Charge distribution study in the alpha-particle induced fission of232Th+ effect of excitation energy

The fractional cumulative yields of¹³⁵I,¹³⁸Xe and¹⁴⁰Ba in the particle (30 MeV) induced fission of²³²Th have been determined following the growth and decay of^135gXe,^138gCs and¹⁴⁰La, respectively, employing high resolution gamma ray spectroscopy. The fractional cumulative yield values are 0.766±0.02, 0.813±0.03 and 0.991±0.004, respectively. The analysis of the data indicates a broader width of charge distribution () compared to the normally observed =0.56±0.06 for thermal neutron fission of²³⁵U.     

Thermal behaviour of a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane with epoxy resin cured by diamines

A new material belongs to the family of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes, the 1-(3-glycidyl) propoxy-3,5,7,9,11,13,15-isobutylpentacyclo-[9.5.1.1(3,9).1(5,15).1(7,13)]octasiloxane (glycidylisobutyl-POSS) is characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and atomic force microscopy. Epoxy systems based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) cured with the diamines, 4,4'-diamine-diphenylmethane (DDM) and 1,4-phenylenediamine (pPDA), were kinetically studied by differential scanning calorimetry in isothermal and dynamic modes. The thermal behaviour of these systems as the glycidylisobutyl-POSS was added, is discussed later. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Study on the stability of noradrenaline and on the determination of its acidity constants

Noradrenaline is a catecholamine which has been largely recognised to play a very important role in biological systems. In view of the neurotransmitter's alleged importance, this work aimed at showing the influence of time on its spectral behaviour using different analytical methods and determining its acidity constants through spectrophotometric titration and by the so-called point-by-point analysis, where the samples are freshly prepared for each pH value investigated at the instant required. Because the catecholamines are light-sensitive and likely to react with the oxygen in the surrounding air, both methods used preclude its incidence onto the samples being analysed under the presence of a nitrogen atmosphere maintained over the solutions. The constants obtained through point-by-point analysis were log beta1 = 30.71+/-0.16, log beta2 = 22.00+/-0.15 and log beta3 = 11.69+/-0.16.     

Bismuth compounds in organic synthesis. A one-pot synthesis of homoallyl ethers and homoallyl acetates from aldehydes catalyzed by bismuth triflate

[reaction: see text] Three one-pot methods for the conversion of aldehydes to homoallyl ethers catalyzed by Bi(OTf)(3).xH(2)O (1 < x < 4) have been developed. The one-pot synthesis of homoallyl ethers can be achieved either by in situ generation of the acetal followed by its reaction with allyltrialkylsilane or by a three-component synthesis in which the aldehyde, trimethylorthoformate or an alkoxytrimethylsilane and allyltrimethylsilane are mixed together in the presence of bismuth triflate (0.1-1.0 mol %). In addition, a three-component synthesis of homoallyl acetates, which is achieved by reacting the aldehyde, acetic anhydride, and allyltrimethylsilane in the presence of bismuth triflate (3.0-5.0 mol %), has been developed. The use of a relatively nontoxic, easy to handle, and inexpensive catalyst adds to the versatility of these methods.     

Optimization of the process variables for the synthesis of cardanol-based novolac-type phenolic resin using response surface methodology

Models capable of predicting the maximum extent of conversion (p) of cardanol-based novolac-type phenolic resin, have been developed using response surface methodology to determine the optimum reaction conditions. Three-dimensional response surface and their contour plot were drawn. The maximum extent of conversion (98.93%) was predicted when the cardanol was condensed with formaldehyde (molar ratio 1:0.652) at 119.84 °C for a time period of 3 h with the catalyst (e.g., citric acid) concentration of 1.988% of total volume of cardanol and formaldehyde. The pH of the reaction mixture was maintained at 3.0. These predicted values for optimum process conditions were in good agreement with experimental data.     

Binding studies of sodium dodecyl benzene sulphonate with poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone)

The binding of sodium dodecyl benzene sulphonate (SDBS) with poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP) has been investigated at 303.15 and 313.15 K using equilibrium dialysis, surface tension, viscosity, ultrasound velocity and ultrasound absorption techniques. From each of these studies four distinct regions of SDBS-PVP interactions were observed. Interaction of SDBS with PVP was found to involve the binding of surfactant dimers with the polymer molecule followed by usual micellization. The binding data has been analyzed in terms of various models of polymer-surfactant interaction.