A Facile Route Towards the Synthesis of Nanocomposites for the Application as Solid Electrolytes via Grafting Polymer from TiO2 Nanoparticles

Poly(acrylic acid)/TiO₂ (PAA-g-TiO₂) nanocomposites were synthesized by the surface thiol-lactam initiated radical polymerization (TLIRP) technique. The synthetic strategy involved the modification of TiO₂by a one-step direct anchoring of thiol groups via reaction between the hydroxyl groups on the surface of TiO₂ and triethoxysilane groups of (3-mercapto)propyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS). The modified TiO₂nanoparticles (NPs) were dispersed in acrylic acid monomers and subsequently polymerized by TLIRP to yield PAA-g-TiO₂nanocomposites. FT-IR spectra, XPS, EDS, UV-Vis spectroscopy and SEM images provided direct and clear evidence for the coordination of MPTMS and the presence of PAA on TiO₂ NPs. The immobilization of PAA onto TiO₂ NPs significantly improved their dispersibility in organic solvents. Additionally, laser diffraction spectroscopy of the TiO₂ NPs was examined in order to get the size distribution of nanocomposites.     

Flow-through chloroquine sensor and its applications in pharmaceutical analysis.

Poly (vinyl chloride) membrane electrodes that responded selectively towards the antimalarial drug chloroquine are described. The electrodes were based on the use of the lipophilic potassium tetrakis(4-chlorophenyl)borate as ion-exchanger and bis(2-ethylhexyl)adipate (BEHA), or trioctylphosphate (TOP) or dioctylphenylphosphonate (DOPP) as plasticizing solvent mediator. All electrodes produced good quality characteristics such as Nernstian- and rapid responses, and are minimally interfered with by the alkali and alkaline earth metal ions tested. The membranes were next applied to a flow-through device, enabling it to function as flow-injection analysis (FIA) detector. The performance of the sensor after undergoing the FIA optimization was further evaluated for its selectivity characteristics and lifetime. Results for the determination of chloroquine in synthetic samples that contained common tablet excipients such as glucose, starch, and cellulose, and other foreign species such as cations, citric acid or lactic acid were generally satisfactory. The sensor was also successfully used for the determination of the active ingredients in mock tablets, synthetic fluids and biological fluids. The sensor was applied for the determination of active ingredients and the dissolution profile of commercial tablets was also established.     

Rheological properties for polypropylene modified by polytetrafluoroethylene

Linear and nonlinear viscoelastic properties for binary blends composed of isotactic polypropylene and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) are studied. It is found that blending a small amount of PTFE greatly enhances the storage modulus in the low frequency region. Further, drawdown force and normal stress difference increase with the PTFE content. Electron microscope observation reveals that PTFE deforms into fine fibers whose diameter is smaller than 0.5 μm. The network structure composed of the fibers is responsible for the marked elastic properties. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 2008–2014, 2009     

The influence of molecular structure on helical twisting power of chiral azobenzene compounds

Photochromic chiral azobenzene compounds with different molecular structures were synthesized, and a cholesteric phase was induced by mixing each chiral azobenzene compound with a non-photochromic chiral compound in a host nematic liquid crystal, E44. Helical pitch and, thus, helical twisting powers (HTP) of the chiral azobenzene compounds and the non-photochromic chiral compound were determined by Cano's wedge method. Molecular structures of the chiral azobenzene compounds were predicted by means of determining their molecular aspect ratio (L/D) with semiempirical molecular calculations (MOPAC at PM3 level). The effects of molecular structure on HTP of the chiral azobenzene compounds are studied in detail. Molecular structures of chiral azobenzene compounds significantly influence their HTPs.     

1,1′‐(Ethenyl­idene)bis­(4‐chloro­benzene)

The title compound, C₁₄H₁₀Cl₂, crystallizes as colourless prisms with two symmetry‐independent mol­ecules in the unit cell. Numerous inter­molecular C—H⋯π inter­actions dominate in the crystal structure, where C—H⋯Cl and long Cl⋯Cl contacts are also observed.     

High throughput evaluation of the production of substituted acetylenes by the Sonogashira reaction followed by the Mizoroki-Heck reaction in ionic liquids, in situ, using a novel array reactor

The parallel Sonogashira coupling reaction was carried out under copper-free condition by integrating the advantages of ionic liquids as the reaction media followed by the simultaneous-multiple Mizoroki-Heck reaction in situ by the use of a novel array reactor (SynArray-24). The device provides rapid evaluation of reactions in a short period.     

Influence of Electrolytes on the Micellar Growth of Amphiphilic Drug Chlorpromazine Hydrochloride

The effect of electrolytes on the micellar behavior of an amphiphilic drug, chlorpromazine (CPZ) hydrochloride, was studied using cloud point (CP) and dye solubilization techniques. In the presence of KBr, increase in pH led to decrease in the CP of 50 mmol·L_-1 drug solution (prepared in 10 mmol·L_-1 sodium phosphate (SP) buffer) because of deprotonation of drug molecules at high pH. The visible absorbance increased (due to dye solubilization) with the increase in pH from 6.5 to 6.9, which indicated micellar growth. At fixed pH (6.7), addition of inorganic salts (KF, KCl, and KBr) to drug solutions (50 mmol·L_-1) caused an increase in the CP as well as in the visible absorbance, with effectiveness being in the order: F_- < Cl_- < Br_-. The results were discussed on the basis of counter-ion binding and their effect toward micellar growth. Cations (co-ions) also led to an increase in the CP (and also the visible absorbance), with their effectiveness order being Li₊ > Na₊ > K₊, which was explained by considering cognizance of their hydrated radii. Compared with anions, their effect was small. Increase in [CPZ] caused micellar growth and hence the CP as well as the visible absorbance increased. The overall behavior was discussed in terms of electrostatic interactions and micellar growth.     

Preconcentration of trace lead by adsorption onto a tantalum wire for electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry with a tungsten tube atomizer

A preconcentration method of lead in waters by adsorption on a tantalum wire was developed for electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry with a tungsten tube atomizer. After the preconcentration, the tantalum wire was directly inserted into the tungsten tube atomizer. In the preconcentration (adsorption) process for lead, the optimal immersing time was 90 s and the best pH was 4. Under the optimal conditions, the detection limit for lead by the tantalum wire preconcentration method was 6.0 pg mL^− 1 (3S/N) and the relative standard deviation was 6.1%. The influences of large amounts of concomitants on the preconcentration of lead were evaluated. Even though 10³ to 10⁴-fold excess of matrix elements existed in aqueous solution, the lead absorption signal was not significantly affected by the matrix elements. The method with preconcentration on a tantalum wire was applied to the determination of lead in river waters and proved to be sensitive, simple, and convenient. Because this preconcentration method can be utilized in the in-situ treatment of trace lead in environmental water samples, it was unnecessary to carry the water samples to the analytical work place. The present technique was shown to be useful for the determination of lead in environmental water samples at 0.1−1 μg L^− 1.