A comparative study on the interaction between tin(II) porphyrin and selected group 8B metals for potential application as reduction catalysts

We study the interaction between tin(II) porphyrin (SnPor) with platinum and non-precious Group 8B metals (iron, cobalt and nickel) by density functional theory and discuss the electronic properties of the resulting products. We also model the interaction of the resulting compounds with water where applicable. Our studies indicate that, SnPor-Ni possesses electronic properties similar to SnPor-Pt, suggesting that it may possess similar photocatalytic properties for reduction reactions, such as converting water to hydrogen gas.     

Spatial decay in a double diffusive convection problem in Darcy flow

This paper deals with a model of time-dependent double diffusive convection in Darcy flow. In particular it is concerned with the spatial decay of solutions when the flow is confined to a semi-infinite cylinder. Decay bounds for an energy expression are derived.     

Weighted estimates of a solution to the linear problem connected with the one-phase Stefan problem in the case where the specific heat tends to zero

We prove estimates in weighted Hölder norms for a solution to the model linear problem related with the one-phase Stefan problem with a small multiplier ε at time derivative in the heat equation. These estimates are uniform with respect to parameter ε and are significant in justification of passage to the limit in the one-phase Stefan problem as the specific heat tends to zero. Bibliography: 8 titles.     

Spectroscopic study of plasmons in ion-irradiated single-walled carbon nanotubes

The electronic structure of single-walled carbon nanotubes was experimentally investigated using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, reflection electron energy-loss spectroscopy, and Auger electron spectroscopy. A shake-up satellite structure observed near the C 1s core-level lines in the x-ray photoelectron spectra at high binding energies in the range 284–330 eV due to excitation of π and π + σ plasmons was studied. The effect of irradiation by 1-keV argon ions on the shape of the spectra was analyzed. The shape of the C 1s satellite spectra was found to be sensitive to Ar⁺ irradiation in the electron energy loss range 10–40 eV corresponding to excitation of π + σ plasmons. Auger spectroscopy revealed the presence of argon on the surface of ion-irradiated samples. The argon content increased to ～4 at. % with increasing irradiation dose. An analysis of the results obtained and their comparison with the data available in the literature led to a qualitative conclusion that the bond angles of the carbon atoms making up the walls of single-walled carbon nanotubes are distorted at sites exposed to Ar⁺ irradiation.     

On the role of mechanical effects during dynamic fatigue of PbTiO3 single crystals

The details of the mechanical effects (twinning and microcracking) are clarified at various stages of dynamic fatigue of PbTiO₃ crystals using a polarization microscope and selective etching.     

Micromagnetic analysis of transition noise for high-density perpendicular recording

In this paper, specific issues related to high-density perpendicular magnetic recording processes, such as transition noise properties and cross-track correlation lengths, were investigated with the help of micromagnetic analysis. The effects of media parameters were taken into consideration, including intergranular exchange coupling, and exchange distribution, irregular grain shapes, magnetization saturation distribution, and anisotropy distribution. The micromagnetic simulation results showed that the effect of anisotropy distribution on transition noise is more significant than magnetization saturation distribution, and it is crucial to reduce this effect to achieve a high signal-to-noise ratio. Additionally, a new method to further estimate the partial erasure threshold was proposed to approximate the partial erasure effects, and the relation between the microtrack jitter and total track jitter was investigated.     

Properties of Josephson junctions in the inhomogeneous magnetic field of a system of ferromagnetic particles

The effect of an array of ferromagnetic nanoparticles on the field-dependent critical current of the short overlap Josephson junction is experimentally studied. Large reversible variations of the maximum critical current are observed depending on the magnetic state of the particles. The pronounced commensurability effects are detected which are proved by the additional peaks of magnetic field induced diffraction pattern.     

Hydrolytic degradation and thermal stability of poly(naphthylimides) based on naphthalene-1,4,5,8-tetracarboxylic dianhydride and bis(naphthalic anhydrides)

The molecular properties of a number of new poly(naphthylimides) derived from naphthalene-1,4,5,8-tetracarboxylic dianhydride and bis(naphthalic anhydrides) have been studied. On the basis of hydrodynamic studies of the polymers at various stages of their thermal degradation in 96% H₂SO₄ and thermogravimetric measurements, the hydrolytic stability and thermooxidative resistance of the polymers have been compared. A correlation between the experimental data and the chemical structure of molecular chains has been established.