Electrochemical oxidation of an acid dye by active chlorine generated using Ti/Sn(1-x)Ir O-x(2) electrodes

The generation of active chlorine on Ti/Sn(1-x)Ir (x) O-2 anodes, with different compositions of Ir (x = 0.01, 0.05, 0.10 and 0.30 ), was investigated by controlled current density electrolysis. Using a low concentration of chloride ions (0.05 mol L-1) and a low current density (5 mA cm(-2)) it was possible to produce up to 60 mg L-1 of active chlorine on a Ti/Sn0.99Ir0.01O2 anode. The feasibility of the discoloration of a textile acid azo dye, acid red 29 dye (C.I. 16570), was also investigated with in situ electrogenerated active chlorine on Ti/Sn(1-x)Ir (x) O-2 anodes. The best conditions for 100% discoloration and maximum degradation (70% TOC reduction) were found to be: NaCl pH 4, 25 mA cm(-2) and 6 h of electrolysis. It is suggested that active chlorine generation and/or powerful oxidants such as chlorine radicals and hydroxyl radicals are responsible for promoting faster dye degradation. Rate constants calculated from color decay versus time reveal a zero order reaction at dye concentrations up to 1.0 x 10(-4) mol L-1. Effects of other electrolytes, dye concentration and applied density currents also have been investigated and are discussed.

Structural effects of Li and K additives on the columbite precursor and 0.9PMN-0.1PT powders

Single-phase perovskite 0.9Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O-3-0.1PbTiO(3) (PMN-PT) powders were prepared by using a Ti-modified columbite precursor (MNT) obtained by the polymeric precursor method. The innovation consists in the preparation of Ti-modified columbite in order to react directly with a stoichiometric amount of PbO to obtain pyrochlore-free PMN-PT powders. It has been shown that titanium oxide forms a solid solution with columbite (MN) and does not affect the obtaining of a single-phase columbite precursor. Thus, a high amount of perovskite phase can be obtained by reaction with PbO at 800 degreesC for 2 h. Effects of K and Li additives on the structure of MNT and PMN-PT were studied. X-ray diffraction studies were carried out to verify the phase formation at each processing step and these data were used for structural refinement by the Rietveld method. Both K and Li additives increase the crystallinity of MNT powders, being this effect more intense for the Li-doped samples. For PMN-PT samples the additives cause an insignificant decrease in the amount of perovskite phase. The morphology of the PMN-PT powder depends on the type of the additive. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.

Hexagonal-shaped tin glycolate particles: A preliminary study of their suitability as li-ion insertion electrodes

Tin glycolate particles were prepared by a simple, one-step, polyol-mediated synthesis in air in which tin oxalate precursor was added to ethylene glycol and heated at reflux. Hexagonal-shaped, micron-sized tin glycolate particles were formed when the solution had cooled. A series of tin oxides was produced by calcination of the synthesized tin glycolate at 600-800 degrees C. It was revealed that the micron-sized, hexagonal-shaped tin glycolate now consisted of nanosized tin-based particles (80-120 nm), encapsulated within a tin glycolate shell. XRD, TGA, and FT-IR measurements were conducted to account for the three-dimensional growth of the tin glycolate particles. When applied as an anode material for Li-ion batteries, the synthesized tin glycolate particles showed good electro-chemical reactivity in Li-ion insertion/ deinsertion, retaining a specific capacity of 416mAhg(-1) beyond 50cycles. Ibis performance was significantly better than those of all the other tin oxides nanoparticles (< 160mAhg(-1)) obtained after heat treatment in air. We strongly believe that the buffering of the volume expansion by the glycolate upon Li-Sn alloying is the main factor for the improved cycling of the electrode.

The effect of TiO(2) on the microstructural and electrical properties of low voltage varistor based on (Sn,Ti)O(2) ceramics

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Intercalation processes and diffusion paths of lithium ions in spinel-type structured Li(1+x)Ti(2)O(4): Density functional theory study

Intercalation processes and corresponding diffusion paths of Li ions into spinel-type structured Li(1+x)Ti(2)O(4) (0 <= x <= 0.375) are systematically studied by means of periodic density functional theory calculations for different compositions and arrangements. An analysis of the site preference for intercalation processes is carried out, while energy barriers for the diffusion paths have been computed in detail. Our results indicate that the Li insertion is thermodynamically favorable at octahedral sites 16c in the studied composition range, and Li migration from tetrahedral sites 8a to octahedral sites 16c stabilizes the structure and becomes favorable for compositions x >= 0.25. Diffusion paths from less stable arrangements involving Li migrations between tetrahedral and octahedral sites exhibit the lowest energy barrier since the corresponding trajectories and energy profiles take place across a triangle made by three neighboring oxygen anions without structural modification. Theoretical and experimental diffusion coefficients are in reasonable agreement.

Measurement of the pp(-)-> W gamma plus X cross section at root s=1.96 TeV and WW gamma anomalous coupling limits

The WWγ triple gauge boson coupling parameters are studied using pp̄rarr; νγ+X(=e,μ) events at s=1.96 TeV. The data were collected with the D0 detector from an integrated luminosity of 162pb-1 delivered by the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. The cross section times branching fraction for pp̄→W(γ)+X→ νγ+X with ETγ>8 GeV and ΔR γ> 0.7 is 14.8±1.6(stat)±1.0(syst) ±1.0(lum)pb. The one-dimensional 95% confidence level limits on anomalous couplings are -0.88<Δκγ<0.96 and -0. 20<λγ<0.20. © 2005 The American Physical Society.

Measurement of orthovoltage X-ray intensity with a lithium niobate transducer

A microcontrolled instrument for measuring the energy fluence rate (or intensity) of X-ray pulses in the orthovoltage range of 120 to 300 kV is described. The prototype instrument consists of a pyroelectric sensor, a low-noise highsensitivity current-to-voltage converter, a microcontroller and a digital display. The response of the instrument is nonlinear with the intensity of the radiation. The precision is better than 3%. The equipment is inexpensive, rugged, simple to construct and has good long-term stability. © 2009 Springer-Verlag.

Prompt and non-prompt J/ψ production in pp collisions at √s =7 TeV

The production of J/ψ mesons is studied in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV with the CMS experiment at the LHC. The measurement is based on a dimuon sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 314 nb-1. The J/ψ differential cross section is determined, as a function of the J/ψ transverse momentum, in three rapidity ranges. A fit to the decay length distribution is used to separate the prompt from the non-prompt (b hadron to J/ψ) component. Integrated over J/ψ transverse momentum from 6.5 to 30 GeV/c and over rapidity in the range {pipe}y{pipe} < 2.4, the measured cross sections, times the dimuon decay branching fraction, are 70.9 ± 2.1(stat.) ± 3.0(syst.) ± 7.8(luminosity) nb for prompt J/ψ mesons assuming unpolarized production and 26.0 ± 1.4(stat.) ± 1.6(syst.) ± 2.9(luminosity) nb for J/ψ mesons from b-hadron decays. © CERN for the benefit of the CMS collaboration 2011.

Measurements of inclusive W and Z cross sections in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV The CMS collaboration

Measurements of inclusive W and Z boson production cross sections in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV are presented, based on 2.9 pb-1 of data recorded by the CMS detector at the LHC. The measurements, performed in the electron and muon decay channels, are combined to give σ(pp → WX) × B(W → l?) = 9.95 ± 0.07 (stat.) ± 0.28 (syst.) ± 1.09 (lumi.) nb and σ(pp → ZX) × B(Z → l +l-) = 0.931 ± 0.026 (stat.) ± 0.023 (syst.) ± 0.102 (lumi.) nb, where l stands for either e or μ. Theoretical predictions, calculated at the next-to-next-to-leading order in QCD using recent parton distribution functions, are in agreement with the measured cross sections. Ratios of cross sections, which incur an experimental systematic uncertainty of less than 4%, are also reported.

Measurement of the Drell-Yan cross section in pp collisions at √ s = 7 TeV

The Drell-Yan differential cross section is measured in pp collisions at √ s = 7TeV, from a data sample collected with the CMS detector at the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36 pb-1. The cross section measurement, normalized to the measured cross section in the Z region, is reported for both the dimuon and dielectron channels in the dilepton invariant mass range 15{600 GeV. The normalized cross section values are quoted both in the full phase space and within the detector acceptance. The effect of final state radiation is also identified. The results are found to agree with theoretical predictions. Copyright CERN.

Charged particle transverse momentum spectra in pp collisions at √s = 0:9 and 7 TeV

The charged particle transverse momentum (pT) spectra are presented for pp collisions at √s = 0:9 and 7TeV. The data samples were collected with the CMS detector at the LHC and correspond to integrated luminosities of 231 μb-1 and 2.96 pb-1, respectively. Calorimeter-based high-transverse-energy triggers are employed to enhance the statistical reach of the high-pT measurements. The results are compared with leading and next-toleading order QCD and with an empirical scaling of measurements at different collision energies using the scaling variable xT - 2pT=ps over the pT range up to 136 GeV/c. Using a combination of xT scaling and direct interpolation at fixed pT, a reference transverse momentum spectrum at √s = 2:76TeV is constructed, which can be used for studying high-pT particle suppression in the dense QCD medium produced in heavy-ion collisions at that centre-of-mass energy. Copyright CERN.

Search for supersymmetry in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV in events with a single lepton, jets, and missing transverse momentum

Results are reported from a search for physics beyond the standard model in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 7TeV, focusing on the signature with a single, isolated, high-transverse-momentum lepton (electron or muon), energetic jets, and large missing transverse momentum. The data sample comprises an integrated luminosity of 36 pb-1, recorded by the CMS experiment at the LHC. The search is motivated by models of new physics, including supersymmetry. The observed event yields are consistent with standard model backgrounds predicted using control samples obtained from the data. The characteristics of the event sample are consistent with those expected for the production of tt̄ and W+jets events. The results are interpreted in terms of limits on the parameter space for the constrained minimal supersymmetric extension of the standard model.

Measurement of the lepton charge asymmetry in inclusive W production in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV

A measurement of the lepton charge asymmetry in inclusive pp → WX production at √s = 7TeV is presented based on data recorded by the CMS detector at the LHC and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36 pb -1. This high precision measurement of the lepton charge asymmetry, performed in both the W → eν and W → μν channels, provides new insights into parton distribution functions. Copyright CERN.

Measurement of the underlying event activity at the LHC with √s = 7 TeV and comparison with √s = 0:9 TeV

A measurement of the underlying activity in events with a jet of transverse momentum in the several GeV region is performed in proton-proton collisions at √ s = 0:9 and 7TeV, using data collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC. The production of charged particles with pseudorapidity |η|<2 and transverse momentum pT >0:5 GeV/c is studied in the azimuthal region transverse to that of the leading set of charged particles forming a track-jet. A significant growth of the average multiplicity and scalar-pT sum of the particles in the transverse region is observed with increasing pT of the leading trackjet, followed by a much slower rise above a few GeV/c. For track-jet pT larger than a few GeV/c, the activity in the transverse region is approximately doubled with a centreof- mass energy increase from 0:9 to 7TeV. Predictions of several QCD-inspired models as implemented in pythia are compared to the data.

J/ψ and ψ (2S) production in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV

A measurement of the J/ ψ and ψ (2S) production cross sections in pp collisions at √s = 7TeV with the CMS experiment at the LHC is presented. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 37 pb -1. Using a fit to the invariant mass and decay length distributions, production cross sections have been measured separately for prompt and non-prompt charmonium states, as a function of the meson transverse momentum in several rapidity ranges and integrated in the kinematical regions considered in this study. In addition, cross sections restricted to the acceptance of the CMS detector are given, which are not affected by the polarization of the charmonium states. The ratio of the differential production cross sections of the two states, where systematic uncertainties largely cancel, is also determined. The branching fraction of the inclusive B → ψ (2S)X decay is extracted from the ratio of the non-prompt cross sections to be: B(B → ψ (2S)X) = (3:08 ± 0:12 (stat.+syst.) ± 0:13 (theor.) ± 0:42 (BPDG)) × 10 -3: B(B → ψ(2S)X) = (3.08 ± 0.12 (stat.+syst.) ± 0.13 (theor.) ± 0.42 (B PDG)) × 10 -3.