An original approach for Raman spectroscopy analysis of radioactive materials and its application to americium‐containing samples

An approach for Raman measurements of highly radioactive samples is presented here. The innovative part of this approach lies in the fact that no single part of the Raman equipment is in direct contact with the radioactive sample, as the sample is sealed in an alpha‐tight capsule. Raman analysis is effectively performed through the optical‐grade quartz window closing the capsule. This allows performing micro‐Raman measurements on radioactive samples with no limitations on the laser source wavelength, polarisation mode, spectrometer mode and microscope mode (provided the focal length of the microscope objective is greater than the thickness of the quartz window and with sub mg samples). Some example results are shown and discussed. In particular, some spectral features of americium‐containing oxide nuclear fuel specimens are presented. Raman spectra clearly reveal in these specimens the presence of abundant oxygen defects induced in the fcc fluorite lattice by trivalent americium. In order to complete the analysis the Raman spectrum of pure americium dioxide was also measured with a lower energy excitation source compared with previous research. The current results seem to be consistent with the possible occurrence of a photolysis process induced by the Raman laser, resulting in the formation of hyperstoichiometric americium sesquioxide Am₂O_{3 + z}. Such a photolytic process is deemed to be unavoidable when visible lasers are used as excitation sources for the Raman analysis of americium dioxide. © 2015 The Authors Journal of Raman Spectroscopy Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

1H and 13C NMR study of dihydro derivatives of methylphenobarbital

Sodium borohydride reduction of methylphenobarbital leads to the formation of two different dihydroderivatives, reduced either in position 4 or position 6. The structures of the derivatives have been determined through analysis of the ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra of phenobarbital, methylphenobarbital and their derivatives. Detailed interpretation of the spectra and the resulting spectral parameters indicate conformations where the hydroxyl groups are axial and trans to the ethyl group. In these configurations the phenyl ring becomes equatorial. The results also allow an unambiguous assignment of the resonances of the phenyl carbons 2′(6′) and 3′(5′) of phenobarbital and the carbonyl carbons 4 and 6 of methylphenobarbital, differing interpretations having been previously advanced in the literature.     

Observation and calculation of the Cs2 2 3Delta(1g) and b 3Pi(0u) states

The Cs(2) 2 (3)Delta(1g) and b (3)Pi(0u) states have been observed by infrared-infrared double resonance spectroscopy for the first time. 221 2 (3)Delta(1g)<--A (1)Sigma(u) (+)<--X (1)Sigma(g) (+) double resonance lines have been assigned to transitions into the 2 (3)Delta(1g) v=6-13 vibrational levels. Resolved fluorescence into the b (3)Pi(0u) v(')=0-48 levels has been recorded. Molecular constants and potential energy curves are determined by the global fit of the entire set of the experimental data. Theoretical potential energy curves of the 2 (3)Delta(g) and b (3)Pi(u) states have been determined in the framework of the pseudopotential method and are compared with the experimental results.     

The 39K(2) 2(3)Sigma(g)+ state: observation and analysis

The (39)K(2) 2 (3)Sigma(g) (+) state has been observed by perturbation-facilitated infrared-infrared double resonance spectroscopy and two-photon excitation. Resolved fluorescence spectra into the a (3)Sigma(u) (+) state have been recorded. The observed vibrational levels have been assigned as the v=23-25, 27, 28, 31-33, 38-45, 47, and 53 levels by comparing the observed and calculated spectra of the 2 (3)Sigma(g) (+)-->a (3)Sigma(u) (+) transitions. Molecular constants have been obtained using a global fitting procedure with a comprehensive set of experimental data. Fine and hyperfine splittings have been resolved in the excitation spectra. Perturbations between the 2 (3)Sigma(g) (+) and 2 (3)Pi(g) states were observed. The hyperfine patterns of the 2 (3)Sigma(g) (+) levels are strongly affected by the perturbation. The perturbation-free and weakly perturbed levels follow the case b(betaS) coupling scheme, while the perturbed levels follow case b(beta J) coupling. A Fermi contact constant, b(F)=65+/-10 MHz, has been obtained. Intensity anomalies of rotational lines appeared both in the 2 (3)Sigma(g) (+) approximately 2 (3)Pi(g)<--b (3)Pi(u) excitation spectra and in the 2 (3)Sigma(g) (+) approximately 2 (3)Pi(g)-->a (3)Sigma(u) (+) resolved fluorescence spectra. These intensity anomalies can be explained in terms of a quantum-mechanical interference effect.     

Convenient microwave-assisted synthesis of 1-chloroethyl phosphates

An efficient microwave-assisted synthesis of 1-chloroethyl phosphates was developed. Protected vinyl chlorophosphates undergo a fast conversion to the chloroethylidene phosphates in the presence of HCl with excellent yields up to 900 times faster than at the standard NTP conditions.     

The Na2 2 3pi(g) state: new observations and hyperfine structure

Many more Na2 2 3pi(g) v = 0-43, omega = 0, 1, 2 levels have been observed by sub-Doppler continuous wave perturbation facilitated optical-optical double resonance fluorescence excitation spectroscopy and the hyperfine structure of the omega = 0 and 2 levels has been resolved. New molecular constants for the less perturbed v = 0-43 levels have been obtained with these new and the previously reported data. The hyperfine coupling scheme of the observed 2 3pi(g) levels is close to Hund's case a(beta) with a Fermi contact constant b(F) = 160+/-5 MHz, which is smaller than the Fermi contact constants of other Na2 triplet Rydberg states, b(F) = 200-245 MHz.     

Dilatation estimates for quasiconformal extensions

LetD andD′ be ring domains inB ⁿ , withS ⁿ⁻¹ as one boundary component, and let be a homeomorphism which isK-quasiconformal inD and withf(S ⁿ⁻¹)=S ⁿ⁻¹. According to a result of Gehringf÷S ⁿ⁻¹ admits an extension which is quasiconformal inB ⁿ . We find here an upper bound for the dilatation ofg in terms ofn, K, and modD. This work was started during a visit to Université de Paris, financed by a cultural exchange program between France and Finland.     

Precipitation of lignin and extractives on kraft pulp: effect on surface chemistry, surface morphology and paper strength

The effect of pH on the formation of precipitates (lignin, extractives and metals) on kraft pulp surfaces was examined by electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and atomic force microscopy (AFM). A softwood kraft pulp slurry from an oxygen delignification stage was diluted to 3% consistency with water or an acidic Z filtrate. After heating to 70 °C the pH was lowered from 11 to 2–5, using sulphuric acid. Lignin and extractives precipitated at pH values below 6, and their amounts increased with decreasing pH. Most of the precipitated lignin was found on the pulp surface after sheet forming, whereas the main part of the precipitated extractives could be easily washed away with water. The layer of precipitated lignin was apparently thicker than the layer of extractives. AFM showed the precipitated material as a granular phase. Neither surface morphology nor surface coverage depended on the addition of Z filtrate. The amount of metals ID the pulp and on the pulp surface decreased when pH was lowered to 2. More metals, such as Ca and Mg, were detected ID the pulps as well as on the sheet surfaces when the pulp was diluted with Z filtrate. Strength and bonding properties of the pulp sheets were slightly impaired by the precipitated material. Acidification appears to be the main reason for the precipitation of both lignin and extractives on the pulp surfaces. This should be taken into account when filtrates are recycled ID the bleaching or washing of pulps.     

On the interaction of HBT with pulp lignin during mediated laccase delignification—a study using fractionated pyrolysis-GC/MS

An analytical method using fractionated pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) was developed and applied for characterizing the type of interaction between 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HBT)-mediator and pulp lignin in laccase delignification of pulp. In fractionated pyrolysis, the sample is pyrolyzed at progressively increasing temperatures in order to study particular fractions of the sample and to minimize secondary pyrolysis effects. This makes it possible to determine whether a certain pyrolysis product originates from one chemical moiety or different chemical moieties in one molecule. In the present method, samples were fractionated by thermal desorption at 200 °C followed by pyrolysis at progressively increasing temperatures from 320 to 800 °C. The products formed in each fraction were separated in a capillary GC column and detected and identified using MS. The type of interaction between HBT and pulp lignin was studied by following the formation of nitrogen-containing products during fractionated pyrolysis of a residual lignin isolated from laccase/HBT-treated oxygen-delignified softwood kraft pulp. This residual lignin was found to contain approximately 2% HBT residue. Most (87%) of this residue was covalently linked to the residual lignin. The results also strongly suggest that the HBT residue is present in two chemically different forms.