Band-Engineered LaFeO3_{3}-LaNiO3_{3} Thin Film Interfaces for Electrocatalysis of Water

Transition metal oxides have generated significant interest for their potential as catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline environments. Iron and nickel-based perovskite oxides have proven particularly promising, with catalytic over-potentials rivaling precious metal catalysts when the alignment of the valence band relative to the OER reaction potential is tuned through substitutional doping or alloying. Here we report that engineering of band alignment in LaFeO$_{3}$/LaNiO$_{3}$ (LFO/LNO) heterostructures via interfacial doping yields greatly enhanced catalytic performance. Using density functional theory modeling, we predict a 0.2 eV valence band offset (VBO) between metallic LNO and semiconducting LFO that significantly lowers the barrier for hole transport through LFO compared to the intrinsic material and make LFO a p-type semiconductor. Experimental band alignment measurements using in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of epitaxial LFO/LNO heterostructures agree quite well with these predictions, producing a measured VBO of 0.3(1) eV. OER catalytic measurements on the same samples in alkaline solution show an increase in catalytic current density by a factor of ~275 compared to LFO grown on n-type Nb-doped SrTiO$_{3}$. These results demonstrate the power of tuning band alignments through interfacial band engineering for improved catalyticComment: 13 pages, 5 figures; Supplemental info: 5 pages, 5 figure

Thickness Dependent OER Electrocatalysis of Epitaxial LaFeO3_{3} Thin Films

Transition metal oxides have long been an area of interest for water electrocatalysis through the oxygen evolution and oxygen reduction reactions. Iron oxides, such as LaFeO$_{3}$, are particularly promising due to the favorable energy alignment of the valence and conduction bands comprised of Fe$^{3+}$ cations and the visible light band gap of such materials. In this work, we examine the role of band alignment on the electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in the intrinsic semiconductor LaFeO$_{3}$ by growing epitaxial films of varying thicknesses on Nb-doped SrTiO$_{3}$. Using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, we find that there is a strong thickness dependence on the efficiency of electrocatalysis for OER. These measurements are understood based on interfacial band alignment in the system as confirmed by layer-resolved electron energy loss spectroscopy and electrochemical Mott-Schottky measurements. Our results demonstrate the importance of band engineering for the rational design of thin film electrocatalysts for renewable energy sources.Comment: 19 pages, 6 figures; authors Burton and Paudel contributed equally; supplement: 11 pages, 7 figure

Plasmon-enhanced light-driven water oxidation by a dye-sensitized photoanode

Dye-sensitized photoelectrosynthesis cells (DSPECs) provide a basis for artificial photosynthesis and solar fuels production. By combining molecular chromophores and catalysts with high surface area, transparent semiconductor electrodes, a DSPEC provides the basis for light-driven conversion of water to O2 and H2 or for reduction of CO2 to carbon-based fuels. The incorporation of plasmonic cubic silver nanoparticles, with a strongly localized surface plasmon absorbance near 450 nm, to a DSPEC photoanode induces a great increase in the efficiency of water oxidation to O2 at a DSPEC photoanode. The improvement in performance by the molecular components in the photoanode highlights a remarkable advantage for the plasmonic effect in driving the 4e-/4H+ oxidation of water to O2 in the photoanode

A donor-chromophore-catalyst assembly for solar CO2 reduction

We describe here the preparation and characterization of a photocathode assembly for CO2 reduction to CO in 0.1 M LiClO4 acetonitrile. The assembly was formed on 1.0 μm thick mesoporous films of NiO using a layer-by-layer procedure based on Zr(IV)–phosphonate bridging units. The structure of the Zr(IV) bridged assembly, abbreviated as NiO|-DA-RuCP22+-Re(I), where DA is the dianiline-based electron donor (N,N,N′,N′-((CH2)3PO3H2)4-4,4′-dianiline), RuCP2+ is the light absorber [Ru((4,4′-(PO3H2CH2)2-2,2′-bipyridine)(2,2′-bipyridine))2]2+, and Re(I) is the CO2 reduction catalyst, ReI((4,4′-PO3H2CH2)2-2,2′-bipyridine)(CO)3Cl. Visible light excitation of the assembly in CO2 saturated solution resulted in CO2 reduction to CO. A steady-state photocurrent density of 65 μA cm−2 was achieved under one sun illumination and an IPCE value of 1.9% was obtained with 450 nm illumination. The importance of the DA aniline donor in the assembly as an initial site for reduction of the RuCP2+ excited state was demonstrated by an 8 times higher photocurrent generated with DA present in the surface film compared to a control without DA. Nanosecond transient absorption measurements showed that the expected reduced one-electron intermediate, RuCP+, was formed on a sub-nanosecond time scale with back electron transfer to the electrode on the microsecond timescale which competes with forward electron transfer to the Re(I) catalyst at t1/2 = 2.6 μs (kET = 2.7 × 105 s−1)

Flash-Quench Technique Employed To Study the One-Electron Reduction of Triiodide in Acetonitrile : Evidence for a Diiodide Reaction Product

The one-electron reduction of triiodide (I3?) by a reduced ruthenium polypyridyl compound was studied in an acetonitrile solution with the flash-quench technique. Reductive quenching of the metal-to-ligand charge-transfer excited state of [RuII(deeb)3]2+ by iodide generated the reduced ruthenium compound [RuII(deeb?)(deeb)2]+ and diiodide (I2??). The subsequent reaction of [RuII(deeb?)(deeb)2]+ with I3? indicated that I2?? was a product that appeared with a second-order rate constant of (5.1 ± 0.2) ? 109 M?1 s?1. After correction for diffusion and some assumptions, Marcus theory predicted a formal potential of ?0.58 V (vs SCE) for the one-electron reduction of I3?. The relevance of this reaction to solar energy conversion is discussed.QC 2011122

Trading company's finansial activity analysis and effectiveness increase probabilities

Bakalaura darbā ir veikta mēbeļu un mēbeļu furnitūras tirdzniecības uzņēmumu - SIA „Standard Latvija” un „AM Furnitūra” - salīdzinošā finanšu analīze. Darbā ir sniegts teоrētisks apskats par finanšu analīzes veidiem, mērķiem un uzdevumiem, par analīzes kārtību un pоtenciāliem lietotājiem, par finanšu pārskatiem, ir sniegts finanšu analīzes metožu raksturojums. Darba praktiskajā daļā ir veikta SIA „ Standard Latvija” un SIA „AM Furnitūra” bilanču horizontālā un vertikālā analīze, ir aprēķināti un izpētīti likviditātes un maksātspējas darbības efektivitātes un rentabilitātes rādītāji, kā arī vairāki maksātspējas prognozēšanas modeļi. Bakalaura darba mērķis ir veikt mēbeļu un mēbeļu furnitūras tirdzniecības uzņēmumu finanšu analīzi un izstrādāt priekšlikumus finansiālās situācijas uzlabošanai. Darbā ir secināts, ka „Standard Latvija” veiksmīgāk nekā „AM Furnitūra” izmantoja ekonomisko uzplaukumu (2007.gads), tomēr AMF vieglāk pielāgojās ekonomikas lejupslīdei (2008. gads). Kopumā abu uzņēmumu finansiālais stāvoklis ir nestabils, ir liela maksātnespējas iestāšanas varbūtība. Darbā izstrādāšanā tika izmantoti uzņēmumu finanšu pārskatu dati par 2006-2008. gadiem. Bakalaura darbs sastāv nо ievada, 3 nodaļām, secinājumiem un priekšlikumiem. Darba apjoms ir 59 lappuses, kuras iekļauj sevī 11 attēlus un 7 tabulas. Darbam ir pievienoti 6 pielikumi. Atslēgvārdi: finanšu analīze, finansiālais stāvoklis, maksātspēja, rādītājs, bilance, peļņas un zaudējumu aprēķins.The comparative financial analysis of furniture and furniture accessories dealers L.L.C. „Standard Latvija” and L.L.C. „AM Furnitūra” is reviewed in bachelor thesis. The theoretical part consists of description of financial analysis aims, kinds and tasks, procedure and potential users of this service, as well as detailed description of financial analysis methods. Practical part of bachelor thesis consists of L.L.C. „Standard Latvija” and L.L.C. „AM Furnitūra” horizontal and vertical balance sheets’ analysis, calculating and analyzing liquidity, solvency, profitability ratios, as well as solvency forecasting models. The aim of bachelor thesis is to analyze furniture dealer’s financial data and to give recommendations to improve the financial situacion. It is concluded in the thesis that L.L.C. „Standard Latvija” had used the economic rise better than L.L.C. „AM Furnitūra” in 2007, however, L.L.C. „AM Furnitūra had shown better results in 2008 than L.L.C. „Standard Latvija” had . Companies’ financial condition is unstable, there is a high possibility of bankruptcy. The companies’ financial statements of 2006-2008 is the basis of the bachelor thesis. The work consists of introduction, 3 chapters, conclusions and suggestions. The volume of thesis is 59 pages, which include 11 pictures and 7 tables. 6 appendixes are additionally added to the thesis. Key words: financial analysis, financial standing, solvency, ratio, balance sheet, profit and loss statement

Visible Light Generation of Iodine Atoms and I-\u88\u92I Bonds : Sensitized I-\u88\u92 Oxidation and I3-\u88\u92 Photodissociation

Direct 355 or 532 nm light excitation of TBAI3, where TBA is tetrabutyl ammonium, in CH3CN at room temperature yields an iodine atom, I?, and an iodine radical anion, I2??. In the presence of excess iodide, the iodine atom reacts quantitatively to yield a second equivalent of I2?? with a rate constant of k = 2.5 ± 0.4 ? 1010 M?1 s?1. The I2?? intermediates are unstable with respect to disproportionation and yield initial reactants, k = 3.3 ± 0.1 ? 109 M?1 s?1. The coordination compound Ru(bpz)2(deeb)(PF6)2, where bpz is 2,2?-bipyrazine and deeb is 4,4?-(C2H5CO2)2-2,2?-bipyridine, was prepared and characterized for mechanistic studies of iodide photo-oxidation in acetonitrile at room temperature. Ru(bpz)2(deeb)2+ displayed a broad metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) absorption band at 450 nm with ε = 1.7 ? 104 M?1 cm?1. Visible light excitation resulted in photoluminescence with a corrected maximum at 620 nm, a quantum yield ? = 0.14, and an excited state lifetime τ = 1.75 ?s from which kr = 8.36 ? 104 s?1 and knr = 5.01 ? 105 s?1 were abstracted. Arrhenius analysis of the temperature dependent excited state lifetime revealed an activation energy of ?2500 cm?1 and a pre-exponential factor of 1010 s?1, assigned to activated surface crossing to a ligand field or MLCT excited state. Steady state light excitation of Ru(bpz)2(deeb)2+ in a 20 mM TBAI acetonitrile solution resulted in ligand loss photochemistry with a quantum yield of 5 ? 10?5. The MLCT excited state was dynamically quenched by iodide with Ksv = 1.1 ? 105 M?1 and kq = 6.6 ± 0.3 ? 1010 M?1 s?1, a value consistent with diffusion-limited electron transfer. Excited state hole transfer to iodide was quantitative but the product yield was low due to poor cage escape yields, ?CE = 0.042 ± 0.001. Nanosecond transient absorption was used to quantify the appearance of two photoproducts [Ru(bpz?)(bpz)(deeb)]+ and I2??. The coincidence of the rate constants for [Ru(bpz?)(bpz)(deeb)]+ formation and for excited state decay indicated reductive quenching by iodide. The rate constant for the appearance of I2?? was about a factor of 3 slower than excited state decay, k = 2.4 ± 0.2 ? 1010 M?1 s?1, indicating that I2?? was not a primary photoproduct of excited state electron transfer. A mechanism was proposed where an iodine atom was the primary photoproduct that subsequently reacted with iodide, I? + I? ? I2??. Charge recombination Ru(bpz?)(bpz)(deeb)+ + I2?? ? Ru(bpz)2(deeb)2+ + 2I? was highly favored, ?Go = ?1.64 eV, and well described by a second-order equal concentration kinetic model, kcr = 2.1 ± 0.3 ? 1010 M?1 s?1.Qc 2011122

Visible Light Generation of Iodine Atoms and I-\u88\u92I Bonds : Sensitized I-\u88\u92 Oxidation and I3-\u88\u92 Photodissociation

Direct 355 or 532 nm light excitation of TBAI3, where TBA is tetrabutyl ammonium, in CH3CN at room temperature yields an iodine atom, I?, and an iodine radical anion, I2??. In the presence of excess iodide, the iodine atom reacts quantitatively to yield a second equivalent of I2?? with a rate constant of k = 2.5 ± 0.4 ? 1010 M?1 s?1. The I2?? intermediates are unstable with respect to disproportionation and yield initial reactants, k = 3.3 ± 0.1 ? 109 M?1 s?1. The coordination compound Ru(bpz)2(deeb)(PF6)2, where bpz is 2,2?-bipyrazine and deeb is 4,4?-(C2H5CO2)2-2,2?-bipyridine, was prepared and characterized for mechanistic studies of iodide photo-oxidation in acetonitrile at room temperature. Ru(bpz)2(deeb)2+ displayed a broad metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) absorption band at 450 nm with ε = 1.7 ? 104 M?1 cm?1. Visible light excitation resulted in photoluminescence with a corrected maximum at 620 nm, a quantum yield ? = 0.14, and an excited state lifetime τ = 1.75 ?s from which kr = 8.36 ? 104 s?1 and knr = 5.01 ? 105 s?1 were abstracted. Arrhenius analysis of the temperature dependent excited state lifetime revealed an activation energy of ?2500 cm?1 and a pre-exponential factor of 1010 s?1, assigned to activated surface crossing to a ligand field or MLCT excited state. Steady state light excitation of Ru(bpz)2(deeb)2+ in a 20 mM TBAI acetonitrile solution resulted in ligand loss photochemistry with a quantum yield of 5 ? 10?5. The MLCT excited state was dynamically quenched by iodide with Ksv = 1.1 ? 105 M?1 and kq = 6.6 ± 0.3 ? 1010 M?1 s?1, a value consistent with diffusion-limited electron transfer. Excited state hole transfer to iodide was quantitative but the product yield was low due to poor cage escape yields, ?CE = 0.042 ± 0.001. Nanosecond transient absorption was used to quantify the appearance of two photoproducts [Ru(bpz?)(bpz)(deeb)]+ and I2??. The coincidence of the rate constants for [Ru(bpz?)(bpz)(deeb)]+ formation and for excited state decay indicated reductive quenching by iodide. The rate constant for the appearance of I2?? was about a factor of 3 slower than excited state decay, k = 2.4 ± 0.2 ? 1010 M?1 s?1, indicating that I2?? was not a primary photoproduct of excited state electron transfer. A mechanism was proposed where an iodine atom was the primary photoproduct that subsequently reacted with iodide, I? + I? ? I2??. Charge recombination Ru(bpz?)(bpz)(deeb)+ + I2?? ? Ru(bpz)2(deeb)2+ + 2I? was highly favored, ?Go = ?1.64 eV, and well described by a second-order equal concentration kinetic model, kcr = 2.1 ± 0.3 ? 1010 M?1 s?1.Qc 2011122