Conjugates of vitamin B12 with Nε-functionalized histidine for labeling with [99mTc(OH2)3(CO)3]+: synthesis and biodistribution studies in tumor bearing mice

In this work, histidine derivatives bearing an acetic acid or a propyl amine substituent on the N_ε-atom are conjugated to the b-acid, c-acid and d-acid moiety of cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) via amide formation. Four different derivatives were prepared with different sites of conjugation (b-, c- or d-acid) and different spacer lengths between histidine and the acid moiety. These conjugates can be efficiently labeled with [^99mTc(OH₂)₃(CO)₃]⁺ at yields higher than 95% under mild conditions (50 °C, 30 min, 10⁻⁴ M). The biodistribution of the ^99mTc(CO)₃ labeled conjugates is determined in mice bearing B16-F10 melanoma tumors. The organ distribution varies significantly for each of the derivatives with the percentage injected dose per gram of tumor tissue ranging from 4.4 ± 0.9 to 9.2 ± 2.0.     

Spin transition in heptanuclear star-shaped iron(III)–antimony(V) NCS- and CN-bridged compounds

The precursor [Fe^III(L)Cl] (LH₂ = N,N′-bis(2′-hydroxy-benzyliden)-1,6-diamino-3-azahexane) has been prepared and Mössbauer spectroscopy assigned a high-spin (S = 5/2) state at room temperature. The precursor is combined with the bridging units [Sb^V(X)₆]^? (X = CN^?, NCS^?) to yield star-shaped heptanuclear clusters [(LFe^III–X)₆Sb^V]Cl₅. The star-shaped compounds are in general high-spin systems at room temperature. On cooling to 20 K some of the iron(III) centers switch to the low-spin state as indicated by Mössbauer spectroscopy, i.e. multiple electronic transitions. While the cyano-bridged complex performs a multiple spin transition the thiocyanate-compound shows no significant population at both temperatures.     

High-temperature calorimetry of zirconia: Heat capacity and thermodynamics of the monoclinic–tetragonal phase transition

The high-temperature heat capacity of zirconia was directly measured by differential scanning calorimetry between T = (1050 and 1700) K and derived from the heat content measured by transposed temperature drop calorimetry between T = (970 and 1770) K, including the monoclinic–tetragonal (m–t) phase transition region. The enthalpy and entropy of the m–t phase transition are (5.43 ± 0.31) kJ · mol⁻¹ and (3.69 ± 0.21) J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹, respectively. Values of thermodynamic functions are provided from room temperature to 2000 K.     

Cross-sections for formation of 99mTc through natRu(n,x) 99mTc reaction induced by neutrons at 13.5 and 14.8 MeV

The cross-sections for formation of metastable state of ⁹⁹Tc (^99mTc, 140.511 keV, 6.01 h) through ^natRu(n,x)^99mTc reaction induced by 13.5 MeV and 14.8 MeV neutrons were measured. Fast neutrons were produced via the ³H(d,n)⁴He reaction on the K-400 neutron generator. Induced gamma activities were measured by a high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometer with a high-purity germanium (HpGe) detector. Measurements were corrected for gamma-ray attenuations, dead time and fluctuation of neutron flux. Data for ^natRu(n,x)^99mTc reaction cross sections are reported to be 9.6±1.5 and 9.2±1.1 mb at 13.5±0.2 and 14.8±0.2 MeV incident neutron energies, respectively. Results were compared with the data by other anthors.     

Thermodynamic characterization of NiAl

Thermodynamic properties of the high-stability intermetallic compound nickel aluminide, NiAl, have been determined from mass-spectrometric, weight-loss effusion, and calorimetric measurements, using samples from a single preparation with a composition determined to be Ni_0.986Al_1.014. Per mole of NiAl molecules, the specific heat capacity at room temperature of 298 K is 48.54 J · K^?1 · mol^?1, with a linear temperature dependence of +0.0104 J · K^?2 · mol^?1. At the same temperature, the enthalpy of formation is ?133.7 kJ · mol^?1, the entropy is about 53.8 J · K^?1 · mol^?1 and the enthalpy difference between room temperature and absolute zero is 7.97 kJ · mol^?1. The Gibbs free-energy is ?130.2 kJ · mol^?1 at T = 298 K, with a linear temperature dependence of +5.04 J · K^?1 · mol^?1. The Debye temperature is 452 K, while the electronic density-of-states at the Fermi-level is about 0.29 states per eV-atom. The NiAl⁺ ions were observed in the high-temperature mass spectra. Pressures for the gas at these temperatures were estimated and used with the results of quantum-mechanical calculations of total energy, specific heat, and entropy to calculate free-energy functions for the gas. These and additional results are compared with other measurements and discussed in terms of current theories of the electronic and structural properties of the compound.     

On the structural and magnetoelectrical characterization of epitaxial SrRuO3 thin films grown on (001) SrTiO3 substrates

High-quality epitaxial thin films of the ferromagnetic metallic oxide SrRuO₃ (SRO) were fabricated by dc-sputtering at high oxygen pressure and their structural and magnetoelectrical properties were carefully studied. The films featured a Curie temperature T_C ～ 160 K and a magnetic moment of ～0.7 μ_B per Ru ion. The temperature dependent magnetization could be well described by the scaling relation M(T) ∝ (T_C ? T)^β with a critical exponent β = 0.53 over the entire ferromagnetic temperature range. A negative magnetoresistance, MR, on the order of a few percent was found up to room temperature. MR showed a maximum of ～4% right at T_C where a kink structure of the resistivity, ρ, at zero field was flattened out on magnetic field application. This ρ contribution could be related to scattering due to orientational disorder of the Ru magnetic moments which become aligned by an external magnetic field. In addition, an equally strong MR effect, related to localization phenomena, could be observed at lower temperature. Particularly, the second MR peak at ～35 K might be related to a Fermi-liquid to non-Fermi-liquid crossover. A scaling behavior dρ/dT ∝ |T ? T_C|^α was observed only above T_C. Here, values for the exponent α ≈ ?0.4 and α ≈ ?1.4 were obtained in zero field and in a field of 9 T, respectively. The commonly observed ρ minimum, appearing at low temperatures (～3 K in the present case), is correlated with the structural disorder of the SRO films and is believed to have its origin in quantum corrections to the conductivity (QCC).     

Molybdenum electrodes for hydrogen production by water electrolysis using ionic liquid electrolytes

The hydrogen production by water electrolysis was tested with different electrocatalysts (molybdenum, nickel, iron alloys containing chromium, manganese and nickel) using aqueous solutions of ionic liquid (IL) like 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMI.BF₄). The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) was performed at room temperature in a potential of −1.7 V (PtQRE). A Hoffman cell apparatus was used to water electrolysis with current density values, j, between 14.6 mA cm⁻² (for Ni electrode) and 77.5 mA cm⁻² (for Mo electrode). The system efficiency was very high for all electrocatalysts tested, between 97.0% and 99.2%. The energy activation values of HER was determined in an aqueous solution of BMI.BF₄ 10 vol.%, using platinum (23.40 kJ mol⁻¹) and Mo (9.22 kJ mol⁻¹) as electrocatalysts. The results show that the hydrogen production in IL electrolyte can be carried out with cheap material at room temperature, which makes this method economically attractive.     

Magnetic interaction in 2D sheet structure of bis(1H, 4H-5,6-diethylpyrazinedithiolato) copper(II) trifluoroacetate

The metal complexes (M = Cu, Ni, Pd, and Pt) formed the 2D sheet structure mediated by trifluoroacetic acid which provide hydrogen bonding interactions within the sheet as well as electrostatic interactions between the sheets. The SQUID measurement of the Cu complex reveals the χT value of 0.381 emu K mol⁻¹ at room temperature, which is close to the calculated value for uncorrelated S = 1/2 spins. In the whole temperature range the χT value shows no dramatic changes, indicating the absence of strong magnetic interactions between the Cu complexes. The DFT calculation of the Cu complex supports the paramagnetic behavior.     

Optical absorption and EPR studies on tenorite mineral

Optical absorption and EPR studies of the mineral tenorite, a cupric oxide which originated from Mexico and contains 54.40 wt% of CuO. EPR spectral results indicate two Cu(II) closely interacting ions to give a d² type structure. The calculated spin Hamiltonian at room temperature and liquid nitrogen temperature is g = 2.160 and D = 125 G. The intensity of resonance line is not the same in low and high field regions. The optical absorption spectrum is due to Cu(II) in which three sets of energies indicating Cu(II) in two independent tetragonal C_4v symmetry, in addition to d² structure of octahedral coordination. The octahedral and tetragonal field parameters are compared with those reported for several other copper containing minerals.     

Mechanochemical synthesis and ionic conductivity of lanthanum phosphosilicate oxyapatites

Lanthanum phosphosilicate apatites with the chemical formula Sr_10–xLa_x(PO₄)_6–x(SiO₄)_xO, where 0 ≤ x ≤ 6, usually prepared by a solid-state reaction at about 1400 °C, were synthesized via the mechanochemical method at room temperature. The samples were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and thermal analysis. The results showed that the prepared products were carbonated apatites and no secondary phase was detected. The realization of the milling under a controlled atmosphere can lead to oxyapatites containing no carbonates. The ionic conductivity of the Sr₆La₄(PO₄)₂(SiO₄)₄O sample was investigated by using impedance spectroscopy. The highest ionic conductivity value of 1.522 × 10⁻⁶ S·cm⁻¹ was found at 800 °C. In the investigated temperature range, the activation energy is of 0.85 eV.     

Electrochemical performance of nanocomposite LiMnPO4/C cathode materials for lithium batteries

A LiMnPO₄/C composite cathode was prepared by a combination of spray pyrolysis and wet ball milling. The cathode showed stable performance at various cutoff voltages up to 4.9 V. The cutoff voltage increase up to 4.9 V allowed the achievement of a high discharge capacity in galvanostatic charge–discharge tests. The discharge capacities of 153 mAh g^?1 at 0.05 C and 149 mAh g^?1 at 0.1 C were achieved at room temperature; the trickle-mode discharge capacities at room temperature were 132, 120 and 91 mAh g^?1 at 0.1, 1 and 5 C discharge rates, respectively. The cell exhibited a good rate capability in the galvanostatic cycling up to 5 C discharge rates at both ambient temperature and 50 °C.     

Phase transitions of CaTiO3 ceramics sintered with the aid of NaF and MgF2

New phases with initial composition (1 ? x)CaTiO₃ ? xNaF ? xMgF₂ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.20) have been prepared at low temperature (950 °C) from mixtures of CaTiO₃ and fluorides NaF and MgF₂. The oxyfluorides obtained have been characterized by X-ray diffraction at room temperature and indexed by isotypy with orthorhombic CaTiO₃. The microstructures of these phases are observed by scanning electron microscopy. Dielectric measurements have been carried out during cooling cycle from 500 °C to room temperature at two frequencies (100 Hz, 1 kHz). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG) and differential thermogravimetry (DTG) analyses have been performed, respectively, from room temperature up to 550 °C (DSC) and 920 °C (TG–DTG). The dielectric measurements revealed two anomalies which have been confirmed by DSC analyses. These phenomena are ascribed to second order phase transitions. The variation of the real permittivity with temperature is in agreement with the class I capacitor specifications. However, the dielectric losses have to be improved.     

Distorted perovskite structured organic–inorganic hybrid compounds for possible multiferroic behavior: [n-alkyl]2FeCl4

Perovskite structured compounds have shown multifunctional properties and therefore attracted attention recently because of their potential applications. To explore such materials we have prepared simple double salts, distorted perovskite structured compounds, Cn₂FeCl₄, Cn = n-propyl or n-butyl ammonium ions. (C₃)₂FeCl₄ crystallize in orthorhombic space group, Cmc2₁, having lattice constants a = 7.223(9) Å, b = 7.439(9) Å, c = 25.303(8) Å with unit cell volume of 1359.95 cm³, at room temperature. The overall structure consists of two-dimensional Fe(II)–chloride network, parallel to the ac-plane, interlayered by the ammonium ions. Magnetic measurements using SQUID magnetometer show that these compounds are antiferromagnets with T_N ～ 90 K. Preliminary studies using DSC and AC-conductivity have shown promising transitions above room temperature.     

Effect of temperature on the excess molar volumes of some alcohol + aromatic mixtures and modelling by cubic EOS mixing rules

Densities of the (methanol + benzene), (ethanol + benzene), (methanol + chlorobenzene) and (ethanol + chlorobenzene) mixtures have been measured at six temperatures (288.15, 293.15, 298.15, 303.15, 308.15 and 313.15 K) and 101.33 kPa. Excess molar volumes V^E were determined and fitted by the Redlich–Kister equation. It was observed that in all cases V^E increases with rising of temperature. The values of limiting excess partial molar volumes have been calculated, as well. The obtained results have been analysed in terms of specific molecular interactions present in these mixtures taking into considerations effect of temperature on them. The correlation of V^E binary data was performed with the Peng–Robinson–Stryjek–Vera cubic equation of state (PRSV CEOS) coupled with the van der Waals (vdW1) and CEOS/G^E mixing rule introduced by Twu, Coon, Bluck and Tilton (TCBT). The experimental values of V^E were compared with those estimated by both mixing rules at the temperature range and on each temperature, separately.     

Thermodynamic study on the sublimation of 1,2-diphenylethane and of 3-phenylpropiolic acid

The Knudsen mass-loss effusion technique was used to measure the vapour pressures at different temperatures of the following crystalline compounds: 1,2-diphenylethane (bibenzyl), between T =  289.16 K and T =  303.20 K, and of 3-phenylpropiolic acid between T =  329.15 K and T =  343.15 K. From the temperature dependence of the vapour pressure, the standard molar enthalpies of sublimation at the mean temperature of the experimental range were derived by the Clausius–Clapeyron equation. From these results the standard, p^o =  10⁵Pa, molar enthalpies, entropies, and Gibbs energies of sublimation at T =  298.15 K, were calculated:     

Density,viscosity, refractive index,excess molar enthalpy,viscosity, and refractive index deviations for the (1-butanol + 2-butanone) binary system at T = 303 K. A new adiabatic calorimeter for heat of mixing

Density, viscosity, refractive index, and heat of mixing measurements for {x₁ 1-butanol + (1 ? x₁) 2-butanone} at T = 303 K were made over the whole concentration range. Data of the binary mixture were further used to calculate the viscosity and refractive index deviations, and excess molar enthalpy. The excess or deviation properties were fitted with the Redlich–Kister polynomial relation to obtain their coefficients and standard deviations. The construction of an adiabatic calorimeter useful in the neighbourhood of room temperature is described. Its performance was checked by measuring the heat of mixing for {x₁ benzene + (1 ? x₁) cyclohexane} over the whole concentration range at T = 298 K. Experimental results are within a standard deviation of 9 J · mol^?1 of the accepted literature values.     

New transition metal sulfates templated by 1,4-butanediamine, (C4H14N2)[MII(H2O)6](SO4)2·4H2O (MII: Co,Ni): Structure,reactivity and thermal decomposition

Two new hybrid materials, (C₄H₁₄N₂)[M^II(H₂O)₆](SO₄)₂·4H₂O (M^II: Co (I), Ni (II)), have been synthesised by slow evaporation method at room temperature and crystallographically characterized. They crystallise isotypically in the monoclinic system, space group P2₁/n, with the following unit-cell parameters a = 9.2285(3), b = 11.3333(4), c = 10.6693(4) Å, β = 109.004(2)°, Z = 2 and V = 1055.07(6) Å³ for I and a = 9.2127(2), b = 11.3182(2), c = 10.6434(2) Å, β = 109.094(1)°, Z = 2 and V = 1048.74(4) Å³ for II. The structure of the two supramolecular compounds consists of metallic cation octahedrally coordinated to six water molecules, sulfate anions, 1,4-butanediammonium cation and water molecules linked together via two types of hydrogen bonds, O–H?O and N–H?O. The two compounds are not stable at room temperature and their partial dehydration depends on the humidity of the environment. The thermal decomposition of precursors, studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and temperature-dependent X-ray diffraction (TDXD), shows successive intermediate hydrates and crystalline anhydrous compounds upon dehydration.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance and optical studies of Cu2+ doped bis(thiourea)cadmium chloride single crystal

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and optical studies have been carried out on Cu²⁺ doped bis(thiourea)cadmium chloride single crystal, which belongs to a potential semi-organic non-linear material, at room temperature. The spin Hamiltonian parameters were determined as g_xx = 2.04331, g_yy = 2.04373, g_zz = 2.05750 and A_xx = 91G, A_yy = 115G, A_zz = 136G. These parameters suggest that the spectroscopic splitting parameter g and hyperfine splitting parameter A exhibit rhombic symmetry. The optical study reveals that the non-linear optical property of the host lattice has been enhanced due to Cu²⁺ doping.     

Excess enthalpies and excess volumes of (2-methoxyethanol + 1,4-dioxane) and (1,2-dimethoxyethane + benzene) at temperatures between 283.15 K and 313.15 K

The measurement of excess enthalpies, H^E, at T=298.15 K and densities at temperatures between 283.15 K and 313.15 K are reported for the (2-methoxyethanol + 1,4-dioxane) and (1,2-dimethoxyethane + benzene) systems. The values of H^E and the excess volumes, V^E, are positive, and the temperature dependence of V^E is quite small for (2-methoxyethanol + 1,4-dioxane). The (1,2-dimethoxyethane + benzene) system shows a negative H^E and sigmoid curves in V^E, which change sign from positive to negative with an increase in 1,2-dimethoxyethane. The temperature dependence of V^E for this system is negative.     

Electrical and interface state density properties of polyaniline–poly-3-methyl thiophene blend/p-Si Schottky barrier diode

We have formed conjugated polymeric aniline–thiophene organic material on p-Si substrate by adding polyaniline–poly-3-methyl thiophene blend solution in acetonitrile on top of a p-Si substrate and then evaporating the solvent. It has been seen that the forward bias current–voltage (I–V) characteristics of polyaniline–poly-3-methyl thiophene blend/p-Si/Al with a barrier height value of 0.60 eV and an ideality factor value of 3.37 showed rectifying behaviour at room temperature. The polyaniline–poly-3-methyl thiophene blend/p-Si/Al Schottky barrier diode showed non-ideal I–V behaviour with the value of ideality factor greater than unity that could be ascribed to the interfacial layer, interface states and series resistance. Furthermore, Cheung's functions and modified Norde's function were used to extract the diode parameters including ideality factor, barrier height and series resistance. It has been seen that there is a good agreement between the barrier height values from all methods. However, the values of series resistance obtained from Cheung's functions is higher than the values obtained from Norde's functions. The energy distribution of interface states density, determined from forward bias current–voltage (I–V) characteristic technique at room temperature, increases exponentially with bias from 2.81 × 10¹⁶ cm^?2 eV^?1 in (0.73–E_v) eV to 1.14 × 10¹⁷ cm^?2 eV^?1 in (0.48–E_v) eV.