Self-assembled monolayers and chemical derivatization of Ba0.5Sr0.5TiO3 thin films: Applications in phase shifter devices

Thin films of barium strontium titanate (Ba_1−xSr_x TiO₃ (BSTO)) have been used in coupled microstrip phase shifters (CMPS) for possible insertion in satellite and wireless communication platforms primarily because of their high dielectric constant, low loss, large tunability, and good structural stability. In an attempt to improve the figure of merit K (phase shift °/dB of loss) of phase shifters, modification of the metal/BSTO interface of these devices has been done through surface modification of the BSTO layer using a self-assembled monolayer approach. The impact of this nanotechnology promises to reduce RF losses by improving the quality of the metal/BSTO interface. In this study, compounds such as 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPS), 16-mercaptohexadecanois acid (MHDA) and 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) were used to form the self-assembled monolayers on the BSTO surface. As a result of the previous modification, chemical derivatization of the self-assembled monolayers was done in order to increase the chain length. Chemical derivatization was done using 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APS) and 16-mercaptohexadecanoic acid. Surface chemical analysis was done to reveal the composition of the derivatization via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR). Low and high frequencies measurements of phase shifters were done in order measure the performance of these devices for insertion in antennas. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterization of modified BSTO thin films with MPS showed a binding energy peak at 162.9 eV, indicative of a possible SO interaction: sulfur of the mercapto compound, MPS, used to modify the surface with the oxygen site of the BSTO thin film. This interaction is at higher binding energies compared with the thiolate interaction. This behavior is observed with the other mercapto compounds such as: MHDA and MPA. An FT-IR analysis present a band at 780 cm⁻¹, which is characteristic of an OSC stretching and reveals the modification of the BSTO thin film by the coupling of the O of the BSTO with the S of the mercapto compound. All the modification using mercapto compounds is through sulfur to the BSTO thin film. MHDA SAM on BSTO thin film was chemically derivatized using APS shown by XPS and FT-IR. The SAMs modified phase shifters showed an improvement in performance with respect to those phase shifters fabricated with standard methods.     

UV light impact on ellagitannins and wood surface colour of European oak (Quercus petraea and Quercus robur)

Two European oak species (Q. petraea and Q. robur) have a high content of phenols which may participate in the alteration of colour upon UV irradiation. To study the photodegradation process of oak surfaces, the two oak species extractives, vescalagin, castalagin, ellagic acid and gallic acid were analysed quantitatively by HPLC before and after UV irradiation. Irradiation time was altered between 3, 24, 72, 96, 120, 144, 192 and 216 h. In parallel, any colour changes of Oak wood surface was followed after 120 h of UV-irradiation by measuring CIELAB parameters (DL*, Da*, Db* and DE*). We observed that 60% of total phenol content of extractives decreased after the maximal exposure time. Our findings also showed that castalagin and gallic acid were destroyed after 216 h and vescalagin and ellagic acid after 72 h. This study proves the photosenibility of oakwood extractives which, supplementary to lignin degradation, would strongly result in the discolouration of oak heartwood.     

Evaluation of semiconducting sensor materials on the basis of catalytic test reaction

Oxidative-reductive properties on the acid-base surfaces of the oxide compositions Sn-Ce-Rh-O and Zr-Mg-Y-O, active as catalysts in the ketonization of secondary alcohols were determined based on the isopropanol conversion selectivity. The kinetics of isopropanol conversion was measured in the oxygen-free atmosphere. Activation energies for both directions of conversion (dehydration to propylene and dehydrogenation to acetone) were calculated. The results were compared with the kinetics over SnO₂ and ZrO₂. Both oxide compositions, Sn-Ce-Rh-O and Zr-Mg-Y-O are oxidative-reductive catalysts containing Lewis acid centers.     

N2+分子离子A2∏u-X2∑+g 系(2,0)带光外差速度调制光谱

采用光外差速度调制光谱技术研究了N2+分子离子A2∏u-X2∑+g 系(2,0)带转动光谱．由于所用技术的高灵敏度特性，精确地确定了该带310条谱线的频率，其中，那些重叠谱线的频率也通过解谱精确地确定了．利用标准Hamilton量，采用非线性最小二乘方法对该带进行了分析，获得了最精确的分子常数．     

Thermally Conducting Partially Ionized Plasma in a Variable Magnetic Field

An infinitely extending homogenous partially ionized plasma endowed with several physical mechanisms and permeated by a variable magnetic field is considered. The combined effect of these parameters, namely, Hall currents, finite conductivity, ion viscosity, collision with neutrals and thermal conductivity on the gravitational instability of the plasma is studied. It is found that the several mechanisms play different physical roles in the perturbed problem. Jeans' Criterion is analyzed in the framework of Tsallis' statistics for possible modifications due to the presence of nonextensive effects. A simple generalization of the Jeans' criterion is obtained and the standard values are obtained in the limiting case q = 1, q being the nonextensive parameter. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Transesterification of an RNA model in buffer solutions in H2O and D2O

Transesterification of a phosphodiester bond of RNA models has been studied in various buffer solutions, under neutral and slightly alkaline conditions in H₂O and D₂O. The results show that imidazole is the only buffer system where a clear buffer catalysis on the cleavage of a phosphodiester bond is observed. The rate enhancement in sulphonic acid buffers is smaller, and a sulphonate base, particularly, is inactive as a catalyst. The rate‐enhancing effect of imidazole is, however, catalytic, and the catalytic inactivity of sulphonate buffers can be attributed to their structure and/or charge. The catalysis by imidazole is a complex system which, in addition to first‐order reactions, involves a process that shows a second‐order dependence in imidazole concentration. The latter reaction becomes significant in acidic imidazole buffers (pH < pK_a), as the buffer concentration increases. The kinetic solvent deuterium isotope effect k_H/k_D, referring to first‐order catalysis by imidazole base, is 2.3 ± 0.3. That referring to second‐order catalysis is most probably much larger, but an accurate value could not be obtained. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High‐pressure effects on the Diels–Alder reaction in room temperature ionic liquids

The effect of pressure on the Diels–Alder reaction was examined in room temperature ionic liquids, followed by high‐pressure FT‐IR spectroscopy using pressures up to 150 MPa. Pressure enhances the kinetic sensitivity of the reaction. The kinetic effect of fluorophobic interactions was examined using ionic liquids with fluorous cations. Ionic liquids in combination with ZnI₂ as a Lewis acid catalyst were also studied under high pressure. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.