Structural manipulation of pyrochlores: Thermal evolution of metastable Gd2(Ti1−yZry)2O7 powders prepared by mechanical milling

The structural and microstructural characteristics of metastable Gd₂(Ti_1−yZr_y)₂O₇ powders prepared by mechanical milling have been studied by a combination of XRD and Raman spectroscopy. Irrespective of their Zr content, as-prepared powder phases present an anion-deficient fluorite-type of structure as opposed to the pyrochlore equilibrium configuration obtained for the same solid solution by other synthetic routes. These fluorites are stable versus thermal activation, at least up to temperatures of 800 °C. For the Ti-rich compositions, thermal treatments at higher temperatures facilitate the rearrangement of the cation and anion substructures and the relaxation of mechanochemically induced defects whereas for compositions with high Zr content, the fluorite crystal structure is retained even at temperatures as high as 1200 °C. Interestingly enough, transient pyrochlores showing a very unusual cation distribution were observed during the thermally induced defect-recovery process.     

Asymptotic Behavior of Sobolev-Type Orthogonal Polynomials on a Rectifiable Jordan Curve or Arc

Our object of study is the asymptotic behavior of the sequence of polynomials orthogonal with respect to the discrete Sobolev inner product <formula> \langle f, g \rangle = ∈t_{E} f(ξ) \overline{g(ξ)} ρ(ξ) |d ξ|+ f(Z) A g(Z)^H, </formula> where E is a rectifiable Jordan curve or arc in the complex plane f(Z) = (f(z_1), \ldots, f^{(l_1)}(z_1) , \ldots , f(z_m) , \ldots ,f^{(l_m)}(z_m)), A is an M \times M Hermitian matrix, M l ₁ + ⋅s + l _m + m , |d ξ| denotes the arc length measure, ρ is a nonnegative function on E , and z _i ∈Ω, i=1,2,\ldots,m , where Ω is the exterior region to E . July 23, 1999. Dates revised: September 11, 2000 and February 16, 2001. Date accepted: February 26, 2001.     

Enhancement of the emission yield of silicon nanocrystals in silica due to surface passivation

The ability of surface passivation to enhance the photoluminescence (PL) emission of Si nanocrystals in SiO₂ has been investigated. Silicon precipitation in implanted samples takes place in a time scale of few minutes at 1100°C. For longer annealing at the same temperature, the PL intensity of the Si nanocrystals increases and eventually reaches saturation, while it correlates inversely with the amount of Si dangling bonds at the Si–SiO₂ interface (P_b centers), as measured by electron spin resonance. This combined behavior is independent on the silica matrix properties, implantation profiles and annealing atmosphere and duration. The observation that the light emission enhancement is directly related to the annealing of P_b centers is confirmed by treatment in forming gas. This mild hydrogenation at much lower temperature (450°C) leads to a complete passivation of the P_b defects, increasing at the same time the PL yield and the lifetime.     

Studies on the metal-nuclotide (Co-5′IMP,Co-5′GMP) interaction via mössbauer emission spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility measurements

By means of⁵⁷Co Mössbauer emission spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility measurements, the local symmetries and electronic structure of the Co(II) ions in the Co-5IMO and Co-5GMP complexes in the hydrated and dehydrated forms have been determined.     

Synthesis of 2-(p-R-benzoylmethylene)-3-(p-R-phenyl)-1H-quinoxalines

The reaction of 1,2-diaminobenzenes with substituted 1,2-dibenzoyl-1,2-dibromoethanes constitutes a convenient synthetic route to the hitherto 2-(p-R-benzoylmethylene)-3-(p-R-phenyl)-1H-quinoxalines. Structures of all products were elucidated by ir, ¹H and ¹³C-nmr, mass spectra data. X-Ray crystallography data confirm assigned structures.     

Extract-photometric determination of vanadium(V) with 3-indole-acetohydroxamic acid

Summary A spectrophotometric study has been carried out of the violet complex 3-indole-acetohydroxamic acid-vanadium extracted into a solution of trioctylmethyl-ammonium chloride in toluene [_max 525 nm; =5381 l mol^–1 cm^–1; stoichiometry 1:3 (metal:reagent)]. A new method for the extract-spectrophotometric determination of V⁵⁺ in the range of 2–7 g/g is proposed and interferences by foreign ions were investigated. The method has been satisfactorily applied to the determination of vanadium(V) in fuel oil. The relative error is ±2.9%.     

Isolation,identification and synthesis of the sex pheromone of the citrus mealybug,Planococcus citri (risso)

The sex attractant pheromone of the citrus mealybug, $\text{Planococcus citri}$ (Risso), has been Identified as (1$\text{R}$-$\text{cis}$)-(+)-2,2-dimethyl-3-(1-methylethenyl)cyclobutanemethanol acetate (VI).