Synthesis of Hollow Platinum–Palladium Nanospheres with a Dendritic Shell as Efficient Electrocatalysts for Methanol Oxidation

Engineering the size, composition, and morphology of platinum‐based nanomaterials can provide a great opportunity to improve the utilization efficiency of electrocatalysts and reinforce their electrochemical performances. Herein, three‐dimensional platinum–palladium hollow nanospheres with a dendritic shell (PtPd‐HNSs) are successfully fabricated through a facile and economic route, during which SiO₂ microspheres act as the hard template for the globular cavity, whereas the triblock copolymer F127 contributes to the formation of the dendritic shell. In contrast with platinum hollow nanospheres (Pt‐HNSs) and commercial platinum on carbon (Pt/C) catalyst, the novel architecture shows a remarkable activity and durability toward the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) owing to the coupled merits of bimetallic nanodendrites and a hollow interior. As a proof of concept, this strategy is also extended to trimetallic gold–palladium–platinum hollow nanospheres (AuPdPt‐HNSs), which paves the way towards the controlled synthesis of other bi‐ or multimetallic platinum‐based hollow electrocatalysts.     

A facile synthesis of pyrrolo[3,2‐d]pyrimidines from 6‐azidouracils and ylide phosphoranes

A series of the title compounds, 9‐deazaxanthines, was regioselectively prepared in reasonable yields as major products from the reactions of 6‐azidouracils 1a,b with stabilized ester‐ 2a,b or keto‐ 2c ylide phosphoranes and a moderated phosphorus ylide 3 , instead of the expected triazoles. Side products were also observed wherein pyrimido[5,4‐g]pteridine‐2,4,5,7‐tetrone ( 15 ) and other fused ring systems or acyclic‐substituted uracil derivatives were isolated. A comparative study on the reactivity of 1a in analogy to 1b toward phosphoranes is also described. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 13:357–365, 2002; Published online in Wiley Interscience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.10048     

On the effect of fractional statistics on quantum ion acoustic waves

In this paper, I study the effect of a small deviation from the Fermi–Dirac statistics on the quantum ion acoustic waves. For this purpose, a quantum hydrodynamic model is developed based on the Polychronakos statistics, which allows for a smooth interpolation between the Fermi and Bose limits, passing through the case of classical particles. The model includes the effect of pressure as well as quantum diffraction effects through the Bohm potential. The equation of state for electrons obeying fractional statistics is obtained and the effect of fractional statistics on the kinetic energy and the coupling parameter is analyzed. Through the model, the effect of fractional statistics on the quantum ion acoustic waves is highlighted, exploring both linear and weakly nonlinear regimes. It is found that fractional statistics enhance the amplitude and diminish the width of the quantum ion acoustic waves. Furthermore, it is shown that a small deviation from the Fermi–Dirac statistics can modify the type structures, from bright to dark soliton. All known results of fully degenerate and non-degenerate cases are reproduced in the proper limits.     

Synthesis,refinement of the structure,and AC conductivity behavior of sodium lithium orthonavadates

The Na _x Li_1-x CdVO₄ (x = 0.5, 1) orthovanadates were prepared using a solid-state reaction method. The x-ray diffraction patterns (XRDP) of both materials reveal the formation of the Na₂CrO₄ structure. Vibrational study confirms the existence of [VO₄]^3? group. Electrical measurements of our compounds have been investigated using complex impedance spectroscopy (CIS) in the frequency and temperature range 209 Hz–1 MHz and 589–703 K, respectively. Nyquist plots reveal the presence of tow contributions, an equivalent circuit was proposed. DC conductivity shows electrical conduction in the material as a thermally activated process. The AC conductivity is explained using the non-overlapping small polaron tunneling (NSPT) conduction mechanism. A relationship between crystal structure and ionic conductivity was established and discussed.     

Numerical and experimental studies of molten pool formation during an interaction of a pulse laser (Nd:YAG) with a magnesium alloy

A pulse laser (Nd:YAG) interaction with an AZ91 magnesium alloy has been experimentally and numerically studied. A two-dimensional (2D) axisymmetric model of a molten pool created by a laser heat source has been developed. The elaborated model solves the coupled equations of a laminar fluid flow and heat transfer to demonstrate the flow behavior in the pool. This model takes into account the coupled effects of buoyancy and Marangoni forces, the thermophysic variation properties with temperature, and the radiation and convection heat losses. Concerning numerical results, the molten temperature distribution, velocity field and molten shape were discussed. It was noted that the Marangoni flow significantly alters the characteristics of the thawing and solidifying processes, and makes the molten pool wider and shallower. On the other hand, the experimental results showed that the material thermal properties have significant effects on the transport phenomena which takes place in the molten pool, and consequently on the formation as well as the shape of the pool. Finally, a comparison between the numerical and experimental results exhibited a good agreement.     

Proton related defects in α-BaTiO3:H films based MIM capacitors

Hydrogenated barium titanate film based metal–insulator–metal (MIM) systems show high dielectric constant and have therefore been proposed as solid state supercapacitors. Hydrogen was incorporated in the dielectric layer during the low temperature deposition process. An investigation of the electrical properties has revealed that hydrogen contributes to the conduction process as mobile ionic species as well as donor trap levels.     

Strong solutions to the equations of a ferrofluid flow model

We study the differential system introduced by M.I. Shliomis to describe the motion of a ferrofluid driven by an external magnetic field. The system is a combination of the Navier-Stokes equations, the magnetization equation and the magnetostatic equations. No regularizing term is added to the magnetization equation. We prove the local-in-time existence of strong solutions to the system.     

Equirépartition des coefficients de Fourier des fonctions L de carrés et de cubes symétriques

Dans ce travail, on étudie l’équirépartition et l’équirépartition harmonique des coefficients de Fourier des fonctions L de carrés et de cubes symétriques d’une forme primitive.     

A novel design approach for the epitaxial layer for 4H-SiC and 6H-SiC power bipolar devices

The paper evaluates the optimal design of the low-doped base region inside power diodes and other bipolar devices. It is demonstrated theoretically that a low-doped base region of P⁺N⁻N⁺ diodes can provide a high breakdown voltage and an optimal on-resistance . A simple, accurate and CPU timesaving approach is presented to extract an optimal value for the base region width, W_B, and its doping concentration, N_D. The paper details an analytical relation between W_B and N_D, and gives a method for quantifying the trade-off between their values for a given breakdown voltage and for obtaining the minimal on-resistance. Analytical results are confronted with experimental results for 4H-SiC- and 6H-SiC-based diodes.