[Zr0.72Y0.28]Al4C4: A new member of the homologous series (MC)l(T4C3)m (M=Zr, Y and Hf, T=Al, Si and Ge)

A new layered carbide, [Zr_0.72(3)Y_0.28(3)]Al₄C₄, has been synthesized and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The atom ratios [Zr:Y] were determined by EDX, and the initial structure model was derived by the direct methods, and further refined by Rietveld method. The crystal is trigonal (space group , Z=1) with lattice dimensions of a=0.333990(5) nm, c=1.09942(1) nm and V=0.106209(2) nm³. This compound shows an intergrowth structure with [Zr_0.72Y_0.28C₂] thin slabs separated by Al₄C₃-type [Al₄C₄] layers. It is a new member with l=1 and m=1 of the homologous series, the general formula of which is (MC)_l(T₄C₃)_m (l=1, 2 and 3, m=1 and 2, M=Zr, Y and Hf, T=Al, Si and Ge).     

Rheology of self-assembled monolayers on solid-liquid interface oscillating at MHz frequency

The rheology properties (viscosity and elasticity) of chemisorbed soft matters on a solid-liquid interface oscillating at MHz were investigated using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). As a chemisorbed soft matter, we employed the self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of mercapto oligo(ethylene oxide) methyl ethers, HS(CH₂CH₂O)_nCH₃ (n?=?5, 11, 12, 19, 27, 35 and 43), where those molecular weights had unity. The systematical analyses on the basis of the Voight model revealed the relationships of $\eta \propto M_n^{0.180}$ and $\mu \propto M_n^{0.344}$, where η and μ are the viscosity and elasticity of the SAM, and M_n is the molecular weight of HS(CH₂CH₂O)_nCH₃. As a result, we found that the SAM consisting of the oligomer followed the formula of polymer.     

Coherent control of spin precession motion with impulsive magnetic fields of half-cycle terahertz radiation

Coherent control of the precession motion of magnetizations in a single crystal YFeO3 with double half-cycle pulse terahertz waves was demonstrated. Quasiferromagnetic (0.299 THz) and quasiantiferromagnetic (0.527 THz) precession modes were selectively excited by choosing an appropriate interval of two pulses and were observed as free induction decay (FID) signals from the spin system. By observing the circularly polarized FID signals due to ferromagnetic resonance, we also succeeded in confirming directly the energy storage in the spin system and recovery from that to the electromagnetic radiation.     

Viscosity behavior of poly(glyceryl methacrylate) in the presence of borate and phenylboronate ions

The viscosity behavior of polyelectrolyte solutions induced by borate or phenylboronate complexation with poly(glyceryl methacrylate) (PGM) has been investigated. In dilute solutions borate ions can form monodiol (1/1) complexes and didiol (2/1) intramolecular complexes. Both types of complex are anionic. Thus, the polymer is characterized by the existence of charged sites on the chain and loops formed by intramolecular complexation. On the contrary, phenylboronate can only give monodiol 1/1 complexes. In the presence of passive salt, the charges are screened. By addition of borate ion to a PGM solution, a decrease of the initial polymer viscosity due to loop formation is first observed, then the anionic charges fixed on the chain by complex formation induce an expansion of the polyelectrolyte and the viscosity of the solution increases. The situation is different for the PGM-phenyl boronate system, where no intramolecular crosslink is present. In this case the viscosity of the solution increases with phenyl boronate concentration. But for a fixed complexing ion concentration it will tend to that of the neutral polymer when NaCl is added. ©1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Evaluation of hydrophobic properties of sodium dodecylsulfate/γ-alumina admicelles based on fluorescence spectra of N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine

Some molecular probes, whose fluorescence spectra were responsive to the polarity, were tested for monitoring the formation of admicelles. N-Phenyl-1-naphthylamine (PN) was the best choice for evaluating the hydrophobicity of sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS)/γ-alumina admicelles. The fluorescence intensity of PN in the aqueous suspension of the admicelles enhanced in the SDS concentration far below its critical micelle concentration. The intensity was greater than that in the normal SDS micellar system. Additionally, the wavelength at the maximum intensity of the fluorescence in the admicellar system was shorter than that in the micellar solution. These facts strongly suggest that the admicelles provide more hydrophobic environment than conventional micellar media. Comparison of the wavelength with those in several solvents indicated that the admicelles have hydrophobic properties corresponding to 1-octanol or ethyl acetate.     

Effect of carrier concentration on the facilitated oxygen transport in a polymer membrane

Facilitated transport of oxygen in a solid Polymer membrane containing cobaltporphyrin (CoP) which carries oxygen specifically and reversibly, leads to permselectivity of oxygen against nitrogen in the membrane. The increase in concentration of the CoP carrier is expected to enhance the oxygen transport. The membranes of poly(octylmethacrylate-co-vinylimidazole) containing 0.8 ～ 10 wt% CoP were prepared, and the effects of the CoP-concentration on the transport and the diffusion constants of oxygen are studied. Although the induction period before the steady state of oxygen permeation was prolonged with the CoP concentration in the polymer membrane, the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the membrane was increased and the diffusion constants of oxygen were decreased with the CoP concentration to yield unexpected reduction of the oxygen permeation in the highly CoP loaded membrane.     

Determination of nickel in water by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with preconcentration on a tungsten foil

A preconcentration method for nickel in waters involving adsorption on tungsten foil, followed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) with a tungsten tube atomizer is described. The most suitable pH for nickel adsorption was 5 and the optimum immersion time was 2 min. Severe interferences from co-existing elements (Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Pb and Zn) on the Ni AA signal were observed. Under optimal conditions, the preconcentration of nickel on W foil could eliminate interferences from these elements. The detection limit of nickel by preconcentration-ETAAS was 0.1 ng/ml (3S/N). The method with preconcentration on tungsten foil was applied to the determination of nickel in river water. The recovery of spiked nickel was 93–102%. The tungsten foil preconcentration method is sensitive, simple, and convenient. This adsorption method can be utilized inin situ-sampling of ultra-trace nickel in environmental samples (water). Furthermore, after sampling it is easy to carry and store the W-foil without contamination for long time.     

How Are Hydrogen Bonds Perturbed in Aqueous NaClO4 Solutions Depending on the Concentration?: A Near Infrared Study of Water

We have performed spectroscopic measurements on the vibrational combination bands of OH-bending (ν₂) and asymmetric OH-stretching (ν₃) modes of water in aqueous NaClO₄ solutions with an absorption spectrometer in the near infrared region. The concentration dependence of the spectral shape of the ν₂ + ν ₃ band around the wavelength of 2 μm was investigated, where the NaClO₄ concentration was varied by a factor of 200. The spectral shape depends significantly on the concentration of NaClO₄ and the spectral width of the saturated aqueous solution becomes narrower to about half of that of pure water. The concentration dependence is analyzed from the viewpoint of water molecules with a different number of hydrogen bonds. The perturbation effect of ions on hydrogen bonds between water molecules is discussed.