Impedance laser spectroscopy in a small RF-excited neon discharge

Laser impedance spectroscopy in a miniature neon RF-discharge operating at 0.27 bar was performed. The dominant role of the metastable atoms to the size and the sign of the RF-signal was investigated. Excellent linearity of the RF-signal but poor detection sensitivity of excited metastable neon atoms were found at low laser powers.     

Surface stabilized nanosized Ce(x)Zr(1-x)O(2) solid solutions over SiO(2): characterization by XRD, Raman, and HREM techniques

Ce(x)Zr(1)(-)(x)O(2) solid solutions deposited over silica surface were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy (RS), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HREM) techniques in order to understand the role of silica support and the temperature stability of these composite oxides. For the purpose of comparison, an unsupported Ce(x)Zr(1)(-)(x)O(2) was also synthesized and subjected to characterization by various techniques. The Ce(x)Zr(1)(-)(x)O(2)/SiO(2) (CZ/S) (1:1:2 mole ratio based on oxides) was synthesized by depositing Ce(x)Zr(1)(-)(x)O(2) solid solution over a colloidal SiO(2) support by a deposition precipitation method and unsupported Ce(x)Zr(1)(-)(x)O(2) (CZ) (1:1 mole ratio based on oxides) was prepared by a coprecipitation procedure, and the obtained catalysts were subjected to thermal treatments from 773 to 1073 K. The XRD measurements disclose the presence of cubic phases with the composition Ce(0.75)Zr(0.25)O(2) and Ce(0.6)Zr(0.4)O(2) in CZ samples, while CZ/S samples possess Ce(0.75)Zr(0.25)O(2), Ce(0.6)Zr(0.4)O(2), and Ce(0.5)Zr(0.5)O(2) in different proportions. The crystallinity of these phases increased with increasing calcination temperature. The cell a parameter estimations indicate contraction of ceria lattice due to the incorporation of zirconium cations into the CeO(2) unit cell. Raman measurements indicate the presence of oxygen vacancies, lattice defects, and displacement of oxygen ions from their normal lattice positions in both the series of samples. The HREM results reveal, in the case of CZ/S samples, a well-dispersed nanosized Ce-Zr-oxides over the surface of amorphous SiO(2). The structural features of these crystals as determined by digital diffraction analysis of experimental images reveal that the Ce-Zr-oxides are mainly in the cubic geometry and exhibit high thermal stability. Oxygen storage capacity measurements by a thermogravimetric method reveal a substantial enhancement in the oxygen vacancy concentration of CZ/S sample over the unsupported CZ sample.     

Synthese und Struktur von [(Ph3PAu)3NPPh3][PF6]2, einem Gold(I)‐phosphoraniminato‐Komplex

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of [(Ph₃PAu)₃NPPh₃][PF₆]₂, a Gold(I) Phosphoraneiminato Complex The photolytic reaction of Ph₃PAuN₃ with Cr(CO)₆ in THF yields the phosphoraneiminato complex [(Ph₃PAu)₃NPPh₃]²⁺ in low yield as well as the cluster cation [(Ph₃PAu)₈]²⁺ as the main product. The phosphoraneiminato complex crystallizes from CH₂Cl₂ with [PF₆]^? ions as [(Ph₃PAu)₃NPPh₃][PF₆]₂·CH₂Cl₂ in the triclinic space group with a = 1200.8(1), b = 1495.6(2), 2053.5(5), α = 86.97(2)°, β = 82.79(1)°, γ = 81.87(2)°, and Z = 2. The phosphoraneiminato ligand bridges through its N atom three Au atoms, which itself are connected to each other by weak aurophilic interactions.     

Visual detection of cysteine and homocysteine

The determination of cysteine and homocysteine levels is of great current interest for the monitoring of desease states. A new colorimetric method for the simultaneous detection of l-cysteine and l-homocysteine has been developed. A fluorescein derivative reacts with the above amino acids, producing their respective thiazolidines resulting in color changes. Interference from other amino acids and proteins is minimal.     

Tetragonal low-temperature structure of LiAl

The cubic face-centered structure of LiAl (, at ) transforms into a tetragonal body-centered structure (I4₁/amd, , at ). This first-order phase transition at about during heating is probably the reason for the so-called “ anomalies” in some physical properties like specific heat, electrical resistivity and nuclear-spin lattice relaxation. This transition seems to be correlated with the composition Li:Al of the alloy and the amount of Li vacancies.     

A quantitative evaluation of the electrostatic theory for ion pair chromatography

Summary A quantitative model for ion pair chromatography based on the electrostatic theory is described. The model is based on the solution of the linearised Poisson-Boltzmann equation in a cylinder. The obtained equations are compared with experimental data from a number of different systems. The agreement between theory and experiments is satisfactorily. Systematic deviations due to the use of the linearised equation and ion correlation effects are discussed.     

Binucleare Nickel(0)-Komplexe mit „Schlangenliganden”︁ vom 1-Azadientyp: Modellsysteme der oxidativen Kopplung von 1-Azadienen und 1,3-Dienen am Nickel(0)

Binuclear Nickel(0) Complexes with “Snake Ligands” of 1-Azadiene Type: Model Systems of the Oxidative Coupling of 1-Azadienes and 1.3-Dienes at Nickel(0) Synthesis, properties, and reactions of dimeric nickel(0) complexes with special 1-azadiene typ ligands (“snake ligands”) are described. The X-ray analysis of a typical compound (Bis-(bis-cinnamaldehyde-N,N'-propylendiimine)-dinickel(0)) shows that both central atoms have the coordination number 3. The four 1-azadiene groups are coordinated in a different way: unidendate coordination by N-Ni(1) bond and bidendate coordination by N-Ni(1) and olefine-Ni(2) bond. The compound is a good model system for the oxidative coupling reaction of 1-azadienes with 1.3-dienes at 2 nickel(0) centres. IR and electronic spectra show other complexes with this type of ligands to have an analogous coordination sphere.     

On the determination of crystallinity and cellulose content in plant fibres

A comparative study of cellulose crystallinity based on the sample crystallinity and the cellulose content in plant fibres was performed for samples of different origin. Strong acid hydrolysis was found superior to agricultural fibre analysis and comprehensive plant fibre analysis for a consistent determination of the cellulose content. Crystallinity determinations were based on X-ray powder diffraction methods using side-loaded samples in reflection (Bragg-Brentano) mode. Rietveld refinements based on the recently published crystal structure of cellulose Iβ followed by integration of the crystalline and amorphous (background) parts were performed. This was shown to be straightforward to use and in many ways advantageous to traditional crystallinity determinations using the Segal or the Ruland–Vonk methods. The determined cellulose crystallinities were 90–100 g/100 g cellulose in plant-based fibres and 60–70 g/100 g cellulose in wood based fibres. These findings are significant in relation to strong fibre composites and bio-ethanol production.     

Redox thermochemistry of SrFe1-xCoxO3-d

The enthalpy of oxidation of SrFe_1-xCo_xO_3-d with x=0.33 and 0.67 has been determined by adiabatic calorimetry; average values for x=0.33 and 0.67 are -67±11 and -49.5±9 kJ (mol O₂)^-1. These data and the previously reported value for SrFeO_3-d suggest that the enthalpy of oxidation for pure (perovskite-type) SrCoO_3-d is close to zero. Earlier reported composition - partial pressure data for SrFe_0.67Co_0.33O_3-d are reproduced when preferential oxidation of iron is assumed for low partial pressures of oxygen. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.