The effect of copolymer composition on the dynamics of random copolymers in a homopolymer matrix

The effect of copolymer composition on the dynamics of random copolymers in a homopolymer matrix is studied using computer simulations within the framework of the bond-fluctuation model on blends containing low concentrations (10%) of A-B copolymers, where A and B are two different types of monomers, dispersed in a homopolymer matrix of chains with only A-type monomers. Four copolymer compositions were studied, phi(A)=0.33, phi(A)=0.5, phi(A)=0.66, and phi(A)=0.82, while maintaining a statistically random sequence distribution. For this study, we have only included intermolecular interactions between A and B monomers. Our results indicate, in agreement with experimental data, that copolymer composition has an impact on system dynamics. Analysis of the structure reveals that copolymers with majority A content are expanded in the homopolymer matrix, have fewer interchain copolymer-copolymer contacts, and are well dispersed in the homopolymer matrix. On the other hand, copolymers with lower A content form a more compact structure, have more interchain contacts, and form aggregates that are short lived. This in turn leads to slower system dynamics. Both the radius of gyration (Rg) and copolymer end-to-end vectors (Re) increase with increasing A content until phi(A)=0.66 and then decrease. Copolymers with lower A content form more compact structures as the repulsive interactions between unlike species are minimized by the copolymers folding back on themselves and forming aggregates of copolymer chains. Thus, these results provide insight into the variation of copolymer dynamics with composition in the system by documenting the correlation between the thermodynamics of this mixture, the conformation of a copolymer chain in a homopolymer matrix, and the dynamics of both components in this blend.     

Penguin effects inΔ S≠0B decays in a five flavourSU(2)×U(1) model

The leading QCD corrections to the tree level interaction density for the ΔS≠0, ΔB≠0 couplings in anSU(2)×U(1) five flavour model due to Gorn and Paschos are evaluated.     

Synthesis and characterization of triorganoantimony(V) complexes with bidentate ligands

Monochelated organoantimony(V) complexes of the type R₃Sb(OMe)L, where R = Me or Ph, and L is the anion of acetylacetone, 8-hydroxyquinoline, salicylaldehyde, o-hydroxyacetophenone or 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde have been obtained from triorganoantimony(V) dibromide and the sodium derivative of the ligands in a benzene-methanol mixture. Molecular weight determination in benzene reveals the monomeric nature of these complexes. IR and NMR data suggest that L acts as a bidentate ligand giving an octahedral environment for the antimony atom.     

Light emitting CdS quantum dots in PMMA: Synthesis and optical studies

Freshly prepared CdS-quantum dots (QDs) in DMF (clear pale solution) when loaded in polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) lead to excellent optical properties. The tuning of the absorption and emission wavelengths via experimentally control parameters is considered novel and significant. The absorption band for CdS was observed at about 370 nm in polymeric matrix. The blue, green and orange light emissions from such composite solution were tuned and stabilized by simply varying the concentration of CdS, cadmium and sulphur in the final product. Photoluminescence (PL) measurement with 2% CdS loading showed band-edge emissions from the composite with only about 20-25 nm Stokes shift in emission wavelength. Observation of such optical properties indicated that the composite has narrow particle size distribution and particle diameter may well be below 10 nm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the film with higher loading of CdS showed broad pattern for hexagonal CdS. Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) of CdS/PMMA composite film revealed that it has better thermal stability than PMMA alone. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed agglomerated tiny dots in nano-meter regime.     

Self‐assembly of a Sequence‐shuffled Short Peptide Amphiphile Triggered by Metal Ions into Terraced Nanodome‐like Structures

We highlight the structural diversity of strategically designed two short peptide amphiphiles (sPAs) and describe their structure–function relationship studies. The shuffling of two key amino acids, that is, tyrosine and phenylalanine, in a designed sPA lead to a pair of constitutional isomers. Such small and strategic alteration can bring a substantial change in the self‐assembling pattern. Inspired from the naturally occurring metallopeptides, bioactive transition‐metal ions were used for constructing the unusual nanostructures. Use of appropriate metal ions created bigger differences between the properties of these isomers and hence the self‐assembly. Coordination of appropriate transition metal ions modifies the internal nanoscale structures of sPA, thus leading to the formation of vertically stacked terraced layers with decreasing size, which possess a high degree of dimensional regularity. We propose that such metal‐induced terraced nanodome‐like hierarchical self‐assembly may have relevance for specific biotechnology applications.     

[4+2] Cyclization reactions of chiral Cβ-substituted Fischer alkenyl carbene complexes: efficient synthesis of enantiopure cyclohexenone and norbornene derivatives

Chiral alkenyl carbene complexes of tungsten(0) 1 and 2, readily available from the chiral pool, undergo the [4+2] cycloaddition with the Danishefsky diene to provide enantiopure 4-alkenyl-2-cyclohexenone adducts 5 and 7 with high stereoselectivity after treatment of the primary cycloadducts 4 and 6 with TBAF. Cyclopentadiene also cycloadds to carbenes 1 and 2 affording the expected norbornene metal carbene complexes 10 and 12 with remarkable diastereo and face selectivity. Oxidative removal of the metal pentacarbonyl fragment leads to the ester derivatives 11 and 13. The X-ray structure analysis of two cycloadducts derived from carbenes 1 and 2 has been performed.     

Phenoxide bridged tetranuclear Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes: electrochemical, magnetic and antimicrobial studies

Phenoxide bridged later first row transition metal(II) complexes have been prepared by the interaction of later 3d transition metal(II) chlorides with tetranucleating compartmental Schiff base ligand system derived from 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol, p-phenylenediamine and 2-hydrazinobenzothiazole. Ligand and complexes were characterized by analytical, spectral (IR, UV-visible, ESR, FAB-mass and fluorescence), magnetic and thermal studies. All complexes are found to have octahedral geometry. The mutual influence of metal centres in terms of cooperative effect on the electronic, magnetic, electrochemical and structural properties was investigated. The Schiff base and its complexes have been screened for their antibacterial (against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and antifungal activities (against Aspergillus niger, and Candida albicans).     

Synthesis and characterization of glycol ether and oxime modified precursors of niobium(V) for soft transformation to niobia

A glycol ether modified precursor, [Nb{O(CH₂CH₂O)₂}(OPrⁱ)₃] (A) was prepared by the reaction of Nb(OPrⁱ)₅ with O(CH₂CH₂OH)₂ in 1:1 molar ratio in anhydrous benzene. Further reactions of A with a variety of internally functionalized oximes in different molar ratios, yielded heteroleptic complexes of the type, [Nb{O(CH₂CH₂O)₂}(OPrⁱ)_3?n{ON = C(CH₃)(Ar)}_n] (1–9) {where Ar = C₄H₃O-2, n = 1 [1], n = 2 [2], n = 3 [3]; C₄H₃S-2, n = 1 [4], n = 2 [5], n = 3 [6]; C₅H₄N-2, n = 1 [7], n = 2 [8], n = 3 [9]}. All the above derivatives have been characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR, NMR (¹H, ¹³C {¹H}) and FAB mass studies. Spectral studies of 1–9 suggest the presence of mono- and bi-dentate mode of oxime moieties, in the solution and in the solid states, respectively. FAB mass studies indicate monomeric nature for 3 and dimeric nature for A. TG curves of A and 6 show their low thermal stability. Soft transformation of A and 3 to pure niobia, a and b, respectively have been carried out by sol–gel technique. The XRD patterns of niobia a and b suggest the formation of nano-size crystallites of average size of 10.8 and 19.5 nm, respectively. The XRD patterns also indicate the formation of monoclinic phase of the niobia in both the cases. Absorption spectra of a and b suggest energy band gaps of 4.95 and 4.39 eV, respectively.