Chemical and Mechanical Characterization of Licorice Root and Palm Leaf Waste Incorporated into Poly(urethane-acrylate) (PUA)

A poly(urethane-acrylate) polymer (PUA) was synthesized, and a sufficiently high molecular weight starting from urethane-acrylate oligomer (UAO) was obtained. PUA was then loaded with two types of powdered ligno-cellulosic waste, namely from licorice root and palm leaf, in amounts of 1, 5 and 10%, and the obtained composites were chemically and mechanically characterized. FTIR analysis of final PUA synthesized used for the composite production confirmed the new bonds formed during the polymerization process. The degradation temperatures of the two types of waste used were in line with what observed in most common natural fibers with an onset at 270 °C for licorice waste, and at 290 °C for palm leaf one. The former was more abundant in cellulose (44% vs. 12% lignin), whilst the latter was richer in lignin (30% vs. 26% cellulose). In the composites, only a limited reduction of degradation temperature was observed for palm leaf waste addition and some dispersion issues are observed for licorice root, leading to fluctuating results. Tensile performance of the composites indicates some reduction with respect to the pure polymer in terms of tensile strength, though stabilizing between data with 5 and 10% filler. In contrast, Shore A hardness of both composites slightly increases with higher filler content, while in stiffness-driven applications licorice-based composites showed potential due to an increase up to 50% compared to neat PUA. In general terms, the fracture surfaces tend to become rougher with filler introduction, which indicates the need for optimizing interfacial adhesion.     

Electrochemically controlled formation/dissociation of phosphonate-cavitand/methylpyridinium complexes

The phosphorus-bridged cavitand 1 self-assembles very efficiently in CH2Cl2 with either the monopyridinium guest 2+ or the bispyridinium guest 3(2+). In the first case a 1:1 complex is obtained, whereas in the second case both 1:1 and 2:1 host-guest complexes are observed. The association between 1 and either one of the guests causes the quenching of the cavitand fluorescence; in the case of the adduct between 1 and 3(2+), the fluorescence of the latter is also quenched. Cavitand complexation is found to affect the reduction potential values of the electroactive guests. Voltammetric and spectroelectrochemical measurements show that upon one-electron reduction both guests are released from the cavity of 1. Owing to the chemical reversibility of such redox processes, the supramolecular complexes can be re-assembled upon removal of the extra electron from the guest. Systems of this kind are promising for the construction of switchable nanoscale devices and self-assembling supramolecular materials, the structure and properties of which can be reversibly controlled by electrochemical stimuli.     

Conformational behavior of pyrazine-bridged and mixed-bridged cavitands: a general model for solvent effects on thermal "vase-kite" switching

The controllable switching of suitably bridged resorcin[4]arene cavitands between a "vase" conformation, with a cavity capable of guest inclusion, and a "kite" conformation, featuring an extended flattened surface, provides the basis for ongoing developments of dynamic molecular receptors, sensors, and molecular machines. This paper describes the synthesis, X-ray crystallographic characterization, and NMR analysis of the "vase-kite" switching behavior of a fully pyrazine-bridged cavitand and five other mixed-bridged quinoxaline-bridged cavitands with one methylene, phosphonate, or phosphate bridge. The pyrazine-bridged resorcin[4]arene cavitand displayed an unexpectedly high preference for the kite conformation in nonpolar solvents, relative to the quinoxaline-bridged analogue. This observation led to extensive solvent-dependent switching studies that provide a detailed picture of how solvent affects the thermal vase-kite equilibration. As for any thermodynamic process in the liquid phase, the conformational equilibrium is affected by how the solvent stabilizes the two individual states. Suitably sized solvents (benzene and derivatives) solvate the cavity of the vase form and reduce the propensity for the vase-to-kite transition. Correspondingly, the kite geometry becomes preferred in bulky solvents such as mesitylene, incapable of penetrating the vase cavity. As proposed earlier by Cram, the kite form is preferred at low temperatures due to the more favorable enthalpy of solvation of the enlarged surface. Furthermore, the kite conformation is more preferred in solvents with substantial hydrogen-bonding acidity: weak hydrogen-bonding interactions between the mildly basic quinoxaline and pyrazine nitrogen atoms and solvent molecules are more efficient in the open kite than in the closed vase form. Vase-to-kite conversion is entirely absent in dipolar aprotic solvents lacking any H-bonding acidity. Thermal vase-kite switching requires fully quinoxaline- or pyrazine-bridged cavitands, whereas pH-controlled switching is also applicable to systems incorporating only two or three such bridges.     

Chemically stable anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells based on Y-doped barium zirconate thin films having improved performance

Anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) based on thin BaZr_0.8Y_0.2O_3 ? δ (BZY) electrolyte films were fabricated by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) on sintered NiO–BZY composite anodes. After in situ reduction of NiO to Ni, the anode substrates became porous, while retaining good adhesion with the electrolyte. A slurry-coated composite cathode made of La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O_3 ? δ (LSCF) and BaCe_0.9Yb_0.1O_3 ? δ (BCYb), specifically developed for proton conducting electrolytes, was used to assemble fuel cell prototypes. Depositing by PLD 100 nm thick LSCF porous films onto the BZY thin films was essential to improve the cathode/electrolyte adhesion. A power density output of 110 mW/cm² at 600 °C, the largest reported value for an anode-supported fuel cell based on BZY at this temperature, was achieved. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements were used to investigate the different contributions to the total polarization losses.     

Pyridinium/urea-based anion receptor: methine formation in the presence of basic anions

The influence of the positively charged N-methylpyridinium substituent on the anion binding tendencies of urea-based receptors has been investigated by comparing molecules 1 and 2. These receptors have been studied in acetonitrile, by performing UV-vis. and (1)H NMR titrations with several anions. UV-vis. titrations have also been performed in DMSO, MeOH and CHCl(3)/CH(3)CN mixture (1/1, v/v). In the case of 1, the presence of both H-donor and H-acceptor groups (urea and pyridine, respectively) favours aggregation and the formation of dimers in the solid state. In solution, this tendency to aggregate reduces affinity for anions with respect to the similar urea-based receptor 3. The methylation of the pyridyl group of 1 leads to the pyridinium-containing receptor 2. The pyridinium positive charge enhances the acidity of urea and increases anion affinity, as evidenced by the comparison of the binding constants. Both receptors (1-2) form stable adducts with all investigated anions. However, in the case of 2, the formation of 1?:?1 adducts with basic anions, such as acetate and fluoride, is followed by a proton transfer process. Quite interestingly, deprotonation does not involve the urea group, thus preserving the 1?:?1 adduct, as demonstrated by the (1)H NMR measurements. In particular, the proton transfer process takes place at the methylene group linking the pyridinium fragment to the receptor's skeleton. (1)H NMR studies indicate the formation of a stable neutral methine species, characterised by the loss of aromaticity by the pyridyl ring. These results open new perspectives in the field of anion recognition, as receptor 2 may by applied to the monitoring of both bound anion (through the urea unit) and excess anion in solution (through the development of the yellow methine species).     

Post‐Synthetic Ligand Exchange in Zirconium‐Based Metal–Organic Frameworks: Beware of The Defects!

Post‐synthetic ligand exchange in the prototypical zirconium‐based metal–organic framework (MOF) UiO‐66 was investigated by in situ solution ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Samples of UiO‐66 having different degrees of defectivity were exchanged using solutions of several terephthalic acid analogues in a range of conditions. Linker exchange only occurred in defect‐free UiO‐66, whereas monocarboxylates grafted at defect sites were found to be preferentially exchanged with respect to terephthalic acid over the whole range of conditions investigated. A 1:1 exchange ratio between the terephthalic acid analogue and modulator was observed, providing evidence that the defects had missing‐cluster nature. Ex situ characterisation of the MOF powders after exchange corroborated these findings and showed that the physical‐chemical properties of the MOF depend on whether the functionalisation occurs at defective sites or on the framework.     

Polycondensed nitrogen heterocycles. Part 17. Isoxazolo[4,3-d]pyrazolo[3,4-f][1,2,3]triazepine. A new ring system

The title compounds were prepared by nitration of compounds 2 , reduction of the dinitro derivatives 4 and diazotization of the diamino derivatives 6 followed by an intramolecular coupling reaction. Compound 4a showed good activity against Salmonella cholerasuis and Clostridium perfringens bacteria.     

Unraveling the dynamics of the C(3P,1D) + C2H2 reactions by the crossed molecular beam scattering technique

A detailed investigation of the dynamics of the reactions of ground- and excited-state carbon atoms, C(3P) and C(1D), with acetylene is reported over a wide collision energy range (3.6-49.1 kJ mol-1) using the crossed molecular beam (CMB) scattering technique with electron ionization mass spectrometric detection and time-of-flight (TOF) analysis. We have exploited the capability of (a) generating continuous intense supersonic beams of C(3P, 1D), (b) crossing the two reactant beams at different intersection angles (45, 90, and 135 degrees ) to attain a wide range of collision energies, and (c) tuning the energy of the ionizing electrons to low values (soft ionization) to suppress interferences from dissociative ionization processes. From angular and TOF distribution measurements of products at m/z=37 and 36, the primary reaction products of the C(3P) and C(1D) reactions with C2H2 have been identified to be cyclic (c)-C3H + H, linear (l)-C3H + H, and C3 + H2. From the data analysis, product angular and translational energy distributions in the center-of-mass (CM) system for both the linear and cyclic C3H isomers as well as the C3 product from C(3P) and for l/c-C3H and C3 from C(1D) have been derived as a function of collision energy from 3.6 to 49.1 kJ mol-1. The cyclic/linear C3H ratio and the C3/(C3 + c/l-C3H) branching ratios for the C(3P) reaction have been determined as a function of collision energy. The present findings have been compared with those from previous CMB studies using pulsed beams; here, a marked contrast is noted in the CM angular distributions for both C3H- and C3-forming channels from C(3P) and their trend with collision energy. Consequently, the interpretation of the reaction dynamics derived in the present work contradicts that previously proposed from the pulsed CMB studies. The results have been discussed in the light of the available theoretical information on the relevant triplet and singlet C3H2 ab initio potential energy surfaces (PESs). In particular, the branching ratios for the C(3P) + C2H2 reaction have been compared with the available theoretical predictions (approximate quantum scattering calculations and quasiclassical trajectory calculations on ab initio triplet PESs and, very recent, statistical calculations on ab initio triplet PESs as well as on ab initio triplet/singlet PESs including nonadiabatic effects, that is, intersystem crossing). While the experimental branching ratios have been corroborated by the statistical predictions, strong disagreement has been found with the results of the dynamical calculations. The astrophysical implications of the present results have been noted.