Dielectric and elastic properties of a nematic phase induced by charge transfer interaction in a binary system containing disc-shaped molecules

The dielectric constants and the elastic coefficients for splay (K₁) and bend (K₃) of the charge transfer induced nematic (N_c) phase of tridecyl pentakis(phenylethynyl)phenyl ether (1) doped with different amounts of 2,4,7-trinitrofluorenone (2) were determined by studying the electric field induced bend deformation using the capacitance method. A negative dielectric anisotropy was observed. For the bend elastic constant K₃ values up to 22 × 10^-12 N are found which are one order of magnitude higher than the respective values of discotic nematic (N_D) phases. Values of 0·6-0·8 are obtained for the ratio K₁/K₃; these show a minimum for the equimolar complex.     

Kinetics and mechanisms of the redox reaction of hexaaquotitanium(III) and the ethylenediamine tetraacetato titanium(III) complex by aqueous solutions of bromine

At 25°C, I = 1.0 M (CF₃SO₃⁻Li⁺+CF₃SO₃H), [H⁺] = 0.034–0.274 M and λ = 453 nm, the rate equation for the oxidation of Ti(H₂O), ₆³⁺ by bromine was found to be: −d/[Br₂]T/dt=kK/[Br₂][Ti^III]/[H⁺]+K+kK/[Br₃⁻][Ti^III]/[H⁺+K, where k = 9.2 × 10⁻³ M ⁻¹ s ⁻¹ and K = 4.5 × 10⁻³ M. At [H⁺] = 1.0 M, [Br⁻] = 0.05–0.4 M, the apparent second-order rate constant decreases as [Br⁻] increases.

The pH-dependence of the oxidation of Ti^III-edta by bromine is interpreted in terms of the change in identity of the Ti^III-edta species as the pH of the reaction medium changes. The second-order rate constants were fitted using a non-linear least-square computer program with (1/k₀^edta)² weighting into an equation of the form: k₀^edta =k₁+k₂K₁[H⁺]⁻¹+k₃K₁K₂[H⁺]^−2/1+K₁[H⁺[H⁺⁻¹+K₁K₂[H⁺]⁻², with K₁ and K₂ fixed as earlier determined at 9.55 × 10⁻³ and 2.29 × 10⁻⁹ M, respectively, for the oxidation of bromine. k₁=k₂=(3.1±0.32)×10³M⁻¹s⁻¹ k₃=(2.3±0.45)×10⁶N⁻¹s⁻¹.

It is proposed that these electron transfer reactions proceed by univalent changes with the production of Br₂^.− as a transient intermediate. An outer-sphere mechanism is proposed for these reactions. The homonuclear exchange rate for Ti^III-edta+Ti^IV-edta is estimated at 32 M⁻¹ s⁻¹.     

Investigation on the viscoelasticity of synchronous hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Having made use of the micropipette aspiration technique, we here investigated the viscoelastic properties of hepatocellular carcinoma (HTC) cells from the view of cell cycle. The synchronous G₁ and S phase cells were achieved through thymine-2-desoryriboside and colchicine sequential blockage method and double thymine-2-desoryriboside blockage method, respectively. The synchronization results detected with flow cytometer showed that it could meet the requirements of the experiments nicely. Experimental results were analyzed with a standard linear solid viscoelastic model, in which an elastic element, K₁, is in parallel with a Maxwell element composed of another elastic element, K₂, in series with a viscous element, μ. The results indicated that high K₁, K₂ values and low μ value was the general characteristics of the cells; G₁ phase cells had higher K₁ values and low μ value than S phase cells, which endowed G₁ phase cells with higher elasticity and faster passive deformability than S phase cells. The results maybe also reflected the difference of cytoskeleton between G₁ and S phase cells, and suggested that G₁ phase cells were more suitable for surviving and metastasis in blood circulation than S phase cells.     

The stability diagram of a nematic liquid crystal confined to a cylindrical cavity

Different nematic structures confined to a long cylindrical cavity with homeotropic surface anchoring are studied using a numerical minimization of the free energy of the uniaxial nematic liquid crystal. The stability of escaped radial structures and planar polar structures (with and without line defects) is analysed in terms of the ratio of elastic constants K₂₄/K₁₁, K₃₃/K₁₁, anchoring strength and external magnetic field applied perpendicular to the symmetry axis of the cylinder. We draw the analogy between the stability diagram of the cylindrical structures and structures in a spherical droplet. In particular, a simple way extracting the value of the saddle-splay elastic constant K₂₄ from the stability studies is discussed.     

Anomalous anisotropy of the elastic constants in the induced smectic O film

Surface tension is known to induce smectic O (S_O) films at the free surface of isotropic droplets of 1-methylheptyl terephthalylidene-bis-4-aminocinnamate (MHTAC). The S_O film has its molecules disposed in a herringbone fashion, with the layers parallel to the free surface. It constitutes a model of a 2D polar nematic liquid crystal without any contact to solid substrates. The film is oriented uniformly when applying a uniform electric field, except along disclination walls. By measuring the width of the disclination walls in the two configurations with the electric field parallel and perpendicular, we determine the anisotropy of the elastic constants in the induced S_o films. We find the ratio of the 2D bend to splay elastic constants K_b/K_s to be ≃ 0.25 which is anomalously small when compared to the corresponding 3D ratio (K₂ + K₃)/2K₁ usually found for the bulk nematic phase. This experimental result is comparable to measurements performed with 2D suspended S_c films with, however, a different physics.     

Rapid measurement of fish freshness indices by an amperometric flow-injection system with a 16-way switching valve and immobilized enzyme reactors

A novel flow-injection system is proposed for the rapid measurement of the fish freshness indices K₁ and K₂: K₁=[([HxR+[Hx])×100/([IMP]+[HxR]+[Hx])] and K₂=[[Hx]×100/([HxR]+[Hx])], where [IMP], [HxR] and [Hx] are inosine-5′-monophosphate, inosine and hypoxanthine concentrations, respectively. For the estimation of index K₁, 5′-nucleotidase immobilized reactor and nucleoside phosphorylase (NP)/xanthine oxidase (XO) coimmobilized reactor were incorporated in series in the flow-injection line made up by a 16-way switching valve with two sample loops. For the estimation of index K₂, NP and XO immobilized reactors were also incorporated in the similar flow-line. Two sample portions passed through the flow-line with different residence times so that two peaks were obtained. The first and second peaks obtained in the K₁-determining system corresponded to the total of HxR and Hx and the total of Hx, HxR and IMP, respectively. Similarly, the first and second peaks obtained in the K₂-determining system corresponded to Hx and the total of Hx and HxR, respectively. Therefore, the indices K₁ and K₂ can be estimated by

where i₁ and i₂ present the peak current of the first and second peaks, respectively, and f the ratio of the peak currents of the first and second peaks for a Hx standard solution. A sea bream was selected as a model fish and it was stored at 4 °C after death. A good correlation was found between the index K₁ and the storage time over a period of 400 h, with a correlation coefficient of 0.992, but no correlation between the index K₂ and the storage time. The measurements could be performed at a rate of 22 samples per hour with satisfactory precision (0.6–1.2% R.S.D.), without calibration for each species, accurate weighing of fish meat and any interferences in fish meat.     

Surfactant-Water Systems with Small Layer Rigidity Phase Stability, Defects Models and Defects Mobility in Polyoxyethylene Surfactant with Water

Starting from recent experiments in non-ionic surfactants, we discuss various topics characteristic of low rigidity K₁ materials. (1) The stability of the lamellar and cubic phases is studied in a simple model involving K₂ the saddle-splay constant K₂, and entropy terms due to the chains. We expect the lamellar phase to have a large range of existence, and the cubic phase to be of small extent. (2) We compare to cubic phases stability in large K₁ materials. We discuss the mobility of edge dislocations on the basis of a new model of the core which involves stretching of the core layers in one dimension, and easy nucleation of pores in this region. The core extension is a characteristic length of low K₁ materials which is much larger than de Gennes' length for microemulsions with a similar low K₁.     

Kinetics and mechanisms of homogeneous catalytic reactions: Part 7. Hydroformylation of 1-hexene catalyzed by cationic complexes of rhodium and iridium containing PPh3

Cationic rhodium and iridium complexes of the type [M(COD)(PPh₃)₂]PF₆ (M = Rh, 1a; Ir, 1b) are efficient precatalysts for the hydroformylation of 1-hexene to its corresponding aldehydes (heptanal and 2-methylhexanal), under mild pressures (2–5 bar) and temperatures (60 °C for Rh and 100 °C for Ir) in toluene solution; the linear to branched ratio (l/b) of the aldehydes in the hydroformylation reaction varies slightly (between 3.0 and 3.7 for Rh and close to 2 for Ir). Kinetic and mechanistic studies have been carried out using these cationic complexes as catalyst precursors. For both complexes, the reaction proceeds according to the rate law r_i = K₁K₂K₃k₄[M][olef][H₂][CO]/([CO]² + K₁[H₂][CO] + K₁K₂K₃[olef][H₂]). Both complexes react rapidly with CO to produce the corresponding tricarbonyl species [M(CO)₃(PPh₃)₂]PF₆, M = Rh, 2a; Ir, 2b, and with syn-gas to yield [MH₂(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂]PF₆, M = Rh, 3a; Ir, 3b, which originate by CO dissociation the species [MH₂(CO)(PPh₃)₂]PF₆ entering the corresponding catalytic cycle. All the experimental data are consistent with a general mechanism in which the transfer of the hydride to a coordinated olefin promoted by an entering CO molecule is the rate-determining step of the catalytic cycle.     

Elastic constants of uniaxial nematic liquid crystals: A comparison between theory and experiment

Using the unified molecular theory developed in our earlier paper (1992, Phys. Rev. A, 45, 974) we study in detail the influence of molecular interactions on the fundamental elastic properties of uniaxial nematic liquid crystals composed of molecules of cylindrical symmetry. The expressions for the elastic moduli associated with 'splay', 'twist' and 'bend' modes of deformations are written in terms of order parameters characterizing the nature and amount of ordering in the phase and the structural parameters which involve the generalized spherical harmonic coefficients of the direct pair correlation function of an effective isotropic liquid. Numerical calculations are done for a model system, the molecules of which have prolate ellipsoid of revolution symmetry and interact via a pair potential having both repulsive and attractive parts. The repulsive interaction is represented by a repulsion between hard ellipsoids of revolution. The attractive potential is represented by the dispersion and electrostatic interactions. Results for the elastic constants are reported for a range of molecular length-width ratio, temperature, density and molecular parameters and are compared with the experimental values of p-azoxyanisole (PAA) and 4'-n-octyloxy-4-cyanobiphenyl (8OCB). It is found that the inclusion of electrostatic interactions reduces the values of the ratios K₂/K₁ and K₃/K₁. The absolute values of the elastic constants and their ratios are in good agreement with the experimental and computer simulation values. The temperature dependence of the elastic constants and their ratios is studied. It is observed that the twist elastic constant has a weak temperature dependence but a pronounced influence is observed on the bend moduli. We also observed a pronounced increase in the values of the twist and bend elastic constants on approaching the nematic-smectic A transition temperature.     

Influence of K24 on the structure of nematic liquid crystal droplets

A phenomenological free energy is used to describe the stable ordering of nematic liquid crystals confined to supramicron spherical cavities. In particular the effects of the saddle splay elastic constant, K₂₄, on the equilibrium structures and phase diagram of droplets with homeotropic surface anchoring are discussed. Some structures are illustrated by the corresponding simulated polarization microscope textures. Possibilities for an experimental determination of the saddle-splay elastic constant and surface anchoring strength by studying the radial-axial structural transition in such droplets are analysed. It is shown that the K₂₄ term in the elastic free energy stabilizes a deformed droplet structure even in the limit of the zero anchoring strength.     

Solubility equilibria in the uric acid-sodium urate-water system

In a constant ionic medium, corresponding to a physiological environment (I_c = 0.15 mol dm⁻³ NaCl), the solubilities of anhydrous uric acid, uric acid dihydrate and monosodium urate monohydrate have been measured as a function of p[H] = −log[H⁺](2-8) and temperature (25°, 32°, 37° and 42°C). The solubility equilibria in the uric acid-sodium urate-water system are discussed on the basis of the solubility constants (K_s) and the first dissociation constant (K₁) of uric acid and the solubility product (K_s0) of monosodium urate. The quantities measured in this work are in good agreement with literature values, however, the present solubility data have a much higher precision.     

Determination of stability constants for rare earth elements and fulvic acids extracted from different soils

Fulvic acids (FAs) were extracted by alkali extraction from different soil samples in China, then purified using resins and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The complexing ability of FAs was investigated by measuring the stability constants of rare earth elements (REEs) (La³⁺, Ce³⁺, Sm³⁺, Gd³⁺, Y³⁺) with FAs by the ion exchange technique. The results indicated that maximum binding ability forY³⁺ (4.414.44) was higher than other REEs (La³⁺, Ce³⁺, Sm³⁺, Gd³⁺) (0.721.03). There were two types of binding sites in the functional groups of fulvic acids. The complexing reaction followed two steps. The stability constants (K₁ and K₂) of REEs with FAs were calculated from experimental data by division of Scatchard plots into two straight-line segments. Y³⁺ (log K₁=5.72±0.05, log K₂=4.83±0.01) also has higher stability constants than the other four REEs (log K₁=4.37±0.16, log K₂=3.62±0.28).     

Observation of textures of nematic polymers and estimation of the elastic constants

The texture of a copolyesteramide, Vectra® B950, has been studied by optical microscopy. At rest, the defects are typical of a biaxial nematic phase, but under the influence of a magnetic field or under shear, the nematic transforms into a uniaxial phase. The Freedericksz geometry yields a K₁ elastic constant of the order of 10^-8 N. The diffusivities K_III/_n and K_II/_n are obtained by measuring the light intensity transmitted through a sample during shear start-up and relaxation, and from this we estimate K_III ≅ 10 ^-9N and K_II ≅ 10 ^-10N. Since the biaxiality is small, these uniaxial constants adequately describe the phase at rest.     

Director orientation of a ferroelectric liquid crystal on substrates with rubbing treatment: The effect of surface anchoring strength

One of the most important problems with ferroelectric liquid crystals is obtaining homogeneous as well as bistable alignment, not only to study their physical characteristics but also for their application to optical devices. In this connection it was predicted that the formation of homogeneous alignment requires strong surface anchoring, whereas bistability requires weak anchoring. We have therefore developed a method to determine the surface anchoring strength, and have tried to clarify whether there is a suitable anchoring range. It was found that A/K₂₂ (A is the surface anchoring and K₂₂ is the twist elastic constant of liquid crystal) of 4 × 10^-2 to 2 μm^-1 satisfies the contradictory requirements for homogeneous as well as bistable alignments for the material studied, and the bookshelf structure is successfully formed with this condition.     

Splay elasticity in an oligomeric liquid crystal

A magnetically-induced Freedericksz transition was used in conjunction with capacitance techniques to determine the splay elastic constant of the 4,4'-dialkoxyphenylbenzoate monomer '5OO5rsquo; [C₅H₁₁OC₆H₄COOC₆H₄OC₅H₁₁] and its dimer. As a function of reduced temperature in the nematic phase, it was found that K₁₁ of the dimer is only about 20 per cent larger than that of the monomer. Moreover, the values of K₁₁/S² versus reduced temperature, where S is the scalar order parameter, are equal to within experimental noise. These results suggest that for short oligomers Meyer's entropic model for splay elasticity in polymer liquid crystals is not applicable. A lowest order correction to the entropic model is suggested, which partially accounts for excluded volume and dispersive effects.     

Light scattering from a nematic monodomain in an electric field Twist elastic constant and viscosity coefficient of nematic polymer-solvent mixtures

The light scattering technique was used to investigate the viscoelastic parameters characterizing director twist distortions in miscible nematic mixtures of 5CB (pentacyanobiphenyl) with two side chain liquid crystal polymers and a main chain liquid crystal polymer. By applying an AC electric field to homeotropically-aligned nematic monodomains of the mixtures, the field-dependent scattering intensities and director orientation fluctuation relaxation rates yield, respectively, the twist elastic constant K₂₂ and viscosity coefficient γ₁. The results directly demonstrate that the addition of liquid crystal polymers causes substantial decreases of the relaxation rates for dynamic light scattering from the twist mode and these changes are due to small decreases in K₂₂ coupled with large increases in γ₁. The decrements in K₂₂ are comparable for both side chain and main chain liquid crystal polymers. The relative increase in the twist viscosity for the side chain liquid crystal polymers is much smaller than those of main chain polymers. A theoretical model is used to qualitatively interpret the difference between the viscous behaviour of the twist mode for both side chain and main chain liquid crystal polymers in a nematic solvent.     

The constitution of the grignard reagent VII. The degree of association of ethylmagnesium compounds in diisopropyl ether

The degrees of association of ethylmagnesium bromide, diethylmagnesium and of a mixture of diethylmagnesium and magnesium bromide in the weakly basic solvent diisopropyl ether have been measured at concentrations up to 0.040 M at 27.7°. It is concluded that: (1), ethylmagnesium bromide is present as a dimer, (2), diethylmagnesium is present in a dimer-tetramer equilibrium with K₁ = 24.9 1/mol, and (3), when magnesium bromide is added to an excess of diethylmagnesium it reacts to form ethylmagnesium bromide. Diethylmagnesium and ethylmagnesium bromide are also in equilibrium with (EtMgBr·Et₂Mg), with K₃ approximately 2.5.     

Stability constants of some bivalent metal complexes of N-phenyl-o-tolylbenzohydroxamic acid

The stability constants of the Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Mu²⁺ complexes of N-phenyl-o-methoxybenzohydroxamic acid at 30° in 50% v/v aqueous dioxan are: log K₁ 10·45, 8·16, 7·52, 6·33; log K₂ 8·90, 6·70, 6·01, 5·59 (for the ions in the order given).     

The mechanism of lipopolysaccharide infiltration through HUVEC membrane surface in direct endotoxin injury

In this study, the HUVEC's cellular biomechanical properties of HUVEC (elastic modulus K₁, K₂ and viscoefficient μ) were determined with micropipette aspiration system and analyzed after being directly damaged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The phospholipid compositions of HUVEC membrane were analyzed with high-performance capillary electrophoresis and PLA₂ activity was determined to research the modification and metabolism of HUVEC membrane phospholipid. Infiltration of LPS on HUVEC membrane was studied by observation with confocal microscopy and fluorescent microscopy. Results showed that LPS direct injuring HUVEC can cause the changes of HUVEC biomechanical properties and membrane lipid contents; HUVEC directly damage by LPS could also activate HUVEC phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂), influencing membrane lipid metabolism; LPS could directly infiltrate and intercalate HUVEC membrane, causing and membrane contents variation. Based on these experimental results, the mechanism of lipopolysaccharide infiltration VEC membrane surface in direct LPS injury was studied and analyzed in view of the cellular biomechanical mechanism.     

Fluorescence of CF2(B1, 040,K'' = 9) excited by the 253.7 nm Hg resonance line

Resonance fluorescence spectra of CF₂(¹B₁, 040, K' = 9) excited at 253 7 nm have been observed in the photolysis of C₂F₄ using a low-pressure mercury lamp. At low C₂F₄ pressures, the spectra with a series of doublet hands from 254 to 400 nm were consistent with the transitions from ¹B₁, 040, K'=9 to ¹A₁, 0v'₂0, K' = 8, 10, and also to ¹A₁, 1v'₂0, K' = 8, 10 The appearance of doublet bands (Δ K = ±1) provides clear evidence that the transition is of the perpendicular type.