Structural, magnetic and electrical properties of Bi1.4La0.6Sr2CaCu2−xMnxOy compounds

The Mn-doped compounds Bi_1.4La_0.6Sr₂CaCu₂O_y were prepared by sol-gel method. The structural variation was characterized systematically by X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared (IR) spectra and Raman scattering spectra, respectively. The electrical and magnetic properties of the compounds were investigated by the temperature dependence of resistivity (R-T) and magnetic hysteresis loop (M (H)) measurements. Results indicate that the subtle change of lattice parameters has taken place in the compounds, which is attributed to CuO₂ planes canting and Mn valence alternation. In the condition of preserving Bi-2212 structure, Bi_1.4La_0.6Sr₂CaCu_2−xMn_xO_y compound has optimal resistivity and magnetism at x = 2%, which could provide a candidate as new barrier in Josephson junction in future.     

Synthesis and characterization of the polyols by air oxidation of soybean oil and its effect on the morphology and dynamic mechanical properties of poly(vinyl chloride) blends

The use of natural additives, with low toxicity and good compatibility, for PVC is becoming increasingly attractive. In this study, soybean oil additives were prepared by air oxidation reactions and blending with PVC. The oxidation reaction produced a significant increase in the number of hydroxyl groups in soybean oil; however, this kind of reaction results in the formation of a heterogeneous structure due to free radical reactions in the medium. The oxidized soybean oil improved the compatibility with PVC due to an increase in the number of polar groups, such as hydroxyls, and thus a reduction in the amount of atactic polymer was observed. Furthermore, an increase in the molecular weight of the oxidized oil, as well as large amounts of polar groups contributes to reducing the migration of oil in the PVC. Regarding the crystallinity of PVC, the use of pure and oxidized soybean oil causes small changes in the crystalline phase of the polymer. Oxidized soybean oil has great potential for usage as a secondary plasticizer for PVC. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42102.     

Synergistic effect of organoclay fillers based on fluorinated surfmers for preparation of polystyrene nanocomposites

Novel fluorinated reactive surfactants were used for the organic modification of monmorillonite clays. These organoclays were used for the preparation of polystyrene?clay nanocomposites by in‐situ free radical polymerization. Reference systems based on hydrocarbon homologous surfmer and nonpolymerizable surfactants were also used to deduce the effect of the fluorine moiety and the polymerizable function on the morphology and thermal stability of the prepared nanocomposites. Different structural parameters of the surfactants were investigated and modulated for the clay modification including: the nature of surfactant (surfmer/classical surfactant, fluorinated, or hydrocarbonated), the length of the fluorinated chain as well as the length of the hydrocarbon spacers linking the ammonium head to the fluorine chain or the polymerizable acrylic function. Wide angle‐X‐ray scattering (WAXD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and electronic microcopies (TEM and SEM) were used to establish a structure‐morphology, thermal properties relationships, and to highlight the key parameters governing the exfoliation process. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42347.     

Transition Temperature of Bi_2Sr_2CaCu_2O_(8+x) Superconducting Films Prepared from Commercial Precursors

This paper have made a systematic study of the superconducting Bi-2212 phase transition temperature, which has a transition temperature (Tc) around 80-93 K, and depends on precise control of synthesis conditions, mainly including heat treatment parameters, oxygen partial pressure, and annealing temperature. Partial melting of the sample during preparation helps to raise its Tc. To elucidate the origin of this strong effect, the samples were heated with different melting process. The rapid changes in Tc valu...     

Measurement and calculation of neutron densities in BWR high burn-up fuels

A neutron-scanning device was developed for measuring accurate neutron densities of BWR high burn-up fuels up to 65 GWd tU⁻¹. Characteristic test of this device was done with a ²⁵²Cf source and adopted to measure axial distributions of neutron densities of BWR spent fuels with various enrichments (2.0–3.4%), which had been irradiated up to 60 GWd tU⁻¹ at Fukushima Daini Nuclear Power Station Unit 2(2F-2). We found the measured neutron densities were proportional to about fourth power of the corresponding burn-up values. The neutron densities calculated by the ORIGEN2.1 code and various cross section libraries showed good agreements with the measured ones in profile and absolute value except for BWR-UE file mainly based on ENDF/B-IV. The BS240J32 library based on JENDL3.2 was the best among the investigated libraries.     

Surface exchange and bulk diffusion properties of Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ mixed conductor

Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3−δ (BSCF) is a mixed conducting oxide that shows high oxygen permeability to perform as a ceramic membrane and high electrochemical activity for oxygen reduction to perform as a cathode of solid oxide fuel cells. Both performances are closely related to the bulk and surface properties of the BSCF oxide. In this study, the chemical bulk diffusion coefficient (D_chem) and chemical surface exchange coefficient (k_chem) of BSCF at various temperatures and oxygen partial pressures are determined by an electrical conductivity relaxation (ECR) method. Both D_chem and k_chem are found to be dependent on pO₂ with positive effect. Ea of D_chem and k_chem are respectively 111 ± 5 and 110 ± 6 kJ mol⁻¹ between 600 and 800 °C. Oxygen-ion diffusion and tracer diffusion coefficients are estimated from D_chem and compared with the literature results. Ionic conductivities are further derived according to the Nernst-Einstein relation. The poisoning effect of CO₂ on the performances of BSCF is further investigated by the ECR method in combination with oxygen temperature-programmed desorption technique. The presence of CO₂ causes a substantial decrease in k_chem, however, the surface kinetics can be recovered by performing re-calcination in an oxidative atmosphere at 900 °C, agreeing well with literature reports.     

Enhanced preservation effects of sugar apple fruits by salicylic acid treatment during post‐harvest storage

BACKGROUND: Salicylic acid (SA) is recognised as an endogenous signal, mediating in plant defense and against pathogens. It has been reported that SA treatment can reduce decay and extend storage life of various fruit, such as bananas, peaches and apples. RESULTS: Physiological and biochemical responses in harvested sugar apple fruit (Annona squamosa L.) to SA at 0.4, 0.8 and 1.2 mmol L^?1 were investigated during post‐harvest storage. Results indicated that SA treatments lowered respiration, increased activities of antioxidant enzymes of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), decreased lipoxygenase (LOX) activity and correspondingly lowered Malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in treated fruits was observed as compared to the control. Moreover, production of superoxide free radical (O₂^{?, ?}) and ethylene was significantly decreased in the treated fruits. Total soluble solids, total soluble sugar, softness and decay rate were significantly lowered in treated fruits, and in turn a delay in the fruits ripening process was achieved after 10 days of storage. CONCLUSION: SA has positive effects in maintaining membrane integrity and in delaying fruit ripening process, which results in improved storability of sugar apple. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry