Preparation and characterization of nano-sized Pt-Ru/C catalysts and their superior catalytic activities for methanol and ethanol oxidation

Carbon-supported PtRu nanoparticles (Ru/Pt: 0.25) were prepared by three different methods; simultaneous reduction of PtCl(4) and RuCl(3) (catalyst I) and changing the reduction order of PtCl(4) and RuCl(3) (catalysts II and III) to enhance the performance of the anodic catalysts for methanol and ethanol oxidation. Structure, microstructure and surface characterizations of all the catalysts were carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results of the XRD analysis showed that all catalysts had a face-centered cubic (fcc) structure with different and smaller lattice parameters than that of pure platinum, showing that the Ru incorporates into the Pt fcc structure by different ratios in all the catalysts. The typical particle sizes of all catalysts were in the range of 2-3 nm. The most active and stable catalyst for methanol and ethanol oxidation is catalyst III, in which a large amount (more than 90%) of PtRu alloy formation was observed. It has been found that this catalyst is about 8.0 and 33.4 times more active at ～0.60 V towards the methanol and ethanol oxidation reactions, respectively, compared to the commercial Pt catalyst.     

An Infrared Spectroscopic Study on the Hofmann-diam-type 1,12-Diaminododecanemetal(II) Tetracyanonickelate(II)-aromatic Guest Clathrates: M(H2N(CH2)12NH2)Ni(CN)4ċG(M=Co, Ni or Cd; G = Benzene, Naphthalene, Anthracene, Phenanthrene or Biphenyl)

Three Hofmann-diaminododecane-type clathrates of the form M(1,12-diaminododecane) Ni(CN)₄G (M = Co, Ni or Cd; G = benzene, naphthalene, anthracene, phenanthrene or biphenyl) have been prepared in powder form. The 1,12-diaminododecane molecules in the host lattice permit the inclusion of bulky guest molecules. The spectral features suggest that these compounds are similar in structure to the other Hofmann-diam-type clathrates.     

Synthesis,Antimicrobial Activity and Semi-conducting Properties of Novel 2-(4-Chloro-1-Naphtyloxy)-2-Oxoethyl Methacrylate with 2-(Diethylamino)Ethyl Methacrylate Copolymers

The free-radical initiated copolymerization of 2-(4-chloro-1-naphtyloxy)-2-oxoethyl methacrylate (ClNOEMA) with 2-(diethylamino) ethyl methacrylate (DEAEMA) was carried out in 1,4-dioxane solution at 70 ± 1°C using 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator with different monomer-to-monomer ratios (ranging from 0.15 to 0.85) in the feed. The copolymer composition obtained by elemental analysis led to the determination of reactivity ratios employing Fineman-Ross (F-R) and Kelen-Tüdös (KT) linearization methods. These parameters were also estimated using a non-linear computational fitting procedure, known as reactivity ratios error in variable model (RREVM). The prepared homo and copolymers were tested for their antimicrobial activity against bacteria and yeast. These copolymers have been converted into novel salts by reaction with the iodemethane (CH₃I). The copolymers and the corresponding salts have been characterized fully by a range of spectroscopic analysis techniques. The electrical conductivity dependence of temperature of the polymers were measured and the polymers exhibit the semi-conducting behavior, confirming that the electrical conductivity increases with increasing temperature. The poly(CINOEMA-co-DEAEMA) polymer doped by CH₃I for 15 min shows the highest conductivity. The optical band gap, activation energy and room temperature conductivity values of these polymers were obtained. These electronic parameters suggest that the poly(CINOEMA-co-DEAEMA)s doped by CH₃I for 15 min is an organic semiconductor with the thermally activated conduction mechanism.     

Quantitative determination of gas mixture composition by gas chromatography—New approach

Summary A new method has been developed for the quantitative determination of gas mixture composition where air penetration during gas sample collection would lead to erroneous results. It requires the use of a stationary phase that separates gas sample components and the air and involves 4–5 analyses of samples of equal volumes containing different amounts of air. By graphical extrapolation of the air peak area (S _air ) as a function of the peak areas of the individual components (S _comp ) the areas for these components in the absence of air can be obtained forS _air =0. Using calibration curves for the pure gas components the true quantitative composition of the gas mixture is estimated.     

The synthesis and structural characterization of transition metal coordination complexes of coumarilic acid

The coumarilate (coum^?) complexes of Co^II(1), Ni^II(2) Cu^II(3) and Zn^II(4) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility, solid-state UV–Vis, FTIR spectra, thermoanalytical TG–DTG/DTA and single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. It was found that all of the complex structures have 2 mol (coum^?) ligand bonded as monoanionic monodentate in the structures of 1 and 2 while they were coordinated to metal cations as monoanionic bidentate in the complexes 3 and 4. There was not any hydrate water in the metal complexes. The complexes of 1 and 2 have four moles of aqua ligand, and the other complexes have two moles. Thermal decomposition of each complex starts with dehydration, and then the decomposition of organic parts goes. The thermal dehydration of the complexes takes place in one (for the compounds of 2, 3, 4) or two (for the compound 1) steps. The decomposition mechanism and the thermal stability of the complexes under investigation were determined on the basis of their structures. Metal oxides were obtained as the final decomposition product.     

Thermoelectrical and optical properties of double wall carbon nanotubes:polyaniline containing boron n‐type organic semiconductors

The electrical conductivity, thermoelectrical, and optical properties of the polyaniline containing boron/double wall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composites have been investigated. The electrical conductivities of the composites prepared with 1%, 5%, and 8% CNT concentrations at 300 K were found to be 5.31 × 10^?6, 2.72 × 10^?4, and 1.12 × 10^?3 (S/cm), respectively. The thermoelectrical results indicate that all the samples exhibit n‐type electrical conductivity. The optical band gaps of the samples were found to be 3.71 eV for 0% DWNT, 3.32 eV for 1% DWNT, 3.15 eV for 5% DWNT, and 3.12 eV for 8% DWNT. The obtained results suggest that the electrical conductivity of PANI‐B polymer is improved by DWNT doping. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pyrrole thin films deposited on paper by pulsed RF plasma

Attempts were made to plasma deposit an oriented π-conjugated polymer of pyrrole (Py) on paper surfaces in order to produce electrically conductive layers. The N/C atomic ratio of 0.13–0.24 was observed for all treatment conditions. This implies the nature of the deposition formed on the paper surface via pulsed plasma is different from that of pyrrole monomer. An increase in conductivity of all pyrrole-plasma treated papers was observed. The 50 W RF-power with 5 min plasma exposed paper sample shows 8.15 × 10⁻⁹ S·cm⁻¹ conductivity. The conductivity measurements indicated a plasma-enhanced ring-opening reaction mechanism of pyrrole.      

Investigations for Modification of Polyacrylamide-Bentonite by Phytic Acid and its Usability in Fe3+, Zn2+ and UO2 2+ Adsorption

Composite of polyacrylamide-bentonite (PAA-B) was prepared by direct polymerisation of PAA in a suspension of bentonite (B). Adsorption and thermodynamic features of phytic acid (Phy) adsorption onto B, PAA and PAA-B, and those of Fe³⁺, Zn²⁺, UO₂ ²⁺ adsorption onto PAA-B and its modification by Phy (PAA-B-Phy) have been investigated. The reusability, storagability, ion selectivity and recoverability of sorbed ions with 1 M HCl have also been considered.The chemical and physical structure of adsorbents has been characterised by means of FT-IR and XRD. All adsorption isotherms for Phy and the ions were L-type of the Giles classification except, the one which is S type for adsorption of Phy onto PAA. The maximum adsorption capacities for the ions adsorbed were in order of UO₂ ²⁺ > Fe³⁺ > Zn²⁺ for PAA-B and Zn²⁺ > Fe³⁺ > UO₂ ²⁺ for PAA-B-Phy. Langmuir equilibrium constants for the adsorption of ions onto PAA-B-Phy were significantly higher than those found for PAA-B; the magnitude of increase for UO₂ ²⁺ was about 100. The thermodynamic parameters indicated that adsorption reactions are spontaneous in terms of adsorption free enthalpy.The chemical structure of PAA-B-Phy was not changed at the end of the studies of reusability and storagability. The composite was selective for UO₂ ²⁺ of the ions of interest.The composite of PAA-B and its modification by Phy have been used for the first time in this investigation. It is proposed that the composites can be practically used in the investigations and applications of adsorption.     

Measurement of X-ray production cross-sections of Ti,V, Cr,Mn, Fe,Co, Ni and Cu molecules

K shell X-ray production cross-sections in the Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu in the molecules were studied at 59.5 keV excitation energy by using a Si(Li) detector ( FWHM = 155 eV at 5.96 keV). The present results are compared with other theoretical values.