A kinetic study of the transformation of HGdP2O7.1.5H2O into HGdP2O7.0.5H2O has been achieved by means of isothermal thermogravimetry experiments under controlled water vapour pressure. This pressure was found to have an accelerating effect upon the rate of reaction. The kinetic curves giving the extent of reaction versus time can be described using a Mampel's model. Via this modeling, values o...

Described is a straightforward procedure for forming organized substrate-immobilized nanoprisms which are single crystalline, surfactant-free and which form a heteroepitaxial relationship with the underlying substrate. The devised route utilizes truncated Au octahedrons formed through solid state dewetting techniques as high temperature heterogeneous nucleation sites for Ag adatoms which are ar...

A spectroscopic study of L-α-alanine in different environments is presented, with special emphasis on the neutral to zwitterion transformation of this amino acid. Spectra of room temperature solids as deposited from the vapour and in KBr pellets are compared and discussed revealing some discrepancies. An assignment is proposed based on theoretical calculations of the solid structure. Vapour dep...

The release of the organochlorine pesticide lindane (γ-hexachlorocyclohexane) from several types of contaminated building materials was studied to assess inhalation hazard and decontamination requirements in response to accidental and/or intentional spills. The materials included glass, polypropylene carpet, latex-painted drywall, ceramic tiles, vinyl floor tiles, and gypsum ceiling tiles. For ...

The composition, vapour pressure, and heat capacity of nine biodiesel fuels from different sources were measured. The vapour pressure of the biodiesel fuels is modeled assuming an ideal liquid phase of the fatty acid methyl esters constituting the fuel. New methodologies to calculate the vapour pressure and ideal gas and liquid heat capacities of the biodiesel fuel constituents are proposed. Tw...

Results of an experimental and theoretical investigation of heat and moisture movement in unsaturated MX-80 bentonite are presented. A thermo-hydraulic cell that allows measurement of transient temperatures and facilitates the determination of pseudo-transients of moisture content, dry density and chemical composition has been used to perform thermal gradient tests. Results of a number of tests...