Efficiency and current in a correlated ratchet

We present a detailed study of the transport and the efficiency of a ratchet system in a periodic potential in the presence of correlated noises. The current and the efficiency of the system are investigated. It is found that, when the potential is spatially symmetric, the correlation between the two noises can induce a net transport. The efficiency shows many interesting features as a function of the applied force, the noise intensity, the external load, etc. The efficiency can be maximized as a function of noise intensity (or temperature), which shows that the thermal fluctuation can facilitate the efficiency of energy transformation.     

Current reversals in an inhomogeneous system with asymmetric unbiased fluctuations

We present a study of the transport of a Brownian particle moving in a periodic symmetric potential in the presence of asymmetric unbiased fluctuations. The particle is considered to move in a medium with periodic space dependent friction. By tuning the parameters of the system, the direction of the current exhibits reversals, both as a function of temperature as well as the amplitude of rocking force. We found that the mutual interplay between the opposite driving factors is the necessary term for current reversals.Received: 11 October 2003, Published online: 9 April 2004PACS: 05.40.-a Fluctuation phenomena, random processes, noise, and Brownian motion - 02.50.Ey Stochastic processes - 87.10. + e General theory and mathematical aspects     

Systematic study on synthesis and structural, electrical transport and magnetic properties of Pb-substituted Bi-Ca-Co-O misfit-layer cobaltites

Single-phases of Pb-substituted Bi-Ca-Co-O misfit-layer cobaltites with various Pb concentrations have been synthesized and the Pb-substitution effects on the structural, electrical and magnetic properties have been systematically investigated. Powder X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the single-phases of Bi_1.8−x/2Pb_xCa₂Co₂O_z were obtained up to x=0.6-0.7 under the optimized synthesis conditions. The lattice parameters of Bi_1.8−x/2Pb_xCa₂Co₂O_z continuously changed with increasing Pb concentration. The electron diffraction analysis suggested that the structure consisted of two different sublattices with a rock salt structure (RS) and a hexagonal CdI₂ structure (H), respectively, without modulation. In combined with the chemical composition analysis, the chemical formulas of the x=0 and x=0.6 samples were determined approximately as [Bi_1.74Co_0.31Ca_2.01O₄]^RS[CoO₂]_1.69 and [Bi_1.47Pb_0.38Co_0.29Ca_1.98O₄]^RS[CoO₂]_1.71, respectively. The electrical resistivity became more metallic with increasing the Pb concentration up to x=0.6. Moreover, the Pb-substitution simultaneously increased the antiferromagnetic Weiss temperatures and decreased the effective magnetic moments of the Co ions.     

Optical and atomic force microscopic study on step bunching in BaB2O4 crystal growth

The formation of macrostep during high-temperature phase of barium meta-borate (α-BaB 2 O 4) single crystal growth has been investigated by both optical in-situ observation system and atomic force microscopy (AFM).The insitu observation results demonstrate that the critical linear size of growing facet exceeding the size that the macrostep generates is significantly anisotropic.The critical linear sizes are around 280 μm and 620 μm for {1010} and {1010} planes,respectively.AFM study illustrates that macrostep train with a height of 150 nm～200 nm is one typical morphological feature of the as-grown crystal surface.The riser of each macrostep consists of several straight and parallel sub-steps,indicating the occurrence of step bunching.Additionally,triangular sub-steps with heights of several nanometers on the treads of the macrosteps are found to be another typical feature of surface morphology,which implies a microscopically competitive bunching of sub-steps between various crystallographic orientations.     

Two Keggin Templated Supramolecular Compounds by Exerting the Chelate and Linking Dual Roles of the Ligand 2, 2′‐Biimidazole

Two new Keggin templated supramolecular compounds, [Zn₂(H₂biim)₅(SiM₁₂O₄₀)] · 4H₂O [M = W ( 1 ), Mo ( 2 )] (H₂biim = 2, 2′‐biimidazole), were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions by using the ligand 2, 2′‐biimidazole. They were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, elemental analyses, IR and photoluminescence spectroscopy as well as cyclic voltammetry. The two isostructural compounds are constructed by two discrete supramolecular moieties: the inorganic chains consist of Keggin anions and metal‐organic chains constructed by [Zn₂(H₂biim)₅]⁴⁺ subunits. In the dinuclear [Zn₂(H₂biim)₅]⁴⁺ subunit, the H₂biim ligands exhibit a dual role, chelating and linking. The metal‐organic chains further construct a 3D supramolecular framework with channels, in which the Keggin‐based inorganic chains are accommodated. The electrochemical behaviors of compounds 1 and 2 bulk‐modified carbon paste electrodes ( 1 ‐CPE, 2 ‐CPE) were studied.     

Coordination chemistry of organometallic polydentate ligand Reactive chemistry of the tridentate ligand trans‐Fe(Ph2PQu‐P)2‐(CO)3 [PhzPQu=2‐diphenyl‐phosphino‐4‐methylquinoline] and molecular structure of [Fe(CO)3(μ‐Ph2PQu)2HgI]+ [HgI3]

Reaction of a new type of bidentate ligand PhPQu [PhPQu = 2‐diphenylphosphino‐4‐methylquinoline] with Fe(CO)₅ in butanol gave trans‐Fe(FpPQu‐P)(CO)₃ (1). Compound 1, which can act as a neutral tridentate organometallic ligand, was reacted with I B, II B metal compounds and a rhodium complex to give six binuclear complexes with Fe? M bonds, Fe(CO)₃ (μ‐Ph₂PQu)MX_n (2–7) [M= Zn(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), Cu(I), Ag(I), Rh(I)], and an ion‐pair complex [Fe(CO)₃ (μ‐Ph₂PQu)₂HgI][HgI₃]^? (8). The structure of 8 was determined by X‐ray crystallography. Complex 8 crystallizes in the space group P‐1 with a = 1.0758(3), b = 1.6210(4), c=1.7155(4)nm; a=75.60(2), β=71.81(2), γ=81.78(2)° and Z = 2 and its structure was refined to give agreement factors of R=0.050 and R_w = 0.057. The Fe‐Hg bond distance is 0.2536nm.     

外力驱动作用下高分子链在表面吸附性质的计算机模拟

采用退火法模拟研究受外力F驱动的高分子链在吸引表面的吸附特性.通过高分子链的平均表面接触数〈M〉与温度T之间的关系计算临界吸附温度T_c,并发现T_c随着F的增加而减小;进而通过高分子链的均方回转半径分析外力驱动作用对高分子链构象的影响,并从回转半径极小值或者垂直外力方向的y和z分量的变化交叉校验临界吸附点T_c.模拟计算了处于吸附状态的高分子链随着外力F的增加是否会发生吸附状态到脱附状态的相变以及发生相变所需施加的外力是否由温度所决定.模拟结果表明:两种不同温度下高分子链的吸附性质和构象性质受外力驱动作用而产生不同现象,在温度区间T*_cTT_c时会发生脱附现象,而在TT*_c时不会发生脱附现象.     

Ultrasound-assisted extraction of phillyrin from Forsythia suspensa

Forsythia suspensa (Thunb.) Vahl is one of the most widely used traditional Chinese medicines, and possesses important biological activities, such as antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Phillyrin is the main bioactive component of Forsythia suspensa. In this paper, ultrasound-assisted extraction of phillyrin from Forsythia suspensa was studied with HPLC-photodiode array detection. Effects of several experimental parameters, such as type and concentration of extracting solvent, ratio of liquid to material, extraction temperature, and time of sonication on extraction efficiencies of phillyrin from Forsythia suspensa were evaluated. The optimal extraction conditions were 1g plant sample with 10 ml of 20% methanol and the extraction for 60 min at 60°C under ultrasonic irradiation. Under the optimum conditions, the yield of phillyrin was 0.713±0.009 mg/g. The results indicated that the ultrasound-assisted extraction is a very useful method for the extraction of important phytochemicals from plant materials.     

Rapid oligosaccharide synthesis using a fluorous protective group

The Bfp-OH, a novel fluorous protecting reagent, was able to be easily prepared. The Bfp group was readily introduced to a carbohydrate, removed in high yield, and recyclable after cleavage. The use of the Bfp group made it possible to synthesize a pentasaccharide by minimal column chromatography purification. Each synthetic intermediate was able to be easily purified only by simple fluorous-organic solvent extraction and monitored by TLC, NMR, and MS.