Photo-induced chemiluminescence from fibrous polymers and proteins

A commercial thermal chemiluminescence (TCL) instrument was modified to allow in situ sample irradiation at wavelengths in the range 320-700 nm under a controlled atmosphere at constant temperature. Weak photo-induced chemiluminescence (PICL) emission was observed from commercial poly(ethylene terephthalate), polyacrylonitrile, and polyamide 6 fabrics, cotton fabric and from the fibrous proteins wool and feather keratin, silk fibroin and bovine skin collagen (Type 1) after exposure to UVA (320-400 nm) or visible light in nitrogen, followed by a change of the atmosphere to oxygen. Collagen emits PICL of similar intensity to keratin, which demonstrates that tryptophan is not essential for PICL emission from proteins. In all cases the decay of PICL with time is complex and does not follow simple first- or second-order kinetics. The effects of experimental variables, including wavelength of radiation and exposure time, sample temperature and fabric pH on the PICL intensity and decay profile are reported for wool keratin.     

Kinetics of reduction of iron oxides by H2: Part II. Low temperature reduction of magnetite

This study deals with the reduction of Fe₃O₄ by H₂ in the temperature range of 210-950 °C. Two samples of Fe₃O₄ produced at 600 and 1200 °C, designated as Fe₃O₄₍₆₀₀₎ and Fe₃O_4(1200), have been used as starting material.Reduction of Fe₃O₄₍₆₀₀₎ by H₂ is characterized by an apparent activation energy ‘E_a’ of 200, 71 and 44 kJ/mol at T < 250 °C, 250 °C < T < 390 °C and T > 390 °C, respectively. The important change of E_a at 250 °C could be attributed to the removal of hydroxyl group and/or point defects of magnetite. This is confirmed during the reduction of Fe₃O_4(1200). While transition at T ≈ 390 °C is probably due to sintering of the reaction products as revealed by SEM.In situ X-rays diffraction reduction experiments confirm the formation of stoichiometric FeO between 390 and 570 °C. At higher temperatures, non-stoichiometric wüstite is the intermediate product of the reduction of Fe₃O₄ to Fe.The physical and chemical modifications of the reduction products at about 400 °C, had been confirmed by the reduction of Fe₃O₄₍₆₀₀₎ by CO and that of Fe₃O_4(1200) by H₂. A minimum reaction rate had been observed during the reduction of Fe₃O_4(1200) at about 760 °C. Mathematical modeling of experimental data suggests that the reaction rate is controlled by diffusion and SEM observations confirm the sintering of the reaction products.Finally, one may underline that the rate of reduction of Fe₃O₄ with H₂ is systematically higher than that obtained by CO in the explored temperature range.     

The direct decomposition of NO over the La2CuO4 nanofiber catalyst

The NO catalytic direct decomposition was studied over La₂CuO₄ nanofibers, which were synthesized by using single walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as templates under hydrothermal condition. The composition and BET specific surface area of the La₂CuO₄ nanofiber were La₂Cu_0.88²⁺Cu_0.12⁺O_3.94 and 105.0 m²/g, respectively. 100% NO conversion (turnover frequency-(TOF): 0.17 g_NO/g_catalyst s) was obtained over such nanofiber catalyst at temperatures above 300 °C with the products being only N₂ and O₂. In 60 h on stream testing, either at 300 °C or at 800 °C, the nanofiber catalyst still showed high NO conversion efficiency (at 300 °C, 98%, TOF: 0.17 g_NO/g_catalyst s; at 800 °C, 96%, TOF: 0.16 g_NO/g_catalyst s). The O₂ and NO temperature programmed desorption (TPD) results indicated that the desorption of oxygen over the nanofibers occurred at 80-190 and 720-900 °C; while NO desorption happened at temperatures of 210-330 °C. NO and O₂ did not competitively adsorb on the nanofiber catalyst. For outstanding the advantage of the nanostate catalyst, the usual La₂CuO₄ bulk powder was also prepared and studied for comparison.     

Thermo-Raman spectroscopy in situ monitoring study of solid-state synthesis of NiO-Al2O3 nanoparticles and its characterization

Hyphenation of thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) and thermo-Raman spectrophotometer for in situ monitoring of solid-state reaction in oxygen atmosphere forming NiO-Al₂O₃ catalyst nanoparticles is investigated. In situ thermo-Raman spectra in the range from 200 to 1400 cm⁻¹ were recorded at every degree interval from 25 to 800 °C. Thermo-Raman spectroscopic studies reveal that, although the onset of formation is around 600 °C, the bulk NiAl₂O₄ forms at temperatures above 800 °C. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra and the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the reaction mixtures were recorded at regular temperature intervals of 100 °C, in the temperature range from 400 to 1000 °C, which could provide information on structural and morphological evolution of NiO-Al₂O₃. Slow controlled heating of the sample enabled better control over morphology and particle size distribution (∼20-30 nm diameter). The observed results were supported by complementary characterizations using TGA, XRD, SEM, transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis.     

Oxidative condensation and chemiluminescence of 5-amino-2,3-dihydro-1,4-phtalazinedione

The oxidative condensation of (5-amino-2,3-dihydro-1,4-phtalazinedione) luminol was carried out under their oxidation by (NH₄)₂S₂O₈ and KIO₃ in the mixed water-organic (namely dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) or N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (MPD)) solvent under the volume ratio 1:9. The structure of the products was studied by IR and Raman spectroscopy, elemental analysis and the derivatographic method. It was determined that oxidation by KIO₃ (E = 1.085 V) occurs on the amide nitrogen atoms, while in the case of (NH₄)₂S₂O₈ (E = 2.05 V) it occurs on the amino-group. The structure and thermal stability of the obtained products is determined by the nature of the oxidant. The active decomposition of luminol begins at t_d = 334.5 °C, while for the specimens of the polyluminols, which were synthesized in the water-DMSO and water-MPD mixtures, t_d equals 356.7 and 409.1 °C respectively. The worst thermal stability has products of luminol oxidation by KIO₃ (t_d = 282.5 °C). The mechanism of the luminol oxidative polymerization by (NH₄)₂S₂O₈ and KIO₃ has been proposed.     

Preparation, crystal structure, and superconductive characteristics of new oxynitrides (Nb1−xMx)(N1−yOy) where M=Mg, Si, and x≈y

New niobium oxynitrides containing either magnesium or silicon were prepared at 1000 °C by ammonia nitridation of oxide precursors obtained via the citrate route. The products had rock-salt type crystal structures. Crystallinity was improved by annealing in 0.5 MPa N₂ and the final compositions were (Nb_0.95Mg_0.05)(N_0.92O_0.08) at 1500 °C and (Nb_0.87Si_0.09□_0.04)(N_0.87O_0.13) at 1200 °C. The magnesium and oxide ions partially co-substitute the niobium and nitride ions in the octahedral sites of the δ-NbN lattice, respectively. Silicon ions were also successfully doped together with oxide ions into the rock-salt type NbN lattice. The Si doped product exhibited relatively large displacement at the octahedral sites and was accompanied by a small amount of cation vacancies. Superconductivity was improved by annealing to obtain critical temperatures/volume fractions of T_c=17.6 K/100% for Mg- and T_c=16.2 K/95% for the Si-doped niobium oxynitrides.     

Palladium catalyzed synthesis of Ca indicators with aryl bithiophene and terthiophene fluorophores

Five new fluorescent indicators for Ca²⁺ were synthesized using the Stille reaction. They all consist of the tricarboxylate chelator APTRA (o-aminophenol-N,N,O-triacetic acid) linked to a (substituted) bithiophene or terthiophene fluorophore. The dissociation constants K_d measured via fluorimetric titrations at 21 °C in 100 mM KCl buffered solution, pH 7.05, for the Ca²⁺ complexes with the new probes are in the range between 10 and 40 μM.     

A novel gaseous pinacolyl alcohol sensor utilizing cataluminescence on alumina nanowires prepared by supercritical fluid drying

A cataluminescence (CTL) sensor using Al₂O₃ nanowires as the sensing material was developed for the determination of trace pinacolyl alcohol in air samples based on the catalytic chemiluminescence (CL) of pinacolyl alcohol on Al₂O₃ nanowires. Eight catalysts were examined and the CL intensity on Al₂O₃ nanowires prepared by supercritical fluid drying was the strongest. This novel CL sensor showed high sensitivity and selectivity to gaseous pinacolyl alcohol at optimal temperature of 340 °C. Quantitative analysis was performed at a wavelength of 460 nm. The linear range of CTL intensity versus concentration of gaseous pinacolyl alcohol was 0.09 × 10⁻⁶ to 2.56 × 10⁻⁶ g mL⁻¹ (r = 0.9983, n = 6) with a detection limit (3σ) of 0.0053 × 10⁻⁶ g mL⁻¹. None or only very low levels of interference were observed while the foreign substances such as water vapor, ethanol, ammonia, chloroform, benzene, nitrogen dioxide, methylbenzene, hydrochloric acid, methanol and butanol were passing through the sensor. The response time of the sensor is less than 100 s, and the sensor had a long lifetime more than 60 h. The sensor would be potentially applied to analysis of the nerve agents such as Soman.     

High-temperature neutron diffraction study of the cation ordered perovskites TbBaMn2O5+x and TbBaMn2O5.5−y

The miscibility of TbBaMn₂O_5+x and TbBaMn₂O_5.5−y has been investigated at 100-600 °C using in situ powder neutron diffraction. No miscibility is observed, and the two phases remain oxygen stoichiometric (x,y=0) at 600 °C. Structure refinement results show that neither material undergoes a phase transition in this temperature range. TbBaMn₂O₅ is Mn²⁺/Mn³⁺ charge ordered and any charge melting transition is >600 °C. This symmetry-broken charge ordering is remarkably robust in comparison to that in other oxides.     

Stability and oxygen-storage characteristics of Al-substituted YBaCo4O7+δ

A series of Al-substituted YBa(Co_1−xAl_x)₄O_7+δ samples was synthesized and characterized with respect to the capability to store large amounts of oxygen at low temperatures (at 200-400 °C) and the phase decomposition upon heating under oxidizing conditions at higher temperatures (above 550 °C). It was revealed that increasing the Al-substitution level up to x≈0.10 boosts up the phase-decomposition temperature from ∼550 to ∼700 °C, while the unique oxygen absorption/desorption characteristics remain nearly the same as those of the pristine YBaCo₄O_7+δ phase. The maximum amount of excess oxygen absorbed by the Al-substituted YBa(Co_1−xAl_x)₄O_7+δ samples was determined to be as large as δ≈1.45 for x=0.10 (in 100 atm O₂ at 320 °C). Isothermal annealing experiments carried out for the same x=0.10 phase at 300 °C revealed that it could be reversibly charged and discharged with 1.2 oxygen atoms per formula unit by switching the gas flow from N₂ to O₂ and vice versa.     

Kinetics of reduction of iron oxides by H2: Part I: Low temperature reduction of hematite

This study deals with the reduction of Fe₂O₃ by H₂ in the temperature range of 220-680 °C. It aims to examine the rate controlling processes of Fe₂O₃ reduction by H₂ in the widest and lowest possible temperature range. This is to be related with efforts to decrease the emission of CO₂ in the atmosphere thus decreasing its green house effect.Reduction of hematite to magnetite with H₂ is characterized by an apparent activation energy ‘E_a’ of 76 kJ/mol. E_a of the reduction of magnetite to iron is 88 and 39 kJ/mol for temperatures lower and higher than 420 °C, respectively. Mathematical modeling of experimental data suggests that the reaction rate is controlled by two- and three-dimensional growth of nuclei and by phase boundary reaction at temperatures lower and higher than 420 °C, respectively.Morphological study confirms the formation of compact iron layer generated during the reduction of Fe₂O₃ by H₂ at temperatures higher than 420 °C. It also shows the absence of such layer in case of using CO. It seems that the annealing of magnetite's defects around 420 °C is responsible for the decrease of E_a.The rate of reduction of iron oxide with hydrogen is systematically higher than that obtained by CO.     

Synthesis and characterization of Zn1−xNixFe2O4 spinels prepared by a citrate precursor

Nanocrystalline single-phase samples of Zn_1−xNi_xFe₂O₄ ferrites (0<x<1) have been obtained via a soft-chemistry method based on citrate-ethylene glycol precursors, at a relatively low temperature (650 °C). The influence of the nickel and zinc contents as well as that of heat treatments were investigated by means of X-ray powder diffraction, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy. Higher Ni content increases the surface areas, the largest one (∼20 m²/g) being obtained for NiFe₂O₄ annealed at 650 °C for 15 h. For all compositions, the surface area decreases for prolonged annealing at 650 °C and for higher annealing temperatures. Those results were correlated to the particle size evolution; the smallest particles (∼50 nm) observed in the NiFe₂O₄ sample (650 °C, 15 h) steadily increase as Ni ions were replaced by Zn, reaching ∼100 nm in the ZnFe₂O₄ sample (650 °C, 15 h). For all the Zn_1−xNi_xFe₂O₄ samples and, whatever the heat treatments was, the FTIR spectra show two fundamental absorption bands in the range 650-400 cm⁻¹, characteristics of metal vibrations, without any superstructure stating for cation ordering. The highest ν₁-tetrahedral stretching, observed at ∼615 cm⁻¹ in NiFe₂O₄, shifts towards lower values with increasing Zn, whereas the ν₂-octahedral vibration, observed at 408 cm⁻¹ in NiFe₂O₄, moves towards higher wavenumbers, reaching 453 cm⁻¹ in ZnFe₂O₄.     

Flow injection chemiluminescence determination of nitrofurazone in pharmaceutical preparations and biological fluids based on oxidation by singlet oxygen generated in N-bromosuccinimide-hydrogen peroxide reaction

A simple flow injection chemiluminescence (FI-CL) method was proposed for the determination of nitrofurazone. Strong CL signal was generated during the reaction of nitrofurazone with H₂O₂ and N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) in alkaline condition. The CL signal was proportional to the nitrofurazone concentration in the range 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁵ g mL⁻¹. The detection limit was 2 × 10⁻⁸ g mL⁻¹ nitrofurazone and the relative standard deviation was less than 4% (6.0 × 10⁻⁶ g mL⁻¹ nitrofurazone, n = 11). The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of nitrofurazone in compound furacillin nasal drops, human plasma and urine samples. The CL reaction mechanism was also discussed briefly. Singlet oxygen generated in the reaction between H₂O₂ and NBS was suggested to be participated in the CL reaction.     

Development of a temperature-responsive agarose-based ion-exchange chromatographic resin

A temperature-responsive ion-exchange resin (ItBA) has been prepared by grafting poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid-co-tert-butylacrylamide; ItBA) onto cross-linked agarose. A carboxymethylated ion exchanger (CM) of similar charge density was also prepared. Maximum adsorption capacities (B_max) for lactoferrin at 20 °C and 50 °C were determined for both resins by batch adsorption procedures. Dynamic adsorption and desorption characteristics of the CM and ItBA with lactoferrin were established, as well as the ability of ItBA to selectively adsorb and desorb lactoferrin in the presence of other proteins. With the CM-agarose resin there was no significant difference between the B_max values obtained at 20 °C and 50 °C. However, for the agarose-based ItBA resin the B_max value at 50 °C was almost three times higher than the B_max value at 20 °C. Dynamically, lactoferrin adsorbed to the ItBA packed column at 50 °C with a significant proportion of the adsorbed lactoferrin desorbed by reducing the temperature to 20 °C. In addition, anionic proteins did not adsorb to the ItBA packed column, and did not interfere with the dynamic adsorption/desorption behaviour of lactoferrin. These results indicate that this new temperature-responsive agarose-based ItBA resin has potential for the fractionation of whey proteins, with good selectivity for cationic proteins.     

The formation and physicochemical characterization of Al2O3-doped manganese ferrites

Mn/Fe mixed oxide solids doped with Al₂O₃ (0.32-1.27 wt.%) were prepared by impregnation of manganese nitrate with finely powdered ferric oxide, then treated with different amounts of aluminum nitrate. The obtained samples were calcined in air at 700-1000 °C for 6 h. The specific surface area (S_BET) and the catalytic activity of pure and doped precalcined at 700-1000 °C have been measured by using N₂ adsorption isotherms and CO oxidation by O₂. The structure and the phase changes were characterized by DTA and XRD techniques. The obtained results revealed that Mn₂O₃ interacted readily with Fe₂O₃ to produce well-crystallized manganese ferrite (MnFe₂O₄) at temperatures of 800 °C and above. The degree of propagation of this reaction increased by Al₂O₃-doping and also by increasing the heating temperature. The treatment with 1.27 wt.% Al₂O₃ followed by heating at 1000 °C resulted in complete conversion of Mn/Fe oxides into the corresponding ferrite phase. The catalytic activity and S_BET of pure and doped solids were found to decrease, by increasing both the calcination temperature and the amount of Al₂O₃ added, due to the enhanced formation of MnFe₂O₄ phase which is less reactive than the free oxides (Mn₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃). The activation energy of formation (ΔE) of MnFe₂O₄ was determined for pure and doped solids. The promotion effect of aluminum in formation of MnFe₂O₄ was attributed to an effective increase in the mobility of reacting cations.     

High-temperature X-ray diffraction study of crystallization and phase segregation on spinel-type lithium manganese oxides

To study crystallization process of spinel-type Li_1+xMn_2−xO₄, in-situ high-temperature X-ray diffraction technique (HT-XRD) was utilized for the mixture consisting of Li₂CO₃ and Mn₂O₃ as starting material in the temperature range of 25-700 °C. In-situ HT-XRD analysis directly revealed that crystallization process of Li_1+xMn_2−xO₄ was significantly affected by the difference in the Li/Mn molar ratio in the precursor. Single phase of stoichiometric LiMn₂O₄ formed at 700 °C. The formation of single phase of spinel was achieved at the lower temperature than the stoichiometric sample as Li/Mn molar ratio in the precursor increased. Lattice parameter of the stoichiometric LiMn₂O₄ at 25 °C was 8.24 Å and expanded to 8.31 Å at 700 °C, which corresponds to the approximately 3% expansion in the unit cell volume. From the slope of the lattice parameter change as a function of temperatures, linear thermal expansion coefficient of the stoichiometric LiMn₂O₄ was calculated to be 1.2×10⁻⁵ °C⁻¹ in this temperature range. When the Li/Mn molar ratio in Li_1+xMn_2−xO₄ increased (x > 0.1), the spinel phase segregated into the Li_1+yMn_2−yO₄ (x > y) and Li₂MnO₃ during heating, which involved the oxygen loss from the materials. During the cooling process from 700 °C, and the segregated phase merged into Li_1+xMn_2−xO₄ with oxygen incorporation. Such trend directly observed by in-situ HT-XRD was supported by thermal gravimetric analysis as reversible weight (oxygen) loss/gain at higher temperature (500-700 °C).     

Naphthalene-ring containing diamine and resulting thermally stable polyamides

A new naphthalene-ring containing diamine, bis-[4-(5-amino-naphthalene-1-yloxy)-phenyl]-methanone was prepared from reaction of 5-amino-1-naphthol with 4,4′-dichlorobenzophenone in the presence of K₂CO₃. A series of novel polyamides were prepared by direct polycondensation of the diamine with various commercially available diacid chlorides including terephthaloyl chloride, isophthaloyl chloride, adipoyl chloride, and sebacoyl chloride. All the synthesized polyamides showed good solubility in amide type solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N,N-dimethylacetamide, and N,N-dimethylformamide and they exhibited inherent viscosities in the range of 0.44-0.52 dL/g. According to the DMTA analysis, the glass transition temperatures of the polyamides were found to be 131-187 °C. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the polymers were stable up to 190 °C and the 10% weight loss temperatures were recorded in the range of 350-418 °C in air atmosphere.     

Synthesis and characterization of polyamides containing pendant pentadecyl chains

A new aromatic diacid monomer viz., 4-(4′-carboxyphenoxy)-2-pentadecylbenzoic acid was synthesized starting from cardanol and was characterized by FTIR, ¹H- and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. A series of new aromatic polyamides containing ether linkages and pendant pentadecyl chains was prepared by phosphorylation polycondensation of 4-(4′-carboxyphenoxy)-2-pentadecylbenzoic acid with five commercially available aromatic diamines viz., 1,4-phenylenediamine, 4,4′-oxydianiline, 4,4′-methylenedianiline, 1,3-phenylenediamine, and 4,4′-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)dianiline. Inherent viscosities of the polyamides were in the range 0.45-0.66 dL/g in N,N-dimethylacetamide at 30 ± 0.1 °C. The introduction of ether linkages and pendant pentadecyl chains into polyamides led to an enhanced solubility in N,N-dimethylacetamide and 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone at room temperature or upon heating. The polyamides could be solution-cast into tough, flexible and transparent films from their N,N-dimethylacetamide solution. Wide angle X-ray diffraction patterns exhibited broad halo indicating that the polymers were essentially amorphous in nature. X-Ray diffractograms also displayed a diffuse to sharp reflection in the small-angle region (2θ = ∼2-5°) for the polyamides characteristics of formation of loosely to well-developed layered structure arising from packing of flexible pentadecyl chains. The glass transition temperature observed for the polyamides was in range 139-189 °C. The temperature at 10% weight loss (T₁₀), determined by TGA in nitrogen atmosphere, of the polyamides was in the range 425-453 °C indicating their good thermal stability.     

Structural and thermal investigation of gadolinium gallium mixed oxides obtained by coprecipitation: Observation of a new metastable phase

Polycrystalline gadolinium gallium mixed oxides were prepared by coprecipitation and annealing at various temperatures below 1000 °C. The oxide materials appear to be X-ray amorphous after a heat treatment at 500 °C for 30 h, but after 30 h at 800 and 900 °C a major, unreported, hexagonal phase, isostructural with TAlO₃ compounds (where T=Y, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er) appears to crystallize. On the other hand, a highly energetic mechanical treatment of the amorphous powder previously annealed at 500 °C changes considerably the shape and position of exothermal events occurring in the range from 700 up to 900 °C. Subsequent annealing at 900 °C of the mechanically treated powder gives rise to the complete formation of the Gd₃Ga₅O₁₂ garnet structure at the expense of the hexagonal phase and of the minor Gd₄Ga₂O₉ oxide phase. However, a 7.0 wt% contamination is found to be due to tetragonal zirconia coming from vials and balls colliding media. The garnet phase may have strong deviations from the nominal stoichiometry of the garnet, as suggested by the refined lattice parameter obtained from the powder diffraction patterns and by the remarkable absence of intensity relative to the (220) Bragg peak position.     

Compatibility evaluation between La2Mo2O9 fast oxide-ion conductor and Ni-based materials

The chemical reactivity of La₂NiO_4+δ and nickel metal or nickel oxide with fast oxide-ion conductor La₂Mo₂O₉ is investigated in the annealing temperature range between 600 and 1000 °C, using room temperature X-ray powder diffraction. Within the La₂NiO_4+δ/La₂Mo₂O₉ system, subsequent reaction is evidenced at relatively low annealing temperature (600 °C), with formation of La₂MoO₆ and NiO. The reaction is complete at 1000 °C. At reverse, no reaction occurs between Ni or NiO and La₂Mo₂O₉ up to 1000 °C. Together with a previous work [G. Corbel, S. Mestiri, P. Lacorre, Solid State Sci. 7 (2005) 1216], the current study shows that Ni-CGO cermets might be chemically and mechanically compatible anode materials to work with LAMOX electrolytes in solid oxide fuel cells.