Fabrication of nanoscale metallic spirals using phospholipid microtubule organizational templates

We describe the fabrication of metallic Cu spiral/helical nanostructures prepared via selective electroless metallization of a phospholipid microtubule template. The metallization template is created through selective, sequential adsorption of the oppositely charged polyelectrolytes, sodium poly(styrenesulfonate) (PSS) and poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI), onto nanoscale seams naturally occurring on the microtubule surface. A negatively charged Pd(II) nanoparticle catalyst is bound to the terminal cationic PEI layer of the multilayer film and initiates selective template metallization to form the helical Cu nanostructures. Details of the process are presented, and a mechanism and factors affecting the control of the feature critical dimensions are discussed.     

Volumetric study on the inclusion complex formation of α- and β-cyclodextrin with 1-alkanols at different temperatures

The partial molar volumes (V_a) of 1-alkanols (carbon number, m=5, 6, 7) in - and -cyclodextrin (CD) solutions at 5.00 mmol kg^–1 have been determined as a function of alkanol concentration (C_a) between 293.2 and 308.2 K by using a dilatometer. It has been observed that with an increase in C_a, V_a increased in -CD solution but decreased in -CD solution, asymptotically to a value of V_a in CD-free water. The dependence of V_a on C_a provided the binding constant (K) of 1:1 complex, the volume change in complex formation, and the partial molar volume of complex itself. The complex formation mechanism has been discussed on the basis of these values and their carbon number dependences in the respect of geometric behavior, hydrophobic interaction, and van der Waals interaction. It is concluded that the CD cavity in water is not rigid but flexible for fitting in nicely with guest molecule.     

Microwave assisted low temperature synthesis of sodium zirconium phosphate (NaZr<Subscript>2</Subscript>P<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>)

Sodium zirconium phosphate [NaZr₂P₃O₁₂], a potential ceramic matrix for fixation of high level nuclear waste, was synthesized by heating the mixture of sodium carbonate [Na₂CO₃], zirconyl nitrate hydrate [ZrO(NO₃)₂·5H₂O] and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate [NH₄H₂PO₄] in air, in a resistance heated furnace and a microwave heating system respectively in the temperature range 450 to 650°C. The mixture heated for 1 h in a resistance furnace at 450°C yielded a poorly crystalline NaZr₂P₃O₁₂ [NZP]. Increasing the temperature to 650°C produced a highly crystalline product. The same mixture heated in a microwave oven at 450°C for 1 h however, yielded the most crystalline NZP.In an alternate method, the mixture of sodium dihydrogen phosphate (NaH₂PO₄), zirconium dioxide (ZrO₂) and diammonium hydrogen phosphate [(NH₄)₂HPO₄] heated in resistance furnace at 650°C for the same period did not react in air. It also did not yield the pure product at 450°C when heated in microwave assembly for 1 h.The authors thank the Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences (BRNS) of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) for the financial support for this work under the project No. 2000/37/19/BRNS/1959 dtd09-02-02.     

Surface tension measurements in the study of molecular complexes

Surface tension measurements can be used to investigate molecular complex formation in liquid solutions for strong and weak complexes. The association constant and epthalpy for triethylamine-iodine, hexamethylbenzene-tetracyanoethylene and ethanol-iodine in cyclohexane are 4·55×10³, 218 and 0.93M⁻¹ at 25° C and 12·5, 7·7 and 5·1 kcal/mol respectively. These values compare well with those reported in the literature by other methods.     

Correlations between topological features and physicochemical properties of molecules

The article reviews in brief, thede novo group additivity approach and, at length, the different topological approaches to obtain predictive and internally consistent correlations between various properties and structural features of molecules. The stress has mainly been on the molecular connectivity method. A new rational scheme for nomenclature of connectivity indices of different orders and types is introduced. The concept of the perturbation connectivity parameter developed by us recently has been applied to obtain correlations for molar refraction, boiling point, molar volume, heat of atomisation, heat of combustion, heat of vaporisation, magnetic susceptibility and critical constants of alkanes, alcohols and alkylbenzenes. A comparative study of various approaches reveals that the present perturbation topological approach has an edge over other similar methods.     

Perturbed angular correlation study using147Nd as a probe

The time integral pertturbed angular correlation (TIPAC) technique is employed to study PAC parameters in aqueous solutions of biomolecules Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA), lysozyme and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt (EDTA), using radioactive¹⁴⁷Nd as a probe. The attenuation coefficient (G₂₂) is found to decrease with increasing concentration of BSA The effect of attenuation is more pronounced for protein molecules BSA and lysozyme than in the case of EDTA. The relaxation constant (₂) increases with increasing concentration of the solution as well as with the increasing size of the solute molecule.     

Mechanism of ruthenium tetroxide-catalysed oxidation of aldoses by alkalineN-bromoacetamide

The kinetics of oxidation of three aldoses (glucose, mannose and galactose) byN-bromoacetamide (NBA) in the presence of an alkaline solution of RuO₄ as catalyst and Hg(OAc)₂ as co-catalyst and as a scavenger for bromide have been investigated. The main products of the oxidation are the corresponding aldonic acids. The reaction is zero order with respect to aldose and OH⁻. First order dependence of the reaction on both NBA and RuO₄ at low concentrations shifts to zero order at higher concentrations. Addition of acetamide decreases the reaction rate, while addition of Hg(OAc)₂ has the opposite effect. No significant effect of ionic strength was observed. OBr⁻ is postulated as the reactive oxidising species and a mechanism involving co-catalysis by RuO₄ and Hg^II is proposed. TMC 2588     

Electrochromatography in the separation of ions: Separation of alkaline earth metals

Complete Separation of ternary mixtures of Ca, Mg and Sr or Ba ions with ammonium chloride and less complete but detectable separation of the same mixtures with ammonium nitrate have been achieved, as well as a few binary separations of the type Ca-Ba, Ca-Sr, Ca-Mg, Mg-Sr and Mg-Ba.     

Compatibility studies on polyblends of PVC with chlororubber-20 and its graft polyblends by ultrasonics

Compatibilities of various PVC blends with chlororubber-20 and its graft polyblends have been studied on the basis of our previous findings. It has been found that chlororubber-20 makes compatible blends with PVC, while grafting of styrene, ethyl acrylate or acrylonitrile onto chlororubber-20 generates heterogeneity in their blends with PVC. The behaviour of these blends at the molecular level is reflected in the changes of ultrasonic velocity and absolute viscosity with composition.     

High surface area silicon carbide from rice husk: A support material for catalysts

Ultrafine -SiC with high surface area (150 m² g^–1) has been synthesized by inflight processing of charred rice husk in a r.f. plasma reactor operating at atmospheric pressure. The plasma-synthesized particles were doped with platinum (1%) and tested as a catalytic support material. The catalyst (1% Pt doped -SiC) showed 100% conversion of CO to CO₂ at a temperature as low as 175°C.