Combining Steric and Electrostatic Stabilization Using Hydrophilic MacroRAFT Agents in an Ab Initio Emulsion Polymerization of Styrene

Hydrophilic (co)polymers carrying a thiocarbonyl thio end group such as poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate), poly(ethylene oxide), and poly(ethylene oxide)‐block‐poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) have been evaluated as precursors of stabilizers in batch ab initio emulsion polymerization of styrene under acidic conditions to form electrosterically stabilized polystyrene latex particles. As a mixture of P(DMAEMA/H⁺Cl⁻)‐RAFT and PEO‐RAFT failed to give satisfactory results, PEO‐RAFT was used as a control agent for the RAFT polymerization of DMAEMA, and the resulting block copolymer was successfully used in ab initio styrene emulsion polymerization.

     

Pulsed Nd:YAG laser welding of AISI 304 to AISI 420 stainless steels

The technique to weld AISI 304 stainless steel to AISI 420 stainless steel with a pulsed Nd:YAG laser has been investigated. The main objective of this study was to determine the influence of the laser beam position, with respect to the joint, on weld characteristics. Specimens were welded with the laser beam incident on the joint and moved 0.1 and 0.2 mm on either side of the joint. The joints were examined in an optical microscope for cracks, pores and to determine the weld geometry. The microstructure of the weld and the heat affected zones were observed in a scanning electron microscope. An energy dispersive spectrometer, coupled to the scanning electron microscope, was used to determine variations in (weight %) the main chemical elements across the fillet weld. Vickers microhardness testing and tensile testing were carried out to determine the mechanical properties of the weld. The results of the various tests and examinations enabled definition of the best position for the incident laser beam with respect to the joint, for welding together the two stainless steels.     

Optical studies of ZnO nanocrystals doped with Eu3+ ions

Synthetic ZnO nanocrystals have been intentionally doped with Eu³⁺ ions. Structural analysis performed on the nanocrystals showed wurtzite-ZnO as the only phase present in the samples. Photoluminescence in emission and excitation modes allows the assignment of the intra-4f⁶ transitions for the Eu³⁺ ions. From the analysis of the optical data we are able to demonstrate that multiple Eu-related optical centres are present in the studied samples. Oxygen vacancies are likely candidates to be responsible for the ion accommodation in the ZnO lattice and from the photoluminescence excitation data we tentatively assign a trap level at ∼200 meV below the conduction band to this intrinsic defect. PACS 78.66.Hf; 78.67.-n; 82.80.Yc     

Synthesis and Application of New Salan Titanium Complexes in the Catalytic Reduction of Aldehydes

Complexes of formula [(H₂N₂O₂)TiCl₂] and [(H₂N₂O₂)Ti(OⁱPr)₂] (H₂N₂O₂H₂ = HOPh’CH₂NH(CH₂)₂NHCH₂Ph’OH, where Ph’ = 2,4-(CMe₂Ph)C₆H₂) were synthesized by the reaction of the salan ligand precursor H₂N₂O₂H₂ with TiCl₄ and Ti(OⁱPr)₄, respectively, in high yields. The dichlorido complex [(H₂N₂O₂)TiCl₂] revealed to be an efficient catalyst for the reduction of benzaldehyde in toluene. Full conversion was observed after 24 h at 55 °C in THF. The same catalyst also converted phenylacetaldehyde and hydrocinnamaldehyde into the corresponding alkanes quantitatively.     

Band structure and cluster model calculations of LaNiO3 compared to photoemission,O 1s X-ray absorption,and optical absorption spectra

We studied the electronic structure of LaNiO₃ using band structure and cluster model calculations. This compound is a paramagnetic metal with a R3?c rhombohedral structure. The band structure was calculated using the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). The cluster model was solved using the configuration interactions (CI) many-body method. We present results for the density of states (DOS), the spectral weight, and the dielectric function ${\epsilon }_2$. The calculations are compared to previous photoemission (PES), O 1s X-ray absorption (XAS), as well as optical absorption spectra. Both band structure and cluster model results are in good agreement with the experimental data. We point out that this concordance is very rare and far from trivial; we argue that this may be due to the unusual characteristics of the ground state of LaNiO₃.     

When a Red–NIR-Emissive Cs2[Mo6Br14] Interacts with an Active Diureasil–PEO Matrix: Design of Tunable and White-Light-Emitting Hybrid Material

Hybrid materials that combine diureasil matrices and octahedral molybdenum clusters have been synthesized to design lead-, cadmium- and rare-earth-free emitters for lighting or optoelectronic applications. This association leads to homogeneous and stable hybrids, for which the emission color can be tailored in the entire visible range, including white light; this is thanks to effective energy transfers from the host to the nanocluster.     

The role of rebound spikes in the maintenance of self-sustained neural spiking activity

Nonlinear Dynamics - In general, the mechanisms that maintain the activity of neural systems after a triggering stimulus has been removed are not well understood. Different mechanisms involving at...     

New Trends in C–C Cross-Coupling Reactions: The Use of Unconventional Conditions

The ever-growing interest in the cross-coupling reaction and its applications has increased exponentially in the last decade, owing to its efficiency and effectiveness. Transition metal-mediated cross-couplings reactions, such as Suzuki–Miyaura, Sonogashira, Heck, and others, are powerful tools for carbon–carbon bond formations and have become truly fundamental routes in catalysis, among other fields. Various greener strategies have emerged in recent years, given the widespread popularity of these important reactions. The present review comprises literature from 2015 onward covering the implementation of unconventional methodologies in carbon–carbon (C–C) cross-coupling reactions that embodies a variety of strategies, from the use of alternative energy sources to solvent- free and green media protocols.