ZnO Nanocluster as a Potential Catalyst for Dissociation of H2S Molecule

Adsorption of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) on the external and internal surface of Zn₁₂O₁₂ nanocluster was studied by using density functional calculations. The results indicate that the H₂S molecule is physically adsorbed or chemically dissociated by the nanocluster. It was found that the H₂S molecule can dissociate into –H and–SH fragments, suggesting that the nanocluster might be a potential catalyst for dissociation of the H₂S molecule. Also, dissociation of H₂S to S species in internal surface of the Zn₁₂O₁₂ nanocluster is energetically impossible. The HOMO–LUMO energy gap of H₂S dissociation configuration is changed about 27.68 %, indicating that the electronic properties of the nanocluster by dissociation process have strongly changed.     

Fluorescence quantum yield of the two novel macrocyclic lactams

Fluorescence quantum yield of two novel compounds—dibenzo[c,k]-1,2-dithia-6,9-diazacyclododecane-5,10-dione (1) and dibenzo[c,k]-1,2-dithia-6,9-diaza-7-methylcyclododecane-5,10-dione (2) was studied by Williams method using anthracene as a reference.     

Adsorption of Thiophene on Aluminum Nitride Nanotubes

Abstract

Thiophene adsorption on pristine (6,0) aluminum nitride nanotubes was studied by using density functional theory calculations, by means of B3LYP and M06-L functionals. We present the nature of the thiophene interaction in different sites of the nanotube. Adsorption energies corresponding to adsorption of thiophene are calculated to be in the range ?18.90 to ?21.06 kJ mol^{? 1} Pablo, P. C., Liprandi, D. A. and Fígoli, N. S. 1996. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 34: 3713–3717. [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]. It has been shown that the thiophene molecule has a weak physical adsorption on the pristine models due to weak Van der Waals interaction between the nanotubes and thiophene molecule. The charge transfer between thiophene and the AlNNT is minimal and the electronic properties of the nanotubes are not affected by the thiophene adsorption. Also, with change of tube type, more efficient binding could not be achieved. The results indicate that transition metal nanoclusters are more suitable catalyst with respect to nontransition metal nanotubes in the petroleum industry.     

Pore formation in phospholipid bilayers by branched-chain pyrogallol[4]arenes

Pyrogallolarenes are tetrameric macrocycles that form from 1,2,3-trihydroxybenzene and aldehydes under acidic conditions. When 2-ethylbutanal or 2-propylpentanal was so treated, the branched-chain pyrogallolarenes crystallized as nanotubes or bilayers, respectively. When the behavior of each compound was assessed by using the planar bilayer conductance method, pore formation was observed. The properties of the pores were significantly different from each other, probably reflecting different types of pore organization within the membrane.     

Dual complex of amylose with iodine and magnetite nano‐crystallites: Enhanced superparamagnetic and catalytic performance for synthesis of spiro‐oxindoles

Mass magnetization of magnetite nanoparticles was enhanced by disassembling and encapsulating their building nano‐crystallites with water‐soluble starch. Incorporation of iodine into the as‐prepared nano‐conglomerate led to formation of a ternary nano‐complex and further enhancement of its superparamagnetic susceptibility. As an additional evidence for the anomalously heightened superparamagnetic property, the ternary nano‐complex showed lower magnetic remanence and coercivity than the pristine magnetite it was made from. These findings were ascribed to significant changes in, at least, size of the magnetite nano‐crystallites during formation of the nano‐composite. A significant enhancement was also observed in the catalytic efficiency of the nano‐composite, as was successfully exemplified in the synthesis of some novel spiro[oxindole‐dihydropyridine]s via a three‐component reaction between isatins, furan‐2,4(3H,5H)‐dione and aminouracils ‘on water’.     

Adsorption of nitrous oxide on the(6,0) magnesium oxide nanotube

Nitrous oxide adsorption on the pristine（6,0） magnesium oxide nanotube was studied by using density functional theory calculations.We present the nature of the N₂O interaction in selected sites of the nanotube.Adsorption energies corresponding to adsorption of the N₂O on the nanotube were calculated to be in the range -11.67 to -22.21 kJ mol^-1.Our results indicate that the N₂O molecule has a weak physical adsorption on the pristine models due to weak Van der Waals interaction between the nanotubes and N₂O molecule.The important results can be useful in production of the N₂O sensors.     

Pore formation in phospholipid bilayers by amphiphilic cavitands

Five new cavitands were prepared that have four pendant n-undecyl chains and "headgroups" connected by 2-carbon spacers. The headgroups were ~OCH(2)CONH-Ala-OCH(3), 1; ~OCH(2)CONH-Phe-OCH(3), 2; ~OCH(2)CONH-Ala-OH, 3; ~OCH(2)CONH-Phe-OH, 4; and ~OCH(2)CONHCH(2)CH(2)-thyminyl, 5. Pore formation by each cavitand was studied by use of the planar bilayer conductance experiment. All five compounds were found to form pores in asolectin bialyer membranes. Compounds 1-3 behaved in a generally similar fashion and exhibited open-close dynamics. Compounds 4 and 5 formed pores more rapidly, were more dynamic, and led more quickly to membrane rupture. Differences in the ion transport activity are rationalized in terms of structure and aggregate cavitand assemblies.     

Simultaneous study of cure kinetics and rheology of montmorillonite/vinyl ester resin nanocomposites

In this work, the effect of quaternary ammonium salt containing nanoclay content (1–5 wt%) on phase morphology, rheology, cure kinetics, and mechanical properties of the vinyl ester resin (VER)‐based nanocomposites was studied. The morphological characterization including d‐spacing measurement, microscopy observation and phase‐height image processing were performed on the prepared nanocomposites using small angel X‐ray scattering (SAXS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). According to the results obtained from these techniques, it was concluded that an intercalated morphology existed for all the nanocomposites. The kinetic analyses of the isothermal curing followed by storage modulus obtained from the rheometry experiments are shown to be an affective rheological characteristic to investigate the cure behavior of VER/clay nanocomposites. In addition, the most important finding regarding the effect of nanoclay on the cross‐linking behavior of VER systems lays on the chemisorption and physisorption of the reacting monomers and initiator molecules on the nanoclay platelets surface which is found to be responsible for the retardation of the cure reaction caused by organoclay. Eventually, the mechanical characterizations were performed through the tensile, flexural and impact analysis tests. In this case, a considerable improvement of the bulk mechanical responses such as tensile and flexural strengths and also the corresponding moduli were observed for the nanocomposites. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.