Supplementary evaluation of retention and physicochemical data involving multivariate analysis approach

This commentary highlights the issue of real differences between stationary phases that were studied in an experimental paper entitled “Novel stationary phases based on asphaltenes for gas chromatography” prepared by Grzegorz Boczkaj and co‐authors (J. Sep. Sci. 2016, 39, 2527–2536). Particularly, a chemometric study has revealed relatively small differences between stationary phases investigated. Moreover, simple principle component analysis calculations enabled the identification of the outlier points within large raw dataset and to find the parameters (variables) that may carry equal information.     

Supplementary research of clinoptilolite-rich tuff composites after adsorption trials using the XPS technique

The paper deals with fabrication of carbonized and hydrophobized clinoptilolite-rich tuff using organic carbon rich substances, here particularly starch and waste vegetable residues, which were pyrolytically combusted and covered the external zeolite surface. Hydrophobization of the zeolite external surface was accomplished by octadecylammonium surfactant. Both surface modified clinoptilolite-rich tuffs were tested and compared with each other with regard to removal of organic (phenol) and inorganic (chromate, arsenate) pollutants from aqueous solutions. These elaborated composites with surface adsorbed pollutant species were analysed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).     

Sensor materials for the future: Intelligent materials

Recently, there has been a renewed interest in the development of sensor materials. Four major trends can be discerned in this new research, i.e., (1) single crystal to poly crystal to amorphous material; (2) static material to dynamic material; (3) simple material to composite material; (4) atomic (molecular) synthesis of sensor material. These trends are an approach to obtaining ‘intelligent materials’.Up to now, sensor devices have been made using materials with given characteristics. In future, however, sensor materials should be designed to give the desired characteristics of sensor devices. These trends towards intelligent materials will be discussed here.     

Nanostructured materials

In the cores of lattice defects (e.g. dislocations, grain boundaries, phase boundaries etc.) a special state of solid matter exists due to the forces (constraints) between the atoms (molecules) in the core region of the defects and the atoms (molecules) in the surrounding strained crystal lattices. These constraints result in the formation of a solid state structure characterized by a low density (typically 60 - 80 % of the crystal density) and a very broad distribution of nearest neighbour spacings. It is the basic idea of Nanostructured Materials to utilize the atomic structures formed in the cores of defects to generate a new class of materials. This goal is achieved by incorporating so many defects into a (formerly perfect) crystal that about 50 vol % of the material consists of defect cores. The results of studies by means of electron microscopy, neutron and x-ray diffraction, various types of spectroscopy and property measurements agree with these ideas. Nanostructured Materials exhibit properties that deviate (sometimes by many orders of magnitude) from the properties of crystals and glasses with the same chemical composition.     

Energy materials

Fundamental advances in the solid state chemistry of ionically conducting solids are essential if we are to address the problem of clean energy supply and hence global warming. Several new directions are discussed in this context. Recently, we have synthesised, for the first time, TiO₂ nanowires. They possess diameters between 20 and 40 nm and may be up to several microns in length. The crystal structure is that of the less well known polymorph TiO₂B. The nanowires are excellent intercalation hosts for Li, reaching a composition of Li_0.91TiO₂B (corresponding to 305 mAh g⁻¹ of charge stored), almost twice the capacity of anatase. After a small irreversible capacity loss on the first cycle, reversibility of intercalation is excellent. This material is of interest as a potential negative electrode in rechargeable lithium batteries. The first synthesis of ordered mesoporous Fe₂O₃ materials is described. Two forms, exhibiting respectively pores ordered in 2 and 3 dimensions have been characterised. Metal–polyether complexes (polymer electrolytes), the solid state analogues of the crown ether complexes, are discussed. For some 30 years it was believed that only amorphous lithium-polyether complexes supported ionic conductivity, recently we have shown that this is incorrect. We have reported the first example of crystalline polymer electrolytes supporting ionic conductivity. New developments involving the doping of stoichiometric metal–polyether complexes, specifically PEO₆:LiXF₆, where X=P,As,Sb, are discussed that enhance the conductivity by up to 2 orders of magnitude.     

Supplementary d and f functions in molecular wave functions: Optimum and nonoptimum exponents

Energy optimization calculations have been carried out to determine the variability of optimum p, d, and f polarization function exponents in molecules containing first- and second-row elements and in normal valency and hypercoordinate species. Optimum exponents were determined for single sets of higher-order functions at both Hartree–Fock and correlated (Moller–Plesset) levels of theory using the Dunning–Hay double zeta and the McLean–Chandler triple zeta basis sets. More detailed calculations were used to test the response to nonoptimum d and f function exponents of the total energy, the optimum geometry, and harmonic stretching frequencies. The variability in optimum exponents and the size of the energy penalties incurred by adopting nonoptimum values reduces the utility of standard exponents for p, d, and f polarization functions. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Polymer materials of medical purpose and materials for dentistry

A wide range of polymer materials for medical purposes based on polysiloxane developed at the State Research Institute of Building Structures is presented. The properties of compositions cured by both end hydroxyl groups and the reaction of hydroxylation are considered and examples of their applications are presented.     

Old materials with new tricks: multifunctional open-framework materials

The literature on open-framework materials has shown numerous examples of porous solids with additional structural, chemical, or physical properties. These materials show promise for applications ranging from sensing, catalysis and separation to multifunctional materials. This critical review provides an up-to-date survey to this new generation of multifunctional open-framework solids. For this, a detailed revision of the different examples so far reported will be presented, classified into five different sections: magnetic, chiral, conducting, optical, and labile open-frameworks for sensing applications. (413 references.)     

Reference materials and certified reference materials for spectrometry in Romania

Several reference materials (RMs) and certified reference materials (CRMs) are widely used in Romania as measurement standards in different spectrochemical measurements. Among them, single element standard solution certified for their mass concentration play a key role in ensuring the required traceability of results expressed in this measurement unit. A short review of the locally available elemental RMs and CRMs used in atomic spectrometry or in other analytical techniques where aqueous standard solutions are required (usually called RMs or CRMs for spectrometry) is given. The experience of the INM in preparation and certification of such materials is described. Some aspects regarding their use for ensuring the accuracy and for confirmation of the traceability of analytical measurements, especially through calibration and metrological validation of main instrument performances, are discussed.     

Enhancing the flame-retardant performance of wood-based materials using carbon-based materials

We sought to improve the flame-retardant performance of wood-based materials through the development of a coating material using carbon-based materials. The coating materials were applied to the surfaces of wood-based materials used for interior materials and furniture. We measured fire characteristics of the coated wood-based materials using a cone calorimeter. The coating materials were prepared by the mixing of carbon materials, such as natural graphite, expandable graphite, and exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets, in water-based coating materials. TG analysis revealed that water-based coating materials/carbon material-blended composites had good thermal durability in the working temperature ranges. The flame-retardant performance was confirmed through cone calorimeter experiments, and the result of the experiment satisfied the standard for flame-retardant performance in ISO 5600-1.     

Biological soft materials

With one or two exceptions, biological materials are "soft", meaning that they combine viscous and elastic elements. This mechanical behavior results from self-assembled supramolecular structures that are stabilized by noncovalent interactions. It is an ongoing and profound challenge to understand the self-organization of biological materials. In many cases, concepts can be imported from soft-matter physics and chemistry, which have traditionally focused on materials such as colloids, polymers, surfactants, and liquid crystals. Using these ideas, it is possible to gain a new perspective on phenomena as diverse as DNA condensation, protein and peptide fibrillization, lipid partitioning in rafts, vesicle fusion and budding, and others, as discussed in this selective review of recent highlights from the literature.