Zinc electrodeposition on copper substrate using cyanide bath for the production of 66,67,68Ga

The electroplating of zinc is carried out in an alkaline cyanide bath. Operating parameters such as pH, temperature, and current density and amount of the electrolyte components are optimized. The optimum conditions of the electrodeposition of zinc were as follows: 2.7 g L⁻¹ ZnO, 7.1 g L⁻¹ KCN, 11.1 g L⁻¹ KOH, pH = 13–14, DC current density of ca 8.55 mA cm⁻² at 40–50 °C temperature with 89% current efficiency. SEM photomicrographs revealed fine-grained structure of the deposit from the bath.     

Kinetic simulation of oxidative coupling of methane over perovskite catalyst by genetic algorithm： Mechanistic aspects

The reaction kinetics of oxidative coupling of methane catalyzed by perovskite was studied in a fixed bed flow reactor. At atmospheric pressure, the reactions were carried out at 725, 750 and 775 ℃, inlet methane to oxygen ratios of 2 to 4.5 and gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 100 min-1. Correlation of the kinetic data has been performed with the proposed mechanisms. The selected equations have been regressed with experimental data accompanied by genetic algorithm (GA) in order to obtain optimized parameters. After investigation the Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism was selected as the best mechanism, and Arrhenius and adsorption parameters of this model were obtained by linear regression. In this research the Marquardt algorithm was also used and its results were compared with those of genetic algorithm. It should be noted that the Marquardt algorithm is sensitive to the selection of initial values and there is possibility to trap in a local minimum.     

Three‐dimensional study of the pressure field and advantages of hemispherical crucible in silicon Czochralski crystal growth

The effects of several growth parameters in cylindrical and spherical Czochralski crystal process are studied numerically and particularly, we focus on the influence of the pressure field. We present a set of three‐dimensional computational simulations using the finite volume package Fluent in two different geometries, a new geometry as cylindro‐spherical and the traditional configuration as cylindro‐cylindrical. We found that the evolution of pressure which is has not been studied before; this important function is strongly related to the vorticity in the bulk flow, the free surface and the growth interface. It seems that the pressure is more sensitive to the breaking of symmetry than the other properties that characterize the crystal growth as temperature or velocity fields. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Nitrobenzoxadiazoles and related heterocycles: a relationship between aromaticity, superelectrophilicity and pericyclic reactivity

A study of the dual electrophilic and pericyclic reactivity of 4,6-dinitrobenzofurazan (DNBZ, 2), 4,6-dinitro-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole (DNBS, 3), 4,6-dinitro-2,1,3-benzoselenadiazole (DNBSe, 4) is reported. Kinetic and thermodynamic measurements of the ease of covalent hydration of 2-4 to give the corresponding hydroxy sigma-adducts C-2-C-4 have been carried out over a large pH range in aqueous solution. Analysis of the data has allowed a determination of the rate constants k1(H2O) pertaining to the susceptibility of 2-4 to water attack as well as the pKa values for the sigma-complexation processes. With pKa values ranging from 3.92 for DNBZ to 6.34 for DNBSe to 7.86 for DNBS, the electrophilic character of the three heteroaromatics is much closer to that of the superelectrophilic reference, i.e. 4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan (DNBF, 1; pKa = 3.75), than that of the standard Meisenheimer electrophile 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (TNB, pKa = 13.43). Most importantly, water is found to be an efficient nucleophile which contributes strongly to the formation of the adducts C-2 and C-4. This confirms a previous observation that a pKa value of ca. 8 is a primary requirement for having H2O competing effectively as a nucleophile with OH- in the formation of hydroxy sigma-adducts. On the other hand, 2-4 are found to exhibit dienophilic and/or heterodienic behaviour on treatment with isoprene, 2,3-dimethylbutadiene, cyclopentadiene or cyclohexadiene, affording Diels-Alder mono- or di-adducts which have all been structurally characterized. A major finding is that the order of Diels-Alder reactivity follows clearly the order of electrophilicity, pointing to a direct relationship between superelectrophilic and pericyclic reactivity. This relationship is discussed.     

Neutron-proton pairing effect on some even-even rare-earth proton-rich nuclei

The neutron-proton pairing effect on some even-even rare-earth proton-rich nuclei is studied. It is taken into account, in the isovector case, within the framework of the generalized Bogoliubov-Valatin transformation, using Woods-Saxon single-particle energies.     

M(II) Schiff base complexes (M = zinc,manganese, cadmium,cobalt, copper,nickel, iron,and palladium) supported on superparamagnetic Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles: synthesis,characterization and catalytic activity for Sonogashira–Hagihara coupling reactions

A series of magnetically separable catalysts consisting of Schiff base complexes of metal ions (Zn, Mn, Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Fe and Pd) supported on superparamagnetic Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ nanoparticles has been prepared. The structural features of the catalysts were characterized by XRD, FTIR, TEM, FE-SEM, DLS, VSM, UV–Vis, TGA, AFM and N₂ adsorption–desorption. Some of the Fe₃O₄@SiO₂/Schiff base complexes were found to be efficient catalysts for the Cu-free and the phosphine free Sonogashira–Hagihara coupling reaction of aryl halides and phenylacetylene. The catalysts are superparamagnetic, and thus could be easily separated by the utilization of an external magnetic field, and could be reused for six cycles without significant loss of activity.     

Design and investigation of a continuous radon monitoring network for earthquake precursory process in Great Tehran

Earthquakes usually occur after some preliminary anomalies in the physical and chemical characteristics of environment and earth interior. Construction of the models which can explain these anomalies, prompt scientists to monitor geophysical and geochemical characteristics in the seismic areas for earthquake prediction. A review of studies has been done so far, denoted that radon gas shows more sensitivity than other geo-gas as a precursor. Based on previous researches, radon is a short-term precursor of earthquake from time point of view. There are equal experimental equations about the relation between earthquake magnitude and its effective distance on radon concentration variations. In this work, an algorithm based on Dobrovolsky equation $ (D = 10^{0.43M} ) $ with defining the Expectation and Investigation circles for great Tehran has been used. Radon concentration was measured with RAD7 detector in the more than 40 springs. Concentration of radon in spring, spring discharge, water temperature and the closeness of spring location to active faults, have been considered as the significant factors to select the best spring for a radon continuous monitoring site implementation. According to these factors, thirteen springs have been selected as follow: Bayjan, Mahallat-Hotel, Avaj, Aala, Larijan, Delir, Lavij, Ramsar, Semnan, Lavieh, Legahi, Kooteh-Koomeh and Sarein.     

Separation and Determination of Diol Pollutants Come from Demulsifier in the Produced Water of Oil Fields

This paper introduced a novel test method for determination of the main demulsifier‐based pollutants in the produced water of oil wells, before draining to seawater. The type, concentration and distribution of diols depend on the demulsifier of interest; however, the main chemical species are the same. The novelty of this work is selective extraction and preconcentration of low chain diols in the produced water of oil fields. In this extraction method, dispersive solvent (1.2 mL, acetonitrile) containing extraction solvent (10.0 μL, carbon tetrachloride) was rapidly injected into the water sample containing analytes, and a cloudy solution was formed. After centrifugation (2 min at 3,000 rpm), these droplets were sedimented in the bottom of the conical test tube. Then 2.0 mL of sedimented phase containing preconcentrated analytes was injected into the gas chromatograph with flame ionization detector. The parameters affecting the extraction efficiency were evaluated and optimized. Factors such as the kind and volume of both extraction and disperser solvents, extraction and centrifugation times, pH and temperature, and salt effect were studied and optimized. The method exhibited enrichment factors and recoveries ranging from 39.0 to 44.4 and 78.9 to 92.2%, respectively, within very short extraction time. The linearity (and limit of detection) of the method ranged 4.0‐100.0 (2.0) ng/mL for 1,2‐ethandiol, 6.0‐80.0 (4.0) ng/mL for 1,3‐propandiol, 2.0‐90.0 (1.0) ng/mL ng/mL for 1,4‐butanediol, 5.0‐120.0 (2.0) ng/mL for 1,5‐pentandiol. The relative standard deviations (RSD) for the concentration of diols, 5.0 ng/mL in water by using the internal standard were in the range of 1.5–4.5% (n = 5) and without the internal standard was in the range of 2.6–9.0% (n = 5). It is concluded that this method is successful for determination of diols in produced water samples.     

Biological Evaluation of Some Antimicrobial Nano‐Materials

N‐(benzothiazol‐2‐yl)‐2‐(piperidin‐1‐yl)acetamide derivatives ( 1‐24 ) were obtained by the reaction of 2‐chloro‐N‐(benzothiazole‐2‐yl)acetamides with piperidine derivatives. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by ¹H‐NMR and mass spectral data and elemental analysis. The compounds were screened for their antimicrobial activities against pathogenic bacteria and Candida species. The compounds were also investigated for their cytotoxic properties using MTT assay. The microbiological results revealed that the compounds were more effective against fungi than bacteria. Among Candida species, C. utilis was the most susceptible fungus to compounds 7 and 11 . It is apparent that 2,6‐dimethylpiperidine group and chloro and methyl substituents on benzothiazole ring have an important impact on anticandidal activity. MTT assay indicated that the effective doses of these derivatives were lower than their cytotoxic doses.     

Preparation and properties of enhanced nanocomposites based on PLA/PC blends reinforced with silica nanoparticles

In order to lower brittleness of biobased polylactic acid (PLA), its blending with polycarbonate and nanosilica is aimed. In this line, to increase compatibility of the ingredients, dicumyl peroxide (DCP) and Cobalt (II) acetylacetonate (Co) were used as grafting and transesterification catalysts, respectively. The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) spectra demonstrated high compatibility of the ingredients by broadening of the PLA characteristic peaks and, also, good dispersion of nanosilica particles, especially in PLA/PC/Silica/Co sample. The EDX maps confirmed good nanosilica dispersion, too. The silica nanoparticle size was ranged from 20 to 100 nm in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) pictures. All nanocomposites showed improved thermal stability in thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results demonstrated lower T_g, T_m, and crystallinity values for the fabricated nanocomposites. Notably, the dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) curves confirmed the T_g, T_m, and T_cc trend obtained in DSC; moreover, much higher surface under tan δ peak for PLA/PC/Silica/Co sample was obtained, which implies its higher toughness. The precise tensile study of the samples confirmed significantly higher elongation at break of the nanocomposites, more considerably in PLA/PC/Silica/Co sample, with nearly negligible defect on tensile strength and modulus. In a concise, the obtained results confirmed the higher efficiency of Co catalyst, which leads to the sample with improved characteristics compared with DCP.