Kinetics of Na|CF<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> and Li|CF<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> systems

Properties of CF _x /Li and CF _x /Na cells were examined while using galvanostatic charging/discharging, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The capacity during the first cycle was as high as ca. 1000 mAh g^?1. Such an electrode is suitable for primary CF _x /Li and CF _x /Na batteries. SEM images of CF _x cathode showed that during discharging it was transformed into amorphous carbon and LiF or NaF crystals (of diameter of ca. 5–20 μm). These systems (C?+?LiF or C?+?NaF) cannot be reversibly converted back into CF _x /Li or CF _x /Na, respectively. Exchange current densities are between 10^?7 Acm^?2 and 10^?9 Acm^?2 when working with LiPF₆ and NaPF₆ electrolytes (1.12?×?10^?7 Acm^?2 and 6.82?×?10^?9 Acm^?2, respectively). Those values are low and indicate that the charge transfer process may be the rate-determining step. Activation energies for the charge transfer process were 57 and 72 kJ mol^?1 for CF _x /LiPF₆ and CF _x /NaPF₆ systems, respectively. Higher activation energy barrier for the CF/Na⁺?+?e^??→?C?+?NaF reaction results in lower observed exchange current density in comparison to the system with lithium ions.     

Chemical composition-structure-properties relations in a series of Sr<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Ba<Subscript>1-<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript> compounds

Based on structural studies of Sr _x Ba_1-x Nb₂O₆ crystals with different concentrations of strontium and barium, the structural causality of optical nonlinearity of these crystalline materials is established. YAG:Nd laser radiation of the crystals results in a monotonic decrease in the second harmonic intensity with increasing strontium concentration in a sample. Fine details of the structure responsible for this effect are determined.     

Hydrogenation and Dehydrogenation of the Clathrate Na<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Si<Subscript>136</Subscript>

Samples of the clathrate Na _x Si₁₃₆ were saturated with hydrogen to 100 atm at 25°C in a Sievertstype apparatus and at pressures of 6 and 28 kbar in lentil-type high-pressure apparatuses at 100 and 250°C. X-ray powder diffraction analysis and Raman spectroscopy of the samples quenched after the saturation with hydrogen showed that the phase composition of the clathrates did not change. Heating of the quenched samples to room temperature in a thermal desorption setup produced not hydrogen, but hydrogen-containing gases, as we assumed, silanes. Heating to 650°C leads to decomposition of these compounds to form hydrogen.     

Spatial structure and stability of Mo<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript>Si<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis></Subscript> nanoparticles

By means of the ab initio DMol³ method Mo _n Si _m nanoparticles and fragments of Mo₃Si and MoSi₂ crystal lattices are theoretically modeled. For both crystals a few neutral Mo₄Si₆ and Mo₆Si₆ fragments of different shapes and symmetry are considered. In each case, after cluster separation its geometry is optimized, as a result of which the geometric structure noticeably changes and its stability increases. In order to theoretically search for the spatial configurations of Mo₄Si₆ and Mo₆Si₆ nanoparticle, two approaches are used: 1) in the most stable Fe₄C₆ and Fe₆C₆ isomers found previously, iron and carbon atoms are replaced by molybdenum and silicon respectively and then the geometry is optimized to obtain new equilibrium distances and angles; 2) the search for main Mo₄Si₆ and Mo₆Si₆ configurations is performed using the binominal scheme, starting from Mo₂, MoSi, and Si₂ dimers. The nanoparticle structures are found to contain metal atom chains and isolated pairs and triples of silicon atoms. In most cases, the nanoparticle stability proves to be higher than that of the crystal clusters.     

Electrodeposition of Fe<Subscript> <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis> </Subscript>Se<Subscript> <Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis> </Subscript> films from acidic solutions

Iron selenide (Fe_xSe_y) thin films were electrodeposited on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface under constant potential and pulse potential modes. The deposition mechanism was investigated using cyclic voltammetry. Electrochemical processes at room temperature are accompanied by adsorption of selenium on the electrode surface and complicated by chemical reactions in the solution bulk. Several approaches to control the film stoichiometry were applied: varying of electrodeposition potential; the use of elevated temperatures (60–80°C) to decrease the electrode passivation and electrodissolution of interfering elements under pulse mode. The composition of Fe_xSe_y thin films was analyzed using an energy dispersive X-rays (EDX) analysis.     

Neutron diffraction study of dehydrogenation of titanium carbohydrides TiC<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>H<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript>

The possibility of the synthesis of hydrogen-nonstoichiometric cubic titanium carbide ТiС _х of high purity from powdery nonstoichiometric cubic titanium carbohydride ТiС _х H _y or nonstoichiometric titanium carbide with admixture hydrogen by annealing in a continuously maintained vacuum of no worse than 1.33 × 10^–3 Pa at temperatures of 600–750°C for several hours has been shown. Similar annealing at higher temperatures (T ≥ 800°C) does not lead to the complete removal of hydrogen from a sample due to intensive sintering. In this case, it seems that pores between sintered particles are hydrogen traps, and the release of hydrogen through the surface of sintered particles is hindered.     

Phase transitions of the ZrNiH<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> hydride

The hydrogen pressure-ZrNiH _x hydride composition isotherms were determined under isoplethic experiment conditions during the desorption and sorption of hydrogen. According to the experimental data, the ZrNiH _x -H₂ system (0 < x < 2.229) experienced two phase transitions, hydrogenolysis with the absorption of large amounts of hydrogen and the reverse transition to the initial state. It was found that the β phase existed in the ZrNiH _x -H₂ system at least up to 410°C, and the region of its homogeneity was shifted toward the α solution. The homogeneity region of the γ phase at 250°C on the side depleted of hydrogen extended to the composition x = 1.50, and the temperature of its peritectoid decomposition was above 250°C. The hydrogenolysis reaction proceeded with the formation of the ?-ZrH_3.153?x -NiZr_0.7H_0.3x system, which had a much higher (higher by 200–300 torr) partial hydrogen pressure over the temperature range 0–240°C, that is, was unstable with respect to the initial system.     

Synthesis of (<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>)-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-(3-alkoxy-4-acyloxyphenylmethylene)-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-(<Emphasis Type="Italic">e</Emphasis>-cyclohexyl)amines

Previously unknown E isomers of azomethines (Schiff bases) were synthesized from vanillal and vanillin esters by their reaction with cyclohexylamine.     

Synthesis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N,N</Emphasis>-disubstituted (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis>)-<Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-methylnicotinamide oximes

A number of (Z)-N,N-dialkyl- and (Z)-N-acyl-N-alkyl-O-methylnicotinamide oximes was synthesized. Their configuration was confirmed by the NOESY experiment. Evaluation of fungicidal activity of compounds obtained was performed.     

Synthesis of Novel <Emphasis Type="Italic">D</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">Seco</Emphasis>-Pregnenes

Summary. A new synthetic route was developed for the preparation of trans-3-hydroxy-16,17-seco-pregna-5,17(20)-dien-16-al, using Grob fragmentation as the key step. This seco-steroid contains a formyl group and an unsaturated side-chain in a sterically favourable position, and is therefore a promising starting material for the synthesis of novel condensed steroid heterocycles.Received March 22, 2003; accepted April 22, 2003 Published online September 25, 2003     

Biomimetic synthesis of the arachidic acid/Ag<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Cd<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript>S nanocomposite films

Ag _x Cd _y S nanoparticles were obtained in arachidic acid (AA) monolayer containing Ag⁺ and Cd²⁺ under H₂S flow. The AA/Ag _x Cd _y S monolayers were deposited onto solid substrate to prepare LB films. The UV-vis spectrum showed that the LB film exhibited notable quantum-size effect. The small-angle X-ray diffraction revealed periodic structure of the LB films. The molar ratio of Ag to Cd in AA/Ag _x Cd _y S film was ca. 1 : 5 as measured by the XPS. TEM and FTIR spectroscopy showed that the head-groups of arachidic acid molecules controlled formation of Ag _x Cd _y S nanoparticles in the monolayer.     

Conformations and properties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-Alkyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>-(2-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-dialkylamino)-ethylmethylthiophosphonates

Conformers of the biologically active compounds CH₃P(O)(OR)(SCH₂CH₂NR ₂ ^′ ), where (I) R = i-C₄H₉, R′ = C₂H₅ and (II) R = C₂H₅, R′ = i-C₃H₇, are calculated within the AM1 level of theory. The elongated and twisted forms with maximum and minimum distances between a nitrogen atom and those of a phosphorus tetrahedron, respectively, and bearing a syn and anti oriented alkoxy group relative to a phosphoryl oxygen, are studied. It is found that the differences between the energy, electronic, and geometric parameters of these forms are apparent in differences between their properties, e.g., the ability to participate in complexation and protonation, reactions that to some extent simulate the interaction between a substance and a biological object.     

Mono-<Emphasis Type="Italic">meso</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butylporphyrin

Summary. Treatment of meso-tetra(tert-butyl)porphyrin with sulfuric acid/n-butanol affords a mixture of porphyrin and mono-tert-butylporphyrin in relatively high yield.     

XPS and XANES studies of SnO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> nanolayers

This paper presents the results of our XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) and XANES (X-ray absorption near edge structure) studies of tin oxide nanolayers obtained by magnetron spraying of the metal and its further oxidation in air at different temperatures. It was shown that at 240°C (annealing temperature), tin monoxide was dominant in the surface layer of the samples. When the temperature was increased to 450°C, the phase composition corresponded to tin dioxide. Increased sorption ability was found for the samples oxidized at 450°C. The band structure model of SnO _x nanolayers obtained by superposition of the XANES and XPS data revealed cross transitions with energy ～3.7 eV in the presence of the SnO and SnO₂ phases. Surface doping of nanolayers with palladium gave the Pd, PdO, and PdO₂ components, among which PdO was most intense. Alternate treatments with O₂ and H₂ gases led to the disappearance of palladium dioxide and the reduction of PdO to the Pd metal. After the volume doping of nanoplayers with palladium, the surface layer contained PdO and PdO₂; the latter was represented by two types of particles with different sizes.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis>-and <Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>-conformers of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-chloroacetylcytisine

N-Chloroacetylcytisine was synthesized by acylation of (–)-cytisine. Stable Z- and E-conformers with respect to rotational isomerism around the N-12–CO bond were found in PMR spectra at room temperature. The point at which PMR resonances of the Z- and E-conformers coalesced upon heating was measured. The transition barrier between the conformers was estimated.     

Molecular Cloning and Expression Analysis of an <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mn</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">SOD</Emphasis> Gene from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nelumbo nucifera</Emphasis>

A rapid amplification cDNA end (RACE) assay was established to achieve the complete sequence of mitochondrial manganese-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) cDNA in Nelumbo nucifera. The obtained full-length cDNA of Mn-SOD was 926 bp and contained a 699-bp open reading frame encoding an Mn-SOD precursor of 233 amino acids. The recombinant of Mn-SOD expressed by PET-32a vector in Escherichia coli BL21 was confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting assays. A 3D structural model of the Mn-SOD was constructed by homology modeling. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that Mn-SOD mRNA was expressed in young leaves, blossom, stems, and terminal buds during reproductive stage but with the highest expression in young leaves. This significant difference demonstrated the differential expression of Mn-SOD in various organs of N. nucifera.     

Production of 6-<Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-Ascorbyl Palmitate by Immobilized <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida antarctica</Emphasis> Lipase B

l-ascorbyl palmitate (ASP) is an oil-soluble derivative of ascorbic acid which is used extensively in food, cosmetics industry, and medical hygiene. Enzymatic synthesis of ascorbyl palmitate in tert-butyl alcohol was carried out using indigenously immobilized lipase preparation PyCal with ascorbic acid and palmitic acid as starting material. The developed batch process under optimized reaction conditions resulted in conversion of 90% with relatively shorter reaction time of 6 h. Continuous process in packed bed reactor gave conversion of 50% with space time yield of 15.46 g/L/h which was found to be higher than the reported literature on enzymatic synthesis of ascorbyl palmitate. The immobilized lipase used in the present work showed good reusability. Characterization of formed ascorbyl palmitate was carried out by FTIR, MS/MS, H¹-NMR, and C¹³-NMR. The enzymatic process resulted in selective synthesis of 6-O-l-ascorbyl palmitate with purity of 98.6% and no side product formation. The use of underivatized starting materials, high space time yield of 15.46 g L^?1 h^?1, high recyclability of catalyst, and no by-product formation make the overall process highly efficient and clean in terms of energy consumption and waste generation, respectively. The optimized reaction parameters for ascorbyl palmitate synthesis in the present study can be used as a useful reference for industrial synthesis of fatty acid esters of ascorbic acid by enzymatic route.     

X-ray photoelectron and auger spectroscopic study of the chemical composition of BC<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>N<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript> films

X-ray photoelectron and Auger spectroscopy are used to investigate the chemical composition of BC _x N _y films synthesized by PECVD from different initial gas mixtures in the temperature range 473–723 K. Main principles and features of the film formation are found. It is shown that the chemical composition of BC _x N _y films significantly depends on the synthesis parameters, which enables targeted control of their physical properties. The obtained data are discussed.     

Properties of anodic RuNiO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>(OH)<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript> catalysts synthesized on carbon supports with various dispersion degree

A number of catalysts of the (Ru-Ni)/C system is synthesized and studied for application in anodes of alkaline ethanol-air fuel cells. The carbon supports used are carbon blacks with different specific surface area and graphite powders. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy technique allowed detecting on the catalyst surface metallic ruthenium and nickel in the form of Ni(OH)2 hydroxide and possibly oxyhydroxide NiOOH. It is shown that the catalyst activity in the reaction of ethanol electrochemical oxidation grows at an increase in the specific surface area of the carbon support. The method of carbon monoxide oxidative desorption was used to determine the values of the specific surface area of the catalyst metallic phase. It is shown that at an increase in the relative ruthenium content from (1Ru3Ni)/C to Ru/C, the specific catalytic activity in the catalysts of the (Ru-Ni)/C system reaches the maximum value near the composition of (2Ru1Ni)/C. It is shown that the found optimum catalyst composition is independent of the carbon support dispersion degree. Activity in ethanol electrooxidation of the (2Ru1Ni)/C catalyst supported on the Ketjenblack EC-600 carbon black is 18 ± 3 A/g of the catalyst (>120 A/g of Ru) at 40°C and potential E = 0.5 V in the 2MKOH + 1 M C₂H₅OH electrolyte.