Thermochemical Properties of Dissolution of Nicotinic Acid C<Subscript>6</Subscript>H<Subscript>5</Subscript>NO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(s) in Aqueous Solution

Nicotinic acid (also known as niacin) was recrystallized from anhydrous ethanol. X-ray crystallography was applied to characterize its crystal structure. The crystal belongs to the monoclinic system, space group P2₍₁₎/c. The crystal cell parameters are a = 0.71401(4) nm, b = 1.16195(7) nm, c = 0.71974(6) nm, α = 90°, β = 113.514(3)°, γ = 90° and Z = 4. Molar enthalpies of dissolution of the compound, at different molalities m/(mol·kg^?1) were measured with an isoperibol solution–reaction calorimeter at T = 298.15 K. The molar enthalpy of solution at infinite dilution was calculated, according to Pitzer’s electrolyte solution model and found to be \( \Delta_{\text{sol}} H_{m}^{\infty } = ( 2 7. 3 \pm 0. 2) \) kJ·mol^?1 and Pitzer’s parameters (\( \beta_{{\text{MX}}}^{{\text{(0)}L}} \), \( \beta_{{\text{MX}}}^{{\text{(1)}L}} \) and \( C_{{\text{MX}}}^{\phi L} \)) were obtained. The values of apparent relative molar enthalpies (\( {}^{\phi }L \)) and relative partial molar enthalpies (\( \overline{{L_{2} }} \) and \( \overline{{L_{1} }} \)) of the solute and the solvent at different molalities were derived from the experimental enthalpy of dissolution values of the compound. Also, the standard molar enthalpy of formation of the anion \( {\text{C}}_{ 6} {\text{H}}_{ 4} \text{NO}_{2}^{-} \) in aqueous solution was calculated to be \( {\Delta_{\text{f}}^{} H}_{\text{m}}^{\text{o}} ({\text{C}}_{ 6} {\text{H}}_{ 4} {\text{NO}}_{2}^{-} \text{,aq}) = - \left( {603.2 \pm 1.2} \right)\;{\text{kJ}}{\cdot}{\text{mol}}^{-1} \).     

Solubility Thermodynamics of CyMe$$_{}$$-BTBP in Various Diluents Mixed with TBP

The two organic ligands 6,6′-bis(5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobenzo[1,2,4]triazin-3-yl)[2,2′]bipyridine (CyMe\(_{4}\)-BTBP) and tri-butyl phosphate (TBP) have previously been investigated in different diluents for use within recycling of used nuclear fuel through solvent extraction. The thermodynamic parameters, \(K_{\mathrm{S}}\), \(\Delta C_{p}\), \(\Delta H^{0}\) and \(\Delta S^{0}\), of the CyMe\(_{4}\)-BTBP solubility in three diluents (cyclohexanone, octanol and phenyl trifluoromethyl sulfone) mixed with TBP have been studied at 288, 298 and 308 K, both as pristine solutions and pre-equilibrated with 4 mol\(\cdot \)L\(^{-1}\) nitric acid. In addition, the amount of acid in the organic phase and density change after pre-equilibration have been measured. The solubility of CyMe\(_{4}\)-BTBP increases with an increased temperature in all systems, especially after acid pre-equilibration. This increased CyMe\(_{4}\)-BTBP solubility after pre-equilibration could be explained by acid dissolution into the solvent. Comparing the \(\Delta H^{0}\) and \(\Delta S^{0}\) calculated using \(\Delta C_{p}\) with the same parameters derived from a linear fit indicates temperature independence of all three thermodynamic systems. The change in enthalpy is positive in all solutions.     

Solvent extraction of calcium and strontium into nitrobenzene by using synergistic mixture of hydrogen dicarbollylcobaltate and diphenyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-butylcarbamoylmethyl phosphine oxide

Extraction of microamounts of calcium and strontium by a nitrobenzene solution of hydrogen dicarbollylcobaltate (H⁺B^?) in the presence of diphenyl-N-butylcarbamoylmethyl phosphine oxide (DPBCMPO, L) has been investigated. The equilibrium data have been explained assuming that the species HL⁺, \( {\text{HL}}_{2}^{ + } \), \( {\text{ML}}_{2}^{2 + } \), \( {\text{ML}}_{3}^{2 + } \) and \( {\text{ML}}_{4}^{2 + } \) (M²⁺ = Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺) are extracted into the organic phase. The values of extraction and stability constants of the cationic complexes in nitrobenzene saturated with water have been determined. In the considered nitrobenzene medium, it was found that the stability of the \( {\text{SrL}}_{2,{\text{org}}}^{2 + } \) complex is somewhat higher than that of species \( {\text{CaL}}_{2,{\text{org}}}^{2 + } \), while the stability constants of the remaining strontium complexes \( {\text{SrL}}_{3,{\text{org}}}^{2 + } \) and \( {\text{SrL}}_{4,{\text{org}}}^{2 + } \) are smaller than those of the corresponding complex species \( {\text{CaL}}_{n}^{2 + } \) (n = 3, 4).     

Transition-metal dichalcogenide heterostructure solar cells: a numerical study

We evaluate the tunneling short-circuit current density \(J_{TU}\) in a p–i–n solar cell in which the transition metal dichalcogenide heterostructure (\(\hbox {MoS}_2/\hbox {WS}_2\) superlattice) is embedded in the intrinsic i region. The effects of varying well and barrier widths, Fermi energy levels and number of quantum wells in the i region on \(J_{TU}\) are examined. A similar analysis is performed for the thermionic current \(J_{TH}\) that arises due to the escape and recapture of charge carriers between adjacent potential wells in the i-region. The interplay between \(J_{TU}\) and \(J_{TH}\) in the temperature range (300–330 K) is examined. The thermionic current is seen to exceed the tunneling current considerably at temperatures beyond 310 K, a desirable attribute in heterostructure solar cells. This work demonstrates the versatility of monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides when utilized as fabrication materials for van der Waals heterostructure solar cells.     

Intrinsic ratios of glucose,fructose, glycerol and ethanol <Superscript>13</Superscript>C/<Superscript>12</Superscript>C isotopic ratio determined by HPLC-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-IRMS: toward determining constants for wine authentication

High-performance liquid chromatography linked to isotope ratio mass spectrometry (HPLC-co-IRMS) via a Liquiface© interface has been used to simultaneously determine ¹³C isotope ratios of glucose (G), fructose (F), glycerol (Gly) and ethanol (Eth) in sweet and semi-sweet wines. The data has been used the study of wine authenticity. For this purpose, 20 authentic wines from various French production areas and various vintages have been analyzed after dilution in pure water from 20 to 200 times according to sugar content. If the ¹³C isotope ratios vary according to the production area and the vintage, it appears that internal ratios of ¹³C isotope ratios \(\left( {R_{^{13} C} } \right)\) of the four compounds studied can be considered as a constant. Thus, ratios of isotope ratios are found to be 1.00?±?0.04 and 1.02?±?0.08 for \(R_{^{13} C_{G/F} }\) and \(R_{^{13} C_{Gly/Eth} }\), respectively. Moreover, \(R_{^{13} C_{Eth/Sugar} }\) is found to be 1.15?±?0.10 and 1.16?±?0.08 for \(R_{^{13} C_{Gly/Sugar} }\). Additions of glucose, fructose and glycerol to a reference wine show a variation of the \(R_{^{13} C}\) value for a single product addition as low as 2.5 g/L^?1. Eighteen commercial wines and 17 concentrated musts have been analyzed. Three wine samples are suspicious as the \(R_{^{13} C}\) values are out of range indicating a sweetening treatment. Moreover, concentrated must analysis shows that ¹³C isotope ratio can be also used directly to determine the authenticity of the matrix.

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Figure HPLC-co-IRMS chromatogram of a diluted sweet wine.

     

Deposition Morphology and Magnetism of Co,Pt Adatoms and Small CoPt Adclusters on Ni(100) Substrate

Theoretical calculations of Co\(_{n-x}\)Pt\(_x\) (n = 1–3; \(x \le n\)) clusters on Ni(100) surface for their spin and orbital magnetic moments, as well as the magnetic anisotropy energy (MAE), are performed by using the density-functional theory (DFT) method including a self-consistent treatment of spin–orbit coupling (SOC). The results reveal that the ferromagnetic Co atoms in intra Co\(_{n-x}\)Pt\(_x\) adclusters couple ferromagnetically to their underlayer Ni atoms. The predominant inter-interactions between Co adatoms and Ni surface with the partly filled 3d band, together with the secondary intra-interactions between Co adatoms and Pt adatoms with fully filled 5d band, lead to a strongly quenched orbital moment (\(\mu _{\mathrm{{orb}}}^{\mathrm{{Co}}}\) = 0.18–0.14 \(\mu _B\); \(\mu _{\mathrm{{orb}}}^{\mathrm{{Pt}}} \approx \) 0.24–0.19 \(\mu _B\)) but a less quenched spin moment (\(\mu _{\mathrm{{spin}}}^{\mathrm{{Co}}} \approx \) 2.0 \(\mu _B\); \(\mu _{\mathrm{{spin}}}^{\mathrm{{Pt}}} \approx \) 0.35 \( \mu _B\)). The MAEs of CoPt adclusters exhibit a strong dependence on alloying effect rather than size effect, which is direly proportional to SOC strength and orbital moment anisotropy. The oxidations of CoPt clusters always reduce orbital magnetic moments and consequently decrease the corresponding MAEs.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and thermodynamics of a high-nitrogen copper complex with <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-bis-(1(2)H-tetrazol-5-yl) amine

A new high-nitrogen complex [Cu(Hbta)₂]·4H₂O (H₂bta = N,N-bis-(1(2)H-tetrazol-5-yl) amine) was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, single crystal X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analyses. X-ray structural analyses revealed that the crystal was monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c with lattice parameters a = 14.695(3) Å, b = 6.975(2) Å, c = 18.807(3) Å, β = 126.603(1)°, Z = 4, D _c = 1.888 g cm^?3, and F(000) = 892. The complex exhibits a 3D supermolecular structure which is built up from 1D zigzag chains. The enthalpy change of the reaction of formation for the complex was determined by an RD496–III microcalorimeter at 25 °C with the value of ?47.905 ± 0.021 kJ mol^?1. In addition, the thermodynamics of the reaction of formation of the complex was investigated and the fundamental parameters k, E, n, \( \Updelta S_{ \ne }^{{{\uptheta}}} \), \( \Updelta H_{ \ne }^{{{\uptheta}}} \), and \( \Updelta G_{ \ne }^{{{\uptheta}}} \) were obtained. The effects of the complex on the thermal decomposition behaviors of the main component of solid propellant (HMX and RDX) indicated that the complex possessed good performance for HMX and RDX.     

Structural,Energetic, and Magnetic Properties of Ag$$_{}$$Rh$$_{m}$$m and Ag$$_{m}$$mRh$$_{}$$ Clusters with $$n \le 20$$n≤20 and $$m=0,1$$m=0,1

At first, a genetic algorithm in combination with either the parametrized density-functional tight-binding method or a Gupta-potential is used to determine the putative global minimum energy structures of mixed Ag\(_{n-m}\)Rh\(_{m}\) and Ag\(_{m}\)Rh\(_{n-m}\) clusters with \(n\le 20\) and \(m=0,1\). Subsequently, the resulting structures are re-optimized with a first-principles method. The results demonstrate that the exchange of a single silver atom by rhodium leads to compact core-shell-like structures with structural motifs well known from the Lennard-Jones system. For the systems of the present study, AgRh\(_{n-1}\) clusters retain their cube-based structural motif and the silver atoms typically avoid the corner positions within a cube if possible. Population analysis of both cluster systems shows that the total magnetic moment is mainly due to unpaired electrons on the rhodium atoms with a small ferro-magnetic contribution of the silver host in Ag\(_{n-1}\)Rh and virtually no contribution to the total magnetic moment from the single silver atom in AgRh\(_{n-1}\) clusters.     

Densities and Speeds of Sound of Binary Liquid Mixtures of 1,4-Butanediol with 2-Methoxyethanol and 2-Propoxyethanol at <Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis> = (303.15, 308.15, 313.15 and 318.15) K

Densities, ρ, and speeds of sound, u, for the binary liquid mixtures of 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BD) + 2-alkoxyethanols {2-methoxyethanol (2-ME), or 2-propoxyethanol (2-PE)} over the whole composition range have been measured at T = (303.15, 308.15, 313.15 and 318.15) K, and at atmospheric pressure (p = 0.1 kPa). Experimental data for the densities and speeds of sound have been used to derive the quantities like excess molar volume, \( V_{\text{m}}^{\text{E}} \), excess isentropic compressibility, \( \kappa_{S}^{\text{E}} \), excess molar isentropic compressibility, \( K_{{S,{\text{m}}}}^{\text{E}} \), excess speed of sound, \( u^{\text{E}} \), and excess isobaric thermal expansion \( \alpha_{p}^{\text{E}} \). These excess parameters were correlated by Redlich–Kister polynomials. Excess partial molar volumes (\( \bar{V}_{\text{m,1}}^{\text{E}} \) and \( \bar{V}_{\text{m,2}}^{\text{E}} \)) and their limiting values at infinite dilution (\( \bar{V}_{\text{m,1}}^{{ 0 {\text{E}}}} \) and \( {\bar{\text{V}}}_{\text{m,2}}^{{ 0 {\text{E}}}} \)) have been calculated from the experimental density measurements and were analytically obtained using the Redlich–Kister polynomials. The results are discussed in terms of intermolecular interactions and their dependence on composition and temperature.     

Volumetric,Acoustic and Transport Properties of Metformin Hydrochloride Drug in Aqueous <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d</Emphasis>-Glucose Solutions at <Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis> = (298.15–318.15) K

Apparent molar volumes, apparent molar adiabatic compressibilities and viscosity B-coefficients for metformin hydrochloride in aqueous d-glucose solutions were determined from solution densities, sound velocities and viscosities measured at T = (298.15–318.15) K and at pressure p = 101 kPa as a function of the metformin hydrochloride concentrations. The standard partial molar volumes (\( \phi_{V}^{0} \)) and slopes (\( S_{V}^{*} \)) obtained from the Masson equation were interpreted in terms of solute–solvent and solute–solute interactions, respectively. Solution viscosities were analyzed using the Jones–Dole equation and the viscosity A and B coefficients discussed in terms of solute–solute and solute–solvent interactions, respectively. Adiabatic compressibility (\( \beta_{s} \)) and apparent molar adiabatic compressibility (\( \phi_{\kappa }^{{}} \)), limiting apparent molar adiabatic compressibility (\( \phi_{\kappa }^{0} \)) and experimental slopes (\( S_{\kappa }^{*} \)) were determined from sound velocity data. The standard volume of transfer (\( \Delta_{t} \phi_{V}^{0} \)), viscosity B-coefficients of transfer (\( \Delta_{t} B \)) and limiting apparent molar adiabatic compressibility of transfer (\( \Delta_{t} \phi_{\kappa }^{0} \)) of metformin hydrochloride from water to aqueous glucose solutions were derived to understand various interactions in the ternary solutions. The activation parameters of viscous flow for the studied solutions were calculated using transition state theory. Hepler’s coefficient \( (d\phi /dT)_{p} \) indicated the structure making ability of metformin hydrochloride in the ternary solutions.     

Magnetic Silicon Fullerenes: Experimental Exploration and Theoretical Insight

The present article summarizes progress in research on silicon clusters with encapsulated metal atoms, and specifically focuses on the recent identification of magnetic silicon fullerenes. Considering that C\(_{20}\) forms the smallest known fullerene, the Si\(_{20}\) cluster is of particular interest in this context. While the pure hollow Si\(_{20}\) cage is unstable due to the lack of \(sp^2\) hybridization, endohedral doping with a range of metal atoms has been considered to be an effective way to stabilize the cage structure. In order to seek out suitable embedded atoms for stabilizing Si\(_{20}\), a broad search has been made across elements with relatively large atomic radius. The rare earth elements have been found to be able to stabilize the Si\(_{20}\) cage in the neutral state by forming R@Si\(_{20}\) fullerene cages. Among these atoms, Eu@Si\(_{20}\) has been reported to yield a stable magnetic silicon fullerene. The central europium atom has a large magnetic moment of nearly 7.0 Bohr magnetons. In addition, based on a stable Eu\(_2\)Si\(_{30}\) tube, a magnetic silicon nanotube has been constructed and discussed. These magnetic silicon fullerenes and nanotubes may have potential applications in the fields of spintronics and high-density magnetic storage.     

Assessing protein–ligand binding modes with computational tools: the case of PDE4B

In a first step in the discovery of novel potent inhibitor structures for the PDE4B family with limited side effects, we present a protocol to rank newly designed molecules through the estimation of their IC\(_{50}\) values. Our protocol is based on reproducing the linear relationship between the logarithm of experimental IC\(_{50}\) values [\(\log\)(IC\(_{50}\))] and their calculated binding free energies (\(\Delta G_\mathrm{binding}\)). From 13 known PDE4B inhibitors, we show here that (1) binding free energies obtained after a docking process by AutoDock are not accurate enough to reproduce this linear relationship; (2) MM-GB/SA post-processing of molecular dynamics (MD) trajectories of the top ranked AutoDock pose improves the linear relationship; (3) by taking into account all representative structures obtained by AutoDock and by averaging MM-GB/SA computations on a series of 40 independent MD trajectories, a linear relationship between \(\log\)(IC\(_{50}\)) and the lowest \(\Delta G_\mathrm{binding}\) is achieved with \(R^2=0.944\).     

The Partial Molar Isothermal Compressions of the Nucleosides Adenosine,Cytidine, and Uridine in Aqueous Solution at <Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis> = (288.15 and 313.15) K

Sound speeds have been measured for aqueous solutions of the nucleosides adenosine, cytidine, and uridine at T = (288.15 and 313.15) K and at ambient pressure. The partial molar isentropic compressions at infinite dilution, \( K_{S,2}^{\text{o}} \), were derived from the speed of sound data. The partial molar heat capacities at infinite dilution, \( C_{p,2}^{\text{o}} \), for the three nucleosides at T = (288.15 and 313.15) K were also determined. These \( K_{S,2}^{\text{o}} \) and \( C_{p,2}^{\text{o}} \) results, along with partial molar isobaric expansions at infinite dilution, \( E_{2}^{\text{o}} = \, (\partial V_{2}^{\text{o}} /\partial T)_{p} \), that were derived using data from the literature, were used to evaluate the partial molar isothermal compressions at infinite dilution, \( K_{T,2}^{\text{o}} \{ K_{T,2}^{\text{o}} = - \, (\partial V_{2}^{\text{o}} /\partial p)_{T} \} \), for the nucleosides. The \( K_{T,2}^{\text{o}} \) results were rationalized in terms of nucleoside hydration and its temperature dependence.     

The Study of Intermolecular Interactions for <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">dl</Emphasis>-Alanine and Glycine in Aqueous <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>(+)-Arabinose Solutions at Different Temperatures and Ambient Pressure,Using the Volumetric Approach

Density measurements are used to calculate the apparent molar volumes V_φ, limiting apparent molar volumes \(V_{\varphi }^{0}\), limiting apparent molar volumes of transfer, \(\Delta_{\text{t}} V_{\varphi }^{0}\), limiting apparent molar expansibilities, \(E_{\varphi }^{0}\), and hydration numbers n_H, for dl-alanine and glycine in aqueous solutions of l(+)-arabinose at T?=?293.15 to 313.15 K. To obtain the limiting apparent molar volume, the V_φ values are extrapolated to zero molality using the linear form of the Redlich–Meyer equation. Also, the limiting apparent molar volumes of transfer, \(\Delta_{\text{t}} V_{\varphi }^{0}\), for the amino acids, from water to aqueous l(+)-arabinose solutions, are calculated from the \(V_{\varphi }^{0}\) values. The limiting apparent molar expansibility, \(E_{\varphi }^{0}\), values have been obtained from the first derivative of limiting apparent molar volumes with respect to temperature. Also the hydration number, n_H, for both amino acids in the ternary solutions are estimated. Possible solute–solvent interactions in the studied ternary systems are discussed.     

Densities,Ultrasonic Velocities,Excess Properties and IR Spectra of Binary Liquid Mixtures of Organic Esters (Ethyl Lactate,Some Organic Carbonates)

Organic esters of carbonic acid {dimethyl carbonate (DMC)/diethyl carbonate (DEC)/propylene carbonate (PC)}, in combination with a lactate ester {ethyl lactate (EL)}, with green chemistry characteristics were chosen for the present study of molecular interactions in binary liquid mixtures. Densities (ρ) and ultrasonic velocities (U) of the pure solvents and liquid mixtures were measured experimentally over the entire composition range at temperatures (303.15, 308.15, 313.15 and 318.15) K and atmospheric pressure. The experimental data was used to calculate thermodynamic and acoustic parameters \( V_{\text{m}}^{\text{E}} \), \( \kappa_{S}^{\text{E}} \), \( L_{\text{f}}^{\text{E}} \), \( \bar{V}_{\text{m,1}}^{{}} \), \( \bar{V}_{\text{m,2}}^{{}} \), \( \bar{V}_{\text{m,1}}^{\text{E}} \), \( \bar{V}_{\text{m,2}}^{\text{E}} \), \( \bar{V}_{ 1}^{\text{E,0}} \) and \( \bar{V}_{ 2}^{\text{E,0}} \) and the excess functions were fitted with the Redlich–Kister polynomial equation to obtain the binary solution coefficients and the standard deviations. It was observed that the values of \( V_{\text{m}}^{\text{E}} \), \( \kappa_{S}^{\text{E}} \) and \( L_{\text{f}}^{\text{E}} \) are positive for the mixtures of (EL + DMC/DEC) and negative for those of (EL + PC) over the entire range of composition and temperature. The positive values of \( V_{\text{m}}^{\text{E}} \), \( \kappa_{S}^{\text{E}} \) and \( L_{\text{f}}^{\text{E}} \) indicate the action of dispersion forces between the component molecules of (EL + DMC/DEC) mixtures whereas negative values for the mixture (EL + PC) suggest the existence of strong specific interactions between the component molecules, probably resulting from chemical and structural contributions. The excess properties have also been analyzed by using the reduced (\( Y^{\text{E}} /x_{1} x_{2} \)) excess function approach and the results are found to be in agreement with those from the corresponding \( Y^{\text{E}} \)(= \( V_{\text{m}}^{\text{E}} \), \( \kappa_{S}^{\text{E}} \) and \( L_{\text{f}}^{\text{E}} \)) values. This is further supported by FTIR spectral analysis.     

Dissociation Behavior of <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>(+)-Lactic Acid in Aqueous Solutions of (1-Alkyl-4-methylpyridinium bromide + Poly (ethyleneglycol)) at <Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis> = (288.15–318.15) K

The effect of 1-alkyl-4-methylpyridinium based ionic liquids on the conductivity behavior of l(+)-lactic acid (LaH) was studied in Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) aqueous solutions. The molar conductivities of LaH in the aqueous solutions of PEG, (PEG + 1-hexyl-4-methylpyridinium bromide) and (PEG + 1-octyl-4-methylpyridinium bromide) were measured over the temperature ranges of 288.15–318.15 K. The molar conductivity data were analyzed by applying the Quint–Viallard (QV) conductivity equation to determine the limiting molar conductivities (Λ ⁰) and dissociation constants (\( K_{\text{D}} \)). The results show that the values of limiting molar conductivity increased as the temperature increased, which indicates that the dissociation process is endothermic. The \( K_{\text{D}} \) values were also used to calculate the dissociation standard thermodynamic functions (\( \Delta G_{\text{D}}^{0} \), \( \Delta S_{\text{D}}^{0} \) and \( \Delta H_{\text{D}}^{0} \)). The results revealed that the dissociation process of LaH is controlled by entropy at all temperatures.     

Density and Viscosity of a Ternary $$ x_{1} $$ 1-He xene(1) + $$ x_{2} $$ x2 1-Octene(2) + (1 − − x2) 1-Decene(3) Mi xture at High Temperatures and High Pressures

The density and viscosity of a ternary 1-hexene(1) + 1-octene(2) +1-decene(3) mixture (\( w_{1} = w_{2} = w_{3} = 0.333 \) weight fractions or \( x_{1} = 0.4257 \),\( x_{2} = 0.3190 \), \( x_{3} = 0.2553 \) mole fractions of 1-hexene, 1-octene, and 1-decene, respectively) have been simultaneously measured over the temperature range from (298 to 471) K and at pressures up to 196 MPa using a combined method of hydrostatic weighing and falling-body techniques, respectively. The combined expanded uncertainties of the density, pressure, temperature, concentration, and viscosity measurements at the 95% confidence level with a coverage factor of k = 2 are estimated to be (0.15 to 0.30)%, 0.05%, 0.02 K, 0.005 mol%, and (1.5 to 2.0)%, respectively. The measured densities and viscosities were used to calculate the excess molar volumes and viscosity differences. The excess molar properties (\( G_{\text{m}}^{\text{E}} , \, H_{\text{m}}^{\text{E}} , \, S_{\text{m}}^{\text{E}} \) and \( C_{\text{pm}}^{\text{E}} \)) and their pressure derivatives as a function of temperature and pressure have been calculated using the derived excess molar volumes. The measured viscosities were used to develop a theoretically based viscosity correlation model (Arrhenius–Andrade type equation) for the mixture.     

New hybrid two-step method with optimized phase and stability characteristics

In this paper and for the first time in the literature, we develop a new Runge–Kutta type symmetric two-step finite difference pair with the following characteristics:

• the new algorithm is of symmetric type,
• the new algorithm is of two-step,
• the new algorithm is of five-stages,
• the new algorithm is of twelfth-algebraic order,
• the new algorithm is based on the following approximations:

  1. 1.
     the first layer on the point \(x_{n-1}\),
      
  2. 2.
     the second layer on the point \(x_{n-1}\),
      
  3. 3.
     the third layer on the point \(x_{n-1}\),
      
  4. 4.
     the fourth layer on the point \(x_{n}\) and finally,
      
  5. 5.
     the fifth (final) layer on the point \(x_{n+1}\),
      
• the new algorithm has vanished the phase-lag and its first, second, third and fourth derivatives,
• the new algorithm has improved stability characteristics for the general problems,
• the new algorithm is of P-stable type since it has an interval of periodicity equal to \(\left( 0, \infty \right) \).

For the new developed algorithm we present a detailed numerical analysis (local truncation error and stability analysis). The effectiveness of the new developed algorithm is evaluated with the approximate solution of coupled differential equations arising from the Schrödinger type.

     

Surface Oxidation of Supported,Size-Selected Silver Clusters

We use surface second harmonic generation spectroscopy to study the oxidation of supported, size-selected silver clusters under ultra-high vacuum conditions. The oxidation reaction of small silver clusters between \(Ag_{9}\) and \(Ag_{55}\) is monitored by means of their localized surface plasmon resonance. We observe a rapid decline of the SH-intensity, as soon as cluster samples are exposed to an oxygen partial pressure of \(5 \cdot 10^{-6}\) mbar, which is attributed to the formation of silver–oxygen-bonds. The evolution of the SH-intensity under exposure to oxygen shows a double-exponential character for all investigated cluster sizes. Since the oxidation of single crystalline silver surfaces follow single-exponential Langmuir-kinetics, the two independent pathways of SH-intensity loss are attributed to a surface- and an interface-oxidation of supported clusters, respectiveley. For small cluster sizes, a complete loss of the SH intensity is obtained, which suggests the complete oxidation of the clusters. For larger clusters a plasmonic resonance is still observed after oxidation, indicating a residual free-electron density.     

Compatibility of activity coefficients estimated experimentally and by Pitzer equations for the assessment of seawater pH

Calibration of pH meters is usually performed with reference pH buffer solutions of low ionic strength, I ≤ 0.1 mol kg^?1. For seawater pH measurements (I ≈ 0.7 mol kg^?1), calibration buffers in high ionic strength matrix are required. The Harned cell, in association with the Nernst equation and a model for estimating the chloride ion activity coefficient, \(\gamma_{{{\text{Cl}}^{ - } }} ,\) is the basis of the primary method for pH assignment to reference pH buffers. The semi-empirical Pitzer model is, in principle, adequate to estimate \(\gamma_{{{\text{Cl}}^{ - } }}\) of complex solutions, namely seawater. Nevertheless, no assessment of the validity of the model for this matrix is known to the authors. This work aims at estimating the adequacy of the Pitzer model by assessing the metrological compatibility of mean activity coefficients, in this case \(\gamma_{ \pm } = \sqrt {\gamma_{{{\text{H}}^{ + } }} \gamma_{{{\text{Cl}}^{ - } }} }\) estimated experimentally with the Harned cell, \(\gamma_{ \pm }^{\text{Exp}} ,\) and using the Pitzer model, \(\gamma_{ \pm }^{\text{Ptz}}\). The measurement uncertainty considered in the compatibility test was estimated using the bottom-up approach, where components were combined by the numerical Kragten method after checking its adequacy. The compatibility of the estimated \(\gamma_{ \pm }\) was assessed for solutions with increasing complexity and an ionic strength of 0.67 mol kg^–1. \(\gamma_{ \pm }^{\text{Exp}}\) and \(\gamma_{ \pm }^{Ptz}\) are metrologically compatible for a confidence level of 95 % where the relative standard uncertainty of their difference ranged from 1.1 % to 3.1 % in all chloride solutions to approximately 6.3 % when sodium sulfate was also present. This led to assume the validity of the Pitzer model equations to estimate \(\gamma_{{{\text{Cl}}^{ - } }} ,\) required to define reference pH values of buffer solutions with high ionic strength.