Binding energy and reactivity of surface oxygen of cobalt molybdates

For the first time it was shown that cationic solid electrolyte — pyrex glass can be used for determining the binding energy of surface oxygen for binary catalysts of partial oxidation. On this basis the activity and selectivity of - and -CoMoO₄ are discussed.

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A novel, sensitive potentiometric hydrocarbon sensor for high-vacuum applications

A potentiometric device based on interfacing a solid electrolyte oxygen ion conductor with a thin platinum film acts as a robust, reproducible sensor for the detection of hydrocarbons in high- or ultrahigh-vacuum environments. Sensitivities in the order of approximately 5 x 10(-10) mbar are achievable under open circuit conditions, with good selectivity for discrimination between n-butane on one hand and toluene, n-octane, n-hexane, and 1-butene on the other hand. The sensor's sensitivity may be tuned by operating under constant current (closed circuit) conditions; injection of anodic current is also a very effective means of restoring a clean sensing surface at any desired point. XPS data and potentiometric measurements confirm the proposed mode of sensing action: the steady-state coverage of Oa, which sets the potential of the Pt sensing electrode, is determined by the partial pressure and dissociative sticking probability of the impinging hydrocarbon. The principles established here provide the basis for a viable, inherently flexible, and promising means for the sensitive and selective detection of hydrocarbons under demanding conditions.     

Change of immitance during electroforming and resistive switching in the metal-insulator-metal memristive structures based on SiO<Subscript> <Emphasis Type=Italic>x</Emphasis> </Subscript>

The change of the immitance of the metal–insulator–metal memristive structures based on SiO_x, which is observed during electroforming and resistive switching, confirms the formation of conducting channels (filaments) in the insulator during forming and their rupture upon a transition of the structure to a highresistance state. The observed switching of the differential capacitance and conductivity synchronously with the switching of current (resistance) can substantially extend the functional applications of memristive devices of this type.     

Near-critical nanosecond laser-induced phase explosion on graphite surface

Optical reflectivity, removal rate and ablative recoil pressure magnitudes were measured as a function of laser fluence during high-power UV nanosecond laser ablation of graphite. At low fluences only melting and weak surface vaporization of molten carbon were observed. At moderate fluences there is a very narrow fluence interval where the reflected fluence starts to saturate, while the removal rate and ablative recoil pressure rise drastically in a correlated manner, indicating the onset of a near-critical surface phase explosion. Then, at higher fluences the reflected fluence, removal rate and recoil pressure saturate with an appearance of a luminous plume, altogether indicating negligible specular reflectance and absorbance on the target surface due to its complete screening by the highly-absorbing laser plume. The overall strong correlation between the removal rate and recoil pressure magnitudes may indicate rather quasi-continuous removal of the near-critical superheated molten carbon layer by a propagating unloading wave in the absence of a crucial sub-surface temperature maximum in the layer.     

Bayes type estimates

We study the behavior of statistical estimates of the parameter of distribution when instead of the original family of distribution densities of the random variable considered one uses another family of functions. The limit distributions of Bayes type estimates are found.Translated from Statisticheskie Metody Otsenivaniya i Proverki Gipotez, pp. 62–68, 1988.     

Porous Al2O3/Al Metal Ceramics Prepared by the Oxidation of Aluminum Powder under Hydrothermal Conditions Followed by Thermal Dehydration: III. The Reactivity of Aluminum,the Reaction Mechanism of Its Oxidation with Water Vapor,and the Microtexture of Cermets

The macrokinetics of aluminum oxidation under hydrothermal conditions at 150–250°C and water vapor pressures of 0.5–4.5 MPa was studied. The apparent kinetic characteristics of the process were determined. The diffusion of water through the layer of a hydrated product was found to be a rate-limiting step. It was found that diffusion coefficients for various aluminum samples differed by almost two orders of magnitude; the main reaction steps were revealed. Changes in the texture of aluminum oxide in cermets in the course of the hydrothermal oxidation reaction were analyzed. This texture was found to depend on the ratio between the specific rate of the oxidation reaction and the rate of aging of the oxidation products under hydrothermal conditions.