Chemical bonding and pseudogap formation in D022- and L12-structure (V, Ti)Al3

To obtain a rigorous definition of the chemical bonds in binary transition-metal aluminides, topological analyses were performed for VAl₃ and TiAl₃ in the D0₂₂ and L1₂ structures. The analyses were based on the valence charge densities calculated with the ab initio density functional theory. To better understand the formation mechanism of the pseudogap in these compounds, the band structure, the density of states (DOS) and the band decomposed charge density (BDCD) were calculated. The topological analyses reveal that the interactions between the (V, Ti) and Al atoms are all pure shared-shell interactions, the bonds are covalent and clearly have π-bond character. The study of the band structure, DOS and BDCD shows that the formation of the pseudogap is due to the crystal field energy splitting of the (V, Ti)-3d orbitals combined with the inter-unit-cell orbital interaction.     

High-quality oriented ZnO films grown by sol-gel process assisted with ZnO seed layer

High-quality oriented ZnO films were prepared on silicon and quartz glass by sol-gel, assisted with a ZnO seed layer. The effects of the seed layer on the orientation, morphology and optical properties of ZnO films were investigated. Results show that the seed layer can effectively induce the growth of high-quality oriented ZnO films on two substrates, and the effectiveness of the seed layer strongly depends on preparation conditions, i.e., the spin-coating layer number and the preheating temperature. ZnO films with five layers on the seed layer preheated at 500 °C exhibit the single (0 0 2) orientation, which is much stronger than that on the flat substrate. Additionally, ZnO films on the seed layer show a denser internal structure and higher optical quality than that on the flat substrate. At ten layers, however, ZnO films on the seed layer show the multiple-orientation, which is similar to that on the flat substrate. Finally, the physical mechanism underlying the growth behavior of ZnO films assisted with the seed layer was discussed.     

Large deformation of liquid capsules enclosed by thin shells immersed in the fluid

The deformation of a liquid capsule enclosed by a thin shell in a simple shear flow is studied numerically using an implicit immersed boundary method. We present a thin-shell model for computing the forces acting on the shell middle surface during the deformation within the framework of the Kirchhoff–Love theory of thin shells. This thin-shell model takes full account of finite-deformation kinematics which allows thickness stretching as well as large deflections and bending strains. For hyperelastic materials, the plane-stress assumption is used to compute the hydrostatic pressure and the incompressibility condition yields the thickness strain component and the corresponding change in the thickness. The stresses developing over the cross-section of the shell are integrated over the thickness to yield the stress and moment resultants which are then used to compute the forces acting on the shell middle surface. The immersed boundary method is employed for calculating the hydrodynamics and fluid–structure interaction effects. The location of the thin shell is updated implicitly using the Newton–Krylov method. The present numerical technique has been validated by several examples including an inflation of a spherical shell and deformations of spherical and oblate spheroidal capsules in the shear flow.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of Pd(II) thiosemicarbazonato complex: Catalytic evaluation in synthesis of diaryl ketones from aryl aldehydes and arylboronic acids

A simple route to synthesize triphenylphosphinopalladium(II) thiosemicarbazonato complex has been described. Elemental analysis, spectral (IR, NMR) and single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques were employed for the complete characterization of the complex. The latter was found to be effective catalyst for carbon–carbon cross-coupling reaction of aryl- and heteroarylboronic acids with aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes to form the corresponding diaryl ketones. The influence of reaction parameters such as solvent, base, reaction temperature and catalyst loading was also investigated.     

Hard magnetic properties of nanosized Sr(Fe,Al)12O19 hexaferrites obtained by Pechini method

In this work, we report the magnetic properties of isotropic M-type SrFe_12−xAl_xO₁₉ (x=0.0,1.5) hexaferrites synthesized by means of Pechini method. A polycrystalline distribution of fine grains was verified by Transmission Electron Microscopy for both compositions, with average sizes below 60 nm. Remarkable coercivity values within the range 500–850 kA/m were attained as a consequence of a combined effect of grain size refinement together with an enhancement of the anisotropy field afforded by the incorporation of the Al³⁺ cations into the hexagonal crystal structure.     

（FeCp2）0．65FNi（C3S7）2]的合成及表征

合成了一种新型的导电配位型化合物（FeCp2）0．65FNi（C3S7）2].通过元素分析（EA），电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱（ICP—AES），核磁共振（^1HNMR），紫外光谱（UV）对该化合物进行了表征。     

Pressure effect on heterogeneous trifluoromethylation of fullerenes and its application

The first systematic study of heterogeneous fullerene trifluoromethylation using an innovative gradient-temperature gas-solid reactor revealed a significant effect of CF₃I pressure on the conversion of C₆₀ and C₇₀ into trifluoromethylated products and on the range of fullerene(CF₃)_n compositions that were obtained. The design of the reactor allowed us to lower the residence times of fullerene(CF₃)_n species in the hot zone which resulted in the significant differences in relative isomeric distributions as compared to the earlier methods. For the first time, gram quantities of trifluoromethylated fullerenes were prepared using the new reactor, and the selective synthesis of a single-isomer C₆₀(CF₃)₂ was developed. The relative reactivity of C₇₀ as a CF₃ radical scavenger was found to be much lower than that of C₆₀, especially at an early radical addition stage, which led to the cost-efficient synthesis of C₆₀(CF₃)₂ from a fullerene extract.     

On nonlinear gauge theories

In this note, we study non-linear gauge theories for principal bundles, where the structure group is replaced by a Lie groupoid. We follow the approach of Moerdijk–Mr?un and establish its relation with the existing physics literature. In particular, we derive a new formula for the gauge transformation which closely resembles and generalizes the classical formulas found in Yang Mills gauge theories.     

Hydrothermal formation of tobermorite studied by in situ X‐ray diffraction under autoclave condition

Hydrothermal formation of tobermorite from a pre‐cured cake has been investigated by transmission X‐ray diffraction (XRD) using high‐energy X‐rays from a synchrotron radiation source in combination with a newly designed autoclave cell. The autoclave cell has a large and thin beryllium window for wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction; nevertheless, it withstands a steam pressure of more than 1.2 MPa, which enables in situ XRD measurements in a temperature range of 373 to 463 K under a saturated steam pressure. Formation and/or decomposition of several components has been successfully observed during 7.5 h of reaction time. From the intensity changes of the intermediate materials, namely non‐crystalline C–S–H and hydroxylellestadite, two pathways for tobermorite formation have been confirmed. Thus, the newly developed autoclave cell can be used for the analyses of reaction mechanisms under specific atmospheres and temperatures.