Multi-scale theoretical study of support effect on sintering dynamics of Pt

The capability of theoretical durability studies to offer an efficient alternative methodology for predicting the potential performance of catalysts has improved in recent years. In this regard, multi-scale theoretical methods for predicting sintering behavior of Pt on various catalyst supports are being developed. Various types of Pt diffusions depending on support were confirmed by the micro-scale ultra accelerated quantum chemical molecular dynamics (UA-QCMD) method. Moreover, macro-scale sintering behavior of Pt/γ-Al₂O₃, Pt/ZrO₂ and Pt/CeO₂ catalysts were studied using a developed 3D sintering simulator. Experimental results were well reproduced. While Pt on γ-Al₂O₃ sintered significantly, Pt on ZrO₂ sintered slightly and Pt on CeO₂ demonstrated the highest stability against sintering.     

Normal-phase HPLC separation of possible biosynthetic intermediates of pheophytin a and chlorophyll a'.

Normal-phase HPLC conditions have been developed for separating the C17(3) isoprenoid isomers, which are expected to be formed as biosynthetic intermediates of chlorophyll (Chl) a, Chl a' (C13(2)-epimer of Chl a), pheophytin (Pheo) a and protochlorophyll (PChl). The application of these conditions to pigment composition analysis of greening etiolated barley leaves allowed us to detect, for the first time, the C17(3) isomers of Chl a', a possible constituent of the primary electron donor of photosystem (PS) I, P700, and those of Pheo a, the primary electron acceptor of PS II, in the very early stage of greening. The C17(3) isomer distribution patterns were approximately the same between Chl a and Chl a', but significantly different between Pheo a and Chl a', probably reflecting the similarity and difference, respectively, in the biosynthetic pathways of these pigment pairs.     

Conductive Nanoscopic Fibrous Assemblies Containing Helical Tetrathiafulvalene Stacks

Tetrathiafulvalenes (TTF) S‐TTF and R‐TTF having four chiral amide end groups self‐organize into helical nanofibers in the presence of 2,3,5,6‐tetrafluoro‐7,7′,8,8′‐tetracyano‐p‐quinodimethane (F₄TCNQ). The intermolecular hydrogen bonding among chiral amide end groups and the formation of charge‐transfer complexes results in a long one‐dimensional supramolecular stacking, and the chirality of the end groups affects the molecular orientation of TTF cores within the stacks. Electronic conductivity of a single helical nanoscopic fiber made of S‐TTF and F₄TCNQ is determined to be (7.0±3.0)×10^?4 S cm^?1 by point‐contact current‐imaging (PCI) AFM measurement. Nonwoven fabric composed of helical nanofibers shows a semiconducting temperature dependence with an activation energy of 0.18 eV.     

No-Cloning Theorem,Kochen-Specker Theorem,and Quantum Measurement Theories

The usual no-cloning theorem implies that two quantum states are identical or orthogonal if we allow a cloning to be on the two quantum states. Here, we investigate a relation between the no-cloning theorem and the projective measurement theory that the results of measurements are either + 1 or − 1. We introduce the Kochen-Specker (KS) theorem with the projective measurement theory. We result in the fact that the two quantum states under consideration cannot be orthogonal if we avoid the KS contradiction. Thus the no-cloning theorem implies that the two quantum states under consideration are identical in that case. It turns out that the KS theorem with the projective measurement theory says a new version of the no-cloning theorem. Next, we investigate a relation between the no-cloning theorem and the measurement theory based on the truth values that the results of measurements are either + 1 or 0. We return to the usual no-cloning theorem that the two quantum states are identical or orthogonal in the case.

     

Quadrupolar susceptibility and magnetic phase diagram of PrNi2Cd20 with non-Kramers doublet ground state

ABSTRACT

In this study, ultrasonic measurements were performed on a single crystal of cubic PrNi₂Cd₂₀, down to a temperature of 0.02?K, to investigate the crystalline electric field ground state and search for possible phase transitions at low temperatures. The elastic constant (C₁₁?C₁₂)/2, which is related to the Γ₃-symmetry quadrupolar response, exhibits the Curie-type softening at temperatures below ～30?K, which indicates that the present system has a Γ₃ non-Kramers doublet ground state. A leveling-off of the elastic response appears below ～0.1?K toward the lowest temperatures, which implies the presence of level splitting owing to a long-range order in a finite-volume fraction associated with Γ₃-symmetry multipoles. A magnetic field–temperature phase diagram of the present compound is constructed up to 28?T for H || [110]. A clear acoustic de Haas–van Alphen signal and a possible magnetic-field-induced phase transition at H ～26?T are also detected by high-magnetic-field measurements.