Preparation of Pt/C catalyst with a new and simple organic sol method

It is reported for the first time that the Pt/C catalyst can be prepared with a new and simple organic sol method using SnCl2 as the reductant. It was found that the average size of the Pt particles in the Pt/C catalysts could be controlled with controlling the preparation conditions. The effect of the average sizes of the Pt particles in the Pt/C catalysts obtained with this method on the electrocatalytical activity of the oxidation of methanol was investigated.

Hydrothermal syntheses and crystal structures of new cage-like mixed-valent polyoxovanadates

Three new cage-like mixed-valent polyoxovanadates [Ni(1,10'-phen)(3)](2)[V10O26] 1, [Zn(2,2'-biPY)(3)](3)[V15O36Cl](.)3H(2)O (2) and [Co(2,2'-biPY)(3)](3)[V15O36Cl](.)3H(2)O (3) have been hydrothermally synthesized for the first time and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, EPR spectra, TG analyses and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The polyoxoanion of I exhibits an interesting empty ellipsoidal [V-2(IV) V-8(V) O-26](4-) 'host' shell, while the oxo vanadium clusters of 2 and 3 possess a spherical [V-8(IV) V-7(V) O36Cl](6-) cage with a Cl- ion encapsulated. The structure-directing role of organic templates (1,10'-phen and 2,2'-bipy) on the formation of the polyoxoanion structures is discussed.

Synthesis, characterization and electrical properties of the new solid electrolyte materials Ce6-xErxMoO15-delta (0.0 < x < 1.5)

A new series of oxides, Ce6-xErxMoO15-delta (0.0 less than or equal to x less than or equal to 1.5), was synthesized using wet-chemistry techniques. The precursors and resultant oxide powders were characterized by differential thermal analysis/thermogravimetry, x-ray diffraction, and IR, Raman and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The formation temperature of the powders was found to be as low as 350degreesC. Ce6-xErxMoO15-delta crystallized to a fluorite-related cubic structure. The electrical conductivity of the samples was investigated by using ac impedance spectroscopy. This showed that the presence of Er was related to the oxygen-ion conductivity, and that the highest oxygen-ion conductivity was found in Ce6-xErxMoO15-delta (x = 0.4), ranging from 5.9 x 10(-5) S cm(-1) at 300degreesC to 1.26 x 10(-2) S cm(-1) at 700degreesC, respectively. This kind of material shows a potential application in intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells.

Two new coordination polymers of Co(II) with 1,1 '-(1,4-butanediyl)bis(benzimidazole)

Two new compounds, [CoL2(H2O)(2)](NO3)(2). 8H(2)O (1) and [CoL(H2O)(2)(CH3CO2)(2)]. H2O (2), were obtained from self-assembly of the corresponding metal salts with 1,1'-(1,4-butanediyl)bis(benzimidazole) (L). In 1, each cobalt ion is coordinated to four nitrogen atoms from four molecules of L, and to two water molecules. Metal ions are bridged by L ligands to form infinite (4, 4) networks that contain 44-membered rings. The (4, 4) networks of 1 stack in a parallel fashion, resulting in the formation of large channels in the material. In 2, each cobalt ion is coordinated to two N atoms from two L molecules, two water molecules and two carboxylate O atoms from two acetate anions. Each L molecule is coordinated to two cobalt ions, acting as a bridging ligand as in 1. The bridged cobalt ions form an infinite zigzag chain structure.

A new preparation of zinc sulfide nanoparticles by solid-state method at low temperature

A novel solid-state method of the preparation of zinc sulfide nanoparticles is reported. By solid-state reaction of zinc acetate and thioacetamide at low temperature, zinc sulfide nanoparticles of different sizes were prepared. The temperature of preparation varied from room temperature to 300 degrees C. The particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and photoluminescence spectrum. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed that the particles exhibited pure zinc-blende crystal structure and that particle size increased with increasing temperature. The TEM micrograph showed that the mean particle size was about 40 nm for the sample heated at 100 degrees C. A blue shift was observed in the photoluminescence emission spectrum. A possible mechanism of the reaction corresponding to our observation is proposed, (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Preparation and application of a novel core-shell-particle-supported zirconocene catalyst

The use of functional groups bearing silica/poly(styrene-co-4-vinylpyridine) core-shell particles as a support for a zirconocene catalyst in ethylene polymerization was studied. Several factors affecting the behavior of the supported catalyst and the properties of the resulting polymer, such as time, temperature, Al/N (molar ratio), and Al/Zr (molar ratio), were examined. The conditions of the supported catalyst preparation were more important than those of the ethylene polymerization. The state of the supported catalyst itself played a decisive role in both the catalytic behavior of the supported catalyst and the properties of polyethylene (PE). IR and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to follow the formation of the supports. The formation of cationic active species is hypothesized, and the performance of the core-shell-particle-supported zirconocene catalyst is discussed as well. The bulk density of the PE formed was higher than that of the polymer obtained from homogeneous and polymer-supported Cp2ZrCl2/methylaluminoxane catalyst systems. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

A new kind of potassium sensor based on capacitance measurement of mimic membrane

A novel type of potassium sensor based on the capacitance change of valinomycin-incorporated bilayer supported on a gold electrode has been developed and characterized. The lipid membrane was Formed by painted method and monitored simultaneously by capacitance variation. The capacitance of the electrode-supported membrane was found to be modulated by different concentrations of K+. Investigating the capacitance change allows a simple and specific technique for the measurement of potassium ion in solution. Especially, the homemade capacitance meter is, to our knowledge, used to monitor the bilayer membrane formation and detect K+ for the first time. It has been proved that this capacitance measurement is a very useful technique because it is simple and sensitive compared to the other methods.

Effects of rubber content and temperature on unstable fracture behavior in ABS materials with different particle sizes

The fracture behavior of ABS materials with a particle diameter of 110 nm and of 330 nm was studied using instrumented Charpy impact tests. The effects of rubber content and temperature on fracture behavior, deformation mode, stable crack extension, plastic zone size, J-integral value, and crack opening displacement were investigated. In the case of a particle size of 110 nm, the material was found to break in a brittle manner, and the dominant crack mechanism was unstable crack propagation. Fracture toughness increases with increasing rubber content. In the case of a particle size of 330 nm, brittle-to-tough transition was observed. The J-integral value first increases with rubber content, then levels off after the rubber content is greater than 16 wt %. The J-integral value of a particle diameter of 330 nm was found to be much greater than that of 110 nm. The J-integral value of both series first increased with increasing temperature until reaching the maximum value, after which it decreased with further increasing temperature. The conclusion is that a particle diameter of 330 nm is more efficient than that of 110 nm in toughening, but for both series the effectiveness of rubber modification decreases with increasing temperatures higher than 40 degreesC because of intrinsic craze formation in the SAN matrix at temperatures near the glass transition of SAN. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Structural characterization and luminescence studies of new lanthanide(III) complexes with nicotinic and isonicotinic acid N-oxides

Four new polymeric lanthanide(III) complexes of nicotinic acid N-oxide and isonicotinic acid N-oxide have been synthesized and structurally determined. In the isomorphous compounds [(Ln(L-1)(3) (H2O)(2))(n)]. 4nH(2)O(HL1 = nicotinic acid N-oxide; Ln = Eu, 1; Ln = Er, 2) the lanthanide(III) ions form infinite double chains along the b direction through the coordination of bridging carboxylate and N-oxide groups. The chains are cross-linked through hydrogen bonds between aqua ligands and uncoordinated N-oxide groups and between aqua ligands and lattice water molecules, to form a three-dimensional network. [(Eu(L-2)(2)-(H2O)(4))(n)](NO3)(n). nH(2)O (HL2 = isonicotinic acid N-oxide, 3) has a polymeric structure in which the europium (III) ions are connected into infinite chains by pairs of syn-syn carboxylate groups. Adjacent chains are interlinked by hydrogen bonds between aqua ligands and N-oxide groups to form a layer parallel to the (100) plane, and such layers are connected by hydrogen bonds between nitrate anions and aqua ligands, and between oxide groups and lattice water molecules, into a three-dimensional network. In [(Er-2(L-2)(4)(H2O)(10))](NO3)(2). H2O, 4, dinuclear units are inter-linked into a three-dimensional network through hydrogen bonding between aqua ligands and N-oxide groups of both bidentate bridging and unidentate L-2 ligands. Factors affecting the formation of coordination chains and dinuclear units are discussed. Luminescence properties of 1 and 3 have also been studied. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Formation of heterocyclic C-60 derivative by gas-phase ion/molecule reaction

Ion/molecule reactions of C-60 with vinyl acetate under chemical ionization conditions have been studied here. Compared with C2H3O+ from acetone, C2H3O+ from vinyl acetate undergoes the reactions more easily, a new heterocycle between C-60 and the studied ion is formed The generation of two sigma-bonds and little angle tensile force of pentatomic ring make it more stable.

THEORETICAL-STUDIES ON THE CYCLIZATION PROCESS OF A NEW ORGANOSULFUR REACTION

The cyclization process of a new organosulfur reaction was studied by the MNDO (UHF) method. The first reaction path was assumed to be via the organosulfur radical intermediate, the second via the ionic (cationic and anionic) intermediates. The dehydroxylation process was assumed to occur with the synergistic cyclization. The results obtained indicate that the potential energy barrier of the first reaction path was about 102 kcal mol(-1), and although the formation of the ionic intermediate is comparatively difficult, the potential energy barrier of the second path is comparable to the first. The sequential reaction path via the radical intermediate, i.e. first cyclization, then dehydroxylation, was investigated for comparison. The cyclization reaction was found to be the thermodynamically favored process, while the ensuing dehydroxylation process was found to have a potential energy barrier of about 62 kcal mol(-1).

Characterization of a new lectin involved in the protoplast regeneration of Bryopsis hypnoides

A group of coenocytic marine algae differs from higher plants, whose totipotency depends on an intact cell (or protoplast). Instead, this alga is able to aggregate its extruded protoplasm in sea water and generate new mature individuals. It is thought that lectins play a key role in the aggregation process. We purified a lectin associated with the aggregation of cell organelles in Bryopsis hypnoides. The lectin was ca. 27 kDa with a pI between pH 5 and pH 6. The absence of carbohydrate suggested that the lectin was not a glycoprotein. The hemagglutinating activity (HA) of the lectin was not dependent on the. presence of divalent cations and was inhibited by N-Acetylgalactosamine, N-Acetylglucosamine, and the glycoprotein bovine submaxillary mucin. The lectin preferentially agglutinated Gram-negative bacterium. The HA of this lectin was stable between pH 4 to pH 10. Cell organelles outside the cytoplasm were agglutinated by the addition of lectin solution (0.5 mg ml(-1)). Our results suggest that the regeneration of B. hypnoides is mediated by this lectin. We also demonstrated that the formation of cell organelle aggregates was inhibited by nigericin in natural seawater (pH 8.0). Given that nigericin dissipates proton gradients across the membrane, we hypothesize that the aggregation of cell organelles was proton-gradient dependent.

Transient expression of lacZ in particle bombarded Gracilaria changii (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta)

Using a Biolistic PDS 1000/He system, healthy thalli of Gracilaria changii were bombarded with gold particles coated with plasmid DNA containing the lacZ reporter gene. Transient expression of lacZ was observed in bombarded thalli under the rupture-disc pressures of 4482, 6206, 7584 and 8963 KPa, two days after bombardment. Although G. changii exhibits a slight blue background, positive expression and the background colour can be clearly differentiated. The results indicate that lacZ could be a useful reporter gene and that SV40 promoter could be an effective promoter for Gracilaria transformation.

Assembly of the protoplasm of Codium fragile (Bryopsidales, Chlorophyta) into new protoplasts

The cell organelles of the coenocytic alga Codium fragile (Sur.) Hariot aggregated rapidly and protoplasts were formed when its protoplasm was extruded out in seawater. Continuous observation showed that there were long and gelatinous threads connecting the cell organelles. The threads contracted, and thus the cell organelles aggregated into protoplasmic masses. The enzyme digestion experiments and Coomassie Brilliant Blue and Anthrone stainings showed that the long and gelatinous threads involved in the formation of the protoplasts might include protein and saccharides as structure components. Nile Red staining indicated that the protoplast primary envelope was non-lipid at first, and then lipid materials integrated into its surface gradually. The fluorescent brightener staining indicated that the cell wall did not regenerate in the newly formed protoplasts and they all disintegrated within 72 h after formation. Transmission electron microscopy of the cell wall of wild C. fragile showed electron-dense material embedded in the whole cell wall at regular intervals. The experiments indicated that C. fragile would be a suitable model alga for studying the formation of protoplasts.

Transformation of accommodation space of the Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation, the Songliao Basin, NE China

Analysis of accommodation space variation during deposition of the Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation in the Songliao Basin, NE China, indicates that accommodation space changed both through time and across the basin as a seesaw movement. The mid-upper Qingshankou Formation is divided into three units. In each unit, changes of accommodation space differ in the southern and northern part of the basin. Increasing accommodation in the southern part is accompanied by a decrease in the northern part, and vice versa. Between the northern and southern basin, there was a neutral belt that is like a fulcrum, called the transformation belt here, where the accommodation did not change to any significant degree. We call this response 'accommodation transformation', whose characteristics are defined by tectonic subsidence analysis, palaeontological and sedimentary analyses. The accommodation increasing belt, decreasing belt, transformation belt and accommodation transformation boundary together constitute the accommodation transformation system. The recognition of accommodation transformation in the Songliao Basin provides a new insight into sequence stratigraphy and might be widely applicable.