Thermodynamic investigations on the component dependences of high-entropy alloys

In the present research, a study on the thermodynamical properties of the quinary Co–Cu–Cr–Fe–Ni high-entropy alloys and ternary Ca–Sb–Yb is carried out by the models Kohler, Chou’s general solution method (GSM) and Muggianu. The dependences of composition variation on thermodynamic properties, such as enthalpy of mixing of Co–Cu–Cr–Fe–Ni alloys in simple FCC phase are investigated at the temperatures 1273, 1373, and 1473 K. Moreover, a comparison between the results of the three models and those of other theoretical models shows good mutual agreement.     

Remarks on the updated Hessian matrix methods

Optimizing a function with respect to a set of variables using the quasi‐Newton–Raphson method implies updating the Hessian matrix at each iteration. The Broyden–Fletcher–Goldfarb–Shanno update formula is used for minimization and the Murtagh–Sargent–Powell update formula for optimization of first‐order saddle points. Two new formulae are proposed to update the Hessian matrix. One of these formulae is derived using exponential weights and should be used to locate first‐order saddle points. The second formula is a modification of the TS–Broyden–Fletcher–Goldfarb–Shanno update and could used for both minimum and first‐order saddle point optimizations. These two update Hessian matrix formulae present a performance that is the same and in many cases better that the Broyden–Fletcher–Goldfarb–Shanno and Murtagh–Sargent–Powell formulae. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 94: 324–332, 2003     

Effect of composition on the thermal behavior of NiMnGa alloys

The methods to determine martensitic transformation temperature, enthalpy and entropy change, specific heat capacity change with temperature, and transformation activation energies of Ni–%29.5Mn–%21Ga, Ni–%29Mn–%21Ga, Ni–%29.5Mn–%20Ga, and Ni–%28.5Mn–%20.5Ga (atomic percentage) alloys were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. It was observed that the transformation temperature increased with an increase in atomic nickel ratio. Meanwhile, it was detected that the change in enthalpy increases with the amount of nickel. The highest values of entropy change and the heat capacity at room temperature were observed in the alloy having the least amount of nickel in it.     

Comments on the characteristic polynomial of a graph

Several unique advantages of the Le Verrier–Fadeev–Frame method for the characteristic polynomials of graphs over the method proposed by Zivkovi? recently based on the Givens–Householder method are described. It is shown that the Givens–Householder method proposed by Zivkovi?, by itself fails for directed graphs, signed graphs, and complex nonhermetian graphs requiring extensive modifications to the Householder algorithm through the double + random shift QR procedure requiring more computations than claimed. Furthermore, the QR procedure does not always converge and requires random shifts. To the contrary, it is shown that the Le Verrier–Fadeev–Frame method does not require any such modifications or random shifts and takes less total CPU times when both algorithms are run using vector processors. Hence it is demonstrated that the Le Verrier–Frame algorithm is efficient and superior in its universal and direct applicability to all graphs requiring no further modifications (directed, signed, and complex).     

Amperometric method for the determination of myoglobin based on the electrochemical reduction on the glassy carbon electrode

An irreversible reduction peak of oxymyoglobin (MbO₂) was observed on the bare glassy carbon electrode (GCE) in acetate buffer solution under atmospheric conditions. It is the reduction of bonded oxygen in Mb, but not the heme Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox couple that underwent electrochemical reaction on the electrode. The peak current achieved a maximum value in acetate buffer solution of pH 4.0. The peak potential was pH dependent, suggesting that the proton was involved in the electrochemical reaction. Furthermore, the peak current was linearly related to the concentration of myoglobin in the range of 2.5 × 10^–8～ 1.0 × 10^–6 mol · L^–1 with a detection limit of 5 × 10^–9 mol · L^–1.     

Modeling the Effect of Dimethylsulfoxide on the Energy of Interaction of Ions in Nafion-Like Membranes

Russian Journal of Physical Chemistry A - Quantum chemical modeling is performed for the distancing of lithium and ammonium cations from the –O–CF2–CF2–SO$$_{3}^{ - }$$...     

Hydrodesulfidation of the diesel fraction of pyrolytic fuel on polymetallic catalyst

Results are presented of a study of the liquid product formed in pyrolysis of automobile tires and fractions of this product. The diesel fraction of the pyrolytic liquid fuel was hydrodesulfided on a polymetallic catalyst. The results of the hydrodesulfidation in a flow-through laboratory installation in the temperature range 320–380°C at a hydrogen delivery rate of 6 L h^–1 are shown. The experiment was performed during 1 h with preliminary activation in a flow of hydrogen for 2 h and raw material delivery rate of 4–16 mL h^–1 on a polymetallic Al–Ni–V–Mo catalyst supported by γ-Al₂O₃. It was found that the degree of purification grows by 14% as the delivery rate is lowered from 16 to 8 mL h^–1, and by 27% upon its decrease to 4 mL h^–1. With temperature varied at the optimal raw material delivery rate of 4 mL h^–1, the degree of purification also changes: the minimum degree of purification is observed at 320°C. The degree of purification grows by 7% as the process temperature is raised by 20°, and by 28% upon its increase by 40°.     

Effect of the anodization voltage on the dimensions and photoactivity of titania nanotubes arrays

This work compares the behaviors of TiO₂ nanotube (TNTs) array obtained by anodization of Ti foils in an ethylene glycol/NH₄F/water electrolyte with different applied voltages during a constant anodization time, and for the same electrolyte composition. The crystal structure and surface morphology of the annealed anodic films are investigated by X‐Ray diffraction system, Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The TiO₂ nanotubes obtained at potentials of 20–40–60 V show different inner diameters (42–89–124 nm), tube length (1.2–3.3–12.7 µm) and wall thicknesses (12–15–18 nm). The influence of these geometric parameters on the photoelectrochemical properties and the photocatalytic activity were investigated in detail. The results showed that the photocatalytic performances of TNT films are improved when the specific surface, the tube length and the solid fraction are increased, but the increase is slowed down when a limiting thickness of the layer is reached. The surface states which usually show high density in nanostructured layers do not seem to influence significantly the photocatalytic activity of the layers. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effect of nucleating agents on the crystallization kinetics of polypropylene

Compositions of neat polyproylene (PP), PP–PE (polyethylene) blend and PP–PE–DBS (dibenzylidene sorbitol) were studied with respect to their crystallization kinetics by means of differential scanning calorimetry in isothermal mode. A modified Avrami equation was applied to obtain the crystallization parameters of PP, PP–PE and PP–PE–DBS. Optical and hot-stage microscopy and dynamical analysis were used for structure determination. Experimental results have indicated that PE addition inhibits PP crystallization rate and acts as a plasticizer, while addition of DBS changes the crystallization kinetics. A detailed study of the DBS nucleation effects indicates that owing to the high surface energy, nuclei are formed during primary crystallization, leading to a fine PP crystalline structure and improved mechanical properties.     

Effect of Surfactants and Carbon Nanomaterials on the Electroflotation Extraction of the Disperse Phase of Cobalt Hydroxides

The effect of surfactants and carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) on the electroflotation extraction of the disperse phase of cobalt(II) and (III) hydroxides at pH 6 and pH 10 was studied. It is shown that at pH 6 in the absence of surfactants, the efficiency of cobalt extraction in various electrolytes is low and does not exceed 15–25%. In the surfactant–CNM–electrolyte system, the degree of extraction α increases in the chloride, nitrate, and sulfate solutions compared with the solutions containing no surfactants. The electroflotation extraction of cobalt was more efficient at pH 10: α reached 80–96% in the absence of surfactants, 70–97% in the surfactant–electrolyte system, and 60–97% in the surfactant–CNM–electrolyte system. The optimum conditions of the electroflotation extraction of cobalt hydroxides from solutions containing various inorganic electrolytes were determined. The effect of the sodium chloride content on the degree of cobalt extraction at pH 6 was studied. When the NaCl concentration increased from 0 to 10 g/L, the efficiency of cobalt extraction increased to 92%; when the flocculant was added and an additional stage of filtration was used, cobalt was extracted almost completely.     

Effect of pore size on the performance of composite adsorbent

Three kinds of commercial silica gels with pore size of 2–3, 4–7 and 8–10 nm respectively are used for preparing composite adsorbents by soaking them into the aqueous solution of calcium chloride. The test result indicates that both the water uptake and adsorption rate of composite adsorbents prepared from 4–7 and 8–10 nm silica gels improve greatly compared to pure silica gels, but they do not for 2–3 nm silica gels. The silica gel with pore size of 2–3 nm is not suitable for preparing the composite adsorbent by impregnation method due to the pore blockage because of the small pore size. The SCP and COP of the adsorption chiller with sample SA50 are 128.3 Wkg^?1 and 0.27 respectively at the hot source temperature of 90 °C, which are largely superior to that of SA0. Hence using the composite adsorbent instead of the pure silica gel can reduce the size of the adsorption chiller.     

V/P复合氧化物上C-H键活化的密度泛函研究

选择氧化催化剂通常为多组分复合氧化物.一般认为,高价过渡金属的端末双键氧(M=O)是烷烃活化的中心,而非金属端氧(NM=O)与烷烃活化无关.但近期的理论研究发现,复合氧化物中非金属端氧也可能参与烷烃活化.本文采用密度泛函方法(B3LYP)对比V=O和P=O的脱氢活性,并深入揭示二者的差异. H脱除反应可以视为是质子偶联电子传递的过程.对于V/P复合氧化物, V5+充当电子的受体,而V=O和P=O均可接受质子.由于P=O具有更强的质子化能力,导致PO–H键能比VO–H有利6–10 kcal/mol.对于烷烃活化, V=O和P=O脱氢的能垒均可与反应焓变很好地关联,但二者线性回归的截距相差6.2 kcal/mol,说明在相同的焓驱动下, P=O脱氢需要克服更高的能垒.根据Marcus模型,反应的能垒不仅取决去反应焓变,还与内部重组能有关.计算表明,在脱氢过程中, P=O需克服的重组能为128–140 kcal/mol,比V=O过程高出21–23 kcal/mol.这很好地解释了前面的计算结果.应该指出的是,除了反应热力学驱动和重组能外,在势能曲线相交处的电子耦合作用(?HAB?)亦对能量有一定的影响.丁烷选择氧化制顺酐可能经过2-丁烯,丁二烯,2,5-二氢呋喃和丁烯酸内酯等一系列中间体,共有8个H原子在反应过程中需要脱除.对于丁烷的脱氢, P=O的能垒仅比V=O低1.3 kcal/mol,说明初始反应时二者是竞争的.但对于2-丁烯和2,5-二氢呋喃,二者活化能的差距增加为6–7 kcal/mol,说明这时P=O脱氢将占主导.而对丁烯酸内酯活化,二者活化能的差异又缩小到2.5 kcal/mol,表明V=O又具有一定的竞争力.事实上,这种能垒的差异与端氧的亲核性密切相关.P=O更具亲核性,因此有利于被更具酸性的C–H键进攻.根据Evens的估计,烷烃C–H键的pKa为50左右,而烯丙基性C–H为43.这就很好地解释了为什么2-丁烯和2,5-二氢呋喃更容易和P=O发生反应,而丁烷脱氢二者差异不大的原因.这些理论研究可以加深我们对复合氧化物催化剂上活性位点的认识,并为催化剂的理性设计提供理论支撑.     

Studies on the Extractive Constituents of the Bark of Libocedrus Formosana Florin. II

From the acetone extractive of the bark of Libocedrus formosana Florin, sugiol (I), lignoceric acid, 6α–hydroxy–7–oxo–ferruginol (II), ferruginol (III), xanthoperol (IV), β–sitosterol, a mixture of hydrocarbons, a long chain ester and three unidentified products, A, B and C, were isolated.     

Influence of the surface termination on the electrochemical properties of boron-doped diamond (BDD) interfaces

The paper reports on the electrochemical study of heavily boron-doped diamond (BDD) in aqueous media. Cyclic voltammetry and Mott-Schottky analysis were used to evaluate the influence of the surface termination on the electrochemical properties of BDD electrodes. The behavior of aminated BDD (NH₂–BDD) interfaces, prepared from hydrogen-terminated BDD using NH₃ plasma and from photochemically oxidized BDD (HO–BDD) using 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMES), are investigated and compared to those of H–BDD and HO–BDD. While H–BDD and HO–BDD electrodes show classical semiconductor behavior, amine-terminated BDD interfaces exhibit metallic behavior at pH < 10 and a semiconductor behavior at more basic pH.     

Understanding the effect of skin formation on the removal of solvents from semicrystalline polymers

The effect of glassy skin formation on the drying of semicrystalline polymers was investigated with a comprehensive mathematical model developed for multicomponent systems. Polymers with high glass‐transition temperatures can become rubbery at room temperature under the influence of solvents. As the solvents are removed from the polymer, a glassy skin can form and continue to develop. The model takes into account the effects of diffusion‐induced polymer crystallization as well as glassy–rubbery transitions on the overall solvent content and polymer crystallinity. A Vrentas–Duda free‐volume‐based diffusion scheme and crystallization kinetics were used in our model. The polymer–solvent system chosen was a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)–water–methanol system. The drying kinetics of PVA films were obtained by gravimetric methods with swollen films with known water/methanol concentrations. The overall drying behaviors of the polymer system determined by our model and experimental methods were compared and found to match well. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 3191–3204, 2005     

Ab initio studies on the mechanism of the cycloaddition reaction between ketene and allene

The mechanism of the cycloaddition reaction between ketene and allene to form methylene–cyclobutanones has been studied theoretically by HF /3–21G and MP2 /3–21G . These two reactions are believed to be unsynchronous and concerted, taking place through the twisted transition states. Four orbitals are mainly involved in each reaction, which is a “2 × [1 + 1]”-type cycloaddition. The activated barrier for the two reactions are 27.2 and 27.1 kcal/mol, respectively, at the level of MP 2/6–31G * based on the MP 2/3–21G geometries, i.e., these two reactions are compatible. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The effect of activated fillers on the properties of styrene–acrylic adhesives

Results of kaolin modification by thermal activation, sonication and 3% solution of acetic acid are considered. It is shown that the introduction of thermally activated kaolin to compositions based on styrene–acrylic filming agents increases the adhesion characteristics by 1.25–1.4 times (for steel and cement–sand surfaces) and cohesive strength by 1.5–2 times.     

Influence of the synthesis conditions on the structure and composition of the titanium–magnesium nanocatalyst and on its activity in isoprene polymerization

Synthesis of titanium–magnesium nanocatalyst in a high-pressure reactor under the conditions modeling the industrial conditions was studied. A laboratory scale plant including the units for the product synthesis, washing, and filtration was developed. The effect of elevated pressure (10–90 atm) on the process course, on the properties of the catalyst formed, and on the isoprene polymerization was studied for the first time. An increase in pressure leads to an increase in titanium incorporation into the catalyst from 1.52 to 2–2.3 wt % and simultaneously to an increase in the trivalent titanium content to 81 wt %. The titanium–magnesium nanocatalyst with such properties exhibits enhanced performance in isoprene polymerization without deteriorating the polymer microstructure. The development of the catalyst synthesis procedure on the laboratory scale plant will allow pilot-scale modeling of this process in the future.     

Influence of Different Types of Block Copolymers on the Secondary Structure and Stability of the Staphylolytic Lysk Enzyme

A branched block copolymer of polyethyleneimine and polyethylene glycol (PEI–PEG) and a linear block copolymer of polylysine and polyethylene glycol (PLL–PEG) form complexes with the staphylolytic LysK enzyme. The complexation between LysK and cationic block-copolymers results in a 1.5–2.0-fold increase in the lytic activity of LysK and a 2–20-fold increase in its half-life. The stabilizing effects of the block copolymers depend on the temperature, the NaCl concentration, and the polymer/enzyme ratio. Being an effective stabilizer, linear PLL–PEG provides an increase in the LysK stability suitable for biomedical materials (LysK maintains 100% of its activity after four months at 4°C).     

Influence of the physical characteristics of the polymer on the glass transition of various chemically modified PVCs

Vinylchloride–vinylthiocresol and vinylchloride–vinylthionaphthol copolymers of various compositions were prepared by the substitution reaction of PVC with sodium thiocresol and sodium thionaphthol, respectively, in different solvents and at different temperatures. The variation of the glass transition temperature of these copolymers with chemical com-position does not follow the Flory–Fox equation, but is found to depend on the solvent and the temperature at which the copolymer is obtained. The comonomer sequence distribution and stereosequence content of the above copolymers, and those of vinylchloride–vinyl-thiobenzene copolymer, were determined by ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy. The depen-dence of comonomer distribution and stereoregularity content with chemical composition for the three series of copolymers, prepared in different solvents and temperatures, are similar. The T_g deviations for the three series of copolymers were attributed to the con-tribution of physical characteristics of the PVC structure, originating from polymer–solvent interactions. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.