On a two-point boundary-value problem in geophysics

We present some results on the existence and uniqueness of solutions to a two-point boundary-value problem that models gyre flows in rotating spherical coordinates.     

Comparative Study of Natural Terpenoid Precursors in Reactive Plasmas for Thin Film Deposition

If plasma polymer thin films are to be synthesised from sustainable and natural precursors of chemically heterogeneous composition, it is important to understand the extent to which this composition influences the mechanism of polymerisation. To this end, a well-studied monoterpene alcohol, terpinen-4-ol, has been targeted for a comparative study with the naturally occurring mix of terpenes (viz. Melaleuca alternifolia oil) from which it is commonly distilled. Positive ion mode mass spectra of both terpinen-4-ol and M. alternifolia oil showed a decrease in disparities between the type and abundance of cationic species formed in their respective plasma environments as applied plasma power was increased. Supplementary biological assay revealed the antibacterial action of both terpinen-4-ol and M. alternifolia derived coatings with respect to S. aureus bacteria, whilst cytocompatibility was demonstrated by comparable eukaryotic cell adhesion to both coatings. Elucidating the processes occurring within the reactive plasmas can enhance the economics of plasma polymer deposition by permitting use of the minimum power, time and precursor pre-processing required to control the extent of monomer fragmentation and fabricate a film of the desired thickness and functionality.     

Nanoscopic Porous Iridium/Iridium Dioxide Superstructures (15 nm): Synthesis and Thermal Conversion by In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy

Porous particle superstructures of about 15 nm diameter, consisting of ultrasmall nanoparticles of iridium and iridium dioxide, are prepared through the reduction of sodium hexachloridoiridate(+IV) with sodium citrate/sodium borohydride in water. The water-dispersible porous particles contain about 20 wt % poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), which was added for colloidal stabilization. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy confirms the presence of both iridium and iridium dioxide primary particles (1–2 nm) in each porous superstructure. The internal porosity (≈58 vol%) is demonstrated by electron tomography. In situ transmission electron microscopy up to 1000 °C under oxygen, nitrogen, argon/hydrogen (all at 1 bar), and vacuum shows that the porous particles undergo sintering and subsequent compaction upon heating, a process that starts at around 250 °C and is completed at around 800 °C. Finally, well-crystalline iridium dioxide is obtained under all four environments. The catalytic activity of the as-prepared porous superstructures in electrochemical water splitting (oxygen evolution reaction; OER) is reduced considerably upon heating owing to sintering of the pores and loss of internal surface area.     

Multigram Synthesis of α- and γ-((Hetera)cyclo)alkylpyridines through α-Arylation of (Hetero)aliphatic Nitriles

A systematic study on the S_nAr reaction of halogenated fluoropyridines and (hetero)aliphatic nitrile anions as an approach to the synthesis of functionalized pyridines bearing a (cyclo)alkyl or saturated heterocyclic substituent by is described. The scope of the method was demonstrated on a wide range of (hetero)aliphatic nitriles (including three- to six-membered cycloalkane derivatives and N-, O-, S-containing saturated heterocycles) and all isomeric halogenated 2-and 4-fluoropyridines. High chemo- and regioselectivity (i. e., exclusive substitution of the fluorine atom), as well as excellent scalability of the proposed reaction sequence were demonstrated (up to 450 g for the arylation step or up to 77 g of cycloalkylpyridine over two steps in a single run). The utility of the synthesized products was illustrated in the additional functional group transformations resulting in synthetically valuable pyridine-containing building blocks.     

Novel heteroligand complexes of Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Mn(II) formed by 2,2′-dipyridyl or 1,10-phenanthroline and phosphortriamide ligands: Synthesis and structure

This paper presents examples of mixed-ligand Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Mn(II) complexes, with a distorted octahedral coordination geometry, with 2,2′-dipyridyl or 1,10-phenanthroline and phosphortriamide ligands. The complexes of the general type ML₂·Lig (where M = Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Mn(II); L⁻ = {Cl₃C(O)NP(O)R₂}⁻ (R = NHBz, NHCH₂CHCH₂, NEt₂); Lig = 2,2′-dipyridyl or 1,10-phenanthroline) were synthesised and characterised by means of X-ray diffraction, IR and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The phosphortriamide ligands are coordinated via oxygen atoms of phosphoryl and carbonyl groups involved in six-membered metal cycles. The additional ligands 2,2′-dipyridyl or 1,10-phenanthroline are coordinated to the central atom, forming five-membered cycles.     

Determination of Levodopa in Pharmaceuticals Using a Disposable Electrochemically Activated Carbon-Paste Electrode by Linear Sweep Voltammetry

A simple disposable electrochemically activated carbon-paste electrode was developed for the determination of levodopa in pharmaceuticals and the optimal conditions for carbon-paste electrode electrochemical activation were studied. The study of the oxidation process of levodopa on the proposed electrode was performed using cyclic voltammetry and the irreversibility of levodopa with a kinetic-controlled current was established. The determination of levodopa is possible in the concentration range of 5–100?µM. The detection and quantification limits were 0.65 and 0.79?µM, respectively. The proposed procedure was satisfactorily applied in the levodopa determination in pharmaceuticals with relative standard deviation 3.4%.     

Mechanism of the transition between lamellar and gyroid phases formed by a diblock copolymer in aqueous solution

The mechanism of the transition from a lamellar phase to a gyroid phase in an aqueous solution of a diblock copolymer has been studied by time-resolved synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering. The transition occurs via a metastable perforated lamellar structure. The perforations initially have liquidlike ordering before developing hexagonal packing. The transient phase of irregularly perforated layers is revealed by the development of diffuse scattering peaks, just below the Bragg peaks of the lamellar structure. The diffuse scattering is modeled by Monte Carlo simulations of perforated layers. Following the formation of perforations, Bragg peaks characteristic of a hexagonal structure signal an ordering into a hexagonal lattice (with the concomitant loss of diffuse scattering). Computer simulations based on a dynamic density functional model reproduce these features. The hexagonal perforated lamellar phase is rapidly replaced by the gyroid phase. The domain spacing of the gyroid phase is larger than that of the perforated lamellar structure. The perforated lamellar and gyroid phases coexist for a defined period. The reverse transition from gyroid to lamellae occurs directly, with no transient or metastable intermediates.