Molecular structure and IR absorption spectra of perfluorinated aldehyde hydrates (n-CxF2x+1CH(OH)2, x = 1-4)

Structures and IR absorption spectra of the conformational isomers of perfluorinated aldehyde hydrates, n-C_xF_2x+1CH(OH)₂, (x = 1-4) have been calculated using density functional theory (DFT) and compared to experimental FT-IR measurements. Two absorption peaks around 3600-3700 cm⁻¹ were observed and are assigned to OH stretching modes of OH groups with, and without, intramolecular hydrogen bonding. For n-C₃F₇CH(OH)₂, two absorption bands around 900-1000 cm⁻¹ were observed in the experimental spectra, whereas only a single in-phase stretching mode of the (CF₃)(C₂F₄CH(OH)₂) and (C₃F₇)(CH(OH)₂) bonds was calculated for each conformer. The experimental spectra were well described by composite spectra of the thermal equilibrium mixture of different conformational isomers of n-C_xF_2x+1CH(OH)₂ calculated by DFT.     

Fluorometric determination of fluoride ion by reagent tablets containing 3-hydroxy-2'-sulfoflavone and zirconium(IV) ethylenediamine tetraacetate

A reagent tablet for determination of fluoride ion has been prepared using ethylenediamine-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetate complex of zirconium (Zr-EDTA), 3-hydroxy-2′-flavone (FS) and an appropriate pH buffer. Dissolving of the tablet into water exhibits an intense blue fluorescence (λ_max = 460 nm) upon excitation at 377 nm and the fluorescence intensity decreases with the presence of fluoride ion. Hence, a simple fluorescent detection procedure for fluoride ion in aqueous media was successfully constructed with this tablet. The principle of this detection system is the ligand exchange reaction of FS bound to Zr-EDTA with fluoride ion. The present system provides an easy, rapid and selective determination method of fluoride ion ranging from 5 × 10⁻⁶ to 1 × 10⁻³ mol dm⁻³. The measurement of real samples with this tablet showed the similar results as those by the common method with the Alfusone reagent.     

Moisture driven aging mechanism of LiFePO4 subjected to air exposure

The impact of air exposure on LiFePO₄–C nanocomposites has been investigated at moderate temperature. We show here that the storage in 120 °C hot air for 30 days leads not only to the material delithiation but also to the formation of an amorphous ferric phosphate side-phase, accounting for 38% of the total iron. The formed phase is found to be partially hydrated, suggesting a water-driven aging mechanism and a proposed hypothetic formula: Li_xFePO₄(OH)_x. The side-phase displays new electrochemical activity but poor cyclability and the overall battery performance is thus deteriorated. The regeneration of pristine structure, together with the performance recovery can be achieved by a simple thermal treatment under inert atmosphere.     

Stress‐Induced Domain Wall Motion in a Ferroelastic Mn3+ Spin Crossover Complex

Domain wall motion is detected for the first time during the transition to a ferroelastic and spin state ordered phase of a spin crossover complex. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS) revealed two distinct symmetry‐breaking phase transitions in the mononuclear Mn³⁺ compound [Mn(3,5‐diBr‐sal₂(323))]BPh₄, 1. The first at 250 K, involves the space group change Cc→Pc and is thermodynamically continuous, while the second, Pc→P1 at 85 K, is discontinuous and related to spin crossover and spin state ordering. Stress‐induced domain wall mobility was interpreted on the basis of a steep increase in acoustic loss immediately below the the Pc‐P1 transition     

Raman spectral changes of alcoholic zinc chloride solutions from liquid state to glassy state

Raman spectral changes associated with vitrification were measured for ZnCl₂·4OROH solutions (ROH=methanol, ethanol and 1-propanol). Solvated ZnCl₂ is the only major Zn-species in these solutions at room temperature while the dominant Zn-species stabilized in the glassy alcoholic solutions are ZnCl ₃ ^– , ZnCl ₄ ^2– and [Zn(MeOH)₆]²⁺ for the methanol solution, ZnCl₂ and ZnCl ₃ ^– for the ethanol solution and ZnCl₂ for the 1-propanol solution. Together with Raman data for aqueous ZnCl₂ solutions, the differences in the dominant Zn-species in the glassy alcoholic solutions are discussed in terms of the dielectric constants of solvents (water and alcohols).     

Spray Pyrolysis Preparation of Apatite-Composite Particles for Biological Application

Apatite derived by sol-gel routes through an amorphous state or derived biomimetically is likely to provide chemically and biologically active surfaces. Thus apatite or apatite-composite particles were prepared by spray-pyrolysis of several solutions as they were applicable to medical treatment. Calcium lactate and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate aqueous solutions stabilized with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid were sprayed ultrasonically and pyrolysed at 600°C to yield amorphous particles of apatite while apatite-ferric oxide composite powders were prepared from the solutions of calcium lactate and ferric nitrate. Solutions of calcium nitrate and titanium ethoxide in 0.5 N HNO₃ were also spray-pyrolysed at 600°C to prepare calcium titanate and titanium oxide particles trapped on a Ti substrate. Apatite could biomimetically be developed on the calcium titanate particles when they were soaked in an acellular simulated body fluid.     

Imaging Analysis of Near-Field Recording Technique for Observation of Biological Specimens

We present an analysis of the properties of an imaging based on a near-field recording technique in comparison with simulation results. In the system, the optical field distributions localized near the specimens are recorded as the surface topographic distributions of a photosensitive film. It is possible to observe both soft and moving specimens, because the system does not require a scanning probe to obtain the observed image. The imaging properties are evaluated using fine structures of paramecium, and we demonstrate that it is possible to observe minute differences of refractive indices.     

Real-time imaging of radioisotope labeled compounds in a living plant

We developed a quantitative, real-time imaging system of labeled compounds in a living plant. The system was composed of CsI scintillator to convert β-rays to visible light and an image intensifier unit (composed of GaAsP semiconductor and MCP; micro channel plate) to detect extremely weak light. When the sensitivity and resolution of the image of our system was compared with that of an imaging plate (IP), the sensitivity of our system (with 20 minutes) was higher than that of an IP, with similar quality to that of an IP. Using this system, the translocation of ³²P in a soybean plant tissue was shown in successive images. Shared first authors.