An effect of N ion bombardment on the properties of CdTe thin films

E-beam evaporated CdTe thin films were processed with N⁺ ion bombardment as in situ process. The N⁺ ion glow was generated using simple Multipurpose Al probe instead of conventional plasma sources. The prepared films were identified as nano crystalline using XRD analysis. High N⁺ ion fluence helped to grow (3 1 1) oriented CdTe thin films instead of (2 2 0) and (1 1 1). The observed results revealed the effect of N⁺ ion fluence on the structural parameters like lattice parameter, d space value, crystalline size, dislocation density, micro strain etc. The observed optical band gap values lie in between 1.47 and 1.77 eV. The effect of N⁺ ion bombardment on optical properties was also reported. Noticeable change in electrical and surface properties was also observed. The observed value shows the reproducibility as <1% and it is suggested that the N⁺ ion plasma was effectively utilized to modify the structural, optical and surface properties as in situ.     

The high throughput analysis of N-methyl carbamate pesticides in wine and juice by electrospray ionization liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry with direct sample injection into a short column

We developed a new analysis method for the N-methyl carbamate pesticides in juice and wine. The juice and wine were diluted with ultra pure water, and determined by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI LC/MS/MS) with direct sample injection into a short column. The new method, including sample preparation and determination, is simple and rapid, and allows simultaneous determination of nine N-methyl carbamate pesticides in juice and wine within analysis time that is much shorter as compared with the traditional method. The average recoveries from juice and wine fortified at the level of 0.1 ppm ranged from 59.6 to 126.7% with the coefficients of variation ranging from 0.4 to 5.1% for intra-day (n = 5 × 3 days) and from 0.5 to 22.6% for inter-day (n = 15). At the fortified level of 0.5 ppm, the recoveries ranged from 69.3 to 127.2% with the coefficients of variation ranging from 0.4 to 6.9% for intra-day (n = 5 × 3 days) and from 0.5 to 22.6% for inter-day (n = 15). The method is considered to be satisfactory for the monitoring of the carbamate pesticides residues in juice and wine, suggesting that the present method is applicable to other pesticide residues in foods.     

(Vapour + liquid) equilibrium in (N,N-dimethylacetamide + methanol + water) at the temperature 313.15 K

Total vapour pressures, measured at the temperature 313.15 K, are reported for the ternary mixture (N,N-dimethylacetamide + methanol + water), and for binary constituents (N,N-dimethylacetamide + methanol) and (N,N-dimethylacetamide + water). The present results are compared with previously obtained data for binary mixtures (amide + water) and (amide + methanol), where amide=N-methylformamide, N,N-dimethylformamide, N-methyl-acetamide, 2-pyrrolidinone and N-methylpyrrolidinone. Moreover, it was found that excess Gibbs free energy of mixing for binary mixtures varies roughly linearly with the molar volume of amide.     

A method to detect metal–drug complexes and their interactions with pathogenic bacteria via graphene nanosheet assist laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry and biosensors

A new method was proposed to probe the interactions between transition metals of Fe(II), Fe(III), Cu(II) with a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), flufenamic acid (FF) using graphene as a matrix for Graphene assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (GALDI-MS). Metal–drug complexation was confirmed via UV absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, pH meter, and change in solution conductivity. The optimal molar ratios for these complexation interactions are stoichiometry 1:2 in both Cu(II) and Fe(II) complexes, and 1:3 in Fe(III) complexes at physiological pH (7.4). Metal complexation of the drug could enhance fluorescence for 20 fold which is due to the charge transfer reaction or increase rigidity of the drug. The main interaction between graphene and flufenamic acid is the П–П interaction which allows us to probe the metal–drug complexation. The GALDI-MS could sensitively detect the drug at m/z 281.0 Da (protonated molecule) with detection limit 2.5 pmol (1.0 μM) and complexation at m/z 661.0, 654.0 and 933.0 Da corresponding to [Cu(II)(FF)₂(H₂O)₂ + H]⁺, [Fe(II)(FF)₂(H₂O)₂ + H]⁺ and [Fe(III) (FF)₃(H₂O)₂ + H]⁺, respectively (with limit of detection (LOD) 2.0 pmol (10.0 μM). Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) spectra show change in the protein profile of intact pathogenic bacteria (Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Staphylococcus aureus). The change in the ionization ability (mainly proton affinity) of pathogenic bacteria may be due to the interactions between the bacteria with the drug (or its complexes). Shielding carboxylic group by metals and increase the hydrophilicity could enhance the biocompatibility of complexes toward the pathogenic bacteria which can be used as biosensors with high sensitivity and lowest detectable concentrations are in the range of 3.3 × 10³–3.9 × 10⁴ cfu mL⁻¹ with large linear dynamic range.     

Ultra-sensitive quantification of lysozyme based on element chelate labeling and capillary electrophoresis–inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

In this study, an ultra-sensitive method for the quantification of lysozyme based on the Gd³⁺ diethylenetriamine-N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentaacetic acid labeling and capillary electrophoresis–inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (CE–ICP–MS) was described. The Gd³⁺-tagged lysozyme was effectively separated by capillary electrophoresis (CE) and sensitively determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP–MS). Based on the gadolinium-tagging and CE–ICP–MS, the lysozyme was determined within 12 min with an extremely low detection limit of 3.89 attomole (3.89 × 10⁻¹¹ mol L⁻¹ for 100 nL of sample injection) and a RSD < 6% (n = 5). The proposed method has been successfully used to detect lysozyme in saliva samples with a recovery of 91–106%, suggesting that our method is sensitive and reliable. The success of the present method provides a new potential for the biological assays and sensitive detection of low-abundant proteins.     

Physical properties of 3-methyl-N-butylpyridinium tricyanomethanide and ternary LLE data with an aromatic and an aliphatic hydrocarbon at T = (303.2 and 328.2) K and p = 0.1 MPa

Several physical properties were determined for the ionic liquid 3-methyl-N-butylpyridinium tricyanomethanide ([3-mebupy]C(CN)₃): liquid density, viscosity, surface tension, thermal stability and heat capacity in the temperature range from (283.2 to 363.2) K and at 0.1 MPa. The density and the surface tension could well be correlated with linear equations and the viscosity with a Vogel-Fulcher-Tamman equation. The IL is stable up to a temperature of 420 K.Ternary data for the systems {benzene + n-hexane, toluene + n-heptane, and p-xylene + n-octane + [3-mebupy]C(CN)₃} were determined at T = (303.2 and 328.2) K and p = 0.1 MPa. All experimental data were well correlated with the NRTL model. The experimental and calculated aromatic/aliphatic selectivities are in good agreement with each other.     

Determination of airborne isocyanates as di-n-butylamine derivatives using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry

A method for the determination of isocyanates as di-n-butyl amine (DBA) derivatives using tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and electrospray ionisation (ESI) is presented. Multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) of the protonated molecular ions and corresponding deuterium-labelled d₉-DBA derivatives resulted in selective quantifications with correlation coefficients >0.998 for the DBA derivatives of isocyanic acid (ICA), methyl isocyanate (MIC), ethyl isocyanate (EIC), propyl isocyanate (PIC), phenyl isocyanate (PhI), 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), 2,4-, 2,6-toluene diisocyanate (TDI), isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), 4,4′-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), 3-ring MDI, 4-ring MDI, HDI-isocyanurate, HDI-diisocyanurate, HDI-biuret and HDI-dibiuret. The instrumental precision for 10 repeated injections of a solution containing 0.1 μg ml⁻¹ of the studied derivatives was <2%. Performing MRM of the product ion [DBA + H]⁺ (m/z = 130) from the protonated molecular ion resulted in the lowest detection limits, down to 10 amol (for TDI). Quantification of concentrations below 10⁻⁶ of the occupational exposure limit (OEL) for TDI during 10 min of air sampling was made possible. In an effort to control the formation of alkali adducts, addition of lithium acetate to the mobile phase and monitoring of lithium adducts was evaluated. Having lithium present in the mobile phase resulted in complete domination of [M + Li]⁺ adducts, but detection limits for the studied compounds were not improved. Different deuterium-labelled derivatives as internal standards were evaluated. (1) DBA derivatives of deuterium-labelled isocyanates (d₄-HDI, d₃-2,4-TDI, d₃-2,6-TDI and d₂-MDI), (2) d₉-DBA derivatives of the corresponding isocyanates and (3) d₁₈-DBA derivatives of the corresponding isocyanates. An increase in number of deuterium in the molecule of the internal standard resulted in an increase in instrumental precision and a decrease in correlation within calibration series.     

Chelating ionic versus bridged molecular structures of group 13 metal complexes with bidentate ligands

Complexes of aluminum and gallium trihalides with ethylenediamine (en) and N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (tmen) of 2:1 composition have been synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. In contrast to known molecular complexes of hydrido and methyl-substituted analogs, these solid complexes adopt ionic structures of the general type [M¹X₂LL]⁺[M²X₄]⁻ (X = Br, I; M¹, M² = Al or Ga; LL = en, tmen).     

Co(III) complexes of the type [(L)Co(O2CO)] (L = tripodal tetraamine ligand): Synthesis,structure, DFT calculations and Co NMR

The syntheses and characterisation of the Co(III) complexes [(L)Co(O₂CO)]ClO₄ (L = a tripodal tetraamine ligand = baep, abap, uns-penp, dppa, trpn) are reported. Geometric isomers are possible for all but the trpn complex, owing to the non-equivalence of the three arms on the tripodal ligand, and both NMR and X-ray crystallography are used to identify the single isomer formed. X-ray crystal structures of the complexes [(L)Co(O₂CO)]ClO₄ · xH₂O (L = baep, x = 0.5; L = abap, x = 0; L = uns-penp, x = 1; L = dppa, x = 0; L = trpn, x = 1) are reported; little variation is observed in the geometry of the carbonate chelate ring while significant lengthening of bonds and expansion of angles involving the cobalt ion occurs as the number of six-membered chelate rings in the complex cations increases. ⁵⁹Co NMR chemical shift data for the complexes show the expected linear relationship between λ_max, the wavelength of the lowest energy d–d transition, and γ, the magnetogyric ratio of the ⁵⁹Co nucleus. An excellent correlation between Δ, the d orbital splitting parameter, and δ(⁵⁹Co) also exists for these complexes. Rate data for the acid hydrolysis of [(L)Co(O₂CO)]⁺ (L = uns-penp, dppa) in 1.0 M HClO₄ differ by two orders of magnitude, and this is attributed to the differing steric accessibility of the endo O atoms in each complex. DFT calculations on the complexes reproduce the isomeric preferences, UV–Vis and ⁵⁹Co NMR spectroscopic data well, provided that solvent effects are included.     

Oxidative condensation and chemiluminescence of 5-amino-2,3-dihydro-1,4-phtalazinedione

The oxidative condensation of (5-amino-2,3-dihydro-1,4-phtalazinedione) luminol was carried out under their oxidation by (NH₄)₂S₂O₈ and KIO₃ in the mixed water-organic (namely dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) or N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (MPD)) solvent under the volume ratio 1:9. The structure of the products was studied by IR and Raman spectroscopy, elemental analysis and the derivatographic method. It was determined that oxidation by KIO₃ (E = 1.085 V) occurs on the amide nitrogen atoms, while in the case of (NH₄)₂S₂O₈ (E = 2.05 V) it occurs on the amino-group. The structure and thermal stability of the obtained products is determined by the nature of the oxidant. The active decomposition of luminol begins at t_d = 334.5 °C, while for the specimens of the polyluminols, which were synthesized in the water-DMSO and water-MPD mixtures, t_d equals 356.7 and 409.1 °C respectively. The worst thermal stability has products of luminol oxidation by KIO₃ (t_d = 282.5 °C). The mechanism of the luminol oxidative polymerization by (NH₄)₂S₂O₈ and KIO₃ has been proposed.     

Piezoelectric quartz crystal sensor for rapid analysis of pirimicarb residues using molecularly imprinted polymers as recognition elements

A new piezoelectric quartz crystal (PQC) sensor using molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) as sensing material has been developed for fast and onsite determination of pirimicarb in contaminated vegetables. Three MIPs particles have been prepared by conventional bulk polymerization (MIP-B) and precipitation polymerization in either acetonitrile (MIP-P1) or chloroform (MIP-P2). MIP-P2, with uniform spherical shape and mean diameter at about 50 nm, has shown the best performance as the sensing material for PQC sensor. The sensor fabricated with MIP-P2 can achieve a steady-state response within 5 min, a very short response time as compared to MIPs-coated PQC sensor reported in the literature. The sensor developed exhibits good selectivity (low response to those pesticides with similar structures to pirimicarb, such as atrazine, carbaryl, carbofuran and aldicarb) and high sensitivity to pirimicarb with a linear working range from 5.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 4.7 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹ (following a regression equation (r = 0.9988) of −ΔF = 0.552 + 1.79 × 10⁶ C), a repeatability (R.S.D., n = 5) of 4.3% and a detection limit (S/N = 3, n = 5) of 5 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹. The MIP-coated PQC sensor developed is shown to provide a sensitive and fast method for onsite determination of pirimicarb in aqueous extract from contaminated vegetables with satisfactory recoveries from 96 to 103% and repeatability (R.S.D., n = 5) from 4.6 to 7.1% at pirimicarb concentrations ranging from 8.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 2.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹.     

Single-crystal electronic spectra of some quadrate chromium(III) complexes

Polarised electronic spectra of trans-[Cr(tmd)₂F₂](ClO₄), trans-[Cr(en)₂(dma)₂](ClO₄)₃, trans-[Cr(en)₂(dmf)Cl](ClO₄)₂ and trans-[Cr(en)₂(dmf)Br](ClO₄)₂ have been measured at 77 K (tmd = trimethylenediamine; dma = N,N-dimethylacetamide; dmf = N,N-dimethylformamide; en = ethylenediamine, pn = propylenediamine). The observed quartet bands have been given definitive quadrate assignments based on polarisation characteristics. The four-component quadrate quartet bands have been uncovered and assigned also in the unpolarised crystal spectrum of trans-[Cr(en)₂(dmf)₂](ClO₄)₃ at 77 K and the solution spectrum of trans-[Cr(en)(pn)F₂]⁺. The band maxima derived by gaussian analysis in these spectra have been fitted with the theoretical energy equations of d³ configuration in quadrate ligand fields including full configuration interaction. The ligand field parameters Dq, Dt, and Ds and the election correlation parameter, B, extracted by such a fitting, have been compared with those obtained for other similar systems earlier. The significance of the ligand field symmetry parameters and the translated angular overlap model parameters is discussed.     

Synthesis, characterization and thermal properties of new aromatic quaternary ammonium bromides: precursors for ionic liquids and complexation studies

Series of new aromatic R₂R′₂N⁺Br⁻ (R=benzyl, 4-methylbenzyl, 2-phenylethyl, 3-phenylpropyl; R′=ethyl, methyl, isopropyl) or RR′₂NH⁺Br⁻-type (R=benzyl, R′=isopropyl) quaternary ammonium bromides were prepared by using novel synthetic route in which a formamide (N,N-diethylformamide, N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-diisopropylformamide) is treated with aralkyl halide in presence of a weak base. The compounds were characterized by ¹H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Structures of the crystalline compounds were determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction, and in addition the powder diffraction method was used to study the structural similarities between the single crystal and microcrystalline bulk material. Three of the compounds crystallized in monoclinic, two in orthorhombic and one in triclinic crystal system, showing ion pairs, which are interconnected by weak hydrogen bonds and weak π-π interactions between the phenyl rings. Three of the compounds appeared as viscous oil or waxes. Finally, TG/DTA and DSC methods were used to analyze thermal properties of the prepared compounds. The lowest melting points were obtained for diethyldi-(2-phenylethyl)ammonium bromide (122.2 °C) and for diethyldi-(3-phenylpropyl)-ammonium bromide (109.1 °C). In general, decomposition of the compounds started at 170-190 °C without identifiable cleavages, thus liquid ranges of 30-70 °C were observed for some of the compounds.     

Thermally stable triaryl amino chromophores with high molecular hyperpolarizabilities

The synthesis of a series of high temperature triaryl amino chromophores with unprecedented hyperpolarizability values for potential EO applications is described. 4-(N,N-di-p-anisylamino)phenyl donors are for the first time bridged to powerful acceptors such as tricyanovinyldihydrofuran via vinyl thiophene linkages. The chromophores are readily soluble in common organic solvents, exhibit useful absorptions and high thermal decomposition temperatures (highest T_d=358 °C). Molecular hyperpolarizabilities (β) of the chromophores were measured by Hyper Rayleigh Scattering (HRS) at 1604 nm, which gave β values from 1000 to 20,000 × 10⁻³⁰ esu. The electrochemical behavior of the chromophores were studied by cyclic voltametry, and agree well with the intrinsic nonlinearities observed. These chromophores are of particular interest due to their large optical nonlinearities, transparency in the near IR, high thermal decomposition temperatures, and their potential to be incorporated into polymeric materials.     

Kinetics of the CH3 + HCl/DCl → CH4/CH3D + Cl and CD3 + HCl/DCl → CD3H/CD4 + Cl reactions: An experimental H atom tunneling investigation

The kinetics of the radical reactions of CH₃ with HCl or DCl and CD₃ with HCl or DCl have been investigated in a temperature controlled tubular reactor coupled to a photoionization mass spectrometer. The CH₃ (or CD₃) radical, R, was produced homogeneously in the reactor by a pulsed 193 nm exciplex laser photolysis of CH₃COCH₃ (or CD₃COCD₃). The decay of CH₃/CD₃ was monitored as a function of HCl/DCl concentration under pseudo-first-order conditions to determine the rate constants as a function of temperature, typically from 188 to 500 K. The rate constants of the CH₃ and CD₃ reactions with HCl had strong non-Arrhenius behavior at low temperatures. The rate constants were fitted to a modified Arrhenius expression k = QA exp (−E_a/RT) (error limits stated are 1σ + Students t values, units in cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹): k(CH₃ + HCl) = [1.004 + 85.64 exp (−0.02438 × T/K)] × (3.3 ± 1.3) × 10⁻¹³ exp [−(4.8 ± 0.6) kJ mol⁻¹/RT] and k(CD₃ + HCl) = [1.002 + 73.31 exp (−0.02505 × T/K)] × (2.7 ± 1.2) × 10⁻¹³ exp [−(3.5 ± 0.5) kJ mol⁻¹/RT]. The radical reactions with DCl were studied separately over a wide ranges of temperatures and in these temperature ranges the rate constants determined were fitted to a conventional Arrhenius expression k = A exp (−E_a/RT) (error limits stated are 1σ + Students t values, units in cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹): k(CH₃ + DCl) = (2.4 ± 1.6) × 10⁻¹³ exp [−(7.8 ± 1.4) kJ mol⁻¹/RT] and k(CD₃ + DCl) = (1.2 ± 0.4) × 10⁻¹³ exp [−(5.2 ± 0.2) kJ mol⁻¹/RT] cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹.     

Synthesis of arene ruthenium triazolato complexes by cycloaddition of the corresponding arene ruthenium azido complexes with activated alkynes or with fumaronitrile

The neutral arene ruthenium azido complexes [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(LL)(N₃)], [LL = acetylacetonato (acac) (4), benzoylacetonato (bzac) (5) diphenylbenzoyl methane (dbzm) (6)] undergo [3+2] cycloaddition reaction with a series of activated alkynes and fumaronitrile to produce the arene ruthenium triazolato complexes: [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(LL){N₃C₂(CO₂R)₂}] [LL = (acac), R = Me (7); LL = (bzac), R = Me (8); LL = (dbzm), R = Me (9); LL = (acac), R = Et (10); LL = (bzac), R = Et (11); LL = (dbzm), R = Et (12) and [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(LL)(N₃C₂HCN)]; LL = acac (13), bzac (14); dbzm (15). However, cationic azido complexes, [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(dppe)(N₃)]⁺ and [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(dppm)(N₃)]⁺ do not undergo such cycloaddition reactions. The complexes were characterized on the basis of microanalyses, FT-IR and NMR spectroscopic data. Crystal structures of representative complexes were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Examination of performance of glassy carbon paste electrode modified with gold nanoparticle and xanthine oxidase for xanthine and hypoxanthine detection

A composite electrode was prepared by modifying glassy carbon microparticles with gold nanoparticles (Au-nps) and xanthine oxidase enzyme (XOD) for xanthine (X) and hypoxanthine (Hx) detection. After the optimization of the system for X, the biosensor was characterized for X and Hx. A linearity was obtained in the concentration range between 5.00 × 10⁻⁷ and 1.00 × 10⁻⁵ M for X with equation of y = 0.24x + 0.712 and 5.00 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.50 × 10⁻⁴ M for Hx, with equation of y = 0.014x + 0.575, respectively. Obtained results were compared to X and/or Hx biosensors including/not including Au-np in the structure. The developed system was also applied for detection of Hx in canned tuna fish sample and very promising results were obtained.     

Phase equilibria for systems containing dimethyl disulfide and diethyl disulfide with hydrocarbons at 368.15 K

Isothermal vapor–liquid equilibrium (VLE) for dimethyl disulfide + toluene, dimethyl disulfide + 2,2,4-trimethylpentane, dimethyl disulfide + 2,4,4-trimethyl-1-pentene, and diethyl disulfide + 2,2,4-trimethylpentane at 368.15 K were measured with a recirculation still. All systems exhibit positive deviation from Raoult's law. Dimethyl disulfide + toluene system shows only slight positive deviation from Raoult's law, while dimethyl disulfide + 2,2,4-trimethylpentane, dimethyl disulfide + 2,4,4-trimethyl-1-pentene, and diethyl disulfide + 2,2,4-trimethylpentane systems show larger positive deviation from Raoult's law. Maximum pressure azeotropes were found in systems: dimethyl disulfide + toluene (x₁ = 0.632, P = 66.4 kPa, T = 368.15 K), dimethyl disulfide + 2,2,4-trimethylpentane (x₁ = 0.311, P = 95.8 kPa, T = 368.15 K), and dimethyl disulfide + 2,4,4-trimethyl-1-pentene (x₁ = 0.295, P = 88.4 kPa, T = 368.15 K). No azeotropic behavior was observed in system diethyl disulfide + 2,2,4-trimethylpentane at 368.15 K. The experimental results were correlated with the Wilson model. Original UNIFAC was used to predict dimethyl disulfide + 2,2,4-trimethylpentane and diethyl disulfide + 2,2,4-trimethylpentane systems at 368.15 K. COSMO-SAC predictive model was used to predict infinite dilution activity coefficients for all systems measured. Liquid and vapor-phase composition were determined with gas chromatography. All VLE measurements passed the thermodynamic consistency tests applied. The activity coefficients at infinite dilution are also presented.