Structural and impedance analysis of LiBiP2O7

A new material LiBiP₂O₇ was prepared by solid-state reaction method. The XRD analysis confirms the formation of the sample. The Raman analysis indicates the presence of characteristic bands for a (P₂O₇)⁴⁻ group in the sample. The electrical characterization was carried out using the impedance spectroscopy method in the frequency range of 1 KHz–5 MHz. The bulk conductivity of the material was extracted from the impedance analysis and was found to be in the order of 10⁻⁷ Ω ⁻¹ cm⁻¹ at 473 K. The activation energy was calculated from the Arrhenius plot and was found to be 0.37 eV. The modulus peak maximum shifts to higher frequencies with an increase in temperature and the broad nature of the peaks indicates the non-debye nature of the material. The high value for the activation energy calculated from the conductance spectrum indicates that some energy has been utilized in the creation of charge carriers.     

Studies on temperature dependent kinetics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus awamori</Emphasis> feruloyl esterase in water solutions

The initial reaction rate (V ₀) for the esterification reaction of feruloyl esterase (FAE-II) at different temperatures (288, 298, 308, 318, 328, 338, 348, and 358 K) and various ethyl ferulate concentrations [(2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16) × 10⁻⁴ mol l⁻¹ of ethyl ferulate in water] were determined. The Lineweaver-Burk double reciprocal plot yielded the kinetic parameters (maximal velocity V _max, Michaelis constant K _m, and second order rate constant V/K). The effects of temperature on those 3 kinetic parameters were presented and discussed. The thermodynamic parameters ΔH* (enthalpy of activation), ΔG* (free energy of activation), ΔS* (entropy of activation), ΔG _E-S (free energy change of substrate binding), ΔG _E-T (free energy change of transition state formation), related to that biochemical process were determined and discussed from van’t Hoff plot, Arrhenius plot, and Eyring plot.     

Effect of particle size on pyrolysis characteristics of Elbistan lignite

In this study, the relationship between particle size and pyrolysis characteristics of Elbistan lignite was examined by using the thermogravimetric (TG/DTG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) techniques. Lignite samples were separated into different size fractions. Experiments were conducted at non-isothermal conditions with a heating rate of 10°C min⁻¹ under nitrogen atmosphere up to 900°C. Pyrolysis regions, maximum pyrolysis rates and characteristic peak temperatures were determined from TG/DTG curves. Thermogravimetric data were analyzed by a reaction rate model assuming first-order kinetics. Apparent activation energy (E) and Arrhenius constant (A _r) of pyrolysis reaction of each particle size fraction were evaluated by applying Arrhenius kinetic model. The apparent activation energies in the essential pyrolysis region were calculated as 27.36 and 28.81 kJ mol⁻¹ for the largest (−2360+2000 μm) and finest (−38 μm) particle sizes, respectively.     

Evaluation of combustion characteristics of different size elbistan lignite by using TG/DTG and DTA

In this research, the relationship between particle size and combustion kinetics and combustion properties of lignite samples was examined by utilizing the thermogravimetric (TG/DTG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) techniques. The lignite samples separated into different size fractions were subjected to non-isothermal thermogravimetric analysis between ambient and 900°C in the presence of 50 mL min⁻¹ air flow rate. Activation energy (E) and Arrhenius constant (A _r) of combustion reaction of each size was evaluated by applying Arrhenius kinetic model to the resulting data. Combustion properties of the samples were interpreted by careful examination of the curves. The apparent activation energies in major combustion region were calculated as 41.03 and 53.11 kJ mol⁻¹ for the largest size (−2360+2000 μm) and the finest size (−38 μm), respectively.     

Reduction of silver nitrate by polyaniline nanotubes to produce silver-polyaniline composites

Polyaniline (PANI) nanotubes were prepared by oxidation of aniline in 0.4 M acetic acid. They were subsequently used as a reductant of silver nitrate in 1 M nitric acid, water or 1 M ammonium hydroxide at various molar ratios of silver nitrate to PANI. The resulting PANI-silver composites contained silver nanoparticles of 40–60 nm size along with macroscopic silver flakes. Under these experimental conditions, silver was always produced outside the PANI nanotubes. Changes in the molecular structure of PANI were analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy. Silver content in the composites was determined as a residue by thermogravimetric analysis, and confirmed by density measurements. The highest conductivity of a composite, 68.5 S cm⁻¹, was obtained at the nitrate to PANI molar ratio of 0.67 in water. Also, the best reaction yield was obtained in water. Reductions performed in an acidic medium gave products with conductivity of 10⁻⁴–10⁻² S cm⁻¹, whereas the reaction in alkaline solution yielded non-conducting products.     

Electrochemical properties of silver–copper alloy microelectrodes for use in voltammetric field apparatus

Microelectrodes of silver–copper alloys have been evaluated for use in voltammetric analyses. Increased overpotential towards the hydrogen overvoltage reaction (HER) was found as a function of increased copper content in the silver. A study of oxidizing products by cyclic voltammetry (CV) in NaOH solution showed ten anodic and eight cathodic peaks which are described in the present paper. The behaviour of these alloy electrodes is somewhere between pure silver and pure copper electrodes. Differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) was used to measure zinc, cadmium and lead in ultrapure water only (18 MΩcm), and good linearity was found for all metals (r ²=0.998) in the range of 0.5 to 5 ppb with a 600- to 1,200-s plating time. It was additionally found that cadmium and lead were better separated on the alloy electrodes compared to pure silver electrodes. Measurements of nickel were carried out on alloy electrodes by use of adsorptive differential pulse cathodic stripping voltammetry (Ad-DPCSV), and good linearity (r ²=1.000) was found in the range from 0.5 to 5 ppb with an adsorption time of 120 s. The alloy electrodes were also found to be sensitive to nitrate, and good linearity (r ²=0.997) was found in the range from 1 mg L⁻¹ to 100 mg L⁻¹ using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) scanning from −450 mV to −1,500 mV. Addition of nitrate in ultrapure water afforded two different peaks related to the successive reductions of nitrate and nitrite. In ammonium buffer solution (pH 8.6) only one peak resulting from reduction of nitrate was observed. Furthermore, the use of alloy electrodes containing 17% Cu was tested in real samples, by installing it in a voltammetric system for monitoring of zinc and lead in a polluted river, the river Deûle, near the town of Douai in northern France. Results were found to be in agreement with parallel measurements carried out by ICP-MS.     

Effect of dose and dose rate of gamma radiation on catalytic activity of catalase

Catalytic activity of gamma irradiated catalase from bovine liver was studied for hydrogen peroxide decomposition at constant temperature and pressure. The measurement was performed at temperatures 27, 32, 37, 42 and 47 °C. Solutions containing 1 and 0.01 g dm⁻³ of catalase in phosphate buffer were used for the study. Repeatability of both sample preparation and kinetics measurement was experimentally verified. Rate constants of the reaction were determined for all temperatures and the activation energy was evaluated from Arrhenius plot. Gamma irradiation was performed using ⁶⁰Co radionuclide source Gammacell 220 at two different dose rates 5.5 and 70 Gy h⁻¹, with doses ranging from 10 to 1000 Gy. The observed reaction of irradiated and non-irradiated catalase with hydrogen peroxide is of the first order. Irradiation significantly decreases catalytic activity of catalase, but the activation energy does not depend markedly on the dose. The effect of irradiation is more significant at higher dose rate.     

Ab initio study on alkyl radical decomposition and alkyl radical addition to olefins

The β bond dissociation of alkyl radicals and their reverse reactions, the addition of alkyl radicals to olefins were studied by G3MP2 level of theory to obtain a consistent kinetic data set. Both reaction families can be classified depending on the type of radical formed by β bond scission, namely the CH₃, primary, secondary tertiary radical formed. The kinetics of the reaction classes were described by only a limited number of Arrhenius parameters. The unified A factor of 10^13.7 s⁻¹ was found for all β bond dissociations. The Arrhenius activation energies are 125, 121, 113 and 103 kJ mol⁻¹, for methyl, primary, secondary, and tertiary radicals, respectively. The activation energies of 32, 25 and 18 kJ mol⁻¹ are calculated for the terminal addition of primary (including methyl), secondary, and tertiary radicals to olefins, respectively. The biologically important nonterminal radical additions to olefins have higher barriers of 37, 31 and 35 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. At room temperature both strongly exothermic additions can compete with H-atom abstraction. New groups for Benson’s group additivity rules were defined to describe activation parameters for the β bond dissociation reactions. The group values were calculated by using the ab initio heats of formation of transition state structures.     

Thermal behavior study and decomposition kinetics of salbutamol under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions

The thermal decomposition of salbutamol (β₂ — selective adrenoreceptor) was studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry/derivative thermogravimetry (TG/DTG). It was observed that the commercial sample showed a different thermal profile than the standard sample caused by the presence of excipients. These compounds increase the thermal stability of the drug. Moreover, higher activation energy was calculated for the pharmaceutical sample, which was estimated by isothermal and non-isothermal methods for the first stage of the thermal decomposition process. For isothermal experiments the average values were E _act=130 kJ mol⁻¹ (for standard sample) and E _act=252 kJ mol⁻¹ (for pharmaceutical sample) in a dynamic nitrogen atmosphere (50 mL min⁻¹). For non-isothermal method, activation energy was obtained from the plot of log heating rates vs. 1/T in dynamic air atmosphere (50 mL min⁻¹). The calculated values were E _act=134 kJ mol⁻¹ (for standard sample) and E _act=139 kJ mol⁻¹ (for pharmaceutical sample).     

Study of kinetics,equilibrium and isotope exchange in ion exchange systems. II

The kinetics of isotope exchange in the²³⁸U(VI)-²³³U(VI)-strongly acidic cation exchanger Ostion KS system was studied in the temperature range 275–307K and for total uranium concentration 2.94·10⁻⁴–1.75·10⁻² mol·l⁻¹ in UO₂(NO₃)₂ solution. The experimental results were evaluated by means of the “two-film mass-transfer model” and by the use of Fick's diffusion equations which have been proved more suitable for the system studied than McKay's equation. The influence of the temperature was evaluated using the Arrhenius equation. The diffusion character of the process follows also from the value of the activation energy (15.12 kJ·mol⁻¹). In comparison with the UO ₂ ²⁺ ↔H⁺ ion exchange⁶ the isotope exchange studied is faster and less dependent on temperature (the activation energy is substantially lower).     

Aqueous solutions of colloidal nickel: Radiation-chemical preparation, absorption spectra, and properties

Radiation-chemical reduction of Ni²⁺ ions in aqueous solutions of Ni(ClO₄)₂ containing sodium formate or isopropyl alcohol was studied, γ-Irradiation of deaerated solutions in the presence of polyethyleneimine, polyacrylate, or polyvinyl sulfate gives stable metal sols containing spherical particles 2–4 nm in diameter. The optical absorption spectra of nickel nanoparticles exhibit a band with a maximum at 215±5 nm (ε₂₁₅=4.7·10³ L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹) and a shoulder at 350 nm. A mechanism for the radiation-chemical reduction of Ni²⁺ ions by hydrated electrons and organic radicals (CO₂- radical anions in the case of HCOONa and Me₂C·OH radicals in the case of PrⁱOH). The redox potentials of the Ni²⁺/Ni⁰ and Ni⁺/Ni⁰ pairs (Ni⁰ is a nickel atom) are approximately −2.2 and −1.7 V, respectively. The nanoparticles are readily oxidized by O₂, H₂O₂, and other oxidants. The reactions of these species with silver ions yield relatively stable nanoaggregates containing both nickel and silver in addition to silver nanoparticles. Published inIzvestiya Akademii Nauk, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 1733–1739, October, 2000.     

Application of isotachophoretic and conductometric methods for neomycin trisulphate determination

Determination of neomycin trisulphate (NMS) in a dosage form (Neox and Neosol) was carried out by capillary isotachophoresis (cITP) with conductometric detection. The following electrolytes: leading: 10 mmol dm⁻³ sodium acetate + 0.08 % hydroxyethylcelulose (HEC) and acetic acid to pH = 5.5, and terminating: 10 mmol dm⁻³ β-alanine were tested for isotachophoretic separation of NMS. The calibration curve was linear over the range of 10.00 mg dm⁻³ to 100.00 mg dm⁻³ with LOD = 5.69 mg dm⁻³ and LOQ = 18.96 mg dm⁻³. The results were compared to the conductometric determination of NMS with: ammonium molybdate (VI), silver nitrate (V) and Reinecke salt. Good accuracy was obtained from conductometric titration of NMS with Reinecke salt, the recoveries being as follows: 100 % (RSD = 1.99 %); 96.17 % (RSD = 2.10 %) and 95.22 % (RSD = 1.55 %) for NMS in pure form, Neosol and Neox, respectively.     

Polyaniline-coated cellulose fibers decorated with silver nanoparticles

Cellulose fibers of 20 μm in diameter and aspect ratio of 2 or 10 were coated with protonated polyaniline (PANI) during the oxidation of aniline hydrochloride with ammonium peroxydisulfate in an aqueous medium. The presence of PANI has been proved by FTIR spectroscopy. The conductivity increased from 4.0 × 10⁻¹⁴ S cm⁻¹ to 0.41 S cm⁻¹ after coating the fibers with PANI. The percolation threshold in the mixture of original uncoated and PANI-coated fibers was reduced from 10 mass % PANI to 6 mass % PANI, as the aspect ratio changed from 2 to 10. The subsequent reaction with silver nitrate results in the decoration of PANI-coated cellulose fibers with silver nanoparticles of about 50 nm average size. The content of silver of up to 10.6 mass % was determined as a residue in thermogravimetric analysis. FTIR spectra suggest that the protonated emeraldine coating changed to the pernigraniline form during the latter process and, consequently, the conductivity of the composite was reduced to 4.1 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹, despite the presence of silver.     

Hydrogenation of nitrate in water over bimetallic Pd-Ag/Al2O3 catalysts

Hydrogenation of nitrate (NO₃ ⁻) in water was studied with 0.8 ×10⁻³–3.2 ×10⁻³ mol/dm³ of reactant in the temperature range of 293–313 K over palladium promoted Ag catalysts. Pd-Ag catalysts with a low ratio of Ag/Pd were characterized by high efficiency in the reduction of nitrates. The degradation of nitrates followed approximately first order decay and the estimated apparent activation energy was about 4 kJ/mol.     

Viscosity and structural relaxation of 15Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>O·<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis>MgO·(10−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis>)CaO·75SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> glasses

Temperature dependence of viscosity of title glasses (x=0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, abbreviated as M0, M2, M4, M6, M8, and M10, respectively) was measured by rotational viscometry (high temperature region: 10²−10^6.5 dPas) and thermomechanical analysis (low temperature region: 10^8.5−10^11.5 dPas) and described by the Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann equation. The MgO/CaO equimolar substitution (i.e. the increasing x value) smoothly shifts the high temperature viscosity to higher values. In the low temperature region the mixed alkali effect is demonstrated, and the highest viscosities are observed for the glasses M0 and M10. In the low temperature range the activation energy of viscous flow linearly decreases with the increasing x value (E _act/kJ mol⁻¹=479−9.0x). No significant dependence of activation energy on x was found in the high temperature range (E _act/kJ mol⁻¹=238.1±4.2). The structural relaxation was measured by thermomechanical experiment and theoretically interpreted in the frame of Tool-Narayanaswamy-Mazurin’s model. The broadening of the relaxation time spectrum was observed for the calcium-magnesium glasses in comparison with the pure calcium or magnesium glasses.     

Synthesis and properties of ZnO nanofibers prepared by electrospinning

ZnO nanofibers were prepared from zinc acetate/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) by electrospun method. The morphological features, crystallinity, mechanical and optical properties of the ZnO nanofibers were studied. The results show the specific surface area of the ZnO nanofibers was influenced by the electrospun conditions. The specific surface area reached 389.7 m²g⁻¹ as the average diameter was 232 nm. The XRD date reveals the nanofibers consist of a single phase of well-crystallized ZnO with hexagonal structure. The elastic modulus of a single ZnO nanofiber was also characterized by nano-scale three-point bending test.     

Enhancement in gamma-ray induced decomposition of sodium and potassium nitrates by borate and cyanide additives

Gamma — radiolytic decomposition of sodium and potassium nitrates and its admixtures with respective cyanide and borate additives has been studied over a wide absorbed dose range from 675 to 500 kGy. The decomposition of nitrate increases with the nature and concentration of the additive in the admixture. The enhancement is more significant at >80 mol% of the additive.G(NO ₂ ⁻ ) values, calculated on the basis of electron fraction of the nitrate salt, decrease with increasing concentration of the nitrate. ESR spectral studies suggest the formation of radical species such as BO₄ and BO ₃ ²⁻ etc, in borates whereas in case of cyanide additive F_H centres are produced. The radical species and colour centres so produced may then transfer their energy to nitrate and cause enhancement in decomposition. A comparison with other oxyanion additives shows thatG(NO ₂ ⁻ ) values decrease in the order PO ₄ ³⁻ >B₄O ₇ ²⁻ >SO ₄ ²⁻ >CO ₃ ²⁻ . Similarly, the nature of the cation also affects the decomposition.     

Crystallization study of Na-Gd phosphate glass using non-isothermal DTA

Na-Gd phosphate glasses doped with Ce³⁺ are intensively studied due to their high intensity radioluminescence. Crystallization kinetics of glass with nominal composition of NaGd(PO₃)₄ was investigated using non-isothermal DTA at heating rates between 10 and 115 K min⁻¹ and evaluated by the Kissinger and Ozawa peak methods. The activation energy for crystallization was determined for heating rates lower than 72 Kmin⁻¹ as 789.91 and 802.77 kJ mol⁻¹ by using the Kissinger and Ozawa methods, respectively. Formation of nuclei, their dimensions and movement of the crystallization front were observed using isothermal optical thermomicroscopy.     

Determination of noble metals by resonance neutron activation technique

Rhodium, palladium, platinum and iridium have been determined in silver matrix by nondestructive activation analysis upon activation with cadmium- and silver-filtered resonance neutrons. Experiments with different types of filter combinations are reported. The sensitivity of the method is 5·10⁻³% for rhodium, 5·10⁻³% for palladium, 3·10⁻²% for platinum and 5·10⁻³% for iridium.     

Physical factors determining the activation energy of alkyl radical addition to unsaturated compounds

A parabolic model of the transition state is used for the analysis of experimental data (rate constants and activation energies) for reactions of addition of alkyl and phenyl radicals to multiple bonds of unsaturated compounds. The parameters describing the activation energy as a function of the enthalpy of the reactions were calculated from the experimental data. The activation energy depends also on the strength of the forming C−C bond, the presence of π-bonds in the α-position near the attacked C=C bond and the presence of polar groups in the monomer and radical. The empirical dependence of the activation energy of a thermoneutral addition reactionE _e0 on the dissociation energyD _e of the forming C−C bond was obtained:E _e0=(5.95±0.06)·10⁻⁴ D _e ² kJ mol⁻¹, indicating the important role of triplet repulsion in the formation of the transition state of radical addition. The contribution of the polar interaction to the activation energy of addition of polar radicals to polar monomers was calculated. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 445–450, March, 1999.