Simulation of a Helicon plasma source using a multivariable fuzzymodel

This paper reports work on the development of an automatic control system for a Helicon plasma processing source. The lack of a definitive physical model for the plasma physics of the source and the power coupling mechanism to the plasma precludes the use of traditional control algorithms. This paper develops a fuzzy model that simulates the behavior of the plasma source using the process of genetic algorithms to identify and optimize the parameters of the fuzzy model. This type of model will eventually be used to test a fuzzy control system for the plasma source. In this work, an extensive set of experimental data was acquired where the magnetic field and input power to the plasma source were varied over a wide range while the electron number density was measured. From this learning dataset, the genetic algorithm derived the values of the parameters for the difference equation that describes the system. The fuzzy model so constructed was used to predict the behavior of the source from known input parameters. Comparing the predictions with experimental observations showed that the fuzzy model was generally able to predict the behavior of the plasma as its input parameters were varied with a precision of better than 10%     

The role of temperature in the synthesis of hybrid inorganic-organic materials: the example of cobalt succinates

Five different cobalt succinate materials synthesized from an identical starting mixture using temperature as the only independent variable show increasing condensation and density at higher synthesis temperatures.     

Structure elucidation of highly polar basic degradants by on-line hydrogen/deuterium exchange hydrophilic interaction chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry

A hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) method was used to separate a commonly used pharmaceutical starting material, 4-aminomethylpyridine (4-AMP), and its degradants. The structures of the major degradants were characterized and elucidated without prior isolation by accurate mass measurement, MS/MS analysis and on-line hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange experiments. The mass spectra obtained from H/D exchange experiments are particularly useful to differentiate structural isomers, to elucidate the fragmentation pathways, and to aid in structure elucidation in the absence of MS/MS fragmentation information. The impact of deuterium oxide and temperature on HILIC separation has also been explored here. The integration of H/D exchange with HILIC has been described here for the first time and has been demonstrated to be a powerful structure elucidation tool via the study of degradants in 4-AMP.     

Synthesis,Structure and Magnetic Phase Transitions of the Manganese Succinate Hybrid Framework,Mn(C4H4O4)

An anhydrous manganese succinate, Mn(C₄H₄O₄), has been synthesised hydrothermally and studied by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. It adopts a succinate pillared structure in which layers of corner‐sharing MnO₆ octahedra alternate with sheets that contain chains of edge‐sharing octahedra. This unique 3D framework structure contains highly distorted MnO₆ octahedra, which are made possible by the lack of ligand field stabilisation energy for the high‐spin Mn²⁺ ion. Attempts to dope the structure with other divalent transition‐metal ions were accordingly unsuccessful. Magnetic susceptibility and heat capacity measurements indicate that Mn(C₄H₄O₄) undergoes antiferromagnetic ordering below 12 K, with a second antiferromagnetic transition at approximately 6 K. These two antiferromagnetic phases undergo further transitions in applied fields, underlining the subtle magnetic behaviour that is possible in inorganic–organic frameworks of this structural complexity.     

Fabrication and characterization of enhanced hydrazine electrochemical sensor based on gold nanoparticles decorated on the vanadium oxide,ruthenium oxide nanomaterials,and carbon nanotubes composites

This work describes the synthesis of mixed oxide film of vanadium and ruthenium by pulsed deposition technique on multiwall carbon nanotubes and the decoration of gold nanoparticles on the mixed film. A ternary electrocatalyst has been developed for the electrochemical oxidation of hydrazine by combining two metal oxide mixtures with Au nanoparticles. Surface morphology and chemical composition of the electrode have been examined with SEM, EDX, HRTEM, EIS, and XRD. The peak current of hydrazine increased 9 times at the AuNPs/(VOx-RuOx)/CNT/GCE compared to the bare GCE, and the peak potential shifted to negative 848 mV. Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and amperometric techniques revealed that the AuNPs/(VOx-RuOx)/CNT/GCE displays linear concentration range 2.5–10000 µM (LSV) and the concentration range 0.03–100 µM (amperometry). The limit of detection (LOD) is 0.5 μM and 0.1 μM at (S/N = 3) for LSV and amperometric technique, respectively. The results obtained show a good RSD% of 2.1%–3.2% and reasonable recovery of 97%–108% of hydrazine detection.     

Mechanical properties of hybrid inorganic-organic framework materials: establishing fundamental structure-property relationships

The mechanical properties of hybrid framework materials, including both nanoporous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and dense inorganic-organic frameworks, are discussed in this critical review. Although there are relatively few studies of this kind in the literature, major recent advances in this area are beginning to shed light on the fundamental structure-mechanical property relationships. Indeed research into the mechanical behavior of this important new class of solid-state materials is central to the design and optimal performance of a multitude of technological applications envisaged. In this review, we examine the elasticity of hybrid frameworks by considering their Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, bulk modulus and shear modulus. This is followed by discussions of their hardness, plasticity, yield strength and fracture behavior. Our focus is on both experimental and computational approaches. Experimental work on single crystals and amorphized monoliths involved primarily the application of nanoindentation and atomic force microscopy to determine the elastic moduli and hardness properties. The compressibility and bulk moduli of single crystals and polycrystalline powders were studied by high-pressure X-ray crystallography in the diamond anvil cell, while in one instance spectroscopic ellipsometry has also been used to estimate the elastic moduli of MOF nanoparticles and deposited films. Theoretical studies, on the other hand, encompassed the application of first principles density-functional calculations and finite-temperature molecular dynamics simulations. Finally, by virtue of the diverse mechanical properties achievable in hybrid framework materials, we propose that a new domain be established in the materials selection map to define this emerging class of materials (137 references).