PVT properties of PUREX/UREX solvent tri-n-butyl phosphate

Tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) is the workhorse of solvent extraction operations in nuclear fuel cycle as well as an important industrial chemical. Its PVT properties are not available in literature. In this study, PVT properties of TBP, estimated using group contribution method, are reported. Wagner constants were also reported in the range of 273.15?K to critical temperature.     

Thiosemicarbazone Complexes of Ruthenium(II) and Rhodium(I) Containing Triphenylphosphine

Several new hexa-coordinated ruthenium(II) and penta-coordinated rhodium(I) complexes of the types [RuCl(CO)(PPh ₃ ) ₂ (TSC)], [RuH(CO)(PPh ₃ ) ₂ (TSC)], and [Rh(PPh ₃ ) ₃ (TSC)] (where TSC = anion of thiosemicarbazone Schiff bases) have been prepared by the reactions of [RuHCl(CO)(PPh ₃ ) ₃ ], [RuH ₂ (CO)(PPh ₃ ) ₃ )], and [RhH(PPh ₃ ) ₄ ] with thiosemicarbazones of 2-furaldehyde (H-FTSC), thiophene-2-carboxaldehyde (H-TCTSC), p-anisaldehyde (H-ATSC), piperonaldehyde (H-PTSC), and cyclohexanone (H-CTSC). All the new complexes obtained have been characterized on the basis of elemental analysis, IR, ¹ H NMR, ³¹ P NMR, and electronic spectral data.     

Miscibility and Thermal Behavior of Pullulan/Polyacrylamide Blends

Blends of Pullulan (PU) and Polyacrylamide (PAM) having biomedical applications were prepared and characterized in order to evaluate the miscibility of natural component with the synthetic one. Blends with different composition ratios were prepared using water as common solvent. Viscosity, ultrasonic velocity and density were measured at 30 and 40°C. Furthermore, the blend films were prepared by a solution casting method and analyzed by DSC, FTIR and TGA methods. Results of ultrasonic and density methods revealed the semi-miscibility of the blend. Using viscosity data, interaction parameters (Chee's ‘μ’ and Sun's ‘α’) were computed. The values confirmed that the blend is miscible when the Pullulan content is less than 20% in the blend. Change in temperature had no effect on the miscibility nature of the blends. Intermolecular interactions of hydrogen bonding type were confirmed by DSC and FTIR methods. Thermal behavior of blends was investigated using TGA method.     

Photochemistry of Macromolecular Dyes in Aqueous Solutions

Thiazine and phenazine dyes are known to exhibit photoredox behavior in the excited states of these molecules. These dyes are covalently attached to macromolecules, and the photochemistry has been investigated in homogeneous solution and as thin films coated onto electrodes. Flash photolysis of the macromolecular thionine in the presence of quenchers shows reduction of the dye and the subsequent disproportionation of the reduced dye. In the case of macromolecular thionine, evidence for the formation of a complex between ferrous ion and thionine is observed in the flash photolysis experiments. Photoelectrochemical studies show a new type of behavior for the macromolecular dye films coated onto electrodes. Macromolecular thionine film coated onto platinum electrode makes the electrode a cathode on illumination of the electrode. Macromolecular phenosafranine dye films coated onto electrodes change the polarity of the illuminated electrode depending upon the nature of the macromolecule.     

Flexible Polyester Cellulose Paper Supercapacitor with a Gel Electrolyte

A low-cost polyester cellulose paper has been used as a substrate for a flexible supercapacitor device that contains aqueous carbon nanotube ink as the electrodes and a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based gel as the electrolyte. Gel electrolytes have attracted much interest due to their solvent-holding capacity and good film-forming capability. The electrodes are characterized for their conductivity and morphology. Because of its high conductivity, the conductive paper is studied in supercapacitor applications as active electrodes and as separators after coating with polyvinylidene fluoride. Carbon nanotubes deposited on porous paper are more accessible to ions in the electrolyte than those on flat substrates, which results in higher power density. A simple fabrication process is achieved and paper supercapacitors are tested for their performance in both aqueous and PVA gel electrolytes by using galvanostatic and cyclic voltammetry methods. A high specific capacitance of 270 F g⁻¹ and an energy density value of 37 W h kg⁻¹ are achieved for devices with PVA gel electrolytes. Furthermore, this device can maintain excellent specific capacitance even under high currents. This is also confirmed by another counter experiment with aqueous sulfuric acid as the electrolyte. The cycle life, one of the most critical parameters in supercapacitor operations, is found to be excellent (6000 cycles) and less than 0.5 % capacitance loss is observed. Moreover, the supercapacitor device is flexible and even after twisting does not show any cracks or evidence of breakage, and shows almost the same specific capacitance of 267 F g⁻¹and energy density of 37 W h kg⁻¹. This work suggests that a paper substrate can be a highly scalable and low-cost solution for high-performance supercapacitors.     

Characterization of nanochannel delivery membrane systems for the sustained release of resveratrol and atorvastatin: new perspectives on promoting heart health

Novel drug delivery systems capable of continuous sustained release of therapeutics have been studied extensively for use in the prevention and management of chronic diseases. The use of these systems holds promise as a means to achieve higher patient compliance while improving therapeutic index and reducing systemic toxicity. In this work, an implantable nanochannel drug delivery system (nDS) is characterized and evaluated for the long-term sustained release of atorvastatin (ATS) and trans-resveratrol (t-RES), compounds with a proven role in managing atherogenic dyslipidemia and promoting cardioprotection. The primary mediators of drug release in the nDS are nanofluidic membranes with hundreds of thousands of nanochannels (up to 100,000/mm²) that attain zero-order release kinetics by exploiting nanoconfinement and molecule-to-surface interactions that dominate diffusive transport at the nanoscale. These membranes were characterized using gas flow analysis, acetone diffusion, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM). The surface properties of the dielectric materials lining the nanochannels, SiO₂ and low-stress silicon nitride, were further investigated using surface charge analysis. Continuous, sustained in vitro release for both ATS and t-RES was established for durations exceeding 1 month. Finally, the influence of the membranes on cell viability was assessed using human microvascular endothelial cells. Morphology changes and adhesion to the surface were analyzed using SEM, while an MTT proliferation assay was used to determine the cell viability. The nanochannel delivery approach, here demonstrated in vitro, not only possesses all requirements for large-scale high-yield industrial fabrication, but also presents the key components for a rapid clinical translation as an implantable delivery system for the sustained administration of cardioprotectants.     

Synthesis of new conjugated copolymers containing 4,8-bis(dodecyloxy)benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene/5,7-bis(3,4-diethylthien-2-yl)-2,3-diphenylthieno[3,4-b]pyrazine and 4,8-bis(dodecyloxy)benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene/4,6-di(3,4-diethylthien-2-yl)-thieno[3,4-c][1,2,5]thiadiazole derivatives for photovoltaic applications

Two new donor-acceptor narrow-band-gap photovoltaic copolymers containing various electron-acceptor functional groups, such as thienopyrazine and thienodithiazole derivatives, are synthesized under the conditions of the Suzuki polycondensation reaction and characterized via ¹H NMR spectroscopy and GPC. The optical, electrochemical, and photovoltaic properties of the polymers are examined in detail. Both copolymers have good solubilities, high thermal stabilities, broad absorption regions (350–950 nm), relatively low levels of the highest occupied molecular orbital (?5.01 and ?5.02 eV for polymers I and II, respectively), and narrow band gaps (1.31 and 1.41 eV, respectively). Photovoltaic devices based on a polymer-II-PC₆₀BM (1: 3, wt/wt) mixture under AM 1.5 irradiation of 100 mV/cm² exhibit a power-conversion efficiency of ～0.29%, a short-circuit current of 1.45 mA/cm², an open-circuit voltage of V _oc = 0.67 V, and a fill factor of 0.30. These results are evidence that thienopyrazine functional groups are attractive as electron-acceptor building blocks in organic electronics.     

A Convenient Synthetic Entry Into 2,2-Diorganyl-5,6-Diaryl-1,3,4,2-Dioxaza Silacyclohexene Derivatives VIA Dianion Cyclisation: Sequential One-Pot Cyclosylation

In a convenient one-pot sequence, treatment of bezoin and p-anisoin oximes with sodium hydride in dry THF in 1:2 molar ratio generates 1,5-dianion, which upon subsequent addition of diorganodichlorosilane yields 1,3,4,2-dioxazasilacyclohexene derivatives in good yields. In general, very often a salt elimination route is used for the synthesis of the title compounds.