Reactions in a Mixture of CH4 and CO2 under the Aciton of Microwave Discharge at Atmospheric Pressure

Reactions between CH4 and CO2 under the action of continuous microwave discharge at atmospheric pressure were studied in a special homemade reactor,The main products were CO and H2,while acetylene and ethylene were also found in the products.Experimental results show that conversions of CH4 and CO2 could be higher than 90% without the presence of any catalyst,Effects of CO2/CH4 molar ratio and total flow rate of the feed gas on the reaction were also investigated.     

Reactions in a Mixture of CH_4 and CO_2 under the Action of Microwave Discharge at Atmospheric Pressure

Reactions between CH_4 and CO_2 under the action of continuous microwave discharge at atmospheric pressure were studied in a special homemade reactor. The main products were CO and H2, while acetylene and ethylene were also found in the products. Experimental results show that conversions of CH4 and CO2 could be higher than 90% without the presence of any catalyst. Effects of CO2/CH4 molar ratio and total flow rate of the feed gas on the reaction were also investigated.     

Alignment effect of N2(A3Σu+) in the energy transfer reaction of aligned N2(A3Σu+) + NO(X2Π) → NO(A2Σ+) + N2(X1Σg+)

Steric effect in the energy transfer reaction of N(2)(A(3)Σ(u)(+)) + NO(X(2)Π) → NO(A(2)Σ(+)) + N(2)(X(1)Σ(g)(+)) has been studied under crossed beam conditions at a collision energy of ~0.07 eV by using an aligned N(2)(A(3)Σ(u)(+)) beam prepared by a magnetic hexapole. The emission intensity of NO(A(2)Σ(+)) has been measured as a function of the magnetic orientation field direction (i.e., alignment of N(2)(A(3)Σ(u)(+))) in the collision frame. A significant alignment effect on the energy transfer probability is observed. The shape of the steric opacity function turns out to be most reactive at the oblique configuration of N(2)(A(3)Σ(u)(+)) with an orientation angle of γ(v(R)) ~ 45° with respect to the relative velocity vector (v(R)), which has a good correlation with the spatial distribution of the 2pπ(g)* molecular orbital of N(2)(A(3)Σ(u)(+)). We propose the electron exchange mechanism in which the energy transfer probability is dominantly controlled by the orbital overlap between N(2)(2pπ(g)*) and NO(6σ).     

Deposition Process Based on Organosilicon Precursors in Dielectric Barrier Discharges at Atmospheric Pressure—A Comparison

Dielectric barrier discharges (DBD) at atmospheric pressure are presented as a tool to create organosilicon deposits on technical planar aluminium substrates (up to 15 × 8 cm²) by admixing small amounts of hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) to the carrier gas of the discharges. Using barrier materials of different specific capacities (2.6 × 10⁴ and 3.2 pF/cm²) in two electrode arrangements operated at less than 1 W, the influence of the filament properties on the deposition is studied. In comparison to these arrangements, a third electrode setup with a barrier of the specific capacity of 2.9 pF/cm² is operated at approximately 50 W to study the influence of the specific energy of the plasma (energy per molecule) on the deposition process. The plasma chemical process was studied qualitatively by Gas Chromatography, and properties of the plasma-treated substrates were examined by means of X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, as well as visually.     

A study of the perturbations between the A1Σ+u and b3Πu states of Na2

The interaction between the A¹Σ⁺_u and b³Π_Ωu states of Na₂ is explored by resonantly exciting A states via A-X transitions and, after an adjustable delay time, photoionizing them. For long delays signals arise only from states with significant fractions of both A and b state character. Thus the regions where the interaction is important stand out clearly in the spectrum. Using this technique we have investigated perturbations of the A v' = 3, 7 and 8 states by the b v' = 10, 13 and 14 states.     

Formation of NH(A 3Πi) in the flash photolysis of HN3 at 121.6 nm. Role of N2 triplet states

Formation of NH(A ³Π_i) has been studied in the photolysis of HN₃ at 121.6 nm. Measurements of time-resolved fluorescence intensity show that NH(A ³Π_i) is largely formed by secondary reactions involving two energetic intermediates which have lifetimes of 2.7 and 18 μs. These intermediates are tentatively assigned to N₂(B ³Π_g, υ′) and N₂(B′³Σ_u⁻), respectively.     

Stereo correlated dynamics in the energy transfer process of aligned N(2) (A (3)Σ(u) (+)) + oriented NO (X (2)Π, Ω = 1∕2) → NO (A (2)Σ(+)) + N(2) (X (1)Σ(g) (+))

Steric effect for the NO (A (2)Σ(+)) formation in the aligned N(2) (A (3)Σ(u) (+)) + oriented NO (X (2)Π, Ω = 1∕2) reaction has been observed as a function of the mutual orientational configurations between the two molecular reactants in the collision frame. Multidimensional molecular steric opacity function has been determined. A significant NO (X (2)Π) alignment dependence is recognized in contrast with little dependence on NO (X (2)Π) orientation. The NO alignment selectivity turns out to depend on the N(2) (A (3)Σ(u) (+)) alignment: The axial configuration of NO (X (2)Π) is favorable for the axial and sideways configurations of N(2) (A (3)Σ(u) (+)), while the sideways configuration of NO (X (2)Π) is favorable for the oblique configuration of N(2) (A (3)Σ(u) (+)) at an orientation angle of θ(v(R) ) ～ 45°. with respect to the relative velocity (v(R)).     

Bond functions in molecular excited states: MRD CI calculations for the A3Σ+u,B3Πg and W3Δu states of N2

Using double-zeta plus polarization (DZP) basis sets systematically augmented with a variety of bond functions, the term dissociation energies are calculated for the A³Σ⁺_u, B³Π_g and W³Δ_u states of N₂. It is found that the best agreement with literature values is generally with a basis set composition of DZP augmented by a set of s, p and d orbitals at the bond midpoint. The excited state potential energy curves and spectroscopic constants for the B³Π_g state are calculated from this basis and compared with experimental values. Good agreement was obtained, considering the small basis set size, with the spectroscopic constants ω_e, ω_eχ_e, ω_ey_e, B_e and α_e and the dissociation energy D_e (e.g., D_e = 3.38 (3.681, exp.), 4.75 (4.897) and 4.77(4.873) eV for the A, B and W stages, respectively). Poorer agreement was obtained for the term energy T′₀ (7.92 versus 7.35 eV, exp., for the B state). The error in term energy arises largely from an error in the calculated ⁴S → ²D splitting (2.705 versus 2.383 eV, exp.), and shifting the potential curve for the B state by a constant amount leads to much improved agreement relative to the ground state. The counterpoise correction applied to the potential curve of the B state causes a drastic deterioration of the results and shows qualitatively incorrect behaviour, and is therefore not recommended for calculations of this type.     

Rotationally resolved (3 + 1) rempi of H 2 via the B1Σ+u state

In the paper, we compare the results of our ab initio calculations for the ro-vibrational branching ratios resulting from a (3+1) REMPI of H₂ via the B¹Σ⁺_u state with the experimental data of Pratt, Poliakoff, Dehmer and Dehmer. These results indicate that non-Franck-Condon effects are less important here than in the (3+1) REMPI of H₂ via the C¹Π_u state. We observe that the ΔJ = ±3 peaks in the photoelectron spectrum are of negligible strength and that the ratio of ΔJ = +1 to ΔJ = −1 peak is independent of the ionic vibrational state. A detailed analysis indicates that these features arise as a result of a dynamic interference between the do and dμ ionization channels and do not imply either the smallness of the d-wave or the smallness of the j_t = 3 angular momentum coupling terms.     

Dynamics of Gas Heating in the Afterglow of Pulsed CO2 and CO2–N2 Glow Discharges at Low Pressure

Plasma Chemistry and Plasma Processing - The time-dependent evolution of the energy transfer into gas heating in the afterglow of pulsed CO2 and CO2–N2 glow discharges produced in cylindrical...     

Rovibrational dynamics of the strontium molecule in the A(1)Σ(u)+, c(3)Π(u), and a(3)Σ(u)+ manifold from state-of-the-art ab initio calculations

State-of-the-art ab initio techniques have been applied to compute the potential energy curves for the electronic states in the A(1)Σ(u)(+), c(3)Π(u), and a(3)Σ(u)(+) manifold of the strontium dimer, the spin-orbit and nonadiabatic coupling matrix elements between the states in the manifold, and the electric transition dipole moment from the ground X(1)Σ(g)(+) to the nonrelativistic and relativistic states in the A+c+a manifold. The potential energy curves and transition moments were obtained with the linear response (equation of motion) coupled cluster method limited to single, double, and linear triple excitations for the potentials and limited to single and double excitations for the transition moments. The spin-orbit and nonadiabatic coupling matrix elements were computed with the multireference configuration interaction method limited to single and double excitations. Our results for the nonrelativistic and relativistic (spin-orbit coupled) potentials deviate substantially from recent ab initio calculations. The potential energy curve for the spectroscopically active (1)0(u)(+) state is in quantitative agreement with the empirical potential fitted to high-resolution Fourier transform spectra [A. Stein, H. Kno?ckel, and E. Tiemann, Eur. Phys. J. D 64, 227 (2011)]. The computed ab initio points were fitted to physically sound analytical expressions, and used in converged coupled channel calculations of the rovibrational energy levels in the A+c+a manifold and line strengths for the A(1)Σ(u)(+)←X(1)Σ(g (+) transitions. Positions and lifetimes of quasi-bound Feshbach resonances lying above the (1)S(0) + (3)P(1) dissociation limit were also obtained. Our results reproduce (semi)quantitatively the experimental data observed thus far. Predictions for on-going and future experiments are also reported.     

Physico-chemical Properties of Binary and Ternary Mixtures of Ethyl Acetate + Ethanol + 1-Butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide at 298.15 K and Atmospheric Pressure

Densities, viscosities and refractive indices have been measured at 298.15 K and atmospheric pressure for binary and ternary mixtures of ethanol, ethyl acetate and 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide [C₄mim][NTF₂]. From these experimental properties, the corresponding excess properties have been calculated and adequately fitted with the Redlich-Kister polynomial equation. The adjustable parameters and standard deviations between experimental and calculated values are reported. Interest of this mixture is due to the possibility of using [C₄mim][NTF₂] as an entrainer in the extractive distillation of ethanol + ethyl acetate. These results are compared with previously determined experimental data for mixtures of ethyl acetate and/or ethanol with the ionic liquid 1-octyl-3-methyl-imidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, [C₈mim][NTF₂].     

Measurement and calculation of phase equilibria in the system n-pentane + poly(dimethylsiloxane) at 308.15–423.15 K

Vapor–liquid phase equilibria in the binary system n-pentane+poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) have been investigated experimentally at temperatures ranging from 308.15 to 423.15 K. The experiments have been performed at pentane mass fractions in the liquid phase ranging from 0 to 80% using the static method. PDMS with average molecular weights of 26 500 g/mol and 103 000 g/mol has been used. The data are in good agreement with several literature data by other researchers, mostly obtained by the use of inverse gas chromatography. The experimental data could be correlated well using the Flory–Huggins activity coefficient model for the polymer phase and the Peng–Robinson equation of state for the gas phase. Using statistical associating fluid theory (SAFT), it was only possible to reproduce the experimentally determined equilibria after adjusting the pure-component parameters of the polymer to the binary equilibria.Further, experimental data have been obtained for the R22 (difluorochloromethane)+PDMS system at 298.15 and 343.15 K.     

Laser-induced fluorescence detection of N+2(X 2Σ+g) resulting from the He(23S) + N2 and He+, He+2 + N2 reactions in a flowing afterglow

The formation processes of N⁺₂ (X ²Σ⁺_g) resulting from the He(2 ³S) + N₂ Penning ionization and the thermal energy He⁺, He⁺₂ + N₂ charge transfer reaction are studied by observing the N⁺₂ (B ²Σ⁺_u ← X ²Σ⁺_g) laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) in a flowing afterglow. In both reactions, the vibrational population) decrease monotonically with increasing vibrational quantum number from υ″ = 0 to 3, and a population inversion with a peak at υ″ = 4 is seen. In the He(2 ³S) + N₂ Penning ionization, the vibrational populations of N⁺₂ (X, υ″ = 0–2) are explained by a direct channel and the B —X radiative cascade, while those of N⁺₂ (X, υ″ = 4–6) are ascribed to the collision-induced electronic energy transfer between the A ²Π_u and X ²Σ⁺_g states. In the He⁺, He⁺₂ + N₂ reaction, the N⁺₂ (X, υ″ = 0–3) is interpreted as the B−X radiative cascade and the collisional quenching of the unidentified states produced from the He⁺ + N₂ reaction, while the collision-induced electronic energy transfer from the N⁺₂ (A) state produced through the He⁺₂ + N₂ reaction is probably important for the formation of N⁺₂ (X, υ″ = 4–6).     

Vibrational analysis of N2(B 3Πg and C 3Πu) and CO(X) excited in N2 discharge and post discharge

A spectroscopic characterization of a N₂ radiofrequency discharge and N₂CO post discharge has been performed. The relative vibrational distribution of the excited B ³Π_g and C ³Π_u states of nitrogen and their correlation with the ground state have been analyzed. The analysis confirms the importance of the metastable molecules. N₂(A ³Σ⁺_u), in affecting the vibrational distribution of nitrogen in its ground state in the discharge and post discharge. The vibrational analysis of the CO ground state, excited in the post discharge by vibrationally excited N₂ molecules, confirms the high degree of vibrational non-equilibrium in the ground state of nitrogen, in the presence of a low first-level vibrational temperature.     

Influence of collision energy on the dynamics of the reaction H (2S) + NH (X3Σ−) → N (4S) + H2 (X1Σ g + ) by the state-to-state quantum mechanical study

The conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone is a physiologically essential process which initiates with two sequential hydroxylation processes catalyzed by cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450_SCC). Extensive efforts have been exerted; however, the mechanistic details remain obscure. In this work, we employed the dispersion-corrected density functional theoretical (DFT-D) calculations to investigate the mechanistic details of such hydroxylation processes. Calculated results reveal that the active intermediate Compound I (CpdI) of P450_SCC hydroxylates cholesterol efficiently, which coincides with previous spectrometric observations. The hydrogen bond effect of water molecule within the active site lowers the energy barrier significantly. Intriguingly, the adjacent hydrogen bond (H-bond) between the hydroxyl group of the substrate and the oxo group of CpdI in the second hydroxylation affects the H-abstraction significantly. Such H-bond was weakened during the C–H bond activation process, increasing the energy barriers by approximately 2 kcal/mol, which is different to the intermolecular H-bond effect of water₉₀₃ found by Shaik et al. that decreases the barrier by about 4 kcal/mol. Such adjacent H-bond also affects the transition state by bending the alignment of the C–H–O moiety, and consequently lowering the kinetic isotope effect values. Besides, a series of DFT-D calculations (Grimme’s D2, D3-zero, and D3-BJ methods) were performed and accessed to find out an appropriate protocol for H-bond containing hydroxylation process. Our results show that DFT-D single-point energies (SPE) based on geometries optimized with non-dispersion-corrected DFT varies drastically and sometime presents unreasonable results. DFT-D SPE calculations on DFT-D optimized geometries present stable and reasonable results.     

Reactions of Organic Peroxides with Alcohols in Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization—the Pitfalls of Quantifying Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP)

Over the last several decades, mass spectrometry has become one of the principle methods for compound identification and quantification. While for analytical purposes, fragments which are not fully characterized in terms of origin and intensity as a function of experimental conditions have been used, understanding the nature of those species is very important. Herein we discuss such issues relative to triacetone triperoxide (TATP) and its frequently observed fragment at m/z 89. This “fragment” has been identified as the gas-phase reaction product of TATP with one or two methanol molecules/ions. Additionally, the origin and conditions of other fragments at m/z 91, 75, and 74 associated with TATP will be addressed. Similar analytical issues associated with other multi-peroxide organic compounds [hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD), methyl ethyl ketone peroxides (MEKP)] will also be discussed. Solution storage conditions for TATP, HMTD, and tetramethylene diperoxide diamine dialdehyde have been determined.

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Laser-induced photoionization of Ar2(3Σu+) at 308 nm

Experimental evidence is provided to show that the Ar₂(³Σ⁺_u) excimer is photoionized by absorption of light at 308 nm. This direct photoionization of Ar₂(³Σ⁺_u) was used to measure the distribution of atomic states belonging to the Ar(3p⁵4p) electronic manifold produced in dissociative recombination of Ar₂⁺(²Σ_u⁺) at atmospheric pressure. It was found that electronically excited states, Ar(2p₂) and Ar(2p₁₀), accounted for 96% of the excited state population of the Ar(3p⁵4p) configuration produced in dissociative recombination. The Ar₂(³Σ_u⁺) state is also photodissociated directly at 308 nm producing electronically excited Ar atoms more energetic than the Ar(3p⁵4p) configuration.     

Nodal surfaces of the wave functions of the hydrogen molecule in the triplet state 3Σu +

For molecular hydrogen in the triplet state ³Σ_u ⁺, the nodal surfaces of the wave function corresponding to the minimum basis set of Slater orbitals in the Hartree—Fock approximation and those of the wave function used in calculations by the diffusion quantum Monte Carlo method were plotted and analyzed. Taking account of the condition for antisymmetrical wave function of the triplet state ³ S of He atom, the Hartree-Fock approximation in the minimum basis set of one-electron orbitals is inappropriate for a priori determination of the nodal surfaces of many-electron wave functions (MWF). An MWF quantum chemical method developed by the authors is outlined. The alternative nodal surfaces for H₂ (³Σ_u ⁺) a priori specified in this method are presented.