A rapid,spatially dispersive frequency comb spectrograph aimed at gas phase chemical reaction kinetics

This New Views article will highlight some recent advances in high sensitivity gas detection using direct infrared absorption frequency comb laser spectroscopy, with a focus on frequency comb use in chemical reaction kinetics and our own contribution to this field. Our recently implemented detection technique uses a combination of a 12.9?GHz free spectral range virtually imaged phased array and diffraction grating to spatially disperse the mid-infrared frequency comb onto a camera. Individual frequencies or ‘comb teeth’ of a 250?MHz repetition-rate frequency comb are able to be resolved. High molecular sensitivity is achieved by increasing the interaction path length using a Herriott multipass cell. High spectral resolution, broadband spectral coverage, and high molecular sensitivity are all achieved on an adjustable 1–50 µs timescale, making this frequency comb apparatus ideal for measuring chemical reaction kinetics where multiple absorbing species can be monitored simultaneously. This New Views article will also discuss some of the challenges and decisions that chemists might face in implementing this advanced physics technology in their own laboratory.

Spatially dispersed 250 MHz mid-infrared frequency comb laser, with absorption of some frequencies by a dilute sample of methane.     

Letters to the Editor

The Mathematical Intelligencer encourages comments about the material in this issue. Letters to the editor should be sent to the editor-in-chieX Chandler Davis.     

Infrared spectra of lanthanide complexes with eriochrome cyanine r

An infrared spectroscopic study of the composition of these complexes in the solid state is described. Evaluation of the spectra made it possible to distinguish changes in the character of the lanthanide—ligand bonds in the series La — Lu, and to study the “double-double” effect.     

The study of titration conditions in the aluminium and beryllium-fluoride systems

Summary The Study of Titration Conditions in the Aluminium and Beryllium-Fluoride Systems The conditions for the titrimetric determination of aluminium and beryllium using fluoride as a titrant and a fluoride indicator electrode have been determined. 10g ml^–1 Al and 3g ml^–1 Be have been determined with precision better than 0.4%. The formation of slightly soluble sodium hexafluoroaluminate or tetrafluoroberyllate is primarily responsible for the end point breaks. The study of the reaction conditions (ethanol, sodium and acetate ions concentration) made the calculation of stepwise stability constants for aluminium- or beryllium-fluoride complexes, aluminium- or beryllium-acetate complexes as well as that of the solubility products of the corresponding sodium salts possible.     

Growth and Atomic-Scale Characterization of Ultrathin Silica and Germania Films: The Crucial Role of the Metal Support

The present review reports on the preparation and atomic-scale characterization of the thinnest possible films of the glass-forming materials silica and germania. To this end state-of-the-art surface science techniques, in particular scanning probe microscopy, and density functional theory calculations have been employed. The investigated films range from monolayer to bilayer coverage where both, the crystalline and the amorphous films, contain characteristic XO₄ (X=Si,Ge) building blocks. A side-by-side comparison of silica and germania monolayer, zigzag phase and bilayer films supported on Mo(112), Ru(0001), Pt(111), and Au(111) leads to a more general comprehension of the network structure of glass former materials. This allows us to understand the crucial role of the metal support for the pathway from crystalline to amorphous ultrathin film growth.     

Sustainable Drying and Torrefaction Processes of Miscanthus for Use as a Pelletized Solid Biofuel and Biocarbon-Carrier for Fertilizers

Miscanthus is resistant to dry, frosty winters in Poland and most European Union countries. Miscanthus gives higher yields compared to native species. Farmers can produce Miscanthus pellets after drying it for their own heating purposes. From the third year, the most efficient plant development begins, resulting in a yield of 25–30 tons of dry matter from an area of 1 hectare. Laboratory scale tests were carried out on the processes of drying, compacting, and torrefaction of this biomass type. The analysis of the drying process was conducted at three temperature levels of the drying agent (60, 100, and 140 °C). Compaction on a hydraulic press was carried out in the pressure range characteristic of a pressure agglomeration (130.8–457.8 MPa) at different moisture contents of the raw material (0.5% and 10%). The main interest in this part was to assess the influence of drying temperature, moisture content, and compaction pressure on the specific densities (DE) and the mechanical durability of the pellets (DU). In the next step, laboratory analyses of the torrefaction process were carried out, initially using the Thermogravimetric Analysis TGA and Differential Scaning Calorimeter DSC techniques (to assess activation energy (EA)), followed by a flow reactor operating at five temperature levels (225, 250, 275, 300, and 525 °C). A SEM analysis of Miscanthus after torrefaction processes at three different temperatures was performed. Both the parameters of biochar (proximate and ultimate analysis) and the quality of the torgas (volatile organic content (VOC)) were analyzed. The results show that both drying temperature and moisture level will affect the quality of the pellets. Analysis of the torrefaction process shows clearly that the optimum process temperature would be around 300–340 °C from a mass loss ratio and economical perspective.     

Thermal,spectroscopic, X-ray and theoretical studies of metal complexes (sodium,manganese, copper,nickel, cobalt and zinc) with pyrimidine-5-carboxylic and pyrimidine-2-carboxylic acids

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The new 3d metal complexes of pyrimidine-2-carboxylic (2PCA) and pyrimidine-5-carboxylic (5PCA) acids were synthesized and characterized using thermal...     

Electrochemical Behavior of Cobaltocene in Ionic Liquids

The electrochemical behavior of cobaltocenium has been studied in a number of room temperature aprotic ionic liquids. Well defined, diffusion controlled, anodic and cathodic peaks were found for the Cc⁺/Cc (cobaltocenium/cobaltocene) reduction/oxidation on gold, platinum and glassy carbon electrodes. Values of the peak separation parameters suggest quasireversibility or even irreversibility for the redox process. The difference between the ferrocene/ferrocenium and cobaltocenium/cobaltocene couples has been evaluated as equal to (1.350 ± 0.020) V. Values of the cobaltocenium (Cc⁺) diffusion coefficients D have been calculated on the basis of the Randles–Sevcik equation.     

The influence of selected metals and halogens on the electronic system of benzoic acid

The influence of halogens and metals on the electronic system of the aromatic ring in lithium, sodium and potassium complexes with p-halogenobenzoic acids has been investigated by means of ¹³C and ¹H NMR, IR and Raman spectroscopy and semi-empirical calculations. It has been shown that ionic potentials and electronegativities of halogens and metals are the main factors responsible for perturbations of the electronic charge distribution in the ring.     

Bildung von Silberferriten aus Silberoxid- und Eisen(III)-hydroxid-Gelen in wäßrigem Medium

Crystalline silver ferrites can be formed, without any presence of NaOH solution, and even at room temperature by simple mixing of the moist gels of Ag₂O and Fe^III hydroxide. Even the dried gel of the latter reacts, although more slowly.