Temperature dependent relaxation of a “solid–liquid”

We have used the Interfacial Force Microscope to perform temperature dependent indentation measurements on a model viscoelastic material, Silly Putty. By transforming time dependent stress relaxations into frequency dependent modulus, we can identify the temperature dependence of the elastic and viscous response of an experimentally challenging material. This technique promises to be useful in determining the mechanical properties of composite materials with microscopic spatial resolution. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 1285–1290, 2009     

Synthesis of colorimetric sensors for isomeric dicarboxylate anions: selective discrimination between maleate and fumarate

Four new colorimetric receptors (1-4) were synthesized and characterized. Upon addition of maleate to receptor in DMSO, the appearance of the solution of receptor 1 showed a color change from dark-blue to dark-red, which can be detected by the naked eye at parts per million. Similar experiments were repeated using receptors 2-4; the solution showed a distinct color change from blue to violet for receptor 2 and from blue-green to purple for both receptors 3 and 4, when they are formed as complexes with maleate. The striking color changes are thought to be due to the deprotonation of the thiourea moiety of the 4-nitronaphthyl chromophore. Whereas, in the addition of fumarate to receptors 1-4, the color of the solution changed from dark-blue to bright yellow for receptor and did not induce any color change for receptors 2-4. Thus, for a distinct color change, receptors 1-4 can act as optical chemosensors for recognition of maleate versus fumarate. Especially, only receptor 1 has a unique color change for the recognition of fumarate, accordingly it can be used for detection of the fumarate anion. In this research it was also found that the performance of the receptor is highly dependent on the substituent group on the phenyl ring; a stronger electron-withdrawing group resulted in a receptor with a higher binding constant with the maleate anion.     

Enhanced Luminescence from Emissive Defects in Aggregated Conjugated Polymers

Degradation experiments and model studies suggested that the longer lived green fluorescence from an aggregated poly(p-phenylene ethynylene) (PPE) was due to the presence of highly emissive, low-energy, anthryl defect sites rather than the emissive conjugated polymer excimers proposed in a previous report. After elucidating the origin of the green fluorescence, additional anthryl units were purposely incorporated into the polymer to enhance the blue-to-green fluorescence color change that accompanied polymer aggregation. The improved color contrast from this anthryl-doped conjugated polymer led to the development of crude solution-state and solid-state sensors, which, upon exposure to water, exhibited a visually noticeable blue-to-green fluorescence color change.     

Collagenated Porcine Heterologous Bone Grafts: Histomorphometric Evaluation of Bone Formation Using Different Physical Forms in a Rabbit Cancellous Bone Model

Collagenated porcine-derived bone graft materials exhibit osteoconductive properties and the development of different formulations intends to enhance bone regeneration. This study aims to evaluate bone healing in a rabbit cancellous bone defect in response to grafting with different physicochemical forms of heterologous porcine bone. Twenty-six adult male New Zealand White rabbits received two critical size femoral bone defects per animal (n = 52), each randomly assigned to one of the five tested materials (Apatos, Gen-Os, mp3, Putty, and Gel 40). Animals were sacrificed at 15- and 30-days post-surgery. Qualitative and quantitative (new bone, particle and connective tissue percentages) histological analyses were performed. Histomorphometry showed statistically significant differences in all evaluated parameters between mp3 and both Putty and Gel 40 groups, regardless of the timepoint (p < 0.05). Moreover, statistical differences were observed between Apatos and both Putty (p = 0.014) and Gel 40 (p = 0.007) groups, at 30 days, in regard to particle percentage. Within each group, regarding new bone formation, mp3 showed significant differences (p = 0.028) between 15 (40.93 ± 3.49%) and 30 (52.49 ± 11.04%) days. Additionally, intragroup analysis concerning the percentage of particles revealed a significant reduction in particle occupied area from 15 to 30 days in mp3 and Gen-Os groups (p = 0.009). All mp3, Gen-Os and Apatos exhibited promising results in terms of new bone formation, thus presenting suitable alternatives to be used in bone regeneration.     

Transient absorption in fused silica induced by trains of high-energy electron pulses

This Letter describes some preliminary experiments in which fused silica (Suprasil II) is irradiated by trains of high-energy electron pulses and the subsequent transient absorption is recorded. Absorption bands with varying decay kinetics were observed, indicating that various lattice defects or color centers were formed.     

Change Color Effect and Spectral Properties of Gold Nanoparticle-cationic Surfactants System

The change color effect of gold nanoparticle solutions was studied by means of resonance scattering and absorption spectrometry and scan electron microscopy. The red Au nanoparticles with a size of 10 nm exhibit a resonance absorption peak and a resonance scattering peak all at 525 nm. After some inorganic electrolyte was added to a red Au nanoparticles solution, the color of the solution became blue and the absorbance at 600-700 nm was significantly increased. The ratio of the concentration of rnonovalent cations, at which the resonance scattering of the system at 525 nm is maximal to that of divalent cations, is in the range of 100 : 1--100 ; 1. 8. It is in good agreement with the Schulze-Hardy rule of the coagulation value of electrolyte. After adding some cationic surfactants to the above solution, the color of the solution is in deep blue, with two resonance absorption peaks at 550 and 680 nm, and a greatly enhanced resonance scattering peak at 525 nm. The experiments demonstrate that the stronger the hydrophobicity of the cationic surfactant is, the stronger the change color effect of the Au nanoparticle solution promoted by cationic surfactant is. The change color effect of Au nanoparticle solution is resulted from the increased diameter of Au nanoparticles, and the changes of resonance absorotion DeaR and resonance scattering.     

Synthesis and properties of monodisperse oligofluorene-functionalized truxenes: highly fluorescent star-shaped architectures

This paper describes the strategy toward novel monodisperse, well-defined, star-shaped oligofluorenes with a central truxene core and from monofluorene to quaterfluorene arms. Introduction of solubilizing n-hexyl groups at both fluorene and truxene moieties results in highly soluble, intrinsically two-dimensional nanosized macromolecules T1-T4. The radius for the largest oligomer of ca. 3.9 nm represents one of the largest known star-shaped conjugated systems. Cyclic voltammetry experiments reveal reversible or quasi-reversible oxidation and reduction processes (Eox = +0.74 to 0.80 V, Ered = -2.66 to 2.80 eV vs Fc/Fc+), demonstrating excellent electrochemical stability toward both p- and n-doping, while the band gaps of the oligomers are quite high (EgCV = 3.20-3.40 eV). Close band gaps of 3.05-3.29 eV have been estimated from the electron absorption spectra. These star-shaped macromolecules demonstrate good thermal stability (up to 400-420 degrees C) and improved glass transition temperatures with an increase in length of the oligofluorene arms (from Tg = 63 degrees C for T1 to 116 degrees C for T4) and show very efficient blue photoluminescence (lambdaPL = 398-422 nm) in both solution (PhiPL = 70-86%) and solid state (PhiPL = 43-60%). Spectroelectrochemical experiments reveal that compounds T1-T4 are stable electrochromic systems which change their color reversibly from colorless in the neutral state (approximately 340-400 nm) to colored (from red to purple color; approximately 500-600 nm) in the oxidized state.     

Colorimetric method for enzymatic screening assay of ATP using Fe(III)-xylenol orange complex formation

In hygiene management, recently there has been a significant need for screening methods for microbial contamination by visual observation or with commonly used colorimetric apparatus. The amount of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) can serve as the index of a microorganism. This paper describes the development of a colorimetric method for the assay of ATP, using enzymatic cycling and Fe(III)-xylenol orange (XO) complex formation. The color characteristics of the Fe(III)-XO complexes, which show a distinct color change from yellow to purple, assist the visual observation in screening work. In this method, a trace amount of ATP was converted to pyruvate, which was further amplified exponentially with coupled enzymatic reactions. Eventually, pyruvate was converted to the Fe(III)-XO complexes through pyruvate oxidase reaction and Fe(II) oxidation. As the assay result, yellow or purple color was observed: A yellow color indicates that the ATP concentration is lower than the criterion of the test, and a purple color indicates that the ATP concentration is higher than the criterion. The method was applied to the assay of ATP extracted from Escherichia coli cells added to cow milk.     

Properties and application of luster pigments

In contrast to conventional pigments, which interact with light by absorption and/or diffuse scattering, effect or luster pigments show optical properties that are due to specular reflection of light by aligned flaky particles. Their main property is goniochromaticity, i.e. the change of lightness and/or color hue with the viewing angle of the observer. The paper describes the different type of luster pigments, their optical properties and applications and manufacturing methods.     

Single chemosensor for highly selective colorimetric and fluorometric dual sensing of Cu(II) as well as ‘NIRF’ to acetate ion

A novel fluorescent probe for the copper(II) ion in mixed aqueous media, based on fluorescence quenching mechanism with noticeable color change from light to dark yellow, was designed and synthesized. It also exhibited high selectivity for acetate in acetonitrile over other common anions in the near infrared region (NIR) accompanied with exciting color changes from light yellow to pink. Hence sensor 1 ascertains its dual chemosensing ability toward Cu(II) and acetate ions as evidenced by competitive experiments.     

A highly selective fluorescence switch for Cu2+ and Fe3+ based on a new diarylethene with a triazole-linked rhodamine 6G unit

A new diarylethene compound with a triazole-linked rhodamine 6G unit attached to the imino group (1O) was designed and synthesized. According to the test results, the solution color and fluorescence color of diarylethene can be modulated by lights and metal ions. The solution color could change from colorless to light purple when irradiated with UV light. When Cu²⁺ was added to the diarylethene solution, the color of diarylethene solution became blue, the fluorescence color turned from dark to bright yellow. Although the solution color did not change by adding Fe³⁺, its fluorescence color varied from dark to yellow. Moreover, it was found that the complex ratio of the diarylethene to Cu²⁺ was 1:1 and the binding stoichiometry of the diarylethene to Fe³⁺ was also 1:1 based on the data of NMR, MS, and other experiments. Based on these findings, photochromic figure of the diarylethene with UV/Vis light, Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ was constructed. Furthermore, the logic circuit was designed by input signals (ultraviolet stimulus, visible light stimulus, Cu²⁺ (or Fe³⁺) and EDTA) and an output signal (fluorescent intensity at 566?nm (or 575?nm)).     

19F high magnetic field NMR study of beta-ZrF4 and CeF4: from spectra reconstruction to correlation between fluorine sites and 19F isotropic chemical shifts

High magnetic field and high spinning frequency one- and two-dimensional one-pulse MAS 19F NMR spectra of beta-ZrF4 and CeF4 were recorded and reconstructed allowing the accurate determination of the 19F chemical shift tensor parameters for the seven different crystallographic fluorine sites of each compound. The attributions of the NMR resonances are performed using the superposition model for 19F isotropic chemical shift calculation initially proposed by Bureau et al. (Bureau, B.; Silly, G.; Emery, J.; Buzaré, J.-Y. Chem. Phys. 1999, 249, 85-104). A satisfactory reliability is reached with a root-mean-square (rms) deviation between calculated and measured isotropic chemical shift values equal to 1.5 and 3.5 ppm for beta-ZrF4 and CeF4, respectively.     

Recognition of Hg(2+) using diametrically disubstituted cyclam unit

A newly synthesized 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane derivative (L), functionalized with a diazo moiety as the reporter functionality, is found to bind specifically to Hg(2+) with an associated change in color that could be visually detected. With biologically benign β-CD, it forms an inclusion complex (L·2β-CD), which shows a much higher solubility in water, and this helps in developing a more intense color on binding to Hg(2+) in a CH(3)CN-HEPES buffer medium. The nontoxic nature of L was checked with the living cells of a Gram negative bacterium, Pseudomonas putida . Further, experiments revealed that these two reagents could be used as staining agents for the detection of Hg(2+) present in this microorganism.     

Comparison of The Effectiveness of Sunscreen Lotions Using A TiO2-based UVA/UVB Dosimeter

This paper describes a simple method for the evaluation of the effectiveness of a sunscreen product. It illustrates the basic principle of semiconductor (such as TiO₂) band gap, band-gap excitation, conduction-band electron trapping, and its application as an effective dosimeter in the UVB and UVA regions. The color change of the dosimeter, prepared from TiO₂ sol, can be quantitatively determined with a UV-vis spectrometer or qualitatively by visual inspection. The experiment can be used as a freshman-chemistry laboratory exercise or performed as a classroom demonstration for high school students or nonchemistry-major college students.     

Mechanochromic Luminescence Characteristics of Pyridine‐Terminated Chromophores in the Solid State and in a Poly(vinyl alcohol) Matrix

Mechanoresponsive luminophores containing different substituted pyridine rings at the molecular terminus are synthesized and their photoluminescence properties are investigated. The solid chromophore with a 4‐substituted pyridine ring exhibits a reversible photoluminescent color change, while the 2‐substituted chromophore shows only a small change in luminescence, and the 3‐substituted chromophore displays an irreversible photoluminescent color change with mechanical grinding. A change of the sample color in response to mechanical grinding is also achieved for a dye‐dispersed poly(vinyl alcohol) film. Furthermore, a simultaneous acid and mechanoresponsive photoemission color change is achieved in the dye‐dispersed film.     

New method for affinity adsorbent screening using gold colloids

A rapid, effective method for the screening of adsorbent ligands based on the unique optical properties of gold colloid has been developed. Different interactions between adsorbate and ligands induce different states of aggregation of the gold colloid, and the associated distinct color changes of the colloid have been utilized to estimate the affinity of the ligands toward the adsorbate. In this work, phosphorylated peptide CGGFGGpSG was appended to a gold colloid to obtain the adsorbate-modified gold colloid (CG8-AuNPs). Candidate ligands Dpa-Zn(2+), DMAPAA, and AAn were copolymerized with acrylamide to form linear polymers and cross-linked CG8-AuNPs to induce aggregation. Screening of the candidate ligands revealed that Dpa-Zn(2+) showed the highest affinity among those tested, inducing a color change of the gold colloid at a concentration of 10 μM, which is much lower than those of ligands DMAPAA (40 μM) and AAn (almost no color change could be observed). Subsequent statistical adsorption experiments confirmed these screening results, with the adsorbent A-AAm-Dpa-Zn(2+) showing the highest adsorption capacity (426 mg/g) for CG-8, almost twice that of adsorbent A-AAm-DMAPAA. This reported method has low sample consumption, and the screening may be simply monitored by the naked eye.     

Gold nanoparticles as a colorimetric sensor for protein conformational changes

Spherical gold nanoparticles and flat gold films are prepared in which yeast iso-1-cytochrome c (Cyt c) is covalently bound to the gold surface by a thiol group in the cystein 102 residue. Upon exposure to solutions of different pH, bound Cyt c unfolds at low pH and refolds at high pH. This conformational change causes measurable shifts in the color of the coated nanoparticle solutions detected by UV-VIS absorption spectroscopy and in the refractive index (RI) of the flat gold films detected by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy. Both experiments demonstrate the same trend with pH, suggesting the use of protein-covered gold nanoparticles as a simple colorimetric sensor for conformational change.     

Why do flavylium salts show so various colors in solution?: Effect of concentration and water on the flavylium’s color changes

When synthesized flavylium salts (FVs) were allowed to stand in an acetonitrile–water mixture, the color of the solutions changed from yellow to red via green. This color change in FV solution has been studied by observing the change in UV–VIS absorption spectra. In particular, change in the color from green to red depends on the concentration of FV and an amount of water. The solution color, however, changed from red to green on dehydration of the solution. It is concluded that water molecules are responsible for the change in solution color from green to red and the change is due to dimerization and/or aggregation of FVs.     

VOCl_3/Et_3Al_2Cl_3/CCl_4溶剂体系催化乙烯丙烯共聚

本文以VOCl_3/Et_3Al_2Cl_3为催化剂,在CCl_4溶剂中进行乙烯共聚反应。在聚合过程中,发生一异常的颜色突变现象。颜色突变后,体系催化聚合生成分子量很低的产物。从聚合物的结构表征及机理探讨表明:颜色突变后,体系产生了新的活性中心,催化机理发生了转变——由配位机理转变为阳离子机理。     

Development of colorimetric receptors for selective discrimination between isomeric dicarboxylate anions

Three new chromogenic receptors (1, 2, and 3) containing p-nitrophenyl or p-nitronaphthyl group appended to the thiourea units or containing p-nitrophenyl group appended to the urea moiety were synthesized and characterized. Upon addition of a series of isomeric dicarboxylate anions to receptor 1 in DMSO/H₂O (80:20 v/v), the appearance of the solution of receptor 1 with maleate or phthalate showed color changes from blue to green or blue to dark-green, respectively, which those can be detected by naked eye at parts per million. Similar experiments were repeated using 2, the solution showed a distinct color change from blue to pink only when 2 is formed as a complex with maleate. Whereas, the addition of the same isomeric dicarboxylate anions to receptor 3, did not induce any color change. Thus, for unique color change, both receptors 1 and 2 can act as optical chemosensors for recognition of maleate versus fumarate. In addition, the receptor 1 can also be a colorimetric receptor for selective discrimination between aromatic isomeric dicarboxylate anions.