Synthetic and X-ray structural and reactivity studies of Cp*RuIV complexes containing bidentate dithiocarbonate, xanthate, carbonate, and phosphinate ligands (Cp* = eta5-C5Me5)

The reaction of [Cp*RuCl2]2 (1; Cp* = eta5-C5Me5) with tetraalkyldithiuram disulfides (R2NC(S)SS(S)CNR2, R = Me, Et), isopropylxanthic disulfide ([iPrOC(S)S]2), and bis(thiophosphoryl) disulfide ([(iPrO)2P(S)S]2) led to the isolation of dark-red crystalline solids of Cp*RuIVCl2(eta2-dithiolate) complexes [dithiolate = S2CNR2, DTCR (2a, R = Me; 2b, R = Et), S2COiPr (3), and S2P(iPrO)2 (4)]. Dichlorido substitution in 2 and 3 with DTCEt and S2COiPr anions yielded RuIV derivatives containing bis(DTC) and mixed DTC-dithiocarbonate ligands. These are the first organoruthenium complexes of such ligands. The reaction of monophosphines with 2a resulted in monochlorido substitution, whereas the analogous reaction with 3 resulted in displacement of both chlorido ligands and reduction of the metal center to RuII. Reduction at Ru was also observed in the reaction of 2a with [CpCr(CO)3]2. Of these complexes, only 2 and 3 are air-stable in the solid state for an extended period. All of the complexes have been spectrally characterized, and selected compounds are also crystallographically characterized.     

Carbon nanotube–ZnO nanocomposite electrodes for supercapacitors

Carbon nanotube (CNT)–zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocomposite and gel poly(vinyl alcohol)–phosphomolybdic acid were employed as the electrode and electrolyte of the experimental supercapacitor cell, respectively. The ZnO nanodots were deposited onto CNT films by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis in different times. The results of electrochemical measurements showed that the electrode with ZnO deposited in 5 min had the optimal capacitive properties among the experimental series, with a lowest interfacial electron transfer resistance, a very high capacitance of 323.9 F/g and good reversibility in the repetitive charge/discharge cycling test.     

Drying and advancing droplets of polymer solutions

In this paper, we report on the competition between evaporation and hydrodynamics for advancing drops of polymer solutions. We thus study advancing drops which are allowed to evaporate. Drying drives the accumulation of polymer at the contact line, whereas the advancing motion tends to homogenize the drop. At high velocity, we experimentally verify classical hydrodynamics predictions. At intermediate velocities, drying dominates and the contact line becomes more viscous than the bulk droplet. In the limiting case of very low velocities, the contact line can be partially pinned on the substrate because of the formation of a glassy defect at the contact line.     

Dynamic measurement by digital holographic interferometry based on complex phasor method

In this paper, complex phasor (CP) method is employed in digital holographic interferometry. Unlike commonly used digital phase subtraction (DPS), the proposed technique processes a CP instead of phase. It is shown that the results obtained by directly filtering the phase produce large errors. It is demonstrated that the phase is not a signal but rather a property of a signal. In addition, the results obtained by the CP method are also compared with those obtained by conventional sine/cosine transformation method.     

On graphs determining links with maximal number of components via medial construction

Let G be a connected plane graph, D(G) be the corresponding link diagram via medial construction, and μ(D(G)) be the number of components of the link diagram D(G). In this paper, we first provide an elementary proof that μ(D(G))≤n(G)+1, where n(G) is the nullity of G. Then we lay emphasis on the extremal graphs, i.e. the graphs with μ(D(G))=n(G)+1. An algorithm is given firstly to judge whether a graph is extremal or not, then we prove that all extremal graphs can be obtained from K₁ by applying two graph operations repeatedly. We also present a dual characterization of extremal graphs and finally we provide a simple criterion on structures of bridgeless extremal graphs.     

Influence of adverse pressure gradient on rough-wall turbulent flows

This paper presents an experimental investigation of adverse pressure gradient turbulent flow over two rough surfaces and a reference smooth surface. The adverse pressure gradient was produced in an asymmetric diffuser whose opening angle was 3°. The rough surfaces comprised sand grains and gravels of nominal mean diameters of 1.55 mm and 4.22 mm, respectively. The tests were conducted at an approach flow velocity of 0.5 m/s and the momentum thickness Reynolds number varied from 900 to 3000. A particle image velocimetry technique was used for the velocity measurements. Profiles of the mean velocity, turbulent intensities, Reynolds stress ratios, mixing length, eddy viscosity and the production terms were then obtained to document the effects of adverse pressure gradient (APG) on low Reynolds number rough-wall turbulent boundary layers. The results indicate that APG thickens the boundary layer and roughness sublayer. The APG and surface roughness also enhanced the production of turbulence as well as the turbulence level when compared with the smooth-wall data.     

Field emission properties and surface structure of nickel containing amorphous carbon

Nickel containing amorphous carbon (a-C:Ni) films have been deposited by filtered cathodic vacuum arc (FCVA) technique by introducing pure nickel into the graphite target. The field electron emission property of a-C:Ni was improved when compared to that of pure tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) by FCVA. The emission threshold field of a-C:Ni film is about 5 V μm⁻¹, whilst the threshold field of the ta-C film is about 13 V μm⁻¹. Raman spectroscopy suggests that the sp² clusters in the carbon film increase both in size and number when Ni is introduced. However, the emission was found to degrade to threshold fields beyond 20 V μm⁻¹ after the a-C:Ni film was left in ambient for a week. This observation is attributed to surface absorption of oxygen on the a-C:Ni film, as determined by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy.     

Creep deformation measurement using quartz optical fiber

This paper describes an optical system for high temperature creep strain measurement using quartz optical fiber, super long working distance microscope and digital image processing techniques. In this system one end of the quartz optical fibers is arrayed in a small area on the specimen surface and the other end is illuminated by a laser beam. The fiber ends on the specimen surface form the spot array. The small optical spots on the specimen are tracked by a CCD camera and the images are processed by digital image processing software. The diameter of each quartz fiber is 100 μm and the fibers can be arrayed in a small area. The local strains are determined by measuring the variety of relative distance between two spots. Experimental results of local creep strain on the welding joints of 15CrMo and HK40 at 850°C are obtained.