Effects of the dispersion methods in Pluronic F108 on the size and the surface composition of MWCNTs and their implications in toxicology assessment

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were dispersed in water and in a Pluronic F108 solution by four different dispersion methods (stirring, bath sonication, stirring followed by bath sonication, and sonication probe). The effect of the dispersion methods were evaluated in terms of the particle size distribution, the agglomerates size, and the exfoliated fraction produced, as well as in terms of the surface and bulk chemical composition. Energy dispersive X-ray, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and centrifugal liquid sedimentation techniques were used to characterize pristine MWCNTs and their dispersion. It is shown that, irrespective of the dispersion methods used, the MWCNTs are strongly wrapped with the biocompatible surfactant Pluronic F108, thereby modifying the external surface of the MWCNTs. Some shortening of MWCNTs and more wrapping are also observed when sonication methods are used. These observations raise questions as to the validity of results obtained in toxicology tests, in vitro and in vivo, were such methods of dispersion procedures are used.     

Environmentally friendly sonocatalysis promoted preparation of 1-thiocarbamoyl-3,5-diaryl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazoles

An efficient and green synthesis of thiocarbamoyl-3,5-diaryl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazoles via the condensation of chalcones with thiosemicarbazide in ethanol and KOH under ultrasound irradiation is reported. The products were isolated in good yields after short reaction times.     

Synthetic Approaches to Selenoesters

Selenoesters are compounds of great synthetic relevance since they can be used in several types of chemical transformations and mainly due to their great capacity in the formation of acyl radicals. Therefore, the scientific community has been developing several methods for the synthesis of this class of molecules. This review will address the synthesis of these compounds from different starting materials, such as carboxylic acids derivatives (acid chlorides and anhydrides), aldehydes, selenoacetylenes and miscellaneous methods.     

Evaluation of the piezoelectric behaviour produced by a thick-film transducer using digital speckle pattern interferometry

This paper presents an interferometric measurement of the out-of-plane deflections produced by a piezoelectric transducer, manufactured by thick-film deposition of a ceramic paste over an alumina substrate, when is subjected to a DC electric voltage. It is shown that a digital speckle pattern interferometer with an incorporated phase-shifting facility allows the measurement of nanometer displacements generated by the piezoelectric device. These measurements are used to evaluate the effective piezoelectric charge constant along the polarization direction (d₃₃)_eff that characterizes the thick-film transducer.     

The Dirac equation in quantum chemistry: strategies to overcome the current computational problems

A perspective on the use of the relativistic Dirac equation in quantum chemistry is given. It is demonstrated that many of the computational problems that plague the current implementations of the different electronic structure methods can be overcome by utilizing the locality of the small component wave function and density. Possible applications of such new and more efficient formulations are discussed.     

A dithienylethene-tethered beta-cyclodextrin dimer as a photoswitchable host

The binding of TSPP by a dithienylethene-tethered beta-cyclodextrin dimer can be altered reversibly by irradiation with light.     

In-beam spectroscopy of 253, 254No

In-beam conversion electron spectroscopy experiments have been performed on the transfermium nuclei ^{253, 254}No using the conversion electron spectrometer SACRED in nearly collinear geometry in conjunction with the gas-filled separator RITU at the University of Jyv?skyl?. The experimental setup is discussed and the spectra are compared to Monte Carlo simulations. The implications for the ground-state configuration of ²⁵³No are discussed. Received: 21 March 2002 / Accepted: 16 May 2002 / Published online: 31 October 2002 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: rdh@ns.ph.liv.ac.uk RID="b" ID="b"Present address: GANIL, F-14021 Caen, France. RID="c" ID="c"Permanent address: IReS Strasbourg, IN2P3-CNRS, F-67037-Strasbourg, France. RID="d" ID="d"Present address: CEA/DIF DCRE/SDE/LDN F-91680 Bruyeres-le-Chatel. RID="e" ID="e"Present address: Daresbury Laboratory, Daresbury WA4 4AD, UK. RID="f" ID="f"Permanent address: IPN Lyon, IN2P3-CNRS, F-69037 Lyon, France.     

Fast fission phenomena: A possible intermediate time scale between deep inelastic reactions and compound nucleus formation

The change of the FWHM of the mass distribution of the fission products as a function of angular momentum is interpreted as a signature for a mechanism which is intermediate between compound nucleus formation and deep inelastic reactions. An intermediate composite system is assumed to be formed during the reaction, which undergoes fission. This kind of mechanism can therefore be called fast fission phenomena. It is related to the existence of a long lifetime component in déep inelastic reactions. Within the framework of a simple statistical model a qualitative as well as a quantitative estimate is done for a particular system. The conditions under which such a mechanism can be observed are discussed.