The influence of methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane on the sol-gel process of TEOS

The influence of MPS on the hydrolysis and condensation process of TEOS is studied by means of hydrolysis time (t _H) and gelation time (t _G) curves. The addition of MPS to a mixture of TEOS, ethanol and water results in a substantial increase in t _G. The increase is most pronounced when adding takes place in the acid step of the sol-gel process of TEOS.In acid environment hydrolysis of MPS will be dominant compared to hydrolysis of TEOS. This results in an effective decrease of the amount of water available for the hydrolysis of TEOS. However, this decrease in water concentration cannot explain the complete effect of the addition of MPS. The hydrolysed MPS will also be incorporated in the gel network and will strongly influence the cross-linking ability. The lesser functionality of MPS compared to TEOS and the steric hindrance of the acrylate group results in a large increase in t _G.     

Potential energy curves for the X~1Σ_g~ , B~1△_g and B′~1Σ_g~ states of C_2 using MRCI and approximate CI methods

The potential energy curves for the X1Σ g , B1△g and B′1Σ g states of C2 have been studied by using MRC and approximate CI methods, and are benchmarked against the calculations of full configuration in teraction (FCI). The results obtained by MRCI method agree with the FCI very well, and even are accu rate enough to compare other approximate methods as benchmark, when the calculations of FCI ar not feasible. The approximate CI methods mentioned in this paper are reliable for treating chemica problems.     

Using a new solvation model for thermodynamic study on the interaction of nickel with human growth hormone

Thermodynamics of the interaction between Ni²⁺ and human growth hormone (hGH) were determined at 27 °C in Nail solution by isothermal titration calorimetry. A new method to predict protein penetration and the effect of metal ions on the stability of proteins is introduced. The new solvation model was used to reproduce the enthalpies of Ni²⁺-hGH interaction over the whole range of Ni²⁺ concentrations. The solvation parameters recovered from the new equation, attributed to the structural change of hGH and its biological activity.     

从聚丙烯流动曲线估算分子量分布

聚丙烯的控制降解技术由于能够带来很好的经济效益，国内外都在进行研究．其中分子量分布是一个重要数据，它对于聚丙烯的注塑、纺丝、薄膜等加工过程都有重要的影响．分子量分布一般用重均分子量Mw和数均分子量Mn之比D=Mw/Mn来表征，称为分子量分布指数．它可以     

Coulometrisches Verfahren zur Bestimmung von Gesamt-, Carbonat- und Nichtcarbonat-Kohlenstoff in magmatischen, metamorphen und sediment?ren Gesteinen

Zusammenfassung Für die Bestimmung von Gesamt-, Carbonat- und Nichtcarbonat-Kohlenstoff in magmatischen, metamorphen und sedimentären Gesteinen (auch bei höheren Anteilen an organischem C) ist ein Verfahren nach dem Prinzip der coulometrischen Titration geeignet. Der Gesamt-Kohlenstoff wird ermittelt durch Erhitzung der auf <0,125 mm zerkleinerten Probe bei etwa 1250°C im Sauerstoffstrom ohne irgendwelche Zusätze. Zur Bestimmung von Nichtcarbonat-Kohlenstoff wird eine bestimmte Menge Gesteinspulver mit Salzsäure versetzt und auf einem Aluminiumblock HCl abgeraucht. Der Carbonat-Kohlenstoff entweicht als CO₂. Zurück bleibt der Nichtcarbonat-Kohlenstoff, welcher wie der Gesamt-Kohlenstoff coulometrisch bestimmt wird. Der Carbonat-Kohlenstoff bzw. die äquivalente Menge CO₂ ergibt sich dann aus der Differenz von Gesamt- zu Nichtcarbonat-Kohlenstoff. Das Verfahren ist anwendbar auf Kohlenstoffgehalte in Gesteinen von etwa 10 ppm bis 20 Gew.-% bei mittleren Standardabweichungen von etwa 0,0002–0,05% C (Richtwerte). Die Analysendauer für eine Probe beträgt etwa 3–5 min.

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Coulometric method for the determination of total, carbonate, and non-carbonate carbon in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks

For the measurement of total carbon the sample, ground finer than 0.125 mm and without the addition of any reagents, is ignited in a current of oxygen at about 1250°C. Non-carbonate carbon can be analysed after another portion of the sample is treated with conc, hydrochloric acid and evaporated on a hot plate; the carbonates are decomposed and the carbonate carbon is removed as carbon dioxide. The residue is non-carbonate carbon which is also determined by the coulometric method. The difference between total carbon and non-carbonate carbon corresponds to carbonate carbon or its equivalent as carbon dioxide. The method is applicable to carbon contents in rocks from 10 ppm to 20 wt.-%. The standard deviation is approximately 0.0002 to 0.05% C. Each carbon analysis takes about 3 to 5 min.

     

Cathode of a fuel cell with a solid polymer electrolyte: Calculating overall currents in the presence of a gas-diffusion layer

Mathematical apparatus, which makes it possible to perform calculations of the current-voltage characteristics of cathodes of fuel cells with a solid polymer electrolyte in conditions where there are present extraneous diffusion restrictions is proposed. In so doing, the partial pressure of oxygen and the absolute pressure of gas in the gas chamber may assume any values. First of all presented are the results of calculations of the current-voltage characteristics intrinsic to active layers of the air and oxygen cathodes, which are performed under the assumption that the extraneous diffusion restrictions are absent altogether. Thereafter, in the same conditions (at the same parameters that characterize the active layer of a cathode), obtained are results of a calculation of the current-voltage characteristics inherent in the air and oxygen cathodes in the presence of extraneous diffusion restrictions. Afterward there is performed an analysis of the way a gas-diffusion layer restricts the process of generation of current in a cathode and of what measures should be taken in order for the extraneous diffusion restrictions to become less significant.     

Basis-independent potential energy curves for the neutral diatomics of Li,Na and K evaluated by means of Hartree-Fock and different density functional potentials

Summary The solution of the Schrödinger equation for diatomic molecules when the finite element method is used gives the possibility to evaluate highly accurate basis-independent potential energy curves. In this work such types of numerically accurate potential energy curves on the HF level have been evaluated for Li₂, Na₂ and K₂ and could be used as benchmarks in the optimization of basis sets. A comparison between recent LCAO HF calculations in which extended basis sets are used and the accurate values determined in this work show that there is a difference in total energy of 4×10^–5 and 10^–3 a.u. for Li, Li₂, and Na, Na₂, respectively. Evaluated dissociation energies are, however, due to the cancellation of numerical errors in much better agreement. Further, it is found that different exchange correlation potentials for the heavier molecules such as those given by von Barth-Hedin and Vosko, Wilk and Nusair reproduce experimental properties such as dissociation energies, vibrational frequencies almost as well as those achieved with advanced CI methods. TheX potential gives accurate bond lengths for Na₂ and K₂, whereas the dissociation energies are too small.     

Double pulse laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy of explosives: Initial study towards improved discrimination

Detecting trace explosive residues at standoff distances in real-time is a difficult problem. One method ideally suited for real-time standoff detection is laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). However, atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen contributes to the LIBS signal from the oxygen- and nitrogen-containing explosive compounds, complicating the discrimination of explosives from other organic materials. While bathing the sample in an inert gas will remove atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen interference, it cannot practically be applied for standoff LIBS. Alternatively, we have investigated the potential of double pulse LIBS to improve the discrimination of explosives by diminishing the contribution of atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen to the LIBS signal. These initial studies compare the close-contact (< 1 m) LIBS spectra of explosives using single pulse LIBS in argon with double pulse LIBS in atmosphere. We have demonstrated improved discrimination of an explosive and an organic interferent using double pulse LIBS to reduce the air entrained in the analytical plasma.     

Size and pH effect on electrical and conformational behavior of poly(acrylic acid): Simulation and experiment

Monte Carlo simulations, experimental titrations and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy experiments were used to investigate the conformational and electrical properties of polyacrylic acids (PAA). On the one hand, titration curves were calculated to get an insight into the role of pH on the degree of ionization and conformation of PAA chains. On the other hand, experimental potentiometric titrations of PAA were also achieved for different PAA molecular weights and compared to the calculated titration curves obtained by Monte Carlo coarse grained simulations. It was found that for a large range at intermediate PAA ionizations, a good correlation is obtained between experimental and simulations data thanks to the prominence of electrostatic interactions in this domain. The effect of ionic concentration and PAA molecular weight on the titration curves was also investigated. In order to get a better understanding of PAA conformational behavior, we also investigated PAA diffusion properties in aqueous solutions as a function of pH and ionic strength by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), thanks to its high sensitivity to measure diffusion coefficients of tracer solutes. Good qualitative agreements were observed between experimental diffusivities and polymer properties calculated from MC simulations. It was shown that the high molecular weight PAA chains display more significant changes in diffusivity in agreement with the ionization degrees and conformational changes observed in the simulations.