Synthesis, growth, thermal, optical, mechanical and dielectric studies of N-succinopyridine

Organic nonlinear optical (NLO) material, N-succinopyridine (NSP), was synthesised and bulk single crystals were grown from aqueous solution using isothermal solvent evaporation technique. The stoichiometric form of NSP has been confirmed by carbon–hydrogen–nitrogen analysis. NSP crystallizes in orthorhombic system with non-centrosymmetric space group P2₁2₁2₁ and unit cell dimensions a = 7.721(2) Å, b = 7.762(3) Å, c = 14.951(3) Å. The thermal stability, thermal decomposition and specific heat capacity of NSP have been investigated by thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis, differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) analysis and modulated DSC analysis. A wide transparency window, 294–1,100 nm, useful for optoelectronic applications is indicated by UV–Vis–NIR studies. The NLO second harmonic generation efficiency analysis using Nd:YAG laser (1,064 nm) revealed that the SHG efficiency of NSP is about 1.2 times higher than that of standard potassium dihydrogen phosphate powder of comparable size and more importantly that it is phase-matchable. The room temperature mechanical behaviours of NSP have been tested using Vicker’s microhardness tester and the results were analysed through classical Mayer’s law. The dielectric behaviours such as dielectric constant, dielectric loss and ac conductivity of NSP single crystal have also been investigated as a function of frequency (20 Hz–1 MHz) and temperature (308–358 K).     

Thermal and mechanical properties of epoxy resin toughened with epoxidized soybean oil

A series of new modified epoxy resin (EP) cured products were prepared from epoxidized soybean oil and commercial epoxy resin, with methyl nadic anhydride as curing agent and 1-methylimidazole as promoting agent. The thermal properties of the resins were characterized by DMA and TG; DSC was used to determine the curing process. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was utilized to investigate their molecular structures and scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the micro morphology of their impact fracture surfaces. Tensile and impact testing was employed to characterize the mechanical properties of the cured products. The combination of commercial EP with 20 wt% ESO resulted in a bioresin with the optimum set of properties: 130.5 °C T _g, 396.9 °C T _50 %, 74.89 MPa tensile strength, and 48.86 kJ m^?2 impact resistance.     

Molecular mechanics of the ferroelectric to paraelectric phase transition in LiNbO3 via optical second harmonic generation

Temperature dependent optical second harmonic generation (SHG) results are used to monitor the 7° trigonal deformation of the NbO₆ octahedron in ferroelectric LiNbO₃. The SHG structural results compare favorably with those obtained from conventional (X-ray) techniques. The temperature dependence of the spontaneous polarization P_s, calculated via the same trigonal deformation model is consistent with the experimental observations.     

Sol–gel synthesis of ZnO–SiO2 thin films: impact of ZnO contents on its photonic efficiency

Highly crystalline ZnO–SiO₂ films obtained by a sol–gel method at different ZnO contents were deposited on silicon substrate (P(100)) using spin coating process. The XRD results revealed that the strong ZnO(100) peak is grown with highly c-axis oriented film and the crystallinity is progressively improved with increasing ZnO contents. SEM micrographs of the films deposited on silicon substrate show a homogeneous and uniformity structure at different ZnO content. The prepared ZnO–SiO₂ films are compared with either a film prepared from a commercial photocatalysts Hombikat UV-100 or Pilkington Glass Activ? by the determination of their photonic efficiencies for degradation of methylene blue. The photocatalytic efficiency of the 10 wt% ZnO–SiO₂ film was found to be about four times higher than film prepared from UV-100 or Pilkington Glass Activ?. The photocatalytic efficiencies of ZnO–SiO₂ films are increased with increasing ZnO content from 1 wt% to 10 wt% ZnO and then decreased at 15 wt% ZnO. The order of photocatalytic efficiencies of ZnO–SiO₂ films at different ZnO content and commercial photocatalysts after 6 h illumination were as following: 10 wt% ZnO > 15 wt% ZnO > 1 wt% ZnO > as-prepared 10 wt% ZnO–SiO₂ film > UV-100 > Pilkington Glass Activ?, which suggested that the ZnO–SiO₂ films are photoactive than commercial photocatalysts. The improved efficiency and potentially the low-cost synthesis suggest that this material might be practically useful as a photocatalyst film.     

Critical assessment of particle quality of commercial LiFePO<Subscript>4</Subscript> cathode material using coin cells—a causal table for lithium-ion battery performance

LiFePO₄ (LFP) is widely used as a cathode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). While there exist many studies of the effect of particle size, purity, morphology, degree of agglomeration, and carbon coating on battery performance, it is not clear how these parameters are optimized in a commercial product. This paper aims at developing a causal table which relates the particle qualities to battery performance. A critical assessment of six commercial LFP products was performed in terms of material characteristics and the electrochemical performance of the corresponding button cells. One of the LFP samples with plate-like morphology, small particle size (0.15?×?0.4?×?0.6 μm), and around 2.5 wt% carbon coating had the highest specific capacity (164.9 mAh g^?1 at 0.1 C) and rate capability (88.5 % at 1.5 C). The results are in general agreement with the relations captured in the causal table, verifying that it can be used to guide product development.     

Adsorption of Corrosion Inhibitors onto Iron Carbonate (FeCO3) Studied by Zeta Potential Measurements

The adsorption of cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and two commercial inhibitor base chemicals, an oleic imidazoline salt (OI) and a phosphate ester (PE), onto iron carbonate (FeCO₃), was studied by zeta potential measurements in a 0.1 wt% sodium chloride (NaCl) solution under 1 bar CO₂ at 22°C, in the absence and presence of a refined low-aromatic oil. The zeta potential of oil-in-water emulsion droplets was also determined. Surface tension of 0.1 wt% and 3 wt% brines was measured as a function of inhibitor concentration. The isoelectric point was pH 6.0 in the 0.1 wt% NaCl solution under 1 bar CO₂. The results show that all three inhibitor compounds adsorbed onto the iron carbonate particles both at pH 4.0 and pH 6.0. Adsorption on both negatively charged surfaces and surfaces with no charge were thus found for all inhibitors. The addition of oil had no significant effect on the measured zeta potential on iron carbonate particles.     

Delapril and manidipine characterization and purity evaluation in raw materials

This study characterizes the solid-state of delapril hydrochloride (DEL) and manidipine dihydrochloride (MAN) raw materials using different analytical techniques. DEL (D1 and D2) and MAN (M1 and M2) were obtained from different suppliers and submitted to differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFT), Raman spectroscopy (RS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). For DEL, the TG/DTG analysis demonstrated three stage of mass loss between 140 and 402 °C. Different DSC curve profiles with melting points at 182.8 °C for D1 and 170.1 °C for D2 were verified. Moreover, incompatible results were also obtained in RS and SEM analysis for this drug. Nevertheless, when analyzed by liquid chromatography (LC), an additional peak was detected, demonstrating that the differences observed can be related to an impurity present in D2 sample and not to a possible polymorphism (as confirmed by XRPD). On the other hand, for MAN evaluation, all results were similar, showing that there were no differences between M1 and M2 samples. Besides the solid-state evaluation, the techniques employed in this study could also be used for quality control, stability studies, and for qualification of raw materials suppliers. Furthermore, for purity evaluations, complementary methods (such as DSC) can be useful, since there are impurities that don’t have UV/Vis absorbance, leading to absence of signal in LC–UV methodologies.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of 18-, 19-, 20- and 22-membered Schiff base macrocycles

The complexation parameters of dipyridamole (Dipy) with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) were investigated by using several techniques including phase solubility diagrams (PSD), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR), x-ray powder diffractometry (XRPD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and molecular mechanical modeling (MM⁺). From the pH-solubility profiles, two basic pK _as at 6.4 and 2.7 were estimated. The linear correlation of the free energy of Dipy/β-CD complex formation (ΔG ₁₁) with the corresponding free energy of inherent Dipy aqueous solubility (ΔG _So), obtained from the linear variation of ln K ₁₁ with that of the inherent Dipy solubility (ln S _o) at different pHs and ionic strengths, was used to measure the contribution of the hydrophobic character of Dipy to include into the hydrophobic β-CD cavity. Complex formation of Dipy was driven by favorable enthalpy (ΔH° = ?14.8 kJ/mol) and entropy (ΔS° = 31.9 J/mol K) factors. ¹H-NMR and molecular mechanical modeling studies indicate the formation of different isomeric 1:1 and 1:2 complexes, where both the piperidine and diethanolamine moieties get separately included into the β-CD cavity. Molecular mechanical modeling computations indicate that the dominant driving force for complexation is Van der Waals with lower contribution from electrostatic interactions. ¹H-NMR and XRPD, DSC, SEM studies of isolated solid complexes indicate the formation of inclusion complexes in aqueous solution.     

Polymorphism and melt crystallisation of racemic betaxolol, a β-adrenergic antagonist drug

We report the polymorphic behaviour, in melt cooling experiments, of racemic betaxolol, a low aqueous solubility selective β₁-adrenergic antagonist drug with a flexible molecular structure. A multidisciplinary approach is employed, using thermal analysis (differential scanning calorimetry, polarised light thermomicroscopy), spectroscopic methods (infrared spectroscopy, magic angle spinning ¹H NMR) and X-ray powder diffraction. A glass phase is obtained, T _g ~ ?10 °C, on cooling the melt, unless the cooling rate is ≤0.5 °C min^?1, while a new metastable form, polymorph II, T _fus = 33 °C, is generated in subsequent heating runs in a two step process. Although either partial crystallisation from the melt in the first step or the formation of an intermediate, metastable, low ordered phase may explain these observations, our results favour the second hypothesis. The stable polymorph I, T _fus = 69 °C, which crystallizes on further heating after form II melting, has also been obtained either from polymorph II or from the molten phase, on standing at 25 °C. The racemic betaxolol crystalline phases are found to exhibit some degree of disorder.     

Thermal properties of betulin dipropionate and its mixtures with polymers

Melting of betulin dipropionate (3β,28-di-O-propionyl-lup-20(29)-lupene) of high purity (orthorhombic P2₁2₁2₁, a = 1.27409(2), b = 1.57316(3), c = 1.59810(3) nm) and its mixtures with four excipients was investigated with DSC and TG. Melting point is 163.6 °C (?_f H = 33 kJ mol^?1). Smaller values reported recently were measured for not pure samples. The melt of betulin dipropionate remains glassy under ambient conditions and does not crystallize during the second heating. In mixture with excipients (arabinogalactan, polyethylene glycol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and fumed silica), the betulin dipropionate loses its crystal structure after mechanical activation.     

Thermal and structural properties of commercial dental resins light-cured with blue emitting diodes (LEDs)

We have investigated the thermal and structural properties of different commercial dental resins: Filtek^TM Z-350, Grandio^®, Tetric Ceram^®, and TPH Spectrum^®. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate quantitatively the photo-polymerization behavior and the effect of filler contents on the kinetic cures of the dental resins by using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) techniques. We have successfully obtained the low and high glass transition T _g values of the dental composite resins from DSC curves. It was also observed a good agreement between the both T _g values, activation energies from thermal degradation, and the degree of conversion obtained for all samples. The results have shown that Tetric Ceram^® dental resin presented the higher T _g values, activation energy of 215 ± 6 KJ mol^?1, and the higher degree of conversion (63%) when compared to the other resins studied herein.     

Preparation of aluminum nitride fibers from alumina gel fibers by nitridation in ammonia

Aluminum nitride (AlN) fibers were prepared from alumina gel fibers and by heat-treatment in ammonia. The influence of silica on the formation of AlN was investigated. It was shown that phase transformation of alumina (γ-Al₂O₃ to α-Al₂O₃) and nitridation reaction took place above 1,100 °C for pure alumina fiber. The addition of a small amount of silica (3 wt%) suppressed the formation of α-Al₂O₃ and preserved the highly reactive metastable alumina, and nitridation rate was enhanced. Fine grain (~20 nm) AlN fibers were obtained for pyrolysis at 1,150–1,250 °C for 3 h in ammonia, and AlN was identified as the sole crystalline phase.     

Behavior of a Metastable Gel of Sodium N‐Stearoyl‐l‐Glutamate/Water System

Gel formation was observed at 25°C in a mono sodium N‐stearoylglutamate (C18GS)/water system by quick cooling (quenching, 15°C/minute), whereas coagel was formed by slow cooling (annealing, 1°C/minute). Two kinds of phase transition temperatures, T_gel (coagel‐gel) and T_c (gel‐liquid crystal or micelle), were detected in the annealing system using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). On the other hand, only T_c was observed in the quenching system. Since the phase transition entropies at T_c in both the quenching and annealing systems are similar, both gels are considered to be in the same structure, and the gel observed in the quenching system at low temperature is in the metastable, supercooled state. Judging from the ¹H‐NMR data and microscopic observation, a homogenous gel is formed above 7 wt% of C18GS. With an increase in surfactant concentration, the thixotropic tendency of the gel increases due to the decrease in free‐water. Since it was difficult to show gel formation with the shorter chain homologs, C14GS and C12GS, the hydrocarbon chain length of the surfactant appears to be very important in the formation of a metastable, supercooled gel.     

Facile Preparation of Mn3O4 Hausmanite Nanoplates from a New Octahedral Manganese (III) Schiff Base Complex

A novel bidentate Schiff base ligand L (L = N-(4-amino-2-chloro-phenyl)-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde) and the subsequent octahedral manganese(III) Schiff base complex MnL ₃ have been synthesized and characterized by, FT-IR spectroscopy and elemental analyses (CHN). Additionally, Schiff base ligand has been characterized by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Thermogravimetric analysis of the ligand and its metal complexes reveals their thermal stability and decomposition pattern. Thus, the MnL ₃ complex has been investigated as a novel precursor for the facile preparation of Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles via solid-state thermal decomposition under aerobic conditions, at a temperature of ca. 450 °C The resulting Mn₃O₄ nanocrystals were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The XRPD studies reveal the characteristic diffraction peaks indexed to the Mn₃O₄ hausmanite structure, while the absence of additional peaks tends to clearly indicate the high purity of the sample. In addition, the TEM/SEM investigations displayed the nanoplate shape of the rather monodisperse crystalline Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles, with an average diameter of ca. 10 nm. The statistical distribution of the nanoparticles size has to be provided with an histogram graphic.     

Sol–gel derived cordierite glass–ceramic doped CaO and B2O3: sintering, crystallization and phase transformation characteristics

In the present work, cordierite glass–ceramic with stoichiometric composition containing 5 wt% CaO and different amounts of B₂O₃ was prepared by sol–gel processing. The powders were synthesized by tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), magnesium and aluminum chlorides. Crystallization and sintering behavior of glass–ceramics was investigated at different temperatures. Different steps of phase transformations to cordierite have been studied by DSC and XRD. Various phases have been formed at different heat-treatment temperatures. The results showed that adding 1 wt% B₂O₃ led to a decrease in both the glass transition temperature (T_g) and the crystallization peak temperature (T_p). In contrast, with increasing B₂O₃ content from 1 to 3 and 5 wt%, both T_g and T_p of samples increased. The results of sintering showed that crystallization before complete sintering hindered good sintering. However, low content of B₂O₃ relatively improved sintering than the others.     

Finite-field Studies on the Second-order Hyperpolarlizability of MHBA

As a new nonlinear optical organic material, MHBA (3-Methoxy-4-Hydroxy-Benzaldehyde) crystal^[1] has been grown into a size of 70 mm×40 mm×20 mm. Its second-harmonic generation (SHG) is about 30 times larger than that of urea, and has a suitable transparency in the range from 370 nm to 1700 nm. MHBA can be used to realize direct frequency doubling of near infrared diode laser to generate violet-blue light at room temperature. We have discussed its SHG by using finite-field method^[2~3]. However there is no report on the third-harmonic generation (THG) properties of MHBA. In this study we will theoretically investigate the molecular second-order hyperpolarizabilities of MHBA.     

Hybrid silica-organic material with immobilized amino groups: surface probing and use for electrochemical determination of nitrite ions

A sol–gel based hybrid process was developed by manipulating different techniques in sol–gel process to synthesize γ-alumina and (CuO, CuO + ZnO) doped γ-alumina spherical particles. Catalysts having spherical geometry have an important advantage over powders or pellets which are impervious to fluids, when packed in a reactor. Boehmite sol was used as alumina precursor for synthesizing porous γ-alumina and doped materials. γ-alumina particles having 5 wt% CuO, 4 wt% CuO + 1 wt% ZnO, 3 wt% CuO + 2 wt% ZnO and 2 wt% CuO + 3 wt% ZnO were prepared by adding required amounts of Cu(NO₃)₂ and Zn(NO₃)₂ solutions prior to gelation of the sol. Methanol dehydration studies were carried out by employing these synthesized catalysts. Hundred percent conversion of methanol to dimethyl ether was observed with (4 wt% CuO + 1 wt% ZnO)-γ-alumina and (5 wt% CuO)-γ-alumina microspheres at 325 and 350 °C, respectively.     

Physicochemical characterization of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor alogliptin in physical mixtures with excipients

Alogliptin (ALG) is a hypoglycemic drug used in diabetes which inhibits the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4), preventing the degradation of incretins, stimulating insulin secretion. The physicochemical characteristics of ALG were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG) and scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM/EDS). The compatibility studies were carried out between ALG and excipients (physical mixtures, 1:1) using DSC, TG, diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and hot-stage microscopy. ALG presented purity near to 99%, melted in the range of 179.4–187.2 °C, followed by decomposition which started in 198.0 °C. SEM/EMS analysis of ALG presented irregular crystals and traces of impurities as copper and lead. DSC investigations obtained by physical mixtures showed minor alterations in the melting ranges of ALG with mannitol, magnesium stearate and commercial tablets. Solubilization of ALG in the fused excipient was observed by hot-stage microscopy between mannitol and ALG, and in tablets. The interaction observed in the mixture with magnesium stearate is due to the melting of the excipient and drug separately, first the excipient and then the drug. FTIR showed additional bands related to the excipients. XRPD proved that ALG has a crystal form and no alterations in the ALG profile were observed after the mixtures. ALG was compatible with all excipients tested. These results were important to understand the characteristics, stability and compatibility of the drug, and proved to be useful in preformulation studies.

     

SYNTHESIS AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF A NOVEL ORGANIC/INORGANIC HYBRID NONLINEAR OPTICAL POLYMER VIA SOL-GEL PROCESS*

A new organic/inorganic hybrid nonlinear optical (NLO) material was developed by the sol-gel process of analkoxysilane dye with tetraethoxysilane. A NLO moiety based on 4-nitro-4'-hydroxy azobenzene was covalently bonded tothe triethoxysilane derivative, i.e. γ-isocyanatopropyl triethoxysilane. The preparation process and properties of the sol-gelderived NLO polymer were studied and characterized by SEM, FTIR, ~1H-NMR, UV-Vis, DSC and second harmonicgeneration (SHG) measurement. The results indicated that the chemical bonding of the chromophores to the inorganic SiO_2networks induces low dipole alignment relaxation and preferable orientational stability. The SHG measurements also showedthat the bonded polymer film containing 75 wt% of the akoxysilane dye has a high electro-optic coefficient (r_(33)) of 7.1 pm/Vat 1.1 μm wavelength, and exhibit good SHG stability, the r_(33) values can maintain about 92.7% of its initial value at roomtemperature for 90 days, and can maintain about 59.3% at 100℃ for 300 min.s     

Structural Features of Phosphate and Sulfate Modified Zirconia Prepared by Sol–Gel Route

This paper describes the effect of sulfate, phosphate and nitrate complexing ligands on the structural features of amorphous xerogels and on the crystallization of metastable zirconia phases during the xerogel-ceramic conversion. Powdered samples were prepared by a sol–gel route using zirconyl chloride precursors chemically modified by complexing ligands. The structural evolution of ZrO₂ phases as function of firing temperature was analyzed by XRPD, EXAFS and ³¹P NMR/MAS. The experimental results show the formation of metastable t-ZrO₂ during the low firing temperature of xerogels modified by sulfate or phosphate groups. The martensitic tetragonal-monoclinic transformation occurs during desorption of sulfate groups. The largest temperature interval of stability of metastable tetragonal zirconia was observed for phosphate-modified xerogels.