Inorganic Sol-Gel Preparation of Medium Sized Microparticles of Li2TiO3 from TiCl4 as Tritium Breeding Material for Fusion Reactors

Microspheres of Li₂TiO₃ were fabricated by a classical, inorganic sol-gel process from commercially available TiCl₄. Elaborated process consists of the following main steps: (1) dissolving of TiCl₄ in concentrated aqueous HCl and addition of LiOH; (2) formation of sol emulsion in 2-ethylhexanol-1 containing the surfactant SPAN-80 (EH); (3) gelation of emulsion drops by extraction of water with partially dehydrated EH; (4) impregnation of gel to Li:Ti molar ratio MR = 2; (5) thermal treatment at 1200°C in order to receive chloride free product. This temperature can be significantly lowered (to 750°C) by dechlorination starting solution TiCl₄ by chemical treatment of the with nitric acid to form of nitrate-stabilized titania sols. Tritium release from sol-gel made Li₂TiO₃ microspheres were found very close to that observed for other traditional materials, however for the first sample process starts slightly earlier.     

PHOTOMORPHOGENIC RESPONSES TO UV RADIATION. II: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF UV EFFECTS ON HYPOCOTYL ELONGATION IN A WILD-TYPE AND AN aurea MUTANT OF TOMATO (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

Hypocotyl growth in etiolated seedlings of wild-type and an aurea mutant of tomato (Lycopersicon esculenturn Mill.), that appears to be deficient in labile phytochrome, is strongly inhibited by UV radiation in the region of 300–400 nm. The role of phytochrome in the UV-mediated inhibition of hypocotyl growth was studied using different experimental approaches: (1) by comparing the effectiveness of treatments of increasing duration of exposure to 692 nm and UV radiation; (2) by modifying the UV spectral range with specific cut-off filters. The experimental results suggest that the UV-induced inhibition of growth in wild-type tomato is mediated to a large extent by the longer wavelengths of the UV-A region and is mediated mainly by phytochrome. In contrast, at wavelengths < 305 nm a strong UV-B effect was found in the aurea mutant, suggesting a preeminent action of a specific UV-B absorbing photoreceptor that displays less action in the wild-type.     

Surface ablation by excimer laser irradiation of Ti and Ti6Al4V alloy

This paper presents the surface microstructure of Ti and Ti6Al4V alloy irradiated with a high output energy XeCl ( = 308 nm) excimer laser. The treatments are carried out on both materials at two beam fluences and the effects of single- and multiple-pulse irradiation are compared. The results of the scanning electron microscopy and of the X-ray diffraction techniques suggest the possible influence of both time-behaviour and energy fluence of the laser pulse on the relative weight of the ablation rate and of the reaction product deposition rate at the sample surface.     

Über die Möglichkeit der Ausrichtung der Schwärzungskurve

Zusammenfassung Nach Besprechung der bestehenden Möglichkeiten zur geradlinigen Transformation der Schwärzungskurve wird auf Grund der Ergebnisse zahlreicher Messungen eine Gleichung entwickelt, mit deren Hilfe über einen größeren Gradationsbereich eine Skala transformierter Schwärzungswerte aufgestellt wird. Es wird ein Apparat beschrieben, der eine rasche Verwendung dieser Skala gestattet. Die praktische Bedeutung dieser theoretischen Überlegungen wird an den Beispielen der Bestimmung von Bor in Stahl sowie von Silber und Kupfer in reinem Blei beschrieben.     

Complexation of an acrylic resin by tertiary amines: synthesis and characterisation of new binders for antifouling paints

Antifouling coatings are the most reliable way to prevent biofouling of immersed surfaces. As concerning the high toxicity of organotin paints, the tendency is the development of coatings, which do not present environmental risks. In this work, we prepare binders from modification of acrylic copolymers containing free carboxylic acid groups. Biocides chosen are tertiary ammonium salts; alkyl chain substituents with different length are considered. The chemical modifications of resins are carried out via a single step reaction. Modification extents are monitored through proton nuclear magnetic resonance and thermogravimetric analysis and the modified resins are characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The glass transition temperature of the acrylate systems is assessed by dynamical mechanical analysis (pin point method) and compared with data obtained by differential scanning calorimetry. The erosion and antifouling properties of the binders are followed during an exposure to marine environment by a visual observation.     

ACTION SPECTRUM FOR THE PHOTOPERIODIC INDUCTION OF BULB FORMATION IN Allium cepa L.

Abstract— The action spectrum for the induction of bulb formation in Allium cepa L. was determined by continuous irradiation with monochromatic light for 3 h in the middle of the daily light period of the inductive photoperiod (18 h). The resultant action spectrum showed a single peak at 714 nm. Daily 3 h dark interruptions in the middle of inductive long photoperiods do not permit bulb formation. Bulb formation was inhibited also by monochromatic far red light (758 nm) applied at the beginning of the 3 h dark interruptions. The results of dichromatic irradiations indicate that phytochrome is the only photoreceptor involved in the photoperiodic regulation of bulbing in onion plants. The effect of far red light exhibits the characteristics (action spectrum and fluence rate dependency) of a classical "HIR" response.     

Influence of multiwall carbon nanotubes on morphological and structural changes during UV irradiation of syndiotactic polypropylene films

The effect of UV irradiation on the morphology and structure of syndiotactic polypropylene (sPP) is investigated both for pure films and those filled with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). UV treatment causes a structural reorganization of pure sPP films. It seems that the incorporation of MWCNTs has a strong stabilizing effect, with nanotubes acting as a limiter of the UV‐induced chain breakage, especially when a good dispersion of carbon nanotubes in the polymer is achieved. The incorporation of MWCNTs introduces a high concentration of defects in the crystal structure of sPP, which limits the UV‐induced growth of crystallites, and prevents the development and propagation of cracks caused by UV irradiation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012     

A Two-Step Synthesis Of S-Methyl Dinucleoside Phosphorothioates

S-methyl dinucleoside phosphorothioates are prepared from 0-2,4-dichlorophenyl S-methyl nucleoside phosphorothioates by selective removal of the transient 0-2,4-dichlorophenyl protecting group followed by condensation with appropriate nucleosides in the presence of MSNT activating reagent.     

One step nanoencapsulation of corrosion inhibitors for gradual release application

The direct application of corrosion inhibitors on metal surfaces is potentially dangerous for the environment and the restoration operators, thus new conservation strategies are mandatory. In this study, two copper corrosion inhibitors, 1H-benzotriazole (BTA) and 5-phenyl-1H-tetrazole (PT), are encapsulated in a silica nanocontainer, for future application in smart coatings, with the aim to reduce the amount of chemicals used in treatments, their dispersion in the environment and the direct exposure of the operators to these chemicals. In particular, composite silica nanocapsules, containing the corrosion inhibitors, are prepared via one-step synthesis, based on mini-emulsion polymerisation processes.The morphology, structure, and texture of these loaded silica nanocontainers are characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and N₂ physisorption (BET/BJH). Micro-Raman spectroscopy (RS) is performed to characterise the composition. UV–visible spectroscopy and thermal analysis (TG/DSC) are performed for the loading and encapsulation efficiency (L%, EE%) study.Synthesised nanocapsules show a core-shell structure and, when loaded with the inhibitors, have size ranging from about 130 to 170 nm and a BET surface area of the order of 800 m²/g. The EE% is maximum in the case of BTA and decreases to ～52% in the case of PT.     

Preparation of thin SnO2 layers by inorganic sol-gel process

SnO₂ sols were prepared in the following way: (1) precipitation of metastannic acid with aqueous ammonia from aqueous solutions of SnCl₄, (2) washing the precipitates with NH₄NO₃ solution and water, (3) peptization of precipitates in water, sometimes with an addition of HNO₃, at elevated temperature using mechanical stirring. In those sols, sometimes diluted with water or ethanol, substrates (glass or silica derived wafers) were dipped and withdrawn at various rates. Gel coatings were converted into crystalline SnO₂ by thermal treatment at 600°C. Coatings with thickness between 300–2000 Å were prepared.