Interactions between a nonionic gemini surfactant and cyclodextrins investigated by small-angle neutron scattering

The microstructure of complexes between hydroxypropyl-cyclodextrins (HPCDs) (alpha, beta, and gamma) and a novel gemini surfactant has been investigated by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). This nonionic hetero-gemini surfactant (denoted NIHG750) contains two hydrophobic groups and two hydrophilic groups. One is a methyl-capped polyoxyethylene chain with 16 oxyethylene units and the other is a secondary hydroxyl group. Various form factor models have been considered for fitting the SANS data. Spherical aggregates (25 to 40 A) with a size slightly larger than that of NIHG750 micelles (about 23 A) appear in mixed systems. These could be micellar aggregates partly covered with a few cyclodextrin molecules. In addition, the results indicate rod formation (r approximately 8 A, L approximately 70 A) for the NIHG-HPCD complexes. This result is consistent with the threading of HPCDs onto NIHG750 to such an extent that the surfactant molecule takes an extended conformation at high levels of HPCD. Also, the results indicate that HPCDs may interact with the oxyethylene groups of the spherical micellar aggregates leading to an increase in micelle size and a gradual transformation to rod-shaped aggregates. The tendency to form rods increases in the order gamma-CD相似文献   

Shear-induced morphology transition and microphase separation in a lamellar phase doped with clay particles

We report on the influence of shear on a nonionic lamellar phase of tetraethyleneglycol monododecyl ether (C12E4) in D2O containing clay particles (Laponite RD). The system was studied by means of small-angle light scattering (SALS) and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) under shear. The SANS experiments were conducted using a H2O/D2O mixture of the respective scattering length density to selectively match the clay scattering. The rheological properties show the familiar shear thickening regime associated with the formation of multilamellar vesicles (MLVs) and a shear thinning regime at higher stresses. The variation of viscosity is less pronounced as commonly observed. In the shear thinning regime, depolarized SALS reveals an unexpectedly strong variation of the MLV size. SANS experiments using the samples with lamellar contrast reveal a change in interlamellar spacing of up to 30% at stresses that lead to MLV formation. This change is much more pronounced than the change observed, when shear suppresses thermal bilayer undulations. Microphase separation occurs, and as a consequence, the lamellar spacing decreases drastically. The coincidence of the change in lamellar spacing and the onset of MLV formation is a strong indication for a morphology-driven microphase separation.     

Ethene adsorption, dehydrogenation and reaction with Pd(110): Pd as a carbon 'sponge'

The interaction of ethene with the Pd(110) surface has been investigated, mainly with a view to understanding the dehydrogenation reactions of the molecule and mainly using a molecular beam reactor. Ethene adsorbs with a high probability over the temperature range 130 to 800 K with the low-coverage sticking probability dropping from 0.8 at 130 K to 0.35 at 800 K. The adsorption is of the precursor type, with a weakly held form of ethene being the intermediate between the gas phase and strong chemisorption. Dehydrogenation begins at approximately 300 K and is fast above 350 K. If adsorption is carried out at temperatures up to approximately 380 K, adsorption saturates after about 0.25 monolayer have adsorbed, but above approximately 450 K, adsorption continues at a high rate with continuous hydrogen evolution and C deposition onto the surface. It appears that, in the intermediate temperature range, the carbonaceous species formed is located in the top layer and thus interferes with adsorption, whereas the C goes subsurface above 450 K, the adsorption is almost unaffected, and the C signal is significantly attenuated in XPS. However, the deposited carbon can easily be removed again by reaction with oxygen, thus implying that the carbon remains in the selvedge, that is, in the immediate subsurface region probably consisting of a few atomic layers. No well-ordered structures are identified in either LEED or STM, though some evidence of a c(2 x 2) structure can be seen. The Pd surface, at least above 450 K, appears to act as a "sponge" for carbon atoms, and this effect is also seen for the adsorption of other hydrocarbons such as acetaldehyde and acetic acid.     

Measurement of neutrino oscillations in realistic underground experiments

Summary We conside the possibility of investigating neutrino oscillations in a realistic environment. We discuss theoretical uncertainties coming from flux calculations, geomagnetic effects and propagation through matter, as well as the capability of identifying the neutrinoinduced events in real apparata.

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Riassunto Si studiano le reali possibilità di esperimenti sotterranei nella ricerca di eventuali oscillazioni di neutrini. Sono discusse le imprecisioni derivanti dal calcolo teorico del flusso aspettato e gli effetti geomagnetici e di propagazione attraverso la materia. Si tiene infine conto della capacità di apparati reali nella identificazione di eventi indotti da neutrini.

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Резюме Мы рассматриваем возможность исследования нейтринных осцилляций в реальных подземных экспериментах. Мы обсуждаем теоретические неопределенности, связанные с вычислениями потока, геомагнитными эффектами и распространением через вещество. Также рассматривается возможность идентификации событий, индуцированных нейтрино, с помощью существующей аппаратуры.

     

Solution self-assembly and adsorption at the air-water interface of the monorhamnose and dirhamnose rhamnolipids and their mixtures

The self-assembly in solution and adsorption at the air-water interface, measured by small-angle neutron scattering, SANS, and neutron reflectivity, NR, of the monorhamnose and dirhamnose rhamnolipids (R1, R2) and their mixtures, are discussed. The production of the deuterium-labeled rhamnolipids (required for the NR studies) from a Pseudomonas aeruginosa culture and their separation into the pure R1 and R2 components is described. At the air-water interface, R1 and R2 exhibit Langmuir-like adsorption isotherms, with saturated area/molecule values of about 60 and 75 ?(2), respectively. In R1/R2 mixtures, there is a strong partitioning of R1 to the surface and R2 competes less favorably because of the steric or packing constraints of the larger R2 dirhamnose headgroup. In dilute solution (<20 mM), R1 and R2 form small globular micelles, L(1), with aggregation numbers of about 50 and 30, respectively. At higher solution concentrations, R1 has a predominantly planar structure, L(α) (unilamellar, ULV, or bilamellar, BLV, vesicles) whereas R2 remains globular, with an aggregation number that increases with increasing surfactant concentration. For R1/R2 mixtures, solutions rich in R2 are predominantly micellar whereas solutions rich in R1 have a more planar structure. At an intermediate composition (60 to 80 mol % R1), there are mixed L(α)/L(1) and L(1)/L(α) regions. However, the higher preferred curvature associated with R2 tends to dominate the mixed R1/R2 microstructure and its associated phase behavior.     

Electron magnetic resonance investigation of gadolinium diffusion in zircon powders

The electron magnetic resonance (EMR) technique was used to investigate the diffusion of gadolinium in zircon (ZrSiO₄) powders. The EMR absorption intensity was measured for several annealing times and three different temperatures of isothermal annealing: 1273, 1323 and 1373 K. The activation energy for diffusion, calculated from the experimental data using a theoretical model based on the Fick equation, was found to be E_A=506±5 kJ mol⁻¹. This value is close to the ones for the diffusion of Gd in UO₂ and CeO₂, but much larger than for the diffusion of gadolinium in a compound with the same crystal structure as zircon, YVO₄. This is attributed to a difference in the relative sizes of the ions involved in the diffusion process.     

Anionic surfactants and surfactant ionic liquids with quaternary ammonium counterions

Small-angle neutron scattering and surface tension have been used to characterize a class of surfactants (SURFs), including surfactant ionic liquids (SAILs). These SURFs and SAILs are based on organic surfactant anions (single-tail dodecyl sulfate, DS, double-chain aerosol-OT, AOT, and the trichain, TC) with substituted quaternary ammonium cations. This class of surfactants can be obtained by straightforward chemistry, being cheaper and more environmentally benign than standard cationic SAILs. A surprising aspect of the results is that, broadly speaking, the physicochemical properties of these SURFs and SAILs are dominated by the nature of the surfactant anion and that the chemical structure of the added cation plays only a secondary role.