One-nucleon-induced nonmesonic hypernuclear decay in laboratory coordinates

We present a formalism for the computation of one-nucleon-induced nonmesonic weak hypernuclear decay rates in laboratory coordinates, within an independent-particle shell model framework, with a view to its generalization to the case of two-nucleon-induced transitions.Fil: Galeão, A. P.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho. Instituto de Física Teórica; BrasilFil: Barbero, Cesar Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico La Plata. Instituto de Física La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas; ArgentinaFil: de Conti, C.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho. Campus Experimental de Itapeva; BrasilFil: Krmpotic, Francisco. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico La Plata. Instituto de Física La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas; Argentin

Kinetic energy sum spectra in nonmesonic weak decay of hypernuclei

We evaluate the coincidence spectra in the nonmesonic weak decay (NMWD) \Lambda N\go nN of $\Lambda$ hypernuclei $^{4}_\Lambda$He, $^{5}_\Lambda$He, $^{12}_\Lambda$C, $^{16}_\Lambda$O, and $^{28}_\Lambda$Si, as a function of the sum of kinetic energies $E_{nN}=E_n+E_N$ for $N=n,p$. The strangeness-changing transition potential is described by the one-meson-exchange model, with commonly used parameterization. Two versions of the Independent-Particle Shell Model (IPSM) are employed to account for the nuclear structure of the final residual nuclei. They are: (a) IPSM-a, where no correlation, except for the Pauli principle, is taken into account, and (b) IPSM-b, where the highly excited hole states are considered to be quasi-stationary and are described by Breit-Wigner distributions, whose widths are estimated from the experimental data. All $np$ and $nn$ spectra exhibit a series of peaks in the energy interval 110 MeV $<E_{nN}<170$ MeV, one for each occupied shell-model state. The IPSM-a could be a pretty fair approximation for the light $^{4}_\Lambda$He and $^{5}_\Lambda$He hypernuclei. For the remaining, heavier, hypernuclei it is very important, however, to take into account the spreading in strength of the deep-hole states, and bring into play the IPSM-b approach. Notwithstanding the nuclear model that is employed the results depend only very weakly on the details of the dynamics involved in the decay process proper. We propose that the IPSM is the appropriate lowest-order approximation for the theoretical calculations of the of kinetic energy sum spectra in the NMWD. It is in comparison to this picture that one should appraise the effects of the final state interactions and of the two-nucleon-induced decay mode.Comment: v1: 20 pages, 3 figures, 1 table, submitted for publication; v2: minor corrections, improved figures, published versio

Diverse Methods to Nanomanufacture Colloidal Dispersions of Polyaniline without Templates

Different methods which could be used to produce colloidal dispersions of polyaniline (PANI) nano-objects without templates are described. While the methods are non-deterministic, different nano-objects (nanospheres, nanofibers, nanobelts, nanorice, nanotubes, nanorods, nanodisks, etc.) can be produced. Those most used are: (i) solution polymerization with steric stabilizers (SPS) to produce nanospheres, (ii) interfacial polymerization (IP) to produce nanofibers and (iii) solution polymerization in the presence of additives (SPA) to produce nanotubes. Oxidation of aniline in aqueous solution could produce nanotubes, nanofibers and other shapes by controlling mass transport/concentration of reactants, pH, and the presence of oligomers/additives. The different models proposed to explain the formation of various nano-objects are discussed. Mechanochemical polymerization (MCP) could produce nanofibers or nanospheres by controlling the aniline/oxidant ratio. PANI nanospheres of tunable sizes can also be produced by nanoprecipitation (NPT) of preformed PANI from its solutions using an antisolvent. The geometrical constraints to the small nano-objects made of high-molecular-weight rigid polymers are described. The conditions to produce nanostructures also affect the intrinsic properties of PANI (conductivity, crystallinity, and electroactivity). Selected technological applications of PANI nano-objects manufactured as colloidal dispersions without templates are discussed. Based on the reviewed work and models, future lines of work are proposed

Mechanochemical Synthesis of Polyanilines and Their Nanocomposites: A Critical Review

The mechanochemical synthesis of polyanilines (PANIs), made by oxidative polymerization of anilines, is reviewed. First, previous knowledge of the polymerization reaction in solution is discussed to understand the effect of different parameters: oxidant/monomer ratio, added acid, oxidant, temperature and water content on the properties of the conducting polymers (molecular weight, degradation, doping/oxidation level, conductivity, and nanostructure). The work on mechanochemical polymerization (MCP) of anilines is analyzed in view of previous data in solution, and published data are critically reconsidered to clarify the interpretation of experimental results. A key factor is the production of acids during polymerization, which is often overlooked. The production of gaseous HCl during MCP of aniline hydrochloride is experimentally observed. Since some experiments involves the addition of small amounts of water, the kinetics and heat balance of the reaction with concentrated solutions were simulated. A simple experiment shows fast (<2 min) heating of the reaction mixture to the boiling point of water and temperature increments are observed during MCP in a mortar. The form and sizes of PANI nanostructures made by MCP or solution are compared. The extensive work on the production of nanocomposites by MCP of anilines together with different nanomaterials (porous clays, graphene, carbon nanotubes, metal, and oxide nanoparticles) is also described

Laser Techniques for the Study of Electrode Processes

XVI, 292 p.online resource

Functionalization of Conductive Polymers through Covalent Postmodification

Organic chemical reactions have been used to functionalize preformed conducting polymers (CPs). The extensive work performed on polyaniline (PANI), polypyrrole (PPy), and polythiophene (PT) is described together with the more limited work on other CPs. Two approaches have been taken for the functionalization: (i) direct reactions on the CP chains and (ii) reaction with substituted CPs bearing reactive groups (e.g., ester). Electrophilic aromatic substitution, SEAr, is directly made on the non-conductive (reduced form) of the CPs. In PANI and PPy, the N-H can be electrophilically substituted. The nitrogen nucleophile could produce nucleophilic substitutions (SN) on alkyl or acyl groups. Another direct reaction is the nucleophilic conjugate addition on the oxidized form of the polymer (PANI, PPy or PT). In the case of PT, the main functionalization method was indirect, and the linking of functional groups via attachment to reactive groups was already present in the monomer. The same is the case for most other conducting polymers, such as poly(fluorene). The target properties which are improved by the functionalization of the different polymers is also discussed

Functionalized polyanilines made by nucleophilic addition reaction, applied in gas sensors field

Resistive sensors for organic volatile compounds are built using functionalized polyanilines. The functionalization of polyaniline (PANI) is achieved by nucleophilic addition with thiols and is confirmed by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. The modified polymers tested as resistive sensors change the polymer sensitivity to volatile compounds. PANI shows a signal that increases when the chain length increases, however, functionalized polyanilines show a completely different behaviour. The sensitivity to long chain alcohols increases when PANI is modified with long alkyl chains, the opposite behaviour occurs when more hydrophilic groups are bonding to the polymer. We conclude that the different sensitivity of the functionalized polyanilines to the same volatile molecule allows identifying the analyte. In that way, multisensor arrays based on these materials could be used as an electronic nose. To explain this behaviour measurements of contact angle were performed. The data reveal that all modified polyanilines are more hydrophobic than PANI, this is likely to be due to the presence of the sulphur atoms. Therefore, we conclude that the hydrophobic/hydrophilic nature of the surface plays an important role but is not decisive in the sensor response. Also, Van der Waals interactions between the alkyl chains bound to de PANI and present in the sensed alcohols play an important role. Accordingly, the sensitivity for a plain alkane (heptane) increases strongly when PANI is modified with long alkyl chains. © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.CONICET; FONCYT; MinCyT-Cordoba; SECYT-UNRC; collaboration project of MCTIP (Argentina); Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport of the Czech Republic-Program NPU I [LO1504

Tuning the molecular sensitivity of conductive polymer resistive sensors by chemical functionalization

Polyaniline thin films are chemically functionalized by nucleophilic addition of thiols beareing different functional groups: carboxylic, amine, -dodecyl and sulfonic. The modification is tested using FTIR and XPS spectroscopy. Then, the films are used as resistive sensors for different volatile organic compounds in a static measuring system. The sensitivity of conducting polymers to alcohols and heptane is strongly affected by the chemical functionalization of the materials. Polyaniline show an increasing signal when the chain length of different alcohols is increased. The incorporation of hydrophilic groups on the PANI chains seems to maintain the trend. On the other hand, the polymer modified with a long alkyl chain (PANI-DOT) show negative response for methanol and the signal increases up to propanol to decrease for longer chains. PANI-DOT show the largest signal for heptane of all polymers tested. Therefore, the functional group attached to the conductive polymer chain can be used to tune the molecular sensitivity of the resistive sensor. © (2014) Trans Tech Publications