Study of the peak effect phenomenon in single crystals of 2H-NbSe2

The weakly pinned single crystals of the hexagonal 2H-NbSe₂ compound have emerged as prototypes for determining and characterizing the phase boundaries of the possible order-disorder transformations in the vortex matter. We present here a status report based on the ac and dc magnetization measurements of the peak effect phenomenon in three crystals of 2H-NbSe₂, in which the critical current densities vary over two orders of magnitude. We sketch the generic vortex phase diagram of a weakly pinned superconductor, which also utilizes theoretical proposals. We also establish the connection between the metastability effects and pinning.     

Shaping Solid-State Supramolecular Cavities: Chemically Induced Accordionlike Movement of gamma-Zirconium Phosphate Containing Polyethylenoxide Pillars

The hydrophilic oxygen atoms of polyethylenoxide chains inserted as pillars in gamma-zirconium phosphate form hydrogen bonds with the acid groups of the host. As a result the pillars are almost perpendicular to the gamma layers. Upon changing the pH level of the supernatant solution the hydrogen bonds are broken and the pillars become almost perpendicular to the layers (shown schematically). Thus there is a reversible enlargement-shortening of the interlayer space.     

Thermal decomposition of sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate pre-adsorbed on TiO2 surfaces

The thermal decomposition of sodium nitrite or nitrate pre-adsorbed upon TiO₂ surfaces has been investigated by employing several techniques as infrared spectroscopy (IR) and temperature programmed desorption in conjunction with mass spectrometry analysis (TPD-MS) to study the features observed during these thermal decompositions. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) in combination with X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) were used to investigate the possibility of a solid state chemical reaction between the solid products originated from the thermal decomposition of the pre-adsorbed species and the TiO₂. On the basis of our results, various characteristic features of these thermal decomposition reactions will be discussed.This work was supported by JUNTA DE ANDALUCIA (financial support for research groups/1990).     

Synthesis of 6-Ami NO-5-Nitro-4-Thi Oxopyri Mi Dines

The synthesis of 6-ami no-5-nitro-4-thioxo-pyrimidines starting from the C-adducts of nitro-keteneaminals and acyl isothiocyanates is described.     

Determination of trace amounts of cobalt in water by solid-phase spectrophotometry after preconcentration on a nitroso R salt chelating resin

A sensitive method for the determination of microamounts of cobalt by ion-exchanger spectrophotometry has been developed. The chromogenic agent, Nitroso-R-Salt (NRS), was loaded on an anionic-exchange resin (Amberlite CG-400). The absorbance of the NRS-cobalt complex on the chelating resin was measured at 508 nm. The best conditions for the preconcentration of cobalt on the resin before the spectrophotometric determination were a pH value of 6, temperature of 80 °C, and heating times of 45 or 90 min for 50 and 400 ml of sample, respectively. The detection limits were 27 ng/ml (50-ml samples) and 1.8 ng/ml (400-ml samples). Interference by other metals was investigated. The method is useful for determination of cobalt in natural waters.