In memoriam Professor Zhen-Rong Lu (8 January 1946–5 January 2007)

Professor Zhen-Rong Lu, passed away on 5^th January 2007. Zhen-Rong Lu was born in Changshu in Jiangsu Province on 8^th January 1946. He received his B.Sc. in 1968 and M.Sc. in 1981 from Nanjing University. He worked for Suzhou Research Institute of Chemical Engineering (1968–1979); Department of Chemistry, Suzhou University (1981–1988); Department of Chemistry, The University of Melbourne, Australia (1988); Department of Chemistry, Monash University, Australia (1989); Testing and Analysis Center, Suzhou University, China (1990–2007). Main fields of interest have been: kinetics; relationship between thermal behavior and structure of complexes; crystal and molecular structure using thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction. He was awarded the third award of STA in 1995. Number of publications was 84 and the number of citations was 115. He was the writer of different chapters, i.e. Handbook of Thermal Analysis, Chapter 3–6, Published by John Wiley & Sons, Chichester 1998; Thermal Analysis Kinetics (in Chinese), Chapter 1, Science Press, Beijing 2001. Professional activities were: Member of the Chemical Thermodynamics and Thermal Analysis Committee (CTTA), Chinese Chemical Society (CCS) (1998–2007), Editorial Board of the Journal of Thermal Analyis and Calorimetry (2003–2007), Chairman of the Thermal Analysis Committee of Jiangsu Province (1991–2007), Chairman 3^rd Chinese Symposium on Thermoanalysis Kinetics and Thermokinetics Shihezi, China (2003). Professor Lu was a good and a cordial man always. He was extremely generous, always willing to see the positive side of life. He was a famous teacher and an outstanding researcher on a local and an international level as well. Besides his academic endeavors, he enjoyed his life spending quality time with his family and friends. We have suffered a great loss. We will miss him a lot as we have lost a true friend. May he rest in peace.     

Quinquagenary of the Scientific Work of Prof. W. Zielenkiewicz

Prof. Wojciech Zielenkiewicz was born in Warsaw on 6 June 1933. He studied chemistry at the Warsaw University and graduated in 1955. His master thesis in the field of nuclear chemistry dealt with the enrichment of bromobenzene by the Szilard-Chalmers method. Since 1955 his professional career has mostly been related to the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAS) founded in the same year. Initially, Wojciech Zielenkiewicz worked under the supervision of Prof. Wojciech Świętosławski. This cooperation had a powerful influence on Zielenkiewicz both as a researcher and as a person. His strong interest in thermochemistry at that time resulted partly from his research interest and partly from his attraction to one of the students doing her diploma who later became his wife. Zielenkiewicz’s PhD thesis carried out under Świętosławski’s supervision concerned the thermochemistry of cement hydration. For the purposes of this work, Zielenkiewicz constructed his first calorimeter – a labyrinth flow calorimeter which was a modified version of the first such calorimeter constructed by Świętosławski and Malawski in 1935. The calorimeter was applied for the determination of the heat of cement hardening. After his PhD, Zielenkiewicz worked on several other calorimeters for the study of heat of cement hydration with the quasi-adiabatic method as well as on ‘conduction’ calorimeters for the examination of the first phase of cement hydration. This activity resulted in a monograph Calorimetry and Thermochemistry of Cement written in collaboration with T. Krupa and published in 1975. In the following years, his scientific interests were focused mostly on various aspects of the transfer of heat energy in time, i.e. thermokinetics. He constructed a number of calorimeters for this type of measurements and, together with his co-workers, elaborated new numerical methods of determination of thermokinetics. Those methods were assessed at international symposia on thermokinetics organised by Zielenkiewicz in cooperation with the French Association of Calorimetry and Thermal Analysis (AFCAT). In this period, he established regular cooperation with scientists from France, Spain, and the USA. Research on thermokinetics includes not only theoretical studies but also experimental works. Most of the experiments conducted at the Department of Calorimetry headed by Prof. Zielenkiewicz were connected with inclusion compounds, particularly Werner complexes as well as porfyrine derivatives. In the last twenty years, Zielenkiewicz conducted research in the scope of biomolecules. The study resulted in the determination of thermodynamic properties of over 60 derivatives of nucleic acid bases and the establishment of new correlations between enthalpic, volume, and structural properties of the compounds examined. His most recent interests concerned the study of enthalpic processes of protein salting. Zielenkiewicz’s long and intensive work in the field of calorimetry and thermokinetics has appeared in numerous books and publications presenting his research results. He is the author of 7 monographs, a number of chapters in a monograph and about 200 scientific publications. They include, among others, Analysis of Course of Heat Effect in n-n Calorimeters, Signal Processing of Calorimetric System, Dynamic Theory (later translated into Russian and published in Russia), Advances in Calorimetry and Thermochemistry, Theory of Calorimetry written together with E. Margas and published in 2002 by Kluwer and the most recent book, Calorimetry, published in 2005. Prof. Zielenkiewicz has also been active as a supervisor. He assisted and supported the realisation of 14 completed PhD theses of the employees at the Institute of Physical Chemistry and is supervising 3 more students of the Institute. Moreover, he has been involved in the realization of several more PhD theses both in Poland and abroad. For many years Prof. Zielenkiewicz combined his activity on research with research coordination. He managed the organizational units of the Polish Academy of Sciences as the Director General of the PAS and as a Deputy Scientific Secretary. For 6 years he was a Scientific Secretary of the Division of Mathematical, Physical and Chemical Sciences of PAS. In the years 1968–2003 he headed the Laboratory and Department of Calorimetry and he was a director of the Institute of Physical Chemistry for 19 years. His directorship in the Institute happened in a very difficult period for Poland, i.e. when the Marshall Law was introduced in 1981. As numerous employees of the Institute were involved in the illegal Solidarity movement at that time, the position of a director of such an institution was extremely uncomfortable and required great abilities in dealing with the communist authorities in such a way as to protect those employees. It must be said that Prof. Zielenkiewicz faced this challenge with success. Prof. Zielenkiewicz was also an initiator of the Polish conferences on calorimetry and thermal analysis. The first one was held over 30 years ago. These conferences created an opportunity for Polish researchers to exchange their opinions and learn about the world research trends. Numerous outstanding scientists were guests at these conferences. Many of them are members of the Polish Society of Calorimetry and Thermal Analysis. Prof. Zielenkiewicz has been awarded many state and foreign medals and distinctions, among others, Wojciech Świętosł;awski’s Medal and the Calvet Award given by the French Association of Calorimetry and Thermal Analysis (AFCAT) as well as the most prominent Polish state orders including the Order of Polonia Restituta (the Knight’s Cross) and the Order of Labour Banner. He is a corresponding member of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Royal Academy of Sciences in Barcelona. Dr. Paweł Gierycz     

The Dawn of X‐Ray Astronomy (Nobel Lecture)

Riccardo Giacconi joined the American Science and Engineering Corporation (AS & E) after leaving Princeton University in 1959, and in 1962 his group there detected the first extrasolar Xray source. Prof. Giacconi was subsequently responsible for the launch and use of the satellite UHURU (1970) and the EINSTEIN observatory (1978). He was appointed Associate Director of the High Energy Astrophysics Division of the Harvard‐Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in 1973 and was also appointed Professor of Astronomy at Harvard University that same year. In 1981 he became the first Director of the Space Telescope Science Institute and was also appointed Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Johns Hopkins University. In 1992 he was appointed Director General of the European Southern Observatory, an intergovernmental organization of eight nations. Prof. Giaconni is currently President of Associated Universities, Inc., and Research Professor at Johns Hopkins University. He was awarded the Wolf Prize in 1987, and the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2002.     

Aging of the paint palette of Valerio Castello (1624–1659) in different paintings of the same age (1650–1655)

It is well known, from ancient Egypt, that some pigments and colourants can change with time for light effect or chemical attack. Cennino Cennini in the fifteenth century in his book “Il libro dell’arte o trattato della pittura” describes the use of many pigments and their degradation. He was aware of the problems and was able to suggest the answers in the use of pigments on several supports, but he could not understand the physical–chemical reason of the alteration processes. In this study, we point out the aging effects in seven paintings, practically of the same period (1650–1655). We considered in particular green, white and blue pigments of the palette of Valerio Castello. About 150 spots were selected on works painted on four different supports, canvas, wood panel, copper and slate. For each point, several determinations were carried on the pigments and decomposition products, aiming to determine the state of conservation of the paintings, the nature of the pigments, their alteration and if the support can affect the kinetics of degradation.     

From caloric to stathmograph and polarography

Present contribution briefly describes some historical features, which are focused back to the history of the Middle European learning as promoted by the foundation of the Charles University in Prague 1348. Physics and its neighboring areas are mentioned discussing some crucial scientific contributions and stressing out some prominent scholars, such as Tycho de Brahe, Johannes Kepler, Tadeáš Hájek, Marcus Marci, Jan A. Commenius (caloric), Prokop Diviš, Bernard Bolzano, Christian Doppler, Ernst Mach, Albert Einstein, Václav Šimerka, František Záviška, Čeněk Strouhal, Reinhold Fürst or Stanislav Škramovsky (statmograph) and Jaroslav Heyrovsky (polarography), the latter being already the representative of modern age.     

Meet the Board of ChemistryOpen: Sheshanath V. Bhosale

Sheshanath V. Bhosale received his PhD from Freie University Berlin (Germany) in supramolecular chemistry under the supervision of Prof. J. H. Fuhrhop in 2004. He then pursued his postdoctoral studies with Prof. S. Matile at University of Geneva (Switzerland) under the auspices of a Roche Foundation Fellowship. This was followed by a stay at Monash University (Australia) for 5 years as an ARC-APD Fellow. He worked at RMIT University, Melbourne (Australia) for 6 years as ARC-Future Fellowship. Currently, Prof. Bhosale is working at the Department of Chemistry, Goa University (India) as a UGC-FRP Professor, His research interests lie in the design and synthesis of π-functional materials, especially small molecules, for sensing, biomaterials, and supramolecular chemistry applications. So far, Prof. Bhosale has produced 185 research articles and his work has been cited more than 4400 times, giving him an h-index of 32. He currently serves as an active Editorial Board member for ChemistryOpen.     

Utilization of Derivatograph for Study of Synthesis of New Inorganic Pigments

In our laboratory, the synthesis of new inorganic pigments is followed by thermal analysis using a Derivatograph apparatus. The first information about the temperature region of the formation of the pigments investigated is provided by thermal analysis. The main attention is directed to the preparation of high-temperature colour pigments, lightfastness colour pigments, anticorrosive pigments, new ecological inorganic pigments and luminescent pigments. All inorganic pigments are useful for colouring of ceramic glazes, enamels, plastics, paints, cements and other building systems. The synthesis of all these pigments is based on temperature calcination of starting materials. Tens of new inorganic pigments have been prepared thanks to methods of thermal analysis. These synthesis are described in more than 100 Czech patents. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

In memoriam

Prof. Dr. GüNTER SAUERBREY, 1933–2003 Günter Sauerbrey died on 15 May, 2003, a few days after his 70^th birthday. For 24 years he was responsible for the Laboratory of Medical Techniques and Dosimetry of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Berlin and he also taught at Universities. His important invention was the use of a quartz oscillator as a mass sensor, the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), which he developed in his research for his doctoral thesis at the Technical University at Berlin. He described that method in two often cited papers: Phys. Verhandl., 1957. 8: p. 193 and Z. Physik, 1959. 155: p. 206–222. With the QCM, Sauerbrey introduced a new class of mass measuring devices: inertial balances. The Sauerbrey equations are the basis of all vibrational weighing systems. His experiments on QCM allowed the extension of Einstein’s equivalence principle from uniform fields to time-dependent fields. Further work was on radiometry, thermometry, medical measuring techniques, high-temperature and vacuum physics. Günter Sauerbrey participated at several Conferences on Vacuum Microbalance Techniques and discussed at these events, in particular, applications of the QCM. Requiescat in pace. Erich Robens, Vasile Mecea     

A life in structural chemistry: Hommage à Lev V. Vilkov

Lev V. Vilkov (1931–2010) dedicated his entire oeuvre to the determination and understanding of molecular structures. His works progressed parallel to the development of the Electron Diffraction Laboratory of the Faculty of Chemistry of Moscow State Lomonosov University. His legacy is precise structural data for hundreds of molecular compounds; observations concerning trends in geometrical variations among extended classes of substances; papers and monographs; and scores of pupils. He was caring as a family man; demanding in scientific research; dedicated as mentor; generous in international cooperation; devoted as friend; and had the ability to radiate his human qualities to all who had come in contact with him.     

Direct analysis of bottom sediments by a microcoulometric titration method for determination of total organic halide pollutants

Up to now the content of the organic halides in sediments was measured as extractable organic halides compounds by different methods including microcoulometric titration one. We describe a procedure for microcoulometric determination of total organic halide pollutants by using a direct combustion of the sediments into the microcoulometric system furnace. An accelerated removal of the inorganic chlorides by reaction with potassium nitrate using ultrasonic radiation was attained. The procedure was validated for analysis of bottom sediments from natural and anthropogenic sources. The repeatability RSD = 8.5%, the expanded relative uncertainty U (n = 7, P = 95%, k = 2) = 6.4%, the reproducibility RSD was within the range 10.0–7.3%, the average recovery R = 97.6% and method LOD = 11 mg kg⁻¹ Cl. Correspondence: Zara V. Aneva, Analytical Department, University “Prof. Dr. Assen Zlatarov”, Nr. 1 Prof. Yakimov street, 8010 Bourgas, Bulgaria     

Thermal study of the Ce<Subscript>0.9</Subscript>Tb<Subscript>0.1</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> pigment prepared by different synthesis

The inorganic ceramic compounds based on the CeO₂ belong into the group of high-temperature pigments. The pigments have been prepared by the classical dry process (i.e. solid-state reaction) in the temperature range from 1,300 to 1,600 °C and by the coprecipitation at the three different temperatures: 400, 600 and 1,100 °C. The principal of these pigments makes the host lattice of the CeO₂, which is doped by terbium ions. This incorporation of the doped ions leads to obtaining of the interesting dark orange colour after application into ceramic glaze. The aim of our research was to improve and optimize the synthesis conditions of these pigments. The samples were submitted to thermal analysis (TG–DTA) for determination of the temperature interval of the pigment formation and the thermal stability of pigments. The compounds were also measured from the point of view of their colouring, structure and particle size distribution.     

The Thermal Analysis of Binary Zn(II)–Sr(II) Cyclo-tetraphosphates

Binary Zn(II)–Sr(II) cyclo-tetraphosphates have been synthesised as new binary compounds. The synthesis is based on a thermal procedure making use of the reversible transformation of cyclo- tetraphosphates to higher linear phosphates. With respect to the proposed application of these products as special inorganic pigments some properties (thermal stability, structural parameters, anticorrosion activity) have been determined. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Scientist up to the highest level

Dr. Miroslav Kyrš, DrSc. passed away prematurely and unexpectedly in August 2006 at age of 75. He was a leading person of the Czech radiochemistry during the second half of the 20th century and his results have of world-wide impact. His diligence, intelligence and permanent activity led him to be at first a laboratory chief and subsequently for about 25 years to be a chief of the Radiochemical Department of Czech Nuclear Research Institute (NRI) at Řež near Prague.     

H. C. Brown Centennial (1912–2004)

Herbert Brown discovered the reaction of hydroboration and the most successful compound he made was sodium borohydride. His life and research activities took interesting turns and seemed often governed by serendipity. He was consistent in his hard work and dedication to chemistry. He was both an inorganic and an organic chemist and his research often presented challenges to the structural chemists.     

Thermal synthesis of the (Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>1–x</Subscript>(Er<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>x</Subscript> pigments

The synthesis of new compounds based on Bi₂O₃ is investigated because they can be used as new environmentally friendly inorganic pigments. Chemical compounds of the (Bi₂O₃)_1–x(Er₂O₃)_x type were synthetized. The host lattice of these pigments is Bi2O3 that is doped by Er³⁺ ions. The incorporation of doped ions provides interesting colours and contributes to an increase in the thermal stability of these compounds. The simultaneous TG-DTA measurements were used for determination of the temperature region of the pigment formation and thermal stability of pigments.     

Oscillatory diffuse X-ray scattering from lead chalcogenides

New inorganic compounds having the general formula (Bi₂O₃)_1−x (Lu₂O₃) _x (x ranges from 0.1 to 0.5) displaying orange colours have been synthesized by traditional solid-state route, as viable alternatives to lead, cadmium and chromium based yellow toxic inorganic pigments. The host lattice of these pigments is Bi₂O₃ that is doped by Lu³⁺ ions. The goal was to develop conditions for the synthesis of these compounds and to determine the influence of calcination temperature and lutetium content on their colouring effects. The simultaneous TG-DTA measurements were used for determination of the temperature region of the pigment formation and thermal stability of pigments. The pigments were also evaluated from the standpoint of their structure and particle sizes.     

Synthesis and characterization of newberyite

Phosphates belong to the extensive group of inorganic pigments that are very often used in industry of plastics and anticorrosive paints. Also, the powders of newberyite MgHPO₄·3H₂O and α-pyrophosphate Mg₂P₂O₇ can find the usage in this field. Thus, these compounds were the centre of our attention. Newberyite and α-pyrophosphate were synthesized by the method of gelling. Impact of various ways of synthesis, especially reaction conditions, on the structural, thermal, physical and optical properties was investigated. α-pyrophosphate was synthesized by the thermal decomposition of newberyite at temperature around 500°C. Both powders are white color, but the newberyite is the whitest one. The reaction pH particularly affected the particle size distribution and optical properties.     

分子间选择性作用力和控制论化学——金松寿教授研究简介

金松寿教授是著名的量子化学及化学动力学专家。年近九旬的他如今仍然锲而不舍地在学习、研究,把握化学研究的发展方向。他在催化集团结构适应性及无机化合物溶解度领域做了大量的工作,重要的成就是发现了选择性分子间力并用以阐释物性如溶解度、吸附、色谱中的反常现象,还可以解释溶媒对反应速度的影响。相似的选择力后来被外国科学家在超分子研究中得到证实和发展。他还推动了控制论化学的应用,对化学中的许多疑难繁琐的现象给出清晰满意的解释。