The microstructures, machinability and surface characteristics of Al–7Si and Al–7Si–2.5Cu cast alloys were studied after various melt treatments like grain refinement and modification. The results indicate that combined grain refined and modified Al–7Si–2.5Cu cast alloys have microstructures consisting of uniformly distributed 𝛼-Al grains, eutectic Al-silicon and fine CuAl₂ particles in the interdendritic region. These alloys exhibited better machinability and surface characteristics in the cast condition compared with the same alloy subjected to only grain refinement or modification. Performances of the turning inserts (uncoated and polished CVD diamond coated) were evaluated in machining Al–7Si and Al–7Si–2.5Cu cast alloys under dry environment using a lathe. The polished CVD diamond coated insert outperformed the uncoated cutting insert which suffered from sizeable edge buildup leading to higher cutting force and poor surface finish. The polished CVD diamond coated insert shows a very small steady wear without flaking of the diamond film during cutting. This paper attempts to investigate the influence of grain refinement, modification and combined action of both on the microstructural changes in the Al–7Si and Al–7Si–2.5Cu cast alloys and their machinability and surface finish when different turning inserts are used.

The microstructures and impact toughness of Al–7Si and Al–7Si–2.5Cu cast alloys were studied after various melt treatments like grain refinement and modification. The results indicate that combined grain refined and modified Al–7Si–2.5Cu alloys have microstructures consisting of uniformly distributed 𝛼-Al grains, interdendritic network of fine eutectic silicon and fine CuAl₂ particles in the interdendritic region. These alloys exhibited improved impact toughness in as cast condition when compared to those treated by individual addition of grain refiner or modifier. The improved impact toughness of Al–7Si–2.5Cu alloys are related to breakage of the large aluminum grains and uniform distribution of eutectic silicon and fine CuAl₂ particles in the interdendritic region resulting from combined refinement and modification. This paper attempts to investigate the influence of microstructural changes in the Al–7Si and Al–7Si–2.5Cu cast alloys by grain refinement, modification and combined action of both on the impact toughness.

Present study considers microstructural characterization of vanadium-based palladium (V–Pd) alloys, which are widely used in marine environment due to their high corrosion resistance. The X-ray diffraction line profile analysis (XRDLPA) have been used to assess the microstructure in body centred cubic (bcc) V–Pd alloys having four different nominal compositions in wt.%. X-ray diffraction line broadening analysis on V–Pd alloys has been performed by using different methods like the Warren–Averbach, double-Voigt and Rietveld methods. Finally microstructural defect parameters such as domain size (𝐷), r.m.s. microstrain 〈 𝜀² 〉^1/2, twin fault (𝛽'), spacing fault (𝛼𝜀) and deformation stacking fault (𝛼) were evaluated in these alloys by Fourier line shape analysis using Rietveld method in which the X-ray diffraction profiles of these alloys were described by the pseudo-Voigt function to fit the experimental data. From analysis it has been observed that twin fault, 𝛽', and the spacing fault, 𝛼𝜀, are totally absent in these bcc alloy systems because the twin fault, 𝛽', has been observed to be either negative or very small (within experimental error limit) for these alloy systems and the spacing fault, 𝛼𝜀, appears to be negative. This analysis also revealed that the deformation stacking fault, 𝛼, is significantly present in this alloy system and increases with Pd content.

The influence of a condensation product (CP) of veratraldehyde (VRTD) and 𝑝-amino benzoic acid (PABA) on Zn–Ni alloy electrodeposited onto mild steel was studied in acidic sulphate solutions. Ethylenediaminetetraaceticacid (EDTA) and cetyltrimethylammoniumbromide (CTAB) were used as complexing and wetting agents, respectively. The effect of bath constituents, pH, current density and temperature on nature of deposit were studied through Hull cell experiments. The bath constituents and operating parameters were optimized. Deposit properties and corrosion resistance were discussed. Throwing power, current efficiency and polarization studies were carried out. SEM photomicrographs of the deposit obtained from optimum bath revealed fine-grained deposit of the alloy in the presence of condensation product and hence modified the morphology of zinc–nickel alloy deposit. IR spectrum of the scrapped deposit showed inclusion of addition agent.

Electrodeposition of zinc on steel was obtained from acid chloride bath containing condensation products (CP) of 3,4,5-trimethoxy benzaldehyde (TMB) and chitosan (CTN). The effect of bath constituents, pH, current density and temperature on the nature of deposit was studied by Hull cell experiments. The bath composition and operating parameters were optimized. The adhesion, ductility and corrosion resistance of the deposits were discussed. Throwing power and current efficiency values under different plating conditions were measured. SEM photomicrographs of the deposit were taken to study the surface morphology. The inclusion of addition agent in the deposit was investigated from IR spectrum of the scrapped deposit. The consumption of brightener in the lab scale is 10 mLL^-1 for 1000 amp-h.

X-ray diffraction studies were carried out on single crystals of two flavonoids, viz. 5-hydroxy-6,7,4′-trimethoxyflavone, C₁₈H₁₆O₆, (I) and 5-hydroxy-3,7,4′-trimethoxyflavone, C₁₈H₁₆O₆, (II). Crystal structures of both the flavonoids were solved by direct methods and refined by full-matrix least-squares procedures. In both the molecules, the benzopyran moiety is planar. The dihedral angle between the phenyl ring and the benzopyran portion is 5.50(4)° in (I) and 29.11(5)° in (II). In (I), the crystal packing is influenced by O–H…O hydrogen bonds, and weak C–H…O and $\pi \ldots \pi$ interactions whereas in (II) the crystal structure is stabilized by the presence of four intermolecular short contacts of the type C–H…O. There is also one C–H$\ldots \pi$ hydrogen bond with H… centroid distance of < 2.7 Å. The molecules are further stabilized by 𝜋–𝜋 interactions.

Polyethersulfone (PES) films were irradiated with 3 MeV proton beams in the fluence range 10¹³–10¹⁵ ions/cm². The radiation induced changes in microhardness was investigated by a Vickers’ microhardness tester in the load range 100–1000 mN and electrical properties in the frequency range 100 Hz–1 MHz by an LCR meter. It is observed that microhardness of the film increases significantly as fluence increases up to 10¹⁴ ions/cm². The bulk hardness of the films is obtained at a load of 400 mN. The increase in hardness may be attributed to the cross linking effect. There is an exponential increase in conductivity with log frequency and the effect of irradiation is significant at higher fluences. The dielectric constant/loss is observed to change significantly due to irradiation. It has been found that dielectric response in both pristine and irradiated samples obey the Universal law and is given by 𝜀 ∝ 𝑓^n–1. These results were corroborated with structural changes observed in FTIR spectra of irradiated samples.

We report here on the development and spectral analysis of Cu²⁺ (0.5 mol%) and Mn²⁺ (0.5 mol%) ions doped in two new series of glasses. The visible absorption spectra of Cu²⁺ and Mn²⁺ glasses have shown broad absorption bands at 820 nm and 495 nm, respectively. For Cu²⁺ BFP glasses, excitation at 380 nm, a blue emission at 441 nm and also a weak emission at 418 nm ions have been observed. For Mn²⁺ ions doped BFP glasses, excitation at 410 nm and a red shift at 605 nm emission have been observed.

The changes in glass structure and redox ratio, 𝑅 (reduced ion to oxidized ion) of Mn²⁺–Mn³⁺, Cu⁺–Cu²⁺, Cr³⁺–Cr⁶⁺, Ni²⁺–Ni³⁺ and Co²⁺–Co³⁺ couples and optical absorption due to Mn³⁺, Cu²⁺, Cr³⁺, Ni²⁺ and Co²⁺ ions in industrial soda–lime–silica glass were investigated as a function of Na₂O concentration in the range 11–19 mol%. With increasing Na₂O concentration in the experimental glasses, the basicity, expressed as calculated basicity, 𝛬_cal, increased. ²⁹Si NMR and X-ray diffraction were used to investigate the structural change in glasses. The NMR spectra showed high non-bridging oxygens (NBOs) when the basicity of glass was increased. The results were interpreted to be due to the tetrahedral networks; 𝑄⁴ species were depolymerized by replacing the bridging oxygens (BOs) with NBOs to 𝑄³ species. These results confirmed the shift of broadening peaks of XRD patterns. The redox reactions of the Mn²⁺–Mn³⁺, Cu⁺–Cu²⁺ and Cr³⁺–Cr⁶⁺ couples shifted more toward their oxidized ions due to the oxygen partial pressure, 𝑝(𝑂₂), during melting and the oxide ion activity, 𝑎_O2–, increased with increasing glass basicity. These changes caused the redox ratio of these ion couples to decrease. The Ni²⁺–Ni³⁺ and Co²⁺–Co³⁺ couples were assumed to be present only in the Ni²⁺ and Co²⁺ ions in these glasses, respectively. The optical absorption bands due to Mn³⁺, Cu²⁺, Cr³⁺, Ni²⁺ and Co²⁺ ions were also investigated. Their spectra occurred at constant wavelengths with different optical densities or intensities as a function of glass basicity. The increase in the intensities of the absorption bands of these absorbing ions, except for Cr³⁺ ion, at the maximum wavelength, depends not only on the ion concentration but also on the increase of polarizability of oxide (–II) species, 𝛼_oxide(–II), surrounding the ions. This value affected directly the extinction coefficients of the ions, 𝜀_ion. The increase of 𝜀_ion caused the colour of glasses appearing in high intensity. In the case of Cr³⁺ ion, the results were reversed such that the lower the concentration, the higher the intensities of colour.

The electrical conductivity of lithium zinc silicate (LZS) glasses with composition, (SiO₂)_0.527 (Na₂O)_0.054(B₂O₃)_0.05(P₂O₅)_0.029(ZnO)_0.34–𝑥(Li₂O)_𝑥 (𝑥 = 0.05, 0.08, 0.11, 0.18, 0.21, 0.24 and 0.27), was studied as a function of frequency in the range 100 Hz–15 MHz, over a temperature range from 546–637 K. The a.c. conductivity is found to obey Jonscher’s relation. The d.c. conductivity ($\sigma_{d.c.}$) and the hopping frequency($\omega_{h}$), inferred from the a.c. conductivity data, exhibit Arrhenius-type behaviour with temperature. The electrical modulus spectra show a single peak, indicating a single electrical relaxation time, 𝜏, which also exhibits Arrhenius-type behaviour. Values of activation energy derived from $\sigma_{d.c.}, \omega_{h}$ and 𝜏 are almost equal within the experimental error. It is seen that $\sigma_{d.c.}$ and $\omega_{h}$ increase systematically with Li₂O content up to 21 mol% and then decrease for higher Li₂O content, indicating a mixed alkali effect caused by mobile Li⁺ and Na⁺ ions. The scaling behaviour of the modulus suggests that the relaxation process is independent of temperature but depends upon Li⁺ concentration.

Wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) recordings were carried out on raw Dharwar cotton fibres available in Karnataka. Using this data and employing linked atom least squares (LALS) method, we report here the molecular and crystal structure of these cotton fibres. Employing structural data, we have computed elastic moduli tensor components of these fibres. From these investigations, it turns out that the intrinsic strains present in the fibre arise due to hydrogen bonds and not covalent bonds, which is a significant result.

The results from DSC and thermogravimetric analysis of gels produced from a mixture of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and octyltriethoxysilane (OtEOS) both with and without immobilized Ru(II) tris(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline) dichloride as well as DSC and TG data for films deposited by deep- or spincoating from the same gels, are reported. The initial products are characterized by elemental analysis, IR, solid state NMR and mass spectroscopy. Elemental analysis and IR spectroscopy are applied for identification of some of the intermediates obtained after heating at different temperatures. The final products are characterized by X-ray diffractometry. A hypothesis for the thermodecomposition processes taking place is proposed. The results reported contribute to elucidation of the properties as well as the temperature intervals in which the studied microcomposites could be used as sensing components of oxygen sensors.

Study on the cementation of the regenerated activity (from spent resin using ferric as regenerant) containing ferric in cement matrix showed that compressive strength and leaching behaviour are better when the ferric strength was < 5 N. The diffusion coefficient of Cs from the cement matrix was found to be in the range 2.4 × 10^-5 cm²/day and 5.9 × 10^-5 cm²/day with ferric solutions of strength in the range 0.5–3 N. When bentonite and vermiculite were included in the cement matrix, the diffusion coefficient of Cs was found to be in the range 6.2 × 10^-7 cm²/day to 1.26 × 10^-5 cm²/day with ferric strength in the same range.

The suitability of calcium phosphate crystals for thermoluminescence dosimetry (TLD) applications is investigated, owing to their equivalence to bone mineral. The 𝛼 and 𝛽 phases of tricalcium phosphate (TCP) were synthesized through wet precipitation and high temperature solid state routes and doped with Dy and Eu. The photoluminescence and thermoluminescence studies of the phosphors have been carried out.

The TL properties were found to be highly dependent on the method of preparation of the material. Eu doping gave good PL emission, whereas Dy doping was more efficient in TL emission. 𝛽-TCP was found to be less TL sensitive than 𝛼-TCP, yet it was identified as a better phosphor material owing to its better fading characteristics.

The dependence of TL of 𝛽-TCP : Dy on the energy and dose of radiation, and on the doping concentration were studied. The TL intensity was observed to fade exponentially during a storage period of 20 days, but it stabilized at 70% of the initial value after 30 days. The optimum doping concentration was found to be 0.5 mol%.

The condensation of iodobenzene to biphenyl is an industrially important reaction due to its significant role in organic synthesis as drug intermediates. The reaction takes place in the presence of copper powder as catalyst. We have shown in this paper that the size of the copper nanoparticles as well as its exposed surface area is responsible for the yield of chemical reaction. The uncapped copper powder showed a 43% conversion of iodobenzene to biphenyl in 5 h under our experimental conditions. Same amount of copper nanoparticles (size, ∼ 66 nm diameter) prepared by citrate capping showed 88% conversion of iodobenzene to biphenyl, which increased to about 95% when 8 nm diameter capped copper nanoparticles are used. Surprisingly, 5 nm size copper nanoparticles showed no change in the yield of about 95%.