Temperature dependence of the exafs spectrum in YBa2Cu3O7−δ compounds

The temperature dependence of the extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) is studied in the high T_c superconductors, YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ. The measurements were done at the Cu K-edge for samples of two orthorhombic phases (T_c≈90 K and ≈58 K, respectively) and a nonsuperconducting tetragonal phase. Interatomic distances and mean square relative displacements σ² for Cu-O bonds are determined by the least squares refinement. The results indicate that values of σ² increase near T_c for both the orthorhombic samples. It is concluded that this anomalous behavior related to T_c is caused by an anomalous vibration of oxygen atoms in the Ba-O layer. Changes in the Cu-O distances from 300 to 20 K are not found.     

Effects of oblique-incidence evaporation on magnetic properties of Fe20Ni80/Fe70Co30 bilayer film

Evaporative deposition at oblique incidence is shown to enhance the magnetic anisotropy of an Fe₂₀Ni₈₀ magnetic film and induce magnetic anisotropy in an overlying, strongly isotropic Fe₇₀Co₃₀ film. This deposition method for the formation of an underlayer of several lattice parameters in thickness and semi-hard overlayer of a few thousands Angstroms in thickness achieves a significant change in the magnetization process and strong suppression of the coercive forces of Fe₇₀Co₃₀ in the hard magnetization direction. Soft magnetization of the Fe₇₀Co₃₀ overlayer is not achieved when one of the layers is deposited at oblique incidence. It is anticipated that shape magnetic anisotropy is responsible in part for the magnetic anisotropy induced in both in Fe₂₀Ni₈₀ under- and Fe₇₀Co₃₀ overlayer by oblique incidence evaporation.     

Electron spin resonance studies on radiation graft copolymerization in polyethylene. II. Grafting initiated by allyl radicals trapped in irradiated polyethylene

The regions trapping allyl radicals in irradiated polyethylene and the reactivity of the radicals with various monomers have been studied by electron spin resonance. Most of the allyl radicals are trapped in defects or surfaces of the crystallite, and only 10% of the radicals are trapped inside the crystallites. Since the reactivity of the allyl radicals depends on whether they come in contact with reactive monomers, the rate of reaction is related to the concentration of the monomers. When grafting reactions are initiated by allyl radicals, the rate of initiation is rapid and the rate of termination at the initial stage is also very fast. Consequently the yield of grafting increases at the initial stage but soon levels off, which is in contrast to the grafting behavior with alkyl radicals.     

Application of water as a solvent in microwave-assisted extraction for analysis of PCBs and CBzs in fly ash

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and chlorobenzenes (CBzs) are two classes of dioxin precursors formed in municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs); they produce negative health effects similar to those of dioxins. Reducing the analytical time required for determining the concentrations of these compounds in MSWIs is important for quickly evaluating their importance and assessing associated health risks. In the present study, water is used as a safe and environmentally friendly solvent in microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) for PCB and CBz analyses. MAE is compared with traditional Soxhlet extraction (SE) to determine the extraction efficiencies. The evaluation of extraction efficiencies shows that MAE has a high extraction efficiency compared with that of SE when water content is lower than 60%. Furthermore, the extraction time and organic solvent consumption are reduced with MAE compared with SE.     

Flow injection system with in-line Winkler's procedure using 16-way valve and spectrofluorimetric determination of dissolved oxygen in environmental waters

Flow injection spectrofluorimetry with in-line Winklers procedure was developed for the dissolved oxygen (DO) determination. 2-Thionaphthol reacted with iodine produced by Winkler’s method to form fluorescence inactive disulfide compound. To automate the process completely, a 5-channel flow system with a newly designed 16-way valve was assembled. The system consisted of a dispersion coil (DC), a precipitate formation coil (PFC), a precipitate dissolving coil (PDC), and extraction coil (EC). A calibration can be constructed by using a standard iodine solution for dissolved oxygen. The calibration graph was linear over the range 1.2×10⁻⁴∼6.0×10⁻⁴ mol l⁻¹ iodine (1.96∼9.80 mg O l⁻¹)). The relative standard deviation (n=6) was below 0.3% for the 4×10⁻⁴ mol l⁻¹ iodine (6.27 mg O l⁻¹) determination. The sample throughput was 12/h.     

Vibrational frequencies and infrared absorption intensities of 1,2-dibromoethane

Infrared and Raman spectra of 1,2-dibromoethane CH₂BrCH₂Br and CD₂BrCD₂Br were observed in the liquid state, and the fundamental frequencies were determined by comparison with those of related molecules. Infrared absorption intensities of fundament bands were measured in the liquid state, and the intensity data were interpreted on the basis of the valence-optical theory. From the converged value of a population ratio, the energy difference between the trans and gauche isomers was determined, which was in good agreement with the value obtained from the temperature effect of the IR spectrum.     

Reduction of acetophenone using supercritical 2-propanol: the substituent effect and the deuterium kinetic isotope effect

The reductions of several substituted acetophenones using supercritical 2-propanol were carried out to estimate the Hammett's reaction constant (ρ=0.33). Also, the reduction of acetophenone using supercritical deuteriated 2-propanol was carried out to determine the rate-determining step. The kinetic isotope effects were observed in the reduction using 2-deuterio-2-propanol (k_H/k_D=1.6) and O-deuterio-2-propanol (k_H/k_D=2.0). These findings suggest that the reaction proceeds via a cyclic transition state between acetophenone and 2-propanol similar to that of the Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley reduction.     

Enhancing chemical analysis with signal derivatization using simple available software packages

Derivative techniques for analytical signal processing are useful for solving some noise and signal resolution problems in various fields of study such as titrimetry, spectrophotometry, chromatography and electrochemistry. The broad use of these techniques, however, is often limited by costly inflexible built-in software packages in commercial analytical instruments. We propose here the application of commercial simple software packages such as Microsoft® Excel and Microcal Origin for signal smoothing and fitting, and for obtaining derivative analytical signals in batch and flow-based analyses, including potentiometric titration, spectrophotometry, chromatography, voltammetry and sequential injection analysis (SIA). The worldwide (especially Excel) software packages are easy-to-use for less experienced users and have also capabilities for advanced users, and therefore employing such packages can result in expansion of useful derivative techniques. We demonstrate application of the available package-aided derivative capabilities for enhancing some chemical analyses, including potentiometric acid–base titration, Bradford assay of protein, chromatographic separation of ajmaline and reserpine and anodic stripping voltammetry of copper. The derivative signals from smoothed and fitted curves offer better accuracy and precision, even for non-resolving peaks and tailing peaks. In some cases, the optimization of experimental conditions is not further required, which can lead to fast method development.     

1,4-cycloheptylene and the related allylic diradicals. Thermal nitrogen extrusion from 6,7-diazabicyclo[3.2.2]Non-6-enes

Thermal nitrogen extrusion of 2-methylene-6,7-diazabicyclo[3.2.2]non-6-enes and 6,7- diazabicyclo[3.2.2]nona-2,6-diene,6 proceeded easily to give closure and cleavage products $\text{via}$ the corresponding 5-methylene-1,4-cycloheptylenes and 4-cyclohepten-1,3-ylenes, respectively.