XPS studies of octadecylphosphonic acid (OPA) monolayer interactions with some metal and mineral surfaces

Partial and complete self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) of octadecylphosphonic acid (OPA) have been deposited onto air‐exposed surfaces of the metals copper, silver, gold, iron, silicon and aluminium, as well as onto freshly cleaved, air‐exposed surfaces of the minerals muscovite and biotite. The line width of the C(1s) signal in the XPS spectra of the surface narrowed, as the extent of coverage increased to 100%, to a half‐width of 0.9 eV. Moreover, the line widths associated with the insulating muscovite substrate also became substantially narrower as OPA coverage increased. Binding energy differences on this charge‐shifted surface were found to be more consistent when OPA was used as a charge reference, compared to using adventitious carbon as a reference. OPA coverage of the air‐exposed metals copper, silver, gold and iron also produced narrow C(1s) spectra whose binding energies were consistently close to 284.9 eV. The C(1s) binding energy positions on Al and Si samples were charge‐shifted by the insulating nature of the thin oxide formed on air exposure, or by the insulating nature of the substrate in the case of the minerals. Correction of the observed C(1s) energy position to 284.9 eV gave sets of elemental binding energies for the substrate materials that were reproducible. Thus, OPA coverage could be a possible alternative candidate for use in charge correction of binding energies of insulating materials. The OPA coverage cases were modelled using the software QUASES^? Analyse. For the substrates copper, silver, gold, iron and aluminium, analyses of the metal core line spectra gave OPA overlayer thicknesses close to those measured by AFM (1.6 nm). However, QUASES^? analyses of the C(1s) extrinsic backgrounds for the same surfaces required the use of an attenuation length of only 0.4 nm to derive a comparable thickness—much lower than literature values for carbon. This discrepancy is ascribed to the structured nature of the SAM. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

直观推导式演进特征投影法对酶催化反应的过程分析

以丁香酸(syringic acid)为模型化合物, 研究了漆酶(laccase)催化降解木质素(lignin)的复杂生化反应过程, 设计了一种反应过程动态量测系统, 该系统可以在5 s的时间间隔测定反应体系在190～800 nm波长范围内的实时光谱信息. 利用固定窗口因子分析-直观推导式演进特征投影法(FSMWEFA-HELP), 解析反应过程中测得的实时动力学光谱数据矩阵, 得到反应物和中间体的数目及其浓度的变化和纯物质的光谱曲线, 并推导出合理的反应机理. 将所得结果与多元曲线分辨-交替最小二乘(MCR-ALS)方法进行了比较.     

Self-modeling curve resolution (SMCR) by particle swarm optimization (PSO)

Particle swarm optimization (PSO) combined with alternating least squares (ALS) is introduced to self-modeling curve resolution (SMCR) in this study for effective initial estimate. The proposed method aims to search concentration profiles or pure spectra which give the best resolution result by PSO. SMCR sometimes yields insufficient resolution results by getting trapped in a local minimum with poor initial estimates. The proposed method enables to reduce an undesirable effect of the local minimum in SMCR due to the advantages of PSO. Moreover, a new criterion based on global phase angle is also proposed for more effective performance of SMCR. It takes full advantage of data structure, that is to say, a sequential change with respect to a perturbation can be considered in SMCR with the criterion. To demonstrate its potential, SMCR by PSO is applied to concentration-dependent near-infrared (NIR) spectra of mixture solutions of oleic acid (OA) and ethanol. Its curve resolution performances are compared with SMCR with evolving factor analysis (EFA). The results show that SMCR by PSO yields significantly better curve resolution performances than those by EFA. It is revealed that SMCR by PSO is less sensitive to a local minimum in SMCR and it can be a new effective tool for curve resolution analysis.     

通过红外光谱结合化学计量学方法研究奥克托今的合成机理

通过红外(IR)光谱在线监测醋酐法合成奥克托今(HMX)的反应过程, 采用渐进因子分析(EFA)结合多元曲线分辨-交替最小二乘法(MCR-ALS)以及直观推导式演进特征投影法(HELP)等化学计量学方法对反应过程的光谱数据矩阵进行解析, 获得了各组分浓度变化曲线和对应的IR光谱; 并采用密度泛函理论(DFT)的B3LYP方法, 在6-31G^*基组水平上得到该化合物的全优化结构, 在振动分析的基础上求得体系的振动频率和IR光谱. 通过对比发现, MCR-ALS和HELP法可得出相互验证的一致结论; 将通过量子化学计算的中间体的IR光谱特征吸收峰与2种方法进行比较, 结果吻合, 从而推导出合理的反应机理. 实验结果表明, 化学计量学方法结合在线红外光谱是研究反应机理的有效手段, 对反应路线的选择具有指导意义.     

Monitoring the melt-extrusion transesterification of ethylene-vinylacetate copolymer by self-modeling curve resolution analysis of on-line near-infrared spectra

The transesterification of molten ethylene-vinylacetate (EVA) copolymers by octanol with sodium methoxide as catalyst in an extruder has been monitored by on-line near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. A total of 60 NIR spectra were acquired for 37 min with the last spectrum recorded 31 min after the addition of octanol and catalyst was stopped. The experimental spectra show strong baseline fluctuations which are corrected for by multiplicative scatter correction (MSC). The chemometric methods of the orthogonal projection approach (OPA) and multivariate curve resolution (MCR) were used to resolve the spectra and to derive concentration profiles of the species. The detailed analysis reveals the absence of completely pure variables which leads to small errors in the calculation of pure spectra. The initial estimation of a concentration that is necessary as an input parameter for MCR also presents a non-trivial task. We obtained results that were not ideal but applicable for practical concentration control. They enable a fast monitoring of the process in real-time and resolve the spectra of the EVA copolymer and the ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVAL) copolymer to be very close to the reference spectra. The chemometric methods used and the decomposed spectra are discussed in detail.     

GC-MS与正交投影法或渐进窗口正交投影法用于羌活挥发油成分的测定

中药化学组成的定性定量测定是药物活性理论的基础,联用色谱及其相关的化学计量学方法为中药复杂体系的分离和分辨提供了强有力的工具.采用GC-MS法对传统中药羌活中的挥发油成分进行了分离测定,并对其中重叠色谱峰根据其重叠程度,采用迭代的正交投影法(OPA)和非迭代的渐进窗口正交投影法(EWOP)进行了分辨,得到每个组分的纯色谱和光谱曲线,共分辨出98个色谱峰,通过质谱库检索得到其中65个组分的定性定量结果,占总含量的92.13%.     

Self-modeling curve resolution analysis of on-line vibrational spectra of polymerisation and transesterification

This article discusses the potential of self-modeling curve resolution analysis (SMCR) for the evolution of on-line vibrational spectral data of polymerisation and transesterification. After the general introduction of the SMCR approach, representative SMCR techniques like orthogonal projection analysis (OPA) and simple-to-use interactive self-modeling mixture analysis (SIMPLISMA) are briefly outlined. As examples the SMCR analysis of the Raman spectra of the block copolymerisation of styrene and 1,3-butadiene and that of the near-infrared (NIR) spectra of the melt-extrusion transesterification of ethylene-vinylacetate copolymer will be illustrated. In the last part of this review paper, a new powerful SMCR method that we have recently proposed is demonstrated.     

Self-modeling curve resolution (SMCR) analysis of near-infrared (NIR) imaging data of pharmaceutical tablets

The idea of quality by design (QbD) has been proposed in pharmaceutical field. QbD is a systematic approach to control the product performance based on the scientific understanding of the product quality and its manufacturing process. In the present study, near-infrared (NIR) imaging is utilized as a tool to achieve this concept. A practical use of a chemometrics technique called self-modeling curve resolution (SMCR) is demonstrated with NIR imaging analysis of pharmaceutical tablets containing two ingredients, a soluble active ingredient, pentoxifylline (PTX), and an insoluble excipient, palmitic acid. Concentration profiles obtained by SMCR reveal that the homogenous distribution of chemical ingredients strongly depends on the grinding time and that its process plays a central role in quantitative control, say sustained-release of PTX. In addition, pure component spectra by SMCR indicate a sequential change of specific NIR peak intensities following the increase of the grinding time. The spectra change shows a molecular structure change related to its crystallinity during grinding process. Accordingly, this study clearly demonstrates that NIR imaging combined with SMCR can be a powerful tool to reveal chemical or physical mechanism induced by the manufacturing process of pharmaceutical products and that it may be a solid solution for QbD of pharmaceutical products.     

Determination of riboflavin by enhancing the chemiluminescence intensity of peroxomonosulfate-cobalt(II) system

A weak chemiluminescent (CL) emission was observed in the decomposition of peroxomonosulfate (HSO5-), which would be accelerated in the presence of trace amounts of cobalt (II). The mechanism was due to the production of singlet oxygen (1O2). Interestedly, riboflavin can enhance the CL and the CL intensity was strongly dependent on riboflavin concentration. Based on this phenomenon, a flow injection analysis (FIA) CL method was established for the determination of riboflavin. Additionally, the possible CL mechanism is proposed based on the kinetic curve of the CL reaction, CL spectra, UV-vis spectra and fluorescent spectra. The CL intensity was correlated linearly with concentration of riboflavin over the range of 1.0x10(-4) to 1.0x10(-8) g mL-1; the detection limit was 9.0x10(-9) g mL-1(S/N=3); the relative standard deviation was 1.4% for 9x10(-7) g mL-1 riboflavin (n=11). Furthermore, this method was applied to the determination of riboflavin in real tablets and injections successfully.     

Raman spectroscopic studies of the cure of dicyclopentadiene (DCPD)

The cure of polydicyclopentadiene conducted by ring-opening metathesis polymerisation in the presence of a Grubbs catalyst was studied using non-invasive Raman spectroscopy. The spectra of the monomer precursor and polymerised product were fully characterised and all stages of polymerisation monitored. Because of the monomer's high reactivity, the cure process is adaptable to reaction injection moulding and reactive rotational moulding. The viscosity of the dicyclopentadiene undergoes a rapid change at the beginning of the polymerisation process and it is critical that the induction time of the viscosity increase is determined and controlled for successful manufacturing. The results from this work show non-invasive Raman spectroscopic monitoring to be an effective method for monitoring the degree of cure, paving the way for possible implementation of the technique as a method of real-time analysis for control and optimisation during reactive processing. Agreement is shown between Raman measurements and ultrasonic time of flight data acquired during the initial induction period of the curing process.     

Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy for monitoring and determining the degree of crystallisation of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs)

FTIR spectroscopy has been used to monitor and determine the degree of crystallisation in a sample of polyhydroxybutyrate-co-14%valerate (PHB–co-14%HV). Time series spectra of solution-cast films of the polymer revealed spectral changes attributed to the onset of crystallisation. Curve fitting was used to obtain an absolute measure of crystallinity. Mean centred principal-component analysis (PCA) revealed that 99.9% of the spectral variance could be attributed to factor 1. The loadings plot for factor 1 contained features attributable to crystalline and amorphous phases. These features were opposite in sign, indicating that changes in the spectra with the onset of crystallisation are simultaneous and opposite in direction, i.e. as the crystalline band increases the amorphous band decreases. Cross-peaks in asynchronous 2D correlation maps indicate there are likely to be very minor components that are changing out of phase. The presence of these minor components is supported by examination of the loadings of higher factors in the PCA model. PCA has been shown to be suitable for determining the number of dynamic spectral features and has enabled relative and objective monitoring of crystallisation kinetics.     

Effect of thermal degradation on rheological properties for poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)

Thermal degradation at processing temperature and the effect on the rheological properties for poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) have been studied by means of oscillatory shear modulus and capillary extrusion properties, with the aid of molecular weight measurements. Thermal history at processing temperature depresses the viscosity because of random chain scission. As a result, gross melt fracture hardly takes place with increasing the residence time in a capillary rheometer. Moreover, it was also found that the molecular weight distribution is independent of the residence time, whereas the inverse of the average molecular weight is proportional to the residence time. Prediction of average molecular weight with a constant molecular weight distribution makes it possible to calculate the flow curve following generalized Newtonian fluid equation proposed by Carreau as a function of temperature as well as the residence time.     

High-Resolution Tip-Enhanced Raman Mapping

Tip-enhanced Raman mapping (TERM) can be used to obtain chemical analysis of a sample with a topographical resolution down to 15 nm. A short review of this technique is given. Among other samples (e.g. carbon nanotubes and graphene), we recently measured a high resolution tip-enhanced Raman map of a polymer for the first time. Using TERM, the phase separation behaviour of a polymer blend (PMMA/SAN) was monitored. In the early, incomplete state of phase separation an interface width of ∼200 nm was measured. A spatial resolution in the tens of nm range could be achieved.     

Macroporous poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) matrices for cartilage tissue engineering

Polymer scaffold systems consisting of poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) were investigated for possible application as a matrix for the three-dimensional growth of chondrocyte culture. The PHBV scaffolds were fabricated by a compression moulding, thermal processing and salt particulate leaching method without using organic solvent. The porous structure of the scaffolds was investigated with an optical microscope (OM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the porosity was calculated. Then, the chondrocytes were cultured on the PHBV scaffolds for lone time to investigate whether it can be applied to construct the cartilage tissue in vitro. The results showed that the chondrocytes maintained their activity, fully expressed their phenotype and produced the extracellular matrix after incubation in vitro on the scaffolds for 7 days. In addition, in the prolonged incubation time, the percent of chondrocytes in their nature round morphology increased with an increase in the incubation period and they could synthesize the type II collagen and cartilage-specific proteoglycans. All of these results showed that the PHBV scaffolds had the potential to be used as chondrocytes carrier for cartilage engineering.     

Reduction of the rotational ambiguity of curve resolution techniques under partial knowledge of the factors. Complementarity and coupling theorems

Multivariate curve resolution techniques allow to uncover from a series of spectra (of a chemical reaction system) the underlying spectra of the pure components and the associated concentration profiles along the time axis. Usually, a range of feasible solutions exists because of the so‐called rotational ambiguity. Any additional information on the system should be utilized to reduce this ambiguity. Sometimes the pure component spectra of certain reactants or products are known, or the concentration profiles of the same or other species are available. This valuable information should be used in the computational procedure of a multivariate curve resolution technique. The aim of this paper is to show how such supplemental information on the components can be exploited. The knowledge of spectra leads to linear restrictions on the concentration profiles of the complementary species and vice versa. Further, affine–linear restrictions can be applied to pairs of a concentration profile and the associated spectrum of a species. These (affine) linear constraints can also be combined with the usual non‐negativity restrictions. These arguments can reduce the rotational ambiguity considerably. In special cases, it is possible to determine the unknown concentration profile or the spectrum of a species only from these constraints. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Quantitative analysis of the Ge concentration in a SiGe quantum well: comparison of low-energy RBS and SIMS measurements

The germanium concentration and the position and thickness of the quantum well in molecular beam epitaxy (MBE)-grown SiGe were quantitatively analyzed via low-energy Rutherford backscattering (RBS) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). In these samples, the concentrations of Si and Ge were assumed to be constant, except for the quantum well, where the germanium concentration was lower. The thickness of the analyzed quantum well was about 12 nm and it was situated at a depth of about 60 nm below the surface. A dip showed up in the RBS spectra due to the lower germanium concentration in the quantum well, and this was evaluated. Good depth resolution was required in order to obtain quantitative results, and this was obtained by choosing a primary energy of 500 keV and a tilt angle of 51° with respect to the surface normal. Quantitative information was deduced from the raw data by comparing it with SIMNRA simulated spectra. The SIMS measurements were performed with oxygen primary ions. Given the response function of the SIMS instrument (the SIMS depth profile of the germanium delta (δ) layer), and using the forward convolution (point-to-point convolution) model, it is possible to determine the germanium concentration and the thickness of the analyzed quantum well from the raw SIMS data. The aim of this work was to compare the results obtained via RBS and SIMS and to show their potential for use in the semiconductor and microelectronics industry. The detection of trace elements (here the doping element antimony) that could not be evaluated with RBS in low-energy mode is also demonstrated using SIMS instead.     

In vitro cytotoxicity assessment based on KC50 with real-time cell analyzer (RTCA) assay

Technological advances in cytotoxicity analysis have now made it possible to obtain real time data on changes in cell growth, morphology and cell death. This type of testing has a great potential for reducing and refining traditional in vivo toxicology tests. By monitoring the dynamic response profile of living cells via the xCELLigence real-time cell analyzer for high-throughput (RTCA HT) system, cellular changes including cell number (cell index, CI) are recorded and analyzed. A special scaled index defined as normalized cell index (NCI) is used in the analysis which reduces the influence of inter-experimental variations. To assess the extent of exposure of the tested chemicals, a two-exponent model is presented to describe rate of cell growth and death. This model is embodied in the time and concentration-dependent cellular response curves, and the parameters k₁ and k₂ in this model are used to describe the rate of cell growth and death. Based on calculated k₂ values and the corresponding concentrations, a concentration–response curve is fitted. As a result, a cytotoxicity assessment named KC₅₀ is calculated. The validation of the proposed method is demonstrated by exposing six cell lines to 14 chemical compounds. Our findings suggest that the proposed KC₅₀-based toxicity assay can be an alternative to the traditional single time-point assay such as LC₅₀ (the concentration at which 50% of the cells are killed). The proposed index has a potential for routine evaluation of cytotoxicities. Another advantage of the proposed index is that it extracts cytotoxicity information when CI fails to detect the low toxicity.