Role of anionic vacancies in lithium fluoride in the catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide on the surface of the Au/LiF/Mo(110) system

The oxidation of carbon monoxide molecules on the surface of gold nanoclusters formed on a lithium fluoride film has been investigated by IR spectroscopy and temperature-programed reaction. The CO oxidation rate is much higher in the case of gold clusters produced on the surface of a LiF film enriched with anionic vacancies (F-centers). This is due to the fact that the gold clusters bonded to F-centers of the substrate differ in electronic state from the clusters that are not bonded to F-centers.     

Electronic Structure and Optical Properties of the Surface F-Centers in MgO: A Theoretical Analysis by DFT Approach

Electronic structure of Mg9O9 and Mg9O8 clusters modeling nano-crystalline powders of magnesium oxide has been analyzed within the frames of the density functional theory (DFT). In the framework of time-dependent DFT method (TD-DFT), the relationship between the surface and bulk properties of nano-crystals is analyzed based on variations in the density of electronic states (DOS) and changes of electronic spectra. The spectroscopy of spatial defects like low-coordinated oxygen ions and of surface point defects like F⁺- and F-centers is investigated. Optical properties of the nano-sized crystalline magnesium oxide are characterized by a spectrum of absorption bands in the range of 1-5 eV. Point defects such as F-centers absorb light in the range of 1.2-1.5 eV. Spatial defects O_LC in nano-crystals generate absorption bands in the range of 2.5-5.0 eV. According to calculations, there is no direct relation between coordination numbers of surface ions and excitation energies. Theoretical excitation energies are compared with experimental optical properties of the F⁺- and F-centers.     

The role of F-centers in catalysis by Au supported on MgO

A correlation is found between the activity of Au clusters for the catalytic oxidation of CO and the concentration of F-centers in the surface of a MgO support. These results are consistent with recent theoretical results showing that F-centers in MgO serve to anchor Au clusters and control their charge state by partial transfer of charge from the substrate F-center to the Au cluster.     

Photo-stimulated luminescence of KCl:Eu under X-ray and ion irradiation

We compared the photo-stimulated luminescence (PSL) process of storage phosphor KCl:Eu under the irradiation of X-ray, 2.0 MeV H⁺ ions and 2.0 MeV He⁺ ions. The purpose of the irradiation of H⁺ and He⁺ ions was to mimic the irradiation effects of neutrons. In each case, it was revealed that F-centers were involved in the PSL process. We observed an entirely different fluence-dependent PSL behavior between the X-ray and the ion irradiation, whereas the behavior of the F-center absorption was quite similar. This difference was due to the different yields of the trapping sites for the electrons liberated from the F-centers, and the difference in the yield was ascribed to the difference in the excitation density. This result clearly indicated a marked difference in the PSL process under X-ray and neutron irradiations and indicated that the analysis of the PSL process under ion irradiation is highly important for the application of PSL phosphors to neutron radiography.     

Optical and thermoluminescence properties of a NaCl single crystal doped with Cd<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Mn<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and exposed to gamma-rays

The thermoluminescense (TL) behavior of solid solutions of cadmium and manganese doped single crystals under γ-irradiation is reported. Various compositions of single crystals of NaCl doped with Cd²⁺ and Mn²⁺ have been irradiated with ionizing radiation. The increase in the glow curve was followed as a function of the F-centers produced by the dose. The analysis shows the potential use of these materials as dosimeters.     

THE DESTRUCTION OF TRYPTOPHANYL RESIDUES IN TRYPSIN BY 280-nm RADIATION

Abstract— The destruction of tryptophanyl residues in trypsin by 280-nm radiation was studied in relation to enzyme inactivation. Quantum yields for destruction of this residue (determined using the pDAB reagent) and for the inactivation of trypsin were measured when the enzyme was exposed to different environmental perturbations. The conformational modifications of trypsin induced in 6 M guanidine-HCl did not alter the rates of tryptophan destruction and enzyme inactivation. However, an enhanced destruction of the tryptophanyl residues was observed when trypsin solutions were irradiated at 60°C in the presence of air. The increased rate of tryptophan destruction at this temperature was not accompanied by a corresponding increase in the inactivation quantum yield. It was concluded that any photochemically induced reactions of this chromophore that are sensitive to conformational modifications or that result in the destruction of the indole ring are not important in the inactivation mechanism of trypsin.     

Electro-oxidative process for the mineralization of solvent and recovery of plutonium from organic wastes

Mediated electrochemical oxidation is a promising technique for the destruction of organic compounds. Destruction of tributyl phosphate (TBP) in normal paraffin hydrocarbon (NPH) in nitric acid medium containing electro-generated Ag(II) was studied. Initially, the effect of uranium, presence of DBP along with uranium in the organic phase and direct electrochemical oxidation without catalyst (Ag) on the destruction of 30% TBP/NPH system was evaluated. For a comparison, the rate of destruction of NPH alone was studied. Further, radioactive laboratory waste solution was tested for the destruction of organic waste under similar experimental conditions. The electrolyte used in the system was 0.5 M AgNO₃ in 8 M HNO₃ at 333 K. The uniqueness in all these experiments is the use of a double end open porcelain diaphragm for the isolation of electrodes. Though there would be a slight reduction in the efficiency, two major hurdles viz., reduction in the concentration of nitric acid and reduction in the volume of catholyte resulting in an increase in cell voltage were avoided. The problem of the migration of Ag⁺/Ag²⁺ and accumulating at the cathode site was overcome by using double end open diaphragm and thorough mixing. The results revealed that the rate of destruction of organics is favoured in the presence of uranium in organic phase and with increase in temperature.     

Role of nitrogen in dry destruction by low-temperature ashing in a low-pressure oxygen atmosphere in a microwave plasma

The dry destruction of organic matrices by low-temperature ashing in a low-pressure atmosphere of oxygen gas in a microwave plasma is generally thought to be caused by one or more of the possible forms of active oxygen. This study showed, however, than in the presence of nitrogen the rate of destruction, at the same temperature, is up to four times higher than in its absence.     

A study of melting of low density polyethylene by in situ WAXD

Analysis of low density polyethylene using in situ wide-angle X-ray diffraction shows that the melting process takes place over a broad temperature range with continuous destruction of lamellar laterals. This process exhibits decreasing rate as the temperature increases, indicating that in general each lamellae has less order in outer regions than in central ones. The shifts in angular position of the amorphous halo as a function of the temperature show that the amorphous phase in a semicrystalline sample is less disordered compared to that in an overall melted sample. As the temperature increases the unit cell parameter a increases, generating a crystalline phase density reduction.     

Schiff碱配合物模拟酶催化性能的温度效应研究

研究了新型Schiff碱双锰配合物在模拟酶催化亚碘酰苯单加氧化环已烷反应及 被亚碘酰苯氧化破坏反应中的温度效应。结果表明，在模拟酶催化反应体系中同时 存在催化环已烷单加氧反应及催化剂的氧化破坏反应；催化反应速率及氧化破坏反 应速率均随反应温度升高有规律地增大，但氧化破坏反应比催化反应对反应温度更 敏感；催化反应总产率一般随反应温度升高而降低；最适宜的反应温度为25 ℃。     

Oxidation of Styrene in a Silent Discharge Plasma

A silent discharge plasma reactor has been developed to study the oxidation of styrene vapor in argon/oxygen mixtures. A number of analytical techniques were employed to determine the destruction efficiency and to characterize the intermediate products. The destruction efficiency was measured as a function of initial styrene concentration, temperature, and energy density of the plasma. The formation of solid products was observed in most experiments. At low temperature (100°C), the solid deposit was polymeric in nature, while at high temperature (300°C) the solid appeared to be amorphous carbon. A combination of high temperature and high energy density resulted in high destruction efficiency and minimal production of solid films. The destruction efficiency vs. energy density is shown to be more complex than a simple model predicting exponential behavior. Several reasons for the discrepancy are suggested. The e-folding energy density for the destruction of styrene is compared to literature values for other organic compounds, measured using similar types of plasma reactors.     

Effect of MeV protons on the phase behaviour and thermal stability of polytetrafluoroethylene

Thermomechanical spectroscopy analysis was used to study the influence of accelerated protons on the molecular-topological properties of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The study showed changes in a wide number of polymer parameters as a result of bombardment with 1, 2 and 4 MeV protons at fluences up to 2 × 10¹⁵ protons/cm². The basic topological process occurring under proton bombardment is amorphicity, as found for γ-irradiation of PTFE. The flow temperature of bombarded PTFE significantly decreases with increasing the fluxes and energy of the accelerated protons. The general process resulting from proton bombardment is cleavage of C-F bonds, leading to formation of “centered” radicals ～CF₂CF · CF₂～ and HF. The thermal stability of bombarded PTFE is below than that of virgin polymer. The rate of thermal destruction noticeably increases and the temperature of the initiation of effective thermal decomposition decreases after bombardment. The gaseous products generated during thermal destruction of the bombarded and virgin PTFE are similar.     

两段式固定床反应器中焦油脱除的实验研究

通过两段式固定床反应器实验,研究了热裂解、部分氧化和炭层转化三种方法对焦油脱除的效果,并研究了生物质种类、反应温度、停留时间、生物质焦的粒径及种类等因素对热解焦油的脱除和转化规律。结果表明,随着温度的升高,三种脱除方法中焦油生成量下降,且降幅逐渐减小,实验过程中无论采取何种方法,都难以将焦油完全脱除;部分氧化和炭层转化对焦油的脱除效果都较相同温度条件下的热裂解要好,且在焦油脱除效果上,炭层转化>部分氧化>热裂解;联合部分氧化和炭层转化可达最高的焦油脱除效率,三种生物质热解焦油经1 000 ℃联合脱除后产量分别为,稻秆0.43%、玉米秆0.61%和杉木屑1.15%,转化率分别达到98.28%、97.23%和96.29%;相同实验条件下稻秆的热解焦油最容易脱除,这与其物料中含氧量较高有关;生物质焦种类对焦油的脱除效果影响较小。     

Semiconductor Sensors for Studying the Heterogeneous Destruction of Ozone at Low Concentrations

Prospects for the use of semiconductor resistive sensors in studies of the heterogeneous destruction of ozone at low concentrations (5–400 μg/m³) were shown. The influence of various factors (sensor temperature, gas flow rate, ozone concentration) on the results of ozone concentration measurements with sensors of various types was studied. Methods for forming a sensitive layer of In₂O₃(3% Fe₂O₃) sensors with specified parameters of calibration curves were proposed. The optimum conditions for the operation of sensors in a flow mode were formulated. The results of the study of heterogeneous destruction of ozone on microfiber polymer and natural disperse (sand, coals) materials obtained by the developed method were presented.     

PHOTOCONTROL OF PHYTOCHROME DESTRUCTION IN GRASS SEEDLINGS. THE INFLUENCE OF WAVELENGTH AND IRRADIANCE

Abstract— –The kinetics of phytochrome destruction in vivo of coleoptiles and mesocotyls of etiolated grass seedlings (Avena sativa L., Zea mays L.) in continuous light were investigated using wavelength and irradiance as experimental variables. In contrast to dicotyledonous seedlings, the destruction reaction of these monocotyledons is saturated at very low levels of the far-red absorbing form of phytochrome, P_fr (e.g. at 1% of total phytochrome, corresponding to the photostationary state established by 727 nm light, in 2.5-day-old dark-grown Avena). On the other hand, the first-order rate constant of monocotyledon destruction may be at least one order of magnitude larger than in dicots, as indicated by the zero-order rate measured in the presence of saturating amounts of P_fr (τ_l/2 1.5 min in Avena). At sub-saturation P_fr levels, the destruction rate was found to be determined by the rate constants of the photoreactions over a wide range of wavelengths and irradiances. These results can be interpreted in terms of a destruction enzyme with high catalytic efficiency but limited availability. Analysis of in vivo binding of phytochrome to a pelletable cell structure during destruction revealed that both the pelletable and the non-pelletable fraction lose photoreversiblility with similar rates and thus provide no useful information with respect to a causal relationship between the two processes. However, due to the short half-life of P_fr at sub-saturation levels (which make the photoreactions and intermediary processes rate-limiting for destruction even at relatively high irradiances) the existence of a similarly rapid dark-reaction between the photoreactions producing P_fr and the destruction reaction could be demonstrated. This dark reaction displays the properties of P_fr binding to a receptor site.     

Investigation of fullerene C60 effect on properties of polymethylmethacrylate exposed to ionizing radiation

Effect of fullerene C₆₀ was investigated on thermal, mechanical and optical properties of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) under ionizing radiation. It was stated that fullerene C₆₀ behaves as an effective antirad with respect to PMMA. Fullerene C₆₀ addition raises temperature of destruction for polymer subjected to electron radiation by 20-25 °C, lowers the rate from 4 to 4.5 times and increases the activation barrier for radiated PMMA destruction reaction. Fullerene C₆₀ addition promotes improvement of strength properties of PMMA: for films containing C₆₀ addition and else subjected to electron radiation treatment a decrease in rupture strength is 10-15%, for samples containing no fullerene it equals ∼25%. Interaction of free radicals with fullerene at radiation treatment influences optical characteristics of PMMA films.     

Kinetics,products, and mechanism of ethane destruction in corona discharge: Experiments and simulation

Ethane destruction in corona discharge was studied in a flow reactor. Samples from the reactor were analyzed by GC/MS and on a quadrupole mass spectrometer. Corona discharge was initiated at atmospheric pressure and room temperature in a cylindrical flow reactor with a dielectric barrier and an axial high-voltage electrode. The flow rate of the initial mixture was varied between 0.17 and 4.8 cm³/s; the discharge power, between 0.01 and 8.0 W. The radiation yield was 0.5 molecule/100 eV for 1% ethane in air. Simulation was carried out using the kinetic mechanism consisting of 809 reactions involving 85 types of molecules, atoms, radicals, and excited species. The so-called free-radical mechanism that we developed led to an underestimated ethane destruction efficiency. The model qualitatively describes the product composition and the concentrations of its main components, but it provides no quantitative fit to experimental data, particularly for low initial ethane concentrations. New products hitherto unreported in the literature—methyl nitrate, ethyl nitrate, and acetic acid—were identified and quantified. The results are interpreted in terms of ionic reactions as a part of the destruction mechanism. These reactions are of particular significance in dilute mixtures and at low hydrocarbon concentrations in the initial mixture.     

Influence des chlorures et des sulfures sur la corrosion des alliages inoxydables en milieu phosphorique

The corrosion resistance of stainless alloys has been studied in 40 % phosphoric acid contaminated by chlorides and/or sulfides. The influence of temperature and impurities on the behaviour of materials was clarified by using electrochemical techniques (polarization curves). The action of Cl⁻ ions results in the local destruction of the passivity layer whereas the S²⁻ ions induce an important incease in the corrosion rate. The simultanous presence of chloride and sulfide ions increases the agressivness of the phosphoric acid medium as a result of a synergic effect.     

Modification of Arabinogalactan Isolated from Larix sibirica Ledeb. into Sulfated Derivatives with the Controlled Molecular Weights

The process of sulfation of arabinogalactan—a natural polysaccharide from Larix sibirica Ledeb.—with sulfamic acid in 1,4-dioxane using different activators has been studied for the first time. The dynamics of the molecular weight of sulfated arabinogalactan upon variation in the temperature and time of sulfation of arabinogalactan with sulfamic acid in 1,4-dioxane has been investigated. It has been found that, as the sulfation time increases from 10 to 90 min, the molecular weights of the reaction products grow due to the introduction of sulfate groups without significant destruction of the initial polymer and sulfation products. Sulfation at 95 °C for 20 min yields the products with a higher molecular weight than in the case of sulfation at 85 °C, which is related to an increase in the sulfation rate; however, during the further process occurring under these conditions, sulfation is accompanied by the destruction and the molecular weight of the sulfated polymer decreases. The numerical optimization of arabinogalactan sulfation process has been performed. It has been shown that the optimal parameters for obtaining a product with a high sulfur content are a sulfamic acid amount of 20 mmol per 1 g of arabinogalactan, a process temperature of 85 °C, and a process time of 2.5 h.     

Biochemical properties of genetic recombinant xylanase II

An ultraviolet (UV) coil reactor was designed and used for the online sterilization of cheese whey. Its microbial destruction efficiency was compared to that of the conventionally used UV reactor. Both reactors have the same geometry (840 ml volume and 17 mm gap size) and were tested at 11 flow rates of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 50, 60, and 70 ml/min. The results obtained from this study showed that despite of its high turbidity, cheese whey could be sterilized using UV radiation if the proper reactor design and flow rate are used. The performances of the UV reactors were governed by the flow rate and the hydraulics of flow inside the reactor. The flow was laminar in both the reactors, as the Reynolds number was in the range of 1.39–20.10. The phenomenon of Dean Flow was observed in the coil reactor and the Dean number was in the range of 1.09–15.41. Dean vortices resulted in higher microbial destruction efficiency in the coil reactor in a shorter retention time. The rate of microbial destruction was found to be exponential in the conventional reactor and polynomial in the coil reactor. Increasing the flow rate from 5 ml/min to 70 ml/min decreased the microbial destruction efficiency of the conventional reactor from 99.40 to 31.58%, while the microbial destruction efficiency in the coil reactor increased from 60.77% at the flow rate of 5 ml/min to 99.98% at the flow rate of 30 ml/min and then decreased with further increases in flow rate reaching 46.2% at the flow rate of 70 ml/min. The maximum effluent temperatures in the conventional and coil reactors were 45.8 and 46.1°C, respectively. Fouling in the coil reactor was significantly less compared to the conventional reactor. The extent of fouling was influenced by flow rate and reactor’s hydraulics.