Structural,optical and electrical properties of sulfur-incorporated amorphous carbon films

Amorphous carbon–sulfur (a-C:S) composite films were prepared by vapor phase pyrolysis technique. The structural changes in the a-C:S films were investigated by electron microscopy. A powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) study depicts the two-phase nature of a sulfur-incorporated a-C system. The optical bandgap energy shows a decreasing trend with an increase in the sulfur content and preparation temperature. This infers a sulfur incorporation and pyrolysis temperature induced reduction in structural disorder or increase in sp ² or π-sites. The presence of sulfur (S 2p) in the a-C:S sample is analyzed by the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The sp ³/sp ² hybridization ratio is determined by using the XPS C 1s peak fitting, and the results confirm an increase in sp ² hybrids with sulfur addition to a-C. The electrical resistivity variation in the films depends on both the sulfur concentration and the pyrolysis temperature.     

Preparation of Chitosan Based Scaffolds Using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

A novel chitosan-formaldehyde porous derivative (scaffolds) was prepared by reaction of 85% deacetylated chitosan with 37% aq. formaldehyde using supercritical carbon dioxide (sc. CO₂). Prior to reaction, the chitosan hydrogel was prepared in 1% aq. acetic acid (AcOH) and formaldehyde. The prepared hydrogel was subjected to solvent exchange. The identity of the Schiff base was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The chitosan-derivative was evaluated by thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and porosimetry analysis. Overall, the sc. CO₂ assisted chitosan derivative opens new perspectives as biomedical material.     

DSC studies on the curing kinetics of chitosan–alanine using glutaraldehyde as crosslinker

The curing of chitosan–alanine with glutaraldehyde as curing agent in the presence of Chlorpheniramine Maleate (CPM) is carried out with the help of differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The effect of concentration of chitosan and percentage of crosslinker on the curing is studied at a rate of 5 °C/min. Cure kinetics are measured from 30 to 200 °C at four different heating rates (3, 5, 7 and 10 °C/min). It is observed that the crosslinking of chitosan–alanine is an exothermic process which results in a positive peak in the curves. An increase in activation energy (E _α) is observed with extent of conversion.     

Higher-dimensional black holes with Dirac–Born–Infeld (DBI) global defects

It is well-known that the exact solution of non-linear \(\sigma \) model coupled to gravity can be perceived as an exterior gravitational field of a global monopole. Here we study Einstein’s equations coupled to a non-linear \(\sigma \) model with Dirac–Born–Infeld (DBI) kinetic term in D dimensions. The solution describes a metric around a DBI global defects. When the core is smaller than its Schwarzschild radius it can be interpreted as a black hole having DBI scalar hair with deficit conical angle. The solutions exist for all D, but they can be expressed as polynomial functions in r only when D is even. We give conditions for the mass M and the scalar charge \(\eta \) in the extremal case. We also investigate the thermodynamic properties of the black holes in canonical ensemble. The monopole alter the stability differently in each dimensions. As the charge increases the black hole radiates more, in contrast to its counterpart with ordinary global defects where the Hawking temperature is minimum for critical \(\eta \). This behavior can also be observed for variation of DBI coupling, \(\beta \). As it gets stronger (\(\beta \ll 1\)) the temperature increases. By studying the heat capacity we can infer that there is no phase transition in asymptotically-flat spacetime. The AdS black holes, on the other hand, undergo a first-ordered phase transition in the Hawking–Page type. The increase of the DBI coupling renders the phase transition happen for larger radius.     

Indole-based distinctive chemosensors for ‘naked-eye’ detection of CN and HSO4−, associated with hydrogen-bonded complex and their DFT study

Colorimetric detection of anions (HSO₄^? and CN^?) was achieved via analyte triggered colour changing of the dipodal and tripodal sensors in CH₃CN–H₂O (1:1). The sensors exhibited very sharp visual colour changes and fluorescence quenching–enhancing effect upon addition of the HSO₄^? and CN^?. The large downfield shift of the NH proton signals in ¹H-NMR complexation studies and quantum chemical DFT calculations proved the formation of hydrogen-bonded complexes where no proton transfer mechanism was found.     

Proximity Approach to Study the Fusion Barriers for Proton and Helium Induced Reactions

By using various proximity potentials, the fusion barrier heights and positions are calculated for proton and helium induced reactions with targets in the mass range 51≤ A ≤130 and 12≤ A ≤233, respectively. The calculated fusion barriers are parameterized by using the relations RB^Par = aX1 ＋ b and VB^Par = cX2, where X1 and X2 are A2^1/3 and Z1Z2/RB^Par, respectively. The values of the constants a, b and c are different for different versions of proximity potentials. We find that the parameterized forms derived by using Proximity 1977 yield values closer to the empirical data in proton as well as helium induced reactions and can be used further to estimate directly the barrier parameters for the fusion reactions of proton and helium with any target.     

Revisiting the structure and dynamics of hydrated Cd2+ in aqueous solutions: Insights from the RI-SCS-MP2/MM molecular dynamics simulation

The spin component scale MP2/molecular mechanics molecular dynamics simulation investigated the hydration shell formation and hydrated Cd²⁺ dynamics in the water environment. At the first hydration shell, six water molecules with 2.27 Å for the average distance between water and Cd²⁺. Dynamical properties were analyzed by computing the water molecule's mean residence time (MRT) in its first and second hydration shells. The MRT of each shell was determined to be 31.8 and 1.92 ps, suggesting the strong influence of Cd²⁺ in the first hydration shell. The second shell was labile, with an average number of water molecules being 18. Despite the strong interaction between Cd²⁺ and water molecules in the first shell, the influence of ions in the second hydration shell remained weak.     

Ionic liquid catalyzed synthesis of 7-phenyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-thiazolo[5,4-d]pyrimidine-2,5-diones

A simple, green and catalyst free one pot synthesis of 7-phenyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-thiazolo[5,4-d]pyrimidine-2,5-diones via a multicomponent reaction between thiazolidine-2, 4-dione (TZD), aromatic aldehyde and urea analogues is described. The ionic liquid has been used as a solvent as well as catalyst for this reaction. This reaction proceeded smoothly in good to excellent yields and offered several other advantages including short reaction time, simple experimental workup procedure and no by-products.     

A Chemodosimetric Probe Based on a Conjugated Oxidized Bis‐Indolyl System for Selective Naked‐Eye Sensing of Cyanide Ions in Water

A new bis‐indolyl‐based colorimetric probe has been synthesized. This allows a Michael‐type adduct formation for the detection of cyanide ions. The probe shows a remarkable color change from red to colorless upon addition of the cyanide ions in pure water. The cyanide ion reacts with the probe and removes the conjugation of the bis‐indolyl moiety of the probe with that of the 4‐substituted aromatic ring. This renders the probe colorless. The mechanism of the reaction of the probe with the cyanide ion was established by using ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and kinetic studies.     

Investigation of encapsulation of insulin biotemplate within C-methylresorcin[4]arenes

Solution structure of insulin templated C-methyl resorcin[4]arene nanocapsules has been investigated using neutron scattering. The insulin biotemplate has enhanced the limits of encapsulation and enabled formation of a larger spherical molecular host.