Packings and stationary phases for biopolymer separations by HPLC

Summary Packings and stationary phases applied to high resolution separations of proteins, enzymes, and nucleic acids must satisfy a series of distinct criteria that are different from those usually required by HPLC of low molecular weight non-biologically active analytes. These requirements have been met through substantial improvements in classical gel media together with novel developments in silica supports, and have led to a family of products with tailor-made and reproducible properties. Supports consisting of cross-linked organic gels, and inorganic materials (mostly silicas) are now available with graduated particle sizes, pore sizes, porosities and surface areas as well as non-porous beads. A whole range of stationary phases, such as reversed phase, hydrophobic interaction, ion exchanger and affinity packings, were designed for application as chemical sensors for biopolymer recognition in adsorptive chromatography. The phase systems are operated in the gradient mode, giving high resolution and high peak capacities. In addition, aqueous liquid-liquid partitioning systems have been developed for the fractionation of proteins and nucleic acids. Size exclusion media complete the set of HPLC variants enabling a discrimination of proteins according to their size and shape in an isocratic elution mode. Basically, protein purification and isolation is a multistage process where-by the HPLC variants are combined in a logistic sequence, utilizing the different selectivities of the phase systems and thus maximising resolution, speed and throughput.     

Untersuchungen an 1,2-Komplexen der Nickel(II)-halogenide mit N-substituierten Aminoäthylpyridinen-(2)

In the solid state complexes of the type MiL₂X₂ (L = N-substituted β-aminoethyl-pyridine; X = Cl, Br, J) have a cis-octahedral (X = Cl, Br) or a distorted trigonal bipyramidal structure (X = J). In solutions in acetone a partial dissociation occurs with the formation of NiLX₂, L, NiL₂X⁺, and X^?. Using a spectrophotometric method stability constants K_2S of the complexes NiL₂X₂ are determined. A correlation exists between log K_2s and the pK- values of the quarternary ammonium ions derived from the ligands L. Sterical factors cause the exeptional position of the chelates of β-methylaminoethylpyridine-(2).     

The PV-Researcher's Siren: Hybrid metal halide perovskites

Metal-halide perovskite semiconductors are certainly one of the hottest topic in solar energy conversion. Optimization of both the absorber material and device architecture has led to an astoundingly rapid increase in the reported device efficiencies. Initially developed in the context of dye-sensitized solar cell research, metal-halide perovskite devices now reach efficiency values and hence need to be compared to more conventional photovoltaic technologies such as silicon, copper indium gallium diselenide and cadmium telluride. Strong direct band gap absorption, long charge carrier diffusion length, ease and flexibility in processing at low temperatures and facile tunability makes these materials ideal for solar energy conversion applications. This review will both reflect on favorable properties of these hybrid and ionic semiconductors as well as reflecting on lead toxicity, material and device stability as the most critical issues that need to be solved in order for these materials to become technologically viable.     

The Photodecomposition of 1,l-Dichloro-2,2-bis(5′-chloro-2′-methoxyphenyl)ethylene (MPE), an Analogue of DDE

The solution-phase photodecomposition of l, l-dichloro-2,2-bis(5′-chloro-2′-methoxy-phenyl)ethylene (MPE) has been studied at an excitation wavelength of 313 nm in the presence of O₂ as well as in vacuum-degassed solutions. Only two non-volatile compounds are produced: 2,5-dichloro-3-(5′-chloro-2′-methoxyphenyl)benzofuran (BFD) and a minor product which was not identified. The BFD represents approximately 90% of the total non-volatiles. The volatile products were identified as CH₃Cl, CH₄ and HC1, with CH₃C1 being approximately 99.9 % of the total volatiles. Photolyses were carried out in C₆H₁₂ and CCI₄ solvents, the same products being observed in both solvents. Variation of MPE concentration has little or no effect on the relative quantum yield of decomposition. The photodecomposition of MPE does not follow the same pathway as the photodecomposition of DDE.     

The Surface Analysis Working Group at the Consultative Committee for Amount of Substance,Metrology in Chemistry and Biology: A successful initiative by Martin Seah

Dr Martin Seah, NPL, was the initiator, founder, and first chairman of the Surface Analysis Working Group (SAWG) at the Consultative Committee for Amount of Substance, Metrology in Chemistry and Biology (CCQM) at the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM), the international organization established by the Metre Convention. This tribute letter summarizes his achievements during his chairmanship and his long-running impact on the successful work of the group after his retirement.     

Enhanced ethanol sensing properties of WO3 modified TiO2 nanorods

Pristine and WO₃ decorated TiO₂ nanorods (NRs) were synthesised to investigate n-n-type heterojunction gas sensing properties. TiO₂ NRs were fabricated via hydrothermal method on fluorine-doped tin oxide coated glass (FTO) substrates. Then, tungsten was sputtered on the TiO₂ NRs and thermally oxidised to obtain WO₃ nanoparticles. The heterostructure was characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. Fabricated sensor devices were exposed to VOCs such as toluene, xylene, acetone and ethanol, and humidity at different operation temperatures. Experimental results demonstrated that the heterostructure has better sensor response toward ethanol at 200 °C. Enhanced sensing properties are attributed to the heterojunction formation by decorating TiO₂ NRs with WO₃.     

Determining nonuniformities of core-shell nanoparticle coatings by analysis of the inelastic background of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy survey spectra

Most real core-shell nanoparticle (CSNP) samples deviate from an ideal core-shell structure potentially having significant impact on the particle properties. An ideal structure displays a spherical core fully encapsulated by a shell of homogeneous thickness, and all particles in the sample exhibit the same shell thickness. Therefore, analytical techniques are required that can identify and characterize such deviations. This study demonstrates that by analysis of the inelastic background in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) survey spectra, the following types of deviations can be identified and quantified: the nonuniformity of the shell thickness within a nanoparticle sample and the incomplete encapsulation of the cores by the shell material. Furthermore, CSNP shell thicknesses and relative coverages can be obtained. These results allow for a quick and straightforward comparison between several batches of a specific CSNP, different coating approaches, and so forth. The presented XPS methodology requires a submonolayer distribution of CSNPs on a substrate. Poly(tetrafluoroethylene)-poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(tetrafluoroethylene)-polystyrene polymer CSNPs serve as model systems to demonstrate the applicability of the approach.     

Time-resolved imaging of hydrogel printing via laser-induced forward transfer

In this work, the printing mechanism of an alginate-based hydrogel via laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT) is investigated by spatial and temporal high-resolved stroboscopic imaging. First, the generation of the liquid jet is studied at two different laser fluences in a process without collector slide. Furthermore, the impingement process onto the collector slide at the same fluence levels is observed. With the help of these images the development of the jet is explained. Besides the influences of the collector slide as well as the applied laser fluence on the transfer are demonstrated.