Magnetic interactions in a series of paramagnetic Ln(III) complexes with a chelated imino nitroxide radical

The magnetic interactions in a new series of isostructural imino nitroxide radical lanthanide(III) complexes, [Ln(hfac)₃(IM2py)] (Ln = Gd–Yb: IM2py = 2-(2′-pyridyl)-4,5-dihydro-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1H-imidazoline-1-oxy; hfac = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-2,4-pentanedione), are examined by considering the intrinsic paramagnetic contribution of the Ln(III) ion from the corresponding [Ln(hfac)₃(pybzim)] with a diamagnetic pybzim(2-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazole) ligand; the Ln(III)–IM2py interaction being antiferromagnetic for the 4f⁷ to 4f¹³ Ln(III) complexes and negligibly small for the other complexes. This series is the first example reverse to the previous cases for the series of Ln–Cu or Ln–aminoxyl(NIT) radical (4,5-dihydro-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1H-imidazoline-3-oxide-1-oxy) complexes, other than only a few examples of semiquinone Ln complexes. This reverse nature of the magnetic interaction, as compared with the NIT complexes, validates the empirical approach by O. Kahn et al. [Inorg. Chem. 38 (1999) 3692; J. Am. Chem. Soc. 122 (2000) 3413] in the spin-coupled systems for a series of Ln(III) complexes.     

Potentiometric studies on the complexation of copper(II) by phenolic acids as discrete ligand models of humic substances

Studies on the complexation of copper(II) by phenolic acids, as ligand models of humic substances were done by potentiometry. The acids under study were: 3,4-dihydroxyhydrocinnamic acid or hydrocaffeic acid (1), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (2) and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid or protocatechuic acid (3). Acidity constants of the ligands and the formation constants of metal-ligand complexes were evaluated by computer programs. The carboxylic group of the phenolic acids has different pK_a1 values, being the dissociation constants intrinsically related with the distance between the function and the aromatic nucleus. The results obtained allow concluding that acidity constants of the catechol moiety of the compounds are similar with pK_a2 and pK_a3 values between 9.47-9.41 and 11.55-11.70. The complexation properties of the three ligands towards copper(II) ion are quite similar, being the species found not different either in nature or stability. Although the model ligands have some structural differences no significant differences were found in their complexation properties towards copper(II). So, it can be postulated that complexation process is intrinsically related with the presence of a catechol group.     

Poly(methyl methacrylate)/silica/titania ternary nanocomposites with greatly improved thermal and ultraviolet-shielding properties

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/silica/titania ternary nanocomposites with covalent bonding interaction between polymer and inorganic phases have been prepared using a novel non-hydrolytic sol-gel method. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) image of silica/titania binary inorganic component indicates a core-shell-like structure. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images suggest that the well dispersed silica/titania particles in the hybrid are on the nanometer-scale. The transparencies of nanocomposites are maintained in visible region while the absorption band in ultraviolet (UV) region is red shifted with increasing inorganic content. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results show that the thermal stability of PMMA copolymer increases dramatically with the addition of silica/titania moieties both in nitrogen and in air.     

A PMMA composite as an optical diffuser in a liquid crystal display backlighting unit (BLU)

The effect of thermo-physical properties, relative humidity and stiffness on the warpage of a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) diffusing plate modified with glass fibers in a direct-lit backlight unit (BLU) of a liquid crystal display (LCD) was investigated. The warpage of the PMMA diffusing composites modified with a glass fiber were significantly reduced relative to that of a conventional PMMA diffusing plate. Luminance and scattering characteristics of the PMMA diffusing composites having 5, 10, 20 vol% of glass fibers were measured. Although the luminance of the composite was lowered as increasing the volume fractions of glass fibers in the PMMA composites, good brightness uniformity of the composites on a light source was obtained.     

Dielectric,magnetic and mechanical properties of ferrite composites

The dielectric and magnetic properties of carbonyl—iron (CI) and nickel zinc ferrite polymer composites were studied with respect to the ferrite particulate content and microwave frequency. From the experimental data and using empirical models that relate the composite dielectric and magnetic properties, the respective dielectric and magnetic properties of the neat fillers were estimated. The tensile properties of the particulate composites comprising CI were shown to follow qualitatively Mooney's equation for the elastic modulus. The tensile strength of an elastomeric polyurethane and PVC composites containing CI increased with particulate content, while the elongation to break decreased with filler content. SEM micrographs of tensile fracture surfaces indicated that somewhat better adhesion is obtained in the case of the polyurethane-based composites compared to the PVC ones.     

Thermal and mechanical properties of UV irradiated collagen/chitosan thin films

The thermal and mechanical properties of collagen/chitosan blends before and after UV irradiation have been investigated using thermal analysis and mechanical (Instron) techniques. Comparisons were made with the thermal and mechanical properties of both collagen and chitosan films. Air-dried collagen, chitosan and collagen/chitosan films were exposed to UV irradiation (wavelength 254 nm) for different time intervals. Thermal properties of collagen/chitosan blends depend on the composition of the blend and are not significantly altered by UV irradiation.Mechanical properties such as ultimate tensile strength and ultimate percentage of elongation were much better for collagen films than for collagen/chitosan films. The results have shown that the mechanical properties of the blends were greatly affected by the duration of UV irradiation. Ultimate tensile strength and ultimate percentage elongation decreased after UV irradiation of the blend. Increasing UV irradiation leads to an increase in Young's modulus of the collagen/chitosan blend.     

钇对金属陶瓷力学性能和组织的影响

研究了添加钇对Ｔｉ（Ｃ，Ｎ）基金属瓷力学性能和组织的影响。结果表明，加入适量的钇能提高Ｔｉ（Ｃ，Ｎ）基金属陶瓷的抗变强度和硬度，其原因是由于钇与杂质硫起反应在化合物，净化了陶瓷相－金属相，陶瓷相－陶瓷相界面提高子界面结合强度     

Synthesis, band structure, and optical properties of Ba2ZnV2O8

A novel compound Ba₂ZnV₂O₈ has been synthesized in high temperature solution reaction and its crystal structure has been characterized by means of single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. It crystallizes in monoclinic system and belongs to space group P2₁/c with a=7.9050(16), b=16.149(3), , β=90.49(3). It builds up from 1-D branchy chains of [ZnV₂O₈⁴⁻]_∞, and the Ba²⁺ cations are located in the space among these chains. The IR spectrum, ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflection integral spectrum and fluorescent spectra of this compound have been investigated. The calculated results of energy band structure by the density functional theory method show that the solid-state compound of Ba₂ZnV₂O₈ is an insulator with direct band gap of 3.48 eV. The calculated total and partial density of states indicate that the top valence bands are contributions from the mixings of O-2p, V-3d, and Zn-3d states and low conduction bands mostly originate from unoccupied antibonding states between the V-3d and O-2p states. The V-O bonds are mostly covalence characters and Zn-O bonds are mostly ionic interactions, and the ionic interaction strength is stronger between the Ba-O than between the Zn-O. The refractive index of n_x, n_y, and n_z is estimated to be 1.7453, 1.7469, and 1.7126, respectively, at wavelength of 1060 nm for Ba₂ZnV₂O₈ crystal.     

Transport properties of alkyltrimethylammonium bromide surfactants in aqueous solutions

Differential mutual diffusion coefficients of n-alkyltrimethylammonium bromides [CH₃(CH₂)_n–1N(CH₃)₃Br, C_nTAB] (n=10, 12, 14, 16) have been measured in aqueous solutions at 298.15 K using a conductimetric cell and an automatic apparatus to follow diffusion. The cell is based on an open-ended capillary, and the technique follows the diffusion process by measuring the resistance of a solution inside the capillaries at various times. The electrical conductances of those solutions have also been measured to calculate the critical micellar concentration (cmc). Thermodynamic analysis of the data suggests that the free ion concentration decreases at concentrations above the cmc, in agreement with theoretical predictions. The obtained values of the micellization parameters were used to model the mutual diffusion coefficients of C_nTAB aqueous solutions.     

The effect of grass fiber filler on curing characteristics and mechanical properties of natural rubber

Natural rubber is reinforced with a novel type of grass fiber (Cyperus Tegetum Rox b). The effects of fiber loading of different mesh sizes on curing characteristics and mechanical properties of grass fiber filled natural rubber composite are studied. Since 400 mesh grass fiber loaded natural rubber composite shows superior mechanical properties, therefore the effect of silane coupling agent was studied for this particular composite. Here composites were prepared by using water leached grass fiber. Optimum cure time increases with the increase in fiber loading but the change in scorch time is less. The same trend of increase in optimum cure time is observed in the presence of Si69. But the value is higher compared to that of rubber composite without Si69. With increase in the fiber loading, modulus and hardness of the composite increases but tensile strength decreases. The mechanical properties of the composite, namely moduli at 200 and 300% elongation and hardness increase in the presence of Si69 but tensile strength is less compared to that of the composite without Si69. Elongation at break is not much affected due to the presence of Si69. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.