Spectral features of laser induced plasma from YBa2Cu3O7 and GdBa2Cu3O7 highT c superconductors

Laser induced plasma emission spectra from highT _c superconducting samples of YBa₂Cu₃O₇ and GdBa₂Cu₃O₇ obtained with 1.06μm radiation from a Q switched Nd:YAG laser beam has been analysed. The results clearly show the presence of diatomic oxides in addition to ionized species of the constituent metals in the plasma thus produced.     

Thermoplastic poly(ester‐imide)s derived from anhydride‐terminated polyester prepolymer and diisocyanate

The phase‐separation behavior of thermoplastic poly(ester‐imide) [P(E‐I)] multiblock copolymers, (A‐B)_n, was investigated by a stepwise variation of the imide content. All the multiblock copolymers were synthesized by solution polycondensation with dimethylformamide as a solvent. P(E‐I)s were prepared with anhydride‐terminated polyester prepolymer and diisocyanates. Polyester prepolymers were prepared by the reaction of pyromellitic dianhydride and two different polyols [poly(tetramethylene oxide glycol) (PTMG) and polycaprolactone diol (PCL)]. Structural determination was done with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Fourier transform NMR, and the molecular weight was determined by gel permeation chromatography. The effect of the imide content on the thermal properties of the synthesized P(E‐I)s was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The polymers were also characterized for static and dynamic mechanical properties. Thermal analysis data indicated that the polymers based on PTMG were stable up to 330 °C in nitrogen atmosphere and exhibited phase‐separated morphology. Polymers based on PCL showed multistage decomposition, and the films derived from them were too fragile to be characterized for static and dynamic mechanical properties. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 341–350, 2004     

Fractional diffusion and reflective boundary condition

Scaling analysis of the magnitude series (volatile series) has been proposed recently to identify possible non-linear/multifractal signatures in the given data [Y. Ashkenazy, et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 86 (2001) 1900; Y. Ashkenazy, et al. Physica A 323 (2003) 19; T. Kalisky, Y. Ashkenazy, S. Havlin. Phys. Rev. E 72 (2005) 011913]. In this article, correlations of volatile series generated from stationary first-order linear feedback process with Gaussian and non-Gaussian innovations are investigated. While volatile correlations corresponding to Gaussian innovations exhibited uncorrelated behavior across all time scales, those of non-Gaussian innovations showed significant deviation from uncorrelated behavior even at large time scales. The results presented raise the intriguing question whether non-Gaussian innovations can be sufficient to realize long-range volatile correlations.     

Thermal behaviour of styrene butadiene rubber/poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) blends

The thermal behaviour of styrene butadiene rubber (SBR)/poly (ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) blends was studied by using thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The effects of blend ratio, cross-linking systems and compatibilization on the thermal stability and phase transition of the blends were analyzed. It was found that the mass loss of the blends at any temperature was lower than that of the components, highlighting the advantage of blending SBR and EVA. The addition of compatibilizer was also found to improve the thermal stability. DSC studies indicated the thermodynamic immiscibility of SBR/EVA system even in the presence of the compatibilizer. This is evident from the presence of two different glass transition temperatures, corresponding to SBR and EVA phases in both compatibilized and uncompatibilized blends.     

Electrode kinetics of Eu3+/Eu2+ reaction by cyclic voltammetry

The cyclic voltammetric behaviour of Eu³⁺/Eu²⁺ couple at hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) has been studied in chloride, bromide, iodide, thiocyanate and EDTA supporting electrolytes. The apparent rate constant and transfer coefficient for these systems have been calculated at various voltage scan rates, without using the data for standard or formal potential. The values have been compared with those obtained by earlier workers through other electrochemical methods.     

Thermal decomposition study on nickel(ii) complexes of 1,2-(diimino-4’-antipyrinyl)ethane with varying counter ions

The phenomenological, kinetic and mechanistic aspects of the nitrate, chloride, bromide and iodide complexes of nickel(II) with1,2-(diimino-4’-antipyrinyl)ethane (GA) have been studied by TG and DTG techniques. The kinetic parameters like activation energy, pre-exponential factor and entropy of activation were computed. The rate controlling process in all stages of decomposition is random nucleation with one nucleus on each particle (Mampel model).     

Analyses of carcinogenic aromatic amines released from harmful azo colorants by Streptomyces SP. SS07

Extracellular fluid protein (ECFP) of Streptomyces species SS07 has been used to reduce water soluble azo dyes and the carcinogenic amines released have been compared with that from chemical reduction. The effect of temperature, pH and contact time on the recovery of amines using ECFP was studied. The ECFP releases carcinogenic amines at a pH of 9.2 and a temperature of 37 degrees C for a contact period of 24 h. The reduction products were analyzed with HPLC and their structures confirmed by LC-MS and GC-MS. It was observed that both the ECFP and chemical reduction methods released similar type of amine products. In the case of dye samples, compared to chemical reduction, 5-20% increase in the release of carcinogenic amines by ECFP was observed. The percentage of amine products released by chemical reduction was higher for leather garment samples compared to ECFP treatment.     

Thermogravimetric analysis of PVC/ELNR blends

The thermal behaviour of a series of solution-cast blends of polyvinyl chloride/epoxidised liquid natural rubber (ELNR) of different mole percentage of epoxidation has been examined using thermogravimetric analysis. Thermal degradation is found to occur through a two-step route in which the first step corresponds to the dehydrochlorination of PVC to form a polyene and the second step is attributed to the decomposition of the ELNR and the polyene. Introduction of 20 and 50 mol% of epoxy group into the liquid NR is found to enhance the thermal stability of PVC. Probable mechanisms of degradation have been suggested on the basis of the kinetic analysis of the degradation studies. It is found that the mechanism is influenced by the epoxy content of the blend system. Activation energy for the degradation and the entropy change have also been reported.     

Palladium-catalyzed arylation of enynes and electron-deficient alkynes using diaryliodonium salts

A new single-pot procedure for the synthesis of aryl alkynes is described. Palladium catalyzes the coupling reaction of diaryliodonium compounds with enynes and electron-deficient alkynes to give aryl alkynes in good yields.