Studies on electrochemical formation and reduction of oxide films on noble and transition metals Interim report

Surface oxidation of Pt electrodes in pure solutions and resolution of various stages of oxygen uptake by Pt surface

Stabilization of Pancake Bonding in (TCNQ)₂.⁻ Dimers in the Radical‐Anionic Salt (N−CH₃−2‐NH₂−5Cl−Py)(TCNQ)(CH₃CN) Solvate and Antiferromagnetism Induction

We report a new antiferromagnetic radical‐anion salt (RAS) formed from 7,7,8,8‐tetracyanquinonedimethane (TCNQ) anion and 2‐amino‐5‐chloro‐pyridine cation with the composition of (N−CH3−2‐NH2−5Cl−Py)(TCNQ)(CH3CN). The crystallographic data indicates the formation of (TCNQ)2.− radical‐anion π‐dimers in the synthesized RAS. Unrestricted density functional theory calculations show that the formed π‐dimers characterize with strong π‐stacking “pancake” interactions, resulting in high electronic coupling, enabling efficient charge transfer properties, but π‐dimers cannot be stable in the isolated conditions as a result of strong Coulomb repulsions. In a crystal, where (TCNQ)2.− π‐dimers bound in the endless chainlets via supramolecular bonds with (N−CH3−2‐NH2−5‐Cl−Py)+ cations, the repulsion forces are screened, allowing for specific parallel π‐stacking interactions and stable radical‐anion dimers formation. Measurements of magnetic susceptibility and magnetization confirm antiferromagnetic properties of RAS, what is in line with the higher stability of ground singlet state of the radical‐anion pair, calculated by means of the DFT. Therefore, the reported radical‐anion (N−CH3−2‐NH2−5Cl−Py)(TCNQ)(CH3CN) solvate has promising applications in novel magnetics with supramolecular structures

Pseudo‐ Para ‐Substituted [2.2]Paracyclophanes for Hole Transport in Perovskite Solar Cells

2,2′,7,7′-Tetrakis(N,N-di-p-methoxyphenylamine)−9,9′-spirobifluorene (spiro-OMeTAD) is the prevalent hole transport layer in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with regular device architecture. Yet, its spirobifluorene core and multistep synthesis make it rather expensive. For the further technological success of PSCs, novel scalable and inexpensive alternative hole transport layers are needed. Herein, a study of the structure-property relations of pseudo-para-substituted [2.2]paracyclophanes is presented. Eight different hole transport materials are synthesized via double CH activation, eliminating metal-containing substituents for cross-coupling reactions. The ionization potentials (IPs) of the disubstituted paracyclophanes (DiPCPs) are examined by photoelectron spectroscopy in air, cyclic voltammetry and theoretical calculations. Through variation of donor groups and π-linkers, IPs that span a range from 5.14 to 5.86 eV are achieved, demonstrating high customizability. From the eight novel materials, five showed good solubility and are implemented into PSCs. The solar cells with a hole transport layer of undoped 4,16-di(4-(2-thienyl)-N,N-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)aniline)[2.2]paracyclophane (DiPCP-2) exhibit a power conversion efficiency of 12.7% ± 0.4%. The facile synthesis of DiPCP-2 enables an estimated cost reduction by two thirds compared to spiro-OMeTAD

Determination of Sinapic Acid Derivatives in Canola Extracts Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with diode array detection (DAD) was used to determine the total phenolics, including sinapic acid derivatives in canola. Ten Western Canadian canola seeds, six other commodity canola seeds, their corresponding press cakes and meals were analyzed. Seeds of European 00 rapeseed and Brassica Juncea (Indian mustard) were included for comparison. Phenolic compounds were separated using a gradient elution system of water–methanol-ο-phosphoric acid solution with a flow rate of 0.8 ml/min. In addition to sinapine (SP) and sinapic acid (SA), sinapoyl glucose (SG) is reported in the methanolic extracts. The detection and quantification limits of these compounds were 0.20–0.40 and 0.50–0.80 μg/ml, respectively with recovery values over 98.0%. The content of total phenolics, SP, SA and SG in canola extracts ranged from 9.16 to 16.13, 6.39 to 12.28, 0.11 to 0.59 and 1.36 to 7.50 mg/g, respectively with significant differences among varieties

An audit of acute oncology services: patient experiences of admission procedures and staff utilisation of a new telephone triage system.

OBJECTIVES: In 2010, St. James Institute of Oncology (Leeds, UK) created a new acute oncology service (AOS) consisting of a new admissions unit with a nurse-led telephone triage (TT) system. This audit cycle (March 2011 and June 2013) evaluated patient experiences of the reconfigured AOS and staff use of the TT system. METHODS: Patient views were elicited via a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The TT forms were analysed descriptively evaluating completion and data quality, reported symptoms and their severity and advice given (including admission rates). RESULTS: Patients (n = 40) reported high satisfaction with the new AOS. However, 56 % of patients delayed 2 days or more before contacting the unit. In 2011, 26 % of all the admitted patients were triaged via the TT system; 133 TT forms were completed. In June 2013, 49 % of the admitted patients were triaged; 264 forms were completed. The most commonly reported symptoms on the TT forms were pain, pyrexia/rigors/infection, diarrhoea, vomiting and dyspnoea. Half of the patients using the TT system were admitted (52 % in 2011, 49 % in 2013). CONCLUSIONS: Our audit provided evidence of successful implementation of the TT system with the number of TT forms doubling from 2011 to 2013. The new AOS was endorsed by patients, with the majority satisfied with the care they received