A Gas Chromatography-Molecular Rotational Resonance Spectroscopy Based System of Singular Specificity

We designed and demonstrated the unique abilities of the first gas chromatography–molecular rotational resonance spectrometer (GC-MRR). While broadly and routinely applicable, its capabilities can exceed those of high-resolution MS and NMR spectroscopy in terms of selectivity, resolution, and compound identification. A series of 24 isotopologues and isotopomers of five organic compounds are separated, identified, and quantified in a single run. Natural isotopic abundances of mixtures of compounds containing chlorine, bromine, and sulfur heteroatoms are easily determined. MRR detection provides the added high specificity for these selective gas-phase separations. GC-MRR is shown to be ideal for compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA). Different bacterial cultures and groundwater were shown to have contrasting isotopic selectivities for common organic compounds. The ease of such GC-MRR measurements may initiate a new era in biosynthetic/degradation and geochemical isotopic compound studies.     

Benchmark approach to search of cost-effective and accurate density functional for homolytic cleavage of C─Mg bond of Grignard reagent

Grignard reactions are of importance in organic chemistry for the synthesis β-keto esters and diethyl malonate, alcohols, aldehydes or ketones, monocarboxylic acids, and other organometallic compounds. Generally, the heterolytic dissociation of C─Mg bond in Grignard reagent is the key step in these reactions. Recently, homolytic cleavage of the C─Mg bond in Grignard reagents has been reported in the preparation of stable radicals. These reactive species react with other compounds, which result in the formation of hydrocarbons and their derivatives. Therefore, the study of homolytic cleavage of C─Mg bonds is quite vital to better understand the kinetics and thermodynamics of these reactions. In the current study, a benchmark approach is adopted to find a cost-effective and accurate density functional (DF) for bond dissociation energies measurement of the C─Mg bond of Grignard reagents. Twenty-nine DFs from 13 density functional theory (DFT) classes with three types of basis sets (Pople' 6-31G(d) and 6-311G(d), Dunning's aug-cc-pVDZ, and Karlsruhe' def2-SVP basis sets) are implemented for the measurement of dissociation energies of the C─Mg bond. Theoretical dissociation energy values are compared with experimental reported values of the C─Mg bond of selected Grignard reagents. TPSSTPSS of the meta-GGA class with 6-31G (d) basis set gave accurate results, and its Pearson's correlation is 0.95. SD, root mean square deviation, and mean unsigned error of this method are 2.36 kcal mol⁻¹, 2.33 kcal mol⁻¹, and −0.46 kcal mol⁻¹, respectively. TPSSTPSS of the meta-GGA class is a one-electron, self-interaction, error-free Tao-Perdew-Staroverov-Scuseria functional that performed better with the 6-31G(d) basis set.     

Needle-free electrospinning of nanofibrillated cellulose and graphene nanoplatelets based sustainable poly (butylene succinate) nanofibers

Sustainable materials have slowly overtaken the nanofiber research field while the tailoring of their properties and the upscaling for industrial production are some of the major challenges. We report preparation of nanofibers that are bio-based and biodegradable prepared from poly (butylene succinate) (PBS) with the incorporation of nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) and graphene nanoplatelets (GN). NFC and GN were combined as hybrid filler, which led to the improved morphological structure for electrospun nanofibers. A needleless approach was used for solution electrospinning fabrication of nanofiber mesh structures to promote application scalability. The polymer crystallization process was examined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), the thermal stability was evaluated by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), while the extensive investigation of the nanofibers structure was carried out with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). NFC and GN loadings were 0.5 and 1.0 wt %; while poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) was employed as a compatibilizer to enhance fillers’ interaction within the polymer matrix. The interactions in the interface of the fillers and matrix components were studied by FTIR and Raman spectroscopies. The hybrid filler approach proved to be most suitable for consistent and high-quality nanofiber production. The obtained dense mesh-based structures could have foreseeable potential application in biomedical field like scaffolds for the tissue and bone recovery, while other applications could focus on filtration technologies and smart sensors.     

Resilient and agile engineering solutions to address societal challenges such as coronavirus pandemic

The world is witnessing tumultuous times as major economic powers including the US, UK, Russia, India, and most of Europe continue to be in a state of lockdown. The worst-hit sectors due to this lockdown are sales, production (manufacturing), transport (aerospace and automotive) and tourism. Lockdowns became necessary as a preventive measure to avoid the spread of the contagious and infectious “Coronavirus Disease 2019” (COVID-19). This newly identified disease is caused by a new strain of the virus being referred to as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus 2 (SARS CoV-2; formerly called 2019-nCoV). We review the current medical and manufacturing response to COVID-19, including advances in instrumentation, sensing, use of lasers, fumigation chambers and development of novel tools such as lab-on-the-chip using combinatorial additive and subtractive manufacturing techniques and use of molecular modelling and molecular docking in drug and vaccine discovery. We also offer perspectives on future considerations on climate change, outsourced versus indigenous manufacturing, automation, and antimicrobial resistance. Overall, this paper attempts to identify key areas where manufacturing can be employed to address societal challenges such as COVID-19.     

Effect on ion dissociation in MWCNT-based polymer nanocomposite

Polymer nanocomposite has been proven to improve the property of polymer salt complex. Organo-modified clay and inorganic oxides are the most commonly used filler for polymer nanocomposite (PNC). However, single wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT)/multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) are becoming popular filler for PNC for their high surface area and high mechanical stability. In this work, a series of PNC sample has been prepared by using polyethylene oxide (PEO)-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) blend as polymer matrix, an optimized salt stoichiometry of Ö/Li ~15, and surface-modified MWCNT as filler. The effect of ion-polymer and ion-MWCNT interaction in the polymer nanocomposite has been investigated by using XRD, SEM, FTIR, and electrical study. X-ray diffraction pattern confirms the dispersion of MWCNT inside the polymer chain and modifies the structural parameter of the polymer matrix. FTIR spectra indicate inclusion of MWCNT inside the polymer salt complex which changes the ion dissociation/association in the polymer host matrix. Further, the changes in structural, thermal, and electrical property of the polymer salt complex system have been studied by using SEM, DSC, and impedance analysis. Dc conductivity study shows that optimized PNC sample has conductivity of 8.04 × 10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹. This is almost two order enhancement from pure polymer salt system (10⁻⁶ S cm⁻¹).

     

Semiclassical approximation for relativistic potentials

We consider the application of semiclassical approximation to relativistic potentials for massless particles where the kinetic energy is a nontrivial, nonlocal operator. Quantization rules are derived for an arbitrary confining potential and compared to some exact results forS-waves. These results admit of a partial generalization to smalll values.     

Synthesis,characterization & in vitro antimicrobial‐antioxidant studies of novel N,1‐diphenyl‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐amine derivatives

A new series of 1,2,4‐triazole was designed, synthesized, and characterized as remarkable antimicrobial and antioxidant agents. These heterocycles have been prepared from the cyclization reactions of Schiff bases 3 ( a‐k ) with phenylhydrazine by refluxing under the alkaline medium. The Schiff bases in turn were realized in good yields from the condensation reactions of N‐phenylurea with different aromatic aldehydes. The structures of the intermediates 3 ( a‐k ) and final heterocycles 4 ( a‐k ) have been fully characterized through their spectral parameters.     

210Po in the environment: insight into the naturally occurring polonium isotope

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Polonium is rapidly emerging as an international environmental health concern primarily because of the recent rise in hydraulic fracturing...