A SAXS study of the nanostructural characteristics of TEOS-derived sonogels upon heat treatment up to 1100 °C

Xerogels obtained from the acid-catalyzed and ultrasound stimulated hydrolysis of TEOS were submitted to heat treatment at temperatures ranging from 60 to 1100 °C and studied by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The SAXS intensity as a function of the modulus of the scattering vector q was obtained in the range from q₀=0.19 to q_m=4.4 nm⁻¹. At 60 °C the xerogels exhibit an apparent surface fractal structure with a fractal dimension D_S∼2.5 in a length scale ranging from 1/q₁∼1 to 1/q_m∼0.22 nm. This structure becomes extremely rough at 120 °C (D_S∼3) and at 150 °C, it apparently converts to a mass fractal with a fractal dimension D∼2.4. This may mean an emptying of the pores with preservation of a share of the original mass fractal structure of the wet aged gel, for it had presented a mass fractal dimension D∼2.2. A well characterized porous structure formed by 2.0 nm mean size pores with smooth surface of about 380 m²/g is formed at 300 °C and remains stable until approximately 800 °C. At 900 °C the SAXS intensity vanishes indicating the disappearance of the pores in the probed length scale. The elimination of the nanopores occurs by a mechanism in which the number of pores diminishes keeping constant their mean size. The xerogels exhibit a foaming phenomenon above 900 °C and scatter following Porod's law as does a surface formed by a coarse structure.     

The Random Average Process and Random Walk in a Space-Time Random Environment in One Dimension

We study space-time fluctuations around a characteristic line for a one-dimensional interacting system known as the random average process. The state of this system is a real-valued function on the integers. New values of the function are created by averaging previous values with random weights. The fluctuations analyzed occur on the scale n ^1/4, where n is the ratio of macroscopic and microscopic scales in the system. The limits of the fluctuations are described by a family of Gaussian processes. In cases of known product-form invariant distributions, this limit is a two-parameter process whose time marginals are fractional Brownian motions with Hurst parameter 1/4. Along the way we study the limits of quenched mean processes for a random walk in a space-time random environment. These limits also happen at scale n ^1/4 and are described by certain Gaussian processes that we identify. In particular, when we look at a backward quenched mean process, the limit process is the solution of a stochastic heat equation.     

Preparation and characterization of activated carbons from impregnation pitch by ZnCl2

Using an impregnation pitch from bituminous coal tar (OP) supplied by Industrias Químicas del Nalon Company as raw material, two phases (isotropic and anisotropic) have been obtained. The latter was used as precursor for the preparation of activated carbons. First, a chemical activation process was carried out with ZnCl₂ as activating agent. The process was conducted at different concentrations and temperatures and by means of impregnation with solid zinc chloride. Optimal values were obtained for samples prepared by using a ZnCl₂:pitch ratio equal to 3:1 (sample AZn3). Next, this sample was thermally treated at two different temperatures, i.e., 700 and 800 °C. A lose of specific surface area, microporosity and mesoporosity was observed with respect to sample AZn3, such a lose being more remarkable as temperature increased. Moreover, impregnation of the anisotropic phase of the original pitch with an aqueous solution of ZnCl₂ followed by thermal treatment resulted in a poorly developed surface area and porous texture, probably due to the presence of Zn complexes, which interfere with the activation process.     

In situ preparation of Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O superconducting films by laser sputtering

Superconducting films of Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O on (100) MgO substrates have been fabricated by XeCl-excimer-laser sputtering from ceramic targets of Bi_2.5Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_y in O₂ atmosphere. The films were polycrystalline with the c-axis (30.80±0.02Å) preferably oriented normal to the substrate surface. Without post-annealing the films showed metallic resistance behavior with zero resistance temperatures of up to T_c(0) }- 79 K. The critical current density of the films had values of up to j_c(50K)}- 10⁴ A/cm².     

Cylindrical spike model for the formation of diamondlike thin films by ion deposition

T /n_S of n_T rearrangements and n_S atoms in the spike volume as the crucial parameter characterizing the ability of a given ion–target combination to achieve complete rearrangement of the spike volume. n_T/n_S>1 is the optimum condition for diamondlike film growth. For aC films the ion energy dependence of n_T/n_S agrees well with the measured sp³ bond fraction. For Ar⁺-ion-assisted deposition of aC we find n_T/n_S>1 above 50 eV with no pronounced ion energy dependence. Furthermore, our model predicts optimum conditions for the formation of cubic boron nitride between 50 eV and 3 keV. Accepted: 14 October 1997     

On the congruence lattice of a Scott-domain

We prove that the congruence lattice of a Scott-domain can be characterized as a complete lattice.Presented by V. Trnkova.The research of the first author was supported by the NSERC of Canada.The research of the second author was supported by the Hungarian National Foundation for Scientific Research, under Grant No. 1903.