Controlled synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles from a Zn(II) coordination polymer: Structural characterization,optical properties and photocatalytic activity

A zinc coordination polymer derived from pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate (PDC), {[Zn₂(PDC)₂]}_n, was successfully prepared via conventional, sonication and microwave-irradiation methods. The composition and characteristics of the obtained coordination polymers (CPs) were investigated by elemental analysis, TGA/DTA, X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic techniques. The so obtained CPs were heat-treated in the air at 600 °C for 2 h to produce ZnO of nanosized particles (NPs). It is of interest to note that the synthesis approach of the precursor greatly affects both the nanoparticle size and the structure of the resulting ZnO NPs. Moreover, the smallest particle size was associated with the sample derived from the ultrasonically prepared precursor. TEM analysis revealed that all samples have sphere-like morphologies. Structural analysis of the prepared ZnO samples was conducted and compared using Rietveld analysis of their PXRD patterns. Optical band gap calculations based on analysis of the UV–vis spectra of ZnO samples using Tauc's power law were achieved. The highest band gap of 3.63 eV was observed for ZnO sample obtained from the ultrasonically prepared precursor. Furthermore, the photocatalytic activity of ZnO NPs for the removal of Eosin Y color was monitored. The highest removal efficiency was recorded for ZnO originated from the ultrasonically synthesized precursor. Enhancement of removal efficiency that reached 98% was attained in only a period of 8 min. Its recycling test showed that it can be reused without structural changes over four cycling experiments.     

High-resolution nonsinusoidal radars with three-dimensional targetstructure

A 3D target structure along with a coordinate system transformation will enable a high-resolution ground-based radar looking up at a target or an airborne radar looking down on a target to perform target recognition at all azimuth and elevation or look-down angles. Target dimensions such as length, width, and height are characterized by a three-dimensional surface as a function of azimuth and elevation angles. Target signatures for transmitted pulses with beta time variation are obtained as a function of target extent, azimuth, and elevation or look-down angles. An average range resolution is defined to accommodate the large variation in range resolution with target orientation. Target recognition based on target shape can distinguish airplane targets with a variable structure, though the database may not contain a matched sample target signature to the observed one. A distributed ground clutter model has been analyzed to obtain ground clutter variations with azimuth and elevation angles. In addition, the peak magnitude of clutter-to-signal ratio has been determined for a clutter area with a varying number of point scatterers. The analysis and target recognition of a radar receiver consisting of a sliding correlator to suppress noise followed by a three-pulse canceller to eliminate clutter has been carried out in terms of input target signatures     

Inner derivations and norm equality

We characterize when the norm of the sum of two bounded operators on a Hilbert space is equal to the sum of their norms.

     

A Combined Antenna Array and Multi-User Detection DS-CDMA Receiver in Single-Path and Multi-Path Fading Channels

An adaptive antenna array is incorporated into a decorrelatingmulti-user detector to effectively increase the DS-CDMA system capacity.Capacity improvement is due to beamforming gain, spatial diversity gain(assuming large angle spread), and the decorrelating effect. Thereceiver has been analyzed for the cases of sufficiently andinsufficiently spaced receiving antennas. The receiver consists of afront-end beamformer for every user in the cell and has knowledge of allusers' signature sequences. The beamformer estimates the desired userchannel vector, enhancing its signal and reducing the co-channelinterference from other directions. The multi-user detection, exploitingknowledge of other users, rejects those interferers whose arrival anglesare close to that of the desired user. The average uncoded Bit ErrorRate (BER) as a function of the number of in-beam active users, theaverage antenna Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), and the number of receivingantennas is examined in both single-path and multi-path Rayleigh fadingchannels. Analysis shows an increase in system capacity proportional tothe number of receiving antennas.     

Continuation theorem of fractional order evolutionary integral equations

The fractional order evolutionary integral equations have been considered by the first author in [6], the existence, uniqueness and some other properties of the solution have been proved. Here we study the continuation of the solution and its fractional order derivative. Also we study the generality of this problem and prove that the fractional order diffusion problem, the fractional order wave problem and the initial value problem of the equation of evolution are special cases of it. The abstract diffusion-wave problem will be given also as an application.     

Investigation of the power dissipation during IGBT turn-off using a new physics-based IGBT compact model

New compact models of the IGBTs (both non-punch through IGBT (NPTIGBT) and punch-through IGBT (PTIGBT)) are presented in this paper. The models are implemented in the SABER circuit simulator and used for a study of IGBT anode current and voltage characteristics during a device turn-off (clamped inductive load circuit with gate controlled turn-off), since these parts of the transient characteristics essentially predict the power dissipation (V×I) inside the device. It is shown that PTIGBTs are faster than NPTIGBTs, this becoming more apparent at higher clamp voltages.     

Sulphide based anode material for lithium rechargeable battery

In this study, lead sulphide (PbS) was prepared by the chemical bath deposition technique. The sample was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Energy Dispersive Analysis of X-rays (EDAX) and cyclic voltammetry. EDAX spectrum shows peaks attributable to lead and sulphur. The EDAX analysis also shows that the prepared sample is stoichiometric. Cyclic voltammetry experiments were recorded at 100 mV·s⁻¹ and 400 mV·s⁻¹ scan rates. Results show that the rate controlling electrochemical reaction is electron transfer. The presence of redox waves shows that the lithium intercalation and deintercalation can occur as a result of lattice expansion in PbS. There were no differences in the PbS XRD data before and after the cyclic voltammetry experiments indicating that the PbS structure is not modified upon lithium ion intercalation and deintercalation in PbS. The discharge characteristics for 35 cycles of the cell using the LiCoO₂/PbS couple is presented indicating the possible development of such materials as anode in lithium ion cells.     

Synthèse de nouveaux dérivés tétrahydroquinoléines et quinoléines via la réaction d'aza-Diels-Alder suivie d'aromatisation

The Aza-Diels-Alder reaction of aldimines with isoeugenol is described. New 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline and quinoline structures are reported. The stereo- and regioselectivities of the [4+2] cycloaddition are discussed.     

Selective double Suzuki cross-coupling reactions. Synthesis of unsymmetrical diaryl (or heteroaryl) methanes

Using a double Suzuki cross-coupling reaction ortho- or para-bromobenzyl bromides are easily transformed into unsymmetrical diaryl (or heteroaryl) methanes     

Investigation on Ochratoxin A stability using different extraction techniques

The stability of Ochratoxin A during its extraction using different extraction techniques has been evaluated. Microwave-assisted extraction and pressurised liquid extraction, in addition to two other reference methods of extraction, i.e. ultrasound-assisted and magnetic stirring-assisted extraction, were evaluated. The effect of extraction temperature using the cited techniques was checked.The results show that Ochratoxin A can be extracted using microwave-assisted extraction at temperatures up to 150 °C without degradation. Pressurised liquid extraction can be used at temperatures up to 100 °C, for extraction times of less than 30 min. Further, both ultrasound-assisted extraction and magnetic stirring extraction can be applied at temperatures up to 65 °C.High-performance liquid chromatography combined with fluorescence detection using a Chromolith RP-18e column at a flow rate of 5 mL min⁻¹ was used to quantify the Ochratoxin A. The retention time for the Ochratoxin A was 1.3 min. The limits of detection (LOD) and of quantification (LOQ) were 0.03 and 0.10 μg L⁻¹, respectively.