Macroscopic single‐domain graphene sheet on Ni(111)

We observed in situ growth of a single graphene sheet on Ni(111) by low‐energy electron microscopy. The sheet was grown epitaxially beyond the steps on the substrate. The crystalline shapes of graphene islands were clearly seen; the straight edges of the island are crossed at either 60 or 120°, and the linear edges shifted perpendicular to the edge keeping the equilibrium shape. Graphene islands were united to form a single sheet without any grain boundaries and any wrinkles. The Ni substrate of several centimeters in size was covered with a single‐domain graphene sheet. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Enhancement of electronic excitation energy transfer in the colloidal crystals of colloidal silica suspensions doped with fluorescent dyes

The efficiency of electronic excitation energy transfer from photo-excited rhodamine 110 (Rh110, energy donor) to rhodamine B (RhB, energy acceptor) in an exhaustively deionized colloidal silica suspension has been studied. This colloidal suspension shows Bragg reflection due to the formation of colloidal crystals and the Bragg-peak wavelength is controllable by the volume fraction of the silica spheres. When the Bragg-peak wavelength matches with the fluorescence band of Rh110, a depletion was observed in the Rh110 fluorescence spectrum. This means the fluorescence of Rh110 is partially trapped due to the Bragg reflection inside the crystal lattice. In the coexistence of RhB, the enhancement of RhB fluorescence intensity was observed. These facts clearly indicate the trapped photon energy of Rh110 is efficiently transferred to RhB within the colloidal crystals. The quantitative measurements showed that the enhancement of the transfer efficiency is 20% (or slightly more) in the present experimental conditions.     

Sedimentation and drying dissipative structures of colloidal silica (1.2 μm in diameter) suspensions in a glass dish and a polystyrene dish

Sedimentation and drying dissipative structural patterns formed in the course of drying colloidal silica spheres (1.2 μm in diameter) in aqueous suspension have been studied in a glass dish and a polystyrene dish. The broad ring patterns are formed within a short time in suspension state by the convection flow of water and colloidal spheres. The broad ring patterns are not formed when a dish is covered with a cap, which demonstrates the important role of the convectional flow of silica spheres and water accompanied with the evaporation of water on the air-suspension interface. The sedimentary spheres always move by the convectional flow of water, and the broad ring patterns became sharp with time. Broad ring and microscopic fine structures are formed in the solidification processes on the bases of the convectional and sedimentation patterns. Drying patterns of the colloidal suspensions containing sodium chloride are star-like ones, which strongly supports the synchronous cooperative interactions between the salt and colloidal spheres.     

Convectional,sedimentation, and drying dissipative patterns of colloidal crystals of poly (methyl methacrylate) spheres on a cover glass

Direct observation of the convectional dissipative patterns was successful during the course of dryness of colloidal crystals of poly (methyl methacrylate) spheres on a cover glass. Formation processes of the convectional patterns of spoke-like lines were observed as a function of sphere size and also sphere concentration. During dryness of the suspensions, the brilliant iridescent colors changed beautifully. Macro- and microscopic drying patterns and thickness profiles of the dried film were observed. Sharp broad rings were observed especially at low sphere concentrations. The water evaporation accompanied with the convectional flow of water and the colloidal spheres played an important role for these dissipative structure formation.     

The double Renner effect in the X(2)A" and A(2)A' electronic states of HO(2)

A theoretical investigation of the X(2)A" and A(2)A' electronic states of the HO(2) radical is reported. Both electronic states have nonlinear equilibrium geometries and they correlate with a (2)Pi state at linear geometries so that they exhibit the Renner effect. In highly excited bending states, there is tunneling between two equivalent minima (with geometries where the H nucleus is bound to one, or the other, of the two O nuclei), and the two linear geometries H-O-O and O-O-H become accessible to the molecule. Thus, HO(2) affords an example of the so-called double Renner effect. Three-dimensional potential energy surfaces for the X(2)A" and A(2)A' electronic states of HO(2) have been calculated ab initio and the global potential energy surfaces for the states have been constructed. These surfaces have been used, in conjunction with the computer program DR [Odaka et al., J. Mol. Structure 795, 14 (2006); Odaka et al., J. Chem. Phys. 126, 094301 (2007)], for calculating HO(2) rovibronic energies in the "double-Renner"-degenerate electronic states X(2)A" and A(2)A'. The results of the ab initio calculations, the rovibronic energies obtained, and analyses of the wavefunctions for selected states are presented.     

Furan derivatives. Part 12 . Synthesis of 2,5-dioxacyclohepta[jkl]-as-indacenes

A variety of 2,5-dioxacyclohepta[jkl]-as-indacenes 5, 7–14 were synthesized as a new heterocycle by the treatment of diethyl (5,9-dioxobenzocyclohepten-1,4-diyloxy)diacetates 4a-e with potassium hydroxide or sodium hydride in dioxane. The mechanism of furan-ring formation from 4a-e was discussed.     

Determination of free and total catecholamines in human urine by HPLC with fluorescence detection

A simple and highly sensitive method for the determination of free and total (free + conjugated) catecholamines (norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine) in human urine is described which employs HPLC with fluorescence detection. Conjugated catecholamines (sulfate form) are hydrolyzed by a sulfatase-mediated reaction to the corresponding free amines. After cation exchange chromatography on a Toyopak IC-SP S cartridge, catecholamines and isoproterenol (internal standard) in urine samples were converted into the corresponding fluorescent compounds by reaction with 1,2-diphenylethylenediamine. These compounds were separated within 8 min on a reversed phase column with isocratic elution using a mixture of water, methanol and acetonitrile containing a Tris-hydrochloric acid buffer (pH 7.0). The detection limit for each catecholamine is ca 2 fmol per 100 microL injection volume.