Conductance of tetraalkylammonium salts in propylene carbonate at 25°C

Conductance measurements of 12 quaternary ammonium salts in propylene carbonate (PC) have been made at 25°C. The cations were either tetramethylammonium, tetraethylammonium, or tetra-n-butylammonium, and the concentrations of salt varied from about 2×10^–4 to 5×10^–3 M. The data were analyzed by the equation of Pitts. The results showed that the benzoate, nitrobenzoate, and pentachlorophenolate salts are completely dissociated. The nitrophenolate, chlorophenolate, methylsulfonate, and nitrate salts are only slightly associated (K _A from 2.5 to 6.5), while the acetate, phenylacetate, and nitrophenolate salts display somewhat more extensive association, with ionpair association constants from 17 to 45. Limiting molar conductances for the anions were derived. The factors affecting ionic mobilities in this dipolar aprotic solvent are discussed.On leave 1973–1975 from the University of Gdask, Poland.     

Tubular Structures of Calcium Carbonate: Formation,Characterization, and Implications in Natural Mineral Environments

Chemical gardens are self-assembled tubular precipitates formed by a combination of osmosis, buoyancy, and chemical reaction, and thought to be capable of catalyzing prebiotic condensation reactions. In many cases, the tube wall is a bilayer structure with the properties of a diaphragm and/or a membrane. The interest in silica gardens as microreactors for materials science has increased over the past decade because of their ability to create long-lasting electrochemical potential. In this study, we have grown single macroscopic tubes based on calcium carbonate and monitored their time-dependent behavior by in situ measurements of pH, ionic concentrations inside and outside the tubular membranes, and electrochemical potential differences. Furthermore, we have characterized the composition and structure of the tubular membranes by using ex situ X-ray diffraction, infrared and Raman spectroscopy, as well as scanning electron microscopy. Based on the collected data, we propose a physicochemical mechanism for the formation and ripening of these peculiar CaCO₃ structures and compare the results to those of other chemical garden systems. We find that the wall of the macroscopic calcium carbonate tubes is a bilayer of texturally distinct but compositionally similar calcite showing high crystallinity. The resulting high density of the material prevents macroscopic calcium carbonate gardens from developing significant electrochemical potential differences. In the light of these observations, possible implications in materials science and prebiotic (geo)chemistry are discussed.     

Sodium dithionite initiated addition of CF2Br2 to β-pinene and reactions of the adduct: Synthesis and the reactivity of new 1,1-difluorodienes

Sodium dithionite effectively promotes the addition of dibromodifluoromethane to the exocyclic double bond of β-pinene. The reaction proceeded in a MeCN/H₂O system to give almost quantitatively an adduct, 1-(2-bromo-2,2-difluoroethyl)-4-(2-bromoisopropyl)-cyclohexene, as the sole product. On treatment of the adduct with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine elimination of HBr only from the (CH₃)₂CHBr group occurred to give a mixture of regioisomeric dienes, while treatment with 50% KOH under phase transfer catalysis conditions or with K₂CO₃ in DMF resulted in total dehydrobromination to give trienes possessing an exocyclic CHCF₂ group. Surprisingly, the main course of the reactions of the adduct with DBU (1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undece-7-ene) and also with t-BuOK in THF was elimination of HBr only from the CH₂CF₂Br group to afford 1-(2,2-difluorovinyl)-4-(2-bromoisopropyl)cyclohexene as the main product. Catalytic hydrogenation of the adduct followed by treatment with DBU afforded a conjugated diene, 1-(2,2-difluorovinyl)-4-isopropylcyclohexene. Compounds bearing the CHCF₂ group are new 1,1-difluorodienes which readily reacted with 4-phenyl-3H-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione to give cycloadducts, derivatives of triazolo[1,2-α]cinnoline.     

Thermophysical properties for (diethyl carbonate + p-xylene + octane) ternary system

The density and speed of sound of the ternary mixture (diethyl carbonate + p-xylene + octane) have been measured at atmospheric pressure and in the temperature range T = (288.15 to 308.15) K. Besides, surface tension has been also determined for the same mixture at T = 298.15 K. The experimental measurements have allowed the calculation of the corresponding derived properties: excess molar volumes, excess isentropic compressibilities, and surface tension deviations. Excess properties have been correlated using Nagata and Tamura equation and correlation for the surface tension deviation has been done with the Cibulka equation. Good accuracy has been obtained. Based on the variations of the derived properties values with composition, a qualitative discussion about the intermolecular interactions was drawn.     

Effect of ultrasound on the synthesis of low-modulus zeolites from a metakaolin

It was studied the effect of ultrasonic processing (22 kHz) of the aqueous suspension of metakaolin, sodium hydroxide and alumina with a molar ratio 2Al₂Si₂O₇:12NaOH:2Al₂O₃ on the low-modulus zeolite synthesis processes. To investigate the XRD, SEM, IR, EDS had been used. It was shown that after ultrasonic processing, sodium aluminates are formed, what leads to a change in process of further synthesis. It was found that without ultrasonic processing on the stage of thermal treatment at 650 °C, SOD zeolite (|Na₆|[Al₆Si₆O₂₄]) and sodium aluminosilicate (Na₆Al₄Si₄O₁₇) are synthesized. In the sample after ultrasound during thermal treatment, only sodium aluminosilicates of cubic syngony (Na₆Al₄Si₄O₁₇ and Na₈Al₄Si₄O₁₈) are formed. It was demonstrated that sodium aluminosilicates are precursors for the formation of LTA zeolite (|Na₁₂|[Al₁₂Si₁₂O₄₈]). As a result zeolitization of sodium aluminosilicates after the hydrothermal crystallization in alkaline solution, the sonicated sample contained 97 wt% LTA. Without ultrasonic processing, the product of synthesis contained 50 wt% SOD and 40 wt% LTA.     

The collagen type I segment long spacing (SLS) and fibrillar forms: Formation by ATP and sulphonated diazo dyes

The collagen type I segment long spacing (SLS) crystallite is a well-ordered rod-like molecular aggregate, ∼300 nm in length, which is produced in vitro under mildly acidic conditions (pH 2.5–3.5) in the presence of 1 mM ATP. The formation of the SLS crystallite amplifies the inherent linear structural features of individual collagen heterotrimers, due to the punctate linear distribution and summation of the bulkier amino acid side chains along the length of individual collagen heterotrimers. This can be correlated structurally with the 67 nm D-banded collagen fibril that is found in vivo, and formed in vitro. Although first described many years ago, the range of conditions required for ATP-induced SLS crystallite formation from acid-soluble collagen have not been explored extensively. Consequently, we have addressed biochemical parameters such as the ATP concentration, pH, speed of formation and stability so as to provide a more complete structural understanding of the SLS crystallite. Treatment of collagen type I with 1 mM ATP at neutral and higher pH (6.0–9.0) also induced the formation of D-banded fibrils. Contrary to previous studies, we have shown that the polysulphonated diazo dyes Direct red (Sirius red) and Evans blue, but not Congo red and Methyl blue, can also induce the formation of SLS-like aggregates of collagen, but under markedly different ionic conditions to those employed in the presence of ATP. Specifically, pre-formed D-banded collagen fibrils, prepared in a higher than the usual physiological NaCl concentration (e.g. 500 mM NaCl, 20 mM Tris-HCl pH7.4 or x3 PBS), readily form SLS aggregates when treated with 0.1 mM Direct red and Evans blue, but this did not occur at lower NaCl concentrations. These new data are discussed in relation to the anion (Cl⁻) and polyanion (phosphate and sulphonate) binding by the collagen heterotrimer and their likely role in collagen fibrillogenesis and SLS formation.     

Carbon K‐edge spectra of carbonate minerals

Carbon K‐edge X‐ray spectroscopy has been applied to the study of a wide range of organic samples, from polymers and coals to interstellar dust particles. Identification of carbonaceous materials within these samples is accomplished by the pattern of resonances in the 280–320 eV energy region. Carbonate minerals are often encountered in the study of natural samples, and have been identified by a distinctive resonance at 290.3 eV. Here C K‐edge and Ca L‐edge spectra from a range of carbonate minerals are presented. Although all carbonates exhibit a sharp 290 eV resonance, both the precise position of this resonance and the positions of other resonances vary among minerals. The relative strengths of the different carbonate resonances also vary with crystal orientation to the linearly polarized X‐ray beam. Intriguingly, several carbonate minerals also exhibit a strong 288.6 eV resonance, consistent with the position of a carbonyl resonance rather than carbonate. Calcite and aragonite, although indistinguishable spectrally at the C K‐edge, exhibited significantly different spectra at the Ca L‐edge. The distinctive spectral fingerprints of carbonates provide an identification tool, allowing for the examination of such processes as carbon sequestration in minerals, Mn substitution in marine calcium carbonates (dolomitization) and serpentinization of basalts.     

Cs2 CO3共蒸阴极对有机电致发光器件性能的影响

研究了碳酸铯(Cs2CO3)掺杂8-羟基喹啉铝(Alq3)作为电子注入层对有机电致发光器件性能的影响。结果表明,与常用的Cs2CO3超薄层作电子注入层相比,Cs2CO3∶Alq3共蒸阴极对器件效率和亮度有很大提高,器件电流效率从3.1 cd/A(Cs2CO31 nm/Al)提高到6.5 cd/A(Cs2CO33%∶Alq3/Al)。器件性能的提高归因于Cs2CO3∶Alq3共蒸阴极比单层Cs2CO3阴极具有更好的电子注入能力和电子传输性能。薄膜形貌表明,共蒸阴极能有效降低Alq3表面粗糙度,有助于提高器件发光性能及寿命。     

钠离子电池用高性能锑基负极材料的调控策略研究进展

锑(Sb)具有高的理论比容量、较小的电极极化、合适的Na⁺脱嵌电位、价格低廉以及环境友好的优势,而成为一种具有较大应用前景的钠离子电池负极材料。但是,Sb基负极材料的一个重要挑战是在循环过程中高比容量伴随着大的体积变化,进而导致活性材料粉化,并从集流体上脱落,这大大限制了其在钠离子电池领域的大规模应用。因此,如何解决Sb基负极材料充放电过程中体积膨胀问题对于高性能的钠离子电池设计是至关重要的。本文详细综述和讨论了Sb基材料的结构-性能关系及其在钠离子电池中的应用,详细介绍了钠离子电池Sb基负极材料在氧化还原反应机理、形貌设计、结构-性能关系等方面的最新研究进展。本综述的主要目的是探讨影响Sb基负极材料性能的决定因素,从而提出有前途的改性策略,以提高其可逆容量和循环稳定性。最后,对Sb基钠离子电池负极材料的未来发展、面临的挑战和前景进行了展望。本文可为Sb负极材料的构建和优化提供具体的观点,阐明了Sb基负极材料未来的发展方向,从而促进钠离子电池的快速发展和实际应用。     

Synthesis and application of silica and calcium carbonate nanoparticles in the reduction of organics from refinery wastewater

Oil refinery is one of the fast growing industries across the globe and it is expected to progress in the near future. The worldwide increase in the generation of refinery wastewater along with strict environmental regulations in the discharge of industrial effluent, persistent efforts have been devoted to recycle and reuse the treated water. The wastewater from the refining operation leads to serious environmental threat to the ecosystem. Therefore, this study aimed to synthesize silica (SiO₂) and calcium carbonate nanoparticles (CaCO₃) in the reduction of organics from refinery wastewater. The synthesized nanoparticles were employed in the reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD) from refinery wastewater by studying the influence of solution pH, contact time, dosage of nanoparticles and stirring speed on adsorption performance. From the batch experimental studies, the optimized processing conditions for the reduction of COD using SiO₂ nanoparticles are pH 4.0, dosage 0.5 g, stirring speed 125 rpm and 90 min stirring time, and the corresponding values for CaCO₃ nanoparticles are pH 8.0, dosage 0.4 g, stirring speed 100 rpm and 90 min stirring time. The study demonstrates that SiO₂ and CaCO₃ nanoparticles have a promising future in the reduction organics from refinery wastewater in different pH regimes.