Shinji Oshima

Nanoparticle Assemblies via Coordination with a Tetrakis(terpyridine) Linker Bearing a Rigid Tetrahedral Core

Controlling particle-particle interactions is a major challenge in achieving the programmable assembly of nanoparticles, which shows great potential for device fabrication and detection systems. We present here a simple chemical method that allows the formation of Pd nanoparticle assemblies using a tetrakis(terpyridine) linker with a rigid tetrahedral core.

Synthesis of Diazenido-Ligated Vanadium Nanoparticles

Metallic vanadium nanoparticles stabilized with 4-octylphenyldiazenido groups (particle size: 1.7 ± 0.2 nm) were synthesized via the reduction of VCl4 with superhydride (LiBHEt3) in the presence of 4-octylphenyldiazonium salt in an Ar-filled glovebox. The resulting particles were characterized using TEM, elemental analysis, and XPS measurements. The unusual reaction on the surface resulted in the passivation of V-N═N-Ar covalent bonds.

Conversion of toluene and water to methylcyclohexane and oxygen using niobium-doped strontium titanate photoelectrodes.

Methylcyclohexane (MCH) is regarded as a promising hydrogen carrier that enables hydrogen to be harnessed as an alternate fuel source, which paves the way to a clean-energy future. A photoelectrochemical (PEC) system with a Nb:SrTiO3 photoelectrode for oxygen evolution from an aqueous electrolyte and a Pt/C electrode for toluene (TL) hydrogenation to MCH was investigated under UV irradiation. A Nb:SrTiO3 single-crystal electrode and an ionomer/Pt/C membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) were used as the photoanode and cathode, respectively. A steady-state current density of 0.12 mA cm(-2) was observed for the two-electrode system without any bias voltage for >2 h, and a Faradaic efficiency of 97% was obtained for MCH production from TL. This is the first demonstration of the production of MCH from TL and water using only light energy. This means that light energy was converted directly into MCH from TL and water without any electricity. The PEC properties of the devices are discussed.