Diamond nanoseeding on silicon: Stability under H2 MPCVD exposures and early stages of growth

Detonation nanodiamond dispersed on silicon surfaces underwent different H₂ MPCVD exposures. The induced changes at the surface have been characterized in situ by XPS and XEELS. Then, a short CH₄/H₂ growth step was applied. This sequential study revealed an excellent stability of detonation nanodiamond. The sp³ etching rate is insufficient to remove nanodiamond even under intense H₂ plasma. The H₂ exposure could be successfully used to remove C–C sp² carbon without altering sp³ seeds. Moreover, the formation of silicon carbide observed after the hydrogen treatment is thought to be helpful to enhance the adhesion of nanodiamond particles on the substrate.     

Stress-Corrosion Fracture of 12Kh18AG18Sh Steel in Chloride-Containing Media with Copper Cations

We studied the corrosion and corrosion-mechanical resistance of new austenitic high-nitrogen 12Kh18AG18Sh steel for the retaining rings of turbogenerators in aqueous solutions containing chlorides and copper (II) cations. A significant decrease in the corrosion resistance of this steel (P constitutes 0.52–14.50 mm/year) and in its resistance to corrosion cracking and corrosion-fatigue fracture in CuCl₂ solutions was established. We also calculated the coefficients of linear parts of the kinetic diagrams of fatigue fracture of the steel under study in air with a humidity of 40% and in 22% NaCl and CuCl₂ solutions.     

The influence of strontium on porosity formation in Al-Si alloys

Strontium modification is known to alter the amount, characteristics, and distribution of porosity in Al-Si castings. Although many theories have been proposed to account for these effects, most can be considered inadequate because of their failure to resolve contradictions and discrepancies in the literature. In an attempt to critically appraise some of these theories, the amount, distribution, and morphology of porosity were examined in sand-cast plates of Sr-free and Sr-containing pure Al, Al-1 wt pct Si, and Al-9 wt pct Si alloys. Statistical significance testing was used to verify apparent trends in the porosity data. No apparent differences in the amount, distribution, and morphology of porosity were observed between Sr-free and Sr-containing alloys with no or very small eutectic volume fractions. However, Sr modification significantly changed the amount, distribution, and morphology of porosity in alloys with a significant volume fraction of eutectic. The addition of Sr reduced porosity in the hot spot region of the casting, and the pores became well dispersed and rounded. This result can be explained by considering the combined effect of the casting design and the differences in the pattern of eutectic solidification between unmodified and Sr-modified alloys.     

Synthesis of CN<Subscript>x</Subscript> nanotubes using catalysts prepared from zinc and nickel bimaleates

Nitrogen-containing carbon nanotubes have been prepared via acetonitrile (CH₃CN) pyrolysis at 850°C catalyzed by nanoparticles produced by the thermal decomposition of zinc and nickel bimaleates and their solid solutions. The synthesized samples have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results demonstrate that increasing the zinc content of catalyst nanoparticles reduces the yield of carbon nanotubes and increases the nitrogen content of the material. The high synthesis temperature gives rise to zinc vaporization, which influences the growth process, increasing the nanotube diameter, reducing the wall thickness, and lowering the structural perfection of the graphite layers.     

Nonaqueous Phase Liquid Pool Dissolution as a Function of Average Pore Water Velocity

Bench-scale reactor experiments were performed to study the dissolution of a binary naphthalene-in-nonane mixture nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL) pool over a wide range of average pore water velocities, vx (≈0.1–60 m/day). Experimental NAPL pool dissolution flux values were determined using a steady-state mass balance approach. The experimental flux data were compared to model predictions made assuming either local equilibrium or mass-transfer limited conditions. The local equilibrium model could describe the trends in the average effluent concentration and dissolution flux with 0.110?m/day. Data determined to be under mass-transfer limited conditions were fit to the nonequilibrium model to estimate values for an overall mass-transfer coefficient. The calculated overall mass-transfer coefficients had an average value of 0.407 m/day and showed no correlation with vx, probably due to mass-transfer resistance becoming dominated by the diffusional resistance in the NAPL. These results suggest that the nonequilibrium approach is better suited for describing high velocity (vx>10?m/day) dissolution of multicomponent NAPL pools, and that flushing of groundwater at very high velocities may not be an effective approach for enhancing NAPL-pool dissolution flux.     

Hazard Classification of Holding Ponds for Liquid Radioactive Wastes

This paper is devoted to the development of a method for hazard classification of holding ponds at the Industrial Association Mayak, the Siberian Intergrated Chemical Plant, and the Integrated Iron-Mining and Mining-Chemical Plant. The method is based on a combined approach employing the qualitative characteristics and quantitative parameters of the ponds. The classification of holding ponds is intended to be used for developing the requirements for the composition and content of the documentation presented by enterprises for licensing the operation and decommissioning of holding ponds.     

Fire performance of wood (Pinus radiata) treated with fire retardants and a wood preservative

In this work, we co‐formulated an oil‐borne copper naphthenate/permethrin wood preservative system with synthetic polymer‐based fire‐retardant additives prior to the impregnation of Pinus radiata sapwood. We evaluated what effect, if any, the preservative had upon the fire performance properties of the fire retardants and whether the fire retardants impacted on the fungicidal and termiticidal efficacy of the preservative. The fire retardants included halogenated and phosphorus‐based systems. A mass loss calorimeter, in conjunction with a thermopile, was used to measure the time to ignition and the peak heat release rate (PHRR) from which the fire performance index (FPI) was determined. The preservative properties were evaluated using termite and soil‐block decay bioassays. In summary, we found that the rate of fire growth was reduced when the fire retardants were used in combination with the wood preservative. We also found that the PHRR was a better determinant of fire performance than the FPI. The performance of the wood preservative was enhanced against fungal decay and termite attack when used in combination with the fire retardants. The fire retardants also demonstrated some wood preservative properties of their own. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.