Magnetic exchange coupling in imido bimetallic uranium(V) complexes. A relativistic DFT study

Magnetic exchange coupling between uranium U(V) ions, in the case of the two para- and meta-imido diuranium complexes, respectively [(C₅H₅)₃U]₂(μ-1,4-N₂C₆H₄) and [(C₅H₅)₃U]₂(μ-1,3-N₂C₆H₄) exhibiting the 5f¹-5f¹ configuration, have been investigated using relativistic DFT calculations, combined with the broken symmetry (BS) approach. Using the B3LYP functional, the singlet BS state of the para complex has been found of lower energy than the high spin (HS) triplet one, in agreement with the observed antiferromagnetic character of the complex. On the contrary the BP86 functional fails to predict this magnetic property. The spin density distributions and MO analysis explain well the antiferromagnetic character of the para complex and clarify the failure of the BP86 functional. The effective participation of the 5f metal orbitals in bonding with the imido ligand plays a key role for electronic and magnetic communication between the two active U(V) 5f¹ electrons. The same technique led us to explain the ferromagnetic character of the meta isomer in agreement with experiment. For both isomers the spin polarization mechanism explains well their observed magnetic behaviour.     

Community structure in real-world networks from a non-parametrical synchronization-based dynamical approach

This work analyzes the problem of community structure in real-world networks based on the synchronization of nonidentical coupled chaotic Rössler oscillators each one characterized by a defined natural frequency, and coupled according to a predefined network topology. The interaction scheme contemplates an uniformly increasing coupling force to simulate a society in which the association between the agents grows in time. To enhance the stability of the correlated states that could emerge from the synchronization process, we propose a parameterless mechanism that adapts the characteristic frequencies of coupled oscillators according to a dynamic connectivity matrix deduced from correlated data. We show that the characteristic frequency vector that results from the adaptation mechanism reveals the underlying community structure present in the network.     

Study of the properties of rigid and plasticized PVC/PMMA blends

The aim of this work is to study the structure-properties relationship of rigid and plasticized PVC/PMMA blends. For that purpose, blends of variable compositions were prepared in the absence and in the presence of a plasticizer di (ethyl-2 hexyl) phtalate or DEHP. The miscibility of the two polymers was investigated by differential scanning calorimetric analysis (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The weight loss from 30 to 600°C was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The thermal degradation under nitrogen at 185°C was studied and the amount of HCl released from PVC was measured by the pH method. Furthermore, the variation of mechanical properties such as tensile behavior, hardness and impact resistance was investigated for all blend compositions.     

Structural,magnetic and thermal characterization of Fe50Se50 powders obtained by mechanical alloying

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - In this paper, Fe50Se50 alloy powders were synthesized from pure elemental powder by mechanical allowing. The structure, microstructure, morphology,...     

Study of the miscibility and the thermal degradation of PVC/PMMA blends

The aim of this paper is to study the miscibility and the thermal degradation of PVC/PMMA blends. For that purpose, blends of variable compositions from 0 to 100 wt% were prepared with and without plasticizer. Their physico-chemical characterization was carried out by differential scanning calorimetric analysis (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Their thermal degradation under nitrogen at 185°C was studied and the HCl evolved from PVC was measured by the pH method. Degraded samples were characterized, after purification, by FTIR and UV-visible spectroscopy. The DSC analysis showed polymer miscibility up to 60 wt% of PMMA. This miscibility is due to a specific interaction of hydrogen bonding type between carbonyl groups (C=O) of PMMA and hydrogen from (CHCl) groups of PVC as evidenced by FTIR analysis. On the other hand, it was found that PMMA exerted a stabilizing effect on the thermal degradation of PVC by reducing the zip dehydrochlorination and by leading to the formation of short polyenes.