Structure and thermal stability of zinc–nickel electrodeposits

ZnNi alloys were electrodeposited from a chloride bath on steel substrates. The effect of nickel bath concentration on chemical composition, structure and microstructure of the deposits is demonstrated. From 0 to 13 nickel, the phases obtained do not correspond to that reported on the thermodynamic phase diagram. It is shown that the substitution of zinc by nickel is responsible for the formation of distorted _d and _d phases corresponding to the supersaturated hexagonal phase of zinc and to the unsaturated cubic phase of Zn–Ni alloy, respectively. Differential scanning calorimetry indicates that the thermal instability of the alloys containing up to 13 wt of nickel, results from the crystallization of the phase from the _d and _d phases at around 200 °C and 250 °C, respectively.     

Comportement électrochimique des variétés alpha et beta PbO2 et influence de l'antimoine sur leur reactivité électrochimique en milieu H2SO4, 8N

Résumé L'expérience a montré qu'il est possible d'obtenir par l'oxydation anodique des variétés- et-PbO₂ parfaitement pures au point de vue cristallographique, et que la réduction de-PbO₂ se déroule à un potentiel plus élevé et plus constant que celui observé sur-PbO₂. La réactivité électrochimique de-PbO₂ est plus importante que celle de-PbO₂. L'introduction de Sb dans les réseaux cristallins de ces variétés diminue fortement leur cristallinité et dans le cas de-PbO₂ on obtient toujours simultanément- et-PbO₂. Du point de vue réactivité électrochimique, l'accroissement dû à la présence de Sb est de l'ordre de 33%.

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The results demonstrate the possibility of preparing through anodic oxidation rigorously pure, from the crystallographic point view,- and-PbO₂ phases, and that the reduction of-PbO₂ takes place at a potential which is more positive and more constant than the one obtained with-PbO₂. In a battery, the electrochemical reactivity of-PbO₂ is more important. The introduction of Sb into the lattice of these forms of PbO₂ decreases their crystallinity, and for the case of-PbO₂ we obtained simultaneously- and-PbO₂. Their electrochemical reactivity can increase by about 33%.

     

Synthesis and thermal analysis of styrene and α-methylstyrene multiblock copolymers

Summary Multiblock copolymers of styrene and -methylstyrene (¯M_n 70.000 g.mole^–1) with various -methylstyrene contents were synthetized by anionic polymerization. The glass transition temperatures (Tg) of these copolymers have been measured by D.T.A. A single Tg was observed over the whole composition range. This Tg obeys the derived GORDON and TAYLOR equation. Moreover these copolymers are heat resistant up to temperatures of at least 280°C.     

Temperature programmed oxidation of Cu/ZnO catalysts with N2O: an attempt for characterization of copper catalysts

For characterization of the surface structure of metallic copper formed on the support, temperature programmed oxidation (TPO) with N₂O was carried out over various Cu/ZnO catalysts. Four peaks of the N₂ formation (, , and ) were observed at 223, 400, 545 and 600 K in the TPO runs. The average copper crystallite size estimated from the sum of the amount of - and -peaks agreed fairly with those determined by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. It was concluded that - and -peaks resulted from the oxidation of metallic copper atoms on the steps, corners and/ or defect sites, and on the flat sites of the surface of copper crystallites, respectively, while - and -peaks resulted from the bulk oxidation of copper.     

Calculation of Temperature Dependences of the Viscosity and Volume Relaxation Time for Oxide Glass-Forming Melts from Chemical Composition and Dilatometric Glass Transition Temperature

The relaxation parameter K _sthat is equal to the ratio of the viscosity to the Kohlrausch volume relaxation time _s is analyzed. It is shown that this parameter can be evaluated from the temperature T ₁₃(corresponding to a viscosity of 10¹³P) and the glass transition temperature T ₈ ⁺determined from the dilatometric heating curve. The maximum error of the estimate with due regard for experimental errors is equal to ±(0.4–0.5)logK _sfor strong glasses and ±(0.6–0.8)logK _sfor fragile glasses, which, in both cases, corresponds to a change in the relaxation times with a change in the temperature by ±(8–10) K. It is revealed that the viscosity, the Kohlrausch volume relaxation time _s , and the shear modulus Gof glass-forming materials in silicate, borate, and germanate systems satisfy the relationship log( _s G/) 1. The procedure for calculating the temperature dependences of the viscosity and the relaxation times in the glass transition range from the chemical composition and the T ₈ ⁺temperature for glass-forming melts in the above systems is proposed. The root-mean-square deviations between the calculated and experimental temperatures T ₁₁and T ₁₃are equal to ±(6–8) K for all the studied (silicate, borate, germanate, and mixed) oxide glass-forming systems. The proposed relationships can be useful for evaluating the boundaries of the annealing range and changes in the properties and their temperature coefficients upon cooling of glass-forming melts.     

Relationship between preferential adsorption coefficient and intrinsic viscosity in ternary systems

Summary The relation proposed between the preferential adsorption coefficient, , and the intrinsic viscosity, ¦¦ ¦¦=¦¦+AK has been applied in this paper to previously published data. This equation is found to be valid in theta condi tions and far away from them. The obtained results are compared to the ones calculated with the Dondos-Benoit equation.     

The surface structure and composition of the low index single crystal faces of the ordered alloy Pt3Sn

The surface composition and structure of 111, 100, and 110 oriented single crystals of the ordered alloy Pt₃Sn (Ll₂ or Cu₃Au-type) were determined using the combination of low energy electron diffraction (LEED) and low energy ion scattering spectroscopy (LEISS). The clean annealed surfaces displayed LEED patterns and Sn/Pt LEISS intensity ratios consistent with the surface structures expected for bulk termination. In the case of the 100 and 110 crystals, preferential termination in the mixed (50% Sn) layer was indicated, suggesting this termination to be the consequence of a thermodynamic preference for tin to be at the surface.     

Heterogeneous asymmetric reactions. 23. Enantioselective hydrogenation of ethyl pyruvate over cinchonine- and α-isocinchonine-modified platinum catalysts

The enantioselective hydrogenation of ethyl pyruvate to (S)-ethyl lactate over cinchonine- and -isocinchonine-modified Pt/Al₂O₃ catalysts was studied as a function of modifier concentration and reaction temperature. The maximum enantioselectivities obtained under the applied mild conditions were 89% ee using cinchonine (0.014 mmoldm^–3, 1 bar H₂, 23°C, 6% AcOH in toluene), and 76% ee in the case of -isocinchonine (0.14 mmoldm^–3, 1 bar H₂, –10°C, 6% AcOH in toluene). Since -isocinchonine of rigid structure exists only in anti-open conformation these data provide additional experimental evidence to support the former suggestion concerning the dominating role of anti-open conformation in these cinchona-modified enantioselective hydrogenations.     

The cause of residual capacity in nickel oxyhydroxide electrodes

Chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction and linear sweep voltammetry have been used to examine the cause of the secondary discharge plateau associated with the inefficient reduction of sintered plate NiOOH electrodes. The techniques confirm the presence of-Ni(OH)₂,-NiOOH and-NiOOH in electrodes after failure at high rates. No evidence was obtained in support of the plateau arising from a new intrinsically less active compound. In disagreement with previous claims the-phase formed on overcharging was found to discharge as efficiently as the-phase. Inefficient discharge is considered to be caused by an insulating barrier layer of-Ni(OH)₂ between the charged active material and the current collector. The complex non-linear current-potential behaviour, exhibited by the secondary discharge plateau near –200 mV, is considered to be caused by the removal of Ni³⁺ or Ni³⁺ defects from the electronically conducting Ni(OH)₂ prior to returning it to the poorly conducting divalent state.     

Impedance spectroscopy study of electrochromism in sputtered iridium oxide films

The a.c. impedance response of sputtered iridium oxide films (SIROFs) was studied at room temperature in 1M H₂SO₄ between 1mHz and 50mHz. The spectra were recorded as a function of applied potential in the range of electrochromic properties from 0.0 to 1.0V vs SCE and before and after an electrochemical treatment consisting of alternatively colouring and bleaching the electrode. The spectra were analysed with help of an equivalent circuit. Between 0.4 and 1.0V, the spectra can be interpreted as due to electrochemical proton insertion in a single phased compound. From the data, hydrogen chemical diffusion coefficients with values ranging from 2 × 10^–8 to 1.1 × 10^–7cm²s^–1 are found. It is shown that this parameter increases fourfold after the cycling treatment and significantly decreases with the amount of inserted hydrogen. Below 0.4V spectrum changes are observed over the intermediate frequency range studied, indicating some changes of the interfacial reactivity which remain to be clarified.     

Poly(β-malic acid) : a new polymeric drug-carrier

Summary Poly(-malic acid) is a new synthetic functional polyester of the poly(-hydroxy-acid)-type whose properties are investigated in regard to possible uses as bioresorbable polyvalent drug-carrier. Degradation of polymer chains in 0.15 N phosphate buffer at pH=7.5 is monitored by aqueous GPC on SEPHADEX gels and by enzymatic titration of ultimate degradation products. It is shown that the rate of degradation obeys first order kinetics at the begining and that poly(-malic acid) degrades to malic acid at last.Presented at the 26th IUPAC Microsymposium on Macromolecules: Polymers in Medicine and Biology, Prague, July 9–12, 1984     

Lean NOx catalysis over alumina‐supported catalysts

aluminasupported catalysts show promise as lean NO_x catalysts. The role of alumina in influencing the structural and chemical properties of the active phase supported on it is discussed using some effective aluminabased lean NO_x catalysts. These include Ag/Al₂O₃, CoO_x/Al₂O₃ and SnO₂/Al₂O₃. Alumina plays an important role in stabilizing Ag in the oxidic phase and cobalt in the 2+ oxidation state. For SnO₂/Al₂O₃, alumina increases the SnO₂ surface area. On both Ag/Al₂O₃ and SnO₂/Al₂O₃, alumina also participates actively in the NO_x reduction reaction. An active organic intermediate is formed on Ag or Sn oxide which reacts with NO_x subsequently on alumina to form N₂.     

A study of the acidic and catalytic properties of pure and sulfated zirconia–titania and zirconia–silica mixed oxides

Protonated pyridine (PyH⁺) was not found on ZrO₂ (Z) or ZrO₂–TiO₂ (ZT), but was detected on sulfated oxides (ZS, ZTS) by IR spectroscopy. In contrast, ZrO₂–SiO₂ samples containing about 30–80 mol% ZrO₂ showed Brønsted acidity both in nonsulfated (ZS) and sulfated (ZSS) forms. The total acidity was determined by NH₃TPD. Introduction of sulfate ions increased the sitespecific catalytic activity (TOF) in the conversion of cyclopropane or nhexane. The effect of sulfate ions was more significant on samples rich in zirconia. Results suggest that Zr is homogeneously distributed in ZS samples rich in silica. Zirconiabound dimeric sulfate, generating strong acidity, could not be formed in these preparations due to the absence of fairly large ZrO₂ domains.     

Porous mullite ceramics through diphasic gels of large boehmite and small silica particles

Mullite formation process has been studied in stoichiometric mullite (3Al₂O₃·2SiO₂) diphasic gel containing large boehmite (1 m) and small silica (10 nm) particles. It has been found that initial mullitization did not take place inside the silica phase (cristobalite), but took place in the defect -alumina phase. -alumina was stabilized by silica when the temperature was below 1350°C. At temperatures above 1350°C, mullite crystallized directly. It was suggested that silica diffused into the pores (<1.8 nm) of -alumina and prevented the collapse of -alumina pore structure. On the other hand, when silica was not present, the pore structure of -alumina collapsed and -alumina crystallized at 1100°C. Porous mullite ceramics were obtained by using special diphasic gels containing large boehmite and small silica particles.     

Studies concerning charged nickel hydroxide electrodes I. Measurement of reversible potentials

Reversible potentials (E _R) have been measured for nickel hydroxide/oxyhydroxide couples over a range of KOH concentrations from 0·01–10 M. It is shown that the couples derived from the parent- and-Ni(OH)₂ systems can be distinguished by the relative change in KOH level on oxidation and reduction. In the case of couples derived from the-class of materials a dependence of 0·470 moles of KOH per 2e change is found compared with 0·102 moles of KOH per 2e change for the-class of materials. Couples derived from the- and-Ni(OH)₂ systems can be encountered in a series of activated and de-activated forms having a range of formal potentialsE ₀ . Activated. and de-activated-Ni(OH)₂/-NiOOH couples are found to lie in the range 0·443–0·470 V whilst-Ni(OH)₂/-NiOOH couples lie in the range 0·392–0·440 V w.r.t. Hg/HgO/KOH. It is demonstrated for de-activated,-Ni(OH)₂/-NiOOH couples thatE _R is independent of the degree of oxidation of the nickel cation between states of charge of 25% and 70%. SimilarlyE _R is constant for states of charge between 12% and 60% for activated-Ni(OH)₂/-NiOOH couples. The constant potential regions are considered to be derived from heterogeneous equilibria between pairs of co-existing phases both containing nickel in upper and lower states of oxidation. Differences inE ₀ between the activated and de-activated couples are considered to be related to the degree of order/disorder in the crystal lattice.     

An investigation of the solid-state cell Cu/Rb4Cu16I7Cl13/CuxTiS2

The solid electrolyte cell Cu,Z/Z/Cu_xTiS₂,Z, graphite (Z=Rb₄Cu₁₆I₇Cl₁₃) was investigated in a search for a cell with high and stable open circuit voltage (OCV). The cells Cu/Cu_x Tis₂ (x=0 and 0.3–0.5) showed only a small reduction in OCV values over 200 days. The cause of the slight decrease of OCV was discussed from the viewpoint of degradation of the cell-component materials. Polarization curves and constant load discharge curves were obtained to indicate that the cathode polarization was predominant and that Cu_xTiS₂ of 0.3x0.5 performed well, as did TiS₂.     

Electrodeposition, composition and structure of Zn—Cr alloys

The effect of polyethylene glycol (PEG 1500) as additive and of deposition conditions on Zn—Cr alloy electrodeposition from an acidic sulfate electrolyte at room temperature, without agitation was investigated. PEG polarizes the overall cathodic reaction and inhibits Zn deposition. Cr codeposition with Zn starts at a cathodic potential of about –1,95 V vs Hg/Hg₂SO₄, which is reached at current density of about 20 A dm^–2 in galvanostatic conditions. Zn—Cr alloy coatings containing up to 28 at % Cr were obtained depending on the plating conditions. SEM observations showed an island-like structure, formed by the local growth of crystals, which covered the surface during further deposition. In the first stages of electrodeposition the powder diffraction spectra contain lines of b.c.c. -(Zn,Cr) phase (a 3.02 Å). After 30 s deposition time weak lines of Zn-based phase (a 2.67 Å, c 4.90 Å) appear, and become clearly visible in coatings deposited for 90 s. The average Cr content in the alloy coatings decreases with advancing deposition. The as-plated surface contains C in organic compounds and Zn(OH)₂. After 50 min sputtering, Zn and a mixture of Cr, Cr₂O₃ and Cr₇C₃ were found. The presence of organic C and O, probably from inclusions of PEG, were also detected.     

An investigation of catalyst/cocatalyst/support interactions in silica-supported olefin polymerization catalysts based on Cp*TiMe3*

Some of the interactions in an organometallic catalyst/cocatalyst/support material have been studied quantitatively (by analysis of volatiles and surface organometallic fragments) and spectroscopically (by IR, ¹³C and ²⁹Si solid state CP/MAS NMR). The initial product of grafting Cp*TiMe₃ onto an Aerosil silica is the supported organometallic complex SiOTiCp*Me₂, 1, which is thermally unstable. Mild heating generates the supported tetramethylfulvene complex SiOTiFv*(Me), 3, via an intramolecular C–H activation process. Grafting of AlMe₃ onto either 1 or 3 yields a methylene-bridged heterobinuclear complex, (SiO)₂Cp*TiCH₂AlMe₂, 5, and is accompanied by extensive methylation of the silica surface. The direct reaction of AlMe₃ with the unmodified silica leads predominantly to the supported organometallic fragment SiOAl₂(CH₃)₃(CH₂), 6, whose proposed structure includes a bridging methylene and a bridging siloxide ligand. Its reaction with Cp*TiMe₃ generates methane and SiOAl₂(CH₂)₂TiCp*Me₄, 7.Invited contribution to the special volume entitled The Interface between Heterogeneous and Homogeneous Catalysis stemming from the 11th International Symposium on Relations between Heterogeneous and Homogeneous Catalysis.     

Characteristics of Heterophase Radical Graft Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate on Polymer Fibres

Graft copolymers with graft PMMA were synthesized using the Cu²⁺—H₂O₂ redox system. The conditions for obtaining graft PCA—PMMA and HC-PMMA of 40–60 composite composition with grafting efficiency at the 85% level are found. The effect of the polymer matrix on the kinetic and thermodynamic properties of graft polymerization of MMA is revealed. Possible schemes of the reactions of graft polymerization of MMA to polycaproamide and hydrated cellulose are proposed based on quantum chemical calculations of the enthalpy of formation of the graft copolymers.The research was conducted under MNTPP Project No. 203 Chemical Engineering (Section 2 General Chemical Engineering) in the scientific-industrial program Higher-Education Research on Priority Directions in Science and Engineering.__________Translated from Khimicheskie Volokna, No. 1) pp. 19–23, January–February, 2005.     

Interactions between pheromone traps with different strength lures for the pine beauty moth,Panolis flammea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Catches of malePanolis flammea in traps baited with lures containing 25 g of sex attractant are enhanced when in the proximity of traps baited with 125-g lures. The degree of enhancement is increased as the intertrap distance is decreased, and when the low-dose trap is upwind of the high-dose one. The patterns of alteration in trap catch suggest that moths initially attracted by one lure may divert into other traps, which may be either upwind of the original trap (overshooting), or downwind (undershooting). Overshooting can result in up to fivefold increases in catch and may provide a useful method for estimating the attractant zone of particular lure/trap combinations.