Chemistry Commons^™

Electrochemical Studies Of Cobalt(Ii) Diphenylazodioxide Complexes, Lakshmi Balarama, Kylin A. Emhoff, Ahmed M.H. Salem, Jovana Hanna, Mohamed N. Alsabony, Mekki Bayachou, Jerry Mundell, W. Christropher Boyd

Chemistry Faculty Publications

The electrochemical behavior of the unusual cobalt(II) diphenylazodioxide complex salts [Co(az)₄](PF₆)₂ 1 and [Co(bpy)(az)₂](PF₆)₂ 2 has been studied by cyclic voltammetry. Each complex displays two quasireversible redox couples, which are proposed to correspond to a reduction of Co(II) to Co(I), followed by a ligand-based reduction. Irreversible reductions of 1 are observed at more negative potentials, and are proposed to arise from deposition of elemental Co and the decomposition of transiently formed Co(-I) species. Spectroelectrochemical experiments on both 1 and 2, involving electrolytic reduction followed by reoxidation, are consistent with …

Google Funds Cold Fusion Research; Results Still Negative, David W. Ball

Chemistry Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Cold Fusion Thirty Years Later, David W. Ball

Chemistry Faculty Publications

In March 1989, the claim of a revolutionary discovery in nuclear energy production galvanized the scientific community. It turned into a classic case of pathological science—and a textbook example of the self-correcting nature of science.

Metastable Nanostructured Metallized Fluoropolymer Composites For Energetics, Hannah A. Miller, Bradley S. Kusel, Seth T. Danielson, James W. Neat, Eryn K. Avjian, Scott N. Pierson, Stephen M. Budy, David W. Ball, Scott T. Iacono, Sharon C. Kettwich

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Fluoropolymers have long served as potent oxidizers for metal-based pyrolant designs for the preparation of energetic materials. Commercial perfluoropolyethers (PFPEs), specifically known as Fomblins®, are well-known to undergo accelerated thermal degradation in the presence of native metals and Lewis acids producing energetically favorable metal fluoride species. This study employs the use of PFPEs to coat nano-aluminum (n-Al) and under optimized stoichiometric formulations, harness optimized energy output. The PFPEs serve as ideal oxidizers of n-Al because they are non-volatile, viscous liquids that coat the particles thereby maximizing surface interactions. The n-Al/PFPE blended combination is required to interface with an epoxy-based matrix …

Maxwell's Equations, Part Vii, David W. Ball

Chemistry Faculty Publications

This is the seventh (and perhaps last) installment of a series of columns on Maxwell’s equations of electrodynamics. In previous columns (available at Spectroscopy’s website, www.spectroscopyonline.com/The+Baseline+Column), we have covered history, the background of the first three equations, and the mathematics underlying them. Here we will present the fourth equation, and after reaching it we’ll see how light is described in terms of these four mathematical expressions.

Introducing Nob-Nobs: Nitrogen-Oxygen-Boron Cycles With Potential High-Energy Properties, Aloysus K. Lawong, David W. Ball

Chemistry Faculty Publications

As a follow-up on a study of a family of boron-oxygen-nitrogen compounds composed of two datively bonded B–O–N backbones, we investigate a similar series of compounds that have similar fragments but are covalently bonded. B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) quantum mechanical calculations have been performed to determine the minimum-energy geometries, vibrational frequencies, and thermochemical properties of the parent compound and a series of nitro-substituted derivatives. Our results indicate that some of the derivatives have at least appropriate thermodynamics for possible high-energy materials, in some cases being favorable over similar dimeric compounds with coordinate covalent B–N bonds

Bon-Bons: Cyclic Molecules With A Boron-Oxygen-Nitrogen Backbone. Computational Studies Of Their Thermodynamic Properties, Aloysus K. Lawong, David W. Ball

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Although they were first reported in 1963, molecules with a boron-oxygen-nitrogen dimeric backbone do not seem to have been investigated seriously in terms of thermodynamic properties. Here we report on the calculated structures and properties, including thermodynamics, of several so-called “BON-BON” molecules. With the popularity of nitrogen-containing substituents on new high-energy materials, nitro-substituted BON-BONs were a focus of our investigation. A total of 42 BON-BON molecules were evaluated, and thermochemical analysis shows a decrease in the specific enthalpy of combustion or decomposition with increasing NO₂ content, consistent with other systems.

Maxwell's Equations, Part V, David W. Ball

Chemistry Faculty Publications

This is the fifth installment in a series devoted to explaining Maxwell’s equations, the four mathematical statements upon which the classical theory of electromagnetic fields – and light – is based. Previous installments can be found on Spectroscopy’s website (whose URL can be found throughout these issues). Maxwell’s equations are expressed in the language of vector calculus, so a significant part of some previous columns have been devoted to explaining vector calculus, not spectroscopy. For better or worse, that’s par for the course, and it’s my job to explain it well – I trust readers will let me know if …

Maxwell's Equations, Part Iv, David W. Ball

Chemistry Faculty Publications

In this column, we continue our explanation of Maxwell’s equations, the seminal classical explanation of electricity and magnetism (and, ultimately, light). For those of you new to the series, consider finding the last few appearances of this column to get caught up. Alternately, you should be able to find past columns on our website, www.spectroscopymag.com and look for “The Baseline” link. Words of warning: for my own reasons, the figures are being numbered sequentially through this series of columns, which is why the first figure in this column is numbered 26. Also, we’re going to get a bit mathematical. Unfortunately …

Maxwell's Equations, Part Ii, David W. Ball

Chemistry Faculty Publications

This is the second part of a multi-part production on Maxwell’s equations of electromagnetism. The ultimate goal is a definitive explanation of these four equations; readers will be left to judge how definitive it is. A note: for certain reasons, figures are being numbered sequentially throughout this series, which is why the first figure in this column is numbered 8. I hope this does not cause confusion. Another note: this is going to get a bit mathematical. It can’t be helped: models of the physical universe, like Newton’s second law F = ma, are based in math. So are Maxwell’s …

Maxwell's Equations, Part I: History, David W. Ball

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Maxwell’s equations for electromagnetism are the fundamental understanding of how light behaves. There are various versions, depending on whether there is vacuum, a charge present, matter present, the system is relativistic or quantum, or are written in terms of differential or integral calculus. Here, I inaugurate a multi-part series on a discussion of each of Maxwell’s equations. The goal is for this series to become the definitive explanation of these rules (I know, a heady goal!). I trust readers will let me know if I succeed. In this first installment, we will discuss a little bit of historical development as …

Highly Nitrated Cyclopropanes As New High Energy Materials: Dft Calculations On The Properties Of C3H6−N(No2)N (N=3–6), Aloysus K. Lawong, David W. Ball

Chemistry Faculty Publications

As part of a continuing study of new potential high energy materials, here we present results of calculations on cyclopropane molecules with three or more nitro groups. DFT calculations suggest that all molecules can exist as minimum-energy stationary states. Energy calculations indicate that some nitrocyclopropanes have a specific enthalpy of decomposition in excess of 8kJg⁻¹, suggesting that they be explored as new potential high energy materials.