UV-Induced Electrical and Optical Changes in PVC Blends

 2-Chloro-polyaniline (2-Cl-PANI) in its non-conducting (emeraldine base, EB) form, prepared by a chemical route, was dissolved together with poly-(vinylchloride) (PVC) in THF for casting into thin (10–50 μm) films. Upon exposure to UV radiation, the electrical conductivity of these films increased by more than 4 orders of magnitude (from 10⁻⁶ to 10⁻²S/cm). This is attributed to the dehydrochlorination of PVC by exposure to energetic photons and subsequent doping of 2-Cl-PANI (i.e. conversion to emeraldine salt, ES) by in situ created HCl. The doped films could be returned to their undoped form by exposure to NH₃ vapours. The UV-induced doping/NH₃ undoping cycles could be repeated several times. Various spectroscopic techniques were employed to follow the changes in the films upon exposure to UV radiation. The same photo-dehydrochlorination process has also been utilized for optical and/or lithographic purposes by preparing PVC blends containing methyl violet, and acid-base indicator dye. The photo-dehydrochlorination can be effectively sensitized by incorporating hydroquinone into the PVC blends containing methyl violet.     

Effect of Al doping on the conductivity type inversion and electro-optical properties of SnO2 thin films synthesized by sol-gel technique

Al doped SnO₂ thin films have been synthesized by a sol-gel dip coating technique with different percentages of Al on glass and silicon substrates. X-ray diffraction studies confirmed the proper phase formation in the films and atomic percentage of aluminium doping in the films was obtained by energy dispersive X-ray studies. SEM studies showed the particle sizes lying in the range 100–150 nm for the undoped films and it decreased with increase of Al doping. Optical transmittance spectra of the films showed high transparency (∼80%) in the visible region and the transparency increases with the increase of Al doping in the films. The direct allowed bandgap of the films have been measured for different Al concentration and they lie within the range of 3.87–4.21 eV. FTIR studies depicted the presence of Sn–O, Al–O, bonding within the films. The room temperature electrical conductivities of the films are obtained in the range of 0.21 S cm⁻¹ to 1.36 S cm⁻¹ for variation of Al doping in the films 2.31–18.56%. Room temperature Seebeck coefficients, S_RT of the films were found in the range +56.0 μVK⁻¹ to −23.3 μVK⁻¹ for variation of Al doping in the films 18.56–8.16%. It is observed that the Seebeck coefficient changes its sign at 12.05% of Al in the films indicating that below 12.05% of Al doping, SnO₂:Al behaves as an n-type material and above this percentage it is a p-type material.     

Comparative study of electrolessly deposited Pd/Ag films onto p-silicon (100)-activated seed layers of Ag and Pd

Pd/Ag films were electrolessly deposited onto p-silicon (100)-activated seed layers of Ag and Pd, respectively, in the solution of 0.005 mol l⁻¹ AgNO₃ + 0.005 mol l⁻¹ PdCl₂ + 4.5 mol l⁻¹ NH₃ + 0.16 mol l⁻¹ Na₂EDTA+0.1 mol l⁻¹ NH₂NH₂ (pH 10.5) at room temperature. The morphology and composition of the films were studied comparatively by using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Cathodic polarization curves for hydrogen evolution were recorded in 0.5-mol l⁻¹ H₂SO₄ without illumination, in which the obtained films served as working electrodes. The experimental results show that the film obtained on the Ag seed layer was rather a pure Ag film and not a Pd/Ag film, and the Ag deposition rate on Pd sites was much faster than that on Ag sites.     

Perchlorate selective membrane electrodes based on a platinum complex

Three platinum(II) complexes were synthesized and studied to characterize their ability as an anion carrier in a PVC membrane electrode. The polymeric membrane electrodes (PME) and also coated glassy carbon electrodes (CGCE) prepared with one of these complexes showed excellent response characteristics to perchlorate ions. The electrodes exhibited Nernstian responses to ClO₄ ⁻ ions over a wide concentration range from 1.5 × 10⁻⁶ to 2.7 × 10⁻¹ M for PME and 5.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.9 × 10⁻¹ M for CGCE with low detection limits (9.0 × 10⁻⁷ M for PME and 4.0 × 10⁻⁷ M for CGCE). The electrodes possess fast response time, satisfactory reproducibility, appropriate lifetime and, most importantly, good selectivity toward ClO₄ ⁻ relative to a variety of other common anions. The potentiometric response of the electrodes is independent of the pH of the test solution in the pH range 2.0–9.0. The proposed sensors were used in potentiometric determination of perchlorate ions in mineral water and urine samples. Correspondence: Ahmad Soleymanpour, Department of Chemistry, Damghan Basic Science University, Damghan, Iran.     

The effect of K+ ion exchange on the structure and thermal reduction of hexagonal ammonium tungsten bronze

This paper discusses the changes in the structure and thermal reduction of nanosize hexagonal ammonium tungsten bronze (HATB), (NH₄)_0.33−xWO_3−y, which were caused by K⁺ ion exchange (doping) and studied by XRD, XPS, ¹H-MAS NMR, FTIR, SEM and TG/DTA-MS. Comparison of the cell parameters of undoped and doped HATB revealed that both a and c cell parameters decreased after the ion exchange reaction, which showed that smaller K⁺ ions partly replaced the larger NH₄⁺ ions in the hexagonal channels of HATB. After the reaction, from the hexagonal channels less NH₃ evolved, which also supported the incorporation of K⁺ ions into the hexagonal channels.     

Electrochemical performance of LiFePO<Subscript>4</Subscript>/C doped with F synthesized by carbothermal reduction method using NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>F as dopant

The effect of fluorine doping on the electrochemical performance of LiFePO₄/C cathode material is investigated. The stoichiometric proportion of LiFe(PO₄)_1−x F_3x /C (x = 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2) materials was synthesized by a solid-state carbothermal reduction route at 650 °C using NH₄F as dopant. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive X-ray, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses demonstrate that fluorine can be incorporated into LiFePO₄/C without altering the olivine structure, but slightly changing the lattice parameters and having little effect on the particle sizes. However, heavy fluorine doping can bring in impurities. Fluorine doping in LiFePO₄/C results in good reversible capacity and rate capability. LiFe(PO₄)_0.95 F_0.15/C exhibits highest initial capacity and best rate performance. Its discharge capacities at 0.1 and 5 C rates are 156.1 and 119.1 mAh g⁻¹, respectively. LiFe(PO₄)_0.95 F_0.15/C also presents an obviously better cycle life than the other samples. We attribute the improvement of the electrochemical performance to the smaller charge transfer resistance (R _ct) and influence of fluorine on the PO₄³⁻ polyanion in LiFePO₄/C.     

Reactions of photogenerated fluorine atoms with molecules trapped in solid argon

Isolated radicals^.NH₂ and radical-molecule complexes^.NH₂−HF, which are products of the reactions of mobile fluorine atoms with NH₃ molecules in solid argon, were identified by EPR spectroscopy. The isotropic HFC constants of the complex (a _N=1.20,a _H=2.40, anda _F=0.70 mT) were determined experimentally. The constant of isotropic HFC with the nucleus of hydrogen atom of the HF molecule is less than 0.1 mT. This assignment was confirmed in the experiments on isotope substitution of atoms (H→D),¹⁴N→¹⁵N) in the NH₃ molecule. According to quantum-chemical calculations, the free complex^.NH₂−HF has a planar structure withC ₂, summetry and a binding energy of 12 kcal mol⁻¹. Optimization of the arrangement of the complex in the crystal showed that its structure is only slightly distorted in the Ar lattice so that the equilibrium configuration is close to that obtained from gas-phase calculations. Different ratios of relative intensities of the proton triplet lines in the EPR spectra of isolated^.NH₂ radicals and^.NH₂−HF complexes were qualitatively explained by different heights of the barriers to rotation of the NH₂ fragment in the Ar lattice.     

Electrochemistry and electrocatalytic activity of polypyrrole/ferrocyanide films on a glassy carbon electrode

Functionalized polypyrrole films were prepared by incorporation of Fe(CN)₆ ³⁻ as doping anion during the electropolymerization of pyrrole at a glassy carbon electrode from aqueous solution. The electrochemical behavior of the Fe(CN)₆ ³⁻/Fe(CN)₆ ⁴⁻ redox couple in polypyrrole was studied by cyclic voltammetry. An obvious surface redox reaction was observed and dependence of this reaction on the solution pH was illustrated. The electrocatalytic ability of polypyrrole film with ferrocyanide incorporated was demonstrated by oxidation of ascorbic acid at the optimized pH of 4 in a glycine buffer. The catalytic effect for mediated oxidation of ascorbic acid was 300 mV and the bimolecular rate constant determined for surface coverage of 4.5 × 10⁻⁸ M cm⁻² using rotating disk electrode voltammetry was 86 M⁻¹ s⁻¹. Furthermore, the catalytic oxidation current was linearly dependent on ascorbic acid concentration in the range 5 × 10⁻⁴–1.6 × 10⁻² M with a correlation coefficient of 0.996. The plot of i _p versus v ^1/2 confirms the diffusion nature of the peak current i _p. Received: 12 April 1999 / Accepted: 25 May 1999     

Absorption of ammonia on tantalum hydroxide synthesized by a hydrofluoric acid method

Ammonia is strongly absorbed on tantalum hydroxide prepared by ammonia neutralization of TaF₇ ²⁻ or TaF₆ ⁻ complexes. FTIR analysis of tantalum hydroxide shows a characteristic peak around 1,400 cm⁻¹, attributed to NH₄ ⁺. TG and FTIR analyses show that the NH₄ ⁺ decomposes at about 500 °C. The correct chemical formula of tantalum hydroxide prepared by ammonia neutralization of TaF₇ ²⁻ or TaF₆ ⁻ is thus TaO _x (OH)_5-x (NH₄) _x . This conclusion is also confirmed by TG and FTIR analysis of tantalum hydroxide treated with various concentrations of inorganic acid at room temperature. The NH₄ ⁺ in tantalum hydroxide can be exchanged completely in aqueous HNO₃ solution, and the weight loss of the resulting sample is ended at about 415 °C by TG analysis. The NH₄ ⁺ can also be exchanged completely with aqueous H₂SO₄ solution; however, SO₄ ²⁻ is weakly absorbed on the tantalum hydroxide. Finally, the NH₄ ⁺ can be exchanged partially with aqueous H₃PO₄ solution; however, PO₄ ³⁻ is strongly absorbed on the tantalum hydroxide.     

Preparation and characterization of lithium ion conducting ionic liquid-based biodegradable corn starch polymer electrolytes

Thin films of biodegradable corn starch-based biopolymer electrolytes were prepared by solution casting technique. Lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF₆) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate (BmImTf) were employed as lithium salt and ionic liquid, respectively. With reference to the temperature dependence study, Arrhenius relationship was observed. The highest ionic conductivity of (6.00 ± 0.01) × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ was obtained at 80 °C. Based on x-ray diffraction (XRD) result, the peaks became broader with doping of ionic liquid revealing the higher amorphous region of the biopolymer electrolytes. Ionic liquid-based biopolymer electrolytes exhibited lower glass transition temperature (T _g).     

Optimization of ammonium nitrate concentration in single-stage continuous cultures of Aspergillus niger with biomass retention

The effect of ammonium nitrate concentration in the citric acid biosynthesis by Aspergillus niger NC-12 in single-stage continuous cultures with biomass retention was investigated. Experiments were carried out in a BIOMER laboratory fermenter with 5 dm³ working volume. At the initial stage of each cultivation, the substrate in the bioreactor contained 1.5 g NH₄NO₃ dm⁻³. After 120 h onwards, the bioreactor was fed continuously at a constant dilution rate of 0.009 h⁻¹. NH₄NO₃ concentration in the feed was varied from one culture to another, ranging between 0.5 g dm⁻³ and 2.5 g dm⁻³. Promising results were obtained when NH₄NO₃ concentration of 1.5 g dm⁻³ was used. The observed concentration of citric acid (c _P) and yield of citric acid with respect to the introduced sucrose (Y _P/S) were 117.88 g dm⁻³ and 78.59 %, respectively. The efficiency coefficient of citric acid biosynthesis (K _ef) was very high, amounting to 83.38. Presented at the 33rd International Conference of the Slovak Society of Chemical Engineering, Tatranské Matliare, 22–26 May 2006.     

Dye-coated stationary-phases: A retention model for anions in ion-interaction chromatography

Summary The separation of inorganic anions (NO₃ ⁻, NO₂ ⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, SO₄ ²⁻, S₂O₃ ²⁻) by ion-interaction chromatography mediated with a specific dye has been investigated. Chromatography was performed on a LiChrospher RP-18 colum dynamically coated with crystal violet, using acetonitrile-water buffered with phthalate as the mobile phase. The presence of the dye in the eluent enabled indirect spectrophotometric detection of the analytes, which have no significant UV absorption. Retention data were collected for the different anions by varying the composition of the mobile phase according to a full factorial experimental design. A theoretical model for the retention of singly- and doubly-charged analytes, on the basis of the two main processes of ion-exchange and ion-pair formation, has been proposed and validated with the experimental data.     

Carbon nanotubes/(pLys/dsDNA) n layer-by-layer multilayer films for electrochemical studies of DNA damage

Carboxylic group-functionalized carbon nanotubes (c-CNT) were modified on the surface of carbon paste electrode to obtain a conducting precursor film. Positively charged poly-l-lysine (pLys) and negatively charged double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) were alternately adsorbed on the c-CNT-modified electrode, forming (pLys/dsDNA) _n layer-by-layer (LBL) films. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of the electroactive probe [Fe(CN)₆]^3−/4− could give the valuable dynamic information of multilayer films growth. The oxidative DNA damage induced by cadmium ion (Cd²⁺) in the LBL multilayer films was studied by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) with methylene violet (MV) as the intercalation redox probe. The electrochemical signals of MV on the multilayer films were effectively amplified via LBL technology. The specific intercalation of MV into dsDNA base pairs and the amplified electrochemical response of MV, combined with the unique feature of loading reversibility of MV in the DNA layer-by-layer films, made the difference in DPV response between the intact, and damaged dsDNA films become pronounced. This biosensor exhibited that the (pLys/dsDNA) _n films could be utilized for investigations of DNA damage.     

Effect of obligatory replacement and conformational restriction on psychotropic activity of thyroliberin analogs

Easy lactamization of Gln(Asn)−Pro−NH₂ with the formation of cyclic dipeptides with the diketopiperazine structure (mimetics of the conformational fragments of linear tripeptides with the X−Protrans-bond) was observed in the synthesis of tripeptide Glp−Gln−Pro−NH₂ modified by the replacement of histidine with obligatory similar glutamine in thyroliberin (Glp−His−Pro−NH₂, TRH) and in the synthesis of its structural analog [Asn²]TRH. Ion peaks corresponding to the Glp and Pro amino acid residues were revealed in the mass spectra of the peptides synthesized. The biological properties of the compounds obtained were determined indicating that the obligatory replacement resulted in an increased physiological specificity of [Gln²]TRH. The enhanced activity of conformationally restricted cyclic peptides compared to linear ones suggests that the biologically active conformation responsible for the antidepressant activity of linear TRH analogs is the conformation with X−Protrans-bond. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 2015–2020, October, 1998.     

Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions at Planar Tetra-coordinate Bis-cationic-platinum(II) Complexes. Kinetics of Displacement of Pyridine from {Pt[2,6-bis(methylthiomethyl)pyridine](py)}2+, {Pt[bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine] (py)}2+ and {Pt[bis(2-(pyridylmethyl)sulphide](py)}2+ Cations

The kinetics of nucleophilic substitution of pyridine in bis-cationic [Pt(L)(py)]²⁺ complexes (L=SNS, NNN, NSN) [SNS=bis(methylthiomethyl)pyridine, NNN=bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, NSN=bis(2-pyridylmethyl)sulphide] by a series of nucleophiles (Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, N₃⁻, (C₂H₅)₂S, NH₃, thiourea (tu), NO₂⁻, C₅H¹0NH, SeCN⁻, SCN⁻, CN⁻ when L=SNS; Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, N₃⁻, (C₂H₅)₂S, SCN⁻, NH₃, NO₂⁻ when L=NNN; Br⁻, N₃⁻, NO₂⁻, NH₃, C₅H₁₀NH when L=NSN) have been measured in MeOH at 25 °C, μ =0.1 mol dm⁻³ (LiClO₄ or LiCF₃SO₃). The logarithms of the second-order rate constants calculated at μ=0, log k° ₂, do not follow the dependence upon the n° _Pt scale. In particular, the reactivity of the biphilic reagents tu, SeCN⁻, SCN⁻ and, to a lesser extent, NO⁻ ₂, towards these doubly charged substrates is largely lower than expected on the basis of the n° _Ptscale. There are good linear relationships between logk° ₂ for the bis-cationic substrate [Pt(SNS)(py)]²⁺, chosen as the standard, and log k° ₂ for the same reactions with [Pt(NNN)(py)]²⁺, [Pt(NSN)(py)]²⁺ and other double charged complexes previously studied. A new wide nucleophilicity scale based on [Pt(SNS)(py)]²⁺, that is appropriate to all the bis-cationic substrates, is here proposed     

121,123Sb NQR study of solid phases formed in systems (MF)1−x −(M′F) x −SbF3−H2O (M, M′=Na, K, Rb, Cs, and NH4)

Crystalline substances formed in the (MF)_1−x −(M′F) _x −SbF₃−H₂O systems (M, M′=Na, K, Rb, Cs, and NH₄;x=0 to 1) were investigated by^121,123Sb NQR spectroscopy at 77 K. The formation of individual Sb^III complexes NaCs₃Sb₄F₁₆·H₂O and NaKSbF₅·1.5H₂O, and statistically disordered mixed crystals M_1−x −M′ _x −SbF₄ (M, M′=K, Rb, Cs, and NH₄) was established. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 109–112, January, 1999.     

Oleic acid-assisted preparation of LiMnPO<Subscript>4</Subscript> and its improved electrochemical performance by Co doping

LiMnPO₄, with a particle size of 50–150 nm, was prepared by oleic acid-assisted solid-state reaction. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The electrochemical properties of the materials were investigated by galvanostatic cycling. It was found that the introduction of oleic acid in the precursor led to smaller particle size and more homogeneous size distribution in the final products, resulting in improved electrochemical performance. The electrochemical performance of the sample could be further enhanced by Co doping. The mechanism for the improvement of the electrochemical performance was investigated by Li-ion chemical diffusion coefficient ( [(D)\tilde]_\textLi ) \left( {{{\tilde{D}}_{\text{Li}}}} \right) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements. The results revealed that the [(D)\tilde]_\textLi {\tilde{D}_{\text{Li}}} values of LiMnPO₄ measured by cyclic voltammetry method increase from 9.2 × 10⁻¹⁸ to 3.0 × 10⁻¹⁷ cm² s⁻¹ after Co doping, while the charge transfer resistance (R _ct) can be decreased by Co doping.     

Theoretical study on the reaction of hydrogen atoms with aniline

The reaction of aniline with hydrogen atom is investigated herein using the hybrid meta-DFT functional of BB1 K. Hydrogen atom is found to preferentially add at an ortho position. However, the fate of the o-(C₆H₅NH₂)H adduct is found to be solely the deactivation of the initial addition channel. The rate constant for the abstraction channel (C₆H₅NH₂ + H → C₆H₅NH + H₂) is fitted by the expression 1.10 × 10⁻¹¹ exp(−4,200/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. Our calculated rate constant for the abstraction channel agrees very well with the available experimental measurements. Satisfactory agreement is found between calculated and experimental measurements for the displacement channel (C₆H₅NH₂ + H → C₆H₆ + NH₂). Our detailed analysis for the corresponding displacements in toluene and phenol suggests that the three systems exhibit similar behavior with regard to the relative importance of abstraction and displacement channels.     

Does increased chelation enhance the rate of ligand substitution at PtII (N,N,N) centres? A detailed kinetic & mechanistic study

The rate of substitution of the chloride and aqua moieties from the platinum(II)-amine complexes, viz. [Pt(dien)Cl]Cl(Pt1-Chloro) and [Pt(en)(NH₃)Cl]Cl (Pt2-Chloro) and their corresponding aqua analogues, viz. [Pt(dien)(OH₂)] (ClO₄)₂ (Pt1-Aqua) and [Pt(en)(NH₃)(OH₂)](ClO₄)₂ (Pt2-Aqua), by a series of neutral and anionic nucleophiles,viz. thiourea (TU), 1,3-dimethyl-2-thiourea (DMTU), 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-2-thiourea (TMTU), iodide (I⁻) and thiocyanate (SCN⁻), was determined under pseudo first-order conditions as a function of concentration and temperature using UV/Visible spectrophotometry and standard stopped-flow techniques. The observed pseudo first-order rate constants for the substitution reactions obeyed the simple rate law k _obs = k ₂[Nucleophile]. Second-order kinetics and negative activation entropies, ca. −93 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ and −71 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, for the chloro and aqua complexes respectively, support an associative mode of activation. The rate of substitution of both the chloro and aqua moieties are observed to decrease with an increase in the steric bulk of the neutral nucleophiles, whilst rate of substitution by SCN⁻ was observed to be faster than that of I⁻, in correlation with the observed nucleophilicities of the two nucleophiles. A comparison of the second-order rate constants, k ₂, at 298 K, obtained for the substitution reactions of Pt1and Pt2 shows that an increase in chelation in moving from Pt2 to Pt1 results in a corresponding increase in the reactivity, by a factor of ca. 3, (28.31 ± 0.15 and 8.02 ± 0.13 m ⁻¹ s⁻¹ for Pt1 and Pt2 respectively, in the case of substitution of the aqua species by TU). Computational analysis of the chloro complexes, viz. Pt1-Chloro, Pt2-Chloro and [Pt(NH₃)₃Cl]Cl (Pt3) support this conclusion by demonstrating that the Pt–N bond trans to the leaving group is shortened and that the Pt–Cl bond is lengthened when chelation is increased from Pt3 to Pt1. Consequently, these results suggest that the increase in reactivity of Pt1 over Pt2, promoted by increased chelation, is as a result of ground state destabilization.     

Potentiometric sensors with membranes based on ionic liquid tetradecylammonium triethylammonio-<Emphasis Type="Italic">closo</Emphasis>-dodecaborate

Polymer compositions based on the ionic liquid tetradecylammonium triethylammonium-closododecaborate (TTCD) are proposed as the main components of membranes of potentiometric sensors (ion-selective electrodes) for determining ions [B₁₂H₁₁N(C₂H₅)₃]⁻. Two types of polymer compositions are considered: conventional, polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-liquid ion-exchanger (solution of TTCD in o-nitrophenyl octyl ether) and another, PVC-TTCD (ionophore-plasticizer). The optimal composition of membranes for both types of electrodes are proposed, and their main electroanalytical parameters, such as selectivity, effect of pH, range of linear response, reproducibility, and stability of potential, were measured. A comparative analysis of the electroanalytical parameters of potentiometric sensors with membranes of two types is given. The detection limits for the electrodes of types I and II are 9 × 10⁻⁷ and 4 × 10⁻⁷ M. It is shown that [B₁₂H₁₁N(C₂H₅)₃]⁻ anions can be determined by potentiometric titration with indicator electrodes of different types.