Diffusion of hydrocarbons in confined media: Translational and rotational motion

Diffusion of monatomic guest species within confined media has been understood to a good degree due to investigations carried out during the past decade and a half. Most guest species that are of industrial relevance are actually polyatomics such as, for example, hydrocarbons in zeolites. We attempt to investigate the influence of non-spherical nature of guest species on diffusion. Recent molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of motion of methane in NaCaA and NaY, benzene in NaY and one-dimensional channels AlPO₄−5, VPI−5 and carbon nanotube indicate interesting insights into the influence of the host on rotational degrees of freedom and orientational properties. It is shown that benzene in one-dimensional channels where the levitation parameter is near unity exhibits translational motion opposite to what is expected on the basis of molecular anisotropy. Rotational motion of benzene also possesses rotational diffusivities aroundC ₆ and C₂axes opposite to what is expected on the basis of molecular geometry. Methane shows orientational preference for 2+ 2 or 1 + 3 depending on the magnitude of the levitation parameter.     

Application of hollow fiber supported liquid membrane for the separation of americium from the analytical waste

Americium from analytical solid waste containing U and metallic impurities was separated using hollow fiber supported liquid membrane (HFSLM) technique impregnated with DHOA–TODGA from nitric acid medium. An aliquot of 5 g of the solid waste containing Am (19.95 mg) as minor actinide and of U (2,588 mg), Fe (1,360 mg), Ca (1,810 mg) and Na (3,130 mg) as major impurities was processed. The feed solution obtained after the dissolution of the residue in ~4 M HNO₃ was passed through HFSLM module. In the first stage using 1 M DHOA–dodecane U was recovered while Am and other impurities were left in the raffinate. In the second stage, 0.5 M DHOA + 0.1 M TODGA/dodecane was used for the separation of Am from other impurities. Though, majority of the elements were separated in this cycle, Ca was co extracted along with the americium. CMPO extraction chromatographic technique was used for further separation of americium from Ca. Significant decontamination factors were achieved in this three step separation process with respect to U, Fe, Na and Ca with ~77 % recovery of americium.     

Synthesis of compounds related to santonin

Proceedings - Mathematical Sciences - Following the methods used in the synthesis of santonin the synthesis of compounds related to santonin has been described.     

E.p.r. studies on dichloromono(1-phenylamidino-o-alkylurea)copper(II) complexes. Evidence for field induced partial ordering in the solid state and some unusual features in solution

E.p.r. and optical absorption studies have been conducted on dichloromono(1-phenylamidino-o-alkylurea)copper(II) complexes (Alkyl = Me, Et, Pr, Bu or Pe). The e.p.r. spectra of solids, recorded at 300 K, confirmed the square-planar geometry with the unpaired electron in the dx ²–y ² orbital of copper. Magnetic field-induced partial molecular alignment has been observed in some of the polycrystalline samples when cooled in a magnetic field of 1 T at 77 K. E.p.r. spectra at 77 K in pyridine and DMF has shown axial ligation of solvent molecules (pyridine and DMF), whereas in MeOH and DMSO at least three structurally different Cu^II species have been identified. These features are consistent with differences in electronic absorption spectra in the powder and in solution.     

Thermal and Spectroscopic Studies on the Decomposition of Some Aminoguanidine Nitrates

Diaminoguanidine nitrate (DAGN) and triaminoguanidine nitrate (TAGN),potential energetic materials in emerging propulsion technology with high mass impetus at low isochoric flame temperature have been studied as regards kinetics and mechanism of thermal decomposition using thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA),infrared spectroscopy (IR) and hot stage microscopy. Kinetics of thermolysis has been followed by isothermal TG and IR. For the initial stage of thermolysis of DAGN the best linearity with a correlation coefficient of 0.9976 was obtained for the Avrami-Erofe'evequation, n=2, by isothermal TG. The activation energy was found to be 130 kJ mol^–1 and logA=11.4. The initial stage of thermolysis of TAGN also obeyed the Avrami-Erofe'ev equation, n=2, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9975by isothermal TG and the kinetic parameters are E=160.0 kJ mol^–1 and logA=16.0. High temperature IR spectra showed exquisite preferential loss in intensity of the NH₂, NH, N–N stretching and CNN bending. Spectroscopic and other results favour deamination reaction involving the rupture of the N–N bond as the primary step in the thermal decomposition. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

An automated laboratory EXAFS spectrometer of Johansson type: indigenous development and testing

An automated linear laboratory EXAFS spectrometer of the Johansson type has been indigenously developed. Only two translational motions are required to achieve the necessary Rowland circle configuration for the (fixed) X-ray source, the dispersing and focusing bent crystal and the receiving slit. With the available crystals the spectral region from 5 to 25 keV can be scanned. The linear motions of the crystal and receiving slit including the detector assembly are achieved by employing software-controlled DC motors and utilizing optical encoders for position sensing. The appropriate rotation of the crystal is achieved by the geometry of the instrument. There is a facility to place the sample alternately in the path of the X-ray beam and out of the path to record both the incident X-ray intensityI ₀ and the transmitted intensityI employing the scintillation detector. An arrangement with a two-window proportional detector before the sample to measureI ₀ and the scintillation detector to recordI is also developed; in this case it is not necessary to oscillate the sample. Fast electronic circuits are employed to minimize counting errors. The instrument is user-friendly and it is operated through a menu-driven IBM compatible PC. EXAFS spectra of high resolution have been recorded using the spectrometer and employing the Si(111) reflecting planes; the X-ray source being a Rigaku 12 kW rotating anode with Cu target. We describe the spectrometer and discuss its performance with a few representative spectra.     

Study on curing of novolac epoxy resin

The optimization of proportions of novolac epoxy resin, Dobeckot E4 and polyamide hardener, EH411 has been established by DSC and the data indicates that resin-polyamide, 100∶40 and 100∶50, appear to be optimum where ‘extent of cure’ is maximum. The kinetic parameters for these formulations have been evaluated using isothermal and dynamic modes by employing DSC. The rate constants have been evaluated for curing process of these formulations using isothermal DSC mode in the temperature range of 70°–90°C. These have also been predicted at 20°±1°C (room temperature) by extrapolating the data obtained at elevated temperatures. A comparison of the predicted values with the experimental values shows that there is a good agreement between them.     

Electrothermal AAS studies of Sm, Eu, Dy, and Er separated from uranium

Summary Studies were conducted on the assay of Sm, Eu, Dy and Er separated from uranium using aqueous standards by electrothermal AAS with Massmann type graphite furnace. The working curves were found to be linear in the ranges Sm (1–10 g/ml), Eu (0.05–0.6 g/ml), Dy (0.1–0.8 g/ml) and Er (0.1–1.0 g/ml). The values obtained for synthetic samples agreed favourably with those obtained by emission spectrographic method. Experiments using pyrolytic carbon coated tubes with and without pretreatment by La, Ta and Y have shown an enhancement with treatment upto a maximum of 15% and improve the memory effect marginally. The effect of Ta treatment was found to be singularly useful in improving the general behaviour of Sm. The interference effects of lanthanides, other than the analyte, were found to be negligible. However, the presence of uranium was found to affect the absorbance. The absorbance of Eu was found to be nearly independent of uranium after an initial increase. On the other hand, the absorbance of other elements studied was found to drastically decrease after an initial enhancement. Detailed investigations of temperature dependence of absorbance were carried out using Eu, Dy and Er. The differences in the behaviour of these elements is attributed to probable differences in the modes of their atomization.

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Untersuchung von aus Uran abgetrenntem Samarium, Europium, Dysprosium und Erbium durch elektrothermische Atomabsorptions-Spektralphotometrie

Zusammenfassung Die Untersuchungen wurden mit Hilfe des Graphitrohrofens nach Maßmann durchgeführt. In folgenden Bereichen ergaben sich lineare Eichkurven: Sm 1–10 g/ml, Eu 0,05–0,6 g/ml, Dy 0,1–0,8 g/ml, Er 0,1-1,0 g/ml. Die aus synthetischen Proben erhaltenen Ergebnisse stimmten gut mit den durch Emissionsspektrographie erhaltenen überein. Versuche wurden mit Röhren mit pyrolytischen Kohlenstoffüberzug mit und ohne Vorbehandlung durch La, Ta und Y durchgeführt und ergaben eine bis 15%ige Steigerung durch die Behandlung sowie eine mäßige Besserung des Memoryeffektes. Eine Behandlung mit Ta war besonders für Sm vorteilhaft. Störungen durch andere Lanthanide waren vernachlässigbar. Uran beeinflußte jedoch die Absorption. Im Falle von Eu zeigte sich nach anfänglicher Zunahme fast eine Unabhängigkeit, während bei den anderen untersuchten Elementen nach anfänglicher Zunahme eine beträchtliche Abnahme auftrat. Mit Eu, Dy und Er wurde ebenfalls die Temperaturabhängigkeit der Absorption untersucht. Festgestellte Unterschiede im Verhalten werden auf unterschiedliche Atomisierung zurückgeführt.