Sorption and diffusion behaviours of strontium in sodium-type bentonite bed

Sorption and diffusion of Sr were examined using a typical Japanese bentonite. The experimental results showed that Sr sorption on the bentonite had linear relationship between the equilibrium Sr concentration and Sr sorption amount, i.e., Henry’s type of sorption, in wide initial Sr concentration from 1.1 × 10^?9 to 1.1 × 10^?4 mol L^?1 at pH 10. The Sr sorption also indicated pH dependence in pH range between 2 and 12. Sorption modelling calculation indicated that cation-exchange reactions contributed to Sr sorption in the pH range studied and a surface complexation reaction was predominant above pH 8. Diffusion of Sr in loosely compacted bentonite bed was described by pore and surface diffusion and surface complexation of Sr. Chemical-transport calculations reproduce the diffusion data at pH 5 using the cation-exchange parameters obtained in the analysis of the batch sorption experiment.     

Photoluminescence as a tool for the study of the electronic surface properties of gallium arsenide

Electronic surface parameters of GaAs have been determined from a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the relative photoluminescence intensity at 300 K. Characteristics of etched (100) surfaces ofn- andp-type liquid phase epitaxial GaAs have been found to be governed by negative surface charges. A density of charged surface states of about 10¹² cm⁻² and a band bending of 0.59 eV have been found forn-type material with an electron concentration of 1.1×10¹⁷ cm⁻³. Forp-type samples with hole densities ranging from 6×10¹⁵ to 4.3×10¹⁸ cm⁻³ the estimated density of negatively charged surface states was below 2×10¹¹ cm⁻², and the band bending was not more than a few kT.     

Spectrofluorimetric Assessment of Chlorzoxazone and Ibuprofen in Pharmaceutical Formulations by using Eu-Tetracycline HCl Optical Sensor Doped in Sol–Gel Matrix

A novel, simple, sensitive and selective spectrofluorimetric method was developed for the determination of trace amounts of chlorzoxazone and Ibuprofen in pharmaceutical tablets using optical sensor Eu-Tetracycline HCl doped in sol–gel matrix. The chlorzoxazone or Ibuprofen can remarkably enhance the luminescence intensity of Eu-Tetracycline HCl complex doped in a sol–gel matrix in dimethylformamide (DMF) at pH 9.7 and 6.3, respectively, λ_ex = 400 nm. The enhancing of luminescence intensity peak of Eu-Tetracycline HCl complex at 617 nm is proportional to the concentration of chlorzoxazone or Ibuprofen a result that suggested profitable application as a simple optical sensor for chlorzoxazone or Ibuprofen assessment. The dynamic ranges found for the determination of chlorzoxazone and Ibuprofen concentration are 5 × 10⁻⁹–1 × 10⁻⁴ and 1 × 10⁻⁸–7 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹, and the limit of detection (LOD) and quantitation limit of detection (LOQ) are 3.1 × 10⁻¹⁰ , 9.6 × 10⁻¹⁰ and 5.6 × 10⁻¹⁰, 1.7 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹, respectively.     

High concentration effects of ion implanted boron in silicon

The diffusion behaviour of implanted boron in silicon was investigated using the¹⁰B(n,α)⁷ Li nuclear reaction. An anomalous behavior with a strong reduction of the diffusivity above an effective solubility limit at 1.5×10¹⁹, 6×10¹⁹, and 1.1×10²⁰ cm⁻³ was found for annealing temperatures of 800, 900, and 1,000°C, respectively.     

Kinetics of decomposition of the solid electrolyte RbCu4Cl3I2

The processes of electrochemical decomposition of the solid electrolyte RbCu₄Cl₃I₂ at the vitreous carbon electrode and chemical decomposition of RbCu₄Cl₃I₂ by iodine has been investigated. The anodic decomposition of the electrolyte occurs in two steps. At first, the oxidizing electrode reaction of Cu⁺ ions up to Cu²⁺ ions takes place at potentials higher than 0.57 V and onto the electrode surface the layer of decomposition products is formed, including the compound of divalent copper RbCuCl₃. Then the oxidizing reaction of I ions occurs at potentials higher than approximately 0.67 V with deposition of the iodine layer onto the electrode surface. The deposition rate of the layers of decomposition products is controlled by instantaneous nucleation and two-dimensional growth of the deposit. It was shown that slow diffusion of the iodine in the reaction product layer is a limiting step in the chemical interaction of iodine with RbCu₄Cl₃I₂. For the compressed RbCu₄Cl₃I₂ sample investigated, iodine diffusion coefficient was calculated to be 6.2×10⁻⁷ cm² s⁻¹. Iodine loss from the glassy carbon surface is about 1.1×10⁻⁴ g cm⁻² s⁻¹ at the thickness of the RbCu₄Cl₃I₂ sample is equal to 2 mm.     

Variation of radon concentrations in soil and groundwater and its correlation with radon exhalation rate from soil in Budhakedar, Garhwal Himalaya

Radon was measured in soil-gas and groundwater in the Budhakedar area of Tehri Garhwal, India in summer and winter to obtain the seasonal variation and its correlation with radon exhalation rate. The environmental surface gamma dose rate was also measured in the same area. The radon exhalation rate in the soil sample collected from different geological unit of Budhakedar area was measured using plastic track detector (LR-115 type II) technique. The variation in the radon concentration in soil-gas was found to vary from 1098 to 31,776 Bq.m⁻³ with an average of 7456 Bq.m⁻³ in summer season and 3501 to 42883 Bq.m⁻³ with an average of 17148 Bq.m⁻³ in winter season. In groundwater, it was found to vary from 8 to 3047 Bq.l⁻¹ with an average value 510 Bq.l⁻¹ in summer and 26 to 2311 Bq.l⁻¹ with an average value 433 Bq.L⁻¹ in winter. Surface gamma dose rate in the study area varied from 32.4 to 83.6 μR.h⁻¹ with an overall mean of 58.7 μ-R.h⁻¹ in summer and 34.6 to 79.3 μR.h⁻¹ with an average value 58.2 μR.h⁻¹ in winter. Radon exhalation rate from collected soil samples was found to vary from 0.1 × 10⁻⁵ to 5.7 × 10⁻⁵ Bq.kg⁻¹.h⁻¹ with an average of 1.5 × 10⁻⁵ Bq.kg⁻¹.h⁻¹ in summer season and 1.7 × 10⁻⁵ to 9.6 × 10⁻⁵ Bq.kg⁻¹.h⁻¹ with an average of 5.5 × 10⁻⁵ Bq.kg⁻¹.h⁻¹. A weak negative correlation was observed between radon exhalation rate from soil and radon concentration in the soil. Radon exhalation rate from the soil was also not found to be correlated with the gamma dose rate, while it shows a positive correlation with radon concentration in water in summer season. Inter-correlations among various parameters are discussed in detail.      

New fluorimetric reagents, sodium pyrophosphate, sodium trimetaphosphate, and sodium tetrametaphosphate, for the determination of cerium(III)

Three sensitive and selective new alternatives for fluorometric determination of cerium(III) are described in this study. Ce(III) is highly fluorescent in sodium pyrophosphate, sodium trimetaphosphate, and sodium tetrametaphosphate solutions. For these reagents, the maximum excitation/emission wavelengths are 300/350, 297/340, and 299/352 nm, respectively. Maximum fluorescence intensities are obtained by irradiating Ce(III) dissolved in 0.033 g L⁻¹ sodium pyrophosphate, 41.4 g L⁻¹ sodium trimetaphosphate, and 0.96 g L⁻¹ sodium tetrametaphosphate at room temperature. The fluorescence intensities are linear over the range 0.001–30, 0.001–75, and 0.001–70 μg ml⁻¹. The detection limits are calculated as 9.5 × 10⁻³, 1.1/10⁻³, and 3.8 × 10^-3 μg ml⁻¹ Ce(III), respectively. The relative standard deviations for 15/0.05 Μg ml⁻¹ Ce(III) are 1.1/1.2, 1/1.1, and 1.2/1.3%, respectively. Quenching effects of other lanthanides and some inorganic anions were investigated. The methods have been applied to rare earth mixtures with a good accuracy.     

Kinetics of the formation of gas bubbles during polarization of copper and graphite electrodes in electrolytic aqueous solutions

The adsorption and kinetic processes of the formation of gas bubbles passivating the surface during polarization of copper and graphite electrodes in 1% aqueous solution of sulfuric acid have been investigated. Three stages of the process related to the recharging of the double electric layer—adsorption accumulation of the gas escaping from the surface, the critical nucleation of the gas bubbles, and their subsequent growth—have been revealed, distinguished, and quantitatively estimated. It has been shown that potential leveling at the steady-state value specified by the Tafel equation is unambiguously associated with achievement of the limiting surface area screened by the gas bubbles for each particular current density. The surface diffusion constants D _H = (1.5–4.4) × 10⁻⁴ and (0.1–3.8) × 10⁻⁵ cm²/s of hydrogen on copper and graphite, respectively, and D _O = (1.8–4.5) × 10⁻⁷ cm²/s of oxygen on graphite during the motion toward the drain (the gas bubbles) have been calculated.     

Thin TiO2 grown by metal–organic chemical vapor deposition on (NH4)2S x -treated InP

The electrical characteristics of thin TiO₂ films prepared by metal–organic chemical vapor deposition grown on a p-type InP substrate were studied. For a TiO₂ film of 4.7 nm on InP without and with ammonium sulfide treatment, the leakage currents are 8.8×10⁻² and 1.1×10⁻⁴ A/cm² at +2 V bias and 1.6×10⁻¹ and 8.3×10⁻⁴ A/cm² at −2 V bias. The lower leakage currents of TiO₂ with ammonium sulfide treatment arise from the improvement of interface quality. The dielectric constant and effective oxide charge number density are 33 and 2.5×10¹³ cm², respectively. The lowest mid-gap interface state density is around 7.6×10¹¹ cm⁻² eV⁻¹. The equivalent oxide thickness is 0.52 nm. The breakdown electric field increases with decreasing thickness in the range of 2.5 to 7.6 nm and reaches 9.3 MV/cm at 2.5 nm.     

Complexation of heterocyclic ligands with DNA in aqueous solution

We have used spectrophotometry to study self-association and complexation with DNA by organic heterocyclic compounds in the acridine and phenothiazine series: proflavin, thionine, and methylene blue. Based on the experimental concentration dependences of the molar absorption coefficient of the molecules in an aqueous buffer solution (0.01 M NaCl, 0.01 M Na₂EDTA, 0.01 M Tris, pH 7.4, T = 298 K), we have determined the equilibrium dimerization constants for the dyes and the DNA complexation parameters using the Scatchard and McGhee-von Hippel models. The observed increase in the cooperativity parameters as the dimerization constants of the ligands increase allowed us to hypothesize that the same interactions occur between dye molecules adsorbed on DNA as in their self-association. The equilibrium DNA-binding constants for the ligands, obtained using the McGhee-von Hippel cooperative model, are (20.9 ± 2.7)·10³ M⁻¹ for proflavin and (33.8 ± 4.1)·10³ M⁻¹ for thionine. Using the Scatchard model, taking into account intercalation and “external” binding of ligands with DNA, we determined the DNA complexation constants for methylene blue: (26.4 ± 4.6)·10³ and (96 ± 17)·10³ M⁻¹ respectively. Based on analysis of the data obtained, we hypothesized that the predominant type of binding with DNA is intercalation binding in the case of proflavin and thionine, and “external” binding with the DNA surface in the case of methylene blue. __________ Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 75, No. 2, pp. 242–249, March–April, 2008.     

Implantation doping of germanium with Sb,As, and P

The ions of Sb, As, and P have been implanted into germanium at energies ranging from 200 keV to 700 keV. Annealing was performed at 400°C, 550°C, and 650°C. The doping profile was determined by differentialCV-measurements. Strong outdiffusion (80%) and diffusion into the bulk material was observed after annealing. The remaining doping concentration and the diffusion constants were determined by a computer fit at 650°C. We foundD _Sb=1.8×10⁻¹³ cm²/s,D _As=9×10⁻¹⁴ cm²/s andD _P=4×10⁻¹⁴ cm²/s. Lower values of the diffusion constant were determined when the samples were covered with a SiO₂ layer.     

Frequency dependence of junction capacitance of BPW34 and BPW41 p-i-n photodiodes

This article investigates the frequency dependence of small-signal capacitance of silicon BPW34 and BPW41 (Vishay) p-i-n photodiodes. We show that the capacitance-frequency characteristics of these photodiodes are well-described by the Schibli and Milnes model. The activation energy and the concentration of the dominant trap levels detected in BPW34 and BPW41 are 280–330 meV and 1.1×10¹²−1.2×10¹² cm⁻³, respectively. According to the high-frequency C-V measurements, the impurity concentrations are determined to be about 5.3×10¹² and 1.9×10¹³ cm⁻³ in BPW41 and BPW34, respectively using the method of ΔV/Δ(C ⁻²) vs. C.      

Arsenic-implanted polysilicon layers

The diffusion behavior of implanted arsenic in polycrystalline silicon was investigated, using backscattering and electrical measurements. The diffusion coefficient isD=8.5×10⁻³ exp (−2.74/kT) for polycrystalline silicon deposited on freshly-etched silicon andD=1.66 exp (−3.22/kT) for the deposition on silicon having natural oxide. At the interface to the single-crystalline silicon, a pile-up of arsenic occurs, which depends also on the surface treatment prior to the deposition of the polycrystalline silicon.     

Diffusion of sodium,potassium, calcium,manganese, and radon in tuff and clinoptilolite under leaching

Nuclear physics methods are used to determine the diffusion coefficients of Na, Ca, Mn, K, and ²²²Rn in clinoptilolite (Sokirnitsa occurrence, Ukraine) and in natural tuff (Yucca Mountain, Nevada, United States) and in tuff irradiated by γ-quanta (E _max = 23 MeV) to a dose of 10⁷ Gy at a leaching temperature of 37°C. The diffusion coefficients of sodium and potassium in clinoptilolite are found to differ considerably: 4 × 10⁻¹⁷ and 2 × 10⁻²⁰ m²/s, respectively. This indicates the influence of aquacomplexes on the cation transfer. The diffusion coefficient of radon in these materials is determined: in clinoptilolite it equals 2.5 × 10⁻¹² m²/s.     

Non-steady-state photo-EMF in nanostructured GaN and polypyrrole within porous matrices

We report an experimental investigation of the non-steady-state photoelectromotive force in nanostructured GaN within porous glass and polypyrrole within chrysotile asbestos. The samples are illuminated by an oscillating interference pattern created by two coherent light beams and the alternating current is detected as a response of the material. Dependences of the signal amplitude versus temporal and spatial frequencies, light intensity, and temperature are studied for two wavelengths λ=442 and 532 nm. The conductivity of the GaN composite is measured: σ=(1.1–1.6)×10⁻¹⁰ Ω⁻¹ cm⁻¹ (λ=442 nm, I ₀=0.045–0.19 W/cm², T=293 K) and σ=(3.5–4.6)×10⁻¹⁰ Ω⁻¹ cm⁻¹ (λ=532 nm, I ₀=2.3 W/cm², T=249–388 K). The diffusion length of photocarriers in polypyrrole nanowires is also estimated: L _D=0.18 μm.     

Integral energy spectrum of primary cosmic rays at high energies

The integral energy spectrum of primary cosmic rays has been obtained. In the energy range (2.4×10³−1.1×10⁵ GeV), the spectrum of all nuclei is consistent with a power law of indexγ=1.55±0.06 and the flux of all nuclei is:N(⩾E ₀)⋍(5.1±1.8)×10⁻¹×E ₀ ^−1.55 particles/cm² sterad. sec., whereE ₀ is in GeV. The spectrum of primaryα-particles in the energy range (4.4×10³−4.8×10⁴) GeV is also consistent with a power law of indexγ=1.71±0.12 and the flux is:N(⩾E ₀)=(4.2±1.4)×10⁻¹×E ₀ ^−1.71 , particles per cm² sterad. sec, whereE ₀ is in GeV.     

In vivo quantification of propylene glycol,glucose and glycerol diffusion in human skin with optical coherence tomography

The purpose of study is to quantify and compare diffusion of propylene glycol, glucose, glycerol in the human skin in vivo noninvasively. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was utilized in the functional imaging of optical cleaning agents for monitoring and quantifying the permeability coefficients (PCs) of them. Our experiments showed that the permeability coefficient of 40% propylene glycol from different subjects was averaged and found to be (2.52 ± 0.02) × 10⁻⁶ cm/s, the permeability coefficient of 40% glucose was (1.94 ± 0.05) × 10⁻⁶ cm/s, and the permeability coefficient of 40% glycerol was (1.82 ± 0.04) × 10⁻⁶ cm/s. The results indicated that the diffusion of propylene glycol solutions was faster than that of glucose solution, and the diffusion of glucose solutions was faster than that of glycerol solutions. The dependence of the permeability on the different hyperosmotic analytes could potentially be used in various basic science and clinical fields, such as optical clearing of tissues and cells as well as in clinical pharmacology.     

Fluorescence Enhancement Effect for the Determination of Polychlorinated Biphenyls with Bovine Serum Albumin

A sensitive and selective method for the trace determination of 3, 3’, 4, 4’-tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB77) by using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a fluorescence probe was introduced. Under optimum conditions, the enhanced fluorescence intensity was proportional to the concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls in the range of 8.9 × 10⁻⁸–5.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹ for PCB77, and 5.0 × 10⁻⁷–5.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹ for 2, 2’, 5, 5’-tetrachlorbiphenyl (PCB52). The detection limits (S/N = 3) of PCB77 and PCB52 were 2.6 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ and 2.9 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹, respectively. Furthermore, the fluorescence enhancement mechanism was discussed in detail. Results indicated that fluorescence enhancement of the system originated from the formation of BSA-PCBs complexes. In addition, PCBs were mainly bound to the tyrosine residues in BSA molecules.     

Thermophysical properties of Ni-5%Sn alloy melt

The surface tension and specific heat of Ni-5%Sn alloy melt were measured by the oscillating drop method and the drop calorimetric method using electromagnetic levitation, respectively. The temperature coefficient of surface tension is 6.43×10⁻⁴ N·m⁻¹K⁻¹ within the temperature regime of 1464–1931 K. The enthalpy change was measured in the temperature range from 1461 to 1986 K, and the average specific heat was obtained as 43.03 J·mol⁻¹K⁻¹. Some other thermophysical properties, such as viscosity, solute diffusion coefficient, density, thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity of this alloy melt, were derived based on the experimentally measured surface tension and specific heat. Using these thermophysical parameters, the relation between solute trapping and undercooling in rapidly solidified α-Ni was calculated, and the theoretical prediction shows a good agreement with experimental data.     

Spectrofluorimetric Assessment of Doxycycline Hydrochloride in Pharmaceutical Tablets and Serum Sample Based on the Enhancement of the Luminescence Intensity of the Optical Sensor Sm<Superscript>3+</Superscript> Ion

A simple and sensitive spectrofluorimetric method for determination of trace amount of doxycycline hydrochloride (DC) in pharmaceutical tablets and serum samples was developed. In ammonia buffer solution of pH 8.9 the doxycycline hydrochloride can remarkably enhance the luminescence intensity of the Sm³⁺ ion in Sm³⁺- DC complex at λ_ex = 400 nm. The produced luminescence intensity of Sm³⁺- DC complex in DMSO is in proportion to the concentration of DC and used as optical sensor for its determination. The dynamic range for the determination of DC is 1 × 10⁻⁸ – 5 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹ and in case of quantum yield calculations is 7 × 10⁻⁹ – 5 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹ with detection limit of 6.5 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol L⁻¹. The enhancement mechanism of the luminescence intensity in the Sm³⁺- DC system has been also discussed. A comparison with other spectrofluorimetric methods for tetracycline derivatives in which Eu³⁺ ion is used instead of Sm³⁺ ion is also studied.