Soot volume fractions and primary particle size estimate by means of the simultaneous two-color-time-resolved and 2D laser-induced incandescence

An original approach of laser-induced incandescence consisting in the simultaneous recording of the two-color-time-resolved and 2D LII signal is described in this paper. The application of this approach in an atmospheric pressure diffusion flame fueled with isooctane as well as inside the combustion chamber of a diesel engine is presented. Soot volume fraction and primary particle diameters are calculated, and the results are discussed. The mean diameter estimated by fitting the LII modeled curve on the experimental one is compared with the results obtained through soot sampling and microscope analyzing. The influence of the thermal accommodation coefficient and soot refractive index function is also discussed. PACS 47.80.-v; 42.40.Pa; 42.62.Eh; 47.54.De     

Electrochemical Investigation of Glucose on a Highly Sensitive Nickel‐Copper Modified Pencil Graphite Electrode

Novel nickel‐copper modified pencil graphite electrode (Ni?Cu/PGE) was fabricated and used as non‐enzymatic sensor for glucose determination. Ni and copper were electrodeposited on PGE using cyclic voltammetry. Morphology and composition of the modified PGE electrode were characterized by field‐emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEG‐SEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR). Electrochemical oxidation of glucose was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry as well as by amperometry. Electrochemical measurements indicate that the Ni?Cu/PGE exhibits a high sensitivity of 2951 μA mM^?1 cm^?2, and a low detection limit of 0.99 μM which are, respectively, three times higher and twice lower than that on Ni/PGE prepared in the same conditions. Moreover, Ni?Cu/PGE exhibits a wider linear range from 1 to 10000 μM with a rapid response time within 2 s. Moreover, Ni?Cu/PGE showed a remarkable stability. The electrode was successfully applied for determination of glucose concentration in human blood without significant interference from potential endogenic interferents. The good applicability of the elaborated sensor made Ni?Cu/PGE promising for the development of effective and inexpensive non‐enzymatic glucose sensor.     

Determination of copper(II) in a complex matrix after prereduction to copper(I) in a flow-injection system with an amperometric detector

A flow-injection system with a carbon paste detector is proposed for the determination of copper in complex media at +0.050 V vs. Ag/AgCl. Both the reduction current peak of Cu(II) and the oxidation peak of Cu(I) (obtained in the presence of hydroxylamine in the reagent stream) were proportional to the Cu(II) concentration in the original sample. The stabilization of Cu(I) in the hydroxylamine system provides a novel approach; the inherent repeatability of operation of flow-injection systems (timing, etc.) proved ideal for this utilization. Acidified Cu(II) samples containing additional metal ions [Fe(lI), Zn(II), Pb(II)] and relatively high concentrations of serum albumin were analysed. A chelating column retained heavy metal ions while allowing albumin to run to waste. The retained metals were subsequently eluted with nitric acid into a stream of sodium acetate or sodium acetate-hydroxyl- amine. Before reaching the detector, the pH of the sample plug was adjusted. With the hydroxylamine system, Fe(III) interference was minimized and the sensitivity and reproducibility were improved. The sample throughput was 25 h^?1. National Bureau of Standards Standard Reference Material 909 Human Serum was used to test the method.     

An Evaluation of UiO‐66 for Gas‐Based Applications

In addition to its high thermal stability, repetitive hydration/dehydration tests have revealed that the porous zirconium terephthalate UiO‐66 switches reversibly between its dehydroxylated and hydroxylated versions. The structure of its dehydroxylated form has thus been elucidated by coupling molecular simulations and X‐ray powder diffraction data. Infrared measurements have shown that relatively weak acid sites are available while microcalorimetry combined with Monte Carlo simulations emphasize moderate interactions between the UiO‐66 surface and a wide range of guest molecules including CH₄, CO, and CO₂. These properties, in conjunction with its significant adsorption capacity, make UiO‐66 of interest for its further evaluation for CO₂ recovery in industrial applications. This global approach suggests a strategy for the evaluation of metal–organic frameworks for gas‐based applications.     

Jet bundle formalism towards the extension of the stretched rope equation

In this paper, based upon a jet bundle formalism, we investigate the connection and the curvature associated to the stretched rope equation. Following the prolongation structure analysis due to Wahlquist and Estabrook combined to Cartan-Ehresmann connection with structure group SL(3,R), we derive an interesting coupled system dubbed as the two-component stretched rope equation which physically and geometrically arises from the curve motion flow in Euclidean space.     

Synthesis, characterization, and conformational analysis of new perfunctionalized calix[9]arenes

The synthesis of a series of six new per-substituted p-tert-butylcalix[9]arenes derivatives has been achieved. Functions such as ester, nitrile, or carbonate have been grafted on the phenolic oxygens of calix[9]arene: p-tert-butylcalix[9]arene nona-ethyl acetate, p-tert-butylcalix[9]arene nona-carboxylic acid, p-tert-butylcalix[9]arene nona-cyanopropyloxy, p-tert-butylcalix[9]arene nona-tert-butoxycarbonyle, p-tert-butylcalix[9]arene nona-acetyl, and p-tert-butylcalix[9]arene nona-trifluoroacetyl have been obtained in good yields (from 48% to 78%) and fully characterized. The X-ray structures of p-tert-butylcalix[9]arene nona-tert-butoxycarbonyl and p-tert-butylcalix[9]arene nona-ethyl acetate have been determined. A dynamic NMR study has revealed the high conformational mobility of such structures, even at low temperature.