Synthesis and Characterization of Diatomaceous Earth Chemically Modified with γ-Aminopropyltrimethoxysilane

JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC - A stationary phase for thin-layer chromatography has been prepared by bonding purified diatomaceous earth (rich in silica) with...     

Heavy metal adsorption ability of a new composite material based on starch strengthened with chemically modified cellulose

Adsorption of heavy metals (Pb, Zn, and Cu) on a new bioadsorbent based on starch reinforced with modified cellulose with toluene‐diisocyanate has been studied using batch‐adsorption technology. The study was carried out in order to find if this bio material, designed for seedling pots manufacture, is able to act like a barrier between soil pollutants and plants. The influence of contact time, pH, adsorbent dose, and salt concentrations was also evaluated. The obtained data were examined using the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models. Optimal results were obtained at pH 5.0, temperature of 25°C, contact time of 120 minutes, and an adsorbent dose of 4 mg/mL. Experimental data along with computed Langmuir parameters show that the adsorption process is favorable, and the maximum adsorption capacity of the adsorbent for lead, zinc, and copper was 66.66, 58.82, and 47.61 mg/g, respectively.     

Plasmon interactions between gold nanoparticles in aqueous solution with controlled spatial separation

The effects of interparticle distance on the UV-visible absorption spectrum of gold nanocrystals aggregates in aqueous solution have been investigated. The aggregates were produced by ion-templated chelation of omega-mercaptocarboxylic acid ligands covalently attached to the nanoparticles surface. Variation of the ligand chain length provides control over the interparticle separation in the aggregates. The UV-visible spectra consist typically of a single particle band and a secondary band at higher wavelengths associated with the formation of aggregates in solution. The position of the latter depends on interparticle separation up to distances of approximately 8 nm, in accordance with existing models. Potential applications therefore include distance sensitive labels or proximity probes. Conversely, variation of the ligand length allows the preparation of nanostuctured materials with tuned optical properties.     

Hydrogen‐bonded supramolecular polymers containing dimethylsilane groups: Synthesis,crystal structure,and characterization

Bis[N‐(4‐carboxyphenyl)phtalimidyl]dimethylsilane prepared by the reaction between bis(3,4‐dicarboxyphenyl)dimethylsilane anhydride and p‐aminobenzoic acid has been used to built three novel hydrogen‐bonded supramolecular polymers as a result of cocrystallization with pyridine derivatives: 4,4′‐bipyridyl ( SP1 ), 1,2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)ethylene ( SP2 ), and 4,4′‐azopyridine ( SP3 ). The structures of the dianhydride, diacid, and derived supramolecular polymers were investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and proton magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) spectroscopy. Self‐assembling was proved by the presence of the IR absorption bands around 1900 and 2400 cm^?1 specific for hydrogen bond. The association constant values were estimated by using FTIR spectroscopy in solid state. According to X‐ray diffraction study, the bis(3,4‐dicarboxyphenyl)dimethylsilane anhydride ( 1 ) has an isolated molecular structure. Bis[N‐(4‐carboxyphenyl)phtalimidyl]dimethylsilane ( 2 ) molecules are associated in the crystal structure via dimeric O? H … O hydrogen bonds resulting in the wavy 1D supramolecular chain. The main packing motif for SP1 and SP3 is represented by wavy chain formed by alternating sequences of 4,4′‐bipyridyl or 4,4′‐azopyridine and bis[N(4‐carboxyphenyl)phtalimidyl]dimethylsilane molecules linked by O? H … N hydrogen bonds. Thermal behavior was studied by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. The ability for the structuration in film was emphasized by atomic force microscopy. The molecular transport ability of the reversible associations was estimated by dynamic water vapor sorption (DVS) analysis. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Influence of Accelerated Weathering on the Properties of Polypropylene/Polylactic Acid/Eucalyptus Wood Composites

In the view of producing environmentally friendly materials without compromising properties, new composites containing polypropylene as a matrix and eucalyptus wood, with or without 15% of polylactic acid, were melt processed. In order to improve compatibility between components, a chemical modification of wood with toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI) was realized and evidenced by changes in FT-IR and XPS spectra. The morphological, mechanical, and thermal characterizations of the obtained composites were evaluated before and after accelerating weathering. The results showed that the material comprising 15% TDI-modified wood, PP, and 15% PLA exhibited the best properties.     

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.     

Gamma irradiation of protein-based textiles for historical collections decontamination

In order to investigate the effect of gamma rays on cultural heritage materials, samples of silk and wool fabrics were subjected to accelerated ageing testing and then irradiated with different gamma-ray doses: 10 and 25 kGy. In the data analysis, combining thermal analysis (TG and DTG), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR) and mechanical tests allowed us to explore the changes in physical and chemical features for silk and wool, in relationship to the radiation doses. This analytical protocol offers a way to examine the behaviour of the textiles made of wool and silk within museum collections and their response to gamma-rays irradiation treatment. An exposure to a dose of 10 kGy did not cause significant changes in the tested properties; however, higher doses initiated irreversible loss in the physical and chemical stability of protein-based fabrics. Increasing the irradiation dose above 10 kGy has drastic effects in the loss of elasticity and the mechanical resistance of the tested yarns.     

Chitosan Based Diamond Paste Stochastic Microsensors Modified with Gold Nanoparticles Detect Hepatitis C Virus Core Antigen

Three types of chitosan (chitosan I (n=371–744), chitosan II (n=682–930), and chitosan III (n=868–1365)) as well as gold nanoparticles (10 nm diameter) were used to modify diamond paste for the design of new stochastic microsensors. Hepatitis C virus core antigen was used as model analyte to prove the stochastic behavior of the proposed microsensors. The microsensors cover a linear range of concentration between 40 fg/mL and 4 ng/mL. The highest sensitivity (1.38×10⁵ s^?1/mg/mL) and the lower limit of determination (40 fg/mL) were obtained for chitosan III based microsensor. The hepatitis C virus core antigen was assayed from whole blood samples with recoveries higher than 98.00 %.     

Irreducibility Results for Compositions of Polynomials with Integer Coefficients

We obtain explicit upper bounds for the number of irreducible factors for a class of polynomials of the form f ○ g, where f,g are polynomials with integer coefficients, in terms of the prime factorization of the leading coefficients of f and g, the degrees of f and g, and the size of coefficients of f. In particular, some irreducibility results are given for this class of compositions of polynomials.     

Polydimethylsiloxane/silica/titania composites prepared by solvent-free sol–gel technique

Composites based on polydimethylsiloxane incorporating silica and titania were prepared by mixing polydimethylsiloxane with proper oxides precursors, tetraethyl-orthosilicate and tetrabutyl-orthotitanate. In the presence of environmental humidity and in acid catalysis, hydrolysis/condensation processes take place with formation of oxides and concomitantly polymer crosslinking. Partial replacement of SiO₂ in a polydimethylsiloxane/silica composite with titania (both generated in situ by sol–gel process) affects surface hydrophilicity (evaluated by dynamic contact angle), water vapor sorption ability (determined by dynamic vapor sorption) and thermal stability. The dielectric properties are also controlled by composition.