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.     

Chromatographic determination of the mycotoxin patulin in fruit and fruit juices

Patulin is a mycotoxin produced by several fungal species of the genera Penicillium and Aspergillus, but principally by Penicillium expansum on fruit such as apples. The occurrence of patulin as a natural contaminant of apple juice is a worldwide problem and international recommendations and regulations have been made for maximum levels permitted in consumer products. This paper reviews currently available analytical methods for its determination in fruit and fruit juices. Of these, HPLC with ultraviolet or, preferably, photodiode array detection is most widely used, although GC and TLC methods have also been described.     

Carbon nanohorns grown from ruthenium nanoparticles

A nanoscale ruthenium/gold bimetallic cluster of clusters has been used as a molecular precursor to produce pure ruthenium nanoparticles (seeds) as catalysts for the growth of carbon nanohorns (CNHs).     

Moisture induced solid phase degradation of l-ascorbic acid part 2, separation and characterization of the major degradation products

The influence of moisture in the presence and absence of air on the solid state degradation of l-ascorbic acid has been investigated previously [1]. Reaction kinetics were studied using tristimulus colorimetry and a quantitative high performance liquid chromatographic assay for both total l-ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid. The degradation gave rise to a discolouration of the samples, the most severely degraded samples were almost black in appearance although over 68% w/w of the l-ascorbic acid remained. The samples were analyzed for the presence of carbonyl compounds, furan related compounds, compounds responsible for the discolouration and evolution of carbon dioxide. No 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (2,4-DNP) derivatives of carbonyl compounds or furan related compounds were detected by HPLC. An HPLC screening procedure was developed which was used to monitor for compounds responsible for the discolouration, at least eight unknown compounds were resolved and a relative response factor of 5.47 was assigned to them with respect to l-ascorbic acid at 280 nm. One mole of carbon dioxide was evolved per mole of l-ascorbic acid. This paper describes the investigation into the identity of the degradation products.     

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.