Structural characterization of langmuir-blodgett films of a cellulose derivative by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

The method of variable angle x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy has been applied to transferred monolayers of a new cellulose derivative. The results support a model for the monolayer in which the cellulose backbone lies flat on the substrate and the sidechains extend perpendicular to the surface. Furthermore, a significant portion of the substrate surface is found to be bare, indicating that the transferred monolayer contains major defects in the form of holes.     

New copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes based on azo Schiff base ligand: Synthesis,crystal structure,photoisomerization study and antibacterial activity

Newly synthesized mononuclear copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes containing an azo Schiff base ligand (L), prepared by condensation of 2-hydroxy-5-(o-tolyldiazenyl)benzaldehyde and propylamine, were obtained and then characterized using infrared and NMR spectroscopies, mass spectrometry and X-ray diffraction. Ligand L behaves as a bidentate chelate by coordinating through deprotonated phenolic oxygen and azomethine nitrogen. The copper and zinc complexes crystallize in triclinic and orthorhombic systems, respectively, with space groups P⁻1 and Pca2₁. In these complexes, the Cu(II) ion is in a square planar geometry while the Zn(II) ion is in a distorted tetrahedral environment. The photochemical behaviors of ligand L, [Cu(L)₂] and [Zn(L)₂] were investigated. The azo group in L underwent reversible trans–cis isomerization under UV and visible irradiation. This process was inhibited for the complexes. In addition, ligand L and its copper and zinc complexes were assessed for their in vitro antibacterial activities against four pathogenic strains.     

Selection of a LGp0-shaped fundamental mode in a laser cavity: Phase versus amplitude masks

Laser beams of a single high-order transverse mode have been of interest to the laser community for several years now. In order to achieve such a mode as the fundamental mode of the cavity, mode selecting elements in the form of a phase or amplitude mask are often placed inside the resonator. Such elements have the role to impose one or several zeros of intensity of the desired mode. In this paper, we consider the use of the most simple phase (amplitude) mask which is a transparent π-plate (absorbing ring) set inside a diaphragmed laser cavity for selecting a pure LG_p0 mode of radial order, p. We analyse, for each type of mask, the origin of the transverse mode selection, and contrary to what one might expect we find that it is not necessary the absorbing mask that results in the highest losses.     

4‐[Bis(1,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl­meth­yl)­amino]phenol monohydrate

The crystal structure of the title compound, C₁₈H₂₃N₅O·H₂O, shows mol­ecules containing a phenol group linked perpendicularly to a roughly planar fragment comprising two pyrazole rings. Mol­ecules are stacked perpendicular to the [101] direction, with their phenol groups disposed alternately. The mol­ecular packing in the crystal is stabilized by hydrogen bonding involving water mol­ecules.     

Fixed points and lines in 2-metric spaces

We consider bounded 2-metric spaces satisfying an additional axiom, and show that a contractive mapping has either a fixed point or a fixed line.     

Synthesis and Characterization of the New Lacunar Zincophosphate [C6H10N2][ZnP2O8H2]·0.6H2O

The new zincophosphate of chemical formula [C₆H₁₀N₂][ZnP₂O₈H₂] · 0.6H₂O was hydrothermally synthesized with p‐phenylenediamine as structure‐directing agent. The title compound crystallizes in the trigonal symmetry (proposed space group P3m1), where inorganic zincophosphate chains form layers due to the half occupancy of the unique crystallographic zinc site. The layers are separated from each other by p‐phenylenediammonium dications with hydrogen bonding scheme involving the ammonium protons that reveals a pillar‐like 3D structure aspect. The compound was characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction, multinuclear solid‐state NMR, scanning electron microscopy, chemical analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis.     

Optimization Studies of Porous Carbon Preparation from Oil Shale Using Response Surface Methodology and Its Application for Phenol Adsorption

This paper discusses the elaboration of adsorbents from oil shale. The experimental designs a response surface methodology(RSM), which has been applied to optimize the significant preparation factors, such as temperature, time, and the activating agent percentage. The results obtained from central composite design(CCD) revealed that the interaction between the factors was significant for the maximum quantity of adsorption(response). Planned results have shown that a maximum quantity of adsorption for methylene blue is 65 mg/g, which could be achieved with a temperature of 275℃ over 2 h and a percentage of the activating agent of 45%. The predicted values agreed with the experimental finding, with a determination coefficient(R²) of 0.96. The model has been validated by experiments after conditions optimization. The new material(RHO) was characterized by cation exchange capacity, zero charge pH, surface functions, X-ray fluorescence, specific surface area, and electron microscopy analysis. Phenol adsorption was determined using Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin, which were used to describe the adsorption isotherms. The adsorption capacity of the material was about 263 mg/g, and the kinetic studies showed rapid adsorption.     

Polyester-supported Chitosan-Poly(vinylidene fluoride)-Inorganic-Oxide-Nanoparticles Composites with Improved Flame Retardancy and Thermal Stability

Polyester(PET) was pre-activated by atmospheric air plasma and coated by various inorganic oxide nanoparticles(MOx) such as titanium dioxide(TiO2), zinc oxide(ZnO), and silicon oxide(SiO2), using poly(vinylidene fluoride)(PVDF) and chitosan(CT) as binders. The resulting PET-PVDF-MOx-CT composites were thermally compressed and then characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier infrared spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, and flame retardancy(FR) ability tests. PET modifications resulted in more thermally stable and less harmful composites with weaker hazardous gas release. This was explained in terms of structure compaction that blocks pyrolysis gas emissions.CT incorporation was found to reduce the material susceptibility to oxidation. This judicious procedure also allowed improving flame retardancy ability, by lengthening the combustion delay and slowing the flame propagation. Chitosan also turned out to contribute to a possible synergy with the other polymers present in the synthesized materials. These results provide valuable data that allow understanding the FR phenomena and envisaging low-cost high FR materials from biodegradable raw materials.     

Ultraviolet–ultraviolet dual‐cure process based on acrylate oxetane monomers

A dual‐cure process consisting of two subsequent ultraviolet‐initiated radical and cationic polymerizations was investigated. The process was studied with two acrylate oxetane monomers, one of them having a spacer between the two polymerizable moieties. It was shown by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) that the first (radical) step was performed successfully for both systems. As for the second (cationic) step, only the monomer with the spacer was able to polymerize, allowing the crosslinking of the polyacrylic chains generated by the first step. The efficiency of the process was confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry because the glass‐transition temperatures of the cured films were ?16 and + 34 °C after the first and second steps, respectively. The dual cure of this system was further analyzed by real‐time FTIR, which showed that 86% of the acrylate and 80% of the oxetane moieties were converted after 20 and 50 s of light exposure, respectively. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 469–475, 2003