Structural and lithium intercalation studies of Mn(0.5−x)CaxTi2(PO4)3 phases (0≤x≤0.50)

Materials from the Mn_(0.5−x)Ca_xTi₂(PO₄)₃ (0≤x≤0.50) solid solution were obtained by solid-state reaction in air at 1000 °C. Selected compositions were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction analysis, ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and electrochemical lithium intercalation. The structure of all samples determined by Rietveld analysis is of the Nasicon type with the R space group. Mn²⁺/Ca²⁺ ions occupy only the M1 sites in the Ti₂(PO₄)₃ framework. The divalent cations are ordered in one of two M1 sites, except for the Mn_0.50Ti₂(PO₄)₃ phase, where a small departure from the ideal order is observed by XRD and ³¹P MAS NMR. The electrochemical behaviour of Mn_0.50Ti₂(PO₄)₃ and Mn_(0.5−x)Ca_xTi₂(PO₄)₃ phases was characterised in Li cells. Two Li ions can be inserted without altering the Ti₂(PO₄)₃ framework. In the 0≤y≤2 range, the OCV curves of Li//Li_yMn_0.50Ti₂(PO₄)₃ cells show two main potential plateaus at 2.90 and 2.50–2.30 V. Comparison between the OCV curves of Li//Li_(1+y)Ti₂(PO₄)₃ and Li//Li_yMn_0.50Ti₂(PO₄)₃ shows that the intercalation occurs first in the unoccupied M1 site of Mn_0.50Ti₂(PO₄)₃ at 2.90 V and then, for compositions y>0.50, at the M2 site (2.50–2.30 V voltage range). The effect of calcium substitution in Mn_0.50Ti₂(PO₄)₃ on the lithium intercalation is also discussed from a structural and kinetic viewpoint. In all systems, the lithium intercalation is associated with a redistribution of the divalent cation over all M1 sites. In the case of Mn_0.50Ti₂(PO₄)₃, the stability of Mn²⁺ either in an octahedral or tetrahedral environment facilitates cationic migration.     

Ba(OH)2 as catalyst in organic reactions, III. The structure of adsorbed ylids

The nature of adsorbed sulfonium and phosphonate ylids on a new barium hydroxide catalyst (C-200) is analyzed by IR. The catalytic activity of C-200 in solid-liquid phase transfer conditions is explained by these IR studies.

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(C-200) . C-200 - .

     

Ion chromatographic determination of common ions at ultratrace levels in Antarctic snow and ice

The simultaneous determination of major impurities present in Antarctic snow and ice at ng g^? (ppb) concentrations by ion chromatography is described. Calibration data are presented for ammonium, sodium, potassium, chloride, nitrate and sulphate ions. Special attention is paid to the different ways of removing field contamination from ice and snow cores and suitable equipment is described. The results provide evidence against the validity of published sets of concentration data for nitrogen-containing compounds (NO^?₃ and NH⁺₄ in Antarctic snow, and demonstrate a crucial contamination problem in the determination of ammonium ions.     

Synthesis of branched oxime-linked peptide mimetics of the MUC1 containing a universal T-helper epitope

Our goal was to develop mimics of MUC1, highly immunogenic to induce an efficient immune response against the tumor-associated form of MUC1, and sufficiently different from the natural antigen to bypass the tolerance barrier in humans. With the aim of obtaining a well-defined peptide construct as a means of evoking the precise immune responses required in immunotherapy, we synthesized artificial mimics of the MUC1 protein composed of two MUC1 repeat units of inverse orientation and a universal T-helper epitope. To synthesize these heteromeric peptide constructs, we followed a convergent approach using chemoselective ligation based on oxime chemistry. A stem peptide was first synthesized bearing two orthogonally masked aldehydes. After successive deprotection, two oxime bonds can be specifically generated. The proposed strategy proved to be concise and robust, and allowed the synthesis of the tri-branched protein in a very satisfactory yield. The different constructs were tested for their ability to generate antibodies able to recognize the MUC1 protein.     

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry for the direct analysis of enzymatically digested kappa- iota- and hybrid iota/nu-carrageenans

Enzymatically digested oligosaccharides of kappa-, iota- and hybrid iota/nu-carrageenans were analysed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry in the negative-ion mode. nor-Harmane was used as matrix. Depending on the stock concentration and the laser intensity applied, the oligosaccharides exhibited losses of sulphate units (neutralised by the Na+ ion, and thus non-stable), leaving the primary backbone structure in most cases with only the deprotonated sulphate groups (carrying the negative charge, stable). This meant that kappa- and iota-oligosaccharides could not be easily distinguished from one another since they share the same primary backbone structure. However, for the hybrid iota/nu-oligosaccharides the primary backbone structure could be identified since the nu-carrageenan repeating unit differs from that of the kappa/iota-carrageenan unit. For all types of oligosaccharides, the results indicated cleavage of an anhydrogalactose unit from the non-reducing end. Specifically, for the hybrid oligosaccharides of iota/nu-carrageenans, this type of fragmentation means that the nu-carrageenan unit is not positioned on the non-reducing end of the hybrid oligosaccharides. Dehydration reactions, and exchange reactions of Na+ with K+ and Ca2+, were also observed.     

Multielement analysis of concrete from nuclear reactors by INAA,ICP-MS and ICP-AES

There is a need to know, before dismantling nuclear plants, how the induced radioactivity is distributed in concrete. Computer codes are used to predict such a distribution, by applying input data like, among others, the chemical composition of the material. Biological shield concretes with particularly high boron or barium concentrations had to be analyzed. Instrumental neutron activation analysis is not able to determine all elements, thus, additional techniques are required, like ICP-MS and ICP-AES. The respective performances of these techniques are discussed. For INAA, the thermal neutron self-shielding was empirically corrected by using comparisons between thermal neutron activation (TNAA), epithermal and fast neutron activation (ENAA), ICP-AES and ICP-MS measurements.     

Les Phases Na5NbO5 et Na5TaO5 Structure Cristalline de Na5NbO5

Na₅Nb0₅ and Na₅Ta0₅ Phases. Crystal Structure of Na₅NbO₅ New ternary oxides of formulas Na₅NbO₅ and Na₅TaO₅ have been prepared. They crystallize in the monoclinic system (space group C2/c). The crystal structure of Na₅NbO₅ has been determined. It derives from a NaCl-type structure by ordering of the cations and of the oxygen vacancies in the anionic sublattice, the corresponding formula being Na_5/6Nb_1/6O_5/6□_1/6. Sodium and niobium have a distorted square-pyramidal surrounding.