Steady-shear and viscoelastic properties of cellulose nanofibril–nanoclay dispersions

We have investigated the steady-shear and viscoelastic properties of composite dispersions of cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) with medium or high charge density and two different nanoclays, viz. rod-like sepiolite or plate-like bentonite. Aqueous dispersions of CNFs with medium charge density displayed significantly lower steady-state viscosity and storage modulus but higher gelation threshold compared with CNFs with high charge density. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) results showed that the apparent hydrodynamic radius of bentonite particles increased when CNFs were added, implying that CNFs adsorbed onto the amphoteric edges of the plate-like bentonite particles. The sepiolite network in CNF–sepiolite dispersions was relatively unaffected by addition of small amounts of CNFs, and DLS showed that the hydrodynamic radius of sepiolite did not change when CNFs were added. Addition of CNFs at concentrations above the gelation threshold resulted in drastic decrease of the steady-shear viscosity of the sepiolite dispersion, suggesting that the sepiolite network disintegrates and the rod-like clay particles are aligned also at low shear rate. The relative change in the rheological properties of the clay-based dispersions was always greater on addition of CNFs with high compared with medium charge density. This study provides insight into how the rheology of CNF–nanoclay dispersions depends on both the nanoclay morphology and the interactions between the nanoclay and nanocellulose particles, being of relevance to processing of nanocellulose–clay composites.     

Investigation of curing kinetics of epoxy resin/novel nanoclay–carbon nanotube hybrids by non-isothermal differential scanning calorimetry

Chemical hybrid of nanoclay (NC)/carbon nanotube (CNT) was synthesized via growth of CNTs by chemical vapor deposition. The cure kinetics of epoxy resin in the presence of novel chemical hybrid of NC/CNT (CNC) was studied by non-isothermal differential scanning calorimetry. The effect of the CNC on cure kinetics was compared with conventional nanofillers such as CNTs, NC, and physical mixture of them (PNC). The kinetic parameters of the cure reaction were determined by iso-conversional method. The accelerating effect of CNT, CNC, and PNC in initial stage of cure reaction was related to the high thermal conductivity of CNTs, while the decelerating effect of nanofillers as the cure proceeded can be attributed to the reduction of polymer molecules motion caused by enhanced viscosity. The apparent activation energy (E _α) as the function of conversion (α) was calculated by five methods categorized into two different types: (1) conversion-dependent methods: Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS), Ozawa–Flynn–Wall (OFW), and Friedman; (2) conversion-independent methods: Kissinger and Augis. The accelerating effect of CNT, PNC, and CNC was observable as the reduced E _α values in low conversion only with KAS and OFW methods. The reverse trend of E _α values was observed with the introduction of these nanofillers at high conversions. The uniqueness of the CNC was more marked in increasing E _α values of epoxy after initial stage due to its special 3D structure of CNC. Calculated data using KAS and OFW methods showed the best agreement with the obtained experimental data.     

Effect of the reaction medium on the structure of the La1 ? xCaxMnO3 (x = 0–1) solid solutions prepared by the pechini method

The phase composition and microstructure of La_{1 − x} Ca _x MnO₃ (x = 0–1) materials prepared by the Pechini method from polymer-salt stocks were studied after testing these materials in methane oxidation. According to X-ray diffraction data, the reaction medium causes no significant changes in the samples, while high-resolution transmission electron microscopy indicates that the x > 0.3 samples are unstable. Under the action of the reaction medium, the perovskite structure of these samples undergoes partial decomposition accompanied by the formation of planar defects having a lower manganese content. The number and degree of segregation of these defects increase with increasing calcium content. The calcium oxide and manganese oxide phases as segregated nanoparticles are observed on the particle surface. These changes are caused by the decrease in the oxygen content of the manganites under the action of the reaction medium $ (T,P_{O_2 } ) $ (T,P_{O_2 } ) , by the formation of vacancies, and by the variation of the charge of the manganese cations, as well as by the charge ordering tendency of the manganese cations. Therefore, the observed changes in catalytic activity under the action of the reaction medium for x > 0.3 can be due to perovskite decomposition accompanied by the formation of planar defects, the release of the manganese oxide and calcium oxide phases, and their subsequent sintering.     

DFT modeling of the first step of plastoquinol oxidation by the iron–sulfur protein of the cytochrome b6f complex

1. Download high-res image (126KB)
2. Download full-size image

     

Acid-base properties of the surface of the α-Al2O3 suspension

The distribution of the acid-base centers on the surface of α-Al₂O₃ suspension particles was studied by potentiometric titration, and the corresponding pK spectra were constructed. It was inferred that the double electric layer created by the supporting electrolyte substantially affected the screening of the acid-base centers on the particle surface of the suspension.     

Application of the Intramolecular α-Amido-alkylation Reaction for the Synthesis of Dibenzo /a,h/ Quinolizines

5,6,9-Trihydro-8H-dibenzo [a,h] quinolizin-8-ones 6 are obtained from adducts of 3,4-dihydroiso-quinolines 1 and phenylacetyl chlorides as a result of an intramolecular α-amidoalkylation reaction.     

Temperature Effect on the Phase Behavior of the Systems Water/Sucrose Laurate/Ethoxylated‐mono‐di‐glyceride/Oil

The phase behavior of the systems water/sucrose laurate/ethoxylated mono‐di‐glyceride/oil was investigated as function of temperature and the weight ratio of EMDG in the mixed surfactants. The oils were R (+)‐limonene, isopropylmyristate, and caprylic‐capric triglyceride. This study demonstrates that the phase inversion temperature (PIT) decreases and the efficiency of the mixed surfactants (γ¯) increase as the weight ratio of the EMDG in the mixed surfactants increases. R (+)‐limonene gave lower phase inversion temperatures and higher efficiencies compared to isopropylmyristate, and caprylic‐capric triglyceride. The solubilization capacity of the system water/sucrose laurate/oil increased upon the addition of ethoxylated mono‐di‐ glyceride which stabilize the surfactant layer and increase the interfacial area.     

Effects of the support crystallite size and the reduction temperature on the properties of Pd/α-Al2O3 catalysts in selective acetylene hydrogenation

Pd catalysts supported on the solvothermal-derived nanocrystalline α-Al₂O₃ (45 nm) exhibited superior performances in the selective acetylene hydrogenation than those supported on micron-sized ones (44–149 μm). Reduction at 500°C led to an improvement of the ethylene yield for the Pd/nanocrystalline α-Al₂O₃, but not for the Pd/micron-sized α-Al₂O₃.     

Influence of the essential features of the potential energy surface on the temperature dependence of the H+CH3→CH4 reaction

Microcanonical statistical adiabatic channel model calculations show that the temperature dependence of the limiting high pressure rate coefficients of the title reaction becomes less positive (or more negative) when the attractiveness of the radial or the attenuation of anisotropic parts of the potential energy surface increases.

---

, ( ) .

     

Accessing the decarboxylative allylation–divinylcyclopropane-cycloheptadiene rearrangement from the ketone/aldehyde substrate pool

Herein reported is access to allyl γ-butyrolactones and caprolactones that can undergo decarboxylative allylation/divinylcyclopropane–cycloheptadiene rearrangement. The overall sequence is brief (5 steps from commercial ketones/aldehydes) and yields diverse cycloheptadienes. The key decarboxylative allylation/divinylcyclopropane–cycloheptadiene rearrangement was unknown at the outset of our studies but recently reported by the Nemoto group. We disclose a complementary study to Nemoto's that further demonstrates the value of this transformation. Specifically, new routes to the key substrates are disclosed that ultimately results in improved scope of target cycloheptadienes.     

Effect of the β-propiolactone treatment on the adsorption and fusion of influenza A/Brisbane/59/2007 and A/New Caledonia/20/1999 virus H1N1 on a dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine/ganglioside GM3 mixed phospholipids monolayer at the air-water interface

The production protocol of many whole cell/virion vaccines involves an inactivation step with β-propiolactone (BPL). Despite the widespread use of BPL, its mechanism of action is poorly understood. Earlier work demonstrated that BPL alkylates nucleotide bases, but its interaction with proteins has not been studied in depth. In the present study we use ellipsometry to analyze the influence of BPL treatment of two H1N1 influenza strains, A/Brisbane/59/2007 and A/New Caledonia/20/1999, which are used for vaccine production on an industrial scale. Analyses were conducted using a mixed lipid monolayer containing ganglioside GM3, which functions as the viral receptor. Our results show that BPL treatment of both strains reduces viral affinity for the mixed monolayer and also diminishes the capacity of viral domains to self-assemble. In another series of experiments, the pH of the subphase was reduced from 7.4 to 5 to provoke the pH-induced conformational change of hemagglutinin, which occurs following endocytosis into the endosome. In the presence of the native virus the pH decrease caused a reduction in domain size, whereas lipid layer thickness and surface pressure were increased. These observations are consistent with a fusion of the viral membrane with the lipid monolayer. Importantly, this fusion was not observed with adsorbed inactivated virus, which indicates that BPL treatment inhibits the first step of virus-membrane fusion. Our data also indicate that BPL chemically modifies hemagglutinin, which mediates the interaction with GM3.     

Measurements of the isochoric heat capacity,the critical point (TC, ρC) and vapor–liquid coexistence curve (TS, ρS) of high-purity toluene near the critical point

Isochoric heat capacities (C_V, V, T), phase boundary properties (T_S, ρ_S) and the critical (T_C, ρ_C) parameters for high-purity (0.9999+ mole fraction) toluene have been measured with a high temperature, high pressure, nearly constant volume adiabatic calorimeter and quasi-static thermogram technique. Measurements were made at three selected liquid and vapor isochores 777.8, 555.25, and 214.64 kg m⁻³ in the temperature range from 379 to 591 K. For five near-critical isochores 268.68, 281.68, 296.62, 301.52, and 318.28 kg m⁻³, the measurements were made in the immediate vicinity of the coexistence curve in order to accurately determine the phase transition temperatures (T_S, ρ_S) (shape of the coexistence curve near the critical point) and the critical parameters (T_C, ρ_C). The total combined uncertainty of heat capacity, density, and temperature measurements were estimated to be less than 2%, 0.06%, and 15 mK, respectively. The uncertainties reported in this paper are expanded uncertainties at the 95% confidence level with a coverage factor of k = 2. The uncertainty of the phase transition and the critical temperature value was 0.02 K. The Krichevskii parameter for some toluene-containing binary mixtures was calculated. The derived values of the Krichevskii parameter were used to estimate the effect of dilute impurities on the critical parameters of toluene. The measured values of saturated density near the critical point were interpreted in terms of the “complete scaling” theory in order to study singularity behavior of the coexistence curve diameter. The measured isochoric heat capacities and saturated densities were compared with the data reported by other authors and values calculated from an equation of state and other correlations.     

Accurate quantification of the redox-sensitive GSH/GSSG ratios in the yeast Pichia pastoris by HILIC–MS/MS

A novel method for the simultaneous quantification of both glutathione (GSH) and its oxidized form glutathione disulfide (GSSG) by hydrophilic interaction chromatography–MS/MS has been developed and is critically discussed. Internal standardization based on isotopically labeled standards for both analytes is an absolute prerequisite for accurate quantification of this redox pair. Hence, a highly efficient and selective miniaturized procedure for the synthesis of isotopically labeled GSSG from commercially available glutathione-(glycine-¹³C₂,¹⁵N) was established using H₂O₂ as oxidant and NaI as catalyst. Moreover, a tool is presented to monitor and hence uncover artifactual GSSG formation due to oxidation of GSH during sample preparation, which is the main source of systematic error in GSSG analysis. For this purpose, we propose to monitor the oxidation product formed by reaction of naturally occurring GSH with the isotopically labeled GSH used as internal standard. For the determination of GSH/GSSG ratios in yeast, different extraction methods based on (1) hot extraction with aqueous, acidic, or organic solvents, (2) mechanical cell lysis, and (3) extraction at subambient temperature were investigated in terms of recovery, extraction efficiency, and artifactual formation of GSSG. Total combined uncertainties of as low as 25–30 % (coverage factor?=?2) for the determination of GSH/GSSG ratios without derivatization were made possible by the addition of the internal standards early in the analytical procedure (before extraction) and immediate analysis of the analytes.     

Is the trinuclear complex the true reducing species in the Cp2TiCl2/Mn- and Cp2TiCl2/Zn-promoted pinacol coupling?

Through a combination of kinetic, voltammetric and product analysis, it has been found that a common Ti^III species obtained from the metal reduction of Cp₂TiCl₂ is involved in the electron transfer to benzaldehyde. A common species in the pinacol dimerization step was also demonstrated. In neither of the two steps is it necessary to invoke trinuclear complexes as previously proposed.     

Calculating the molecular constants for the B1Πu, C1Πu, (1)1Πg, and (2) Σ g+ electronic states of the rubidium dimer

The vibrational, rotational, and centrifugal constants are calculated for the B ¹Π _u , C ¹Π _u , (1) ¹Π _g , and (2) electronic states of a ⁸⁵Rb₂ molecule. The calculations are based on the semi-empirical potential curves obtained in this work. The results from calculating the molecular constants are compared with experimental data. The Franck-Condon factors and R _v′v″ centroids are calculated for the electronic transitions B ¹Π _u -X ¹Σ _g ⁺, C ¹Π _u -X ¹Σ _g ⁺, C ¹Π _u -(1) ¹Π _g , and C ₁Π _u -(2) ¹Σ _g ⁺.     

Dependence of the Kβ/Kα intensity ratio on the oxidation state

The K/K X-ray intensity ratios were measured for pure Cr, Mn, Co and Cu belonging to the 3 d shell as well as in their compounds, to look for the influence of the chemical environment on the fluorescence yield ratios. The vacancies in the K shell created by 59.5 keV -rays from an²⁴¹Am source and the X-rays were measured using a Ge(Li) detector. A steady increase of the K/K intensity ratio was observed with increasing oxidation. The present results agree with previously published experimental data.     

Acid-base properties of the surfaces of CdxHg1–xTe solid solutions

The acid-base properties of actual CdTe and CdHgTe surfaces were investigated by means of non-aqueous conductometric titration for pHpzc determination, mechanochemistry, and UV spectroscopy. It was shown that the alkaline nature of their surface was due to the dissociative adsorption of atmospheric water flowing on the coordination-saturated surface atoms of cadmium with vacancy defects. The adsorbed water was involved in the formation of tellurium oxide TeO₂ and H₂TeO₃ tellurous acid in the dispersion of CdTe and CdHgTe.     

Determination of the apparent standard potential of the Dy/Dy(Ⅲ) system in the LiCl-KCl eutectic

The apparent standard potential of Dy/Dy(III) system in the LiCl-KCl eutectic has been determined by the logarithmic analysis of the semi-integrals of voltammograms, logarithmic analysis of chronopotentiograms and the open circuit potentiometry. The dysprosium equilibrium potentiab for various concentration of dysprosium chloride in the LiCl-KCl eutectic melt between 400-500℃ were first determined experimentally, and the apparent standard potential of this system and its temperature dependance have been calculated.     

Effect of the medium on the reactivity of fullerene N60 with respect to the peroxide radicals RO2 ·. Chemiluminescence in the C60—AIBN—O2—C2H5Ph—PhH system

Chemiluminescence (CL), HLPC, and volumetry were used to demonstrate that fullerene N₆₀ exerts no inhibiting effect on the liquid-phase chain oxidation of hydrocarbons. Peroxide radicals RO₂ · do not add to N₆₀ in hydrocarbons with active C—H bond, because the reaction is suppressed by the competing addition of RO₂ · to the hydrocarbon. The addition of RO₂ · radicals to N₆₀ does occur in benzene (a solvent with strong C—H bonds) in the presence of low concentrations of the hydrocarbon oxidized. Fullerene N₆₀ is found to exhibit a new type of liquid_phase CL, which is presumably generated upon thermal decomposition of fullerene peroxides formed by adding peroxy radicals to fullerene in the C₆₀—AIBN—O₂—C₂H₅Ph—PhH system. The CL spectrum exhibits long-wavelength maxima at 645 and 685 nm. The supposed CL emitters are keto derivatives of fullerene N₆₀.