On the Magnetic Ground State of La(0.85)Sr(0.15)CoO(3) Single Crystals

We present an extensive study on magnetic and transport properties of La(0.85)Sr(0.15)CoO(3) single crystals grown by a float zone method to address the issue of phase separation versus spin-glass (SG) behavior. The dc magnetization study reveals a kink in field-cooled magnetization, and the peak in the zero-field-cooling curve shifts to lower temperature at modest dc fields, indicating the SG magnetic phase. The ac susceptibility study exhibits a considerable frequency-dependent peak shift (similar to 4 K) and a time-dependent memory effect below the freezing temperature. In addition, the characteristic time scale tau(0) estimated from the frequency-dependent ac susceptibility measurement is found to be similar to 10(-13) s, which matches well with typical values observed in canonical SG systems. The transport relaxation study evidently demonstrates the time-dependent glassy phenomena. In essence, all our experimental results corroborate the existence of SG behavior in La(0.85)Sr(0.15)CoO(3) single crystals.

Chemically functionalized glassy carbon spheres: a new covalent bulk modified composite electrode for the simultaneous determination of lead and cadmium

A new type of covalent bulk modified glassy carbon composite electrode has been fabricated and utilized in the simultaneous determination of lead and cadmium ions in aqueous medium. The covalent bulk modification was achieved by the chemical reduction of 2-hydroxybenzoic acid diazonium tetrafluroborate in the presence of hypophosphorous acid as a chemical reducing agent. The covalent attachment of the modifier molecule was examined by studying Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and the surface morphology was examined by scanning electron microscopy images. The electrochemistry of modified glassy carbon spheres was studied by its cyclic voltammetry to decipher the complexing ability of the modifier molecules towards Pb2+ and Cd2+ ions. The developed sensor showed a linear response in the concentration range 1-10 mu M with a detection limit of 0.18 and 0.20 mu M for lead and cadmium, respectively. The applicability of the proposed sensor has been checked by measuring the lead and cadmium levels quantitatively from sewage water and battery effluent samples.

Time evolution of resistance in response to magnetic field: Evidence of glassy transport in La0.85Sr0.15CoO3

We demonstrate the distinct glassy transport phenomena associated with the phase separated and spin-glass-like phases of La0.85Sr0.15CoO3, prepared under different heat-treatment conditions. The low-temperature annealed (phase-separated) sample, exhibits a small change in resistance, with evolution of time, as compared to the high-temperature annealed (spin glass) one. However, the resistance change as a function of time, in both cases, is well described by a stretched exponential fit, signifying the slow dynamics. Moreover, the ultraviolet spectroscopy study evidences a relatively higher density of states in the vicinity of EF for low-temperature annealed sample and this correctly points to its less semiconducting behavior.

In Situ Observations On The Fracture Process Of Metallic Glassy Ribbons

Crack propagation and strain field evolution in two metallic glassy ribbons are studied using in situ scanning electron microscopy and the white digital speckle correlation method. Strain state at the crack tip, which depends heavily on the fracture toughness, plays a key role in fracture. A high degree of shear strain concentration in tough glassy ribbon can satisfy the critical shear strain, resulting in shear fracture, whereas a high degree of linear strain concentration in brittle glassy ribbon can initiate normal tensile fracture. (C) 2008 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Preparation and the investigation of its electrochemical and photoluminescent characteristics of organic-inorganic hybrid multilayers containing europium-substituted heteropolytung state

Photoluminescent multilayers were fabricated by layer-by-layer deposition between europium-substituted heteropolytungstate K-13 [Eu(SiW11O39)(2)].28H(2)O (denoted ESW) and a cationic polymer of quaternized poly(4-vinylpyridine) partially complexed with osmium bis(2,2'-bipyridine) (denoted as QPVP-Os) on glassy carbon and quartz substrates. The resulting photoluminescent organic-inorganic hybrid multilayers were characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, UV-Vis absorption spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry and photoluminescence spectra. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, UV-Vis absorption spectrometry and cyclic voltammetry results demonstrated that the multilayers were regular growth each layer adsorption. The photoluminescent properties of the films at room temperature were investigated to show the characteristic Eu3+ emission pattern of D-5(0) --> (7) F-j.

Synthesis of PtNPs/AQ/Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) colloid and its application as a sensitive solid-state electrochemiluminescence sensor material

The facile synthesis of the novel platinum nanoparticles/Eastman AQ55D/ruthenium(II) tris( bipyridine) (PtNPs/ AQ/Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)) colloidal material for ultrasensitive ECL solid-state sensors was reported for the first time. The cation ion-exchanger AQ was used not only to immobilize ECL active species Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) but also as the dispersant of PtNPs. Colloidal characterization was accomplished by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS), and UV-vis spectroscopy. Directly coating the as-prepared colloid on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode produces an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor. The electronic conductivity and electroactivity of PtNPs in composite film made the sensor exhibit faster electron transfer, higher ECL intensity of Ru(bpy)(3)(2+), and a shorter equilibration time than Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) immobilized in pure AQ film. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the combination of PtNPs and permselective cation exchanger made the sensor exhibite excellent ECL behavior and stability and a very low limit of detection (1 x 10(-15) M) of tripropylamine with application prospects in bioanalysis. This method was very simple, effective, and low cost.

Copper hexacyanoferrate multilayer films on glassy carbon electrode modified with 4-aminobenzoic acid in aqueous solution

4-Aminobenzoic acid (4-ABA) was covalently grafted on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) by amine cation radical formation during the electrooxidation process in 0.1 M KCl aqueous Solution. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurement proves the presence of 4-carboxylphenylamine on the GCE. Electron transfer processes of Fe(CN)(6)(3-) in solutions of various pHs at the modified electrode are studied by both cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Changing the solution pH would result in the variation of the terminal group's charge state, based on which the surface pK(a) values were estimated. The copper hexacyanoferrate (CuHCF) multilayer films were formed on 4-ABA/GCE prepared in aqueous solution, and which exhibit good electrochemical behavior with high stability.

Ion channel behavior of supported bilayer lipid membranes on a glassy carbon electrode

A new kind of solid substrate, a glassy carbon (GC) electrode, was selected to support lipid layer membranes. On the surface of the GC electrode, we made layers of didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (a synthetic lipid). From electrochemical impedance experiments, we demonstrated that the lipid layers on the GC electrode were bilayer lipid membranes. We studied the ion channel behavior of the supported bilayer lipid membrane. In the presence of perchlorate anions as the stimulus and ruthenium(II) complex cations as the marker ions, the lipid membrane channel was open and exhibited distinct channel current. The channel was in a closed state in the absence of perchlorate anions.

Covalent modification of a glassy carbon surface by 4-aminobenzoic acid and its application in fabrication of a polyoxometalates-consisting monolayer and multilayer films

4-Aminobenzoic acid (4-ABA) was covalently grafted on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) by amine cation radical formation in the electrooxidation process of the amino-containing compound. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurement proves the presence of 4-carboxylphenylamine monolayer on the GCE. The redox responses of various electroactive probes were investigated on the 4-ABA-modified GCE. Electron transfer to Fe(CN)(6)(3-) in solutions of various pHs was studied by both cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance analysis on the modified electrode. Changes in the solution pH value result in the variation of the terminal group charge state, based on which surface pK(a) values are estimated. The 4-ABA-modified GCE was used as a suitable charged substrate to fabricate polyoxometalates-consisting (POM-consisting) monolayer and multilayer films through layer-by-layer assembly based on electrostatic attraction. Cyclic voltammetry shows the uniform growth of these three-dimensional multilayer films. Taking K10H3[Pr-(SiMo7W4O39)(2)]. H2O (abbreviated as Pr(SiMo7W4)(2)), for example, the preparation and electrochemical behavior of its monolayer and multilayer film had been investigated in detail. This modification strategy is proven to be a general one suitable for anchoring many kinds of POMs on the 4-ABA-modified GCE.

In-situ FTIR study on adsorption and oxidation of native and thermally denatured calf thymus DNA at glassy carbon electrodes

In-situ Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectra of native and thermally denatured calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) adsorbed and/or oxidized at a glassy carbon (GC) electrode surface are reported. The adsorption of native DNA occurs throughout the potential range (-0.2 similar to 1.3 V) studied, and the adsorbing state of DNA at electrode surface is changed from through the C=O band of bases and pyrimidine rings to through the C=O of cytosine and imidazole rings while the potential shifts negatively from 1.3 V to -0.2 V. An in-situ FTIR spectrum of native CT DNA adsorbed at GC electrode surface is similar to that of the dissolved DNA, indicating that the structure of CT DNA is not distorted while it is adsorbed at the GC electrode surface. In the potential range of -0.2 similar to 1.30 V, the temperature-denatured CT DNA is adsorbed at the electrode surface first, then undergoes electrochemical oxidation reaction and following that, diffuses away from the electrode surface. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Oxidation of NADH by dopamine incorporated in lipid film cast onto a glassy carbon electrode

Stable lipid film was made by casting lipid in chloroform onto a glassy carbon electrode. This model of a biological membrane was used to investigate the oxidation of dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) by dopamine. After this electrode had been immersed in dopamine solution for 10 h, it was found that some dopamine had been incorporated in the film. The cyclic voltammogram was obtained for the oxidation of 2.0 X 10(-3) mol 1(-1) NADH with dopamine incorporated in the films. All electrochemical experiments were performed in 0.005 mol 1(-1) phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) containing 0.1 mol 1(-1) NaCl without oxygen. The oxidation current increased gradually with successive sweeps and reached steady state. It was a different phenomenon from previous results. The anodic overpotential was reduced by about 130 mV compared with that obtained at a bare glassy carbon electrode. The diffusion coefficient for 2.0 X 10(-3) mol 1(-1) NADH was 6.7 X 10(-6) cm(2) s(-1). (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.

In-situ Fourier transform infrared spectroelectrochemistry as a probe of the glassy carbon electrode chemically modified by nickel (II)-cyanometallates

A new nickel (II)-cyanometallates modified on glassy carbon electrode was prepared by a new method and studied by cyclic voltammetry and in situ Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroelectrochemistry. It was found that the NiHCF film existed in two forms: Ni2Fe(II)-(CN)(6) and M2NiFe(II)(CN)(6), Fe(CN)(3)(6-) codeposited in the NiHCF film existing in free cation or bridged-bond state depended on the property of the cations in electrolyte: in NaCl and LiCl solution, it is in bridges-bonded, but in HCl and KCl, it is free.

In-situ FTIR spectroelectrochemical study of chromium hexacyanoferrate on glassy carbon electrode

Chromium hexacyanoferrate (CrHCF) modified grassy carbon electrode (GC) in different electrolytes was studied by cyclic voltammetry and in situ FTIR spectroelectrochemistry. The results indicate that the behavior of CrHCF firm can be understood in term of two structures: Cr1/3Cr(III)Fe(II)(CN), and MCr(III)Fe(II)(CN)(6). Besides,the film exists in amorphous state: the outer layer is porous film, while the inner layer is relatively compact. According to the electrochemical reaction of CrHCF, the lattice can contract and expand with the cations' diffusion.

The direct electrochemistry of cryo-hydrogel immobilized myoglobin at a glassy carbon electrode

A cryo-hydrogel membrane (CHM) immobilized at a glassy carbon (GC) electrode is reported for the direct electron transfer of redox proteins. The most attractive characteristics of this CHM were its hydrophilic micro-environment for incorporated proteins to retain their activities, its high ability for protection against interference of denatured and adsorbed proteins at the electrode, its potential applications for various proteins or enzymes, as well as its high mechanical strength and thermal stability. A clear well developed and stable redox wave was obtained for commercially available horse heart myoglobin without further purification, giving a peak to peak separation Delta E(p) = 93 mV at 5 mV s(-1) and the formal electrode potential E(0)' = -0.158 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The formal heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant was calculated as k(0)' = 5.7 X 10(-4) cm s(-1) at pH 6.5, showing rapid electron transfer was achieved. The pH controlled conformational equilibria, acid state --> natural state --> basic I state --> basic II state, of myoglobin at the CHM GC electrode in the pH range 0-13.8 were also observed and are discussed in detail.

ELECTROOXIDATION OF A CHLORIDE COMPLEX OF PLATINUM(II) AT A GLASSY-CARBON ELECTRODE

The electro-oxidation of PtCl42- was studied on a glassy carbon (GC) electrode. A Pt(IV) complex was formed on the electrode surface through coordination to the oxygen atom of an oxide functional group on the electrode, which results in its deactivation. The ferri/ferrocyanide redox couple was used as a probe to examine the activity of the GC electrode. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was employed to characterize the platinum on the electrode surface, and showed that the oxidation state of the Pt element changes depending on the electrochemical treatment of GC electrode. The platinum complex on the surface of the GC electrode can be transformed to Pt-0 by cycling the electrode between -0.25 and +1.65 V/SCE in 0.1 M H2SO4 solution. The above procedure can be used to disperse platinum ultramicroparticles on the surface of a GC electrode.