Synthesis of Thermally Stable Energetic 1,2,3‐Triazole Derivatives

Various thermally stable energetic polynitro‐aryl‐1,2,3‐triazoles have been synthesized through Cu‐catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition reactions between their corresponding azides and alkynes, followed by nitration. These compounds were characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods and the solid‐state structures of most of these compounds have been determined by using X‐ray diffraction techniques. Most of the polynitro‐bearing triazole derivatives decomposed within the range 142–319 °C and their heats of formation and crystal densities were determined from computational studies. By using the Kamlet–Jacobs empirical relation, their detonation velocities and pressures were calculated from their heats of formation and crystal densities. Most of these newly synthesized compounds exhibited high positive heats of formation, good thermal stabilities, reasonable densities, and acceptable detonation properties that were comparable to those of TNT.     

Influence of sputter power on structural and electrical properties of TiO2 films for Al/TiO2/Si gate capacitors

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) thin films were deposited onto p‐Si substrates held at room temperature by reactive Direct Current (DC) magnetron sputtering at various sputter powers in the range 80–200 W. The as‐deposited TiO₂ films were annealed at a temperature of 1023 K. The post‐annealed films were characterized for crystallographic structure, chemical binding configuration, surface morphology and optical absorption. The electrical and dielectric properties of Al/TiO₂/p‐Si structure were determined from the capacitance–voltage and current–voltage characteristics. X‐ray diffraction studies confirmed that the as‐deposited films were amorphous in nature. After post‐annealing at 1023 K, the films formed at lower powers exhibited anatase phase, where as those deposited at sputter powers > 160 W showed the mixed anatase and rutile phases of TiO₂. The surface morphology of the films varied significantly with the increase of sputter power. The electrical and dielectric properties on the air‐annealed Al/TiO₂/p‐Si structures were studied. The effect of sputter power on the electrical and dielectric characteristics of the structure of Al/TiO₂/p‐Si (metal‐insulator‐semiconductor) was systematically investigated. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vitamin B6 cofactor derived chemosensor for the selective colorimetric detection of acetate anions

A novel vitamin B₆ cofactor derived anion sensor L for the selective colorimetric detection of acetate has been developed by the condensation of pyridoxal and 2-aminothiophenol. The sensor L showed a noteworthy change in the visible region of the spectrum and was detected by the ‘naked-eye’ for both acetate and fluoride anions in DMSO but selectively for acetate in DMSO/H₂O (88:12, v/v). The anion recognition ability of L was investigated by spectroscopic (UV–vis and ¹H NMR) and DFT methods.     

Aliphatic Amine Discrimination by Pentafluorophenyl Dibromo BODIPY

Two new fluorescent BODIPY dyes have been designed and synthesized. They dyes differ in their meso substituents, which have different electronic properties. Their selective reactivity towards an Ar‐S_N2 reaction has been explored as a potential basis for colorimetric and fluorescent discrimination of primary, secondary and tertiary aliphatic amines. This dual‐mode, instantaneous recognition event is unprecedented.     

222Rn measurements in drinking water and annual effective dose for the adult population around a coal-based and atomic power plant in Uttar Pradesh,India

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Dissolved radon (222Rn) in drinking water has been measured using SMART RnDuo, a continuous radon monitor. Water samples have been collected from...     

Effect of Temperature and Discharge Rate on Electrochemical Performance of Fiber Nickel–Cadmium Cell

Russian Journal of Electrochemistry - The effect of temperature and discharge rate on the discharge capacity of nickel–cadmium (Ni?Cd) cell is investigated quantitatively. Ni–Cd...     

Electrochemical biosensors based on Ti3C2Tx MXene: future perspectives for on-site analysis

MXenes are recently developed two-dimensional layered materials composed of early transition metal carbides and/or nitrides that provide unique characteristics for biosensor applications. This review presents the recent progress made on the usage and applications of MXenes in the field of electrochemical biosensors, including microfluidic biosensors and wearable microfluidic biosensors, and highlights the challenges with possible solutions and future needs. The multilayered configuration and high conductivity make these materials as an immobilization matrix for the biomolecule immobilization with activity retention and to be explored in the fabrication of electrochemical sensors, respectively. First, how the MXene nanocomposite as an electrode modifier affects the sensing performance of the electrochemical biosensors based on enzymes, aptamer/DNA, and immunoassays is well described. Second, recent developments in MXene nanocomposites as wearable biosensing platforms for the biomolecule detection are highlighted. This review pointed out the future concerns and directions for the use of MXene nanocomposites to fabricate advanced electrochemical biosensors with high sensitivity and selectivity. Specifically, possibilities for developing microfluidic electrochemical sensors and wearable electrochemical microfluidic sensors with integrated biomolecule detection are emphasized.     

Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of the Leaf Essential Oil of Schefflera venulosa

Chemistry of Natural Compounds -     

Electrokinetic actuation of an uncharged polarizable dielectric droplet in charged hydrogel medium

Electrokinetic transport of an uncharged nonconducting microsized liquid droplet in a charged hydrogel medium is studied. Dielectric polarization of the liquid drop under the action of an externally imposed electric field induces a non-homogeneous charge density at the droplet surface. The interactions of the induced surface charge of the droplet with the immobile charges of the hydrogel medium generates an electric force to the droplet, which actuates the drop through the charged hydrogel medium. A numerical study based on the first principle of electrokinetics is adopted. Dependence of the droplet velocity on its dielectric permittivity, bulk ionic concentration, and immobile charge density of the gel is analyzed. The surface conduction is significant in presence of charged gel, which creates a concentration polarization. The impact of the counterion saturation in the Debye layer due to the dielectric decrement of the medium is addressed. The modified Nernst–Planck equation for ion transport and the Poisson equation for the electric field is considered to take into account the dielectric polarization. A quadrupolar vortex around the uncharged droplet is observed when the gel medium is considered to be uncharged, which is similar to the induced charge electroosmosis around an uncharged dielectric colloid in free-solution. We find that the induced charge electrokinetic mechanism creates a strong recirculation of liquid within the droplet and the translational velocity of the droplet strongly depends on its size for the dielectric droplet embedded in a charged gel medium.