N2- and O2-broadening coefficients and profiles for millimeter lines of N2O

For the purpose of atmospheric applications, we have measured N₂- and O₂-induced broadenings and shapes of rotational lines of N₂O in the 235-350 K temperature range, precisely the J=8←7, J=22←21, and J=23←22 lines, located near 201, 552, and 577 GHz, respectively. The analysis of experimental lineshapes shows up significant deviations from the Voigt profile, which are characteristic of line narrowing processes. In a first step, the Voigt profile was considered for the determination of pressure broadening parameters and of their temperature dependencies. Results are in good agreement with the dependence from rotational quantum number previously observed for other rotational and rovibrational lines. They are well explained by calculations based on a semiclassical formalism that includes the atom-atom Lennard-Jones potential in addition to electrostatic interactions up to hexadecapolar contributions. In a second step, observed lineshapes were analyzed by using the Galatry profile and a speed-dependent Voigt profile. The nonlinear pressure behavior observed for the diffusion rate β involved in the Galatry profile leads to rule out the possible role of velocity/speed changing collisions, and to infer that discrepancies from the Voigt profile result from the dependence of relaxation rates on molecular speeds. This interpretation is supported by the comparison of optical and kinetic radii and confirmed by theoretical calculations of relaxation rates. Finally, it can be claimed that, for the N₂O-N₂ and N₂O-O₂ systems, deviations from the Voigt profile are explained by a speed-dependent Voigt profile.     

Self-broadened half-widths and self-induced line shifts for water vapor transitions in the 3.2-17.76 μm spectral region via complex Robert-Bonamy theory

Water vapor in the Earth’s atmosphere is being studied in the 3.2-17.76 μm spectral region by the atmospheric infrared sounder (AIRS) on Aqua, the troposphere emission spectrometer (TES) and the high-resolution dynamics limb sounder (HIRDLS) on Aura, both part of the NASA EOS mission. However, the lack of sufficient data on spectral parameters will hamper the prospect of accurate retrievals of temperature and concentration profiles. The spectral parameters for thousands of water vapor transitions are required, which are hard to determine by measurements alone. As reported previously [Can. J. Chem. 82 (2004) 1013-1027], of the 10 602 measurements of H₂O self-broadening half-widths only 440 intercomparisons with more than 3 data points have estimated uncertainty less than 10%. In this work, we have employed the mean relative thermal velocity approximation of the complex implementation of Robert-Bonamy formalism to obtain the self-broadened half-widths and self-induced line shifts for 5442 water vapor transitions in the 3.2-17.76 μm region. The calculations are compared with the measurement database and trends in the half-widths and line shifts are studied.     

Half-width temperature dependence of nitrogen broadened lines in the ν2 band of H2O

Forty-seven N₂ broadened water vapor line-widths have been measured in the 1845-2140 cm⁻¹ spectral range with a Fourier Transform spectrometer in the 258-330 K temperature range at a spectral resolution of 0.005 cm⁻¹ for the lines with upper state rotational quantum number up to 16. The measured exponents of the temperature dependence of the width exhibit a large range of values from 1.60 to −0.86. Theoretical calculations were made using a semi-empirical technique based on the Anderson theory. The calculated broadening coefficients as well as the temperature exponents for the half-width agree satisfactory with measured values.     

The Raman spectra and cross-sections of the ν2 band of H2O, D2O, and HDO

We report the experimental Raman spectra of the ν₂ band of H₂O, D₂O, and HDO in the vapor phase at room temperature. A complete interpretation of the Raman intensities is carried out employing the variational rovibrational wavefunctions obtained from a Hamiltonian in Radau coordinates and an ab initio polarizability surface at 514.5 nm. We show the importance of the rotation-vibration coupling to obtain the correct line intensities. Several tables with the assignments of the individual rotational-vibrational transitions and their Raman scattering strengths are reported. From these tables, the ν₂ Raman spectra can be simulated up to 2000 K for H₂O, and up to 300 K for D₂O and HDO.     

The rotational Raman spectra and cross sections of H2O, D2O, and HDO

We report the experimental rotational Raman spectra of H₂O, and of a mixture of D₂O and HDO in the vapor phase at room temperature, and their interpretation in terms of rotational–vibrational energies, wavefunctions, and transition moments of the molecular polarizability. These transition moments are based on high-level ab initio calculations of the wavelength dependent polarizability surface, and on wavefunctions where the rotational–vibrational coupling is considered in detail. As a byproduct of this analysis several tables have been compiled including scattering strengths and assignments for individual rotational transitions of the three species. From these tables the rotational Raman spectra can be simulated over the range of temperatures up to 2000 K for H₂O, and up to 300 K for D₂O and HDO.     

The Raman spectra and cross-sections of H2O, D2O, and HDO in the OH/OD stretching regions

We report the OH and OD stretching regions of the vapor phase Raman spectra of H₂O, and of a D₂O/HDO mixture, at room temperature. Also, the corresponding spectrum of H₂O at ∼2000 K in a methane/air flame is reported. These spectra are interpreted in terms of transition moments of the molecular polarizability, based on high-level ab initio calculations of the polarizability surface, and on variational wavefunctions considering the rotational-vibrational coupling in full. As a byproduct of this analysis several tables have been compiled including scattering strengths and assignments for individual rotational transitions of the three species. From these tables the Raman spectra in the OH/OD stretching regions can be simulated over the range of temperatures up to 2000 K for H₂O, and up to 300 K for D₂O and HDO.     

The use of direct recoil spectrometry (DRS) for the study of water vapor interactions on polycrystalline metallic surfaces—the H2O/U and H2O/Ti systems

Using direct recoil spectrometry (DRS), the shadowing of surface H atoms by neighboring O atoms can differentiate between full and partial dissociation routes of water molecules on the surface as well as point to the geometrical arrangements of hydroxyl surface groups. The H₂O/U and H₂O/Ti systems were compared. It has been found that different mechanisms control the water-surface interactions in these systems.For the H₂O/U system, a simple direct-collision (Langmuir-type) dissociative chemisorption controls the process. Two consecutive stages were identified: (i) below ∼70% monolayer coverage, a complete dissociation of water into oxygen ion and two H atoms, which chemisorb on the remaining unreacted metallic surface and (ii) above about 70% of a full layer coverage, three dimensional oxide islands start to form, causing partial dissociation of water and the formation of surface hydroxyls.For the H₂O/Ti system, a more complicated mechanism, which involves a precursor state, seems to control the process. In that case, two concurrent routes act simultaneously. In addition to the simple direct-collision mechanism, water precursor clusters (bound by hydrogen bonds), which partly dissociate, result in chemisorbed tilted hydroxyl clusters (even at low-coverage). The relative contributions of the precursor route and the direct-collision route are pressure dependent, with the former being dominant at higher exposure pressures.     

Far-infrared hydrazine laser pumped by an N2O laser

We have used an N₂O laser to optically pump N₂H₄ molecules in a far-infrared cavity and observed 17 new laser lines in the wavelength range 93.0 to 374.2 μm, the 136.8 μm line pumped by 10P(16) being a doublet. We measured the frequencies of the laser lines by heterodyne mixing of the far-infrared radiation with radiation from two frequency-stabilized CO₂ lasers.     

N2- and O2-broadening of CO2 for the (301)III ← (000) band at 6231 cm

The N₂- and O₂-broadening effect have been investigated for 10 absorption lines of the CO₂ (30⁰1)_III ← (00⁰0) band centered at 6231 cm⁻¹, in the range from P(28) to R(28) by a near-infrared diode-laser spectrometer. We have analyzed the observed line profiles with the Galatry function, and determined the N₂- and O₂-broadening coefficients precisely. The air-broadening coefficients for these lines have been derived. The present results are compared with those of the previous studies for this band and with some of the other bands.     

Measurements of positions, strengths and self-broadened widths of H2O from 2900 to 8000 cm: line strength analysis of the 2nd triad bands

High-resolution spectra of H₂O were recorded with a Fourier-transform spectrometer covering H₂O transitions from 2900 to 8000 cm⁻¹. Over 13,000 absorptions were measured to determine line positions, strengths and self-broadened half-width coefficients. The H₂ ¹⁶O line strengths of the (0 3 0)-(0 1 0), (1 1 0)-(0 1 0), (0 1 1)-(0 1 0) and (0 3 0)-(0 0 0), (1 1 0)-(0 0 0), (0 1 1)-(0 0 0) bands were fitted to a quantum mechanical model which involves the interactions between the (0 3 0), (1 1 0), and (0 1 1) vibrational states. Also fitted were experimental strengths of the hot bands; (1 2 0)-(0 1 0) and (0 2 1)-(0 1 0). The model includes 14 dipole matrix elements for B- and A-type transitions. The measured line positions were used along with hot water emission measurements (for the (0 3 0), (0 4 0), and (0 5 0) states of H₂ ¹⁶O) in an analysis to obtain high-accuracy energy level values in the (0 3 0), (1 1 0), (0 1 1), (0 4 0), (1 2 0), (0 2 1), (2 0 0), (1 0 1), (0 0 2), and (0 5 0) vibrational states of H₂ ¹⁶O and the (1 1 0) and (0 1 1) states of H₂ ¹⁷O. Also included were measurements and analysis of self-broadened half-widths for over 4700 absorptions between 4405 and 7729 cm⁻¹. The results from this investigation provide new information for the noted H₂ ¹⁷O bands and present a more accurate representation of the measured H₂ ¹⁶O bands.     

Experimental study of H2O spectroscopic parameters in the near-IR (6940-7440 cm) for gas sensing applications at elevated temperature

Tunable diode laser (TDL) absorption sensors of water vapor are attractive for temperature, gas composition, velocity, pressure, and mass flux measurements in a variety of practical applications including hydrocarbon-fueled combustion systems. Optimized design of these sensors requires a complete catalog of the assigned transitions with accurate spectroscopic data; our particular interest has been in the 2ν₁, 2ν₃, and ν₁+ν₃ bands in the near-IR where telecommunications diode lasers are available. In support of this need, fully resolved absorption spectra of H₂O vapor in the spectral range of 6940-7440 cm⁻¹ (1344-1441 nm) have been measured as a function of temperature (296-1000 K) and pressure (1-800 Torr), and quantitative spectroscopic parameters inferred from these spectra compared to published data from Toth, HITRAN 2000 and HITRAN 2004. The peak absorbances were measured for more than 100 strong transitions at 296 and 828 K, and linestrengths determined for 47 strong lines in this region. In addition to reference linestrengths S(296 K), the air-broadening coefficients γ_air(296 K) and temperature exponents n were inferred for strong transitions in five narrow regions, near 7185.60, 7203.89, 7405.11, 7426.14 and 7435.62 cm⁻¹ that had been targeted as attractive for future diagnostics applications. Most of the measured results, determined within an accuracy of 5%, are found to be in better agreement with HITRAN 2004 than with earlier editions of this database. Large discrepancies (>10%) between measurements and HITRAN 2004 database are identified for some of the probed transitions. These new spectroscopic data for H₂O provide a useful test of the sensor design capabilities of HITRAN 2004 for combustion and other applications at elevated temperatures.     

Effects of O2 and N2/H2 plasma treatments on the neuronal cell growth on single-walled carbon nanotube paper scaffolds

The O₂ and N₂/H₂ plasma treatments of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) papers as scaffolds for enhanced neuronal cell growth were conducted to functionalize their surfaces with different functional groups and to roughen their surfaces. To evaluate the effects of the surface roughness and functionalization modifications of the SWCNT papers, we investigated the neuronal morphology, mitochondrial membrane potential, and acetylcholine/acetylcholinesterase levels of human neuroblastoma during SH-SY5Y cell growth on the treated SWCNT papers. Our results demonstrated that the plasma-chemical functionalization caused changes in the surface charge states with functional groups with negative and positive charges and then the increased surface roughness enhanced neuronal cell adhesion, mitochondrial membrane potential, and the level of neurotransmitter in vitro. The cell adhesion and mitochondrial membrane potential on the negatively charged SWCNT papers were improved more than on the positively charged SWCNT papers. Also, measurements of the neurotransmitter level showed an enhanced acetylcholine level on the negatively charged SWCNT papers compared to the positively charged SWCNT papers.     

Line shift and mixing in the ν4 and 2ν2 band of NH3 perturbed by H2 and Ar

Pressure induced line shift and line mixing parameters have been measured for 66 rovibrational lines in the ν₄ band and for 10 lines in the 2ν₂ band of NH₃ perturbed by H₂ and Ar at room temperature (T = 296 K). These lines with J values ranging from 2 to 10 are located in the spectral range 1450-1600 cm⁻¹. Experiments were made with a high-resolution Fourier transform spectrometer. The line shifts and line mixing parameters have been derived from the non-linear least-square multi-pressure fitting technique. The shift coefficients are compared with those calculated from the Robert-Bonamy formalism (RB). The results are generally in satisfactory agreement with the experimental data.     

Diode-laser spectroscopy: Temperature dependence of R (0) line in the ν4 band of CH4 perturbed by N2 and O2

In this paper, we present a line profile study of the R (0) line in the ν₄ band of methane diluted in nitrogen and oxygen, from room temperature to 153 K. The measurements were performed over a total pressure range from 14 to 128 mbar. The collisional broadening and narrowing (Dicke effect) coefficients are derived from a fit of the experimental spectra by using the soft and hard collision models, taking into account the Dicke effect. For higher pressures, we have fitted the data with a model taking into account simultaneously the Dicke narrowing and the speed dependence effect. Finally, we have deduced the parameter n of the temperature dependence (inverse power law) of the broadening coefficients for the CH₄-N₂ and CH₄-O₂ gas mixtures.     

Flame structure studies of rich ethylene-oxygen-argon mixtures doped with CO2, or with NH3, or with H2O

Structures of several premixed ethylene-oxygen-argon rich flat flames burning at 50 mbar have been established by using molecular beam mass spectrometry in order to investigate the effect of CO₂, or NH₃, or H₂O addition on species concentration profiles. The aim of this study is to examine the eventual changes of profiles of detected hydrocarbon intermediates which could be considered as soot precursors (C₂H₂, C₄H₂, C₅H₄, C₅H₆, C₆H₂, C₆H₄, C₆H₆, C₇H₈, C₆H₆O, C₈H₆, C₈H₈, C₉H₈ and C₁₀H₈). The comparative study has been achieved on four flames with an equivalence ratio (f) of 2.50: one without any additive (F2.50), one with 15% of CO₂ replacing the same quantity of argon (F2.50C), one with 3.3% of NH₃ in partial replacement of argon (F2.50N) and one with 13% of H₂O in replacement of the same quantity of argon (F2.50H). The four flat flames have similar final flame temperatures (1800 K).CO₂, or NH₃, or H₂O addition to the fresh gas inlet causes a shift downstream of the flame front and thus flame inhibition. Endothermic processes CO₂ + H = CO + OH and H₂O + H = H₂ + OH are responsible of the reduction of the hydrocarbon intermediates in the CO₂ and H₂O added flames through the supplementary formation of hydroxyl radicals. It has been demonstrated that such processes begin to play at the end of the flame front and becomes more efficient in the burnt gases region.The replacement of some Ar by NH₃ is responsible only for a slight decrease of the maximum mole fraction of C₂H₂, but NH₃ becomes much more efficient for C₄H₂ and C₅ to C₁₀ species. Moreover, the efficiency of NH₃ as a reducing agent of C₅ to C₁₀ intermediates is larger than that of CO₂ and H₂O for equal quantities added.     

The influence of temperature (20-1000 °C) on binary mixtures of solid solutions of CH3COOLi·2H2O-MgHPO4·3H2O

Thermally induced phase transitions (20-1000 °C) in the substrates and binary mixtures of CH₃COOLi·2H₂O(1)-MgHPO₄·3H₂O(11) have been analysed. Changes taking place on dehydration and thermal dissociation of binary mixtures prepared with percent molar ratios of 90-10% were studied by differential thermal analysis (TG, DTG, DTA), IR-spectroscopy and WAXS.The above-mentioned substrates changed their structure when heated for 1 h at 500 or 1000 °C. CH₃COOLi·2H₂O(1) (ID: 23-1171) changed the structure at 500 °C to that of Li₂CO₃ (ID: 22-1141), while at 1000 °C the structure was impossible to analyse as the compound reacted both with porcelain and with platinum (crucible materials). MgHPO₄·3H₂O(11) (Newberyite, ID: 35-780, 19-762) changed its structure at 500 °C to amorphous phase and at 1000 °C to Mg₂P₂O₇ (ID: 32-626).The following compounds were assayed in the respective binary mixtures heated at 500 °C for 1 h: 70% (1)-30%(11): LiMgPO₄ (ID: 18-735), MgO (ID: 4-829); 50%(1)-50%(11): LiMgPO₄ (ID: 18-735), Li₃PO₄ (ID: 25-1030); 30%(1)-70%(11): LiMgPO₄ (ID: 32-574); binary mixtures heated at 1000 °C contained the following compounds: 70%(1)-30%(11): LiMgPO₄ (ID: 32-574,18-735), Li₃PO₄ (ID: 15-760,25-1030), MgO (ID: 4-829); 50%(1)-50%(11): LiMgPO₄ (ID: 32-574, 18-735), MgO (ID: 4-829); 30%(1)-70%(11): LiMgPO₄ (ID: 18-735, 32-574), Mg₂P₂O₇ (ID: 22-1152, 8-38), Li₄SiO₄ (37-1472).     

Controlled synthesis of BaWO4 hierarchical nanostructures by exploiting oriented attachment in the solution of H2O and C2H5OH

Shape-controlled synthesis of BaWO₄ hierarchical nanostructures has been successfully achieved by exploiting oriented attachment in a mixture of water and ethanol. A controlled change in the volume ratio of C₂H₅OH and H₂O or the concentration of initial reagents has resulted in the synthesis of products of various morphologies, such as shuttle-like, ellipsoid-like, and flower-like ones. The obtained products are characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The altered nucleation and growth rates of primary particles that assembled to the final hierarchical nanostructures through oriented attachment are the main cause of the evolution of their morphologies. The room-temperature photoluminescent intensities of the products strongly depend on their morphology.     

Conductivity and water uptake of Sr4(Sr2Nb2)O11·nH2O and Sr4(Sr2Ta2)O11·nH2O

The hydrated oxygen deficient complex perovskite-related materials Sr₄(Sr₂Nb₂)O₁₁·nH₂O and Sr₄(Sr₂Ta₂)O₁₁·nH₂O were studied at high water vapour pressures over a large temperature range by electrical conductivity measurements, thermogravimetry (TG), and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD). In humid atmospheres both materials are known to exhibit protonic conductivity below dehydration temperatures, with peak-shaped maxima at about 500 °C. In this work we show that the peaks expand to plateaus of high conductivity from 500 to 700 °C at a water vapour pressure of 1 atm. However, in situ synchrotron XRPD of Sr₄(Sr₂Nb₂)O₁₁·nH₂O as a function of temperature shows that these observations are in fact coincident with melting and dehydration of a secondary phase Sr(OH)₂. The stability of Sr₄(Sr₂Nb₂)O₁₁·nH₂O and Sr₄(Sr₂Ta₂)O₁₁·nH₂O in humid atmospheres is thus insufficient, causing decomposition into perovskites with lower Sr content and SrO/Sr(OH)₂ secondary phases. This, in turn, rationalizes the observation of peaks and plateaus in the conductivity of these materials.