An optical fibre pH sensor based on dye doped mesostructured silica

This paper describes the synthesis and optical pH sensing properties of a pH indicator dye activated mesostructured silica coated optical fibre. The pH-sensitive dye bromothymol blue was incorporated into the mesostructure sol precursor and thin films/coatings were used for pH-sensing applications without prior removal of the surfactant. The pH sensitivity range and operating wavelength were analysed by absorption measurements on layer dip-coated on glass slides. The pH sensing properties of coated optical fibre were tested by evanescent wave method. Experiments were carried out by using a series of solutions of known pH. No leaching was observed (except at very high pH) and an excellent reversibility was obtained between pH=2 and 5.     

An efficient and simple aminobenzannulation reaction: pyrrolidine as a trigger for the synthesis of 1-amino-acridines

[reaction: see text] A new aminobenzannulation methodology has been developed and applied successfully to the synthesis of 1-amino-acridines. The key and last step goes through an enamine intermediate that was detected in some cases. When pyrrolidine and powdered 4 A molecular sieves were used, the enamine synthesis and the aminobenzannulation step took place subsequently, whereas for other secondary amines, neutral Al(2)O(3) or PtCl(2) catalysis was necessary.     

FDTD study of subwavelength imaging by a photonic crystal slab

The problem of subwavelength imaging via a photonic crystal slab lens made of two-dimensional (2D) square arrays of parallel dielectric cylinders in air is studied and discussed theoretically. The finite-difference time-domain method is employed to investigate the unique features of imaging by such lens. We confirm earlier findings that a photonic crystal slab lens can provide the imaging of a point source. By analysing the transmission properties of the proposed structure, we demonstrate that inside the all-angle negative refraction, there are some favourable directions for waves to travel. We show that the surface termination of the photonic crystal is a key parameter to obtain a good quality image. The super-resolution of two sources separated by a distance less than the wavelength is also considered. It is shown that the achievable resolution is limited by the slab length.     

Synthesis and structure of the unsymmetrical β-diimine precursor: The β-iminoamine

The reaction of benzoylacetone with ortho-substituted aniline derivatives gives the unsymmetrical β-iminoamine ligands (5–8) with high yields. A convenient synthesis is described. These compounds have been characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopies. The structure of the β-iminoamine 5, 3-N-(2,6-diisopropylphenylamino)-1-phenyl-1N-(2,6-diisopropylphenylimino)but-2-ene, was solved by X-ray diffraction methods.     

Raman and FTIR spectroscopy applied to the conservation report of paleontological collections: identification of Raman and FTIR signatures of several iron sulfate species such as ferrinatrite and sideronatrite

Fossil materials that contain iron sulfide are well known for their instability when exposed to oxygen and humidity. This term however combines a great variety of materials showing different types of damages. Most of them consist of crystal efflorescence appearing on the surface and inside the matrix. In this work, a methodology was determined for the analysis of these damages by the use of Raman and infrared spectroscopy. The infrared and Raman signatures of a large set of iron sulfates were characterized. Specific attention was paid to sideronatrite and ferrinatrite, which are two associated sodium/iron(III) sulfates, and their infrared and Raman bands were partially assigned. Analysis performed on a selection of 11 damaged fossils showed a great variety of degradation products: besides one case that appeared to be a synthetic resin close to polyvinylchloride acetate, which was applied with a brush on the fossil surface, all degradation products belong to the sulfate group. However, many iron‐free sulfates, such as gypsum, halotrichite, epsomite, or pentahydrite were found, often in association with iron sulfates. In one case, despite the presence of iron in the matrix, no iron sulfate could be detected. This shows that the term ‘pyritic fossil’, commonly used by collection managers, is not appropriate as it oversimplifies the reality. A name such as ‘sulfide‐containing fossil’ would be more suitable. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

First-Principles Study on the Ferromagnetism of Mn-Doped LiZnAs Half-Heusler Compound

Physics of the Solid State - We have investigated the magnetic properties of Mn-doped LiZnAs half-Heusler compound using density functional simulations within the gradient generalized approximation...     

Acylation of sugar amides over Algerian bentonite and mcm-41 materials

The condensation of sugar with fatty acids in an organic media is possible by chemical amidification without fastidious steps by hydroxyl group protection/deprotection. The acylation of sugar (N-methyl glucamine) with fatty acids (lauric acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid) is catalyzed in the presence of two inorganic and acid solid catalysts: Algerian clay called bentonite of Maghnia and mesoporous material of type (Al–MCM-41). The results obtained with this last solid (i.e. MCM-41) are very encouraging.     

Thermal and Spectral Dielectric Properties of Polypyrrole/Polymethylmethacrylate Composites

Thermal properties of polypyrrole/polymethylmethacrylate (PPy/PMMA) composites were analyzed by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A decrease in the glass transition temperatures with PPy concentration reveals the increase of segmental motion. The dielectric properties of these composites were studied for several weight concentrations of PPy in the frequency range between 500 Hz and 0.2 MHz, over the temperature range 23–110°C. Jonscher's phenomenological model has been used for modeling the dielectric response of the composite materials. This study shows that the results obtained for the dielectric response are in good agreement with the results of TGA and DSC measurements.     

On Hankel Transform and Hankel Convolution of Beurling Type Distributions Having Upper Bounded Support

In this paper we study Beurling type distributions in the Hankel setting. We consider the space of Beurling type distributions on (0, ) having upper bounded support. The Hankel transform and the Hankel convolution are studied on the space . We also establish Paley Wiener type theorems for Hankel transformations of distributions in .     

Heat and mass transfer during condensation in a vertical channel under mixed convection

The problem of condensation by mixed convection in a vertical channel has been numerically analyzed for an air water system. The plates of the channel are subjected to uniform but different heat fluxes. The effects of ambient conditions on the condensation process are investigated. The results show particularly the existence of a particular temperature called inversion temperature for condensation. This temperature is defined as the temperature above it the condensation rate is higher for a lower vapor concentration. It was found that this temperature increases with the increase of the ambient pressure and decreases with the cooling heat flux.