Au∕CuPc interface: a valence band photoemission investigation

The formation of the metal-organic interface depositing gold, by thermal evaporation in ultrahigh vacuum conditions, onto a copper phthalocyanine film has been studied by means of ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy. The evolution of the valence band spectra and in particular of the highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMO) and of the Au upper states has been followed as a function of gold film thickness. The HOMO peak position is strongly influenced by the Au deposition, suggesting an n-doping process of the organic film. The gold 6s state behavior indicates the formation of small metal clusters whose size increases as a function of the gold deposited. The doping of the organic film determines a strong reduction of the film ionization energy.     

A theoretical study of hydrogen- and lithium-bonded complexes of F-H∕Li and Cl-H∕Li with NF3, NH3, and NH2(CH3)

Hydrogen- and lithium-bonded complexes of A-H∕Li (A = F, Cl) with the amine analogues NF(3), NH(3), and NH(2)(CH(3)) were studied at the MP2∕6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. Bond extensions and redshifts were obtained for the H-bonded complexes, while bond extensions and blueshifts were obtained for the Li-bonded species. The variation of these and other properties with the basicity of the amines was investigated and rationalized by comparing the ab initio results with predictions from a model derived from perturbation theory.     

Degradation of cellulose at the wet-dry interface: I—study of the depolymerization

The degradation of cellulose in paper due to the formation of a tideline at the wet-dry interface when paper is suspended in water was explored. SEC/MALS was used to assess the molar mass, while ICP/MS, SEM/EDS and CE/UV provided a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the elements and inorganic ions present in the paper. Immediately after the formation of the tideline, no significant depolymerization was observed at the wet-dry interface, despite the accumulation of water soluble brown and/or fluorescent degradation compounds and salts containing sodium, chlorine, sulfur and calcium. Various artificial aging configurations were applied to the paper with tidelines to evaluate the effect of the material accumulated at the wet-dry interface on the long-term stability of paper. The decrease in the molar mass of cellulose (above, at and below the tideline) differed depending on the type of aging, i.e. whether the entire sheet of paper was aged or whether small amounts of paper from the different areas were sampled and aged, individually or together, which evidences a complex degradation pathway. In the former aging configuration the material accumulated in the tideline affected the degradation of the tideline area to the same extent or more than the other areas. When the different areas of the paper sheet were sampled and aged together, it was found that the presence of the tideline clearly affected the degradation of the other paper areas. Conversely, in that case, cellulose within the tidelines was the least degraded. The area below the tideline, through which the water migrated, showed the most significant degradation.     

A study of the thermal analysis of the solid solution (AgxK1−xNO3

The effect of partial replacement of K⁺ by Ag⁺ in the mixed system of KNO₃ and AgNO₃ during a set of DSC heating cycles was studied by means of a modern computerized DSC system. Thermal analysis was performed in the vicinity of the phase transition II I for pure KNO₃. The results revealed a large change in enthalpy and the phase transition temperature close to the morphotropic boundary x=0.5–0.6. At this boundary, the transformation enthalpy reached the maximum value of 101 J g^–1. On the basis of the data obtained from this accurate thermal analysis work, a model is suggested for the energy barrier of rotation of the nitrate ion in the mixed nitrate system.     

A study on the phase diagram of AlF3CsF system

Phase relations of the AlF₃CsF system have been investigated by the methods of DTA and XRD with quenching technique. Four compounds were identified: Cs₃AlF₆, CsAlF₄, CsF·2AlF₃ and CsF·3AlF₃. Cs₃AlF₆ melts congruently at 790°C. The first eutectic, E₁, between Cs₃AlF₆ and CsF is located in 10.0 mol% AlF₃ at 654°C. CsF·2AlF₃ and CsF·3AlF₃ melt incongruently at 508° and 653°C, respectively. The second eutectic, E₂, was observed in 42.0 mol% AlF₃ at 471°C. The compound CsAlF₄ formed in the solid eutectic when cooled below 443°C. CsAlF₄ has α and β forms, transformation of which takes place reversibly at 422°C. All phase structures in the system were confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction analysis.     

A comparative study of the thermodynamic properties at the air–water interface and in the bulk of structurally related phenothiazine drugs aqueous solutions

Surface tension, conductivity, density, and ultrasound velocity measurements have been performed in order to determine in a systematic manner some of the aggregation properties of the phenothiazine drugs promazine and triflupromazine hydrochlorides. Both drugs are structurally related, differing in an extra CF₃ group in the triflupromazine molecular structure. Surface tension data showed that the presence of an extra CF₃ in the molecular structure of triflupromazine involves a higher hydrophobicity of this drug and a restriction in the number of conformations molecules can adopt due to the presence of this bulkier atomic group. This involves a larger surface area in order to accommodate triflupromazine molecules at the interface. From conductivity measurements at different temperatures, the thermodynamic quantities of the micellization process of these drugs indicate that the aggregation is a spontaneous process, mainly enthalpic, where the London-dispersion forces play an active role. Using density and ultrasound velocity measurements, apparent molar volume and adiabatic compressibility of aqueous solutions of the amphiphilic cationic drugs have been determined. Positive deviations from the Debye–Hückel limiting law of the apparent molar volume were obtained from both drugs over the whole temperature range, which provides evidence of possible pre-association at concentrations below the critical concentration. Apparent molar adiabatic compressibility of the aggregates formed by these drugs was typical of those corresponding for an aggregate formed by a stacking process.     

Mass accommodation mechanism of water through monolayer films at water∕vapor interface

The mass transfer dynamics at water∕vapor interface through monolayer films was theoretically investigated by a combination of molecular dynamics and Langevin dynamics simulations. The rare events of mass accommodation are sampled by the Langevin simulation with sufficient statistical accuracy, on the basis of the free energy and friction profiles obtained by the molecular dynamics simulation. The free energy profiles exhibit a barrier in the long-chain monolayers, and the mechanism of the barrier is elucidated in relation to the "water finger" formation. The present Langevin simulation well described the remarkable dependence of the mass accommodation coefficient on the chain length and surface density. The transition state theory for the barrier passage remarkably overestimates the mass accommodation coefficient, and the Kramers or Grote-Hynes theory may not be appropriate, due to large variation of the friction in the entrance channel and∕or broad barrier.     

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.     

Two-color photodetachment study of the A3Π-X3Σ- origin band of C5H-

The origin band in the electronic transition to the dipole bound excited state of C(5)H(D)(-) anions was measured using two-color photodetachment spectroscopy. The rotational analysis of the partially resolved contour is consistent with a linear structure of the anion in both the ground X(3)Σ(-) and excited A(3)Π electronic states, in contrast with an earlier interpretation. The following spectroscopic constants are inferred for C(5)H(-): T(00) = 19248.0(1), B' = 0.0835(1), B' = 0.0826(2), A'(SO) = -11.96(1), λ(SS)' = 1.97(8) λ(SS)' = 0.24(15). Ab initio calculations at the UHF-MP2 level support the conclusion that C(5)H(-) is linear in the ground state. The experimentally determined ground state rotational constant can be used in the search for the millimeter wave spectrum of C(5)H(-).     

Surface ordering at the air–nematic interface. Part 2. A spectroscopic ellipsometry study of orientational order

Spectroscopic ellipsometry has been used to measure enhanced orientational ordering at the nematic–air interface of 8CB as the smectic A phase was approached by cooling from the isotropic phase. The depth profile of the orientational order has been estimated by calculating the ellipsometric parameters for a homeotropic uniaxial surface film on a uniaxial sub‐phase using the Abelès matrix method. This showed that the depth of the enhanced orientationally ordered region was ～10 nm at 0.5°C above the nematic–smectic A transition. This is substantially less than the thickness of the region with surface enhanced smectic order as determined by neutron reflection and a model of the surface structure consistent with both sets of results is proposed.     

Thermal stability of In2(MoO4)3 and phase equilibria in the MoO3–In2O3 system

Thermal stability of a compound forming in a binary system MoO₃?CIn₂O₃ was investigated by DTA/TG, XRD and SEM methods in this study. For the first time, the diagram of phase equilibria established in the whole range of concentrations of this system's components has been constructed. The temperature and concentration ranges of the components of MoO₃?CIn₂O₃ system in which the compound In₂(MoO₄)₃ co-exists in solid state with MoO₃ or In₂O₃ or with the liquid were determined. The composition and melting point of the eutectic mixture consisting of In₂(MoO₄)₃ and MoO₃ were found.     

Reactivity in Air of SbVO5 Towards MoO3 and Phase Equilibria in the SbVO5–MoO3 System in the Solid State

The use of XRD and DTA methods has allowed studies on the interaction of the SbVO₅ and MoO₃, taking place in the solid state and in the medium of ambient air. The experimental results of XRD and DTA for all the samples showed the presence of a novel phase, i.e. Sb₃V₂Mo₃O₂₁ apart from various amounts of MoO₃ and V₉Mo₆O₄₀ or SbVO₅ and V₂O_5(s.s.). The SbVO₅–MoO₃ system is not a real two-component system over the entire range of component concentrations up to the solidus line. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A structural study of the naringin-β-cyclodextrin complex

The structure of the inclusion complex formed between naringin (naringenin-7-O--neohesperidoside) and-cyclodextrin (BCD) was studied in detail by UV and NMR spectroscopic techniques and potentiometry. A binding constant value of 1016±150M^–1 was arrived at from UV studies. Potentiometric studies showed that pK values of 4-OH and 5-OH were affected by and-cyclodextrins. One-dimensional difference NOE and spin-lattice relaxation time (T ₁) measurements indicated that the aglycone protion was affected more than the neohesperidoside portion. TheT ₁ values analysed for local motions indicated that _c values of complexed naringin was higher than that of free naringin. The internal rotation calculated for different groups showed _i values for the phenolic and dihydrobenzopyran portion decrease by a factor of 2. Also a value of 0.12–0.17 observed for the aglycone portion indicated that the coupling between guest and host is weak. All the studies have shown that the disposition in which the phenol group at 2 is inside the BCD cavity with 4-keto and 5-OH hydrogen bonded to the secondary hydroxyl groups at the rim of the wider end of the BCD cavity is the most probable one.     

A fluorescence probe study of the mixed surfactant vesicles

Vesicle can be prepared from aqueous mixtures of simple commercially available, single-tailed canonic and anionic surfactants. In this work, the I3/I1 value, Ie/ Im value, and fluorescence lifetime of pyrene in different systems (see the preparation of samples) were determined. Hie essential affecting factors in the formation of vesicle can be deduced from the obtained results. It showed that large vesicle must form naturally before sonication in 0.082 M octyltrimethylammonium bromide and sodium laurate pH = 9.2 aqueous solution. While after sonication, only small vesicle exists, which can be proved further through electron microscope.     

A preparatory and X-ray diffraction study of the SrCl2NdCl3 system

The SrCl₂NdCl₃ system was examined over the full composition range by the Guinier powder X-ray diffraction technique. A solid solution, Sr_(1−x)Nd_xCl_(2+x), was found for the composition region 0 < x < 0.18. Beyond the solid solution region two intermediate chloride phases were identified: Sr_0.80Nd_0.20Cl_2.20 (Sr₄NdCl₁₁) and Sr_0.643Nd_0.357Cl_2.357 (Sr₉Nd₅Cl₃₃). Orthorhombic Sr₄NdCl₁₁ is isostructural with vernier-type Sr₄DyCl₁₁; lattice parameters are a = 7.230(5); b = 35.292(18), and c = 6.826(4)Å. The phase Sr₉Nd₅Cl₃₃ exhibits hexagonal symmetry with lattice parameters a = 12.908(6) and c = 24.823(10), Å and is isostructural with Nd₁₄Cl₃₃.     

A comparative study of the structure and properties of β-galactosidases

A comparative study of β-galactosidase amino acid sequences of E. coli and another four out of 11 microorganisms selected at the first stage was performed. It was shown that the functional amino acid residues in the catalytic domain and the ligand environment of the magnesium cation for all five sequences are identical. The mechanism of the catalytic action of E. coli and K. lactis β-galactosidases was investigated by the method of nucleophilic competition. It was shown that the mechanism of the effects of nucleophilic agents is kinetically identical both enzymes: the presence of methanol or butanediols affects the stage of degalactosylation; the presence of magnesium cations promotes the activity of both β-galactosidases; and the mechanisms of the thermal inactivation of E. coli and K. lactis β-galactosidases are different.     

Electrochemistry of MoO3–K2MoO4 melts: a chance to control the nature of reduced molybdenum oxides

Cathodic electrodeposition of oxides on platinum from MoO₃–K₂MoO₄ (3.85–75?mol% MoO₃) under DC and pulsed galvanostatic modes is discussed in combination with voltammetry data. Characteristic potential values (as related to oxygen evolution onset) are reported for Mo(VI/IV) redox processes, as well as for electrochemical equilibria with participation of molybdenum metal and Pt–Mo alloys. On the basis of scan rate effects and results for various potential limits, and also of voltammetry with preliminary potentiostatic accumulation of products, molybdate reduction mechanism complicated by a chemical step of Mo metal oxidation is proposed. This qualitative assumption is verified in preparative electrolysis experiments with products identification by means of X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, and EDX local analysis. Deposition under pulsed mode is found to be useful tool to adjust the duration of chemical step and by these means to alter the composition of final products. The conditions supporting the formation of MoO₂ and more reduced oxides are formulated.     

Gas-sensing properties of Ta-doped MoO3−x

During a search for alternative materials to replace tin(IV) oxide in semiconducting oxide gas sensors it has been found that sensors comprising sub-stoichiometric molybdenum trioxide exhibit promising characteristics.     

Synthesis of amphiphilic V-type silica nanogels and study of their self-assembling at the air–water interface

The methods for the synthesis of silica nanogels and a modifying agent, as well as related amphiphilic V-type silica nanogels are presented. Self-assembly of the synthesized amphi philic nanogels during the formation of Langmuir monolayers at the air–water interface is considered. Aggregate structures were revealed to form during ordering of the silica V-type nanogels at the air–water interface after collapse of the Langmuir monolayer. For the low-molecular-weight fraction of the silica nanogels, the aggregates do not completely decompose upon the expansion of the Langmuir layer since are formed by mutually penetrating macromolecules. For the highmolecular- weight fraction, they are reversibly formed and decompose in consecutive compression– expansion cycles, which is characteristic of Langmuir layers of nanoparticles.