Adsorption–desorption phenomena of water vapor on a superabsorbent polymer partially crosslinked with potassium

The objective of this article is to study an amorphous superabsorbent polymer, which is able to absorb up to 300 times its weight of water. Adsorption–desorption phenomena of water vapor on the polymer as a function of temperature showed a reversibility of the adsorption–desorption phenomena. The thermal stability of the polymer at atmospheric pressure was also studied. The kinetic study of the desorption phenomena of water vapor on the polymer according to certain physicochemical parameters was discussed. The results showed that the kinetic regime governing the desorption phenomena of water vapor on the polymer is a process limited by a mono-dimensional diffusion for low masses and by a three-dimensional diffusion for high masses.     

Elucidating the structure of surface acid sites on γ-Al2O3

Differential pair distribution function analysis was applied to resolve, with crystallographic detail, the structure of catalytic sites on the surface of nanoscale γ-Al(2)O(3). The structure was determined for a basic probe molecule, monomethylamine (MMA), bound at the minority Lewis acid sites. These active sites were found to be five-coordinate, forming distorted octahedra upon MMA binding. This approach could be applied to study the interaction of molecules at surfaces in dye-sensitized solar cells, nanoparticles, sensors, materials for waste remediation, and catalysts.     

Water-vapor clustering on the surface of β-AgI crystal in the field of defects with a disordered structure

The Monte Carlo method has been employed to simulate the nucleation of condensed water phase from vapor at 260 K on a crystalline silver-iodide surface containing a defect in the form of a nanoscopic spot with a random distribution of ions. The free energy and work of formation of a nucleus have been calculated in the bicanonical ensemble at the molecular level as functions of nucleus size; computer images and spatial correlation functions of molecules have been obtained. The presence of a defect with a disordered (amorphous) structure, on the one hand, entails local destructions of a monomolecular film, but, on the other hand, shifts the onset of the adsorption process toward lower vapor pressures by several orders of magnitude. Under the conditions of a growing condensate film, the defect leads to its thermodynamic stabilization and a decrease in the barrier of the formation of subsequent layers, thereby weakening the known effect of the hydrophobicity of monomolecular films on crystalline surfaces with hexagonal structures. The factors that predetermine the abnormally high efficiency of silver-iodide particles as stimulators for atmospheric-moisture nucleation at negative Celsius temperatures seem to be the presence of extended defects on the surface of aerosol particles in combination with the hexagonal structure of their crystal lattice, the optimum magnitude of direct interactions between water molecules with ions of the crystal surface layer, and the collective domain-formation effects that result from a relatively high polarizability of iodine ions.     

Adsorption of volatile organic compounds on Carbopack Y adsorbent modified by β-cyclodextrins

The thermodynamic study on the adsorption of vapor-phase organic compounds on surface of the Carbopack Y carbon-based sorbent modified by monolayer of heptakis(2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin or heptakis(2,3,6-tri-O-acetyl)-β-cyclodextrin was performed. The dependence of the thermodynamics of absorption on the structure of the adsorbate and modifier molecules was studied.     

Microwave-assisted synthesis,crystal structure and toxicity of L-aspartic acid zinc spiral linear supramolecular polymer

~~Microwave-assisted synthesis,crystal structure and toxicity of L-aspartic acid zinc spiral linear supramolecular polymer~~     

Influence of polymer structure on the rheological behavior of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose–sodium carboxymethylcellulose dispersions

Aqueous dispersions of mixtures of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) were prepared in accordance with a two-component simplex lattice design, using polymer varieties with different molecular weights and substitution characteristics. The resulting systems were characterized rheologically by capillary viscometry, flow rheometry, and oscillatory shear techniques, for the determination of kinematic viscosity, index of consistency, index of fluidity, elastic modulus, and viscous modulus. The values obtained for these parameters were fitted with appropriate canonical models, which revealed synergistic effects for some polymer proportions. Maximum synergy was observed when polymer proportions were optimal for the establishment of between-polymer interactions. The synergistic effects on viscosity and elasticity are attributable to the establishment of hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds between HPMC and NaCMC chains, as revealed by IR spectroscopy and modifications in the cloud-point temperature. The observed among-mixture differences in the polymer proportions at which maximum synergy occurs, and the degree of this synergy, are explained by differences in molecular weights and substitution characteristics, and indeed the degree of synergy (as measured by interaction parameters from the fitted canonical models) showed strong dependence on these variables. Microviscosity values, derived from theophylline diffusion data for some of the mixtures, show that the crossover and chain expansion of the polymers in the mixtures (i.e. increased viscosity and elasticity) give rise to a three-dimensional network with greater mesh size and a more hydrophilic microenvironment, favoring solute mobility. Received: 17 July 2000 Accepted: 20 November 2000     

Volatile organic compound adsorption on a nonporous silica surface: how do different probe molecules sense the same surface?

In this work, we compare experimental results to molecular simulation results of volatile organic compound (VOC) adsorption on nonporous silica. We adopted an effective model for the rough solid surface, obtained by a temperature annealing scheme, plus an experimental/simulation nitrogen adsorption tuning process over the silica energetic oxygen parameter. The measurement/prediction of selected VOCs, specifically, n-pentane and methylcyclohexane, is presented in terms of adsorption isotherms, with an emphasis on the angle distribution analysis of the three studied probe molecules with respect to the same modeled surface.     

Immobilization of Candida antarctica lipase B on the surface of modified sol–gel matrix

The use of modified sol–gel matrix to immobilize the enzyme Candida antartica lipase B (CALB) was investigated. Free hydroxyl groups on the matrix surface were exploited to covalently immobilize the enzyme. Based from the results, incorporating hydrophobic sol–gel precursor (ethyltrimethoxysilane) enhanced enzyme activity. An enzyme activity of 192.02 U/g beads with 80.88 % attachment was obtained. At alkaline pH, immobilization yield of enzyme increased. The attachment of enzyme on the surface of the matrix was confirmed by scanning electron microscope images. Covalently immobilized CALB on sol–gel supports has higher thermal stability with 2.7 times higher half-life compared to soluble enzymes at 60 °C. This enzyme immobilization system retains the enzyme residual activity even for repetitive use. Hence, the immobilization approach developed recommends its further application.     

Preparation and properties of Miramistin–hyaluronic acid coatings on the nanodiamond surface

Hyaluronic acid is a promising coating for imparting biocompatibility to nanodiamond–antibiotic composites. It has been found that the adsorption of Miramistin on nanodiamonds with an initial negative zeta-potential increases the adsorption of hyaluronic acid, which remains lower than on positively charged nanodiamonds that are not affected by the pre-adsorption of Miramistin. The highest adsorption of hyaluronic acid is observed when Miramistin neutralizes the surface charge of nanoparticles.     

Enantiomer separations with chromatographic supports based on β-cyclodextrin polymers immobilized on porous silica. Role of the polymer structure in separating ability

Summary Two -cyclodextrin (-CD)-containing polymers have been prepared either by condensation of -CD molecules with a bifunctional reagent or by grafting a -CD derivative on to a linear polymer (polyvinylimidazole). HPLC stationary phases were obtained by adsorption of the -CD polymers on to silica. The ability of these chromatographic supports to resolve racemic mixtures of organic compounds such as amino acid derivatives, phenylhydantoins, barbiturates, and hydroxycoumarin derivatives has been investigated. Results were found to depend on the chemical structure of the -CD polymers     

Determination of melamine and cyanuric acid in powdered milk using injection-port derivatization and gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry with furan chemical ionization

A reliable, sensitive and eco-friendly injection-port trimethylsilylated (TMS) derivatization and gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS) with furan chemical ionization (furan-CI) method was developed to determine melamine and cyanuric acid in powdered milk samples. The effects of several parameters related to the TMS-derivatization process (i.e., injection-port temperature, residence time and volume of silylating agent) and of various CI agents were investigated. Addition of a solution (3 μL) of bis(trimethyl)silyltrifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) containing 1% trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS) reagent to a 20-μL extract from the powdered milk sample gave an excellent yield of the tris-TMS-derivatives of melamine and cyanuric acid at an injection-port temperature of 90 °C. Furthermore, using furan as the CI agent in conjunction with tandem mass spectrometry provided the greatest sensitivity and selectivity of detection. The limits of quantitation (LOQs) for melamine and cyanuric acid were 0.5 and 1.0 ng/g in 0.5-g of powdered milk samples, respectively. The recoveries from spiked samples – after simple ultra-sonication with 5% dimethyl sulfoxide in acetonitrile coupled with n-hexane liquid–liquid extraction – ranged from 72% to 93% with relative standard deviations of lower than or equal to 18%. In three of four real powdered milk samples, melamine was detected at concentrations ranging from 36 to 1460 ng/g; and cyanuric acid was detected in two of these samples at concentrations of 17 and 180 ng/g.     

Label-free and sensitive impedimetric nanosensor for the detection of cocaine based on a supramolecular complexation with β-cyclodextrin,immobilized on a nanostructured polymer film

Cocaine, a powerful addictive stimulant drug, has a variety of adverse effects on the body, thus its sensitive detection is very important. Here, we report on a simple, label-free, and sensitive impedimetric sensor for determination of cocaine based on its affinity to form an inclusion complex with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD). First, we prepared nanostructured poly N-acetylaniline film via electropolymerization of its monomer on a glassy carbon electrode (PNAANI/GC), subsequently overoxidized it, and conjugated β-CD to the polymer backbone. The designed and synthesized nanostructured PNAANI film serves a dual function in the sensor: on one hand, it maintains a high effective surface area on a geometrically small electrode that significantly enhances the number of β-CD molecules immobilized on the electrode; on the other hand, it provides an upright-oriented β-CD conjugation to the polymer backbone, thus all the β-CD receptors are actively involved in responding to the target. Sensitivity of the sensor was further enhanced by preconcentration of cocaine on the modified electrode surface. We attributed the changes in the interfacial charge transfer resistance (R _ct) of the electrode to cocaine concentration. Under optimized condition (pH 7.4, 5-min accumulation at an open circuit voltage), the sensor responded to cocaine concentration in the range of 100 nM–1.0 mM with a detection limit of 50 nM. Selectivity of the sensor for cocaine relative to some potential inferring compounds was also investigated, and the results were promising. The proposed approach exhibited an extended dynamic range, low detection limit, good sensitivity, and a desirable selectivity, which provides an efficient application prospect for on-field cocaine sensing.     

Effect of organic solvent on the crystal structure of Concanavalin A

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Designed synthesis,structure, and 3-D topology of a supramolecular dimer and inorganic–organic cocrystal

Synthesis and structure of a supramolecular dimer and inorganic–organic cocrystal of composition [{Cu^IIL¹?(H₂O)}₂(C₈H₆O₄)] (1) are described (H₂L¹= N,N′-ethylenebis(3-ethoxysalicylaldimine); C₈H₆O₄ = terephthalic acid). Crystal engineering has been utilized for the designed synthesis of the title compound. Compound 1 crystallizes in a triclinic system with P 1 space group. The structure consists of terephthalic acid and two symmetry related inclusion products [Cu^IIL¹?(H₂O)], in which the water molecule is encapsulated in the O₄ compartment by forming bifurcated hydrogen bonds involving two hydrogen of water and phenolate and ethoxy oxygens of the compartmental ligand. Hydrogen bonding between encapsulated water molecules and terephthalic acid forms the supramolecular dimer. The title compound is an example of an inorganic–organic cocrystal as well. Weak interactions, such as semicoordination of phenoxo oxygen of one unit to the metal center of a symmetry related unit and C–H ··· O, and O–H ··· O hydrogen bonds result in generation of an overall 3-D topology in the title compound. The 3-D topology can be understood as interlinking of two different 2-D sheets.     

The adsorption of mercury(II) on the surface of silica modified with β-cyclodextrin

Multistage chemical modification of the surface of silica with β-cyclodextrin was performed. IR spectroscopy and quantitative analysis of surface compounds were used to prove the structure of modified silica. The adsorption of Hg(II) from dilute solutions was studied. The adsorption affinity of silica for mercury ions increased because of the formation of supramolecular structures with chemically immobilized β-cyclodextrin.     

Anticorrosion activity of aniline–aniline-2-sulfonic acid copolymers on the steel surface

The structure and barrier properties of layers formed on the interface of steel with aniline–orthanilic acid copolymers of different compositions were determined. The structure of the protective system ensuring the best anticorrosion properties was found.