Structural and electrical characterization of SxSe100−x thin films

Thin films of samples of the glassy S_xSe_100−x system with 0 ≤ x ≤ 7.28 have been prepared by thermal evaporation technique at room temperature (300 K). X-ray investigations show that the structure of pure selenium (Se) does change seriously by the addition of small amount of sulphur S ≤7.28%. The lattice parameters were determined as a function of sulphur content. Results of differential thermal analysis (DTA) of the glassy compositions of the system S_xSe_100−x were discussed. The characteristic temperatures (T_g, T_c and T_m) were evaluated. Dark electrical resistivities, ρ, of S_xSe_100−x thin films with different thicknesses from 100 to 500 nm, were measured in the temperature range from 300 to 423 K. Two distinct linear parts with different activation energies were observed. The variation of electrical resistivity of examined compositions has been discussed as a function of the film thickness, temperature and the sulphur content. The application of Mott model for the phonon assisted hopping of small polarons gave the same two activation energies obtained from the resistivity temperature calculations.     

Preparation of Y2Ba4Cu7O15-δ Superconductor without High Oxygen Pressure

The synthesis of bulk Y₂Ba₄Cu₇O_15-δ superconductor at atmospheric oxygen pressure via solid state sintering is reported. Temperature ranging from 860 to 890 °C as well as time interval over 2 to 15 days were used to investigate the formation of the Y₂Ba₄Cu₇O_15-δ phase. A time-temperature profile characterizing the conditions for the preparation of Y₂Ba₄Cu₇O_15-δ phase suggests the optimal condition to be sintering at 890 °C for over 10 days. Detailed results of X-ray diffraction, electrical resistivity, iodometric titration and magnetization measurements are described.     

Rapid Electrochemical Detection of Propranolol and Metoprolol in Pharmaceutical Preparations Using Stabilized Lipid Films

This work reports a technique for the rapid electrochemical detection of propranolol and metoprolol in pharmaceutical preparations using stabilized lipid films. Microporous filters composed of glass fibers (nominal pore sizes 0.7 and 1.0 μm) were used as supports for the formation and stabilization of these devices. The lipid film is formed on the filter by polymerization prior to its use. This stabilized after storage in air. Lipid films composed of phosphatidylcholine were used for the detection of propranolol and metoprolol in pharmaceutical preparations. The stabilized lipid membranes provided artificial ion gating events in the form of transient signals within about 60 and 34 s after exposure of the membranes to propranolol and metoprolol, respectively. The magnitude of the transient current signal was related to the concentration of propranolol and metoprolol in bulk solution in the micromolar range. The mechanism of signal generation was investigated by differential scanning calorimetric studies. These studies revealed that the adsorption of the drug is through the hydrophobic aryl terminal of the compound, whereas the hydrophilic groups were directed towards the electrolyte solution. This adsorption caused a rapid alteration of the electrochemical double layer of the lipid film (i.e., capacitance changes) that resulted in the transient ion current signal. The present technique was used for the rapid detection of propranolol and metoprolol in pharmaceutical preparations and can function for repetitive uses after storage in air. Future research is targeted to the determination of these chemicals in human biofluids such as urine of athletes.     

Chemical environment of copper at the surface of a CuAl2 model alloy: XPS,MEIS and TEM analyses

Air‐formed oxide on a CuAl₂ model alloy is shown to be free of copper species, with copper enriching in the alloy. With thickening of the oxide by anodizing, copper enriches further to a critical concentration at which its oxidation proceeds with incorporation of Cu(II) species into the film. Such species migrate more rapidly through the film than aluminium species. Incorporation of copper species is associated with generation of oxygen gas within the film and subsequent film rupture is due to release of the gas. Reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I) species during XPS analysis is characterized and the accelerating role of charge neutralizing is highlighted. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Concentrated electrolyte solutions at high temperatures and pressures

A survey is given of recent experimental results obtained from high-temperature, high-pressure investigations with water, aqueous solutions, and ionic fluids. Data on the static dielectric constant of water to 550°C and 5 kbar are given and discussed with respect to their relation to water structure. Infrared and Raman spectra of HDO in pure water have been obtained to 400°C and 4 kbar, which give information on hydrogen bonding. Xe–H₂O and CO₂–H₂O mixtures were investigated in the infrared. Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes were investigated by absorption spectroscopy in aqueous solutions of high chloride content to 350°C and 2–6 kbar. The gas-liquid critical point of ammonium chloride was found at 880°C and 1635 bars. This fluid appears to be predominantly ionic even in the critical region. The possibility of converting pure polar fluids such as ammonia and water into concentrated ionic solutions by self-ionization at very high pressures is mentioned.This paper was presented at the symposium, The Physical Chemistry of Aqueous Systems, held at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, June 12–14, 1972, in honor of the 70th birthday of Professor H. S. Frank.     

Surface mixed adsorption films of 2,4,6- trimethylphenol–2,4,6-trichlorophenol at aqueous solution/air interface

 The results of experimental studies of the adsorption at the solution/air interface from an aqueous mixture: 2,4,6-trimethylphenol–2,4,6-trichlorophenol are presented. The surface properties of the above-mentioned mixture were studied by surface potential and surface tension measurements. These measurements were carried out as a function of the concentration of 2,4,6-trimethylphenol aqueous solution at a constant concentration of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol. Using the results obtained and based on the Gibbs equation, Helmholtz formula and Motomura’s method the relative surface excesses of adsorbed substances, effective dipole moments, surface molar fractions of solutes and miscibility of adsorbed films were determined. Received: 7 November 1997 Accepted: 26 February 1998     

The studies of the effect of photostimulated changes in thin carbon films

Photostimulated changes in thin carbon films deposited onto fused silica substrates by reactive magnetron sputtering and irradiated by the light of the first (1060nm) and the second (530nm) harmonics of a QW-switched Nd³⁺ AVG laser were investigated. The changes are supposed to be connected with the reordering of chemical bounds.     

Photoelectron core levels for enargite,Cu3AsS4

The mineral chemistry of enargite surfaces and near‐surfaces prepared by fracture within an ultrahigh vacuum are investigated using XPS and synchrotron radiation XPS (SRXPS). The purpose of the study is to identify surface core‐level line positions in high‐resolution photoelectron spectra. The XPS spectra obtained using monochromatic Al Kα radiation show that there are near‐identical monosulphide line positions in S 2p spectra for the As–S and Cu–S bonds in enargite. The SRXPS spectra for sulphur are remarkably similar to the XPS spectra for sulphur, showing that there is minimal difference in the chemical environment between sulphur atoms at the surface and in the mineral matrix. The Cu 2p XPS data have only cuprous contributions and a minor surface contribution. The surface Cu contribution is observed as a high‐binding‐energy tail in the Cu 2p_3/2 spectrum. The As 3d data for both XPS and SRXPS show contributions from arsenic atoms at the surface and in the bulk mineral matrix. The surface contribution is distinct and is found 1 eV below the bulk contribution. The results of the study suggest that, following fracture, the enargite surface is reorganized in such a manner that the surface is characterized by protrusions of individual arsenic atoms. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

INTRAPARTICLE DIFFUSION EFFECTS IN FISCHER-TROPSCH SYNTHESIS Ⅰ. MODELING OF DIFFUSION AND REACTION

IntroductionCatal}ticrcactionsaffcctcdb}'diffosionaIlimitationincatal}'stporcshavcbccnextensive1}dcaltx`ithinlit.rat.rcll~5I.Scvcraltcchniqucsonthcspccialcase0fFischcr-Tropschs}'nthcsis(FTS)t\crcapplicdtocxplorcthebchaviorofthiscatal}ticrcactionundercxpcrimcntalandopcrationaIconditionsI3~5l.It`"ouldbeofvaluctoindicatchcrcthatthcseinvcstigationsx"ercmainl}'bascdonthesimplcstkineticsofthcfirstordcrinH2proposedbyAndersonl6]attheearIystages.However-thesetboents,striCtlyspeaking,areinvalidfor…     

Matrix-isolation-FTIR spectroscopy with an integrating sphere

The use of an integrating sphere for the measurement of absorption spectra of thin films is described. The thin film (for example a rare gas matrix) is grown directly on the inside surface of the sphere. Multiple reflections inside the integrating sphere lead to significant enhancement of weak absorptions of the film, increasing the sensitivity of such measurements.