Modifying the Structure of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes with Continuous and Pulsed Ion Beams

Physics of the Solid State - Changes in the local atomic and electronic structure and the chemical state of the surface of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) irradiated with continuous and...     

Isomorphism and phase diagram of the Pb5(PO4)3Cl-Pb5(VO4)3Cl system

Compounds of composition Pb₅(P _x V_1−x O₄)₃Cl (0 ≤ x ≤ 1), which are synthetic analogues of minerals pyromorphite, vanadinite, and endlichite, were synthesized for the first time by high-temperature solid-phase reactions. X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy were used to determine the structure of the compounds and revealed complete miscibility in the solid phase of the Pb₅(PO₄)₃Cl-Pb₅(VO₄)₃Cl binary system. Adiabatic reaction calorimetry was used to determine standard enthalpies of mixing and formation and showed that the regular solutions model is applicable to the Pb₅(PO₄)₃Cl-Pb₅(VO₄)₃Cl system. Differential thermal analysis in tandem with high-temperature X-ray diffraction was used to study the phase diagram and characterize phase transitions.     

Spectral properties of RuAl<Subscript>2</Subscript> and RuGa<Subscript>2</Subscript> compounds: Ellipsometric analysis

The optical properties of RuAl₂ and RuGa₂ intermetallic compounds have been investigated in the spectral range of 0.22–14 μm. The nature of interband light absorption has been interpreted based on a comparative analysis of calculated and experimental frequency dependences of optical conductivity. The data obtained confirm the existence of pseudogaps with a width of ~0.8 eV localized at the Fermi level in the electron densities of states of these materials, which was predicted in previous energy-band calculations.     

Obtaining spectrally selective images of objects in attenuated total reflection regime in real time in visible and terahertz ranges

An imaging attenuated total reflection (ATR) spectrometer for the terahertz range is created for the first time. The spectrometer uses a powerful free-electron laser. Images are recorded with a microbolom-eter detector array as a source of frequency tunable monochromatic radiation. Recording spectrally selective images of dynamic objects at a rate of 20 frames per second in the visible and terahertz ranges is demonstrated. In the terahertz range, images of the interdiffusion of liquids with strongly differing optical constants are obtained. Optimal configurations for the operation of the ATR spectrometer are found. Merits and demerits of the method are considered, as well as ways of improving the quality of image.     

Crystal structure and thermal expansion of RbNaCaTh(Si8O20)

RbNaCaTh(Si₈O₂₀), which crystallizes in the turkestanite structural type, was synthesized by a solid-phase reaction for the first time. The crystal structure of this compound was refined by the Rietveld method (space group P4/mcc). The temperature dependence of the unit cell parameters was studied using high-temperature X-ray diffraction analysis, and the thermal expansion coefficients of this compound were determined.     

Kinetics of the gas-phase reaction of OH with HCl

The reaction of hydroxyl radicals with hydrogen chloride (reaction 1) has been studied experimentally using a pulsed-laser photolysis/pulsed-laser-induced fluorescence technique over a wide range of temperatures, 298-1015 K, and at pressures between 5.33 and 26.48 kPa. The bimolecular rate coefficient data set obtained for reaction 1 demonstrates no dependence on pressure and exhibits positive temperature dependence that can be represented with modified three-parameter Arrhenius expression within the experimental temperature range: k1 = 3.20 x 10(-15)T0.99 exp(-62 K/T) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1). The potential-energy surface has been studied using quantum chemical methods, and a transition-state theory model has been developed for the reaction 1 on the basis of calculations and experimental data. The model results in modified three-parameter Arrhenius expressions: k1 = 8.81 x 10(-16)T1.16 exp(58 K/T) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1) for the temperature range 200-1015 K and k1 = 6.84 x 10(-19)T2.12 exp(646 K/T) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1) for the temperature dependence of the reaction 1 rate coefficient extrapolation to high temperatures (500-3000 K). A temperature dependence of the rate coefficient of the Cl + H2O --> HCl + OH reaction has been derived on the basis of the experimental data, modeling, and thermochemical information.     

Effect of humic acids on biodegradation of 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid: A chromatographic study

The effect of humic acids on biodegradation of 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid in the active sludge medium was studied by analyzing their solutions by chromatography-mass spectrometry. The mechanism of the transformation of the herbicide in the presence of humic acids was examined.     

A luminescence visualizer for exact convergence of laser beams in photon-echo spectroscopy, four-wave mixing, and related techniques

A convenient and efficient technique for controlling exact focusing of several noncollinear laser beams into the same point of a luminescent sample is proposed for optical photon-echo spectroscopy and four-wave mixing experiments. The technique proposed is based on a confocal luminescence microscope equipped with a sensitive multichannel detector for visualizing samples with a large magnification. The high efficiency of the scheme developed is confirmed by experimental study of photon echo in a polymer film doped with luminescent dye molecules.     

Phase transitions in mixed-layer Aurivillius phases

The Aurivillius phases Bi₇Ti₄NbO₂₁, CaBi₈Ti₇O₂₇, and SrBi₈Ti₇O₂₇ were synthesized by solid-phase reactions. The results of high-temperature X-ray diffraction and thermal analyses of certain Aurivillius phases are presented. Principal regularities of thermal expansion of the synthesized compounds are established. A correlation between the Curie temperature and the structure of the compounds was found.