Effect of co-substitution of Mn and Al on thermoelectric properties of chromium disilicide

CrSi2 was earlier reported to be an interesting thermoelectric material for high temperature applications because of its high oxidation resistance and good mechanical properties. In order to enhance its figure of merit, Mn at Cr site and Al at Si site were substituted into CrSi2. Our results indicate that Cr1-x Mn (x) Si2-x Al (x) solid solutions exhibit significantly lower thermal conductivity and a higher figure of merit than CrSi2.

Photophysical behavior of poly(propyl ether imine) dendrimer in the presence of nitroaromatic compounds

This paper deals with a study of the photophysical property of poly(ether imine) (PETIM) dendritic macromolecule in the presence of aromatic compounds. The inherent photoluminescence property of the dendrimer undergoes quenching in the presence of guest aromatic nitro-compounds. From life-time measurements study, it is inferred that the lifetimes of luminescent species of the dendrimer are not affected with nitrophenols as guest molecules, whereas nitrobenzenes show a marginal change in the lifetimes of the species. Raman spectral characteristic of the macromolecular host-guest complex is conducted in order to identify conformational change of the dendrimer and a significant change in the stretching frequencies of methylene moieties of the dendrimer is observed for the complex with 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene, when compared to other complexes, free host and guest molecules. The photophysical behavior of electron-rich, aliphatic, neutral dendritic macromolecule in the presence of electron-deficient aromatic molecules is illustrated in the present study. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Thermoelectric properties of chromium disilicide prepared by mechanical alloying

CrSi and Cr1-x Fe (x) Si particles embedded in a CrSi2 matrix have been prepared by hot pressing from CrSi1.9, CrSi2, and CrSi2.1 powders produced by ball milling using either WC or stainless steel milling media. The samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy and electron microprobe analysis. The final crystallite size of CrSi2 obtained from the XRD patterns is about 40 and 80 nm for SS- and WC-milled powders, respectively, whereas the size of the second phase inclusions in the hot pressed samples is about 1-5 mu m. The temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity, Seebeck coefficient, thermal conductivity, and figure of merit (ZT) were analyzed in the temperature range from 300 to 800 K. While the ball-milling process results in a lower electrical resistivity and thermal conductivity due to the presence of the inclusions and the refinement of the matrix microstructure, respectively, the Seebeck coefficient is negatively affected by the formation of the inclusions which leads to a modest improvement of ZT.

Fretting studies on self-mated stainless steel and chromium carbide coated surfaces under controlled environment conditions

Adhesive wear has been widely accepted as the type of wear which is most frequently encountered under fretting conditions. Present study has been carried out to study the mode of failure and mechanisms associated under conditions where strong adhesion prevails at the contact interface. Mechanical variables such as normal load, displacement amplitude, and environment conditions were controlled so as to simulate adhesion as the governing mechanism at the contact interface. Self-mated Stainless Steel (SS) and chromium carbide with 25% nickel chrome binder coatings using plasma spray and high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) processes on SS were considered as the material for contacting bodies. Damage in the form of plastic deformation, fracture, and material transfer has been observed. Further, chromium carbide with 25% nickel chrome binder coatings using HVOF process on SS shows less fretting damage, and can be considered as an effective palliative against fretting damage, even under high vacuum conditions. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Information content of molecular graph and prediction of gas phase thermal entropy of organic compounds

Entropy is a fundamental thermodynamic property that has attracted a wide attention across domains, including chemistry. Inference of entropy of chemical compounds using various approaches has been a widely studied topic. However, many aspects of entropy in chemical compounds remain unexplained. In the present work, we propose two new information-theoretical molecular descriptors for the prediction of gas phase thermal entropy of organic compounds. The descriptors reflect the bulk and size of the compounds as well as the gross topological symmetry in their structures, all of which are believed to determine entropy. A high correlation () between the entropy values and our information-theoretical indices have been found and the predicted entropy values, obtained from the corresponding statistically significant regression model, have been found to be within acceptable approximation. We provide additional mathematical result in the form of a theorem and proof that might further help in assessing changes in gas phase thermal entropy values with the changes in molecular structures. The proposed information-theoretical molecular descriptors, regression model and the mathematical result are expected to augment predictions of gas phase thermal entropy for a large number of chemical compounds.

Chromium isotope variations (delta Cr-53/52) in mantle-derived sources and their weathering products: Implications for environmental studies and the evolution of delta Cr-53/52 in the Earth's mantle over geologic time

Here we report chromium isotope compositions, expressed as delta Cr-53/ 52 in per mil (&) relative to NIST 979, measured in selected Cr-rich minerals and rocks formed by the primary magmatic as well as the secondary metamorphic and weathering processes. The main objectives of this study were: (i) to further constrain the isotope composition of the Earth's mantle Cr inventory and its possible variation during geological history, based on the analysis of globally distributed and stratigraphically constrained mantle-derived chromites; and (ii) to investigate the magnitude and systematics of Cr isotope fractionation during oxidative weathering and secondary alteration (i. e., hydration, serpentinization) of the magmatic Cr sources. Specifically, we analyzed delta Cr-53/ 52 in a set of globally distributed mantle-derived chromites (FeMgCr2O4, n = 30) collected from various locations in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America, and our results confirm that a chromite-hosted Earth's mantle Cr inventory is uniform at - 0.079 +/- 0.129& (2SD), which we named here as a ` canonical' mantle d 53/ 52 Cr signature. Furthermore our dataset of stratigraphically constrained chromites, whose crystallization ages cover most of the Earth's geological history, indicate that the bulk Cr isotope composition of the chromite-hosted mantle inventory has remained uniform, within about +/- 0.100&, since at least the Early Archean times (similar to 3500 million years ago, Ma). To investigate the systematics of Cr isotope fractionation associated with alteration processes we analyzed a number of secondary Cr-rich minerals and variably altered ultramafic rocks (i. e., serpentinized harzburgites, lherzolites) that revealed large positive delta Cr-53/ 52 anomalies that are systematically shifted to higher values with an increasing degree of alteration and serpentinization. The degree of aqueous alteration and serpentinization was quantified by the abundances of fluid-mobile (Rb, K) elements, and by the Loss On Ignition (LOI) parameter, which determines the amount of structurally bound water (OH/ H2O) present in secondary hydrated minerals like serpentine. Overall, we observed that altered ultramafic rocks that yielded the highest LOI values, and the lowest amounts of fluid mobile elements, also yielded the heaviest delta Cr-53/ 52 signatures. Therefore, we conclude that secondary alteration (i.e., hydration, serpentinization) of ultramafic rocks in near-surface oxidative environments tend to shift the bulk Cr isotope composition of the weathered products to isotopically heavier values, pointing to a dynamic redox cycling of Cr in the Earth's crustal and near-surface environments. Hence, if validated by future

Gas sensing response analysis of p-type porous chromium oxide thin films

The ethanol sensing properties of porous Cr2O3 thin films deposited by the ultrasonic nebulized spray pyrolysis of an aqueous combustion mixture is reported. The impact of the precursor selection and various deposition parameters on the film crystallinity, surface morphology and stoichiometry are studied using thermo-gravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy techniques. The film morphology exhibits a highly porous nature, as a result of the exothermic combustion reaction during film deposition. The gas sensing properties of these films are investigated in the temperature range of 200-375 degrees C for ethanol. The films show two different regions of response for ethanol above and below 300 degrees C. A good relationship between the response and the ethanol concentration is observed, and is modeled using an empirical relation. The possible mechanism and the surface chemical reactions of ethanol over the chromium oxide surface are discussed.

Thermodynamic Properties of LaCrO4, La2CrO6, and La2Cr3O12, and Subsolidus Phase Relations in the System Lanthanum-Chromium-Oxygen

In the system La-Cr-O, there are three ternary oxides (LaCrO4, La2Cr3O12, and La2CrO6) that contain Cr in higher valence states (V or VI). On heating, LaCrO4 decomposes to LaCrO3, La2Cr3O12 to a mixture of LaCrO4 and Cr2O3, and La2CrO6 to LaCrO3 and La2O3 with loss of oxygen. The oxygen potentials corresponding to these decomposition reactions are determined as a function of temperature using solid-state cells incorporating yttria-stabilized zirconia as the electrolyte. Measurements are made from 840K to the decomposition temperature of the ternary oxides in pure oxygen. The standard Gibbs energies of formation of the three ternary oxides are derived from the reversible electromotive force (EMF) of the three cells. The standard enthalpy of formation and standard entropy of the three ternary oxides at 298.15K are estimated. Subsolidus phase relations in the system La-Cr-O are computed from thermodynamic data and displayed as isothermal sections at several temperature intervals. The decomposition temperatures in air are 880 (+/- 3)K for La2Cr3O12, 936 (+/- 3)K for LaCrO4, and 1056 (+/- 4)K for La2CrO6.

Some Thermodynamic Aspects of the Oxides of Chromium

To understand Cr emissions from slag melts to a vapor phase, an assessment of the stabilities of the chromium oxides at high temperatures has been carried out. The objective of the present study is to present a set of consistent data corresponding to the thermodynamic properties of the oxides of chromium, with special reference to the emission of hexavalent chromium from slags. In the current work, critical analysis of the experimental data available and a third analysis in the case of Cr2O3 have been carried out. Commercial databases, Fact Sage and ThermoCalc along with NIST-JANAF Thermochemical Tables, have been used for the analysis and comparisons of the results that are presented. The significant discrepancies in the available data have been pointed out. The data from NIST-JANAF Thermochemical Tables have been found to provide a set of consistent data for the various chromium oxides. An Ellingham diagram and the equations for the Delta G degrees (standard Gibbs free energy change) of formation of CrOx have been proposed. The present analysis shows that CrO3(g) is likely to be emitted from slag melts at high oxygen partial pressures. (C) The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society and ASM International 2014

Conducting polymer-carbon black nanocomposite sensor for volatile organic compounds and correlating sensor response by molecular dynamics

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are present in our every day used products such as plastics, cosmetics, air fresheners, paint, etc. The determination of amount of VOC present in atmosphere can be carried out via various sensors. In this work a nanocomposite of a novel thiophene based conducting polymer and carbon black is used as a volatile organic compound sensor. The fabricated 2 lead chemiresistor sensor was tested for vapours of toluene, acetone, cylcohexane, and carbon tetrachloride. The sensor responds to all the vapours, however, exhibit maximum response to toluene vapours. The sensor was evaluated for various concentrations of toluene. The lower limit of detection of the sensor is 15 +/- 10 ppm. The study of the effect of humidity on senor response to toluene showed that the response decreases at higher humidity conditions. The surface morphology of the nanocomposite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy was used to investigate the absorption of vapours by the nanocomposite film. Contact angle measurements were used to present the effect of water vapour on the toluene response of nanocomposite film. Solubility parameter of the conducting polymer is predicted by molecular dynamics. The sensing behaviour of the conducting polymer is correlated with solubility parameter of the polymer. Dispersion interaction of conducting polymer with toluene is believed to be the reason for the selective response towards toluene. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Hetero-tri-spin 2p-3d-4f] Chain Compounds Based on Nitronyl Nitroxide Lanthanide Metallo-Ligands: Synthesis, Structure, and Magnetic Properties

Employing nitronyl nitroxide lanthanide(III) complexes as metallo-ligands allowed the efficient and highly selective preparation of three series of unprecedented heterotri-spin (Cu Ln-radical) one-dimensional compounds. These 2p-3d-4f spin systems, namely Ln(3)Cu(hfac)II(NitPhOAII)41 (Ln(III)=Gd 1(Gd), Tb 1(Tb), Dy 1(Dy); NitPhOAII=2-(4'-allyloxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3- oxide), Ln(3)Cu(hfac)II(NitPhOPO4] (1-nrn=Gd 2Gd, Tb 2Tb, Dy 2(Dy), Ho 2HOf Yb 2yb; NitPhOPr= 2-(4'-propoxyphenyI)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-imidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide) and Ln3Cu(hfac)II(NitPhOB441 (LnIm=Gd 3Gd, Tb 3Tb, Dy 3(Dy); NitPhOBz=2-(4'-benzyloxy- phenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-imidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide) involve O-bound nitronyl nitroxide radicals as bridging ligands in chain structures with a Cu-Nit-Ln-Nit-Ln-Nit-Ln-Nit] repeating unit. The dc magnetic studies show that ferromagnetic metal radical interactions take place in these heterotri-spin chain complexes, these and the next-neighbor interactions have been quantified for the Gd derivatives. Complexes 1Tb and 2Tb exhibit frequency dependence of ac magnetic susceptibilities, indicating single-chain magnet behavior.

Comparative Studies on the Bioremediation of Hexavalent and Trivalent Chromium using Citrobacter freundii: Part I-Effect of parameters controlling Biosorption

The potential of Citrobacter freundii, a Gram negative bacteria for the remediation of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) and trivalent chromium (Cr(III))) from aqueous solutions was investigated. Bioremediation of Cr(VI) involved both biosorption and bioreduction processes, as compared to only biosorption process observed with respect to Cr(III) bioremediation. In the case of Cr(VI) bioremediation studies, about 59 % biosorption was achieved at an equilibrium time of 2 h, initial Cr(VI) concentration of 4 mg/L, pH 1 and a biomass loading of 5x10(11) cells/mL. The remainder, 41 %, was found to be in the form of Cr(111) ions owing to bioreduction of Cr(VI) by the bacteria resulting in the absence of Cr(VI) ions in the residue, there by meeting the USEPA specifications. Similar studies were carried out using Cr(III) solution for an equilibrium time of 2 h, Cr(III) concentration of 4 mg/L, pH 3 and a biomass loading of 6.3x10(11) cells/mL., wherein a maximum biosorption of about 30 % was achieved.

Structural, magnetic and electrochemical investigation of novel binary Na2-x(Fe1-yMny)P2O7 (0 <= y <= 1) pyrophosphate compounds for rechargeable sodium-ion batteries

Pyrophosphate cathodes have been recently reported as a competent family of insertion compounds for sodium-ion batteries. In the current study, we have investigated the binary Na2 - x(Fe1 - yMny)P2O7 (0 <= y <= 1) pyrophosphate family, synthesized by the classical solid-state method. They form a continuous solid solution maintaining triclinic P-1 (#2) symmetry. The local structural coordination differs mainly by different degrees of Na site occupancy and preferential occupation of the Fe2 site by Mn. The structural and magnetic properties of these mixed-metal pyrophosphate phases have been studied. In each case, complete Fe3+/Fe2+ redox activity has been obtained centered at 3 V vs. Na. The Fe3+/Fe2+ redox process involves multiple steps between 2.5 and 3 V owing to Na-cation ordering during electrochemical cycling, which merge to form a broad single Fe3+/Fe2+ redox peak upon progressive Mn-doping. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

High Proton Mobility, Solvent Induced Single Crystal to Single Crystal Structural Transformation, and Related Studies on a Family of Compounds Formed from Mn-3 Oxo-Clusters

The reaction between 4,4'-sulfonyldibenzoic acid (H(2)SDBA) and manganese under mild conditions resulted in the isolation of two new three-dimensional compounds, Mn-4(C14H8O6S)(4)(DMA)(2)]center dot 3DMA, I, and Mn-3(C14H8O6S)(3)(DMA)(2)(MeOH)]center dot DMA, IIa. Both structures have Mn-3 trimer oxo cluster units. While the Mn-3 oxoclusters are connected through octahedral manganese forming one-dimensional Mn-O-Mn chains in I, the Mn-3 units are isolated in IIa. The SDBA units connect the Mn-O-Mn chains and the Mn-3 clusters giving rise to the three-dimensional structure. Both compounds have coordinated and free solvent molecules. In IIa, two different solvent molecules are coordinated, of which one solvent can be reversibly exchanged by a variety of other similar solvents via a solvent-mediated single crystal to single crystal (SCSC) transformation. The free lattice DMA solvent molecules in I can be exchanged by water molecules resulting in hydrophilic channels. Proton conductivity studies on I reveals a high proton mobility with conductivity values of similar to 0.87 x 10(-3) Omega(-1) cm(-1) at 34 degrees C and 98% RH, which is comparable to some of the good proton conductivity values observed in inorganic coordination polymers. We have also shown structural transformation of I to IIa through a possible dissolution and recrystallization pathway. In addition, both I and IIa appear to transform to two other manganese compounds H3O]Mn-3(mu(3)-OH)(C14H8O6S)(3)(H2O)](DMF)(5) and H3O](2)Mn-7(mu 3-OH)(4)(C14H8O6S)(6)(H2O)(4)](H2O)(2)(DMF)(8) under suitable reaction conditions. We have partially substituted Co in place of Mn in the Mn-3 trimer clusters forming CoMn2(C14H8O6S)(3)(DMA)(2)(EtOH)]center dot DMA, III, a structure that is closely related to IIa. All the compounds reveal antiferromagnetic behavior. On heating, the cobalt substituted phase (compound III) forms a CoMn2O4 spinel phase with particle sizes in the nanometer range.

Effect of lateral substituent and chain length on mesomorphic properties of novel alkoxy benzyloxy benzoates of cyanophenyl rod-shaped compounds

Three novel homologous series of rod-shaped cyanophenyl alkoxy benzoate liquid crystalline compounds with lateral polar fluorine and chlorine substituent were prepared, and chemical structures of novel materials have been characterized by standard spectral technique and elemental analysis. The mesophase characterization was carried out using the combination of polarized optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. All the compounds exhibit wide thermal range of enantiotropic SmA phase.