EPR study of the mechanism of interaction of NO and NO2 molecules with zeolite surfaces

The adsorption of the paramagnetic molecules of NO and NO₂ by zeolites in the alkali and alkaline earth cationic forms has been studied by EPR and reflectance spectroscopic methods. The change in the EPR spectra of adsorbed nitric oxide with increase in the degree of covering of the surface of the alkali cationic form of the zeolites, and also the nature of the change in the spectra when oxygen is adsorbed on zeolites on which NO has previously been adsorbed, indicate the existence of two types of adsorption center. At low degrees of covering of the surface, on the order of 10¹⁸ g^–1, as can be judged from the EPR spectra, the adsorbed NO molecule is strongly polarized and the unpaired electron is almost completely localized on the oxygen atom. At high degrees of covering, for an appreciable proportion of the NO molecules, the bond with the surface is weaker. In this case, the EPR spectra show a hyperfine structure (HFS) with a constant which changes with change in the cation in the order Li⁺ Na⁺ K⁺. The replacement of the singly charged Na⁺ by the doubly charged Ca²⁺ produces a marked change in the adsorption properties of the zeolite. The adsorption of NO on CaA leads not only to polarization of the adsorbed molecule but also to transfer of the electron from the nitrogen atom to the atoms of the adsorbent; this is recorded in the EPR spectrum in the form of an F-center. On further adsorption, the NO molecules are adsorbed both on the nitrogen atom and on the oxygen atom of the first molecule; thus, NO₂ and N₂O are formed.     

Aqueous dispersions of single-wall and multiwall carbon nanotubes with designed amphiphilic polycations

Poor solubility of single-walled and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (NTs) in water and organic solvents presents a considerable challenge for their purification and applications. Macromolecules can be convenient solubilizing agents for NTs and a structural element of composite materials for them. Several block copolymers with different chemical functionalities of the side groups were tested for the preparation of aqueous NT dispersions. Poly(N-cetyl-4-vinylpyridinium bromide-co-N-ethyl-4-vinylpyridinium bromide-co-4-vinylpyridine) was found to form exceptionally stable NT dispersions. It is suggested that the efficiency of macromolecular dispersion agents for NT solubilization correlates with the topological and electronic similarity of polymer-NT and NT-NT interactions in the nanotube bundles. Raman spectroscopy and atomic force and transmission electron microcopies data indicate that the polycations are wrapped around NTs forming a uniform coating 1.0-1.5 nm thick. The ability to wind around the NT originates in the hydrophobic attraction of the polymer backbone to the graphene surface and topological matching. Tetraalkylammonium functional groups in the side chains of the macromolecule create a cloud of positive charge around NTs, which makes them hydrophilic. The prepared dispersions could facilitate the processing of the nanotubes into composites with high nanotube loading for electronic materials and sensing. Positive charge on their surface is particularly important for biological and biomedical applications because it strengthens interactions with negatively charged cell membranes. A high degree of spontaneous bundle separation afforded by the polymer coating can also be beneficial for NT sorting.     

Layer-by-layer assembly of nacre-like nanostructured composites with antimicrobial properties

In a recent report, we have presented the layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly of a biomimetic nanostructured composite from Na(+)-montmorillonite clay nanosheets and poly(diallylmethylammonium chloride) (Tang, Z.; Kotov, N.; Magonov, S.; Ozturk, B. Nat. Mater. 2003, 2, 413). The structure, deformation mechanism, and mechanical properties of the material are very similar to those of natural nacre and lamellar bones. This fact prompts further investigation of these composites as potential bone implants. LBL assembly affords preparation of multifunctional composites, and here we demonstrate that not only mechanical strength, but also antibacterial activity, can be introduced in these implantable materials by alternating clay layers with starch-stabilized silver nanoparticles. The resulting composite showed excellent structural stability with no detectable levels of silver lost over a 1 month period. Evaluation of the antibacterial properties showed almost complete growth inhibition of E. coli over an 18 h period. The amount of silver eluted from the LBL composite over a 1 month period was determined to be only 0.5-3.0 microg/L. This concentration of silver did not prevent the growth of the mammalian tissue cultures. The LBL composite has shown biocompatibility with the human osteoblast cell line.     

Structure and Electrochemical Properties of Cation-Exchange Membranes Based on Partially Imidized Polyamidoacid

The transport of water molecules and the distribution of functional groups in polyamidoacid carboxyl-containing cation-exchange membranes based on pyromellitic acid are studied by NMR and ESR techniques. It is shown that the self-diffusion coefficients of water differ in the gel and intergel regions. Structural parameters of conducting channels in the gel regions are determined. In electrodialysis of one-component and binary solutions, polyamidoacid membranes possess higher transport numbers and separation coefficients of counterions that are less hydrated in solution.     

From solar seismology to restrictions on the standard cosmology

One and the same period, P ₀=160.0101±0.0001min, was discovered in the global oscillation of the Sun and in the rapid variability of several active galactic nuclei (AGN). According to Kotov and Lyuty's hypothesis [1], the P ₀ oscillation must have a cosmological nature, since the period is independent of the AGN redshift. The universal P₀ osculation can represent a fundamental scale of cosmic time, that is, a true cosmological invariant which does not depend on the source moving with respect to the observer. The phenomenon of the P₀ oscillation (the metrics of the Universe) brings the Big Bang paradigm into challenge.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 39, No. 10, pp. 1204–1209, October, 1996.We are grateful to the reviewer for useful comments. This work was supported in part by the International Science Foundation under ISF Grants No. UCU000 and UCU200.     

Investigation of superconductivity effects in single-phase and multiphase Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 single-crystals at 2-MM wavelengths

Experimental investigations of superconductivity effects in single-phase and multiphase Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈ single-crystals have been carried out at 142 GHz frequency by means of the standing wave profile method [1]. Josephson harmonic generation has been observed to be responsible for the appearence of additional peaks on the standing wave profile of the open dielectric resonator loaded with a properly orientated multiphase high-T_c superconductor specimen. This leads to the conclusion that most of the Josephson junctions in multiphase crystals are located in certain crystallographic planes. The investigations of temperature dependencies showed that sharp resonant peaks of conductivity observed earlier [2] at 60 GHz could also be observed at 142 GHz.     

Versatile organic (fullerene)-inorganic (CdTe nanoparticle) nanoensembles

Novel organic (positively charged fullerene)-inorganic (negatively charged CdTe nanoparticle) nanoensembles were devised through electrostatic interactions and probed as versatile donor-acceptor hybrids. Photoirradiation of their homogeneous solutions, containing the electrostatically packed components, let to very long-lived (1.3 ms) charge separated states.     

Structure of the neutral metal complex Pt(dddt)2

A neutral metal complex, [Pt(dddt)₂]° (1), has been obtained by oxidation of the [Pt(dddt)₂]^– anion with excess (Bu₄N)AuBr₄ in nitrobenzene. Crystallographic data for 1a=17.854(9) Å,b=18.409(9) Å,c=4.717(5) Å, =68.83(2)°, space group P2₁/n,Z=4,d _calc=2.55 g/cm³. In1 two independent centrosymmetric [Pt(dddt)₂]° molecules are packed in stacks that form layers parallel to the (110) plane. The molecules of1 in the layers have shortened S...S contacts 3.491(9) Å, and 3.594(10) Å. The average bond lengths Pt-S 2.242(7) Å, S-C 1.71(2) Å and C=C 1.40(3) Å, together with the square-planar coordination of Pt in PtS₄, suggest considerable conjugation in the metal cycles.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1207–1209, July, 1993.     

Synthesis and structure of complex of 2,3,7,8-tetramethoxythianthrene with 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane

Conclusions The compound of 2,3,7,8-tetramethoxytianthrene with 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane was obtained, which is a charge-transfer complex, and its structure was determined.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 208–211, January, 1977.