Chemometric and trend analysis of water quality of the South Chennai lakes: an integrated environmental study

In order to bring out the nature of the factors influencing lake water composition, multivariate statistical analysis and trend analysis were performed based on the hydrochemical data of the study area, namely, South Chennai. Change in land use pattern and settlements along the banks of the lakes alters the quality and quantity of the surface water. In the present study, the R‐mode factor analysis and cluster analysis were applied to the geochemical parameters of the water to identify the factors affecting the chemical composition of the lake water. Dendograms of both the seasons give three major clusters, reflecting the groups of unpolluted to moderately polluted, polluted, and heavily polluted stations. The movement of stations from one cluster to another clearly brings out the seasonal variation in the chemical composition of the lake water. The complex hydrochemical data of the surface water were interpreted by condensing them into three major factors. Factor score analysis was used successfully to delineate the stations under study and the role of the contributing factors, and the nature of factors responsible for the variation in chemical composition of the water has been clearly brought out. Results of trend analysis using ArcGIS clearly indicate that the trend in water quality is deteriorating at a faster rate in the eastern part of the study area. It is understood that although natural shifts probably can account for some of the variation, it is most likely that human activities play a major role in affecting the water quality on a regional scale. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nonlinear normal modes and band zones in granular chains with no pre-compression

We study standing waves (nonlinear normal modes—NNMs) and band zones in finite granular chains composed of spherical granular beads in Hertzian contact, with fixed boundary conditions. Although these are homogeneous dynamical systems in the notation of Rosenberg (Adv. Appl. Mech. 9:155–242, 1966), we show that the discontinuous nature of the dynamics leads to interesting effects such as separation between beads, NNMs that appear as traveling waves (these are characterized as pseudo-waves), and localization phenomena. In the limit of infinite extent, we study band zones, i.e., pass and stop bands in the frequency–energy plane of these dynamical systems, and classify the essentially nonlinear responses that occur in these bands. Moreover, we show how the topologies of these bands significantly affect the forced dynamics of these granular media subject to narrowband excitations. This work provides a classification of the coherent (regular) intrinsic dynamics of one-dimensional homogeneous granular chains with no pre-compression, and provides a rigorous theoretical foundation for further systematic study of the dynamics of granular systems, e.g., the effects of disorders or clearances, discrete breathers, nonlinear localized modes, and high-frequency scattering by local disorders. Moreover, it contributes toward the design of granular media as shock protectors, and in the passive mitigation of transmission of unwanted disturbances.     

Growth and characterization of L-phenylalanine nitric acid (LPN) and tris L-(phenylalanine)-phenylalanininum nitrate (TPLPN) as second and third order nonlinear optical materials

We synthesized noncentrosymmetric single crystals of L-phenylalanine nitrate (LPN) and tris L-(phenylalanine) L-phenylalaninium nitrate (TPLPN) by slow solvent evaporation technique. Both crystallized in monoclinic system with different acentric space groups namely P2₁ (LPN) and C2 (TPLPN) respectively. The IR and Raman spectral investigation was done for LPN and TPLPN and discussed. The UV-vis-studies accomplished the excitation wavelength of the grown crystals suitable to exhibit second harmonic generation signal. From the absorption data, remarkable optical properties such as direct band gap energy, Urbach energy, extinction coefficient were evaluated. The mechanical strength of the grown crystal was examined by Vickers micro hardness test. The temperature of decomposition was confirmed by TG/DSC analysis. Fluorescence emission spectrum of LPN and TPLPN were recorded and lifetime was also studied. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss of LPN and TPLPN has been determined as a function of frequency and temperature. Also the surface topologies of the crystallized salts were assessed by SEM studies. The third-order nonlinearities of LPN and TPLPN were determined by Z-scan technique with Nd: YAG at 532?nm and thereby from closed and open Z-scan data, third-order susceptibilities were calculated to be χ⁽³⁾?=?8.826?×?10^?6 esu for LPN and χ⁽³⁾?=?2.552?×?10^?7 esu for TPLPN.     

Mesoporous TiO2 nano networks: Anode for high power lithium battery applications

Anatase phase mesoporous TiO₂ with I41/amd space group was synthesized via the urea assisted hydrothermal method. The existence of mono phasic TiO₂ sub-microspheres of uniform particle size (ca. 400 nm) encompassing an average crystallite size of 14 nm was demonstrated using the XRD, FE-SEM and TEM analysis. Surface area of ca. 116.49 m²/g along with a pore size of 7 nm was calculated using the BET and adsorption isotherm measurements which authenticated the mesoporous nature of the synthesized material. Suitable calcination temperature for the better electrochemical property was established via the optimization process. Accordingly, the mesoporous TiO₂ calcined at 400 °C displayed improved cycleability with excellent rate capability ever reported, even at 20 C-rate of discharge. The reason for the superior rate capability is corroborated to the highly mesoporous nature of the TiO₂ sub-microspheres that has imparted desirable surface area apposite for enhanced ionic and electronic diffusion.     

Synthesis of Diverse Oxa‐Carbocycle‐Annulated Flavones Using the Combined Claisen Rearrangement and Ring‐Closing Metathesis

A simple and efficient route for the synthesis of oxepine‐, oxocine‐, oxepinone‐, and dioxocine‐angularly annulated flavone skeletons has been developed. The combined Claisen rearrangement and the ring‐closing metathesis are used as key steps for the construction of C₇/C₈–C₆–C₆ tricyclic core structures.     

Synthesis and Characterization of the Rubidium Thiophosphate Rb6(PS5)(P2S10) and the Rubidium Silver Thiophosphates Rb2AgPS4, RbAg5(PS4)2 and Rb3Ag9(PS4)4

The metal thiophosphates Rb₂AgPS₄ ( 2 ), RbAg₅(PS₄)₂ ( 3 ), and Rb₃Ag₉(PS₄)₄ ( 4 ) were synthesized by stoichiometric reactions, whereas Rb₆(PS₅)(P₂S₁₀) ( 1 ) was prepared with excess amount of sulfur. The compounds crystallize as follows: 1 monoclinic, P2₁/c (no. 14), a = 17.0123(7) Å, b = 6.9102(2) Å, c = 23.179(1) Å, β = 94.399(4)°; 2 triclinic, P$\bar{1}$ (no. 2), a = 6.600(1) Å, b = 6.856(1) Å, c = 10.943(3) Å, α = 95.150(2)°, β = 107.338(2)°, γ = 111.383(2)°; 3 orthorhombic, Pbca (no. 61), a = 12.607(1) Å, b = 12.612(1) Å, c = 17.759(2) Å; 4 orthorhombic, Pbcm (no. 57), a = 6.3481(2) Å, b = 12.5782(4) Å, c = 35.975(1) Å. The crystal structures contain discrete units, chains, and 3D polyanionic frameworks composed of PS₄ tetrahedral units arranged and connected in different manner. Compounds 1 – 3 melt congruently, whereas incongruent melting behavior was observed for compound 4 . 1 – 4 are semiconductors with bandgaps between 2.3 and 2.6 eV and thermally stable up to 450 °C in an inert atmosphere.