Ultrasensitive,Rapid, and Selective Detection of Mercury Using Graphene Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry

We report an extremely sensitive and specific detection of mercuric ions (Hg²⁺) based on graphene assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (GALDI-MS). Combining the highly selective coordination interactions between thymine (T) and Hg²⁺, we present a simple, effective, and novel approach, based on π–π interactions of the T-Hg²⁺-T complex and G that can serve as a platform and matrix for GALDI-MS. The present sensor not only exhibits high selectivity and sensitivity (picomolar) to Hg²⁺ in aqueous solution, but also can elucidate the chemical structures of the metal complexes. The significant advantage in the current approach is that there is no need for a sophisticated instrument, and no sample pretreatment is required to detect the Hg²⁺ ions.

Cross-linked starch nanoparticles stabilized Pickering emulsion polymerization of styrene in w/o/w system

Here, we present a method to synthesize expandable spherical polystyrene beads containing well-dispersed water microdroplets. The beads, 2–3 mm in diameter, were prepared through surfactant-free Pickering emulsion polymerization in water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w) system using cross-linked starch nanoparticles (CSTN) as emulsifier. The CSTNs were in situ surface-modified by styrene maleic anhydride copolymer as confirmed by infrared spectroscopy and contact angle analysis. The entrapped water microdroplets with the average size of 3–4 μm were shown to be surrounded by a dense layer of the CSTN. The number droplet density as well as water encapsulation efficiency in the polystyrene beads increased with the CSTN concentration. Furthermore, regardless of CSTN content, all samples exhibited high encapsulation stability of over 68 % after 3 months. These characteristics along with good expansion behavior suggest the synthesized beads as expandable polystyrene containing water as a green blowing agent.     

An efficient and novel protocol for the synthesis of spiro[1,3]oxazino[5,6-c]quinoline derivatives by one-pot,three-component reaction

Research on Chemical Intermediates - One-pot, three-component reaction of various aryl glyoxal monohydrates, 5-methylisoxazol-3-amine and 4-hydroxyquinolin-2(1H)-one in the presence of a catalytic...     

A new and facile synthesis of 3-(2-aryl-6-nitro-1H-indol-3-yl)quinoline-2,4(1H,3H)-diones by sodium alginate as biopolymeric catalyst

Research on Chemical Intermediates - New 3-(2-aryl-6-nitro-1H-indol-3-yl)quinoline-2,4(1H,3H)-diones were synthesized, and good-to-excellent yields were achieved through one-pot, three-component...     

Influence of Carbon Nanotubes on Phase Composition,Thermal and Post-Heating Behavior of Cementitious Composites

This paper experimentally investigates the influence of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on phase composition, microstructure deterioration, thermal behavior, and residual mechanical strengths of cementitious composites exposed to elevated temperatures. Cement mortars with small dosages of CNTs, 0.05% and 0.2% by weight of cement, were prepared and then heated at 25 °C, 150 °C, 200 °C, 450 °C, and 600 °C for two hours before being tested. The results show positive impact of the CNTs on the hydration process of cement mortar at room temperature and at higher temperatures up to 200 °C. Decomposition of the hydration products is obvious at 450 °C, whereas sever deterioration in the microstructure occurs at 600 °C. The nano reinforcement and bridging effect of the CNTs are obvious up to 450 °C. Thermal behavior characterization shows that CNTs incorporation enhances the thermal conductivity of the unheated and heat-treated mortar specimens. The decomposition of the hydration products needs more heat in the presence of CNTs. Finally, presence of CNTs significantly enhances the residual compressive and flexural strengths of heated mortar specimens for all studied temperatures.     

Entangled network and quantum communication

A theoretical scheme is introduced to generate entangled network via Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya (DM) interaction. The dynamics of entanglement between different nodes, which is generated by direct or indirect interaction, is investigated. It is shown that, the direction of (DM) interaction and the locations of the nodes have a sensational effect on the degree of entanglement. The minimum entanglement generated between all the nodes is quantified. The upper and lower bounds of the entanglement depend on the direction of DM interaction, and the repetition of the behavior depends on the strength of DM. The generated entangled nodes are used as quantum channel to perform quantum teleportation, where it is shown that the fidelity of teleporting unknown information between the network members depends on the locations of the members.     

Structural and optoelectronic properties of amorphous GaN thin films

Amorphous gallium nitride (a-GaN) thin films were deposited on glass substrate by electron beam evaporation technique at room temperature and high vacuum using N ₂ as carrier gas. The structural properties of the films was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). It was clear from XRD spectra and SEM study that the GaN thin films were amorphous. The absorbance, transmittance and reflectance spectra of these films were measured in the wavelength range of 300–2200 nm. The absorption coefficient spectral analysis in the sharp absorption region revealed a direct band gap of E _g = 3:1 eV. The data analysis allowed the determination of the dispersive optical parameters by calculating the refractive index. The oscillator energy E ₀ and the dispersion energy E _d, which is a measure of the average strength of inter-band optical transition or the oscillator strength, were determined. Electrical conductivity of a-GaN was measured in a different range of temperatures. Then, activation energy of a-GaN thin films was calculated which equalled E _a = 0:434 eV.     

A new approach to the reduction of sulfoxides to sulfides with 1,3-dithiane in the presence of electrophilic bromine as catalyst

A new, mild, and novel method is described for the efficient deoxygenation of sulfoxides to their corresponding sulfides with 1,3-dithiane at room temperature in the presence of catalytic amounts of N-bromosuccinimide (NBS), 2,4,4,6-tetrabromo-2,5-cyclohexadienone (TABCO), or Br(2) as the source of electrophilic bromine.