Gold Nanoparticles as Effective ion Traps in Poly(dimethylsiloxane) Cross-Linked by Metal-Ligand Coordination

At this time, the development of advanced elastic dielectric materials for use in organic devices, particularly in organic field-effect transistors, is of considerable interest to the scientific community. In the present work, flexible poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) specimens cross-linked by means of ZnCl₂-bipyridine coordination with an addition of 0.001 wt. %, 0.0025 wt. %, 0.005 wt. %, 0.04 wt. %, 0.2 wt. %, and 0.4 wt. % of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were prepared in order to understand the effect of AuNPs on the electrical properties of the composite materials formed. The broadband dielectric spectroscopy measurements revealed one order of magnitude decrease in loss tangent, compared to the coordinated system, upon an introduction of 0.001 wt. % of AuNPs into the polymeric matrix. An introduction of AuNPs causes damping of conductivity within the low-temperature range investigated. These effects can be explained as a result of trapping the Cl⁻ counter ions by the nanoparticles. The study has shown that even a very low concentration of AuNPs (0.001 wt. %) still brings about effective trapping of Cl⁻ counter anions, therefore improving the dielectric properties of the investigated systems. The modification proposed reveals new perspectives for using AuNPs in polymers cross-linked by metal-ligand coordination systems.     

Stochastic analysis in life office management: applications to large annuity portfolios

The paper deals with the riskiness analysis for a large portfolio of life annuities. By means of the limiting distribution of the present value of the portfolio, in the first part of the paper a model for evaluating the investment and the projection risks is presented. In the second part, with regard to the investment risk's effects, the insolvency risk is measured considering the cumulative probability distribution function of the discounted average cost per policy. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

AFM, SEM and GIXRD studies of thin films of red polycarbazolyldiacetylenes

In this paper we report the results of a morphological and structural investigation on film properties of a soluble polydiacetylene, the poly[1,6-bis(3,6-dihexadecyl-N-carbazolyl)-2,4-hexadiyne] (polyDCHD-HS). The red films of this polymer, prepared by standard spin-coating techniques, revealed absence of linear dichroism and birefringence in contrast with the ordered mesophases detected by powder X-ray studies. In order to interpret the optical behavior of this polymer, we performed AFM and SEM studies of polyDCHD-HS films spun on hydrophylic and hydrophobic glass substrates. We found the presence of surfaces organized in rod-like particles, more regularly oriented on the hydrophylic substrate. GIXRD studies, carried out on films sufficiently thick to allow the observation of the diffraction pattern, reveled the presence of a lamellar structure with a spacing of 3.22 nm. The low intensity of the diffraction peaks and the isotropic linear optical properties of the films show that the lamellar mesophases are not extended over large areas. These findings were compared with the data obtained from AFM and SEM studies on films of two other polydiacetylenes, the poly[1-(3,6-dihexadexyl-N-carbazolyl)-6-(N-carbazolyl)-2,4-hexadyine] (polya-DCHD) and the poly[1,6-bis(3,6-dipalmitoyl-N-carbazolyl)-2,4-hexadyine] (polyDPCHD), spun on hydrophylic glass substrate. The results confirmed the presence of nodular morphologies which seem to be a general characteristic of this class of materials. The particles organization appears instead related to the chemical nature of the substituents on the carbazolyl rings.     

Narrow structure in the coherent population trapping resonance in rubidium

An investigation is reported of coherent resonance in the degenerate two-level system of the (Fg = 2 --> Fe = 1) transition of the 87Rb D1 line by means of a Hanle effect configuration. In a coherent population trapping experiment, a very narrow (approximately 1-kHz) resonance superimposed upon a broader resonance (approximately 100 kHz) was observed. The dependence of the width and the amplitude of the coherent resonance on the laser power density, on additional constant magnetic fields, on the laser frequency position along the fluorescence profile, and on Rb cells with different dimensions was investigated.     

Preparation of a new lightly cross-linked liquid crystalline polyamide by interfacial polymerization. Application to the obtainment of microcapsules with photo-triggered release

Microcapsules based on a new liquid crystalline lightly cross-linked polyamide, in which the state of order can be triggered by means of external stimuli, such as temperature and light, were prepared by interfacial polymerization. This polyamide exhibited a nematic phase up to 166 °C and it started to decompose at 340 °C; morphological variations of the film were observed by Scanning Electron Microscopy in correspondence to the clearing temperature; moreover, by continuous irradiation with UV light at room temperature, the polymer underwent E–Z photoisomerization. The prepared microcapsules contained either toluene, or concentrated solutions of naphthalene or β-carotene, as the core; in all cases, their outer surface appeared smooth and dense, while heterogeneities could be seen on the inner face. Capsule diameter lay in the range 30–120 μm, depending on the encapsulated material, with quite narrow size distributions. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first example of microcapsules whose shell is completely constituted by a liquid crystalline lightly cross-linked polymer. Release experiments of β-carotene were performed in water and in tetrahydrofuran. β-Carotene release in water at 20 °C was strongly influenced by UV irradiation: in the absence of irradiation, it was practically negligible while, when microcapsules were submitted to continuous irradiation with UV light, β-carotene was quickly released and reached 100% release after 5 min. Preliminary experiments concerning the effect of temperature and of a swelling solvent, such as THF, on release, were also performed.     

Crystal growth, structure, and physical properties of LnCu2(Al,Si)5 (Ln = La and Ce)

LnCu(2)(Al,Si)(5) (Ln = La and Ce) were synthesized and characterized. These compounds adopt the SrAu(2)Ga(5) structure type and crystallize in the tetragonal space group P4/mmm with unit cell dimensions of a ≈ 4.2 ? and c ≈ 7.9 ?. Herein, we report the structure as obtained from single crystal X-ray diffraction. Additionally, we report the magnetic susceptibility, magnetization, resistivity, and specific heat capacity data obtained for polycrystalline samples of LnCu(2)(Al,Si)(5) (Ln = La and Ce).     

Synthesis of 4,5-dihydro-2,4-benzoxazepin-3( 1H)ones and 1,3,4,5-tetrahydro-2,4-benzoxazepines

o- Aminomethylbeiizyl alcohols (X) easily cyclize with phosgene in an aqueous alkaline medium to form 4,5-dihydro-2,4-benzoxazepin-3(1H)ones (IV) and with aldehydes in acidic conditions to yield 1,3,4,5-tetrahydro-2,4-benzoxazepines (V). The characteristics and chemical behaviour of these new heterocyclic ring systems are reported.     

Comparative PIV and LDA studies of Newtonian and non-Newtonian flows in an agitated tank

The paper presents results of an experimental study of the fluid velocity field in a stirred tank equipped with a Prochem Maxflo T (PMT) type impeller which was rotating at a constant frequency of N = 4.1 or 8.2 s^?1 inducing transitional (Re = 499 or 1307) or turbulent (Re = 2.43 × 10⁴) flow of the fluid. The experiments were performed for a Newtonian fluid (water) and a non-Newtonian fluid (0.2 wt% aqueous solution of carboxymethyl cellulose, CMC) exhibiting mild viscoelastic properties. Measurements were carried out using laser light scattering on tracer particles which follow the flow (2-D PIV). For both the water and the CMC solution one primary and two secondary circulation loops were observed within the fluid volume; however, the secondary loops were characterized by much lower intensity. The applied PMT-type impeller produced in the Newtonian fluid an axial primary flow, whilst in the non-Newtonian fluid the flow was more radial. The results obtained in the form of the local mean velocity components were in satisfactory agreement with the literature data from LDA. Distribution of the shear rate in the studied system was also analyzed. For the non-Newtonian fluid an area was computed where the elastic force dominates over the viscous one. The area was nearly matching the region occupied by the primary circulation loop.