Mechanical properties of titania nanofiber mats fabricated by electrospinning of sol–gel precursor

Flexible mats of titania fibers are prepared by calcination of electrospun polyvinylpyrrolidone fibers containing titanium isopropoxide precursor. Structural investigation of the calcinated nanofibers by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron diffraction (ED) combined with the morphologies by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) show the titania fibers, with an average diameter of 180 nm, were comprised of anatase and rutile crystals. The mechanical, chemical and thermal properties of the titania fiber mats are further investigated by the techniques of Instron mechanical tester, thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The titania fiber mat prepared in this method exhibited a significant flexibility with 461 MPa Young’s modulus.     

The Standard Cosmological Model: Achievements and Issues

The present day standard cosmological model is a great theoretical achievement. This chapter surveys the main themes that have arisen and issues that are still oustanding.     

Synthesis of Amino Acid Derivatives of Neamine and 2-Deoxystreptamine to be used as Mutasynthons

ABSTRACT

6′-N derivatives of neamine with alanine, phenylalanine and lysine were synthesized either using an active esters method in one step under controlled conditions, or using a mixed anhydride method after blocking every functional group of neamine and leaving the 6′-amino group free to react. Similarly N,N′-diamino acid and monoamino acid derivatives of 2-deoxystreptamine were synthesized.     

Stability assessment of gas mixtures containing terpenes at nominal 5 nmol/mol contained in treated aluminum gas cylinders

Studies of climate change increasingly recognize the diverse influences exerted by terpenes in the atmosphere, including roles in particulates, ozone formation, and their oxidizing potential. Measurements of key terpenes suggest atmospheric concentrations ranging from low pmol/mol (parts per trillion) to nmol/mol (parts per billion), depending on location and compound. To accurately establish concentration trends, assess the role of terpenes in atmospheric chemistry, and relate measurement records from many laboratories and researchers, it is essential to have good calibration standards. The feasibility of preparing well-characterized, stable gas cylinder standards for terpenes at the nmol/mol level is not yet well established. Several of the world’s National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) are researching the feasibility of developing primary and secondary reference gas standards at the nmol/mol level for terpenes. The US NMI, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, has prepared several nmol/mol mixtures, in treated aluminum gas cylinders, containing terpenes in dry nitrogen at nominal 5 nmol/mol for stability studies. Overall, 11 terpenes were studied for stability. An initial gas mixture containing nine terpenes, one oxygenate, and six aromatic compounds, including benzene as an internal standard, was prepared. Results for four of the nine terpenes in this initial mixture indicate stability in these treated aluminum gas cylinders for over 6 months and project long term (years) stability. Interesting results were seen for β-pinene, which when using a linear equation rate decline predicts that it will reach a zero concentration level at day 416. At the same time, increases in α-pinene, d-limonene (R-(+)-limonene), and p-cymene were observed, including camphene, a terpene not prepared in the gas mixture, indicating a chemical transformation of β-pinene to these species. Additional mixtures containing combination of either α-pinene, camphor, α-terpinene, and benzene indicate a second-order quadratic rate decline for the α-pinene and α-terpinene, a linear rate decline for camphor, and a second-order quadratic rate increase of camphene.