Ising thermodynamics on the Sierpinski gasket

We report a calculation of the thermodynamic properties of an Ising system on a fractal lattice, the Sierpinski gasket (SG). The scale-invariant geometry of SG leads to a wider critical region compared to that in translationally invariant systems. We calculate exactly the near-neighbor correlation function and specific heat and discuss their critical behaviour.     

Ligand-induced distortion of a tetranuclear manganese butterfly complex

The reaction of the pentadentate Schiff-base ligand 1,3-bis(salicylideneamino)-2-propanol (salproH3) with [Mn3O(O2CR)6(py)3] (R = Me, Et, But) gives the corresponding tetranuclear manganese product [Mn4O2O2CR)5(salpro)] (4Mn(III)). The syntheses, structure and magnetochemical characterization of these complexes are reported. The structure of the [Mn4(mu3-O)2]8+ is butterfly-like much more closed than in previous complexes with this core as a result of the alkoxide oxygen of the salpro ligand bridging the two wingtip Mn atoms. Variable-temperature, solid-state magnetic susceptibility studies reveal that these complexes possess S = 0 ground state spins. Fitting of the magnetic susceptibility data to the theoretical chiMT vs. T expression derived for a C2v symmetry complex, assuming an isotropic Heisenberg spin-Hamiltonian and using the Van Vleck equation, revealed that the various exchange parameters are all antiferromagnetic, and the core thus experiences spin frustration effects.     

Spectral characterization of apatite formation on poly(2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate)-TiO2 nanocomposite film prepared by sol-gel process

Poly(2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate) films incorporated with titanium dioxide nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by an in situ sol-gel process. The in vitro bioactive properties of the films were assessed after immersion in simulated body fluid for up to 21 days through biomimetic method. Hydroxyapatite formation was observed on the surfaces of nanocomposites. This indicates that prepared composites are bioactive. Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction patterns, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope images confirm the hydroxyapatite formation on nanocomposite. The present study provides an analytical method for the assessment of titanium dioxide nanoparticles filled poly(2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate) polymer nanocomposites for biomedical applications.     

Intensification of oxidation capacity using chloroalkanes as additives in hydrodynamic and acoustic cavitation reactors

The effect of the presence and absence of the chloroalkanes, dichloromethane (CH(2)Cl(2)), chloroform (CHCl(3)) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) on the extent of oxidation of aqueous I(-) to I(3)(-) has been investigated in (a) a liquid whistle reactor (LWR) generating hydrodynamic cavitation and (b) an ultrasonic probe, which produces acoustic cavitation. The aim has been to examine the intensification achieved in the extent of oxidation due to the generation of additional free radicals/oxidants in the reactor as a result of the presence of chloroalkanes. It has been observed that the extent of increase in the oxidation reaction is strongly dependent on the applied pressure in the case of the LWR. Also, higher volumes of the chloroalkanes favour the intensification and the order of effectiveness is CCl(4)>CHCl(3)>CH(2)Cl(2). However, the results with the ultrasonic probe suggest that an optimum concentration of CH(2)Cl(2) or CHCl(3) exists beyond which there is little increase in the extent of observed intensification. For CCl(4), however, no such optimum concentration was observed and the extent of increase in the rates of oxidation reaction rose with the amount of CCl(4) added. Stage wise addition of the chloroalkanes was found to give marginally better results in the case of the ultrasonic probe as compared to bulk addition at the start of the run. Although CCl(4) is the most effective, its toxicity and carcinogenicity may mean that CH(2)Cl(2) and CHCl(3) offer a safer viable alternative and the present work should be useful in establishing the amount of chloroalkanes required for obtaining a suitable degree of intensification.     

Tritium in water bodies around the Kaiga generating station

Tritium concentration was monitored in different water sources collected around Kaiga Nuclear Power plant, India. The concentration was in the ranges?<?1.9–27.4 Bq L^?1 (GM?=?4.0 Bq L^?1) for groundwater,?<?1.9–42.1 Bq L^?1 (GM?=?3.5 Bq L^?1) for surface water and in 12.4–42.0 Bq L^?1 (GM?=?24.07 Bq L^?1) for reservoir water. The concentration values observed in this study are similar to those reported for other PHWR stations of the world. The radiation dose to the public due to ingestion of Tritium through groundwater was computed to be 0.08 μSvy^?1.

     

Thermo-physical properties of naphthenic-palm oil methyl ester (POME) blended transformer oil

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - This study aims to investigate the thermal conductivity, viscosity and thermal degradation of naphthenic-based mineral oil, palm oil methyl ester...     

Unusual structural types in manganese cluster chemistry from the use of N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine: Mn8, Mn12, and Mn20 Clusters

The syntheses, crystal structures, and magnetochemical characterization are reported for three new mixed-valent Mn clusters [Mn(8)O(3)(OH)(OMe)(O(2)CPh)7(edte)(edteH(2))](2)CPh) (1), [Mn(12)O(4)(OH)(2)(edte)(4)C(l6)(H(2)O)(2)] (2), and [Mn(20)O(8)(OH)(4)(O(2)CMe)(6)(edte)(6)](ClO(4))(2) (3) (edteH(4) = (HOCH(2)CH(2))(2)NCH(2)CH(2)N(CH(2)CH(2)OH)(2) = N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine). The reaction of edteH(4) with Mn(O(2)CPh)(2), MnCl(2), or Mn(O(2)CMe)(2) gives 1, 2, and 3, respectively, which all possess unprecedented core topologies. The core of 1 comprises two edge-sharing [Mn(4)O(4)] cubanes connected to an additional Mn ion by a micro(3)-OH- ion and two alkoxide arms of edteH(22-). The core of 2 consists of a [Mn(12)(micro(4-)O)(4)](24+) unit with S4 symmetry. The core of 3 consists of six fused [Mn(4)O(4)] cubanes in a 3 x 2 arrangement and linked to three additional Mn atoms at both ends. Variable-temperature, solid-state dc and ac magnetization (M) studies were carried out on complexes 1-3 in the 5.0-300 K range. Fitting of the obtained M/Nmicro(B) vs H/T data by matrix diagonalization and including only axial zero-field splitting (ZFS) gave ground-state spin (S) and axial ZFS parameter (D) of S = 8, D = -0.30 cm-1 for 1, S = 7, D = -0.16 cm-1 for 2, and S = 8, D = -0.16 cm-1 for 3. The combined work demonstrates that four hydroxyethyl arms on an ethylenediamine backbone can generate novel Mn structural types not accessible with other alcohol-based ligands.     

Enhancing SMM properties in a family of [Mn6] clusters

The complex [Mn(6)O(2)(Et-sao)(6)(O(2)C(11)H(15))(2)(EtOH)(6)] has U(eff) = 80 K.     

A new N,N,O chelate for transition metal chemistry: Fe5 and Fe6 clusters from the use of 6-hydroxymethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (hmbpH)

The initial use of the anion of 6-hydroxymethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (hmbpH) as a chelate in coordination chemistry is described. The syntheses, crystal structures, and magnetochemical characterization are reported of four new iron(III) clusters [Fe5O2(OH)(O2CMe)5(hmbp)3](ClO4)2 (1) and [Fe6O2(OH)2(O2CR)6(hmbp)4](NO3)2 (R=Ph (2), Me (3), But (4); hmbpH=6-hydroxymethyl-2,2'-bipyridine). The reaction of Fe(ClO4)3, hmbpH, and sodium acetate in a 1:1: approximately 4 ratio in EtOH gave 1, and the reaction between [Fe3O(O2CR)6(H2O)3](NO3) (R=Ph, Me, But) and hmbpH in a 1:1 ratio in MeCN gave 2-4, respectively. The core of 1 consists of a [Fe4(mu3-O)2]8+ butterfly unit to which is attached a fifth Fe atom by bridging O atoms. The core of 2-4 also consists of a [Fe4(mu3-O)2]8+ butterfly unit to which are attached an Fe atom on either side by bridging O atoms. Variable-temperature (T) and -field (H) solid-state DC and AC magnetization (M) studies were carried out on complexes 1-4 in the 5.0-300 K range. Fitting of the data revealed that 1 has an S=5/2 ground state spin whereas 2-4 possess an S=5 ground state. Fitting of the M/NmicroB vs H/T data by matrix diagonalization and including only axial zero-field splitting (ZFS) gave values of the axial ZFS parameter |D| of 0.75, 0.36, 0.46, and 0.36 cm(-1) for 1-4, respectively.