Novel flame retardants containing cyclodextrin nanosponges and phosphorus compounds to enhance EVA combustion properties

A novel flame retardant intumescent system, aimed to improve the fire stability of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), has been prepared by melt blending of the copolymer and a complex of cyclodextrin nanosponge-phosphorus compounds. As compared to traditional systems, this complex, stable in processing conditions, has the advantage that nanosponges act as both carbon sources and foam forming agents while the phosphorus compounds are able to directly generate phosphoric acid in situ. In this context, cyclodextrin nanosponges undergo dehydration in presence of the acid source, generating water vapour and char, and thus protecting the copolymer against combustion. Different acid sources have been investigated in order to reach the optimum interaction with the nanosponges. Raman measurements and thermogravimetric analyses have shown that the cavities of nanosponges entrapped the phosphorus derivatives forming stable complexes at the temperature of EVA processing. Different amounts of these complexes (5, 10 and 15 wt.%) have been added to EVA via melt blending and their flame retardancy properties measured by UL94 test and cone calorimetry. Strongly modified burning kinetics, as compared to the behaviour of the neat copolymer, have been found by UL94 test: V2 classification has been achieved for every formulation regardless of the type and the amount of complex used. EVA combustion behaviour by cone calorimetry has also been significantly affected: the heat release rate decreased dramatically down to ca. 20% in the presence of these new additives.     

Three hydrophobic amino acids in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> HscB make the greatest contribution to the stability of the HscB-IscU complex

Background  

General iron-sulfur cluster biosynthesis proceeds through assembly of a transient cluster on IscU followed by its transfer to a recipient apo-protein. The efficiency of the second step is increased by the presence of HscA and HscB, but the reason behind this is poorly understood. To shed light on the function of HscB, we began a study on the nature of its interaction with IscU. Our work suggested that the binding site of IscU is in the C-terminal domain of HscB, and two different triple alanine substitutions ([L92A, M93A, F153A] and [E97A, E100A, E104A]) involving predicted binding site residues had detrimental effects on this interaction. However, the individual contribution of each substitution to the observed effect remains to be determined as well as the possible involvement of other residues in the proposed binding site.     

APPROACHING ALGEBRA THROUGH SEQUENCE PROBLEMS: EXPLORING CHILDREN'S STRATEGIES

We describe the first phase of a project concerned with the foundations of algebra. Data consists of the responses of 11 year-olds to selected questions from national tests. We focus on one question, which concerns a sequence of shapes and classify successful methods and incorrect solutions. The most common method of successful solution involves some form of table of numbers. Other methods include drawing and use of a relationship. Examination of incorrect answers suggests four common errors. The idea of a'best method' proves problematic, as both the apparently sophisticated and reliable methods sometimes produced incorrect solutions.     

Microwave-assisted in situ deprotection and ω-methoxylation of TMS-protected aryl alkynes

Using microwave technology, rapid ω-methoxylation of aryl alkynes is possible.     

N,N'-Carbonyldiimidazole-mediated functionalization of superparamagnetic nanoparticles as vaccine carrier

Particulates with specific sizes and characteristics can induce potent immune responses by promoting antigen uptake of appropriate immuno-stimulatory cell types. Magnetite (Fe(3)O(4)) nanoparticles have shown many potential bioapplications due to their biocompatibility and special characteristics. Here, superparamagnetic Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles (SPIONs) with high magnetization value (70emug(-1)) were stabilized with trisodium citrate and successfully conjugated with a model antigen (ovalbumin, OVA) via N,N'-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) mediated reaction, to achieve a maximum conjugation capacity at approximately 13 microgmicrom(-2). It was shown that different mechanisms governed the interactions between the OVA molecules and magnetite nanoparticles at different pH conditions. We evaluated as-synthesized SPION against commercially available magnetite nanoparticles. The cytotoxicity of these nanoparticles was investigated using mammalian cells. The reported CDI-mediated reaction can be considered as a potential approach in conjugating biomolecules onto magnetite or other biodegradable nanoparticles for vaccine delivery.     

The nature of in-plane skeleton Raman modes of P3HT and their correlation to the degree of molecular order in P3HT:PCBM blend thin films

The nature of main in-plane skeleton Raman modes (C=C and C-C stretch) of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) in pristine and its blend thin films with [6,6]-phenyl-C(61)-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) is studied by resonant and nonresonant Raman spectroscopy and Raman simulations. Under resonant conditions, the ordered phase of P3HT with respect to its disordered phase is identified by (a) a large shift in the C=C mode peak position to lower wavenumber (~21 cm(-1) shift), (b) a narrower fwhm of the C=C mode (~9 cm(-1) narrower), (c) a larger intensity of the C-C mode relative to the C=C mode (~56% larger), and (d) a very small Raman dispersion (~5 cm(-1)) of the C=C mode. The behavior of the C=C and C-C modes of the ordered and disordered phases of P3HT can be explained in terms of different molecular conformations. The C=C mode of P3HT in P3HT:PCBM blend films can be reproduced by simple superposition of the two peaks observed in different phases of P3HT (ordered and disordered). We quantify the molecular order of P3HT after blending with PCBM and the subsequent thermal annealing to be 42 ± 5% and 94 ± 5% in terms of the fraction of ordered P3HT phase, respectively. The increased molecular order of P3HT in blends upon annealing correlates well with enhanced device performance (J(SC), -4.79 to -8.72 mA/cm(2) and PCE, 1.07% to 3.39%). We demonstrate that Raman spectroscopy (particularly under resonant conditions) is a simple and powerful technique to study molecular order of conjugated polymers and their blend films.     

Highly enantioselective Mannich reactions with α-aryl silyl ketene acetals and imines

Mannich reactions with chiral silicon Lewis acid activated acylhydrazones and α-aryl silyl ketene acetals and α-aryl,α-alkyl silyl ketene imines proceed efficiently and with good to excellent levels of both diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity. The reactions provide access to α-aryl,β-hydrazido esters and α-aryl,α-alkyl,β-hydrazido nitriles, which are valuable analogs of β-amino acids.