A Sol-Gel Precursor as a Powder Binder for PZT Ceramic Fabrication

A lead zirconate titanate (PZT) precursor sol was prepared by a diol sol-gel route and used as a binder for assisting the uniaxial die pressing of PZT powders. The powders, of composition Pb(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48) O₃, were prepared by a two step mixed oxide route using lead carbonate, zirconia and titania starting powders. The densification characteristics of the powders, which were not milled after the final calcination step, were compared to samples prepared using PVA as a conventional binder. Improved sintering behaviour was observed for the novel sol-gel binder system. For example, using a sol concentration, equivalent to 7 wt% of PZT derived from the binder, pellets of 95% theoretical density were obtained after firing at 1150°C for 4 h, whereas for the same firing conditions, samples blended with PVA resulted in a density of only 78% theoretical.     

H-transfer rates in ion-neutral complexes versus those in intact aliphatic ions

The relative rates of H-transfer between partners in ion-neutral complexes were compared with those in intramolecular rearrangements using results of first differential photoionization mass spectrometry measurements. Complex-mediated H-transfers are inferred to have rates of the same order as those for intramolecular hydrogen rearrangements, suggesting a similar range of motion of the reactive sites in both types of reactions. It is also concluded that at their fastest H-transfers take place between the partners in ion-neutral complexes within at most the time of several rotations of the partners in the complexes. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cyclodipeptides: Structure and conformation of cyclo(tyrosyl-prolyl)

The structure and conformation of the cyclodipeptide, cyclo(Tyrosyl-Prolyl), cyclo(Tyr-Pro) have been investigated with X-ray crystallographic and spectroscopic methods. Two conformations of cyclo(Tyr-Pro) crystallized in the space groupP2₁2₁2 with cell dimensionsa=11.890(3),b=12.057(1),c=18.528(4). Both these conformations are uncommon for cyclodipeptides containing a proline residue. The tyrosyl side chains of these conformers are folded towards the diketopiperazine (DKP) ring. The DKP ring adopts a flattened chair conformation in contrast to the typical boat conformation generally observed for DKP rings. The conformation of the pyrrolidine ring can be described as a pseudo C₂ symmetrical twist. One intermolecular hydrogen bond was observed for each of the two conformations of cyclo(Tyr-Pro). The hydrogen of the hydroxyl group of the tyrosyl residue is hydrogen bonded to the oxygen of the carbonyl group of the diketopiperazine ring, i.e., the carbonyl group originating from the tyrosyl residue. NMR spectroscopic studies indicated a different conformation for cyclo(Tyr-Pro) in solution similar to the generally observed conformation of cyclodipeptides, i.e., extended aromatic side chain and boat conformation for the DKP ring.     

A RHEED study of oxygen adsorbed on copper

The effect of oxygen adsorption on various clean, stepped copper surfaces at 300°C was examined by the use of Reflection High Energy Electron Diffraction (RHEED). The stability of a few high index planes is considered and the idea of this enhanced stability being due to a “fit” between the adsorption structure and the terrace width was extended. The interpretation of RHEED patterns from faceted surfaces was discussed so as to account for such features as the curving of the rods and the apparent existence of extra rods.     

Studies of reactive triple shock collision

Experimental studies have been performed on two-dimensional reactive blast waves in a diverging nozzle. Both blast and reaction wave loci have been measured and the results compared with numerical calculations.With the inclusion of additional wedges into the channel reactive Mach reflections were generated and the subsequent interactions of these waves have been observed and modelled using a full chemistry scheme. The results are in excellent agreement and the technique shows great promise for the study of the coupling between chemistry and gas dynamics under conditions similar to those obtaining within a single cell of a gaseous detonation.This article was processed using Springer-Verlag T_EX Shock Waves macro package 1.0 and the AMS fonts, developed by the American Mathematical Society.