Methyl methacrylate-n-butyl methacrylate copolymer containing ferric chloride: Mössbauer study

Methyl methacrylate /MMA/-n-butyl methacrylate /nBuMA/ copolymer containing anhydrous ferric chloride was prepared by free radical polymerization at 70 °C. TGA studies showed that the addition of ferric chloride increases the thermal stability of copolymer by 90 °C. Mössbauer studies of the copolymer were carried out to determine the oxidation state and environments of iron in the copolymer. Mössbauer studies of the copolymer heated at 150 °C, 300 °C and 500 °C for 1 h showed that during the thermal degradation, no reduction of Fe³⁺ takes place.     

Determination of hydroxyls density in the silica-mesostructured cellular foams by thermogravimetry

Thermogravimetry was applied to determine the surface hydroxyls coverage in the mesostructured cellular foams (MCFs) calcined at different temperatures and then rehydroxylated by contacting with water vapor or liquid. The TG measurements were performed by heating MCFs in air stream using a three-step temperature program: (i) at rate of 5 °C min⁻¹ from 25 to 200 °C; (ii) held at 200 °C for 30 min; and (iii) heating at rate of 10 °C min⁻¹ up to 1100 °C. The hydroxyls content was calculated from weight loss during third step. The hydroxyls density appeared to depend strongly on the calcination temperature and the subsequent contact with water vapor. When MCFs were exposed for a short period (ca. 1 min) to moist air the hydroxyls content increased rapidly, more in the samples calcined at 300 °C than 500 °C, to attain surface densities of 4.75 and 1.6 OH nm⁻², respectively. The 2-h contact with water vapor resulted in slower further increase of hydroxyls densities, to values of 5.45 and 2.9 OH nm⁻², for samples calcined at 300 and 500 °C, but longer contacts had no significant effect. A similar trend was also observed when sample was treated with liquid water.     

Acrylonitrile - alkyl acrylate copolymers containing ferric chloride: A Mössbauer study

Acrylonitrile (AN)-methyl acrylate (MA), acrylonitrile (AN)-ethyl acrylate (EA), acrylonitrile (AN)-butyl acrylate (BA) copolymers with and without doping with ferric chloride were prepared by free radical polymerization at 70°C. Mössbauer spectrum shows no reduction of ferric species to ferrous during the copolymerization. TGA studies show that the addition of ferric chloride changes the thermal decomposition pattern of the copolymer. TGA analysis shows that the inclusion of ferric chloride stabilizes the copolymers by 20–25°C. Mössbauer studies of the copolymers heated at 300°C and 500°C for 15 min showed that during the thermal degration, Fe³⁺ species was reduced to Fe²⁺ and then finally it formed -Fe₂O₃.     

Seasonal variation of 7Be deposition in Japan

Seasonal variations of ⁷Be deposition in regions throughout Japan (26°18'N-43°05'N, 127°54'E-141°27'E) were observed during the period of 1989-1995. The observation indicated that ⁷Be deposition peaked in spring all over Japan except in the inland central basin. However, spring peak was not always the annual maximum. Along the coastal side of the Japan Sea, especially around Hokuriku region, ⁷Be deposition was at its maximum in winter. In addition, September peak also was observed in some regions, which was presumably caused by high precipitation or blowing in of northern air stream. Variations were classified into 4 types according to meteorological factors and local geographical conditions: winter peak, double peaks (spring and September peaks), spring peak and non-peak. A correlation between ⁷Be deposition and precipitation was observed in winter.     

The measurement of neutron-induced radionuclides from Chinese nuclear weapons tests

The concentrations of neutron-induced radionuclides have been measured in ground level air during the period between 1976 and 1981 at Nagoya (35° N, 137° E), Japan. Six Chinese atmospheric nuclear weapons tests were conducted by the government of China at Lop Nor (40° N, 90° E) during the period 1976–1981. The Chinese nuclear tests of November 17, 1976 (the 21st test) and October 16, 1980 (the 26th test), high-yield devices, produced⁵⁴Mn,⁵⁵Fe and⁸⁸Y whose production reactions are⁵⁴Fe(n, p),⁵⁶Fe(n, 2n) and⁸⁹Y(n, 2n), respectively. The tests of September 26, 1976 (the 19th test), September 17, 1977 (the 22nd test) and March 15, 1978 (the 23rd test), low-yield devices, produced⁵⁴Mn,⁵⁷Co and⁵⁸Co whose production reactions are⁵⁴Fe(n, p),⁵⁸Ni(n, pn) and⁵⁸Ni(n, p) respectively. No neutron activation product from the 24th test (December 14, 1978) was observed.     

Evolution of structural features and mechanical properties during the conversion of poly[(methylamino)borazine] fibers into boron nitride fibers

Poly[(methylamino)borazine] (PolyMAB) green fibers of a mean diameter of 15 μm have been pyrolyzed under ammonia up to 1000°C and heat treated under nitrogen up to 2000°C to prepare boron nitride (BN) fibers. During the polymer-to-ceramic conversion, the mechanical properties of the green fibers increase within the 25-400°C temperature range owing to the formation of a preceramic material and remain almost constant up to 1000°C. Both the crystallinity and the mechanical properties slightly increase within the 1000-1400°C range, in association with the consolidation of the fused-B₃N₃ basal planes. A rapid increase in tensile strength (σ^R) and elastic modulus (Young's modulus E) is observed in relation with crystallization of the BN phase for fibers treated between 1400°C and 1800°C. At 2000°C, “meso-hexagonal” BN fibers of 7.5 μm in diameter are finally obtained, displaying values of σ^R=1.480 GPa and E=365 GPa. The obtention of both high mechanical properties and fine diameter for the as-prepared BN fibers is a consequence of the stretching of the green fibers on a spool which is used during their conversion into ceramic.     

Uranium fallout from the nuclear-powered satellites and volcanic eruptions

Increasing trends of the concentrations of²³⁴U,²³⁵U and²³⁸U in rain observed during the period between April 1984 and June 1985 at Fayetteville (36°N, 94°W), Arkansas, and peak concentrations of²³⁴U and²³⁵U observed in a number of rain samples collected during the months of May and June 1985 appear to be the effects of delayed fallout from the 1982 eruption of El Chichón volcano and the 1983 fall of the nuclear-powered satellite Cosmos-1402, respectively.This investigation was supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant ATM 84-07618.     

Die Löslichkeit der Übergangsphasen des Zinkferrits in Salpetersäure

Zusammenfassung Es wurde die Löslichkeit bei 20° C von durch Sinterung eines Gemisches von ZnO mit Fe₂O₃ bei 500° C bis 1100° C erhaltenen Präparaten in 2n-HNO₃ untersucht. Unter 600° gesinterte Präparate geben kein Fe³⁺ an die Lösung ab, dagegen leicht Zn²⁺. Bei Sintertemperaturen von 650 bis 950° C ist die Zinklöslichkeit noch ziemlich groß, aber fallend. Die Fe³⁺-Lösbarkeit wächst stark bei Temperaturen bis 850° C und ist noch bei 900° C erheblich. Oberhalb 950° C Sintertemperatur fällt der Fe³⁺- und der Zn²⁺-Gehalt stark ab. Röntgenographisch wurde der Ferritisierungsprozeß im Bereich von 650 bis 950° C bestätigt. Oberhalb 1000° C tritt ein vollkommen ausgebildetes Zinkferrit auf.

---

The solubility of transition phases of zinc ferrites in HNO₃

The solubility in 2n-HNO₃ of the products of baking a mixture of ZnO and Fe₂O₃ between 500° and 1100° C was investigated. From the products of baking up to 600° C, Fe³⁺ does not dissolve, while Zn²⁺ dissolves easily. In products of sintering between 650° to 950° C the solubility of Zn²⁺ is still large, yet decreasing. The content of the solution on Fe³⁺ increases very strongly for temperatures up to 850° C and is appreciable even at 900° C. Above 950°C sintering temperature, the Fe³⁺ and Zn²⁺ content of the solution drops very strongly. The formation of ferrites in the range of 650° to 950° C was confirmed by X-ray powder methods. Above 1000° C fully developed zinc ferrite is found.

---

---

Mit 3 Abbildungen     

Effect of the eruptions of Mount St. Helens and El Chichon on the ratios of thorium and uranium isotopes in rain

Marked variations in the ratios of²²⁸Th/²³²Th,²³⁰Th/²³²Th and²³⁸U/²³²Th ratios were observed in rain samples collected at Fayetteville (36°N, 94°W), Arkansas, during 1980 through 1983. These variations are attributed to the fallout from the 1980 and 1982 eruptions of Mount St. Helens and El Chichón volcanoes.This investigation was supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant ATM 84-07618.     

Thermal analysis of poly(2-methylpentamethylene terephthalamide)

Poly(2-methylpentamethylene terephthalamide) (Nylon M5T) is a new high temperature aromatic polyamide developed by Hoechst Celanese. In this paper thermal properties of Nylon M5T chips, as well as as-spun and drawn fibers were studied by DSC, DMA, hot stage microscopy and WAXS.T _g of the fully amorphous Nylon M5T is 143°C when measured by DSC;T _g increases with crystallinity to 151°C. The temperature dependence of the solid and melt specific heat capacities has also been determined. The heat capacity increase at the glass transition of the amorphous polymer is 103.9 J °C^–1 mol^–1.T _g by DMA for the as-spun fiber is 155°C, for a drawn fiber is 180°C. Three secondary transitions were observed by DMA in addition to the glass transition. These correspond to a local mode relaxation of the methylene groups at –120°C, onset of rotation of the amide-groups at –65°C and the onset of the rotation of the phenylenegroups (at 63°C). The crystallinity of Nylon M5T strongly depends on the rate of cooling from the melt. The isothermal crystallization data are melt temperature dependent: two-dimensional crystallization takes place when the samples are crystallized from higher melt temperatures, and this phase changes into a spherulitic structure during cooling to room temperature. Spherulitic crystallization occurs when lower melt temperatures are used. This polymer has three crystal forms as indicated by DSC, DMA and WAXS data. The crystal to crystal transitions are clearly visible when amorphous samples are heated in the DSC, or the DMA curves of as-spun fibers are recorded. It is experimentally shown that a considerable melting of the lower temperature crystal forms takes place during the crystal to crystal transitions. The equilibrium melting point as measured by the Hoffman-Weeks method, has been determined to be 339°C.Dedicated to Professor Bernhard Wunderlich on the occasion of his 65th birthday     

Ionization constants of benzoic acid from 25 to 250°C and to 2000 bar

The ionization constant of benzoic acid has been determined by conductivity measurements of dilute aqueous solutions and found to vary from 6.27×10^–5 at 25°C to 0.39×10^–5 at 250°C. The pressure effect to 2000 bar has been measured, and the ratio of ionization constants K₂₀₀₀/K₁ is 2.26 at 25°C and 7.3 at 250°C. V°₁, the standard partial molar volume change for the ionization at 1 bar, varies from –11.7 cm³-mol^–1 at 25°C to –60 cm³-mol^–1 at 250°C. The volume changes are smaller at higher pressures.     

Effect of Cathode Potential on Electrosynthesis and Physicochemical Properties of Styrene and Methyl Methacrylate Copolymers

The voltammetry, ESR and UV spectroscopy methods and quantum chemical calculations (PPDP/2) are used to determine the nature of active centers, the anionic mechanism of electrochemical copolymerization (ECP) of styrene (St) and methyl methacrylate (M) at the cathode surface, and the radical-anion mechanism in aprotic solvents. The composition, microstructure, and dielectric properties of copolymers are determined by the cathode potential, which is due to a change in the nature of inducing species (M°^–, °M–M^–, ^–M–M^–, St^2–) and in the ratio of their concentrations during ECP.     

Development of analytical method for determination of Sb(V), Sb(III) and TMSb(V) in occupationally exposed human urine samples by HPLC-HG-AFS

In the present paper, we develop a methodology for antimony speciation in occupationally exposed human urine samples by high-performance liquid chromatography with hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HPLC-HG-AFS). The methodology was applied to the determination of Sb(V), Sb(III) and (CH₃)₃SbCl₂ (TMSb(V)). Retention time of Sb(V), Sb(III) and TMSb(V) species were 0.88, 2.00 and 3.61 and the detection limits were 0.18, 0.19 and 0.12 μg L^− 1, for 100 μL loop injection respectively which is considered useful for elevated/occupationally exposed urine samples. Studies on the stability of antimony species in urine samples on the function of the elapsed time of preservation (4 °C) and storage (− 70 °C) were performed. Results revealed that antimony species are highly unstable at − 70 °C, probably due to co-precipitation reaction. In this kind of matrix transformation during preservation time may occur, such as oxidation of Sb(III) to Sb(V) and transformation into species that do not elute from the column. EDTA shows that it is able to stabilize Sb(III) for more than one week of preservation time at 4 °C avoiding co-precipitation during storage at − 70 °C. Finally the methodology was applied to occupationally exposed human urine samples. 25% of specimens present antimony levels (Sb(V)) of more than 5 μg L^− 1.     

Characterization of Alumina Gel Catalysts by Emanation Thermal Analysis (ETA)

Alumina gels made from the metal alkoxide is known to have high catalyst activity for the selective reduction of NO _x by hydrocarbons. It is also reported that the fine structure of the gels effects the activity. In this study, the effect of the preparation method on the fine structure and catalyst activity of the gels was investigated. Monolithic gels were obtained by hydrolysis of Al(sec-C₄H₉O)₃. The wet gels were dried at 90°C (xerogels), supercritically dried (aerogels), or dried after immersion in an ethanol solution of methyltrimethoxysilane (modified xerogels). The changes in the microstructure during heating were discussed using the results of TG-DTA, ETA and N₂ adsorption. The ETA curves show the ²²⁰Rn-release rate, E, of the samples, previously labelled with ²²⁸Th and ²²⁴Ra, during heating. The decrease in E of the xerogel at temperatures higher than 400°C indicates a gradual decrease in the surface area and porosity. A remarkable decrease in the BET surface area of the xerogel was found after heat-treating at 500°C. On the other hand, constant E of the aerogels and modified xerogels above 450°C suggests high thermal stability. The pore radii, estimated by BJH method, and the catalyst activities at 500°C of the aerogels and the modified xerogels were higher than those of the xerogels. The temperature range in which the alumina gels are applicable as catalysts was determined.     

Dielectric investigation of the glass relaxation in poly(vinyl acetate) and poly(vinyl chloride) under high hydrostatic pressure

Measurements of the complex relative permittivity of poly(vinyl acetate) from 35 °C to 190 °C and poly(vinyl chloride) from 90 °C to 150 °C in the frequency range 10^–2 –10⁷ Hz and the pressure range 1–5000 bar are reported. Details of the pressure generating system and of the dielectric equipment are described.     

Partial molar isentropic compressibilities and volumes of selected electrolytes and nonelectrolytes in dimethylsulfoxide

Precision densities and sound velocities for solutions of selected univalent electrolytes and nonelectrolytes in DMSO have been measured at 25°C, and apparent molar isentropic compressibilities and volumes evaluated. The data were extrapolated to infinite dilution to obtain standard state partial molar quantities, K _s,2 ^° , and V ₂ ^° . Values of V ₂ ^° and K _s,2 ^° for alkali metal halides in DMSO are very similar to those in water. The results confirm conclusions derived from data in water and other nonaqueous solvents that K _s,2 ^° and V ₂ ^° for alkali metal halides are strongly dependent on solvent compressibility. K _s,2 ^° becomes more negative and V ₂ ^° decreases as solvent compressibility increases. Attempts to determine ionic K _s,2 ^° values suggest that a significant dissymmetry exists between ₄P⁺ and ₄B^– in DMSO, whereas in water and MeOH, these large ions appear to behave similarly. Ionic V ₂ ^° values support this conclusion. Steric hindrance in the DMSO molecule is believed to be responsible for this dissymmetry.     

Ionization constants of aqueous ammonia from 25 to 250°C and to 2000 bar

The ionization constant of ammonia has been determined by conductivity measurements and found to vary from 1.77×10^–5 at 25°C to 1.3×10^–6mol-kg^–1 at 250°C. The pressure effect to 2000 bar has been measured and the ratio K₂₀₀₀/K₁ is 6.8 at 25°C and 11 at 250°C. The standard molar volume change for the ionization at 1 bar, V ₁ ^o , changes from –28.8 at 25°C to –67 cm³-mol^–1 at 250°C.     

Conductance of tris(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane hydrochloride (Tris·HCl) in water at 25 and 37°C

The conductances of aqueous solutions of tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane hydrochloride (Tris·HCl) at 25°C and 37°C have been measured. The concentration of salt varied from 4×10^–4 to 1.6×10^–2 mole-dm^–3. The data were analyzed by the full Pitts equation which yielded the following parameters: at 25°C, ° = 106.07 S-cm²-mole^–1, K_A=1.01; at 37°C, ° = 106.07 S-cm²-mole^–1, K_A=0.99. These values suggest that Tris·HCl is essentially completely dissociated in water. The mobility of the Tris·H⁺ ion was found to be considerably smaller than that of the alkali metal cations. This result is consistent with abnormal liquid-junction potentials for Tris buffer solutions at 25 and 37°C.     

MnCl+ and MnSO4 association constants to 170°C

Changes in electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra of the manganese (II) ion are used to determine thermodynamic association constants for MnCl⁺ and MnSO ₄ ⁰ complexes from 25 to 170°C. The technique employed requires minimal sample handling and preparation. Pressure increase had a negligible effect on the association constants which increase from 4 m^–1 at 50°C to 200 m^–1 at 170°C for MnCl⁺ and from 200 m^–1 at 25°C to 5700 m^–1 at 170°C for MnSO ₄ ⁰ . The ratio of inner to outer sphere complexes decreases with increasing temperature to 120°C and then increases from 120 to 170°C for both chloride and sulfate complexes. Enthalpies, entropies, heat capacities, and Gibb's free energies determined for each of the reactions compare well with values determined by other methods. These results confirm the validity of the high temperature and pressure ESR approach, which can be used to study other high temperature association reactions of Mn⁺² and, by competitive effects, association reactions of metals that do not have an ESR signal.     

Dissociation constant of aqueous trifluoroacetic acid by cryoscopy and conductivity

The dissociation constant of trifluoroacetic acid in aqueous solution has been determined at 25°C by electrical conductivity (0.65 mol-l^–1) and at 0°C by cryoscopy (1.05 mol-l^–1) and electrical conductivity (0.98 mol-l^–1). The good agreement between the values of the constant determined by cryoscopy and conductivity at 0°C lends confidence to the value at 25°C determined by electrical conductivity. The constant determined at 25°C is in reasonable agreement with values determined by differential refractometry (0.92 mol-l^–1) and from acidity function data (0.80 mol-l^–1) reported by other workers. This work renews confidence in the electrical conductivity method for determining dissociation constants of moderately strong acids.