The density and surface tension of In–Sn and Cu–In–Sn alloys

Abstract  

The density and surface tension of binary In–Sn and ternary Cu–In–Sn alloys have been measured by a sessile-drop method. Decrease of the density and of the surface tension was observed with rising temperature. With increased Sn content in the alloys, the density increased while the surface tension reduced slightly. Addition of Cu could significantly increase the density and surface tension in the Cu–In–Sn system. The surface tension of the Cu–In–Sn alloys was also calculated by means of Butler’s equation, and compared with experimental values, showing good agreement.     

Bulk properties and hydration numbers of components of water–salt,water–urea,and water–urea–salt systems

With an increase in the concentration of additives, the hydration numbers of compounds decrease. Thus, in a saturated 54.6% solution, urea loses approximately 3/4 of the initial amount of water, forming an aquacomplex of the composition (NH₂)₂CO?H₂O. In a supersaturated 44% solution, the sodium chloride aquacomplex is dehydrated by 2/3, and in a supersaturated 67% solution, sodium sulfate is dehydrated by 5/6. The density of these solutions is 1.354÷1.360 g/cm³ (44% NaCl) and 1.800÷1.849 g/cm³ (67% Na₂SO₄). In a saturated urea solution, NaNO₃, NaCl, and Na₂SO₄ complexes lose 53÷55% of hydration water. It is shown that the interactions in the binary water–urea system somewhat increase the hydration number of the salts (structural hydration). The hydration water density, a structurally important characteristic, increases in the series of solutions of urea, NaNO₃, NaCl, and Na₂SO₄. In the same series of additives, the excess volume of binary water–urea and water–salt systems becomes more negative.     

Determination of Electron and Hole Mobility of Regioregular Poly(3‐hexylthiophene) by the Time of Flight Method

Time of flight method (TOF) is used to measure the electron and hole mobility of a spin coated regioregular poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) film. We find that both electron and hole have the same mobility (about 3.8～3.9×10^?4 cm²/Vs) at an applied field of 120 kV/cm. It is demonstrated in this paper that the electron‐hole recombination process may prevent the electron transport in the material due to the fact that the carrier recombination time is much shorter than the transit time.     

LC–DAD and LC–ESI–MS Chromatographic Fingerprinting and Quantitative Analysis for Evaluation of the Quality of Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang

LC–DAD coupled with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC–ESI–MS–MS) has been used to evaluate the quality of the traditional Chinese medicine Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang (HLJDT). Twenty-five chromatographic peaks were obtained from a C₁₈ analytical column by gradient elution with acetonitrile and formate buffer (containing 0.5% formic acid) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min^?1. The linearity, precision, and accuracy of the data obtained were acceptable. Thirteen components were identified by ESI–MS, and seven of these were quantitatively analyzed by LC–DAD. The method was used to analyze ten batches of HLJDT, and both chromatographic fingerprints and quantitative data were used to evaluate the quality of the HLJDT. It was concluded that this LC–DAD–ESI–MS method enables more fully validated and complete evaluation and monitoring of the quality of HLJDT.     

Bubble points of hydrogen chloride–water–isopropanol and hydrogen chloride–water–isopropanol–benzene systems and liquid–liquid equilibria of hydrogen chloride–water–benzene and hydrogen chloride–water–isopropanol–benzene systems

Bubble points of the HCl–water–isopropanol and the HCl–water–isopropanol–benzene systems and liquid–liquid equilibria (LLE) of the HCl–water–benzene and the HCl–water– isopropanol–benzene systems were measured at 25–85°C and 30–70°C, respectively. The electrolyte nonrandom two-liquid model proposed by Chen et al. [C.-C. Chen, H.I. Britt, J.F. Boston, L.B. Evans, AIChE J. 28 (1982) 588–596] can satisfactorily correlate bubble points and liquid–liquid equilibria of the present mixed-solvent electrolyte systems over the entire range of temperature and concentrations using only binary adjustable parameters.     

Thermodynamic and surface properties of Ge–Ga and Ge–Sb liquid alloys

Thermodynamic and surface properties of Ge–Ga and Ge–Sb liquid alloys have been studied using statistical mechanical formulations based on complex formation and that based on the concept of layered structure near the interface. The study showed that low level of complex formation of the form Ge _{2 Sb} exists in Ge–Sb toward the Ge-rich end of the concentration range and the surface properties of Ge–Ga are almost equal to their corresponding bulk equivalent.     

UV–Vis spectra and structure of acid-base forms of dimethylamino- and aminoazobenzene

The changes in the UV–Vis absorption spectra of dimethylaminoazobenzene (DAB) in the cellulose triacetate (CTA) matrix during the absorption of gaseous hydrogen chloride and protonation of DAB in weakly and strongly acid solutions of hydrochloric and sulfuric acids were studied. The yellow-orange color of DAB and its analog aminoazobenzene (AAB) was shown to be due to the dimers, whose structure involves phenylaminyl type cations formed due to the promotion of the sp ² electrons of the azo groups to the Rydberg R _3s orbitals of the azo groups and possessing Vis bands at 400–417 nm. The cations exist immanently as the dimers due to the Rydberg intermonomer bonds; the Vis bands of the dimers shifted toward 500–520 nm under the action of HCl (in CTA) and weakly acid media as a result of the formation of phenyl aminyl type pair cations, whose π* levels are split by Simpson’s mechanism, during the protonation of interrelated monomers. In the concentrated sulfuric acid, the Vis bands at 500–520 nm vanished because of the decomposition of the dimers into diprotonated monomers possessing Vis bands at 400–417 nm. The mechanism of transformations of chromogens responsible for the spectral transformation was given.     

Electrochemical and structural characterization of sputter-deposited Mg–Nb and Mg–Nb–Al–Zn alloy films

Nanocrystalline Mg–Nb and Mg–Nb–Al–Zn alloy films were deposited by dc magnetron sputtering on glass and quartz substrates in a wide range of niobium concentrations from 6 to 80 at.%. Structural, electrochemical and corrosion properties of the films were studied by X-ray diffraction, dc voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance. Development of body-centred cubic Nb structure in the Mg–Nb alloy matrix yielded the effects of lattice contraction, grain refining and electrochemical passivity. The measurements showed high corrosion resistance of the films in alkaline solutions when niobium content was one third or more. An increased corrosion resistance was achieved by introducing minor amounts of Al (ca. 2 at.%). In particular, such Al effect was pronounced at lower Nb concentrations (20 to 30 at.%). Semiconductor properties of spontaneously formed oxide on Mg–Nb alloy were studied by Mott–Schottky plots, which indicated highly doped n-type oxide structures on Mg–Nb surface. The paper fills some gap in understanding of niobium–magnesium systems, which show potential for applications in hydrogen storage, switchable mirrors and corrosion protection.     

Adenine–Au and adenine–uracil–Au. Non-conventional hydrogen bonds of the anions and donator–acceptor properties of the neutrals

This is a study of adenine–Au and adenine–uracil–Au (neutral, anionic and cationic), applying the B3LYP density-functional approach. In these systems, the interaction is directly related to the charge; so that as the metal atomic charge increases, the bond strength also increases. Neutral molecules are weakly bonded, the interaction in the case of cations is mainly electrostatic and in the case of the anions, the extra electron is localized on the metal atom and consequently, non-conventional hydrogen bonds are formed. In the case of adenine–Au (anion), the H dissociation energy is similar to the electron dissociation energy, and therefore both reactions may be possible. Moreover, the Au anionic atom modifies the hydrogen bonds of the uracil–adenine base pair. This may be significant in the study of point mutations that may occur in the Watson–Crick dimmer of nucleic basis. The electron-donator properties of these compounds are analyzed with the aid of the donator–acceptor map (DAM), previously described. Adenine–Au, uracil–Au and adenine–uracil–Au are more effective electron donors, but poorer electron acceptors than adenine, uracil and adenine–uracil. If the electron acceptor properties of carotenoids such as β-carotene and astaxanthin are compared, there are indications that astaxanthin may act as an oxidant instead of an antioxidant with the uracil–adenine base pair. The oxidation of nucleic acid bases by carotenoids may have important consequences, as oxidative damage of DNA and RNA appears to be linked to cancer. This is something that demands further studies and for this reason, work concerning the reactivity of carotenoids with DNA-nitrogen bases is in progress.     

Electrochemical reactivity of Li–Mn–O and Li–Fe–Mn–O spinels

Electrochemical reductive dissolution of Li–Mn–O and Li–Fe–Mn–O spinels and Li⁺ extraction/insertion in these oxides were performed using voltammetry of microparticles. Both electrochemical reactions are sensitive to the Fe/(Fe+Mn) ratio, specific surface area, Li content in tetrahedral positions, and Mn valence, and can be used for electrochemical analysis of the homogeneity of the elemental and phase composition of synthetic samples. The peak potential (E _P) of the reductive dissolution of the Li–Mn–O spinel is directly proportional to the logarithm of the specific surface area. E _P of Li–Fe–Mn–O spinels is mainly controlled by the Fe/(Fe+Mn) ratio. Li⁺ insertion/extraction can be performed with Mn-rich Li–Fe–Mn–O spinels in aqueous solution under an ambient atmosphere and it is sensitive to the regularity of the spinel structure, in particularly to the amount of Li in tetrahedral positions and the Mn valence. Electronic Publication     

Sensitive Determination of Felodipine in Human and Dog Plasma by Use of Liquid–Liquid Extraction and LC–ESI–MS–MS

Summary A sensitive and selective liquid chromatographic method coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC–ESI–MS–MS) has been developed for quantification of felodipine in human and dog plasma. Compounds were separated on a 2.0 mm × 150 mm, 5.0 m particle, C₈ column with 1 m m ammonium acetate–acetonitrile, 20:80, pH 6.0, as mobile phase at a flow rate of 200 L min^–1. Nifedipine was used as internal standard. Plasma samples were extracted with diethyl ether, the centrifuged upper layer was evaporated, the residue was reconstituted with mobile phase, and the reconstituted samples were injected. The analytical column lasted for at least 1000 injections. By use of multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode in MS–MS felodipine and nifedipine were detected without severe interference from the human or dog plasma matrix. Felodipine produced a protonated precursor ion ([M + H]⁺) at m/z 384 and a corresponding product ion at m/z 338. And internal standard (nifedipine) produced a protonated precursor ion ([M + H]⁺) at m/z 347 and a corresponding product ion at m/z 315. Detection of felodipine in human and dog plasma was accurate and precise, with a limit of quantification of 0.05 ng mL^–1. The method has been successfully applied to preliminary pharmacokinetic study of felodipine in human and dog plasma.     

Synthesis of functionalized and fused furans and pyrans from the Morita–Baylis–Hillman acetates of nitroalkenes

The Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH) acetates derived from nitroalkenes and ethyl glyoxylate have been transformed in one pot at room temperature to highly fused and functionalized furans and pyrans in good to excellent yield. The reaction involves a cascade Michael–oxa-Michael addition of β-dicarbonyl compounds to the MBH acetates in the presence of an amine base such as DABCO. An unusual switching of selectivity in the oxa-Michael addition from 5-exo-trig to 6-endo-trig was observed when the β-dicarbonyl compound was changed from acyclic or six-membered ring cyclic to five-membered ring cyclic system.     

Stress Studies and Identification of Degradation Products of Cephalexin Using LC–PDA and LC–MS/MS

A stability indicating RP-HPLC method for cephalexin has been developed and validated to identify and characterize potential degradation products. Drug was subjected to hydrolytic (acidic, basic, and neutral), oxidative, thermal, and photolytic stresses as per ICH guidelines Q1A (R2) and Q1B. Chromatographic separation was achieved on C8 column with mixture of ammonium acetate buffer pH 4.5 and acetonitrile in gradient mode as a mobile phase with PDA detection. Specificity of the method was established by peak purity studies. Method was validated as per ICH guideline Q2 (R1) for accuracy, precision, linearity, sensitivity, and robustness. Kinetics for each degradation condition was studied with respect to order of reaction and rate constant. Method was found to comply with acceptance criteria of validation parameters with respect to specificity (peak purity greater than 0.999) linearity (r ² greater than 0.99), accuracy (% recovery in the range of 98–102%), and precision (% RSD not more than 2). A total of six degradation products were generated in different stress conditions; these were identified and structures were proposed using LC–MS/MS. Cephalexin undergoes degradation in almost all the conditions. The developed stability indicating method is suitable for analysis of stability samples as it adequately separates all degradation products. Degradation products generated in photolytic and oxidative conditions are reported for the first time.     

Electrochemical synthesis of stannane–silane and stannane–germane copolymers

Poly(dibutylstannylene-co-dibutylsilylene) and poly(dibutylstannylene-co-dibutylgermylene) were synthesized for the first time, by electrochemical reduction of dibutyldichlorostannane together with dibutyldichlorosilane and dibutyldichlorogermane, respectively, in a one-compartment cell equipped with a platinum cathode and a silver anode, using tetrabutylammonium perchlorate and 1,2-dimethoxyethane as the supporting electrolyte and the solvent, respectively. Most of absorption peaks observed for the copolymers were located between those of polystannylene and polysilylene/polygermylene. A copolymer with relatively high stannane content had a relatively long absorption peak, which is close to that of a homopolymer polydibutylstannylene. A copolymer with a higher stannane content was more sensitive to the moisture in air.     

Electrochemical and microgravimetric characterization of magnetron-sputtered Fe–Cr–Ni–Ta and Fe–Cr–Ni alloy films in neutral and strongly acidic media

The Fe–Cr–Ni and Fe–Cr–Ni–Ta alloy films were deposited on quartz substrates by magnetron-sputtering using targets of AISI 316 stainless steel and in combination with pure tantalum. The conventional melting of the Fe–Cr–Ni–Ta alloy formed is virtually impossible because the melting point of tantalum is higher than the boiling points of the other components. Elemental content of the films was determined by XPS analysis. Corrosion behaviour of both alloy films was studied in 5% NaCl and 10 M HCl by electrochemical quartz crystal microgravimetry (EQCM), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and dc-voltammetry. The corrosion resistance of Fe–Cr–Ni–Ta appeared to be significantly higher than that of Fe–Cr–Ni in both neutral (5% NaCl) and strongly acidic (10 M HCl) media. The Fe–Cr–Ni–Ta specimen exhibited an extremely high corrosion resistance in 10 M HCl, where the corrosion rates were about one order of magnitude lower than those of Fe–Cr–Ni in neutral solution. EQCM measurements in NaCl solution indicated accumulation of corrosion products on the Fe–Cr–Ni–Ta surface, which was evident from a distinctive increase in electrode mass. By contrast, the mass of the tantalum-free alloy film decreased with a constant rate, which indicated alloy dissolution to prevail. The corrosion current calculated from the mass decrease was in good agreement with that derived from voltammetric measurements. The EQCM data showed that the corrosion resistance of the Fe–Cr–Ni–Ta alloy film in 10 M HCl was about two orders of magnitude higher than that of the Fe–Cr–Ni.     

Insights on Clusters Formation Mechanism by Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry. 2. The Case of Acetone–Water Clusters

This paper is the second of a series dealing with clusters formation mechanism. In part 1, water clusters with the addition of an electrophilic molecule such as ethanol were studied by Time Of Flight Mass Spectrometry (TOFMS). Mass distributions of molecular clusters of ethanol, water and ethanol–water mixed clusters, were obtained by means of two different ionization methods: Electron Ionization (EI) and picosecond laser Photo–Ionization (PI) at a wavelength of 355 nm. In part 2, the same experimental approach was employed to obtain mass spectra of clusters generated by acetone-water binary mixtures with a different composition. Strong dependence of the mass spectra of clusters with EI and PI on the acetone-water mixing ratio was observed. It was shown that the spectral pattern changes gradually and water-rich cluster signals become fainter while acetone-rich cluster signals become more intensive with increasing acetone concentrations from 0.3% to 40%. Owing to the hydrogen bond acceptor character of acetone, its self-association is discouraged with respect to ethanol. The autocorrelation function (AF) was used to analyze the variation of the water clusters composition with the increase of the acetone concentration in terms of fundamental periodicities. However, although acetone and ethanol present a very different hydrogen-bonding ability, similarly to ethanol-water system, in acetone–water system the formation of water-rich clusters and subsequent metastable fragmentation are the dominant process that determine the clusters distribution, irrespective of the ionization process, while the ionization process significantly affects the acetone-rich clusters distribution.

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Graphical Abstract ?

     

Cluster and Heterometallic Alkoxide Derivatives of Rhenium and d-Elements of V–VI Groups

The paper represents a listing of results obtained by developing the original methods of controlled synthesis of cluster and mono-, bi- and trimetallic oxo-alkoxide derivatives of rhenium and d-elements of V–VI groups. The developed techniques of the synthesis of metal alkoxides include: (1) anodic dissolution of the metals in the alcohol media; (2) direct reaction of the rhenium (VII) oxide with alkoxide derivatives of the transition elements. By such techniques were obtained: Re₄O₄(OEt)₁₂, Re₄O₆(OⁱPr)₁₀; individual rhenium alkoxocomplexes: Re₄O₂(OMe)₁₆, Re₄O₆(OMe)₁₂, Re₄O_6−y(OMe)_12+y; bimetallic ReMoO₂(OMe)₇, Re_4−xMo_xO_6−y(OMe)_12+y, Re_4−xW_xO_6−y(OMe)_12+y; Nb₂(OMe)₈(ReO₄)₂, Ta₂(OMe)₈(ReO₄)₂, Nb₄O₂(OMe)₁₄(ReO₄)₂, Ta₄O₂(OMe)₁₄(ReO₄)₂, Nb₄O₂(OEt)₁₄(ReO₄)₂, Ta₄O₂(OEt)₁₄(ReO₄)₂, alkoxocomplexes: Nb_2−xTa_x(OMe)₈(ReO₄)₂, Nb_4−xTa_xO₂(OMe)₁₄(ReO₄)₂, Nb_4−xTa_xO₂(OEt)₁₄(ReO₄)₂. All compounds mentioned above are characterized with X-ray single crystal study, IR-spectroscopy, DTG. It has been shown, that thermal decomposition of alkoxide derivatives in inert or hydrogen atmosphere leads to formation nano-size powders of individual rhenium and its alloys at low temperature. Thermal decomposition in air leads to formation individual metal oxides or its solid solutions. It has been demonstrated that the alkoxide derivatives could be promising precursors for next generation catalysts manufacturing.     

Effect of cooling rate and Al content on solidification behavior and microstructure evolution of as-cast Mg–Al–Ca–Sm alloys

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - In the present study, the Mg–xAl–2Ca–2Sm (x = 3, 5, 9 and 15) alloys were fabricated in sand mold with stepped type, and...