Simultaneous voltammetric determination of Mo(VI) and W(VI) by adsorptive differential pulse stripping method using adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system

An adsorptive differential pulse stripping method is proposed for the simultaneous determination of molybdenum and tungsten based on the formation of their complexes with a novel proton transfer compound, [phenH]⁺[pyzdc]^?, containing both pyrazine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid and 1,10-phenanthroline. The optimum experimental conditions were obtained using 0.052 mM [phenH]⁺[pyzdc]^? ligand, pH 3.3, accumulation potential of ?0.1 V versus Ag/AgCl, accumulation time of 60 s and scan rate of 33.3 mV/s. An adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) was utilized for the analysis of the voltammogram data. The detection limits were 4.0 ng/mL for Mo(VI) and 3.0 ng/mL for W(VI). The influence of potential interfering ions on the determination of molybdenum and tungsten was studied. The procedure was applied to the simultaneous determination of molybdenum and tungsten in some water samples.     

Electrochemical Investigation of Cytochrome c Immobilized onto Self‐Assembled Monolayer of Captopril

The electrochemical behavior of cytochrome c (cyt‐c) that was electrostatically immobilized onto a self‐assembled monolayer (SAM) of captopril (capt) on a gold electrode has been investigated. Cyclic voltammetry, scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were employed to evaluate the blocking property of the capt SAM. SECM was used to measure the bimolecular electron transfer (ET) kinetics (k_BI) between a solution‐based redox probe and the immobilized protein. In addition, the tunneling ET between the immobilized protein and the underlying gold electrode was calculated. A k_BI value of (5.0±0.6)×10⁸ mol^?1 cm³ s^?1 for the bimolecular ET and a standard tunneling rate constant (k⁰) of 46.4±0.2 s^?1 for the tunneling ET have been obtained.     

Gas Sensing Ability of a Nanostructured Conducting Polypyrrole Film Prepared by Catalytic Electropolymerization on Cu/Au Interdigital Electrodes

Nanostructured conductive polypyrrole has been prepared electrochemically on the surfaces of Cu/Au interdigital electrodes in the presence of Fe(II) as catalyst and ClO₄^? as anion dopant by using constant potential amperometry and cyclic voltammetry. The morphology of the conducting films was examined by field emission scanning electron microscopy, indicating a dependence from the processing technique. The synthesized polymer was used to investigate the properties of the gas sensing ability. The effect of the catalyst concentration on the oxidation mechanism of pyrrole was discussed. The PPy‐ClO₄ gas sensors had demonstrated fast response time and high sensitivity to VOCs.     

A modified (S − 1, S) inventory system for deteriorating items with Poisson demand and non-zero lead time

An inventory system is considered for continuous decaying items with non-zero lead time and stochastic demand when shortages are allowed and all unsatisfied demands are backlogged. In this research we consider orders as separate packages where replenishment is one-for-one and a modified base stock policy is applied. In this paper, a penalty cost is introduced for stochastic inventory models with decaying items when less than one unit of the product is delivered to the customers. The objective of the warehouse is to maximize his average profit. Since the concavity analysis of the model is extremely complicated, an upper bound is introduced and an algorithm is presented for finding the optimal solution. Finally, a numerical example is presented and sensitivity analysis is carried out for a number of important parameters.     

Plasma-assisted hot filament chemical vapor deposition of AlN thin films on ZnO buffer layer: toward highly c-axis-oriented,uniform, insulative films

c-Axis-oriented aluminum nitride (AlN) thin film with improved quality was deposited on Si(111) substrate using ZnO buffer layer by plasma-assisted hot filament chemical vapor deposition. The optical and electrical properties and surface morphology as well as elemental composition of the AlN films deposited with and without ZnO buffer layer were investigated using a host of measurement techniques: X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and current–voltage (I–V) characteristic measurement. The XRD and XPS results reveal that the AlN/ZnO/Si films are free of metallic Al particles. Also, cross-sectional FESEM observations suggest formation of a well-aligned, uniform, continuous, and highly (002) oriented structure for a bi-layered AlN film when Si(111) is covered with ZnO buffer. Moreover, a decrease in full width at half maximum of the E₂ (high)-mode peak in Raman spectrum indicates a better crystallinity for the AlN films formed on ZnO/Si substrate. Finally, I–V curves obtained indicate that the electrical behavior of the AlN thin films switches from conductive to insulative when film is grown on a ZnO-buffered Si substrate.     

Effect of notch depth and radius on the critical fracture load of bainitic functionally graded steels under mixed mode I + II loading

Functionally graded steels are produced from austenitic stainless steel and carbon steel by controlling the chemical distribution of chromium, nickel and carbon atoms at the remelting stage through electroslag remelting process. In the present paper, the strain-energy density criterion is employed to assess the critical load of rounded V-notched components made of functionally graded bainitic steel. A crack arrester configuration under mixed mode loading is considered. The flow (yield/ultimate) strength and fracture toughness are assumed to vary exponentially along the notch depth direction while the Young’s modulus and the Poisson’s ratio are assumed to be constant. The control volume, which is a reminiscent of Neuber’s elementary structural volume, depends on the ultimate tensile strength σ_ut and the fracture toughness K _IC in the case of brittle or quasi-brittle materials subjected to static loadings. Since, σ_ut and K _IC are not constant along the notch depth, the control volume which can be obtained numerically as a function of the variation of these material properties through the specimen width. Different values of the notch root radius (from 0.2 to 2.0 mm) and notch depth (from 5 to 7 mm) are considered. The assessed critical fracture loads are in sound agreement with the experimental results.     

An Approach to the Synthesis of Spiro[indene‐pyridoisoquinoline] Derivatives via 1,4‐Dipolar Cycloaddition of Isoquinoline and Acetylene Esters,and (1,3‐Dihydro‐1,3‐dioxo‐2H‐inden‐2‐ylidene)malononitrile

A concise and efficient approach to the spiro‐tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives has been developed by 1,4‐dipolar cycloaddition of zwitterions resulting from isoquinoline and acetylene esters and (1,3‐dihydro‐1,3‐dioxo‐2H‐inden‐2‐ylidene)malononitrile in MeCN at room temperature. The significance of this method lies in good yields and ease of product purification, and no inert atmosphere is required. The structures of the products were confirmed spectroscopically (IR, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, and EI‐MS) and by elemental analyses. A plausible mechanism for this reaction is proposed (Scheme).     

An Approach to the Synthesis of 7‐Amino‐6‐imino‐9‐phenyl‐6H‐benzo[c]chromene‐8‐carbonitrile Derivatives via a Three‐Component Reaction under Ultrasonic Irradiation

An efficient synthesis of 7‐amino‐6‐imino‐9‐phenyl‐6H‐benzo[c]chromene‐8‐carbonitrile derivatives 3 by a three‐component reaction of salicylaldehydes (=2‐hydroxybenzaldehydes) 1 , malononitrile (=propanedinitrile), and 2‐(1‐arylethylidene)malononitrile 2 under ultrasonic irradiation in EtOH is reported. Good yields, short reaction times, and easy purification are the main advantages of the present method. The structures were confirmed spectroscopically (IR, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, and EI‐MS) and by elemental analyses. A plausible mechanism for this reaction is proposed (Scheme 2).     

A four-component synthesis of dihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrazoles in a new water-based worm-like micellar medium

Cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) as a biodegradable surfactant produces a new worm-like micellar medium for rapid synthesis of dihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrazoles via a four-component reaction of aldehydes, ethyl acetoacetate, malononitrile, and hydrazine hydrate at 50–60 °C. This zwitterionic surfactant was superior to anionic, cationic, and nonionic alternatives for accessing high yields of pure products without the use of any organic solvent. While the reaction medium was reusable, simple isolation of products, mild reaction conditions, low loading of CAPB for critical micelle concentration and short reaction times are additional advantages of this green procedure.