Magnetic cobalt nanowire thin films

Two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) magnetic cobalt nanowire thin films with tunable 3-10 nm wire diameters have been electrodeposited using mesoporous silica templates containing 2D hexagonal or 3D cubic pore channels. As compared to bulk cobalt films, the cobalt nanowire thin films exhibit enhanced coercivities and controllable magnetic anisotropy through tuning of the mesostructure and dimension of the nanowires. Such novel magnetic nanowire thin films may provide a new platform for high-density information storage applications.     

Pulse radiolysis of 4,4'-bipyridyl aqueous solutions at elevated temperatures: spectral changes and reaction kinetics up to 400 degrees C

The spectral changes as well as the reaction kinetics of the transient species of 4,4'-bipyridyl (4,4'-bpy) have been experimentally investigated by pulse radiolysis techniques up to 400 degrees C. The results show that the transient species such as OH adduct 4,4'-bpyOH*, monoprotonated electron adduct 4,4'-bpyH*, and doubly protonated electron adduct 4,4'-bpyH2+* have 15-20 nm blue shifts from room temperature to 400 degrees C. For a deaerated neutral solution of 4,4'-bpy in the presence of tert-butyl alcohol, ethanol, or NaCOOH, the doubly protonated electron adduct is the main transient species at room temperature. But at temperatures > 350 degrees C, a monoprotonated form, the N-hydro radical 4,4'-bpyH*, becomes predominant. Interestingly, at room temperature, CO2-* could not efficiently react with 4,4'-bpy, but the reaction was accelerated with increasing temperature; at 350 degrees C, this reaction completed within 2 mus. Using an alkaline solution (pH = 11.5) of 4,4'-bpy in the presence of tert-butyl alcohol, we studied the N-hydro radical 4,4'-bpyH* from room temperature to 400 degrees C at 25 MPa. An estimation of the temperature-dependent G(e(aq)-) at 25 MPa agrees with our previous result with methyl viologen as a scavenger.     

Synthesis of Thermosensitive PNIPAM‐co‐MBAA Nanotubes by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization within a Porous Membrane

Summary: Thermosensitive polymer nanotubes can be fabricated within an aminopropylsilane‐modified porous anodic aluminum oxide membrane by surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) followed by template removal. DSC experiments prove that the synthesized PNIPAM‐co‐MBAA copolymer nanotubes have a reversible thermosensitive behavior. The temperature‐induced changes in dimension and shape of the nanotubes were studied by AFM in real time in an aqueous environment. It indicates that the nanotubes undergo a shape alteration from an “ellipse” to “circular” shape in water upon heating to LCST or above.

DSC curves of PNIPAM‐co‐MBAA nanotubes.     

Conductive Polypyrrole and Poly(allylamine hydrochloride) Nanotubes Fabricated with Layer‐by‐Layer Assembly

Summary: Conductive nanotubes were fabricated by the alternate adsorption of negatively charged polypyrrole (PPy) and positively charged poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) onto the inner pores of polycarbonate templates. Nanotubes are obtained by the subsequently removal of the template. Using several microscopic and spectroscopic techniques, we demonstrate that the yielded materials possess a tubular structure and conductive properties. The conductivity of PPy/PAH nanotubes is measured as 0.008 S · cm⁻¹.

SEM image of eight bilayer PPy/PAH nanotubes after the removal of the template.     

An efficient method for recovery of target ssDNA based on amino-modified silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles

In this paper, an improved recovery method for target ssDNA using amino-modified silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles (ASMNPs) is reported. This method takes advantages of the amino-modified silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles prepared using water-in-oil microemulsion technique, which employs amino-modified silica as the shell and iron oxide as the core of the magnetic nanoparticles. The nanoparticles have a silica surface with amino groups and can be conjugated with any desired bio-molecules through many existing amino group chemistry. In this research, a linear DNA probe was immobilized onto nanoparticles through streptavidin conjugation using covalent bonds. A target ssDNA(I) (5′-TMR-CGCATAGGGCCTCGTGATAC-3′) has been successfully recovered from a crude sample under a magnet field through their special recognition and hybridization. A designed ssDNA fragment of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus at a much lower concentration than the target ssDNA(I) was also recovered with high efficiency and good selectivity.     

Large scale Biginelli reaction via water-based biphasic media: a green chemistry strategy

An important stage in process development is kilo scale preparation of the target compound. For this reason, a procedure involving water-based biphasic reaction media has been developed for conducting some exothermic reactions on a large scale. This protocol is illustrated by the energy-efficient and rapid preparation of dihydropyrimidinones by a solvent-free, green chemistry procedure applied to the Biginelli reaction using p-toluenesulfonic acid as catalyst.     

MODIFICATION OF TRANSITION METAL CATIONS TO POLYMER-STABILIZED PLATINUM COLLOIDAL CLUSTERS IN ENANTIOSELECTIVE HYDROGENATION OF METHYL PYRUVATE

Modification of transition metal cations to polymer-stabilized Pt colloidal clusters modified with cinchonidine was studied in enantioselective hydrogenation of methyl pyruvate. Compared to the enantiomeric excess (e.e.) value (71.4%) obtained without the presence of metal cations, obvious e.e. enhancement (up to 82.5%) was resulted from the addition of Zn^2 but with a certain decrease in activity. The reaction parameters in the presence of Zn^2 were also studied. It was found that the Pt colloidal catalysts in the presence of metal cations performed very differently from that in the absence of metal cations.     

Effect of Alkali Treatment on the Structure and Catalytic Properties of ZSM-5 Zeolite

Catalytic properties of ZSM-5 zeolite samples pretreated with NaOH solution have been investigated. The samples are characterized by XRD, SEM, chemical analysis, and N2 adsorption.The results indicate that mesopores are created in ZSM-5 crystals under alkali treatment without change the microporous structure and acidic strength of the zeolite, but the crystallinity is greatly decreased under severe treatment. IR indicates that the concentration of silanol is greatly enriched by alkali treatment. The etherification activities of ZSM-5 zeolites are greatly increased byalkali-treatment. The noticeably improved catalytic activity of treated samples is ascribed to the formation of mesopores and greatly enriched silanol group.     

Photocatalytic Synthesis of Oxygenates from Gaseous CO2 and CH4 over Semiconductor

Photoinduced synthesis of CO2 and CH4 was investigated using a batch reaction system on several photoactive materials supported on silicon dioxide. Single semiconductor showed higher selectivity to C1 compounds. The production of C2-C3 oxygenates took place preferentially on composite semiconductor photocatalysts. In particular, it was found that acetone was the primary product over Cu/CdS-TiO2/SiO2.