T-x-y diagram of the Ni-Bi-Se system

Some polythermal sections of the Ni-Bi-Se system have been investigated by DTA, X-ray powder diffraction, microstructural analysis, and microhardness measurements. The liquidus surface has been constructed for this system. The compounds NiBi₂Se₄ and Ni₃Bi₂Se₂ are formed by dystectic reactions and melt at 1088 and 980 K, respectively. The regions of primary and joint phase crystallization have been determined. A commutation of Bi₂Se₃-based thermoelements with a metal nickel bus-bar has been proposed.     

Self‐curable polyester by a reaction of glycidol with maleic anhydride

The controlled reaction of equimolar quantities of maleic anhydride and glycidol in dimethoxyethane gives soluble polyesters with one hydroxyl group in each repeating unit. The reaction proceeds with stepwise ring opening of the components and gives highly viscous clear solutions in relatively short periods. In the first step, monomaleate ester formation takes place around 80 °C. The ring opening of the oxirane group is the second step, and it occurs at 120 °C. The overall reaction is the formation of soluble polyesters with moderate molecular weights (6000–18,000), without the elimination of water. The soluble polyesters can be crosslinked tightly by direct heating at 190 °C without additional vinyl monomer. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 2549–2555, 2003     

Interactions of surface states of copper with transition metals and cesium

The pseudopotential augmented-plane-wave method was used to study the surface structure of thin copper films with monolayers of Co, Ni, and Cs. Local densities of electron states, distributions of charge densities in the layers, and electron energy spectra are analyzed. The effect of adsorbates on the electronic properties of the Cu(001) surface and work function are discussed. Satisfactory agreement with available experimental data has been obtained.     

Air‐stable and recoverable catalyst for copper‐catalyzed controlled/living radical polymerization of styrene; In situ generation of Cu(I) species via electron transfer reaction

Copper‐catalyzed controlled/living radical polymerization (LRP) of styrene (St) was conducted using the silica gel‐supported CuCl₂/N,N,N′,N′,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (SG‐CuCl₂/PMDETA) complex as catalyst at 110 °C in the presence of a definite amount of air. This novel approach is based on in situ generation and regeneration of Cu(I) via electron transfer reaction between phenols and Cu(II). Sodium phenoxide or p‐methoxyphenol was used as a reducing agent of Cu(II) complexes in LRP. The number–average molecular weight, M_n,GPC, increases linearly with monomer conversion and agrees well with the theoretical values up to 85% conversion The molecular weight distribution, M_w/M_n, decreases as the conversion increases and reaches values below 1.2. The catalyst was recovered in aerobic condition and reused in copper‐catalyzed LRP of St. For the second run, the number–average molecular weights increased with monomer conversion and the polydispersities decreased as the polymerization proceeded and reached to the value <1.3 at 81% conversion. The recycled catalyst retained 90% of its original activity in the subsequent polymerization. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 77–87, 2006     

Fullerides: heterometallic superconductors with composition M<Subscript>2</Subscript>M′C<Subscript>60</Subscript> (M = K,Rb; M′ = Yb,Lu, Sc)

One- or two-step reactions of potassium and rubidium fullerides with composition M_k C₆₀ (M = K, Rb; k = 3—6) and K₆C₆₀ + m K mixtures (m = 1, 3) with anhydrous salts MCl₃ (M = La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Yb, Lu, Y, Sc) and YbI₂ in a toluene—THF medium afforded heterometallic fullerides M_3–nM_nC₆₀ (n = 1—3). Among these compounds, substituted fullerides with composition M₂MC₆₀ (M = Yb, Lu, Sc) display superconducting properties with critical temperatures of 14—20 K.Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 8, pp. 1623–1628, August, 2004.     

Characterization of active sites over reduced Ni-Mo/Al(2)O(3) catalysts for hydrogenation of linear aldehydes

Reduced Ni-Mo/Al(2)O(3) catalysts exhibit a behavior analogous to that of sulfided Ni-Mo/Al(2)O(3) catalysts in hydrogenation of linear aldehydes to alcohols. Similar to what has been previously reported for sulfided catalysts, NO and CO(2) can be used over the reduced Ni-Mo catalysts as probe molecules for the active sites responsible for two competing reactions -- aldehyde hydrogenation to alcohols and condensation reactions to heavy products, respectively. Reduced catalysts have a higher aldehyde conversion activity and alcohol selectivity than their sulfided counterparts. The reduction temperature has a strong effect on the surface density of anion vacancies, which are responsible for alcohol formation. Reduction temperature also plays a role in determining the abundance of OH groups on the alumina surface. The effect of reduction temperature also manifests itself through the differences seen in the oxidation states of Mo and Ni species.     

Development of chromium-free iron-based catalysts for high-temperature water-gas shift reaction

Chromium-free iron-based catalysts were prepared and studied in regard to their performance in the high-temperature water-gas shift reaction (HTS). The effects of various catalyst preparation variables (i.e., Fe/promoter ratio, pH of precipitation medium, calcination and reduction temperatures) and preparation methods were investigated. Aluminum is a potential chromium replacement in HTS catalysts. Further improvement in WGS activity of Fe–Al catalysts can be achieved by the addition of small amounts of copper or cobalt. Catalysts were characterized using BET surface area measurements, temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS). As a textural promoter, aluminum and chromium prevent the sintering of iron oxides and stabilize magnetite phase by retarding its further reduction to FeO and metallic Fe. The promotional effect of Cu is found to be strongly dependent on the preparation method.     

Optical properties of a new photorecording polymer based on 2,2-difluoro-4-(9-anthracyl)-6-methyl-1,3,2-dioxaborine

The optical properties of a new photorecording polymer based on 2,2-difluoro-4-(9-anthracyl)-6-methyl-1,3,2-dioxaborine have been investigated. This material is found to change its absorption coefficient and refractive index in the visible range under illumination with a wavelength λ = 405.9 nm. This circumstance makes it possible to record static holograms with a spatial frequency up to 2500 lines/mm, a diffraction efficiency above 60%, and a lifetime more than 6 months. A dynamic change in the effective refractive index of this material under 405.9-nm irradiation is found, due to which one can form control optical elements of the light-light type with a modulation frequency up to 50 Hz in it.     

Visual detection of Al ions using conjugated copolymer-ATP supramolecular complex

A colorimetric Al³⁺ sensor based on fluorescence recovery of a conjugated copolymer-ATP complex is proposed. An optimized ratio of two polythiophene (PT) monomers is utilized to synthesize copolymer (CP) that yielded maximized colorimetric response for Al³⁺ in deionized (DI) and tap water. The electrostatic disassembly of CP-ATP upon addition of Al³⁺ led to an evident visual color change. The lowest concentration of Al³⁺ for naked eye observation is around 4 μM, which is below the threshold levels in drinking water according to European Economic Community (EEC) standard. Besides, the proposed assay showed a similar response to Al³⁺ in tap water. The proposed methodology showed selective and sensitive detection for Al³⁺ in analytically relevant concentration ranges without involving sophisticated instrumentation, illustrating the applicability for on-site drinking water monitoring.     

Electrochemical Properties of Hollow‐Structured MnS–Carbon Nanocomposite Powders Prepared by a One‐Pot Spray Pyrolysis Process

Spherical, hollow MnS? C composite powders were prepared from a solution of manganese salt, thiourea, and sucrose by one‐pot spray pyrolysis. The MnS? C composite powders were generated by direct sulfidation of MnO with hydrogen sulfide gas generated in situ by decomposition of thiourea during spray pyrolysis. Sucrose, which is used as a carbon source material, plays a key role in the formation of the MnS? C composite powders by improving the reducing atmosphere around the powders. Dot‐mapping images of the composite powders demonstrated uniform distribution of the manganese, sulfur, and carbon components within the MnS? C composite powder. Fine crystals of MnS were uniformly mixed with carbon derived from polymerization and carbonization of sucrose. The carbon content of the MnS? C composite powders was 26 wt %. The discharge capacities of the MnS? C composite powders in the 2nd and 200th cycles were 863 and 967 mA h g^?1, respectively, at a current density of 1000 mA g^?1. The spherical and hollow morphology of the MnS? C composite powders was completely retained, even after 200 cycles. The enhanced cycling and rate performance of the MnS? C composite powders is ascribed to the structural stability of the composite powders.