Effect of γ-radiation on TL,ESR and evaluation of trapping parameters of K2Ca(SO4)2:X (X = Dy or Eu) phosphors

ABSTRACT

The present phosphor K₂Ca(SO₄)_2, doped by dysprosium and europium, is synthesized by the solid-state diffusion method. The doping concentration varied from 0.1 to 0.5?mol% by weight. A phosphor is studied for X-ray powder diffraction, surface morphology analytical scanning electron microscopy and analyzed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The prepared phosphor K₂Ca(SO₄)_2, doped by Dy and Eu, has been characterized for thermoluminescence (TL) glow curve, showing maximum peak temperatures at 176°C and at 200°C, respectively. TL peak intensity of K₂Ca(SO₄)₂: Dy and Eu was compared with the standard TLD CaSO₄:Dy phosphor. Both phosphors show the dose linearity ranging from 20 to 240?Gy doses of γ-rays of ⁶⁰Co source at room temperature. Negligible fading has been observed when irradiated with γ-rays and stored for 60 days without taking any care from sunlight. The TL materials were used in powder forms. The linearity of ESR response with dose for powder forms of K₂Ca(SO₄)₂: Dy was also studied using the signals at g?=?2:0039 (SO₃^?) and at g?=?2:02282 (SO₄^?). It was observed that the range of linearity of dose response extended between 20 and 240?Gy. Kinetic parameters have been calculated using three different methods: Chen's peak shape method, various heating rate method and initial rise method. To study the heating rate method, the glow curve was recorded for the heating rate as 1°C, 3°C, 5°C, 7°C, 9°C each time. Electron spin resonance (ESR) shows the ionic radical formation during γ-irradiation, which is responsible for TL. The effect of temperature and microwave power on the ESR signal was also studied.     

Reaction/crystallization kinetics studied via in situ XRD: experimental conditions versus methods of kinetic analysis

ABSTRACT

Theoretically simulated kinetic data were used to evaluate the errors associated with the common issue of evaluating the in situ non-isothermal X-ray diffraction data, where the complex multi-step temperature program (alternating the non-isothermal heating steps with isothermal steps during which the diffraction patterns are collected) is for the purposes of evaluation replaced by a simple non-isothermal heating performed at the reduced/effective heating rate. The kinetic analysis has shown that, in general, best results are provided by the non-linear optimisation methods simultaneously evaluating the data-curves obtained for all the different heating rates. For the nucleation growth (KMJMA) kinetics the distortive influence of the temperature program parameters increases as follows: heating rate during non-isothermal segments?<?duration of the isothermal segment?<?temperature interval between the isothermal segments. The non-optimisation methods of kinetic analysis (integral isoconversional methods for evaluation of activation energy E and master plots for determining the appropriate kinetic model) were found to perform inaccurately, with large degree of randomness based on the selection of starting temperature, and are not recommended for evaluation of the in situ XRD data – the only exception seem to be the differential isoconversional methods that provided accurate E values. Generalisation of the present conclusions for all KMJMA processes is suggested and discussed.     

1H and 13C NMR Spectral Study of Some 2r-Aryl-6c-phenylthian-4-ones,Their 1-Oxides and 1,1-Dioxides

ABSTRACT

Four 2r-aryl-6c-phenylthian-4-ones 1b?1e and their 1-oxides 2b?2e and 1,1-dioxides 3b?3e have been newly synthesized. ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra have been recorded for all these compounds and 2r,6c-diphenylthian-4-one 1-oxide 2a. ¹³C NMR spectrum has been recorded for the sulfone 3a of 1a. For selected compounds ¹H-¹H COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY spectra have been recorded. The vicinal proton–proton coupling constants suggest that in all these compounds, the heterocyclic ring adopts chair conformation with equatorial orientations of the aryl and phenyl groups. Proton and carbon chemical shifts suggest that in the sulfoxides, the S=O bond is axial and enhances the J _aa value by some special effect. The S = O bond causes a significant upfield shift even on carbons without hydrogens. Significant solvent shifts also were observed.     

Boron-doped diamond synthesized by chemical vapor deposition as a heating element in a multi-anvil apparatus

ABSTRACT

We tested boron-doped diamond (BDD) synthesized by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) as a heating element in a multi-anvil apparatus. We succeeded in manufacturing BDD into a tubular shape by laser cutting and electric discharging machining. The BDD tube shaped by the electric discharging machining was contaminated by discharging electrode materials (Mo and W), which affected the heating performance. The laser-cut BDD tube has a clean surface and, therefore, had a good heating performance. We succeeded in generating temperature as high as 2670?K at a pressure around 30?GPa with laser-cut heater. Heating reproducibility was confirmed through repeated heating and cooling cycles. The recovered sample shows that a higher temperature generation above 2670?K was prevented by eutectic melting of ZrO₂ thermal insulator and Al₂O₃ sample. Owing to the commercial availability with a reasonable price, CVD–BDD heaters are more practical than a high-pressure synthesized BDD heaters for wide applications.     

Phase transitions and structural studies ofp-n-alkoxybenzyliden-p’-fluoro-anilines

Summary The transition temperatures and phase diagrams of five fluorinated benzylidenaniline derivatives have been studied by TM and X-ray diffraction techniques. A smectic polimorphism appears in all compounds. The structure of smecticB phases has been deeply studied in order to evidence a possible utilization of such phases as solvents able to exert stereochemical effects on polimerization reactions. The parameters of theS _B hexagonal lattice area=b=4.29 ? in all the studied compounds, whilstc varies from 18.9? to 24? as a function of the C atom number of the alkyl chain; its averaged increase is 1.265? for each CH₂ group. In any case, the distance between the smectic planes is equal to the molecular length so that interdigitated structures are to be excluded. Work presented at the First USSR-Italy Bilateral Meeting on Liquid Crystals held in Portonovo, Ancona (Italy), September 30-October 2, 1987.     

In-situ and ex-situ study of crystallization behaviour of magnetron sputtered Ni63Zr37 amorphous thin film

ABSTRACT

The stages of crystallization of magnetron sputter-deposited Ni₆₃Zr₃₇ film with mostly amorphous structure have been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and in-situ annealing at 300°C by use of heating stage on a high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). These results have been further confirmed by grazing incidence X-ray diffraction analyses of thin film specimens annealed ex-situ at 300°C for various durations. The temperature for crystallization found by DSC has been found to increase from 371°C to 434°C with an increase in heating rate from 3°C/min to 10°C/min, and the apparent activation energy for amorphous to crystalline transformation has been found as ～260.2?kJ/mol from the Kissinger plot. Studies on HRTEM using in-situ heating stage have shown the crystallization to occur on annealing at 300°C for ～10?min. Crystallization at a temperature lower than that found by DSC is attributed to structural relaxation with reduction of free volume due to thermal activation. It has been observed that Ni₃Zr forms first due to its large negative enthalpy of formation, and is followed by the formation of Ni-rich solid solution (Ni_ss) grains. HRTEM studies have shown grain rotation with the formation of partial dislocations at Ni₃Zr-Ni_ss interfaces as well as twinning followed by detwinning with dislocation formation in the Ni_ss matrix possibly to reduce the interfacial energy.     

X-ray diffraction studies on dilute solid solution of NaCl with Ag impurities

Abstract

X-ray investigations of Bragg scattering measurements have been carried out on the dilute solid solutions of Ag _x Na_1?x Cl for x = 0.03 and 0.10. The integrated intensities are measured on spherical single crystals, using a home-built manual X-ray diffractometer. The analysis of experimental data indicates an enhancement of Debye-Waller factor in this system. The size effect distortion factors evaluated are compared with the calculated values on the basis of different theoretical models and the results are discussed. The measured cell constant and density data indicate the existence of vacancies in these crystals.     

X-Ray kinetic study of glassy crystal formation in adamantane derivatives: TTT curves and crystal size effect

Abstract

The kinetics of polymorphic solid-state transformation in mixed adamantane compounds (CN_1?x Cl _x ADM: x = 0 and x = 0.25) have been studied by X-ray scattering. The classical form of the time-temperature-transformation TTT curves has been directly observed for the first time for the ordering supercooled plastic phases. For both compounds a considerable effect of crystal size on the kinetics has been observed. For x = 0.25 it leads to a continuous transition from Avrami to nucleation behaviour. These observations help us to understand the factors controlling nucleation and growth as well as to establish better operating conditions in order to form a glassy crystal.     

Mössbauer study of the vibrational anisotropy and of the light-induced population of metastable states in single-crystalline guanidinium nitroprusside

M?ssbauer studies were performed on single crystals of guanidinium nitroprusside with different orientations of their principal crystallographic axes (a, b, c) with respect to the incident radiation. The markedly anisotropic Lamb-M?ssbauer factor f _LM , i.e. f _LM ^(a) = 0.118(8), f _LM ^(b) = 0.174(8), f _LM ^(c) = 0.202(8) is in contrast to that of nitroprussides with inorganic anions. The observed anisotropy is ascribed to the anisotropic vibrational mean-square displacement of the nitroprusside anions as a whole which is due to the specific packing of both, anions and cations, as well as the very weak chemical bonding between the ions, typical only for guanidinium nitroprusside. The vibrational anisotropy of iron atoms in barium nitroprusside that has been observed by X-ray structural investigations has a different origin and therefore does not result in an anisotropic Lamb-M?ssbauer factor. We have also investigated metastable states in guanidinium nitroprusside that have been populated by means of incoherent irradiation from light-emitting diodes. With a specific orientation of the guanidinium nitroprusside single crystal a population of the metastable states up to 26% could be achieved. Populations of comparable size on lithium, sodium and potassium nitroprussides have only been reached using coherent laser irradiation. Received 15 December 1998 and Received in final form 3 March 1999     

Effect of thermal treatments on sputtered silver nanocluster/silica composite coatings on soda-lime glasses: ionic exchange and antibacterial activity

Silver nanocluster/silica composite coatings were deposited on both soda-lime and silica glasses by radio frequency (RF) co-sputtering. The effect of thermal treatments on the microstructure in the range of 150?C450?°C were examined by UV?Cvisible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Time of Flight-Elastic Recoil Detection Analysis. Sodium/silver ionic exchange was evidenced for coatings sputtered on soda-lime substrates after heating at 450?°C; presence of silver ions and/or silver nanoclusters, nanocluster size and their position inside the sputtered layers will be discussed for as-deposited and heated coatings on both substrates. The antibacterial activity of all coatings was determined against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans by disk diffusion method and colonies forming units count; in agreement with microstructural results, the antibacterial activity present on all coatings was slightly reduced after heating at 450?°C. All coatings have been submitted to humidity plus UV ageing and sterilization by autoclave, gamma ray and ethylene oxide gas. Tape resistance (ASTM D3359-97) tests have been done on each coating before and after ageing and sterilizations, revealing a good adhesion on soda-lime substrates, except for those aged in humidity plus UV and sterilized by autoclave. Scratch tests and nanoindentation tests have been done on each coating, as-deposited and after heating at 450?°C. The coating hardness was improved by heating only when coatings were deposited on silica. The heating of coatings deposited on soda-lime substrates gave opposite effect on their hardness.     

A Fluorescence and Fluorescence Probe Study of Benzonaphthyridines

A series of benzo[b][1,8]naphthyridines has been synthesized by Friedl?nder condensation of 2-aminoquinoline-3-carbaldehyde 1 (o-aminoaldehyde) with alicyclic ketones in basic medium. Benzonaphthyridines branched with various side-chains and substituents are prepared with the aim of being investigated as a good fluorescent material. Electronic absorption and fluorescence properties of some representative benzonaphthyridines in organic solvents, water-dioxane, and SDS, CTAB and Triton-X-100 micelles have been examined. The linear correlation between solvent polarity and fluorescence properties is observed. This study may provide new directions for the development of fluorescence probes as reporters of microenvironments of organized assemblies.     

Maintenance of highly interfacial shear strength by diblock copolymer between carbon fiber and epoxy resin in hostile environment

The environmental resistance properties of carbon fiber (CF), with various surface modifications, reinforcing epoxy resin composites have been studied by a microbond test. The results of cooling–heating cycling between ?40 and 95?°C indicate that the introduction of the flexible poly(n-butyl acrylate) (PnBA) blocks into the interface can effectively decrease the interfacial degradation rate, induced by interfacial thermal stress. After 50 cooling–heating cycles, the interfacial shear strength between CF and epoxy resin was still as high as 32.69?±?2.13?MPa. The results of hygrothermal treatment by immersing the composites in hot water show that assembly morphology of the diblock copolymer hydroxyl-terminated poly(n-butyl acrylate-b-glycidyl methacrylate) (OH-PnBA-b-GMA) at the interface can decrease the interfacial water absorption and thus increase the hygrothermal resistance of the composite. Besides, the length of PnBA block in the diblock copolymer influenced the interfacial properties of the composite in a hygrothermal environment.     

Influence of synthesis conditions on structural,optical and magnetic properties of iron oxide nanoparticles prepared by hydrothermal method

The iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method at different heating temperatures and pH conditions. The synthesized materials were characterized by X-ray diffractometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, UV–visible spectrometer and vibrating sample magnetometer. With increment in pH of the synthesized materials were resulted in orthorhombic (goethite) and cubic (magnetite) structures at pH 6 and 12, respectively. The banding nature of synthesized materials was analyzed by infrared spectra. The synthesized powders at 130?°C showed higher percent of nanorods (length = 90–120 nm) in addition to lower percentage of nanoparticles. The material at pH 12 consisted of maximum nanoparticles with size = 10–60 nm with small agglomerations. Band gap energy of synthesized materials was 2.2–2.8 eV. Herein, the reaction conditions tuned the saturation magnetization (M_S). The maximum M_S (59.38 emu/g) was obtained at pH 12 and lower M_S (0.65 emu/g) was observed at pH 6 due to intrinsic property of goethite phase.     

Superconductivity of F-substituted LnOBiS2 (Ln=La,Ce, Pr,Nd, Yb) compounds

Polycrystalline samples of F-substituted LnOBiS₂ (Ln?=?La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Yb) compounds were synthesized by solid-state reaction. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction measurements and found to have the ZrCuSiAs crystal structure. Electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements were performed on all of the samples and specific heat measurements were made on those with Ln?=?La, Ce, and Yb. All of these compounds exhibit superconductivity in the range 1.9?K–5.4?K, which has not previously been reported for the compounds based on Ce, Pr, and Yb. The YbO_0.5F_0.5BiS₂ compound was also found to exhibit magnetic order at ～2.7?K that apparently coexists with superconductivity below 5.4?K.     

A reinvestigation of the acid-promoted heterocyclization of 2-(2-oxo-2-arylethyl)malononitriles in the presence of amines

The reinvestigation of the acid-promoted cyclization of 2-(2-oxo-2-arylethyl)malononitriles, in the presence of benzylamine or aniline, in ethanol or acetonitrile, has confirmed that this is a long-time reaction process for a low-yielding synthesis of 2-amino-5-arylfuran-3-carbonitriles (2), or 2-amino-5-aryl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carbonitriles (4), depending on the base used. However, the microwave-assisted synthesis of 2-amino-5-(4′-methoxyphenyl)furan-3(4)-(di)carbonitriles (2c and 3c) proceeds in shorter reaction times and higher yields than does the classical thermal heating protocol. In these reactions we have observed for the first time, and characterized by their spectroscopic data and X-ray analysis, the unexpected formation of 2-amino-5-aryl-3 (4)-(di)carbonitriles (3), whose formation has been rationalized by density functional theory (DFT) analysis of the proposed reaction mechanism.     

High pressure generation using double-stage diamond anvil technique: problems and equations of state of rhenium

We have developed a double stage diamond anvil cell (ds-DAC) technique for reproducible pressure by precisely fabricating 2nd stage anvils using a focused ion beam system. We used 2nd stage micro-anvils made of ultra-fine (V/V₀?=?0.633 for the smallest d-spacing. The calculated pressure for this minimum volume varies from 430 to 630?GPa, depending on the choice of the equation of state of rhenium. We conclude that the most likely pressure achieved for the minimum volume of rhenium is in a range of 430–460?GPa based on a calibration using the platinum pressure scale to 280?GPa and the latter value of 630?GPa is unreasonably high, suggesting that the pressures in an earlier study for the equation of state of rhenium would have been significantly overestimated.     

Effect of ϒ- irradiation and study of ϒ-induced physico-chemical changes in high performance thermoset obtained by double cycloaddition of munchnone and bis-maleimide

ABSTRACT

Techniques in polymer synthesis are taking different dimensions in the last few decades. Reversible-deactivation radical polymerization processes resulted in a wide range of polymeric architectures made from an almost infinite reservoir of functional building blocks. The concept of click chemistry revolutionized the way how polymer chemists approached synthetic routes. Among the few reactions that could qualify as click approach; the copper-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition reaction is in the front place. Whether click or not, cycloadditions are powerful tools for designing polymeric materials in a modular fashion, with a high level of functionality and, sometimes responsiveness. Thus we have developed an efficient synthetic platform for the preparation of a new class of polyimide-based high-performance thermosets (HPTs) based on the double 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of munchnone with bis-maleimides. It is worth mentioning that this report is the first to deal with the changes in physico-chemical properties of HPTs obtained by cycloaddition reaction due to gamma irradiation. The polymers synthesized by this unique technique were irradiated with gamma doses in the range 10–300?kGy. The consequential effect of gamma radiation and the structural modifications induced on HPTs have been studied and discussed as a function of dose using different characterization techniques such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry-thermogravimetric analysis (DSC-TGA), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and UV-Vis Spectroscopy.     

Methodology for in situ synchrotron X-ray studies in the laser-heated diamond anvil cell

ABSTRACT

A review of some important technical challenges related to in situ diamond anvil cell laser heating experimentation at synchrotron X-ray sources is presented. The problem of potential chemical reactions between the sample and the pressure medium or the carbon from the diamond anvils is illustrated in the case of elemental tantalum. Preliminary results of a comparison between reflective and refractive optics for high temperature measurements in the laser-heated diamond anvil cell are briefly discussed. Finally, the importance of the size and relative alignment of X-ray and laser beams for quantitative X-ray measurements is presented.     

Orientational order and molecular parameters of two nematogenic mixtures from X-ray studies: confirmation of electro-optical results

This study entails the report of X-ray studies conducted on two nematogenic mixtures (code names ZLI 1221 and ZLI 1291) containing identical moieties: phenyl cyclohexane, biphenyl cyclohexane and cyclohexyl benzoate, but exhibiting different mesogenic ranges and properties. X-ray studies have been undertaken with a view to investigate the difference in the mesogenic behaviour of the said mixtures at the molecular level. The average apparent molecular length ‘l?’ and intermolecular distance ‘D’ of the two mixtures and their variations with temperature have been determined from X-ray data. The orientational order parameters ?P ₂? and ?P ₄? and their thermal variations have also been obtained. Comparison has been made with the ?P ₂? values obtained from X-ray study with those obtained from optical study. The average apparent molecular lengths of the two mixtures corroborate the findings regarding the relative molecular weights of the two samples obtained from optical and dielectric data.     

Development of a high pressure stirring cell up to 2 GPa: a new window for chemical reactions and material synthesis

ABSTRACT

A new method for stirring under high pressure conditions has been developed and tested. The key component is a Teflon cell assembly equipped with magnetic stirring function, which is capable to operate across a wide pressure range, up to at least 2?GPa, in a large volume press. The setup enables adjustable stirrer rotation rate and detection of stirring in a sample, e.g. to observe liquid–solid phase transitions at high pressure. The viscosity limit of stirring is ca. 500 times that of water at room temperature (i.e. ～500?mPas). Moreover, we show that zinc oxide nanoparticles hydrothermally synthesized at 0.5?GPa and 100°C under stirring conditions show an order of magnitude smaller size (100?nm) compared to those synthesized under non-stirring conditions (1?μm). The wide pressure range for stirring of viscous media opens interesting possibilities to produce novel materials via hydrothermal synthesis and chemical reactions.