Corona-induced graft polymerization for surface modification of porous polyethersulfone membranes

Graft polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) onto porous polyethersulfone (PES) membrane surfaces was developed using corona discharge in atmospheric ambience as an activation process followed by polymerization of AA in aqueous solution. The effects of the corona parameters and graft polymerization conditions on grafting yield (GY) of AA were investigated. The grafting of AA on the PES membranes was confirmed by ATR-FTIR and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. Porosimetry measurements indicate the average pore diameters and porosities of the modified membranes decrease with the increase of the GY. The hydrophilicity and surface wetting properties of the original and modified membranes were evaluated by observing the dynamic changes of water contact angles. It is found that the grafting of AA occurs not only on the membrane surfaces, but also on the pore walls of the cells inside the membrane. The permeability experiments of protein solution reveal that the grafting of PAA endows the modified membranes with enhanced fluxes and anti-fouling properties. The optimized GY of AA is in the range of 150-200 μg/cm². In addition, the tensile experiments show the corona discharge treatment with the power lower than 150 W yields little damage to the mechanical strength of the membranes.     

Zero-temperature magnetic transition in an easy-axis Kondo lattice model

We address the quantum transition of a spin-1/2 antiferromagnetic Kondo lattice model with an easy-axis anisotropy using the extended dynamical mean field theory. We derive results in real frequency by using the bosonic numerical renormalization group (BNRG) method and compare them with quantum Monte Carlo results in Matsubara frequency. The BNRG results show a logarithmic divergence in the critical local spin susceptibility, signaling a destruction of Kondo screening. The T=0 transition is consistent with being second order. The BNRG results also display some subtle features; we identify their origin and suggest means for further microscopic studies.     

An Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Study of the Orbital Ordering Compound MgTi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>

We report the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies of MgTi₂O₄ in the 300–140 K range. Above the transition temperature T _t (~258 K), the EPR results indicate that MgTi₂O₄ is paramagnetic. The parameters of the EPR spectra show an anomalous change at T _t. The clear EPR lines can be observed in temperature between T _t and 220 K. Besides that the EPR intensity, g value, and EPR linewidth increase with decreasing temperature; in temperature range below 220 K, no clear EPR line can be detected. The EPR spectra results demonstrate that magnetic spin-singlet state and the orbital density wave of MgTi₂O₄ system are formed gradually with decreasing temperature at low temperature range.     

Mo/Si aperiodic multilayer broadband reflective mirror for 12.5-28.5-nm wavelength range

Aperiodic molybdenum/silicon (Mo/Si) multilayer designed as a broadband reflective mirror with mean reflectivity of 10% over a wide wavelength range of 12.5-28.5 nm at incidence angle of 5° is developed using a numerical optimized method. The multilayer is prepared using direct current magnetron sputtering technology. The reflectivity is measured using synchrotron radiation. The measured mean reflectivity is 7.0% in the design wavelength range of 12.5-28.5 nm. This multilayer broadband reflective mirror can be used in extreme ultraviolet measurements and will greatly simplify the experimental arrangements.     

Structure and electrical characterization of amorphous ErSiO films deposited by rf magnetron sputtering on Si (001)

Amorphous ErSiO films have been fabricated on p-type Si (001) substrates using rf magnetron sputtering technique. X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy were employed to investigate the samples. It is found that ErSiO film exhibits a flat surface, a sharp interface and superior electrical properties after post-deposition annealing in O₂ ambience for 30 min at 450°C. The effective dielectric constant of the film is measured to be 14.2, and the effective oxide thickness reaches 1.9 nm, with a low leakage current density of 1.1×10⁻⁴ A/cm² at an electric field of 1 MV cm⁻¹ after annealing at 450°C. The obtained characteristics make the amorphous ErSiO films a promising substitute for SiO₂ as a high-k gate dielectric.     

In Situ Monitoring the Photolysis of Fluoranthene Adsorbed on Mangrove Leaves Using Fiber-Optic Fluorimetry

A newly established fiber-optic fluorimetry was used to determine the fluoranthene (Fla) adsorbed on the leaf surfaces of three mangrove species, such as Excoecarla agallocha (Ea), Kandelia candel (Kc) and Aegiceras corniculatum (Ac). With the method, the photolysis of Fla adsorbed on Ea, Kc and Ac leaf surfaces was studied. Under the laboratory conditions, using a high pressure mercury lamp as light source, photolysis was found to be the main transformation pathway for the Fla adsorbed on the three mangrove leaves, whereas disappearance of the adsorbed Fla as a result of volatilization and absorption could be negligible. The photolysis of Fla adsorbed on the three mangrove leaf surfaces followed first-order kinetics with photolysis rates of Fla in the order of Ac > Ea > Kc. The photolysis half lives of Fla adsorbed on the leaves were from 14.32 min to 69.31 min. The different initial concentrations of Fla adsorbed on the selected mangrove leaves did not affect the photolysis rates of Fla. The absorption characteristics of leaf-wax played an important role to influence the different photolysis rates of Fla adsorbed on these three mangrove species.     

Plasmonic sensing of CTAB in gold nanorods solution based on Cu(II) ions-mediated H2O2 etching effect

Controlled release formulation of pesticides is highly desirable for attaining the most effective utilization of the pesticide as well as reducing environmental pollution. Nano-sized controlled release formulations can provide better penetration through cuticle and deliver the active ingredients efficiently to the targeted tissue. In this study, a novel strategy for the preparation of a nanoconjugate derived from kasugamycin with amino-modified silica was developed. The kasugamycin was connected with amino-modified silica matrix by an amide bond, which could avoid the initial burst release effectively and prolong the duration remarkably. The results showed the kasuga-silica can protect kasugamycin against photo-degradation effectively and the release rate of the active ingredient of nanoconjugate was related to the temperature, pH value, and the particle size (52.5–315.4 nm). With reduced particle size as well as increased temperature and acidity, the release of the active ingredient was faster. This amide linkage of kasuga-silica could be degraded by amidase effectively. This nanoconjugate displayed a better and a sustained bactericidal efficacy against E. coli than kasugamycin technical, which makes it a potential candidate as a controlled release conjugate for kasugamycin in the future.     

Spectral studies on erbium doped potassium lithium tantalate niobate single crystal grown by the step-cooling technique

An erbium doped K_0.603Li_0.397Ta_0.428Nb_0.572O₃ single crystal was grown by the step-cooling technique. The crystal has a tetragonal tungsten bronze-type structure at room temperature with a Curie temperature of 303°C. There are Er ions characteristic absorption bands around 449, 485, 521, 550, and 652 nm in the visible absorption spectrum. Upconversion fluorescence spectra and power dependence centered at 527 nm, 548 nm, and 660 nm under 975 nm excitation were measured at room temperature. Decay lifetimes of the 548 nm and 660 nm emission bands are 281 μs and 420 μs, respectively. The lifetime of the 548 nm emission corresponding to the transition of ?⁴ S _3/2→⁴ I _15/2 is ten times the lifetime of the same transition of Er³⁺ in LiNbO₃ crystal and twice in KYb(WO₄)₂ crystal. The crystal might become a promising upconversion laser material. The upconversion mechanism of Er³⁺ in the sample was discussed based on decay curves and pump power dependence analyses in this work.