Investigation of metastable zone width of ammonium oxalate aqueous solutions

The metastable zone width of pure ammonium oxalate aqueous solutions, as represented by maximum supercooling ΔT_max, is investigated as functions of cooling rate R and saturation temperature T₀ by the polythermal method. The experimental results are discussed by using two recently advanced approaches: (1) self‐consistent Nývlt‐like approach based on a power‐law relationship between nucleation rate J and maximum supersaturation lnS_max, and (2) a novel approach based on the relationship between J and lnS_max described by the classical three‐dimensional nucleation theory. Analysis of the experimental data revealed that both approaches describe the experimental data on metastable zone width by the polythermal method reliably and provide useful information about the physical processes and parameters involved in nucleation kinetics. The values of various physical quantities predicted by both of these approaches are reasonable for a fairly‐soluble compound. A careful examination of the data on ΔT_max as a function of T₀ obtained by polythermal method and from density measurements showed that ΔT_max has a slight tendency to decrease with increasing saturation temperature T₀. The values of lnS_max at saturation temperature 303 K suggest that the metastable zone width of ammonium oxalate aqueous solutions is determined by primary nucleation in the polythermal method and by secondary nucleation during density measurements. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The morphology control on the preparation of silver nanotriangles

A seed-mediated growth method was commonly applied to prepare one-dimension nanomaterials. However, some associated particles were unavoidable in the formation of target nanoparticles. Herein, we reported a modified method to prepare silver nanotriangles with higher uniform shape and particle size. The size and morphology of the formed nanoparticles could be controlled by regulating reaction conditions. The results showed that cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) concentration and seed concentration were related with both the morphology and the particle size. The NaOH concentration, AgNO₃ concentration, and the mole ratio of V_c/Ag⁺ mainly affected the particle size of the formed nanotriangles. The formation of silver nanotriangles may be due to the selective stacking of the new tiny nanoparticles and the oriented growth of silver seed crystals. The oxidizing action of Br⁻/O₂ existing in the CTAB system should be responsible for the final morphology of truncated triangular silver nanoplates.     

Recyclable,non-leaching antimicrobial magnetic nanoparticles

Pathogenic bacterial contaminations in water cause serious or even lethal threats. Strategies that effectively kill bacteria without causing environmental contamination are urgently needed in a wide range of applications. We prepared recyclable antimicrobial magnetic nanoparticles, Fe₃O₄@P(St-co-AcQAC), through surfactant-free seeded emulsion polymerization involving a polymerizable, hydrophobic quaternary ammonium compound (QAC). Fe₃O₄ particles were first synthesized by a solvothermal reaction, followed by functionalization with a methacrylic silane (MPS), and then copolymerized with a QAC-containing acrylic monomer (AcQAC), leading to Fe₃O₄ @P(St-co-AcQAC) nanoparticles. As confirmed by antibacterial assays, these Fe₃O₄@P(St-co-AcQAC) nanoparticles exhibited strong antimicrobial action against both Gram-positive Staphylococcus epidermidis and Gram-negative Escherichia coli, without leaching out any bactericidal agent. An additional benefit of antimicrobial magnetic particles is that they can be easily recycled while maintaining excellent antimicrobial efficacy.     

Formation of Lamellar Mesostructured Crystalline Silica by Self-assembly of CTAB

Controlling organic-inorganic liquid crystal structures to form lamellar mesostructured crystalline silica nanosheets(LCS) was achieved by using the simple cationic surfactant cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide(CTAB). The organic-inorganic interaction under the condtions of a high surfactant concentration and suitable synthesis temperature played an important role in the construction of mesostructured crystalline silica.     

Melt‐blending of unmodified and modified cellulose nanocrystals with reduced graphene oxide into PLA matrix for biomedical application

In this article, we successfully fabricated the bionanocomposites using cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) reinforced into biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) matrix through melt‐mixing method. Due to the affinity difference between hydrophilic CNC and hydrophobic PLA, the surface modification of CNC was employed using quaternary ammonium salts (CTAB) as a surfactant. The nanocomposites were developed using different blend ratios of CNC/modified CNC (1, 2, and 3) wt% and (0.5 wt%) rGO into the polymer matrix. The morphology of CNC, q‐CNC (modified CNC), and nanocomposites were inspected by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). It is demonstrated from tensile tests that, the nanocomposite with 1 wt% CNC and rGO showed maximum tensile strength compared with PLA and its nanocomposites. Moreover, the nanocomposite with 1 wt% CNC and rGO was also having maximum thermal stability. From cytotoxicity evaluation, it is observed that all the nanocomposites are nontoxic and cytocompatible to HEK293 cells. In addition to this, the nanocomposite with q‐CNC showed enhanced barrier properties compared with PLA and PLA/CNC/rGO nanocomposite. The results obtained from different characterizations showed that the incorporation of surfactant onto CNC improved the dispersion in PLA but at the same time deteriorated the PLA matrix.     

Production of thermostable multiple enzymes from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens KUB29

A strain of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens KUB29 was identified by 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing (Genbank: MF772779.1). Production of thermostable protease, amylase and lipase were done by the isolated strain. The produced enzymes were partially purified by ammonium precipitation followed by dialysis process. Protease and lipase enzymes are effectively used in bio-oil extraction from proteinaceous sample followed by transesterification to produce methyl ester. Amylase enzyme is widely used in food and laundry industry. The produced enzymes are active at thermophilic condition of 55 °C. Use of these enzymes in biofuel production process will make the process cleaner and greener.     

Immobilization of quaternary ammonium salts on grafting particle polystyrene/SiO2 and preliminary study of application performance

Polystyrene (PSt) was grafted on the surface of silica gel particles in the manner of “grafting from” in a solution polymerization system, and grafting particles PSt/SiO₂ was obtained. The chloromethylation reaction of the grafted polystyrene was performed using a novel chloromethylation reagent, 1,4-bis(chloromethyoxy)butane which is un-carcinogenic, and grafting particles CMPS/SiO₂ was gained. Subsequently, grafted CMPS was quaternized (denoted as QPS) using tertiary amine, and finally functional composite-type particles QPS/SiO₂, on which quaternary ammonium groups were immobilized, were prepared. The catalysis activity of the particle QPS/SiO₂ as a triphase catalyst in phase-transfer catalysis systems and its antibacterial activity as a water-insoluble antibacterial material were studied preliminarily. The experimental results show that the particle QPS/SiO₂ exhibits higher catalysis activity as a triphase catalyst for the reaction between benzyl chloride in organic phase and sodium acetate in aqueous phase to form benzyl acetate, and under a mild condition of 60 °C for 7 h of reaction time a conversion of 66% for benzyl chloride can be obtained. The particle QPS/SiO₂ has high antibacterial activity as a water-insoluble antibacterial material against Escherichia coli (E. coli).     

辛可宁季铵盐的合成及催化不对称烷基化研究

探索了辛可宁季铵盐的通用合成方法, 确定辛可宁与取代苄溴在四氢呋喃中回流为最优反应途径, 合成了11个羟基保留的辛可宁季铵盐, 收率57%~88%, 并合成了4种羟基保护季铵盐, 羟基成醚过程在生成季铵盐前后均可进行, 总收率62%~71%; 羟基酯化只能在生成季铵盐之后进行, 总收率78%. 本文共合成了15个季铵盐(Cn-1~Cn-15), 其中5个为新化合物, 另有4个的合成方法未见文献报道. 选用该类季铵盐催化剂催化二苯亚甲基甘氨酸叔丁酯的不对称苄基化反应, 结果发现, 催化剂苄基具有4-Br取代或羟基成醚均有助于提高反应产物的对映选择性. Cn-9可得到最优的反应结果, 产率93%, e.e.值91%.     

硫脲基咪唑啉季铵盐的合成及其缓蚀作用

用戊酸、羊蜡酸、油酸、二乙烯三胺、氯化苄和硫脲为原料,合成了6种咪唑啉季铵盐化合物。 采用静态失重法和极化曲线法,比较了硫脲基烷基咪唑啉型季铵盐和烷基咪唑啉型季铵盐在80 ℃、1 mol/L的HCl溶液中对碳钢的缓蚀性能,研究了这两类缓蚀剂与无机阴离子和阴离子表面活性剂的协同作用。 结果表明,硫脲基烷基咪唑啉季铵盐类的缓蚀效果明显优于烷基咪唑啉季铵盐类,硫脲基羊脂酸咪唑啉缓蚀剂的缓蚀率可达98.3%。 当以羊脂酸、二乙烯三胺、氯化苄和硫脲为原料合成的硫脲基烷基咪唑啉型季铵盐化合物与I-质量比为1∶1复配时,缓蚀效果最佳,比单独使用硫脲基烷基咪唑啉季铵盐化合物的缓蚀率提高了1.5%。     

Design and synthesis of ninhydrin-based cyclophanes as potential neutral receptors for quaternary ammonium cations

Four ninhydrin-based cyclophanes 4a, 4b, 6a, and 6b were designed and synthesized. Two rectangular type cyclophanes (4a and 4b) and two square type cyclophanes (6a and 6b) were prepared in 8-43% yields.