The role of alkali content in the devitrification mechanisms of SiO2–Fe2O3–Na2O–PbO SYSTEM

Three batch compositions of pure oxides (SiO₂, Fe₂O₃, PbO, Na₂O) with equivalent SiO₂, Fe₂O₃ and PbO contents and a gradually increased Na₂O content were vitrified through heating in a high temperature electric furnace and subsequent quenching. The resulting vitreous products were thermally treated in order to study the devitrification behaviour, under conditions designated from differential thermal analysis experiments. Depending on the Na₂O content, crystal phase separation gave rise to the growth of acmite and hematite or maghemite. A uniformly phase separated glass-ceramic material, with crystallites of similar size and population density, was produced from devitrification of the vitreous product with the higher Na₂O content.     

Studying Cu2–xSe phase transformation through DSC examination

The thermal effect accompanying the transition of Cu_2–xSe into a superionic conduction state was studied by non-isothermal measurements, at different heating and cooling rates (β=1, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20°C min^–1). During heating the peak temperature (T_p) remains almost stable for all values of β, (136.8±0.4°C for Cu₂Se and 133.0±0.3°C for Cu_1.99Se). A gradual shift of the initiation of the transformation towards lower temperatures is observed, as the heating rate increases. During cooling there is a significant shift in the position of the peak maximum (T_p) towards lower temperatures with the increase of the cooling rate. A small hysteresis is observed, which increases with the increase of the cooling rate, β. The mean value of transformation enthalpy was found to be 30.3±0.8 J g^–1 for Cu₂Se and 28.9±0.9 J g^–1 for Cu_1.99Se. The transformation can be described kinetically by the model f(ǯ)=(1–ǯ)^n(1+kcatX), with activation energy E=175 kJ mol^–1, exponent value n equal to 0.2, logA=20 and log(k_cat)= 0.5.     

Resistance of zinc thermal sprayed coatings on different corrosive environments

Zinc coatings on ferrous substrates are possible to be applied with thermal spraying. In the present work the corrosion behavior of zinc thermal sprayed coatings deposited on low carbon steel St-37 was examined in a simulated marine atmosphere (salt spray chamber-SSC) and in a dry atmosphere at elevated temperature (400°C). The corrosion progress was examined by means of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. From this investigation it was deduced that in the SSC the coating is uniformly corroded, while the main corrosion products are hydrated zinc oxides and chlorides. By contrast at 400°C only a thin, compact and continuous film of ZnO is formed on top of the coating, which remains adherent to the ferrous substrate.     

TG-DTA and FTIR analyses of plasters from byzantine monuments in Balkan region

Historic plasters from wall paintings of Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches situated in the Balkan region were studied. All wall paintings were made with fresco technique and are dated from IX - XVI century. Plaster samples were followed from room temperature to 1000°C by Thermogravimetric (TG) and Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), and one or two significant temperature regions, corresponding to thermal decomposition mechanisms were observed. The analysis of the plaster samples and the composition characterization was carried out using also, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Although the main components are calcite and quartz (from sand) in different proportions, there are differences between them such as the presence of gypsum being either as a constituent element or due to environmental pollution. The results are examined comparatively taking into account the creation time and place of the paintings.     

Luminescence and thermal behavior of copper (I) complexes with heterocyclic thiones. Part II: cationic complexes

Copper (I) halide complexes formulated as [(L)₂Cu(μ₂-L)₂Cu(L)₂]²⁺ 2Χ⁻, (X = Cl, Br and L = pyridine-2-thione (py2SH) or 4,6-dimethylpyrimidine-2-thione (dmpymtH)) were prepared, and their photoluminescence and thermal properties were investigated. The complexes are strongly emissive in the solid state, with the emissions being dominated by large Stokes shifts (>200 nm), which are depending on both the heterocyclic thione and the nature of the halogen. These emissions can be assigned to MLCT with some mixing of the halide-to-ligand (XL) CT characters. Simultaneous TG/DTG–DTA technique was used for two complexes with the dmpymtH ligand to determine their thermal degradation, which was found to be very complicated. In inert atmosphere the residues at 1,000 °C (verified with PXRD) were mainly Cu₂S, while at 1,300 °C a mixture of Cu₂S and Cu. In oxygen atmosphere the residues were CuO.     

Luminescence and thermal behavior by simultaneous TG/DTG–DTA coupled with MS of neutral copper (I) complexes with heterocyclic thiones

Copper(I) halide complexes formulated as [(L)CuX(μ₂-L)₂CuX(L)] (X = Cl, Br and L = pyridine-2-thione (py2SH), or 4,6-dimethylpyrimidine-2-thione (dmpymtH)) were prepared, and their photoluminescence and thermal properties were investigated. The complexes are strongly emissive in the solid state, with the emissions being dominated by large Stokes shifts (>200 nm), which are depending on both the heterocyclic thione and the nature of the halogen. These emissions can be assigned to MLCT with some mixing of the halide-to-ligand (XL) CT characters. Simultaneous TG/DTG–DTA technique, coupled with MS for the analysis of the gaseous decomposition products, was used for two complexes with the dmpymtH ligand to determine their thermal degradation, which was found to be very complicated. In inert atmosphere the residues at 1,000 °C (verified with PXRD) were a mixture of Cu₂S and CuX, while at 1,300 °C a mixture of Cu₂S and Cu. In oxygen atmosphere the residues were CuO.     

Changes in the electronic properties of Bi2X3 (X: Se, Te) single crystals due to intercalation

Bi₂Se₃ and Bi₂Te₃ are layered semiconductors n-type and p-type, respectively, which belong to the family of thermoelectric materials. In this work we examine the insertion of Cu in Bi₂Te₃ and Bi₂Se₃ single crystals through an intercalation reaction. The inserted Cu acting as donor enhances the n-type character of Bi₂Se₃ while changing the native p-type character of Bi₂Te₃ to n-type. The spatial distribution of the intercalated species was monitoring by X-ray microanalysis and microscopic IR reflectivity measurements. Paper presented at the 4th Euroconference on Solid State Ionics, Renvyle, Galway, Ireland, Sept. 13–19, 1997     

Thermal characterization of carbonate rocks,Kozani area,North-western Macedonia,Greece

The curing of a thermoreactive alkyd-melamine-formaldehyde resin system was investigated by rheologycal, TG and TMA-analysis, in order to construct the time-temperature-transformation diagram. The points of the gelation curve were determined by measuring the increase in viscosity during isothermal curing at different temperatures. A power-function could be fitted to the gelation curve, which is suitable to estimate gelation at any curing conditions, as well as to establish storage conditions. The reaction in the resin matrix was followed by monitoring the loss of mass during isothermal curing at different temperatures. The final section of the resulted iso-curing temperature (iso-T _cure) diagrams could be fitted with logarithmic functions, which may be used for estimating the conditions needed to a given, desirable mass loss, i.e. conversion. The steepness of the curves increases with temperature suggesting the forthcoming of degradation during cure with increasing temperature. From these data the iso-mass loss curves of the TTT-diagram were constructed. For determining the iso-Tg curves of the TTT-diagram isothermal curing was carried out in a drying oven at different temperatures, followed by TMA measurements. The iso-Tcure diagrams served to determine T _{g ￥}, and to construct the iso-T _g curves of the TTT diagram. Vitrification curve is far beyond conditions of storage, curing and degradation, meaning that the resin matrix is in rubbery physical state before, during and after the cure. Curing conditions resulting degradation can also be estimated from the TTT-diagram. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.