Thermodynamic studies of the surface and transport properties in Ag–In and Ag–Sb liquid alloys

The surface tension, surface concentration, viscosity and mutual diffusion co-efficients of the Ag–In and Ag–Sb liquid alloys have been calculated using energetics and derivables from a statistical mechanical framework which recognises the formation of atom clusters of self associates. Our calculations suggest the existence of some form of local order in the systems. Ag–In showed higher tendencies to heterocoordination in the bulk-manifested higher values of mutual diffusion coefficient throughout the concentration range. The viscosity values of Ag–In and Ag–Sb were calculated using the expression reported by Kucharsky which relates the viscosity of a liquid binary alloy to the activity coefficients of the liquid alloy components that are raised to some power m. This exponent m is a fitted parameter. The calculated viscosity values for Ag–Sb had some reasonable agreement with experiment above 0.5 atomic fraction of Sb, using a fitted parameter value of m = 4.5. The fitted parameter value for the viscosity of Ag–In is expected to be in the range 1.5 ≤ m ≤ 3.5.     

Investigation and characterization by TG/DTG–DTA and DSC of the fusion of Riboflavin,and its interaction with the antibiotic norfloxacin in the screening of cocrystal

This work synthesized and characterized the NOR-RIB 1:1 (mol–mol) cocrystal. During a study of the reagents, Riboflavin (RIB) melted at 304 °C, which is different from the temperature previously reported in the literature (280–290 °C); therefore, this compound was characterized individually. Subsequently, the cocrystal was synthesized with the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) norfloxacin (NOR) with the RIB coformer, and the mechanochemical synthesis route was adopted. NOR, RIB, and the cocrystal were characterized by thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis (TG–DTA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), DSC coupled to a microscope (photo-DSC), mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIR), and powder X-ray diffraction. The results of thermal analysis showed that the RIB starts decomposition process (260 °C) and then melts (304 °C). The MIR found that beginning at 295 °C, the RIB passes into the form of a decomposition intermediate; therefore, the melting point observed in the DSC curve is related to this decomposition material. The cocrystal presented thermal stability (200 °C) lower than the API (235 °C) and the coformer (260 °C). The DSC curve did not contain a melting peak. The bands at 1726 cm^?1 (C=O of the carboxylic acid) for the NOR, and the band at 3326 cm^?1 (stretch O–H), among others, were not visible for the cocrystal in the MIR spectrum, indicating interactions in these regions. The X-ray diffractograms showed a new diffraction pattern, which proved the obtainment of a new phase and cocrystal formation.

     

Comparative toxicity study of Ag, Au, and Ag–Au bimetallic nanoparticles on Daphnia magna

A comparative assessment of the 48-h acute toxicity of aqueous nanoparticles synthesized using the same methodology, including Au, Ag, and Ag–Au bimetallic nanoparticles, was conducted to determine their ecological effect in freshwater environments through the use of Daphnia magna, using their mortality as a toxicological endpoint. D. magna are one of the standard organisms used for ecotoxicity studies due to their sensitivity to chemical toxicants. Particle suspensions used in toxicity testing were well-characterized through a combination of absorbance measurements, atomic force or electron microscopy, flame atomic absorption spectrometry, and dynamic light scattering to determine composition, aggregation state, and particle size. The toxicity of all nanoparticles tested was found to be dose and composition dependent. The concentration of Au nanoparticles that killed 50% of the test organisms (LC₅₀) ranged from 65–75 mg/L. In addition, three different sized Ag nanoparticles (diameters = 36, 52, and 66 nm) were studied to analyze the toxicological effects of particle size on D. magna; however, it was found that toxicity was not a function of size and ranged from 3–4 μg/L for all three sets of Ag nanoparticles tested. This was possibly due to the large degree of aggregation when these nanoparticles were suspended in standard synthetic freshwater. Moreover, the LC₅₀ values for Ag–Au bimetallic nanoparticles were found to be between that of Ag and Au but much closer to that of Ag. The bimetallic particles containing 80% Ag and 20% Au were found to have a significantly lower toxicity to Daphnia (LC₅₀ of 15 μg/L) compared to Ag nanoparticles, while the toxicity of the nanoparticles containing 20% Ag and 80% Au was greater than expected at 12 μg/L. The comparison results confirm that Ag nanoparticles were much more toxic than Au nanoparticles, and that the introduction of gold into silver nanoparticles may lower their environmental impact by lowering the amount of Ag which is bioavailable.     

Seeded growth core-shell (Ag–Au–Pd) ternary nanostructure at room temperature for potential water treatment

Seed-mediated growth is a promising technique for preparation of multi-metallic nanostructures, in which reduction of metal ions takes a place over the surface of another one. Herein, a seed growth mechanism was investigated for synthesis of core-shell Ag–Au–Pd ternary nanostructures through a facile method at room temperature. Ascorbic acid and sodium alginate were used as nano-generator and stabilizing agent, respectively. Spherical shaped monocular Ag nanostructure with size of 13.6 nm grew to 24.4 nm of Ag–Au binary and to 58.8 nm of Ag–Au–Pd ternary core-shell nanostructures. The crystalline shape of nanostructures was approved by X-Ray diffraction analyses. While, FT-IR data approved the redox mechanism for synthesis the as-required nanostructures. The catalytic reactivity of the prepared nanostructures in reductive degradation of methylene blue dye was studied. The results approved the role of Pd in perfection of catalytic degradation of the as-tested dye. The rate constant of dye degradation was considerably enlarged from 62.1 × 10⁻³ m⁻¹ for Ag monocular nanostructures to 403.3 × 10⁻³ m⁻¹ for Ag–Pd binary and to 852.4 × 10⁻³ m⁻¹ for Ag–Au–Pd ternary core-shell nanostructures. The obtained results offer an energy saving method to fabricate core-shell catalytically active ternary nanostructures with promising applicability in water treatment.     

Adenine–Au and adenine–uracil–Au. Non-conventional hydrogen bonds of the anions and donator–acceptor properties of the neutrals

This is a study of adenine–Au and adenine–uracil–Au (neutral, anionic and cationic), applying the B3LYP density-functional approach. In these systems, the interaction is directly related to the charge; so that as the metal atomic charge increases, the bond strength also increases. Neutral molecules are weakly bonded, the interaction in the case of cations is mainly electrostatic and in the case of the anions, the extra electron is localized on the metal atom and consequently, non-conventional hydrogen bonds are formed. In the case of adenine–Au (anion), the H dissociation energy is similar to the electron dissociation energy, and therefore both reactions may be possible. Moreover, the Au anionic atom modifies the hydrogen bonds of the uracil–adenine base pair. This may be significant in the study of point mutations that may occur in the Watson–Crick dimmer of nucleic basis. The electron-donator properties of these compounds are analyzed with the aid of the donator–acceptor map (DAM), previously described. Adenine–Au, uracil–Au and adenine–uracil–Au are more effective electron donors, but poorer electron acceptors than adenine, uracil and adenine–uracil. If the electron acceptor properties of carotenoids such as β-carotene and astaxanthin are compared, there are indications that astaxanthin may act as an oxidant instead of an antioxidant with the uracil–adenine base pair. The oxidation of nucleic acid bases by carotenoids may have important consequences, as oxidative damage of DNA and RNA appears to be linked to cancer. This is something that demands further studies and for this reason, work concerning the reactivity of carotenoids with DNA-nitrogen bases is in progress.     

Thermal stability of Ag–Au,Cu–Au,and Ag–Cu bimetallic nanoparticles supported on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite

The formation of Ag–Au, Cu–Au, and Ag–Cu bimetallic particles on the surface of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Samples with the core–shell structure of particles were prepared by sequential thermal vacuum deposition. The thermal stability of the samples was studied over a wide range of temperatures (25-400°C) under ultrahigh-vacuum conditions. The heating of the samples to ~250°C leads to the formation of bimetallic alloy particles with a relatively uniform distribution of metals in the bulk. The thermal stability of the samples with respect to sintering depends on the nature of the supported metals. Thus, the Ag–Au particles exhibited the highest thermal resistance (~350°C) under ultrahigh-vacuum conditions, whereas the Ag–Cu particles agglomerated even at ~250°C.     

Investigation of the Pt–Ni–Pb/C ternary alloy catalysts for methanol electrooxidation

This research is aimed to increase the activity of anodic catalysts and thus to lower noble metal loading in anodes for methanol electrooxidation. The Pt–Ni–Pb/C catalysts with different molar compositions were prepared. Their performance were tested by using a glassy carbon disk electrode through cyclic voltammetric curves in a solution of 0.5 mol L⁻¹ CH₃OH and 0.5 mol L⁻¹ H₂SO₄. The performances of Pt–Ni–Pb/C catalyst with optimum composition (the molar ratio of Pt/Ni/Pb is 5:4:1) and Pt/C (E-Tek) were also compared. Their particle sizes and structures were determined by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD). The XRD results show, compared with that of Pt/C, the lattice parameter of Pt–Ni–Pb (5:4:1)/C catalyst decreases, its diffraction peaks are shifted slightly to a higher 2θ values. This indicates the formation of an alloy involving the incorporation of Ni and Pb atoms into the fcc structure of Pt. The electrochemical measurement shows the activity of Pt–Ni–Pb/C catalyst with an atomic ratio of 5:4:1 for methanol electrooxidation is the best among all different compositions. The activity of Pt–Ni–Pb (5:4:1)/C catalyst is much higher than that of Pt/C (E-Tek).     

Synthesis and study of Ru–Ba–Cs/Sibunit ternary catalysts for ammonia synthesis

Ru–Ba–Cs/Sibunit ternary catalysts were synthesized. Their activity in ammonia synthesis and the thermal stability of the support in a reducing atmosphere at elevated temperature depend on the molar ratio of the promoters. The results of studies using physical methods suggest that cesium predominantly interacts with the support, acting as an electronic promoter, whereas barium is a structural promoter. The synergistic action of the promoters at increased barium content of the catalyst was revealed. The highest activity in ammonia synthesis, 34.5 mL_NH3 g_cat ^–1 h^–1, was reached for the 4% Ru–10.8% Ba–2.6% Cs/Sibunit catalyst.     

The Determination of Dynamic and Equlibrium Solid/Liquid Transformation Data For Sn–Pb Using DSC

Differential Scanning Calorimetric measurements were performed for accurate determination of the solidus and liquidus temperature of Sn–Pb alloys. The difference between onset and end temperature of the melting peak depended clearly on alloy composition. The results obtained were found to be in good agreement with the existing equilibrium phase diagram for the Sn–Pb system, although the data suggested a slight correction of the eutectic composition. Under cooling conditions a large variation in the onset temperature for solidification was found. A large number of heating and cooling cycles were performed in order to investigate the statistical variation of the solid nucleation process. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Solid-Phase Surface Adsorption in Ag–Au|F–, H2O and Ag–Au|ClO–4, H2O Systems: Allowing for the Solid-Solution Nonideality

Integral and differential (with respect to the composition) isotherms of changes in the interfacial free energy (_m– ), the charge density q, and the surface composition X _Au of alloys equilibrated with an aqueous surface-inactive electrolyte are obtained in terms of a finite-thickness interfacial layer, with use of concentration dependences of activity coefficients of components of a polycrystalline binary alloy. Using ac measurements of the double-layer parameters, it is stated that the surface-active component in the Ag–Au|F^–, H₂O and Ag–Au|ClO^– ₄, H₂O systems at 298 K is gold. The Ag–Au solid solution shows negative deviations from Raoult's law, except for the compositions X _Au 0.04 and X _Au 0.80, where the solid solution properties approach those of an ideal solution.     

First Principles Calculations Toward Understanding SERS of 2,2′-Bipyridyl Adsorbed on Au,Ag, and Au–Ag Nanoalloy

First principles electrodyanmics and quantum chemical simulations are performed to gain insights into the underlying mechanisms of the surface enhanced Raman spectra of 22BPY adsorbed on pure Au and Ag as well as on Au–Ag alloy nanodiscs. Experimental SERS spectra from Au and Ag nanodiscs show similar peaks, whereas those from Au–Ag alloy reveal new spectral features. The physical enhancement factors due to surface nano-texture were considered by numerical FDTD simulations of light intensity distribution for the nano-textured Au, Ag, and Au–Ag alloy and compared with experimental results. For the chemical insights of the enhancement, the DFT calculations with the dispersion interaction were performed using Au₂₀, Ag₂₀, and Au₁₀Ag₁₀ clusters of a pyramidal structure for SERS modeling. Binding of 22BPY to the clusters was simulated by considering possible arrangements of vertex and planar physical as well as chemical adsorption models. The DFT results indicate that 22BPY prefers a coplanar adsorption on a (111) face with trans-conformation having close energy difference to cis-conformation. Binding to pure Au cluster is stronger than to pure Ag or Au–Ag alloy clusters and adsorption onto the alloy surface can deform the surface. The computed Raman spectra are compared with experimental data and assignments for pure Au and Ag models are well matching, indicating the need of dispersion interaction to reproduce strong Raman signal at around 800 cm^–1. This work provides insight into 3D character of SERS on nanorough surfaces due to different binding energies and bond length of nanoalloys. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The Influence of Ag and Ag(In) Alloy on Y–Ba–Cu–O Equilibrium Diagram Around the Y-123 Superconducting Phase

We studied the chemical compatibility of Ag, Ag(In)alloy, Y₂BaCuO₅ (the so-called Y-211 green phase) and YBa₂Cu₃O_7–δ (Y-123) phase in order to check if better grain growth and alignment with minimum contamination were possible during the Y-123melt texturing. We demonstrate that the addition of silver to Y-123 always led to an enhanced texture. The typical microstructure of the composite Y-123 plus Y-211 (that is believed essential for high critical currents in these High Tc superconductors) was not disturbed by addition of silver up to 7.5 wt%, while higher concentrations of metal led to a degradation of the texture. DTA–TG analysis was used to investigate the influence of Ag and Ag(In) alloy on the Y–Ba–Cu–O equilibria around the Y-123 phase. We found a very unexpected thermal behaviour, similar to an eutectic equilibrium, when the silver concentration was increased to35 wt%. We believe that this effect was essentially due to the increasingly higher concentration of silver that could react with the secondary phases present in the melt. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A new equation for the correlation of surface tension–composition data of solvent–solvent and solvent–fused salt mixtures

An attempt has been made to propose accurate equations for correlating the surface tension of binary liquid mixtures. The method is applicable to the systems comprising of components with widely different molecular sizes. Two adjustable parameters, δ_p and δ_m obtained from the least squares analyses of the surface tension–composition data are reported for a number of systems. Temperature dependence of δ_p and δ_m is demonstrated for a few systems. The framework of operational equations has later been applied to cover multi-component systems comprising of fused salts with a single liquid component in full mole fraction range. Excellent fits of the surface tension for binary, ternary and multi-component ionic systems in aqueous or non-aqueous media have been obtained from the proposed method. The surface tension–composition data of 59 different types of systems with about 400 data points can be correlated by the equation with an average percent deviation of about 0.61. In contrast to previous equations from literature to calculate surface tension data, the proposed correlation is noted to be more accurate in different situations.     

Study and 3D modeling of the phase diagram of the Ag–Ge–Se system

In view of the contradictoriness of the literature data, phase equilibria in the Ag–Ge–Se system were restudied by differential thermal analysis and X-ray powder diffraction analysis. A number of polythermal sections and an isothermal section at room temperature of the phase diagram were constructed, and so was the projection of the liquidus surface. The primary crystallization fields of phases and the types and coordinates of in- and monovariant equilibria were determined. It was shown that, in the system, a single ternary compound, Ag₈GeSe₆, forms, which undergoes congruent melting at 1175 K and a polymorphic transformation at 321 K. The formation of the compounds Ag₂GeSe₃ and Ag₈GeSe₅, which was previously reported in the literature, was not confirmed. Based on the phase diagrams of boundary binary systems and the results of the differential thermal analysis of a number of samples of the ternary system, equations were obtained for calculation and 3D modeling of the liquidus and phase-separation surfaces.     

Experimental investigation and thermodynamic modeling of the Au–Ge–Ni system

Abstract  

Phase equilibria in the Au–Ge–Ni ternary system were studied by means of scanning electron microscopy, electron probe microanalysis, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry. The phase relations in the solid state at 600 °C as well as a vertical section at Au₇₂Ge₂₈–Ni were established. No ternary compound was found at 600 °C. On the basis of the experimental phase equilibria data, a thermodynamic model of the Au–Ge–Ni ternary system was developed using the CALPHAD method. Thermodynamically calculated phase diagrams are shown at 600 °C, in two vertical sections and the liquidus projection. Reasonable agreement between the calculations and the experimental results was achieved.     

Study of Forced Degradation Behaviour of Brinzolamide Using LC–ESI–Q-TOF and In Silico Toxicity Prediction

Brinzolamide (BZA) is a topical ophthalmic drug which is generally used to lower the intraocular pressure during glaucoma. It was subjected to forced degradation studies under hydrolytic (acidic, basic), oxidative, photolytic and thermal stress conditions; the drug degraded significantly in hydrolytic and oxidative conditions, leading to the formation of seven degradation products in total. It was stable on exposure to light and dry heat in the solid state. An ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) method was developed on a Waters CSH phenyl hexyl column (100 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 µm), using gradient elution of 0.1 % formic acid and methanol as mobile phase. The method was extended to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (Q-TOF–MS) for the structural characterisation. All degradation products were comprehensively characterised by UHPLC–ESI/MS/MS experiments. The most probable mechanisms for the formation of degradation products were also proposed. In silico toxicity of the drug and its degradation products was determined using TOPKAT toxicity prediction software.

     

Simple and Highly Efficient Method for the Deprotection of Allyl Ethers Using Dimethylsulfoxide–Sodium Iodide

A simple and highly efficient method for deprotection of allyl ethers has been developed using dimethylsulfoxide–sodium iodide (catalytic amount). This method is inexpensive, has simple reaction conditions, has an easy workup procedure, proceduces excellent yields (60–99%), and is effective for several structurally varied allyl ethers.     

In silico exploratory study using structure–activity relationship models and metabolic information for prediction of mutagenicity based on the Ames test and rodent micronucleus assay

The mutagenic potential of chemicals is a cause of growing concern, due to the possible impact on human health. In this paper we have developed a knowledge-based approach, combining information from structure–activity relationship (SAR) and metabolic triggers generated from the metabolic fate of chemicals in biological systems for prediction of mutagenicity in vitro based on the Ames test and in vivo based on the rodent micronucleus assay. In the first part of the work, a model was developed, which comprises newly generated SAR rules and a set of metabolic triggers. These SAR rules and metabolic triggers were further externally validated to predict mutagenicity in vitro, with metabolic triggers being used only to predict mutagenicity of chemicals, which were predicted unknown, by SARpy. Hence, this model has a higher accuracy than the SAR model, with an accuracy of 89% for the training set and 75% for the external validation set. Subsequently, the results of the second part of this work enlist a set of metabolic triggers for prediction of mutagenicity in vivo, based on the rodent micronucleus assay. Finally, the results of the third part enlist a list of metabolic triggers to find similarities and differences in the mutagenic response of chemicals in vitro and in vivo.     

Surface tension isotherms of the dioxane–acetone–water and glycerol–ethanol–water ternary systems

The results of the experimental and theoretical studies of the concentration dependence of surface tension of aqueous solutions of the 1,4-dioxane–acetone–water and glycerol–ethanol–water ternary systems were given. The studies were performed by the hanging-drop method on a DSA100 tensiometer. The maximum error of surface tension was 1%. The theoretical models for calculating the surface tension of the ternary systems of organic solutions were analyzed.     

Solid–liquid equilibria for binary and ternary systems with the Cubic-Plus-Association (CPA) equation of state

A systematic investigation of the CPA model’s performance within solid–liquid equilibria (SLE) in binary mixtures (methane + ethane, methane + heptane, methane + benzene, methane + CO₂, ethane + heptane, ethane + CO₂, 1-propanol + 1,4-dioxane, ethanol + water, 2-propanol + water) is presented. The results from the binary mixtures are used to predict SLE behaviour in ternary mixtures (methane + ethane + heptane, methane + ethane + CO₂). Our results are compared with experimental data found in the literature.