Physico-chemical characteristics and lead biosorption properties of Enteromorpha prolifera

Biosorption of lead ions onto Enteromorpha prolifera has been investigated. The physico-chemical properties of the biosorbent were characterized by thermal stability, zeta potential, and Boehm titration methods. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out to examine the effect of various parameters such as initial pH, particle size, adsorbent dosage, ionic strength, time, and temperature on biosorption. The kinetic studies showed that the adsorption process was very fast and equilibrium was reached after about 60 min of contact. The pseudo-first-order Lagergren equation, pseudo second-order rate equation, and second-order rate equation were used to describe the kinetic adsorption process. Thermodynamic parameters were determined at three different temperatures. The negative values of free energy change indicated the spontaneous nature of adsorption process.     

Physico-chemical properties of surfactant and protein films

Major recent advancesThe study of the physico-chemical properties of protein and surfactant films continues to be a growing field of research, which is multidisciplinary in nature. Recent advances include further evidence of the compatibility of protein and surfactants at fluid interfaces, the application of new surface-sensitive techniques combined with traditional surface pressure instruments, the development of computer simulation of the displacement of proteins by emulsifiers, and the analysis of mixed films on the basis of quantitative theoretical models.     

Physico-chemical properties of some electrolytes in water and aqueous sodiumdodecyl sulfate solutions at different temperatures

The viscosities of some mineral salt viz.; potassium chloride, potassium nitrate, magnesium chloride, magnesium nitrate, at different concentrations have been determined in water and in binary aqueous solution of sodiumdodecyl sulfate (SDS) (0.007 mol · kg⁻¹ and 0.01 mol · kg⁻¹) at different temperatures. The data have been analyzed using Jones–Dole equation and the derivative parameters B and A have been interpreted in terms of ion–solvent and ion–ion interactions respectively. The change of Gibbs free energy of activation , enthalpy of activation , and entropy of activation for viscous flow of the solutions were calculated using Eyring equation, which depicts the mechanism of viscous flow. The structure making/breaking nature of the studied electrolytes has been discussed in the light of first derivative of B-coefficient (dB/dT) over temperatures. Potassium chloride and potassium nitrate acts as structure breaker in water where as all the salts are structure makers in aqueous SDS solutions, i.e. the postmicellar and pre-micellar regions.     

Flow-injection analysis with a small cylindrical wire type electrode

An amperometric detector with a small thin mercury film electrode is described. The device demonstrates advantageous operational characteristics such as small dispersion (D<2) and “memory effect” (me<0.6%), extensive maximum sample frequency (msf −200 samples/h), and high sensitivity. It has been proven useful in flow-injection analysis at a constant potential under hydrodynamic conditions.     

Refractive index modulation in polymeric photochromic films

Photochromic properties of methylacrylate monomers and polymers containing azobenzene groups with heterocyclic sulfonamide functionalities viz sulfisomidyne (4-amino-N-[2,6-dimethylpyrimidyn-4-yl]benzenesulfonamide) and sulfamethoxazole (4-amino-N-[5-methylisoxazol-3-yl]benzenesulfonamide) substituents were investigated. On illumination with light the azobenzene group underwent trans-cis isomerisation, which was manifested by a drop in the absorbance of the maximum absorption peak at ca. 450 nm and by decrease in refractive index. Quantum chemical calculations showed significant differences in UV-VIS spectra, dipole moments, polarizability and refractive index between both cis and trans form of the chromophoric monomers. The illumination of spin-coated polymer films during ellipsometry measurements resulted in a change in refractive index within the range of 0.014 to 0.025. The dynamics of growth and decay of refractive index changes, was described by biexponential functions approach.     

IR-spectral study of photoinduced tautomerization in 1,3-diphenyl-pyrazol-5-one

The UV-photoinduced prototropic isomerization of 1,3-diphenyl pyrazol-5-one (DPhP) embedded in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film is studied by means of difference in IR spectral analysis. The initially existing CH-form in non-irradiated compound is transformed to NH-form, and a hydrochloride salt is stabilized because of the photodegradation of the PVC. An additional comparative IR spectral study of DPhP in different solutions as well as of its hydrochloride salts in solid state is also carried out.     

Characterization and sorption properties of Aspergillus niger waste biomass

The structure and the biosorption properties of fungal biomass of Aspergillus niger originated from citric acid fermentation industry was investigated. This waste biomass, produced in high quantity in carefully controlled industrial processes, has certain favourable characteristics that may be improved for its usefulness. In environmental chemistry, it is known for the removal of heavy metals cations. In this work, different alkaline treatments (1M NaOH/20°C/24 h and 10M NaOH/107°C/6 h) were used to evaluate the dependence of sorption properties of biomass on the cell wall composition. The biosorption was studied by the batch method, with the biomass concentration of 1 g/l, at pH 6. The adsorption of lead was more effective than that of cadmium. The biosorption capacity was evaluated using the biosorption isotherm derived from the equilibrium data. At pH 6, the maximmum lead biosorption capacity estimated with the Langmuir model was 93 mg/g dry biomass.     

Oxygen detection using yttria-stabilized zirconia thin films doped with platinum

Yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) thin films are obtained using both spray-pyrolysis and dip-coating. The ability of YSZ films incorporated with platinum nanospecies (Pt-YSZ) to detect oxygen is compared with that of pure YSZ thin films using a new experimental setup. With this system, the surface electrical resistance of the films as a function the oxygen content is measured at a fixed temperature. In addition, the effects of thermal annealing on the oxygen sensitivity of the films are observed. Platinum doped samples, Pt-YSZ, show different kinetics of carrier diffusion as compared to pure YSZ samples.     

Bond properties of metal-ligand bonds

An empirical relation has been developed to compute the bond order of ionic systems. The computed values have been compared with those calculated by using the experimental values of bond polarizability derivatives and are found to be in fair agreement. This shows that the proposed empirical relation for computing bond orders is quite suitable for ions.

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Bindungseigenschaften von Metall-Ligand-Bindungen

Zusammenfassung Es wurde eine empirische Beziehung entwickelt, die die Berechnung von Bindungsordnungen für ionische Systeme erlaubt. Ein Vergleich der berechneten Werte mit solchen, die aus experimentellen Daten für Differentiale von Bindungspolarisierbarkeiten erhalten wurden, zeigte die Brauchbarkeit der Methode für Ionen.

     

Studies of the soluble part of oxidised coals

Soluble products obtained from the oxidation of four types of coal, each characterised by different degree of coalification and different degree of sulphur content, are studied. The coals are oxidised with peracetic acid (PAA) and nitric acid. Analyses are performed by Atmospheric Pressure-Temperature Programmed Reduction (AP-TPR) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The soluble products contain much more sulphur than the insoluble products of oxidation. The products obtained from the reaction with HNO₃ contain higher amounts of inorganic sulphur compounds, while those obtained from the reaction with PAA are characterised by an increased content of organic sulphur species.     

邻苯二甲酰化壳聚糖的合成与溶致液晶表征

从全脱乙酰化壳聚糖出发,在室温下合成了一系列不同取代度的邻苯二甲酰化壳聚糖(PhCS),由于反应条件温和,产物未发生进一步的酰亚胺化.X射线电子能谱(XPS)被用来测定PhCS的取代度.测定结果表明在N上和O上均发生取代,N上反应的取代度随酸酐用量的增加基本保持不变(0.26±0.03),而O上的取代度却不断变大(0.01～1.54),合成产物的总取代度为0.26～1.81.邻苯二甲酰化壳聚糖可溶解于普通的有机溶剂,如DMSO、二氯乙酸和甲酸,并形成溶致液晶.测定了PhCS在这些溶剂中的临界浓度(c),结果表明c基本上不受取代度变化的影响.     

Physico-chemical characteristics of vernamycin-A antibiotic biosynthesis by streptomyces SP-AZ-SH-29

Seventy-five actinomycete isolates were isolated from different soil samples collected from different localities in Egypt. One of the actinomycete culture AZ-SH-29 from three cultures was found to produce a wide spectrum antimicrobial agent. The actinomycete isolate AZ-SH-29 matches with Streptomyces ramulosus in the morphological, physiological, and biochemical characters. Thus, it was given the suggested name Streptomyces ramulosus-AZ-SH-29. The parameters controlling the biosynthetic process of the antimicrobial agent formation including; different pH values, different temperatures, different incubation period, and different carbon and nitrogen sources, were fully investigated. The active metabolite was extracted using ethyl acetate (1:1, v/v) at pH 7.0. The separation of the active ingredient and its purification were performed using column chromatography (CC) technique. The physico-chemical characteristics of the purified antimicrobial agent have been investigated. This analysis indicates a suggested imperical formula of C₂₀H₂₅N₂O₅. The minimum inhibition concentrations “MICs” of the purified antibiotic and antiviral test were also determined. The purified antimicrobial agent was suggestive of being belonging to Depsipeptide (Mikamycin) group (Vernamycin-A antibiotic) produced by Streptomyces ramulosus, AZ-SH-29.     

The role of quantum interference in determining transport properties of molecular bridges

An analytical approach to the electron transport phenomena in molecular devices is presented. The analyzed devices are composed of various molecular bridges attached to two semi-infinite electrodes. Molecular system is described within the tight-binding model, while the coupling to the electrodes is analyzed through the use of Newns-Anderson chemisorption theory. The current-voltage (I-V) characteristics are calculated through the integration of transmission function in the standard Landauer formulation. The essential question of quantum interference effect of electron waves is diseussed in three aspects: (i) the geometry of a molecular bridge, (ii) the presence of an external magnetic field and (iii) the location of chemical substituent.     

Combined laser and magnetic field treatment of YFeO<Subscript>3</Subscript>—containing films grown by spray-pyrolysis

Thin films (50–1200 nm) of YFeO₃ were deposited on fused silica substrates by spray-pyrolysis using ethylene glycol solution of Y-Fe(III) citric complexes. The films were post deposition annealed at 750°C in static air for 2 h. Films obtained in this way were afterwards irradiated by a burst mode operated Nd-YAG laser (pulse energy 650 mJ, pulse duration 700 μs, energy density 110 mJ/cm²). The laser’s onset was synchronized with that of a magnetic field pulse of nearly square shape (magnetic induction 0.5 T, pulse duration 900 μs). The samples were placed normally to the direction of the magnetic field. The treatment does not affect the phase composition of the film but significantly increases the crystallite sizes of the phases presenting in the sample. The saturation magnetization of the films decreases as a result of the laser and magnetic field treatment and the coercive force increases by 50%.     

Laser assisted selective chemical metalization of Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> films

Thick aluminum oxide films are prepared on Al plates by anodizing. On the ceramic surface thus obtained a very thin Ag film is deposited via vacuum thermal evaporation. The Ag/Al₂O₃/Al samples prepared are irradiated by Nd:YAG laser through a suitable metal mask in order to remove the top metal film in the exposed areas. Thus, a negative silver image of the copied mask is obtained. Further, the samples are processed in Ni electroless chemical bath activated by the rest of silver. All processing steps are studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). EDS X-ray mapping is applied to study the final distribution of Al and Ni in the processed areas. In addition, the DC conductivity of the fabricated Ni wires obtained is measured. The proposed new method for selective chemical deposition of electroconductive Ni onto laser microstructured Ag/Al₂O₃/Al samples is simple, versatile and not restricted to the metal/ceramic system studied as well as to the electroless deposited metal.     

Pyrazoles as molecular probes to study the properties of co-crystals by solid state NMR spectroscopy

Equimolar mixtures of 3,5-dimethylpyrazole (1) with four NH-imidazoles (2–5) have been studied by¹³C and ¹⁵N CPMAS NMR and by DSC. In three cases, the solid mixture behaves as the sum of the individual components [imidazole (2), 2-methylimidazole (3) and 2,4(5)-dimethylimidazole (5)]. In one case [4,5-dimethylimidazole (4)], the mixture corresponds to a new species in which the dynamic behavior of1 no longer exists.     

1,3-bis(2,4,6-trinitrophenylaminooxy)propane and its 4-cyano-2,6-dinitrophenyl congener: Synthesis and properties

Starting from N-hydroxyphthalimide (5) and 1,3-dibromopropane (6) we obtained 1,3-bis(phthalimidooxy)propane (7) which led to 1,3-bis(aminooxy)propane dihydrochloride (8). From its reaction with picryl chloride or 4-cyano-2,6-dinitrochlorobenzene, the two title compounds (4b, 4a) were obtained. ¹H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR spectra are presented. For comparison with the analogous N-methoxy-2,6-dinitro-4-R-anilines 1a, 1b (R=CN or R=NO₂), wer report the hydrophobic characteristics (by RPTLC), electronic spectra for the neutral compounds and their anions, pK _a values, and the behavior towards oxidizers (DPPH, PbO₂, Pb(CH₃COO)₄, KMnO₄ and Ag₂O); DPPH converts compounds 1a, 1b and 4a, 4b into betainic structures 2a, 2b respectively.     

Microcalorimetric Studies on the Promoter Function in E. Coli TG1 from P. Maltophilia AT18 Chromosome DNA

In this paper, a promoter-probe plasmid pKK232-8 was used as a vector, which functioned in Escherichia coli TG₁ host. The plasmid DNA fragments from Pseudomonas maltophilia AT18 chromosome DNA active as promoter inEscherichia coli TG₁, the promoter function was studied by means of microcalorimetry, the promoter is about 800 bp DNA, it can promote the chloramphenicol (Cm) gene in plasmid pKK232-8, the Cm resistance level is about 80 μg mL^–1, the promoter activity is high. It implicates that there are probably many promoters in Pseudomonas maltophilia AT18 chromosome. All these information is readily obtained by an LKB 2277-204 heat conduction microcalorimeter. Microcalorimetry is a quantitative, inexpensive, and versatile method for microbiological genetic research. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Hydrazyl,Nitronyl-, and imino-nitroxides: Synthesis,properties and reaction with nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide

Ten novel and stable free radicals of nitronyl-, imino-nitroxide and hydrazyl type compounds were synthesized and their physico-chemical properties investigated. UV-Vis and ESR spectroscopic data, as well as the lipophilicities and specific hydrophobic areas of the compounds are compiled. The reaction of these radical compounds with nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide was also investigated. The radicals synthesized, show selectivity in their reaction with these nitric oxides, depending on their structure (nitronyl-nitroxide radicals react with NO, while hydrazyl radicals react with NO₂). The processes are easily monitored by UV-Vis or ESR spectroscopy.     

Optimization of catalytic, surface and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline manganese ferrite

Single-domain manganese ferrite nanoparticles have been synthesized with narrow particle size distribution using the combustion technique. Influence of fuel ratios on the as-prepared powders were characterized by XRD, SEM, VSM, N₂ adsorption at −196 °C and conversion of cyclohexene at 200–400 °C. Ratios of fuel to cations were maintained variously at 0.0, 0.67, 1.33 and 2.67.The fuel to cations ratio of 2.67 gives better yield in the formation of nanocrystalline Mn ferrite and single-domain particles with a narrow range of size distribution. Maximum magnetization and coercivity values of the investigated ferrite are also greater for the ratio of 2.67. These values measured at room temperature are found to be 68.58 emu/g and 62.57 Oe, respectively. The BET surface area of the investigated solids was found to decrease by increasing the ratio between fuel and cations due to increasing the flame temperature. However, this treatment resulted in a significant increase in catalytic activity of the as-synthesized solids. All solids investigated behaved as dehydrogenation catalysts. The change in fuel/cations ratios did not alter the mechanism of dehydrogenation of cyclohexene, but increased the concentration of active sites involved in the catalyzed reaction.