An investigation of the kinetics of CO2 uptake by a synthetic calcium based sorbent

This study examines the kinetics of carbonation by CO2 at temperatures of ca. 750 °C of a synthetic sorbent composed of 15 wt% mayenite (Ca12Al14O33) and CaO, designated HA-85-850, and draws comparisons with the carbonation of a calcined limestone. In-situ XRD has verified the inertness of mayenite, which neither interacts with the active CaO nor does it significantly alter the CaO carbonation–calcination equilibrium. An overlapping grain model was developed to predict the rate and extent of carbonation of HA-85-850 and limestone. In the model, the initial microstructure of the sorbent was defined by a discretised grain size distribution, assuming spherical grains. The initial input to the model – the size distribution of grains – was a fitted parameter, which was in good agreement with measurements made with mercury porosimetry and by the analysis of SEM images of sectioned particles. It was found that the randomly overlapping spherical grain assumption offered great simplicity to the model, despite its approximation to the actual porous structure within a particle. The model was able to predict the performance of the materials well and, particularly, was able to account for changes in rate and extent of reaction as the structure evolved after various numbers of cycles of calcination and carbonation.

Synthesis, characterization, and self-assembly of protein lysozyme monolayer-stabilized gold nanoparticles

Lysozyme monolayer-protected gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) which are hydrophilic and biocompatible and show excellent colloidal stability at low temperature, ca. 4 degrees C, were synthesized in aqueous medium by chemical reduction of HAuCl4 with NaBH4 in the presence of a familiar small enzyme, lysozyme. UV-vis spectra, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterization of the as prepared nanoparticles revealed the formation of well-dispersed An NPs of ca. 2 nm diameter. Moreover, the color change of the An NP solution as well as UV-vis spectroscopy and TEM measurements have also demonstrated the occurrence of Ostwald ripening of the nanoparticles at low temperature. Further characterization with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and dynamic light scattering indicated the formation of a monolayer of lysozyme molecules on the particle surface. FTIR data also indicated the intactness of the protein molecules coated on An NPs. All the characterization results showed that the monodisperse An NPs are well-coated directly with lysozyme. Driven by the dipole-dipole attraction, the protein-stabilized Au NPs self-assembled into network structures and nanowires upon aging under ambient temperature.

Well defined carbazole-based hole-transporting amorphous molecular materials

Monodisperse carbazole-based oligomers have been synthesized via C-N bonds formation by the modified Ullmann reaction. The full characterization of their structure is presented. These derivatives are highly thermally stable amorphous compounds with glass transition temperatures of 167-171 degrees C and thermal decomposition temperatures of ca. 400 degrees C. Amorphous films of the materials were fabricated and their hole-transporting properties were tested in a light emitting device with Alq(3) as an electroluminescent and electron-transporting material.

Calculation of chemical bond parameters in La1-xCaxCrO3 (0.0 <= x <= 0.3)

The chemical bond parameters, that is, bond covalency, bond susceptibility, and macroscopic linear susceptibility of La1-xCaxCrO3 (x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) has been calculated using a semiempirical method. This method is the generalization of the dielectric description theory proposed by Phillips, Van Vechten, Levine, and Tanaka (PVLT). In the calculation of bond valence, two schemes were adopted. One is the bond valence sums (BVS) scheme, and the other is the equal-valence scheme. Both schemes suggest that for the title compounds bond covalency and bond susceptibility are mainly influenced by bond valence and are insensitive to the Ca doping level or structural change. Larger bond valences usually result in higher bond covalency and bond susceptibility. The macroscopic linear susceptibility increases (only slightly for BVS scheme) with the increasing Ca doping level. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

电感耦合等离子体光谱和质谱法分析贻贝标准物质

采用电感耦合等离子体光谱和质谱法分析了贻贝标准物质,光谱法测定K、Na、ca���Mg、P、Al、Fe、Zn、Nn和Sr,质谱法测定As、B、Cd、Co、Cr、Cu、Ca���Ce、Mn、Mo、Ni、Pb、Se、Sr、U和V。在优化的工作条件下,测定了来自基体元素K、Na、Ca���P、Cl和C的多原子离子~(39)K~(16)O、~(39)K_2、~(40)Ar~(23)Na、~(43)Ca~(16)O、~(42)Ca~(16)O、~(44)Ca~(16)O、~(31)P~(16)O_2、~(40)Ar~(37)Cl、~(35)Cl~(16)O、~(37)Cl~(16)O和~(40)Ar~(12)C对~(55)Mn、~(78)Se、~(63)Cu、~(59)Co、~(58)Ni、~(60)Ni、~(75)As、~(77)Se、~(51)V、~(53)Cr和~(52)Cr的干扰系数以及HNO_3+H_2O_2(3+2)、HNO_3+HClO_4(3+0.5)和HNO_3+H_2SO_4(3+0.5)等3种样品消解方法在一些生物重要元素的同位素处产生的表观浓度。光谱法的检出限0.001～0.75mg/L;质谱法的检出限0....

REDOX THERMODYNAMICS OF CYTOCHROME-C AT THE BARE GLASSY-CARBON ELECTRODE

Investigation of the redox thermodynamics of horse heart cytochrome c at bare glassy carbon electrodes has been performed using cyclic voltammetry with a nonisothermal electrochemical cell. The thermodynamic parameters of the electron-transfer reaction of cytochrome c have been estimated in different component buffer solutions. The change DELTAS(re)-degrees in reaction center entropy and the formal potential E-degrees' (at 25-degrees-C, vs. standard hydrogen electrode (SHE)) for cytochrome c are found to be -64.1 J K-1 mol-1 and 0.251 V in phosphate buffer, -64.8 J K-1 mol-1 and 0.257 V in Tris + HCl buffer, -65.6 J K-1 mol-1 and 0.261 V in Tris+CH3COOH buffer (pH 7.0, ionic strength 100 mM). The temperature dependence of the formal potential obtained in phosphate buffer with or without NaCl in the range 5-55-degrees-C shows biphase characteristics in an alkaline solution with an intersection point at ca. 44-degrees-C or 42-degrees-C, which should be due to a structural change in the protein moiety of cytochrome c. However, in acidic and neutral solutions only a monotonic relationship between E-degrees' and temperature is observed. The effect of the buffer component on E-degrees' for cytochrome c is also discussed.

北京地区施硫肥对苜蓿品质及消化率的影响

在北京潮土地区施硫肥（S）显著提高了苜蓿粗蛋白和粗灰分含量，降低了粗纤维含量。苜蓿植株体内的S含量从0．19％提高到0．33％左右．增幅达50％～70％；同时施硫肥还提高了K的含量，但降低了P和Na的含量，显著降低了N：S。植株体内的S含量只与N、K含量高度正相关。施硫肥显著提高了含硫氨基酸（半胱氨酸和蛋氨酸）的含量；另外，还显著提高了第1，2茬的苏氨酸、丙氨酸和精氨酸的含量，对其他氨基酸含量的影响不一致。除谷氨酸和缬氨酸外．含硫氨基酸与其他氨基酸含量间均呈显著或极显著负相关。施硫肥还显著提高了干物质和有机质的消化率，而对粗蛋白的消化率影响不显著；干物质与有机质消化率与纤维索含量呈高度负相关．而与粗蛋白和粗灰分含量高度正相关。第1～3茬苜蓿适宜的含硫量范围分别为0.23％～0．38％，0．28％～0．37％和0．28％～0．38％，适宜的N：S为（9．0～12．8）：1。2种施硫肥的当年利用效率为87．5％和54．7％。

影响C4草本植物C／N比值变化的因素与土壤有机C积累的关系

文章对采自贵州从低海拔的东部到高海拔的西部且大致平行的石灰岩和砂岩两地带均生长的3种C4草本植物，即巴茅(Miscanthus floridulus)、白茅(Imperata cylindrica)和类芦(Neyraudia reynaudiana)，以及相对应的土壤表层样品，进行了营养元素和C同位素组成分析；研究营养元素含量随着海拔的不同而出现的变化趋势，以及这些元素之间的相互协变作用，尤其是Ca���N之间的相互协变作用对植物的N含量、C／N比值和δ^13C值的影响，以了解植物的C／N比值(指示植物残留物质量的一种标志)与土壤有机C积累的关系。研究结果表明，植物的N含量和δ^13C值具有随海拔的上升而显著增大趋势，而植物的C／N比值在砂岩地区虽有减小的趋势，在石灰岩地带则没有。对所研究的C4草本植物来说，在土壤pH值为5．8的中性条件下显示出Ca���最大吸收，因此，Ca���其他营养元素之间的协变模式在两种土壤类型中表现出相反的倾向，并存在土壤交换性Ca���边界浓度：当土壤可交换性Ca���含量为2．24mg／g，相应土壤的pH值在5．8以下时，随着土壤可交换性Ca���度的增大，植物的N含量上升，而植物的C／N比值会显著降低；当Ca���边界浓度以上时，随着土壤可交换性Ca���度的增大，植物的N含量下降，而植物的C／N比值有增加的趋势。由此可见，植物残留物的N含量和C／N比值受Ca���素含量的相互协变作用的影响。在砂岩地区，随着植物C／N比值的增高，土壤有机质的含量却随之下降，而在石灰岩地区则没有这种倾向。因此得出结论：植物的C／N比值的增大对土壤有机碳积累的影响主要取决于土壤的性质，尤其是取决于土壤可交换性Ca���含量。

岩石圈伸展对粤北下庄矿田铀成矿的制约机制研究

地球动力学与成矿关系的研究是地球科学研究的前沿领域，而陆内岩石圈伸展与成矿的关系的研究则是该领域相对比较薄弱的环节。 华南地区于白垩—古近纪发生了岩石圈强烈的伸展减薄事件，且岩石圈伸展减薄与该区同时期形成的众多金属和非金属矿床有密切的成因联系，尤其是华南地区的花岗岩型热液铀矿床，显示了与该区岩石圈伸展作用可能有多方面的成因联系。粤北下庄铀矿田位于位于南岭铀-多金属成矿带的南部，是华南地区典型的花岗岩型热液铀矿区，本次研究在深入细致的野外地质工作的基础上，运用流体包裹体地球化学、元素地球化学、同位素地球化学等方法手段，开展了对下庄铀矿田成矿流体性质、成矿过程中元素的活动规律、成矿流体来源及演化等方面的系统研究，初步探讨了岩石圈伸展对该区铀成矿的制约机制，并建立了可能的矿床成因模式。通过研究，本次工作获得了以下几点主要认识： （1）通过对下庄铀矿田部分铀矿床流体包裹体显微测温、激光拉曼光谱及液相成分分析研究，查明了下庄矿田铀矿床矿前期热液属中高温（200℃~350℃）、低盐度（0.72%~5.95%NaCl）、密度中等（0.703~0.830g/cm3）、活动深度较深（2.29km~5.74km）、富∑CO2、相对还原性质的流体；成矿期热液属中低温（主要为154℃ ~250℃）、低盐度（0~1.83%NaCl）、密度中等（0.628~0.867g/cm3）、活动深度较浅（0.19km~1.62km）、富F-、相对氧化性质的流体。 （2）矿石矿矿物电子探针测试分析及岩、矿石的微量元素地球化学分析研研究表明，本区铀矿床主要的原生铀矿物为沥青铀矿、铀石、钛铀矿，铀矿物的形成与Si、Ca���W等元素有密切的关系，而其它金属元素未显示明显地富集。矿石、脉石矿物部分继承了原岩的稀土元素组成，且在原岩基础上又有高度的演化。 （3）进行了矿区内碳酸盐的C、O同位素和黄铁矿的He、Ar稀有气体同位素的分析研究。研究表明，矿化剂∑CO2主要为幔源，大量的He、Ar等稀有气体也来自于地幔。矿区发育的深大断裂构造可能控制了幔源挥发份的加入。 （4）脉石矿物碳酸盐和萤石的Sr、Nd同位素地球化学研究显示，成矿流体中的这些元素主要源于地壳，南区矿床（338、339）的Sr、Nd组成则为富含壳源Sr、Nd的流体与幔源基性脉岩不同程度的水—岩反应所致。另外，碳酸盐铅同位素研究显示，下庄矿区成矿物质铀可能来自帽峰式后期流体交代的花岗岩体。 （5）岩石圈伸展与下庄矿田铀成矿有关系密切：下庄矿田铀矿床明显受伸展构造控制，伸展构造既为导矿构造，又为储矿构造；岩石圈伸展导致的地温梯度升高，大地热流平均值加大，驱动热液流体的流动，为铀成矿提供了主要的热驱动力；岩石圈伸展产生的深大断裂导通了壳幔间的联系，使幔源脱气成因挥发份（主要为∑CO2）沿断裂上升，加入壳源热水循环系统，从而参与了铀成矿。 （6）初步建立了下庄矿田“岩石圈伸展体系下大陆热水系统铀矿床成因模式”。模式认为，华南地区白垩—古近纪岩石圈伸展作用引发区内热水流体的大规模循环，且伸展引起的幔源脱气作用产生的挥发份（主要为ΣCO2）加入了贫铀、贫矿化剂的循环的地下热水中，形成了富矿化剂热水。富矿化剂热水从富铀花岗岩中浸出铀（氧化作用），变为富矿化剂、富铀热液流体，这种热液流体在伸展引起的热驱动下沿构造上升，热液流体上升到浅部时，由于地球化学障、流体压力释放等因素的影响，U被还原沉淀，并在有利部位富集成矿。

Synthesis of a neodymium-quinolate complex for near-infrared electroluminescence applications

A structurally pure, near-infrared emissive Nd-(5,7-dichloro-8-hydroxyquinoline)4 tetrakis complex has been synthesized. When incorporated as a dopant in the blue emissive, hole conducting polymer poly(N-vinylcarbazole), PVK, sensitized neodymium ion emission was observed following photo-excitation of the polymer host. OLED devices were fabricated by spin-casting layers of the doped polymer onto glass/indium tin oxide (ITO)/3,4-polyethylene-dioxythiophene-polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT) substrates. An external quantum efficiency of 1 x 10(-3)% and a near-infrared irradiance of 2.0 nW/mm(2) at 25 mA/mm(2) and 20 V was achieved using glass/ITO/PEDOT/ PVK:Nd-(5,7-dichloro-8-hydroxyquinoline)(4)/Ca/Al devices. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Near infrared electroluminescence from neodymium complex-doped polymer light emitting diodes

Organic light emitting diode devices employing organometallic Nd(9-hydroxyphenalen-1-one)(3) complexes as near infrared emissive dopants dispersed within poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK) host matrices have been fabricated by spin-casting layers of the doped polymer onto glass/indium tin oxide (ITO)/3,4-polyethylene-dioxythiophene-polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT) substrates. Room temperature electroluminescence, centered at similar to 1065 nm. was observed from devices top contacted by evaporated aluminum or calcium metal cathodes and was assigned to transitions between the F-4(3/2) -> I-4(11/2) levels of the Nd3+ ions. In particular, a near infrared irradiance of 8.5 nW/mm(2) and an external quantum efficiency of 0.007% was achieved using glass/ITO/PEDOT/PVK:Nd(9-hydroxyphenalen-1-one)(3)/Ca/Al devices. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Interaction of water, hydrogen and their mixtures with SnO2 based materials: the role of surface hydroxyl groups in detection mechanisms

DRIFTS, TGA and resistance measurements have been used to study the mechanism of water and hydrogen interaction accompanied by a resistance change (sensor signal) of blank and Pd doped SnO2. It was found that a highly hydroxylated surface of blank SnO2 reacts with gases through bridging hydroxyl groups, whereas the Pd doped materials interact with hydrogen and water through bridging oxygen. In the case of blank SnO2 the sensor signal maximum towards H-2 in dry air (R-0/R-g) is observed at similar to 345 degrees C, and towards water, at similar to 180 degrees C, which results in high selectivity to hydrogen in the presence of water vapors (minor humidity effect). In contrast, on doping with Pd the response to hydrogen in dry air and to water occurred in the same temperature region (ca. 140 degrees C) leading to low selectivity with a high effect of humidity. An increase in water concentration in the gas phase changes the hydrogen interaction mechanism of Pd doped materials, while that of blank SnO2 is unchanged. The interaction of hydrogen with the catalyst doped SnO2 occurs predominantly through hydroxyl groups when the volumetric concentration of water in the gas phase is higher than that of H-2 by a factor of 1000.

A 50,000-year record of Late Pleistocene tropical vegetation and human impact in lowland Borneo.

There has been considerable uncertainty about the nature of Pleistocene environments colonised by the first modern humans in Island SE Asia, and about the vegetation of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) in the region. Here, the palynology from a series of exposures in the Great Cave of Niah, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, spanning a period from ca. 52,000 to 5000 BP is described. Vegetation during this period was climate-driven and often highly unstable. Interstadials are marked by lowland forest, sometimes rather dry and at times by mangroves. Stadials are indicated by taxa characteristic of open environments or, as at the LGM, by highly disturbed rather open forest. Stadials are also characterised by taxa now restricted to 1000-1600 m above sea level, suggesting temperature declines of ca 7-9 C relative to present, by comparison with modern lapse rates. The practice of biomass burning appears associated with the earliest human activity in the cave.

Chaotropicity: a key factor in product tolerance of biofuel-producing microorganisms

Fermentation products can chaotropically disorder macromolecular systems and induce oxidative stress, thus inhibiting biofuel production. Recently, the chaotropic activities of ethanol, butanol and vanillin have been quantified (5.93, 37.4, 174kJkg(-1)m(-1) respectively). Use of low temperatures and/or stabilizing (kosmotropic) substances, and other approaches, can reduce, neutralize or circumvent product-chaotropicity. However, there may be limits to the alcohol concentrations that cells can tolerate; e.g. for ethanol tolerance in the most robust Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains, these are close to both the solubility limit (<25%, w/v ethanol) and the water-activity limit of the most xerotolerant strains (0.880). Nevertheless, knowledge-based strategies to mitigate or neutralize chaotropicity could lead to major improvements in rates of product formation and yields, and also therefore in the economics of biofuel production.

Synthesis, thermal characterization and rheological properties of a homologous series of polymethacrylate-based side-chain liquid crystal polymers

A new homologous series of side-chain liquid crystal polymers, the poly[omega-(4-cyanoazobenzene-4'-oxy)alkyl methacrylate]s, have been prepared in which the length of the flexible alkyl spacer is varied from 3 to 12 methylene units. All the polymers exhibit liquid crystalline behaviour; specifically, crystal E, smectic A and nematic phases are observed. The glass transition temperatures decrease on increasing spacer length before reaching a limiting value at ca. 30 degrees C. The clearing temperatures exhibit an odd-even effect on varying the length and parity of the spacer. This is attributed to the change in the average shape of the side chain as the parity of the spacer is varied. This rationalization also accounts for the observed alternation in the entropy change associated with the clearing transition. A weak relaxation is observed theologically for several members of this polymer series at temperatures above their respective glass transition temperatures. This is attributed either to specific motions of the smectic layers or to 180 degrees reorientational jumps of the long axis of the mesogenic unit about the polymer backbone. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.