Medium energy,heavy and inert ion irradiation of metallic thin films: studies of surface nano‐structuring and metal burrowing

In context to the ion induced surface nanostructuring of metals and their burrowing in the substrates, we report the influence of Xe and Kr ion‐irradiation on Pt:Si and Ag:Si thin films of ~5‐nm thickness. For the irradiation of thin films, several ion energies (275 and 350 keV of Kr; 450 and 700 keV of Xe) were chosen to maintain a constant ratio of the nuclear energy loss to the electronic energy loss (S_n/S_e) in Pt and Ag films (five in present studies). The ion‐fluence was varied from 1.0 × 10¹⁵ to 1.0 × 10¹⁷ ions/cm². The irradiated films were characterized using Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The AFM and SEM images show ion beam induced systematic surface nano‐structuring of thin films. The surface nano‐structures evolve with the ion fluence. The RBS spectra show fluence dependent burrowing of Pt and Ag in Si upon the irradiation of both ion beams. At highest fluence, the depth of metal burrowing in Si for all irradiation conditions remains almost constant confirming the synergistic effect of energy losses by the ion beams. The RBS analysis also shows quite large sputtering of thin films bombarded with ion beams. The sputtering yield varied from 54% to 62% by irradiating the thin films with Xe and Kr ions of chosen energies at highest ion fluence. In the paper, we present the experimental results and discuss the ion induced surface nano‐structuring of Pt and Ag and their burrowing in Si. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fate of CS2 in viscose process: a chemistry perspective

Cellulose dissolution in the viscose process has been facilitated through derivatization by carbon disulphide (CS₂) at xanthation stage by converting alkali cellulose (AC) to cellulose xanthate (CX). CX formation has been always accompanied with sulphur based byproducts formation as dictated by the mechanism published in earlier study (Gondhalekar et al. (Cellulose 26 3 1595–1604, 2019)). The sulphur byproducts formed during viscose synthesis are sodium sulphide (Na₂S), sodium trithiocarbonate (Na₂CS₃: TTC) and other minor sulphur compounds. These byproducts continue to form during ripening process as dictated by time and temperature coupled with concentration of free caustic and CS₂ present in the system. These byproducts get converted into sodium sulphate (Na₂SO₄), hydrogen sulphide (H₂S), CS₂ and other sulphurous compounds during spinning. Overall, uncontrolled ripening without parametric optimization adversely impacts raw material (RM) consumption and creates sustainability challenges. Overall optimization based on viscose process fundamental insights presented in this study will effectively help in achieving operational excellence by reducing rate of undesired reactions to improve RM specific consumption and will compliment overall sustainability efforts in viscose industry.

     

A new combination of cyclohexylhydrazine and IBX for oxidative generation of cyclohexyl free radical and related synthesis of parvaquone

The present paper demonstrates a single-step and straightforward synthesis of parvaquone through intermediacy of cyclohexyl radical generated from novel combination of cyclohexylhydrazine and o-iodoxybenzoic acid and subsequently trapped by 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone. Formation of cyclohexyl free radical using this new combination was reaffirmed by cyclohexylation of readily available 2-amino-1,4-naphthoquinone.     

Simple efficient synthesis of 4‐aminoquinazoline via amidine of N‐arylamidoxime

Preparation of 4‐amino‐2‐aryl quinazolines by reduction of N‐(2‐cyanoaryl) amidoximes via amidines using SnCl₂ in ethanol. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011).     

Efficient nanocoax‐based solar cells

The power conversion efficiency of most thin film solar cells is compromised by competing optical and electronic constraints, wherein a cell must be thick enough to collect light yet thin enough to efficiently extract current. Here, we introduce a nanoscale solar architecture inspired by a well‐known radio technology concept, the coaxial cable, that naturally resolves this “thick–thin” conundrum. Optically thick and elec‐ tronically thin amorphous silicon “nanocoax” cells are in the range of 8% efficiency, higher than any nanostructured thin film solar cell to date. Moreover, the thin nature of the cells reduces the Staebler–Wronski light‐induced degradation effect, a major problem with conventional solar cells of this type. This nanocoax represents a new platform for low cost, high efficiency solar power. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Diffraction characteristics of optical vortex passing through an aperture-iris diaphragm

The diffraction of an optical vortex through an iris diaphragm which is a close approximation to a circular aperture has been investigated. The results are compared with those obtained from the diffraction of a Gaussian beam through the same aperture. In our findings the diffraction of an optical vortex and a Gaussian beam produce ball bearing sort of structure of darkness and brightness. The singularity of the vortex beam is found to be consistent even after the diffraction through the aperture. The presence of singularity at the centre of diffraction pattern of an optical vortex has been confirmed by interferometry. There is a good agreement between the experimental and numerical results. We propose that these results may find various applications in optical trapping experiments.     

Dissociation constants of some derivatives of 5-amino isophthalic acid in mixed solvents

The dissociation constants of some derivatives of 5-amino isophthalic acid have been measured by Calvin Bjerrum pH titration method in DMF-water and DMSO-water (60: 40 v/v) systems at 308.15 K. It is observed that dissociation constant depends on the solvent and substituents group present in the compound.     

Dietary agents in cancer prevention: an immunological perspective(†)

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in the United States. Exposure to solar ultraviolet (UV) radiations is believed to be the primary cause for skin cancer. Excessive UV radiation can lead to genetic mutations and damage in the skin's cellular DNA that in turn can lead to skin cancer. Lately, chemoprevention by administering naturally occurring non-toxic dietary compounds has proven to be a potential strategy to prevent the occurrence of tumors. Attention has been drawn toward several natural dietary agents such as resveratrol, one of the major components found in grapes, red wines, berries and peanuts, proanthocyanidins from grape seeds, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate from green tea, etc. However, the effect these dietary agents have on the immune system and the immunological mechanisms involved therein are still being explored. In this review, we shall focus on the role of key chemopreventive agents on various immune cells and discuss their potential as antitumor agents with an immunological perspective.     

Synthesis of bis-indole carboxamides as G-quadruplex stabilizing and inducing ligands

The design and synthesis of a series of bis‐indole carboxamides with varying amine containing side chains as G‐quadruplex DNA stabilising small molecules are reported. Their interactions with quadruplexes have been evaluated by means of Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) melting analysis, UV/Vis spectroscopy, circular dichroism spectroscopy and molecular modelling studies. FRET analysis indicates that these ligands exhibit significant selectivity for quadruplex over duplex DNA, and the position of the carboxamide side chains is of paramount importance in G‐quadruplex stabilisation. UV/Vis titration studies reveal that bis‐indole ligands bind tightly to quadruplexes and show a three‐ to fivefold preference for c‐kit2 over h‐telo quadruplex DNA. CD studies revealed that bis‐indole carboxamide with a central pyridine ring induces the formation of a single, antiparallel, conformation of the h‐telo quadruplex in the presence and absence of added salt. The chirality of h‐telo quadruplex was transferred to the achiral ligand (induced CD) and the formation of a preferred atropisomer was observed.