Identificatin of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in diesel particulate emissions

Following collection of diesel particulate samples on high efficiency glass fibre papers, and Soxhlet extraction with cyclohexane, a two-stage clean-up involving DMF/H2O partition and silica gel thin-layer chromatography is required in order to simplify the extract. Individual compound identification can then be achieved by high resolution gas chromatography using WCOT quartz capillary columns with flame ionisation or computer-assisted electron impact mass spectrometry detection systems. The technique provides a relatively quick and simple enrichment step, whilst the high separating power of the capillary column is able to resolve the many chromatographically similar isomers and substituted PAH members that are present. Investigations indicate that presence of a vast range of PAH species, comprising both substituted and unsubstituted two- to seven-membered ring systems, many of which are known carcinogens and mutagens.     

Electron and positron work functions of Cr(100)

We report measurements of the electron and positron work functions of submonolayer contaminated single crystal surfaces of Cr(100) in ultra high vacuum. The positron work function ø₊ is obtained by measuring the spectrum of slow positrons reemitted by the Cr(100) surface when it is bombarded with keV energy positrons. The electron work function ø_- is measured relative to Al(100) by comparing the target biases at which the slowest emitted positrons are recollected by the target. We obtain ø₊ = ?1.76(10) eV and ø_- = 4.46(6) eV for our Cr(100) surface using the value ø_- = 4.41(3) eV for Al(100) reported by Grepstad, Gartland and Slagsvold. The ø₊ value is in agreement with the ?2.2 eV calculated by Nieminen and Hodges. The positronium work function for Cr implied by these results is ?4.10(10) eV; the positronium negative ion (Ps^-) work function for this surface is calculated to be + 0.37(7) eV. A search for Ps^- showed that at a 90% confidence level less than one in 10³ thermalized positrons reaching the Cr surface are emitted as Ps^-. The slow positron emission spectrum was observed not to change over the 70–300 K range in contrast to recent theoretical predictions.     

In situ X-ray scattering studies of lyotropic liquid crystalline PBO and PBZT monofilament drawing

The results of a series of novel synchrontron-based in situ x-ray scattering experiments of monofilament fiber drawing from lyotropic solutions of poly(cis-benzoxazole) (PBO) and poly(trans-benzothiazole) (PBZT) are reported. The purpose of the study is to determine orientation and microstructure development in the draw zone as a function of shear rate in the capillary die, and spin draw ratio (SDR). The transition of the extrudate from opaque to the transparent is complete at about a SDR = 3 and f of 0.9. The filament orientation parameter (f) was found to depend strongly on spin draw ratio, but not shear rate. The orientation was found to increase down the extrudate toward completion of the draw down as one proceeds further from the die face up to an extrudate length of 3.8 cm. Coherence lengths on the order of 19 nm (axial), and 4.5 nm (lateral) have been observed. These “microdomain” sizes are consistent with the “crystallite” sizes typically observed in coagulated fiber. The occurrence of these microdomains in the draw zone as a precursor to the microfibrillar structure is believed to be the origin of low filament compressive strength. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

A detailed consideration of resonance radiation trapping in the argon inductively coupled plasma

The extent and duration of trapping of argon resonance radiation (106.7 and 104.8 nm) in the ICP was calculated using a model incorporating line shape contributions from both Doppler and pressure broadening. The trap was found to be at the pressure-broadened limit, giving an escape factor of 7.9 × 10^?4 when excitation of the 4s states in the plasma annulus is assumed. Theoretical apparent radiative lifetimes τ_app for argon ³P₁ and ¹P₁ resonance states are calculated to be 8 and 1.9μs respectively. The quartet of 4s states, rapidly mixed by electron collisions, are presumed to share an overall apparent radiative lifetime τ_app = 1.6μs for the purpose of plasma modeling. Effects of this radiation trapping on the argon 4s atom density and on electron-ion recombination are discussed.