Characterization of proton‐conducting organic–inorganic polymeric materials by ASAXS

The distribution of ZrO₂ and phosphotungstic acid (PTA) in a matrix of sulfonated polyether ketone was investigated by anomalous small‐angle X‐ray scattering (ASAXS). Scattering curves were obtained using X‐ray energies near the Zr and W absorption edges, allowing the independent analysis of the distribution of ZrO₂ and PTA in the sample. The interaction between both inorganic components improved their dispersion considerably when compared with films containing just one of the additives. The synergism was correlated to previous investigations concerning proton conductivity and permeability of the membranes developed for direct methanol fuel cell. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 2981–2992, 2005     

XPS and XAS spectra of CaMnO3 and LaMnO3

We have analyzed the XPS Mn 2p and XAS O 1s spectra of CaMnO₃ and LaMnO₃ with the configuration-interaction cluster model. Both the Hund exchange energy J and the crystal-field splitting of the d levels are included explicitly in the fittings. We have obtained very good agreement between calculated and measured spectra. The parameters U, Δ, and pdσ are compared with those obtained in previous works. The exchange and crystal-field parameters are compared with parameters derived from density-functional band-structure calculations.     

Determination of Cd(II), Cu(II) and Ni(II) in aqueous samples by ICP-OES after on-line preconcentration in column packed with silica modified with 2-aminothiazole

This work describes the synthesis and characterization of 2-aminothiazole modified silica gel (SiAT) and the studies of adsorption and pre-concentration (in batch and using a flow-injection system coupled with optical emission spectrometer) of Cd(II), Cu(II) and Ni(II) in aqueous medium. The adsorption capacity for each metal ions in mmol g⁻¹ was: Cu(II) = 1.18, Ni(II) = 1.15 and Cd(II) = 1.10. The results obtained in the flow experiments showed about 100% of recovering of the metal ions adsorbed in a mini-column packed with 100 mg of SiAT, using 100 μL of 2.0 mol L⁻¹ HCl solution as eluent. The quantitative sorption–desorption of the metal ions made possible the application of a flow-injection system in the pre-concentration and quantification by ICP-OES of metal ions at trace level in natural water samples. Correspondence: Pedro M. Padilha, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, I.B., UNESP, 18618-000 Botucatu, SP, Brazil     

Solar and supplemental UV-B radiation effects in lemon peel UV-B-absorbing compound content-seasonal variations

Effects of solar and supplemental UV-B radiation on UV-B-absorbing compounds and malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulations in the peel of lemons collected in summer and winter were analyzed. UV-B-absorbing compounds were higher in flavedo than in albedo tissue in both seasons; however, the highest values were observed in summer. These compounds were also higher in outer than in inner flavedo surface. Lemons were categorized as sun-, semisun- and shaded-lemon according to localization inside the tree canopy. Depending on-tree localization UV-B-absorbing compounds were higher in flavedo of sun-lemon than in semisun- and shaded-lemon. Supplementary UV-B radiation (22 kJ m(-2) day(-1) UV-BBE) induced UV-B-absorbing compound synthesis in on-tree and postharvest lemons. Two minutes of supplemental UV-B irradiation in summer lemons produced a strong increment (300%) of UV-B-absorbing compound content, whereas in winter lemons a slight increase (30%) was observed only after 3 min of irradiation. By contrast, UV-B-absorbing compound accumulation was not observed in albedo. MDA accumulation showed approximately a similar trend of UV-B-absorbing compounds. According to our results, solar UV-B was not required for UV-B-absorbing compound accumulation in lemon peel. Relationships between UV-B-absorbing compounds, MDA, reactive oxygen species and pathogen protection are also discussed.     

Poly(n‐alkylsilsesquioxane)s: Synthesis,characterization, and modification with poly(dimethylsiloxane)

Self‐supported translucent films constituted of poly(n‐octylsilsesquioxane) or poly(n‐dodecylsilsesquioxane) were obtained from the hydrolysis and condensation of n‐octyltriethoxysilane (OTES) or n‐dodecyltriethoxysilane (DTES), respectively. Dense films were obtained in the absence of organic solvents, with dibutyltin diacetate as catalyst. These films exhibited good optical transparency and thermal stability. The incorporation of oligomeric dimethylsiloxane units (D^Me,Me) in these materials, derived from silanol‐terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) or 1,1,3,3‐tetramethyl‐1,3‐diethoxydisiloxane (TMDES), was carried out during the hydrolysis and condensation of OTES and DTES and was confirmed by solid‐state ²⁹Si NMR. Poly(n‐octylsilsesquioxane) showed a glass‐transition temperature at ?65 °C, due to the increase in the free volume, promoted by the bulky n‐octyl groups. The differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) curves of the polymer derived from DTES were characterized by first‐order transitions at temperatures ranging from ?15.8 to ?0.7 °C. Further studies of these networks by low‐temperature XRD evidenced narrowing of the diffraction halos suggesting a partial order–disorder transition for these materials at lower temperatures. Good thermal stability up to 350 °C and the solvent‐free production process make these polymers potential candidates for the development of self‐supported hydrophobic protective coatings. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1220–1229, 2010     

Effect of thermal dehydration and rehydration on Na-magadiite structure

The effect caused by dehydration and rehydration of the synthetic Na-magadiite was investigated by TGA, XRD, SEM, and ²⁹Si NMR. Thermal analysis of Na-magadiite presented two well-defined loss mass stages between 20 and 150 °C and another between 270 and 310 °C, both related to the removal of interlayer water. The swelling behavior of Na-magadiite was studied by thermal dehydration data obtained at 150 and 300 °C, and respective rehydration by water addition. X-ray patterns showed that the dehydration of Na-magadiite at 150 and 300 °C provoked the basal spacing decrease. The XRD also showed that only the material treated at 150 °C returned to the original structure with the rehydration. ²⁹Si NMR spectra showed that after rehydration, the Q₃/Q₄ relationship presented the same value for Na-magadiite treated at 150 °C. However, this Q₃/Q₄ value decreased when the treatment was done at 300 °C. Kinetic studies of thermal decomposition showed that the dehydration of magadiite is based on a phase boundary-controlled reaction, caused by contracting areas. The exfoliation of lamellas with thermal treatment can explain this behavior, as observed in SEM images.     

Combined electrical and rheological properties of shear induced multiwall carbon nanotube agglomerates in epoxy suspensions

In this work the rheological and electrical properties of semi-dilute carbon nanotube (CNT)–epoxy suspensions have been discussed. The suspensions are produced using two types of industrially available CNTs (Nanocyl 3150 and 7000) and using two different dispersion techniques, namely 3-roll milling and sonication. In-situ optical microscopic analysis and electrical conductivity measurements have been conducted. It is shown that despite using CNTs with similar aspect ratios, the dispersability of the raw material and the time stability of the suspensions are quite different. Additionally, viscosity measurements are used to evaluate the initial dispersion quality and time stability.     

Rapid and specific detection of urea nitrate and ammonium nitrate by electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry using infusion with crown ethers

Urea nitrate (UN) and ammonium nitrate (AN) are fertilizer-based explosives that are commonly used in improvised munitions and can have highly destructive effects. Because they are in the form of salts, their relatively low volatility makes them difficult to detect at trace levels. In addition, these salts readily undergo metathetic reactions in water to form urea, ammonium and nitrate, which are ubiquitous in the environment. Thus, selective methods are needed for their detection. In this study, a procedure was developed to detect UN and AN in non-aqueous environments by positive ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry through the addition of 18-crown-6. The method is sensitive, with detection limits under 2 μM, and selective. The procedure is capable of differentiating urea from uronium ions (protonated urea) and a mixture of urea and AN did not interfere with the UN signal. The procedure is quite versatile and the addition of crown ethers to the sample matrix does not interfere with the detection of high explosives in the negative ionization mode. Experimental results are presented on the utilization of the method in the detection of UN and AN on various surfaces. Semi-quantitative studies showed that AN and UN can be detected at trace levels following finger transfer and a series of studies were performed to demonstrate the effect of various interferences. The results show the method to be a quick and robust procedure for trace detection.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial activities of some sulphur containing chromene derivatives

A series of 3,3-dimethyl-3Hbenzothieno[3,2-f][1]-benzopyran analogues modified at the pyran 1,2-double bond were synthesized. The corresponding dihydro and (+/-)-cis-diol derivatives were converted into diacetate and cyclic carbonate upon acylation. The title compounds were characterized by spectroscopic analysis and screened for their antimicrobial activity in vitro.     

气相VO（∑＋）与CH3OH（1^A′）分子自旋禁阻反应C—H，O—H键活化机理的理论研究

采用密度泛函理论（DFT）B3LYP与cCsD方法研究了二重态和四重态势能面自旋禁阻反应VO（∑’）活化cH30H（1^A′）分子c—H,0—H键的微观机理．通过自旋一轨道耦合的计算讨论了势能面交叉点和可能的自旋翻转过程．在MEcP处,四重态和二重态问的旋轨耦合常数为131．14cm^-1．自旋多重度发生改变,从四重态系间穿越到二重态势能面形成中间体2^IM1,导致反应势能面的势垒明显降低．