Grain boundary segregation diagrams of α-iron

Based on thermodynamic analysis of interfacial segregation, the segregation enthalpy H ^o of a solute I in a given matrix was found to depend linearly on two mutually independent terms reflecting the type of interface and the solid solubility limit X _infI ^sup* at temperature T and can be written as In this equation, the structural dependence of interfacial segregation is contained in H ^*() which corresponds to the extrapolated segregation enthalpy of a solute with unlimited solubility in the matrix. The product [Tln(X _infI ^sup* )] is essentially constant with temperature, and can therefore be obtained from data for maximum solid solubility, [Tln(X _infI ^sup* )]_max. The parameter v>0 represents the relationship between the activity a _infI ^sup* of a solute at the bulk solid solubility limit in a given matrix and X _infI ^sup* , a _infI ^sup* =(X _infI ^sup* ) ^v , and is characteristic for the matrix. Using recent experimental data for silicon, phosphorus, and carbon segregation at well-characterized grain boundaries in oriented bicrystals of -iron, the averaged value was determined. Values of H ^*() range from -8 kJ/mol (general grain boundaries) up to +8 kJ/mol (special grain boundaries). These values are discussed and used for a more precise and generalized construction of grain boundary segregation diagrams of -iron.     

Solid Phase Synthesis of 4H-Pyrimido[2,1-b] Benzothiazol-4-ones from Resin-Bound Cyclic Malonic Ester

The solid phase synthesis of 4H-pyrimido[2,1-6] benzothizaol-4-ones has been reported.     

Where are the Sn atoms in LaSb2Snx, 0.1?x?∼0.75?

The composition range and (composite modulated) structure of compounds within the wide range non-stoichiometric LaSb₂Sn_x, 0.1?x?0.75, solid solution is carefully investigated via a combined electron diffraction, XRD and electron probe microanalysis study. Evidence for metastability of the LaSb₂Sn_x phase at the low x composition end of the solid solution is presented. Direct evidence is found for a reasonably (although by no means perfectly) well ordered Sn sub-structure which is, in general, mutually incommensurable with respect to a very well ordered underlying LaSb₂ sub-structure along both a and c directions. The overall (3+2)-d superspace group symmetry is given along with a discussion of the consequences as regards the arrangement of the Sn atoms. The Sn sub-structure c-axis cell dimension shows very little variation with composition x providing direct experimental evidence of the importance of Sn-Sn metallic bonding (along one-dimensional [001] Sn strings) for the stability of the phase.     

Conformational changes of the amyloid beta-peptide (1-40) adsorbed on solid surfaces

The conformational change of the 39-43 residues of the amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) toward a beta-sheet enriched state promotes self-aggregation of the peptide molecules and constitutes the major peptide component of the amyloid plaques in Alzheimer patients. The crucial question behind the self-aggregation of Abeta is related to the different pathways the peptide may take after cleavage from the amyloid precursor proteins at cellular membranes. This work is aiming at determining the conformation of the Abeta (1-40) adsorbed on hydrophobic Teflon and hydrophilic silica particles, as model sorbent surfaces mimicking the apolar transmembrane environment and the polar, charged membrane surface, respectively. The mechanism by which the Abeta interacts with solid surfaces strongly depends on the hydrophobic/hydrophilic character of the particles. Hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions contribute differently in each case, causing a completely different conformational change of the adsorbed molecules on the two surfaces. When hydrophobic interactions between the peptide and the sorbent prevail, the adsorbed Abeta (1-40) mainly adopts an alpha-helix conformation due to H-bonding in the apolar part of the peptide that is oriented towards the surface. On the other hand, when the peptide adsorbs by electrostatic interactions beta-sheet formation is promoted due to intermolecular association between the apolar parts of the adsorbed peptide. Irrespective of the characteristics of the solid sorbent, crowding the surface results in intermolecular association between adsorbed molecules leading to a strong aggregation tendency of the Abeta (1-40). [Diagram: see text] CD spectra of Abeta (1-40) at pH 7: A) in solution ([Abeta]=0.2 mg.ml(-1)) freshly prepared (line) and after overnight incubation (symbols);B) on Teflon (Gamma=0.5 mg.m(-2)).     

Copper Solid Amalgam Electrodes

This work describes the behavior of copper solid amalgam electrodes (CuSAE). The applied potential range has been compared with that of the silver solid amalgam electrode (AgSAE) and the hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE). In 0.05 M tetraborate buffer the applicable potential range of CuSAE is+0.945 V to ?1.75 V excluding ?0.2 V to ?0.5 V, where the anodic oxidation of copper occurs. CuSAE does not need other than electrochemical pre‐treatment, which has been documented by the evaluated repeatability of eleven voltammetric curves of Cd²⁺ (0.1 ppm), Pb²⁺ (0.1 ppm) and Mn²⁺ (0.5 ppm). The obtained results showed that CuSAE could substitute the solid copper, amalgamed copper or liquid copper amalgam electrodes, and can be applied for the study of systems needing an addition of Cu²⁺ ions into the measured solution.     

Effect of nature of support and impregnating agent on lipophilicity determination for nonionic surfactants by reversed-phase thin-layer chromatography

Summary The retention of 9 nonylphenyl ethylene oxide oligomers was determined in 15 reversed-phase chromatographic systems using silicone oils of various molecular mass as impregnating agents and silica, cellulose and alumina supports. The data were evaluated with principal component analysis carried out on the covariance and the correlation matrices. The R_M values did not follow the additivity rule and they did not change linearly with increasing length of the ethylene oxide chain. This is probably due to the folded state of the chain in the eluent. The molecular mass of the silicone oils had a negligible effect on the retention whereas the retention increased with increasing level of impregnation. The support considerably influenced the lipophilicity values of these nonionic surfactants and cellulose seemed to be the most appropriate support. Calculations proved that the application of a correlation matrix may cause data distortion; therefore, the use of a covariance matrix is strongly proposed.     

Lattice Dynamics in LaTa2-2xNb2xVO9-δ (x=0–0.1) Solid Solutions

The oxygen nonstoichiometry (x) of LaTa_2-2xNb_2xVO₉- (x = 0–0.1) solid solutions was studied using Xray phase analysis, vibrational spectroscopy, and radiospectroscopy. A correlation was found between (x) and the unit cell volume V(x) of the solid solutions. It was shown that the infrared spectra of LaTa₂VO₉- change in passing from = 0 to 0. The structural position of the oxygen vacancy in LaTa_2-2xNb_2xVO₉- is discussed.     

Visual observation of contact-induced intercrystalline migration of aromatic species adsorbed in zeolites by fluorescence microscopy.

Intercrystalline migration and a migration-assisted chemical reaction of adsorbed aromatic species between zeolite particles in physical contact were visualized by fluorescence microscopy coupled with a particle manipulation technique. The luminescence color characteristics of particular zeolite particles originating from the specific photochemistry of adsorbed species was exploited to follow the migration of the molecules. Two examples are shown that are relevant to the visualization of the time-dependent migration process: A one guest-two sets of zeolite crystals system: chrysene (Chry)-loaded zeolite Na+ -X (the sodium form of zeolite X) crystals were placed in contact with unloaded Tl+ -X (thallium-exchanged X) crystals and allowed to stand at room temperature. Initially, the blue fluorescence of Chry was detected only from the Na+ -X particles, but later, the development of green phosphorescence emission was discernible from the Tl+ -X which suggests that Chry migrated from the Na+ -X to the Tl+ -X crystals. A two guest-species systems: Electron-donating Chry-loaded Na+ -X crystals were placed in contact with electron-accepting 1,2,4,5-tetracyanobenzene (TCNB)-loaded Na+ -X or Na+ -Y crystals. With time, the former system (Chry/Na+ -X and TCNB/Na+ -X) gave rise to the emission of Chry-TCNB charge-transfer complexes resulting mainly from the migration of Chry while the latter system (Chry/Na+ -X and TCNB/Na+ -Y) afforded the same emission resulting largely from the migration of TCNB. The present investigation reveals that there is a certain direction for guest migration depending on the zeolite host and the nature of host-guest or guest-guest interaction.     

Conduction and Transport Numbers in Metacomposites MeWO<Subscript>4</Subscript> ⋅ WO<Subscript>3</Subscript> (Me = Ca,Sr, Ba)

The conduction and transport numbers of charge carriers for composites in the systems MeWO₄-WO₃ (Me = Ca, Sr, Ba) are studied as a function of the temperature and the activity of oxygen in a gas phase. The transport numbers are determined by an emf method and are estimated from dependences of conductance on the activity of oxygen in a gas phase. The deficiencies of the given procedure as applied to investigation of properties of composite phases are analyzed. The materials under study are classified with a class of metacomposites. The concentration intervals of the ionic, mixed, and electronic conductions are determined. The conduction of composites of compositions (100 − x)MeWO₄ ⋅ xWO₃ is predominantly ionic at x ≤ 10 (Me = Ca), x ≤ 60 (Me = Sr), and x ≤ 45 (Me = Ba). The obtained data are explained in the framework of a model that represents a composite as a distributed matrix system where a film of surface phase MeW-s with a high mobility of oxygen ions plays the role of a connected matrix. It is presumed that the surface phase MeW-s possesses double-sided surface activity (α _MeW-s ≤ ) and a higher mobility with respect to MeWO₄ and WO₃. The discovered anomalies of dependences (T) and partial dependences , σ_el(T) are explained by a change in the stoichiometry, morphology, and the degree of connectedness of surface phase MeW-s caused by with a change in the temperature and composition of composites.__________Translated from Elektrokhimiya, Vol. 41, No. 6, 2005, pp. 680–693.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Neiman, Pestereva, Sharafutdinov, Kostikov.Published on the basis of a report delivered at the VII Meeting on Fundamental Problems in Solid-State Ionics (Chernogolovka-2004).     

Diffusion of Cesium Ions in Agar Gel Containing Alkali Metal Bromides

The present paper gives an account of different aspects of the tracer diffusion of Cs⁺ ions in alkali metal bromides. We have measured the diffusion coefficients, D, of cesium ions in 1% agar gel medium at 25 ^∘C using a zone-diffusion technique over a concentration range of 5 × 10⁻⁵ to 0.1 mol,dm⁻³. The values of the diffusion coefficients were found to deviate from theory, which are explained on the basis of different types of interactions occurring in the ion-gel-water system. The study is also focused on the effect of alkali metal bromides on the obstruction effect and activation energy for the tracer-diffusion of cesium ions in agar gel medium. It is observed that both parameters, extent of obstruction, ∝, and activation energy, E, decrease with increasing charge density of the cation of the supporting electrolyte. The influence of these trends is explained on the basis of competitive hydration between the ions and agar molecules, and the relative distortion in the water structure that is brought about by these different ions and agar molecules.