Reduction of Copper Oxide by Low-Temperature Hydrogen Plasma

The paper presents experimental results of reduction of cupric oxide (CuO) by low-temperature hydrogen plasma in a microwave-assisted plasma set-up. The experiments were carried out at low microwave powers in the range of 600–750 W and low hydrogen flow rates in the range of 0.833 × 10^?6 to 2.5 × 10^?6 m³ s^?1. In all the experiments for reduction of CuO with hydrogen plasma, an initial induction period was observed in the kinetic plots. The induction period decreases with increase in pressure or temperature. The induction period leads to the formation of active sites for adsorption of H₂. After the induction period, fast autocatalytic reduction takes place followed by a sluggish period towards the end. The reduction process proceeds in sequential steps through the formation of sub-oxides. The kinetic data fits the Avrami-Erofeev equation with ‘n’ value close to 3. The resultant activation energy measured during hydrogen plasma processing is around 75.64 kJ mol^?1. This is lower compared to activation energies measured by other methods of reduction indicating a clear advantage.     

Theoretical investigation on the kinetics and thermochemisty of H-atom abstraction reactions of 2-chloroethyl methyl ether (CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>OCH<Subscript>2</Subscript>CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cl) with OH radical at 298 K

Kinetics and thermochemistry of the H-atom abstraction reaction of CH₃OCH₂CH₂Cl with OH radical have been carried out using dual level of methods. Initially, geometry optimization and frequency calculations are performed at M06-2X/6-31+G(d, p) level of theory, and energetic calculations are further refined using CCSD(T)/6-311++G(d, p) level of theory in order to characterized all stationary points on potential energy surface (PES). The result shows that H-atom abstraction from –OCH₂ site of CH₃OCH₂CH₂Cl is dominant path. The rate constants are calculated using canonical transition state theory at 298 K, which are found to be in good agreement with the experimental data. We have presented the standard enthalpies of formation for CH₃OCH₂CH₂Cl and the radicals generated during the H-atom abstraction using group-balanced isodesmic reactions scheme. The atmospheric lifetime of title molecule is also calculated.     

Non-fouling microfluidic chip produced by radio frequency tetraglyme plasma deposition

This Technical Note presents the direct surface modification of a glass/PTFE hybrid microfluidic chip, via radio frequency glow discharge plasma polymerisation of tetraethlylene glycol dimethylether (tetraglyme), to produce hydrophilic, non-fouling, PEO-like surfaces. We use several techniques including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and immunofluorescent imaging to investigate the channel coatings. Our results indicate the successful deposition of a PEO-like coating onto microchannel surfaces that has both solution and shelf stability (>3 months) and is capable of preventing fibrinogen adsorption to the microchannel surfaces.     

Heteronuclear Mn-Ca/Sr complexes, and Ca/Sr EXAFS spectral comparisons with the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II

Heterometallic Mn-Ca and Mn-Sr complexes have been prepared and employed as model complexes for Ca and Sr EXAFS spectral comparisons with the Oxygen-Evolving Complex (OEC) of Photosystem II (PS II); these have revealed similarities that support the presence of at least one O atom bridge between the Mn and Ca/Sr in the OEC.     

Diversity-oriented synthetic approach to naturally abundant S-amino acid based benzannulated enantiomerically pure medium ring heterocyclic scaffolds employing inter- and intramolecular mitsunobu reactions

The diversity-oriented organic synthesis of enantiomerically pure benzannulated oxazepine, diazepine, thiazepine, oxazocine, and diazocine scaffolds is described from easily accessible naturally occurring S-amino acids as chiral synthons. Inter- and intramolecular Mitsunobu reactions for the formation of carbon-nitrogen, carbon-oxygen, and carbon-sulfur bonds have been used as key transformations to construct these biologically important privileged heterocycles. This is the first example where the Mitsunobu approach has been utilized for the construction of S-amino acid based seven- and eight-membered ring systems.     

One-Pot Convenient and High Yielding Synthesis of Dithiocarbamates

Summary. A convenient and high yielding method for the synthesis of diverse dithiocarbamates having various substituents including alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, and alkylaryl at the thiol chain or at the amine chain or at both thiol and amine chains were developed by the one-pot reaction of mercaptans, amines, and bis(benzotriazolyl)methanethione in presence of amidine base under mild reaction conditions.     

Spectroscopic and thermal investigations of complexes of Cr<Superscript>III</Superscript>, Mn<Superscript>II</Superscript>, Zn<Superscript>II</Superscript> &; Cd<Superscript>II</Superscript> - carboxamide

Complexes of Cr^III, Mn^II, Zn^II & Cd^II with the polydentate carboxamide ligandN′, N′′-bis(3-carboxy-1-oxoprop-2-enyl) 2-Amino-N-arylbenzamidine (H₂L) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, spectroscopic studies (Vibrational, electronic, ESR and ¹H-NMR), magnetic susceptibility measurements, thermal studies and powder diffraction studies. The vibrational spectral data are in agreement with coordination of amide and carboxylate oxygen of the ligands with the metal ions. The electronic spectra indicates octahedral or tetrahedral geometry around the metal ions, has been supported by magnetic susceptibility measurements. The results of electron spin resonance & ¹H-NMR spectra have supported the results of other spectral techniques. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were computed from the thermal data using Coats and Redfern method, which confirm first order kinetics. Powder diffraction determines the cell parameters of the complexes.     

Simple systematization of vibrational excitation cross-section calculations for resonant electron-molecule scattering in the boomerang and impulse models

Vibrational excitation (nu(f)<--nu(i)) cross-sections sigma(nu(f)<--nu(i) )(E) in resonant e-N(2) and e-H(2) scattering are calculated from transition matrix elements T(nu(f),nu(i) )(E) obtained using Fourier transform of the cross correlation function , where psi(nu(i))(R,t) approximately =e(-iH(A(2))-(R)t/h phi(nu(i))(R) with time evolution under the influence of the resonance anionic Hamiltonian H(A(2) (-))(A(2) (-)=N(2)(-)/H(2) (-)) implemented using Lanczos and fast Fourier transforms. The target (A(2)) vibrational eigenfunctions phi(nu(i))(R) and phi(nu(f))(R) are calculated using Fourier grid Hamiltonian method applied to potential energy (PE) curves of the neutral target. Application of this simple systematization to calculate vibrational structure in e-N(2) and e-H(2) scattering cross-sections provides mechanistic insights into features underlying presence/absence of structure in e-N(2) and e-H(2) scattering cross-sections. The results obtained with approximate PE curves are in reasonable agreement with experimental/calculated cross-section profiles, and cross correlation functions provide a simple demarcation between the boomerang and impulse models.     

Effect of nitrogen on mechanical,oxidation and structural behaviour of Ti–Si–B–C–N nanocomposite hard coatings deposited by DC sputtering

Ti–Si–B–C–N film was deposited by DC magnetron sputtering at different argon and nitrogen ratios such as N₂/Ar = 1 : 5, 2 : 4, 3 : 3, 4 : 1 and 5 : 0. The formation of TiN and TiB phases was observed because of incorporation of nitrogen. The hardness, modulus, microstructure, structure and bond formation with different nitrogen contents during the deposition were studied by nanoindentation, scanning electron microscope, X‐ray diffraction and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. The oxidation kinetics of Ti–Si–B–C–N was investigated. The nitrogen incorporation during deposition influences different properties of the coating. Hardness and modulus decreased, and microstructure showed very fine grain presence, and film changes to fully amorphous because of incorporation of nitrogen in the film. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.