Study of pure annihilation decays B_(d,s)→D~0~0

Within the heavy quark limit and the hierarchy approximation λQCD mD mB, we analyze the B → D00 and Bs → D00 decays, which occur purely via annihilation type diagrams. As a rough estimate, we calculate their branching ratios and CP asymmetries in the perturbative QCD (PQCD) approach. The branching ratio of B → D00 is about 3.8×10-5 that is just below the latest experimental upper limit. The branching ratio of Bs → D00 is about 6.8×10-4, which could be measured in LHC-b. From the calculation, it is found that this branching ratio is not sensitive to the weak phase angle γ. In these two decay modes, there exist CP asymmetries because of the interference between weak and strong interaction. However, these asymmetries are too small to be measured easily.     

Stable solutions for q(q) bound states with a regularized Breit potential

The Breit interaction contains singular terms which may lead to an instability in quark-antiquark bound state calculations. We regularize the Breit interaction by multiplying the singular terms in momentum space by the form factor μ2/(q2+μ2) such that the interaction is not singular at the origin and the intermediate-and long-range parts of the interaction remain unchanged. The singular terms in the Breit potential find their stable contributions in the calculations after being multiplied by the form factor with different powers. Such a regularized Breit potential with a linear and a relativistically corrected confining potential are applied to the study of qq bound states. The spectra for most familiar mesons are consistently obtained and agree well with the experimental data.     

High-temperature TG/DSC/QMS applications in environmental protection

The decomposition reactions of polystyrene, phenolic resin and a protective undercoating material for automobiles which contains PVC were tested using a new type of thermal analysis — mass spectrometry coupling system for measurements to 1500C or 2000C, which is based on the principle of a two-step skimmer orifice system. The results will be presented, with particular emphasis on the detection sensitivity of the new system for the products of decomposition.The capability of this coupling system to detect even heavy metals such as lead and silver in the waste gases from decomposition or after evaporation at high temperatures will also be demonstrated.     

Solid-phase extraction using multiwalled carbon nanotubes and quinalizarin for preconcentration and determination of trace amounts of some heavy metals in food,water and environmental samples

A solid phase extraction procedure has been developed using multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as a solid sorbent and quinalizarin [1,2,5,8-tetrahydroxyanthracene-9,10-dione] as a chelating agent for separation and preconcentration of trace amounts of some heavy metal ions, Cd(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) before their determination by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS). The influences of the analytical parameters, including pH, amounts of quinalizarin and adsorbent, sample volume, elution conditions such as volume and concentration of eluent, flow rates of solution and matrix ions, were investigated for the optimum recoveries of the analyte ions. No interference effects were observed from the foreign metal ions. The preconcentration factor was 100. The detection limit (LOD) for the investigated metals at the optimal conditions were observed in the range of 0.30–0.65 μg L^?1. The relative standard deviation (RSDs), and the recoveries of standard addition for this method were lower than 5.0% and 96–102%, respectively. The new procedure was successfully applied to the determination of analytes in food, water and environmental samples with satisfactory results.     

A new sensitive and selective sensor for heavy metal ions based on tannin extracted from the skin of Punica granatum L

This article presents the development of a sensor made from a gold electrode and a receiving polymeric membrane based on tannin extracted from the skin of Punica granatum. L (pomegranate) for real-time detection of heavy metals in a hydrous environment. The basic principle of this device is the complexing (chelating) of metal ions through the adjacent hydroxyl groups contained in the chemical structures of the tannins. The electrochemical characterisation was performed by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and square wave voltammetry. Other morphological and structural analyses were performed by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and atomic-force microscopy. The results obtained showed the high sensitivity of the developed device (detection limits of 6.35 × 10^?9 g L^?1 for Cu²⁺, 1.1 × 10^?8 g L^?1 for Cd²⁺ and 2 × 10^?7 g L^?1 for Pb²⁺) and the possibility of simultaneously detecting several heavy metals, each one in a highly selective manner with highly acceptable response time (48s).     

Biofuels–Renewable Energy Sources: A Review

Biodiesel is biodegradable and nontoxic, and it significantly reduces toxic and other emissions when burned as a fuel. The advantages of biodiesel as diesel fuel are its portability, ready availability, renewability, higher combustion efficiency, non-toxicity, higher flash point, and lower sulfur and aromatic content, higher cetane number, and higher biodegradability. The major disadvantages of biodiesel are its higher viscosity, lower energy content, higher cloud point and pour point, higher nitrogen oxide (NO_x) emissions, lower engine speed and power, injector coking, engine compatibility, high price, and greater engine wear. The technical disadvantages of biodiesel/fossil diesel blends include problems with fuel freezing in cold weather, reduced energy density, and degradation of fuel under storage for prolonged periods. The sources of biodiesel are vegetable oils and fats. The direct use of vegetable oils and/or oil blends is generally considered to be unsatisfactory and impractical for both direct injection and indirect type diesel engines because of their high viscosities and low volatilities injector coking and trumpet formation on the injectors, higher level of carbon deposits, oil ring sticking, and thickening and gelling of the engine lubricant oil, acid composition. Biodiesel is obtained by transesterifying triglycerides with methanol. A popular variation of the batch transesterification process which needs high alcohol/acid ratio (several separation problems and high corrosivity and toxicity) is the use of continuous stirred tank reactors in series. This continuous process is heterogeneous and is based on reactive distillation. The key factor is the selection of the right and effective solid catalyst which leads to reduction of energy consumption and investments at all.     

Thermodynamic and Kinetic Studies for the Adsorption of Fe(III) and Ni(II) Ions From Aqueous Solution Using Natural Bentonite

In this study, the adsorption behavior of natural bentonite with respect to Fe(III) and Ni(II) has been studied in order to consider its application to purity metal finishing wastewaters. During the adsorption process, batch technique is used, and the effects of pH, bentoite amount, temperature, heavy metal concentration, bentonite treatment (calcinations of natural bentonite at 700°C, washing by deionized water to remove the excess salt from bentonite surface), and agitation time on adsorption efficiency are studied. The washed and calcined bentonite samples were labeled by WB and CB, respectively. The pH-dependence of Fe(III) and Ni(II) sorption on the bentonite is significantly more noticeable, indicating a major contribution of surface complexation at the edge sites. It was determined that adsorption of Fe(III) and Ni(II) is well fitted by the second order reaction kinetic. Furthermore, the sorption rate of Fe(III) was higher than the sorption rate of Ni(II). Adsorption of Fe(III) and Ni(II) on NB appeared to follow Langmuir isotherm. In addition, calculated and experimental adsorbed amounts of Fe(III) by the unit NB mass are very higher than Ni(II). The paper also discusses the thermodynamic parameters of the adsorption (the Gibbs free energy, entropy, and enthalpy). Our results demonstrate that the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic under natural conditions. Also the adsorption capacity of bentonite for Fe(III) Ni(II) and increases with increased bentonite dose. According to the equilibrium studies, the selectivity sequence can be given as Fe(III) > Ni(II). The adsorbed amount of Fe(III) and Ni(II) on washed bentonite (WB) were very higher compared to NB and CB. Our results show that bentonite could especially WB be considered as a potential adsorbent for Fe(III) and Ni(II) removal from aqueous solutions.     

A Simple and Sensitive Method for the Detection of Trace Pb(II) and Cd(II) based on Nafion‐coated Antimony Film Electrode

Nafion‐coated antimony film electrode (NCAFE) was prepared in situ by simultaneously plated antimony with analytes, and applied to the determination of trace Pb(II) and Cd(II) in non‐deaerated solutions by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV). Various experimental parameters, which influenced the response of the NCAFE to those metals, were thoroughly optimized and discussed. The results indicated that the sensitivity and resistance to surfactants at the NCAFE were remarkably improved with relative to the antimony film electrode (AFE). In the presence of 5 mg·L^?1 gelatin, the peak heights at the NCAFE showed 4‐fold enhancement for Pb and a 9‐fold enhancement for Cd over a bare AFE. Reproducibility of the sensor was satisfactory, and the relative standard deviations were 4.8% for 20 μg·L^?1 Pb and 3.2% for 25 μg·L^?1 Cd (n=15) with preconcentration time of 180 s. The determination limits (S/N=3) of this sensor were determined to be 0.15 μg·L^?1 for Pb and 0.30 μg·L^?1 for Cd with accumulation time of 300 s. The NCAFE was successfully applied to determining Pb(II) and Cd(II) in vegetable and water samples with satisfactory results.     

D2O–H2O solvent isotope effects on the volumetric properties of aqueous 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone between (278.15 and 318.15) K

Densities of dilute solutions of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imiazolidinone in H₂O and D₂O, with the solute mole-fractions ranging up to 0.01, have been measured with an error of 1.5 · 10⁻⁵ g · cm⁻³ at (278.15, 288.15, 298.15, 308.15, 313.15, and 318.15) K and atmospheric pressure using a vibrating-tube densimeter. The partial molar volumes of the dissolved DMI (down to the infinite dilution) and solvent (H₂O or D₂O) as well as the excess molar volumes of the isotopically distinguishable solutions have been calculated. The effects of the solvent isotope substitution, solute concentration and temperature on the volume changes caused by DMI hydration have been considered. The obvious relationship between the D₂O–H₂O solvent isotope effects on the partial molar volume and enthalpy of solution of DMI has been discovered.     

M@B<Subscript>9</Subscript> and M@B<Subscript>10</Subscript> molecular wheels containing planar nona- and deca-coordinate heavy group 11, 12, and 13 metals (M=Ag,Au, Cd,Hg, In,Tl)

A density functional and ab initio theory investigation on M@B₉ and M@B₁₀ molecular wheels containing planar nona- and deca-coordinate heavy group 11, 12 and 13 metals (M=Ag, Au, Cd, Hg, In, Ti) has been performed. These unusual clusters all prove to be true minima on the potential energy surfaces of the systems and σ+π double aromatic in nature. The first two vertical one-electron detachment energies of M@B₁₀⁻ (M=Ag, Au) anions and first two ionization potentials of M@B₉ (M=Ag, Au) and M@B₁₀ (M=Cd, Hg) neutrals were calculated to aid future experiments. The cluster complexes designed in this work may expend the domain of planar hyper-coordinate elements to include heavy group 11, 12, and 13 metals and serve as interesting candidates to be targeted in experiments. Electronic Supplementary Material  Supplementary material is available for this article at and is accessible for authorized users. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20873117)