Molecularly organized Langmuir-Blodgett films from a ruthenium biphosphine complex

Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films from a ruthenium complex mer-[RuCl3 (dppb)(4-Mepy)] (dppb = PPh2 (CH2)4PPh2; 4-Mepy = 4-methylpyridine), termed Ru-Pic, display a distinct color, which is different from the coloration exhibited by cast films or chloroform solutions. The solution and cast films are red, while the LB films are green-bluish. The manifestation of the blue color in the LB film finds its explanation in a unique absorption band at 690 nm, which is associated with the oxidation of the phosphine moieties. Fluorescence emission and absorption-reflection infrared spectroscopy measurements revealed the molecular organization in the LB films. In contrast, cast films showed a random distribution of complexes. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering was also used in an attempt to identify the main interactions in Ru-Pic.     

The interaction of H2, CO, CO2, H2O and NH3 on ZnO surfaces: an Oniom Study

We have used the Oniom method with three layers in order to study the interaction of CO, H₂, H₂O, NH₃ and CO₂ molecules with the ZnO surfaces using a (ZnO)₃₄₈ cluster model. The layers are divided into the high layer at the CCSD level, the medium layer at the RHF level and the low level layer using the UFF force field method. The orbital and binding energies of the adsorbed molecules, Mulliken and ChelpG charges as well as geometrical parameters were analyzed and compared with the available experimental and theoretical data.     

Application of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization to on-line aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectra were obtained from single biological aerosol particles using an aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer (ATOFMS). The inlet to the ATOFMS was coupled with an evaporation/condensation flow cell that allowed the aerosol to be coated with matrix material as the sampled stream entered the spectrometer. Mass spectra were generated from aerosol composed either of gramicidin-S or erythromycin, two small biological molecules, or from aerosolised spores of Bacillus subtilis var niger. Three different matrices were used: 3-nitrobenzyl alcohol, picolinic acid and sinapinic acid. A spectrum of gramicidin-S was generated from approximately 250 attomoles of material using a molar ratio of 3-nitrobenzyl alcohol to analyte of approximately 20:1. A single peak, located at 1224 Da, was obtained from the bacterial spores. The washing liquid and extract solution from the spores were analyzed using electrospray mass spectrometry and subsequent MS/MS product ion experiments. This independent analysis suggests that the measured species represents part of the B. subtilis peptidoglycan. The on-line addition of matrix allows quasi-real-time chemical analysis of individual, aerodynamically sized particles, with an overall system residence time of less than 5 seconds. These results suggest that a MALDI-ATOFMS can provide nearly real-time identification of biological aerosols. Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Crystal structure,electrochemical and photochemical studies of the trans-[Fe(cyclam)(NO)Cl]Cl2 complex (cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane)

The trans-[Fe(cyclam)(NO)Cl]Cl₂ complex was synthesized by the reaction of cis-[Fe(cyclam)Cl₂]Cl with NO gas. The X-ray structure of the complex showed that the [Fe–NO] moiety is linear, consistent with the NO⁺ character of the nitric oxide ligand. This suggestion was reinforced by the IR data, which showed the νNO at 1888 cm⁻¹. The cyclic voltammogram of the trans-[Fe(cyclam)(NO)Cl]²⁺ complex presented three electrochemical processes at −0.70, 0.08 and 0.40 V versus Ag/AgCl. The first and last redox processes are centered at the NO ligand, whereas the second is characteristic of the generated aqua species, trans-[Fe(cyclam)Cl(H₂O)]²⁺. Upon irradiation at 330 nm, pH 3.4, the title complex releases the NO moiety with the concomitant generation of the trans-[Fe(cyclam)(H₂O)Cl]⁺ complex as suggested by electronic and IR spectroscopy as well as by cyclic voltammetry technique.     

Xylose reductase and xylitol dehydrogenase activities of Candida guilliermondii as a function of different treatments of sugarcane bagasse hemicellulosic hydrolysate employing experimental design

The sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate, which is rich in xylose, can be used as culture medium for Candida guilliermondii in xylitol production. However, the hydrolysate obtained from bagasse by acid hydrolysis at 120°C for 20 min has by-products (acetic acid and furfural, among others), which are toxic to the yeast over certain concentrations. So, the hydrolysate must be pretreated before using in fermentation. The pretreatment variables considered were: adsorption time (15,37.5, and 60 min), type of acid used (H2So4 and H3Po4), hydrolysate concentration (original, twofold, and fourfold. concentrated), and active charcoal (0.5, 1.75 and 3.0%). The suitability of the pretreatment was followed by measuring the xylose reductase (XR) and xylitol dehydrogenase (XD) activity of yeast grown in each treated hydrolysate. The response surface methodology (2⁴ full factorial design with a centered face) indicated that the hydrolysate might be concentrated fourfold and the pH adjusted to 7.0 with CaO, followed by reduction to 5.5 with H₃PO₄. After that it was treated with active charcoal (3.0%) by 60 min. This pretreated hydrolysate attained the high XR/XD ratio of 4.5.     

A limit-method for solving period problems on minimal surfaces

We introduce a new technique to solve period problems on minimal surfaces called “limit-method”. If a family of surfaces has Weierstraß data converging to the data of a known example, and this presents a transversal solution of periods, then the original family contains a sub-family with closed periods.     

Noise-induced basin hopping in a gearbox model

We investigate some dynamical effects of adding a certain amount of noise in a theoretical model for rattling in single-stage gearbox systems with a backlash, consisting of two wheels with a sinusoidal driving. The parameter intervals we are dealing with show an extremely involved attraction basin structure in phase space. One of the observable effects of noise is basin hopping, or the switching between basins of different attractors. We characterize this effect and its relation to the presence of chaotic transients.     

Synthesis and thermal transformations of zinc-substituted magnetites

In the present study, zinc-substituted magnetites of the Fe_3???X Zn _X O₄ type were prepared by co-precipitation in the range 0 ≤?X?≤ 1 and, further, annealed in free atmosphere, at 800° for 3 h. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The results showed that the annealed samples were oxidized and converted into Fe₂O₃ and ZnFe₂O₄, in relative amounts that varied with X.     

Structural, magnetic and hyperfine characterization of zinc-substituted magnetites

Nanosized Fe_3???x Zn _x O₄ powders were synthesized by co-precipitation and characterized by total chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The results showed that, for x?≤?0.15, the as-prepared samples are mostly zinc-substituted magnetites but have maghemite as a minor phase. For x?≥?0.30, only the Fe_3???x Zn _x O₄ solid solution is found. Increasing the zinc content from the end concentration x?=?0, increases the lattice parameter but smaller become the mean crystalline diameter and the magnetic susceptibility. In addition, the magnetic hyperfine fields of the iron sites in the spinel structure, A and B, decrease up to collapse at x?≤?0.90.     

Enhanced terahertz bistability in a nonlinear Fabry-Perot resonator with n-type quantum wells

The intrinsic bistable terahertz response of intersubband plasmons in wide n-type delta-doped quantum wells is predicted to be enhanced by a resonant Fabry-Perot cavity. With a simple low-Q resonator, the threshold for bistability is decreased by a factor of 2-3 compared with that for bare multiple quantum wells.