Size-fractionated characterization and quantification of nanoparticle release rates from a consumer spray product containing engineered nanoparticles

This study describes methods developed for reliable quantification of size- and element-specific release of engineered nanoparticles (ENP) from consumer spray products. A modified glove box setup was designed to allow controlled spray experiments in a particle-minimized environment. Time dependence of the particle size distribution in a size range of 10–500 nm and ENP release rates were studied using a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS). In parallel, the aerosol was transferred to a size-calibrated electrostatic TEM sampler. The deposited particles were investigated using electron microscopy techniques in combination with image processing software. This approach enables the chemical and morphological characterization as well as quantification of released nanoparticles from a spray product. The differentiation of solid ENP from the released nano-sized droplets was achieved by applying a thermo-desorbing unit. After optimization, the setup was applied to investigate different spray situations using both pump and gas propellant spray dispensers for a commercially available water-based nano-silver spray. The pump spray situation showed no measurable nanoparticle release, whereas in the case of the gas spray, a significant release was observed. From the results it can be assumed that the homogeneously distributed ENP from the original dispersion grow in size and change morphology during and after the spray process but still exist as nanometer particles of size <100 nm. Furthermore, it seems that the release of ENP correlates with the generated aerosol droplet size distribution produced by the spray vessel type used. This is the first study presenting results concerning the release of ENP from spray products.     

Structural Design Principle of Small‐Molecule Organic Semiconductors for Metal‐Free,Visible‐Light‐Promoted Photocatalysis

Herein, we report on the structural design principle of small‐molecule organic semiconductors as metal‐free, pure organic and visible light‐active photocatalysts. Two series of electron‐donor and acceptor‐type organic semiconductor molecules were synthesized to meet crucial requirements, such as 1) absorption range in the visible region, 2) sufficient photoredox potential, and 3) long lifetime of photogenerated excitons. The photocatalytic activity was demonstrated in the intermolecular C?H functionalization of electron‐rich heteroaromates with malonate derivatives. A mechanistic study of the light‐induced electron transport between the organic photocatalyst, substrate, and the sacrificial agent are described. With their tunable absorption range and defined energy‐band structure, the small‐molecule organic semiconductors could offer a new class of metal‐free and visible light‐active photocatalysts for chemical reactions.     

Multiple ionization of argon in coincidence with projectile ions in 60–120 MeV Si q+-Ar collisions

A projectile ion-recoil ion coincidence technique has been employed to study the multiple ionization and the charge transfer processes in collisions of 60–120 MeV Si ^q+ (q = 4−14) ions with neutral argon atoms. The relative contribution of different ionization channels, namely; direct ionization, electron capture and electron loss leading to the production of slow moving multiply charged argon recoil ions have been investigated. The data reported on the present collision system result from a direct measurement in the considered impact energy for the first time. The total ionization cross-sections for the recoil ions are shown to scale as q ^1.7/E _p ^0.5 , where E _p is the energy in MeV of the projectile and q its charge state. The recoil fractions for the cases of total- and direct ionizations are found to decrease with increasing recoil charge state j. The total ionization fractions of the recoils are seen to depend on q and to show the presence of a ‘shell-effect’ of the target. Further, the fractions are found to vary as 1/j ² upto j = 8+. The average recoil charge state 〈j〉 increases slowly with q and with the number of lost or captured electrons from or into the projectile respectively. The projectile charge changing cross-sections σ _qq′ are found to decrease with increasing q for loss ionization and to increase with q for direct-and capture ionization processes respectively. The physics behind various scaling rules that are found to follow our data for different ionization processes is reviewed and discussed.     

Transfer measurements for the Ti+Ni systems at near barrier energies

Large enhancements have been observed in the sub-barrier fusion cross sections for Ti+Ni systems in our previous studies. Coupled channel calculations incorporating couplings to 2⁺ and 3⁻ states failed to explain these enhancements completely. A possibilty of transfer channels contributing to the residual enhancements had been suggested. In order to investigate the role of relevant transfer channels, measurements of one- and two-nucleon transfer were carried out for ^46,48Ti+⁶¹Ni systems. The present paper gives the results of these studies.     

Fabrication and characterization of enhanced hydrazine electrochemical sensor based on gold nanoparticles decorated on the vanadium oxide,ruthenium oxide nanomaterials,and carbon nanotubes composites

This work describes the synthesis of mixed oxide film of vanadium and ruthenium by pulsed deposition technique on multiwall carbon nanotubes and the decoration of gold nanoparticles on the mixed film. A ternary electrocatalyst has been developed for the electrochemical oxidation of hydrazine by combining two metal oxide mixtures with Au nanoparticles. Surface morphology and chemical composition of the electrode have been examined with SEM, EDX, HRTEM, EIS, and XRD. The peak current of hydrazine increased 9 times at the AuNPs/(VOx-RuOx)/CNT/GCE compared to the bare GCE, and the peak potential shifted to negative 848 mV. Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and amperometric techniques revealed that the AuNPs/(VOx-RuOx)/CNT/GCE displays linear concentration range 2.5–10000 µM (LSV) and the concentration range 0.03–100 µM (amperometry). The limit of detection (LOD) is 0.5 μM and 0.1 μM at (S/N = 3) for LSV and amperometric technique, respectively. The results obtained show a good RSD% of 2.1%–3.2% and reasonable recovery of 97%–108% of hydrazine detection.     

Λ b →Λ c +a 1 decay in the heavy quark effective theory

Using the heavy quark approximation, we have studied the nonleptonic decay mode Λ _b →Λ _c a ₁. We have included nonfactorizable contributions as well as factorizable ones in our analysis. The estimated branching ratio for this process is (1.4±0.1)% and the asymmetry parameter α found to be −0.8.     

Role of magnetic shear on the electrostatic current driven ion-cyclotron instability in the presence of parallel electric field

Recent observation and theoretical investigations have led to the significance of electrostatic ion cyclotron (EIC) waves in the electrodynamics of acceleration process. The instability is one of the fundamental of a current carrying magnetized plasma. The EIC instability has the lowest threshold current among the current driven instabilities. On the basis of local analysis where inhomogeneities like the magnetic shear and the finite width current channel, have been ignored which is prevalent in the magnetospheric environment. On the basis of non-local analysis interesting modification has been incorporated by the inclusion of magnetic shear. In this paper we provide an analytical approach for the non-local treatment of current driven electrostatic waves in presence of parallel electric field. The growth rate is significantly influenced by the field aligned electron drift. The presence of electric field enhances the growth of EIC waves while magnetic shear stabilizes the system.     

Tunable infrared generation in KTA and applications

Noncollinear difference frequency mixing of dye laser and Nd:YAG second harmonic (fundamental) radiation from a commercial laser system is employed for the generation of 2.7–5.3 μm (1.6–1.7 μm) radiations in a flux-grown KTiOAsO₁ crystal. The generated radiation is used to scan the methane absorption in the fundamental (v ₃) and its first overtone (2v ₃) band at pressure 90 torr in a laboratory made single pass gas cell of length 33 cm.