Superhydrophobic cellulose nanocomposites

Superhydrophobic cellulose nanocomposites were prepared using a multi-step nanoengineering process. The combination of different techniques made it possible to construct novel features at the ensuing surface, characterized by both an increase in its roughness induced by amorphous silica particles and a reduction in its energy insured by perfluoro moieties, giving rise to water contact angles approaching 150 degrees . The modification calls upon an aqueous LbL system followed by siloxane hydrolysis, both conducted at room temperature in air. Each modification was followed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM). These original cellulose-silica-silane composite materials open the way to further valorisations of a ubiquitous renewable resource in applications such as water repellence and self-cleaning.     

3D–2D–0D Stepwise Deconstruction of a Water Framework Templated by a Nanoporous Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Host

The supramolecular salt [H₂pip]₃[Ge(hedp)₂]?14 H₂O ( 1 ) [H₂pip²⁺=piperazine cation C₄H₁₂N₂²⁺; hedp^5?=deprotonated form of etidronic acid, C₂H₃P₂O₇^5?) is reported. This consists of an organic–inorganic hybrid hydrogen‐bonded nanoporous framework, the internal surface of which acts as a template for the three‐dimensional (3D) clustering of water molecules. The structure and molecular dynamics of this material are characterised by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, Raman (H/D isotopic substitution) spectroscopy, and ²H solid‐state (wide‐line and MAS) NMR spectroscopy. Material 1 is shown to be unusual because 1) few nanoporous materials exhibit a well‐organised 3D framework of water molecules, 2) it provides a unique opportunity to follow experimentally and to rationalise the deconstruction of a 3D water framework and 3) despite the fact that the hybrid framework is a supramolecular salt, the structure does not collapse after dehydration and the final material is crystalline.     

Anti-fungal activity of SiO2/Ag2S nanocomposites against Aspergillus niger

Submicron particles of amorphous SiO₂ have been used to grow Ag₂S nanophases at their surfaces. SEM and TEM analysis showed morphological well-defined nanocomposite particles consisting of Ag₂S nanocrystals dispersed over the silica surfaces. These SiO₂/Ag₂S nanocomposites were investigated as anti-fungal agents against Aspergillus niger in different experimental conditions, including as nanofillers in cellulosic fibres. The anti-fungal activity in these composite systems is suggested to result from a synergistic effect due to Ag₂S anti-fungal centres and the SiO₂ surfaces in promoting the adsorption of the fungus.     

An optimization method to estimate models with store-level data: A case study

The quality of the estimation of a latent segment model when only store-level aggregate data is available seems to be dependent on the computational methods selected and in particular on the optimization methodology used to obtain it. Following the stream of work that emphasizes the estimation of a segmentation structure with aggregate data, this work proposes an optimization method, among the deterministic optimization methods, that can provide estimates for segment characteristics as well as size, brand/product preferences and sensitivity to price and price promotion variation estimates that can be accommodated in dynamic models. It is shown that, among the gradient based optimization methods that were tested, the Sequential Quadratic Programming method (SQP) is the only that, for all scenarios tested for this type of problem, guarantees of reliability, precision and efficiency being robust, i.e., always able to deliver a solution. Therefore, the latent segment models can be estimated using the SQP method when only aggregate market data is available.     

Polarographic determination of sunscreen agents in cosmetic products in micellar media

This paper introduces a simple, fast and reliable electroanalytical method for differential-pulse polarography based on electrochemical reduction at a dropping mercury electrode. The method was validated for the determination of 2-ethylhexyl-4-methoxycinnamate (EHMC) alone and in association with 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (MBC) or 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (BENZ-3) in samples of commercial cosmetic preparations. The supporting electrolyte that provided the best-defined and most intense peak current for EHMC determination was Britton-Robinson buffer (pH 4.0) in the presence of a cationic surfactant. Under optimized conditions, EHMC exhibited one single peak of reduction at −1.49 V versus Ag/AgCl. A limit of detection of 3.76 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ and a limit of quantitation of 1.25 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹ were found for the pure EHMC standard. A good average recovery rate was reached for all the samples analyzed.     

Radiometric signature as an indicator of radiological pollution on Rio Doce after the disaster in tailings dam

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Doce River suffered major environmental impacts throughout their courses due to the disruption of the tailings dam of the company...     

Electron scattering characteristics of polycrystalline metal transition films by in-situ electrical resistance measurements

In-situ electrical resistance measurements were performed to obtain the scattering characteristics of very thin polycrystalline metal transition magnetic alloys grown by ion beam deposition (IBD) on specific underlayers. The experimental curves show size effects at small film thicknesses and important differences between Co₈₅Fe₁₅ and Ni₈₁Fe₁₉ thin layers grown on identical underlayers of Ta70 Å/Ru13 Å. The largest difference was observed in Ni₈₁Fe₁₉ films grown on underlayers of amorphous Ta70 Å. The experimental curves of electrical resistivity/conductivity variation with layer thickness were well fit within the Mayadas and Shatzkes (M-S) model, assuming specific formulations for grain growth with layer thickness.     

Silver‐bacterial cellulosic sponges as active SERS substrates

Synthetic Ag‐bacterial cellulose nanocomposites are reported here and their performance as surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates was investigated using thiosalicylic acid and 2,2′‐dithiodipyridine as analytes. These nanocomposite materials act as natural sponges when immersed in aqueous or ethanolic solutions allowing capture and SERS detection of certain dissolved molecules. The detection limits for the above organic analytes reached concentrations as low as 10⁻⁴ mol·dm⁻³ and are considerably lower than the conventional vegetable cellulose analogs. Furthermore, we anticipate that the use of these nanocomposites has a beneficial consequence for the development of handy and active cellulosic SERS substrates, in particular for bioanalysis, as we experimentally demonstrated by testing the amino acids L ‐phenylalanine, L ‐glutamin and L ‐histidine. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.