Mild-temperature Synthesis of Covellite Copper Sulfide Hexagonal Nanoplatelets via the Hydrothermal Route

Covellite CuS hexagonal nanoplatelets were prepared by a simple hydrothermal process at mild temperature, using sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate （SDBS） as an assisting reagent. The products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction （XRD）, transmission electron microscopy （TEM） and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. An energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer （EDS） was used to analyze the elementary compositions of the intermediate products. A possible formation mechanism of hexagonal nanoplatelets is discussed, using TEM observations.     

Development of an X-ray detector using surface plasmon resonance

A new X-ray detector using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is proposed. The detector consists of a prism coated with a thin metal film and semiconductor film. Optical laser pulse induces SPR condition on the metal surface, and synchronized X-ray pulse which is absorbed into the semiconductor film can be detected by measuring the change of the resonance condition of the surface plasmon. The expected time and spatial resolution of this detector is better than that of conventional X-ray detectors by combining this SPR measurement with ultra-short laser pulse as the probe beam. Our preliminary investigation using Au and ZnSe coated prism implies this scheme works well as the detector for the ultra-short X-ray pulse.     

HY分子筛为模板合成的微孔炭及其电化学电容性能

以HY分子筛为模板, 采用糠醇浸渍炭化法和糠醇浸渍-乙腈气相沉积炭化法制备了多种微孔炭材料, 分别标记为PFA系列和AN系列, 并研究了其电化学电容性能. X射线衍射(XRD)测试表明AN系列炭材料较好地复制了HY分子筛模板的孔结构有序性. X射线光电子能谱仪(XPS)测试表明, 乙腈气相沉积在炭材料中引入丰富的含氮官能团. 氮气吸附测试表明, 炭材料是典型的微孔材料, 具有较高的比表面积, 较窄的孔径分布范围. 电化学测试表明, AN系列炭材料电容性能较好, 并具有明显的赝电容, 其中AN8的比电容最大可达210 F·g^-1. AN系列炭材料的电容保持率与材料的导电性和介孔率有关.     

EXAFS,determination of short range order and local structures in materials

Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) is a powerful method of determining short range order and local structures in materials using X-ray photons produced by a synchrotron light source, or in-house by a high intensity rotating anode X-ray generator. The technique has provided valuable structural information on disordered solids (such as metal-on-support catalysts), amorphous solids, semiconductors and the environment of metals in metallo-enzymes.     

Analytical possibilities of different X-ray fluorescence systems for determination of trace elements in aqueous samples pre-concentrated with carbon nanotubes

This study was aimed to achieve improved instrumental sensitivity and detection limits for multielement determination of V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Se, Pb and Cd in liquid samples by using different X-ray fluorescence (XRF) configurations (a benchtop energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, a benchtop polarised energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer and a wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer).The preconcentration of metals from liquid solutions consisted on a solid-phase extraction using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as solid sorbents. After the extraction step, the aqueous sample was filtered and CNTs with the absorbed elements were collected onto a filter paper which was directly analyzed by XRF.The calculated detection limits in all cases were in the low ng mL^− 1 range. Nevertheless, results obtained indicate the benefits, in terms of sensitivity, of using polarized X-ray sources using different secondary targets in comparison to conventional XRF systems, above all if Cd determination is required.The developed methodologies, using the aforementioned equipments, have been applied for multielement determination in water samples from an industrial area of Poland.     

Effects of X-ray radiation on the surface chemical composition of plasma deposited thin fluorocarbon films

Different thin fluorocarbon (FC) films were deposited on Si(111) using plasma polymerisation and then exposed to X-ray radiation. Changes in the chemical composition of the deposited fluorocarbon films as a function of irradiation time were investigated in situ using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The evaluation of the C1s and F1s core level induced emission as a function of exposure to X-ray radiation (Mg Kα, hν = 1253.6 eV) reveals changes in the surface chemical composition of the FC polymer structure. The presented results indicate a high defluorination under X-ray irradiation. Additionally, binding energy shifts of the F1s and C1s peaks during the exposure associated with surface charging effects were observed. With ongoing exposure the surface charging decreases continuously and the FC surfaces become more conductive due to changes in the polymer structure. Different models have been used to describe the decomposition kinetics and surface composition.     

Bis(tetrathiafulvalene)-calix[2]pyrrole[2]- thiophene and its complexation with TCNQ

The synthesis of a rare example of a calix[2]pyrrole[2]thiophene derivative incorporating two tetrathiafulvalene units is described along with its X-ray crystal structure. Complexation studies between the bis(tetrathiafulvalene)-calix[2]pyrrole[2]thiophene and 7,7,8,8-tetracyano-p-quinodimethane (TCNQ) were carried out in solution using absorption and ESR spectroscopies as well as in the solid state using X-ray crystallography and IR spectroscopy.     

XAFS spectral analysis of the cadmium coordination geometry in cadmium thiolate clusters in metallothionein

We report the combination of measurement and prediction of X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) data, where the term XAFS refers to the overall spectrum that encompasses both the X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) region as well as the Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) region, to evaluate the cadmium thiolate cluster structures in the metalloprotein metallothionein. XAFS spectra were simulated using coordinates from molecular models of the protein calculated by molecular mechanics/molecular dynamics (MM3/MD), from NMR analyses, and from analysis of X-ray diffraction data. XAFS spectra were also simulated using the coordinates from X-ray crystallographic data for [Cd(SPh)4]2-, CdS, [Cd2(mu-SPh)2(SPh)4]2-, and [Cd4(mu-SPh)6(SPh)4]2-. The simulated XAFS data that were calculated using the FEFF8 program closely resemble the experimental data reported for [Cd(SPh)4]2-, CdS, [Cd2(mu-SPh)2(SPh)4]2-, [Cd4(mu-SPh)6(SPh)4]2-, rabbit liver metallothionein cadmium alpha-domain (Cd4-alpha MT), and cadmium rabbit liver betaalpha metallothionein (Cd7-betaalpha MT). MM3 force field parameters were modified to include cadmium-sulfur bonding and were initially set to values derived from published X-ray diffraction and EXAFS experimental data. The force field was further calibrated and adjusted through comparison between experimental spectra taken from the literature and simulated XAFS spectra calculated using the FEFF8 program in combination with atomic coordinates from MM3/MD energy minimization. MM3/MD techniques were used with the calibrated force field to predict the high-resolution structure of the metal clusters in rabbit liver Cd7-MT. Structures for Cd3S9 (beta) MT and Cd4S11 (alpha) MT domains from MM3/MD calculations and those previously reported for Cd7-MT on the basis of 1H and 113Cd NMR data were compared. Structural differences between the different models for these cadmium thiolate clusters were evident. Combining the measurement and simulation of XAFS data provides an excellent method of assessing, modeling, and predicting metal-binding sites in metalloproteins when X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) data are available.     

Study on the influence of X-ray tube spectral distribution on the analysis of bulk samples and thin films: Fundamental parameters method and theoretical coefficient algorithms

Knowledge of X-ray tube spectral distribution is necessary in theoretical methods of matrix correction, i.e. in both fundamental parameter (FP) methods and theoretical influence coefficient algorithms. Thus, the influence of X-ray tube distribution on the accuracy of the analysis of thin films and bulk samples is presented. The calculations are performed using experimental X-ray tube spectra taken from the literature and theoretical X-ray tube spectra evaluated by three different algorithms proposed by Pella et al. (X-Ray Spectrom. 14 (1985) 125–135), Ebel (X-Ray Spectrom. 28 (1999) 255–266), and Finkelshtein and Pavlova (X-Ray Spectrom. 28 (1999) 27–32). In this study, Fe–Cr–Ni system is selected as an example and the calculations are performed for X-ray tubes commonly applied in X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF), i.e., Cr, Mo, Rh and W. The influence of X-ray tube spectra on FP analysis is evaluated when quantification is performed using various types of calibration samples. FP analysis of bulk samples is performed using pure-element bulk standards and multielement bulk standards similar to the analyzed material, whereas for FP analysis of thin films, the bulk and thin pure-element standards are used. For the evaluation of the influence of X-ray tube spectra on XRF analysis performed by theoretical influence coefficient methods, two algorithms for bulk samples are selected, i.e. Claisse–Quintin (Can. Spectrosc. 12 (1967) 129–134) and COLA algorithms (G.R. Lachance, Paper Presented at the International Conference on Industrial Inorganic Elemental Analysis, Metz, France, June 3, 1981) and two algorithms (constant and linear coefficients) for thin films recently proposed by Sitko (X-Ray Spectrom. 37 (2008) 265–272).     

Large-scale synthesis of bioinert tantalum oxide nanoparticles for X-ray computed tomography imaging and bimodal image-guided sentinel lymph node mapping

Ever since Au nanoparticles were developed as X-ray contrast agents, researchers have actively sought alternative nanoparticle-based imaging probes that are not only inexpensive but also safe for clinical use. Herein, we demonstrate that bioinert tantalum oxide nanoparticles are suitable nanoprobes for high-performance X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging while simultaneously being cost-effective and meeting the criteria as a biomedical platform. Uniformly sized tantalum oxide nanoparticles were prepared using a microemulsion method, and their surfaces were readily modified using various silane derivatives through simple in situ sol-gel reaction. The silane-modified surface enabled facile immobilization of functional moieties such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) and fluorescent dye. PEG was introduced to endow the nanoparticles with biocompatibility and antifouling activity, whereas immobilized fluorescent dye molecules enabled simultaneous fluorescence imaging as well as X-ray CT imaging. The resulting nanoparticles exhibited remarkable performances in the in vivo X-ray CT angiography and bimodal image-guided lymph node mapping. We also performed an extensive study on in vivo toxicity of tantalum oxide nanoparticles, revealing that the nanoparticles did not affect normal functioning of organs.     

PdAu合金泡沫膜的制备及其对乙醇的电催化活性（英文）

采用氢气泡动态模板电沉积法制备了三维多孔Au掺杂的Pd合金泡沫膜。采用场发射扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、能量分散X射线光谱仪(EDX)、X射线衍射(XRD)和X射线光电子能谱(XPS)对三维多孔PdAu合金泡沫膜的形貌和结构特征进行了表征。由于特殊的多孔结构和电子效应,Au掺杂的PdAu合金泡沫膜与单种多孔Pd膜相比,在碱性介质中对乙醇的电氧化具有高电催化活性。     

Biogenic synthesis of palladium nanoparticles using Boswellia sarrata and their applications in cross-coupling reactions

A facile and green route for biogenic synthesis of palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) using aqueous extract of nontoxic and renewable Boswellia sarrata leaves is reported. The as-synthesized PdNPs were systematically characterized by using ultraviolet (UV)–visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The PdNPs were crystalline and cubic in nature with average particle size of ~6 nm and successfully employed as heterogeneous catalyst in the Suzuki–Miyaura and Mizoroki–Heck cross-coupling reactions. The PdNPs could be recycled up to five times with modest change in the catalytic activity.     

Bionanoparticles of amphiphilic copolymers polyacrylate bearing cholesterol and ascorbate for drug delivery

In this study, a series of amphiphilic polymers with poly(ascorbyl acrylate) (PAAA) as hydrophilic blocks and polyacrylate bearing side-chain cholesteryl mesogens (PCholDEGA) as hydrophobic blocks were prepared using a combination of four-step reactions consisting of two consecutive reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT), desulfurization, and hydrogenolysis under normal pressure. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) as well as wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) studies showed that the copolymers with PCholDEGA as major block had relatively high stability and clear isotropization temperature (T(i)). Small-angle X-ray diffraction (SAXD) investigation exhibited that the copolymers had bilayer smectic A structure. Their self-assembly behavior was monitored by turbidity change using UV-vis spectrometer, and the morphology and size of the nanoparticles via self-assembly were detected using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The entrapment efficiency and loading capacity of these amphiphilic copolymers were investigated using nile red and drug molecule Ibuprofen. These polymeric micelles with PAAA shell extending into the aqueous solution and strong hydrophobic PCholDEGA core have potential abilities to act as promising nanovehicles with high loading and targeting delivery.     

Effect of the ionic aggregation on the crystallisation behavior of poly(ethylene) part of ionomer

The influence of ionic interaction on the melt-crystallization behavior of the ethylene ionomer was studied using modulated DSC (MDSC^TM), wide angle X-ray scattering (XRD) and hot stage microscopy. The kinetics of the crystallization process of the ionomer was evaluated using isothermal differential scanning calorimetry (iso-DSC). Wide-angle X-ray scattering was used to examine the d spacing of poly(ethylene) part. The crystallinity of the poly(ethylene) part of ionomer measured from XRD is found to be 24%, which is comparable to that obtained from MDSC^TM. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) results show that the clusters and multiplets exist in the ionomer, and the cluster is about 127Ĺ. The kinetics of crystallization process obtained using Avrami equation shows that the crystallization process is fundamentally similar to poly(ethylene) as it goes through nucleation and propagation stages of the crystals. However, the morphology of the crystal appears to be different and influenced by clusters (platelike and/or needle-shaped) as evident from Avrami constant. This is different from the poly(ethylene) (which is spherulitic in nature) due to polar cluster and hydrophobic PE melt interaction. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Quantitative X-ray fluorescence analysis of an Egyptian faience pendant and comparison with PIXE

The X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technique is a common choice in the archaeometric field for in situ investigations with portable instruments. This work shows that XRF portable systems can be used for quantitative analyses using appropriate software, obtaining a similar accuracy to that provided with other techniques such as particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE), as shown for an Egyptian faience pendant and for two glass standards.     

Photoreduction kinetics of sodium tetrachloroaurate under synchrotron soft X-ray exposure

We report on the time evolution of the sodium tetrachloroaurate (NaAuCl(4)) chemical properties as a function of soft X-ray exposure in a dried sample on a silicon surface using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Our investigations provide mechanistic insight into the photoreduction kinetics from Au(III) to Au(I) and then Au(I) to Au(0). We unambiguously show that XPS photoreduction occurs in stepwise fashion via the Au(I) state. Both photoreduction steps undergo first-order kinetics.     

Synthesis of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles and oxidation of sulfides by using boehmite nanoparticles/nickel-curcumin as a robust and extremely efficient green nanocatalyst

Nickel-anchored curcumin-functionalized boehmite nanoparticles (BNPs@Cur-Ni) as a robust and versatile nanocatalyst was synthesized and well-characterized by using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray mapping, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The synthesis of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles and the oxidation of sulfides were conducted by BNPs@Cur-Ni with excellent turnover number (TON) and turnover frequency (TOF) outcomes. Also, the catalyst was reused for several sequential runs without Ni leaching or decreasing in reaction yield. Utilizing the curcumin and boehmite with a natural source as well as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as a solvent in this simple protocol can be based on green chemistry rules.     

Thermoanalytical study of some anti-inflammatory analgesic agents

Thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) as well as X-ray diffraction powder (DRX) patterns and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to study ketoprofen, ibuprofen, and naproxen. The chemical or physical properties of the studied compounds were established and when possible by X-ray powder diffractometry and/or infrared spectroscopy were used. In this investigation, quantum chemical approach was used to determine the molecular structures using Becke three-parameter hybrid method and the Lee–Yang–Par (LYP) correlation functional. The performed molecular calculations in this work were done using the Gaussian 03 routine. Theoretical calculations help in interpretations of FTIR spectra supplying structural and physicochemical parameters.     

X-ray fluorescence imaging with polycapillary X-ray optics

X-ray fluorescence spectrometry imaging is a powerful tool to provide information about the chemical composition and elemental distribution of a specimen. X-ray fluorescence spectrometry images were conventionally obtained by using a μ-X-ray fluorescence spectrometry spectrometer, which requires scanning a sample. Faster X-ray fluorescence spectrometry imaging would be achieved by eliminating the process of sample scanning. Thus, we developed an X-ray fluorescence spectrometry imaging instrument without sample scanning by using polycapillary X-ray optics, which had energy filter characteristics caused by the energy dependence of the total reflection phenomenon. In the present paper, we show that two independent straight polycapillary X-ray optics could be used as an energy filter of X-rays for X-ray fluorescence. Only low energy X-rays were detected when the angle between the two optical axes was increased slightly. Energy-selective X-ray fluorescence spectrometry images with projection mode were taken by using an X-ray CCD camera equipped with two polycapillary optics. It was shown that Fe Kα (6.40 keV) and Cu Kα (8.04 keV) could be discriminated for Fe and Cu foils.     

One-pot, high-yield synthesis of size-controlled gold particles with narrow size distribution

Here, we first report a facile one-step one-phase synthetic route to achieve size-controlled gold micro/nanoparticles with narrow size distribution by using o-diaminobenzene as a reducing agent in the presence of poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) via a simple wet-chemical approach. All experimental data including that from scanning-electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction techniques indicates that the gold micro/nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution were produced in high yield (approximately 100%).