Theoretical investigations on the spin Hamiltonian parameters for Er3+ ion in LiYF4

The spin Hamiltonian parameters g_∥, g_⊥, A_∥ and A_⊥ for Er³⁺ ion in LiYF₄ are investigated by using the perturbation formulas of these parameters for a 4f¹¹ ion in tetragonal symmetry. In these formulas, the contributions to the spin Hamiltonian parameters from the second-order perturbation terms and the admixtures of different states are considered. The relevant crystal field parameters are calculated from the superposition model and the local structural parameters of the Y³⁺ site occupied by impurity Er³⁺. The theoretical optical spectra within ⁴I_15/2 and ⁴I_13/2 states and the spin Hamiltonian parameters obtained in this work are consistent with the observed values.     

Facile synthesis of nanocrystalline zinc ferrite via a self-propagating combustion method

Macroporous nanocrystalline zinc ferrite with single spinel-phase was prepared by a facile self-propagating combustion method using zinc nitrate, iron nitrate and glycine. The as-prepared ZnFe₂O₄ were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, N₂ adsorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDS). The magnetic properties of the prepared ZnFe₂O₄ were also studied.     

超支化聚合物的性能、合成及其功能化应用研究

超支化聚合物，具有多端基的“缺陷核壳”空间结构，化学反应性活泼，易于改性，与相应的线型聚合物相比，拥有特殊的性能，在多领域展现出广阔的应用前景。随着合成技术的进步，它们的应用研究，尤其是功能化的应用研究，成为多年来的研究热点。主要介绍超支化聚合物的结构、性能、合成及其功能化应用研究概况。     

40Cr钢复合热处理强韧化

用光学及电子显微镜(SEM.TEM)观察不同热处理的40Cr 钢的冲击及断裂韧性断口、及金相组织,阐明其间相互关系;断口结构可反映断裂特征,组织情况;细化晶粒提高强度、塑性和冲击韧性,但却减少脆断的特性距离 l 因而降低 K_(1c)模;减少碳(杂质)偏聚而使其呈较均匀地分布,从而减少可诱发塑坑的较粗大的碳(杂质)化合物的析出,即增加塑坑的间距 di 以及增加塑断组成物。从而都可增加断裂临界应变 ef,都可以提高 K_(1c)40Cr 复合热处理既靠先超高温淬、回火以减少碳(杂质)偏聚,改善其分布,以反增加位错马氏体从而提高 K_(1c),也靠后淬、回火细化晶粒而提高强度、塑性和冲击韧性,各自发挥长处达到强韧化。     

Maximum bubble loads: Experimental measurement vs. analytical estimation

This paper presents an experimental technique to measure maximum bubble loads, which are then compared with geometrical model estimations. The geometrical models studied assume that a particle monolayer, having a square arrangement, covers the entire bubble surface. Comparison of the experimental and analytical results gave a fairly high statistical correlation (R² = 0.89), when a shape factor was used for particle volume estimation (λ = 0.32–0.41; [Kelly, E.G., Spottiswood, D.J. Introduction to Mineral Processing, John Wiley & Sons, 1982, p. 491]). This supports the applicability of geometrical models for maximum bubble load estimation.     

Photocatalytic degradation of 2,2‐bis(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methylphenyl) propane (BPP) based on molecular recognition interaction

BACKGROUND: Endocrine disruptors in the aquatic environment and their potential adverse effects are currently issues of concern. One of these endocrine disruptors is 2,2‐bis(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methylphenyl)propane (BPP). In this work the molecular recognition interaction of BPP with β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) was studied using IR spectroscopy and steady state fluorescence spectroscopy, and the photocatalytic degradation behaviour of BPP based on molecular recognition interaction was investigated in a TiO₂/UV–visible (λ_max = 365 nm) system. This might provide a new method for the treatment of some organic pollutants in wastewater. RESULTS: β‐CD reacts with BPP to form a 1:1 inclusion complex, the formation constant of which is 4.94 × 10³ L mol^?1. The photodegradation rate constant of BPP after molecular recognition by β‐CD showed a 1.42‐fold increase in the TiO₂/UV–visible (λ_max = 365 nm) system. The photodegradation of BPP depended on the concentration of β‐CD, the pH value, the gaseous medium and the initial concentration of BPP. The photodegradation efficiency of BPP with molecular recognition was higher than that without molecular recognition. After 100 min of irradiation the mineralisation efficiency of BPP after molecular recognition by β‐CD reached 94.8%, whereas the mineralisation efficiency of BPP before molecular recognition by β‐CD was only 40.6%. CONCLUSION: The photocatalytic degradation of BPP after molecular recognition by β‐CD can be enhanced in the TiO₂/UV‐visible (λ_max = 365 nm) system. This enhancement is dependent on the enhancement of the adsorption of BPP, the moderate inclusion depth of BPP in the β‐CD cavity and the increase in the frontier electron density of BPP after molecular recognition. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Biomimetic synthesis of spherical nano-hydroxyapatite in the presence of polyethylene glycol

Spherical nano-hydroxyapatite (nano-HA) was synthesized successfully by a biomimetic method using Ca(NO₃)₂·4H₂O and (NH₄)₃PO₄·3H₂O as reagents in the presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG). The crystalline phase, microstructure, chemical composition, and morphology of the obtained samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that spherical nano-HA with diameter of 30–50 nm can be synthesized in the presence of a certain concentration (2–6%) of PEG. The crystallinity of HA powder synthesized in the presence of PEG was higher than that synthesized in the absence of PEG, but the crystallinity of HA reduced with increasing the concentration of PEG. The electrical conductivity (EC) of the solution revealed that PEG reduced the transfer rate of Ca²⁺ in the process of HA crystallization, indicating the interaction between PEG and HA. The possible mechanism of formation spherical nano-HA was discussed.     

Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry as a tool for studying segregation phenomena at nickel–YSZ interfaces

Through a study of Ni–YSZ interfaces it is shown that time-of-flight-secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) is a powerful and convenient tool for the analysis of ultra thin layers of segregated material at the interfaces and on free surfaces. Two different types of Ni, “pure Ni” (99.995% Ni) and “impure Ni” (99.8% Ni) were investigated. The contact areas on the YSZ and areas outside the contacts were examined with XPS and TOF-SIMS. The impure nickel causes a relatively larger amount of impurities to accumulate at the contact area, e.g. oxides of Mn, Ti, Si and Na. Some impurities migrate to the area outside the contact area. Even though on a larger scale the impurities seem to be homogeneously distributed, detailed analyses in and outside the contact area show the presence of impurity particles, and that the surface species are inhomogeneously distributed amongst the different grains. The extremely low detection limit, the small probe depth, the image capability, and the ease of elemental identification make TOF-SIMS an obvious choice as an analytical tool for studying segregation phenomena at metal–ceramic interfaces such as Ni–YSZ interfaces. XPS, being a quantitative technique, was used as a complementary technique to TOF-SIMS, which is not directly a quantitative technique.