Critical resistivity in impurity doped binary liquid mixtures

The electrical resistance of the critical binary liquid system C6H12+(CH3CO)2O is measured both in the pure form and when the system is doped with small amounts (≈ 100 ppm) of H2O impurities. Near Tc, the resistance varies as dR/dT = A1+A2 (T-Tc)-b with b ≈ 0.35. Neither the critical exponent b nor the amplitude ratio A1/A2 are affected by the impurities. A sign reversal of dR/dT is noticed at high temperatures T much greater-than Tc.

Thermal expansion of doped lanthanum gallates

Thermal expansion of several compositions of Sr and Mg-doped LaGaO3 including an A-site deficient composition (La0.9Sr0.1)(0.98)(Ga0.8Mg0.2)O-2.821 were measured in the temperature range from 298 to 1273 K. The effect of doping on thermal expansion was studied by varying the composition at one site of the perovskite structure (either A or B), while keeping the composition at the other site invariant. Thermal expansion varied nonlinearly with temperature and exhibited an inflexion between 550 and 620 K, probably related to the change in crystal structure from orthorhombic to rhombohedral. The dependence of average thermal expansion coefficient (alpha (av)) on the dopant concentration on either A or B site of the perovskite structure was found to be linear, when the composition at the other site was kept constant. Mg doping on the B-site had a greater effect on the average thermal expansion coefficient than Sr doping on the A-site. Cation deficiency at the A-site decreases thermal expansion when compositions at both sites are held constant.

Three different co-ordination geometries in the pentacopper(II) unit of [Cu5(OH)2(H2O)(O2CMe)6(Him)4][ClO4]2(Him = imidazole)

The reaction of imidazole (Him) with [Cu2(µ-O2CMe)4(H2O)2] in water–NaClO4 led to the formation of a polynuclear copper(II) complex, [Cu5(OH)2(H2O)(O2CMe)6(Him)4][ClO4]21, in which the pentanuclear units, showing four, five and six co-ordination geometries for the copper(II) centres and Cu Cu distances of 3.043(1), 3.178(1) and 3.578(1)Å, were linked by aqua bridges to give an intra-chain inter-unit Cu Cu separation of 4.507(1)Å.

Analysis of co-current hydraircooling of food products in bulk

A mathematical model is developed to describe the hydraircooling process when the water and air are flowing in the same direction. The governing equations for the simultaneous heat and mass transfer are solved using finite-difference numerical methods. The half cooling time of the food products is correlated as a function of the dimensionless process parameters. It is observed that a process time of approximately double the half cooling time will result in the food products attaining almost a steady state. The process times of the bulk hydraircooling process and the bulk air precooling process are compared.

Chemical toughening of epoxies. I. Structural modification of epoxy resins by reaction with hydroxy-terminated poly (butadiene-co-acrylonitrile)

In an attempt to toughen the epoxy resin matrix for fiber-reinforced composite applications, a chemical modification procedure of a commercially available bisphenol-A-based epoxy resin using reactive liquid rubber HTBN [hydroxy-terminated poly(butadiene-co-acrylonitrile)] and TDI (tolylene diisocyanate) is described. The progress of the reaction and the structural changes during modification process are studied using IR spectroscopy, viscosity data, and chemical analysis (epoxy value determination). The studies support the proposition that TDI acts as a coupling agent between the epoxy and HTBN, forming a urethane linkage with the former and an oxazolidone ring with the latter. The chemical reactions that possibly take place during the modification are discussed.

Magnetic properties of pure, Sr- and Ca-Doped La2NiO4+δ ceramics: Onset of high-Tc superconductivity

We present the results for the temperature and field dependence of the magnetic for ceramic materials of the composition La2−xMxNiO4, with M=Sr or Ca and 0≤x≤0.4. The onset of a strong diamagnetism has been observed at temperatures between 8 and 70 K, depending on sample composition, annealing conditions. and thermal cycling procedures. The results are similar to those obtained earlier for monocrystalline samples and are likewise interpreted as due to the onset of superconductivity in a minority phase. A comparison with the results for superconducting La1.8Sr0.2Cu0.9Ni0.1O4 ceramics is also made; this illustrates some unique features of the nickelate systems, such as the high values of the critical fields Hc1 and Hc2. The differences between monocrystalline and ceramic systems are also discussed.

An unusual axial co-ordination of phenolate oxygen to copper(II): crystal structure of chloro(2-[bis(2-pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl]-4-nitrophenolato)copper(II)

A tripod ligand possessing two pyridine moieties and a phenolato group as pendants forms a mononuclear complex with an axial copper(II)–phenolate co-ordination in a square-pyramidal environment.

A porphyrin bearing tetrahydrothiophene pickets; co-ordination behaviour and electron transfer

A novel ‘picket-fence’ porphyrin, 5,10,15,20-tetrakis[o-(tetrahydro-2-thenoylamino)phenyl]porphyrin (H2L) with ligating tetrahydrothiophene rings disposed perpendicular to the porphyrin plane has been synthesised. Its zinc(II) derivative, [ZnL], binds two silver(I) ions co-operatively with a dissociation constant of 4.8 × 10–8 dm3 mol–1. Time-resolved fluorescence lifetime measurements reveal the presence of intramolecular photoexcited electron transfer in this donor–acceptor system.

Electronic states in a disordered metal: Magnetotransport in doped germanium

We observe a sharp feature in the ultra-low-temperature magnetoconductivity of degenerately doped Ge:Sb at H∼25 kOe, which is robust up to at least three times the critical density for the insulator-metal transition. This field corresponds to a low-energy scale characteristic of the special nature of antimony donors in germanium. Its presence and sensitivity to uniaxial stress confirm the notion of metallic impurity bands in doped germanium.

Electron energy loss spectroscopic study of Cr(CO)6, Mo(CO)6 and W(CO)6 in the vapour phase

Electron energy loss spectra (EELS) of Cr, Mo and W hexacarbonyls in the vapour phase are reported. Most of the bands observed are similar to those in optical spectra, but the two high energy transitions in the 9·8–11·2 eV region are reported here for the first time. Based on the orbital energies from the ultraviolet photoelectron spectra and the electronic transition energies from EELS and earlier optical studies, the molecular energy level schemes of these molecules are constructed.

Chemical toughening of epoxies. II. Mechanical, thermal, and microscopic studies of epoxies toughened with hydroxyl-terminated poly(butadiene-co-acrylonitrile)

Diglycidyl ether–bisphenol-A-based epoxies toughened with various levels (0–12%) of chemically reacted liquid rubber, hydroxyl-terminated poly(butadiene-co-acrylonitrile) (HTBN) were studied for some of the mechanical and thermal properties. Although the ultimate tensile strength showed a continuous decrease with increasing rubber content, the toughness as measured by the area under the stress-vs.-strain curve and flexural strength reach a maximum around an optimum rubber concentration of 3% before decreasing. Tensile modulus was found to increase for concentrations below 6%. The glass transition temperature Tg as measured by DTA showed no variation for the toughened formulations. The TGA showed no variations in the pattern of decomposition. The weight losses for the toughened epoxies at elevated temperatures compare well with that of the neat epoxy. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of a dual phase morphology with the spherical rubber particles precipitating out in the cured resin with diameter varying between 0.33 and 6.3 μm. In contrast, a physically blended rubber–epoxy showed much less effect towards toughening with the precipitated rubber particles of much bigger diameter (0.6–21.3 μm).

Chemical toughening of epoxies. I. Structural modification of epoxy resins by reaction with hydroxy-terminated poly(butadiene-co-acrylonitrile)

In an attempt to toughen the epoxy resin matrix for fiber-reinforced composite applications, a chemical modification procedure of a commercially available bisphenol-A-based epoxy resin using reactive liquid rubber HTBN [hydroxy-terminated poly(butadiene-co-acrylonitrile)] and TDI (tolylene diisocyanate) is described. The progress of the reaction and the structural changes during modification process are studied using IR spectroscopy, viscosity data, and chemical analysis (epoxy value determination). The studies support the proposition that TDI acts as a coupling agent between the epoxy and HTBN, forming a urethane linkage with the former and an oxazolidone ring with the latter. The chemical reactions that possibly take place during the modification are discussed.

AC impedance spectroscopic characterization of 10 mol% MgO doped ZnO varistors

The performance parameters e.g. non-linear coefficient (α) and breakdown electric field (Eb1mA/cm2) of ZnO based ceramic varistors were found to improve after the addition of 10 mol% MgO. The improvement in the varistor properties is examined by ac impedance spectroscopy technique in the frequency range (1 Hz–10 MHz) between temperature 25–250°C and understood in terms of differing contributions from the equivalent electrical circuit elements.