"Eco- and Renewable Energy Materials" provides a survey of the current topics and the major developmental trends in the rapidly growing research area of clean energy materials. This book covers, but is not limited to, photochemical materials (fuels from light), fuel cells (electricity from fuels), batteries (electricity storage), and hydrogen production and storage. This book is intended as a vehicle for the dissemination of research results on energy-based material science in the form of commissioned reviews and commentaries. This book is for scientists and engineers interested in energy-related materials, compounds and electronic devices. Prof. Yong Zhou is currently serving as a full professor at the Eco-Materials and Renewable Energy Research Center (ERERC), Nanjing University, China.

This book explores fascinating topics at the edge of life, guiding the reader all the way from the relation of life processes to the second law of thermodynamics and the abundance of complex organic compounds in the universe through to the latest advances in synthetic biology and metabolic engineering. The background to the book is the extraordinary scientific adventures that are being undertaken as progress is made toward the creation of an artificial cell and the control of life processes. This journey involves input from research areas as diverse as genetic engineering, physical chemistry, and information theory. Life is to be thought of not only as a chemical event but also as an information process, with the genome a repository of information gathered over time through evolution. Knowledge of the mechanisms affecting the increase in complexity associated with evolutionary paths is improving, and there appear to be analogies with the evolution of the technologies promoting the development of our society. The book will be of wide interest to students at all levels and to others with an interest in the subject.

Chemical Modelling: Applications and Theory comprises critical literature reviews of molecular modelling, both theoretical and applied. Molecular modelling in this context refers to modelling the structure, properties and reactions of atoms, molecules & materials. Each chapter is compiled by experts in their fields and provides a selective review of recent literature, incorporating sufficient historical perspective for the non-specialist to gain an understanding. With chemical modelling covering such a wide range of subjects, this Specialist Periodical Report serves as the first port of call to any chemist, biochemist, materials scientist or molecular physicist needing to acquaint themselves with major developments in the area.

This volume describes the most recent findings on the structure of ILs interpreted through cutting-edge experimental and theoretical methods. Research in the field of ionic liquids (ILs) keeps a fast and steady pace. Since these new-generation molten salts first appeared in the chemistry and physics landscape, a large number of new compounds has been synthesized. Most of them display unexpected behaviour and possess stunning properties. The coverage in this book ranges from the mesoscopic structure of ILs to their interaction with proteins. The reader will learn how diffraction techniques (small and large angle X-Ray and neutron scattering, powder methods), X-Ray absorption spectroscopies (EXAFS/XANES), optical methods (IR, RAMAN), NMR and calorimetric methods can help the study of ILs, both as neat liquids and in mixtures with other compounds. It will enable the reader to choose the best method to suit their experimental needs. A detailed survey of theoretical methods, both quantum-chemical and classical, and of their predictive power will accompany the exposition of experimental ones. This book is a must read for postgraduate students, for post-docs, and for researchers who are interested in understanding the structural properties of ILs.

The series Topics in Current Chemistry Collections presents critical reviews from the journal Topics in Current Chemistry organized in topical volumes. The scope of coverage is all areas of chemical science including the interfaces with related disciplines such as biology, medicine and materials science. The goal of each thematic volume is to give the non-specialist reader, whether in academia or industry, a comprehensive insight into an area where new research is emerging which is of interest to a larger scientific audience. Each review within the volume critically surveys one aspect of that topic and places it within the context of the volume as a whole. The most significant developments of the last 5 to 10 years are presented using selected examples to illustrate the principles discussed. The coverage is not intended to be an exhaustive summary of the field or include large quantities of data, but should rather be conceptual, concentrating on the methodological thinking that will allow the non-specialist reader to understand the information presented. Contributions also offer an outlook on potential future developments in the field.

This thesis presents a combination of material synthesis and characterization with process modeling. In it, the CO2 adsorption properties of hydrotalcites are enhanced through the production of novel supported hybrids (carbon nanotubes and graphene oxide) and the promotion with alkali metals. Hydrogen is regarded as a sustainable energy carrier, since the end users produce no carbon emissions. However, given that most of the hydrogen produced worldwide comes from fossil fuels, its potential as a carbon-free alternative depends on the ability to capture the carbon dioxide released during manufacture. Sorption-enhanced hydrogen production, in which CO2 is removed as it is formed, can make a major contribution to achieving this. The challenge is to find solid adsorbents with sufficient CO2 capacity that can work in the right temperature window over repeated adsorption-desorption cycles. The book presents a highly detailed characterization of the materials, together with an accurate measurement of their adsorption properties under dry conditions and in the presence of steam. It demonstrates that even small quantities of graphene oxide provide superior thermal stability to hydrotalcites due to their compatible layered structure, making them well suited as volume-efficient adsorbents for CO2. Lastly, it identifies suitable catalysts for the overall sorption-enhanced water gas shift process.

The breadth of scientific and technological interests in the general topic of photochemistry is truly enormous and includes, for example, such diverse areas as microelectronics, atmospheric chemistry, organic synthesis, non-conventional photoimaging, photosynthesis, solar energy conversion, polymer technologies, and spectroscopy. This Specialist Periodical Report on Photochemistry aims to provide an annual review of photo-induced processes that have relevance to the above wide-ranging academic and commercial disciplines, and interests in chemistry, physics, biology and technology. In order to provide easy access to this vast and varied literature, each volume of Photochemistry comprises sections concerned with photophysical processes in condensed phases, organic aspects which are sub-divided by chromophore type, polymer photochemistry, and photochemical aspects of solar energy conversion. Volume 34 covers literature published from July 2001 to June 2002. Specialist Periodical Reports provide systematic and detailed review coverage in major areas of chemical research. Compiled by teams of leading authorities in the relevant subject areas, the series creates a unique service for the active research chemist, with regular, in-depth accounts of progress in particular fields of chemistry. Subject coverage within different volumes of a given title is similar and publication is on an annual or biennial basis.

This volume presents the latest developments in the use of organometallic catalysis for the formation of bulk chemicals and the production of energy, via green processes including efficient utilization of waste feedstocks from industry. The chemistry of carbon dioxide relating to its hydrogenation into methanol -an eco-friendly energy storage strategy- and its uses as C1 synthon for the formation of important building-blocks for fine chemicals industry are covered. Catalytic hydrogenations of various functional groups and hydrogen transfer reactions including the use of first row metal catalysts are presented as well as the conversion of alcohols to carboxylates via hydrogen transfer with a zero-waste strategy using water. Transformation of renewable or bio-based raw materials is surveyed through alkene metathesis and C-O bond activations and functionalizations. A green aspect for selective formation of C-C, C-O and C-N bonds involves direct regioselective C-H bond activations and functionalizations. These transformations can now be promoted under mild reaction conditions due to the use photoredox catalyts. C-H bond oxidation using visible light leads mainly to the formation of C-O and C-N bonds, whereas cross-coupled C-C bonds can be formed through the radical additions on (hetero) arenes using photoredox assisted mechanism.

This is the first book to provide a comprehensive treatment of theories and applications in the rapidly expanding field of the crystallography of modular materials. Molecules are the natural modules from which molecular crystalline structures are built. Most inorganic structures, however, are infinite arrays of atoms and some kinds of surrogate modules, e.g. co-ordination polyhedra, are usually used to describe them. In recent years the attention has been focused on complex modules as the basis for a systematic description of polytypes and homologous/polysomatic series (modular structures). This representation is applied to the modelling of unknown structures and understanding nanoscale defects and intergrowths in materials. The Order/Disorder (OD) theory is fundamental to developing a systematic theory of polytypism, dealing with those structures based on both ordered and disordered stacking of one or more layers. Twinning at both unit-cell and micro-scale, together with disorder, causes many problems, "demons", for computer-based methods of crystal structure determination. This book develops the theory of twinning with the inclusion of worked examples, converting the "demons" into useful indicators for unravelling crystal structure. In spite of the increasing use of the concepts of modular crystallography for characterising, understanding and tailoring technological crystalline materials, this is the first book to offer a unified treatment of the results, which are spread across many different journals and original papers published over the last twenty years.

The central subject of this thesis is the theoretical description of ultrafast dynamical processes in molecular systems of chemical interest and their control by laser pulses. This work encompasses different cutting-edge methods in quantum chemistry, quantum dynamics and for the rigorous description of the interaction of light and matter at the molecular level. It provides a general quantum mechanical framework for the description of chemical processes guided by laser pulses, in particular near conical intersections, i.e. geometries where the nuclear and electronic motions couple and the molecule undergoes non-adiabatic (or non-Born-Oppenheimer) dynamics. In close collaboration with experimentalists, the author succeeds in making a decisive step to link and to apply quantum physics to chemistry by transferring state of the art techniques and concepts developed in physics to chemistry, such as "light dressed atoms and molecules" and "adiabatic Floquet theory". He applies these techniques in three prototypic model systems (aniline, pyrazine and NHD2) using high-level electronic structure calculations. Readers will enjoy the comprehensive and accessible introduction to the topic and methodology, as well as the clear structure of the thesis.

The breadth of scientific and technological interests in the general topic of photochemistry is truly enormous and includes, for example, such diverse areas as microelectronics, atmospheric chemistry, organic synthesis, non-conventional photoimaging, photosynthesis, solar energy conversion, polymer technologies, and spectroscopy. This Specialist Periodical Report on Photochemistry aims to provide an annual review of photo-induced processes that have relevance to the above wide-ranging academic and commercial disciplines, and interests in chemistry, physics, biology and technology. In order to provide easy access to this vast and varied literature, each volume of Photochemistry comprises sections concerned with photophysical processes in condensed phases, organic aspects which are sub-divided by chromophore type, polymer photochemistry, and photochemical aspects of solar energy conversion. Volume 34 covers literature published from July 2001 to June 2002. Specialist Periodical Reports provide systematic and detailed review coverage in major areas of chemical research. Compiled by teams of leading authorities in the relevant subject areas, the series creates a unique service for the active research chemist, with regular, in-depth accounts of progress in particular fields of chemistry. Subject coverage within different volumes of a given title is similar and publication is on an annual or biennial basis.

"Supercritical Fluid Technology for Energy and Environmental Applications" covers the fundamental principles involved in the preparation and characterization of supercritical fluids (SCFs) used in the energy production and other environmental applications. Energy production from diversified resources including renewable materials using clean processes can be accomplished using technologies like SCFs. This book is focused on critical issues scientists and engineers face in applying SCFs to energy production and environmental protection, the innovative solutions they have found, and the challenges they need to overcome. The book also covers the basics of sub- and supercritical fluids, like the thermodynamics of phase and chemical equilibria, mathematical modeling, and process calculations.

A supercritical fluid is any substance at a temperature and pressure above its critical point where distinct liquid and gas phases do not exist. At this state the compound demonstrates unique properties, which can be "fine-tuned," making them suitable as organic solvents in a range of industrial and laboratory processes.

This volume enables readers to select the most appropriate medium for a specific situation. It helps instructors prepare course material for graduate and postgraduate courses in the area of chemistry, chemical engineering, and environmental engineering. And it helps professional engineers learn supercritical fluid-based technologies and use them in solving the increasingly challenging environmental issues.
Relates theory, chemical characteristics, and properties of the particular supercritical fluid to its various applicationsCovers the fundamentals of supercritical fluids, like thermodynamics of phase and chemical equilibria, mathematical modeling, and process calculationsIncludes the most recent applications of supercritical fluids, includingenergy generation, materials synthesis, and environmental protection"

While books on semiconductor TiO2 photocatalysis are legion, nanostructured controlled photocatalysts are attractive beyond standard semiconductors, and this book is devoted to the many novel uses of advanced TiO2 and MOF-based photocatalysts. Details on synthesis, characterization, and reaction applications of nanostructured photocatalysts are summarized. Other new materials discussed in this book are Bi- W- oxides, metal complexes, and unique porous materials. This book contains methods of preparation and characterization of unique nanostructured photocatalysts, and details about their catalytic action. Contributors to this volume are leading Asian researchers in Photocatalysis. It will appeal to researchers wishing to know how to design new types of photocatalysts with controlled nanostructures.

This unique monograph covers recent theoretical and experimental results on the complex character of f electrons in materials containing lanthanides (rare earths) or actinides, such as alpha-cerium and delta-plutonium. It answers the urgent need for a general presentation of the body of experimental and theoretical results presently available in this challenging domain. Some of the fast developing applications of lanthanide and actinide materials are mentioned. Materials containing atoms with an open f shell have electronic and crystalline properties that are controlled by the localized or delocalized character of the f electrons. This book gives a theoretical discussion of the various spectroscopic methods that shed light on the character of the f electrons and on the connection between their localization and the properties of these materials. Part 1 covers the characteristics of the f electrons in atoms and solids and includes a discussion of the properties of lanthanides and actinides in connection with the f electrons. Part 2 describes the various spectroscopic methods that are used to establish the electronic distributions and energies of the states. Examples involve the determination of f electron distributions by high energy spectroscopy methods with separate treatment of the valence and core electrons. Part 3 concentrates on the theoretical treatment of electronic transitions involving f electrons and simulations of the lanthanide spectra, including comparison with the available experimental data. Part 4 discusses the localized or delocalized character of the f electrons in actinides and their compounds, including comparison (analogies & differences) between the 4f and 5f electron materials. This monograph should be of great value for researchers, academics and engineers working in the fields of high energy spectroscopy, electronic and nuclear science and technology, as well as materials involving rare earths and radio-elements.

"Advances in Catalysis" fills the gap between the journal papers and the textbooks across the diverse areas of catalysis research. For more than 60 years Advances in Catalysis has been dedicated to recording progress in the field of catalysis and providing the scientific community with comprehensive and authoritative reviews. This series in invaluable to chemical engineers, physical chemists, biochemists, researchers and industrial chemists working in the fields of catalysis and materials chemistry.

* In-depth, critical, state-of-the-art reviews

* Comprehensive, covers of all aspects of catalysis research

The series Topics in Current Chemistry presents critical reviews of the present and future trends in modern chemical research. The scope of coverage is all areas of chemical science including the interfaces with related disciplines such as biology, medicine and materials science. The goal of each thematic volume is to give the non-specialist reader, whether in academia or industry, a comprehensive insight into an area where new research is emerging which is of interest to a larger scientific audience. Each review within the volume critically surveys one aspect of that topic and places it within the context of the volume as a whole. The most significant developments of the last 5 to 10 years are presented using selected examples to illustrate the principles discussed. The coverage is not intended to be an exhaustive summary of the field or include large quantities of data, but should rather be conceptual, concentrating on the methodological thinking that will allow the non-specialist reader to understand the information presented. Contributions also offer an outlook on potential future developments in the field. Review articles for the individual volumes are invited by the volume editors. Readership: research chemists at universities or in industry, graduate students

Until now the topic of gas dynamics has been included as a section in comprehensive textbooks on physical chemistry, or discussed at too high a level for undergraduate or graduate students. This book, based on courses given by the author in several countries, aims to fill this gap. To make the subject more accessible to students, there is a very strong emphasis on current applications of the theory. Part I introduces the kinetic theory of gases with relevance to molecular energies and intermolecular forces. Part II focuses on how these theories are used to explain real techniques and phenomena involving gases, allowing students to answer questions such as: 'How does a Laser work?' and 'What is a shock wave?' By stressing the practical implications, the book explains the theory of gas dynamics in a highly readable and comprehensible manner.

"Colloidal Foundations of Nanoscience" explores the theory and concepts of colloid chemistry and its applications to nanoscience and nanotechnology. It provides the essential conceptual and methodological tools to approach nano-research issues. The authors expertise in colloid science will contribute to the understanding of basic issues involved in research. Each chapter covers a classical subject of colloid science, in simple and straightforward terms, and addresses its relevance to nanoscience before introducing case studies.
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" Gathers in a single volume the information currently scattered across various sourcesStraightforward introduction of theoretical concepts and in-depth case studies help you understand molecular mechanisms and master advanced techniquesIncludes chapter on self-assembly as an alternative to nanostructured phasesIncludes examples showing applications of classical concepts to real-world cutting-edge research
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This book contains important contributions from top international scientists on the-state-of-the-art of femtochemistry and femtobiology at the beginning of the new millennium. It consists of reviews and papers on ultrafast dynamics in molecular science.The coverage of topics highlights several important features of molecular science from the viewpoint of structure (space domain) and dynamics (time domain). First of all, the book presents the latest developments, such as experimental techniques for understanding ultrafast processes in gas, condensed and complex systems, including biological molecules, surfaces and nanostructures. At the same time it stresses the different ways to control the rates and pathways of reactive events in chemistry and biology. Particular emphasis is given to biological processes as an area where femtodynamics is becoming very useful for resolving the structural dynamics from techniques such as electron diffraction, and X-ray and IR spectroscopy. Finally, the latest developments in quantum control (in both theory and experiment) and the experimental pulse-shaping techniques are described.

In this thesis, Andrew Logsdail demonstrates that computational chemistry is a powerful tool in contemporary nanoscience, complementing experimental observations and helping guide future experiments. The aim of this particular PhD is to further our understanding of structural and compositional preferences in gold nanoparticles, as well as the compositional and chemical ordering preferences in bimetallic nanoalloys formed with other noble metals, such as palladium and platinum. Highlights include: calculations of the structural preferences and optical-response of gold nanoparticles and gold-containing nanoalloys; the design and implementation of novel numerical algorithms for the structural characterisation of gold nanoparticles from electron microscopy images; and electronic structure calculations investigating the interaction of gold nanoparticles with graphene and graphite substrates.The results presented here have significant implications for future research on the chemical and physical properties of gold-based nanoparticles and are of interest to many researchers working on experimental and theoretical aspects of nanoscience.

This monograph covers the concept of cartesian tensors with the needs and interests of physicists, chemists and other physical scientists in mind. After introducing elementary tensor operations and rotations, spherical tensors, combinations of tensors are introduced, also covering Clebsch-Gordan coefficients. After this, readers from the physical sciences will find generalizations of the results to spinors and applications to quantum mechanics.

This book focuses on molecular space chemistry, which is recognized as an important concept for the design of novel functional materials and catalysts. A wide variety of topics and ideas included in this book are based on that concept. The book showcases recent representative examples of molecular space design to create functional materials and catalysts possessing unique properties. This unique volume will be of great interest to chemists in a wide variety of research fields, including organic, inorganic, biological, polymer, and supramolecular chemistry. Readers will obtain new ideas and directions to create novel functional molecules, and those ideas will lead to innovative views of science.

This book reflects on the significant and highly original scientific contributions of Hans Primas. A professor of chemistry at ETH Zurich from 1962 to 1995, Primas continued his research activities until his death in 2014. Over these 50 years and more, he worked on the foundations of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, contributed to a number of significant issues in theoretical chemistry, helped to clarify central topics in quantum theory and the philosophy of physics, suggested innovative ways of addressing interlevel relations in the philosophy of science, and introduced cutting-edge approaches in the flourishing young field of scientific studies of consciousness. His work in these areas of research and its continuing impact is described by noted experts, colleagues, and collaborators of Primas. All authors contextualize their contributions to facilitate the mutual dialog between these fields.