Characterisation of the surface structure and bioactivity of glass and glass ceramics using surface topography

The present paper reports the results of the relationship between the surface topography, microstructure and the in vitro bioactivity of samples with and without fluorapatite content in simulated body fluid. Glasses and glass ceramics belonging to the Li₂O-SiO₂-CaO-P₂O₅-CaF₂ system were prepared by using conventional melting technique following by heat treatment to obtain glass ceramics. This current study demonstrates the benefits of combining two microscopic methods for better investigation of the surface structure. The formation of apatite layer on the surface and the increase in surface roughness proved that the glasses and glass ceramics with bioactive fluorapatite content could satisfy to the requirements for biomaterial applications. The results also showed that the roughness of apatite layer formed after immersion in body fluid on the surface of glasses with fluorapatite was more pronounced than that of equivalent glass ceramic samples cured under the same conditions.      

2-pyrrolidone - capped Mn<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanocrystals

Water-soluble Mn₃O₄ nanocrystals have been prepared through thermal decomposition in a high temperature boiling solvent, 2-pyrrolidone. The final product was characterized with XRD, SEM, TEM, FTIR and Zeta Potential measurements. Average crystallite size was calculated as ∼15 nm using XRD peak broadening. TEM analysis revealed spherical nanoparticles with an average diameter of 14±0.4 nm. FTIR analysis indicated that 2-pyrrolidone coordinates with the Mn₃O₄ nanocrystals only via O from the carbonyl group, thus confining their growth and protecting their surfaces from interaction with neighboring particles.      

Kinetic studies on leucite precursors

Kinetic studies were performed on two types of leucite precursors. These precursors were prepared using a hydrothermal method at 150°C; the reaction time was 1.5 hours. In order to obtain precursors having different amounts of seed the molarity of KOH was changed. These intermediate products were subsequently calcinated from 5 minutes to 72 hours at temperatures of 850°C, 900°C, 950°C, 1000°C and 1050°C. The crystallinities of the powders were calculated by X-ray diffraction analysis. The crystallization curves for the synthesis of leucite exhibited a typical sigmoidal characteristic. Using different kinetic equations it was found that the Avrami-Eroféev model is the most appropriate to describe the experimental data. Using the Avrami-Eroféev model n reaches an average value of 2.9 which is connected with the three-dimensional growth of nuclei. The calculated activation energy of crystallization of leucite was 385 kJ mol_-1 for non-seeded precursors and 246 kJ mol_-1 for seeded precursors, respectively.      

The binary system PbO - BiVO4

Phase equilibria established in the PbO - BiVO₄ system over the whole component concentration range up to 1000°C have been investigated. A phase diagram has been constructed using DTA and XRD.      

A hydroxyaminophosphane derived from 2-imidazolidone and its unusual structure in solution

A novel hydroxyamino phosphane was synthesised through the reaction of 2-imidazolidinone with ClPPh2 and subsequently reaction of the resulting bisphosphino derivative with the Grignard reagent BrMgC₅H₁₁. The interaction of the pentyl substituent with one of the two phosphino groups and the structure in solution is shown by multinuclear NMR-spectroscopy..      

Methylcellulose/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> hybrids: sol-gel preparation and characterization by XRD,FTIR and AFM

Methylcellulose (MC) / SiO₂ organic / inorganic hybrid materials have been prepared from MC and methyltriethoxysilane or ethyltrimethoxysilane, and characterized by XRD, FTIR and AFM. XRD showed peak shifts. FTIR shows intermolecular hydrogen bonding between MC and SiO₂. AFM depicts surface roughness which depends on the silica precursor and MC content.      

New vitreous matrix for chromium waste immobilization

Common waste glasses (window, bottle glass or tableware) with fly ash form a glass matrix for chromium waste immobilization. Soluble chromium from residual waters was adsorbed on fly ash; the resulting solid contained 23.7% Cr⁶⁺. The three glass wastes, chromium-containing fly ash, and borax were used to make glasses in weight ratios waste glass: borax: fly ash of 1: 1: 1 and 1.5: 0.5: 1. The hydrolytic stability ranged from 18.46 to 28.13 µg g^?1 soluble Na₂O, qualifying them in the HGB1 class. The chemical stability, characterized by the dissolution rate, was 0.011–0.077 µg cm^?2 h^?1, depending on the glass composition and the aggressive medium pH. The chromium leachability is influnced by the glass composition and the pH of the leaching solution, ranging between 0–0.015% of the total chromium. Chromium waste vitrification is a viabile solution with multiple economic advantages.

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A green chemical route for the synthesis of Mn3O4 nanoparticles

A novel environmental friendly, room temperature route using an ionic liquid 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydroxide ([BMIM]OH) for the synthesis of Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles is presented. The product was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. Phase purity was confirmed by XRD, and X-ray line profile fitting determined a crystallite size of 42 ± 11 nm. TEM analysis revealed various morphologies. EPR measurements have indicated the existence of long-range interactions, due to the wide range of particle sizes and morphologies observed.      

ZrOCl<Subscript>2</Subscript> · 8H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O: An efficient catalyst for rapid one-pot synthesis of 3-carboxycoumarins under ultrasound irradiation in water

In this report, a rapid, efficient and environmental friendly synthesis of 3-carboxycoumarins under ultrasound irradiation in water media is described. The Knoevenagel condensation of Meldrum’s acid with substituted benzaldehydes in the presence of zirconium oxide chloride (ZrOCl₂·8H₂O) and ultrasonic irradiation in water gave the corresponding 3-carboxycoumarins in good to excellent yields.      

Influence of complexation on the composition of equilibrium phases in the system of Ce2(SO4)3-La2(SO4)3

The cocrystallization of Ce₂(SO₄)₃ and La₂(SO₄)₃ is studied in aqueous and H₂SO₄ (150 g/dm³) solutions at 25 °C and 64 °C. The effect of the formation of inner sphere sulfate complexes of the type LnSO ₄ ⁺ in determining the composition of the equilibrium phases is revealed.      

Density functional theory study of the photosensitization mechanisms of indigo

The triplet excited state properties and photosensitization mechanisms of indigo were investigated based on density functional theory calculations. The solvent effects on the photosensitization mechanisms of indigo have also been considered. The thermodynamic feasibility of the possible ¹O₂ and O₂·⁻-photogeneration pathways by triplet excited state indigo in different solvents was explored, in order to gain some deeper insights into the photosensitization characters of the dye.      

Synthesis,characterization and antifungal testing of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-(thio)ones containing boronic acids and boronate esters

The addition of formylphenylboronic acid derivatives to thiourea and ethyl acetoacetate proceeds in the presence of an additional Lewis acid catalyst to give the corresponding 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-(thio)ones (Biginelli products) in moderate yield. Compounds were tested for antifungal activity against pure cultures of Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae but, unfortunately, none showed any appreciable activity.      

Low temperature synthesis and characterization of Mn3O4 nanoparticles

Heating hydrous manganese (II) hydroxide gel at 85 °C for 12 hours produces Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles. They were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The particle size estimated from the SEM and X-ray peak broadening is approximately 32 nm, showing them to be nanocrystalline. EPR measurements confirm a typical Mn²⁺signal with a highly resolved hyperfine structure.      

One-pot, three-component condensation of 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde derivatives, primary amines with alkyl isocyanides to N-alkyl-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2-imino-acetamides

One-pot, three-component condensation of 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde derivatives, primary amines with alkyl isocyanides is reported. N-alkyl-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2-iminoacetamide derivatives are generated presumably via the preliminary formation of N, N′-disubstituted benzo[b]furan-2,3-diamines and subsequent oxidation with molecular oxygen.      

The study of cyclooctene oxidation with molecular oxygen catalyzed by VSi2

The catalytic effect of VSi₂ on initial stages of the liquid-phase oxidation of cyclooctene by molecular oxygen was studied. The vanadium disilicide influences on the oxidation process in the presence of hydroperoxide. VSi₂ takes part in a radical formation stage by catalysis of hydroperoxide decomposition reaction. The catalyst was investigated before and after reaction using FTIR spectroscopy. From the data obtained, the kinetic model of the catalytic oxidation process was proposed and the equation for the reaction rate was derived. The equation has described all observed dependences of reaction rate on the concentration of reactants and content of catalyst.      

Synthesis of novel mesoporous Al2O3 microspheres with flower-like structure

Using glucose as a structuring additive and aluminium nitrate as the Al precursor, a novel kind of mesoporous Al₂O₃ microspheres with flower-like structure were synthesized hydrothermally at 180°C for 20 h. When the synthesis temperature was lowered to 140°C, the carambola-like Al₂O₃ can be synthesized. This approach is convenient and simple, and flower-like Ce-Al₂O₃ and La-Al₂O₃ spheres have also been prepared in this way. It may be applied to synthesize other metal oxides when suitable precursor salts are used. From an analysis of the experimental results, a mechanism for the formation of the flower-like Al₂O₃ spheres has been proposed and discussed.      

Ionic liquid promoted synthesis of bis(indolyl) methanes

1-benzyl-3-methyl imidazolium hydrogen sulphate [bnmim][HSO₄] was found to be an effective catalyst for the condensation reaction of indoles and derivatives with benzaldehydes in microwave irradiation with lower reaction time and higher yields to give bis(indolyl) methanes.      

Equilibrium and kinetic study of the proton transfer reactions between nitroalkanes and strong organic bases — phosphazenes in tetrahydrofuran solvent

Proton transfer reactions rates between carbon acids 1-nitro-1-(4-nitrophenyl)ethane (NPNE), 2-methyl-1-nitro-1-(4-nitrophenyl)propane (MNPNP)) and phosphazenes (BEMP, BTPP, P₁-t-Oct) in tetrahydrofuran have been measured, and the activation parameters were determined. The results are compared with those previously obtained for P₁-t-Bu phosphazene, guanidines and amidines.      

Synthesis of Co3O4 nanoparticles by oxidation-reduction method and its magnetic characterization

Without any surfactant, antiferromagnetic Co₃O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized successfully for the first time by means of an oxidation-reduction method with cobalt sulfate as starting material, which was oxidized to cobalt salt by NaNO₃ after alkalinizing with NaOH. Morphological, structural, spectroscopic and magnetic characterization of the product were done by SEM, TEM, XRD, and VSM, respectively. The average crystallite size (on the base of line profile fitting method), D and σ, is estimated as 30 ± 6 nm. Some anomalous magnetic properties and their enhanced effect have been observed in Co₃O₄ antiferromagnetic nanocrystallites, including a bias field, coercivity, permanent magnetic moments and an open loop. These phenomena are attributed to the unidirectional anisotropy which is caused by the exchange coupling between AFM and FM layers, the existence of the spin glass like surface spins of Co₃O₄ nanoparticles due to size effects and surface-area effect.      

Subsolidus area of the system CdO - V2O5 - Fe2O3

Phase diagrams in the subsolidus area of the systems FeVO₄ - CdO and FeVO₄ - Cd₂V₂O₇ have been deduced using the results of XRD and DTA analyses. On the basis of these diagrams and some additional verifying research, a projection of the subsolidus area of the CdO - V₂O₅ - Fe₂O₃ system onto the plane that comprises the components’ concentration triangle has been presented. The H-type phase is the only phase formed in this system. It co-exists at equilibrium with other phases in six subsidiary subsystems.