Novel measurements of refractive index, density and mid-infrared integrated band strengths for solid O2, N2O and NO2:N2O4 mixtures

We present novel measurements of the refractive index, density and integrated band strengths of mid-infrared features of solid N₂O at 16 K and of NO₂ and N₂O₄ in two frozen NO₂:N₂O₄ mixtures deposited at 16 and 60 K. The refractive index and density measurements were performed also for frozen O₂ deposited at 16 K. In this case, the integrated band strength values could not be determined since O₂ is a homonuclear molecule and therefore its fundamental mode is not infrared active. The solid samples were analysed by infrared spectroscopy in the 8000÷800 cm⁻¹ range. The sample thickness was measured by the interference curve obtained using a He–Ne laser operating at 543 nm. The refractive index at this laser wavelength was obtained, by numerical methods, from the measured amplitude of the interference curve. The density values were obtained using the Lorentz–Lorenz relation. Integrated band strength values were then obtained by a linear fit of the integrated band intensities plotted versus column density values. The astrophysical relevance of these novel measurements is briefly discussed.     

Vapor pressures and enthalpies of vaporization of thianthrene,acridine, and 9-methylanthracene at elevated temperatures

Vapor pressures (0.13 to 197.99 kPa) were measured of three polynuclear compounds, one containing a sulfur group, the second containing pyridinic nitrogen, and the third a methyl group. The temperature ranges of the measurements were as follows: acridine, 423.80 to 621.16 K; thianthrene, 430.79 to 593.01 K; and 9-methylanthracene, 423.76 to 587.64 K. The measurements were performed in a high-temperature static apparatus. For each compound Chebyshev polynomials have been used to fit the experimental vapor pressures. The results have been further processed to evaluate the enthalpies of vaporization.     

Correlation for prediction of interfacial tensions of pure alkane,naphthenic and aromatic compounds between their freezing and critical points

A simple equation has been developed for predicting the interfacial tensions of pure alkanes, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons between their freezing and critical points. The equation has the form

and represents the interfacial tension using a generalized correlation developed by Sivaraman et al. (1984) for predicting the latent heats of vaporization of normal fluids and coal-liquid model compounds. Here σ^* is the reduced dimensionless interfacial tension, and L^*₍₀₎ and L^*₍₁₎ are the reduced dimensionless latent heats of vaporization; A and N are system-independent constants. Subsequent tests of this correlation in predicting interfacial tension over a broad domain of reduced temperatures for a large number of different types of compounds have confirmed the validity of our approach. The percentage deviations in interfacial tension are in the range? 3.87 to 5.99 in the range of reduced temperatures 0.03 < ? = (T_c ? T)/T_c < 0.55.     

Energy‐induced polymorphic changes in poly(vinylidene fluoride): How ultrasonication results in polymer with predominantly γ phase

Self‐polarized poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) films were prepared via solution crystallization technique wherein the polymorphism of the films was controlled from α phase (>85%) to γ phase (>90%) by varying the time of ultrasonication. On increasing ultrasonication time up to 60 min, γ phase crystallites were found to be self‐aligned in the matrix while an equal proportion of α and γ phases coexist in the PVDF films ultrasonicated for 120 min. The phase conversion as well as inversion was evident from Fourier transform infrared, X‐ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry analyses. Microscopic images of films ultrasonicated for 60 min showed a scrolled lamellar morphology while those sonicated for 120 min showed mixture of scrolled lamellar and spherulitic morphology. With the help of computational studies, it is explained that a large amount of energy is required for transforming trans‐gauche‐trans‐gauche into trans‐trans‐trans‐gauche conformation which is provided by ultrasonication. The mechanism of γ phase formation is proposed based on the experimental and theoretical approaches. Our studies show that just by tuning the time of ultrasonication, PVDF films with various morphologies can be processed; either one with predominantly electroactive γ phase with superior electrical properties or one with equal proportion of α and γ phases with superior mechanical properties. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019 , 57, 40–50     

Separation of lanthanides using ion-interaction chromatography with HDEHP coated columns

A rapid and high resolution separation of lanthanides by HPLC technique has been developed using Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (HDEHP) coated reverse phase column and a-hydroxy isobutyric acid as the complexing reagent for elution. A gradient elution technique has been developed for achieving the separation of the entire lanthanide series. Isocratic elution procedure has also been developed for the separation of lighter (La to Gd) as well heavier lanthanides (Lu to Tb). This paper describes the separation methods developed and their application for the determination of lanthanides in a fission product mixture.     

Time-dependent conformational changes in adsorbed albumin and its effect on platelet adhesion

Recent studies have shown that platelets can adhere to adsorbed albumin (Alb) through a receptor-mediated mechanism, but only if the Alb undergoes more than a critical degree of adsorption-induced unfolding. The objectives of this research were to investigate whether Alb that was initially adsorbed in a manner that induced unfolding that was less than this critical level would undergo further unfolding with time and, if so, whether this would induce the onset of platelet adhesion once this critical level was exceeded. To address these questions, CD spectropolarimetry was used to monitor the structure of Alb on OH- and CH(3)-functionalized alkanethiol self-assembled monolayer surfaces, with the Alb initially adsorbed under conditions resulting in degrees of unfolding that were below this critical level, and then the adsorbed Alb layers were aged over 6 months in sterile physiological saline at 37 °C. Platelet adhesion to Alb was quantified at selected time points via a lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. The results indicate that an adsorbed Alb layer does undergo further structural changes with increasing residence time and supports platelet adhesion once it unfolds beyond the previously determined critical level. These results may be relevant to the clinically observed problem of the onset of late-thrombosis, which occurs on cardiovascular implants such as drug-eluting stents.     

Propagation of Alfvén surface waves along the ionospheric plasma slab with the effect of gravity

Ionospheric regions connecting the neutral gas atmosphere have been considered to be an incompressible plasma slab surrounded by incompressible plasma on one side and neutral gas on the other side. The effect of gravity on Alfvén surface waves in the slab geometry is studied. As a special case, the propagation of ASW along the plasma-neutral gas interface is also discussed. The existence of two modes of surface waves has been identified and their characteristic behaviour affected by the gravity has been discussed.