Phase transitions and magnetoelectric coupling in BiFe<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Zn<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> multiferroics

Multiferroic BiFe_1?xZn _x O₃ ceramics were prepared by solution combustion method. Their structure, magnetoelectric, dielectric, magnetic, thermal characteristics were studied. The magnetic M(T) and heat capacity C _p (T) measurements demonstrate an antiferromagnetic to paramagnetic phase transition (T _N ) around 635 K. The anomaly on the temperature dependence of the dielectric constant near T _N was observed, which could be induced by the magnetoelectric coupling between electric and magnetic ordering. The magnetoelectric behavior was also confirmed by the linear relation between Δε and M², which is in the agreement of the Ginzburg-Landau theory for the second-order phase transition.     

Thermodynamic fluctuations in canonical shock–turbulence interaction: effect of shock strength

In this work, we use numerical simulation and linear inviscid theory to study the thermodynamic field generated by the interaction of a shock wave with homogeneous isotropic turbulence. Fluctuations in density, pressure, temperature and entropy can play an important role in shock-induced mixing, combustion and energy transfer processes. Data from shock-captured direct numerical simulations (scDNS) are used to investigate the variation of thermodynamic fluctuations for varying shock strengths, and the results are compared with linear interaction analysis (LIA). The density, pressure and temperature variances attain large values at the shock, followed by, in general, a rapid decay in the downstream flow. The rapid variation behind the shock makes it difficult to compare numerical results with theoretical predictions. A threshold method based on instantaneous shock dilatation is used to overcome this problem, and it gives excellent match between scDNS and LIA. We find cases with non-monotonic variation with Mach number as well as local peaks in density fluctuations behind the shock. These are explained in terms of the contribution of the post-shock acoustic and entropy modes in the LIA solution and their cross-correlation. Budget of the transport equations reveals interesting insight into the physics governing the thermodynamic field behind the shock wave. It is found that the variances are primarily determined by the competing effects of dilatational and dissipation mechanisms. The dominant mechanisms are identified for a range of conditions, and their implication for developing predictive models is highlighted.     

Yield stress fluids and ageing

Many high-concentration multiphase materials that are industrially and academically important do not reach thermodynamic equilibrium because of kinetic constraints originating from the structurally arrested microstructure. However, owing to thermal or elastic energy of the constituents, their microstructure progressively reorganizes to form thermodynamically more stable states. In this physical ageing process, the whole spectrum of relaxation times evolves that makes relaxation dynamics increasingly sluggish. In a process of rejuvenation, deformation field increases mobility, but non-trivially alters the shape of relaxation time spectrum. Interestingly, this class of materials also demonstrates yield stress, whose origin could be closely related to physical aging, and as a result, it depends on time and deformation history. In this review, we present an overview of experimental behaviors and theoretical advances that indicate a complex coupling between ageing and rejuvenation for this class of materials having diverse microstructures.     

First principles study of electronic structure and carrier mobility in β-armchair antimony nanotubes

In recent work, we have investigated the structure and stability of β-armchair antimony nanotubes (SbNT) using density functional theory (DFT). We studied electronic properties like electronic band structure, density of states (DOS) and mechanical properties such as stiffness constant, Poisson's ratio, and mechanical strength for these nanotubes. We found that these nanotubes are energetically stable and semiconducting in nature with band-gap varying between 1.32 eV to 1.47 eV. We have also calculated effective mass and carrier mobility for these nanotubes. Furthermore, stiffness constant and mechanical strength of these nanotubes increases with increase in diameter. While, $(4,4)$ nanotube shows anomalously higher strength than other nanotubes. The results of effective mass and carrier mobility for these nanotubes shows that electrons have higher effective mass and therefore lesser mobility than holes for most of the nanotubes. Our calculations show that β-armchair antimony nanotubes (SbNT) could be use in nano-electronics.     

Nanoencapsulation and characterization of Albizia chinensis isolated antioxidant quercitrin on PLA nanoparticles

The plant isolated antioxidant quercitrin has been encapsulated on poly-d,l-lactide (PLA) nanoparticles by solvent evaporation method to improve the solubility, permeability and stability of this molecule. The size of quercitrin-PLA nanoparticles is 250 ± 68 nm whereas that PLA nanoparticles is 195 ± 55 nm. The encapsulation efficiency of nanoencapsulated quercitrin evaluated by HPLC and antioxidant assay is 40%. The in vitro release kinetics of quercitrin under physiological condition reveals initial burst release followed by sustained release. Less fluorescence quenching is observed with equimolar concentration of PLA encapsulated quercitrin than free quercitrin. The presence of quercitrin specific peaks on FTIR of five times washed quercitrin loaded PLA nanoparticles provides an extra evidence for the encapsulation of quercitrin into PLA nanoparticles. These properties of quercitrin nanomedicine provide a new potential for the use of such less useful highly active antioxidant molecule towards the development of better therapeutic for intestinal anti-inflammatory effect and nutraceutical compounds.     

Ligand-Promoted [Pd]-Catalyzed α-Alkylation of Ketones through a Borrowing-Hydrogen Approach

A new class of palladium complexes bearing bidentate 2-hydroxypyridine based ligands have been prepared and fully characterized. The applications of these new complexes towards ketone alkylation reactions with alcohols through a metal-ligand cooperative borrowing-hydrogen (BH) process were demonstrated.     

Room-Temperature Dialkylamination of Chloroheteroarenes Using a Cu(II)/PTABS Catalytic System

The dimethylamino functionality has significant importance in industrially relevant molecules and methodologies to install these efficiently are highly desirable. We report herein a highly efficient, room-temperature dimethylamination of chloroheteroarenes performed via the in-situ generation of dimethylamine using N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) as precursor wiith a large substrate scope that includes various heteroarenes, purines as well as commercially relevant drugs such as altretamine, ampyzine and puromycin precursor.