Adsorption of atomic hydrogen on single-walled carbon nanotubes

We have investigated atomic and electronic structures of hydrogen-chemisorbed single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) by density functional calculations. We have searched for relative stability of various hydrogen adsorption geometries with coverage. The hydrogenated SWCNTs are stable with coverage of H/C, theta >/= 0.3. The circular cross sections of nanotubes are transformed to polygonal shapes with different symmetries upon hydrogen adsorption. We find that the band gap in carbon nanotubes can be engineered by varying hydrogen coverage, independent of the metallicity of carbon nanotubes. This is explained by the degree of sp(3) hybridization.     

Pretilt angle generation by UV exposure during imidization of polyimide

We investigated pretilt angle generation and liquid crystal (LC) alignment by ultraviolet exposure during the imidization of polyimide (PI). The generated pretilt angle of a nematic (N) LC using an in situ photo-alignment method is smaller than that using a conventional photo-alignment method on a surface of PI having side chains. The NLC pretilt angles using an in situ photo-alignment method injected at isotropic phase increased with annealing were observed.     

Determination of PF‐04620110, a novel inhibitor of diacylglycerol acyltransferase‐1, in rat plasma using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and its application in pharmacokinetic studies

In this study, we developed a method for the determination of PF‐04620110 (2‐{(1r,4r)‐4‐[4‐(4‐amino‐5‐oxo‐7,8‐dihydropyrimido[5,4‐f][1,4]oxazepin‐6(5H)‐yl)phenyl]cyclohexyl}acetic acid), a novel diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT‐1) inhibitor, in rat plasma and validated it using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS). Rat plasma samples were processed following a protein precipitation method by using acetonitrile and were then injected into an LC‐MS/MS system for quantification. PF‐04620110 and imipramine (internal standard) were separated using a Hypersil Gold C₁₈ column, with a mixture of acetonitrile and 10 mm ammonium formate (90:10, v/v) as the mobile phase. The ion transitions monitored in positive‐ion mode [M + H]⁺ of multiple‐reaction monitoring were m/z 397.0 → 260.2 for PF‐04620110 and m/z 280.8 → 86.0 for imipramine. The detector response was specific and linear for PF‐04620110 at concentrations within the range 0.05–50 µg/mL and the signal‐to‐noise ratios for the samples were ≥10. The intra‐ and inter‐day precision and accuracy of the method matched the acceptance criteria for assay validation. PF‐04620110 was stable under various processing and/or handling conditions. PF‐04620110 concentrations in the rat plasma samples could be measured up to 24 h after intravenous or oral administration of PF‐04620110, suggesting that the assay is useful for pharmacokinetic studies in rats. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hysteresis behaviour of the nematic-cholesteric phase transition for liquid crystals on polyimide films without use of the rubbing technique

Abstract

The hysteresis behaviour of the nematic-cholesteric phase transition in liquid crystals is closely connected with the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules on the surfaces of treated solid substrates. We have investigated the hysteresis as a function of rubbing strength, using rubbing technology that controls the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules. The surface alignment direction contributes to the hysteresis width, is not dependent on rubbing strength, and is only slightly related to pretilt angles. A no-rubbing treatment, that is, random alignment, is important in-order to create a large hysteresis width on homogeneously aligned polyimide films.     

Facile synthesis of 4″-O-alkyl-(–)-EGCG derivatives through regioselective deacetylative alkylation

Therapeutic potential of the D-ring methyl ethers of (–)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate [(–)-EGCG] warrants extensive structure–activity relationship study of various D-ring ethers of (–)-EGCG but, for this purpose, efficient synthetic strategy needs to be developed. In this study, efficient preparation of the 4″-O-alkyl-(–)-EGCGs (4a–e) was demonstrated using KI/K₂CO₃-promoted deacetylative alkylation of peracetyl (–)-EGCG, which could be broadly utilized for the preparation of various D-ring alkyl ethers of (–)-EGCG and thereby extensive structure–activity relationship study.     

Viscosity dependence of electrochemical etching for gold tip fabrication

We suggest an electrochemical etching method with viscous etchant to enhance the sharpness of tip of scanning probe microscope. The viscosity of the etchant mixed with HCl solution and glycerol was used as a control parameter in addition to the voltage applied to the tip. In order to improve the sharpness of the tip, a nano-scale meniscus formed between the end of the tip and the liquid level was used. The shapes, aspect ratios, and radii of tips were measured depending on the concentration of the etchant. It was found that the tip etched with the mixed liquid with glycerol was sharper than the tip with the pure HCl solution. This can be explained by the fact that the meniscus formed by viscous liquid is maintained with a thinner diameter and causes final etching until the meniscus bridge is ruptured.     

Performance Improvement of Acid Pretreated 3D-printing Composite for the Heavy Metal Ions Analysis

The performance enhancement of 3D-printed electrode comprised of polylactic acid (PLA) and graphite (Gr) doped with graphene oxide (GO) was studied to detect five heavy metal ions in trace level. The pretreatment of PLA/Gr/GO electrode with potential cycling in H₂SO₄ solution achieved the most sensitive response. The characteristics of the composite electrodes were verified using XPS, FE-SEM, EDXS, Raman, and impedance spectroscopy. The experimental variables affecting the response current were optimized with respect to pH, deposition time, ratio of PLA/Gr/GO, and supporting electrolytes. The pretreated 3D-PLA/Gr/GO electrode showed a wide dynamic range from 0.5 ppb to 1.0 ppm with low detection limits of 0.039–0.13 ppb. The reliability of the PLA/Gr/GO electrode was evaluated by analyzing the reference samples of European Reference Materials.