Optical methods in studies of structural transformations in thin organic films

The examples of phase transitions in Langmuir-Blodgett films of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and in the surface layer of polystyrene were chosen to demonstrate the great potential of using luminescent molecular probes for studying the heterogeneity of the surfaces of solids and thin films, as well as structural transformations and phase transitions in systems of different natures. The method provides unique information on the local properties of surfaces and thin films when used in combination with other techniques.     

Chemiluminescent Reaction of N-Octyl Luminol with a Hypochlorite Ion in a Micellar Medium

Moscow University Chemistry Bulletin - We study the effect of surfactants having a different charge and length of the hydrocarbon radical on the intensity and kinetic laws of the model...     

Exploring the Subtle Effect of Aliphatic Ring Size on Minor Actinide-Extraction Properties and Metal Ion Speciation in Bis-1,2,4-Triazine Ligands

The synthesis and evaluation of three novel bis-1,2,4-triazine ligands containing five-membered aliphatic rings are reported. Compared to the more hydrophobic ligands 1 – 3 containing six-membered aliphatic rings, the distribution ratios for relevant f-block metal ions were approximately one order of magnitude lower in each case. Ligand 10 showed an efficient, selective and rapid separation of Am^III and Cm^III from nitric acid. The speciation of the ligands with trivalent f-block metal ions was probed using NMR titrations and competition experiments, time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. While the tetradentate ligands 8 and 10 formed Ln^III complexes of the same stoichiometry as their more hydrophobic analogues 2 and 3 , significant differences in speciation were observed between the two classes of ligand, with a lower percentage of the extracted 1:2 complexes being formed for ligands 8 and 10 . The structures of the solid state 1:1 and 1:2 complexes formed by 8 and 10 with Y^III, Lu^III and Pr^III are very similar to those formed by 2 and 3 with Ln^III. Ligand 10 forms Cm^III and Eu^III 1:2 complexes that are thermodynamically less stable than those formed by ligand 3 , suggesting that less hydrophobic ligands form less stable An^III complexes. Thus, it has been shown for the first time how tuning the cyclic aliphatic part of these ligands leads to subtle changes in their metal ion speciation, complex stability and metal extraction affinity.     

Free surface and flow problem for a viscous liquid

An exact closed system of equations is proposed for describing the shape of the free surface of a viscous steady-state liquid in the 2D case in terms of the surface itself. A method that lowers the dimensionality in the Navier-Stokes equation is demonstrated, and its application in problems of steady-state flow past solids is considered.     

Sapphire waveguides and fibers for terahertz applications

Sapphire shaped crystals are considered as a favorable material platform of the terahertz (THz) waveguide and fiber optics. Unique physical properties of sapphire, along with advantages of the Edge-defined Film-fed Growth (EFG) technique, yield fabrication of the THz waveguides and fibers with a complex cross-section geometry directly from the Al₂O₃-melt, where no labour-intensive mechanical processing is required. Wide variability of the as-grown sapphire shaped crystal geometries yields different physical mechanisms of electromagnetic waveguidance. In this review, recent advantages in the THz waveguides and fibers based on the EFG-grown sapphire shaped crystals are discussed. While possessing moderate THz-wave absorbtion and quite high dispersion, flexible sapphire fibers with a simple step-index cross-section geometry yield strong confinement of guided modes in a fiber core due to a high refractive index of sapphire in the THz range. This effect opens novel opportunities of sapphire fibers in high-resolution THz imaging, using the principles of either scanning-probe near-field optical microscopy or optical fiber bundles. In turn, antiresonant and photonic crystal hard hollow-core waveguides demonstrate advanced optical performance, along with wide capabilities in THz endoscopy and sensing in harsh environments. This review highlights that the EFG-grown sapphire shaped crystals hold strong potential in different branches of THz optics.