Inorganic Moieties Research Articles

Phonon-engineered solids constructed from nanocrystals

Here, we present the concept of colloidal nanocrystal-based solids as solution-processed, phonon-engineered materials. In particular, we discuss superlattice phonons, the vibrational modes associated with the motion of the nanocrystals away from their equilibrium positions in the nanocrystal solid (or superlattice). We calculate the characteristic energies and density of states of these superlattice phonons by modeling the nanocrystal solids as three-dimensional mass-spring networks. In this model, the nanocrystals correspond to the masses and their surface terminating organic or inorganic moieties (i.e., ligands) act as springs. We parameterize this model by determining nanocrystals masses based on crystal size and material density and by using density functional theory to determine the spring constant associated with ligand-mediated bonding between the nanocrystals. We show that by varying the type of nanocrystals, their ligands, and the topology of the nanocrystal superlattice, it is possible to systematically tune the density of states of the superlattice phonons in the energy range of 0.01 meV–10 meV. We then highlight how the construction of binary nanocrystals superlattices can be used, for example, to introduce phononic bandgaps at specific energies. Finally, we show that even with disorder stemming from finite nanocrystal size distributions and variations in the bonding between the nanocrystals and the ligands, distinct superlattice phonons modes will still be present.

Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Biological Activities of Organically Templated Cobalt Phosphite (C4N2H14)[Co(H2PO3)4]·2H2O

A novel hybrid phosphite (C4N2H14)[Co(H2PO3)4]·2H2O was synthesized with 1,4- diaminobutane (dabn) as a structure-directing agent using slow evaporation method. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis showed that it crystallizes in the P\-1 triclinic space group, with the following unit cell parameters (Å, °) a = 5.4814 (3), b = 7.5515 (4), c = 10.8548 (6), α = 88.001 (4), β = 88.707 (5), γ = 85.126 (5), and V = 447.33 (4) Å3. The crystal structure was built up from corner-sharing [CoO6]-octahedrons, forming chains parallel to [001], which are interconnected by H2PO3− pseudo-tetrahedral units. The diprotonated 1,4-butanediammonium molecules, residing between the parallel chains, interacted with the inorganic moiety via hydrogen bonds leading thus to the formation of the 3D crystal structure. The Fourier transform infrared spectrum showed characteristic bands corresponding to the phosphite group and the organic molecule. The thermal decomposition of the compound consisted mainly of the loss of the organic moiety and the water molecules. The biological tests exhibited significant activity against Candida albicans and Escherichia coli strains in all used concentrations, while less activity was pronounced when tested against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, while there was no activity against the nematode model Steinernema feltiae.

One-Dimensional Behavior of Imidazolium Lead Iodide

Organic–inorganic hybrid crystals with lead halides as the inorganic moiety are remarkable, in that they show low-dimensional behavior despite their three-dimensional structures. Here, we report on...

Hydrazine mediated low temperature soft chemical synthesis of mixed metal oxide (γ-Fe2O3–ZnO) graphene nanocomposite: in vitro cytotoxicity study on HeLa and SK-BR-3 cell lines

Present work reports the successful synthesis of maghemite (γ-Fe2O3)-zinc oxide (ZnO)-reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposite (IZG) adopting low temperature solution process. Zinc nitrate, iron nitrate and graphene oxide were used in the precursor medium. The IZG nanocomposite was synthesized by two-step low temperature solution process in presence of hydrazine hydrate. The existence and uniform distribution of γ-Fe2O3, ZnO nanoparticles (NPs), in rGO nanosheets can be confirmed by x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopic studies of the samples. Other characterization techniques like Raman and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analyses were used to confirm the presence of chemical interaction/complexation between the available oxygen functionalities of rGO with the inorganic moieties of IZG sample. The in vitro cytotoxicity and quantitative cell viability of all the samples (upto a maximum of 200 μg ml−1) on HeLa and SK-BR-3 cell lines was also studied. Among the samples, IZG sample showed an excellent biocompatibility than the other samples. This simple synthesis strategy could be applied for other mixed oxide nanocomposite synthesis and their biomedical applications.

Encapsulation of Aspirin into parent and functionalized MCM-41, in vitro release as well as kinetics

Parent as well as functionalized MCM-41 (by 12-tungstophosphoric acid, TPA) was loaded with poorly soluble drug (Aspirin) and characterized by various physicochemical techniques such as TGA, FT-IR, BET surface area, XRD and TEM. In-vitro controlled release studies of Aspirin, in Simulated Body Fluid (pH 7.4) were carried out under stirring as well as static conditions. Similarly, release study was carried in simulated gastric fluid (pH 1.2), to see the effect of pH on release rate of drug. The influence of 12-tungstophosphoric acid on release rate of drug was also studied. Further, comparison of obtained release profile with marketed formulation (Ecosprin) was carried out. First order release kinetic, Higuchi model, Korsmeyer-Peppas Model and Extended Kinetic Model indicate that the functionalization by inorganic moiety, TPA plays an important role in release of Aspirin.

Synergistic effect of imidazole dicarboxylic acid and Zn2+ simultaneously doped in halloysite nanotubes to improve protection of epoxy ester coating

Halloysite nanotubes as inhibitor container were introduced in an epoxy ester coating. To obtain synergistic impact of both inorganic and organic inhibitors, 4,5-imidazole dicarboxylic acid and Zn2+ were simultaneously doped in the halloysite nanotubes modified with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (MHNTs). The electrochemical and surface analysis tests in NaCl solution showed that a mixture of inhibitors is able to provide higher corrosion inhibition for steel compared with the single inhibitors. With the mixture of the organic and inorganic moieties, an inhibition efficiency of 90% was achieved at the end of the 24 h test. Introducing of doped MHNTs in epoxy ester enhanced the barrier effects and active corrosion protection. EIS and EDS studies on the scratched coatings confirmed the effective active protection resulted from incorporation of double-doped MHNTs into the polymeric coating. As a result of salt spray test, lower disbonded area was found for the scratched epoxy ester film bearing the double-doped MHNTs. The precipitation of zinc hydroxide and a complex of Zn2+/Fe2+-IDC might be the main reason for the superior function.

Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Biological Activities of Organically Templated Cobalt Phosphite (C4N2H14)Co(H2PO3)4·2H2O

A novel hybrid phosphite [(C4N2H14)Co(H2PO3)4·2H2O] was synthesized with 1,4- diaminobutane (dabn) as a structure-directing agent using slow evaporation method. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis showed that it crystallizes in the triclinic system (S.G: P-1, #2) with the following unit cell parameters (Å, °) a = 5.4814 (3), b = 7.5515 (4), c = 10.8548 (6), α = 88.001 (4), β = 88.707 (5), γ = 85.126 (5). The crystal structure was built up from corner-sharing [CoO6]-octahedrons, forming chains parallel to [001], which are interconnected by H2PO3 pseudo-pyramid units. The diprotonated 1,4-diaminobutane molecules, residing between the parallel chains, interacted with the inorganic moiety via hydrogen bonds leading thus to the formation of the 3D crystal structure. The Fourier transform infrared result exhibited characteristic bands corresponding to the phosphite group and the organic molecule. The thermal decomposition of the compound consists mainly of the loss of the organic moiety and the water molecules. The biological tests exhibited significant activity against Candida albicans and Escherichia coli strains in all used concentrations, while less activity was pronounced when tested against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, while there was no activity against the nematode model Steinernema feltiae.

The effect of the sol–gel structure on the catalysis performance of l-proline

Two sol–gel materials based on tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) and a combination of methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane and zirconium propoxide were developed and used as host matrices for the organic catalyst (l-proline) and iron oxide nanoparticles with the objective of formulating a magnetic sol–gel catalyst. In order to investigate the effect of the sol–gel condensation process on the catalyst recyclability and the effect of the dopants on the structure of the sol–gel matrices, iron oxide nanoparticles and l-proline were introduced in the sol–gel matrices either during the sol–gel synthesis or at the end of the sol–gel synthesis. While both systems were successfully recycled three times when applied to the Aldol reaction, the TEOS based sol–gel material with the dopants introduced at the end of the sol–gel synthesis showed excellent reaction efficiency and recyclability with 99% conversion. In parallel, the zirconium sol–gel-based material did not enable any conversion. Remarkably, it is demonstrated that the process of introducing the dopants strongly effects the condensation of the inorganic networks of the sol–gel matrix by involving the organic catalyst in the catalysis of the condensation of the inorganic moieties. Furthermore, this condensation process is shown to play a major role in the mobility of the organic catalyst and therefore on its ability to be recycled. This study is, to our knowledge, the first that investigates the effect of the morphology and structure of sol–gel matrices on the catalytic performance of an organic catalyst.

C5 H12 N]SnCl3 : A Tin Halide Organic-Inorganic Hybrid as an Above-Room-Temperature Solid-State Nonlinear Optical Switch.

Nonlinear optical (NLO) switches driven by a solid-state structural phase transition have attracted extensive attention; however, above-room-temperature solid-state NLO switch materials are still sparse. Herein, we report an above-room-temperature tin halide organic-inorganic hybrid quadratic NLO switchable material, N-methylpyrrolidinium trichloride stannite ([C5 H12 N]SnCl3 , MPSC). The MPSC crystal exhibits a phase-matchable NLO property that is 1.1 times that of KH2 PO4 (KDP) and NLO switching behavior, changing from a high second harmonic generation (SHG) response to a low SHG response at 383 K, thereby demonstrating its prospective applications in the field of nonlinear optics. Variable-temperature crystal structural analysis combined with theoretical calculations revealed that the large NLO response stems from the inorganic SnCl3 moiety, whereas the high-performance NLO switching properties mainly originate from the order/disorder transformation of the N-methylpyrrolidinium. This work provides a new approach to designing and exploring new high-performance quadratic NLO switches involving tin halide organic-inorganic hybrids.

Camptothecin encapsulated into functionalized MCM-41: In vitro release study, cytotoxicity and kinetics

The application of MCM-41 functionalized by 12-tungstophosphoric acid (TPA) as drug carrier for cancer treatment was studied by loading of camptothecin (CPT). In-vitro controlled release study of CPT in Simulated Body Fluid (pH 7.4, 37 °C) was carried out under stirring as well as static conditions. The systems were also evaluated on cancer cells (HepG2) and the carriers are found to be non-toxic to the cancer cells. In order to see the influence of inorganic moiety on release rate of drug, study was also carried out with CPT loaded unfunctionalized MCM-41. A detailed study on release kinetics and release mechanism using First Order Release Kinetic Model, Higuchi Model, Koresmeyer-Pepps Model and Extended kinetic model was also carried out.

Ion diffusion across a disorder-to-order phase transition in a poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(silsesquioxane) block copolymer electrolyte

Nanostructured block copolymer electrolytes composed of organic and inorganic moieties have the potential to enable solid-state batteries.

Synthesis and Optical Properties of Layered Inorganic-Imidazoline Monoliths

Two types of layered inorganic-imidazoline monoliths (Mg-Imidazoline and Ni-Imidazoline) are synthesized, and optical properties (ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) absorption and emission) arise from both inorganic and organic moieties that are covalently bonded with each other in the layered monoliths. Monoliths are synthesized under hydrothermal conditions at 170 °C and/or 150 °C using triethoxy-3-(2-imidazolin-1-yl)propylsilane (ITES) and magnesium and/or nickel acetates. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses confirm the formation of layered compounds with interlayer distances of 1.8 nm in the Mg-Imidazoline and Ni-Imidazoline samples. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) and elemental analyses show mole ratios of Mg/Si and Ni/Si and a considerable organic component. XRD and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) results show the inorganic moiety is similar to 2:1 phyllosilicates, and FT-IR spectra show several absorption peaks attributed to an imidazolyl group and Si–C. A model for Mg-Imidazoline and Ni-Imidazoline is then proposed, which has a layered structure, interlayer distance of 1.8 nm, and comprises inorganic layers with the imidazolyl group located between them. A cation (Mg2+ and/or Ni2+)-octahedral sheet is sandwiched between two siloxane sheets to form a 2:1 phyllosilicate-like layer, and each siloxane sheet bonds to the imidazolyl group via the S–C covalent bond. Mg-Imidazoline exhibits both absorption and emission in relation to the imidazolyl group, whereas Ni-Imidazoline exhibits scant emissions. The UV–Vis spectrum of Ni-Imidazoline shows absorption and weak absorption relating to the inorganic moiety and imidazolyl group, respectively.

Synergistic effect of organic-inorganic hybrid nanocomposite ion exchanger on photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine-B dye and heavy metal ion removal from industrial effluents

Present work reports the synthesis of Chitosan-Gelatin @ zirconium (IV) selenophosphate nanocomposite (CH-GEL/ZSPNC) ion exchanger. CH-GEL/ZSPNC was characterized by different characterization techniques using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic studies (EDX), High resolution-transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), powdered X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Physicochemical properties like ion exchange capacity (IEC), thermal stability, elution behaviour, eluent concentration, pH titration, chemical stability and distribution coefficient (Kd) of (CH-GEL/ZSPNC) ion exchanger were investigated. The ion exchange capacity of the synthesized nanocomposite was improved by one and half order (2.4 mequiv/g) as compare to its inorganic moiety (1.6 mequiv/g) and highest among a number of nanocomposite ion exchangers already reported in the literature. CH-GEL/ZSPNC ion exchanger was found to be thermally stable and retained 58.3% ion exchange capacity (IEC) of its original IEC value at 400 °C. Pb (II) and Cu (II) was found to possess the highest values of Kd. Binary separation of divalent heavy metal ions has been conducted on the basis of Kd values. Photocatalytic degradation of the Rhodamine-B (RD-B) dye was explored with CH-GEL/ZSPNC in the solar radiations. It has been investigated that 84% of the RD-B dye was degraded after 160 min of photo exposure. Photodegradation of the RD-B follows the pseudo-first-order kinetics. Thus, the synthesized CH-GEL/ZSPNC ion exchanger is found to be a superior advanced nanocomposite photocatalyst for environmental remediation of dye pollutants, heavy metal ion removal, the binary separations and possessed tremendous reusability potential.

Quaternary Phosphorus‐Induced Iodocuprate(I)‐Based Hybrids: Water Stabilities, Tunable Luminescence and Photocurrent Responses

Four (triphenyl)phosphonium‐based quaternary phosphorus salts with different substituents (varying from methyl to n‐butyl) were selected to be structural directed agents (SDAs) to construct four iodocuprate(I) hybrids via solution method, i.e., [(PPh3Me)(Cu3I4)]n (1), [(PPh3Et)(Cu3I4)]n (2), (PPh3iPr)2(Cu2I4) (3), [(PPh3nBu)(Cu3I4)]n (4). The inorganic iodocuprates in 1, 2 and 4 are 1‐D (Cu3I4)nn– chains constructed from Cu5I11 units, but (Cu2I4)2– in 3 is a di‐nuclear cluster. Interestingly, the strength of Cu···Cu and π–π stacking interactions are weakened with the lengthening of alkyl groups on P‐atom. The best water stability of 4 can be ascribed to the better hydrophobicity of n‐butyl group, which deters the dispersing of organic and inorganic moieties and as a result, inhibit hydrolysis reaction. Furthermore, all compounds exhibit typical reversible luminescent thermochromic behaviors, among which 4 exhibits blue emission and the quenching of higher energy (HE) zone in 1 and 2 are led by strong π–π stacking interactions. Besides, effective and repeatable photocurrent responses can be detected in these compounds. In all, by systematically introducing alkyl groups into (triphenyl)phosphonium as SDAs to prepare hybrid iodocuprates, we can find that the longer alkyl groups can achieve stronger tunable PL materials with enhanced water stabilities.

Polyacrylate/silica hybrid materials: A step towards multifunctional properties

Organic/Inorganic hybrid systems present a promising alternative for the creation of high-performance materials due to their biphasic structure that imparts multifunctional properties. The sol-gel process which initiated with the synthesis of inorganic glasses has now become a synthetic route for organic-inorganic assemblies due to several advantages such as mild processing conditions and the freedom to play with the structures of precursors. This versatility of the low-temperature sol-gel process provides an opportunity to engineer both the phases resulting in a synergistic combination or entirely new set of properties fruitful for different applications. This review highlights the several pathways for synthesis of silica particles, the interfacial modification and the classification of hybrid materials based on the method of incorporation of an inorganic moiety in the organic matrix along with the structure-property relationship, and the characterization to develop a fundamental understanding of the process. The nature of bonding between the two different species greatly affects the hybrid nanostructure and thus, the bulk properties of the system. In particular, acrylate/silica system has been focused due to its distinctive properties such as transparency, gloss, and strength that find large-scale application in the field of coatings, plastics and rubbers.Abbreviations: °: Degree; °C: Degree Celsius; 1H NMR: Proton nuclear magnetic resonance; A°: Angstrom; AHAS: N-(3-acryloxy-2-hydroxyl propyl)-3-amino-propyltriethoxysilane; AIBA: 2,2′-Azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride; AIBN: 2,2′-Azobis(2-methylpropionitrile); Al: Aluminium; APDMES: Aminopropyldimethylethoxysilane; APTES: 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane; ATRP: Atom transfer radical polymerization; CERAMERS: Ceramically Modified Monomers; CTAB: Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide; DFMA: Dodecafluoroheptyl methacrylate; DMF: Dimethylformamide; DPSD: Diphenylsilanediol; FESEM: Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope; FTIR: Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy; GPTMS: 3-Glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane; HDTMS: Hexadecyltrimethoxysilane; HEMA: 2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate; HLB: Hydrophilic-Lyophilic Balance; HMDS: Hexamethyldisilazane; HPC: Hydroxypropyl Cellulose; IPN: Interpenetrating Network; KPS: Potassium persulfate; LCST: Lower critical solution temperature; McPTMS: 3-Mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane; MOI: 2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl isocyanate; MPEGMA: Monomethoxy-capped poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate; MPTMS: 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane; MTC: 2-(methacryloyl) ethyltrimethylammonium chloride; MTES: Methyltriethoxysilane; MTMS: Methyltrimethoxysilane; NMP: Nitroxide-Mediated Polymerization; ORMOCERs: Organically Modified Ceramics; ORMOSILs: Organically Modified Silica; OTES: Octyltriethoxysilane; OTMS: Octadecyltrimethoxysilane; PAA: Poly(acrylic acid); PDMS: Polydimethylsiloxane; PEO-PPO-PEO: Poly (ethylene oxides)-b-poly (propylene oxides)-b-poly (ethylene oxides); PHPS: Perhydropolysilazane; PMMA: Poly(methyl methacrylate); POSS: Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane; PTMO: Poly(tetramethylene oxide); PTMS: Phenyltrimethoxysilane; PTMS: Phenyltrimethoxysilane; PVP: Poly (vinylpyrrolidone); RAFT: Reversible addition- fragmentation chain transfer; Si: Silicon; Sn: Tin; Ta: Tantalum; TBN: 4-(triethoxysilyl)butyronitrile; TEM: Transmission Electron Microscopy; TEMED: N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine; TEOS: Tetraethoxysilane; Tg: Glass-Transition Temperature; THF: Tetrahydrofuran; Ti: Titanium; TMOS: Tetramethoxysilane; UV: Ultraviolet; VTES: Vinyltriethoxysilane; VTMS: Vinyltrimethoxysilane; Zr: ZirconiumHighlightsAdvantages of hybrid systems over the conventional materialsDiscusses the fundamental aspects of sol-gel chemistryFocusses on a detailed classification of hybrid polymersCovers different synthetic strategies, properties, and applications in diverse fields

Hybrid silicone aerogels toward unusual flexibility, functionality, and extended applications

Here, we overview the developments in the past decade made on organic–inorganic hybrid aerogels and xerogels based on silicone (polyorganosiloxanes) through persistent works by the authors to increase the mechanical strength and flexibility and add functionality. Polymethylsilsesquioxane (PMSQ, CH3SiO3/2) has been found to show unusual strength and flexibility against compression, and their bending properties can also be improved by several strategies. Silicone-based networks with organic bridges between inorganic moieties are also beneficial for these improvements. In particular, organic bridges with a higher fraction and more extended length have been found to allow higher durability against large deformations. In addition, functional groups such as vinyl, chloromethyl, and amino can readily be introduced by starting from organoalkoxysilanes with these functional substituents (e.g., FG−Si(OR)3 or (RO)3Si−FG−Si(OR)3, where FG shows an organic substituent containing functional groups and R is typically methyl or ethyl), and other functional groups such as carboxyl can be introduced by post-gelation modifications on the pre-installed FG in the network. Possibilities in applications such as thermal insulators, photoluminescent media, and photocatalysts are also discussed.

Quantum chemical design of triple hybrid organic, inorganic and organometallic materials: An efficient two-dimensional second-order nonlinear optical material

In the present report, a quantum chemical study is presented through the designing of triple hybrid nonlinear optical (NLO) materials comprising of organic, inorganic and organometallic moieties. The designed compounds possess two-dimensional (2-D) NLO properties with significantly larger values of their nonlinear anisotropy, which is due to their unique V-shaped configurations. Interestingly, the incorporation of ferrocenyl moieties causes remarkable enhancements in the NLO response properties of designed compounds. For instance, the ferrocenyl containing compounds IA3 [2,4-diido, 6,9-di-(1-ethynyl-4-methylbenzene ferrocenyl) decaborane and IA4 [2,4-diido, 6,9-di-(1-methyl-4-((4-(prop-1-yn-1-yl)phenyl)ethynyl)benzene ferrocenyl) decaborane are found to possess notably larger amplitudes of their first hyperpolarizabilities mounting to 34.95 × 103 and 331.50 × 103 a.u., respectively. The additional substitutions of diiodo groups at 2, 4 positions of decaborane basket not only improves the NLO response but also causes further stability as indicated by vertical ionization potentials (VIPs) of all the systems in group-A. Furthermore, a structure-NLO property relation is established using TD-DFT calculations along with frontier molecular orbital (FMOs) diagrams as well as total and partial density of states (TDOS and PDOS). It is expected from the results of the present investigation that these triple-hybrid compounds can be potential candidates for NLO applications possessing additional advantages of their 2-D NLO characters and better thermal stabilities.

Water-Soluble and Insoluble Polymers, Nanoparticles, Nanocomposites and Hybrids With Ability to Remove Hazardous Inorganic Pollutants in Water.

The polymeric materials have presented a great development in adsorption processes for the treatment of polluted waters. The aim of the current review is to present the recent developments in this field of study by examining research of systems like functional water-soluble polymers and water-soluble polymer-metal complexes coupled to ultrafiltration membranes for decontamination processes in liquid-liquid phase. Noticing that a water-soluble polymer can be turned into insoluble compounds by setting a crosslinking point, connecting the polymer chains leading to polymer resins suitable for solid-liquid extraction processes. Moreover, these crosslinked polymers can be used to develop more complex systems such as (nano)composite and hybrid adsorbents, combining the polymers with inorganic moieties such as metal oxides. This combination results in novel materials that overcome some drawbacks of each separated components and enhance the sorption performance. In addition, new trends in hybrid methods combining of water-soluble polymers, membranes, and electrocatalysis/photocatalysis to remove inorganic pollutants have been discussed in this review.

An MOF-like Interpenetrated 2D Plus 2D to 3D Inorganic Grid Assembled by Linear Inorganic Pillars, Structures, and Properties in Supercapacitance.

Remarkable progresses regarding pure inorganic frameworks and metal-organic frameworks (MOF) have been made. However, pure inorganic frameworks with MOF-like grid structures are rarely reported due to the weakness of inorganic moiety as a long linear linker. We report herein a fascinating inorganic framework assembled by a [Ge4S10]4- cluster node and a linear [-Cu-MS4-Cu-] (M = Mo (1) and W (2)) inorganic pillar. Their network shows MOF-like orthogonal structure with two interpenetrated two-dimensional (2D) plus 2D to 3D framework and a 1D nano tunnel. Electrodes with crystalline sample of 1 and 2, inorganic sulfide framework, were prepared, and their quasi-capacitance behaviors were investigated. Electrochemical performances were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge-discharge techniques in CsOH, KOH, NaOH, and LiOH electrolytes. The results revealed that the crystal materials exhibit moderate specific capacitance values that are comparable to those of porous sulfide materials.

Structural-Stability Relationship in a Series of [ZnX]\(^−\) Inorganic Organic Hybrid Materials

To scrutinize the role the weak interactions in structure-stability of [ZnX] - (X = Cl, Br, I) based derivatives, three series of inorganic-organic hybrid materials were studied through single crystal X-ray crystallographic data obtained from IUCr in CIF format. The organic constituent of the hybrid compounds is holding the inorganic moiety through D-H…X interactions, where D is N, C or O of organic moiety acts as H-donor atom and X of inorganic component is Cl, Br I or F behaves as H-acceptor atom. The structural parameters such as the Zn-X bond distance lies in the range of 2.019(5) A [ZnF-3] to 2.730(4) A [ZnCl-1] and X-Zn-X bond angle has minimum value of 82.35 o and maximum value of 180 o for [ZnF-3], were calculated. The maximum twist of X-Zn…Zn-X = 179.8(3) o at symmetry position of 0.5+x, 0.5-y, 0.5+z is observed in [ZnBr-7] derivative.