Qualitative Analyses of Coins by Using a Si(Li) Detector and An Xrf-Exciter System

X-ray fluorescence spectra of many coins are studied using a Si(Li) detector and an XRF-exciter system. Some qualitative and semiquantitative analyses have been carried out. It is demonstrated that this method can be a very powerful means to study the archaeology of metal objects, especially the copper alloys, such as coins and bronze vessels.     

Reversible Protein Adsorption on PMOXA/PAA Based Coatings: Role of PAA

In this study we report design of stimuli-responsive coating based on poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline-random-glycidyl methacrylate)(PMOXA-r-GMA) comb copolymer and poly(acrylic acid)-block-poly(glycidyl methacrylate)(PAA-b-PGMA) block copolymers and scrutinize its ability to control protein adsorption. Firstly, PMOXA/PAA based coatings were prepared by simply spin coating the mixture of PMOXA-r-GMA and PAA-b-PGMA copolymer solutions onto silicon substrates followed by annealing at 110 °C.Then coatings were rigorously characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS), the static water contact angle(WCA) test,ellipsometry and atomic force microscopy(AFM). After that, the relationship of switchable behavior of PMOXA/PAA based coatings with PAA content and chain length was investigated through the change of thickness and WCA upon pH and ionic strength(I) trigger,which indicated that the change in thickness and WCA was triggered when PAA contents were increased as well as by increasing chain length of PAA in PMOXA/PAA based coatings. Finally, real-time adsorption/desorption of lysozyme(Lyso) on PMOXA/PAA based coatings was monitored using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring(QCM-D). The results showed that the Lyso adsorption amount was increased upon increasing chain length and contents of PAA in PMOXA/PAA based coatings. The adsorbed Lyso was then efficiently desorbed by changing pH and I of medium with the maximum desorption( 90% desorption percentage) observed for the suitable ratio of PMOXA and PAA while chain length of PAA was kept longer than that of PMOXA. Furthermore, the prepared coatings were found to repeatedly adsorb and desorb Lyso for four successive cycles of adsorption/desorption, which confirmed the stability of prepared coatings.     

纳米多孔金膜表面等离子体共振效应的理论分析和传感应用

纳米多孔金膜(NPGF)化学和热力学稳定性好,比表面积大,具有显著的表面等离子体共振(SPR)效应,适宜于用作SPR生化传感芯片。本文对NPGF的SPR效应进行了理论分析,得到了在NPGF/空气界面传播的表面等离子体色散曲线,获得了优化NPGF-SPR传感性能所需的最佳薄膜厚度约为60nm;在此基础上利用溅射沉积-化学脱合金两步法在玻璃基板上制备出大面积均匀的超薄NPGF,采用Krestchmann棱镜耦合结构测试了NPGF在可见-近红外波段的SPR共振光谱及其传感特性,通过利用菲涅耳公式并结合Bruggeman介电常数近似理论对测得的共振波长进行拟合,得出NPGF的孔隙率约为0.38。未经修饰的NPGF是亲水薄膜,能够有效富集水中的双酚A,使得NPGF-SPR传感器对双酚A的探测下限达到5nmol?L~(-1);经过疏水化处理后,NPGF对非极性苯并芘分子的富集能力获得显著增强,使得传感器对苯并芘的探测下限达到1 nmol?L~(-1)。     

Gold nanoparticles synthesis and stabilization via new "clicked" polyethyleneglycol dendrimers

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are synthesized and stabilized by new "clicked" dendrimers of generations zero to two (G(0)-G(2)) containing tri- and tetra-ethyleneglycol tethers; they are either encapsulated by G(1) (81 tethers) and G(2) (243 tethers) or stabilized without encapsulation by G(0) (27 tethers).     

Gold nanoparticle-loaded PEGylated dendrimers for <Emphasis Type="Italic">theragnosis</Emphasis>

Both therapy and diagnosis, theragnosis, are indispensable for personalized medicine. Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) have photochemical properties and attenuate X-rays, which are useful for photothermal therapy and X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging, respectively. Polyethylene glycol (PEG)-modified dendrimers (PEGylated dendrimers) have been used as drug carriers with prolonged blood circulation. In this study, Au NP-loaded PEGylated dendrimers were prepared as agents for photothermal therapy and CT imaging. Au NPs were grown in the PEGylated dendrimer by adding gold ions and reductants under various conditions to improve the properties. Both size and surface plasmon absorption of the Au NPs increased, dependent on the seeding growth conditions. Au NPs with near infrared absorption were also prepared by seeding growth from Au NP-loaded PEGylated dendrimers using formaldehyde. The Au NPs thus grown showed enhanced photothermogenic properties and CT intensities, enabling efficient photocytotoxicity and the enhancement of the blood pool in mice by CT imaging. Therefore, Au NP-loaded PEGylated dendrimers are a potential agent for theragnosis.     

PAA/PVA SIPN高吸水性树脂的制备及性能研究

采用水溶液法合成了聚丙烯酸-聚乙烯醇(PAA-PVA)半互传网络型高吸水性树脂,其工艺条件的优化结果为:丙烯酸(AA)与PVA质量比为10∶0.5,AA中和度为80%,加入AA单体质量0.14%的引发剂和0.025%的交联剂,产物吸水率为530g/g,吸盐水率达63g/g。并采用红外光谱法表征了半互穿网络结构的形成。     

Rapid Multielement Analysis of Tree Bark by EDXRF

A rapid and simple method for multielement analysis of tree bark using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry has been developed. Sample preparation consisted of crushing tree bark into a fine powder prior to the production of pressed pellets. Limits of detection for elements of interest (Pb, Hg, Zn, Cu, Ni, Al, Sn, Fe, Cr, Mn, Ti, As, Cd, Sb, and Ag) were at or below the µg/g level. Analysis of environmental certified reference materials (fly-ash, soil and tea-leaves) was used to check accuracy and precision. Survey analysis was performed at industrial, urban and rural sites in diverse locations throughout the world. The potential for source apportionation was demonstrated as reflected in elevated levels of Pb (up to 12,300 µg/g) and Sb (up to 86 µg/g) near a lead smelter site (UK) and high concentrations of Hg (up to 4.2 µg/g) in gold extraction regions of Brazil.     

攀矿铁精矿矿浆品位的原位EDXRF分析试验

铁精矿矿浆品位原位EDXRF(能量色散X射线荧光)分析试验在攀钢选矿厂进行,矿浆中水与矿粉体积比在2/5~2/1之间,在(L×W×H=8×2×20cm)的沉淀条件下,经过9 min自然沉淀,静态测量(60 s);从测量结果看出:仪器分析周期约10 min,与化学分析结果的绝对误差小于0.3%,并说明铁精矿矿浆品位在线分析完全可行,这为开发新型在线铁精矿矿浆品位的EDXRF分析仪器提供了依据。     

基于硬币的简易气体传感实验装置设计

设计并构建了一种简易的气体传感实验装置。由于硬币中含有多种金属元素,在空气中加热后会在表面形成一层氧化物,基于氧化物的气体敏感原理,可以对多种气体进行检测。本实验中,利用金属和酸的反应产生氢气,通过测量氧化硬币的电阻,发现其电阻的变化量线性正比于所产生氢气的量。这是一个紧密联系科学原理和传感技术的实验案例,有利于学生对气体传感器的学习和科学思维的培养。     

Structure and protein binding capacity of a planar PAA brush

We performed neutron reflectometry (NR) and total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) spectroscopy to characterize the structure and the protein binding capacity of a planar poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) brush at different temperatures. A PAA brush was prepared by spin-coating planar quartz or silicon wafers with a thin film of poly(styrene). Then, the diblock copolymer poly(styrene)-poly(acrylic acid) was deposited on these modified wafers using the Langmuir-Sch?fer or Langmuir-Blodgett technique. PAA grafting densities of about 0.1 chains per nm2 were obtained. The NR experiments indicate a remarkable swelling of the PAA brush in contact with a buffer solution, when it is heated to 40 degrees C for several hours. The swollen brush structure remains upon cooling back to 20 degrees C suggesting a disentanglement of the initially formed PAA brush by the temporary heating. At pD = 6.7, the protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) with a negative net charge is strongly adsorbed to the swollen PAA brush. From the scattering length density profiles obtained from the NR curves, an almost homogeneous filling of the whole PAA brush space with BSA molecules can be deduced corresponding to an average BSA volume fraction of about 7-10% and an adsorbed protein mass of about 1.4 mg m-2. By analyzing the TIRF experiments, it is found that BSA adsorption is enhanced when increasing the temperature which represents an evidence for an entropic driving force for protein adsorption. However, the mechanism of BSA adsorption at a PAA brush appears to be different at 20 and 40 degrees C.     

单分散PS/PAA聚合物微球的研制

以苯乙烯为单体,采用分散聚合法制备了单分散性的聚苯乙烯(PS)微球,然后以PS微球作为种子、丙烯酸(AA)进行无皂种子乳液聚合制备了PS／PAA微球。考察了单体、引发剂、分散剂用量,反应介质极性和交链剂等因素对微球粒径大小及其分布的影响,探讨了分散聚合的反应机理。结果表明,通过改变反应工艺条件,能够制备粒径为1．0～3．0μm、单分散性很好的PS微球;通过无皂种子乳液聚合得到的核壳结构的PS／PAA微球粒径为2．50μm,多分散系数(PI)为0．0325,酸值为10．27mgNaOH／g,其表面带有羧基的特性能进一步扩大应用范围。     

Studies of kidney stones using INAA,EDXRF and XRD techniques

Four kidney stones collected from patients being treated in the Advance Urology Centre of PGIMR, Chandigarh were characterized using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. For INAA, samples were irradiated in tray rod facility of Dhruva reactor, Mumbai and pneumatic fast transfer system of KAMINI reactor, IGCAR, Kalpakkam. Radioactive assay was carried out using HPGe detector coupled to 8k channel analyzer. Elements determined in the samples by INAA are Zn, Sr, Co, Fe, Cr, Sc, Se, Na and Mn. EDXRF was used for the quantification of Ca. XRD patterns showed that three of the kidney stones are calcium oxalate stone and the other one is uric acid stone. The concentrations of trace elements in general were found to be higher in calcium oxalate stones and positive correlation was observed in the concentrations of Ca with Sr and Zn.     

Assessment of elemental contamination in road dust using EDXRF

Road dust samples were collected in different locations of heavy traffic, medium traffic, express way and industrial areas of Mumbai. The concentrations of various elements (Mg, Al, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb) in road dust samples were analyzed using EDXRF. The average elemental profile of road dust in Mumbai was comparable with studies carried out in other countries with slight variations. The estimated geo accumulation indices and enrichment factors indicated moderate elemental contamination and enrichment of anthropogenic elements in road dust samples. Factor analysis of elemental data resolved four sources namely crustal, tyre wear, vehicular/industrial emissions and break wear.     

Investigation of Electrochemical Charging Behaviors of“Naked” Gold Nanoparticles Ensembles in Aqueous Media

Gold nanoparticles were imnoobilized onto the electrode surface by simple self-assembly technique.Interestingly,the ensembles of these nanoparticles exhibit quantized charging behaviors in aqueous solution.Possible mechanism for such behaviors was proposed.     

Biosynthesis of Gold Nanoparticles by Flavonoids from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lilium casa blanca</Emphasis>

Biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) by flavonoids from Lilium casa blanca has been developed. Several parameters such as pH, reaction temperature, reaction time and concentration of flavonoids were explored to control the formation of the GNPs. The synthesized GNPs were characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Stability and catalytic activity of the synthesized GNPs were also discussed. The results showed that the synthesized GNPs were in spherical, about 2.6 nm, with a face centered cubic structure. Synthesized GNPs showed good catalytic activity in the reduction of p-nitrophenol (p-NP) to p-aminphenol (p-AP). This method for synthesis of GNPs is simple, economic, nontoxic and efficient.     

Distribution of major and trace elements concentrations in gold processing using EDXRF

Studies have been carried out on the distribution of major and trace elements concentrations in oxide and sulphide feed ores at various stages of milling and processing of gold in a goldmine at Bogoso in the western region of Ghana. The studies evaluated concentration enhancements at various stages of treatment with emphasis on understanding the typical processes leading to enhancement of concentration at each stage and ultimately the impact from discharges into the surrounding environment. The feed ore samples were analyzed using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The results show concentration enhancements of a significant number of elements at some stages of processing in the two processing plants with the highest number of elements with enhanced concentrations coming from chemically treated media of both plants. Though there are relatively high concentrations of V (max.: 284 ppm), Cr (max.: 149 ppm), Co (max.: 84 ppm), and U (max.: 26.8 ppm) at the discharge points, the concentrations of most of the toxic elements in the slurries discharged into the tailings dam are mostly within their respective world averages. The enrichment indices computed for the slurries being discharged into the tailings dam suggests that the dam is not enriched with the toxic elements Cr, Co, Ni, Zn, Cu and Pb. The enrichment index of the slurries discharged into the tailings dam decreases in the order of oxide plant > sulphide plant. Principal component analyses performed suggest that Al₂O₃, K₂O, Co, Zn, Cu, Y and Zr are geochemically associated. Results from the studies also suggest that the discharge of these elements into the tailings dam may contribute insignificant pollution of the surrounding area.     

Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis and X-Ray Microanalysis of Medieval Silver Coins

 Austrian medieval silver/copper coins were investigated at their surfaces by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis (EDXRF) and at the cross-sections by X-ray microanalysis in the scanning electron microscope (SEM/EDX) in order to estimate the error occurring when corroded objects of art and archaeology are analyzed on the surface by non-destructive methods. Additionally, Ag/Cu-standards were treated in diluted sulphuric acid and the depletion of copper on the surface was measured by EDXRF. By calculating the ratio of the Ag-K/Ag-L intensity the process of blanching could be studied.     

Structure and Stability of Gold Nanoparticles Synthesized Using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Schinus molle</Emphasis> L. Extract

In this work, we exhibited the results of the green synthesis of gold nanoparticles by aqueous extract of Schinus molle L. leaves. The chemical reaction was carried out by varying the plant extract/precursor salt ratio concentration in the aqueous solution. The structural characterization of the nanoparticles was performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). XRD analysis showed that the as-synthesized AuNPs have a face-centered cubic structure. SEM and TEM observations indicated that most of the obtained particles have multiple twinning structures (MTP). The synthesized Au-MTP have particle sizes in the range of 10–60 nm, most of them with an average size of about 24 nm. However, triangular Au plate particles were also obtained, having an average size of 180 nm. Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy and shows that the functional groups responsible for the chemical reduction of AuNPs are phenolic compounds present in the S. molle L. leaf.     

Gold nanoparticles generated by thermolysis of "all-in-one" gold(I) carboxylate complexes

Consecutive synthesis methodologies for the preparation of the gold(I) carboxylates [(Ph(3)P)AuO(2)CCH(2)(OCH(2)CH(2))(n)OCH(3)] (n = 0-6) (6a-g) are reported, whereby selective mono-alkylation of diols HO(CH(2)CH(2)O)(n)H (n = 0-6), Williamson ether synthesis and metal carboxylate (Ag, Au) formation are the key steps. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies of 6a (n = 0) and 6b (n = 1) were carried out showing that the P-Au-O unit is essentially linear. These compounds were applied in the formation of gold nanoparticles (NP) by a thermally induced decomposition process and hence the addition of any further stabilizing and reducing reagents, respectively, is not required. The ethylene glycol functionalities, providing multiple donating capabilities, are able to stabilise the encapsulated gold colloids. The dependency of concentration, generation time and ethylene glycol chain lengths on the NP size and size distribution is discussed. Characterisation of the gold colloids was performed by TEM, UV/Vis spectroscopy and electron diffraction studies revealing that Au NP are formed with a size of 3.3 (±0.6) to 6.5 (±0.9) nm in p-xylene with a sharp size distribution. Additionally, a decomposition mechanism determined by TG-MS coupling experiments of the gold(i) precursors is reported showing that 1(st) decarboxylation occurs followed by the cleavage of the Au-PPh(3) bond and finally release of ethylene glycol fragments to give Au-NP and the appropriate organics.     

Effects of PAA additive and temperature on morphology of calcium carbonate particles

Calcium carbonate particles with various shapes were prepared by the reaction of sodium carbonate with calcium chloride in the absence and presence of a polyacrylic acid (PAA) at 25°C and 80°C, respectively. The as-prepared products were characterized with scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The effects of pH, temperatures, aging time and concentration of PAA and CaCO₃ on the crystal form and morphologies of the as-prepared CaCO₃ were investigated. The results show that pH, temperatures, concentration of PAA and CaCO₃ are important parameters for the control of morphologies of CaCO₃. Various crystal morphologies of calcite, such as, plates, rhombohedras, rectangles, ellipsoids, cubes, etc. can be obtained depending on the experimental conditions. Especially, the monodispersed cubic calcite particles can be produced by PAA addition at 80°C. Moreover, higher temperature is beneficial to the formation of monodispersed cubic or rectangular calcite particles. This research may provide new insight into the control of morphologies of calcium carbonate and the biomimetic synthesis of novel inorganic materials.