WO3 coatings for photoelectrochemical synthesis of persulfate: efficiency,stability and applicability

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Light-assisted electrochemical processes have the potential to replace energy-intensive electrosynthesis technologies, especially in the area of strong...     

Composition of seed essential oils of Rhododendron tomentosum

For the first time, the chemical composition of the seed essential oil of Rhododendron tomentosum was determined. Forty-seven compounds were identified, comprising 91.7% of the total oil. Palustrol (38.3%) and ledol (27.0%) were the predominant constituents. Some constituents, such as beta-pinene oxide, iso-menthyl acetate, nerolidyl acetate, cadalene and guaiazulene were characteristic only for the seeds and were identified for the first time in Rh. tomentosum oils. For comparison purposes, the essential oil isolated from the shoots of the same plant were analyzed [GC(FID) in combination with RIs, GC-MS and 13C NMR]. More than a half of the oil was comprised of ledol (36.5%) and palustrol (21.0%). Quantitative analysis of ascaridol, a heat-sensitive compound, was carried out by 13C NMR spectroscopy. Indeed, ascaridol undergoes partial thermal isomerization to iso-ascaridol during GC analyses.     

Effect of amorphous precipitated silica on the properties and structure of poly(p-phenylene sulfide)

Using a precipitation technique, silicas were obtained from sodium metasilicate solution employing an acidic agent. Alcohol solutions were used in the process of production of highly dispersed silicas, which resulted in partial blocking of the silica surface silanol groups. Moreover, studies on morphology and microstructure using transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were performed. The size distributions of primary particles and aggregate and agglomerate structures were determined using a ZetaPlus instrument using the dynamic light scattering method. The structure and molecular dynamics of the nanocomposite, consisting of poly (p-phenylene sulfide) (PPS) and of the precipitated silica, were studied using atomic force microscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance. It was proved that during annealing the fragmentation of PPS agglomerates takes place. This phenomena probably resulted from repulsion forces existing between agglomerates and aggregates. Fragmentation in the polymer network probably resulted from repulsion forces between agglomerates and smaller aggregates. Received: 7 November 2000 Accepted: 5 April 2001     

NMR microimaging studies of the union between stock and scion

In this study we demonstrate the applicability of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) microimaging in examining the efficiency of grafting coniferous plants. Grafting is a method of propagating plants. It is used mainly in gardening. In some cases it is the only possible way to propagate certain varieties (e.g., apple varieties). The biology of grafting is not well investigated yet. Therefore we have decided to take advantage of the magnetic resonance imaging techniques in order to estimate which of the commonly used grafting methods gives the best quality unions. Results of our experiment indicate that the quality of union depends very much on the grafting method. NMR images give more information about the graft than microscopic images. We hope that our technique can select the best way to prepare plants for grafting and indicate average time of union process.     

Local and global dynamics in the glass-forming di-isobutyl phthalate as studied by H NMR

Spin-lattice relaxation times T₁ and T_1ρ as well as ¹H NMR spectra have been employed to study the dynamics of the glass-forming di-isobutyl phthalate in the temperature range extending from 100 K, through the glass transition temperature T_g, up to 340 K. Below T_g NMR relaxation is governed by local dynamics and may be attributed to rotation of methyl groups at low temperatures and to motion of isobutyl groups in the intermediate temperature interval. Above T_g the main relaxation mechanism is provided by overall molecular motion. The observed relaxation behavior is explained by motional models assuming asymmetrical distributions of correlation times. The motional parameters obtained from Davidson-Cole distribution, which yields the best fit of the data at all temperatures are given.     

Molecular dynamics of poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalate)-polycarbonate composite by nuclear magnetic resonance

The aim of the work was to examine molecular dynamics of a series of poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalate)-polycarbonate blends with changing weight ratio of copolymers by off-resonance nuclear magnetic resonance technique. It was shown that this technique provides information about the correlation times of the internal motions. The spectral density function amplitudes were estimated on the basis of the dispersion of the spin-lattice relaxation time off-resonanceT _lp^off. The measurements were performed for two series of blends which had been injection moulded with and without compatibilizer. The new polymer materials were also characterized using differential scanning calorimetry. Samples obtained after injection moulding and annealing became amorphous, which indicates that a reaction of transesterification process between the two polymers occurred.     

High-Resolution Solid-State C NMR Studies of Poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyric] Acid

Solid poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyric] acid was examined by high-resolution ¹³C MAS NMR, differential scanning calorimetry and infrared spectroscopy. The ¹³C methyl group resonance consists of three components: the rigid amorphous phase, the crystalline phase and the mobile amorphous phase. Spectral deconvolution, using the Lorentz function, reveals the relative amounts as 62% crystalline and 38% amorphous at 333 K, and 42% crystalline, 40% pure amorphous and 18% β-orthorhombic at 413 K. NMR indicates a large difference in molecular mobility between the crystalline and amorphous regions of the sample. Infrared spectroscopy shows that the stretching at 1725 cm⁻¹ (characteristic of the α-form) comes from the crystalline region, and the bands at 1744 cm⁻¹ (characteristic of the β-form) and 1800 cm⁻¹ come from the amorphous region.     

An Overview of NO Signaling Pathways in Aging

Nitric Oxide (NO) is a potent signaling molecule involved in the regulation of various cellular mechanisms and pathways under normal and pathological conditions. NO production, its effects, and its efficacy, are extremely sensitive to aging-related changes in the cells. Herein, we review the mechanisms of NO signaling in the cardiovascular system, central nervous system (CNS), reproduction system, as well as its effects on skin, kidneys, thyroid, muscles, and on the immune system during aging. The aging-related decline in NO levels and bioavailability is also discussed in this review. The decreased NO production by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was revealed in the aged cardiovascular system. In the CNS, the decline of the neuronal (n)NOS production of NO was related to the impairment of memory, sleep, and cognition. NO played an important role in the aging of oocytes and aged-induced erectile dysfunction. Aging downregulated NO signaling pathways in endothelial cells resulting in skin, kidney, thyroid, and muscle disorders. Putative therapeutic agents (natural/synthetic) affecting NO signaling mechanisms in the aging process are discussed in the present study. In summary, all of the studies reviewed demonstrate that NO plays a crucial role in the cellular aging processes.     

High-resolution solid-state 13C NMR studies of poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyric] acid

Solid poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyric] acid was examined by high-resolution ¹³C MAS NMR, differential scanning calorimetry and infrared spectroscopy. The ¹³C methyl group resonance consists of three components: the rigid amorphous phase, the crystalline phase and the mobile amorphous phase. Spectral deconvolution, using the Lorentz function, reveals the relative amounts as 62% crystalline and 38% amorphous at 333 K, and 42% crystalline, 40% pure amorphous and 18% β-orthorhombic at 413 K. NMR indicates a large difference in molecular mobility between the crystalline and amorphous regions of the sample. Infrared spectroscopy shows that the stretching at 1725 cm⁻¹ (characteristic of the -form) comes from the crystalline region, and the bands at 1744 cm⁻¹ (characteristic of the β-form) and 1800 cm⁻¹ come from the amorphous region.     

H NMR study of hydrogen bonding and molecular dynamics of 5CB confined to molecular sieves

It has been found that the main mechanism of ¹H protons spin–lattice relaxation of bulk 5CB at 200 MHz is its intramolecular motion, namely, the reorientation of CH₂ and CH₃ groups of its alkyl chain. Activation parameters of such motions have been estimated.

Drastic decrease in proton spin–lattice relaxation times at the nematic-to-isotropic phase transition can be explained by the activation of molecular translational diffusion and reorientations around long and short molecular axes of bulk 5CB.

Our NMR analysis revealed the slowing-down of molecular dynamics of confined 5CB molecules and their fragments. This can be explained by the interaction of some part of 5CB molecules with the surface active Si(Al)–OH centers of MCM matrix via hydrogen bonds of Si(Al)–OHN≡C-type.