A preliminary study of gross alpha/beta activity concentrations in drinking waters from Albania

A pilot study involving screening measurements of gross alpha/beta activity concentration in drinking water was performed in 12 cities with the highest population density in Albania. The aim of this study was to develop a first insight regarding the radiological quality of drinking and bottled water supplies. The tap and bottled water samples investigated are acceptable for consumption, complying with the WHO recommendations for drinking water. The average gross alpha and beta activity concentrations were \( 36_{ - 18}^{ + 37} \) and \( 269_{ - 150}^{ + 337} \)  mBq/L, respectively in tap waters. While for bottled water the gross alpha and beta activities were respectively \( 39_{ - 23}^{ + 55} \) and \( 220_{ - 132}^{ + 336} \)  mBq/L. The data obtained can provide information for authorities regarding the quality of drinking water and a baseline for future contaminations.     

Synergistic extraction of europium and americium into nitrobenzene by using hydrogen dicarbollylcobaltate and bis(diphenylphosphino)methane dioxide

Extraction of microamounts of europium and americium by a nitrobenzene solution of hydrogen dicarbollylcobaltate (H⁺B^?) in the presence of bis(diphenylphosphino)methane dioxide (DPPMDO, L) has been investigated. The equilibrium data have been explained assuming that the species $ {\text{HL}}^{ + } $ , $ {\text{HL}}_{2}^{ + } $ , $ {\text{ML}}_{2}^{3 + } $ , $ {\text{ML}}_{3}^{3 + } $ and $ {\text{ML}}_{4}^{3 + } $ (M³⁺ = Eu³⁺, Am³⁺) are extracted into the organic phase. The values of extraction and stability constants of the species in nitrobenzene saturated with water have been determined. It was found that the stability constants of the corresponding complexes $ {\text{EuL}}_{n}^{3 + } $ and $ {\text{AmL}}_{n}^{3 + } $ , where n = 2, 3 and L is DPPMDO, in water–saturated nitrobenzene are comparable, whereas in this medium the stability of the cationic species $ {\text{AmL}}_{4}^{3 + } $ (L = DPPMDO) is somewhat higher than that of $ {\text{EuL}}_{4}^{3 + } $ with the same ligand L.     

Densities,Refractive Indices,Ultrasonic Speeds and Excess Properties of Acetonitrile + Poly(ethylene glycol) Binary Mixtures at Temperatures from 298.15 to 313.15 K

The densities, ρ, refractive indices, n _D, and ultrasonic speeds, u, of binary mixtures of acetonitrile (AN) with poly(ethylene glycol) 200 (PEG200), poly(ethylene glycol) 300 (PEG300) and poly(ethylene glycol) 400 (PEG400) were measured over the entire composition range at temperatures (298.15, 303.15, 308.15 and 313.15) K and at atmospheric pressure. From the experimental data, the excess molar volumes, \( V_{\text{m}}^{\text{E}} \) , deviations in refractive indices, \( \Delta n_{\text{D}} \) , excess molar isentropic compressibility, \( K_{{s , {\text{m}}}}^{\text{E}} \) , excess intermolecular free length, \( L_{\text{f}}^{\text{E}} \) , and excess acoustic impedance, Z ^E, have been evaluated. The partial molar volumes, \( \overline{V}_{\text{m,1}} \) and \( \overline{V}_{\text{m,2}} \) , partial molar isentropic compressibilities, \( \overline{K}_{{s , {\text{m,1}}}} \) and \( \overline{K}_{{s , {\text{m,2}}}} \) , and their excess values over whole composition range and at infinite dilution have also been calculated. The variations of these properties with composition and temperature are discussed in terms of intermolecular interactions in these mixtures. The results indicate the presence of specific interactions among the AN and PEG molecules, which follow the order PEG200 < PEG300 < PEG400.     

Three–step method to determine the eutectic composition of binary and ternary mixtures

A three-step method to determine the eutectic composition of a binary or ternary mixture is introduced. The method consists in creating a temperature–composition diagram, validating the predicted eutectic composition via differential scanning calorimetry and subsequent T-History measurements. To test the three-step method, we use two novel eutectic phase change materials based on \(\mathrm{Zn}(\hbox {NO}_3)_2\cdot 6\mathrm{H}_{2}{\mathrm O}\) and \(\mathrm{NH}_4\mathrm{NO}_3\)   respectively \(\mathrm{Mn}(\hbox {NO}_3)_2\cdot 6\mathrm{H}_{2}{\hbox {O}}\) and \(\mathrm{NH}_4\mathrm{NO}_3\) with equilibrium liquidus temperatures of 12.4 and 3.9  \(\,^{\circ }\mathrm {C}\) respectively with corresponding melting enthalpies of 135 J \(\mathrm{g}^{-1}\) (237 J \(\mathrm{cm}^{-3}\) ) respectively 133 J \(\mathrm{g}^{-1}\) (225 J \(\mathrm{cm}^{-3}\) ). We find eutectic compositions of 75/25 mass% for \(\mathrm{Zn}(\hbox {NO}_3)_2\cdot \mathrm{6H}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}\) and \(\mathrm{NH}_4\mathrm{NO}_3\) and 73/27 mass% for \(\mathrm{Mn}(\hbox {NO}_3)_2\cdot 6\mathrm{H}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}\) and \(\mathrm{NH}_4\mathrm{NO}_3\) . Considering a temperature range of 15 K around the phase change, a maximum storage capacity of about 172 J \(\mathrm{g}^{-1}\) (302 J \(\mathrm{cm}^{-3}\) ) respectively 162 J \(\mathrm{g}^{-1}\) (274 J \(\mathrm{cm}^{-3}\) ) was determined for \(\mathrm{Zn}(\hbox {NO}_3)_2\cdot \mathrm{6H}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}\) and \(\mathrm{NH}_4\mathrm{NO}_3\) respectively \(\mathrm{Mn}(\hbox {NO}_3)_2\cdot \mathrm{6H}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}\) and \(\mathrm{NH}_4\mathrm{NO}_3\) .     

Solvent extraction of calcium into nitrobenzene by using hydrogen dicarbollylcobaltate in the presence of dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 and dicyclohexano-24-crown-8

Extraction of microamounts of calcium by a nitrobenzene solution of hydrogen dicarbollylcobaltate (H⁺B^?) in the presence of dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 (DCH18C6, L) and dicyclohexano-24-crown-8 (DCH24C8, L) has been investigated. The equilibrium data have been explained assuming that the species HL⁺, $ {\text{HL}}_{2}^{ + },$ CaL²⁺ and $ {\text{CaL}}_{2}^{2 + } $ (L = DCH18C6, DCH24C8) are present in the organic phase. The values of extraction and stability constants of the complex species in nitrobenzene saturated with water have been determined. It was found that the stability constants of CaL²⁺ (L = DCH18C6, DCH24C8) for both ligands under study are practically the same in nitrobenzene saturated with water, whereas in this medium the stability of the complex $ {\text{CaL}}_{2}^{2 + } $ involving the DCH24C8 ligand is somewhat higher than that of $ {\text{CaL}}_{2}^{2 + } $ with the ligand DCH18C6.     

Solvent extraction of microamounts of strontium and barium into nitrobenzene by using synergistic mixture of hydrogen dicarbollylcobaltate and dicyclohexano-18-crown-6

Extraction of microamounts of strontium and barium by a nitrobenzene solution of hydrogen dicarbollylcobaltate (H⁺B^?) in the presence of dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 (DCH18C6, L) has been investigated. The equilibrium data have been explained assuming that the complexes HL⁺, $ {\text{HL}}_{ 2}^{ + } $ , ML²⁺ and $ {\text{ML}}_{ 2}^{ 2+ } $ (M²⁺ = Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺) are extracted into the organic phase. The values of extraction and stability constants of the species in nitrobenzene saturated with water have been determined. It was found that in the mentioned medium the stability constants of the complexes BaL²⁺ and $ {\text{BaL}}_{2}^{2 + }, $ where L = DCH18C6, are somewhat higher than those of the species SrL²⁺ and $ {\text{SrL}}_{2}^{2 + } $ with the same ligand L.     

Solvent extraction of strontium and barium into nitrobenzene by using hydrogen dicarbollylcobaltate in the presence of dicyclohexano-24-crown-8

Extraction of microamounts of strontium and barium by a nitrobenzene solution of hydrogen dicarbollylcobaltate (H⁺B^?) in the presence of dicyclohexano-24-crown-8 (DCH24C8, L) has been investigated. The equilibrium data have been explained assuming that the complexes HL⁺, $ {\text{HL}}_{2}^{ + }, $ ML²⁺ and $ {\text{ML}}_{ 2}^{2 + } $ (M²⁺ = Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺) are extracted into the organic phase. The values of extraction and stability constants of the species in nitrobenzene saturated with water have been determined. It was found that in water–saturated nitrobenzene, the stability constants of the complexes BaL²⁺ and $ {\text{BaL}}_{ 2}{^{2 + }}, $ where L = DCH24C8, are somewhat higher than those of the corresponding species SrL²⁺ and $ {\text{SrL}}_{ 2}{^{2 + }} $ with the same ligand L.     

Synergistic extraction of europium and americium into nitrobenzene by using hydrogen dicarbollylcobaltate and 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane dioxide

Extraction of microamounts of europium and americium by a nitrobenzene solution of hydrogen dicarbollylcobaltate (H⁺B^?) in the presence of 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane dioxide (DPPPrDO, L) has been investigated. The equilibrium data have been explained assuming that the species $ {\text{HL}}^{ + } ,\,{\text{HL}}_{2}^{ + } ,\,{\text{ML}}^{3 + } \,{\text{and}}\,{\text{ML}}_{3}^{3 + } $ HL + , HL 2 + , ML 3 + and ML 3 3 + (M³⁺ = Eu³⁺, Am³⁺) are extracted into the organic phase. The values of extraction and stability constants of the complex species in nitrobenzene saturated with water have been determined. It was found that the stability constants of the corresponding complexes $ {\text{EuL}}_{n}^{ 3+ } \,{\text{and}}\,{\text{AmL}}_{n}^{ 3+ } , $ EuL n 3 + and AmL n 3 + , where n = 1, 3 and L is DPPPrDO, in water-saturated nitrobenzene are comparable.     

Infrared Spectroscopy of \hbox {CH}_4/\hbox {N}_{2} and \hbox {C}_{2}\hbox {H}_{m}/\hbox {N}_{2} ({m = 2, 4, 6}) Gas Mixtures in a Dielectric Barrier Discharge

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of \(\hbox {CH}_{4}/\hbox {N}_{2}\) and \(\hbox {C}_{2}\hbox {H}_{m}/\hbox {N}_2\) ( \(m = 2, 4, 6\) ) gas mixtures in a medium pressure (300 mbar) dielectric barrier discharge was performed. Consumption of the initial gas and formation of other hydrocarbon and of nitrogen-containing HCN and \(\hbox {NH}_{3}\) molecules was observed. \(\hbox {NH}_{3}\) formation was further confirmed by laser absorption measurements. The experimental result for \(\hbox {NH}_{3}\) is at variance with simulation results.     

A thermodynamic study of complexation of 18-crown-6 with Zn2+, Tl+, Hg2+ and {\text{UO}}^{{{\text{2 + }}}}_{{\text{2}}} cations in acetonitrile-dimethylformamide binary media and study the effect of anion on the stability constant of (18C6-Na+) complex in methanol solutions

The equilibrium constants and thermodynamic parameters for complex formation of 18-crown-6(18C6) with Zn²⁺, Tl⁺, Hg²⁺ and $ {\text{UO}}^{{{\text{2 + }}}}_{{\text{2}}} $ cations have been determined by conductivity measurements in acetonitrile(AN)-dimethylformamide(DMF) binary solutions. 18-crown-6 forms 1:1 complexes [M:L] with Zn²⁺, Hg²⁺ and $ {\text{UO}}^{{{\text{2 + }}}}_{{\text{2}}} $ cations, but in the case of Tl⁺ cation, a 1:2 [M:L₂] complex is formed in most binary solutions. The thermodynamic parameters ( $ \Delta {\text{H}}^{ \circ }_{{\text{c}}} $ and $ \Delta {\text{S}}^{ \circ }_{{\text{c}}} $ ) which were obtained from temperature dependence of the equilibrium constants show that in most cases, the complexes are enthalpy destabilized but entropy stabilized and a non-monotonic behaviour is observed for variations of standard enthalpy and entropy changes versus the composition of AN/DMF binary mixed solvents. The obtained results show that the order of selectivity of 18C6 ligand for these cations changes with the composition of the mixed solvent. A non-linear relationship was observed between the stability constants (logK_f) of these complexes with the composition of AN/DMF binary solutions. The influence of the $ {\text{ClO}}^{ - }_{{\text{4}}} $ , $ {\text{NO}}^{ - }_{{\text{3}}} $ and $ {\text{Cl}}^{ - } $ anions on the stability constant of (18C6-Na⁺) complex in methanol (MeOH) solutions was also studied by potentiometry method. The results show that the stability of (18C6-Na⁺) complex in the presence of the anions increases in order: $ {\text{ClO}}^{ - }_{{\text{4}}} $  >  $ {\text{NO}}^{ - }_{{\text{3}}} $  >  $ {\text{Cl}}^{ - } $ .     

Lamellar/Disorder Phase Transition in a Mixture of Water/2,6-Dimethylpyridine/Antagonistic Salt

The effects of adding an antagonistic salt, sodium tetraphenylborate ( \(\hbox {NaBPh}_4\) ), to a binary mixture of deuterated water and 2,6-dimethylpyridine were investigated by visual inspection, optical microscopy, and small-angle neutron scattering. With increasing salt concentration, the two-phase region shrinks. When the concentration of \(\hbox {NaBPh}_4\) is \(85\hbox { mmol}{\cdot} \hbox {L}^{-1}\) , a temperature-induced lamellar/disorder phase transition is observed at 338 K. These trends are similar to those observed for a mixture of water/3-methylpyridine/ \(\hbox {NaBPh}_4\) (Sadakane et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 167803 (2009)).     

Study on the spatial distribution of 137Cs content in bottom sediment and benthic species of Mumbai off coast

The observed ¹³⁷Cs content in bottom sediment and benthic species of Mumbai off coast varied between 2–370  \( {\text{Bq kg}}_{{ ( {\text{dry)}}}}^{ - 1} \) and <0.08–0.4  \( {\text{Bq kg}}_{{ ( {\text{wet)}}}}^{ - 1} \) respectively. The annual estimated ingestion dose to ‘general public’ due to consumption of benthic species is 0.02 µSv y^?1, which is infinitesimally smaller, in comparison to average annual human exposure of 3.01 mSv and also to the internationally accepted public dose limit of 1,000 µSv y^?1.     

Spin correlation in Pr IV and Tm IV free ions

The coefficients \(c_{k}\) (k = 2, 4, 6) that pertain to spin-correlated matrix elements of the tensor operator \({{\varvec{U}}}^{{\varvec{(k)}}}\) have been evaluated by means of the differences \({{\varvec{U}}}^{{\varvec{(k)}}}\) (intermediate) \(-\) \({{\varvec{U}}}^{{\varvec{(k)}}}\) (LS) and the reduced matrix elements of the operator \({{\varvec{V}}}^{{\varvec{(1k)}}}\) . Only spin-allowed transitions have been considered from each ground level to the excited energy levels within the \(4\hbox {f}^{2}\) and \(4\hbox {f}^{12}\) configurations of the free ions Pr (3+) and Tm (3+), respectively. The values of the coefficients \(c_{k}\) thus found correspond in most cases by sign and order of magnitude to those determined in other sources as corrections to lanthanide (3+) crystal-field parameters.     

Acid–Base Properties of the \mathrm{Fe}(\mathrm{CN})_{6}^{3-}/\mathrm{Fe}(\mathrm{CN})_{6}^{4-} Redox Couple in the Presence of Various Background Mineral Acids and Salts

The acid?Cbase behavior of $\mathrm{Fe}(\mathrm{CN})_{6}^{4-}$ was investigated by measuring the formal potentials of the $\mathrm{Fe}(\mathrm{CN})_{6}^{3-}$ / $\mathrm{Fe}(\mathrm{CN})_{6}^{4-}$ couple over a wide range of acidic and neutral solution compositions. The experimental data were fitted to a model taking into account the protonated forms of $\mathrm{Fe}(\mathrm{CN})_{6}^{4-}$ and using values of the activities of species in solution, calculated with a simple solution model and a series of binary data available in the literature. The fitting needed to take account of the protonated species $\mathrm{HFe}(\mathrm{CN})_{6}^{3-}$ and $\mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{Fe}(\mathrm{CN})_{6}^{2-}$ , already described in the literature, but also the species $\mathrm{H}_{3}\mathrm{Fe}(\mathrm{CN})_{6}^{-}$ (associated with the acid?Cbase equilibrium $\mathrm{H}_{3}\mathrm{Fe}(\mathrm{CN})_{6}^{-}\rightleftharpoons \mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{Fe}(\mathrm{CN})_{6}^{2-} + \mathrm{H}^{+}$ ). The acidic dissociation constants of $\mathrm{HFe}(\mathrm{CN})_{6}^{3-}$ , $\mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{Fe}(\mathrm{CN})_{6}^{2-}$ and $\mathrm{H}_{3}\mathrm{Fe}(\mathrm{CN})_{6}^{-}$ were found to be $\mathrm{p}K^{\mathrm{II}}_{1}= 3.9\pm0.1$ , $\mathrm{p}K^{\mathrm{II}}_{2} = 2.0\pm0.1$ , and $\mathrm{p}K^{\mathrm{II}}_{3} = 0.0\pm0.1$ , respectively. These constants were determined by taking into account that the activities of the species are independent of the ionic strength.     

Thermodynamic investigations of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate and cycloalkanone mixtures

The densities, ρ, speeds of sound, u, and heat capacities, (C _P)_mix, for binary 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (1) + cyclopentanone or cyclohexanone (2) mixtures within temperature range (293.15–308.15 K) and excess molar enthalpies, H ^E, at 298.15 K have been measured over the entire composition range. The excess molar volumes, V ^E, excess isentropic compressibilities, \( \kappa_{\text{S}}^{\text{E}}, \) and excess heat capacities, \( C_{\text{P}}^{\text{E}}, \) have been computed from the experimental results. The V ^E, \( \kappa_{\text{S}}^{\text{E}} \) , H ^E, and \( C_{\text{P}}^{\text{E}} \) values have been calculated and compared with calculated values from Graph theory. It has been observed that V ^E, \( \kappa_{\text{S}}^{\text{E}} \) , H ^E, and \( C_{\text{P}}^{\text{E}} \) values were predicted by Graph theory compare well with their experimental values. The V ^E, \( \kappa_{\text{S}}^{\text{E}}, \) and H ^E thermodynamic properties have also been analyzed in terms of Prigogine–Flory–Patterson theory.     

Experimental and DFT study on complexation of Eu3+ with a macrocyclic lactam receptor

From extraction experiments and $ \gamma $ -activity measurements, the extraction constant corresponding to the equilibrium $ {\text{Eu}}^{ 3+ } \left( {\text{aq}} \right) + 3 {\text{A}}^{ - } \left( {\text{aq}} \right) + {\mathbf{1}}\left( {\text{nb}} \right) \Leftrightarrow {\mathbf{1}} \cdot {\text{Eu}}^{ 3+ } \left( {\text{nb}} \right) + 3 {\text{A}}^{ - } \left( {\text{nb}} \right) $ taking place in the two-phase water–nitrobenzene system ( $ {\text{A}}^{ - } = \text {CF}_{3} \text{SO}_{3}^{ - } $ ; 1 = macrocyclic lactam receptor—see Scheme 1; aq = aqueous phase, nb = nitrobenzene phase) was evaluated as $ { \log } K_{{{\text{ex}} }} ({\mathbf{1}} \cdot {\text{Eu}}^{ 3+ } ,{\text{ 3A}}^{ - } )\; = \; - 4. 9 \pm 0. 1 $ . Further, the stability constant of the 1·Eu³⁺ cationic complex in nitrobenzene saturated with water was calculated for a temperature of 25 °C: $ { \log } \beta_{{{\text{nb}} }} ({\mathbf{1}} \cdot {\text{Eu}}^{ 3+ } ) \; = \; 8. 2 \pm 0. 1 $ . Finally, using DFT calculations, the most probable structure of the cationic complex species 1·Eu³⁺ was derived. In the resulting 1·Eu³⁺ complex, the “central” cation Eu³⁺ is bound by five bond interactions to two ethereal oxygen atoms and two carbonyl oxygens, as well as to one carbon atom of the corresponding benzene ring of the parent macrocyclic lactam receptor 1 via cation-π interaction.

Effects of Ions on the OH Stretching Band of Water as Revealed by ATR-IR Spectroscopy

The effects of various cations (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, and Ni²⁺) and anions (Cl^?, Br^?, I^?, \( {\text{NO}}_{3}^{ - } \) , \( {\text{ClO}}_{4}^{ - } \) , \( {\text{HCO}}_{3}^{ - } \) , and \( {\text{CO}}_{3}^{2 - } \) ) on the molar absorptivity of water in the OH stretching band region (2,600–3,800 cm^?1) were ascertained from attenuated total reflection infrared spectra of aqueous electrolyte solutions (22 in all). The OH stretching band mainly changes linearly with ion concentrations up to 2 mol·L^?1, but several specific combinations of cations and anions (Cs₂SO₄, Li₂SO₄, and MgSO₄) present different trends. That deviation is attributed to ion pair formation and cooperativity in ion hydration, which indicates that the extent of the ion–water interaction reflected by the OH stretching band of water is beyond the first solvation shell of water molecules directly surrounding the ion. The obtained dataset was then correlated with several quantitative parameters representing structural and dynamic properties of water molecules around ions: ΔG _HB, the structural entropy (S _str), the viscosity B-coefficient (B _η ), and the ionic B-coefficient of NMR relaxation (B _NMR). Results show that modification of the OH stretching band of water caused by ions has quasi-linear relations with all of these parameters. Vibrational spectroscopy can be a useful means for evaluating ion–water interaction in aqueous solutions.     

Free ions Pr IV (4\text{ f }^{2}) and Tm IV (4\text{ f }^{12}): intermediate versus LS coupling scheme

The intermediate and LS-coupling schemes for the free lanthanide ions $\text{ Pr }^{3+}$ Pr 3 + and $\text{ Tm }^{3+}$ Tm 3 + have been compared by the matrix elements of the tensor operator ${{\varvec{U}}}^{({\varvec{k}})}, \text{ k } = 2, 4, 6$ U ( k ) , k = 2 , 4 , 6 . The necessary eigenvectors and eigenvalues have been computed with the aid of four parameters, $\text{ F }_{2}, \text{ F }_{4}, \text{ F }_{6}$ F 2 , F 4 , F 6 , and $\zeta _{4\mathrm{f}}$ ζ 4 f , known from free-ion spectra of the same ions. It has been found that both coupling types for each ion lead to close values of ${\vert }{{\varvec{U}}}^{({\varvec{k}})}{\vert }^{2}$ | U ( k ) | 2 only for transitions from the ground level to certain lower-lying energy levels within the $4\text{ f }^\mathrm{N}$ 4 f N configuration.     

The standard molar enthalpies of formation of chromone-3-carboxylic acid, 6-methylchromone-2-carboxylic acid,and 6-methyl-4-chromanone determined by micro-combustion calorimetry

The energies of combustion of chromone-3-carboxylic acid (C3CA), 6-methylchromone-2-carboxylic acid (6MCC), and 6-methyl-4-chromanone (6M4C) were determined using an isoperibolic micro-combustion calorimeter. The calorimeter used in the present work has been assembled, calibrated, and tested in our laboratory with the desired results. Prior to the measurement of the energies of combustion, the purities, heat capacities (C _p), fusion temperatures (T _fus), and enthalpies of melting (Δ_fus H) for each compound were determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The values of the energies of combustion were used to derive standard molar enthalpies of combustion ( \( \Delta _{{\text{c}}} H_{{\text{m}}}^{\circ } \) ) and standard molar enthalpies of formation ( \( \Delta _{{\text{f}}} H_{{\text{m}}}^{\circ } \) ) in the crystalline phase at T = 298.15 K. The values found for the \( \Delta _{{\text{f}}} H_{{\text{m}}}^{\circ } \) of C3CA, 6MCC, and 6M4C were ?(619.5 ± 2.6), ?(656.2 ± 2.2), and ?(308.9 ± 3.0) kJ mol^?1, respectively.     

Density functional study on structures, stabilities, and electronic properties of size-selected Pd n Si q (n = 1–7 and q = 0, +1, −1) clusters

The density functional theory (DFT) calculations within the framework of generalized gradient approximation have been employed to systematically investigate the geometrical structures, stabilities, and electronic properties of Pd _n Si ^q (n = 1–7 and q = 0, +1, ?1) clusters and compared them with the pure ${\text{Pd}}_{n + 1}^{q}$ (n = 1–7 and q = 0, +1, ?1) clusters for illustrating the effect of doping Si atom into palladium nanoclusters. The most stable configurations adopt a three-dimensional structure for both pure and Si-doped palladium clusters at n = 3–7. As a result of doping, the Pd _n Si clusters adopt different geometries as compared to that of Pd _n+1. A careful analysis of the binding energies per atom, fragmentation energies, second-order difference of energies, and HOMO–LUMO energy gaps as a function of cluster size shows that the clusters ${\text{Pd}}_{4}^{ + }$ , ${\text{Pd}}_{4}$ , ${\text{Pd}}_{8}^{ - }$ , ${\text{Pd}}_{5} {\text{Si}}^{0, + , - }$ , and ${\text{Pd}}_{7} {\text{Si}}^{0, + , - }$ possess relatively higher stability. There is enhancement in the stabilities of palladium frameworks due to doping with an impurity atom. In addition, the charge transfer has been analyzed to understand the effect of doped atom and compared further.