Electrochemical detection of aqueous nitrite based on poly(aniline-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-aminophenol)-modified glassy carbon electrode

Nitrite is a common contaminant in drinking water and groundwater with high environmental and health risks. Electrochemical sensing method is a selective and easy technique to detect nitrite in water. In this study, we report a research about a poly(aniline-co-o-aminophenol)-modified glassy carbon electrode (PAOA/GCE) for aqueous nitrite detection. With stable redox activity and conductivity in a wide pH range compared with polyaniline, PAOA is suitable to be used as electrode material in a neutral medium. The PAOA/GCE was prepared by cyclic voltammogram method by electrochemical copolymerization of o-aminophenol and aniline. SEM and FT-IR results proved the formation of PAOA, and the electrode exhibited higher responses toward nitrite oxidation compared with polyaniline-modified GCE and bare GCE. We also studied the impact of scan rate, pH, and temperature on nitrite detection. The PAOA/GCE could be used in a wide pH range from 2 to 8 and used to detect nitrite in the linear range from 5.0 × 10^?6 to 2.0 × 10^?3 M with the detection limit of 2 × 10^?6 M. Its excellent reproducibility, stability, and anti-interference ability make it a promising electrode in detecting aqueous nitrite in drinking water and groundwater.     

Towards the higher solubility and thermal stability of poly(aniline-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis>-bromoaniline)

In the current study, we have described the synthesis and the physical properties of poly(aniline-co-m-bromoaniline) conducting copolymers. The copolymers of different composition are essentially obtained by varying the molar feed ratio of the two monomers. The higher solubility of the copolymers could be procured as compared to polyaniline (PA) in different solvents. The electrical conductivity has been studied by two-probe method; at room temperature, the conductivity of the copolymer decreases upon increasing the molar ratio of m-bromoaniline monomer. The introduction of bromine (–Br) group reduces the degree of conjugation in the polymer chain. Thus, conduction of electrons is prohibited along the conjugated system. In the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), a three-stage decomposition of the copolymer has been observed. The copolymers of poly(aniline-co-m-bromoaniline) are thermally stable at high temperature. The composition of the copolymer has been confirmed from the binding energies of C–C, C–N, and C–Br in the XPS study.     

Characteristics of novel plastic crystal gel polymer electrolytes based on PVdC-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-AN

A new gel polymer electrolytes composed of poly(vinylidene chloride-co-acrylonitrile) (PVdC-co-AN) co-polymer and plastic crystal succinonitrile (SN) were prepared to form plastic crystal gel polymer electrolytes (PGPEs) with the variation of magnesium triflate (MgTf₂) salt from 5 to 30 wt.%. The room temperature and temperature dependence studies of the PGPE films were determined by using AC impedance spectroscopy. The conductivity versus reciprocal temperature plot has shown a nonlinear behavior. The ionic and cationic transport numbers were evaluated by DC polarization method and the combination of DC polarization and AC impedance methods, respectively to determine the charge carrier species in the PGPE films. To study the interactions among the constituents in the PGPEs as well as to confirm the complexation between them, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was carried out. The analysis of FTIR spectra was further investigated by deconvolution of the FTIR spectra to prove the dependability of ionic conductivity and transport number with the presence of free ions, ion pairs, and ion aggregates in the PGPEs.     

Maghemite/poly(<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d,l</Emphasis>-lactide-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-glycolyde) composite nanoplatform for therapeutic applications

A reproducible methodology is described for the synthesis, by following the double emulsion/solvent evaporation technique, of magnetic nanocomposites (average diameter ≈ 135 nm) consisting of maghemite nuclei and a biodegradable poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) matrix. The heterogeneous structure of the nanoparticles can confer them the responsiveness to magnetic gradients, giving both the possibility of their use as a drug delivery system and adequate heating characteristics for a hyperthermia effect. The physical chemistry of the nanocomposites was extensively characterized, this establishing that their surface properties were similar to that of pure poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide). From an electrokinetic point of view, zeta potential determinations (as a function of the ionic strength, and pH) pointed out that the nanocomposites were almost indistinguishable from the copolymer. The surface thermodynamic analysis agreed with the electrophoretic one in suggesting that the coverage of the magnetic nuclei was complete, since the hydrophilic nature of maghemite was modified and the nanoparticles turned into hydrophobic, just like the copolymer, when they were embedded into poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide). The magnetic behaviours of the composite nanoparticles were also checked. Their heating properties were studied in vitro in a high-frequency alternating gradient of magnetic field: a stable maximum temperature of 47 °C was satisfactorily achieved within 45 min. Blood compatibility of the nanocomposites was also defined in vitro. To our knowledge, this is the first time that such kind of magnetic-sensitive nanoformulation with very promising characteristics (e.g. blood compatibility, magnetic drug targeting capabilities, and hyperthermia) has been developed for therapeutic purposes.     

Electrochemical,morphological, and spectroscopic study of poly(aniline-co-<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-bromoaniline) (PA-co-<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-BrA) conducting copolymer

A series of moderately conducting and soluble copolymers of poly(aniline-co-o-bromoaniline) (PA-co-o-BrA) having different compositions was obtained by in the situ copolymerization method using different concentrations of monomer units of aniline and o-bromoaniline in the feed. The physio-chemical properties of the copolymers have been studied with sophisticated instrumental techniques. The electrochemical study of the copolymers was conducted by cyclic voltammetry. The band gap of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of the copolymers was evaluated by UV-vis spectroscopy. The morphological study was conducted by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy at high magnification which shows non-uniform tubular to globular morphology of the copolymers. Surface profiles of the polymers were studied by AFM analyses, and it has confirmed the smooth surface of the copolymers while the homopolymers possesses non-uniform surfaces. The particle size distribution curve indicates that the particle sizes vary in the range of 5 to 9000 nm, and a small fraction of particles possess a size in the range of 5–10 nm.     

Non-vacuum Bianchi types <Emphasis Type="Italic">I</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">V</Emphasis> in <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>) gravity

In a recent paper (Sharif and Shamir in Class. Quantum Grav. 26:235020, 2009), we have studied the vacuum solutions of Bianchi types I and V spacetimes in the framework of metric f (R) gravity. Here we extend this work to perfect fluid solutions. For this purpose, we take stiff matter to find energy density and pressure of the universe. In particular, we find two exact solutions in each case which correspond to two models of the universe. The first solution gives a singular model while the second solution provides a non-singular model. The physical behavior of these models has been discussed using some physical quantities. Also, the function of the Ricci scalar is evaluated.     

Ferromagnetism and ferroelectricity in Eu<Emphasis Type="Italic">X</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">X</Emphasis> = <Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>): pressure effects

Ferromagnetism and ferroelectricity in Eu monochalcogenides have been investigated by ab initio density functional theory in the DFT+U approach. Exchange interaction parameters and Curie temperatures under pressure are studied and discussed using Heisenberg Hamiltonian with first and second-nearest-neighbor interactions. The calculations showed that the hydrostatic pressure perfectly improves the Curie temperature (EuO: T _C = 175 K; EuS: T _C = 33.8 K) and in the other hand it cannot induce the spontaneous polarization (P _s ). The effect of uniaxial and biaxial pressure is also studied. Although the uniaxial strains slightly increases the Curie temperature, it ensures the ferrolectricity in these systems by producing a spontaneous polarization of the order of P _s (EuO) = 57.50 μC/cm² and P _s (EuS) = 42.86 μC/cm² with pressures of 5% and 4%, respectively. The search for new model systems is a necessity to better understand the physics related to multiferroïc materials and to consider possible applications.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>) black holes

We study the f (R)-Maxwell black hole imposed by constant curvature and its all thermodynamic quantities, which may lead to the Reissner-Nordström-AdS black hole by redefining Newtonian constant and charge. Further, we obtain the f (R)-Yang-Mills black hole imposed by constant curvature, which is related to the Einstein-Yang-Mills black hole in AdS space. Since there is no analytic black hole solution in the presence of Yang-Mills field, we obtain asymptotic solutions. Then, we confirm the presence of these solutions in a numerical way.     

Pyroelectric effect in composites based on copolymer <Emphasis Type="Italic">P</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">VDF-TrFE</Emphasis>) and ferroelectric ceramics BPZT

The pyroelectric response of composite polymer films based on poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) copolymer (P(VDF-TrFE)) and powdered ceramic ferroelectric of barium lead zirconate titanate (BPZT) was investigated. The appearance of a near-surface layer with high pyroelectric activity was observed during the polarization of composite material samples in the electric field of corona discharge.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>) Cosmology from <Emphasis Type="Italic">q</Emphasis>-theory

From a macroscopic theory of the quantum vacuum in terms of conserved relativistic charges (generically denoted by q ^(a) with label a), we have obtained, in the low-energy limit, a particular type of f(R) model relevant to cosmology. The macroscopic quantum-vacuum theory allows us to distinguish between different phenomenological f(R) models on physical grounds. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>(1) eV sterile neutrino in <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>) gravity

We refer [1] to the role of an additional O(1) eV sterile neutrino in modified gravity models. We find parameter constraints in particular f(R) gravity model using following up-to-dated cosmological data: measurements of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropy, the CMB lensing potential, the baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO), the cluster mass function and the Hubble constant. It was obtained for the sterile neutrino mass 0.47 eV < m _ν,sterile < 1 eV (2σ) assuming that the sterile neutrinos are thermalized and the active neutrinos are massless, not significantly larger than in the standard cosmology model within the same data set: 0.45 eV < m _ν,sterile < 0.92 eV (2σ). But, if the mass of sterile neutrino is fixed and equals ≈ 1.5 eV according to various anomalies in neutrino oscillation experiments, f(R) gravity is much more consistent with observation data than the CDM model.     

Energy distribution in <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>) gravity

The well-known energy problem is discussed in f (R) theory of gravity. We use the generalized Landau–Lifshitz energy–momentum complex in the framework of metric f (R) gravity to evaluate the energy density of plane symmetric solutions for some general f (R) models. In particular, this quantity is found for some popular choices of f (R) models. The constant scalar curvature condition and the stability condition for these models are also discussed. Further, we investigate the energy distribution of cosmic string spacetime.     

Reconstruction of some cosmological models in <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis>) cosmology

In this paper, we reconstruct cosmological models in the framework of f(R,T) gravity, where R is the Ricci scalar and T is the trace of the stress-energy tensor. We show that the dust fluid reproduces ΛCDM, phantom–non-phantom era and phantom cosmology. Further, we reconstruct different cosmological models, including the Chaplygin gas, and scalar field with some specific forms of f(R,T). Our numerical simulation for the Hubble parameter shows good agreement with the BAO observational data for low redshifts, z<2.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">V</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">A</Emphasis> sum rules with <Emphasis Type="Italic">D</Emphasis> = 10 operators

The difference of vector and axial-vector charged current correlators is analyzed by means of QCD sum rules. The contribution of 10-dimensional 4-quark condensates is calculated and its value is estimated within the framework of the factorization hypothesis. It is compared to the result obtained from an operator fit of Borel sum rules in the complex q ²-plane, calculated from experimental data on hadronic -decays. This fit gives accurate values of the light quark condensate and the quark-gluon mixed condensate. The size of the high-order operators and the convergence of the operator series are discussed.Received: 10 May 2004, Revised: 7 September 2004, Published online: 18 November 2004     

Spherical Symmetric Perfect Fluid Collapse in <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis>) Gravity

This paper contains the study of spherically symmetric perfect fluid collapse in the frame work of f(R, T) modified theory of gravity. We proceed our work by considering the non-static spherically symmetric background in the interior and static spherically symmetric background in the exterior regions of the star. The junction conditions between exterior and interior regions are presented by matching the exterior and interior regions. The field equations are solved by taking the assumptions that the Ricci scalar as well as the trace of energy-momentum tensor are to be constant, for a particular f(R, T) model. By inserting the solution of the field equations in junction conditions, we evaluate the gravitational mass of the collapsing system. Also, we discuss the apparent horizons and their time formation for different possible cases. It is concluded that the term f(R ₀, T ₀) behaves as a source of repulsive force and that’s why it slowdowns the collapse of the matter.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>) global monopole revisited

In this paper the f(R) global monopole is reexamined. We provide an exact solution for the modified field equations in the presence of a global monopole for regions outside its core, generalizing previous results. Additionally, we discuss some particular cases obtained from this solution. We consider a setup consisting of a possible Schwarzschild black hole that absorbs the topological defect, giving rise to a static black hole endowed with a monopole’s charge. Besides, we demonstrate how the asymptotic behavior of the Higgs field far from the monopole’s core is shaped by a class of spacetime metrics which includes the ones analyzed here. In order to assess the gravitational properties of this system, we analyze the geodesic motion of both massive and massless test particles moving in the vicinity of such configuration. For the material particles we set the requirements they have to obey in order to experience stable orbits. On the other hand, for the photons we investigate how their trajectories are affected by the gravitational field of this black hole.     

Quantum Fisher Information for <Emphasis Type="Italic">s</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">u</Emphasis>(2) Atomic Coherent States and <Emphasis Type="Italic">s</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">u</Emphasis>(1, 1) Coherent States

We investigate quantum Fisher information (QFI) for s u(2) atomic coherent states and s u(1, 1) coherent states. In this work, we find that for s u(2) atomic coherent states, the QFI with respect to \(\vartheta ~(\mathcal {F}_{\vartheta })\) is independent of φ, the QFI with respect to \(\varphi (\mathcal {F}_{\varphi })\) is governed by ??. Analogously, for s u(1,1) coherent states, \(\mathcal {F}_{\tau }\) is independent of φ, and \(\mathcal {F}_{\varphi }\) is determined by τ. Particularly, our results show that \(\mathcal {F}_{\varphi }\) is symmetric with respect to ?? = π/2 for s u(2) atomic coherent states. And for s u(1,1) coherent states, \(\mathcal {F}_{\varphi }\) also possesses symmetry with respect to τ = 0.     

Geodesic deviation equation in <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>) gravity

In this paper we study the Geodesic Deviation Equation (GDE) in metric f (R) gravity. We start giving a brief introduction of the GDE in General Relativity in the case of the standard cosmology. Next we generalize the GDE for metric f (R) gravity using again the FLRW metric. A generalization of the Mattig relation is also obtained. Finally we give and equivalent expression to the Dyer-Roeder equation in General Relativity in the context of f (R) gravity.     

Polyethylene-supported poly(methyl methacrylate<Emphasis Type="Italic">-co-</Emphasis>butyl acrylate)-based novel gel polymer electrolyte for lithium ion battery

A new copolymer, poly(methyl methacrylate-co-butyl acrylate) (P(MMA-co-BA)), was synthesized by emulsion polymerization with different mass ratio of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and butyl acrylate (BA). The membranes were prepared by phase inversion and corresponding gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) were obtained by immersing the membrane into a liquid electrolyte. In this design, the hard monomer MMA provided the copolymer with good electrolyte uptake, while the soft monomer BA provided the GPE with strong adhesion between the anode and cathode of lithium ion battery. The properties of the resulting product were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, scanning electron spectroscopy, linear sweep voltammetry, thermogravimetric analysis, cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and charge/discharge test. The results show that the obtained GPE based on P(MMA-co-BA) with the mass ratios of MMA and BA = 6:1 exhibits good conductivity (as high as 1.2 × 10^?3 S cm^?1) at room temperature and high electrochemical stability (up to 4.9 V vs. Li/Li⁺). With the application of the polyethylene (PE)-supported GPE in Li/Li(Li_0.13Ni_0.30Mn_0.57)O₂ battery, the battery presents good cyclic stability (maintaining 95.4 % of its initial discharge capacity after 50 cycles) at room temperature.     

Accelerating universe from <Emphasis Type="Italic">F</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis>) gravity

It is shown that the acceleration of the universe can be understood by considering a F(T) gravity models. For these F(T) gravity models, a variant of the accelerating cosmology reconstruction program is developed. Some explicit examples of F(T) are reconstructed from the background FRW expansion history.