The Effects Of Structural Setting On The Azimuthal Velocities Of Blast Induced Ground Motion In Perlite (open access)

The Effects Of Structural Setting On The Azimuthal Velocities Of Blast Induced Ground Motion In Perlite

A series of small scale explosive tests were performed during the spring of 1994 at a perlite mine located near Socorro, NM. The tests were designed to investigate the azimuthal or directional relationship between small scale geologic structures such as joints and the propagation of explosively induced ground motion. Three shots were initiated within a single borehole located at ground zero (gz) at depths varying from the deepest at 83 m (272 ft) to the shallowest at 10 m (32 ft). The intermediate shot was initiated at a depth of 63 m (208 ft). An array of three component velocity and acceleration transducers were placed in two concentric rings entirely surrounding the single shot hole at 150 and 300 azimuths as measured from ground zero. Data from the transducers was then used to determine the average propagation velocity of the blast vibration through the rock mass at the various azimuths. The rock mass was mapped to determine the prominent joint orientations (strike and dip) and the average propagation velocities were correlated with this geologic information. The data from these experiments shows that there is a correlation between the orientation of prominent joints and the average velocity of ground motion. It …
Date: February 1, 1995
Creator: Beattie, Susan G.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Fundamental studies of the plasma extraction and ion beam formation processes in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (open access)

Fundamental studies of the plasma extraction and ion beam formation processes in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

The fundamental and practical aspects are described for extracting ions from atmospheric pressure plasma sources into an analytical mass spectrometer. Methodologies and basic concepts of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) are emphasized in the discussion, including ion source, sampling interface, supersonic expansion, slumming process, ion optics and beam focusing, and vacuum considerations. Some new developments and innovative designs are introduced. The plasma extraction process in ICP-MS was investigated by Langmuir measurements in the region between the skimmer and first ion lens. Electron temperature (T{sub e}) is in the range 2000--11000 K and changes with probe position inside an aerosol gas flow. Electron density (n{sub e}) is in the range 10{sup 8}--10{sup 10} {sup {minus}cm }at the skimmer tip and drops abruptly to 10{sup 6}--10{sup 8} cm{sup {minus}3} near the skimmer tip and drops abruptly to 10{sup 6}--10{sup 8} cm{sup {minus}3} downstream further behind the skimmer. Electron density in the beam leaving the skimmer also depends on water loading and on the presence and mass of matrix elements. Axially resolved distributions of electron number-density and electron temperature were obtained to characterize the ion beam at a variety of plasma operating conditions. The electron density dropped by a factor of 101 …
Date: February 10, 1995
Creator: Niu, Hongsen
System: The UNT Digital Library
Intermolecula transfer and elimination of molecular hydrogen in thermal reactions of unsaturated organic compounds (open access)

Intermolecula transfer and elimination of molecular hydrogen in thermal reactions of unsaturated organic compounds

Two reactions which are important to coal liquefaction include intermolecular transfer and the elimination of two hydrogen atoms. We have designed several model reactions to probe the viability of several hydrogen transfer and elimination pathways. This report described studies on these reactions using organic model compounds.
Date: February 10, 1995
Creator: Suria, S.
System: The UNT Digital Library
NMR and NQR study of the thermodynamically stable quasicrystals (open access)

NMR and NQR study of the thermodynamically stable quasicrystals

{sup 27}Al and {sup 61,65}Cu NMR measurements are reported for powder samples of stable AlCuFe and AlCuRu icosahedral quasicrystals and their crystalline approximants, and for a AlPdMn single grain quasicrystal. Furthermore, {sup 27}Al NQR spectra at 4.2 K have been observed in the AlCuFe and AlCuRu samples. From the quadrupole perturbed NMR spectra at different magnetic fields, and from the zero field NQR spectra, a wide distribution of local electric field gradient (EFG) tensor components and principal axis system orientations was found at the Al site. A model EFG calculation based on a 1/1 AlCuFe approximant was successful in explaining the observed NQR spectra. It is concluded that the average local gradient is largely determined by the p-electron wave function at the Al site, while the width of the distribution is due to the lattice contribution to the EFG. Comparison of {sup 63}Cu NMR with {sup 27}Al NMR shows that the EFG distribution at the two sites is similar, but that the electronic contribution to the EFG is considerably smaller at the Cu site, in agreement with a more s-type wave function of the conduction electrons.
Date: February 10, 1995
Creator: Shastri, A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A transport based one-dimensional perturbation code for reactivity calculations in metal systems (open access)

A transport based one-dimensional perturbation code for reactivity calculations in metal systems

A one-dimensional reactivity calculation code is developed using first order perturbation theory. The reactivity equation is based on the multi-group transport equation using the discrete ordinates method for angular dependence. In addition to the first order perturbation approximations, the reactivity code uses only the isotropic scattering data, but cross section libraries with higher order scattering data can still be used with this code. The reactivity code obtains all the flux, cross section, and geometry data from the standard interface files created by ONEDANT, a discrete ordinates transport code. Comparisons between calculated and experimental reactivities were done with the central reactivity worth data for Lady Godiva, a bare uranium metal assembly. Good agreement is found for isotopes that do not violate the assumptions in the first order approximation. In general for cases where there are large discrepancies, the discretized cross section data is not accurately representing certain resonance regions that coincide with dominant flux groups in the Godiva assembly. Comparing reactivities calculated with first order perturbation theory and a straight {Delta}k/k calculation shows agreement within 10% indicating the perturbation of the calculated fluxes is small enough for first order perturbation theory to be applicable in the modeled system. Computation time comparisons …
Date: February 1, 1995
Creator: Wenz, T. R.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Development of a high-resolution soft x-ray (30--1500 eV) beamline at the Advanced Light Source and its use for the study of angle-resolved photoemission extended fine structure (open access)

Development of a high-resolution soft x-ray (30--1500 eV) beamline at the Advanced Light Source and its use for the study of angle-resolved photoemission extended fine structure

ALS Bending magnet beamline 9.3.2 is for high resolution spectroscopy, with circularly polarized light. Fixed included-angle SGM uses three gratings for 30--1500 eV photons; circular polarization is produced by an aperture for selecting the beam above or below the horizontal plane. Photocurrent from upper and lower jaws of entrance slit sets a piezoelectric drive feedback loop on the vertically deflecting mirror for stable beam. End station has a movable platform. With photomeission data from Stanford, structure of c(2{times}2)P/Fe(100) was determined using angle-resolved photoemission extended fine structure (ARPEFS). Multiple-scattering spherical-wave (MSSW) calculations indicate that P atoms adsorb in fourfold hollow sites 1.02A above the first Fe layer. Self-consistent-field X{alpha} scattered wave calculation confirm that the Fe{sub 1}-Fe{sub 2} space is contracted for S/Fe but not for P/Fe; comparison is made to atomic N and O on Fe(100). Final-state effects on ARPEFS curves used literature data from the S 1s and 2p core levels of c(2{times}2)S/Ni(001); a generalized Ramsauer-Townsend splitting is present in the 1s but not 2p data. An approximate method for analyzing ARPEFS data from a non-s initial state using only the higher-{ell} partial wave was tested successfully. ARPEFS data from clean surfaces were collected normal to Ni(111) (3p core …
Date: February 1, 1996
Creator: Huff, W. R. A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Solid phase epitaxial regrowth of (100)GaAs (open access)

Solid phase epitaxial regrowth of (100)GaAs

This thesis showed that low temperature (250 C) SPE of stoichiometrically balanced ion implanted GaAs layers can yield good epitaxial recovery for doses near the amorphization threshold. For 250 C anneals, most of the regrowth occurred in the first 10 min. HRTEM revealed much lower stacking fault density in the co-implanted sample than in the As-only and Ga-only samples with comparable doses. After low temp annealing, the nonstoichiometric samples had a large number of residual defects. For higher dose implants, very high temperatures (700 C) were needed to remove residual defects for all samples. The stoichiometrically balanced layer did not regrow better than the Ga-only and As-only samples. The co-implanted sample exhibited a thinner amorphous layer and a room temperature (RT) annealing effect. The amorphous layer regrew about 5 nm, suggesting that stoichiometrically balanced amorphous layers can regrow even at RT. Mechanisms for solid phase crystallization in (100)GasAs is discussed: nucleation and growth of randomly oriented crystallites and SPE. These two mechanisms compete in compound semiconductors at much lower temperatures than in Si. For the low dose As-only and Ga-only samples with low-temp anneals, both mechanisms are active. For this amorphization threshold dose, crystallites remain in the amorphous layer for …
Date: February 1, 1996
Creator: Almonte, M. I.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Development of a new Pb-free solder: Sn-Ag-Cu (open access)

Development of a new Pb-free solder: Sn-Ag-Cu

With the ever increasing awareness of the toxicity of Pb, significant pressure has been put on the electronics industry to get the Pb out of solder. This work pertains to the development and characterization of an alloy which is Pb-free, yet retains the proven positive qualities of current Sn-Pb solders while enhancing the shortcomings of Sn-Pb solder. The solder studied is the Sn-4.7Ag-1.7Cu wt% alloy. By utilizing a variety of experimental techniques the alloy was characterized. The alloy has a melting temperature of 217{degrees}C and exhibits eutectic melting behavior. The solder was examined by subjecting to different annealing schedules and examining the microstructural stability. The effect of cooling rate on the microstructure of the solder was also examined. Overall, this solder alloy shows great promise as a viable alternative to Pb-bearing solders and, as such, an application for a patent has been filed.
Date: February 10, 1995
Creator: Miller, C. M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Computational modeling of neoclassical and resistive MHD tearing modes in tokamaks (open access)

Computational modeling of neoclassical and resistive MHD tearing modes in tokamaks

Numerical studies of the linear and nonlinear evolution of magnetic tearing type modes in three-dimensional toroidal geometry are presented. In addition to traditional resistive MHD effects, where the parameter {Delta}{prime} determines the stability properties, neoclassical effects have been included for the first time in such models. The inclusion of neoclassical physics introduces and additional free-energy source for the nonlinear formation of magnetic islands through the effects of a bootstrap current in Ohm`s law. The neoclassical tearing mode is demonstrated to be destabilized in plasmas which are otherwise {Delta}{prime} stable, albeit once an island width threshold is exceeded. The simulations are based on a set of neoclassical reduced magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations in three-dimensional toroidal geometry derived from the two-fluid equations in the limit of small inverse aspect ratio {epsilon} and low plasma pressure {beta} with neoclassical closures for the viscous force {del} {center_dot} {leftrightarrow}{pi}. The poloidal magnetic flux {psi}, the toroidal vorticity {omega}{sup {zeta}}, and the plasma pressure p are time advanced using the parallel projection of Ohm`s law, the toroidal projection of the curl of the momentum equation, and a pressure evolution equation with anisotropic pressure transport parallel to and across magnetic field lines. The equations are implemented in an …
Date: February 1, 1996
Creator: Gianakon, T.A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Electronic processes in uniaxially stressed p-type germanium (open access)

Electronic processes in uniaxially stressed p-type germanium

Effect of uniaxial stress on acceptor-related electronic processes in Ge single crystals doped with Ga, Be, and Cu were studied by Hall and photo-Hall effect measurements in conjunction with infrared spectroscopy. Stress dependence of hole lifetime in p-type Ge single crystals is used as a test for competing models of non-radiative capture of holes by acceptors. Photo-Hall effect shows that hole lifetime in Ga- and Be-doped Ge increases by over one order of magnitude with uniaxial stress at liq. He temps. Photo-Hall of Ge:Be shows a stress-induced change in the temperature dependence of hole lifetime. This is consistent with observed increase of responsivity of Ge:Ga detectors with uniaxial stress. Electronic properties of Ge:Cu are shown to change dramatically with uniaxial stress; the results provide a first explanation for the performance of uniaxially stressed, Cu-diffused Ge:Ga detectors which display a high conductivity in absence of photon signal and therefore have poor sensitivity.
Date: February 1, 1996
Creator: Dubon, O.D. Jr.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Collision-induced dissociation reactions and pulsed field ionization photoelectron (open access)

Collision-induced dissociation reactions and pulsed field ionization photoelectron

This report summarized the four parts of the research study and describes the general conclusions. Individual chapters have been removed for separate processing. The chapter titles are: A study of the dissociation of CH{sub 3}SH{sup +} by collisional activation: Observation of non-statistical behavior; High resolution vacuum ultraviolet pulsed field ionization photoelectron band for OCS{sup +}(X{sup 2}{Pi}): An experimental and theoretical study; Rotationally resolved pulsed field ionization photoelectron bands of H{sub 2}{sup +} ({Chi}{sup 2}{Sigma}{sup +}{sub g}, v{sup +} = 0--18); and Rotationally resolved pulsed field ionization photoelectron bands of HD{sup +} ({Chi}{sup 2}{Sigma}{sup +}, v{sup +} = 0--21).
Date: February 12, 1999
Creator: Stimson, S.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Historical Exposures to Chemicals at the Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Plant: A Pilot Retrospective Exposure Assessment (open access)

Historical Exposures to Chemicals at the Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Plant: A Pilot Retrospective Exposure Assessment

In a mortality study of white males who had worked at the Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Plant between 1952 and 1979, an increased number of deaths from benign and unspecified intracranial neoplasms was found. A case-control study nested within this cohort investigated the hypothesis that an association existed between brain tumor death and exposure to either internally deposited plutonium or external ionizing radiation. There was no statistically significant association found between estimated radiation exposure from internally deposited plutonium and the development of brain tumors. Exposure by job or work area showed no significant difference between the cohort and the control groups. An update of the study found elevated risk estimates for (1) all lymphopoietic neoplasms, and (2) all causes of death in employees with body burdens greater than or equal to two nanocuries of plutonium. There was an excess of brain tumors for the entire cohort. Similar cohort studies conducted on worker populations from other plutonium handling facilities have not yet shown any elevated risks for brain tumors. Historically, the Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Plant used large quantities of chemicals in their production operations. The use of solvents, particularly carbon tetrachloride, was unique to Rocky Flats. No investigation of the …
Date: February 1, 1999
Creator: Robertson, Janeen Denise
System: The UNT Digital Library
Optically detected magnetic resonance studies on {pi}-conjugate polymers and novel carbon allotropes (open access)

Optically detected magnetic resonance studies on {pi}-conjugate polymers and novel carbon allotropes

This report describes the following: introduction to photoluminescence detected magnetic resonance (PLDMR); introduction to {pi}-conjugated systems; PLDMR measurements on poly(p-phenylene)-type ladder polymers; PLMDR measurements on poly(p-phenylene ethylene); and PLDMR measurements on C{sub 70}, polythiophene, poly(p-phenylene vinylene) and Dan-40. Appendices to this report describe: Operation of ODMR (optically detected magnetic resonance) spectrometer; ODMR system parameters; and Special purpose circuitry.
Date: February 12, 1999
Creator: Partee, J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Syntheses and studies of organosilicon compounds (open access)

Syntheses and studies of organosilicon compounds

The syntheses of polycarbosilanes and polysilanes as silicon carbide ceramic precursors have been active research areas in the Barton Research Group. In this thesis, the work is focused on the preparation of polycarbosilanes and polysilanes as stoichiometric silicon carbide precursor polymers. The syntheses of the precursor polymers are discussed and the conversions of these precursors to silicon carbide via pyrolysis are reported. The XRD pattern and elemental analyses of the resulting silicon carbide ceramics are presented. Silicon monoxide is an important intermediate in the production of silicon metal. The existence of silicon monoxide in gap phase has been widely accepted. In the second part of this thesis, the generation of gaseous silicon monoxide in four different reactors and the reactions of gaseous silicon monoxide towards organic compounds are discussed.
Date: February 12, 1999
Creator: Xie, R.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Single- and multi-photon ionization studies of organosulfur species (open access)

Single- and multi-photon ionization studies of organosulfur species

Accurate ionization energies (IE`s) for molecular species are used for prediction of chemical reactivity and are of fundamental importance to chemists. The IE of a gaseous molecule can be determined routinely in a photoionization or a photoelectron experiment. IE determinations made in conventional photoionization and photoelectron studies have uncertainties in the range of 3--100 meV (25--250 cm{sup {minus}1}). In the past decade, the most exciting development in the field of photoionization and photoelectron spectroscopy has been the availability of high resolution, tunable ultraviolet (UV) and vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) laser sources. The laser pulsed field ionization photoelectron (PFI-PE) scheme is currently the state-of-the-art photoelectron spectroscopic technique and is capable of providing photoelectron energy resolution close to the optical resolution. The author has focused attention on the photoionization processes of some sulfur-containing species. The studies of the photoionization and photodissociation on sulfur-containing compounds [such as CS{sub 2}, CH{sub 3}SH, CH{sub 3}SSCH{sub 3}, CH{sub 3}CH{sub 2}SCH{sub 2}CH{sub 3}, HSCH{sub 2}CH{sub 2}SH and C{sub 4}H{sub 4}S (thiophene) and sulfur-containing radicals, such as HS, CS, CH{sub 3}S, CH{sub 3}CH{sub 2}S and CH{sub 3}SS], have been the major subjects in the group because sulfur is an important species contributing to air pollution in the atmosphere. The …
Date: February 12, 1999
Creator: Cheung, Y. S.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Capillary electrophoretic study of individual exocytotic events in single mast cells (open access)

Capillary electrophoretic study of individual exocytotic events in single mast cells

The peak profile of individual degranulation events from the on-column release of serotonin from single rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs) was monitored using capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced native fluorescence detection (CE-LINF). Serotonin, an important biogenic amine, is contained in granules (0.25 fL) within RPMCs and is extruded by a process termed exocytosis. The secretagogue, Polymyxin B sulfate, was used as the CE running buffer after injection of a single RPMC into the separation capillary to stimulate the release of the granules. Because the release process occurs on a ms time scale, monitoring individual exocytotic events is possible with the coupling of high-speed CE and LINF detection.
Date: February 12, 1999
Creator: Ho, A.M.W.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Capillary electrophoresis separation of neutral organic compounds, pharmaceutical drugs, proteins and peptides, enantiomers, and anions (open access)

Capillary electrophoresis separation of neutral organic compounds, pharmaceutical drugs, proteins and peptides, enantiomers, and anions

Addition of a novel anionic surfactant, namely lauryl polyoxyethylene sulfate, to an aqueous-acetonitrile electrolyte makes it possible to separate nonionic organic compounds by capillary electrophoresis. Separation is based on differences in the association between analytes and the surfactant. Highly hydrophobic compounds such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons are well separated by this new surfactant. Migration times of analytes can be readily changed over an unusually large range by varying the additive concentration and the proportion of acetonitrile in the electrolyte. Several examples are given, including the separation of four methylbenz[a]anthracene isomers and the separation of normal and deuterated acetophenone. The effect of adding this new surfactant to the acidic electrolyte was also investigated. Incorporation of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide in the electrolyte is shown to dynamically coat the capillary and reverse electroosmotic flow. Chiral recognition mechanism is studied using novel synthetic surfactants as chiral selectors, which are made from amino acids reacting with alkyl chloroformates. A satisfactory separation of both inorganic and organic anions is obtained using electrolyte solutions as high as 5 M sodium chloride using direct photometric detection. The effect of various salts on electrophoretic and electroosmotic mobility is further discussed. Several examples are given under high-salt conditions.
Date: February 12, 1999
Creator: Ding, W.L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
LiV{sub 2}O{sub 4}: A heavy fermion transition metal oxide (open access)

LiV{sub 2}O{sub 4}: A heavy fermion transition metal oxide

The format of this dissertation is as follows. In the remainder of Chapter 1, brief introductions and reviews are given to the topics of frustration, heavy fermions and spinels including the precedent work of LiV{sub 2}O{sub 4}. In Chapter 2, as a general overview of this work the important publication in Physical Review Letters by the author of this dissertation and collaborators regarding the discovery of the heavy fermion behavior in LiV{sub 2}O{sub 4} is introduced [removed for separate processing]. The preparation methods employed by the author for nine LiV{sub 2}O{sub 4} and two Li{sub 1+x}Ti{sub 2{minus}x}O{sub 4} (x = 0 and 1/3) polycrystalline samples are introduced in Chapter 3. The subsequent structural characterization of the LiV{sub 2}O{sub 4} and Li{sub 1+x}Ti{sub 2{minus}x}O{sub 4} samples was done by the author using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), x-ray diffraction measurements and their structural refinements by the Rietveld analysis. The results of the characterization are detailed in Chapter 3. In Chapter 4 magnetization measurements carried out by the author are detailed. In Chapter 5, after briefly discussing the resistivity measurement results including the single-crystal work by Rogers et al., for the purpose of clear characterization of LiV{sub 2}O{sub 4} it is of great importance …
Date: February 12, 1999
Creator: Kondo, Shinichiro
System: The UNT Digital Library
Decomposition of chlorinated ethylenes and ethanes in an electron beam generated plasma reactor (open access)

Decomposition of chlorinated ethylenes and ethanes in an electron beam generated plasma reactor

An electron beam generated plasma reactor (EBGPR) is used to determine the plasma chemistry kinetics, energetics and decomposition pathways of six chlorinated ethylenes and ethanes: 1,1,1-trichloroethane, 1,1-dichloroethane, ethyl chloride, trichloroethylene, 1,1-dichloroethylene, and vinyl chloride. A traditional chemical kinetic and chemical engineering analysis of the data from the EBGPR is performed, and the following hypothesis was verified: The specific energy required for chlorinated VOC decomposition in the electron beam generated plasma reactor is determined by the electron attachment coefficient of the VOC and the susceptibility of the molecule to radical attack. The technology was demonstrated at the Hanford Reservation to remove VOCs from soils.
Date: February 1, 1996
Creator: Vitale, S.A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Gas atomization processing of tin and silicon modified LaNi{sub 5} for nickel-metal hydride battery applications (open access)

Gas atomization processing of tin and silicon modified LaNi{sub 5} for nickel-metal hydride battery applications

Numerous researchers have studied the relevant material properties of so-called AB{sub 5} alloys for battery applications. These studies involved LaNi{sub 5} substituted alloys which were prepared using conventional cast and crush alloying techniques. While valuable to the understanding of metal hydride effects, the previous work nearly ignored the potential for alternative direct powder production methods, like high pressure gas atomization (HPGA). Thus, there is a need to understand the relationship between gas atomization processes, powder particle solidification phases, and hydrogen absorption properties of ultra fine (< 25 {micro}m) atomized powders with high surface area for enhanced battery performance. Concurrently, development of a gas atomization nozzle that is more efficient than all current designs is needed to increase the yield of ultrafine AB{sub 5} alloy powder for further processing advantage. Gas atomization processing of the AB{sub 5} alloys was demonstrated to be effective in producing ultrafine spherical powders that were resilient to hydrogen cycling for the benefit of improving corrosion resistance in battery application. These ultrafine powders benefited from the rapid solidification process by having refined solute segregation in the microstructure of the gas atomized powders which enabled a rapid anneal treatment of the powders. The author has demonstrated the ability …
Date: February 12, 1999
Creator: Ting, J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Chiral separation of pharmaceutical compounds using electrochemically modulated liquid chromatography (EMLC) (open access)

Chiral separation of pharmaceutical compounds using electrochemically modulated liquid chromatography (EMLC)

This research explores the application of a new technique, termed electrochemically modulated liquid chromatography (EMLC), to the chiral separations of pharmaceutical compounds. The introduction section provides a literature review of the technique and its applications, as well as brief overview of the research described in each of the next two chapters. Chapter 2 investigates the EMLC-based enantiomeric separation of a group of chiral benzodiazepines with {beta}-cyclodextrin as a chiral mobile phase additive. Chapter 3 demonstrates the effects of several experimental parameters on the separation efficiency of drug enantiomers. The author concludes with a general summary and possible directions for future studies. Chapters 2 and 3 are processed separately.
Date: February 12, 1999
Creator: Wang, S.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Structure sensitive adsorption of hydrogen on ruthenium and ruthenium-silver catalysts supported on silica (open access)

Structure sensitive adsorption of hydrogen on ruthenium and ruthenium-silver catalysts supported on silica

Supported metal catalysts typically consist of particles with sizes less than 10 nm, and because of the small crystallite size, low coordination number sites (edges and corners) represent a significant fraction of all surface sites. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that adsorption rates can be much greater at these low coordination sites than on basal plane sites. What has not been generally appreciated, however, is that preferential adsorption at edge and corner sites may explain the mechanism by which a promoter, or the addition of a second metal to form a bimetallic, can alter the selectivity and rate of reaction. For example, the measurements of hydrogen adsorption onto supported Ru-Ag catalysts show marked decreases in the amount of hydrogen adsorbed relative to the amount adsorbed on Ru catalysts. Although it is known that Ag does not dissociatively adsorb hydrogen, this decrease cannot be explained by a simple one-to-one site blocking mechanism unless Ag preferentially populates edges and corners, thereby reducing the number of Ru edge sites. Indeed, Monte Carlo simulations of Ru-Group IB metal catalysts predict that Group IB metal atoms preferentially populate corner and edge sites of ruthenium crystals. This evidence, taken together, suggests that adsorption occurs preferentially at …
Date: February 12, 1999
Creator: Kumar, N.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The analysis of aqueous mixtures using liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry (open access)

The analysis of aqueous mixtures using liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry

The focus of this dissertation is the use of chromatographic methods coupled with electrospray mass spectrometry (ES-MS) for the determination of both organic and inorganic compounds in aqueous solutions. The combination of liquid chromatography (LC) methods and ES-MS offers one of the foremost methods for determining compounds in complex aqueous solutions. In this work, LC-ES-MS methods are devised using ion exclusion chromatography, reversed phase chromatography, and ion exchange chromatography, as well as capillary electrophoresis (CE). For an aqueous sample, these LC-ES-MS and CE-ES-MS techniques require no sample preparation or analyte derivatization, which makes it possible to observe a wide variety of analytes as they exist in solution. The majority of this work focuses on the use of LC-ES-MS for the determination of unknown products and intermediates formed during electrochemical incineration (ECI), an experimental waste remediation process. This report contains a general introduction to the project and the general conclusions. Four chapters have been removed for separate processing. Titles are: Chapter 2: Determination of small carboxylic acids by ion exclusion chromatography with electrospray mass spectrometry; Chapter 3: Electrochemical incineration of benzoquinone in aqueous media using a quaternary metal oxide electrode in the absence of a soluble supporting electrolyte; Chapter 4: The …
Date: February 12, 1999
Creator: Johnson, S.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Calibration of laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry using dried solution aerosols for the quantitative analysis of solid samples (open access)

Calibration of laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry using dried solution aerosols for the quantitative analysis of solid samples

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has become the method of choice for elemental and isotopic analysis. Several factors contribute to its success. Modern instruments are capable of routine analysis at part per trillion levels with relative detection limits in part per quadrillion levels. Sensitivities in these instruments can be as high as 200 million counts per second per part per million with linear dynamic ranges up to eight orders of magnitude. With standards for only a few elements, rapid semiquantitative analysis of over 70 elements in an individual sample can be performed. Less than 20 years after its inception ICP-MS has shown to be applicable to several areas of science. These include geochemistry, the nuclear industry, environmental chemistry, clinical chemistry, the semiconductor industry, and forensic chemistry. In this introduction, the general attributes of ICP-MS will be discussed in terms of instrumentation and sample introduction. The advantages and disadvantages of current systems are presented. A detailed description of one method of sample introduction, laser ablation, is given. The paper also gives conclusions and suggestions for future work. Chapter 2, Quantitative analysis of solids by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry using dried solution aerosols for calibration, has been removed …
Date: February 12, 1999
Creator: Leach, J.
System: The UNT Digital Library