Rapid internal bubble formation in a microwave heated polymer observed in real-time by X-ray scattering

A combined study of small-angle and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) of the melting of a nylon-6 sample by localized microwave radiation has shown that this method can reveal the presence of bubbles forming and disappearing rapidly in real time in the interior of the sample due to its thermal decomposition.     

Size‐Dependent Melting Temperature of Polymers

A general model for all kinds of size‐dependent melting points, free of any adjustable parameter, is extended to illustrate the size‐dependence of the melting temperature of polyethylene (PE). The model prediction for the depression of the melting temperature of PE is consistent with the calorimetric experimental results as shown in the Figure where the melting temperature of lamellae PE crystals as a function of the thickness of the crystals is presented.

The T_m(D) function of PE shown as a solid line in terms of Equation ( 4 ). The necessary parameters for use of Equation ( 4 ) are shown in Table 1 . The symbols ○ and • denote the experimental evidence of T_m(D) of linear alkanes 14 and cyclic alkanes, 14 respectively. The values of D are determined by D = 0.1273n 6 with 0.1273 nm being the orthorhombic C C lattice distance in the c‐direction. 5 The symbol □ denotes the experimental evidence of chain‐extended PE. 6     

Au NPs-aptamer conjugates as a powerful competitive reagent for ultrasensitive detection of small molecules by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy

Features of Au NPs-aptamer conjugates as a powerful competitive reagent to substitute antibody in enhancing surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy (SPR) signal for the detection of small molecule are explored for the first time. In order to evaluate the sensing ability of Au NPs-aptamer conjugates as a competitive reagent, a novel SPR sensor based on indirect competitive inhibition assay (ICIA) for the detection of adenosine is constructed by employing the competitive reaction between antiadenosine aptamer with adenosine and antiadenosine aptamer with its partial complementary ss-DNA. The partial complementary ss-DNA of antiadenosine aptamer is firstly immobilized on SPR gold film as sensing surface. When the Au NPs-antiadenosine aptamer conjugates solution is added to SPR cell in the absence of adenosine, Au NPs-antiadenosine aptamer conjugates is adsorbed to SPR sensor by the DNA hybridization reaction, and results in a large change of SPR signal. However, the change of SPR signal is decreased when the mixing solution of adenosine with Au NPs-antiadenosine aptamer conjugates is added. This is because adenosine reacts with antiadenosine aptamer in Au NPs-antiadenosine aptamer conjugates and changes its structure from ss-DNA to tertiary structure, which cannot hybridize with its partial complementary ss-DNA immobilized on SPR gold surface. Based on this principle, a SPR sensor for indirect detection of adenosine can be developed. The experimental results confirm that the SPR sensor possesses a good sensitivity and a high selectivity for adenosine, which indirectly confirms that Au NPs-aptamer conjugates is a powerful competitive reagent. More significantly, it can be used to develop other SPR sensors based on ICIA to detect different targets by changing the corresponding type of aptamer in Au NPs-aptamer conjugates.     

Effect of small molecule surfactants on molecular parameters and thermodynamic properties of legumin in a bulk and at the air–water interface depending on a protein structure in an aqueous medium

This paper presents the effect of fatty acid salts, namely, Na-caprate and Na-palmitate on the legumin (11S globulin of Vicia Faba broad beans) molecular and thermodynamic properties in the bulk aqueous medium and at the air–water interface under different molecular states of the protein. That are the native state of the protein globule (pH 7.2, ionic strength of 0.05 mol dm⁻³), as well as the acidic denatured (pH 3.0, ionic strength of 0.01 mol dm⁻³) and the heat denatured ones (after heating at 90°C for 30 min, pH 7.2, ionic strength of 0.05 mol dm⁻³). In turn, an importance of the state of the small molecule surfactants in a solution in reference to the critical concentrations of micelle formation (CMC), for their effect on the protein properties, was also under our studying. The peculiarities of the legumin structure in the aqueous medium appeared in the different nature of the interactions between the protein and the fatty acid salts, as was indicated by the mixing calorimetry data. So, the hydrophobic contacts provided a basis for interactions between both the native and heat denatured legumin with the fatty acid salts. At the same time, the electrostatic interactions between the oppositely charged functional groups of the fatty acid salts and the acidic denatured protein formed principally a basis of their interactions in an aqueous medium. In response to interactions of the fatty acid salts with legumin the essential changes in the protein conformational stability, depending on both the protein molecular state and concentration of the fatty acid salts, were found using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The rather high level of the protein association was observed by light scattering in the bulk aqueous medium in the presence of the fatty acid salts. As this takes place, the surface hydrophilicity of the protein increased under the formation of the associates. The combined data of mixing calorimetry, differential scanning calorimetry and light scattering suggested the complex formation between legumin and the fatty acid salts. The interactions of the fatty acid salts with the protein produced a change in the surface activity for the mixture of the protein with the fatty acid salts. That is a decrease in the protein surface tension at the air–water interface for the mixed solutions in comparison with ones for both the protein and small molecule surfactant alone in the case of Na-caprate, and those are the intermediate values of the surface tension in the case of Na-palmitate. These results were observed independently of the protein state (native or acidic/heat denatured) in an aqueous medium. As this took place, the most dramatic increase in the surface activity was found for the mixtures of the acidic denatured protein with Na-caprate as if the most hydrophobic species were formed in this case. The combined data of mixing calorimetry, DSC, light scattering and tensiometry showed that the effect of the fatty acid salts on the legumin thermodynamic properties in a bulk and at interfaces is governed by a number of the key factors such as: a structure of both the protein and fatty acid salt (a length of the hydrocarbon chain); a degree of the protein association in the bulk aqueous phase (as a result of the interactions with the small molecule surfactants); a change in the protein conformational stability (flexibility) under the influence of the small molecule surfactants; as well as by the nature (hydrophobic, electrostatic) of the protein–small molecule surfactant interactions, determining ultimately the hydrophilic–lipophilic balance of the protein surface.     

Selective Immobilization of Gold Nanoparticles on the Surface of a Photoreactive Polymer

Summary. A photoreactive polymer containing thiocyanate (SCN) groups was employed for the immobilization of gold nanoparticles (AuNP). Upon UV illumination, isothiocyanate (NCS) groups are generated at the surface by photoisomerization. The illuminated areas of the polymer layer containing NCS were selectively modified with 2-aminoethanethiol to give SH terminated thiourea units at the surface. Gold nanoparticles were selectively immobilized in these areas by immersing the polymer surface in a colloidal solution of gold nanoparticles stabilized by citric acid. Depending on the time of immersion, different amounts of gold were deposited on the illuminated areas, while no immobilization of AuNP was observed in the non-illuminated areas. By using photolithographic masks, patterned gold structures (μm scale) were produced on the polymer surface.     

Influence of maltodextrins with different dextrose equivalent on the thermodynamic properties of legumin in a bulk and at the air–water interface

This paper presents the influence of the potato maltodextrins with different dextrose equivalent (DE 2, 6 and 10) on the legumin thermodynamic properties in the bulk aqueous medium and at the air–water interface both in the simple mixed solutions and under the covalent complex (conjugate) formation (by the Maillard reaction), at pH 7.0 and ionic strength of 0.05 mol dm⁻³. The weak net attractive interaction between legumin and maltodextrin has been found in an aqueous medium by both the light scattering and the mixing calorimetry methods. On the basis of both the mixing and differential scanning calorimetry data a hydrogen bonding is supposed to be fundamental for this interaction. It was found that these attractive interactions produced an increase in the protein hydrophilicity and consequently a decrease in the protein surface activity. The effect was more pronounced for the maltodextrin with the largest dextrose equivalent (DE 10). The covalent complexation between legumin and maltodextrin induced the change of the fine hydrophobic–hydrophilic balance in the protein globule due to both addition of the hydrophilicity of the covalently attached polysaccharide and the partial protein unfolding as a result of the such kind of attachment. The combined data of tensiometry, light scattering, mixing and differential scanning calorimetry demonstrated the importance of the maltodextrin polymerization (DE) in controlling both the protein hydrophilicity (thermodynamic affinity for the aqueous phase) and surface activity.     

Achieving high short-circuit current and fill-factor via increasing quinoidal character on nonfullerene small molecule acceptor

Enhancement of the quinoidal character on fused-ring small molecule acceptor by introducing polarizable thiophene effectively reduces the optical band gap and enhances the near IR absorptivity, giving rise to improved short-circuit current and fill-factor.     

Ionic liquids as selective depositions on quartz crystal microbalances for artificial olfactory systems—a feasibility study

A room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, was investigated as a selective deposition for quartz crystal microbalances. RTILs constitute versatile matrices of tuneable physicochemical properties providing a high solute mobility compared to polymer matrices, and hence in principle short response and desorption times. This paper explores the feasibility of using RTIL-based quartz crystal microbalances as vapour sensors with particular focus on the physicochemical interactions between the RTIL and a model solute, ethyl acetate. Preliminary experiments were conducted and proved an excellent baseline recovery of the sensor. The transient sensor response was modelled using a basic mass transport equation which proved the simplicity of the system when compared to polymer coatings. The diffusion coefficient of ethyl acetate was calculated to be 10.8·10^− 11 m²·s^− 1, which was one order of magnitude higher than in a common polymeric deposition material, polydimethylsiloxane. However, it is pointed out that care must be taken when interpreting the sensor signal upon dissolution of a complex vapour; absorption of solutes into the RTIL can give rise to viscosity changes which affect the sensor signal and hence overlap with the response to the solute mass absorbed. Nevertheless, for simple sample vapours we believe that quartz resonators can also be a complementary and cheap method for investigating basic mass transport phenomena.     

Cooling rate effect on the phase transitions in a polymer liquid crystal: DSC and real-time MAXS and WAXD experiments

The importance of the cooling rate for the structural transformations in a main-chain poly(hexamethylene-4,4′-bibenzoate) has been presented. Detailed analysis of the phase transitions, main structural parameters and their temperature changes has been performed by differential scanning calorimetry, real-time middle-angle X-ray scattering and wide-angle X-ray diffraction methods. The thermodynamic nature of the initial transformation into a smectic A phase has been discussed. The material in the smectic state is supposed to be organized in smectic domains. The crystallization from the smectic phase depends strongly on the kinetics. The crystallization inside the smectic domains results into different final structures determined by the cooling rate applied. At the highest cooling rates, only one crystalline form has been observed. Different possible modifications have been discussed for the case: either a γ-polymorphic form or still some mesophase of high order, as a frozen metastable state. There is a possibility that the phase might be also identified as a condis crystal. At decreasing cooling rates, a new crystalline form, named α∗, appears together with the first one. Lowering the cooling rate, the volume fraction of the α∗-polymorph gradually increases, at the expenses of the first form. The interesting feature of the new observed α∗-polymorph is that it has some similarities with α- and δ-phases of the same material. Contrary to the previous observations, no γ?α^∗ transformation has been observed neither during the course of single crystallization nor during the subsequent heating. A model describing the gradual transformation of the material during its temperature treatment has been proposed.     

Preparation of magnetic nanoparticles by the use of self-assembled fluorinated oligomeric aggregates—A new approach to the dispersion of magnetic particles on poly(methyl methacrylate) film surface

Fluoroalkyl end-capped acrylic acid oligomer-encapsulated magnetic nanoparticles were prepared by the coprecipitation of aqueous ferric and ferrous ions in the presence of the corresponding oligomers under alkaline conditions. The dynamic light scattering measurements showed that these fluorinated oligomer magnetic nanoparticles were encapsulated in the self-assemblies of fluoroalkyl end-capped oligomers. Fluoroalkyl end-capped oligomer-encapsulated magnetic nanoparticles thus obtained were applied to the dispersion of magnetic particles on the poly(methyl methacrylate) film surface to exhibit not only the surface active property imparted by fluorine but also magnetic behavior toward a permanent magnet.     

The effect of sucrose on the thermodynamic properties of ovalbumin and sodium caseinate in bulk solution and at air–water interface

This paper presents a study of the effect of sucrose on the molecular parameters and thermodynamic properties in a bulk aqueous medium and at the air–water interface for two proteins differing both in nature and structure, that is Na-caseinate and ovalbumin. To get more insight into the molecular nature of the effect of sucrose, mixing calorimetry, light scattering and tensiometry measurements have been made under different pHs (7.0 and 5.5) and temperatures (20–55°C) at an ionic strength of 0.005 mol dm⁻³. Combined temperature dependencies of light scattering and mixing calorimetry testify to hydrogen bonding (sucrose-protein and/or sucrose-water) as being the primary basis of the effect of sucrose on the molecular and thermodynamic properties of the proteins in the bulk and at interface of an aqueous medium. At pH 7.0, in the case of ovalbumin, the interaction with sucrose causes an increase in the protein hydrophilicity in the bulk aqueous medium followed by a decrease in the protein surface activity, whilst for Na-caseinate, there is an increase in the protein hydrophobicity due to Na-caseinate micelle dissociation and, consequently, to an increase in the protein surface activity. Lowering the pH to 5.5, accompanied by a strengthening of the competition between less charged proteins and sucrose for water molecules, induces a rise in the protein hydrophobic aggregation in the bulk. The special features of the latter process are probably mainly responsible for the changes in the surface activity of the proteins under influence of sucrose at pH 5.5.     

Single-shot Thomson scattering on argon plasmas created by the Microwave Plasma Torch; evidence for a new plasma class

To determine the fine-structure size of plasmas created by a Microwave Plasma Torch (MPT), single-shot Thomson scattering (TS) measurements were performed. The aim was to find a solution for the long-standing discrepancy between experiments and Global Plasma Models (GPMs). Since these GPMs are based on the assumption that (ambipolar) diffusion is the main loss process for charged particles, the diffusion length and thus the fine-structure size should be known with high precision before an appropriate theory-experiment comparison can be carried out. In order to avoid the effect of blurring, which is created during the accumulation of multi-shot TS signals and which obscures the fine-structures, single-shot measurements are indispensable to determine the diffusion length.     

Temperature‐Independent Hole Mobility of a Smectic Liquid‐Crystalline Semiconductor based on Band‐Like Conduction

A liquid‐crystalline (LC) phenylterthiophene derivative, which exhibited an ordered smectic phase at room temperature, was purified by vacuum sublimation under a flow of nitrogen. During the sublimation process, thin plates with sizes of 1 mm grew on the surface of the vacuum tube. The crystals exhibited the same X‐ray diffraction patterns as the ordered smectic phase of the LC state that was formed through a conventional recrystallization process by using organic solvents. Because of the removal of chemical impurities, the hole mobility in the ordered smectic phase of the vacuum‐grown thin plates increased to 1.2×10^?1 cm² V^?1 s^?1 at room temperature, whereas that of the LC precipitates was 7×10^?2 cm² V^?1 s^?1. The hole mobility in the ordered smectic phase of the vacuum‐sublimated sample was temperature‐independent between 400 and 220 K. The electric‐field dependence of the hole mobility was also very small within this temperature range. The temperature dependence of hole mobility was well‐described by the Hoesterey–Letson model. The hole‐transport characteristics indicate that band‐like conduction affected by the localized states, rather than a charge‐carrier‐hopping mechanism, is a valid mechanism for hole transport in an ordered smectic phase.     

Physio-chemical influence of high electron-phonon coupling induced by 120 MeV Ag9+ SHI irradiation on exfoliated MoS2 - PVA nanocomposite films for achieving remarkable electrical conductivity for potential application in organic electronics

Swift heavy ion (SHI) irradiation technology is known to enhance the optical, electronic, mechanical, and electrical properties in polymer nanocomposites by the virtue of electron-phonon coupling. In the present work, Molybdenum disulphide (MoS₂), a two-dimensional metal dichalcogenide, has been exfoliated via liquid-phase exfoliation using N-methyl-2- pyrrolidone (NMP) as the solvent that yielded nanosheets of around 2–4 layers as depicted by HR-TEM images. MoS₂ - PVA free-standing films were prepared by wet chemical technique i.e. solution casting method and irradiated by focussed high-energy Ag⁹⁺ ion beam at fluence range of 1E10 - 3E11 ions/cm². As a consequence, the structural modification was observed by X-Ray diffraction studies that showed the shift of (002) plane of MoS₂ while Raman studies indicated the decrease of degree of disorderness at fluence 1E10 ions/cm². SHI irradiation has found to induce a two-order increase in the electrical conductivity yielding a 9.7 E-3 S/cm against that of the pristine films at 2.6E-5 S/cm. The enhanced conductivity is attributed to the induced dispersion and annealing of MoS₂ nanosheets in the PVA matrix due to the interaction of 120 MeV Ag⁹⁺ ion beam irradiation as explained by Thermal spike model.     

Ion‐Pairing Assemblies Based on Pentacyano‐Substituted Cyclopentadienide as a π‐Electronic Anion

Pentacyanocyclopentadienide (PCCp^?), a stable π‐electronic anion, provided various ion‐pairing assemblies in combination with various cations. PCCp^?‐based assemblies exist as single crystals and mesophases owing to interionic interactions with π‐electronic and aliphatic cations with a variety of geometries, substituents, and electronic structures. Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis revealed that PCCp^? formed cation‐dependent arrangements with contributions from charge‐by‐charge and charge‐segregated assembly modes for ion pairs with π‐electronic and aliphatic cations, respectively. Furthermore, some aliphatic cations gave dimension‐controlled organized structures with PCCp^?, as observed in the mesophases, for which synchrotron XRD analysis suggested the formation of charge‐segregated modes. Noncontact evaluation of conductivity for (C₁₂H₂₅)₃MeN⁺ ? PCCp^? films revealed potential hole‐transporting properties, yielding a local‐scale hole mobility of 0.4 cm² V^?1 s^?1 at semiconductor–insulator interfaces.     

Photocontrolled Translational Motion of a Microscale Solid Object on Azobenzene‐Doped Liquid‐Crystalline Films

On the move : Irradiation of azobenzene‐doped liquid crystalline films with UV/Vis light results in the photocontrolled translational motion of microscale solid object on the surface, which occurs through cis–trans isomerization of the azobenzene unit. Irradiation with an Ar⁺ laser (488 nm) resulted in precise control of the translational motion so that the particle always moved away from the irradiation position (see picture).

     

Complex surface analytical investigations on hydrogen absorption and desorption processes of a TiMn<Subscript>2</Subscript>-based alloy

Metal hydrides are one of the most promising technologies in the field of hydrogen storage due to their high volumetric storage density. Important reaction steps take place at the very surface of the solid during hydrogen absorption. Since these reaction steps are drastically influenced by the properties and potential contamination of the solid, it is very important to understand the characteristics of the surface, and a variety of analytical methods are required to achieve this. In this work, a TiMn₂-type metal hydride alloy is investigated by means of high-pressure activation measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), secondary neutral mass spectrometry (SNMS) and thermal desorption mass spectrometry (TDMS). In particular, TDMS is an analytical tool that, in contrast to SIMS or SNMS, allows the hydrogen content in a metal to be quantified. Furthermore, it allows the activation energy for desorption to be determined from TDMS profiles; the method used to achieve this is presented here in detail. In the results section, it is shown that the oxide layer formed during manufacture and long-term storage prevents any hydrogen from being absorbed, and so an activation process is required. XPS measurements show the oxide states of the main alloy elements, and a layer 18 nm thick is determined via SNMS. Furthermore, defined oxide layers are produced and characterized in UHV using XPS. The influence of these thin oxide layers on the hydrogen sorption process is examined using TDMS. Finally, the activation energy of desorption is determined for the investigated alloy using the method presented here, and values of 46 kJ/mol for hydrogen sorbed in UHV and 103 kJ/mol for hydrogen originating from the manufacturing process are obtained.     

Sulfate adsorption and surface precipitation on a volcanic ash soil (allophanic andisol)

Sulfate strongly adsorbs on metal oxides and soils with variable charges. However, its surface precipitation has not been clearly evaluated and its adsorption mechanism has been in dispute. In the present study, an allophanic andisol, a typical volcanic ash soil having both negative and positive variable charges, was used to identify the adsorption mechanism of sulfate. Sulfate adsorption isotherms were obtained by a batch method at pH values of 4, 5, 6, and 7 in a wide range of concentrations in an Na-H-SO(4)-OH system. Theoretical isotherms were applied to the measured values for the evaluation. The surface precipitation was detected by the measured adsorption isotherms, and the BET isotherm confirmed the presence of multilayer adsorption. Stronger and weaker adsorption sites were suggested by using the Langmuir isotherm for the monolayer adsorption. The adsorption energies obtained from the Langmuir equation and recent spectroscopic analysis suggested that the stronger adsorption corresponded to an inner-sphere surface complex and that the weaker adsorption corresponded to outer-sphere surface complexation. The BET and Langmuir equations showed three types of adsorption mechanisms for the sulfate adsorption on the soil.