Correlations in the sand pile model: From the log-normal distribution to self-organized criticality

We have studied the approach of the Abelian sand pile model towards the stationary, self-organized criticality state. The uncorrelated limit is shown both numerically and by a simple analysis to follow the log-normal distribution. We introduce and evaluate several correlation fuctions to study the correlated region.     

Association of poly-N-[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl] acrylamide with a water soluble β-cyclodextrin polymer

An acrylic polymer with pendent adamantyl groups was synthesized and its properties in an aqueous solution with a β-cyclodextrin (βCD) epichlorhydrin polymer examined. Viscosity properties of precursor and modified polymers show differences at low concentrations, but not at higher concentration probably due to very important hydrogen bonds which prevent the formation of intermolecular hydrophobic bonds. The association of both complementary polymers through the inclusion of adamantyl groups is evidenced by phases separation occurrence. Phase diagrams were established at two different concentrations of polymers. We have shown a maximal association of both polymers at these two concentrations, for the same ratio βCD moles/adamantyl groups: 2.4. Salt addition favors this association and displaces the two phases zone to smaller concentrations of modified polymer. Further, 4-nitrophenol can be extracted by the concentrated phase resulting from mixture of solutions of guest and host polymers, pointing out the availability of the associated phase to trap organic molecules.     

Electrocatalysis at chemically modified electrodes : Detection/determination of redox gaseous species in continuous-flow systems

The electrocatalytic response of chemically modified carbon paste and glassy carbon electrodes with anchored Fe(II)/Fe(III) centers is presented for gaseous species such as NO₂, SO₂, H₂S, and Cl₂. Carbon paste electrodes are modified by direct admixing of tris[4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline]iron(II) perchlorate, and glassy carbon electrodes are modified by oxidative electropolymerisation of tris[5-amino-1,10-phenanthroline]iron(II) perchlorate. The electrocatalytic cycle operating in the integrated reaction/pre-electrode layer of chemically modified electrodes results in significant signal enhancement. Chemical modification of the conducting surfaces protects the electrode surface from poisoning. evaluation was done in a continuous-flow system using gravitational flow fo supporting electrolyte carrier propulsion, direct injection of air containing parts per billion or parts per million (v/v) of the gaseous species, and amperometric detection with the chemically modified electrodes as part of a thin-layer cell.     

Vibronic intensities in centrosymmetric coordination compounds of the rare earths Part II. A vibronic crystal field-closure-ligand polarisation model and applications to the PrCl6 and UBr6 complex ions in octahedral symmetry

A symmetry adapted formalism to evaluate the vibronic intensities induced by the ungerade vibrational modes in centrosymmetric coordination compounds of the rare earths is put forward and applied to several selected electronic transitions of the PrCl³⁻₆ and UCl²⁻₆ complex ions in octahedral symmetry. This current model is based upon a modified symmetry adapted version of the combined vibronic crystal field-closure-ligand polarisation approach. This model differs from that developed in Part I of this series, in that for the vibronic crystal field contribution to the total transition dipole moment, the closure procedure is employed rather than the utilisation of a truncated basis set for the central metal intermediate electronic states. A criterion is introduced to choose an appropriate set of phases for both the electronic and the vibrational coordinates so that to ensure the right sign for the interference term (which couples together both the vibronic crystal field and the vibronic ligand polarisation contributions to the total transition dipole moment). We have focused our attention on the modulation of the intermolecular force field and a version of a modified general valence force field has been adopted. The reasons for using this formalism rather than the superposition model (SM) are fully discussed in the text. Finally, it is shown that the agreement with experiment is satisfactory for most of the components of the transitions studied, despite the apparent simplicity of our model calculation. General master equations applicable to any f^N electronic configurations are derived to show the utility and flexibility of this current formalism.     

Voltammetric, chronocoulometric and spectroelectrochemical studies of electropolymerized films based on Co(III/II)- and Zn(II)-4,9,16,23-tetraaminophthalocyanine: effect of high pH

Electropolymerized thin films of Co(III/II)- and Zn(II)-4,9,16,23-tetraaminophthalocyanine, immersed in solutions of relatively high pH, have been studied electro- and spectroelectrochemically. Cyclic voltammetry and chronocoulometry were used to characterize films deposited on glassy carbon electrodes. Spectroelectrochemistry and ellipsometry measurements were performed on indium tin oxide (ITO) surfaces coated with the zinc and cobalt complexes and correlated to the electrochemical information collected using glassy carbon electrodes. Studies at high pH are motivated by the efficient increase in luminol chemiluminescence at high OH⁻ concentration, and by potential application in luminescence sensors. Although the films are not removed, some structural changes occur when they are exposed to solutions of high pH. In addition, an estimation of the number of monolayers has also been calculated. The atomic diameters of cobalt and zinc are very close in value, but the estimated number of monolayers, based on cyclic voltammetric data, for a given number of electropolymerization cycles is approximately four-fold higher in the zinc-based film. This would correspond to three-fold thicker films when zinc is the central metal ion. Ellipsometry measurements have been correlated with cyclic voltammetric data to confirm that film thickness varies among the different complexes, even though the conditions of electropolymerization are the same.     

Chemical species produced in the reaction between ethanedial (glyoxal) and 5-amino-1,10-phenanthroline and their iron(II) complexes: electrochemical studies and analytical applications

The cyclic voltammetric behavior of carbon paste electrodes modified by direct admixing with the products of the reactions between ethanedial (glyoxal) and 5-amino-1,10-phenanthroline at 100°C and that of their iron(II) complexes is reported. The ligand(s) produced in absence of iron(II) are able to complex iron(II) and copper(II) ions reversibly, but other ions such as nickel(II), cobalt(II), cadmium(II) and manganese(II), if complexed, show no electrochemical activity. Admixing with the products of the reaction in the presence of excess of iron(II) ion, because of high insolubility and fast electron exchange, produces surfaces useful for amperometric detection in continuous-flow systems. The voltammetric and amperometric behavior in the presence of HSO^?₃ ions is reported in order to illustrate this application.     

Chemical species produced in the reaction between ethanedial (glyoxal) and 5-amino-1,10-phenanthroline and their iron(II) complexes: preparation and some spectrometric studies

Chemical species obtained by reaction of 5-amino-1, 10-phenanthroline with ethanedial (glyoxal) are reported with regard to their preparation, chemical composition and spectrometric characterization (UV-visible, infrared and liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry). Products of the reaction are postulated to be a mixture of species with molecular weights of 339, 371,480 and 524 u. Chemical reactions leading to these products and possible structural formulas for each of these species are presented. The iron complexes of these ligands, because of their extremely low solubility in most solvents, find application as redox mediators when incorporated in carbon paste electrodes, particularly for sensing in continuous-flow systems.     

Thermal requirements to obtain calcined and frits of ulexite

Ulexite has a substantial amount of hydration water, which allows using calcination methods to increase the B₂O₃ content from 42.97 to 66.69%, due to the loss of 35.54% of its weight, corresponding to its hydration water.In this study, determinations of changes in the heat content at each temperature were made using an isoperibol calorimeter. The mean specific heat was calculated from these values. The reaction enthalpy was also determined by DTA methods.The sample used in the experiments contains 39.04% B₂O₃. The temperature was between 80 and 1000 °C. Curves of weight loss and enthalpy changes are presented and analysed.The results have industrial application in order to determine the thermal requirements for calcining ulexite at different temperatures, as well as its complete dehydration.