Traceability in Multi-ingredient Botanicals by HPTLC Fingerprint Approach

JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC - A high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method was developed for simple and rapid chemical analyses of...     

Generation of Highly Resilient to Decoherence Macroscopic Quantum Superpositions via Phase-covariant Quantum Cloning

In this paper we analyze the resilience to decoherence of the Macroscopic Quantum Superpositions (MQS) generated by optimal phase-covariant quantum cloning according to two coherence criteria, both based on the concept of Bures distance in Hilbert spaces. We show that all MQS generated by this system are characterized by a high resilience to decoherence processes. This analysis is supported by the results of recent MQS experiments of N=3.5×10⁴ particles.     

A new terpyridine tethered polythiophene: Electrosynthesis and characterization

A novel polythiophene bearing a pendant terpyridine moiety has been synthesized by electrochemical polymerization of a new thiophene monomer, namely 4′‐(2,2′:5′,2″‐terthien‐3′‐ethynyl)‐2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine (TAT). The insertion of a conjugated ethynyl spacer between the terthiophene and the terpyridine fragments provides for an effective extension of the delocalization of electrons within the structural unit and the polymer as a whole. The synthesis and characterization of the relevant monomer, the electrosynthesis of the corresponding polymer and its electrochemical, UV–visible spectroelectrochemical and IR characterization are described. Finally, a comparison between the electrochemical, spectroscopic, and spectroelectrochemical properties of PTAT and the analogue, saturated‐spacer PTTT (TTT = 4′‐[(2,2′:5′,2″‐terthien‐3′‐yl)methoxy]‐2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine) polymer is discussed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Layer-by-layer deposition of a polythiophene/Au nanoparticles multilayer with effective electrochemical properties

Multilayers consisting of a water soluble polythiophene derivative and Au nanoparticles have been deposited onto different electrode substrates by means of layer-by-layer deposition technique. The assembly of the films has been performed by taking advantage of the electrostatic interactions between the positively charged imidazolic moiety of the polythiophene chain and the negative charges of citrate ions surrounding Au nanoparticles, as well of the affinity of S to Au. The nanoparticles result stably grafted to the organic matrix. The resulting modified electrodes have been characterised through electrochemical, spectroelectrochemical and microscopic techniques. The results evidenced that a high number of individual nanoparticles is present inside the multilayer. The presence of nanoparticles is of chief importance for most effective charge percolation through the multilayer, as suggested by the responses to electroactive probe species in solution. The electrocatalytic performances of the modified electrodes have been tested with respect to the oxidation of ascorbic acid.

     

Portable Raman versus portable mid-FTIR reflectance instruments to monitor synthetic treatments used for the conservation of monument surfaces

This study aims to evaluate the relevance of portable Raman and portable mid-Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) reflectance instruments in monitoring the synthetic treatments applied on plaster substrates, a crucial issue in a conservation work. Some polymeric consolidants and protectives have a relatively short life owing to their degradation, and after some years the surface should be retreated. It follows that any information about the presence and composition of the products applied, their chemical transformations and their distribution on the surfaces is essential. For these purposes, conservation scientists should seek and test new in situ methods, and this is of utmost importance especially in the case of buildings, considering their large dimensions and consequent extensive mapping. The effectiveness of portable Raman and portable mid-FTIR reflectance instruments has been compared by analysing a set of laboratory specimens prepared and treated with variable amounts of products belonging to three classes of polymers; the spectroscopic investigation highlighted, for the first time, the limits and the advantages of portable Raman and portable mid-FTIR reflectance instruments in the detection of small amounts of products commonly employed for the conservation of plasters.