Structure of trans-1,4-polybutadiene synthesized with a new catalyst system

Abstract

The structure, phase composition, and temperature behavior of two trans-1,4-polybutadienes (TPBs) were studied by means of x-ray scattering and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques. The two samples examined were (1) PB synthesized using an immobilized titanium-magnesium catalyst and (2) a random copolymer based on PB prepared with a homogeneous vanadium-containing catalyst used as a reference material. It was found that the nascent structure of the first PB involves three phases: crystalline, mesomorphic (low-temperature form), and amorphous. In the vicinity of 65°C, a first-order phase transition occurs. The system becomes biphasic and contains the high-temperature form of the mesophase, as well as the amorphous phase, component. Above 165°C, the polymer melts to form a single-phase isotropic melt with a structure typical of liquids. The lateral dimension of crystallites reversibly changes at the crystal-mesophase transition. It is suggested that during annealing of the mesophase formed by cooling of the isotropic melt, the chains acquire an extended conformation. Loss of regularity of the structure of macromolecules of TPB causes a reduction of phase transition temperatures, an increase of the imperfection of the crystalline phase, and a contraction of the temperature range of existence of the mesophase.     

Reviews

Abstract

Biological Effects of Radiations Daniel S. Grosch Blaisdell Publishing Co., New York, 1965, 293 pages. $3.50

Ion Bombardment of Solids G. Carter and J. S. Colligon American Elsevier Publishing Company, Inc., New York, 1968, 446 pages. $40.00     

Phytoremediation of Lead in Soil: Recent Applications and Future Prospects

Abstract

Lead is a very serious contaminant in soil because of its widespread previous application in residential, agricultural, and industrial environments combined with its severe impacts upon human health, particularly upon children. Phytoremediation is a nontraditional approach to remediate contaminated soil involving the use of green plants. Phytostabilization involves the use of plants to stabilize contaminants to reduce human exposure. Phytoextraction involves the use of plants to accumulate contaminants in aboveground shoots, which can be harvested to recycle or discard. Recent phytomediation work has indicated the importance of determining the chemical forms of lead present at a site to develop the most appropriate remediation strategy. Lead phytoextraction typically involves the addition of a chelating agent in order to increase the bioavailability of this contaminant. Because concerns have been raised regarding the persistence of chelating agents in the environment, several research teams have investigated the use biodegradable compounds for this application. It is anticipated that phytoremediation will continue to be a low-cost approach for the remediation of lead in soil.     

MIXED-CONVECTION HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER IN A FULLY DEVELOPED HORIZONTAL CHANNEL FLOW

An experimental study of mixed-convection heat and mass transfer flow of a CuS0₄ + H₂S0₄ + H₂O solution in a horizontal channel is performed by using an electrochemical system. Unstable temperature and concentration gradients imposed by a heated cathodic bottom initiate an ascending (secondary) flow of light boundary-layer fluid into the freestream. To visualize the flow, the shadowgraph technique is used. Electrical measurements are used to obtain mass transfer rates and to infer a Sherwood number. The ranges of the parameters studied in the present work for the square channel are Pr = 5-7, Sc = 1,700-2,300, Re = 100-1,000, Gr_m= 1.27 X 10⁶ and Gr_ab = 4.06 × 10⁶-2.4S × 10⁷.     

A new route for the synthesis of nitrides: The solvothermal preparation of GaN

Abstract

A new solvothermal route for the synthesis of nitrides is proposed using liquid NH3 as solvent in supercritical conditions, Such a preparation method was applied to the synthesis of GaN using gallium metal as starting material.

GaN is a wide band-gap semi-conductor (3.4eV). It is a very attractive nitride due to its various applications in micro- and opto-electronics [1,2]. Consequently, many research groups are interested in synthesising GaN. Two methods have been principally developed:

(i) synthesis of thin films by epitaxy [3,4]

(ii) synthesis of bulk GaN by high pressure method [5,6].

The new proposed process leads to fine microcrystallites of GaN with the wurtzite-type structure. The chemical purity can be optimised versus the synthesis mechanism. The size and shape of the crystallites would be influenced by the nature of the nitriding additive and the thermodynamical conditions (pressure and temperature) used for the synthesis.     

Zur Perspektive der nichtdispersiven Röntgenemissionsanalyse mit Radionuklid-Strahlungsqucllen

Ausgehend von dem technischen Stand und dem Leistungsvermögen dispersiver und nichtdispersiver Röntgenspektrometer werden das dispersive und has nichtdispersive Meβverfahren miteinander verglichen. Angesichts einiger prinzipieller Nachteile der dispersiven Röntgenspektrometer gibt es Einsatzmöglichkeiten für verschiedene Typen nichtdipersiver Spektrometer, die kurz beschrieben werden.     

Beispiele für die Anwendung der 15N-Tracertechnik in der Düngungsforschung mit emissionsspektrometrischen Analysenverfahren (NOI-5; Isonitromat-5200)

Es werden Varianten der Probenchemie für ¹⁵N-Bilanzexperimente in der Düngungsforschung vorgestellt, die den Erfordernissen des Isonitromat-5200 und des NOI-5 angepaßt sind. Die skizzierten Methoden umfassen die destillative Präparation markierter N-Mengen (0,1–1 mg) aus Bodenextrakten, verbunden mil einem Zvsatz unmatkierter N-Mengen bei der Titration sowie eine für den Routinebetrieb geeignete N-Bestimmung in nicht angereicherten Pflanzenaufschlüssen mit dem Isonitromat-5200 als ¹⁵N-Verdünnungsanalyse. Weiterhin werden einfache apparative Varianten zur Bestimmung von sog. Gasförmigen Düngersticksloffverlusten durch Denitrifizierung in gasdichten Kammern dargestellt.

Durch ¹⁵N-Analyse von Luftproben über ¹⁵N-angereicherten natürlichen Bodenmonolithen mit dem NOI-5 können unmittelbar die vom Dünger freigesetzten N₂ und N₂O-Mengen bestimmt werden. Bei Spezialversuchen in stickstofffreier Neon(He)-Atmosphäre können gebildete N₂-, NO- und N₂O-Spuren (um 1 Vol. %)nach gaschromatographischer Trennung (auf Perapak-Q) individuell am NOI-5 gemessen werden. Unter Verwendung von CO₂-Trägergas werden die N-Komponenten in einem Azotometer isoliert und mit Hilfe eines Dosierhahnes, dessen Volumen den geforderten Gasdruck garantiert, in Entladungsrohre überführt.     

Vibrational properties of the F A (Li+) center in alkali halides

Abstract

The on- or off-axis behavior and the vibrational properties of the F _A (Li⁺) center are investigated in several alkali halides by means of polarized resonant Raman scattering. The observed Raman modes are interpreted and classified according to their nature and frequency. A comparison between on- and off-axis systems and between the vibrational modes of the isolated Li⁺ and the F _A (Li⁺) center reveals a displacement of the Li⁺ equilibrium position parallel to the F _A (Li⁺) defect axis and, due to the small impurity size, away from the adjacent F center.     

Challenges in uncovering the origin of the proton's spin

One of the most fascinating challenges facing modern strong interaction physics is to understand the origin of the spin of the nucleon in terms of the spin and orbital angular momentum of the quarks and gluons. We review recent progress on this problem as well as some of the uncertainties associated with state of the art lattice QCD simulations. In particular, we explain the importance of the corrections associated with chiral extrapolation and finite volume corrections, especially for the term B(0) extracted from the appropriate low moment of the deeply virtual Compton scattering amplitude.