Forming dense arrays of gold nanoparticles in thin films of yttria stabilized zirconia by magnetron sputtering

Layers of Au nanoparticles (NPs) were formed in films of yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) on fusedquartz substrates by layer-by-layer magnetron deposition with subsequent annealing. The obtained structures were studied by applying high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to transverse sections and using optical absorption spectroscopy. TEM studies revealed the formation of Au NPs with a diameter of 2?3 nm concentrated in a thin layer within the YSZ film. The optical absorption spectra of the studied samples exhibited peaks of resonance plasmon absorption in Au NPs with a maximum wavelength of ~650 nm. The dependences of geometric and structural parameters of Au NP arrays (size, density, thickness of the Au NP layer, etc.) on the formation conditions were determined, and the regimes of fabrication of dense Au NP arrays that allow for collective plasmon excitations were identified.     

Status of Work on the VÉPP-5 Injection Complex

The VÉPP-5 injection complex under construction at the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences is a powerful source of intense electron and positron bunches at 510 MeV, which covers all needs of the electron–positron colliding beam setups currently operating and under construction at the Institute of Nuclear Physics. The complex includes a 285 MeV linear electron accelerator, a 510 MeV linear positron accelerator, and an accumulator–cooler with beam injection and ejection channels. Intense work on the design, assembly, and tuning of the linear electron accelerator has been conducted in the last 2 yr. As a result, by August 2002 the linear electron accelerator was put into operation with all standard subsystems. By this time, the isochronous achromatic turning of the electron beam, a system for converting electrons into positrons, and the first accelerating structure of the linear positron accelerator were assembled and put into operation. All this made it possible to accelerate the positron beam up to 75 MeV. Preliminary results of tests of the linear accelerators are presented.     

A new technology for the production of isoprene from isobutene-containing C4 fractions and formaldehyde: Prospects for industrial reconstruction

The industrially implemented process of isoprene production from isobutene-containing C₄ fractions and formaldehyde, which includes the gas-phase high-temperature decomposition of an intermediate, 4,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane, is expensive and obsolete. We propose a new technology that requires the same precursors and allows for a reduction in the cost of isoprene by a factor of at least 1.5. It features the concurrent liquid-phase decomposition of intermediate products in a column reactor in the presence of an aqueous solution of phosphoric acid at a moderate temperature (∼160°C), and is convenient for reconstructing existing production lines.     

Quantitative Characteristics of Binding of Metal Ions by Polyamide Fibres

Based on the data on chemical binding of the salts of ten metals from aqueous solutions by polycaproamide fibres, the metal cations were divided into four groups as a function of the concentration of the salt solutions and their chemisorption power. Copper cations are most prone to chemisorption by PCA fibres and their chemisorption index is one order of magnitude higher than the index for cations of the other metals.     

Thermodynamics of the formation of catalyst clusters for carbon nanotube growth

A fundamental thermodynamic model of formation of catalyst clusters for growing carbon nanotubes has been developed and model predictions have been compared with the experimental data. An expression for the size distribution function of clusters, depending on the conditions of their formation, is obtained. It is shown that surface tension plays an important role in the cluster formation. The surface tension coefficient for iron clusters at 950°C is determined.     

Migration of α-tocopherol from LDPE films to corn oil and its effect on the oxidative stability

The migration of α-tocopherol (α-T) from low density polyethylene (LDPE) films, added with 20 (film A) and 40 mg g^?1 (film B) to corn oil for 12 weeks at 5, 20 and 30 °C was determined. A LDPE film added with no α-T was used as control (film C). Diffusion coefficient (D) values for the film A system were 1.4 × 10^?11, 7.1 × 10^?11 and 30.3 × 10^?11 cm² s^?1 at 5, 20 and 30 °C, respectively. Meanwhile, D values for the film B system were 1.3 × 10^?11, 9.6 × 10^?11 and 51.1 × 10^?11 cm² s^?1 at the same temperatures. The activation energy (E_a) for the diffusion of α-T was 126.5 (film A) and 105.9 kJ mol^?1 (film B). The effect of the migration of α-T on the oxidative stability of corn oil was evaluated by monitoring hexanal content by solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) and gas chromatography. The hexanal content in the oil showed that both films added with α-T resulted suitable to maintain the oxidative stability of the oil for about 16 weeks at 30 °C, compared to 12 weeks for the oil in contact with the film C.