Experimental evidence for crossover to mean-field tricritical behavior in a concentrated salt solution

We have discovered a mean-field multicritical point on the critical locus in an aqueous solution of 3-methylpyridine and sodium bromide. Light-scattering measurements indicate Ising-like asymptotic critical behavior at the lower salt concentrations. However, the temperature range of Ising critical behavior shrinks with increasing salt concentration and the critical behavior becomes mean-field-like at a concentration of about 17% mass fraction of NaBr. Emergence of a new characteristic length scale diverging at this point and a simultaneous pronounced increase in the background scattering suggests mean-field tricritical behavior associated with the formation of a microheterogeneous phase due to clustering of ions and molecules.     

The electrical transportation and carrier behavior of ZnSe under high pressure

With in situ electrical resistivity and Hall effect measurement, electrical transportation property and charge carrier behavior of ZnSe were investigated under high pressure using a diamond anvil cell (DAC). The electrical resistivity changed discontinuously at 7.7 and 11.9?GPa, corresponding to the phase transitions of ZnSe. In the pressure interval of 7.7–11.9?GPa, the electrical resistivity changed continuously, indicating the existence of the intermediate phase between the zinc blende and rock salt phases. The difference of carrier characteristic between the intermediate and rock salt phases can also suggest the existence of the intermediate phase. For the intermediate phase, the increase in electrical resistivity is from the decrease in mobility. While for the rock salt phase, the increase in charge carrier concentration leads to the decrease in electrical resistivity.     

Phase behavior and selectivity of DNA-linked nanoparticle assemblies

We propose a model that can account for the experimentally observed phase behavior of DNA-nanoparticle assemblies [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 125, 1643 (2003)]; Science 289, 1757 (2000)]]. The binding of DNA-coated nanoparticles by dissolved DNA linkers can be described by exploiting an analogy with quantum particles obeying fractional statistics. In accordance with experimental findings, we predict that the phase-separation temperature of the nanocolloids increases with the DNA coverage of the colloidal surface. Upon the addition of salt, the demixing temperature increases logarithmically with the salt concentration. Our analysis suggests an experimental strategy to map microscopic DNA sequences onto the macroscopic phase behavior of the DNA-nanoparticle solutions. Such an approach should enhance the efficiency of methods to detect (single) mutations in specific DNA sequences.     

Thermopower of calcium at high pressures

Calcium at megabar pressures undergoes numerous structural transitions and has a complex phase diagram. At the same time, according to the recent theoretical investigations, an anomalous behavior of many physical properties, including a transition to the state of a narrow-gap semiconductor, can be expected even in the region of stability of the normal-pressure phase of calcium with the fcc structure at moderate pressures P ～ 5–15 GPa. Data on the thermopower of calcium in the pressure range up to 9 GPa have been reported. The thermopower in this pressure range is positive, has a smooth maximum at 5–6 GPa, and decreases quite rapidly at higher pressures. The absolute values of the thermopower (5–12 μV/K) indicate that calcium in this pressure range is a metal. The difference between the thermopowers in the direct and inverse passages in the range of 5–7.5 GPa is fairly noticeable (～10%). The possible reasons for such an anomalous behavior, as well as new calculations of the band structure of calcium, have been discussed.     

Structural and electronic properties of a new molecular conductor, α-(BEDT-TTF)2CsCd(SCN)4

Structural and electronic properties of a new BEDT-TTF based radical cation salt, α-(BEDT-TTF)₂CsCd(SCN)₄, are presented. In the measurements of the electrical resistivity and the magnetic susceptibility, this new α-type salt shows metallic behavior down to low temperature. Measurements of the resistivity under in-plane c-axial strain reveal a newly observed insulating phase, suggesting that α-(BEDT-TTF)₂CsCd(SCN)₄ is placed near an insulating phase which might have close relationships with a superconducting phase realized in α-type salts.     

Liquid-liquid phase separation of a surfactant-solubilized membrane protein

Solubilization of membrane proteins requires surfactants, whose structural properties play a crucial role in determining the protein phase behavior. We show that ionization of a pH-sensitive surfactant, lauryldymethylamino-N-oxide, bound to the bacterial photosynthetic Reaction Center, induces protein phase segregation in micrometric "droplets." Liquid-liquid phase separation takes place in a narrow pH range, is promoted by increasing temperature, and vanishes by adding salt. After a fast initial droplet growth, the nearly arrested kinetics at a later stage leaves the system in a finely divided, long-lasting emulsified state.     

人体胆结石红外光谱的比较分析

用红外光谱法测量了系列胆结石成分的红外光谱。比较标准化合物的红外光谱,分析人体胆结石的成分。按胆结石的红外光谱特征进行分类,获得胆固醇、胆红素钙、硬酯酸钙、碳酸钙、羟基碳酸磷灰石和混合物等六种类型的光谱图。提出相应地将胆结石分为六种类型：如果根据是否含钙,则分为胆固醇和钙盐型两种类型。     

Rapid reduction of titanium dioxide nano-particles by reduction with a calcium reductant

Micro-, submicron-, and nano-scale titanium dioxide particles were reduced by reduction with a metallic calcium reductant in calcium chloride molten salt at 1173 K, and the reduction mechanism of the oxides by the calcium reductant was explored. These oxide particles, metallic calcium as a reducing agent, and calcium chloride as a molten salt were placed in a titanium crucible and heated under an argon atmosphere. Titanium dioxide was reduced to metallic titanium through a calcium titanate and lower titanium oxide, and the materials were sintered together to form a micro-porous titanium structure in molten salt at high temperature. The reduction rate of titanium dioxide was observed to increase with decreasing particle size; accordingly, the residual oxygen content in the reduced titanium decreases. The obtained micro-porous titanium appeared dark gray in color because of its low surface reflection. Micro-porous metallic titanium with a low oxygen content (0.42 wt%) and a large surface area (1.794 m² g⁻¹) can be successfully obtained by reduction under optimal conditions.     

Chaos in a three-variable model of an excitable cell

We describe chaotic behavior in a model that consists of three first-order, non-linear differential equations, which represent ionic events in excitable membranes. For a certain range of conductances, the model generates chaotic action potentials, and the intracellular calcium concentration also varies chaotically. The chaos was characterized by constructing phase portraits and one-variable maps using the membrane potentials and calcium concentrations. This is the first, simple, biophysically realistic model for excitable cells that shows endogenous chaos.     

Theory of microphase separation in charged crosslinked polymer blends with arbitrary charge distribution

In this paper, we are interested in the phase behavior and scattering properties of charged crosslinked polymer blends in solution. The system undergoes a microphase separation, below some critical temperature. To study such a transition, use is made of the standard de Gennes theory based on an analogy with a dielectric medium. This analogy is extended to include the effects of the initial composition fluctuations in order to improve its agreement with experimental data in the small wave vector range. The excluded-volume interactions are explicitly introduced through the blob model. The charge effects on the phase behavior are examined, for any charge distribution of polyions and for any salt concentration. This completes a previous study which was concerned with the situation where only one species is charged. The early kinetics of microphase separation is discussed, and the charges contribution to the growth rate is also evaluated.     

Melting temperature and enthalpy variations of phase change materials (PCMs): a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis is a standard thermal analysis technique used to determine the phase transition temperature, enthalpy, heat of fusion, specific heat and activation energy of phase change materials (PCMs). To determine the appropriate heating rate and sample mass, various DSC measurements were carried out using two kinds of PCMs, namely N-octadecane paraffin and calcium chloride hexahydrate. The variations in phase transition temperature, enthalpy, heat of fusion, specific heat and activation energy were observed within applicable heating rates and sample masses. It was found that the phase transition temperature range increased with increasing heating rate and sample mass; while the heat of fusion varied without any established pattern. The specific heat decreased with the increase of heating rate and sample mass. For accuracy purpose, it is recommended that for PCMs with high thermal conductivity (e.g. hydrated salt) the focus will be on heating rate rather than sample mass.     

Self assembly modulated by interactions of two heterogeneously charged surfaces

Recent experiments have measured attractive interactions between two surfaces that each bear two molecular species with opposite charge. Such surfaces form charged domains of finite size. We present a theoretical model that predicts the dependence of the domain size, phase behavior and the interlayer forces as a function of spacing and salt concentration for two such interacting surfaces. A strong correlation between two length scales, the screening length and the surface separation, at the spinodal is shown. Remarkably, the first-order phase transition to infinite sized domains depends logarithmically on the ratio of the domain size to the molecular size. Finally, we fit the predicted pressure with experiments.     

金属盐对生物质热解特性影响试验研究

基于深入了解生物质热解行为的目的,在自行研制的热解机理试验台上系统研究了金属盐对生物质热解的影响规律。试验结果表明,钾离子对生物油中的一些大分子量组分发生重聚反应生成焦炭和小分子气体产物具有强烈的催化作用,从而降低了热解生物油产量而得到更多的焦炭和气体产物。相比钾离子而言,钙离子对焦炭生成的促进作用更为强烈;镁离子对白松热解的影响远没有钾离子和钙离子明显。     

Collagen immobilization on 316L stainless steel surface with cathodic deposition of calcium phosphate

Collagen fibril/(calcium phosphate and carbonate) composite coatings on 316L stainless steel were developed with a cathodic deposition technique. The response of SaOS-2 osteoblast-like cells to the collagen/calcium salt-coated 316L steel was investigated. The collagen fibrils were self-assembled on the 316L steel surface and immobilized by their partial incorporation into a calcium salt layer electrodeposited cathodically in Hanks’ solution. The amount of calcium salt depended on the applied cathodic potential. The mineralization of collagen fibrils was observed. The collagen coverage localized and the composition of calcium salts varied on the same specimen. Such non-uniform surfaces affected the cell response. The observed outlines of cell bodies and nuclei on the thin collagen coating were clearer than those on the thick collagen coating in most cases. The collagen coating did not significantly influence the mean viability of cells on the whole specimen surface. Interestingly, the alkaline phosphatase activity per cell on the collagen/calcium salt-coated specimens was higher than that on the as-received specimen. It was revealed that cathodic deposition is an effective technique to immobilize collagen fibrils on a 316L steel surface.     

Studies of gelation process investigated by fast field cycling relaxometry and dynamical rheology: the case of aqueous low methoxyl pectin solution

The Fast Field Cycling Relaxometry and the dynamical rheology were applied to study the gelation process in aqueous low methoxyl pectin solution in the presence of divalent cations from the calcium chloride. The model-free approach to the analysis of 1H NMRD data was used to separate the information on the static and dynamic behaviour of the system provided by the dispersion profiles of the systems tested. Mechanical spectroscopy was applied as a complementary method to probe the network formation. The structural changes were most pronounced for the concentration of calcium chloride between 10 and 15 mM (the static parameter beta was found to vary from 0.936 x 10(7) to 1.27 x 10(7) 1/s2) revealing the sol-gel transition on visual inspection. The presence of the gel network was confirmed by the rheological measurements. All mechanical spectra exhibited the gel like character, and the solid like response was more evident at higher concentrations of calcium cations. The mean correlation time increased with increasing salt concentration, but remained unchanged for the concentrations above 15 mM. The dynamical changes were most significant at the phase transition from the sol to the gel state.     

Possible link of the V-shaped phase diagram to the glass-forming ability and fragility in a water-salt mixture

Water is a very poor glass former, but its link to the thermodynamic and kinetic anomalies remains elusive. We experimentally reveal that the glass-forming ability and fragility of a water-salt mixture are closely related to its equilibrium phase diagram. We propose that frustration between local and global orderings controls both the glass-forming ability and the fragility. Relying on the same role of salt and pressure, which commonly break tetrahedral order, we apply this idea to pure water under pressure. This scenario not only explains unusual behavior of water-type liquids such as water, Si, and Ge but also provides a mechanism for a link between the equilibrium phase diagram, glass-forming ability, and fragility for various materials including oxides, chalcogenides, and metallic glasses.     

Characterization and biocompatibility of fluoridated biphasic calcium phosphate ceramics

Biphasic calcium phosphate ceramics (BCP) has been widely used in tooth and bone implants due to its excellent biocompatibility. Incorporation of fluorine ions in BCP has drawn much attention because of the beneficial role played by the fluorine ions in bone and tooth growth. The aim of this study was to obtain fluoridated biphasic calcium phosphate (FBCP) by immersing BCP into saturated ZnF₂ solution with F⁻ concentration of 3500 mg/l at different times. The phase and incorporation of fluoride into BCP were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The biomineralization and influence of FBCP on osteoblastic behavior were evaluated and compared with that of biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP). The results exhibited that the phase evolution of the BCP was affected by the fluoride incorporation and the FBCP significantly improved the differentiation and proliferation of osteoblasts. These findings suggest that the FBCP would be very useful as a bone reconstructive material.     

Polarization relaxation in Rochelle salt crystals

The relaxation behavior of the domain structure of a Rochelle salt crystal during its repolarization by a static electric field was studied over a wide temperature range (from ?18 to +24°C). The field and temperature dependences of the relaxation time are found. It is shown that the difference between the activation energies determined far from and near the lower and upper phase transition points is due to the different mechanisms of interaction between domain boundaries and defects.     

酸及镧盐对钙测定的影响

用空气-乙炔原子吸收光谱法(AAS)对不同溶液中钙元素进行检测,研究了盐酸、硝酸、镧盐对Ca测定的影响.结果表明,在使用原子吸收光谱法测定Ca时,测定结果受到盐酸、硝酸、镧盐严重的负干扰.     

新型脱硅剂水合碳铁酸钙合成过程的光谱学研究

亚熔盐溶出一水硬铝石型铝土矿过程中需在高浓介质条件下脱除二氧化硅杂质,研究采用合成水合碳铁酸钙做为脱硅剂;因水合碳铁酸钙合成过程中会有碳酸钙、氢氧化钙、铁酸钙等副产物,故合成条件对水合碳铁酸钙含量及脱硅效果有重要影响。为了探讨反应机理并优化合成参数, 研究采用傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)、电感耦合等离子发射光谱(ICP-AES)分析对合成过程产物进行了物相分析和脱硅实验。FTIR和脱硅过程元素分析表明水合碳铁酸钙在水溶液中为介稳物质,反应温度和反应时间对水合碳铁酸钙的合成具有重要影响,随时间和温度增加水合碳铁酸钙含量先增加后减少;单因素条件下最优的合成条件为, 反应温度30 ℃,反应时间16 h,反应液固比20,搅拌强度500 r·min-1;对最优条件下合成水合碳铁酸钙的物相结构进行了研究,表明水合碳铁酸钙为斜方六面体晶体结构,其中存在结晶水、羟基、Fe—O特征峰。