Dependence of intramolecular valence delocalization on crystal form in mixed-valence trinuclear iron phenylacetate [Fe 2 III FeIIO(PhCH2CO2)6(py)3]

A dependence of intramolecular valence delocalization on crystal form in mixed-valence trinuclear iron phenylacetate [Fe ₂ ^III Fe^IIO(PhCH₂CO₂)₆(py)₃] was found. This complex was obtained in two different crystal forms: a columnar and a needle crystal form. Mössbauer spectra of the columnar crystals show a temperature-dependent valence delocalization, while the needle crystals show a trapped mixed-valence state from a lower temperature up to room temperature.     

Atmospheric pressure waves in the field of volcanology

Atmospheric pressure waves are a notable phenomenon associated with explosive volcanic eruptions. They can provide us with information about eruption processes that are useful both scientifically and practically. In this paper, we give a brief review of studies that have been carried out on this phenomenon in the field of volcanology. Then, we introduce a prototype tool called ‘MOVE’ (Mobile Observatory for Volcanic Explosions). It is a remote-controlled vehicle carrying various instruments to observe pressure waves and the eruption processes. PACS 91.40.Dr · 91.40.Ft · 93.65.+e · 93.85.+qThis paper was based on work presented at the 2nd International Symposium on Interdisciplinary Shock Wave Research, Sendai, Japan on March 1–3, 2005.     

Simple and effective application of the Wang-Landau method for multicanonical molecular dynamics simulation

We propose a novel application of the Wang-Landau method (WLM) for multicanonical molecular dynamics (McMD) simulations. Originally, WLM was developed for Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. Fundamentally, WLM remarkably reduces simulation efforts because it estimates the optimal multicanonical energy function automatically. When WLM is applied to McMD, not only the multicanonical energy but also energy gradient must be estimated adequately. However, because of the rugged multicanonical energy function at the early simulation stage, applications of WLM for MD simulations are difficult and require a smoothing procedure: simulation efforts such as cubic-spline extrapolation and gathering multiple preruns are utilized for smoothing. We propose a simple and effective smoothing method that requires only one additional equation and two time-dependent parameters. As a result, our method produced the correct multicanonical energy function and succeeded in the flat sampling of a small biomolecule with reduced simulation effort.     

Water-dispersible ultrathin Au nanowires prepared using a lamellar template of a long-chain amidoamine derivative

Straight ultrathin Au nanowires (NWs) with diameters less than 2 nm were synthesized using the lamellar structure of C18AA in an organogel and its selective adsorption for specific gold surfaces. In addition, the potential to form a bilayer structure with interdigitated hydrocarbon chains enabled the production of water-dispersible Au NWs without morphological change.     

Development of a nanostructured filter for pyrolysis wax purification:Effects of particulate filter aids

Wax obtained from the pyrolysis of polyethylene waste can contain inorganic contaminants and must be purified before application.We evaluated different filter aids(perlite,sand,and rice husk ash)for the filtration of a crude wax and a pyrolysis wax through a filter medium that was coated with nylon 6 nanofibers to improve filtration efficiency.We first examined the performance of the filter aids in improving crude wax filtration,with the filtration time,temperature,and pressure held constant at 1 h,170℃,and 2.5 bar,respectively.Oily wax was then produced by pyrolysis of high-density polyethylene(HDPE)waste in the temperature range 425-475℃.The best filter aid was perlite,which had a filtrate production rate of 5.47×10^-5m³/h.The highest oily wax yield(87.8%)was achieved at a pyrolysis temperature of 425℃.The assembly comprising the filter medium coated with nylon 6 nanofibers plus perlite as a filter aid was most suitable for removing impurities from the oily wax generated by the HDPE pyrolysis as it achieved a purification efficiency of 99.9%.     

Sol-Gel Preparation and Photoelectrochemical Properties of Fe2TiO5 Thin Films

Polycrystalline Fe₂TiO₅ films were prepared on nesa silica glass substrates by the sol-gel method, and their photoanodic properties were measured in a three-electrode wet cell with an aqueous buffer solution of pH = 7. Gel films were crystallized into Fe₂TiO₅ when fired at 500°C. The photoanodic current significantly increased when the films were fired at 700°C, and then decreased with increasing firing temperature. Thicker films obtained by repeating the gel film deposition and firing showed smaller photocurrent, and the 50 nm thick film prepared via non-repetitive deposition exhibited the maximum photocurrent. Although the photoresponse was extended to wavelengths near 500 nm, the maximum quantum yield was as low as 0.12 at a wavelength of 340 nm.     

Optical Storage Media with Dye-Doped Minute Spheres on Polymer Films

We have fabricated a new optical storage media using minute spheres arranged on a surface relief grating (SRG). Using minute spheres as recording bits, we can limit recordable regions by sphere size, and can realize high resolution reproduction in the plane direction. Surface relief structures were made on a polymer thin film on which we performed diffusion arrangement and adsorptive fixation of minute spheres. The stability of the arranged spheres was confirmed for heating and washing. Furthermore, we used a dipping method for a more simple arrangement of minute spheres on a large area of the substrate and made a monolayer sample of the spheres. We were able to realize a highly sensitive reconstruction of the medium using a confocal optical system as a record and readout system.     

Preliminary communicationPalladium-catalyzed carboxylation of aromatic compounds with carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide has been found to react with aromatic compounds such as benzene, anisole, furane, and thiophene to give aromatic acids in modest yields with palladium(II) salts as catalysts. The addition of t-BuOOH increases the yield.