Thermodynamic properties and amorphization of Zr–Si melts

The relationship between the thermodynamic properties of Zr–Si liquid alloys and their propensity to amorphization is studied. The temperature–concentration dependences of the thermodynamic properties of melts are presented using the concept of associated solutions. It is shown that the range of amorphization coincides with the range of the predominant concentration of Zr₃Si associative groups with low formation entropy.     

Monomer-Dimer Equilibrium of Rhodamine B Encapsulated in Si–Al and Si–Ti Binary-Oxide Thin Films

Si—Al and Si—Ti binary-oxide thin films including Rhodamine B (RB) have been prepared. They were dip-coated as a function of time after mixing of each sol-gel reaction system. The absorption and fluorescence spectra of the individual films have been observed. These spectra were analyzed in order to clarify the behavior of RB along with the change in the environment around the RB molecules, caused by the progress of the sol-gel reaction, in the fluid sol and the prepared thin films. Some amount of the RB dimers (H- and J-types) were formed in the Si—Al and Si—Ti binary-oxide films (Si : M = 75 : 25) prepared at the initial stage of the sol-gel reaction and aged under relative humidity of 60%. In the case of Si—Al binary-oxide films, the amount of the J-dimer decreased along with the reaction time at which the films were prepared, indicating that growing polymer networks of metal alkoxides around the RB molecules prevent the formation of the J-dimer. On the other hand, larger amounts of the H- and J-dimers were formed in the Si—Ti binary-oxide films prepared at longer reaction time of the solution. RB interacts more strongly with —TiOH compared with —AlOH. In the case of the Si—Ti binary-oxide films, with the progress of the sol-gel reaction, RB molecules in the prepared films easily cohere around the —TiOH and form the dimers because of increase in the amount of the —TiOH and contraction in the volume of the spaces where RB molecules exist.     

Mechanisms of Reactions of H2O and NH3 Molecules with (≡Si–O)3Si⋅and (≡ Si–O)3Si–⋅ Radicals on the Silica Surface

Spin traps, which are diamagnetic centers (SiO)₂Si, are used to register low-molecular radicals OH, NH₂, and H formed by the reactions of H₂O and NH₃ molecules with the radicals (Si–O)₃Si and (Si–O)₃Si–O stabilized on the silica surface. The experimental data and the results of quantum-chemical calculations for model systems are used to determine the mechanism and thermochemical characteristics of these reactions. A new paramagnetic center (Si–O)₂SiNH₂ was identified on the silica surface, and its radiospectroscopic characteristics are determined.     

Pitting of Al and Al–Si alloys in KSCN solutions and the effect of light

The pitting corrosion susceptibility of pure Al and three Al-Si alloys, namely (Al-6%Si), (Al-12%Si) and (Al-18%Si) has been studied in 0.04 M KSCN solution. Measurements were carried out under the effect of various experimental conditions using cyclic polarization, potentiostatic and galvanostatic techniques. In all cases, the potentiodynamic anodic polarization curves do not exhibit active dissolution region due to spontaneous passivation. The passivity is due to the presence of a thin film of Al₂O₃ on the anode surface. The passive region is followed by pitting corrosion, at a certain critical potential, pitting potential (E_pit), as a result of breakdown of the passive film by SCN^? anions. Cyclic polarization measurements allowed the determination of the pitting corrosion parameters, namely the pitting potential and the repassivation potential (E_rp). Alloyed Si decreased the passive current (j_pass) and shifted both E_pit and E_rp towards more positive values. Thus alloyed Si suppressed pitting attack. The effect of illumination on passivity and the initiation of pitting corrosion on Al in KSCN solutions was also studied. It is observed that illumination of Al leads to an increase in its pitting corrosion resistance-apparent from j_pass, E_pit, and E_rp measurements in aggressive KSCN solutions.     

Synthesis of complex Si–O–N–H derivatives by molecular bombardment of silicon and silicon dioxide

Bombardment of a silicon target in a high vacuum with a molecular beam (mixture of high energy H₂+N₂, obtained by charge exchange) and a thermal beam of O₂ produces on the target a variety of compounds. The target is then bombarded by the same molecular beams which produce, extracted by an electrostatic field at an energy of about 10 keV, molecular ions due to the compounds thus formed. These ions are analysed (electromagnet) to give a primary spectrum of ions according to their mass, which are individually selected and dissociated in a collision cell (same H₂+N₂ mixture). Mass analysis of the dissociation fragments leads to the identification of silicon clusters (Si)_n and of Si–O–N–H derivatives, the fragmentations of which permit a definitive determination of their molecular complexity. Dissociation spectra have thus been obtained for some of the most intense peaks of the primary spectrum, on the one hand, and on the other hand for some peaks of lower intensity but of special interest to us (see below). The composition of the fragments is confirmed by the study of the satellite ions derived from the natural 28, 29 and 30 isotopes of silicon, and by the use of deuterium instead of hydrogen. None of the Si–O–N–H derivatives obtained was apparently known earlier. It is shown that some of these molecules (those ‘of special interest to us’) may be identical with sila-analogues of standard amino acids and of nucleic bases: the fact that their fragmentations are identical with those of the corresponding carbon analogues speaks in favour of a structural identity. However, one cannot yet distinguish between the various possible isomeric arrangements, as none of them has been independently prepared, which excludes a direct comparison with reference samples, and as these isomers might give identical fragments; we hope to be able to resolve this ambiguity later. Anyhow, the substances formed are the most complex molecular silicon derivatives so far produced: e.g. Si₂O₂NH₅, Si₃O₂NH₇, Si₄O₃NH₉, Si₄O₂N₂H₄, Si₄ON₃H₅, Si₅O₃N₂H₁₀, Si₅O₂NH₁₁, corresponding to sila-glycine, sila-alanine, sila-threonine, sila-uracile, sila-cytosine, sila-valine, sila-glutamine, – or isomers. Similar results have been obtained using a silicon dioxide target and high energy molecular beams of hydrogen and of nitrogen, without thermal oxygen, or with a carborundum target. © 2000 Académie des sciences / Éditions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SASmolecular impact / silicon derivatives / amino-acid silicon analogues     

Bulk properties and hydration numbers of components of water–salt,water–urea,and water–urea–salt systems

With an increase in the concentration of additives, the hydration numbers of compounds decrease. Thus, in a saturated 54.6% solution, urea loses approximately 3/4 of the initial amount of water, forming an aquacomplex of the composition (NH₂)₂CO?H₂O. In a supersaturated 44% solution, the sodium chloride aquacomplex is dehydrated by 2/3, and in a supersaturated 67% solution, sodium sulfate is dehydrated by 5/6. The density of these solutions is 1.354÷1.360 g/cm³ (44% NaCl) and 1.800÷1.849 g/cm³ (67% Na₂SO₄). In a saturated urea solution, NaNO₃, NaCl, and Na₂SO₄ complexes lose 53÷55% of hydration water. It is shown that the interactions in the binary water–urea system somewhat increase the hydration number of the salts (structural hydration). The hydration water density, a structurally important characteristic, increases in the series of solutions of urea, NaNO₃, NaCl, and Na₂SO₄. In the same series of additives, the excess volume of binary water–urea and water–salt systems becomes more negative.     

The effect of Nb and Ni addition on crystallization behavior of amorphous–nanocrystalline Fe–Cr–B–Si alloys

The crystallization behavior of amorphous Fe–Cr–B–Si alloys in the presence of Ni and Nb elements was the goal of this study. In this regard, four different amorphous–nanocrystalline Fe₄₀Cr₂₀Si₁₅B₁₅M₁₀ (M=Fe, Nb, Ni, Ni_0.5Nb_0.5) alloys were prepared using mechanical alloying technique up to 20 h. Based on the achieved results, in contrast to Fe₅₀Cr₂₀Si₁₅B₁₅ alloy, the amorphous phase can be successfully prepared in the presence of Ni and Nb in composition. Although the crystallization mechanism of prepared amorphous phase in different alloys was the same, the Fe₄₀Cr₂₀Si₁₅B₁₅Nb₁₀ alloy showed higher thermal stability in comparison with other samples. The crystallization activation energy of this amorphous alloy was estimated about 410 kJ mol^?1 which was much higher than Fe₄₀Cr₂₀Si₁₅B₁₅Ni₁₀ (195.5 kJ mol^?1) and Fe₄₀Cr₂₀Si₁₅B₁₅Ni₅Nb₅ (360 kJ mol^?1) samples. The calculated values of Avrami exponent (1.5 < n < 2.2) indicated that the crystallization process in different alloying systems is the same and to be governed by a three-dimensional diffusion-controlled growth.     

Experimental investigation of the Nd–Al–Si system

The isothermal section of the Nd–Al–Si ternary system at 500 °C has been investigated using differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy and electron micro-probe analysis. Four ternary intermetallic compounds were confirmed: NdAl₂Si₂ (τ₁), hP5-CaLa₂O₂ structure type, Nd₂Al₃Si (τ₂), hP3-AlB₂ structure type, NdAl_1−x Si_1+x , 0.25 ≤ x ≤ 0.3 (τ₃), tI12-αThSi₂ structure type and Nd₂Al_1−x Si_1+x , 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2, (τ₅), oS8-CrB structure type. A new ternary intermetallic phase (τ₄) was found: Nd₄Al₃Si₃, orthorhombic oS20, isotypic with Pr₄Al₃Ge₃.     

Application of CE–ICP–MS and CE–ESI–MS in metalloproteomics: challenges,developments, and limitations

Application of capillary electrophoresis (CE) as a high-resolution separation technique in metalloproteomics research is critically reviewed. The focus is on the requirements and challenges involved in coupling CE to sensitive element and molecule-specific detection techniques such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP–MS) or electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI–MS). The complementary application of both detection techniques to the structural and functional characterisation of metal-binding proteins and their structural metal-binding moieties is emphasised. Beneficial aspects and limitations of mass spectrometry hyphenated to CE are discussed, on the basis of the literature published in this field over the last decade. Recent metalloproteomics applications of CE are reviewed to demonstrate its potential and limitations in modern biochemical speciation analysis and to indicate future directions of this technique.     

Mössbauer study and magnetic properties of Fe–Si–B–Cu amorphous systems with minor substitution of carbon

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - The effect of minor substitution of carbon on the structure and magnetic properties of Fe–Si–B–Cu-type metallic glasses was...     

Thermal stability and conductivity of hot-pressed Si3N4–graphene composites

This study concerns new Si₃N₄–graphene composites manufactured using the hot-pressing method. Because of future applications of silicon nitride for cutting tools or specific parts of various devices having contact with high temperatures there is a need to find a ceramic composite material with good mechanical and especially thermal properties. Excellent thermal properties in the major directions are characteristic of graphene. In this study, the graphene phase is added to the silicon nitride phase in a quantity of up to 10 mass%, and the materials are sintered under uniaxial pressure. The mixture of AlN and Y₂O₃ is added as sintering activator to the composite matrix. The studies focus on thermal stability of produced composites in argon and air conditions up to the temperature of 1,000 °C. The research also concerns the influence of applied uniaxial pressure during the sintering process on the orientation of graphene nanoparticles in the Si₃N₄ matrix. The study also presents research on anisotropy of thermal diffusivity and following thermal conductivity of ceramic matrix composites versus the increasing graphene quantity. Most of the presented results have not been published in the literature yet.     

Synthesis and structure of gold complexes [Ph3PR]+[Au(CN)2I2-trans]−, R = Et,CH2Ph,Ph

Russian Chemical Bulletin - Gold complexes [Ph3PR]+[Au(CN)2I2-trans]?, where R = Et (1), CH2Ph (2), Ph (3), were synthesized by the reaction of potassium dicyanodiiodoaurate with...     

Design,synthesis, and characterization of fullerene–peptide–steroid covalent hybrids

The present study reports the synthesis, spectral characterization, self-assembly properties, and preliminary in vitro study of antioxidant capacity of two triple covalent hybrids consisting of fullerene C₆₀, peptide, and steroidal moiety. Previously synthesized fulleropyrrolidinic acid and pregnenolone were connected by peptide linker using a multistep DCC/DMAP and/or EDC/HOBT esterification/amidation procedure. The hybrids were characterized by comparative analysis of spectroscopic data obtained from FTIR, UV–vis, HRMS, and extensive NMR experiments (¹H, ¹³C, COSY, HSQC, and HMBC). The self-assembling properties and morphology of triads samples prepared by drop-drying method were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Preliminary in vitro antioxidant activity was studied by Ferrous ion Oxidation-Xylenol orange (FOX) method.     

Electrodeposition,properties, and composition of rhenium–nickel alloys

The process of deposition of the Re–Ni alloy, its current efficiency, and the alloy composition are studied as a function of the current density and the solution temperature. The hydrogen content in the deposits, their surface morphology, internal structure, and properties as the cathodic material for HER are examined. It is assumed that besides the high rhenium content, the high catalytic activity of nickel–rhenium alloys is associated with the high degree of their structural disordering.     

Electrodeposition,Structure, and Properties of Iron–Tungsten Alloys

The electrodeposition, structure, and properties of Fe–W alloys are studied. Working current densitiesirange from 1 to 5 A dm^–2at 50°C. The W content (45 wt %) barely depends oni. The current efficiency is about 40%. Alloys obtained at ibelow 2 A dm^–2are crystalline oversaturated solid solutions of W in Fe and are magnetic. Higher current densities yield amorphous nonmagnetic alloys of the same composition. Either alloy has a very high resistivity (nearly 300 ohm cm) and, after a treatment at 500–600°C, transforms into a more equilibrium binary system comprising a saturated solid solution and an intermetallic compound.     

The electrochemical properties of Al–Si–Ni alloys composed of nanocrystal and metallic glass for lithium-ion battery anodes

Melt-spun Al_75?X Si₂₅Ni _X (X?=?2, 4, 7, and 10?mol%) alloys were investigated as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. The Al₆₈Si₂₅Ni₇ anode showed a maximum capacity of 840?mA?h?g^?1 at the fifth cycle and maintained 661?mA?h?g^?1 after 40 cycles with a high coulumbic efficiency of 93%. The specific capacity increased as the decrease in the Ni content during the first 20 cycles, but the cycle performance became poorer. For the Al₆₅Si₂₅Ni₁₀ anode, the specific capacity increased slowly as the cycles increased and reached 370?mA?h?g^?1 after 40 cycles. When the Al₆₈Si₂₅Ni₇ ribbons were annealed, their initial capacity became higher, but much poorer cycle performance and low coulumbic efficiency occurred. Except Al₆₅Si₂₅Ni_10, the AlLi compound could be detected in the anodes after lithiation. However, the capacity faded rapidly due to the formation of excessive AlLi in the Al₇₃Si₂₅Ni₂ and annealed Al₆₈Si₂₅Ni₇ anodes. The experiments revealed that the as-quenched ribbons consisted of the nanoscaled α-Al, metallic glass and α-Si, and their fractions were dependent on the Ni content. The α-Al was a supersaturated solid solution of Si and Ni in fcc-Al. For the as-quenched Al₆₈Si₂₅Ni₇ ribbons, the α-Al grains were embedded in the amorphous matrix. It can be understood that metallic glass can store Li, and the supersaturated solid solution can store Li even more easily compared with other known Al–Si-based alloys. A conclusion can be drawn that the microstructure that the nanoscaled α-Al embedded in the metallic glass matrix is beneficial to improve the structure stability, restrain serious structural evolution, and limit the volume variation and pulverization during electrochemical cycles.     

Solvothermal preparation,and characterization,of Cu–Ag nanoparticles

Cu–Ag nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized by one-pot solvothermal treatment of a mixture of AgNO₃ and Cu(OAc)₂·H₂O in ethylene glycol solution at 180 °C for 10 h. The samples were characterized by UV–visible absorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The results showed that Cu–Ag nanoparticles and a small amount of phase-separated Cu–Ag alloy nanoparticles with an average diameter of 100 ± 30 nm were synthesized by the solvothermal treatment procedure. The mechanism of formation is discussed.