Multimethod 3D characterization of natural plate-like nanoparticles: shape effects on equivalent size measurements

The fundamental properties and processes that govern nanoparticle behavior in colloidal dispersions are critical to predict their performance in applications and also their environmental and health implications. Illite is a platy clay mineral that is present in large amounts in aquatic environments and can be used as a model natural particle for environmental risk assessment. However, the high-aspect ratio of illite makes conventional analysis, usually assuming a spherical size, insufficient for the assessment of shape-dependent properties. In the current paper, a multimethod characterization of a suspension of illite particles was done using atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), nanoparticle tracking analysis, differential centrifugal sedimentation, and centrifugal-field flow fractionation coupled to multiangle light scattering and DLS. The relation between the different measurands was investigated, and the effect of the shape on the equivalent particle size was reported. While some of the used techniques are capable of assessing the aspect ratio of illite, the results confirm the need for multiple techniques and analysis of different types of measurands especially for high-aspect-ratio particles.     

(Liquid + liquid) equilibria in the binary systems (aliphatic,or aromatic hydrocarbons + 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate,or 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium methylsulfate ionic liquids)

(Liquid + liquid) equilibria of 14 binary systems composed of n-hexane, n-heptane, benzene, toluene, o-xylene, m-xylene, or p-xylene and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate, [emim]EtSO₄, or 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium methylsulfate, [bmim]MeSO₄, ionic liquids have been done in the temperature range from (293.2 to 333.2) K. The solubility of aliphatic is less than those of the aromatic hydrocarbons. In particular, the solubility of hydrocarbons in both ionic liquids increases with the temperature in the order n-heptane < n-hexane < m-xylene < p-xylene < o-xylene < toluene < benzene. Considering the high solubility of aromatics and the low solubility of aliphatic hydrocarbons as well as totally immiscibility of the ionic liquids in all hydrocarbons, these new green solvents may be used as potentials extracting solvents for the separation of aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons.     

A compact miniaturized continuous flow system for the determination of urea content in milk

A multicommutation-based flow system with photometric detection was developed, employing an analytical microsystem constructed with low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) technology, a solid-phase reactor containing particles of Canavalia ensiformis DC (urease source) immobilized with glutaraldehyde, and a mini-photometer coupled directly to the microsystem which monolithically integrates a continuous flow cell. The determination of urea in milk was based on the hydrolysis of urea in the solid-phase reactor and the ammonium ions produced were monitored using the Berthelot reaction. The analytical curve was linear in the urea concentration range from 1.0 × 10⁻⁴ to 5.0 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹ with a limit of detection of 8.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹. The relative standard deviation (RSD) for a 2.0 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹ urea solution was lower than 0.4% (n = 10) and the sample throughput was 13 h⁻¹. To check the reproducibility of the flow system, calibration curves were obtained with freshly prepared solutions on different days and the RSD obtained was 4.7% (n = 6). Accuracy was assessed by comparing the results of the proposed method with those from the official procedure and the data are in close agreement, at a 95% confidence level.     

Novel [2]pseudorotaxanes constructed by self-assembly of bis-urea-functionalized pillar[5]arene and linear alkyl dicarboxylates

A bis-urea-functionalized pillar[5]arene has been synthesized and shown to form [2]pseudorotaxanes spontaneously with linear alkyl dicarboxylates in highly polar solvent DMSO, in which the hydrogen bonding interactions between the bis-urea hydrogens and dicarboxylate oxygens play an important role in stabilizing the novel [2]pseudorotaxanes alongside C-Hπ interactions.     

Sonication-induced self-assembly of flexible tris(ureidobenzyl)amine: from dimeric aggregates to supramolecular gels

Tris(ureidobenzyl)amine derivatives 1a,b form dimeric aggregates in apolar solution and in the solid state. Specifically, the meta-substituted tris(urea) 1a is able to transform into supramolecular gels in certain solvents via sonication.     

Microflow injection system based on a multicommutation technique for nitrite determination in wastewaters

In this work a microflow structure, suitable for micro-FIA (micro flow injection analysis), will be described, evaluated and applied to real samples. Microchannels, the detector flow cell and input/output ports have been micromachined in silicon and sealed with anodically bonded Pyrex glass. The channels are defined by etching approximately 200 microm depth in silicon using a dry reactive ion etching (RIE) process. Optical windows integrated in the chip structure allow simple absorbance/transmission measurements to be made. The optical measurements were made using an LED as emitter (lambda=525 nm) and a photodiode as a detector. A Visual-Basic program has been developed to control an automatic burette, three-way solenoid valves and the data acquisition system. The micro-FIA for nitrite determination using the Griess-Ilosvay reaction has been implemented for the on-line monitoring of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The multicommutation concept has been applied in order to enhance the mixing process inside the microsystem. Tandem streams of reagent and sample were generated and evaluated at different commutation frequencies. Two optimal frequencies, 400/200 ms and 150/450 ms, were found to be the most suitable ones. The first commutation ratio gave rise to wide linear working range (0-250 ppm), in spite of a high detection limit (0.35 ppm) and a low sensitivity (0.0041+/-0.0004 AU ppm-1). With the second ratio, the working linear range was smaller (0-50 ppm) but the detection limit (0.17 ppm) and the sensitivity (0.0091+/-0.0003 AU ppm-1) improved remarkably. Finally, real samples with a high nitrite concentration (0-1500 ppm) coming from a study of kinetic inhibition in the nitrification process at a WWTP has been analysed with the proposed micro-FIA system. The obtained results have allowed the corroboration of the model of inhibition by the nitrite ion with great exactitude.     

A new specific mechanism for the acid catalysis of the addition step in the Baeyer-Villiger rearrangement

[structure: see text] A new transition state of the addition step in the Baeyer-Villiger reaction was found. The role of proton acceptor is played by the carbonyl oxygen atom, and the free energy barrier is 12.7 kcal/mol lower than that previously reported. This finding changes the mechanism for the acid catalysis and could be of interest for similar reactions in which it is known that such catalysis occurs, especially in nonpolar solvents.     

A low-cost automated flow analyzer based on low temperature co-fired ceramic and LED photometer for ascorbic acid determination

An automated flow analyzer based on low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC), a solid-phase reactor (SPR) and a low-cost photometer was designed for ascorbic acid (AA) determination in pharmaceutical formulations. It consists of a peristaltic pump, three-way solenoid valves, SPR to chemically convert Cu(II) into Cu(I), and a LTCC device for mixing the liberated copper with bathocuproine and detection. The flow cell in the LTCC employed an ultrabright LED — photodiode photometer. The analyzer successfully determined AA in pharmaceutical formulations. The analytical curve from 8.5×10^?6 to 7.0×10^?4 M gave a detection limit of 7.0×10^?7 M and a RSD of 2.1% for a 2.0×10^?4 M AA solution (n = 10). A high sampling frequency of 102 h^?1 and low reagent and sample consumption (150 µL) resulted.      

Baker-Campbell-Hausdorff relations for finite-dimensional lie algebras

A method is proposed for disentangling exponentials of operators that belong to finite-dimensional Lie algebras. A straightforward matrix representation is combined with a widely used parameter-differentiation method, giving rise to a simpler and more systematic procedure. The SU(1, 1), SU(2) and double photon algebras are explicitly considered as illustrative examples.Work partly supported by Fundación Antochas Project No. 1108911 and by the USA-Argentina Cooperative Research Project NSF INT-8802247 and CONICET No. 163/88.     

Computer Use and Visualization in Students' Construction of Reflection and Rotation Concepts

The effects of a dynamic instructional environment (based on use of The Geometer's Sketchpad, N. Jackiw, 1991 , in a computer lab) and visualization on eighth-grade students' (N= 241) construction of the concepts of reflection and rotation were investigated. Also investigated were the effects of the environment on students' two- and three-dimensional visualization. After controlling for initial differences, it was concluded that students experiencing the dynamic environment significantly outperformed students experiencing a traditional environment on content measures of the concepts of reflection and rotation, as well as on measures of two-dimensional visualization. The students' environment did not significantly affect their three-dimensional visualization.