Modern solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methodologies are applied to investigate two spin-5/2 nuclei, Zn-67 and Al-27, in different coordination environments in order to characterize the magnitudes and orientations of their electric field gradient (EFG) and nuclear magnetic shielding tensors. The advantages of using high (21.1 T) applied magnetic fields for detecting Zn-67 directly at ambient temperatures, using the quadrupolar Carr-Purcell Meiboom-Gill (QCPMG) pulse sequence and the stepped-frequency technique, are demonstrated by the successful investigation of the different zinc sites in several zinc-amino acid coordination compounds, and in the more complex polymorphs of the zinc-insulin hexamers. In all systems, the high-field Zn-67 NMR spectra are dominated only by the quadrupolar interaction. The first two Zn-67 NMR spectra of pentacoordinated zinc sites are reported and analyzed. The experimental results are corroborated by ab initio and density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the Zn-67 NMR parameters in order to gain better understanding of the zinc local electronic environments. Solid-state Al-27 NMR is applied to study three commercial aluminum-phthalocyanine dyes. Solid-state Al-27 NMR experiments, including multiple-quantum magic-angle-spinning (MQMAS) and quadrupolar Carr-Purcell Meiboom-Gill (QCPMG), are employed at multiple high magnetic field strengths (11.7, 14.1 and 21.1 T) to determine the composition and number of aluminum distinct sites in these dyes. The quadrupolar parameters for each Al-27 site are determined from spectral simulations, with quadrupolar coupling constants ranging from 5.40 to 10.0 MHz and asymmetry parameters ranging from 0.10 to 0.50, and compare well with the results of quantum chemical calculations of these tensors. The largest Al-27 chemical shielding anisotropy (CSA), with a span of 120 ppm, observed directly in a solid material is also reported. The combination of MQMAS and computational chemistry are used to interpret the presence of multiple aluminum sites in two of the three samples.

Modern solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methodologies are applied to investigate two spin-5/2 nuclei, Zn-67 and Al-27, in different coordination environments in order to characterize the magnitudes and orientations of their electric field gradient (EFG) and nuclear magnetic shielding tensors. The advantages of using high (21.1 T) applied magnetic fields for detecting Zn-67 directly at ambient temperatures, using the quadrupolar Carr-Purcell Meiboom-Gill (QCPMG) pulse sequence and the stepped-frequency technique, are demonstrated by the successful investigation of the different zinc sites in several zinc-amino acid coordination compounds, and in the more complex polymorphs of the zinc-insulin hexamers. In all systems, the high-field Zn-67 NMR spectra are dominated only by the quadrupolar interaction. The first two Zn-67 NMR spectra of pentacoordinated zinc sites are reported and analyzed. The experimental results are corroborated by ab initio and density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the Zn-67 NMR parameters in order to gain better understanding of the zinc local electronic environments. Solid-state Al-27 NMR is applied to study three commercial aluminum-phthalocyanine dyes. Solid-state Al-27 NMR experiments, including multiple-quantum magic-angle-spinning (MQMAS) and quadrupolar Carr-Purcell Meiboom-Gill (QCPMG), are employed at multiple high magnetic field strengths (11.7, 14.1 and 21.1 T) to determine the composition and number of aluminum distinct sites in these dyes. The quadrupolar parameters for each Al-27 site are determined from spectral simulations, with quadrupolar coupling constants ranging from 5.40 to 10.0 MHz and asymmetry parameters ranging from 0.10 to 0.50, and compare well with the results of quantum chemical calculations of these tensors. The largest Al-27 chemical shielding anisotropy (CSA), with a span of 120 ppm, observed directly in a solid material is also reported. The combination of MQMAS and computational chemistry are used to interpret the presence of multiple aluminum sites in two of the three samples.

As técnicas de Espectroscopia de Alta Resolução em Sólidos e Relaxação por RMN são largamente utilizadas no estudo da estrutura e dinâmica de polímeros. Neste trabalho estudamos, utilizando estas técnicas, duas classes distintas de polímeros: os condutores iônicos e os condutores eletrônicos. O polímero condutor iônico estudado foi o Diesterato de Polietileno Glicol (PEGD) complexado com sais de metais alcalinos, LiClO4 ou NaClO4. A metodologia básica que empregamos para o estudo destes materiais foi a análise da forma de linha e do tempo de relaxação longitudinal para os núcleos associados tanto aos portadores de carga, 7Li e 23Na, quanto à cadeia polimérica, 1H e 13C. Todas estas medidas foram realizadas em função da temperatura e da concentração de sal de metal alcalino presente na amostra. Estudos adicionais, por condutividade elétrica, análise térmica e viscosidade foram realizados para complementar o conhecimento obtido por RMN sobre a mobilidade e estrutura das cadeias poliméricas e dos portadores de carga. Os polímeros com ligações de elétrons-\'pi\' conjugados apresentam propriedades eletrônicas especiais, particularmente a condutividade elétrica, e formam uma classe de polímeros condutores eletrônicos que podem ser facilmente oxidados ou reduzidos através de um agente dopante. Estudamos dois polímeros deste tipo: As polianilinas dopadas com 1H ou 7Li. A metodologia básica que empregamos para o estudo destes polímeros foi a análise das formas de linhas espectrais de um dos núcleos que compõem a cadeia polimérica, 13C, e de um dos agentes dopantes, 7Li, em função do método de preparação e da condutividade elétrica, de forma a poder elucidar características estruturais e dinâmicas deste grupo de polímeros. A partir do estudo destas duas classes de polímeros, conseguimos coletar uma quantidade muito grande de resultados experimentais por RMN, a partir de diferentes núcleos atômicos, que contribuíram para elucidar várias de suas características estruturais e dinâmicas / High resolution solid-state NMR spectroscopic techniques are widely used in the study of polymer structure and dynamics. In the present work we are studying, with the employment of these techniques, two distinct kinds of polymers: the ionic conductors and the electronic conductors. The ionic conductor polymer considered was the Poliethyleneglycol Distereate - 400)/MclO4, (M=Li,Na), DPEG/MclO4. The basic methodology employed for the study of these materials were the line shape analysis of the resonance lines and the longitudinal relaxation time, for the nuclei associated with the charge carriers, 7Li and 23Na, and with the polymeric chain, 1H and 13C. The measurements were related to temperature and to the alkali metal salt concentration in the sample. Additional studies, of electrical conductivity, thermal analysis and viscosity were also conducted for the complementation of the information obtained by NMR about the mobility and structure of polymeric chains and the charge carriers. The polymers with conjugated n-electron bounds present special electronic properties, particularly related to the electrical conductivity, and are easily oxidized or reduced by the action of a doping agent. We studied two of these kind of polymers: the 1H and 7Li doped Polyaniline. The basic methodology employed for the study of these polymers was the line shape analysis of the resonance lines related to one of the component nuclei of the polymeric chain, 13C , and the lines related to one of doping agents, 7Li, as a function of the preparation method and the electrical conductivity, as a way of elucidate structural and dynamic characteristics of this class of polymers. From the study of these two classes of polymers we could collect a huge quantity of NMR data from different atomic nuclei, and it led to the elucidation of important structural and dynamic characteristics of the polymers

The phospholipid membrane is a self-assembled, dynamic molecular system that may exist alone in association with only water, or in complex systems comprised of multiple lipid types and proteins. In this dissertation the intra- and inter-molecular forces responsible for the atomistic, molecular and collective equilibrium structure and dynamics are studied by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). The multinuclear NMR measurements and various experimental techniques are able to provide data that enable the characterization of the hierarchical spatio-temporal organization of the phospholipid membrane. The experimental and theoretical studies conducted target membrane interactions ranging from model systems composed of only water and lipids, to multiple component domain forming membranes that are in association with peripheral and trans-membrane proteins. These measurements consisit of frequency spectrum lineshapes and nuclear-spin relaxation rates obtained using 2 H NMR, 13 C NMR, 31 P NMR and 1 H NMR. The changes of these experimental observables are interpreted within a statistical thermodynamic framework that allows the membrane structure, activation energies, and correlation times of motion to be determined. The cases presented demonstrate how fundamental principles of NMR spectroscopy may be applied to a host of membranes, leading to the biophysical characterization of membrane structure and dynamics.

As técnicas de Espectroscopia de Alta Resolução em Sólidos e Relaxação por RMN são largamente utilizadas no estudo da estrutura e dinâmica de polímeros. Neste trabalho estudamos, utilizando estas técnicas, duas classes distintas de polímeros: os condutores iônicos e os condutores eletrônicos. O polímero condutor iônico estudado foi o Diesterato de Polietileno Glicol (PEGD) complexado com sais de metais alcalinos, LiClO4 ou NaClO4. A metodologia básica que empregamos para o estudo destes materiais foi a análise da forma de linha e do tempo de relaxação longitudinal para os núcleos associados tanto aos portadores de carga, 7Li e 23Na, quanto à cadeia polimérica, 1H e 13C. Todas estas medidas foram realizadas em função da temperatura e da concentração de sal de metal alcalino presente na amostra. Estudos adicionais, por condutividade elétrica, análise térmica e viscosidade foram realizados para complementar o conhecimento obtido por RMN sobre a mobilidade e estrutura das cadeias poliméricas e dos portadores de carga. Os polímeros com ligações de elétrons-\'pi\' conjugados apresentam propriedades eletrônicas especiais, particularmente a condutividade elétrica, e formam uma classe de polímeros condutores eletrônicos que podem ser facilmente oxidados ou reduzidos através de um agente dopante. Estudamos dois polímeros deste tipo: As polianilinas dopadas com 1H ou 7Li. A metodologia básica que empregamos para o estudo destes polímeros foi a análise das formas de linhas espectrais de um dos núcleos que compõem a cadeia polimérica, 13C, e de um dos agentes dopantes, 7Li, em função do método de preparação e da condutividade elétrica, de forma a poder elucidar características estruturais e dinâmicas deste grupo de polímeros. A partir do estudo destas duas classes de polímeros, conseguimos coletar uma quantidade muito grande de resultados experimentais por RMN, a partir de diferentes núcleos atômicos, que contribuíram para elucidar várias de suas características estruturais e dinâmicas / High resolution solid-state NMR spectroscopic techniques are widely used in the study of polymer structure and dynamics. In the present work we are studying, with the employment of these techniques, two distinct kinds of polymers: the ionic conductors and the electronic conductors. The ionic conductor polymer considered was the Poliethyleneglycol Distereate - 400)/MclO4, (M=Li,Na), DPEG/MclO4. The basic methodology employed for the study of these materials were the line shape analysis of the resonance lines and the longitudinal relaxation time, for the nuclei associated with the charge carriers, 7Li and 23Na, and with the polymeric chain, 1H and 13C. The measurements were related to temperature and to the alkali metal salt concentration in the sample. Additional studies, of electrical conductivity, thermal analysis and viscosity were also conducted for the complementation of the information obtained by NMR about the mobility and structure of polymeric chains and the charge carriers. The polymers with conjugated n-electron bounds present special electronic properties, particularly related to the electrical conductivity, and are easily oxidized or reduced by the action of a doping agent. We studied two of these kind of polymers: the 1H and 7Li doped Polyaniline. The basic methodology employed for the study of these polymers was the line shape analysis of the resonance lines related to one of the component nuclei of the polymeric chain, 13C , and the lines related to one of doping agents, 7Li, as a function of the preparation method and the electrical conductivity, as a way of elucidate structural and dynamic characteristics of this class of polymers. From the study of these two classes of polymers we could collect a huge quantity of NMR data from different atomic nuclei, and it led to the elucidation of important structural and dynamic characteristics of the polymers

No description available.

This thesis focuses on the development of oxidatively stable cathode and electrolyte materials for sodium-based battery systems. This is primarily achieved through the use of solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) and pulsed-field gradient (PFG) NMR spectroscopy. ssNMR is used to diagnose the primarily failure mode of the NaOB. It is found through a combined 23Na and 19F study that the main discharge product of the cell, NaO2, oxidizes both the carbon and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) binder of the cathode to produce parasitic Na2CO3 and NaF. In a subsequent study, Ti4O7-coated carbon paper cathodes are implemented in an attempt to stabilize NaO2. The 23Na triple quantum magic angle spinning (3QMAS) and 1H to 23Na dipolar heteronuclear multiple quantum correlation (23Na{1H} D-HMQC) experiments are used to diagnose the failure modes of carbon-coated, and Ti4O7-coated cathodes. It is found that electrochemically formed NaO2 is significantly more stable in Ti4O7-coated cathodes, leading to longer lifetime NaOBs. Oxidatively stable electrolyte materials are also examined. Lithium and sodium bis(trifluoromethansulfonyl)imide (TFSI) in adiponitrile (ADN) electrolytes exhibit extreme oxidative resistance, but are unusable in modern cells due to Al corrosion by TFSI, and spontaneous ADN degradation by Li and Na metal. PFG NMR is used to investigate the transport properties of LiTFSI in ADN as a function of LiTFSI concentration. By measuring the diffusion coefficient of Li+ and TFSI as a function of diffusion time (Δ), diffusional behaviour is encoded as a function of length scale to study the short- and long-range solution structure of the electrolyte. It is found that at high concentrations, LiTFSI in ADN transports Li+ primarily through an ion-hopping mechanism, in contrast to the typical vehicular mechanism observed at low concentrations. This suggests significant structural changes in solution at high concentrations. The NaTFSI in ADN analogue is examined for its electrochemical properties in Na-ion and Na-O2 batteries. It is found that the oxidative resistance of ADN to Na metal is significantly increased at high concentrations, leading to reversible Na deposition and dissolution in cyclic voltammetry (CV) experiments. Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and chronoamperometry (CA) experiments on Al current collectors show that Al corrosion by TFSI is similarly suppressed at high concentration. This culminates in high concentration NaTFSI in ADN being able to reversibly intercalate Na3V2(PO4)2F3 (NVPF) cathodes in SIB half-cells for multiple cycles. The knowledge gained from exploring oxidatively stable cathode and electrolyte materials can be used in tandem for the development of a longer lifetime, more oxidatively stable, NaOB in the future. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / The continued development of rechargeable batteries is paramount in reducing the world’s reliance on fossil fuels, as they allow for the storage of electrical energy produced by renewable sources. This work primarily examines sodium-based batteries systems, such as the sodium-oxygen battery (NaOB) and sodium-ion battery (SIB), which are possible alternatives to the currently used lithium-ion battery (LIB) system. In order to produce energy, NaOBs produce sodium superoxide (NaO2) during the discharge process, which is formed on the carbon cathode. However, NaO2 is inherently unstable to carbon materials, causing degradation of the battery overtime. Ti4O7 is investigated as a stable coating material in NaOBs, used to coat the carbon cathode to make the system more stable to NaO2 degradation. The degradation processes in NaOBs are characterized by solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) spectroscopy, which uses strong superconducting magnets to probe the magnetic properties of, and consequently identify, the chemical species formed within the battery. It is found that the addition of the Ti4O7 coating inhibits NaO2 degradation, producing longer lifetime NaOBs. Subsequently, both Li-bis(trifluoromethansulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI), and NaTFSI, in adiponitrile (ADN) electrolytes are examined for their use in LIBs and SIBs, respectively. Electrolytes facilitate stable ion transport within the cell, and ADN electrolytes specifically allow for the use of higher voltage cathode materials, which can result in a higher energy density battery. The transport properties of LiTFSI in ADN electrolytes are studied by a pulsed-field gradient (PFG) NMR technique, that allows for the measurement of the rate of ion transport in the electrolyte. It is found that the mechanism of ion transport significantly depends on electrolyte concentration, which suggests significant changes to the electrolyte solution structure at high concentration. The electrochemical ramifications of this are studied for the NaTFSI in ADN electrolyte in SIBs. It is found that the electrolyte becomes substantially more stable at high concentrations, leading to more favourable charging and discharging behaviours when tested in SIBs. The work presented in this thesis illustrates the development of more stable, longer lifetime, batteries over a number of cell chemistries, using a variety of NMR and electrochemical characterization techniques.

<p> The addition compounds of selenium tetrafluoride with sulfur trioxide, boron trifluoride, and arsenic, antimony, bismuth, vanadium, niobium and tantalum pentafluorides have been prepared. These compounds have been studied in the solid state using X-ray powder diffraction, and infra-red and Raman spectroscopy; in the molten state using Raman spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and conductimetric and viscosity measurements; and in solution using Raman spectroscopy, cryoscopy, conductivity and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.</p> <p> The compound SeF4SO3 has a fluorosulfate-bridged polymeric structure. The remaining compounds have fluorine-bridged structures, this interaction being the strongest in SeF4BF3 and SeF4VF5 and decreasing in the order SeF4NbF5 SeF4TaF5 SeF4AsF5 SeF4SbF5 SeF4BiF5.</p> <p> The characteristics of the SeF3+ group are discussed. The properties of fluorine bridging and various methods of detecting such interactions are also considered.</p> / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Solid State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (ssNMR) spectroscopy can be a powerful tool for investigating the atomic-level structures and dynamics of biological macromolecules, including proteins. In this dissertation, I present an ssNMR study of three diverse proteins, revealing insights into their respective secondary structures, conformational variations, and intermolecular interactions. Additionally, I introduce novel computational methods to facilitate the assignment of chemical shifts of ssNMR spectra. The first of the proteins is the capsid protein of the Rous Sarcoma Virus. In previous research, the structure of the hexameric lattice of the in-vitro tubular assembly of the capsid protein was determined. In this study, chemical shift assignments were completed and the structure of the T=1 capsid assembly (comprising entirely of a pentameric lattice) of the I190V mutant variant of the capsid was determined, providing the missing component of the in-vivo capsid structure. The second protein studied was amyloid-beta 42, a particularly cytotoxic variant of the main component of amyloid plaques in the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients. Chemical shift assignments were made on ssNMR data from samples aggregated in cholesterol-containing phosphatidylcholine (POPC) lipid vesicles, and secondary structure and molecular distance information was obtained. Lastly, preliminary chemical shift assignments, statistics, and structural analysis was done on the polypeptide Ref-2Cx4, derived from the conserved domain of the Hawaiian bobtail squid reflectin protein. The reflectin protein, used in the squid's camouflage mechanism, possesses optically reflective and proton-conductive properties. The final part of the dissertation addresses a major bottleneck in ssNMR studies—the assignment of chemical shifts. I introduce Visual Assist, a suite of computational tools designed to streamline and expedite the assignment process. The developed computational methods are validated on the diverse set of proteins above, demonstrating their general applicability and efficiency.

O estudo de propriedades de transporte das fases vítreas do sistema LixTh1-xF4-3x por RMN do 7Li e do 19F mostrou que tanto os ions Li+ quanto F- são condutores. O lítio é móvel para todas as temperaturas estudadas e atua como cátion modificador do retículo, enquanto que o flúor é condutor apenas acima de 373K. Por espectroscopia vibracional ficou evidenciada a variação do número de coordenação do Th (de 8,5 a 9,5) em função da composição. No sistema LixU1-xF4-3x verificou-se que o átomo de urânio assume coordenação 8, independentemente da composição. O paramagnetismo dos vidros de urânio, determinado por medidas magnéticas e de RPE, é devido ao paramagnetismo inerente ao átomo de urânio isolado impedindo o estudo destas amostras por RMN. A determinação da estrutura cristalina da fase Li3ThF7 utilizando difração de raios-X por monocristal mostrou que este material cristaliza-se no grupo espacial P4/ncc do sistema tetragonal; a=6,200(1)&#197, c=12,937(2)&#197, Z=4 moléculas/cela unitária. A estrutura é formada por camadas de poliedros (ThF9) ,com quatro vértices comuns no plano ab. Os átomos de lítio localizam-se entre estas cama das ligando os poliedros [ThF9) ao longo do eixo c. Há uma desordem dos átomos de lítio que ocupam os sítios 8f e 16g na proporção 1:3. O efeito quadrupolar observado por RMN do 7Li na fase cristalina, acima de 333K, pode ser explicado pela troca de íons lítio entre sítios não equivalentes que modulam os gradientes de campo elétrico a que cada núcleo individual esta submetido. Cálculos dos componentes principais do tensor gradiente de campo elétrico, para os diferentes sítios ocupados pelo lítio, indicam a ionocovalência da ligação Th-F e o processo de difusão planar deste íon entre as camadas de poliedros de tório. O processo de difusão planar do lítio na fase cristalina Li3ThF7 comparado ao da amostra vítrea de mesma composição Li0,75Th0,25F1,75, explica o valor ligeiramente inferior da energia de ativação do lítio medido para a amostra cristalina. No cristal há periodicidade das camadas de lítio facilitando a mobilidade o que não acontece no vidro onde o encadeamento dos poliedros é distorcido a curta distância. O estudo cristaloquímico da fase policristalina LiZnF3 exibiu três tipos de estrutura possíveis: coríndon, ilmenita e LiTaO3, cujos grupos espaciais são indistinguíveis por difração de raios-X em policristais. Cálculos de segundo momento teórico comparados ao experimental observado por RMN continua do 19F, permitiram descartar a hipótese estrutural tipo LiTaO3. A desconvolução do espéctro de ressonância do 7Li, evidenciando o mascaramento dos satélites quadrupolares do lítio, possibilitou o cálculo do momento quadrupolar. Este efeito permitiu eliminar a estrutura tipo coríndon e mostrou que este é o primeiro fluoreto sintetizado com estrutura ilmenita. / The 7Li and 19F NMR study of transport properties of the vitreous phases in the system LixTh1-xF4-3x shows that both Li+ and F- are ionic carriers. In all the temperature range studied lithium cations are mobile and behave as a network modifier, meanwhile fluorine anions are mobile above 373K. The variation of the thorium coordination number (from 8.5 to 9.5) with composition is followed by vibration spectroscopy. It has been verified that, in the system LixU1-xF4-3x the coordination number of uranium (equal to 8) does not depends on the composition. The paramagnetism of uranium glasses determined by EPR and magnetic measurements, due to the paramagnetism of isolated uranium atom, forbids NMR studies on these samples. Crystal structure determination of Li3ThF7 has been performed on single crystal by X-ray diffraction: tetragonal system, space group P4/ncc; a= 6.200(1)&#197, c=12.937(2)&#197, Z=4. The structure is characterized by layers of ThF9 polyhedra sharing 4 corners in ab plane. The lithium atoms are localized between these layers and bridge ThF9 polyhedra along c-axis. There is a 1:3 disorder of lithium atoms in the sites 8f and 16g. The rapid exchange of the lithium ions between non equivalent sites modulates the electric field gradients seen by individual lithium and can explain the behavior of the 7Li quadrupolar effect observed (above 333K) in the crystalline phase. Calculations of the main components of the electric field gradient tensor according to the different sites of lithium atoms indicate a part of covalence in the Th-F bond and support the lithium planar diffusion between thorium polyhedra layers. The comparison between the lithium planar diffusion in the crystalline phase Li3ThF7, and in the vitreous composition Li0,75Th0,25F1,75 allows an explanation of the slightly weaker activation energy observed in the crystal. The periodicity of the Li+ layers in the crystal facilities this mobility hindered at the contrary by the short range distorted chains of thorium polyhedral in the glass. An X-ray study of the polycrystalline phase LiZnF3 does not permit to choose between the three possible structures: corindon, ilmenite or LiTaO3 type. A comparison between experimental and theoretical 19F second moment leads to eliminate the structural hypothesis of LiTaO3 type. The deconvolution of the 7Li resonance spectrum shows a first order quadrupolar effect of the lithium and allows the calculation of the quadrupolar splitting. This effect in contradiction with a corindon type structure, is in good agreement with the ilmenite type, showing the first fluoride synthesized with an ilmenite structure.