Phonon structure and dynamics of boron nitride single wall nanotube

We report a detailed study of the phonon properties of hexagonal boron nitride (BN) monolayers as well as nanotubes by using De Launay type of angular force model. The force constants used for calculation of phonon dispersion relations of the nanotube are derived from those for the monolayers of hexagonal by employing force constant method. These force constants have been modified to include the effect of curvature of the tubule. The results are then used to derive the phonon dispersion relations for (10,10) BN nanotubes using ‘zone-folding’ method. Calculated phonon modes are in good agreement with the experimental values obtained so far, for (10,10) armchair BN nanotubes.     

Generalized mean-square amplitudes of vibration in some XY4 type ions (II)

The generalized mean-square amplitudes of vibration and mean amplitudes of vibration have been computed for CrO^3-₄, Mn¹⁸O^-₄, MoSe^2-₄ and WSe^2-₄ ions at three temperatures, T = 0°K, T = 298°K, T = 500°K, employing Cyvin's method. The results have been discussed in the light of atomic weight and electronegativity of the atom in the ionic system.     

Liquid chromatographic separation of derivatives of diospyrin, a bioactive bisnaphthoquinonoid plant-product, and analogous naphthyl compounds

Isocratic reversed-phase liquid chromatography (LC) method was developed using acetonitrile and water for the determination of diospyrin, a pharmacologically important bisnaphthoquinonoid plant-product. The method was validated for precision, accuracy and reproducibility, and was found to be linear over the concentration range of 1-1000 microg/ml; the limits of detection and quantitation were 8 and 20 ng, respectively. The technique was used to determine the amount of diospyrin in plant extracts from four climatic regions in India. It was also applied for differentiation and separation of 27 naphthyl compounds. While a composition of 50:50 was preferable for dimeric compounds, the composition 40:60 was a better choice for the monomers. Also, the isomeric alpha- and beta-naphthols and their dimers could be distinguished by conversion into the respective methyl ethers.     

Heavy-metal remediation by a fungus as a means of production of lead and cadmium carbonate crystals

We show here that reaction of the fungus, Fusarium oxysporum, with the aqueous heavy-metal ions Pb2+ and Cd2+ results in the one-step formation of the corresponding metal carbonates. The metal carbonates are formed by reaction of the heavy-metal ions with CO2 produced by the fungus during metabolism and thus provide a completely biological method for production of crystals of metal carbonates. The PbCO3 and CdCO3 crystals thus produced have interesting morphologies that are shown to arise because of interaction of the growing crystals with specific proteins secreted by the fungus during reaction. An additional advantage of this approach is that the reaction leads to detoxification of the aqueous solution and could have immense potential for bioremediation of heavy metals. Under conditions of this study, the metal ions are not toxic to the fungus, which readily grows after exposure to the metal ions.     

Effect of phosphorus flame retardants on thermo-oxidative decomposition of cotton

The effect of six organophosphorus compounds, including Pyrovatex CP (PCP), diammonium phosphate (DAP), phosphoric acid (PA), tributyl phosphate (TBP), triallyl phosphate (TAP) and triallyl phosphoric triamide (TPT) on the flame retardancy of cotton cellulose was studied. PCP, PA, and DAP are more efficient compared with the other three compounds in improving the limiting oxygen index (LOI) of cotton. The effectiveness of these compounds was investigated using scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of char formed after LOI tests, char content, activation energy of decomposition and heat of combustion data. SEM images showed that DAP, PCP and PA chars maintain the surface morphology during the burning process, which might be due to the formation of a protective layer or crosslinking effect. PA, PCP, and DAP treated fabrics have a higher activation energy of decomposition, higher char content and lower heat of combustion.