Synthesis, structure and optical properties of Eu/TiO2 nanocrystals at room temperature

The nanocrystal samples of titanium dioxide doped with europium ion (Eu³⁺/TiO₂ nanocrystal) are synthesized by the sol-gel method with hydrothermal treatment. The Eu³⁺ contents (molar ratio) in the samples are 0, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3% and 4%. The X-ray diffraction, UV-Vis spectroscopy data and scanning electron microscope image show that crystallite size is reduced by the doping of Eu³⁺ into TiO₂. Comparing the Raman spectra of TiO₂ with Eu³⁺/TiO₂ (molar ratio Eu³⁺/TiO₂=1%, 2% and 4%) nanocrystals at different annealing temperatures indicates that the anatase-to-rutile phase transformation temperatures of Eu³⁺/TiO₂ nanocrystals are higher than that of TiO₂. This is due to the formation of Eu-O-Ti bonds on the surface of the TiO₂ crystallite, as characterized by the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The photoluminescence spectra of TiO₂ in Eu³⁺/TiO₂ nanocrystals are interpreted by the surface self-trapped and defect-trapped exciton relaxation. The photoluminescence of Eu³⁺ in Eu³⁺/TiO₂ nanocrystals has the strongest emission intensity at 2% of Eu³⁺ concentration.     

Isoelectric focusing sample injection for capillary zone electrophoresis in a fused silica capillary.

An improvement has been made to couple isoelectric focusing (IEF) sample injection and capillary zone electrophoresis in an untreated fused silica capillary. Electroosmotic flow is efficiently prevented by simply using a rubber block at the outlet end of the capillary during IEF sample injection. The experimental conditions that affect the concentration effect are discussed. A concentration enhancement factor of over 100-fold can be easily obtained for two model proteins: lysozyme and ribonuclease A.     

A Characterization of Graphs without Even Factors

In this paper, we first reduce the problem of finding a minimum parity (g,f)-factor of a graph G into the problem of finding a minimum perfect matching in a weighted simple graph G*. Using the structure of G*, a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of an even factor is derived. This paper was accomplished while the second author was visiting the Center for Combinatorics, Nankai University. The research is supported by NSFC     

A cellular automaton technique for modelling of a binary dendritic growth with convection

A two-dimensional model for the simulation of a binary dendritic growth with convection has been developed in order to investigate the effects of convection on dendritic morphologies. The model is based on a cellular automaton (CA) technique for the calculation of the evolution of solid/liquid (s/l) interface. The dynamics of the interface controlled by temperature, solute diffusion and Gibbs–Thomson effects, is coupled with the continuum model for energy, solute and momentum transfer with liquid convection. The solid fraction is calculated by a governing equation, instead of some approximate methods such as lever rule method [A. Jacot, M. Rappaz, Acta Mater. 50 (2002) 1909–1926.] or interface velocity method [L. Nastac, Acta Mater. 47 (1999) 4253; L. Beltran-Sanchez, D.M. Stefanescu, Mat. and Mat. Trans. A 26 (2003) 367.]. For the dendritic growth without convection, mesh independency of simulation results is achieved. The simulated steady-state tip velocity are compared with the predicted values of LGK theory [Lipton, M.E. Glicksmanm, W. Kurz, Metall. Trans. 18(A) (1987) 341.] as a function of melt undercooling, which shows good agreement. The growth of dendrite arms in a forced convection has been investigated. It was found that the dendritic growth in the upstream direction was amplified, due to larger solute gradient in the liquid ahead of the s/l interface caused by melt convection. In the isothermal environment, the calculated results under very fine mesh are in good agreement with the Oseen–Ivanstov solution for the concentration-driven growth in a forced flow.     

Analysis of a type of nonsmooth dynamical systems

In this paper, a class of nonsmooth dynamical systems is analyzed. Extensive simulations reveal the chaotic behavior in these systems. By introducing a parameter, a chain of systems with one end being a linear stable system and the other being a chaotic system is constructed. Then the phase transition process through the chain is investigated as the parameter varies. Difficulties involved in analyzing this class of systems are also discussed.     

Microstructure of laser melted Al18B4O33w/2024Al composite

The microstructure of a laser treated Al₁₈B₄O₃₃w/2024Al composite has been investigated using transmission electron microscope (TEM), low-angle (glancing angle) X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Various surface microstructures were observed in the laser treated composite. The Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ whisker on the surface of the composite was decomposed during laser surface melting, various decomposition products were studied in the laser treated composite. Eutectic phases and the precipitation in the matrix of the composite with laser-treated were observed. The main phases detected in the molten zone were aluminum and decomposition products Al₂O₃. The effect of laser treatment on the hardness of the composite was also examined. A surface hardness of 400 Hv was noted.     

Characterization of iron surface modified by 2-mercaptobenzothiazole self-assembled monolayers

A self-assembled monolayer of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) adsorbed on the iron surface was prepared. The films were characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared reflection spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Besides, the microcalorimetry method was utilized to study the self-assembled process on iron surface and the adsorption mechanism was discussed from the power-time curve. The results indicated that MBT was able to form a film spontaneously on iron surface and the presence of it could protect iron from corrosion effectively. However, the assembling time and the concentration influence the protection efficiency. Quantum chemical calculations, according to which adsorption mechanism was discussed, could explain the experimental results to some extent.     

Performance Analysis for Mobile Ad Hoc Network in Random Graph Models with Spatial Reuse

In this paper,we present a random graph model with spatial reuse for a mobile ad hoc network(MANET) based on the dynamic source routing protocol.Many important performance parameters of theMANET are obtained,such as the average flooding distance (AFD),the probability generating function of theflooding distance,and the probability of a flooding route to be symmetric.Compared with the random graphmodel without spatial reuse,this model is much more effective because it has a smaller value of AFD and alarger probability for finding a symmetric valid route.     

Determination of ultra-trace gold in natural water by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry after in situ enrichment with thiol cotton fiber

A simple method of determining ultra-trace Au in natural water was presented by using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry (GFAAS) after in situ enrichment with thiol cotton fiber (TCF). The sample solution was adjusted to pH 1.5-2.0 with HCl, then the water sample was passed through a column packed with 0.10-0.20 g TCF and the flow rate was controlled at 20-40 ml min⁻¹. The effects of interferences, such as complexing and oxidizing agents and other elements adsorbed on TCF were overcome by chemical treatments prior to the desorption of Au. The adsorbed Au was adsorbed with 2.0 ml hot acid, then it was extracted with 1.00 ml methyl isobutylketone (MIBK). For a 5 l water sample, the detection limit of Au is 0.02 ng l⁻¹. The relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) for the determination of 1.44 ng l⁻¹ Au was 9.4%.The method was applied to determine ultra-trace Au both in suspended phase and soluble phase in natural water, the concentrations of total Au in natural water samples range from 0.51 to 67.82 ng l⁻¹. The recovery of added 0.50-6.00 ng l⁻¹ Au was 80-95%. The method is useful in prospecting for Au deposits by means of hydrogeochemical methods. The enrichment is carried out in the field, and then the determination of Au is completed later in the laboratory.