Acetylation of raw cotton for oil spill cleanup application: an FTIR and 13C MAS NMR spectroscopic investigation

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and 13C MAS NMR spectroscopy have been used to investigate the acetylation of raw cotton samples with acetic anhydride without solvents in the presence of different amounts of 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) catalyst. This is a continuation of our previous investigation of acetylation of commercial cotton in an effort to develop hydrophobic, biodegradable, cellulosic sorbent materials for cleaning up oil spills. The FTIR data have again provided a clear evidence for successful acetylation. The NMR results further confirm the successful acetylation. The extent of acetylation was quantitatively determined using the weight percent gain (WPG) due to acetylation and by calculating the ratio R between the intensity of the acetyl C=O stretching band at 1740-1745 cm(-1) and the intensity of C-O stretching vibration of the cellulose backbone at about 1020-1040 cm(-1). The FTIR technique was found to be highly sensitive and reliable for the determination of the extent of acetylation. The level of acetylation of the raw cotton samples was found to be much higher than that of cotton fabrics and the previously studied commercial cotton. The variation of the R and WPG with reaction time, amount of DMAP catalyst and different samples of raw cotton is discussed.     

Infrared and 13C MAS nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic study of acetylation of cotton

The acetylation of commercial cotton samples with acetic anhydride without solvents in the presence of about 5% 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) catalyst was followed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and 13C MAS NMR spectroscopy. This preliminary investigation was conducted in an effort to develop hydrophobic, biodegradable, cellulosic materials for subsequent application in oil spill cleanup. The FTIR results provide clear evidence for successful acetylation though the NMR results indicate that the level of acetylation is low. Nevertheless, the overall results indicate that cotton fibres are potential candidates suitable for further development via acetylation into hydrophobic sorbent materials for subsequent oil spill cleanup application. The results also indicate that de-acetylation, the reverse of the equilibrium acetylation reaction, occurred when the acetylation reaction was prolonged beyond 3 h.     

Vibrational spectroscopic (FTIR and FT Raman) studies, first order hyperpolarizabilities and HOMO, LUMO analysis of p-toluenesulfonyl isocyanate using ab initio HF and DFT methods

The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and FT Raman spectra of p-toluenesulfonyl isocyanate (p-tosyl isocyanate) have been measured. The molecular geometry, vibrational frequencies, infrared intensities, Raman activities and atomic charges have been calculated by using ab initio HF and density functional theory calculation (B3LYP) with 6-311+G(d,p) basis set. Complete vibrational assignment and analysis of the fundamental modes of the compound were carried out using the observed FTIR and FT Raman data. The thermodynamic functions of the title compound were also performed with the aid of HF/6-311+G(d,p) and B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) levels of theory. Simulated FTIR and FT Raman spectra for p-tosyl isocyanate showed good agreement with the observed spectra. The calculated HOMO and LUMO energies show that charge transfer occurs within the molecule. The dipole moment (μ), polarizability (α) and the hyperpolarizability (β) values of the investigated molecule have been computed using HF and B3LYP methods.     

Vibrational spectral analysis and first hyperpolarizability studies of 1-bromonaphthalene based on ab initio and DFT methods

In this work, the experimental and theoretical vibrational spectra of 1-bromonaphthalene (1-BN) were studied. FTIR and FT Raman spectra were recorded in the region 4000-400 cm(-1) and 3500-50 cm(-1), respectively. The structural and spectroscopic data of the molecule in the ground state were calculated by using ab initio Hartree-Fock and density functional method (B3LYP) with the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. The vibrational frequencies were calculated and scaled values were compared with experimental FTIR and FT Raman spectra. The observed and calculated frequencies are found to be in good agreement. The complete assignments were performed on the basis of the total energy distribution (TED) of the vibrational modes, calculated with scaled quantum mechanics (SQM) method. The optimized geometric parameters were calculated. The predicted first hyperpolarizability also shows that the molecule might have a reasonably good nonlinear optical (NLO) behaviour. The calculated HOMO-LUMO energy gap reveals that charge transfer occurs within the molecule.     

The application of a hypothesis-driven strategy to the sensitive detection and location of acetylated lysine residues

The application of a hypothesis-driven method for the sensitive determination of lysine acetylation sites on enzymatically digested proteins is described. Comparative sensitivity tests were carried out using serial dilution of an acetylated bovine serum albumin (AcBSA) digest to assess the performance of a multiple reaction monitoring (MRM)-based approach as compared to a more conventional precursor scanning (PS) method. Both methods were capable of selectively detecting an acetylated peptide at the low femtomole level when spiked into a background of 500 fmol six-protein tryptic digest. The MRM approach was roughly tenfold more sensitive than precursor scanning with one acetylated peptide detected and sequenced at the level of 2 fmol on-column. The technique was subsequently applied to a gel-derived sample of cytokeratin-8 (CK8) shown to contain acetylated lysine residues by Western blot analysis. The strategy applied herein, termed MRM-initiated detection and sequencing (MIDAS), resulted in the facile identification of novel sites of acetylation on this protein.     

Vibrational analysis of 4-amino pyrazolo (3,4-d) pyrimidine A joint FTIR, Laser Raman and scaled quantum mechanical studies

The FTIR and Laser Raman spectra of 4-amino pyrazolo (3,4-d) pyrimidine have been measured in the regions 4000–400 cm⁻¹ and 3500–100 cm⁻¹, respectively. Utilizing the observed FTIR and Laser Raman data, a complete vibrational assignment and analysis of the fundamental modes of the title compound were carried out. The vibrational frequency which were determined experimentally are compared with those theoretically from force field calculation based on ab initio HF/6−311+G**(d,p) and standard B3LYP/6−311+G**(d,p) methods and basis set combinations for optimized geometries. The observed FTIR and Laser Raman vibrational frequencies were analysed and compared with the theoretically predicted vibrational frequencies. The assignments of bands to various normal modes of the molecules were also carried out. A detailed interpretation of the infrared and Raman spectra of 4-amino pyrazolo (3,4-d) pyrimidine [4AP(3,4-D)P] is also reported based on total energy distribution (TED). The calculated HOMO and LUMO energies shows that charge transfer occur within the molecule. The theoretical FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra for the title molecule have also been constructed.     

The potential of ferric pyrophosphate for influencing the thermal degradation of cotton fabrics

Ferric pyrophosphate (FePP) was used as additive to study its synergistic effect of thermal degradation on cotton fabrics. The microscale combustion calorimetry (MCC), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), Raman spectroscopy and Real Time Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (RT-FTIR) were utilized to evaluate the synergistic effects of FePP on cotton/DIA. The MCC results revealed that cotton/DIA/FePP generated less combustion heat during heating than that of cotton/DIA. TG results showed that presence of FePP improved the thermal stability of materials. The Raman spectroscopy test showed that FePP can ameliorate the structural organization level of the carbon and the graphitization degree of the char. RT-FTIR data revealed the mechanism of the influence of FePP, which can catalyze the break of the flame retardant as well as promote the char forming.     

Analysis of human blood plasma and hen egg white by chiroptical spectroscopic methods (ECD, VCD, ROA)

Chiroptical methods are widely used in structural and conformational analyses of biopolymers. The application of these methods to investigations of biofluids would provide new avenues for the molecular diagnosis of protein-misfolding diseases. In this work, samples of human blood plasma and hen egg white were analyzed using a combination of conventional and chiroptical methods: ultraviolet absorption/electronic circular dichroism (UV/ECD), Fourier transform infrared absorption/vibrational circular dichroism (FTIR/VCD), and Raman scattering/Raman optical activity (Raman/ROA). For comparison, the main components of these substances—human serum albumin (HSA) and ovalbumin (Ova)—were also analyzed by these methods. The ultraviolet region of the ECD spectrum was analyzed using the CDNN CD software package to evaluate the secondary structures of the proteins. The UV/ECD, FTIR/VCD, and Raman/ROA spectra of the substances were quite similar to those of the corresponding major proteins, while some differences were also detected and explained. The conclusions drawn from the FTIR/VCD and Raman/ROA data were in good agreement with the secondary structures calculated from ECD. The results obtained in this work demonstrate that the chiroptical methods used here can be applied to analyze not only pure protein solutions but also more complex systems, such as biological fluids.

Theoretical and experimental vibrational study of phenylurea: structure, solvent effect and inclusion process with the beta-cyclodextrin in the solid state

FTIR and Raman vibrational spectroscopic techniques as well as DFT quantum chemical calculation were used for characterizing conformational changes of phenylurea (a herbicide parent molecule) occurring from solid state to aqueous medium. Experimental infrared frequencies were assigned on the base of urea and benzenic derivatives spectroscopic data available in the literature and vibrational normal modes analytical calculation at the fully optimized geometry. Investigation of isotopic and solvent effects has revealed that the structure of phenylurea is particularly sensitive to the electrostatic environment via hydrogen non covalent bonds. The ability of beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) to form host-guest inclusion complex with phenylurea in the solid state was also evidenced by significant frequency shifts observed in the 1400-1800 cm(-1) spectral range.     

Convenient formation of nanoparticle aggregates on microfluidic chips for highly sensitive SERS detection of biomolecules

Microfluidic chips combined with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) offer an outstanding platform for rapid and high-sensitivity chemical analysis. However, it is nontrivial to conveniently form nanoparticle aggregrates (as SERS-active spots for SERS detection) in microchannels in a well-controlled manner. Here, we present a rapid, highly sensitive and label-free analytical technique for determining bovine serum albumin (BSA) on a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microfluidic chip using SERS. A modified PDMS pneumatic valve and nanopost arrays at the bottom of the fluidic microchannel are used for reversibly trapping gold nanoparticles to form gold aggregates, creating SERS-active spots for Raman detection. We fabricated a chip that consisted of a T-shaped fluidic channel and two modified pneumatic valves, which was suitable for fast loading of samples. Quantitative analysis of BSA is demonstrated with the measured peak intensity at 1,615 cm⁻¹ in the surface-enhanced Raman spectra. With our microfluidic chip, the detection limit of Raman can reach as low as the picomolar level, comparable to that of normal mass spectrometry.     

Photoluminescent BaMoO4 nanopowders prepared by complex polymerization method (CPM)

The BaMoO₄ nanopowders were prepared by the Complex Polymerization Method (CPM). The structure properties of the BaMoO₄ powders were characterized by FTIR transmittance spectra, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectra, photoluminescence spectra (PL) and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM). The XRD, FTIR and Raman data showed that BaMoO₄ at 300 °C was disordered. At 400 °C and higher temperature, BaMoO₄ crystalline scheelite-type phases could be identified, without the presence of additional phases, according to the XRD, FTIR and Raman data. The calculated average crystallite sizes, calculated by XRD, around 40 nm, showed the tendency to increase with the temperature. The crystallite sizes, obtained by HR-SEM, were around of 40-50 nm. The sample that presented the highest intensity of the red emission band was the one heat treated at 400 °C for 2 h, and the sample that displayed the highest intensity of the green emission band was the one heat treated at 700 °C for 2 h. The CPM was shown to be a low cost route for the production of BaMoO₄ nanopowders, with the advantages of lower temperature, smaller time and reduced cost. The optical properties observed for BaMoO₄ nanopowders suggested that this material is a highly promising candidate for photoluminescent applications.     

Depth profiling of modified PVC surfaces using confocal Raman microspectroscopy

Depth profiles of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) films chemically modified in solvent/non‐solvent mixtures were obtained using confocal Raman microscopy (CRM). The non‐destructive technique allows the characterization of interphases of up to 50 microns in thickness with a resolution of 1.4 μm. The accuracy of CRM is demonstrated by comparison of mean degrees of modification calculated from depth profiles and values obtained by transmission FTIR spectroscopy.     

FTIR and FT-Raman spectra, vibrational assignments and density functional theory calculations of 2,6-dibromo-4-nitroaniline and 2-(methylthio)aniline

The FTIR and FT-Raman spectra of 2,6-dibromo-4-nitroaniline (2,6-DB4NA) in solid phase and 2-(methylthio)aniline (2-MTA) in liquid phase were measured. The geometry and normal vibrations have been obtained from the density functional theory (DFT) with the B3LYP method employing the 6-31G* basis set. Scale factors, which bring computational frequencies in closer agreement with the experimental data, have been calculated for predominant vibrational motions of the normal modes. The effects of the amino, bromine, nitro, thio and methyl substituents on vibrational frequencies have been investigated. The infrared and Raman spectra were also predicted from the calculated intensities. The observed and the calculated spectra were found to be in good agreement.     

Density functional theory calculation and vibrational spectroscopy study of 2-amino-4,6-dimethyl pyrimidine (ADMP)

The solid phase FTIR and FT-Raman spectra of 2-amino-4,6-dimethyl pyrimidine (ADMP) have been recorded in the regions 4000-400 cm(-1) and 3500-50 cm(-1) respectively. The structure was investigated by utilizing density functional theory (DFT) calculations with the Becke 3-Lee-Yang-Parr (B3LYP) method employing the 6-31+G and 6-311++G basis sets. The optimized geometrical parameters obtained by B3LYP method show good agreement with experimental data. Complete vibrational assignments were made on the basis of normal coordinate analysis (NCA) for the molecule. The infrared and Raman spectra were also predicted from the calculated intensities. The observed and the calculated spectra were found to be in good agreement. The thermodynamic properties like entropies and their correlations with temperatures were also obtained from the harmonic frequencies of the optimized structures.     

FTIR and FT-Raman spectra, assignments, ab initio HF and DFT analysis of xanthine

The molecular vibrations of xanthine were investigated in polycrystalline sample, at room temperature by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and FT-Raman spectroscopies. The spectra of the molecule have been recorded in the regions 4000-50 cm(-1) and 3500-100 cm(-1), respectively. Theoretical information on the optimized geometry, harmonic vibrational frequencies, infrared and Raman intensities were obtained by means of ab initio Hartree-Fock (HF) and density functional theory (DFT) gradient calculations with complete relaxation in the potential energy surface using 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. The vibrational frequencies which were determined experimentally from the spectral data are compared with those obtained theoretically from ab initio and DFT calculations. A close agreement was achieved between the observed and calculated frequencies by refinement of the scale factors. The infrared and Raman spectra were also predicted from the calculated intensities. Thermodynamic properties like entropy, heat capacity, zero point energy have been calculated for the molecule. Unambiguous vibrational assignment of all the fundamentals was made using the potential energy distribution (PED).     

Surface chemical modification of microfibrillated cellulose: improvement of barrier properties for packaging applications

Heterogeneous acetylation of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) was carried out to modify its physical properties and at the same time to preserve the morphology of cellulose fibrils. The overall reaction success was assessed by FTIR together with the degree of substitution (DS) defined by titration and the degree of surface substitution (DSS) evaluated by means of XPS. Dynamic contact angle measurements confirmed the hydrophobicity improvement relative to non-modified samples. The increase of contact angle upon reaching a certain reaction time and some decrease following the further acetylation was confirmed. Mechanical properties of MFC films made from chemically modified material were evaluated using tensile strength tests which showed no significant reduction of tensile strength. According to SEM images, dimension analysis and tensile strength data, the acetylation seemed not to affect the morphology of cellulose fibrils.     

FT-IR, FT-Raman, NMR and UV-vis spectra, vibrational assignments and DFT calculations of 4-butyl benzoic acid

The solid phase FTIR and FT-Raman spectra of 4-butyl benzoic acid (4-BBA) have been recorded in the regions 400-4000 and 50-4000cm(-1), respectively. The spectra were interpreted in terms of fundamentals modes, combination and overtone bands. The structure of the molecule was optimized and the structural characteristics were determined by density functional theory (DFT) using B3LYP method with 6-311++G(d,p) as basis set. The vibrational frequencies were calculated for monomer and dimer by DFT method and were compared with the experimental frequencies, which yield good agreement between observed and calculated frequencies. The infrared and Raman spectra were also predicted from the calculated intensities. (13)C and (1)H NMR spectra were recorded and (13)C and (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shifts of the molecule were calculated using the gauge independent atomic orbital (GIAO) method. UV-visible spectrum of the compound was recorded in the region 200-400nm and the electronic properties HOMO and LUMO energies were measured by time-dependent TD-DFT approach. The geometric parameters, energies, harmonic vibrational frequencies, IR intensities, Raman intensities, chemical shifts and absorption wavelengths were compared with the available experimental data of the molecule.     

Preparation and characterization of cotton fabrics with antibacterial properties treated by crosslinkable benzophenone derivative in choline chloride-based deep eutectic solvents

Cotton fabrics with antibacterial properties were prepared by the treatment with 3,3′4,4′-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPTCD) in a combined process of shaking immersion in dyeing machine and pad-dry-cure. Environmentally-benign choline chloride (ChCl)-based deep eutectic solvents (DESs) were mainly examined as treatment media instead of using organic solvent. The results revealed that cotton fabrics treated with BPTCD in urea-ChCl DES showed a strong ester carbonyl peak in fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis, indicating fixation of BPTCD on cotton cellulose. Detailed characterizations of the BPTCD-treated cotton were carried out by FTIR, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, dye staining, and evaluation of hydrophilicity and strength. The treated fabrics demonstrated a high level of antibacterial characteristics before and after UV irradiation. This indicated that addition of ChCl could enhance antibacterial activity of cotton before UV irradiation. Therefore, use of ChCl-based DES along with BPTCD incorporation provided environmentally-acceptable and economically-feasible treatment process for preparation of novel antibacterial cotton.     

Methodology for fiber-optic Raman mapping and FTIR imaging of metastases in mouse brains

The objectives of this study were to optimize the preparation of pristine brain tissue to obtain reference information, to optimize the conditions for introducing a fiber-optic probe to acquire Raman maps, and to transfer previous results obtained from human brain tumors to an animal model. Brain metastases of malignant melanomas were induced by injecting tumor cells into the carotid artery of mice. The procedure mimicked hematogenous tumor spread in one brain hemisphere while the other hemisphere remained tumor free. Three series of sections were prepared consecutively from whole mouse brains: dried, thin sections for FTIR imaging, hematoxylin and eosin-stained thin sections for histopathological assessment, and pristine, 2-mm thick sections for Raman mapping. FTIR images were recorded using a spectrometer with a multi-channel detector. Raman maps were collected serially using a spectrometer coupled to a fiber-optic probe. The FTIR images and the Raman maps were segmented by cluster analysis. The color-coded cluster memberships coincided well with the morphology of mouse brains in stained tissue sections. More details in less time were resolved in FTIR images with a nominal resolution of 25 microm than in Raman maps collected with a laser focus 60 microm in diameter. The spectral contributions of melanin in tumor cells were resonance enhanced in Raman spectra on excitation at 785 nm which enabled their sensitive detection in Raman maps. Possible reasons why metastatic cells of malignant melanomas were not identified in FTIR images are discussed.