Are dispersive forces relevant for CO adsorption on the MgO(0 0 1) surface?

Periodic ab initio B3-LYP calculations on the MgO(0 0 1)/CO system underestimate the CO binding energy value with respect to experiment. The flaw is in the B3-LYP functional, unable to compute dispersive interactions. Here we show how to evaluate this contribution by adopting a two-layer ONIOM scheme in which the B3-LYP crystal energy is improved by the MP2 energy computed on the Mg₉O₉/CO cluster. The final complete basis set extrapolated (MP2/∞:B3-LYP/VTZ) CO/Mg(0 0 1) binding energy of 13 kJ/mol is in good agreement with experiment, with about 7 kJ/mol deriving from dispersive interactions.     

The liquid–liquid coexistence curves of {benzonitrile + n-pentadecane} and {benzonitrile + n-heptadecane} in the critical region

Liquid + liquid coexistence curves for the binary solutions of {benzonitrile + n-pentadecane} and {benzonitrile + n-heptadecane} have been measured in the critical region. The critical exponent β and the critical amplitudes have been deduced and the former is consistent with the theoretic prediction. It was found that the coexistence curves may be well described by the crossover model proposed by Gutkowski et al. The asymmetries of the diameters of the coexistence curves were also discussed in the frame of the complete scaling theory.     

Thermally-driven processes on rutile TiO2(1 1 0)-(1 × 1): A direct view at the atomic scale

The technological importance of TiO₂ has led to a broad effort aimed at understanding the elementary steps that underlie catalytic and photocatalytic reactions. The most stable surface, rutile TiO₂(1 1 0), in particular, has became a prototypical model for fundamental studies of TiO₂. In this critical review we have selected oxygen, water, and alcohols to evaluate recent progress relevant for applications in the areas of water splitting and oxidation of organic contaminants. We first focus on the characterization of defects and the distribution of excess charge that results from their formation. The subsequent section concentrates on the role of individual surface sites and the effect of available charge in the adsorption processes. The discussion of adsorbate dynamics follows, providing models for intrinsic and extrinsic diffusion processes as well as rotational dynamics of anchored alkoxy species. The final section summarizes our current understanding of TiO₂(1 1 0) catalyzed reactions between water, oxygen, and their dissociation products.     

The liquid–liquid coexistence curves of {x dimethyl adipate + (1 − x) n-octane} and {x dimethyl adipate + (1 − x) n-nonane} in the critical region

The liquid–liquid coexistence curves of (dimethyl adipate + n-octane) and (dimethyl adipate + n-nonane) have been determined within about 10 K from the critical temperatures, from which the critical amplitudes and the critical exponents are deduced. The critical exponents corresponding to the coexistence curve β are consistent with the 3D-Ising values. The experimental results have been analyzed to determine Wegner-correction terms and to discuss the asymmetric behaviour of the diameters of the coexistence curves by the complete scaling theory. Molar mass-dependences of the critical amplitude and the critical volume fraction have been shown to be consistent with the theoretical prediction.     

The liquid–liquid coexistence curves of {x dimethyl adipate + (1 − x) n-hexane} and {x dimethyl adipate + (1 − x) n-heptane} in the critical region

The liquid–liquid coexistence curves for (dimethyl adipate + n-hexane), (dimethyl adipate + n-heptane) have been measured, from which the critical amplitudes and the critical exponents are deduced. The critical exponent β corresponding to the coexistence curves are consistent with the 3D-Ising value. The experimental results have also been analyzed to determine the critical amplitudes of Wegner-correction terms when β and Δ are fixed at their theoretical values, and to examine the asymmetry of the diameters for the coexistence curves.     

Selective synthesis of zigzag-type aligned carbon nanotubes on SiC (0 0 0 −1) wafers

Zigzag-type carbon nanotubes have been selectively produced by surface decomposition of a well-polished SiC single crystal. The SiC wafer was heated to 1500 °C at a very small heating rate under vacuum. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron diffraction patterns revealed that almost all the well-aligned carbon nanotubes formed perpendicular to the SiC (0 0 0 −1) surface were double-walled and of zigzag type. The results of high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM) indicate that the zigzag type structure evolves from the Si–C hexagonal networks in the SiC crystal by the collapse of carbon layers remaining after the process of decomposition.     

Hydrogen electrocatalysis on overlayers of rhodium over gold and palladium substrates--more active than platinum?

We have investigated the stability and catalytic activity of epitaxial overlayers of rhodium on Au(111) and Pd(111). Both surfaces show a strong affinity for hydrogen. We have calculated the energy of adsorption both for a strongly and a more weakly adsorbed species; the latter is the intermediate in the hydrogen evolution reaction. Both the energy of activation for hydrogen adsorption (Volmer reaction) and hydrogen recombination (Tafel reaction) are very low, suggesting that these overlayers are excellent catalysts.     

Phase behaviour of the ternary system {poly(ε-caprolactone) + carbon dioxide + dichloromethane}

Recently, production of biocompatible and biodegradable polymer microparticles has been a matter of growing interest in pharmaceutical and food areas such as drug or active compounds delivery. To conduct production of microparticles, polymeric particle coating, impregnation of active compounds in polymeric films, the knowledge of phase behaviour involving the biodegradable polymer in supercritical carbon dioxide in the presence of a modifier may be needed to allow developing new industrial applications. In this sense, the aim of this work was to investigate the phase behaviour of the ternary system formed by the biodegradable polymer poly(ε-caprolactone) in (carbon dioxide + dichloromethane). Experimental phase transition (bubble and cloud point) values were obtained by applying the static-synthetic method using a variable-volume view cell over the temperature range of (303 to 343) K and pressures up to 21 MPa, in the CO₂ overall composition range of (25–46) wt%, while polymer concentrations studied were (1, 3, 5, and 7) wt%. For the system investigated, depending on the polymer concentration, vapour–liquid, liquid–liquid, and vapour–liquid–liquid phase transitions were verified.     

Measurements of the critical parameters for {xNH3 + (1 − x)H2O} with x = (0.9098, 0.7757, 0.6808)

Measurements of the critical parameters for {xNH₃ + (1 ? x)H₂O} with x = (0.9098, 0.7757, 0.6808) were carried out by using a metal-bellows variable volumometer with an optical cell. The expanded uncertainties (k = 2) in temperature, pressure, density, and composition measurements have been estimated to be less than 3.2 mK, 3.2 kPa, 0.3 kg · m^?3, and 8.8 · 10^?4, respectively. In each mole fraction, the critical temperature T_c was first determined on the basis of the intensity of the critical opalescence. The critical pressure p_c and critical density ρ_c were then determined as the point at which the meniscus disappears on the isotherm at T = T_c. The expanded uncertainties (k = 2) in the present critical parameters have also been estimated. Comparisons of the present values with the literature data as well as the calculated values afforded using the equation of state are also presented.     

Vibrational relaxation rates for H on a Si(1 0 0):(2×1) surface: a two-dimensional model

The results of calculations based on perturbation theory of vibrational relaxation rates due to coupling to substrate phonons for hydrogen atoms adsorbed on a Si(1 0 0):(2×1) surface are presented. For this purpose a two-dimensional model is adopted in which both the H–Si stretching and bending motions are included. It is shown that within this model the multiphonon emission and absorption processes play a negligible role. The calculated lifetimes agree well with available experimental data.     

Y-aromaticity: why is the trimethylenemethane dication more stable than the butadienyl dication?

[reactions: see text] Resonance energies of the trimethylenemethane dication (1) and the butadienyl dication (4) were evaluated using two independent computational methodologies to provide insight into the validity of Y-aromaticity. One methodology employed density functional theory calculations and examined the resonance contribution of the C=C double bond toward the double hydride abstraction enthalpies of methylpropene (6) and 2-butene (8), yielding 1 and 4, respectively. These resonance contributions by the double bond were determined by calculating the double hydride abstraction enthalpies of both the parallel and perpendicular conformations of vinylogues of 6 and 8, in which n = 1-4 vinyl units were inserted between the central carbon-carbon double bond and each of the reaction centers. Extrapolation of the resonance contribution in each vinylogue to n = 0 yielded the resonance contribution in the respective parent molecules. The second methodology employed an orbital deletion procedure (ODP), which effectively allowed us to examine the energies of individual resonance structures. The resonance energy of each dication is computed as the difference between the most stable resonance structure and that of the delocalized species. The two methodologies are in agreement, suggesting that the resonance energy of the trimethylenemethane dication is substantially greater than that of the butadienyl dication. The origin of this difference in resonance stabilization is discussed.     

Near critical measurements of HmEandVmE for { xCO2 + (1 − x)SF6} and measurements made over the pressure range 2.5 to 10.0 MPa at the temperature T = 301.95 K

A flow mixing calorimeter, followed by a vibrating tube densimeter, has been used to measure excess molar enthalpies H_m^Eand excess molar volumesV_m^E of {xCO₂ +  (1  − x)SF₆}. Measurements over a range of mole fraction x have been made at the temperatures T =  302.15 K and T =  305.65 K at the pressures (3.76, 5.20, 6.20, and 7.38) MPa. The lowest pressure 3.76 MPa is close to thecritical pressure of SF₆ and the highest pressure 7.38 MPa is close to the critical pressure of CO ₂. Measurements atx =  0.5 have been made over the pressure range (2.5 to 10.0) MPa at the temperature 301.95 K. Some of the measurements are very close to the critical locus of the mixture. The measurements are compared with the Patel–Teja equation of state which reproduces the main features of the excess function curves as well as it does for similar measurements on {xCO₂ +  (1  − x)C₂H₆} and{xCO₂ +  (1  − x)C₂H₄} . The equation was used to calculate residual enthalpies and residual volumes for the pure components and for the mixture, and inspection of the way these combine to give excess enthalpies and volumes assisted the interpretation of the pressure scan measurements.     

High‐resolution mass spectrometry for bioanalytical applications: Is this the new gold standard?

Liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole‐based tandem mass spectrometry (QqQ) is termed the “gold standard” for bioanalytical applications because of its unpreceded selectivity, sensitivity, and the ruggedness of the technology. More recently, however, high‐resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) has become increasingly popular for bioanalytical applications. Nonetheless, this technique is still viewed, either as a screening technology or as a research tool. Although HRMS is actively discussed during scientific conferences, it is yet to be widely utilised in routine laboratory settings and there remains a reluctance to use HRMS for quantitative measurements in regulated environments. This paper does not aim to comprehensively describe the potential of the latest HRMS technology, but rather, it focuses on what results can be obtained and outlines the author's experiences over a period of many years of the routine application of various forms of HRMS instrumentation. Fifteen years ago, some nine different QqQ methods were used in the author's laboratory to analyse a variety of different veterinary drug resides. Today, many more analytes are quantified by seven HRMS methods and just three QqQ methods remain in use for the analysis of a small set of compounds yet to be upgraded to HRMS analysis. This continual upgrading and migration of analytical methods were accompanied by regularly participating in laboratory proficiency tests (PTs). The PT reports (covering a range of analytes and analytical methods) were used to compare the accuracy of HRMS‐ versus QqQ‐based measurements. In the second part of this paper, the particular strengths and limitations of HRMS for both method development and routine measurements are critically discussed. This also includes some anecdotal experiences encountered when replacing QqQ assays with HRMS methods.     

Viscosity of {xCO2 + (1 − x)CH4} with x = 0.5174 for temperatures between (229 and 348) K and pressures between (1 and 32) MPa

A vibrating wire instrument, in which the wire was clamped at both ends, was used to measure the viscosity of {xCO₂ + (1 − x)CH₄} with x = 0.5174 with a combined uncertainty of 0.24 μPa · s (a relative uncertainty of about 0.8 %) at temperatures T between (229 and 348) K and pressures p from (1 to 32) MPa. The corresponding mass density ρ, estimated with the GERG-2008 equation of state, varied from (20 to 600) kg · m⁻³. The measured viscosities were consistent within combined uncertainties with data obtained previously for this system using entirely different experimental techniques. The new data were compared with three corresponding states-type models frequently used for predicting mixture viscosities: the Extended Corresponding States (ECS) model implemented in REFPROP 9.1; the SUPERTRAPP model implemented in MultiFlash 4.4; and a corresponding states model derived from molecular dynamics simulations of Lennard Jones fluids. The measured viscosities deviated systematically from the predictions of both the ECS and SUPERTRAPP models with a maximum relative deviations of 11 % at (229 K, 600 kg · m⁻³) and −16 % at (258 K, 470 kg · m⁻³), respectively. In contrast, the molecular dynamics based corresponding states model, which is predictive for mixtures in that it does not contain any binary interaction parameters, reproduced the density and temperature dependence of the measured viscosities well, with relative deviations of less than 4.2 %.     

Liquid–liquid equilibria for ternary systems of {cyclohexane + aromatic compounds + 1-ethyl-3-methylpyridinium ethylsulfate}

Liquid–liquid equilibrium (LLE) data for the ternary systems {cyclohexane + benzene + 1-ethyl-3-methylpyridinium ethylsulfate}, {cyclohexane + toluene + 1-ethyl-3-methylpyridinium ethylsulfate}, and {cyclohexane + ethylbenzene + 1-ethyl-3-methylpyridinium ethylsulfate} were determined at T = 298.15 K and atmospheric pressure. Selectivity, percent removal of aromatic, and solute distribution ratio, derived from the equilibrium data, were used to determine if this ionic liquid can be used as a potential solvent for the separation of aromatic compounds from cyclohexane. The phase diagrams for the ternary systems are shown, and the tie-lines correlated with NRTL model have been compared with the experimental data.     

Molecular conduction: do time-dependent simulations tell you more than the Landauer approach?

A dynamical method for simulating steady-state conduction in atomic and molecular wires is presented which is both computationally and conceptually simple. The method is tested by calculating the current-voltage spectrum of a simple diatomic molecular junction, for which the static Landauer approach produces multiple steady-state solutions. The dynamical method quantitatively reproduces the static results and provides information on the stability of the different solutions.     

Is vanadium a more versatile target in the activity of primordial life forms than hitherto anticipated?

The two predominant forms of vanadium occurring in the geo-, aqua- and biosphere, soluble vanadate(V) and insoluble oxovanadium(IV) (vanadyl), are subject to bacterial activity and transformation. Bacteria belonging to genera such as Shewanella, Pseudomonas and Geobacter can use vanadate as a primary electron acceptor in dissimilation or respiration, an important issue in the context of biomineralisation and soil detoxification. Azotobacter, which can employ vanadium as an essential element in nitrogen fixation, secretes a vanadophore which enables the uptake of vanadium(V). Siderophores secreted by other bacteria competitively (to ferric iron) take up vanadyl and thus interfere with iron supply, resulting in bacteriostasis. The halo-alkaliphilic Thioalkalivibrio nitratireducens possibly uses vanadium as a constituent of an alternative, molybdopterin-free nitrate reductase. Marine macro-algae can generate a variety of halogenated organic compounds by use of vanadate-dependent haloperoxidases, and a molecular vanadium compound, amavadin, from Amanita mushrooms has turned out to be an efficient catalyst in oxidation reactions. The present account is a focused and critical review of the current knowledge of the interplay of bacteria and other primitive forms of life (cyanobacteria, algae, fungi and lichens) with vanadium, with the aim to provide perspectives for applications and further investigations.