NMR and NQR studies on transition-metal arsenide superconductors LaRu2As2,KCa2Fe4As4F2,and A2Cr3As3

We report 75As-nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)and nuclear quadrupole resonance(NQR)measurements on transition-metal arsenides LaRu2As2,KCa2Fe4As4F2,and A2Cr3As3.In the superconducting state of LaRu2As2,a Hebel–Slichter coherence peak is found in the temperature dependence of the spin-lattice relaxation rate 1/T1 just below Tc,which indicates that LaRu2As2 is a full-gap superperconducor.For KCa2Fe4As4F2,antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations are observed in the normal state.We further find that the anisotropy rate RAF=Tc 1/Tab 1 is small and temperature independent,implying that the low energy spin fluctuations are isotropic in spin space.Our results indicate that KCa2Fe4As4F2 is a moderately overdoped iron-arsenide high-temperature superconductor with a stoichiometric composition.For A2Cr3As3(A=Na,K,Rb,Cs),we calculate the electric field gradient by first-principle method and assign the 75As-NQR peaks to two crystallographically different As sites,paving the way for further NMR investigation.

Spin regulation on(Co,Ni)Se_(2)/C@FeOOH hollow nanocage accelerates water oxidation

Spin engineering is recognized as a promising strategy that modulates the association between d‐orbital electrons and the oxygenated species,and enhances the catalytic kinetics.However,few efforts have been made to clarify whether spin engineering could make a considerable enhancement for electrocatalytic water oxidation.Herein,we report the spin engineering of a nanocage‐structured(Co,Ni)Se_(2)/C@FeOOH,that showed significant oxygen evolution reaction(OER)activity.Magnetization measurement presented that the(Co,Ni)Se_(2)/C@FeOOH sample possesses higher polarization spin number(μb=6.966μB/f.u.)compared with that of the(Co,Ni)Se_(2)/C sample(μb=6.398μB/f.u.),for which the enlarged spin polarization number favors the adsorption and desorption energy of the intermediate oxygenated species,as confirmed by surface valance band spectra.Consequently,the(Co,Ni)Se_(2)/C@FeOOH affords remarkable OER product with a low overpotential of 241 mV at a current of 10 mA cm^(-2) and small Tafel slope of 44 mV dec^(-1) in 1.0 mol/L KOH alkaline solution,significantly surpassing the parent(Co,Ni)Se_(2)/C catalyst.This work will trigger a solid step for the design of highly‐efficient OER electrocatalysts.

Pressure Effects on Spectra of Tunable Laser Crystal GSGG:Cr3+ III: Pressure-Induced Shift of R1 Line at 70 K

By means of both a theory for pressure-induced shifts (PS) of energy spectra and a theory for shifts of energy spectra due to electron-phonon interaction (EPI), the 'pure electronic' PS and the PS due to EPI of R1 line of GSGG:Cr3+ at 70 K have been calculated, respectively. Their physical origins have been revealed. It is found that the admixture of and base-wavefunctions in the wavefunctions of R1 level of GSGG:Cr3+ at 70 K is remarkable under the normal pressure, and the degree of the admixture rapidly decreases with increasing pressure. The change of the degree of the admixture with the pressure plays a key role for not only the pure electronic PS of R1 line but also the PS of R1 line due to EPI. The detailed calculations and analyses show that the pressure-dependent behaviors of the pure electronic PS of R1 line and the PS of R1 line due to EPI are quite different. It is the combined effect of them that gives rise to the total PS of R1 line, which has satisfactorily explained the experimental data (including a reversal of PS of R1 line). In contributions to PS of R1 line due to EPI at 70 K, the temperature-independent contribution is much larger than the temperature-dependent contribution. The former results from the interaction between the zero-point vibration of the lattice and localized electronic state.

Pressure Effects on Spectra of Tunable Laser Crystal GSGG： Cr^3＋ IV： Pressure—Induced Shifts of R1 Line, R2 Line, and U Band at 300 K

By means of both a theory for pressure-induced shifts (PS) of energy spectra and a theory for shifts of energy spectra due to electron-phonon interaction (EPI), the 'pure electronic' PS and the PS due to EPI of R1 line, R2 line, and U band of GSGG:Cr3+ at 300 K have been calculated, respectively. The calculated results are in good agreement with all the experimental data. Their physical origins have also been explained. It is found that the mixing-degree of and base-wavefunctions in the wavefunctions of R1 level of GSGG:Cr3+ at 300 K is remarkable under normal pressure, and the mixing-degree rapidly decreases with increasing pressure. The change of the mixing-degree with pressure plays a key role not only for the 'pure electronic' PS of R1 line and R2 line but also the PS of R1 line and R2 line due to EPI. The pressure-dependent behaviors of the 'pure electronic' PS of R1 line (or R2 line) and the PS of R1 line (or R2 line) due to EPI are quite different. It is the combined effect of them that gives rise to the total PS of R1 line (or R2 line). In the range of about 15 kbar ~ 45 kbar, the mergence and/or order-reversal between levels and levels take place, which cause the fluctuation of the rate of PS for with pressure. At 300 K, both the temperature-dependent contribution to R1 line (or R2 line or U band) from EPI and the temperature-independent one are important.

The role of 3d orbitals in the bonding of phosphorus compounds

Ab initio LCAO-MO-SCF calculations for several typical molecules containing phosphorus have been undertaken to study the role of phosphorus 3d orbitals in the bonding.It is emphasized that the discussion about the 3d orbital participation in bonding should be based on a reasonable choice of basis sets and it seems suitable to choose the atomic orbitals in proper molecular environment as the basis set.As an approximation,the optimized minimal STO-NG basis sets have been adopted in the present paper.The results obtained well exhibit the model of 3d orbital participation in bonding. It is shown that under the influence of highly electronegative ligands the phosphorus 3d orbitals con- tract greatly,their energy levels drop considerably,and thus they can effectively participate in bond- ing.The presence of highly electronegative ligands seems necessary.The contribution of 3d orbitals to bonding is achieved mainly through the concertedformation of σ bonds and p-d backbonds,though the contribution to σ bonding is minor.The three-center,four-electron bond modelis only approxi- mately correct.The results of the present paper demonstrate that the model of 3d orbital participation in bonding favoured by experimental chemists is reasonable and possesses sound ground.

The role of the sulfur 3d orbitals in bond formation in sulfur-containing compounds

The role of the sulfur 3d orbitals in bond formation is discussed by taking into account the influence of the environment on the orbitals of the sulfur atom in the molecules. The ca cula- tion results of a series of prototype molecules containing sulfur such as SF_2, SF_4, NSF_3, SF_1, H_2S are reported. It is convincingly shown that in highly electronegative environment the energy levels of the sulfur 3d orbitals are reduced to the vicinity of those of the ligand valence orbitals and their spatial distributions are contracted to the bonding area, and therefore they can participate in bond formation to a certain extent, which is enhanced by the formation of the d-p π back bonds. It seems that the result reported in this paper is helpful for the solution of the long-standing debate about the sulfur 3d orbital participation in bond formation.

Accelerating water dissociation kinetics of Ni3N by tuning interfacial orbital coupling

The high unoccupied d band energy of Ni_(3)N basically results in weak orbital coupling with water molecule,consequently leading to slow water dissociation kinetics.Herein,we demonstrate Cr doping can downshift the unoccupied d orbitals and strengthen the interfacial orbital coupling to boost the water dissociation kinetics.The prepared Cr-Ni_(3)N/Ni displays an impressive overpotential of 37 mV at 10 mA·cmgeo-2,close to the benchmark Pt/C in 1.0 M KOH solution.Refined structural analysis reveals the Cr dopant exists as the Cr-N_(6)states and the average d band energy of Ni_(3)N is also lowered.Density functional theory calculation further confirms the downshifted d band energy can strengthen the orbital coupling between the unpaired electrons in O 2p and the unoccupied state of Ni 3d,which thus facilitates the water adsorption and dissociation.The work provides a new concept to achieve on-demand functions for hydrogen evolution catalysis and beyond,by regulating the interfacial orbital coupling.