Sol–gel Al2O3 powders—matrix in solar thermal absorbers

Porous alumina powders for solar thermal applications, prepared by sol–gel were comparatively investigated, starting from an organo-metallic precursor (aluminum isopropoxide) and an inorganic precursor (aluminum chloride hexahydrate). As morphology controlling agents, HCl and poly (ethylene glycol) were added in the precursor solutions. X-Ray Diffraction, Atomic Force Microscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectra and UV–VIS-NIR spectroscopy were used to characterize the materials. The chemical composition, the phase structure and morphological properties are influenced by the additive type and by the heat treatment temperature. The results shows that optimized conditions lead to high quality matrix for solar-thermal absorbers, with absorptance in the visible region varying from 0.13 to 0.47 and low thermal emittance (ε_T = 0.02–0.09) in the infrared region of the solar spectrum.     

Immobilized Laccase on a New Cryogel Carrier and Kinetics of Two Anthraquinone Derivatives Oxidation

A coordinatively immobilized laccase was prepared using a new cryogel type carrier. The support has a wide-pore texture facilitating diffusion of different substrates to the enzyme reaction center. The biocatalyst proved to be efficient in decolorization of two anthraquinone derivatives, namely Acid Blue 62 and bromaminic acid. After 24 h over 80% of the two substrates have been oxidated. The kinetic data (K (m) and V (max)) for the oxidation of the two anthraquinone derivatives, with the free and immobilized enzyme, have been determined and compared. Other parameters, like k (cat) and the specificity constant have been calculated and analyzed. The influence of substrate properties (hydrophobicity, polarity, etc.) has been discussed.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial properties of new 2-((4-ethylphenoxy)methyl)benzoylthioureas

New acylthiourea derivatives, 2-((4-ethylphenoxy)methyl)-N-(phenylcarbamothioyl)benzamides, were tested by qualitative and quantitative methods on various bacterial and fungal strains and proved to be active at low concentrations against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as fungi. These compounds were prepared by the reaction of 2-((4-ethylphenoxy)methyl)benzoyl isothiocyanate with various primary aromatic amines, and were characterised by melting point and solubility. The structures were identified by elemental analysis, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, and IR spectral data. The level of antimicrobial activity of the new 2-((4-ethylphenoxy)methyl)benzoylthiourea derivatives was dependent on the type, number and position of the substituent on the phenyl group attached to thiourea nitrogen. The iodine and nitro substituents favoured the antimicrobial activity against the Gram-negative bacterial strains, while the highest inhibitory effect against Gram-positive and fungal strains was exhibited by compounds with electron-donating substituents such as the methyl and ethyl groups.     

An experimental and theoretical investigation on hypervalent organoselenium(II) halides: Case study of [2-(Et2NCH2)C6H4]SeX (X = Cl,Br, I)

Cleavage of the Se–Se bond in [2-(Et₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]₂Se₂ (1) with SO₂Cl₂ (1:1 molar ratio) yielded the organoselenium(II) chloride [2-(Et₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]SeCl (2). Treatment of 2 with excess of KX yielded the organoselenium(II) halides [2-(Et₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]SeX [X = Br (3), I (4)]. The new compounds 2–4 were characterized by solution NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, ⁷⁷Se, 2D experiments). The solid-state molecular structures of 2, 2·HCl and 3 were established by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Distorted T-shaped coordination geometries of type (C,N)SeX (X = Cl, Br) and CSeCl₂ were found for the neutral halides 2 and 3, and the zwitterionic species [2-{Et₂N⁺(H)CH₂}C₆H₄]SeCl₂￣ (2·HCl), respectively. DFT calculations were performed on 2–4 and the related tellurium compounds [2-(Et₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]TeX [X = Cl (5), Br (6) and I (7)] in order to elucidate the bond nature and FT-Raman features of this class of organochalcogen(II) derivatives.     

Amphiphilic azopolymers capable to generate photo-sensitive micelles

Amphiphilic macromolecular micelles are advantageous for drug delivery applications due to the decrease of side-effects, ease of screening drugs against degradation, long-term stability, targeted delivery and control of the amount of the released drug. A series of amphiphilic azo-polymers having a flexible or rigid main-chain were synthesized and characterized. The presence of chlorobenzyl side-groups allowed both the easy bonding of photo-sensitive or hydrophilic groups and good control of the degree of substitution. The chemical structure was confirmed by ¹H-NMR. The critical concentration of aggregation (CCA) was calculated using the fluorescence emission spectrum of pyrene. The interest was focused on a preliminary study concerning the disaggregation capacity of micelles under UV irradiation. The presence of micellar aggregates was confirmed by DLS and SEM and different organization of the amphiphilic polymers was evidenced depending on polymers concentration and polymers structure. In low polymer concentrations in water predominantly globular aggregates were formed. The increase in concentration increased the polydispersity index due to the fusion of micelles and formation of associates of globular aggregates, inter-micellar associates (clusters) and vesicles.      

Electropolymerized o‐Phenylenediamine on Graphite Promoting the Electrochemical Detection of Nafcillin

By combining molecular modelling and electrochemistry we envision the creation of modified electrodes tailored for a more sensitive and selective detection of a single analyte. In this study we report on a graphite screen printed electrode modified with electropolymerized o‐phenylenediamine, selected by rational design, which promotes the detection of nafcillin (NAF), an antibiotic. Parameters such as monomer concentration, pH and number of electropolymerization cycles were optimized to obtain the highest current signal for the target upon amperometric detection. NAF identification was based on the redox process at +1.1 V (vs pseudo Ag), ascribed to the oxidation of the C‐7 side chain. With the optimized modification protocol, a two‐fold increase in nafcillin signal could be obtained: the calibration plot in 0.1 M Britton‐Robinson buffer pH 4 showed a limit of detection of 80 nM with improved sensitivity and reproducibility (RSD<5 %) compared to the detection at non‐modified electrodes.     

Effect of chemical nature of atoms on the electronic,dielectric, and dynamical properties of ABX3 halide perovskite

First-principles calculations within density functional theory were performed on a series of halide perovskite compounds ABX₃(A: Cs or Rb; B:Pb or Sn). Their electronic structure, lattice dynamics, and dielectric properties were studied in relationship with the change in atom species at each one of the three inequivalent crystallographic sites, to explain the origin of these properties. Thus, the variation of the bandgap with the overlap between the B cation lone pair and the electronic states of halide atoms, as well as with the distortion of the BX₆ octahedra network is discussed. It is shown that the vibrational modes, phonon frequencies, atomic displacements, and the possible ferroelectric instability in these compounds are dependent on masses of atoms, volume of AX₁₂ polyhedron, as well as on streoactivity of Pb lone pair. Also, the Born effective charges, dielectric constant, spontaneous polarization, and infrared spectra are calculated. The relation between these dielectric properties and the ions dynamics is discussed.     

On the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Λ</Emphasis>CDM Universe in <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">G</Emphasis>) gravity

In the context of the so-called Gauss–Bonnet gravity, where the gravitational action includes function of the Gauss–Bonnet invariant, we study cosmological solutions, especially the well-known ΛCDM model. It is shown that the dark energy contribution and even the inflationary epoch can be explained in the frame of this kind of theories with no need of any other kind of component. Other cosmological solutions are constructed and the rich properties that this kind of theories provide are explored.     

Irreducibility results for compositions of polynomials in several variables

We obtain explicit upper bounds for the number of irreducible factors for a class of compositions of polynomials in several variables over a given field. In particular, some irreducibility criteria are given for this class of compositions of polynomials.     

Calix[4]arene-based bis[2]catenanes: synthesis and chiral resolution

The exclusive formation of hydrogen-bonded dimers between tetraaryl and tetratosylurea calix[4]arenes has been used to prepare a series of ten "bisloop" tetraurea calix[4]arenes 3, in which adjacent phenylurea groups are covalently linked through alpha,omega-dioxyalkane chains. This dimerization with tetratosylurea 2 as template preorganizes the alkenyl residues of tetra(m-alkenyloxyphenyl) ureas 1 and enables their selective connection in high yield (up to 95 %) by olefin metathesis followed by hydrogenation. The "bisloop" calixarenes 3 also exclusively form heterodimers with 1. Thus, in a separated metathesis/hydrogenation sequence, a series of 14 cyclic bis[2]catenanes 4, in which two calix[4]arenes are connected through their wide rims by two pairs of interlocked rings (total size 29 to 41 atoms), were prepared in yields of up to 97 %. Optical resolution of these chiral bis[2]catenanes was studied by HPLC on chiral stationary phases. The single-crystal X-ray structure of one example (4(P,10)) confirmed the interlocking rings and revealed that the hydrogen-bonded dimeric capsule of the calix[4]arene can be "completely" opened.