Polypyrrole coating doped by molybdo-phosphate anions for corrosion prevention of carbon steels

The polypyrrole coating was prepared from phosphoric acid aqueous solution containing the hetero-polyanion and pyrrole monomer to make new coating for corrosion prevention of carbon steels. The coating thus formed in the phosphate acid solution was doped by and by . The coating was flexible enough to cover the steel homogeneously without cracks, although many cracks were observed on the coating formed in a neutral aqueous solution of Na₂MoO₂. The 5.1-μm-thick polypyrrole coating makes the steel maintain the passive state for 48 h in neutral 3.5 wt% NaCl solution at pH 5.3 and for 80 h in acidic 3.5 wt% NaCl solution at pH 1.9. The coating decreased the corrosion rate of the steel by 1/200 in the neutral NaCl solution and by 1/340 in the acidic NaCl solution, if compared with the rate of the bare steel. The dissolution current of the steel during the immersion remained at the level of the typical passive current in the respective solutions.     

Force control between quantum dots by light in polaritonic molecule states

Photomediated force between quantum dots (QDs) is theoretically studied. An attractive (repulsive) interparticle radiation force (IRF) arises by selectively exciting the lower (higher) split state of coupled polaritons in QDs. Since these states are analogous to bonding and antibonding states of a diatomic molecule, we term this system the "polaritonic molecule (PM)". IRF in PM states is controlled by the photon energy, polarization, and phase at each QD. This mechanism can be used to probe internal quantum properties of nano-objects and to manipulate collective dynamics of QDs.     

Justification shift and uncertainty: why are low-probability near misses underrated against organizational routines?

Knowledge of near misses is helpful in preventing accidents, but it does not always lead to changes in organizational routines or contribute to accident prevention. In this article, the authors argue that low-probability near misses reinforce beliefs of experts and professionals in existing routines, proposing a concept of justification shift. Justification shift is underestimation of risks of known near misses vis-à-vis overestimation of reliabilities of existing routines. Consequently, signals of “close calls” tend to be disregarded, and accidents become more likely. When justification shift occurs, experts and professionals who want changes in routines face burden of proof about risks of those routines. Uncertainty in requirements and data may increase the burden and make justification shift more likely. To explore how justification shift occurs and how uncertainty influences the shift, the authors have developed an agent-based model based on theories in organizational studies and the case of the space shuttle Challenger accident in 1986. From the simulation using the model, it becomes clear that uncertainty does not make a difference in frequencies and degrees of justification shift. The authors also discuss implications of this finding to efforts to utilize knowledge of near misses and to further research on the efforts and organizational decisions.     

Isometries of some F-algebras of holomorphic functions on the upper half plane

Linear isometries of N ^p (D) onto N ^p (D) are described, where N ^p (D), p > 1, is the set of all holomorphic functions f on the upper half plane D = {z ∈ ?: Im z > 0} such that sup _y >0 ∫_? ln ^p (1 + |(x + iy)|) dx < +∞. Our result is an improvement of the results by D.A. Efimov.     

Ordered State and Superfluidity of Quasi-Two-Dimensional Excitons in Type-II Quantum Wells

One of the best ways to obtain unambiguous experimental evidence for the superfluidity of excitons is to observe phenomena that are directly related to the phase of the condensed excitons. As an advantageous candidate for this purpose, we propose a quasi-two-dimensional exciton system in type-II quantum wells (QWs). We consider the condensed excitons in the type-II QW irradiated by a weak laser light and show that under the control of an external current J ex , the system takes the ordered state with (without) net superflow of excitons at T = 0 K when J ex is larger (smaller) than a certain critical value. Introducing probable mechanisms of phase transitions, we calculate the transition temperatures and construct the phase diagram.     

Laser Spectroscopy and Lifetime Measurements of the S1 State of Tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) in a Cold Gas-Phase Free-Jet

The S₁ electronic state of 7,7,8,8-Tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) has been investigated by laser induced fluorescence (LIF), dispersed fluorescence (DF) spectroscopy, and lifetime measurements under jet-cooled conditions in the gas-phase. The LIF spectrum showed a weak origin band at 412.13 nm (24262 cm⁻¹) with prominent progression and combination bands involving vibrations of 327, 1098, and 2430 cm⁻¹. In addition, very strong bands appeared at ∼363.6 nm (3300 cm⁻¹ above the origin). Both the LIF and DF spectra indicate considerable geometric change in the S₁ state. The fluorescence lifetime of S₁ at zero-point level was obtained to be 220 ns. This lifetime is 40 times longer than the radiative lifetime estimated from the S₁−S₀ oscillator strength. Furthermore, the lifetimes of the vibronic bands exhibited drastic energy dependence, indicating a strong mixing with the triplet (T₁) or intramolecular charge-transfer (CT) state. This study is thought to disclose intrinsic nature of TCNQ, which has been well known as a component of organic semiconductors and a versatile p-type dopant.     

Fluorescence Properties and Exciplex Formation of Emissive Naphthyridine Derivatives: Application as Sensors for Amines

Water-soluble donor–acceptor-type fluorophore 15Nap-Cl having two trifluoromethyl groups and a Cl group on a 1,5-aminonaphthyridine framework was prepared. Fluorophore 15Nap-Cl showed strong solvatochromic fluorescence, and, as the solvent polarity increased, a bathochromic shift was observed accompanied by an increase in the fluorescence quantum yield. In addition, in the presence of amines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, and aniline, further considerable bathochromic shifts in the fluorescence were observed. Density functional calculations identified the source of the fluorescence behavior as exciplex formation between 15-Nap-Cl and the corresponding amine. The fluorescence behavior was exploited to fabricate a sensor that can identify various primary, secondary, and tertiary amines.     

Significant Effect of the Flexibility of Bridging Alkyl Chains on the Proximity of Stacked Porphyrin and Phthalocyanine Conjugated with a Fourfold Rotaxane Linkage

Spatial distance is an important factor in controlling the functional interactions between molecular units in a conjugate; therefore, the bridging unit has been closely examined. Here, we examined the effect of the flexibility of bridging alkyl chains on the proximity of stacked porphyrin and phthalocyanine conjugated with a fourfold rotaxane linkage. We found that closely stacking two π systems requires bridging alkyl chains above a certain length, and the shorter bridges hinder stacking because of their lower flexibility. The stacking distance between porphyrin and phthalocyanine in the conjugate with decyl (C₁₀) chains was estimated to be 4.03 Å and showed a unique physical character arising from short-distance interactions. The longer alkyl chains minimized steric restriction inside the fourfold rotaxane and allowed efficient communication between the porphyrin and phthalocyanine units. This is due to the flexibility of the side chains.     

Selective recognition and electrochemical sensing of dopamine using a ferrocene-based heteroditopic receptor

A redox-active ferrocene-based heteroditopic receptor bearing a boronic acid (as a catechol recognition site) and a benzo-18-crown-6-ether unit (as an ammonium ion recognition site) was synthesized. A 1:1 ditopic complex with dopamine was evidenced by mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetry measurements on the receptor in the presence of a series of organic guest species demonstrated the successful electrochemical sensing of dopamine through a distinct change in the ferrocene-centred redox-couple upon complex formation.