Monte Carlo calculation of angular transmission functions for small angle scattering

We define an angular transmission function η in the center of mass system. The convolution of the differential cross section σ with η yields the signal in the laboratory system. For the case of elastic small angle scattering by spherically symmetric potentials we calculate η by a Monte Carlo method. Random positions are taken in the beam defining collimators, resulting in a trajectory with a deflection angle at the scattering centre. These deflection angles are transformed to the c.m. system with the small angle tranformation formulae. From the distribution we calculate η as a histogram and the central moments of η. The function η depends on the velocity ratio and on the mass ratio of the scattering partners. We store the results in such a way that the central moments can be calculated afterwards for all mass and velocity ratios. By using the central moments the convolution integral can be reduced to a simple weighted sum of σ-values at different scattering angles. The r.m.s. deviations of the central moments scale with N^{$\text{1}\text{2}$}, with N the number of Monte Carlo trajectories. A typical deviation is 1% in the second order moment for N = 2 × 10⁴, increasing slightly with increasing order of the moments. This method of calculation gives a large degree of freedom for optimisation of the collimation geometry. The use of an angular transmission function defined in the center of mass system gives a good insight in the experimental reflection of the physical events. As an example we apply the method to the case of small angle scattering of Ar as a primary beam by Kr as a secondary beam and the inverse configuration of Kr by Ar.     

Light scattering study of the isotropic-to-blue phase transition in cholesteryl oleyl carbonate (COC) and its mixtures with a nematogen

Abstract

Light scattering experiments have been performed on cholesteryl oleyl carbonate (COC) and its mixtures with a nematogen in order to investigate pretransition phenomena accompanying the transition from the isotropic to the blue phase. Estimates of the critical temperature for the flat-spiral (m = 2) mode have been obtained in each case. The critical temperatures approach the transition temperature, T _c, in the mixtures, probably due to an impurity-induced blurring of the phase transition. Measurements of the optical rotatory power have also been carried out on pure COC as well as its mixtures with the nematogen and possible origins for the pretransition phenomena observed are discussed.     

Non-monotonic behaviour with concentration of the surface tension of certain binary liquid alloys

The surface tension σ(c) of most liquid binary alloys usually varies with concentration c in a monotonic way between the values σ₁ and σ₂ of the two pure metals, and this behaviour is well explained by current models. Some alloys show deviations from this ideal behaviour. One of those is Fe–B. The surface tension of this liquid alloy shows a minimum at 17 atomic % B, which corresponds well with the composition of the eutectic point in the phase diagram, followed by a maximum at a concentration of 24 atomic % B or higher. The usual models for the surface tension of liquid binary alloys do not explain those exceptional features, and we propose that a model involving the concentration fluctuations in the liquid alloy has the proper ingredients to account for the features in Fe–B and similar alloys.     

π-Acidity and π-basicity of N-heterocyclic carbene ligands. A computational assessment

In this contribution we report on a systematic analysis of the bond between transition metals and N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands. We compare the σ and π-contributions in a series of complexes in which the formal d-electron count ranges from d⁰ to d¹⁰. Our results confirm the currently accepted idea that NHC are not pure σ-donors. In the series of complexes examined here π-contribution is 10% at least. Moreover, remarkable metal-to-ligand backdonation occurs also for d⁰ complexes, and many systems present a substantial ligand-to-metal π donation.     

Analysis of the influence of rhodium addition to platinum on its activity towards methanol electrooxidation by EIS

Influence of rhodium addition to platinum on the activity of the alloy in methanol electrooxidation has been studied using Pt–Rh/Au limited volume electrodes with various surface compositions including the pure Pt and Rh metals. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used in the study. In the case of the Pt–Rh alloy, the impedance picture of methanol oxidation is qualitatively the same as for the pure Pt electrode. However, impedance spectra strongly depend on alloy composition. Equivalent circuits suitable for methanol oxidation on Pt were also used in the case of Pt–Rh and similar fitting results were obtained. A reaction mechanism suggested in the literature for Pt, which involves two strongly adsorbed intermediates competing for the same adsorption sites, is likely also for the Pt–Rh alloys. However, fittings with a corresponding impedance model were unsuccessful for both Pt and Pt–Rh because of mathematical caveats, such that quantitative comparisons were not possible. Nevertheless, EIS results suggest that Rh inhibits the kinetics of formation of reactive oxygen species at the surface of the alloy.     

Virtual Crystal Model of Melting and the Structure Factor of Liquid Alloys

Abstract

In this paper, we extend the theory of melting entropy of metals, of Omini, based on the Percus-Yevick collective coordinate theory of liquids, to binary liquid alloys. We reformalate Omini's use of the Percus-Yevick theory to include binary liquid alloys and calculate the long wavelength limit of the binary liquid alloy structure factor as a function of solute concentration for the systems: Li-Na, K-Rb. Rb-Cs, Al-Zn, Zn-Ca and AI-Ga which are the most nearly equi-valent and equi-volumeatom pairs Omini worked with.     

Temperature dependence of the director reorientation of dye-doped nematic liquid crystals subjected to an optical field and its relation with the non-linear absorption coefficient

The temperature behaviour of the torque amplification factor η in the E48-D4 dye-host/liquid crystal-guest dyed system illuminated by a laser beam has been investigated using a single beam Z-Scan experimental technique. A plot of η versus temperature showed a monotonic aspect, different from other anthraquinone dyed liquid crystals. This behaviour, in our case, is consistent with the monotonic dependence on temperature of the linear α_o and non-linear β optical absorption coefficients. In particular, the non-linear optical absorption coefficient related to the reorienting process is negative and of the order of-0.25 mm W^-1. The temperature dependence of η seems to be directly correlated to β and not to α_o. Since drastic conformational modifications on dye molecules are not expected on passing from the ground to the excited state, the role of the electronic structure seems to be dominant in the reorienting process in dyed nematics.     

The effect of nanoparticle shape on polymer‐nanocomposite rheology and tensile strength

Nanoparticles can influence the properties of polymer materials by a variety of mechanisms. With fullerene, carbon nanotube, and clay or graphene sheet nanocomposites in mind, we investigate how particle shape influences the melt shear viscosity η and the tensile strength τ, which we determine via molecular dynamics simulations. Our simulations of compact (icosahedral), tube or rod‐like, and sheet‐like model nanoparticles, all at a volume fraction ? ≈ 0.05, indicate an order of magnitude increase in the viscosity η relative to the pure melt. This finding evidently can not be explained by continuum hydrodynamics and we provide evidence that the η increase in our model nanocomposites has its origin in chain bridging between the nanoparticles. We find that this increase is the largest for the rod‐like nanoparticles and least for the sheet‐like nanoparticles. Curiously, the enhancements of η and τ exhibit opposite trends with increasing chain length N and with particle shape anisotropy. Evidently, the concept of bridging chains alone cannot account for the increase in τ and we suggest that the deformability or flexibility of the sheet nanoparticles contributes to nanocomposite strength and toughness by reducing the relative value of the Poisson ratio of the composite. The molecular dynamics simulations in the present work focus on the reference case where the modification of the melt structure associated with glass‐formation and entanglement interactions should not be an issue. Since many applications require good particle dispersion, we also focus on the case where the polymer‐particle interactions favor nanoparticle dispersion. Our simulations point to a substantial contribution of nanoparticle shape to both mechanical and processing properties of polymer nanocomposites. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 1882–1897, 2007     

Specific solvent effects on the complexation of anions by ligands

From conductimetric measurements, the association constants K_A of chlorides and nitrates in acetonitrile and of bromides in both acetonitrile and nitrobenzene were determined in the presence of various amounts of benzoic acids. From these data it was possible to determine the values of the complexation constants k ₁ ^? between the ligands and the anions. In both solvents linear relationships exist between log k₁ and the Hammett σ parameters of the substituents. However, the values of both log k ₂ ^? for the unsubstituted benzoic acid and the correlation factors (η) are much lower in acetonitrile than in nitrobenzene. It is shown that this effect is due, to a large extent, to the complexation of the ligands by acetonitrile which competes with the ligandanion interaction. The η factors for the three anions lie in the order of their basicity in water.     

Theoretical investigation of the viscosity of some liquid metals and alloys

The viscosities of some liquid metals and liquid binary alloys have been determined using the theoretical model developed by Morioka et al. (Z. Metallkd. 93, 4 (2002)). The model was applied successfully to the liquid mono-component metals Hg and Na and to the liquid binary alloys Hg–Na, Ag–Cu, Bi–Sn and Ag–Sb. The model successfully described the temperature dependence of viscosity for Hg and Na for a wide range of temperatures. The values of the adjustable parameters k and z were obtained for Hg and Na. For the liquid binary alloys, calculations were done at a particular temperature for each alloy and our results show that for Hg–Na and Ag–Cu there are both qualitative and quantitative agreements between calculated and experimental viscosity data. However, Bi–Sn and Ag–Sb manifested significant levels of quantitative discrepancies between calculated and experimental viscosity data.     

用铝-镍合金还原1-萘酚反应的再研究

文献曾报道以铝-镍合金为还原剂, 在稀碱水溶液中, 可以将1-萘酚(1)以高收率还原为5,6,7,8-四氢-1-萘酚(2). 本研究工作发现, 在相同的条件下该反应除了生成少量2外, 3,4-二氢-2H-萘-1-酮(3)和1,2,3,4-四氢-1-萘酚(4)为主要产物, 该结果明显不同于文献报道, 对反应产物分布及其可能机理进行了探讨. 该还原反应体系为3,4-二氢-1(2H)-萘酮(3)和1,2,3,4-四氢-1-萘酚(4)的合成提供了一条新途径.     

The annealing behavior of hydrogen implanted into Al-1.5 at.% Si alloy

We have studied effects of added elements as well as defects on trap-sites of hydrogen in metals. For the purpose, we observed depth profiles and thermal behaviors of hydrogen implanted into Al-1.5 at.% Si alloy samples in an implantation-temperature range of liquid nitrogen temperature (LNT) to 373 K at different doses. The results were compared with those for pure aluminum samples. It was found that hydrogen is trapped as molecules in grain boundaries of Al/Si.     

A New Route to Metal Azides

Beside several other applications, metal azides can be used for the synthesis of nitridophosphates and binary nitrides. Herein we present a novel synthetic access to azides: Several metals, such as main‐group, transition metals, and rare‐earth metals, react with silver azide in liquid ammonia as a solvent giving the corresponding metal azides. In this work Mn(N₃)₂, Sn(N₃)₂, and Eu(N₃)₂, as well as their ammonia complexes were synthesized for the first time through low‐temperature methods. Also a simpler access to Zn(N₃)₂ was possible. At room temperature and the respective vapor pressure of NH₃, it became possible to grow single crystals of the dinuclear holmium azide [Ho₂(μ‐NH₂)₃(NH₃)₁₀](N₃)₃?1.25 NH₃. We are confident that this new route could lead to novel metal azides as well as nitrides of the main‐group, the transition, and the rare‐earth metals upon careful decomposition.     

Viscosity of Aqueous Solutions of n-butylamine,sec-butylamine and tert-butylamine

Abstract

Viscosities of the systems, water (W) + n-butylamine (NBA), W + sec-butylamine (SBA) and W + tert-butylamine (TBA) have been measured in the temperature range 298.15–323.15K. The viscosities (η) and excess viscosities (η^E) have been plotted against mole fraction of amines (X ₂). On addition of amines to water, viscosities first increase rapidly, then pass through maxima at 0.2 mole fraction of amines and then decline continuously as the addition of amines is continued. η^E show large positive values, with maxima also at 0.2 mole fraction of amines. The maxima of the curves of η and η^E vs. mole fraction of butylamines follow the order, W + TBA > W + SBA > W + NBA. The ascending part of the η vs. X ₂ curves in the water-rich region is explained by the hydrophobic hydration caused by the hydrocarbon tails and the hydrophilic effect due to — NH₂ group of amines. Following the maxima, amine - amine association is preferred, which accounts for the steady decrease of viscosity up to the pure state of amines.     

Ionic Liquids Based on the Concept of Melting Point Lowering Due to Ethoxylation

Most of the commonly used Ionic Liquids (ILs) contain bulky organic cations with suitable anions. With our COMPLET (Concept of Melting Point Lowering due to Ethoxylation), we follow a different approach. We use simple, low-toxic, cheap, and commercially available anions of the type C_x(EO)_yCH₂COO^– to liquefy presumably any simple metal ion, independently of its charge. In the simplest case, the cation can be sodium or lithium, but synthesis of Ionic Liquids is also possible with cations of higher valences such as transition or rare earth metals. Anions with longer alkyl chains are surface active and form surface active ionic liquids (SAILs), which combine properties of ionic and nonionic surfactants at room temperature. They show significant structuring even in their pure state, i.e., in the absence of water or any other added solvent. This approach offers new application domains that go far beyond the common real or hypothetical use of classical Ionic Liquids. Possible applications include the separation of rare earth metals, the use as interesting media for metal catalysis, or the synthesis of completely new materials (for example, in analogy to metal organic frameworks).     

On the stability of (MX6)3− complexes in halide melts of three-valent metals

ABSTRACT

The effects of volume change at dissociation equilibrium of possible anion complexes of the (MX₆)^3? type in halide melts of trivalent metals MX3 within the statistical thermodynamics based on the MSA approximation were analysed. With the help of a simplified Akdeniz–Tosi model of a mixture of charged hard spheres of different diameters and valencies, we obtained the full system of equilibrium equations including the mass action law (MAL) and the equation of state (EoS). It was shown that the simplest approximation of the complex diameter as a tripled diameter of simple ions leads to a significant overestimation of the effects of volume changes at dissociation. It was found that the complex dissociation should be accompanied by a significant increase in density in a narrow temperature interval. It can be associated with the specific manifestation of electrolytic dissociation in the case of the trivalent metal halides’ auto-complexation.     

First Principles Calculations Toward Understanding SERS of 2,2′-Bipyridyl Adsorbed on Au,Ag, and Au–Ag Nanoalloy

First principles electrodyanmics and quantum chemical simulations are performed to gain insights into the underlying mechanisms of the surface enhanced Raman spectra of 22BPY adsorbed on pure Au and Ag as well as on Au–Ag alloy nanodiscs. Experimental SERS spectra from Au and Ag nanodiscs show similar peaks, whereas those from Au–Ag alloy reveal new spectral features. The physical enhancement factors due to surface nano-texture were considered by numerical FDTD simulations of light intensity distribution for the nano-textured Au, Ag, and Au–Ag alloy and compared with experimental results. For the chemical insights of the enhancement, the DFT calculations with the dispersion interaction were performed using Au₂₀, Ag₂₀, and Au₁₀Ag₁₀ clusters of a pyramidal structure for SERS modeling. Binding of 22BPY to the clusters was simulated by considering possible arrangements of vertex and planar physical as well as chemical adsorption models. The DFT results indicate that 22BPY prefers a coplanar adsorption on a (111) face with trans-conformation having close energy difference to cis-conformation. Binding to pure Au cluster is stronger than to pure Ag or Au–Ag alloy clusters and adsorption onto the alloy surface can deform the surface. The computed Raman spectra are compared with experimental data and assignments for pure Au and Ag models are well matching, indicating the need of dispersion interaction to reproduce strong Raman signal at around 800 cm^–1. This work provides insight into 3D character of SERS on nanorough surfaces due to different binding energies and bond length of nanoalloys. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Viscosity of nematic mixtures: A free-volume approach

Abstract

The five Leslie viscosities for a mixture of two nematic materials are computed as functions of the temperature, composition and order parameter. It is shown that, for a nematic mixture of A and B, the equations describing the composition and temperature behaviour of the Leslie viscosities have the same form as those for the pure components, provided that composition-averaged values of the parameters are used. For the case where the free volume is additive, the relaxation times for the mixtures can be directly expressed as functions of the parameters for the pure components. These results are compared with the experimental data on λ₁ for MBBA/EBBA mixtures, and fairly good agreement is found.     

Calculation of Sound Velocities of Liquid Metals at their Melting Point via the Percus-Yevick Theory of Melting

Abstract

In this brief note, we utilize the 3N collective coordinate theory of liquids of Percus and Yevick¹ as applied to the phenomenon of melting by Omini² to calculate the sound Velocities in various simple liquid metals at their melting temperatures. We perform this calculation by taking derivatives of Omini's² calculated Percus-Yevick dispersion relations for their “liquid phonon” collective coordinate elementary excitations of the liquid. We compare these calculated sound velocities with experimental data, where possible, to ascertain the validity of the liquid phonon dispersion relation as a source of sound velocities.