Combinatorial synthesis and hydrogenation of Mg/Al libraries prepared by electron beam physical vapor deposition

We have grown thin film libraries of the Mg-Al system using a high-throughput synthesis methodology that combines the sequential deposition of pure elements (Mg and Al) by an electron-beam (e-beam) evaporation technique and the use of a special set of moving shadow masks. This novel mask has been designed to simultaneously prepare four identical arrays of different compositions that will permit the characterization of the same library after several treatments. Wavelength dispersive spectroscopy (WDS) and micro-X-ray diffraction have been used as high-throughput screening techniques for the determination of the composition and structure of every member of the library in the as-deposited state and after hydrogenation at 1 atm of H2 during 24 h at three different temperatures: 60, 80, and 110 degrees C. We have analyzed the influence of the Mg-Al ratio on the hydrogenation of magnesium, as well as on the appearance of complex hydride phases. We have also found that aluminum can act as a catalyzer for the hydrogenation reaction of magnesium.     

Preparation of mesoporous aluminophosphate using poly(amido amine) as template

Mesoporous aluminophosphate was prepared by using G4.0 poly(amido amine)dendrimer as a template and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and N₂ adsorption/desorption methods. Results show that the title compound exhibits a typical mesoporous structure with the average pore size from 5 to 8 nm. The formation mechanism of the nanoporous structure using dendrimer as a template was also discussed. __________ Translated from Journal of Fujian Normal University (Natural Science Edition), 2007, 23(2): 67–70 [译自: 福建师范大学学报 (自然科学版)]     

A universal Hamiltonian for motion and merging of Dirac points in a two-dimensional crystal

We propose a simple Hamiltonian to describe the motion and the merging of Dirac points in the electronic spectrum of two-dimensional electrons. This merging is a topological transition which separates a semi-metallic phase with two Dirac cones from an insulating phase with a gap. We calculate the density of states and the specific heat. The spectrum in a magnetic field B is related to the resolution of a Schrödinger equation in a double well potential. The Landau levels obey the general scaling law epsilon_n ∝B^2/3 f_n(Δ/B^2/3), and they evolve continuously from a \(\sqrt{n B}\) to a linear (n+1/2)B dependence, with a [(n+1/2)B]^2/3 dependence at the transition. The spectrum in the vicinity of the topological transition is very well described by a semiclassical quantization rule. This model describes continuously the coupling between valleys associated with the two Dirac points, when approaching the transition. It is applied to the tight-binding model of graphene and its generalization when one hopping parameteris varied. It remarkably reproduces the low field part of the Rammal-Hofstadter spectrum for the honeycomb lattice.     

Free electron laser based on the Smith–Purcell radiation

A Smith–Purcell (S–P) free electron laser (FEL) composed of a metallic diffraction flat grating, an open cylindrical mirror cavity and a relativistic sheet electron beam with moderate energy, is presented. The characteristics of this device are studied by theoretical analysis, experimental measurements and particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation method. Results indicate that coherent radiation with output peak power up to 50 MW at millimeter wavelengths can be generated by using relativistic electron beam of moderate energy.     

Quantum confinement and surface chemistry of 0.8–1.6 nm hydrosilylated silicon nanocrystals

In the framework of density functional theory(DFT), we have studied the electronic properties of alkene/alkynehydrosilylated silicon nanocrystals(Si NCs) in the size range from 0.8 nm to 1.6 nm. Among the alkenes with all kinds of functional groups considered in this work, only those containing –NH2and –C4H3S lead to significant hydrosilylationinduced changes in the gap between the highest occupied molecular orbital(HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital(LUMO) of an Si NC at the ground state. The quantum confinement effect is dominant for all of the alkenehydrosilylated Si NCs at the ground state. At the excited state, the prevailing effect of surface chemistry only occurs at the smallest(0.8 nm) Si NCs hydrosilylated with alkenes containing –NH2and –C4H3S. Although the alkyne hydrosilylation gives rise to a more significant surface chemistry effect than alkene hydrosilylation, the quantum confinement effect remains dominant for alkyne-hydrosilylated Si NCs at the ground state. However, at the excited state, the effect of surface chemistry induced by the hydrosilylation with conjugated alkynes is strong enough to prevail over that of quantum confinement.     

Equation of state of CaMnO3: a combined experimental and computational study

Elastic properties of CaMnO₃ are of primary importance in the science and technology of CaMnO₃-based perovskites. From X-ray diffraction experiments performed at pressures up to 100 kbar using a diamond-anvil cell to hydrostatically compress our sample, a bulk modulus, K ₀, of 1734(96) kbar was obtained after fitting parameters to the third-order Birch–Murnaghan equation of state. Mean field, semiclassical simulations predict, for the first time, the third-order equation-of-state parameters and show how the bulk modulus increases with pressure (the zero pressure value being 2062.1 kbar) and decreases with the extent of nonstoichiometry caused by the formation of oxygen vacancies. These trends are amplified for the shear modulus. A more accurate model that allows for the explicit reduction of Mn ions, or localization of excess electrons, yields qualitatively similar results. The experimental and calculated axial ratios show the same trends in their variation with rising pressure.     

Some Observations Concerning Thallium Electrodeless Discharge Tubes

The suitability of thallium halide electrodeless discharge tubes as a radiation source for atomic fluorescence was investigated. Effects of various parameters, affecting the emission intensities, were investigated.     

Thermo-responsive interpenetrating polymer networks composed of AAc/AAm/NMA by radiation grafting

Interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels were prepared by grafting of acrylamide (AAm), N-methylol acrylamide (NMA) and acrylic acid (AAc) onto preirradiated polypropylene (PP) membrane. To obtain PP-g-AAc/AAm/NMA IPN hydrogels, at first, AAc were grafted onto preirradiated PP and then AAm were grafted onto the PP-g-AAc membranes. Finally NMA were grafted onto PP-g-AAc/AAm membranes. In the different stages of grafting under different reaction conditions, trapped radicals in the membrane samples were probed by electron spin resonance (ESR). The temperature response behaviors of the IPN hydrogels were studied. Reversible behavior and controlled release of drug tests made reflecting the switching to on state at higher temperatures and to off state at lower temperatures were achieved. By increasing the grafted content of NMA, higher transition temperature of the hydrogel could be attained.     

Monosized cationic nanoparticles prepared by emulsifer-free emulsion polymerization

Monosized poly(styrene/N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]methacrylamide/poly(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether methacrylate) [poly(St/PEG-EEM/DMAPM)] cationic nanoparticles were synthesized by emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization conducted in the presence of a cationic initiator, 2,2-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (APDH or V-50). Particle sizes and surface charge densities were measured with a Zeta Sizer. The structure of the terpolymers was determined by Fourier transform IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopies. The amounts of the main monomer (St), cationic comonomer (DMAPM), stabilizer (PEG-EEM), and initiator (APDH), and the water-to-monomer phase ratio were all effective on both the average size and the surface charge of the nanoparicles. The average particle size was in the range 75–400 nm depending on the recipe applied; it decreased on increasing the amount of DMAP or PEG-EEM or the water-to-monomer phase ratio in the feed, while it increased with increasing St or APDH content. These nanoparticles were quite monodisperse with a polydispersity index of 1.008–1.14.     

Novel dye-attached macroporous films for cadmium, zinc and lead sorption: Alkali Blue 6B-attached macroporous poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)

Alkali Blue 6B-attached poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (poly(HEMA)) microporous films were investigated as chelate forming sorbents for heavy metal removal. Poly(HEMA) microporous films were prepared by UV-initiated photo-polymerization of HEMA in the presence of an initiator (azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN)). Alkali Blue 6B was attached covalently. These films with a swelling ratio of 58%, and carrying 14.8 mmol Alkali Blue 6B m(-2) which were then used in the removal of Cd(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II) from aqueous media. Adsorption rates were very high, equilibrium was achieved in about 30 min. The maximum adsorption of heavy metal ions onto the Alkali Blue 6B-attached films were 41.4 mmol m(-2) for Cd(II), 52.4 mmol m(-2) for Zn(II), and 64.5 mmol m(-2) for Pb(II). When the heavy metal ions competed during the adsorption from a mixture the adsorption values for Cd(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II) were quite close. Heavy metal ions were desorbed by using 0.1 M HNO(3). A significant amount of the adsorbed heavy metal ions (up to 95%) could be desorbed in 30 min. Repeated adsorption/desorption cycles showed the feasibility of these novel dye-attached microporous films for heavy metal removal.