Viscometric Study of the Gelatin Solutions Ranging from Dilute to Extremely Dilute Concentrations

The viscosity of gelatin solutions with concentrations between 10^?4 and 10^?5 g/cm³, covering the extremely dilute zones, was studied via a photoelectric viscometer, and the effects of the electrolyte, pH, surfactant, urea, and temperature were discussed. The results showed that the reduced viscosity (η_sp/C) of gelatin exhibited a drastic increase with dilution in the extremely dilute aqueous solutions, this being a typical polyelectrolyte effect. The reduced viscosity of gelatin underwent several oscillations with varying pH; the minimum value of the viscosity was at pH = 5.0, corresponding to its isoelectric point, where gelatin exhibited antipolyelectrolyte behavior. The reduced viscosity of gelatin decreased with increasing temperature, which was due to the helix–coil transition in the gelatin solution. The temperature of the helix–coil transition was 30.0°C in gelatin aqueous solution; however the temperature of helix–coil transition decreased to 20.0°C in urea. Upon cooling, the gelatin molecules in aqueous solution underwent a coil–helix transition. Hydrophobic interactions caused chain folding in the presence of the surfactant sodium dodecylsulphate.     

Viscosity of Collagen Solutions: Influence of Concentration,Temperature, Adsorption,and Role of Intermolecular Interactions

An investigation of the influences of the adsorption, electrolyte, shear rate, and temperature on the viscometric behavior of collagen solutions was performed using a photoelectric viscometer. The experimental results showed an abnormal behavior of the reduced viscosity (η_sp/C) of dilute collagen solutions measured by a viscometer with or without a hydrophobic surface treatment; the reduced viscosity increased with decreasing concentration. This phenomenon can be completely eliminated by increasing the concentration of an added salt. It indicated that the abnormal viscosity resulted from a long-ranged, inter-molecular electrostatic force. The reduced viscosity decreased as the shear rate increased. The shear-thinning cavitation phenomenon resulted from the high aspect ratio of the collagen molecules. The reduced viscosity of the collagen solutions increased with an increase in temperature, which was due to the association of collagen molecules at high temperature.     

Low-frequency spectroscopy of four-photon scattering of laser radiation in aqueous solutions of biopolymers

Four-photon scattering (FPS) spectroscopy is used to record rotational resonances of H₂O and H₂O₂ molecules in aqueous solutions of DNA and denatured DNA within a range of ±10 cm^-1 with a spectral resolution of 3 GHz. The resonance contribution of rotational transitions of these molecules in solutions was found to be considerably larger than that in distilled water. This fact is interpreted as a manifestation of the specific properties of a hydrate layer at the interface between water and DNA or denatured DNA molecules. An analysis of the FPS spectra shows that the concentration of H₂O₂ molecules in the hydrate layer of the DNA molecule increases threefold after denaturation. In addition, the FPS spectra of aqueous solutions of α-chymotrypsin protein with concentrations of 0-20 mg cm^-3 were measured in the spectral range of ±7 cm^-1. It is found that the velocity of hypersound in the protein aqueous solution, which is measured by the shift of the Mandelstam—Brillouin scattering spectrum components, is a cubic function of the concentration and reaches 3000 m/s at 20 mg/cm³.     

Experimental Investigation of Subcooled Vertical Upward Flow Boiling in a Narrow Rectangular Channel

Accurate models for the onset of nucleate boiling, density of active nucleation sites (N_a), bubble departure size (D_d), and departure frequency (f_d) are essential to the success of computational fluid dynamics analysis of two-phase thermal-hydraulics involving subcooled flow boiling in nuclear reactor systems. This work presents an experimental study of subcooled flow boiling in a vertical upward narrow rectangular channel that mimics the flow passage in the plate fuel assembly of boiling water reactors. The experiments are conducted over a range of mass flux (G = 122–657 kg/m²s), inlet subcooling (ΔT_sub = 4.7–33.3?C), and heat flux (q″ = 1.7–28.9 W/cm²). Based on the experimental data, empirical correlations are developed for the prediction of onset of nucleate boiling, N_a, D_d, and f_d for given flow conditions. These correlations are valid in the nucleate boiling regime when the wall superheat is less than 12°C and can be incorporated in the computational fluid dynamics codes to enable more precise simulation of subcooled flow boiling heat transfer and two-phase flow in nuclear energy applications.     

Synthesis of Al2TiO5 and its effect on the properties of chitosan–NH4SCN polymer electrolytes

In this paper, Al₂TiO₅ ceramic material has been synthesised and used as filler in polymer electrolyte system to enhance the conductivity. The precursor sintered at 1,050 °C and contained 0.08 mole of aluminium nitrate gives the best and complete formation of Al₂TiO₅. Composite polymer electrolytes of chitosan–NH₄SCN containing different amount of home-made Al₂TiO₅ were prepared by solution casting. The addition of filler has enhanced the conductivity of polymer electrolyte. The sample 57 wt% chitosan–38 wt% NH₄SCN–5 wt% Al₂TiO₅ exhibited the highest electrical conductivity of 2.10?×?10^?4 S cm^?1 at room temperature. The presence of the Al₂TiO₅ creates favourable pathways for ionic conduction through Lewis acid–base type interactions between ionic species and O/OH surface groups on alumina filler grains. In addition, the space charge region created by the presence of Al³⁺ could attract SCN^?1 ions, thus immobilise it and increase the transport number of the cation. Degree of crystallinity is calculated from the deconvoluted X-ray diffraction patterns and it shows that the lowest degree of crystallinity is achieved when 5 wt% of filler is added. In Fourier transform infrared study, the carboxamide band of the polymer is observed to shift to higher wave number from 1,629 to 1,634 cm^?1, confirming the formation of chitosan–NH₄SCN–Al₂TiO₅ complexes. The morphology of composite polymer electrolyte has been studied using scanning electron microscopy at room temperature.     

Blends of hexanoyl chitosan/epoxidized natural rubber doped with EMImTFSI

Hexanoyl chitosan soluble in THF is prepared by acyl modification of chitosan. Epoxidation natural rubber (ENR25) (25 mol%) is chosen to blend with hexanoyl chitosan. Films of hexanoyl chitosan/ENR25 blends containing lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiN(CF₃SO₂)₂) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (EMImTFSI) are prepared by solution casting technique. FTIR results suggested that LiN(CF₃SO₂)₂ salt interacted with hexanoyl chitosan, ENR25, and EMImTFSI. EMImTFSI interacted with hexanoyl chitosan and ENR25 to form EMIm⁺-hexanoyl chitosan and EMIm⁺-ENR25 complexes, respectively. The effect of EMImTFSI on the morphology and thermal properties of the blends is investigated by polarized optical microscopy (POM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), respectively. The ionic conductivity of the electrolytes is measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Upon addition of 12 wt% EMImTFSI, a maximum conductivity of 1.3 × 10^?6 S cm^?1 is achieved. Methods based on impedance spectroscopy and FTIR are employed to study the transport properties of the prepared polymer electrolytes. The ac conductivity was found to obey universal law, σ(ω)?=?σ _dc ?+?Aω ^S . The temperature dependence of exponent s is interpreted by the small polaron hopping (SPH) model.     

Surface chemical study on the covalent attachment of hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan to titanium surfaces

An anti-microbial and bioactive coating could not only reduce the probability of infection related to titanium implants but also support the growth of surrounding osteogenic cells. Our previous study has showed that hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (HACC) with a DS (degrees of substitution) of 18% had improved solubility and significantly higher antibacterial activities against three bacteria which were usually associated with infections in orthopaedics. In the current study, HACC with a DS of 18% coating was bonded to titanium surface by a three-step process. The titanium surface after each individual reaction step was analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and attenuated total reflection (ATR) of Fourier-transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The XPS results demonstrated that there were great changes in the atomic ratios of C/Ti, O/Ti, and N/Ti after each reaction step. The XPS high resolution and corresponding devolution spectra of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and titanium were also in good coordination with the anticipated reaction steps. Additionally, the absorption bands around 3365 cm⁻¹ (-OH vibration), 1664 cm⁻¹ (Amide I), 1165 cm⁻¹ (ν_as, C-O-C bridge), and the broad absorption bands between 958 cm⁻¹ and 1155 cm⁻¹ (skeletal vibrations involving the C-O stretching of saccharide structure of HACC) verified that HACC was successfully attached to titanium surface.     

Preparation of an Estriol Surface Imprinted Polymer and its Adsorption Ability Evaluation

A novel molecularly imprinted polymer/magnetic chitosan microsphere (MIP/MCM) was prepared by a surface molecular imprinting technique in combination with a sol–gel process, using estriol as the template, γ-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane as the functional monomer, tetraethoxysilicane as the cross-linker, and magnetic chitosan as the support material. The adsorption ability and selectivity of the polymeric material toward estriol were evaluated. The results indicated that the prepared material had higher adsorption capacity and selectivity toward estriol than the non-imprinted polymer/MCM. The theoretical maximum adsorption capacity (Q _max) was 8.13 mg g^?1, and the equilibrium dissociation constant (K _d) was 625.0 mg mL^?1. The functionalized material had fast uptake kinetics, 83.64% of the saturated adsorption capacity was obtained within a period of 60 min, and the adsorption almost reached equilibrium within 90 min. This prepared material has potential to be used as a sorbent in solid-phase extraction (SPE) to enrich trace estriol in samples.     

Effect of H<Subscript>3</Subscript>PO<Subscript>2</Subscript> on the mechanical,thermal, and electrical properties of polymers based on poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and chitosan (CS)

A polymer based on poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and chitosan (CS) with a weight ratio of 80:20 was prepared by solvent casting processes, and the effect of H₃PO₂ was investigated. Thermal analysis shows miscibility of the two polymer amorphous phases since a single T_g was located between those of the individual components and the melting point of the crystalline phase was depressed to 189 °C. It was found that the acid acts as a plasticizer for the PVA-CS blends and its T_g is depressed significantly to 23 °C as the acid concentration increases to 50%. Strain-stress tests also corroborate this effect. The DC conductivity of the blends follows an Arrhenius-type thermal activation behavior with activation energy of 0.1 eV in the 30–90 °C temperature range. Moreover, the conductivity increases with increasing acid content up to a maximum value of approximately 1.4 × 10^?2 S/cm for the blend with an acid concentration of 50%.     

The vapor-phase Raman spectra and the ring-puckering vibration of some deuterated analogs of trimethylene oxide

The ring-puckering vibration has been observed in the Raman spectra of the vapor phase of several deuterated species of trimethylene oxide (α - d₂, β - d₂, α, α′ - d₄, and d₆). Only Δv = 2 transitions have a measurable Raman intensity. The line positions agree with infrared values to better than 0.5 cm⁻¹ in most cases and better than 1 cm⁻¹ in all cases. For all molecules the interpretation of the spectra is consistent with an essentially planar configuration having only a small barrier to inversion.     

Novel Bioactive Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) Complexes with Schiff Base Ligand Derived from Histidine and 1,3-Indandione: Synthesis,Structural Elucidation,Biological Investigation and Docking Analysis

Novel bioactive complexes of Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) metal ions with Schiff base ligand derived from histidine and 1,3-indandione were synthesized and thoroughly characterized by various analytical and spectral techniques. The biological investigations were carried out to examine the efficiency of the binding interaction of all the complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA). The binding properties were studied and evaluated quantitatively by K_b and K_sq values using UV-visible, fluorescence spectroscopy and voltammetric techniques. The experimental results revealed that the mode of binding of all the complexes with CT-DNA is via intercalation. It is further verified by viscosity measurements and thermal denaturation experiments. From the results of the cleavage study with pUC19 DNA it is inferred that all the complexes possess excellent cleaving ability. The present investigation proved that the binding interaction of all the complexes are significantly strong and the order of binding strength of the complexes is [Ni(L)₂] (K_b = 3.11 × 10⁶ M^?1) > [Co(L)₂] (K_b = 2.89 × 10⁶ M^?1) > [Cu(L)₂] (K_b = 2.64 × 10⁶ M^?1) > [Zn(L)₂] (K_b = 2.41 × 10⁵ M^?1). The complexes were also screened for antibacterial and anticandidal activity. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the ligand and complexes on the NIH/3 T3 mouse fibroblast cell lines were examined using CellTiter-Blue® (CTB) Cell viability assay, which unveiled that all the complexes exhibit more potent activities against NIH/3 T3 cells. Among all the complexes [Zn(L)₂] complex showed the maximum efficiency.     

Energy efficiency of drilling granite and travertine with a CO2 laser and 980 nm diode laser

Using lasers to drill hard rock presents potential advantages compared to conventional mechanical drilling, such as higher penetration rates and reduced vibration. Before realistic drilling tools can be proposed, the influence of important parameters and the mechanisms involved in drilling different rocks with different lasers must be understood. In this work, we investigate the efficiency of laser drilling of granite and travertine with a CO₂ laser and a 980 nm fiber coupled diode laser. At the drilling surface, the maximum CW power delivered by the CO₂ laser was 140 W, while the diode laser delivered up to 215 W. Even at these modest power levels, it was possible to drill holes with diameters of the order of 8 mm at efficiencies varying from 40 kJ/cm³ to 150 kJ/cm³. The optimum laser exposure period of time was also investigated. Finally, x-ray diffraction and fluorescence analysis, as well as Tg (Thermogravimetry) and DTA (Differential Thermal Analysis) measurements, were performed on the rocks samples used.     

Electrical properties of proton conducting solid biopolymer electrolytes based on starch–chitosan blend

Two systems (salted and plasticized) of starch–chitosan blend-based electrolytes incorporated with ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) are prepared via solution cast technique. The incorporation of 25 wt% NH₄Cl has maximized the room temperature conductivity of the electrolyte to (6.47?±?1.30)?×?10^?7 S cm^?1. Conductivity is enhanced to (5.11?±?1.60)?×?10^?4 S cm^?1 on addition of 35 wt% glycerol. The temperature dependence of conductivity for all electrolytes is Arrhenian, and the value of activation energy (E _a ) decreases with increasing conductivity. Conductivity is found to be influenced by the number density (n) and mobility (μ) of ions. The complexation between the electrolytes components is proven by Fourier transform infrared analysis. The relaxation time (t _r ) for selected electrolytes is found to decrease with increasing conductivity and temperature. Conduction mechanism for the highest conducting electrolyte in salted and plasticized systems is determined by employing Jonscher’s universal power law.     

Enhancement of third-order nonlinearity in Ag-nanoparticles-contained chalcohalide glasses

Ag-nanoparticles were embedded in 56GeS₂?C24Ga₂S₃?C20KBr chalcohalide glass with average size varying from 100 to 300 nm. A large femtosecond optical Kerr effect indicated an enhancement of third-order optical nonlinearity due to Ag-nanoparticles observed by AFM images. Among these Ag-nanoparticles-embedded chalcohalide glass samples, the sample (c) with the second largest implanting dose 1 × 10¹⁷ ions/cm² showed the largest value of ??⁽³⁾ 5.34 × 10^?13 esu, which was ten times larger than that of the substrate. The nonlinear relation between the implanted dose and third-order optical nonlinearity is strongly related to the intrinsic local field and Ag-nanoparticles interaction in the glasses.     

Ultrasonic assisted water-in-oil emulsions encapsulating macro-molecular polysaccharide chitosan: Influence of molecular properties,emulsion viscosity and their stability

An ultrasonic technique was applied to formulation of two-phase water-in-paraffin oil emulsions loading a high-molecular polysaccharide chitosan (CS) and stabilized by an oil-soluble surfactant (Span80) at different operational conditions. The influence of chitosan molecular properties, phase volume ratio (φ_w), Span80 volume fraction (φ_s) and ultrasonic processing parameters were systemically investigated on the basis of mean droplet diameter (MDD) and polydispersity index (PDI) of emulsions. It was observed that the molecular weight (M_w) of CS was an important influential factor to MDD due to the non-Newtonian properties of CS solution varying with M_w. The minimum MDD of 198.5 nm with PDI of 0.326 was obtained with ultrasonic amplitude of 32% for 15 min at an optimum φ_w of 35%, φ_s of 8%, probe position of 2.2 cm to the top of emulsion, while CS with M_w of 400 kDa and deacetylation degree of 84.6% was used. The rise of emulsion viscosity and the reduction of negative zeta potential at φ_w increasing from 5% to 35% were beneficial to obtain finer droplets and more uniform distribution of emulsions, and emulsion viscosity could be represented as a monotonically-decreasing power function of MDD at the same φ_w. FTIR analysis indicated that the molecular structure of paraffin oil was unaffected during ultrasonication. Moreover, the emulsions exhibited a good stability at 4 °C with a slight phase separation at 25 °C after 24 h of storage. By analyzing the evolution of MDD, PDI and sedimentation index (SI) with time, coalescence model showed better fitting results as comparison to Ostwald ripening model, which demonstrated that the coalescence or flocculation was the dominant destabilizing mechanism for such W/O emulsions encapsulating CS. This study may provide a valuable contribution for the application of a non-Newtonian macromolecule solution as dispersed phase to generate nano-size W/O emulsions via ultrasound, and widen knowledge and interest of such emulsions in the functional biomaterial field.     

Chitosan-ZnO/polyaniline ternary nanocomposite for high-performance supercapacitor

We report on the synthesis of chitosan-zinc oxide (ZnO)/polyaniline (CS-ZnO/PANI) ternary nanocomposites via in situ polymerization of aniline in the presence of CS-ZnO nanocomposite prepared by simple precipitation method. The structure, morphology, and physicochemical properties of prepared ternary composites are characterized by Fourier transform infrared, UV–visible, X-ray diffraction, SEM, EDXS, TEM, thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis, and N₂ adsorption/desorption measurements. Their electrochemical properties are also investigated using cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge–discharge tests, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Electrochemical measurements show that the mesoporous CS_0.12-ZnO_2.5/PANI electrode yields larger specific capacitance (587.15 F g^?1) than the corresponding PANI-ZnO electrode without added chitosan and the capacitance retention is 80 % after 1,000 charge/discharge cycles at 175 mA cm^?2 current density in the voltage range of 0 to 0.8 V vs. SCE, due to the synergistic effect among three components which result in enhanced specific capacitance and cycling stability. The resulting composites are promising electrode materials for high-performance, environmentally friendly, and low-cost electrical energy storage devices.     

Vibrational Spectroscopic Characterization of the Sulphate-Carbonate Mineral Burkeite: Implications for Evaporites

Burkeite formation is important in saline evaporites and in pipe scales. Burkeite is an anhydrous sulphate-carbonate with an apparent variable anion ratio. Such a formula with two oxyanions lends itself to vibrational spectroscopy. Two symmetric sulphate stretching modes are observed, indicating at least at the molecular level the nonequivalence of the sulphate ions in the burkeite structure. The strong Raman band at 1065 cm^?1 is assigned to the carbonate symmetric stretching vibration. The series of Raman bands at 622, 635, 645, and 704 cm^?1 are assigned to the ν₄ sulphate bending modes. The observation of multiple bands supports the concept of a reduction in symmetry of the sulphate anion from T _d to C _3v or even C _2v.     

Enhancement of electrical stability of a-IGZO TFTs by improving the surface morphology and packing density of active channel

a-IGZO films were deposited on Si substrates by d.c sputtering technique with various working power densities (p_d) in the range of 0.74–2.22 W/cm². The correlation between material properties and their effects on electrical stability of a-IGZO thin-film transistor (TFTs) was studied as a function of p_d. At a p_d of 1.72 W/cm² a-IGZO film had smoothest surface roughness (0.309 nm) with In-rich and Ga-poor cation compositions as a channel. This structurally ordered TFTs exhibited a high field effect mobility of 9.14 cm²/Vs, a sub-threshold swing (S.S.) of 0.566 V/dec, and an on–off ratio of 10⁷. Additionally, the V_th shift in hysteresis loop is almost eliminated. It was shown that the densification of the a-IGZO film resulted in the reduction of its interface trap density (1.83 × 10¹² cm^?2), which contributes for the improvement in the electrical and thermal stability.     

Preparation and Properties of Novel Modified Humidity Control Composite Materials

Montmorillonite /polyacrylamide (MMT/PAM) humidity control materials, with the MMT modified separatly by argent-ammonium complex ions ([Ag(NH₃)₂]⁺) and copper ions (Cu²⁺) (Ag-MMT/PAM, Cu-MMT/PAM) were prepared. The structures of the Ag-MMT/PAM and Cu-MMT/PAM were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The humidity control property was examined by a desiccator method. Antibacterial properties were tested with an inhibition zone method. The results showed that the structures of Ag-MMT/PAM and Cu-MMT/PAM were loose and porous. Polyacrylamide was intercalated into the layers of the MMT. The increasing interlayer spacings of Ag-MMT/PAM and Cu-MMT/PAM were from 1.51 nm for the original MMT to 2.04 nm and 2.11 nm, respectively. Both Ag-MMT/PAM and Cu-MMT/PAM presented good humidity control and antibacterial properties.     

DNA Binding,Cleavage and Antibacterial Activity of Mononuclear Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) Complexes Derived from Novel Benzothiazole Schiff Bases

A series of novel bivalent metal complexes M(L₁)₂ and M(L₂)₂ where M = Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II) and L₁ = 2-((benzo [d] thiazol-6-ylimino)methyl)-4-bromophenol [BTEMBP], L₂ = 1-((benzo [d] thiazol-6-ylimino)methyl) naphthalen-2-ol [BTEMNAPP] were synthesized. All the compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, SEM, Mass, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, UV–Vis, IR, ESR, spectral data and magnetic susceptibility measurements. Based on the analytical and spectral data four-coordinated square planar geometry is assigned to all the complexes. DNA binding properties of these complexes have been investigated by electronic absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence and viscosity measurements. It is observed that these binary complexes strongly bind to calf thymus DNA by an intercalation mode. DNA cleavage efficacy of these complexes was tested in presence of H₂O₂ and UV light by gel electrophoresis and found that all the complexes showed better nuclease activity. Finally the compounds were screened for antibacterial activity against few pathogens and found that the complexes have potent biocidal activity than their free ligands.