Selective sample preparation with bioaffinity columns prepared by the sol-gel method

Bioaffinity materials prepared by entrapping highly selective bioligands in the pores of a sol-gel glass offer unique advantages for the clean-up of complex sample matrices. The inclusion of sol-gel bioaffinity columns frequently allows the efficient elimination of interfering matrix components and enrichment of analytes in a simple step. After introducing the basic principles the paper reviews the methods for the production of protein-doped sol-gel materials and discusses the characteristics of sol-gel affinity columns by comparing their stability, selectivity, binding capacity and reusability. The potential of sample clean-up with sol-gel affinity columns is demonstrated giving applications in environmental, food and clinical analysis.     

Influence of cobalt doping concentration on ZnO/MWCNTs hybrid prepared by sol-gel method for antibacterial activity

Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology - In recent years, cobalt attracted large interest in biological application, due to its biocompatibility and low toxicity. The synthesis of Co...     

Silica gel-based monoliths prepared by the sol-gel method: facts and figures

There is a great deal of interest in continuous beds as stationary phases for both HPLC and CEC. There are various ways to prepare monoliths, by polymerization of organic species or by polymerization of silicon alkoxides. The former method has recently been reviewed, while silica based monoliths are now commercially available. The purpose of this paper is to deal with the problems associated with silica based monoliths. The most important problem is obviously the cracking and the shrinkage of the bed during drying. The second problem is monolith cladding. Much literature has been published but no definitive solution is available and thus a wide research area remains open. Monoliths are a compromise between loadability, permeability and mass transfer kinetics. Due to the better mass transfer properties of a monolithic skeleton over distinct particles, high flow rates and high speed separations are possible.     

Synthesis and anhydrous proton conductivity of poly(5-vinyltetrazole) prepared by free radical polymerization

5-Vinyltetrazole (VT)-based polymer is mainly produced by ‘click chemistry’ from polyacrylonitrile due to the unavailability of 5-vinyltetrazole monomer, which usually produces copolymers of VT and acrylonitrile rather than pure poly(5-vinyltetrazole) (PVT). In present work, VT was synthesized from 5-(2-chloroethyl)tetrazole via dehydrochlorination. A series of PVT with different molecular weight were synthesized by normal free radical polymerization. The chemical structures of VT and PVT were characterized by ¹H NMR and FTIR. PVT without any doped acid exhibits certain proton conductivity at higher temperature and anhydrous state. The proton conductivity of PVT decreases at least 2 orders of magnitude after methylation of tetrazole. PVT and PVT/H₃PO₄ composite membranes are thermally stable up to 200 °C. The glass transition temperature (T_g) of PVT/xH₃PO₄ composite membranes is shifted from 90 °C for x = 0.5 to 55 °C for x = 1. The temperature dependence of DC conductivity for pure PVT exhibits a simple Arrhenius behavior in the temperature range of 90–160 °C, while PVT/xH₃PO₄ composite membranes with higher H₃PO₄ concentration can be fitted by Vogel–Tamman–Fulcher (VTF) equation. PVT/1.0H₃PO₄ exhibits an anhydrous proton conductivity of 3.05 × 10⁻³ at 110 °C. The transmission of the PVT/xH₃PO₄ composite membrane is above 85% in the wavelength of visible light and changes little with acid contents. Thus, PVT/xH₃PO₄ composite membranes have potential applications not only in intermediate temperature fuel cells but also in solid electrochromic device.     

Dielectric properties of FeNbO4 ceramics prepared by the sol-gel method

In this work, FeNbO₄ powders were prepared using the sol-gel method. The fine powder particles were pressed into pellets and sintered at temperatures between 500 and 1200 °C. The powder was studied by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The morphology of the grains was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. Heat-treatment of the particles results in higher crystallinity, larger grains, and a decrease in the porosity of the material.The dielectric properties were measured in the frequency range of 10²–10⁶ Hz, in function of temperature (200–370 K). In all samples the real (ε′) and imaginary (ε″) parts of the complex permittivity increase with increasing annealing temperature. The sample heat treated at 1200 °C shows the highest ε′, > 10⁴ at 300 K. All samples show a dielectric relaxation phenomenon, analysed using the modulus formalism. The evolution of the ac conduction activation energy and of the activation energy associated with the relaxation mechanism, is directly related with the changes promoted by the heat treatment in the structure and in the morphology of the base powders.     

Structural and spectroscopic properties of LaOF:Eu3+ nanocrystals prepared by the sol-gel Pechini method

A new method was used to obtain Eu(3+)-doped LaOF nanocrystals. The obtained nanocrystals were synthesized for the first time using a modified Pechini sol-gel method. The products were analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction and the Rietveld method. Optimal conditions for the synthesis were found. Luminescent properties of the tetragonal and rhombohedral LaOF:Eu(3+) nanocrystals were investigated by collecting excitation and luminescence spectra. The most effective dopant concentrations in both hosts were found. Luminescent lifetimes were also measured. The time-resolved luminescent traces showed both a growth and a decay, which pointed to energy transfer processes between Eu(3+) ions in the LaOF host. In order to explain these phenomena, an adequate mechanism has been proposed. Intensity parameters Ω(2), Ω(4) and quantum efficiencies were calculated using the Judd-Ofelt theory, allowing for an extensive study of the luminescent properties of Eu(3+) ion in the LaOF matrix.     

Reaction of perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and hexamethyldisilazane

The reaction of perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and hexamethyldisilazane was investigated. A possibility of obtaining a new dye resistant to UV light and heating (up to 300°C), consisting of structural fragments of perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxydiimede, diethoxysiloxane, and 3-aminopropylethoxysiloxane was demonstrated. A compound obtained in 43% yield by heating (7 h, 180–200°C) perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride with excess 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane in the presence of catalytic amounts of zinc acetate is an oligomer appropriate for the solgel process, displays strong luminescence in the red spectral region (540–620 nm), and has good film-forming properties. The participation of hexamethyldisilazane consists in binding water molecules formed in the reaction of perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and in the formation of trimethylsilanol which replaces a part of the EtO groups at the silicon atoms by a more bulky Me₃SiO groups, causing significant increase in the solubility of the dye in organic solvents and silicon sol-gel monomers. The hydrolysis of silicon-containing dye and subsequent dehydration of the resulting gel lead to the formation of insoluble xerogel.     

Synthesis of proton conductive inorganic–organic hybrid membranes through copolymerization of dimethylethoxyvinylsilane with vinylphosphonic acid

Proton conductive inorganic–organic hybrid membranes were synthesized from dimethylethoxyvinylsilane (DMEVS), vinylphosphonic acid (VPA) and 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS) through copolymerization followed by sol–gel process. The ratio of phosphorus to silicon in the copolymer almost corresponded to the charged molar ratio of VPA to DMEVS when the ratio of VPA to DMEVS was below 1/2. Self-standing, homogeneous, highly transparent membranes were synthesized from DMEVS–VPA copolymer and GPTMS via sol–gel condensation. Differential thermal analysis-thermogravimetry analyses indicated that these membranes were thermally stable up to 200 °C. The results of Fourier transform infrared and ¹³C NMR revealed that phosphonic acid groups of VPA were chemically bound to organosiloxane network. The copolymerization and condensation of (DMEVS–VPA)/GPTMS were confirmed by ³¹P and ²⁹Si NMR spectra. The proton conductivity of the hybrid membranes increased with phosphonic acid content. The membrane of (DMEVS–VPA)/GPTMS showed a remarkable conductivity of 6.3 × 10⁻² S cm⁻¹ at 130 °C and 100% relative humidity.     

Structural and electrical properties of Ca doped BiFeO3 multiferroic nanomaterials prepared by sol-gel auto-combustion method

Sol-gel auto combustion method was adopted for the synthesis of Bi_1-xCa_xFeO₃ (x = 0.00, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2 and 0.25) multiferroic nanoparticles and their structural and electric properties were investigated. The two peaks at (012) and (110) planes at diffracting angles (2θ) of 31.9° and 32.1° in the XRD pattern indicates their rhombohedral structure with the R3c space group. The cole-cole plot in the 10 Hz–1 MHz frequency range shows the increasing semicircles shifting towards higher frequency, indicating increasing grain and grain boundaries.     

The microstructure of titanium-modified silica glass waveguides prepared by the sol-gel method

Waveguides were prepared by the sol-gel method at ambient temperature from titanium alkoxides and an organically modified silane using the chemically controlled condensation procedure. The structure was studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A biphasic structure containing (a) modified silica that may form micellar clusters and (b) titania clusters containing chelating acetate with dimensions in the nanometer range is proposed. The composite glass was doped by the pH indicator methyl red and the existence of two separate dye populations was demonstrated. This finding is attributed to dye molecules in separate phases. The optical and spectral properties of the glass are explained by its proposed structure.     

Abrasion resistant inorganic/organic coating materials prepared by the sol-gel method

Novel abrasion resistant coating materials prepared by the sol-gel method have been developed and applied on the polymeric substrates bisphenol-A polycarbonate and diallyl diglycol carbonate resin (CR-39). These coatings are inorganic/organic hybrid network materials synthesized from 3-isocyanatopropyltriethoxysilane functionalized organics and metal alkoxide. The organic components are 3,3-iminobispropylamine (IMPA), resorcinol (RSOL), diethylenetriamine (DETA), poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI), glycerol and a series of diols. The metal alkoxides are tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and tetramethoxysilane (TMOS). These materials are spin coated onto bisphenol-A polycarbonate and CR-39 sheets and thermally cured to obtain a transparent coating of a few microns in thickness. Following the curing, the abrasion resistance is measured and compared with an uncoated control. It was found that the abrasion resistance of inorganic/organic hybrid coatings in the neat form or containing metal alkoxide can be very effective to improve the abrasion resistance of polymeric substrates. The adhesion tests show that the adhesion between coating and substrate can be greatly improved by treating the polymeric substrate surface with a primer solution of isopropanol containing 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (3-APS). The interaction between 3-APS and the polycarbonate surface was investigated by a molecular dynamics simulation. The results strongly suggest that the hydrogen bonding between the amino group of the 3-APS and ester group in the polycarbonate backbone are sufficiently strong to influence the orientation of the primer molecules. The abrasion resistance of these new coating systems is discussed in light of the structure of the organic components. All of these results show that these coating materials have excellent abrasion resistance and have potential applications as coating materials for lenses and other polymeric products.     

Synthesis and characterisation of elastomeric composites prepared from epoxidised styrene butadiene rubber, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and tetraethoxysilane

Hybrid composite materials were obtained by the reaction of epoxidised styrene butadiene rubber with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, followed by in situ hydrolysis and polycondensation of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). The hybrid films were characterised by thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, swelling and stress–strain measurements, scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectrometry. Non-solubility of the films in tetrahydrofuran indicated the formation of a network, the microstructure of which varied according to the concentrations of the inorganic precursors employed. The thermal stabilities of the films were similar to that of rubber, and the mechanical stress increased considerably with the amount of silica incorporated. The most transparent films were those prepared with the lowest concentrations of inorganic precursors, whilst those obtained using larger amounts of TEOS showed distinct microscopic phases. The protocol described represents a simple method by which to bind inorganic precursors to rubbers.     

溶胶-凝胶法制备Cr-基催化剂及其CO2氧化乙烷制乙烯

以硝酸铬为Cr源,正硅酸乙酯为Si源,采用溶胶-凝胶法制备了Cr质量分数为2.5%~10%的Cr-基催化剂;采用XRD、BET、SEM、H₂ TPR等分析测试技术对催化剂的结构进行了表征;在微型固定床反应器中对催化剂乙烷二氧化碳氧化脱氢制乙烯的催化性能进行了评价,并考察了反应条件对催化性能的影响。结果表明,催化剂中Cr的质量分数大于5%时,Cr的物相为Cr₂O₃,但Cr质量分数较低时,检测不到Cr的物相;Cr质量分数为5%的催化剂具有较大的比表面积,Cr质量分数变大或变小,催化剂的比表面积都会减小;催化剂的孔径在2nm左右,并与Cr的质量分数关系不大;Cr质量分数为5%的催化剂具有最好的催化活性,在750℃的反应条件下,乙烷和二氧化碳的转化率可达79.29%和23.74%,乙烯的收率可达67.91%;Cr质量分数为5%的催化剂具有适宜的氧化还原性能,这有利于乙烷和二氧化碳的转化。     

Genesis and activity of mo-based hydrotreating catalysts prepared by a sol-gel method

Molybdenum oxide-alumina catalysts used in hydrodesulfurization (HDS) with a wide range of Mo loadings (1–25% Mo) were prepared by the sol-gel process. Two different methods of adding the molybdenum oxide precursor to the support were used.In the first route, alumina is prepared by hydrolysis of aluminium tri sec-butylate in butanol and butanediol, and molybdenum is deposited by a classical dry impregnation with ammonium heptamolybdate (AHM). In the second route, the molybdenum oxospecies are dispersed in butanediol and added to the aluminium alkoxide before hydrolysis. The solids were calcined to obtain the oxide precursors which are then sulfided to give the active phase in hydrodesulfurization.The effect of preparation on the structural properties of alumina as well as on the state and dispersion of molybdenum in the dried, calcined and sulfided form was studied by various characterization techniques (XRD, XPS, Raman spectroscopy). Molybdenum appears to be present as well dispersed oxomolybdenum species in the oxide form even at high loadings. This good dispersion of molybdenum is preserved after sulfidation which induces the formation of MoS₂ crystallites whose morphology has been determined by HREM.The catalyst activities were evaluated in thiophene hydrodesulfurization and compared with that of catalysts prepared by dry impregnation of a commercial alumina. The observed performances are in agreement with the good dispersion of molybdenum at high loadings we were able to obtain owing to the sol-gel process.     

Nd-doped barium titanate ceramics with various Ti/Ba ratios prepared by sol-gel method

The Nd-doped BaTiO₃ nanocrystalline powders and ceramics with different Ti/Ba ratios were prepared by sol-gel method. Phases and microstructures of the Nd-doped BaTiO₃ based powders and ceramics were characterized by XRD, SEM and TEM methods. The results revealed that the powders synthesized by sol-gel method were nanometer scale (30 – 60 nm) and were mainly composed of cubic BaTiO₃ with a small amount of BaCO₃. After sintering at high temperature, both cubic BaTiO₃ and BaCO₃ were transformed into tetrahedron BaTiO₃ phase. The dielectric properties of the ceramics were also determined and the influence of Ti/Ba ratio on the dielectric properties was discussed. The T_c did not change with the variation of Ti/Ba ratio, while the ?_max increased firstly and then decreased. The excess TiO₂ is benefit for the modification of ceramics’ microstructure and dielectric properties.     

Nd-doped barium titanate ceramics with various Ti/Ba ratios prepared by sol-gel method

The Nd-doped BaTiO3 nanocrystalline powders and ceramics with different Ti/Ba ratios were prepared by sol-gel method. Phases and microstructures of the Nd-doped BaTiO3 based powders and ceramics were characterized by XRD, SEM and TEM methods. The results revealed that the powders synthesized by sol-gel method were nanometer scale (30-60 nm) and were mainly composed of cubic BaTiO3 with a small amount of BaCO3. After sintering at high temperature, both cubic BaTiO3 and BaCO3 were transformed into tetrahedron BaTiO3 phase. The dielectric properties of the ceramics were also determined and the influence of Ti/Ba ratio on the dielectric properties was discussed. The Tc did not change with the variation of Ti/Ba ratio, while theεmax increased firstly and then decreased. The excess TiO2 is benefit for the modification of ceramics' microstructure and dielectric properties.     

Estimation of the surface sulfur content of cellulose nanocrystals prepared by sulfuric acid hydrolysis

The conditions required for the accurate measurement of the sulfur content of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) by conductometric titration are discussed. CNCs from sulfuric acid hydrolysis are electrostatically stabilized in aqueous suspension due to the introduction of charged sulfate ester groups onto the surface of the crystallites during reaction. The sulfur content thus largely reflects the surface charge of the crystals, and is crucial to the characterization and understanding of material properties. Conductometric titration is commonly used to quantify the sulfur content of CNCs, however, the exhaustive removal of free acid by dialysis and the necessity, type, quantity and duration of ion-exchange resin treatments are not always consistent. Here we explore the standard conditions of dialysis, ion-exchange, and the reproducibility of titration results. Extensive dialysis is found to be effective in the removal of free acid, but similar results are also achieved in shorter times and with less water using membrane ultrafiltration. It is also shown that the conditions of ion-exchange most commonly employed in the literature can lead to inaccurate sulfur contents. Finally, good agreement is obtained between the sulfur contents of different CNC batches prepared using the same hydrolysis conditions, and from titration and elemental analysis when thoroughly purified, well-dispersed samples, and appropriate resin conditions are used.     

Microfiltration membranes prepared from polyethersulfone powder grafted with acrylic acid by simultaneous irradiation and their pH dependence

Polyethersulfone (PES) powder was grafted with acrylic acid (AAc) by simultaneous γ-ray irradiation. The kinetics of the radiation induced graft polymerization was studied and the grafted PES powder was characterized. Then, microfiltration (MF) membranes were prepared from PES-g-PAAc powder with different degrees of grafting (DG) under phase inversion method. The swelling behavior and the mean pore size of MF membranes were measured, and the filtration property was tested. The results showed that the pore size and the flux of MF membranes increased with the increase in DG. And, MF membranes’ properties were dependent on the pH value.