Simple preparation of hollow carbon sphere via templating method

The hollow carbon sphere (HCS) was synthesized using silica particle and sucrose as a template and carbon precursor, respectively, under a hydrothermal condition. The prepared HCS were characterized by SEM, TEM and N₂ adsorption. The prepared HCS showed uniforms size and high mesoporosity. It was found that the presence of acidic site on the silica particle templates would be crucial for the preparation of the HCS. Without the acidic site on silica particles, the macroporous carbon with high microporosity was prepared. It was found that the method employed in this work was highly suitable for the preparation of monodisperse HCS.     

Effect of carbon nanotube addition on the thermite reaction in the Al/CuO energetic nanocomposite

Abstract

In this work, the Al/CNT/CuO nano-thermite samples are prepared by ultrasonic mixing with variable CNT content. The morphology of nano-thermites analysed by electron microscopy revealed that the CNTs are dispersed and there are intimate contacts between fuels (Al and CNT) and oxidiser (CuO) constituents of the nano-thermite. Raman spectroscopy technique is used to analyse the structural integrity of the CNTs in the nano-thermite. The thermite reaction characteristics are evaluated by simultaneous thermogravimetric analysis/differential scanning calorimetry technique. The exothermic enthalpy of the Al/CNT/CuO nano-thermite samples increased with increasing CNT content. The effect of Al particle size and Al/Cu molar ratio variation on the thermite reaction enthalpy is also analysed. The ignition temperature of the thermite reaction is also lowered by 71 °C than that of Al/CuO nano-thermite. The activation energy for thermite reaction of Al/CNT/CuO nano-thermite is also lowered by 23% to that of pure Al/CuO. The residues of the nano-thermites after the thermite reaction at 1010 °C are collected and analysed by the X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis and comparative study of optical and electrical properties of Au-doped carbon nanotubes prepared in different reaction media

We introduce the synthesis, characterization and physical properties of gold (Au) doped multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in different reaction media. In order to dope MWCNTs with Au nanoparticles (NPs), first functionalized carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs) were prepared. The reduction of gold (III) chloride trihydrate for synthesizing Au NPs in the presence of f-MWCNTs was performed by using sodium citrate as a reducing agent. The produced nanocomposites were characterized using FTIR, XRD and TEM analyses to explore their chemical structures and morphologies. All of the samples have been characterized by TGA and resultantly, the composite made into ethylene glycol exhibited the most concentration of Au NPs into the composite network. This work probes the optical characteristics, such as UV–vis absorption, and optical band gap. Hall effect analyses declared some pleasing variations in electrical characteristics. Remarkably, the n-type doping of Au NPs in the p-type MWCNTs’ network led to a downshift of the Fermi level. This process increased the doped samples electrical conductivity. The results indicated that modification of MWCNTs with Au NPs has generally an important role in decreasing the band gap and increasing the electrical activity of MWCNTs. Our research outcomes provide a new vision into how different reaction media could affect the characteristics of MWCNT/Au nanocomposites. We discovered that ethylene glycol could be considered as a perfect reaction medium for preparation of high-quality doped CNTs with excellent physical properties. Our effort opens up the door to far more investigations on the role of the reaction medium in products’ characteristics.     

Multiphoton-excited microfabrication in live cells via Rose Bengal cross-linking of cytoplasmic proteins

We demonstrate the use of multiphoton-excited photochemistry to cross-link three-dimensional matrices directly from cytoplasmic proteins in a live cell (starfish oocyte). Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching measurements were used to determine diffusion coefficients inside intracellular cross-linked structures, and it was found that the diffusion was approximately 3 to 4 orders of magnitude slower than in free solution and 2-3 orders of magnitude slower than in cytoplasm and that the value can be tuned by controlling the laser exposure. Complex structures can be fabricated to construct channels and compartments that could be used to isolate cellular processes, and the method should thus be applicable to a broad range of problems in cell biology.     

Simple and fast preparation of graphene oxide@ melamine terephthaldehyde and its PVC nanocomposite via ultrasonic irradiation: Chemical and thermal resistance study

Melamine terephthaldehyde modified graphene oxide (MTR-GO) with optimum content was easily prepared via ultrasonication method and used as anti-corrosion additive for Poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC). The effects of ultrasonicated MTR-GO on the mechanical, chemical and thermal resistance of the PVC were thoroughly studied. Change percentage of tensile strength and weight change percentage of PVC (P) and PVC/MTR-GO nanocomposite (PN) in acetone and sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) media at two different exposure temperature (20 °C and 50 °C) were examined. The PN sample showed lower change loss percentage of tensile strength in acetone uptake as compared with P sample at 20 °C. In higher temperature (50 °C), P sample was decomposed while PN still showed tensile data. The change loss percentage in tensile strength of PN sample showed 13% change at 50 °C in sodium hypochlorite while P sample showed 63% change for the parameter. Protective behavior of MTR-GO nanofiller on PVC matrix against thermal HCl releasing was investigated by Congo red tests. The results showed that the nanocomposite release less amount of HCl as compare to the neat PVC.     

Molecular dynamics study of reaction kinetics in viscous media

Predicted by stochastic models and observed experimentally in a number of isomerization reactions, viscosity-induced solvent effects manifest themselves in a significant departure of the reaction rates from the values expected on the basis of transition state theory. These effects are well understood within the framework of stochastic models; however, the predictive power of such models is limited by the fact that their parameters are not readily available. Experiment and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations can provide such information and can serve as the testing grounds for various stochastic models. In real solvents, a change in viscosity is inevitably associated with variation of at least one of the three factors – temperature, pressure, or solvent identity, resulting in different solvent–solvent and solvent–solute interactions. A model is proposed in which solvent viscosity is manipulated through mass scaling, which allows one to maintain other factors constant for a series of viscosities. This approach was tested on MD simulations of the kinetics of two model isomerization reactions in Lennard–Jones solvents, whose viscosity was varied over three orders of magnitude. The results reproduce the Kramers turnover and a strong negative viscosity dependence of the reaction rates in the high viscosity limit, somewhat weaker than η ^?1.     

Real-time contrast reversal via four-wave mixing in nonlinear media

We propose and describe a new method of contrast reversal by using optical four-wave mixing in nonlinear media. Using a BaTiO₃ crystal, we have demonstrated such a real-time intensity contrast reversal. The results are presented and discussed.     

A hard sphere model of chemical reaction in condensed media

We use the methods of hard sphere kinetic theory, projection operators and multiple time scale analysis to derive a formalism of chemical reactions in condensed media. Enskog type rates are found to be capable of explaining the primary salt and solvent effects but are valid for the special case of the slow reaction limit where the threshold energy does not depend on the proximity of third bodies and the smooth tail and mass do not change upon reaction. Rigorous diffusion limited laws may also be derived.     

Permanent light-induced polar orientation via all-optical poling and photothermal cross-linking in a polymer thin film

An epoxy-based crosslinkable polymer functionalized with nonlinear optical (NLO) photochromic dye known as Red Acid Magly was polarly oriented via thermally-assisted all-optical poling to enhance the photostability of the induced order. During the writing (seeding) process the film was cross-linked by heating with a hot-plate and irradiated simultaneously by the coherent superposition of the 1.06 μm fundamental and 0.532 μm second harmonic beams of a nanosecond pulsed Nd:YAG laser. We demonstrate that crosslinking between the polymer matrix and the pendant chromophore groups induced during the thermally-assisted all-optical poling procedure results in a stable light-induced second order susceptibility.     

Improvement in characteristics of natural rubber nanocomposite by surface modification of multi-walled carbon nanotubes

We aim to develop high-level applications of NR through the innovative use of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to improve reinforcing performance and thermal resistance. In this study, we examined the structures and characteristics of composite materials in which NR was the matrix and MWCNTs were the fillers. We studied the properties of composites containing surface-activated MWCNTs with three different diameters. The results show that the reinforcing performance improves as MWCNT diameter decreases, while thermal resistance improves as we decrease the heat-treatment temperature. The latter occurs because adherence between MWCNTs and NR becomes stronger at lower heat-treatment temperatures. We also found that for practical applications, we need to control active sites on MWCNTs to balance adhesion against thermal resistance.     

Synthesis of carbon nanotubes/alumina composites in supercritical media

Nanosized composites based on multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and Al₂O₃ have been obtained for the first time in supercritical (SC) media (water, hexane, and their mixture). For comparison, materials of the same net composition have been prepared by hydrothermal synthesis and sol–gel processing. The composites have been characterized by electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermal analysis. The structure of the materials synthesized in the SC media depends on the fluid composition. The most uniform composite containing alumina particles that are comparable in size to the CNT diameter and are stabilized on the carbon surface can be obtained in the SC mixture of hexane and water. When water and hexane are used separately, the formation of large alumina crystals on the CNT surface and contamination of the composite by the products of hexane pyrolysis and carbonization are, respectively, observed.     

Adsorption and kinetic studies of L-leucine as an inhibitor on mild steel in acidic media

L-Leucine is evaluated as a potential inhibitor for mild steel in acidic medium by galvanostatic polarization and potentiostatic polarization techniques. The electrochemical results were supplemented by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and infrared studies (IR).The electrochemical polarization results show that L-leucine is most effective at 10⁻¹ M concentration at room temperature (298 K). The efficiencies were found to decrease with decrease in concentration and increase in temperature. Electrochemical results also show that L-leucine acts as a mixed type of inhibitor (blocks the cathodic and anodic sites to same extent) which is evident from insignificant shift of open circuit potential.Potentiostatic polarization data shows that they are passivating type of inhibitors. The effect of this inhibitor on anodic reaction is mainly attributed to physical adsorption of the additive on the anodic metal surface and the electron pairs on oxygen atoms. This additive exists in the protonated form (a positive charge on nitrogen atom) in the present acid medium. Therefore, on the cathodic sites, the interaction between additive and metal surface is thought to be electrostatic in nature.The results of SEM and IR data supplement the results obtained by electrochemical techniques.     

基于低Q腔光子Faraday旋转的远程态制备

基于低Q腔中单光子的输入与输出关系,提出了利用偏振光Faraday旋转分别遥远制备单原子态和两原子纠缠态的可行方案.研究结果表明,当初始原子态的系数为实数时,通过选择合适的偏振光、腔场与原子相互作用系统的参数,单原子态与两原子纠缠态的远程制备均可确定性地得以实现.与以前的原子态远程制备方案相比,本文方案采用光子作为飞行比特来传递量子信息,故原则上可实现原子态的真正长距离制备.由于原子态的信息编码在耗散单边腔囚禁的Λ型三能级原子的两个基态能级,且原子仅虚激发,因此本文方案对腔衰减和原子自发辐射不敏感.此外,本文所提出的两种方案不需要两体或多体正交测量,仅涉及单体直积态测量,而且两种方案都工作在低Q腔,不需要原子与光腔的强耦合,从而有效降低了实验难度.     

Nickel-based electrodes as catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline media

This paper reports a systematical study on the microstructures and electrochemical properties of nickel-based electrodes as low-cost catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline media. The electrodeposited Ni-Sn alloy displays a hydrogen overpotential of 137 mV at cathodic polarization current of 200 mA cm^?2, which is lower than that of Raney-Ni and nickel net electrodes. The Tafel results show that the Volmer reaction is the rate determining step of HER for nickel net and Raney-Ni, while the hydrogen evolution reaction is controlled by a peculiar model for deposited Ni-Sn alloy. The energy consumption of alkaline water electrolysis could be reduced from 4.63 to 4.26 kW h/m³H₂ by using Ni-Sn alloy electrodes to replace Raney-Ni in electrolyzers, producing good economic and environmental benefits.     

Formation processes of CuCl and regenerated Cu crystals on bronze surfaces in neutral and acidic media

The paper is devoted to investigating the formation of CuCl and regenerated Cu crystals on bronze. Electrochemical behaviour of bronze in simulated anoxic edaphic media and occluded cell (O.C.) solutions was studied with cycle voltammetry (CV) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Within potential range of −800 to +800 mV, oxidation occurred was largely a process in which Cu is oxidized to CuCl and the reduction process was a reverse of it. An atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to observe the morphology of CuCl crystals, regenerated Cu crystals and corrosion interface at nm level. The deposition of regenerated Cu on simulated archaeological bronzes was simulated under experimental conditions for the first time. CuCl could be thoroughly reduced to pure Cu if reduction time interval were sufficiently prolonged. This provided a theoretical and experimental basis for getting rid of harmful CuCl patina from archaeological bronzes with electrochemical means.     

Fluorescence quenching of a rhodamine derivative: Selectively sensing Cu2+ in acidic aqueous media

A new rhodamine derivative (RhB-Im) was synthesized as an “on-off” chemosensor for Cu²⁺ in an acidic aqueous solution. RhB-Im exhibited chemically reversible and highly selective and sensitive fluorescence response toward Cu²⁺ in aqueous acetate-buffer/DMF solution (pH 3.6) over other competitive metal ions. Upon addition of Cu²⁺, RhB-Im displayed remarkable fluorescence quenching accompanied by a clear color change from pink to red. Based on the analysis of Stern–Volmer plots, a static quenching mode was proposed to be primarily responsible for the fluorescence quenching event when the concentration of Cu²⁺ was low, but, the energy- and electron-transfer processes cannot be ruled out.     

Ultimately short optical pulses in carbon nanotubes in dispersive nonmagnetic dielectric media

We consider Maxwell’s equations for an electromagnetic field propagating in carbon nanotubes placed in dispersive nonmagnetic dielectric media. An effective equation having the form of an analog of the classical sine-Gordon equation was obtained and analyzed numerically. The dependence of the pulse on the type of carbon nanotubes, initial pulse amplitude, and dispersion constants of the medium was revealed.     

用格子玻尔兹曼方法研究流动-反应耦合的非线性渗流问题

根据格子玻尔兹曼计算技术以及相应渗流理论，对多孔介质内流动-反应(矿物介质的溶解等)耦合这一非线性渗流问题进行了数值研究，计算结果与解析解基本符合.数字图像重构技术反映的结果表明流体流动和反应之间可以发生强烈的耦合和反耦合作用，同时可以形成条带结构这一自组织现象，与实验和其他理论分析结果符合也很好. 关键词： 非线性渗流 耦合反应 数值模型