Synthesis and Photochemical Properties of Luminescent Eu(III) Complexes with Macrocyclic and Macropolycyclic Ligands Incorporating 3,3′-Biisoquinoline-2,2-dioxide Units

Three novel ligands incorporating two, or three 3,3-biisoquinoline-2,2-dioxide units have been synthesized using modified standard methods of cyclization. These ligands formed photoactive mononuclear complexes with a Eu(III) cation. The ligand with two photoactive units displayed a better quantum yield for the Eu(III) emission (0.064) upon UV excitation than the other two complexes incorporating three units, whose luminescence quantum yields have been estimated to be below 0.01. The luminescence of the Eu(III) complex with two sensitizing units was not stable in aqueous solution, whereas with the two other complexes, their luminescence in solution remained for a couple of days.     

One‐Step Electrodeposition of NiCo2S4 Nanosheets on Patterned Platinum Electrodes for Non‐Enzymatic Glucose Sensing

The preparation of NiCo₂S₄ (NCS) nanosheets on photolithographically patterned platinum electrodes by electrodeposition was explored. The as‐prepared nanosheets were systematically characterized by field‐emission scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques. The NCS‐modified Pt electrode was used as a non‐enzymatic glucose sensor. The sensor response exhibited two linear regions in glucose concentration, with a limit of detection of 1.2 μm . The sensors showed that the as‐prepared NCS nanosheets have excellent electrocatalytic activity towards glucose with long stability, good reproducibility, and excellent anti‐interference properties, and thus, this material holds promise for the development of a practical glucose sensor.     

Physicochemical properties and supercapacitor behavior of electrochemically synthesized few layered graphene nanosheets

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - The study emphasizes on the scalable production and comparison of few layered graphene nanosheets (FLGNSs). The FLGNSs have been electrochemically...     

Fluence dependant formation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-SiC by ion implantation and thermal annealing

The β-SiC nanocrystals were synthesized by the implantation of carbon ions (C⁻) into silicon followed by high-temperature annealing. The carbon fluences of 1×10¹⁷, 2×10¹⁷, 5×10¹⁷, and 8×10¹⁷ atoms/cm² were implanted at an ion energy of 65 keV. It was observed that the average size of β-SiC crystals decreased and the amount of β-SiC crystals increased with the increase in the implanted fluences when the samples were annealed at 1100 °C for 1 h. However, it was observed that the amount of β-SiC linearly increased with the implanted fluences up to 5×10¹⁷ atoms/cm². Above this fluence the amount of β-SiC appears to saturate. The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman Spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques were used to characterize the samples.     

Creaming enhancement in a liter scale ultrasonic reactor at selected transducer configurations and frequencies

Recent research has shown that high frequency ultrasound (0.4–3 MHz), can enhance milkfat separation in small scale systems able to treat only a few milliliters of sample. In this work, the effect of ultrasonic standing waves on milkfat creaming was studied in a 6 L reactor and the influence of different frequencies and transducer configurations in direct contact with the fluid was investigated. A recombined coarse milk emulsion with fat globules stained with oil-red-O dye was selected for the separation trials. Runs were performed with one or two transducers placed in vertical (parallel or perpendicular) and horizontal positions (at the reactor base) at 0.4, 1 and/or 2 MHz (specific energy 8.5 ± 0.6 kJ/kg per transducer). Creaming behavior was assessed by measuring the thickness of the separated cream layer. Other methods supporting this assessment included the measurement of fat content, backscattering, particle size distribution, and microscopy of samples taken at the bottom and top of the reactor. Most efficient creaming was found after treatment at 0.4 MHz in single and double vertical transducer configurations. Among these configurations, a higher separation rate was obtained when sonicating at 0.4 MHz in a vertical perpendicular double transducer setup. The horizontal transducer configuration promoted creaming at 2 MHz only. Fat globule size increase was observed when creaming occurred. This research highlights the potential for enhanced separation of milkfat in larger scale systems from selected transducer configurations in contact with a dairy emulsion, or emulsion splitting in general.     

Electrohydrodynamic instability in some nematic cyanobiphenyls in an a.c. electric field

Abstract

Electrohydrodynamic instability in homeotropically oriented nematic samples of 4′-n-octyl-4-cyano-biphenyl and 4′n-alkyloxy-4-cyanobiphenyl, (n = 8.9) have been studied in an a.c. electric field. The domain patterns during the instability in these compounds in a very low frequency a.c. field are very similar to those in a d.c. field. The domain patterns observed at higher frequencies have been identified as ‘maltese crosses’ or ‘crossed isogyres’. The electro-convective ‘isotropic’ flows near the electrode play an important role in the observed instability.     

Tandem synthesis of [1,2,4]-triazoles mediated by iodine—a regioselective approach

A tandem regioselective one-pot synthesis of 3-amino-[1,2,4]-triazoles has been achieved from 1,3-disubstituted thioureas using molecular iodine. In this one-pot strategy, the intermediate carbodiimide generated in situ from thiourea upon reaction with HCONHNH₂ gives diaryl/alkylhydrazinecarboximidamide or acylureidrazone, which then undergoes an intramolecular cyclodehydration to afford the corresponding 3-amino-[1,2,4]-triazole. The product regioselectivity for unsymmetrical 1,3-disubstituted thioureas correlate well with the pK_as of the parent amines attached, in which the amine having higher pK_a goes to the ring nitrogen while the other nitrogen remains flanked as an exocyclic nitrogen of the triazole core. This method is milder and environmentally sustainable giving good to excellent yields of the desired products.     

Detergency in spontaneously formed emulsions

We report a microemulsion system with commercial nonionic surfactants, which produces kinetically stable o/w emulsions with sub-micron sized oil droplets, when added to water/brine. These emulsions have shown to be promising for fabric detergency. It is hypothesized that superior detergency could be due to (i) a low value of oil-emulsion interfacial tension (0.01-7 mN/m) even at a low (1 g/l) surfactant concentration, thus effecting rapid emulsification and solubilisation of oily matrix/film present in dirt and (ii) extremely tiny emulsion oil droplets (50-100 nm), which can have easy access to dirt entrapped in the inter-yarn voids. The aim of this work was to investigate the above factors in a model system (cellulose-coated glass slides with attached oil droplets) with a view to detergency. Further, an attempt was made to study changes in contact angles of oil droplets attached to cellulose-coated glass slides immersed in the emulsion system as a function of brine concentration. Correlations were drawn between equilibrium contact angle, interfacial tension and detergency at different brine concentrations through arguments of work of adhesion and showed an excellent match with detergency trends on commercial fabric test monitors. These correlations also provide insights into possible underlying mechanisms that account for detergency at each level of brine concentrations. An important consequence of the work is that superior detergency is achieved when the oil, present in the microemulsion, is physico-chemically similar to those oils which are to be removed from contaminated surfaces.