Sol-Gel Synthesis and Pyrolysis Study of Oxyfluoride Silica Gels

Silicon oxyfluoride materials are synthesized by the sol-gel method using triethoxyfluorosilane as precursor, bearing the Si—F bond. SiO_(2–0.5x) F _x gel preparation requires peculiar experimental control of hydrolysis and condensation reactions. Maintenance of the Si—F bond during gelling, heating and aging was studied in the case of processes carried out under an argon atmosphere or in air. Fluorine contents in resulting samples were quantified by FT-IR and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS); specific surface area and porosity of powdered samples were determined by N₂ adsorption. The thermal stability of oxyfluoride gels was studied by thermogravimetric-mass spectrometric (TG-MS) coupled analyses during heat treatment, under He flow. Mass spectra recorded during principal weight losses indicate the release of variously fluorinated silicon species resulting from Si—F/Si—O exchange reactions. The evolution of these species was observed at different temperatures, depending on gelling conditions. In particular, degradation of Si—F moieties was prominent for gels aged in air, whereas samples processed under an argon atmosphere preserve the Si—F bond up to 300°C.     

Polysiloxane-Diamine Modified Gel as Precursor to Crystalline/Amorphous Si3N4

New hybrid organic-inorganic materials are prepared by reaction of polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS) with aniline (An) or 4,4-diamino,diphenyl methane (APM) through a condensation between NH₂-terminated amines and Si—H groups. The obtained modified-polysiloxane is a liquid polymer (PS-An) in the first case and a cross-linked gel (PS-APM) in the second one. The chemical structures of PS-An and PS-APM were investigated by ²⁹Si nuclear magnetic resonance and were proved to be formed of created (Si—O)₂(Me)Si—N(H)— and unreacted (Si—O)₂(Me)Si—H sites. The pyrolysis of the diamine-based gel has been carried out in N₂ atmosphere up to 1450°C. FTIR, ²⁹Si MAS NMR and X-ray diffraction have shown that Si—O and Si—C bonds are totally broken during pyrolysis and that the final product is formed of crystalline and amorphous silicon nitride in the presence of a free carbon phase.     

Free Radical Reactions of N2O Molecules

Experimental data are presented on the spectral (ESR, IR, and optical) and thermochemical characteristics of a complex between the (Si–O)₃Si^.radical and an N₂O molecule. The rate constants of separate reactions in the systems (Si–O)₃Si^.+ N₂O and (Ge–O)₃Ge^.+ N₂O are found. The results of quantum chemical calculations of potential energy surfaces and spectral characteristics are presented for the following systems: H^.+ N₂O, H₃C^.+ N₂O, H₃Si^.+ N₂O, F₂HSi^.+ N₂O, F₃Si^.+ N₂O, and F₃Ge^.+ N₂O. The latter three systems served as molecular models for experimentally found systems. Based on experimental and theoretical data, the product of N₂O addition to (Si–O)₃Si^.has the structure Si–N=N–O^.. The reactions of free radicals H^., H₃C^., H₃Si^., F₂HSi^., F₃Si^., (Si–O)₃Si^., and (Ge–O)₃Ge^.with N₂O are compared. The spectrum of optical absorbance of the (Si–O)₃Si–O^.radical is recorded and qualitatively characterized.     

DFT study of the mechanism of alkane hydrogenolysis by transition metal hydrides. 1. Interaction of silica-supported zirconium hydrides with methane

Model reactions of silica-supported zirconium hydrides (Si—O—)₃ZrH and (Si—O—)₂ZrH₂ with methane, resulting in cleavage of a C—H bond in the methane molecule and the formation of (Si—O—)₃ZrCH₃ and (Si—O—)₂Zr(H)CH₃ as products were studied using the DFT approach with the PBE density functional. The processes proceed as bimolecular reactions without preliminary formation of agostic complexes. According to calculations, zirconium dihydrides (Si—O—)₂ZrH₂ are more reactive toward the methane C—H bonds than zirconium monohydrides (Si—O—)₃ZrH. The calculated activation energies of the reactions with participation of zirconium dihydrides (Si—O—)₂ZrH₂ are in better agreement with the known experimental data for the Yermakov—Basset catalytic system.     

Kinetic and spectroscopic analysis of NH3 decomposition under R.F. Plasma at moderate pressures

The plasma decomposition of NH₃ has been studied as a function of the residence time, power input, and pressure. The process follows apparently zero-order kinetics, which can be interpreted on the basis of a kinetic mechanism involving as initial step the rupture of an N-H bond from vibro-rotationally excited modecules. Simultaneous spectroscopic observations of the emission light due to electronically excited NH₂, NH, H, and N₂ have been used to confirm the suggested mechanism and to show that NH₂ and NH are successive intermediate species and that the final step of the decomposition process is the bimolecular recombination NH+NHN₂+H₂.     

Decomposition of SiCl4 and deposition of Si in inductively coupled plasmas of H2+SiCl4

The mechanism of homogeneous reactions in plasmas of H₂+5%SiCl₄ was studied by mass spectrometry and was compared to the mechanism observed in plasmas of Ar+H₂+SiCl₄. Contrary to the behavior with Ar, the results indicate that without argon the SiCl₄ molecule undergoes only fragmentation and the deposition proceeds through SiCl₂. No polymerization was observed. The deposition rates of c-Si were lower and the amounts of chlorine incorporated in the films were higher in the plasma of SiCl₄+H₂ than in the argon-containing plasma.     

Isolierung und Strukturaufklärung eines hämolytisch wirkenden Polypeptides aus dem Abwehrsekret europäischer Unken

Zusammenfassung Ein aus 24 Aminosäuren bestehendes Polypeptid wurde aus dem Abwehrsekret europäischer Unken isoliert. Abbauversuche machen folgende Primärstruktur wahrscheinlich:H₂N—Gly—Ile—Gly—Ala—Leu—Ser—Ala—Lys—Gly—Ala—Leu—Lys—Gly—Leu—Ala—Lys—Gly—Leu—Ala—GluX—His—Phe—Ala—Asp(NH₂)₂.Das Polypeptid (Bombinin) wird durch die proteolytischen Enzyme des Unkengiftes rasch abgebaut. Es wirkt hämolytisch und zeigt gewisse strukturelle Analogien zu Melittin.

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Isolation and structure of an hemolytic polypeptide from the defensive secretion of european bombina species

A tetracosapeptide has been isolated from the defensive secretion of European unks. The following primary structure is proposed:H₂N—Gly—Ile—Gly—Ala—Leu—Ser—Ala—Lys—Gly—Ala—Leu—Lys—Gly—Leu—Ala—Lys—Gly—Leu—Ala—GluX—His—Phe—Ala—Asp(NH₂)₂.The polypeptide (bombinin) is quickly hydrolyzed by the proteolytic enzymes of the unk toxin. Bombinin shows hemolytic activity. Its structure resembles somewhat that of melittin.

     

N—H bond dissociation energies in <Emphasis Type="Italic">N,N</Emphasis>′-diphenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine and its aminyl radical

The N—H bond dissociation energy (D _NH) in the 4-anilinodiphenylaminyl radical formed from N,N-diphenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine was experimentally determined and calculated by the quantum-chemical method. The experimental D _NH value was found from the enthalpy of the reaction of N,N-diphenyl-1,4-benzoquinonediimine with 4-hydroxydiphenylamine taking into account the bond dissociation energies in 4-hydroxydiphenylamine and its aminyl and phenoxyl radicals, which were determined by the intersecting parabolas method from the kinetic data. The quantum-chemical calculations of D _NH used several semiempirical methods by the MOPAC program and the ab initio and DFT methods by the GAUSSIAN 94/98 program. The D _NH values, which were closest to the experimental values, were obtained by the B3LYP/6-31+G* method. The results of quantum-chemical calculations of the N—H and O—H bond dissociation energies in 4-hydroxydiphenylamine and its radicals are presented.Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 8, pp. 1549–1554, August, 2004.     

Interaction of bivalent transition metal ions with iminodiacetato-(pentaammine/tetraammine)cobalt(III) ions. A kinetic and equilibrium study

Summary The kinetics of reversible complexation of Ni^II and Co^II with iminodiacetato(pentaammine)cobalt(III), [(NH₃)₅-Co(idaH₂)]³⁺ and Ni^II with iminodiacetato(tetraammine)-cobalt(III), [(NH₃)₄Co(idaH)]²⁺, have been investigated by the stopped-flow technique at 25 °C, pH = 5.7–6.9 and I = 0.3 mol dm ^–3. The reaction paths (NH₃)₅Co(idaH)²⁺+M²⁺(NH₃)₅Co(ida)M³⁺+H⁺ (NH₃)₅Co(ida)⁺+M²⁺(NH₃)₅Co(ida)M³⁺ (NH₃)₄Co(ida)⁺+Ni²⁺(NH₃)₄Co(ida)Ni³⁺ have been identified (idaH = N⁺H₂(CH₂CO₂)₂H, ida = NH(CH₂COO)^2–]. The rate parameters for the formation and dissociation of the binuclear species are reported. The data are essentially consistent with an I _d mechanism. The dissociation rate constants of the binuclear species indicate that Ni²⁺ and Co²⁺ are chelated by the coordinated iminodiacetate moiety.     

Copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes of N,N′-bis(2-cyanoethyl)-5, 7-dioxo-1,4,8,11-tetra-azacyclotetradecane

Summary Reaction of 5,7-dioxo-1,4,8,11-tetra-azacyclotetradecane with acrylonitrile gives the dicyanoethylated ligand (L). The Cu^II complex [CuLH_-2]·2H₂O has been isolated from basic solution where the macrocycle is deprotonated and acts as a dinegative quadridentate ligand. The ligand L is protonated in acidic solution and the ionisation equilibria can be summarised as LH _inf2 ^sup2+ LH⁺ +H⁺; K₁ LH⁺ L + H⁺; K₂ where pK₁ = 3.05 and pK₂ = 5.94 at 25 °C and I = 0.1 mol dm^-3 (NaNO₃). Complexation with Cu^II can be represented by the equilibria at 25 °C. Cu²⁺ + L [CuLH_-1]⁺ + H⁺; log_{11 – 1} = -3.43 Cu²⁺ + L [CuLH_-2] + 2H²⁺; log_{11 – 2} = -9.18 For Ni^II only the single equilibrium is of importance. Ni²⁺ + L [NiLH_-2] + 2H²⁺; log_{11 – 2} = -14.45     

Anodic Dissolution of Palladium in Sulfuric Acid: An Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance Study

Regularities of formation of a palladium oxide layer and its cathodic reduction in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ at 0.5–1.3 V (SHE) are studied by cyclic voltammetry, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance. A pure Pd plate and a 0.5-m-thick Pd coating on gold-sputtered quartz crystal is used for electrochemical and microgravimetric studies. It is shown that a Pd electrode dissolves electrochemically in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ when its potential is cycled between 0.5 and 1.3 V. In the case of 0.5-m-thick Pd coating on the gold substrate, the decrease in the electrode weight during one anodic–cathodic cycle is 1.0–1.5 g/cm². It is suggested that anodic process at 0.5–1.3 V (SHE) represents electrochemical oxidation of palladium, yielding a surface layer of poorly soluble Pd(OH)₂ and/or PdO phases, as expressed by the equation Pd + 2H₂O (Pd(OH)₂/PdO)_s + 2H⁺ + 2e. This surface layer, (Pd(OH)₂/PdO)_s, undergoes reduction during the cathodic process. About 5% of the total amount of ionized palladium dissolve in electrolyte.     

Preparation and Characterization of SiO2-MxOy(M = V, Sn, Sb) Thin Films from Silicic Acid and Metal Chlorides

The preparation of SiO₂-M _x O _y (M = V, Sn, Sb) binary oxide thin films by sol-gel method was investigated. The reaction of silicic acid with metal chloride (M = Sn and Sb) or oxychloride (M = V) formed homogeneous solutions. The dip-coating of slide glass and silicon wafer followed by heat treatment gave oxide films having Si—O—M bond. The changes of FT-IR spectra as a function of heat treatment temperature and molar composition confirmed the Si—O—M bonds. The sheet resistance of films increased with an increase on heat treatment temperature and decrease in the content of metal oxide M _x O _y . X-ray diffraction peaks were observed for the SiO₂-V₂O₅ films with high V₂O₅ contents and heat-treated above 250°C, while the others were amorphous. Oxide films heat treated at 500°C had a thickness between 340–470 nm.     

Electrochemical behaviour of p-Si in methanol solutions of chlorides

The mechanism of anodic dissolutions of p-Si single crystals in CH₃OH–LiCl and CH₃OH–LiCl–HCl solutions was investigated by means of the following electrochemical methods: linear sweep voltammetry, the potentiostatic transient technique and XPS surface analysis. The dissolution of p-Si proceeds by a two-step mechanism with the creation of a Si(II) surface intermediate. At low anodic overvoltage the dissolution proceeds with the formation of porous silicon, probably through the reaction: 2Si(II)Si+Si(IV). Structural etching of the single crystals surface was observed at high anodic overvoltage (E>2 V). At this potential range, silicon dissolves with the formation of a Si(IV) soluble product. Electrolysis of the methanol solvent containing Si(IV) in the cell p-Si|CH₃OH–LiCl–Si(IV)|M, where M=Pt, Cu or 18/8 stainless steel, leads to the deposition of an amorphous organosilicon layer on the cathode. The analysis of the deposit performed by means of XPS, FTIR and SEM allows determination of the morphology and composition of the film. The layer consists of Si–OCH₃ compounds and can be created only in methanol solvent. The film is unstable in a humid atmosphere and undergoes transformation into a Si–OH layer.Contribution to the 3rd Baltic Conference on Electrochemistry, Gdansk-Sobieszewo, Poland, 23–26 April 2003Dedicated to the memory of Harry B. Mark, Jr. (28 February 1934–3 March 2003)     

Simple and quick rotational temperature determination in N2-containing discharge plasma

A quick spectroscopic method of rotational temperature determination based on the low-resolution emission spectrum of the N₂ (v=2v=()) vibronic band profile of the second positive system iras developed. The new method of molecular gas temperature determination was used in an rf glow discharge excited in N₂ and N₂ + Ar + B₂ H₆ gas mixture at u pressure range 500–13011 Pa. This method of molecular gas temperature measurement is applicable to nonisothermic plasmas used in plasma-chemical reactors.     

Quantitative electron-probe microanalysis of light elements: Determination ofa-Si∶C∶N∶O∶H insulating films

Amorphous SiCNOH films (1–3 m) are studied by EPMA after deposition of gold (1–5 nm) as a conductive coating. Its influence on thek-ratios (X-ray intensity relative to an uncoated standard) of silicon, carbon, nitrogen and oxygen is described as a linear function of the simultaneously determinedk-ratio of gold. Thek-ratios representing the uncoated specimen are obtained by extrapolation and, in combination with the PAP matrix correction model, quantitative EPMA can be performed with an analytical error of 2–5%, as it is demonstrated by samples of SiC, Si₃N₄ and SiO₂. No systematic shift of the concentrations is observed for layers ofa-SiCNOH determined at various electron energies of 5–12.5 keV. Hydrogen is calculated by difference and the concentrations prove to be a useful estimate in agreement with the results of chemical analysis. Si-K/Si-K spectra recorded on organo-silicon films and binary silicon compounds point out significant differences concerning the formation of Si-C, Si-N and Si-O chemical bonds.     

Analysis of Low-k Organosilicon and Low-Density Silica Films Deposited in HMDSO Plasmas

Low-dielectric constant (low-k) films have been prepared by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition from hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO). The films are analyzed by ellipsometry, infrared absorption spectroscopy while their electrical properties are deduced from C–V and I–V measurements performed on metal/insulator/silicon structures. First, it is shown that the carbon-containing silicon oxide films deposited in HMDSO and HMDSO/Ar plasmas have a dielectric constant equal to 3.0 ± 0.1 and are thermally stable at 400°C. The leakage current densities measured for an electric field of 1 MV/cm are less than 10^–9 A/cm² and the breakdown fields are in the range of 6–7 MV/cm. Then, a low-density silica film was obtained by exposing a film deposited in an HMDSO plasma to an O₂ plasma. The dielectric constant of this low-density silica film is 3.5 and its breakdown field is close to 6 MV/cm.     

Gold(III) Macrocyclic Complexes in Aqueous Solution

Synthesis of 5,7,12,14-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradeca-4,6,11,13-tetraenatogold(III) perchlorate is described. The behavior of complex cations of gold(III) with macrocyclic ligands—N,N"-bis(2-aminoethyl)-2,4-pentanediiminatogold(III) (A²⁺) and 5,7,12,14-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradeca-4,6,11,13-tetraenatogold(III) (B⁺)—is studied in aqueous solutions. The formation of A²⁺and B⁺complexes and the protonation of a B⁺complex are investigated, and the solubility products are determined for perchlorate salts of A²⁺and B⁺cations. The six-membered -diiminate rings of the complex cation B⁺are suggested to be nonequivalent in aqueous solutions: one of them either undergoes intramolecular rearrangement or becomes entirely open.     

Preparation of Silica Microspheres Containing Ag Nanoparticles

Two sol-gel fabrication processes were investigated to make silica spheres containing Ag nanoparticles: (1) a modified Stöber method for silica spheres below 1 m size, and (2) a SiO₂-film formation method on spheres of 3–;7 m size. The spheres were designed to incorporate silver nanoparticles of high ⁽³⁾ in a spherical optical cavity structure for the resonance effect. For the incorporation, interaction between [Ag(NH₃)₂]⁺ ion and Si-OH was important. In the Stöber method, the size of the silica spheres was determined by a charge balance of plus and minus ions on the silica surface. In the film formation method, the capture of Ag complex ion on the silica surface depended on whether the surface was covered with OH groups or not. After doping [Ag(NH₃)₂]⁺ into silica particles or SiO₂ films on the spheres, these ions w ere reduced by NaBH₄ to form silver nanoparticles. From plasma absorption at around 420 nm wavelength and TEM photographs of nanometer-sized silver particles, their formation inside the spherical cavity structures was confirmed.     

Characterization of airborne particulates by laser microprobe mass analysis

Summary Laser microprobe mass analysis (LAMMA) was applied to characterize aerosol particles collected and separated from 16m to 0.06m by a low pressure cascade impactor. Positive ion LAMMA spectra showed characteristic molecular peaks such as PbCl⁺, a series of Si₂O⁺–Si₂O₄ ⁺ and NaAl₂Si₂O₂ ⁺–NaAl₂Si₂O₅ ⁺, and TiO⁺ in 0.06–0.12m, 0.5–1m and 4–8m fraction, respectively. In the negative ion LAMMA spectra, it was observed that the fragment peaks of sulfate ions were deficient above 2m and those of nitrate ions were deficient under 2m. LAMMA allows remarkable insights into the chemical nature of aerosol particles.

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Charakterisierung luftgetragener Teilchen durch Laser-Microprobe-Massenspektrometrie

Zusammenfassung Laser-Microprobe-Spektrometrie (LAMMS) wurde zur Analyse atmosphärischen Aerosols herangezogen, welches im Korngrößenbereich zwischen 16m und 0.06m mit einem Niederdruckkaskadenimpaktor fraktioniert gesammelt wurde. Positive LAMMS-Spektren zeigten charakteristische molekulare Peaks, wie etwa PbCl⁺, eine Serie von Si₂O⁺–Si₂O₄ ⁺ und NaAl₂Si₂O₂ ⁺–NaAl₂Si₂O₅ ⁺, sowie TiO⁺ in der 0,06–0,12-m,- 0,5–1–m- bzw. 4–8-m-Fraktion. In den negativen LAMMS-Spektren konnten über 2m keine Fragmentpeaks für Sulfationen, unter 2m. keine für Nitrationen beobachtet werden. LAMMS ermöglicht eine bemerkenswerte Einsicht in die chemische Natur von Aerosolteilchen.

     

New water-soluble and film-forming aminocellulose tosylates as enzyme support matrices with Cu<Superscript>2+</Superscript>-chelating properties

Within the framework of our studies on enzyme-compatible support matrix structures, we succeeded in making further derivatives of the new aminocellulose type P–CH₂–NH–(X)–NH₂ (P = cellulose); (X) = –(CH₂)₂– (EDA), –(CH₂)₂–NH–(CH₂)₂– (DETA), –(CH₂)₃–NH–(CH₂)₃– (DPTA), –(CH₂)₂–NH–(CH₂)₂–NH–(CH₂)₂– (TETA) accessible by nucleophilic substitution reaction with ethylenediamine (EDA) and selected oligoamines starting from 6(2)-O-tosylcellulose tosylate (DS_tosylate = 0.8). The ¹³C-NMR data show that the EDA and oligoamine residues are at C6 of the anhydroglucose unit (AGU) and that OH and tosylate are also (partially) present at C6. OH and partially tosylate are at C2/C3. All the synthesized aminocellulose tosylates were soluble in water and formed transparent films from their solutions. The aminocellulose tosylate solutions and the films prepared from them formed blue-coloured chelate complexes with Cu²⁺ ions, whose absorption maxima at wavelengths in the VIS region were located similarly to those of the Cu²⁺ chelate complexes with EDA and with the oligoamines. AFM investigations have shown that the aminocellulose films, depending on structural and environment-induced factors influencing e.g. SiO₂ polymer films, exhibit flat topographies (<1 nm), and on protonated NH₂ polymer films, such as aminopropyl-functionalized polysiloxane films, nanostructured topographies of derivative-dependent shape and nanostructure size as film supports in the form of nanotubes. The aminocellulose films could be covalently coupled with glucose oxidase enzyme by various known and novel bifunctional reactions via NH₂-reactive compounds. In this connection, it was confirmed again that the immobilized enzyme parameters, such as enzyme activity/area and K_M value, can be changed by the interplay of aminocellulose film, coupling structure and enzyme protein in the sense of an application-relevant optimization.