Structure analysis of intercalated layer silicates: combination of molecular simulations and experiment

Na(+)-montmorillonite type Wyoming, cloisite Na(+) from Southern Clay Products, Inc., was intercalated (i) with octadecylammonium cations and subsequently intercalated with octadecylamine molecules, (ii) with dodecylamine molecules, and (iii) with octylamine molecules to determine the applicability of these intercalates for nanocomposite materials on the base of polymer/clay. The structures were determined on the basis of a combination of results from X-ray diffraction and molecular simulations. The calculated values of basal spacings are in good agreement with experimental basal spacings when experimental samples were prepared. The interlayer space of intercalated montmorillonite shows a monolayer or bilayer arrangement of alkyl chains in dependence on the concentration of the intercalation solution. The values of the total sublimation energy, interaction energy, and exfoliation energy were calculated for all investigated samples. Low values of exfoliation energies lead to better exfoliation of intercalated silicate layers and this material appears suitable for use as a precursor for polymer/clay nanocomposites. The values of exfoliation energy for the investigated samples show that montmorillonite intercalated with dodecylamine or octadecylamine molecules is suitable for exfoliation of silicate layers.     

Solubility and first hidrolysis constants of europium at different ionic strength and 303 K

The solubility of europium at 0.02M, 0.1M and 0.7M NaClO₄ ionic strength solutions was determined by a radiometric method and pEu_s-pC_H diagrams were obtained. Hydrolysis constants were also determined at the same ionic strengths by pH titration and the values found were log *₁ = -7.68±0.11, -8.07±0.10 and -8.20±0.11. The log K _sp values were -23.5±0.2, -22.7±0.2 and -21.9±0.2 for 0.02M, 0.1M and 0.7M NaClO₄ ionic strengths, respectively, at 303 K under CO₂-free conditions and the extrapolated value at zero ionic strength was log K _sp ⁰ = -24.15. The working pC_H ranges for the calculation of the hydrolysis constants were selected from the pEu_s-pC_H diagrams in the region where precipitation of europium oxide or hydroxide was less than 20%. Europium removal from aqueous solutions with zeolites was explored.     

Electron-transfer in molecular functional materials

We discuss electron-transfer processes that govern the physics of several materials or systems of interest for advanced applications. The discussion touches upon several topics, ranging from solvatochromism to solvent-induced symmetry breaking, from excitonic to cooperative effects in molecular crystals, from phase transitions to vibrational contributions to the dielectric constant in organic materials, from spectroscopy to molecular transport. In all these diverse systems electron transfer (ET) plays a major role and is discussed with reference to simple models for delocalized charges.     

Application of self-assembly for replacing chromate in corrosion protection of zinc

Due to the toxic and carcinogenic properties of hexavalent chromium ion, the corrosion protection with chromating technique needs replacement. Several environmentally friendly alternative metal pretreatments have already been proposed. One of these methods is the application of self-assembling molecules to form mono- or multilayers on the metal surfaces. These layers can prevent metal dissolution due to their dense and stable structure. The objective of our studies was to protect zinc surface against corrosion, with a thin phosphonate layer. Aqueous solutions of diphosphonic acid with different alkyl chain lengths were applied with different treatment times. The layer formation, stability, and corrosion protection of these films were monitored by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and the effect of 1,5-diphosphono-pentane (DPP) on zinc was studied by polarization curves. The wetting properties were determined by static contact angle measurement. 1,5-Diphosphono-pentane forms a thin layer, with a pronounced protective ability in neutral aqueous solutions. The application of self-assembling molecules can be a promising method to replace the chromating technique on zinc surface.     

Amperometric flow-injection method for the assay of l-ascorbic acid based on the photochemical reduction of Methylene Blue

Ascorbic acid (AA) is determined by amperometric detection based on the photochemical reduction of Methylene Blue (MB(+)) in 0.1 M phthalate buffer at pH 3.8. In this medium, MB(+) using flow-injection analysis. The carrier stream is 1 mM MB(+) is reduced quasi-reversibly at a glassy carbon electrode at -0.34 V vs. Ag/AgCl, while AA is oxidized irreversibly at about 0.3 V. The reactor is irradiated with a 500 W halogen lamp to facilitate the development of the photochemical reaction. A laboratory-built wall-jet electrode system was used. The Leucomethylene Blue formed in the reaction is detected at +0.050 V. At 2.2 ml min(-1) and using a sample loop of 43 mul, the method allows the determination of AA in the range 5.0-90.0 mug ml(-1), with a relative standard deviation of 1.3-4.8%, a detection limit of 1.9 mug ml(-1) and a sampling frequency of 45-50 h(-1).     

The effect of mechanical activation on the thermal decomposition of chalcopyrite

Experimental results on the influence of preliminary mechanical activation on the thermal decomposition of chalcopyrite are presented and discussed. The following experimental facts were found:

Analyse theoretique des lois cinetiques couramment utilisees en thermoanalyse pour l'etude des reactions solid-gaz. III. proposition d'une nouvelle methode d'approche en regime dynamique

Résumé Dans la première partie de ce travail, les auteurs mettent en évidence que la vitesse d'une réaction en régime non isotherme dépend d'un facteur supplémentaire: le régime de montée en température. Cette assertion est basée sur le fait que le taux de réactionx est une fonction de trois variables: températureT, tempst, et vitesse de chauffeT, variable qui n'avait pas été prise en considération jusqu'ici par les autres auteurs travaillant sur ce problème.Puis, se basant sur les deux hypothèses suivantes: a) l'équation de vitesse en régime isotherme est la forme limite de l'équation de vitesse en régime dynamique, b) la variation de température en régime dynamique affecte la fréquence d'apparition des germes de la nouvelle phase, une formulation théorique des loisg(x) est proposée pour le régime non-isotherme. Cette formulation est explicitée en fonction de l'écart, à une température donnée, entre les valeurs de Lnk _i (isotherme) et Lnk _d (dynamique) dans le diagramme Lnk = f(1/T).L'étude, par thermogravimétrie, de la décomposition du gypse, du sulfate de calcium semihydraté, et de l'oxalate de calcium monohydraté, réalisée en montée linéaire de température, permet de vérifier expérimentalement la formulation théorique proposée.Pour obtenir une bonne interprétation cinétique d'une réaction chimique en régime dynamique, la vitesse de chauffe ne doit pas excéder 20°/heure.

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In the first part of this paper, the authors point out that the rate of reaction with non-isothermal kinetics depends on a supplementary factor: the heating rate. This assertion is based on the fact that the degreex of reaction is a function of three variables:T (temperature),t (time) andT (heating rate); this was not taken into account by other authors concerned with the subject.Then from the two following hypotheses: a) the rate equation for isothermal conditions is the limit form of the rate equation for non-isothermal conditions, b) the temperature change under dynamic conditions affects the frequency of nucleus formation of the new phase, a theoretical formulation of non-isothermalg(x) laws is proposed. This formulation involves the value of the difference, at constant temperature, between Ink _i (isothermal) and In k_d (dynamic) in the Ink=f(1/T) diagram.The thermogravimetric study of the dehydration of gypsum, of calcium sulfate hemihydrate, and of calcium oxalate monohydrate, under non-isothermal conditions, allows experimental verification of the theoretical formulation proposed.For a good kinetic approach of a chemical reaction under dynamic conditions, the heating rate must not exceed 20°/hour.

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Zusammenfassung Im ersten Teil dieser Arbeit wird von den Autoren bewiesen, daß die Geschwindigkeit einer Reaktion unter nicht-isothermen Bedingungen von einem zusätzlichen Faktor, den Bedingungen des Temperaturenstiegs, abhängt. Diese Behauptung beruht auf der Tatsache, daß der Reaktionsverlauf eine Funktion dreier Variablen ist: der TemperaturT, der Zeitt und der AufheizungsgeschwindigkeitT, wobei letztere Variable bisher von den auf diesem Gebiet arbeitenden Autoren außer Acht gelassen worden ist.Nachfolgend wird an Hand der zwei Voraussetzungen, daß a) die Geschwindigkeitsgleichung unter isothermen Bedingungen die Grenzform der Geschwindigkeitsgleichung unter dynamischen Bedingungen ist und b) die Temperaturänderung unter dynamischen Bedingungen sich auf die Erscheinungsfrequenz der Keime der neuen Phase auswirkt, eine theoretische Formulierung der Gesetzeg(x) für nicht-isotherme Bedingungen vorgeschlagen. Diese Formulierung wird als Funktion der Abweichung ausgedrückt, welche bei einer gegebenen Temperatur zwischen den Werten von Lnk _i (isotherm) und Lnk _d (dynamisch) im Diagramm Lnk=f(1/T) besteht.Die bei linearem Temperaturanstieg thermogravimetrisch durchgeführte Untersuchung der Zersetzung von Gips, von Calciumsulfat Semihydrat und von Calciumoxalat Monohydrat ermöglicht die vorgeschlagene theoretische Formulierung experimentell zu bestätigen.Um unter dynamischen Bedingungen eine gute kinetische Interpretation einer chemischen Reaktion zu erhalten, darf die Aufheizungsgeschwindigkeit den Wert von 20° pro Stunde nicht überschreiten.

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, : . , : (),t () ' ( ), , . : ) ) t(x) . Lnk _j () Lnk _d ( ) Lnk=f(1/T) . , , . , 20° .

     

Oxytropis alkaloids II. Structure of oxytriphine

The new alkaloid oxytriphine, the parent of natural 2-oxazoline derivatives, has been isolated from the epigeal part ofOxytropis trichophysa; and its structure has been established as (5S)-(+)-2,5-diphenyl-2-oxazoline. (-)-N-Benzoyl-2-phenyl-2-hydroxyethylamine and benzoic acid have been detected in this plant for the first time. A hypothesis of the possible biogenetic interrelationship of the compounds isolated is put forward.Institute of the Chemistry of Plant Substances. Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences, Tashkent. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii. No. 6, pp. 873–876, November–December, 1993.     

Development of an amperometric biosensor for the determination of phenolic compounds in reversed micelles

The possibilities of amperometric enzyme electrodes in reversed micellar systems for the determination of phenol, 4-chloro-3-methylphenol and 2,4-dimethylphenol are illustrated. The used enzymatic reaction consisted of the oxidation of the phenolic compounds by oxygen, catalysed by tyrosinase. The reduction of the liberated quinones was amperometrically detected. The concentration of the components of the reversed micelles, as well as the potential applied to the tyrosinase electrode have been optimized. The stability of the enzyme electrode with time was also evaluated. The effect of the analyte solubility in water upon the analytical performance of the electrode was explored. Advantages of amperometric biosensors in reversed micelles are shown with respect to aqueous media and organic phase enzyme electrodes.     

Calcium-selective electrodes based on calcium tetra(4-chlorophenyl)borate complexes of macrocyclic polyether diamides

The preparation of macrocyclic 7,19-dibenzyl-7,19-diaza-1,4,10,13,16-pentaoxa-cycloheneicosane-6, 20-diones substituted in positions 2 and 3 with methyl groups, and their properties in PVC membranes as calcium sensors are described. Complexes of these polyether diamides (PEDA) with calcium and tetra(4-chlorophenyl)borate (TClPB) ions having the composition 2PEDA·Ca·2TClPB were prepared. Calcium electrodes based on these complexes have selectivity coefficients for calcium over barium up to 10³, and over alkali metals up to 3 × 10⁴.