Molecular-level control of the photoluminescence from PPV nanostructured films

The fabrication of varied molecular architectures in layer-by-layer (LbL) films is exploited to control the photoluminescence (PL) of poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) in an unprecedented way. This was achieved by controlling the F?rster energy transfer between PPV layers (donors) and layers of a commercial azodye, Brilliant Yellow (BY) (acceptors). Energy transfer was controlled by inserting spacer layers of inert polymers between PPV and BY layers and by photoaligning the BY molecules via trans-cis-trans isomerization. The PPV/BY LbL films displayed polarized PL whose intensity could be varied almost continuously by changing the time of photoalignment, which was carried out by impinging a linearly polarized laser light simultaneously to the PL experiments. For PPV/BY films with no spacer layers, PL was completely quenched, but its intensity increased with the number of spacing layers. Further increase in PL was obtained by photoaligning the BY molecules perpendicularly to the PPV molecules. This minimizes energy transfer, since F?rster processes are directional, dipole-dependent resonant transfers. Energy transfer is also controlled by imparting a preferential orientation of the PPV chains on PPV/BY LbL films deposited onto flexible Teflon substrates that may be stretched.     

Redox site confinement in highly unsymmetric dimanganese complexes

A set of highly preorganized pyrazolate-bridged dimanganese complexes L(Mn)MnX have been prepared and structurally characterized. They can be described as hybrid organometallic/Werner-type systems that consist of a low-spin CpMn(I)(CO)2 subunit (Mn1) and a proximate tripodal tetradentate {N4} binding pocket accommodating a high-spin Mn(II) ion (Mn2), with Mn...Mn distances of approximately 4.3 A and different coligands bound to Mn2. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations (both the hybrid B3LYP and the pure BP86 functionals and the all-electron basis sets 6-311G and 6-311G*) confirm that the valence alpha and beta Kohn-Sham molecular orbitals (MOs) of these mixed-valent Mn(I)Mn(II) compounds have predominant Mn(3d) character and an almost perfectly localized nature: all five unpaired electrons are essentially localized at the Werner-type Mn2, whereas Mn1 possesses an effective closed-shell structure with the MOs of highest energy centered there. One-electron oxidation occurs in a clean process at approximately E(1/2) = -0.6 V (versus ferrocene/ferrocinium), giving the low-spin/high-spin Mn(II)Mn(II) species. UV/vis and IR spectroelectrochemistry as well as a detailed theoretical analysis reveal that the redox process takes place with strict site control at the organometallic subunit, while it does not significantly influence the spin and charge distribution on the Werner-type site. Positions and shifts of the nu(C[triple bond]O) absorptions are largely reproduced by the DFT calculations. These systems thus represent an exceptional example of the effect the unsymmetry of a dinucleating ligand scaffold has on the spin and charge distribution in homobimetallic complexes and might offer interesting prospects for the study of the cooperative effects of bimetallic arrays.     

Determination of aflatoxins in peanuts by matrix solid-phase dispersion and liquid chromatography

A new method based on matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) extraction was studied to determine aflatoxin B1, B2, G1 and G2 from peanuts. Optimization of different parameters, such as type of solid supports for matrix dispersion and elution solvents were carried out. The method used 2 g of peanut sample, 2 g of C18 bonded silica as MSPD sorbent and acetonitrile as eluting solvent. Recoveries of each aflatoxin spiked to peanut samples at 2.5 ng/g (5 ng/g for aflatoxin G2) level were between 78 and 86% with relative standard deviations ranging from 4 to 7%. The limits of quantification ranged from 0.125 to 2.5 ng/g for the four studied aflatoxins using liquid chromatography (LC) with fluorescence detection. In addition, LC coupled to mass spectrometry with an electrospray interface was used for confirmation of aflatoxins present in real samples. Eleven peanut samples from different countries were analyzed by the proposed method and by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ELISA test is a good screening method for investigation of these mycotoxins in peanut samples.     

Production and purification of CGTase of alkalophylicBacillus isolated from Brazilian soil

Alkalophylic bacilli that produce cyclodextringlycosyltransferase (CGTase) were isolated from Brazilian soil, with a scheme of two plating steps. In the first step, the bacterial isolate forms a halo in the cultivation medium that contains γ-cyclodextrin (CD) complexing dyes. The CGTase of an isolate was purified 157-fold by biospecific affinity chromatography, with β-CD showing a mol wt of 77,580 Daltons. It produces a γ- to β-CD ratio of 0.156 and a small amount of α-CD, using maltodextrin 10% as substrate, at 50°C, pH 8.0 and 22 h reaction time, reaching 21.4% conversion of the substrate to cyclodextrins. In the second screening step, the isolates chosen give larger halos with β-CD complexing dyes, and smaller halos with β-CD complexing dyes, leading to a 30% improvement in γ-CD selectivity, although at lower total yield for cyclodextrins (11.5%).     

Particle-size distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urban air in southern Spain

The size distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) was determined for airborne particles from a large city with high vehicular traffic. The analytical method was optimised and validated using NIST standard reference material (SRM 1649a Urban Dust). The 16 priority PAH listed in the US-EPA were Soxhlet-extracted from filtered particulate matter and then fractionated using on-column chromatography. The aromatic fraction was quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Real samples of particles collected in Seville (Spain) were analysed using the validated method. Values for the total concentration of PAH in the air, as well as the concentrations of each PAH in six particle-size ranges were obtained. Values of the PAH in TSP, PM₁₀, PM_2.5 and PM₁ were assessed.     

Study of the segmental dynamics in semi-crystalline poly(lactic acid) using mechanical spectroscopies

The glass transition of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) occurs not far above typical service temperatures (room or body temperatures) which has consequences on the material properties during its use, such as damping or the occurrence of structural relaxation. This work aims at characterising the glass transition dynamics of a semi-crystalline PLLA using both dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and thermally stimulated recovery (TSR). The main viscoelastic parameters have been characterised at 1 Hz using DMA and the master curve obtained after isothermal experiments at different temperatures provided a full picture of the solid-state rheological behaviour throughout a wide frequency range. The activation energies calculated from the shift factors agree with the TSR ones, exhibiting a maximum near the T(g). Above the T(g), the results can be described with the WLF model. In the glassy state, the activation energy decreases with decreasing temperatures being always higher than the prediction of the Adam and Gibbs theory, at least down to temperatures 30 degrees C below the T(g). This suggests the existence of non-arrested degrees of freedom in the glassy state, being consistent with the existence of a significant degree of cooperativity in the TSR results.     

A simple and fast micromethod for the analysis of polychlorinated biphenyls in air by sorbent enrichment and ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction

A combination of sorbent enrichment and ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction has been used to determine polychlorinated biphenyls in air. Analytes were sampled by pumping a known volume of air through a porous polymer (Tenax TA). The enriched adsorbent was transferred into a glass vial, and ultrasound-assisted extraction of the analytes was then performed in n-hexane. Quantification was carried out by using gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Breakthrough volume of the sampling step was studied, indicating that 10 m³ of air could be processed without losses of the most volatile compounds. Good recoveries (75–96%) were obtained, and limits of detection at the sub ng m^–3 were achieved for all the analytes. The proposed method is very simple and fast, avoiding the use of large solvent volumes and time-consuming preconcentration steps.