Indirect electronic transitions in alkali halate crystals-II (sodium bromate and iodate) crystals

In the case of NaClO₃ and KClO₃ crystals, analysis of the long wavelength tail of their fundamental absorption revealed the active participation of the internal vibrations of the chlorate ion (Part I). In order to test the validity of the above interpretation the absorption spectra of two more halates with different anions namely sodium bromate and sodium iodate are analysed in a manner similar to that given in Part I. It is found that the principle internal vibrations of bromate and iodate ions are involved in the indirect transitions. The variation of indirect band gap with temperature is found to be ?2·5 × 10^?4 eV/K and ?2·9 × 10^?4 eV/K for sodium bromate and sodium iodate respectively.     

Diffuse reflectance spectra of halate ions in powder state

The diffuse reflectance spectra of sodium chlorate, bromate and iodate for both pure and diluted powder samples in the region 186 to 400 mμ have been studied. Two bands, one weak near 360 mμ and the other intense near 200 mμ have been observed. ¹A₁ → ¹A₂, n → π^∗ forbidden transition has been shown to give rise to the weak band while ¹A₁→¹A₁…(4a₁)²→(4a₁)¹(5a₁)¹ allowed transition to the intense one.     

Temperature dependence of the moduli of elasticity of NaClO3 and NaBrO3 single crystals

The temperature dependences of the moduli of elasticity c_ik(T) of single crystals of sodium chlorate NaClO₃ and sodium bromate NaBrO₃ in the temperature range 77–300 K were investigated experimentally with the help of the resonance method. It is shown that these compounds are elastically anisotropic dielectrics with elastic anisotropy factor A<1 and ratios of the Young moduli and shear moduli of the form E₁₀₀>E₁₁₀>E₁₁₁ and G₁₀₀110111. The experimental data on c_ik(T) were interpreted using a lattice model taking into account the central and noncentral interactions of ions in two coordination spheres. The force constants of these interactions are presented. It is shown that the model chosen describes well the temperature dependences c_ik(T), if both the noncentral interaction of the ions and the contribution of the vibrational part of the free energy to the moduli of elasticity are taken into account.Tomsk Polytechnical University. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 12, pp. 47–52, December, 1992.     

A note on the elastic constants of sodium bromate from 350 K to 77 K

The elastic constantsC ₁₁,C ₁₂ andC ₄₄ of sodium bromate single crystals have been evaluated using 10 MHz ultrasonic pulse echo superposition technique. The values areC ₁₁=5.57₈,C ₁₂=1.07₅,C ₄₄=1.51₀ (×10¹⁰ N/m²) at 290 K and 6.35, 1.98 and 1.65 (×10¹⁰ N/m²) at 77 K. The present room temperature values agree closely with the recent values of Gluyaset al. but the other earlier measurements show some scatter. A comparison between the elastic constants of sodium bromate and sodium chlorate is also made.     

Optical rotation of solid solutions of sodium chlorate and sodium bromate

The optical rotary dispersion (ORD) data for a mixed crystal of sodium chlorate and sodium bromate have been analysed. It is found that the ORD exhibited by these solid solutions cannot be explained using Vegard's law of additivity. Based on the model proposed by Wasastjerna, a special form of additivity of polarisability is assumed in which the asymmetric distribution of the anions around the cation is considered. A formula has been proposed for the additivity of optical rotation in solid solutions and this is found to fit the data for optical rotation in mixed crystals of NaClO₃-NaBrO₃ of different compositions.     

Temperature and pressure dependences of EPR spectra of Gd ion doped in the EuAl3(BO3)4 monocrystal

The ground state of Gd³⁺ ions substituting for trivalent europium in the EuAl₃(BO₃)₄ single crystal was studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) over the temperature range of 300-4.2 K and at pressures up to 9 kbar. The EPR spectra were analysed using the spin Hamiltonian of axial symmetry. The following parameters are reported: g=1.981±0.002, b₂⁰=280.18±0.12, b₄⁰=−12.95±0.08 and b₆⁰=0.61±0.12 (at Т=298 K). The distortions of the nearest environment of Gd³⁺ ion were analysed within the framework of the superposition model of crystal field.     

Monte Carlo study of the critical behavior and magnetic properties of La2/3Ca1/3MnO3 thin films

Critical exponents offer important information concerning the interaction mechanisms near the paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition. In this work a Monte Carlo-Metropolis simulation of the critical behavior in La_2/3Ca_1/3MnO₃ thin films is addressed. Canonical ensemble averages for magnetization per site, magnetic susceptibility and specific heat of stoichiometric manganite within a three-dimensional classical Heisenberg model with nearest magnetic neighbor interactions are computed. The La_2/3Ca_1/3MnO₃ thin films were simulated addressing the thickness influence and thermal dependence. In the model, Mn magnetic ions are distributed on a simple cubic lattice according to the perovskite structure of this manganite. Ferromagnetic coupling for the bonds Mn³⁺-Mn³⁺(e_g-e_g′), Mn³⁺-Mn⁴⁺(e_g-d³) and Mn³⁺-Mn⁴⁺(e_g′-d³) were taken into account. On the basis of finite-size scaling theory, our best estimates of critical exponents, linked to the ferromagnetic to paramagnetic transition, for the correlation length, specific heat, magnetization and susceptibility are, respectively: v=0.56±0.01, α=0.16±0.03, β=0.34±0.04γ and γ=1.17±0.05. These theoretical results are consistent with the Rushbrooke equalitiy α+2β+γ=2.     

An electrochemical sensing platform based on a new Cd(II)-containing ionic liquid for the determination of trichloroacetic acid and bromate

The present work reports on the synthesis, characterization and performance of a new metal-containing ionic liquid [(C₃H₇)₂-bim]₂[CdCl₄] (bim = benzimidazole) as an electrocatalyst for trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and bromate reduction. The structure of Cd(II)-containing ionic liquid (Cd-IL) was characterized by X-ray crystallography, IR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The molecular structure contains two independent cations of 1,3-dipropyl-benzimidazolium and one anion of CdCl₄²⁻. The cadmium atom has a tetrahedral geometry by coordinating to four chlorine atoms. The melting point of Cd-IL is 73 °C. Electrochemical properties of the Cd-IL have been investigated by preparing bulk-modified carbon paste electrode, and Cd-IL is used as a binder and an electrocatalyst. This modified electrode has good electrocatalytic activity toward reduction of TCA and bromate. The detection limit and the sensitivity are 0.01 μM and 102.72 μA μM⁻¹ for trichloroacetic acid detection and 0.003 μM and 496.15 μA μM⁻¹ for bromate detection. This work demonstrates that the Cd-IL may become a new kind of functional material in constructing chemicals and biosensors.     

Photoelectron Spectroscopy of Nickel, Palladium, and Platinum Oxide Anions

The 364-nm negative ion photoelectron spectra of XO and OXO molecules (X=Ni, Pd, and Pt) are reported. The spectra yield the electron affinities (EAs): EA(NiO)=1.455±0.005 eV; EA(PdO)=1.672±0.005 eV; EA(PtO)=2.172±0.005 eV; EA(ONiO)=3.043±0.005 eV; EA(OPdO)=3.086±0.005 eV; EA(OPtO)=2.677±0.005 eV. In addition, for the diatomics, transitions from the anion X?²Π_3/2 and X?′²Π_1/2 states into neutral X?³Σ⁻, ³Π, and for NiO and PdO, ¹Π, are assigned. Several states have been reassigned from those in the existing literature. Anion ²Π_3/2-²Π_1/2 spin-orbit splittings are measured, as are neutral ³Π₂-³Π₁ spin-orbit splittings: the XO ³Π ₂-³Π₁ splittings increase from 405±30 cm⁻¹ (NiO) to 805±30 cm⁻¹ (PdO) to 3580±40 cm⁻¹ (PtO). A bond length shortening of 0.03±0.01 Å is measured upon electron detachment from NiO⁻, resulting in an anion bond length of 1.66±0.01 Å. The bond length does not change upon electron detachment from PdO⁻ using 3.4-eV photons. The Pt-O bond length decreases by 0.035±0.010 Å in the ³Π₁←²Π_3/2 transition. The spectrum of OPtO displays a significantly more extended vibrational progression than those of ONiO or OPdO, and the O-Pt bond length is found to decrease by 0.07±0.01 Å upon electron detachment. The spectra support the view that the Ni-O bond is largely ionic, the Pd-O bond is somewhat less so, and the Pt-O bond displays a substantial covalent character.     

EPR and optical absorption studies of Cr ions in potassium sodium dl-tartrate tetrahydrate

EPR spectra of Cr³⁺ ions doped in potassium sodium dl-tartrate tetrahydrate single crystals are recorded at 77 K. The spin Hamiltonian and zero field parameters g, |D| and |E| are measured from the resonance lines obtained at various rotations of the magnetic field. The values obtained are: g_x=1.9257±0.0002, g_y=1.9720±0.0002, g_z=2.0102±0.0002, |D|=313±2 (×10⁻⁴) cm⁻¹ and |E|=101±2 (×10⁻⁴) cm⁻¹. From the results of EPR study, the site symmetry of Cr³⁺ ion in the crystal is discussed. The optical absorption at room temperature is also studied. From the observed band positions, the crystal field splitting parameter (D_q) and the Racah inter-electronic repulsion parameters (B and C) are evaluated. The bonding parameters are obtained by correlating optical and EPR data and the nature of bonding in the crystal is discussed.     

Single crystal EPR and optical absorption study of Cr doped l-histidine hydrochloride monohydrate

EPR study of the Cr³⁺ ion doped l-histidine hydrochloride monohydrate single crystal is done at room temperature. Two magnetically inequivalent interstitial sites are observed. The hyperfine structure for Cr⁵³ isotope is also obtained. The zero field and spin Hamiltonian parameters are evaluated from the resonance lines obtained at different angular rotations and the parameters are: D=(300±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, E=(96±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, g_x=1.9108±0.0002, g_y=1.9791±0.0002, g_z=2.0389±0.0002, A_x=(252±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, A_y=(254±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, A_z=(304±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹ for site I and D=(300±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, E=(96±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, g_x=1.8543±0.0002, g_y=1.9897±0.0002, g_z=2.0793±0.0002, A_x=(251±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, A_y=(257±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, A_z=(309±2)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹ for site II, respectively. The optical absorption studies of single crystals are also carried out at room temperature in the wavelength range 195-925 nm. Using EPR and optical data, different bonding parameters are calculated and the nature of bonding in the crystal is discussed. The values of Racah parameters (B and C), crystal field parameter (Dq) and nephelauxetic parameters (h and k) are: B=636, C=3123, Dq=2039 cm⁻¹, h=1.46 and k=0.21, respectively.     

Interatomic potentials for the ground state X 0 and the two excited states 1, 0 of the intercombination cadmium line 326.1 nm broadened by Kr pressure

The temperature dependence of the Cd line absorption profile at 326.1 nm perturbed by Kr has been carefully studied over a spectral range extending from 800 cm⁻¹ in the blue wing to 1200 cm⁻¹ in the red wing using a high-resolution double-beam spectrometer. The atomic densities of krypton (N_Kr) and cadmium (N_Cd) were (2.015±0.07)×10¹⁹ and (3.62±0.05)×10¹⁸ cm⁻³, respectively. The temperature dependence of the studied line profile was analyzed in the framework of the quasi-static theory. The van der Waals coefficient differences between the ground ¹0⁺ state and the two excited states ³0⁺ and ³1 (ΔC₆⁰ and ΔC₆¹) were obtained from the near red wing profile using Kuhn's law. The values of ΔC₆⁰ and ΔC₆¹ are found to be equal to 37.8±2 and 58.5±3 eV Å⁶, respectively. The ground (X ¹0⁺), and the excited (³1, ³0⁺) state potentials at the internuclear separations from 3.2 to 6.3 Å were determined. The well depths with their positions for these states are respectively equal to 134±7 cm⁻¹, 3.95±0.2 Å; 72.3±4 cm⁻¹, 4.95±0.3 Å; and 471±12 cm⁻¹, 3.6 Å. The obtained well depths with their allowable errors are in good agreement with the values obtained before for the Cd-Kr system from some theoretical results and molecular beams experiments.     

Activity of microemulsion-based nanoparticles at the human bio-nano interface: concentration-dependent effects on thrombosis and hemolysis in whole blood

Background: Although microemulsion-based nanoparticles (MEs) may be useful for drug delivery or scavenging, these benefits must be balanced against potential nanotoxicological effects in biological tissue (bio-nano interface). We investigated the actions of assembled MEs and their individual components at the bio-nano interface of thrombosis and hemolysis in human blood. Methods: Oil-in-water MEs were synthesized using ethylbutyrate, sodium caprylate, and pluronic F-68 (ME4) or F-127 (ME6) in 0.9% NaCl_w/v. The effects of MEs or components on thrombosis were determined using thrombo-elastography, platelet contractile force, clot elastic modulus, and platelet counting. For hemolysis, ME or components were incubated with erythrocytes, centrifuged, and washed for measurement of free hemoglobin by spectroscopy. Results and conclusions: The mean particle diameters (polydispersity index) for ME6 and ME4 were 23.6 ± 2.5 nm (0.362) and 14.0 ± 1.0 nm (0.008), respectively. MEs (0, 0.03, 0.3, 3 mM) markedly reduced the thromboelastograph maximal amplitude in a concentration-dependent manner (49.0 ± 4.2, 39.0 ± 5.6, 15.0 ± 8.7, 3.8 ± 1.3 mm, respectively), an effect highly correlated (r2 = 0.94) with similar changes caused by pluronic surfactants (48.7 ± 10.9, 30.7 ± 15.8, 20.0 ± 11.3, 2.0 ± 0.5) alone. Neither oil nor sodium caprylate alone affected the thromboelastograph. The clot contractile force was reduced by ME (27.3 ± 11.1–6.7 ± 3.4 kdynes/cm², P = 0.02, n = 5) whereas the platelet population not affected (175 ± 28–182 ± 23 10⁶/ml, P = 0.12, n = 6). This data suggests that MEs reduced platelet activity due to associated pluronic surfactants, but caused minimal changes in protein function necessary for coagulation. Although pharmacological concentrations of sodium caprylate caused hemolysis (EC₅₀ = 213 mM), MEs and pluronic surfactants did not disrupt erythrocytes. Knowledge of nanoparticle activity and potential associated nanotoxicity at this bio-nano interface enables rational ME design for in vivo applications.     

New analysis of the Coriolis-interacting v2 and v5 bands of CH3Br and CH3Br

The and fundamental bands of CH₃⁷⁹Br and CH₃⁸¹Br have been studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with an unapodized resolution of 0.004 cm⁻¹, corresponding to an improvement of one order of magnitude compared to previous studies. For both isotopomers, some 2427 (2239) lines were newly assigned for the parallel and the perpendicular bands and, in addition, 80 perturbation-allowed transitions were also added. The ground-state axial rotational constants A₀ were redetermined from allowed and perturbation-allowed infrared transitions observed in the v₂ and v₅ bands around the local crossing. The A₀ values obtained for both isotopomers are more accurate but fully compatible with those obtained previously. Using those results, and the variation of the rotational constants with vibration, new accurate equilibrium constants A_e and B_e have been also determined for CH₃⁷⁹Br and CH₃⁸¹Br. The excited states v₂=1 and v₅=1 are coupled by Coriolis-type interactions (Δl=±1,ΔK=±1) and (Δl=?1,ΔK=±2), while the l₅=±1 levels of v₅ interact also through “l(2,2)”-type interaction (Δl=±2,ΔK=±2). The Coriolis coupling term was determined to be for CH₃⁷⁹Br and for CH₃⁸¹Br. All interaction parameters have been determined with higher accuracy, compared to previous studies. A total of 4213 (3704) line positions with J?68(64) and K?16(11) including all available data was fitted using 20 (18) parameters with a root-mean-square deviation of 0.0007 (0.0006) cm⁻¹ for CH₃⁷⁹Br and CH₃⁸¹Br, respectively. Two different but equivalent forms of reduced Hamiltonians with two different sets of constrained constants were successfully applied according to Lobodenko's reduction [J. Mol. Spectrosc. 126 (1987) 159]. The ratio of the transition moments, |d₂/d₅|=1.65, and a positive sign of the Coriolis intensity perturbation d₂×ζ₂₅×d₅ were determined. Therefore, it has been possible to generate an accurate prediction of the whole spectrum between 1200 and 1650 cm⁻¹, including Q branches.     

Interaction of indigo carmine dye with silica modified with humic acids at solid/liquid interface

Two distinct humic acids, one extracted from Brazilian peat soil, HA_PS, and another one obtained from commercial source, HA_FL, were attachment onto silica gel modified with aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, producing two material named SiHA_PS and SiHA_FL, respectively. The ability of these materials in removing indigo carmine dye from aqueous solution was followed through series of adsorption isotherms adjusted to modified Langmuir equation. The maximum number of moles adsorbed gave 6.82 ± 0.12 × 10⁻⁴ and 2.15 ± 0.17 × 10⁻⁴ mol g⁻¹ for SiHA_PS and SiHA_FL, respectively. Same interactions were calorimetrically followed and the thermodynamic data showed endothermic enthalpic values: 12.31 ± 0.55 and 24.69 ± 1.05 kJ mol⁻¹ for SiHA_PS and SiHA_FL surfaces, respectively. Gibbs free energies for two adsorption processes of indigo carmine dye presented negative values, reflecting dye/surface interactions must be accompanied by an increased in entropy values, which are 65 ± 3 and 98 ± 5 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ for SiHA_PS and SiHA_FL materials, respectively. The adsorption processes for both materials were spontaneous in nature although they presented an endothermic enthalpy for the interaction, resulting in an entropically favored process.     

Physical, optical, structural and gamma-ray shielding properties of lead sodium borate glasses

Lead sodium borate glasses with compositions xPbO:20Na₂O:(80−x)B₂O₃ (where x=5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 and 55 mol%) have been prepared using melt-quenching method and investigated on their optical, physical, structural and gamma-rays shielding properties. The densities of these glass samples were increased with increase in PbO concentration. The FTIR spectra and molar volumes indicate that PbO acts differently on this glass structures over their compositions. For the PbO composition less than 20 mol%, Pb²⁺ is incorporated as network former, while it acts as network modifier for the composition from 20-55 mol%. For gamma-ray shielding properties, parameters such as mass attenuation coefficients, effective atomic number and half value layer were increased with increase in PbO concentration. Our results showed relative difference between theory and experiment of less than 1% between experimental and theoretical values. Moreover half value layers of the glass systems have been compared with some standard radiation shielding materials and they exhibited better shielding properties than barite concrete and ferrite concrete at 15 and 25 mol% of PbO, respectively.     

Indirect electronic transitions in alkali halate crystals-I (sodium and potassium chlorate crystals)

The long wavelength tail of the fundamental absorption in NaClO₃ and KClO₃ crystals has been analysed based on the theory of band to band transitions of Bardeen et al.[8] developed in the case of semi-conducting crystals. Evidence of phonon involvement in the transitions giving an indirect band gap is observed. The energies of the phonons involved in the process are the same for both the crystals, and agree well with combinations of prinicple frequencies of ClO₃^? ion, their overtones and also lattice phonons. The indirect band gap in these crystals varies with temperature more or less linearly and the rate of variation is ?3·8 × 10^?4 eV/K and ?5·0 × 10^?4 eV/K for sodium chlorate and potassium chlorate respectively.     

Studies of the zero-field splitting and g-factor for the defect model of Cr in α-LiIO3 crystals at low temperature

The EPR zero-field splitting parameters D and g-factors for Cr³⁺ in α-LiIO₃ single crystal, taking into account both the effect of lattice distortion and two Li⁺ vacancies, have been investigated using a complete diagonalization method (CDM) for 3d³ ions in a trigonal symmetry crystal field. The theoretical results (D=−0.60876 cm⁻¹, g_∥=1.9641, g_⊥=1.9682) are in excellent agreement with experimental results (D=−0.6099(3) cm⁻¹g_∥=1.965±0.001, g_⊥=1.971±0.002). In addition, Macfarlane's perturbation expressions lead to results almost identical with the CDM for Cr³⁺ in an α-LiIO₃ single crystal.     

Analysis of the CH3D Nonad from 2000 to 3300 cm

As part of the simultaneous analysis of line positions and intensities of the first two polyads of monodeuterated methane, the results achieved for the region 3-5 μm are reported. It involves the three highest fundamentals, (ν₁, ν₂, ν₄), overlapped by overtone (2ν₃, 2ν₅, 2ν₆) and combination (ν₃+ν₆, ν₃+ν₅, ν₅+ν₆) bands. The theoretical model was based on the global tensorial model implemented in the MIRS package. Some 10 000 line positions and 2400 line intensities have been modeled to ±0.000 88 cm⁻¹ and ±3.6% respectively, using measurements obtained at 0.0056 and 0.011 cm⁻¹ resolution with the Fourier transform spectrometer at National Solar Observatory located at Kitt Peak. The strongest band in this polyad is ν₄(E) at 3016.7 cm⁻¹ with a strength of 6.3×10⁻¹⁸ cm⁻¹/(molecule cm⁻²) at 296 K; the weakest band is 2ν₃(E) at 2597.7 cm⁻¹ with a strength of 1.9×10⁻²⁰ cm⁻¹/(molecule cm⁻²) at 296 K. The total calculated absorption arising from the CH₃D nonad is 8.95×10⁻¹⁸ cm⁻¹/(molecule cm⁻²) at 296 K.     

Iterative Lineshape Fitting of MAS NMR Spectra: A Tool to Investigate HomonuclearJCoupling in Isolated Spin Pairs

Possibilities and limitations of iterative lineshape fitting procedures of MAS NMR spectra of isolated homonuclear spin pairs, aiming at determination of magnitudes and orientations of the various interaction tensors, are explored. Requirements regarding experimental MAS NMR spectra as well as simulation and fitting procedures are discussed. Our examples chosen are the isolated³¹P spin pairs in solid Na₄P₂O₇· 10H₂O, (1), and Cd(NO₃)₂· 2PPh₃, (2). In both cases the two³¹P chemical shielding tensors in the molecular unit are related byC₂symmetry, and determination of the orientations of these two tensors in the molecular frame is possible. In addition, aspects of homonuclearJcoupling will be addressed. For 1, both magnitude and sign of²J_iso(³¹P,³¹P) (J_iso= −19.5 ± 2.5 Hz) are obtained; for 2, (J_iso= +139 ± 3 Hz) anisotropy ofJwith an orientation of theJ-coupling tensor collinear, or nearly collinear, with the dipolar coupling tensor can be excluded, while absence or presence of anisotropy ofJwith any other relative orientation of theJ-coupling tensor cannot be determined.