Interplay of Electronic Structure and Bulk Properties in 2D and 3D Ternary Carbonitrides from First Principles

The changes in electronic structure and hardness as inferred from the bulk modulus are investigated for model structures of ternary compounds XC₃N₃ (X = B, Al, P, As, Ga) within the framework of density functional theory (DFT). The optimisations of the proposed two‐ (2D) and three‐dimensional (3D) structures and the calculations of the bulk moduli are performed by a pseudo potential method. The electronic structures are calculated with the augmented sphere wave method (ASW). The obtained hardness for 2D BC₃N₃ system (B₀ ～ 220 GPa) points to a magnitude close to that of graphitic C₃N₄. For heavier X atoms it decreases rapidly. This is equally observed for the 3D systems examined in the β‐C₃N₄ structure for which B₀(β‐BC₃N₃) amounts to ～330 GPa. Within the magnitude of the well known hard material cubic BN, the BC₃N₃ phases can be predicted as candidates for ultra hard materials. The electronic effect induced by the chemical nature of the X substitutional was examined according to its position in the periodic table i.e. X_III or X_V. Both, band structures and the electron localisation function (ELF) were used for this analysis. The ELF plots show a decreasing covalency with heavier X‐atoms. Potential applications of the devised systems are proposed such as dopings with atoms (Li, rare gas) and molecules (N₂).     

Hygrometric Determination of Water Activities, Osmotic and Activity Coefficients, and Excess Gibbs Energy of the System MgSO4–K2SO4–H2O

Ternary aqueous solutions of MgSO₄ and K₂SO₄ have been studied by the hygrometric method at 25°C. The relative humidity of this system is measured at total molalities from 0.35 mol-kg^–1 to about saturation for three ionic-strength fractions (y = 0.25, 0.50, and 0.80 of MgSO₄. The data allow calculation of water activities and osmotic coefficients. From these measurements, the Pitzer ionic mixing parameters are determined and used to predict the solute activity coefficients in the mixture. The results are used to calculate the excess Gibbs energy at total molalities for ionic-strength fraction y.     

Investigation of Cd(II), Pb(II) and Cu(I) complexation by glutathione and its component amino acids by ESI-MS and size exclusion chromatography coupled to ICP-MS and ESI-MS

The elucidation of structures of glutathione (GSH) complexes play an important role in the fundamental understanding of biochemical pathways of metal ion deactivation in plants. This article attempts to feature key studies for stoichiometry of metal complexes with glutathione and its constituent amino acids to obtain a better understanding of the different metal affinities of the complexation sites of glutathione. The SEC-ICP-MS experiments have indicated that oxidation process of glutathione was accelerated by metal ion presence in following order Cu⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺. The redox activity of metal ions was confirmed by ESI-MS experiments, which allowed to observe formation of glutathione disulphide (GSSG) in time. The stoichiometry of Cd²⁺, Cu⁺ and Pb²⁺ complexes with GSH was defined by observing the isotope pattern of investigated metals and hydrogen loss or transfer during binding. The complexes with metal bound to sulphur of 1:1 and 1:2 stoichiometry were found in case of cadmium and lead. The number of hydrogen atoms lost during metal binding and the SEC-ESI-MS results allowed to elucidate that copper is bound by GSSG in ratio 1:1 and 1:2. Additionally, size exclusion chromatography coupled to electrospray MS allowed to differentiate more stable complexes from weak ones that could be created in the gas phase.     

Thermal decomposition of surface compounds for the generation of small quantities of acetaldehyde: Calibration of a thermal desorption-gas chromatography-flame ionization detection

The paper presents a new method for the generation of acetaldehyde in the amounts that allow to calibrate the measuring system. The method is based on thermal decomposition of surface compounds at the range 130-190 °C, in which an acetaldehyde as the decomposition product is released. The synthetic pathway leading to the desired surface compounds is described. Investigations demonstrated that the synthesis of the compounds on the surface of the support material (silica gel) was carried out homogeneously. The technique proposed was used for the generation of gaseous standard mixtures containing acetaldehyde for the calibration of a thermal desorber-gas chromatograph-flame ionization detector system.     

Synthesis and Visible Spectral Behaviour of Some New N‐Bridgehead Heterocyclic Cyanine Dyes Incorporating Pyrazolo (4,5‐b) Indolizine (Benzoindolizine)

The new unsymmetrical N‐bridgehead, apo (zeromethine), mono‐methine, dimethine, meso substituted tetramethine and styryl cyanine dyes incorporating pyrazolo (4,5‐b) indolizine (benzoindolizine) nuclei were prepared. Structural confirmation was carried out by elemental analyses, IR, H‐NMR, mass spectra and ¹³C‐NMR with the aid of carbon DEPT spectral data. The visible absorption spectra for the newly synthesized cyanines were examined in 95% ethanol.     

Syntheses of Some 3—[1′（1′H）—Substituent—pyrazol—5′—yl] benzo [5,6] coumarins

3-[1′(1′H)-Substituent-pyrazol-5′-yl]benzo[5,6]coumarins and 3-(1′,2′-oxazol-5′-yl)benzo[5,6]coumarin were prepared via condensation of 3-(2′-formyl-1′-chlorovinyl)benzo[5,6] coumarin with hydrazine derivatives or hydroxylamine.Reaction of 3-[1′(1′H)-pyrazol-5′-yl]benzo[5,6]coumarin with alkyl halides,olefinic compunds or acid chlorides are described.     

Characterisation and cryomagnetic study of a hydrothermally synthesised hydrogen bonded L–M–L type co-ordination polymer

A ligand–metal–ligand type co-ordination polymer [Ni (C₆H₁₂N₄)(NCS)₂(H₂O)₂] _n has been synthesised under controlled hydrothermal conditions. Here 1,3,5,7-tetraazatricyclo[3.3.1]decane [or hexamethylenetetramine (hmt)] has been used as a μ-(N,N′) bidentate spacer molecule. The prepared polymeric complex has been characterised by elemental and spectral analyses. The structure has been confirmed by a single crystal X-ray diffraction study. Magneto-structural correlation has been drawn from cryomagnetic susceptibility measurements (2–300 K) which unequivocally reflects very weak magnetic spin interactions among the long distant octahedral Ni(II) metal centres mediated by hmt and weak hydrogen bonding interactions between the adjacent zigzag one-dimensional polymeric chains carrying into a two-dimensional infinite polymeric framework.     

Emulsion liquid membrane extraction of fission products promoted by polyvalent and organic acids

Emulsion liquid membranes (ELM) with di-2-ethylhexylphosphoric acid in n-alkane, and dipicrylamine and cobalt(III) dicarbollide in nitrobenzene stabilized in double emulsions by SPAN 80/85 surfactant were used for preconcentration of radioactive fission products (¹³⁷Cs,⁹⁰Sr,¹³⁹Ce, and¹⁵²Eu) from slightly acidic nitrate solutions. The efficiency of sulfuric, phosphotungstic and silicotungstic acids as stripping agents, and picric acid as the bulky anion additive was investigated. A group separation of the fission products is possible by the ELM technique and can be considered for their removal from waste water solutions.     

Synthesis and elaboration of functionalised carbohydrate-derived spiroketals

The scope of a stereoselective three-step approach for the synthesis of sugar derived spiroketals is presented. The methodology consists of Grignard addition of vinyl- or allylmagnesium bromide to a carbohydrate lactone, followed by K-10 clay mediated glycosidation with a terminal alkenol and subsequent ring-closing metathesis of the resulting diene. The generality of this procedure is demonstrated by the synthesis of various pyranose- and furanose-derived spiroketals, as well as more advanced tricyclic spiroketal derivatives. It is shown that functionalisation of the double bond in the resulting spiroketals leads to fused polycyclic ethers.     

The physical properties of pressure sensitive rubber composites

Nitrile butadiene rubber, NBR, structural foam of different apparent densities was obtained by using different concentrations of foaming agent, azodicarbonamide, ADC/K. The true stress-strain characteristics, in case of compression, of foamed samples after the application of cyclic stress-strain were measured. The effect of the cyclic stress-strain on strain energy density of ADC/K foaming agent-filled NBR rubber composites was studied. The mechanical parameters were found to depend on the foaming agent concentration and on the pre-cyclic fatigue number. Results also indicated that the strain energy decreased with filler concentration.The effects of the cyclic stress-strain on the conductivity of ADC/K foaming agent-filled NBR rubber composites were studied. The electrical properties were found to depend on the foaming agent concentration, the strain amplitude and the number of stress-strain cycles of pre-strain. This study was assisted by the current-voltage characteristics which were measured under the effect of different compression ratios: 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30%. The free current carrier mobility and the equilibrium concentration of charge carriers in the conduction band were produced as functions of compressive strain. Results also indicate that there is a linear variation between pressure and conductivity for all samples, which means that these samples can be used as a pressure sensor.