A novel two-dimensional silver(I) saccharinato coordination polymer constructed from weak Ag?C interactions: Synthesis, IR spectra and X-ray structure

A new dinuclear silver(I)-saccharinato (sac) complex with acetonitrile (MeCN), [Ag₂(sac)₂(MeCN)₂]_n has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The silver(I) ions are doubly bridged by two sac ligands, leading to a short argentophilic contact of 2.9074(3) Å. Each silver(I) ion exhibits a square-planar coordination geometry including the Ag-Ag bonds. The individual dimeric molecules are extended into a two-dimensional layered structure by weak Ag?C_sac (η²) interactions of ca. 3.2 Å. These interactions were discussed and compared with those found in the first silver(I)-sac complex [Ag(sac)]_n.     

Fabrication and characterization of anhydrous polymer electrolyte membranes based on sulfonated poly(vinyl alcohol) and benzimidazole

In the present study, a new type of chemically cross-linked polymer blend membranes consisting of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), sulfosuccinic acid (SSA) and benzimidazole (BnIm), as a dopant, at different stoichometric ratios were prepared and used as proton conducting polymer electrolytes. The proton conductivities of the membranes were investigated as a function of blending composition and the temperature. TGA indicated that the blend polymers were thermally stable up to approximately 175°C; differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results illustrated the homogeneity of the materials. The local chain flexibility of the host polymer increased with BnIm concentration. The methanol permeability values of the membranes were much lower than that of a Nafion-membrane. The proton conductivity of these materials increased with BnIm and SSA concentration and the temperature.     

Assessment of nonlinear seismic performance of a restored historical arch bridge using ambient vibrations

Historic masonry arch bridges are vital components of transportation systems in many countries worldwide, ensuring the ready access of goods and services to millions of people. The structural failure of these historic structures would severely and adversely impact the economies of these nations due to the massive disruptions of transportation systems accompanying such failures. To successfully maintain these aging masonry structures, performance assessment must incorporate the unique mechanical characteristics of masonry. Therefore, the preferred analysis technique must go beyond a linear approach. This study assesses the earthquake performance of a restored historical masonry arch bridge through nonlinear finite element analysis incorporating the Drucker–Prager damage criterion. The case study structure is the Mikron Arch Bridge, a nineteenth century Ottoman Era structure built over the Firtina River near Rize, Turkey, and restored in 1998. The Mikron Arch Bridge was first subjected to ambient vibration testing, during which accelerometers were placed at several points on the bridge span to record the bridge vibratory response. The investigators then used Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition and Stochastic Subspace Identification techniques to extract the experimental natural frequencies, mode shapes, and damping ratios from these measurements. Experimental results were compared with those obtained by the linear finite element analysis of the bridge. Good agreement between mode shapes was observed during this comparison, though natural frequencies disagree by 8–10%. The boundary conditions of the linear finite element model of Mikron Arch Bridge are adjusted such that the analytical predictions agree with the ambient vibration test results. By introducing the Drucker–Prager damage criterion, the calibrated linear FE model was next extended into a nonlinear model. Nonlinear analysis of seismic behavior of Mikron arch bridge was performed considering the acceleration record of Erzincan earthquake in 1992 that occurred near the Mikron Bridge region. The displacement and stress results were observed to be allowable level of the stone material. Moreover, linear FE model calibrations elicited a significant influence on the nonlinear FE model simulations.     

Synthesis and characterization of UV‐curable phosphorus containing hybrid materials prepared by sol–gel technique

In this study, a series of ultraviolet (UV)‐curable organic–inorganic hybrid coating materials containing phosphorus were prepared by sol–gel approach from acrylate end‐capped urethane resin, acrylated phenyl phosphine oxide oligomer (APPO), and inorganic precursors. TEOS and MAPTMS were used to obtain the silica network and Ti:acac complex was employed for the formation of the titania network in the hybrid coating systems. Coating performance of the hybrid coating materials applied on aluminum substrates was determined by the analysis techniques, such as hardness, gloss, impact strength, cross‐cut adhesion, taber abrasion resistance, which were accepted by international organization. Also, stress–strain test of the hybrids was carried out on the free films. These measurements showed that all the properties of the hybrids were enhanced effectively by gradual increase in sol–gel precursors and APPO oligomer content. The thermal behavior of the hybrid coatings was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) analysis. The flame retardancy of the hybrid materials was examined by the limiting oxygen index (LOI); the LOI values of pure organic coating (BF) increased from 31 to 44 for the hybrid materials containing phosphorus (BF‐P:40/Si:10). The data from thermal analysis and LOI showed that the hybrid coating materials containing phosphorus have higher thermal stability and flame resistance properties than the organic polymer. Besides that, it was found that the double bond conversion values for the hybrid mixtures were adequate in order to form an organic matrix. The polycondensation reactions of TEOS and MAPTMS compounds were also investigated by ²⁹Si‐NMR spectroscopy. SEM studies of the hybrid coatings showed that silica/titania particles were homogenously dispersed through the organic matrix. In addition, it was determined that the hybrid material containing phosphorus and silica showed fibrillar structure. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

FT-IR,EDXRF and Gamma-Isotopic Analyses of Ashes from Coal Fired Power Plants of Turkey

Abstract

Nine ash samples collected from five coal fired power plants of Turkey have been analysed by FT-IR, EDXRF and γ -isotopic analyses methods. IR spectroscopy together with mineralogical analysis is found to be a useful method for investigating the inorganic chemical composition of the ashes which is an inherently variable material due to differences in the inorganic chemical composition of the source coal and in ash collection. Gamma-isotopic analysis indicated that all samples contained Ra-226, U-238 and Th-232. On the other hand Cs-137 (16.3 pCi/g) was found only in the ash sample collected from the Yata?an coal fired power plant. An ash sample taken from the electro-filter of the Ambarli, a fuel oil fired-power plant of Turkey, was also analysed for comparision and found that it contained least amount of U-238.     

Construction stage analysis of Humber Suspension Bridge

Suspension bridges are widely used as engineering structures to across long spans and give rise to the usage of domains under the bridge. In the finite element analyses of suspension bridges, it is assumed that the structure is built and loaded in a second. However, this type of analysis does not always give the reliable and healthy solutions. Because, construction period of this type of the structures continue along time and loads may be changed during this period. Therefore, construction stages and time dependent material properties should be considered in the analysis to obtain the reliable and healthy results.     

Comparative conformational analysis of peptide T analogs

A series of peptide T analogs were investigated within the molecular mechanics framework. In order to determine the role of the aminoacid residues in spatial formation of peptide T the conformational peculiarities of the glycine-substituted analogs were investigated. The conformational profiles of some biologically tested analogs of this peptide were determined independently. The received data permit to assess the active form of this peptide. It is characterized by β-turn at the C-terminal physiologically active pentapeptide fragment of peptide molecule. The received results are important for the investigation of the structure-activity relationship and may be used at design of a rigid-molecule drug against HIV.