Investigation of Pd content in C–Pd films for hydrogen sensor applications

Nanocomposite carbonaceous-palladium (Nc-C-Pd) films were synthesized by physical vapor deposition method (PVD). Scanning electron microscopy studies showed that they were composed of carbonaceous matrix containing Pd nanograins. Nc-C-Pd films were also characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectral analysis. The content of Pd in films synthesized at different PVD conditions was determined based on TG measurements. Technological parameters of PVD process affected C/Pd ratio. FTIR spectra exhibited characteristic absorption bands for the precursors of carbonaceous-palladium samples (fullerene C₆₀ and palladium acetate). The influence of hydrogen on electrical properties of the films was tested by measuring their resistance in the presence of hydrogen (1% H₂/N₂).     

Infrared spectra of the hydrogen bond in pimelic acid crystals: polarization and temperature effects.

This paper deals with the polarized IR spectra of the hydrogen bond in pimelic acid crystals and their quantitative interpretation. The spectra were measured for the vO-H and vO-D band frequency regions, at temperatures of 298 and 77 K, for the 'alpha' crystalline form of pimelic acid. Two kinds of transmission spectra were obtained, for the beam perpendicular to the two different crystalline faces: 'ac' and 'ab'. The spectra of the hydrogen and the deuterium bonded systems were quantitatively reproduced, with sufficient accuracy, on the basis of the 'strong-coupling' model, assuming the (COOH)2 cycles to be the structural units responsible for the basic spectral properties. It was found that the spectra could be reproduced only, when assuming spectral activity in the IR of the totally symmetric proton stretching vibrations in centrosymmetric cyclic dimers of hydrogen bonds. The polarization effects in the crystal spectra were interpreted as directly connected with the hydrogen bond orientation in the crystal. However, in the pimelic acid crystalline spectra there were not observed another polarization effects characteristic for another carboxylic acid crystals, depending on differentiation of the long- and of the short-wave branch properties of each of the vO-H and vO-D bands. The temperature variation only affect the intensity ratio between the lower- and the higher-frequency branches of the vO-H and vO-D bands. These spectral effects were ascribed to less strained hydrogen bond structures in the pimelic acid lattices of the alpha' crystalline form and a relatively low concentration of defects in the lattices.     

The use of thin-layer chromatography in the assessment of the quality of lutein-containing dietary supplements

Bivariant multiple development thin-layer chromatography technique (BMD–TLC) along with high-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection–electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry (HPLC–DAD–ESI–MS) analysis was used in determination of lutein or lutein mixed with zeaxanthin in eight dietary supplements. The developed two-step TLC separation procedure combined purification, compaction of samples and separation of the analyzed compounds what significantly shortened and simplified samples preparation. Qualitative analysis was based on co-chromatography with reference substances and HPLC–DAD–ESI–MS analysis. It was revealed that three of eight dietary supplements did not contain lutein. In turn, quantitative analysis with the use of developed TLC conditions along with densitometry showed that the amount of lutein or its mixture with zeaxanthin in the others differed from that claimed by producers.

     

Kinetics of esterification of the levulinic acid with n-hexanol,n-octanol,and n-decanol in the presence of dodecatungstophosphoric acid as a catalyst

Levulinic acid was esterified with n-hexanol, n-octanol, and n-decanol at 393–413 K and at molar ratios of between 3:1 and 10:1 (alcohol: acid) in the presence of the dodecatungstophosphoric acid (H₃PW₁₂O₄₀) as catalyst (0.1 wt%) to study the reaction kinetics. The results of such study are the precise form of kinetic equation, which is indispensable in design and optimization of industrial-scale chemical reactors. The authors stated that reactions were of second order and that the activation energy (E) decreased from 66 to 53 kJ/mol in the following alcohol sequence: n-hexanol > n-octanol > n-decanol.     

Fixed point theorem of Leggett-Williams type and its application

We establish a norm-type cone expansion and compression fixed point theorem for completely continuous operators. Our theorem is then applied to prove the existence of positive solution of second order three-point boundary value problem.     

Conversion of nitrogen oxides in N2:O2:CO2 and N2:O2:CO2:NO2 mixtures subjected to a dc corona discharge

This paper concerns the influence of a direct current (dc) corona discharge on production and reduction of NO, NO₂ and N₂O in N₂:O₂:CO₂ and N₂:O₂:CO₂:NO₂ mixtures. The corona discharge was generated in a needle-to-plate reactor. The positively polarized electrode consisted of 7 needles. The grounded electrode was a stainless steel plate. The gas flow rate through the reactor was varied from 28 to 110 cm³/s. The time-averaged discharge current ranged from 0 to 6 mA. It was found that in the N₂:O₂:CO₂ mixture the corona discharge produced NO, NO₂ and N₂O. In the N₂:O₂:CO₂:NO₂ mixture the reduction of NO₂ was between 6–56%, depending on the concentration of O₂, gas flow rate and corona discharge current. The NO₂ reduction was accompanied by production of NO and N₂O. The results show that efficient reduction of nitrogen oxides by a corona discharge cannot be expected in the mixtures containing N₂ and O₂ if reducing additives are not employed.     

Synthese,Kristallstruktur und Konformation von N2-Dibenzyl-N1-t-butoxycarbonylhydrazin

Summary The synthesis and the crystal structure of N²-dibenzyl-N¹-butoxycarbonyl hydrazine are reported. The compound was prepared from commercially availablet-butyl carbazate. It crystallizes in the triclinic space group P 1 witha=5.479(1) Å,b=9.559(1) Å,c=9.748(1) Å,a=63.81(1)°, =87.52(1)°, =74.07(1) Å,Z=1,D=1.18 g/cm³. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined toR=0.0329.

     

Application of Densitometry to the Determination of Catechin in Rose-Hip Extracts

JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC - Thin-layer chromatography and densitometry have been used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of catechin in methanolic...