Analysis of functional groups on the surface of plasma-treated carbon nanofibers

Plasma chemically modified carbon nanofibers were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy with regard to the content of carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen and the contribution of carboxylic groups or ester, carbonyl and hydroxylic groups or ether on the surface. Unfortunately, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy only provides an average value of the first 10 to 15 molecular layers. For comparison, depth profiles were measured and wet chemical methods were applied to estimate the thickness of the functionalized layer and the distribution of oxygen-containing functional groups within the near-surface layers. The results indicate that the fiber surface is covered by a monomolecular oxygen-containing layer and that plasma treatment allows a complete oxygen functionalization of the uppermost surface layer. The best conditions for plasma treatment found within the set of parameters applied to generate complete functionalization are: plasma gas O(2)/Ar ratio 1:1, gas pressure 1-1.5 hPa, plasma power 80 W, treatment time >or= 5 min. Additionally, three quick and easy methods are presented to estimate the efficiency of plasma treatment with regard to surface functionalization: pyrolysis, contact angle measurements, and light permeability measurements of aqueous carbon nanofiber suspensions.     

Exchange of halogen bonded on aromatic core. Heterogeneous catalysis—I : Reaction mechanism of iodine exchange in o-iodobenzoic acid

Reaction mechanism of halogen exchange between arylhalogenide and halogenide anion is studied in a case when the aromatic core is inactivated with respect to the S_NAr substitution by other substituents. The exchange of iodine between o-iodobenzoic acid and ¹³¹I labelled NaI serves as a modelling reaction. The reaction was found to proceed heterogeneously on a glass surface. In the case of a rapid course of the surface reaction the reaction mechanism is more complicated and the equation derived by McKay cannot be applied for expressing the time dependence of the degree of isotopic exchange. Reaction mechanism was proposed for this reaction and compared with experimental data.     

Detection of aniline at boron-doped diamond electrodes with cathodic stripping voltammetry

Boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes were used to investigate the possibility of detecting aniline by linear-sweep cathodic stripping voltammetry. It was found that the dimeric species (p-aminodiphenylamine and benzidine) formed by anodic oxidation of aniline during the accumulation period are involved in electrochemically reversible redox processes and, in acidic media, the shape of the stripping voltammetric response is suitable for aniline detection in the micromolar concentration range. The low background current of conductive diamond is an advantage compared to other electrode materials and allows a detection limit of 1 μM. Weak adsorption properties and the extreme electrochemical stability are additional advantages of BDD and it was found that, even after long-time measurements, the electrode surface can regain its initial activity by an anodic polarization in the potential region of water decomposition.     

Characterization of a putative sensory [FeFe]-hydrogenase provides new insight into the role of the active site architecture

[FeFe]-hydrogenases are known for their high rates of hydrogen turnover, and are intensively studied in the context of biotechnological applications. Evolution has generated a plethora of different subclasses with widely different characteristics. The M2e subclass is phylogenetically distinct from previously characterized members of this enzyme family and its biological role is unknown. It features significant differences in domain- and active site architecture, and is most closely related to the putative sensory [FeFe]-hydrogenases. Here we report the first comprehensive biochemical and spectroscopical characterization of an M2e enzyme, derived from Thermoanaerobacter mathranii. As compared to other [FeFe]-hydrogenases characterized to-date, this enzyme displays an increased H₂ affinity, higher activation enthalpies for H⁺/H₂ interconversion, and unusual reactivity towards known hydrogenase inhibitors. These properties are related to differences in active site architecture between the M2e [FeFe]-hydrogenase and “prototypical” [FeFe]-hydrogenases. Thus, this study provides new insight into the role of this subclass in hydrogen metabolism and the influence of the active site pocket on the chemistry of the H-cluster.

Characterization of a group D putative sensory [FeFe]-hydrogenase reveals how the active site can be tuned to decrease CO inhibition and increase stability of a reduced H-cluster while retaining the ability to catalyze H⁺/H₂ interconversion.     

Partially selective semiconductor redox electrodes

Redox electrodes made of passivated metals of the subgroups IV to VI of the periodic system with a surface coating of n-conducting metal oxides, generated by oxidizing agents or anodic oxidation, are well suited for measuring the concentration of oxidizing agents. Neither oxygen nor reducing agents affect the measurements. There is a correlation between the mean conductivity of the passive layer and its selectivity. The aged n-conducting passive layers permit reproducible potential settings, and the occurring changes in potential are greater than what is to be expected according to the Nernst equation. The potentiometric measuring of nitrosyl ions and chlorine is used as an example to demonstrate the selectivity of these electrodes.     

Convergence behavior of the density-matrix renormalization group algorithm for optimized orbital orderings

The density-matrix renormalization group algorithm has emerged as a promising new method in ab initio quantum chemistry. However, many problems still need to be solved before this method can be applied routinely. At the start of such a calculation, the orbitals originating from a preceding quantum chemical calculation must be placed in a specific order on a one-dimensional lattice. This ordering affects the convergence of the density-matrix renormalization group iterations significantly. In this paper, we present two approaches to obtain optimized orderings of the orbitals. First, we use a genetic algorithm to optimize the ordering with respect to a low total electronic energy obtained at a predefined stage of the density-matrix renormalization group algorithm with a given number of total states kept. In addition to that, we derive orderings from the one- and two-electron integrals of our test system. This test molecule is the chromium dimer, which is known to possess a complicated electronic structure. For this molecule, we have carried out calculations for the various orbital orderings obtained. The convergence behavior of the density-matrix renormalization group iterations is discussed in detail.     

Determination of uranium by XRF analysis following its preconcentration with some organic precipitants

The determination of uranium in natural waters by XRF analysis after its preconcentration with some organic precipitants is described.¹⁰⁹Cd source is used for the excitation of L-series X-rays of uranium. Separation yield, kinetics of coprecipitation and the possibility of preparing thin-layer samples for XRF analysis were studied in detail for uranium concentration with α-nitroso-β-naphtol, methylene blue with ammonium thiocyanate, tannin with urotropine and other precipitants. A procedure using coprecipitation of uranium with α-nitroso-β-naphtol from 500 ml samples of surface or waste, waters is proposed.     

Average peptide score: a useful parameter for identification of proteins derived from database searches of liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry data

The quantity and variable quality of data that can be generated from liquid chromatography (LC)/mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics analyses creates many challenges in interpreting the spectra in terms of the actual proteins in a complex sample. In spite of improvements in algorithms that match putative peptide sequences to MS/MS spectra, the assembly of these lists of possible or probable peptides into a 'correct' set of proteins is still problematic. We have observed a trend in a simple relationship, derived from standard database search outputs, which can be useful in assessing the quality of a MS/MS-based protein identification. Specifically, the ratio of the protein score and number of non-redundant peptides, or average peptide score (APS), can facilitate initial filtering of database search results in addition to providing a useful measure of confidence for the proteins identified. This parameter has been applied to results from the analysis of multi-protein complexes derived from pull-down experiments analyzed using a two-dimensional LC/MS/MS workflow. In particular, the complex list of protein identifications derived from a drug affinity pull-down with immobilized ampicillin and an E. coli lysate was greatly simplified by applying the APS as a filter, allowing for facile identification of the penicillin-binding proteins known to interact with ampicillin. Furthermore, an APS threshold can be used for any data sets derived from electrospray ionization (ESI)- or matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-MS/MS experiments and is also not specific to any database search program.     

Computerized separation of chromatographically unresolved peaks

A computerized peak deconvolution software and mass spectra were successfully applied for the deconvolution of overlapped peak cluster in the chromatogram obtained separating the complex mixture of pesticides by retention time locking gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. The method based on the unique fragment ions in the spectra can be used for deconvolution of peak clusters if mass spectra of overlapped peaks differ. This method allows determining actual retention times of overlapped peaks. Peak areas found by this method however, cannot be used naturally for the quantitative purposes as the abundance of fragment ions used for this deconvolution procedure can dramatically differ. Computer assisted deconvolution of peaks in the peak clusters gives more realistic peak area ratios as at this method it is supposed equal response for all peaks overlapped in a cluster.