ABSTRACT
The facile solvent-free synthesis of several known metal thiophosphates was accomplished by a chemical exchange reaction between anhydrous metal chlorides and elemental phosphorus with sulfur, or combinations of phosphorus with molecular P2S5 at moderate 500 °C temperatures. The crystalline products obtained from this synthetic approach include MPS3 (M = Fe, Co, Ni) and Cu3PS4. The successful reactions benefit from thermochemically favorable PCl3 elimination. This solvent-free route performed at moderate temperatures leads to mixed anion products with complex heteroatomic anions, such as P2S64−. The MPS3 phases are thermally metastable relative to the thermodynamically preferred separate MPx/ MSy and more metal-rich MPxSy phases. The micrometer-sized M-P-S products exhibit room-temperature optical and magnetic properties consistent with isolated metal ion structural arrangements and semiconducting band gaps. The MPS3 materials were examined as electrocatalysts in hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) under acidic conditions. In terms of HER activity at lower applied potentials, the MPS3 materials show the trend of Co > Ni >> Fe. Extended time constant potential HER experiments show reasonable HER stability of ionic and semiconducting MPS3 (M = Co, Ni) structures under acidic reducing conditions.
ABSTRACT
Metal phosphides from the 3d period exhibit a range of structures and compositions. Many metal-rich phosphides and monophosphides function as heterogeneous electrocatalysts in the hydrogen evolution reaction. This paper describes the direct and tin flux-assisted synthesis of phosphorus-rich metal phosphides with MP2 or MP3 compositions. The facile synthesis of FeP2, CoP3, NiP2, and CuP2 is thermochemically driven by PCl3 formation from reactions of anhydrous metal halides and P4 vapor at 500 °C. Well-crystallized micrometer-sized particles result from these solvent-free reactions. A tin flux leads to more complete reactions at lower temperature for FeP2 and enables synthesis of a monoclinic polymorph of NiP2 rather than the kinetic cubic product formed by direct reaction. These crystalline metal phosphides are investigated as electrocatalyts for hydrogen evolution in acidic and buffered aqueous solutions. All phosphorus-rich products show very good stability in strongly acidic media. The catalytic activity for hydrogen evolution ordered by higher current at a fixed electrode geometric area and low onset potential is CoP3 > NiP2 (cubic and monoclinic) > FeP2 â« CuP2. At high applied potentials, CuP2 undergoes surface reactions and roughening that improve its electrocatalytic activity. Correlations of the observed electrocatalytic activity with electrochemically active surface area, particle size, metallic versus semiconducting properties, and local metal coordination environment are noted for these phosphorus-rich 3d metal phosphides.
ABSTRACT
New stilbenoid and thiophenic compounds terminally functionalized with donor-donor, acceptor-acceptor, or donor-acceptor moieties and possessing a central [2.2]paracyclophane unit have been prepared, and their properties interpreted in terms of through-bond and through space π-electron delocalization (i.e., π-conjugations). Based on photophysical data, their excited-state properties have been described with a focus on the participation of the central [2.2]paracyclophane in competition with through-bond conjugation in the side arms. To this end, two-photon and one-photon absorption and emission spectroscopy, as a function of temperature, solvent polarity, and pressure in the solid state have been recorded. Furthermore, charge delocalization through the [2.2]paracyclophane in the neutral state and in the oxidized species (radical cations, dications and radical trications) has been investigated, allowing the elucidation of the vibrational Raman fingerprint of through-space charge delocalization. Thus, a complementary approach to both "intermolecular" excitation and charge delocalizations in [2.2]paracyclophane molecules is shown which can serve as models of charge and exciton migration in organic semiconductors.
ABSTRACT
Benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophenes were oxidized under mild conditions with m-CPBA to yield the corresponding bis-sulfones (or tetraoxides). These sulfones possess red-shifted absorption and emission spectra relative to the parent molecules. Electrochemical analyses reveal that the benzodithiophene molecules are transformed from electron donors to electron acceptors.
