Investigation of the interaction between protein and europium doped polymer

The interactions between bovine serum albumin (BSA) and polymer (poly (METAC-co-NIPAm-co-Eu(AA)3Phen), PMNEu) containing rare earth element (Europium) were detailedly investigated by both of experimental techniques, such as fluorescence spectroscopic analysis, zeta-potential characterization, hydrodynamic size measurements and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation, and theoretical calculations. As a result, we concluded that PMNEu could interact with BSA through electrostatic force and quench the fluorescence of BSA, which was regarded as the static quenching mechanism. In addition, the binding constant and binding sites number of BSA with PMNEu were calculated, and the distance between PMNEu and BSA was also estimated to be 1.9?nm based on Föster’s theory. Furthermore, the two fluorescence peaks of PMNEu at 594?nm and 618?nm were detected, and the density of them increased with the more BSA being added to couple with PMNEu. Additionally, The zeta-potential results confirmed the electrostatic interaction mode between BSA and PMNEu, which was concluded with the previous thermodynamic analysis. At last, the results from the hydrodynamic size measurement had a good agreement with those from the TEM observation about the structure and size variation during the complexation of PMNEu with different concentrations of BSA.     

Preparation of 4-sulfonylcalix[6]arene modified Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> as adsorbent for adsorption of U(VI) from aqueous solution

The 4-sulfonylcalix[6]arene modified Fe₃O₄ (MFS) was characterized by FT-IR, SEM, VSM, TGA, etc., which showed that its saturation magnetization was 64.99 emu g^?1 with the particle size 10–40 nm. The maximum adsorption efficiency by MFS for 2.5 mg L^?1 U(VI) solution amounted to 94.39%, which was higher than that by Fe₃O₄ (65.22%) under its optimum adsorption conditions. The adsorption of MFS and Fe₃O₄ were both followed the pseudo-second order model and the Langmuir isotherm model. The Gibbs free energy change and enthalpy change revealed that the adsorption of U(VI) by MFS was a spontaneous and endothermic process.     

Optical pulse shaper with integrated slab waveguide for arbitrary waveform generation using optical gradient force

Integrated optical pulse shaper opens up possibilities for realizing the ultra high-speed and ultra wide-band linear signal processing with compact size and low power consumption. We propose a silicon monolithic integrated optical pulse shaper using optical gradient force, which is based on the eight-path finite impulse response. A cantilever structure is fabricated in one arm of the Mach–Zehnder interferometer（MZI） to act as an amplitude modulator. The phase shift feature of waveguide is analyzed with the optical pump power, and five typical waveforms are demonstrated with the manipulation of optical force. Unlike other pulse shaper schemes based on thermo–optic effect or electro–optic effect, our scheme is based on a new degree of freedom manipulation, i.e., optical force, so no microelectrodes are required on the silicon chip,which can reduce the complexity of fabrication. Besides, the chip structure is suitable for commercial silicon on an insulator（SOI） wafer, which has a top silicon layer of about 220 nm in thickness.     

α‐Diamine Nickel Catalysts with Nonplanar Chelate Rings for Ethylene Polymerization

A series of novel α‐diamine nickel complexes, (ArNH‐C(Me)‐(Me)C‐NHAr)NiBr₂, 1 : Ar=2,6‐diisopropylphenyl, 2 : Ar=2,6‐dimethylphenyl, 3 : Ar=phenyl), have been synthesized and characterized. X‐ray crystallographic analysis showed that the coordination geometry of the α‐diamine nickel complexes is markedly different from conventional α‐diimine nickel complexes, and that the chelate ring (N‐C‐C‐N‐Ni) of the α‐diamine nickel complex is significantly distorted. The α‐diamine nickel catalysts also display different steric effects on ethylene polymerization in comparison to the α‐diimine nickel catalyst. Increasing the steric hindrance of the α‐diamine ligand by substitution of the o‐methyl groups with o‐isopropyl groups leads to decreased polymerization activity and molecular weight; however, catalyst thermal stability is significantly enhanced. Living polymerizations of ethylene can be successfully achieved using 1 /Et₂AlCl at 35 °C or 2 /Et₂AlCl at 0 °C. The bulky α‐diamine nickel catalyst 1 with isopropyl substituents can additionally be used to control the branching topology of the obtained polyethylene at the same level of branching density by tuning the reaction temperature and ethylene pressure.     

Chemical and physical characteristics of self-fabricated radiophotoluminescent glass dosimeter

Thermoluminescent dosimeters are widely applied in the measurement of radiation dose. Since the luminescent centers are not lost during the reading process, radiophotoluminescent glass dosimeters (RPLGDs) can be repeatedly readout. The aims of this study were to make RPLGD and to analyze its physical and chemical properties. This study used chemical compounds such as Na₃PO₄, AlPO₄, AgCl, AgNO₃, B₂O₃, H₃PO₄ and P₂O₅ as the main ingredients. Depending on the self-fabricated glass compounds, the melting temperatures were between 1100 and 1500 °C. When the 0.1 mol% of silver was added, the radiation detection of self-fabricated RPLGD reached to the highest sensitivity. However, when silver concentration was larger than 0.1 mol%, the radiation detection sensitivity plummets rapidly. Excess amounts of silver and aluminum decreased the penetrate capability of ultraviolet spectrum. Based on our study, we found that chemical compound concentrations and melting process, which all affect radiation sensitivity and stability of self-fabricated RPLGD.