1H/19F → 119Sn BRAIN CP was successfully applied to the detailed characterization of tin oxo-clusters, using 1H and 19F as spin baths. We demonstrated that BRAIN CP can be effectively used as a tool of spectral editing leading to the estimation of spatial proximities between 119Sn and 1H/19F nuclei.

Open Access

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Abstract: X-ray crystallography and solid-state NMR measurements show that protonation of a series of 1-dimethylaminonaphthalene-8-ketones leads either to O protonation with formation of a long N–C bond (1.637–1.669 Å) between peri groups, or to N protonation and formation of a hydrogen bond to the π surface of the carbonyl group, the latter occurring for the larger ketone groups (C([double bond, length as m-dash]O)R, R = t-butyl and phenyl). Solid state 15N MAS NMR studies clearly differentiate the two series, with the former yielding significantly more deshielded resonances. This is accurately corroborated by DFT calculation of the relevant chemical shift parameters. In the parent ketones X-ray crystallography shows that the nitrogen lone pair is directed towards the carbonyl group in all cases.