Equation of state of CaMnO3: a combined experimental and computational study

Elastic properties of CaMnO₃ are of primary importance in the science and technology of CaMnO₃-based perovskites. From X-ray diffraction experiments performed at pressures up to 100 kbar using a diamond-anvil cell to hydrostatically compress our sample, a bulk modulus, K ₀, of 1734(96) kbar was obtained after fitting parameters to the third-order Birch–Murnaghan equation of state. Mean field, semiclassical simulations predict, for the first time, the third-order equation-of-state parameters and show how the bulk modulus increases with pressure (the zero pressure value being 2062.1 kbar) and decreases with the extent of nonstoichiometry caused by the formation of oxygen vacancies. These trends are amplified for the shear modulus. A more accurate model that allows for the explicit reduction of Mn ions, or localization of excess electrons, yields qualitatively similar results. The experimental and calculated axial ratios show the same trends in their variation with rising pressure.     

Kinetics and mechanism for the oxidation of anilines by ClO2: a combined experimental and computational study

The oxidation of para‐substituted anilines (X–C₆H₄NH₂, X = –CH₃, –H, –Cl, –NO₂) with chlorine dioxide was studied as a means of eliminating these pollutants. The oxidation rate decreases from that for 4‐methylaniline to that for 4‐nitroanilinem in agreement with the Hammett plot; the oxidation kinetics is second order in aniline and first order in ClO₂, for which a possible mechanism is proposed. Liquid chromatography and gas chromatography mass spectrometry results show that benzoquinone is formed as the major intermediate in aniline/ClO₂ oxidation, and the reaction is pH‐dependent as the rate constant increases with increasing pH. To further support our proposed mechanism, Density Functional Theory (DFT) computations at both B3LYP/6‐311 + G(d,p) level with the polarizable continuum model with an integral equation formalism solvation model (i.e., with water) were carried out, showing that activation energy barriers predict the same reactivity trend as shown by the kinetics experiments. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vibrational investigation of 1-cyclopentylpiperazine: A combined experimental and theoretical study

FT-IR and Raman spectra of 1-cyclopentylpiperazine(1cppp)have been experimentally examined in the region of 4000–200cm-1.The optimized geometric parameters,conformational equilibria,normal mode frequencies and corresponding vibrational assignments of 1cppp(C9H18N2)are theoretically examined by means of B3LYP hybrid density functional theory(DFT)method together with 6-31++G(d,p)basis set.On the basis of potential energy distribution(PED)reliable vibrational assignments have been made and the thermodynamics functions,highest occupied and lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals(HOMO and LUMO)of 1cppp have been predicted.Calculations are employed for four different conformations in C1 and Cs point groups of 1cppp in gas phase.Comparison between the experimental and theoretical results indicates that B3LYP method is able to provide satisfactory results for predicting vibrational frequencies and the structural parameters,vibrational frequencies and assignments.Furthermore,C1(equatorial-axial)point group has been found as the most stable conformer of 1cppp.     

On the mechanism of xylan pyrolysis by combined experimental and computational approaches

Pyrolysis is the initial stage of biomass combustion, whereas, the pyrolysis mechanism of biomass, especially the hemicellulose component, is still not well elucidated. Herein, a common hemicellulose polysaccharide, xylan, was investigated to reveal the evolution of volatiles and solid residue through combined thermogravimetry-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TG-FTIR) and in-situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (in-situ DRIFT) techniques. Quantum chemistry calculation was also conducted to analyze the primary xylan pyrolysis mechanism by using a long-chain xylan model which was built based on the structural characterization of xylan. The experimental results indicated that the functional groups in solid-phase evolved intensively during the main weight loss zone (200–350 °C), leading to the violent release of volatiles. The decomposition of branches, especially the arabinose unit, was prior to that of the backbone, with relatively low energy barriers and high rate constants. The initial enhancement of CO vibration in solid-phase above 200 °C derived from the formation of the furanose unit. Both dehydration and breakage of glycosidic bonds were responsible for the formation of CC bond in solid-phase from 300 °C. The cracking of the 4-O-Me group resulted in the release of aldehydes to gas-phase in the main weight loss zone (200–350 °C). The scission of the whole 4-O-MeGlc unit and/or the rupture of the uronic acid group led to the gas-phase CO bond formation.     

New insights into corona discharge surface ionization of polyethylene terephthalate via a combined computational and experimental assessment

The aim of the present work is to demonstrate the influence of corona discharge ionization on chemical and physical properties of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers using computational and experimental studies. In the computational section, the vibrational frequencies of proposed models for PET before and after corona discharge treatment were predicted in the liquid phase at both the B3LYP/6-31G/COSMO and B3PW91/6-31G/COSMO level of theories using the harmonic approximation. When compared to B3LYP, the frequencies obtained for the B3PW91 show a better linear correlation with the experimental data. Furthermore, experimental studies were carried out by the use of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and reflectance spectroscopy (RS). Experimental evidence indicated that the corona discharge modifies the surface of fibers and also increases the reactivity of PET toward cationic dyes. Our combined computational and experimental parametric study clearly confirms that the changes occurred on the PET surface due to corona discharge ionization.     

Analysis of anisotropic compression of uranium under high pressures: a computational and experimental overview

We have investigated anisotropic compression effects observed in uranium metal under high pressures by analyzing data obtained with different X-ray diffraction techniques as well as data on samples obtained with different pressure media. Our analysis shows that the observed anisotropic compression effects are independent of the pressure transmitting medium or the experimental technique employed for studying uranium metal under high pressures. This suggests that the observed anisotropic compression effects are not related to non-hydrostatic stresses in the diamond anvil cell devices. First principle calculations using LMT-Art largely reproduce the experimentally measured axial ratios of the orthorhombic unit cell thereby confirming anisotropic effects in this f-band metal under compression.     

Reflectance spectroscopy of gold nanoshells: computational predictions and experimental measurements

Gold nanoshells are concentric spherical constructs that possess highly desirable optical responses in the near infrared. Gold nanoshells consist of a thin outer gold shell and a silica core and can be used for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes by tuning the optical response through changing the core–shell ratio as well as the overall size. Although optical properties of gold nanoshells have already been well documented, the reflectance characteristics are not well understood and have not yet been elucidated by experimental measurements. Yet, in order to use gold nanoshells as an optical contrast agent for scattering-based optical methods such as reflectance spectroscopy, it is critical to characterize the reflectance behavior. With this in mind, we used a fiber-optic-based spectrometer to measure diffuse reflectance of gold nanoshell suspensions from 500 nm to 900 nm. Experimental results show that gold nanoshells cause a significant increase in the measured reflectance. Spectral features associated with scattering from large angles (~180°) were observed at low nanoshell concentrations. Monte Carlo modeling of gold nanoshells reflectance demonstrated the efficacy of using such methods to predict diffuse reflectance. Our studies suggest that gold nanoshells are an excellent candidate as optical contrast agents and that Monte Carlo methods are a useful tool for optimizing nanoshells best suited for scattering-based optical methods.     

Transverse hysteretic damping characteristics of a serpentine belt: Modeling and experimental investigation

In this paper, the transverse dynamic hysteretic damping characteristics (HDC) of a serpentine belt are investigated. The variable stiffness and variable damping model (VSDM) constituted of a variable-stiffness spring and a variable-damping damper is developed to estimate the HDC of the belt. A test rig is designed to test the force–displacement hysteresis damping curve and resonance frequencies of serpentine belts with different lengths under diverse loading conditions. The force–displacement hysteresis damping curve getting from the experiment is then used to determine the transverse stiffness and damping coefficients needed for the VSDM. The experiment particularly shows that the orientation of the hysteresis curve swings left and right around each natural frequency as it is a symmetrical point. This interesting phenomenon is explicated in detail with the loss angle which is calculated by two methods. Moreover, two sub-analytical models included in the VSDM are proposed to model the dependence of transverse dynamic stiffness and damping coefficient of a belt on belt length, pretension and excitation frequency. A comparison of the hysteresis curves obtained from the VSDM and experiment indicates that they are in good agreement.     

Halobenzene activation by heterofullerenes: computational investigation of oxidative addition activity

Potential of Pd‐ and Ni‐substituted fullerenes for oxidative addition of halobenzenes was investigated using density functional theory. The metal centers in the catalysts were found to be the potential reaction sites. Adsorption of halobenzenes was mildly exergonic over both the compounds. Activation of all halobenzenes was observed over both the compounds. Oxidative addition of C₆H₅I was found to be the least energy intensive process with a free energy requirement that was 3 times smaller than that for C₆H₅F over C₅₉Pd. Activities of both the catalysts were found to be comparable with the end products differing in the coordination of phenyl ring with the heterofullerenes.     

Raman study of a photochromic diarylethene molecule: a combined theoretical and experimental study

In this paper, the photochromic reaction of the 1,2‐bis(5′‐ethoxy‐2′‐(2″‐pyridyl) thiazolyl) compound (named DE) was studied by ultraviolet–visible absorption and various Raman spectroscopies associated with density functional theory calculations. To explain the growth of the visible absorption spectrum when the compound is irradiated with ultraviolet light, we suggest the existence of several conformations of the colored form. We also studied the vibrational spectroscopic properties of DE in different conditions such as powder, thin solid film, or in gold nanorods colloidal solutions. This compound is found photochromic in all these conditions. The theoretical Raman spectra of the open and closed forms reproduce fairly well the experimental data and help the complete assignment of the observed bands. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Zn2+ responsive two-photon fluorescent probes based on branch structure: a computational investigation

A series of zinc ion fluorescent probes on the basis of multi-branched ligands were investigated in theory. The three-branched ligand TPPA (N,N,N′,N′-tetraphenyl-p-phenylenediamine) has better three-dimensional spatial localisation, which can detect zinc at the parts per million level. The complex coordinated with Zn²⁺ can show a significant improvement in two-photon absorption (TPA) cross-section in the near-infrared (NIR) excitation region. The calculated results reveal that the stability and sensitivity of Zn²⁺ complexes will be enhanced by increasing the number of branches. The selectivity of double phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPPA) ligand to Zn²⁺ will be better compared to Cd²⁺. With regard to the studied ligands single phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (SPPA), two connected single phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (2CSPPA), DPPA and TPPA, λ^EM_max shows a red-shift and ?^EM gets stronger upon the addition of Zn²⁺. Most of the molecules exhibit TPA peaks in the NIR region. The theoretical investigations demonstrate that DPPA-Zn²⁺ shows good TPA activity at a telecommunication wavelength.     

A combined experimental and computational studies of 3,3,6,6-Tetramethyl-9-(4-Methoxyphenyl)3,4,6,7,9,10 hexahydroacridine-1,8-dione

ABSTRACT

In this work, we have recorded the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Ultra-Violet Visible (UV–Vis) spectra of 3,3,6,6-Tetramethyl-9-(4-Methoxyphenyl)3,4,6,7,9,10 hexahydroacridine-1,8-dione (C₂₄H₂₉NO₃) in the spectral range 4000–400?cm^?1 and 190–1400?nm, respectively. The thermo gravimetric (TG) analysis of the compound has been performed to check the thermal stability of the compound. The molecular geometry and complete vibrational spectra in the ground state are calculated by Hartree Fock (HF) and Density Functional Theory (DFT) using6-311G(d,p) basis set. The calculated vibrational harmonic frequencies are scaled using a proper scale factor, yielding a good agreement with the experimental data. Stability of the molecule arising from hyperconjugative interactions, charge delocalisation has been studied using natural bond orbital analysis (NBO). Mulliken charges, MEP mapping and temperature dependence on the thermodynamic properties in the optimised ground state have been calculated. UV–Visible spectrum of the molecule was calculated by using TD-DFT approach and the results were compared with the experimental one. We have calculated the several molecular parameters like ionisation potential, electron affinity, global hardness, electron chemical potential, electronegativity and global electrophilicity based on HOMO and LUMO energy values calculated at B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level of theory. The calculated optimised structural parameters and vibrational wavenumbers are found to be in good agreement with the experimental results.     

An experimental and computational investigation of the reaction between pent-1-en-3-yl radicals and oxygen molecules under autoignition conditions

We have measured the kinetics of the reaction between pent-1-en-3-yl (

) radicals and oxygen molecules using laser-photolysis/photoionization mass spectrometry at temperatures relevant for autoignition (600–710 K). The rate coefficient of the title reaction was found to be relatively large for an allylic radical in the studied temperature range (1.27–1.79×10⁻¹⁵cm³ s⁻¹). With such a large rate coefficient the studied reaction is expected to be an important sink of pent-1-en-3-yl radicals under autoignition conditions. Quantum chemical calculations and master equation simulations were performed to complement the experimental work. Experimental data was used to fix the values of key parameters in the master equation model. The model was then used to investigate the title reaction over a wide range of conditions (200–1500 K and 10⁻⁵ – 10² bar). The simulations predict that the title reaction mainly forms (E/Z)-pent-1,3-diene and hydroperoxyl at elevated temperatures (T > 500 K), but non-negligible amounts of (2R/S)-1,2-epoxypent-3-ene and hydroxyl are also formed. We found experimental evidence for both product channels, but it was not conclusive. Arrhenius representations are given for the product channels to facilitate the use of our results in combustion modelling.     

Valence structures of aromatic bioactive compounds: a combined theoretical and experimental study

Valence electronic structures of three recently isolated aryl bioactive compounds, namely 2‐phenylethanol (2PE), p‐hydroxyphenylethanol (HPE) and 4‐hydroxybenzaldehyde (HBA), are studied using a combined theoretical and experimental method. Density functional theory‐based calculations indicate that the side chains cause electron charge redistribution and therefore influence the aromaticity of the benzene derivatives. The simulated IR spectra further reveal features induced by the side chains. Solvent effects on the IR spectra are simulated using the polarizable continuum model, which exhibits enhancement of the O—H stretch vibrations with significant red‐shift of 464 cm^?1 in 2PE. A significant spectral peak splitting of 94 cm^?1 between O(4)—H and O(8)—H of HPE is revealed in an aqueous environment. Experimental measurements for valence binding energy spectra for 2PE, HPE and HBA are presented and analyzed using outer‐valence Green function calculations. The experimental (predicted) first ionization energies are measured as 9.19 (8.79), 8.47 (8.27) and 8.97 (8.82) eV for 2PE, HPE and HBA, respectively. The frontier orbitals (highest occupied molecular orbitals, HOMOs, and lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals, LUMOs) have similar atomic orbital characters although the HOMO–LUMO energy gaps are quite different.     

Nuclear magnetic moment of 210Fr: a combined theoretical and experimental approach

We measure the hyperfine splitting of the 9S_{1/2} level of 210Fr, and find a magnetic dipole hyperfine constant A=622.25(36) MHz. The theoretical value, obtained using the relativistic all-order method from the electronic wave function at the nucleus, allows us to extract a nuclear magnetic moment of 4.38(5)micro_{N} for this isotope, which represents a factor of 2 improvement in precision over previous measurements. The same method can be applied to other rare isotopes and elements.