Influence of mode coupling on mode group diversity multiplexing in multimode fibers

In this paper, the influence of mode coupling on mode group diversity multiplexing (MGDM) in multimode fibers is investigated. It is found experimentally, that in step index fibers mode coupling is very strong among the lowest mode groups. It is confirmed that mode coupling in graded index fibers is negligible. Theoretical and numerical investigation of the system performance in strong mode coupling conditions, indicates need for greater separation of the lowest MGDM channels.     

Application of the Straining Capture Mechanism in gaps to the measurement of particle concentration and size distribution

This paper attempts to answer the question of whether a measurement of the relative flow rate of a suspension of spheres, flowing under constant pressure drop through gaps of precisely determined geometry, may be utilised to measure the concentration and size distribution of the particles. A positive answer is possible only if several restrictions are imposed on the character of the flow, a maximum ratio of sphere diameter to gap height and a maximum number of captured particles. This answer is based on a model of the filtration process taking place in the gap and the consequent relationship between the flow characteristics of the gap and the number and diameter of the captured particles.     

Mass spectrometry of pyrimidine derivatives: Electron impact-induced decomposition of molecular ions of 4-amino-substituted and 4-amino-disubstituted 1,2-dihydro-1-methylpyrimidin-2-ones

Electron impact (EI) mass spectra of fourteen 4-amino-substiruted 1,2-dihydro-1-methylpyrimidin-2-ones are reported. The EI-induced decomposition of their molecular ions is significantly dependent on the chemical nature of the substituents. The routes of mass decomposition established suggest the presence of the tautomeric forms in the gas phase of some investigated compounds.     

Solid-state reference electrodes based on carbon nanotubes and polyacrylate membranes

A novel potentiometric solid-state reference electrode containing single-walled carbon nanotubes as the transducer layer between a polyacrylate membrane and the conductor is reported here. Single-walled carbon nanotubes act as an efficient transducer of the constant potentiometric signal originating from the reference membrane containing the Ag/AgCl/Cl⁻ ions system, and they are needed to obtain a stable reference potentiometric signal. Furthermore, we have taken advantage of the light insensitivity of single-walled carbon nanotubes to improve the analytical performance characteristics of previously reported solid-state reference electrodes. Four different polyacrylate polymers have been selected in order to identify the most efficient reservoir for the Ag/AgCl system. Finally, two different arrangements have been assessed: (1) a solid-state reference electrode using photo-polymerised n-butyl acrylate polymer and (2) a thermo-polymerised methyl methacrylate:n-butyl acrylate (1:10) polymer. The sensitivity to various salts, pH and light, as well as time of response and stability, has been tested: the best results were obtained using single-walled carbon nanotubes and photo-polymerised n-butyl acrylate polymer. Water transport plays an important role in the potentiometric performance of acrylate membranes, so a new screening test method has been developed to qualitatively assess the difference in water percolation between the polyacrylic membranes studied. The results presented here open the way for the true miniaturisation of potentiometric systems using the excellent properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes.     

Reactivity of a platinum-substituted borirene

We report on (i) the reactivity of the title compound trans-[Cl(PMe(3))(2)Pt{μ-BN(SiMe(3))(2)C=C}Ph] (1), which underwent a photochemical rearrangement reaction to afford the platinum boryl complex trans-[Cl(PMe(3))(2)PtBN(SiMe(3))(2)C≡CPh] (2), (ii) a ring-opening reaction by chemoselective boron-carbon bond cleavage resulting in the amino(vinyl)borane trans-[Cl(PMe(3))(2)PtCH=C(BClN(SiMe(3))(2))Ph] (3), and (iii) a Cl-Br ligand exchange on the platinum atom yielding the Br-derivate trans-[Br(PMe(3))(2)Pt{μ-BN(SiMe(3))(2)C=C}Ph] (4). All compounds were fully characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Experimental study on stability of different solid contact arrangements of ion-selective electrodes

Comparison of potentials stability of different types of solid contact lead selective electrodes is presented. Conducting polymer based sensors (hydrophilic and conducting - poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) or hydrophobic and semiconducting-polyoctylthiophene) were studied in parallel with coated wire and hydrogel (poly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate)) contact electrodes. The within day and between days potential stability was compared, highlighting the effect of sensor storing conditions. The obtained results clearly demonstrate that different conclusions on stability of sensors’ potential can be drawn depending on experimental protocol applied. Polyoctylthiophene based contacts show superior within day stability with no influence of dry storage. On the other hand, a chronopotentiometric method of stability evaluation clearly prefers poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) based sensors, pointing to smallest resistance and polarizability. It is clearly shown that the choice of experimental conditions applied to test stability can favor particular type of contact used.The inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with laser ablation (LA-ICP-MS) experiments conducted for different arrangements tested has shown that for poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and poly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate) type contacts longer contact time with lead(II) solution results in changes in the elemental composition of the transducer layer. On the other hand, in line with high stability observed under potentiometric conditions, no changes were seen for polyoctylthiophene based transducer.     

Silver and lead all-plastic sensors—polyaniline vs. poly(3,4-ethyledioxythiophene) solid contact

Silver and lead selective all-plastic ion-selective electrodes were obtained using poly(vinyl chloride)-based membranes and either poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) or polyaniline dispersion cast on an insulating plastic support as transducer and electrical lead. The effect of interactions of applied conducting polymer with analyte ions on potentiometric responses was evaluated and correlated with changes in elemental composition and element distribution within the ion-selective membrane and the conducting polymer transducer revealed in course of laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) experiments. In the case of silver selective electrodes, potentiometric responses obtained are much dependent on the oxidation state of the polymer placed beneath the ion-selective membrane. For semi-oxidized polymer (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-based electrodes, linear responses with detection limit equal to 10^−5.4 M were obtained. For a more oxidized polyaniline (of higher conductivity), although the electrodes were pretreated exactly in the same way and tested in parallel, super Nernstian potential slope was recorded within the AgNO₃ activities range form 10⁻⁶ to 10⁻⁷ M. These responses were consistent with results of LA-ICP-MS, revealing profoundly higher silver signals intensities for poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) underlying silver selective membrane. It seems highly probable that silver is accumulated in this polymer layer as Ag⁰ due to spontaneous redox reaction leading to oxidation of the polymer; however, this process requires also the presence of silver ions at the interface. In fact, when reduced (deprotonated) polyaniline was used as transducer, the potentiometric responses of the sensor were, within the range of experimental error, the same as obtained for poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-based sensor. On the other hand, for lead(II) selective sensors, the difference in responses of electrodes prepared using poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) or polyaniline was less pronounced, which is in accordance with the elemental composition of these sensors.     

Nanofibers as optical sensors for model VOCs dispersed in aqueous phase

Nanofibers mats, prepared from poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) containing dispersed dye Nile red (NR) were applied in a proof of concept study as optical sensors for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) dispersed in an aqueous phase. Benefiting from the solubility of the dye, and in some cases, also of the polymer in model solvents belonging to the group of VOCs, an increase of emission was observed for increasing solvent concentration in the sample. The optical signal formation was observed regardless if only the dye or both dye and PVC were soluble in the tested solvent. In both cases, high sensitivity emission increases for increasing VOCs present in the aqueous phase were observed within the range of concentration of model analytes: from 200 ppm of m-xylene or from 300 ppm of styrene, to up to ca 1500 ppm. The obtained higher detection limit was lower compared to films of PVC containing the dye due to the lower availability of the material to be dissolved by analyte – solvent. The large surface area of nanofibers was useful in the detection, leading to higher signal changes compared to films.