Hydrogenation of single-walled carbon nanotubes

Towards the development of a useful mechanism for hydrogen storage, we have studied the hydrogenation of single-walled carbon nanotubes with atomic hydrogen using core-level photoelectron spectroscopy and x-ray absorption spectroscopy. We find that atomic hydrogen creates C-H bonds with the carbon atoms in the nanotube walls, and such C-H bonds can be completely broken by heating to 600 degrees C. We demonstrate approximately 65 +/- 15 at % hydrogenation of carbon atoms in the single-walled carbon nanotubes, which is equivalent to 5.1 +/- 1.2 wt % hydrogen capacity. We also show that the hydrogenation is a reversible process.     

Characterization of the ξ-carbide in ex-service 1Cr-0.5 Mo steels

The ξ-carbide, also described as Fe₂MoC and M_aC_b, has been identified at ferrite grain boundaries in 1Cr-0.5Mo steels exposed to elevated temperatures (500–530°C) for prolonged periods (65,000–170,000 hr). The structure and composition of the phase have been characterized using electron microdiffraction and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) respectively. Analysis of microdiffraction patterns supports the proposal that the ξ-carbide has a monoclinic unit cell, rather than the orthorhombic unit cell first proposed. The ranges of metallic element concentrations in the ξ-carbide (i.e. 48–59 at.% Fe, 22–29 at.% Mo, 7–16 at.% Cr, 4–7 at.% Mn and 3–6 at.% Si) are unique compared to those of other carbide precipitates identified in the 1Cr-0.5Mo steels, which means that the ξ-carbide may be identified rapidly on extraction replicas using qualitative EDXS.     

183 GHz double diode subharmonically pumped mixer

A double diode subharmonically pumped mixer is described. A diode-whisker contacting arrangement has been developed which avoids many of the problems associated with whisker contacts. Early tests indicate that the circuit structure is rugged and capable of good electrical performance.     

Dynamics of milling processes with variable time delays

A milling-process model with a variable time delay associated with each cutting tooth is presented in this article. The source of this variable time delay is the feed rate. The effect of the feed motion on the entry cutting angle, the exit cutting angle, and the amplitude of feed mark is also discussed. Loss-of-contact effects are also considered. The system dynamics is described by a set of delay differential equations with periodic coefficients and variable time delays. A semi-discretization scheme is presented for analyzing the stability of periodic orbits of this system. The analysis provides evidence of period-doubling bifurcations and secondary Hopf bifurcations. Good agreement is found between the numerical results obtained from this work and the results of related experimental studies.     

Multivalent binding motifs for the noncovalent functionalization of graphene

Single-layer graphene is a newly available conductive material ideally suited for forming well-defined interfaces with electroactive compounds. Aromatic moieties typically interact with the graphene surface to maximize van der Waals interactions, predisposing most compounds to lie flat on its basal plane. Here we describe a tripodal motif that binds multivalently to graphene through three pyrene moieties and projects easily varied functionality away from the surface. The thermodynamic and kinetic binding parameters of a tripod bearing a redox-active Co(II) bis-terpyridyl complex were investigated electrochemically. The complex binds strongly to graphene and forms monolayers with a molecular footprint of 2.3 nm(2) and a ΔG(ads) = -38.8 ± 0.2 kJ mol(-1). Its monolayers are stable in fresh electrolyte for more than 12 h and desorb from graphene 1000 times more slowly than model compounds bearing a single aromatic binding group. Differences in the heterogeneous rate constants of electron transfer between the two compounds suggest that the tripod projects its redox couple away from the graphene surface.