Characterization of size‐segregated aerosols using ToF‐SIMS imaging and depth profiling

Size‐segregated particles were collected with a ten‐stage micro‐orifice uniform deposit impactor from a busy walkway in a downtown area of Hong Kong. The surface chemical compositions of aerosol samples from each stage were analyzed using time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) operated in the static mode. The ToF‐SIMS spectra of particles from stage 2 (5.6–10 µm), stage 6 (0.56–1 µm), and stage 10 (0.056–0.1 µm) were compared, and the positive ion spectra from stage 2 to stage 10 were analyzed with principal component analysis (PCA). Both spectral analysis and PCA results show that the coarse‐mode particles were associated with inorganic ions, while the fine particles were associated with organic ions. PCA results further show that the particle surface compositions were size dependent. Particles from the same mode exhibited more similar surface features. Particles from stage 2 (5.6–10 µm), stage 6 (0.56–1 µm), and stage 10 (0.056–0.1 µm) were further selected as representatives of the three modes, and the chemical compositions of these modes of particles were examined using ToF‐SIMS imaging and depth profiling. The results reveal a non‐uniform chemical distribution from the outer to the inner layer of the particles. The coarse‐mode particles were shown to contain inorganic salts beneath the organics surface. The accumulation‐mode particles contained sulfate, nitrate, ammonium salts, and silicate in the regions below a thick surface layer of organic species. The nucleation‐mode particles consisted mainly of soot particles with a surface coated with sulfate, hydrocarbons, and, possibly, fullerenic carbon. The study demonstrated the capability of ToF‐SIMS depth profiling and imaging in characterizing both the surface and the region beneath the surface of aerosol particles. It also revealed the complex heterogeneity of chemical composition in size and depth distributions of atmospheric particles. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An appraisal of the Suzuki cross-coupling reaction for the synthesis of novel fluorescent coumarin derivatives

We report the chemical design and development of 3-aryl-substituted 7-alkoxy-4-methylcoumarins with enhanced fluorogenic properties. The 3-aryl substituents are installed via an optimized Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling (SMC) reaction between a 7-alkoxy-3-bromo-4-methylcoumarin and aryl boronic MIDA esters using Pd(OAc)₂/XPhos in a catalytic system with K₂CO₃ in aqueous THF. Under these conditions, an exocyclic ester functionality is found to be unaffected. Subsequent saponification revealed a carboxylic acid functionality that is suitable for conjugation reactions. Evaluation of their fluorescence properties indicated that the installed 3-heteroaryl substituent, particularly benzofuran-2-yl, resulted in a significant red shift of both the excitation and emission wavelengths.     

Development and validation of an ELISA kit for the detection of ricin toxins from biological specimens and environmental samples

Ricin is a toxin that can be easily extracted from seeds of Ricinus communis plants. Ricin is considered to be a major bio-threat as it can be freely and easily acquired in large quantities. A deliberate release of such toxin in civilian populations would very likely overwhelm existing public health systems, resulting in public fear and social unrest. There is currently no commercially available or FDA-approved prophylaxis such as vaccines, or therapeutic antitoxins or antidotes, available for ricin intoxication. Patient treatment is typically supportive care based on symptoms, often designed to reinforce the body’s natural response. This paper describes the development and validation of a robust ELISA test kit, which can be used to screen for ricin in biological specimens such as whole blood and faeces. Faecal specimens are shown in this study to have better diagnostic sensitivity and a wider diagnostic window compared to whole blood. From these results, it is concluded that faeces is the most suitable clinical specimen for diagnosis of ricin poisoning via the oral route. The ELISA test kit can also detect ricin in environmental samples. An advantage of this ELISA kit over other commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) detection kits currently on the market that are developed to screen environmental samples only is its ability to diagnose ricin poisoning from clinical specimens as well as detect ricin from environmental samples.     

Pseudo-Bonding Interaction between Boron-doped Heterofullerene and Zinc Porphine Predicted by DFT Calculation

Theoretical study on the supramolecular complexes formed between boron-doped het- erofullerene （C59B） and zinc porphine （ZnF）, namely C59B-ZnP and its anion species C59B-ZnP, was performed by density functional theory calculation at wB97XD/6-31G（d） level. Strong interaction between porphyrin and heterofullerene moiety was predicted for these complexes based on geometry and electronic structure analysis. Especially, pseudobonding interaction occurring between the B atom of fullerene and the N atom of porphyrin was predicted to occur in C59B-ZnP complex, but be broken in C59B-ZnP complex. Time-dependent density functional theory calculation manifests the redshift of electron absorption for ZnP upon the interaction with heterofullerene.     

Highly oxidized graphene with enhanced fluorescence and its direct fluorescence visualization

We prepared hyper-oxidized graphene (HOG) as a form of graphene derivative by additional oxidation of graphene oxide (GO) sheets. HOG, which formed more functional groups and isolated conjugated clusters on the sheets, accordingly showed high solubility in water and alcohols, high transmittance and film transparence, longer fluorescence decay constant time, and enhanced fluorescence in states of solution and solid. By contrast, GO has much weaker fluorescence in solution and its fluorescence is totally quenched in solid. The influences of concentration, metallic ions, and pH on HOG fluorescence in aqueous solution were also investigated in detail. Due to HOG’s strong fluorescence, direct visualization was realized on substrates and in solution. In addition, direct 3D fluorescence visualizations of HOG phase in polymer composites were achieved. These results show the great potential of HOG in a broad range of applications, from biological labeling, probes, and drug carriers to high-performance composites and nanomanipulation.     

加强实验教学环境内涵建设 提高环境育人质量

在实验室里的实验教学过程涉及到教书育人、管理育人、服务育人和环境育人。一个良好的实验环境不仅能够对学生起到潜移默化的教育作用,而且对教书育人、管理育人和服务育人工作的开展和实施也能起到推动和促进作用。本文主要介绍厦门大学化学国家级实验教学示范中心"以学生为中心",在强化实验教学环境内涵建设、提高实验环境育人质量方面的一些做法和体会,以期更好地为实验教学"思政"提供可复制、可推广的建设方案。     

“元素化学实验”中的“异常”现象(一)--Mn元素化学实验中的“异常”现象及其探析

大一学生在“元素化学实验”教学过程中,对反应条件如温度、催化剂、酸度、浓度或试剂用量等因素的影响考虑不周,可能出现某些实验现象和预想的或理论分析的结果不一致的“异常”现象。本文就学生在Mn元素化学实验过程中遇到的一些“异常”现象进行分析和总结,借助生动直观的演示实验,引导学生探究“异常”现象产生的可能原因和直观认识反应条件对反应结果的影响,培养学生的观察、分析、判断、归纳、推理和解决实际问题的能力。     

Efficient cross polarization with simultaneous adiabatic frequency sweep on the source and target channels

In this work, we propose a new and efficient heteronuclear cross polarization scheme, in which adiabatic frequency sweeps from far off-resonance toward on-resonance are applied simultaneously on both the source and target spins. This technique, which we call as Simultaneous ADIabatic Spin-locking Cross Polarization (SADIS CP), is capable of efficiently locking both the source and target spins with moderate power even in the presence of large spectral distribution and fast relaxation. It is shown that by keeping the time-dependent Hartmann-Hahn mismatch minimal throughout the mixing period, polarization transfer can be accelerated. Experiments are demonstrated in a powder sample of L-alanine.     

Hubbard模型中的相位弦效应与交互Chern-Simons理论

费米子符号在费米液体理论中至关重要. 然而, 在Mott绝缘体中, 很强的电子Coulomb相互作用抑制了体系的电荷涨落并消除了电子交换带来的费米子符号问题. 本文首先回顾二分晶格上Hubbard模型的相位弦理论, 从弱关联的费米液体到强关联的反铁磁Mott绝缘体的转变可以由此得到统一理解. 在任意Coulomb作用强度U下, 我们首先导出Hubbard模型的严格的符号结构. 在小U极限下, 它回到通常的费米子符号; 在大U极限下, 它给出了t-J模型的相位弦符号. 在半满情形下, 我们构造了一种电子分数化的表象, 其中, 电荷子与自旋子通过演生的交互Chern-Simons规范场相互耦合. 由此导出的基态波函数拟设与低能有效理论可以定性刻画Hubbard模型的基态相图. 在弱关联区域, 费米液体的准粒子由电荷子与自旋子的束缚态构成, 其长程相位相干性取决于背景自旋的关联性质. 体系的Mott转变可以通过电荷子打开能隙或是通过自旋子玻色凝聚来实现.     

Complex thermal evaluation for 2,2′-azobis(isobutyronitrile) by non-isothermal and isothermal kinetic analysis methods

Azo compounds are widely used in dyes, pigments, blowing agents, and initiators. Unfortunately, these compounds contain the bivalent –N–N– composition which might be cleavaged readily even under high ambient temperature. The self-accelerating decomposition might cause a runaway reaction and lead to a fire or explosion when the cooling system fails or other upsets occur. To investigate the thermal stability parameters of 2,2′-azobis(isobutyronitrile) with thermal hazard and mechanism, differential scanning calorimetry and thermal activity monitor III were applied with non-isothermal method and isothermal method to obtain onset temperature (T ₀), maximum temperature (T _max), and heat of decomposition (ΔH _d). Thermal stability parameters play a pivotal role in thermal analysis, leading particularly to complex evaluation of the inherently safer design during preparation, processing, transport, or storage. The results provide sufficient thermokinetic parameters for process safety in terms of proactive loss prevention program.