Method development and inter-laboratory comparison about the determination of titanium from titanium dioxide nanoparticles in tissues by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Nanosized titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is one of the most interesting and valuable nanomaterials for the construction industry but also in health care applications, food, and consumer goods, e.g., cosmetics. Therefore, the properties associated with this material are described in detail. Despite its widespread use, the analytical determination and characterization of nanosized metal oxides is not as straightforward as the comparatively easy-to-detect metallic nanoparticles (e.g., silver or gold). This study presents the method development and the results of the determination of tissue titanium (Ti) levels after treatment of rats with the nanosized TiO₂. Total Ti levels were chosen to evaluate the presence and distribution of TiO₂ nanoparticles. A procedure consisting of incubation with a mixture of nitric acid (HNO₃) and hydrofluoric acid (HF), and heating was developed to digest tissues and TiO₂ nanomaterials in order to determine the total Ti content by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS). For the inter-laboratory comparison, altogether four laboratories analyzed the same samples upon digestion using the available ICPMS equipment. A major premise for any toxicokinetic study is the possibility to detect the chemical under investigation in biological samples (tissues). So, the study has to be performed with a dose high enough to allow for subsequent tissue level measurement of the chemical under investigation. On the other hand, dose of the chemical applied should not induce over toxicity in the animal as this may affect its absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. To determine a non-toxic TiO₂ dosage, an acute toxicity study in rats was performed, and the organs obtained were evaluated for the presence of Ti by ICPMS. Despite the differences in methodology and independent of the sample preparation and the ICPMS equipment used, the results obtained for samples with Ti concentrations >4 μg Ti/g tissue agreed well.

Effect of Ga doping on magneto-transport properties in colossal magnetoresistive La0.7Ca0.3Mn1−xGaxO3 (0<x<0.1)

Samples of La_0.7Ca_0.3Mn_1−xGa_xO₃ with x=0, 0.025, 0.05 and 0.10 were prepared by standard solid-state reaction. They were first characterized chemically, including the microstructure. The magnetic properties and various transport properties, i.e. the electrical resistivity, magnetoresistivity (for a field below 8 T), thermoelectric power and thermal conductivity measured each time on the same sample, are reported. The markedly different behaviour of the x=0.1 sample from those with a smaller Ga content, is discussed. The dilution of the Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ interactions with Ga doping considerably reduces the ferromagnetic double exchange interaction within the manganese lattice leading to a decrease of the Curie temperature. The polaron binding energy varies from 224 to 243 meV with increased Ga doping.     

The use of temporary tethers in the meta photocycloaddition reaction

The use of temporary tethers in facilitating meta photocycloaddition reactions between phenol and allyl alcohol derivatives has been investigated. The merits of silicon, carbonate and methylene acetal tethers were assessed, whilst considering strategies for the preparation of the natural products gymnomitrol and gelsemine. The photoadducts were epoxidised, and then subjected to acid catalysed fragmentation with concomitant cleavage of the tether. Depending on whether water or methanol was used during the fragmentation stage of the methylene tethers, the methylene group was either removed altogether or transformed into a MOM group.     

U(IV)/LN(III) unexpected mixed site in polymetallic oxalato complexes. Part II. Substitution of U(IV) for Ln(III) in the new oxalates (N2H5)Ln(C2O4)2·nH2O (Ln=Nd, Gd)

Two new hydrazinium lanthanide(III) oxalates, (N₂H₅)[Nd(C₂O₄)₂(H₂O)]·4H₂O (1) and (N₂H₅)[Gd(C₂O₄)₂(H₂O)]·4.5H₂O (2) have been prepared and their crystal structures determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal structures were solved by the direct methods and Fourier difference techniques, and refined by a least-squares method on the basis of F² for all unique reflections. Crystallographic data: 1, triclinic, space group , , b=9.762(4), , α=62.378(5), β=76.681(5), γ=73.858(5), Z=2, R₁=0.0335 for 172 parameters with 3430 reflections with I?2σ(I); 2, triclinic, space group , , b=9.51(3), , α=62.11(4), β=76.15(5), γ=73.73(5), Z=2, R₁=0.0325 for 172 parameters with 1742 reflections with I?2σ(I). The two isotypic structures are built from a three-dimensional (3D) arrangement of lanthanide and oxalate ions. The lanthanide atom is coordinated by eight oxygen atoms from four tetradentate oxalate ions and one aqua oxygen. Alternating lanthanide and oxalate ions form six-membered rings that delimit tunnels running down three directions and occupied by hydrazinium and water molecules. Starting from these lanthanide(III) compounds two isotypic mixed Ln(III)/U(IV) oxalates, (N₂H₅)_0.75[Nd_0.75U_0.25(C₂O₄)₂(H₂O)]·4.5H₂O (3) and (N₂H₅)_0.75[Gd_0.75U_0.25(C₂O₄)₂(H₂O)]·4H₂O (4), are obtained by partial substitution of Ln(III) by U(IV) in the nine-coordinated site, the charge excess being compensated by removal of monovalent ions from the tunnels. Finally, using Na⁺ gel, two mixed Ln(III)/U(IV) sodium oxalates, Na_0.5[Nd_0.5U_0.5(C₂O₄)₂(H₂O)]·3H₂O (5) and Na_0.65[Gd_0.65U_0.35(C₂O₄)₂(H₂O)]·4.5H₂O (6) have been obtained without any change in the 3D framework.     

Biocompatible Lipid‐Coated Persistent Luminescent Nanoparticles for In Vivo Imaging of Dendritic Cell Migration

Dendritic cell (DC)‐based vaccines for immunotherapy have already achieved promising results in the last decade. To further improve current treatment protocols and enhance the therapeutic outcome, noninvasive in vivo tracking of DCs remains of crucial importance. Persistent luminescent nanoparticles (PLNPs) are inorganic materials which show an afterglow for hours after the optical excitation has ceased. If the afterglow is in the near‐infrared, the emission of injected particles can be tracked in vivo. However, stability and toxicity issues limit the use of bare PLNPs for biological applications. Therefore, appropriate surface functionalization is needed to improve their biocompatibility. In this study, it is demonstrated that near‐infrared light emitting LiGa₅O₈:Cr³⁺ nanoparticles can be functionalized with a biocompatible lipid coating which provides them with outstanding stability in biological media. In vitro experiments show efficient uptake, absence of cytotoxicity even at very high particle concentrations, and no adverse effects on the maturation potential of DCs. DCs labeled with lipid‐coated LiGa₅O₈:Cr³⁺ nanoparticles injected in mice can be imaged over days, confirming efficient in vivo migration to the popliteal lymph node. Together the results show that lipid coated LiGa₅O₈:Cr³⁺ nanoparticles possess excellent possibilities for further use in research and development of DC based vaccines.     

Photoconductive organic materials based on N-vinylcarbazole copolymers with higher alkenes as recording media in photonics

With the purpose to obtain novel photoconductive organic materials with improved complex of physical–mechanical properties and high sensitivity value, the possibility of N-vinylcarbazole copolymerization with higher alkenes was studied.The deposited films were 1.0–2.0 pm thin after drying in vacuum. The photosensitivity of the copolymer films is one order of magnitude greater than other carbazole containing copolymers. The investigation of spectral sensitivity was realized. Photosensitivity reaches its maximal value in 400–800 nm wave band.A photothermoplastic information registration medium was developed using synthesized copolymers. On the prepared photothermoplastic film, were recorded diffraction gratings with diffractional efficiency of 8–10% and resolution of 1000 mm⁻¹, using electrophotographic method. Photographical sensitivity of obtained films allows real time (1–3 s) photographical and holographic image recording.     

Photoageing behaviour of epoxy nanocomposites: Comparison between spherical and lamellar nanofillers

The photochemical behaviour of a nanofilled epoxy resin has been studied. It has been shown that the filler content increases at the surface with irradiation time. Qualitative stiffness and adhesion measurements compare the surface properties of the filled and unfilled samples upon ageing. Depth profiling has been achieved by AFM nanoindentation and micro-FTIR. These two techniques allowed comparing stiffness and photooxidation of the aged samples. Both techniques showed an influence of nanofillers on thickness profiles. The relationship between the oxidation process and its consequences on the physical properties is explained taking into account oxygen permeability and light diffusion. Additionally, it has been shown that, whatever the content (5-10 wt%), the nature (silica or different organo-modified montmorillonites) or the shape of the filler (spherical or lamellar), the photoproducts were formed in comparable proportions and at similar rates as in the pristine matrix.     

Electronic and photophysical properties of a novel phenol bound dinuclear ruthenium complex: evidence for a luminescent mixed valence state

A novel dinuclear ruthenium(II) complex bridged by dianionic bridge 3-(2-phenol)-5-(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazole in which the ruthenium metal atoms are bound through N,N coordination to the pyridine and triazole and O,N coordination to the triazole and phenolate is described. The electrochemical, spectroscopic and photophysical behaviour of the dimer is compared with its associated N,N- and O,N-coordinated mononuclear complexes. The mixed valence complex was prepared electrochemically and a weak inter-valence charge transfer transition is observed which from Hush theory provides an electronic coupling matrix element of 666 cm(-1), suggesting the complex is weakly coupled and valence trapped. In its native state the dinuclear compound is essentially non-emissive but upon the oxidation of the O,N moiety luminescence from the complex is reversibly switched on at 0.3 V and reversibly switched off by application of 1.3 or 0 V. To our knowledge this is the first report of a luminescent mixed valence ruthenium complex.     

Hybrid materials for optics and photonics

The interest in organic-inorganic hybrids as materials for optics and photonics started more than 25 years ago and since then has known a continuous and strong growth. The high versatility of sol-gel processing offers a wide range of possibilities to design tailor-made materials in terms of structure, texture, functionality, properties and shape modelling. From the first hybrid material with optical functional properties that has been obtained by incorporation of an organic dye in a silica matrix, the research in the field has quickly evolved towards more sophisticated systems, such as multifunctional and/or multicomponent materials, nanoscale and self-assembled hybrids and devices for integrated optics. In the present critical review, we have focused our attention on three main research areas: passive and active optical hybrid sol-gel materials, and integrated optics. This is far from exhaustive but enough to give an overview of the huge potential of these materials in photonics and optics (254 references).     

Self-Promoted N-Glycosylation: Extended Substrate Scope and Substituent Effects

A self-promoted glycosylation method for the stereoselective formation of β-glucosides from a substrate library of glycosyl trichloroacetimidate glycosyl donors and glycosyl acceptors is presented. The simple two-component reaction takes place at elevated temperatures, without the addition of any additives or catalysts. After a simple basic workup, N-glycosides were obtained in good yields and with high β-selectivity and hence this method allows for easy access to glycoconjugates under very mild conditions. The influences of neighboring group participation and substituents, in both the glycosyl donor and acceptor, were studied. Kinetic data were obtained from in situ IR and these were used for a Hammett study. A connection between the pK_a of the acceptor and reaction rate was found and new mechanistic insight in self-promoted glycosylations gained.