EPR and XPS measurements of polymeric catalysts doped with hereopolyacids in oxygen adsorption studies

The goal of our studies was to determine the nature of interactions between catalytic active samples, such as polypyrrole (PPy) doped with: chloride anions, heteropolyacids such as H₅PMo₁₀V₂O₄₀, or H₄SiW₁₂O₄₀, and oxygen particles. In order to reveal the mechanism of the linkage between the catalysts and oxygen we provided the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements of synthesized samples in O₂ and N₂ flow. Moreover, the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements were performed to show the properties of doped heteropolyacids and the state of nitrogen in polypyrrole matrix. The results of EPR studies of PPy(Cl), PPy(H₄SiW₁₂O₄₀), PPy(H₅PMo₁₀V₂O₄₀) samples, show that the polypyrrole doped with chloride anions interacts much easier with oxygen than polypyrrole doped with heteropolyacids (in the above given order, of preference with the most active polypyrrole system first). It correlates with XPS results, which show that a molybdenium-vanadium anion is more reduced than a silicon-tungsten one. The redox reactions of heteropolyacids involve the oxidation-reduction of the conjugated polymer chain, leaving no or little place for interactions with oxygen. Polypyrrole doped with H₄SiW₁₂O₄₀ shows some oxygen sensitivity as observed in the EPR studies, as opposed to polypyrrole doped with H₅PMo₁₀V₂O₄₀, which is in line with the XPS results.     

Nonlocal vertex algebras generated by formal vertex operators

This is the first paper in a series to study vertex algebra-like objects arising from infinite-dimensional quantum groups (quantum affine algebras and Yangians). In this paper we lay the foundations for this study. For any vector space W, we study what we call quasi compatible subsets of Hom (W,W((x))) and we prove that any maximal quasi compatible subspace has a natural nonlocal (namely noncommutative) vertex algebra structure with W as a natural faithful quasi module in a certain sense, and that any quasi compatible subset generates a nonlocal vertex algebra with W as a quasi module. In particular, taking W to be a highest weight module for a quantum affine algebra we obtain a nonlocal vertex algebra with W as a quasi module. We also formulate and study a notion of quantum vertex algebra and we give general constructions of nonlocal vertex algebras, quantum vertex algebras and their modules.     

Search for a reliable methodology for PSD determination based on a combined molecular simulation-regularization-experimental approach: The case of PHTS materials

We present here a methodology for searching a robust pore size distribution (PSD) for adsorbent materials. The method is based on a combination of individual adsorption isotherms, obtained from Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulations, a regularization procedure to invert the adsorption integral equation (Tikhonov regularization solved by singular value decomposition), and the needed experimental adsorption isotherm. The selection of several parameters from the available choices to start the procedure are discussed here: the size of the kernel (number of individual pores and number of experimental adsorption points to be included), the fulfillment of the Discrete Picard condition, and the L-curve criteria, all leading to find a reliable and robust PSD. The procedure is applied to plugged hexagonal templated silicas (PHTS), synthesized, and characterized in our laboratory.     

Electrical properties of neodymium doped CaBi4Ti4O15 ceramics

Neodymium doped bismuth layer structure ferroelectrics (BLSFs) ceramics CaBi_4−xNd_xTi₄O₁₅ (x=0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75) were prepared by solid-state reaction method. X-ray diffraction pattern showed that single phase was formed when x=0-0.75. The refined lattice parameters showed that a (b) axes decrease at x=0.25 and increase with more Nd³⁺ dopant. The effects of Nd³⁺ doping on the dielectric and ferroelectric properties of CaBi₄Ti₄O₁₅ ceramics are studied. Nd³⁺ dopant decreased the Curie temperature linearly, and the dielectric loss, tan δ, as well. The remnant polarization of Nd³⁺ doped CaBi₄Ti₄O₁₅ ceramics was increased by 80% at x=0.25, while more Nd³⁺ dopant decreased the remnant polarization. CaBi_3.75Nd_0.25Ti₄O₁₅ ceramics had the largest piezoelectric constant d₃₃. The structure and properties of CaBi_4−xNd_xTi₄O₁₅ ceramics showed that Nd³⁺ may occupy different crystal locations when Nd³⁺ content x is less than 0.25 and more than 0.50.     

The effects of crystal structure on optical absorption/photoluminescence of bis(8-hydroxyquinoline)zinc

In this paper, the transformation processes of two types of bis(8-hydroxyquinoline)zinc: Znq₂ dihydrate and anhydrous (Znq₂)₄ were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectra (IR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG). The effects of crystal structure on optical properties of bis(8-hydroxyquinoiline)zinc were analyzed. Znq₂ dihydrate can be transformed into anhydrous (Znq₂)₄ during heating under vacuum. Reversal transformation occurs by the interaction between chloroform and (Znq₂)₄. But (Znq₂)₄ was partially transformed into Znq₂ dihydrate by the interaction between ethanol and (Znq₂)₄. The different molecular structure results in different crystal stacking and electronic structure, thereby affect its optical properties.     

Analysis of a 2D “liquid”plasma lattice

Adustyplasmacanbedefinedasacomplicatedplasmacontainingsmallsolidmattercalleddustgrainsordustparticles,whichareusuallychargednegatively,duetoelectronshighermobilitythanion,bycollectingelectronsandionsfromthebackgroundplasma.Theuniverseisfilledwithdustyplasmassuchasplanetaryrings,comettails,andnebulae.Also,inindustrialplasmaprocessing,particulatessuspendedinplasmaarethemajorcontaminationinsemiconductormanufacture.Studiesondustyplasmahavebeenextendedtofar-flungtopicssuchaswaves,instabilities,stro…     

Approaches to improving critical current density of YBCO superconducting thick films deposited by electrophoresis

The irreversibility field (Hirr) of Y-based superconductor is much higher than that of Bi-based superconductor. Y-based superconductor is capable of maintaining stable electrical currents in high magnetic field and electric field, so it is a better suited mate-rial for electric-current applications. Commonly, the Y-based tapes comprise a YBCO thick film deposited on a flexible substrate, typically with an intermediate buffer layer, and an overcoat of noble metal. In this process, the interm…     

A Promising MoO_x-based Catalyst for n-Heptane Isomerization

The increasing demand for higher-octane gasoline and the regulations limiting the amount of aromatics in the fuel motivate the interest in catalytic isomerization of n-alkanes. In the last ten years, transition metal oxides or oxycarbides based on molybdenum or tungstate have attracted much attention due to their high activity and isomerization selectivity compared to the conventional bifunctional supported platinum catalyst and high resistance to sulphur and nitrogen catalyst poisons1-5. Ma…     

On fixed point and almost fixed point problems of lower semicontinuous type multivalued mappings

In the present paper, some new almost fixed point theorems and fixed point theorems for lower semicontinuous type multivalued mappings are obtained in metrizable H-spaces.     

Ac behaviour and phase transition in PLZT 6/80/20 ferroelectric ceramics

The Ac behaviour of PLZT 6/80/20 ferroelectric ceramics was analyzed around and above the phase transition. Two relaxation processes are identified, showing that the so-called ‘universal relaxation law’ holds for the ceramics. A critical point in the values of the Ac conductivity, around the temperature corresponding to the maximum of the dielectric losses, is observed below the transition temperature due to the relaxor behaviour. The frequency dependence of the Ac conductivity at various temperatures and the hysteresis loops show classical relaxor behaviour with a diffuse phase transition.