Morphological and chemical influences on alumina-supported palladium catalysts active for the gas phase hydrogenation of crotonaldehyde

A series of five alumina-supported palladium catalysts have previously been prepared and characterised by a combination of CO chemisorption and infrared spectroscopy. The reactive attributes of these catalysts are examined using the hydrogenation of crotonaldehyde as a test reaction, using a modified infrared gas cell as a batch reactor. Periodic scanning of the infrared spectrum of the gaseous phase present over the Pd/Al(2)O(3) catalysts was used to construct reaction profiles. Four of the catalysts were able to facilitate a 2-stage hydrogenation process (crotonaldehyde → butanal → butanol), whilst one catalyst was totally selective for the first stage hydrogenation process (crotonaldehyde → butanal). Rate coefficients for the first and second stage hydrogenation processes are normalised to the number of surface palladium atoms for the particular catalyst. Correlation of these kinetic parameters as a function of mean particle size indicates the first stage process to be structure insensitive, whilst the second stage hydrogenation is structure sensitive. Chlorine residues associated with the preparative process of one of the catalysts is seen to selectively poison the second stage hydrogenation process for that catalyst. Structure/activity relationships are considered to explain the observed trends.     

Characterization of the crystal and magnetic structures of the mixed-anion coordination polymer Cu(HCO2)(NO3)(pyz) {pyz = Pyrazine} by X-ray diffraction, ac magnetic susceptibility, dc magnetization, muon-spin relaxation, and spin dimer analysis

The mixed-anion coordination polymer Cu(HCO2)(NO3)(pyz) was synthesized, its crystal structure was determined by X-ray diffraction, and its magnetic structure was characterized by ac susceptibility, dc magnetization, muon-spin relaxation, and spin dimer analysis. The crystal structure consists of five-coordinate Cu2+ ions that are connected through syn-anti bridging mu-HCO2- and mu-pyz ligands to form a highly corrugated two-dimensional layered network. Bulk magnetic measurements show a broad maximum in chi(T) at 6.6 K. The HCO2- and pyz ligands mediate ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic spin exchange interactions between adjacent Cu2+ ions with the spin exchange parameters J/kB = 8.17 and -5.4 K, respectively (H = -JSigmaSi x Sj). The muon-spin relaxation data show a transition to a long-range magnetic ordering below TN = 3.66(3) K. For T < TN, the M(H) and chi'ac measurements provide evidence for a field-induced spin-flop transition at 15.2 kOe. That Cu(HCO2)(NO3)(pyz) undergoes a long-range magnetic ordering is an unexpected result because the one-dimensional Cu(NO3)2(pyz) and three-dimensional Cu(HCO2)2(pyz) compounds display linear chain antiferromagnetism with no long-range magnetic ordering down to 2 K.     

Plasma-chemical reactions in weakly decomposed CCl4

For the case of weak feed gas decomposition, where the concentration of CCl₄ exceeds those of decomposition and built-up products, the emission of CCl* is shown to originate from dissociative excitation of CCl₄. With electron concentration measured independently, the kinetics of CCl₄ decomposition has been extracted from the time dependence of the CCl* intensity. Supported by EPR determinations of radical concentrations in rapidly flowing CCl₄ and CCl₄/O₂ afterglows, the primary decomposition reaction is shown to be the electron impact dissociation into CCl₃ and Cl. Its rate constant (k ₁=4×10^–8 cm³s^–1) indicates strongly that dissociative electron attachment is the main reaction channel at least at r.f. power densities just above the threshold of a self-maintaining discharge. At extremely low mean electron energies the emission of a continuum is observed, which is tentatively ascribed to the radiative CCl₃-Cl recombination.     

Dramatic variation of magnetic exchange through double end-on azide bridges in a series of ladder-like copper(II) coordination polymers

Three ladder-like coordination polymers, [Cu2(phprpy)2-mu-(N3)2(N3)2], 1; [Cu2(terpy)2-mu-(N3)4Cu2-mu-(N3)2(N3)2], 2; and[Cu2(terpy)2-mu-(N3)2(N3)2Cu3-mu-(N3)4(N3)2], 3, consisting of Cu2+ ions with double end-on azide bridges were synthesized, their crystal structures and magnetic properties were determined, and spin dimer analysis was performed to explain the signs and strengths of their strong spin exchange interactions [phprpy is 4-(3-phenylpropyl)pyridine and terpy is 2,2':6,2'-terpyridine]. Although these compounds have ladder-like arrangements of Cu2+ ions, their magnetic structures are described as isolated dimers for 1 and 2 and as isolated trimers for 3. The predominant spin exchange paths in 1-3 have double end-on azide bridges linking adjacent Cu2+ ions, and the geometrical parameters of these bridging structures are similar. However, the spin dimer of 1 exhibits a strong ferromagnetic coupling; that of 2, a strong antiferromagnetic coupling; and that of 3, a weak ferromagnetic coupling. These findings are well explained by the present spin dimer analysis and show that the nature and geometry of the nonbridging ligands can have a strong influence on the sign and strength of the spin exchange interaction between Cu2+ ions connected by double end-on azide bridges.     

Wrinkle-Based Measurement of Elastic Modulus of Nano-Scale Thin Pt Film Deposited on Polymeric Substrate: Verification and Uncertainty Analysis

Wrinkle-based measurement of elastic modulus for a nano-scale thin film was analyzed. As a demonstrative example, the wrinkles of Pt films on a Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate under compressive loading were formed with a well-defined wavelength, corresponding to the difference of elastic moduli between the films and substrates. The elastic modulus of the Pt nano-scale thin film measured with the wrinkle-based measurement was found to be consistent with that independently measured with micro-tensile test. Uncertainty of the wrinkle-based measurement was analyzed to figure out the main uncertainty components for the evaluation of elastic modulus measurement, and guidelines for the reliable wrinkle-based measurement were suggested.     

Au dimers on thin MgO(001) films: flat and charged or upright and neutral?

A combination of low temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and theoretical calculations is used to investigate Au dimers, supported on thin MgO(001) films, whose thickness was chosen such that charge transfer from the Ag substrate to the deposited Au is possible. Au dimers exist not only in an upright geometry--as theoretically predicted to be the most stable configuration--but also as flat lying dimers which populate a manifold of different azimuthal orientations. Apart from the difference in adsorption configurations, these two isomers exhibit rather different electronic structures: while upright dimers are neutral, flat ones are charged.     

Film-Forming Aminocellulose Derivatives as Enzyme-Compatible Support Matrices for Biosensor Developments

Based on 6(2)-O-tosyl celluloses and 6(2)-O-tosylcellulose derivatives, it has been possible to synthesize a novel soluble aminocellulose type, P-CH2-NH-(X)-NH2 (P=cellulose, (X)=alkylene, aryl, aralkylene or oligoamine) with diamine or oligoamine residues at C6 and solubilizing groups (S) such as acetate, benzoate, carbanilate, methoxy and/or tosylate groups at C2/C3 of the anhydroglucose unit (AGU). Depending on the nature and degree of substitution (DS) of (S), the aminocelluloses are soluble either in DMA and DMSO or in water. They all form transparent films from their solutions. In the case of water-soluble aminocelluloses, for example, an enzyme-specific pH value can be adjusted by protonation of the NH2 end groups at C6. The aminocelluloses apparently form aggregates (on a scale of nanostructures) according to a structure-inherent organization principle. The nanostructures could be imaged on the aminocellulose film surface by atomic force microscopy (AFM) in the form of characteristic topographic structures – as a result of the aggregation of the aminocellulose derivative chains and their interaction with the functionalized film support. In this way, structural and environment-induced factors influencing the nanostructure formation were found. The aminocellulose films can be covalently coupled with biomolecules by bifunctional reaction via NH2-reactive compounds. With the aid of analytically relevant enzymes, e.g. glucose oxidase (GOD), horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and others, it was found that the enzyme parameters can be modified by the interplay of the aminocellulose and coupling structures. A number of new bifunctional enzyme coupling reactions, e.g. via L-ascorbic acid or benzenedisulfonyl chlorides, forming amide or sulfonamide coupling structures led to efficient enzyme activities and long-term stabilities in the case of GOD and HRP coupling to PDA cellulosetosylate films.     

Investigation of the spin exchange interactions and magnetic Structures of the CrVO4-type transition metal phosphates,sulfates, and vanadates by spin dimer analysis

The CrVO(4)-type magnetic oxides MM'O(4) consist of edge-sharing MO(4) octahedral chains condensed with M'O(4) tetrahedra and exhibit a wide variety of magnetic structures. The magnetic properties of these oxides were examined by studying their spin exchange interactions on the basis of spin dimer analysis. The nature and magnitudes of the intra- and interchain spin exchange interactions depend on the square-to-rectangle distortion in the basal planes of the MO(4) chain and on the difference between the M 3d and O 2p orbital energies. The spiral magnetic structures of beta-CrPO(4) and MnSO(4) originate from the pseudohexagonal arrangement of the MO(4) chains and the frustrated interchain antiferromagnetic interactions.     

Mechanistic considerations on contact-active antimicrobial surfaces with controlled functional group densities

A series of N-alkyl-N,N-dimethyldeoxyammonium celluloses is synthesized by converting tosyl celluloses with DBA and DDA, respectively. Surface coatings with these water-insoluble derivatives contain well-defined densities of quaternary ammonium functions and nonactive hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups. It is shown that the antimicrobial activity of such surfaces against S. aureus requires a delicate balance between DDA, BDA, and hydrophobic groups. A mechanism is proposed that involves the selective adhesion of anionic phospholipids from the bacterial cell membrane. This so-called phospholipid sponge effect is supported by the fact that all coatings could be deactivated by treatment with SDS or negatively charged phospholipids, but not with neutral phospholipids.     

Foam films stabilized by dodecyl maltoside. 1. Film thickness and free energy of film formation

Foam films stabilized by a sugar-based nonionic surfactant, beta-dodecyl maltoside, are investigated. The film thickness and the film contact angle (which is formed at the transition between the film and the bulk solution) are measured as a function of NaCl concentration, surfactant concentration, and temperature. The film thickness measurements provide information about the balance of the surface forces in the film whereas the contact angle measurements provide information about the specific film interaction free energy. The use of the glass ring cell and the thin film pressure balance methods enables studies under a large variety of conditions. Thick foam films are formed at low electrolyte concentration. The film thickness decreases (respectively the absolute value of the interaction film free energy increases) with the increase of the electrolyte concentration according to the classical DLVO theory. This indicates the existence of a repulsive double layer electrostatic component of the disjoining pressure. An electrostatic double layer potential of 16 mV was calculated from the data. A decrease of the film thickness on increase of the surfactant concentration in the solution is observed. The results are interpreted on the basis of the assumption that the surface double layer potential originates in the adsorption of hydroxyl ions at the film surfaces. These ions are expelled from the surface at higher surfactant concentration.