A correlation for crystallite size of undoped ZnO thin film with the band gap energy – precursor molarity – substrate temperature

Transparent conducting undoped zinc oxide thin films were deposited on glass substrate by ultrasonic spray and spray pyrolysis techniques. The thin films were deposited at different substrate temperatures ranging between 300 and 450 °C with various precursor molarities. The correlation between the structural and optical properties suggests that the crystallites sizes of the films are predominantly influenced by the band gap energy of the thin films. The data of the correlation is suspected of involving some experimental measurement errors and therefore discarded in the development of the present correlation. The coefficient of correction is equal to 0.01, indicating high quality representation of data based on Eq. (1). The correlation also indicates that the crystallites sizes of the films are predominantly influenced by the band gap energy and the precursor molarity of the thin films. The model proposed of undoped ZnO thin film with substrate temperature was investigated.     

A comparative study on structural and optical properties of ZnO and Al-doped ZnO thin films obtained by ultrasonic spray method using different solvents

Transparent conducting ZnO and Al doped ZnO thin films were deposited on glass substrate by ultrasonic spray method. The thin films with concentration of 0.1 M were deposited at 350 °C with 2 min of deposition time. The effects of ethanol and methanol solution before and after doping on the structural, optical and electrical properties were examined. The DRX analyses indicated that ZnO films have nanocrystalline nature and hexagonal wurtzite structure with (1 0 0) and (0 0 2) preferential orientation corresponding to ZnO films resulting from methanol and ethanol solution, respectively. The crystallinity of the thin films improved with methanol solution after doping to (0 0 2) oriented. All films exhibit an average optical transparency about 90%, in the visible range. The band gaps values of ZnO thin films are increased after doping from 3.10 to 3.26 eV and 3.27 to 3.30 eV upon Al doping obtained by ethanol and methanol solution, respectively. The electrical conductivity increase from 7.5 to 15.2 (Ω cm)⁻¹ of undoped to Al doped ZnO thin films prepared by using ethanol solution. However, for the methanol solution; the electrical conductivity of the film is stabilized after doping.     

An electrochemiluminescence-based competitive displacement immunoassay for the type-2 brevetoxins in oyster extracts

A new competitive electrochemiluminescence-based immunoassay for the type-2 brevetoxins in oyster extracts was developed. The assay was verified by spiking known amounts of PbTx-3 into 80% methanol extracts of Gulf Coast oysters. We also provide preliminary data demonstrating that 100% acetone extracts, aqueous homogenates, and the clinical matrixes urine and serum can also be analyzed without significant matrix interferences. The assay offers the advantages of speed ( 2 h analysis time); simplicity (only 2 additions, one incubation period, and no wash steps before analysis); low limit of quantitation (conservatively, 50 pg/mL = 1 ng/g tissue equivalents); and a stable, nonradioactive label. Due to the variety of brevetoxin metabolites present and the lack of certified reference standards for liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry confirmation, a true validation of brevetoxins in shellfish extracts is not possible at this time. However, our assay correlated well with another brevetoxin immunoassay currently in use in the United States. We believe this assay could be useful as a regulatory screening tool and could support pharmacokinetic studies in animals and clinical evaluation of neurotoxic shellfish poisoning victims.     

Studies of phononlike low-energy excitations of protein molecules by inelastic x-ray scattering

Molecular dynamics simulations and neutron scattering experiments have shown that many hydrated globular proteins exhibit a universal dynamic transition at TD = 220 K, below which the biological activity of a protein sharply diminishes. We studied the phononlike low-energy excitations of two structurally very different proteins, lysozyme and bovine serum albumin, using inelastic x-ray scattering above and below TD. We found that the excitation energies of the high-Q phonons show a marked softening above TD. This suggests that the large amplitude motions of wavelengths corresponding to this specific Q range are intimately correlated with the increase of biological activities of the proteins.     

Activation of bismuth(III) derivatives in ionic liquids: novel and recyclable catalytic systems for Friedel-Crafts acylation of aromatic compounds

The activity of four bismuth(III) derivatives when employed as Friedel-Crafts catalysts for the acylation of aromatics was found to increase dramatically when dissolved in ionic liquids. Solutions of bismuth oxide or triflate in [emim][NTf(2)] and [bmim][NTf(2)] are the most efficient catalytic systems, with catalyst loading as low as 1% leading to clean, high-yielding acylation of a variety of benzene derivatives. These improved Friedel-Crafts catalytic systems can also be efficiently recycled as opposed to traditional systems. [reaction: see text]     

Polyacrylic acid/polyaniline composite as efficient adsorbent for uranium extraction from nuclear industrial effluent

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Polyacrylic acid/polyaniline composite (a three-dimensional cross-linked hydrophilic chelating polymeric sorbent) was improved for promoted...     

Kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of chromium(III)-tetraoxalylurea complex by periodate

A novel chromium(III) complex of tetraoxalylurea was prepared. In aqueous solutions, [Cr^III(H₂L)(H₂O)]⁺ (H₂L = diprotonated tetraoxalylurea) is oxidized by IO ₄ ^– according to the rate law

Building block synthesis of predominantly (E) symmetrical and unsymmetrical 1,2-difluorostilbenes from 1,2-dibromo-1,2-difluoroethene

An efficient synthesis of predominantly (E) symmetrical or unsymmetrical 1,2-difluorostilbenes based on the Suzuki–Miyaura palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of arylboronic acids with predominantly (E)-1,2-dibromo-1,2-difluoroethene in the presence of Cs₂CO₃ in toluene is described. The reaction preserved the stereochemistry of the building block and performed in good yield independently of the electron-withdrawing or electron-donating character of the substituents.     

Supramolecular chemosensor for selective detection of iron in aqueous medium

We have successfully developed a ‘turn-on’ colorimetric chemosensor for Fe³⁺ based on 1,10-phenanthroline. An amide derivative of 1,10-phenanthroline 4 was developed for the selective recognition of Fe³⁺ over Co²⁺, Cr³⁺, Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Ag⁺ and Zn²⁺ and could measure Fe³⁺ concentration in the range of 15–210 μM by UV–vis spectroscopy. Moreover, the addition of Fe³⁺ to a colourless solution of 4 turned its colour to light pink, indicating that 4 is capable of detecting Fe³⁺ by the naked eye. Compound 4 exhibits a major absorption band centred at 268 which shifted to 278 nm after addition of Fe³⁺, and a shoulder band around 514 nm was also observed. The complexation of Fe³⁺ with 4 was analysed at a different pH and favourable binding was observed at pH 6.2.     

para-Acylcalix[n]arenes: from molecular to macroscopic assemblies

The para-acylcalix[n]arenes possess a very rich capacity to self-assemble into a wide variety of structures and sizes ranging from molecular assemblies through dimeric capsules, molecular sheets to nanoparticles. All these assemblies are capable of taking guest molecules and in the process of this inclusion discrete nanoscopic reaction vessels may be formed for photochemistry. Interestingly this uptake of quite large organic molecules occurs in the bulk in non-porous crystals without loss of crystallinity. At the air-water interface either as Langmuir monolayers or as colloidal suspensions the para-acylcalix[n]arenes show interaction with ionic species. The extension from para-acylcalix[4]arenes to para-acylcalix[8]arenes is in its infancy but already there is much promise for novel assemblies to be found.