Fabrication and characterization of poly(methyl methacrylate) photopolymer doped with 9,10-phenanthrenequinone (PQ) based derivatives for volume holographic data storage

We present our studies on the photopolymer of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) doped with 9,10-phenanthrenequinone based derivatives for volume holographic storage. By introducing different functional groups on the side-chain of 9,10-phenanthrenequinone molecule, the holographic characteristics of the material can be modified. The photoreaction involved with the holographic recording in the samples was investigated by measuring UV-Vis absorption spectrum and mass spectrum. The experimental results show that the similar behaviors were exhibited in these photopolymers. It is found that phase hologram recording in our PQ derivatives doped PMMA photopolymer involves a structure change of the quinone based molecule, which induces a strong change of the refractive index. Experimental characterizations on holographic data storage, including material sensitivity, dynamic range (M#) and bit-error-rate have been performed. We found that, by selecting appropriate functional groups, an improvement in sensitivity and M# for holographic data storage can be achieved.     

Lactic acid aided electrochemical deposition of c-axis preferred orientation of zinc oxide thin films: Structural and morphological features

Compact and homogeneous c-axis preferred orientation of zinc oxide (ZnO) films on indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass have been prepared electrochemically at −1.2 V vs. Ag|AgCl in a weak acidic condition from 0.06 M Zn(NO₃)₂ with 3 mM lactic acid (LA) added. LA was found having strong influence on the electrodeposition of c-axis preferred orientation of zinc oxide films. Other experimental variables such as deposition temperature, potential, and precursor concentration were also conducted in this article. Among these variables, it was found that precursor concentration of zinc nitrate influenced significantly on growth direction and crystal diameter of zinc oxide. Cyclic voltammetry was used to observe the electrochemistry of the deposition. Crystallinities of the films were examined by X-ray diffractometer. The morphologies of zinc oxide films were observed with a field emitting scanning electron microscope. Optical characteristics of zinc oxide layers were measured with UV-vis spectrophotometer. The band gap of the deposited zinc oxide thin films was evaluated from the Tauc relationship of (αhν)² vs. hν, which was found to be 3.31 eV.     

Analysis of Phenolic Priority Pollutants by High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Electrochemical Detection

Application of high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrochemical detection (HPLC/EC) to the analysis of phenolic priority pollutants was studied. This method is highly sensitive and selective. Under optimum experimental conditions, the detection limits range from 0.05 ng for phenol to 1.20 ng for pentachlorophenol. The method was successfully applied to the direct determination of trace phenols in industrial wastewaters.     

Structural determination of the low-coverage phase of Al on Si(001) surface

The atomic structure of Al layer on Si(001)-(2 x 1) surface has been studied by coaxial impact collision ion scattering spectroscopy. When 0.5 monolayer (ML) of Al atoms are adsorbed on Si(001) at room temperature, it is found that Al adatoms are dimerized and Al ad-dimers are oriented parallel to the underlying Si dimers at the position of centering T3 site with a height of 1.02 Angstroms from the first layer of Si(001). The bond length of the Al dimer is 2.67 Angstroms. With increasing Al coverage up to one ML, Al ad-dimers still occupied near T3 site and the next favorable site is near HH site.     

Determination of Tributyltin in Sea Water by Hydride Generation-Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

A hydride generation-atomic absorption spectrometry (HG-AAS) procedure is described for the analysis of tributyltin (TBT) in sea water. TBT is first converted to its volatile hydride form by reaction with sodium borohydride, followed by cryogenic trapping at ?196°C, and finally detection by atomic absorption spectrometry using an electrically heated quartz atomization cell. The linear range of calibration is 5-250 ng TBT (as tin). At the 5-ng level, the relative standard deviation (RSD) is 13%. The absolute detection limit (3σ) is 1.8 ng. Based on a sample volume of 500 mL, this value corresponds to a concentration detection limit 3.6 ng L^?1 TBT This method has been successfully applied to the analysis of TBT in sea water collected from Keelung and Kaohsiung harbors.     

Analysis of baclofen by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection

A new analytical method for baclofen (4-amino-3-p-chlorophenylbutyric acid) based on capillary electrophoretic separation and laser-induced fluorescence detection has been developed. Naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde was used for precolumn derivatization of the non-fluorescent drug. Optimal separation and detection were obtained with an electrophoretic buffer of 50 mM sodium borate (pH 9.5) and a He-Cd laser (excitation at 442 nm, emission at 500 nm). Linearity (r > or = 0.99) over three orders of magnitude was generally obtained and the concentration limit of detection was in the nanomolar level. Coupled with a simple cleanup procedure, the method was successfully applied to the analysis of baclofen in human plasma. Recovery of spiked baclofen in plasma was 98%. The relative standard deviation values on peak size and migration time were 7.9% and 0.4%, respectively. The limit of detection of baclofen in plasma was 10 ng/ml.     

Catalytic Hydrolysis of Phosphate Diesters by Lanthanide(III) Cryptate (2.2.1) Complexes

Lanthanide(III) Cryptate (2.2.1) chlorides (Ln(2.2.1)Cl(3); Ln = La (1a), Ce(1b), and Eu(1c); (2.2.1) = 4,7,13,16,21-pentaoxa-1,10-diazabicyclo[8.8.5]tricosane) are effective for the catalytic hydrolysis of bis(4-nitrophenyl) phosphate. Kinetic studies reveal that the europium(III) complex (1c) catalyzes the hydrolysis to produce 6 equiv of 4-nitrophenol with a significant rate (k(1) = 1.5 x 10(-)(4) s(-)(1) at 0.40 mM) at pH 8.5 and 50 degrees C. The catalytic activity of the complexes is increased with decreasing the ionic size, i.e, La < Ce < Eu. While the use of hydrogen peroxide further increase the activity of 1b (k(1) = 1.6 x 10(-)(3) s(-)(1) at 0.40 mM), the presence of molecular oxygen does not affect the activity at all. Crystal of 1a.CH(3)OH([La(2.2.1)(Cl)(2)](Cl)(CH(3)OH)) belongs to the space group Pnma with a = 17.072(3) ?, b = 19.037(3) ?, c = 14.725(2) ?, V = 4786(1) ?(3), Z = 8, D(x)() = 1.691 g cm(-)(3), &mgr; = 21.7 cm(-)(1). The encryptated metal ion is nine-coordinated, and all the heteroatoms of the cryptate (2.2.1) ligand coordinate the metal center to form a bowl-shaped structure. Two coordinating chloride anions are located on the open face with a cis geometry. The existence of coordinated water to the europium(III) complex 1c in the aqueous solution was confirmed by time-resolved Eu(III) luminescence spectroscopy. From the decay constants in H(2)O and D(2)O, the numbers of coordinated water molecules (q) are found to be 3.02 at pH of 5.0. The above kinetic and spectroscopic observation are supportive of mechanisms in which the metal complexes act as a center for binding and activation as well as a source of nucleophilic metal hydroxides.     

Highly Enhanced Fluorescence of Supramolecular Polymers Based on a Cyanostilbene Derivative and Cucurbit[8]uril in Aqueous Solution

Supramolecular polymers (SPs) have received great attention because of their potential for various practical applications. As part of our search for SPs that are highly fluorescent in aqueous media, we designed a system based on a cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) host and a newly designed cyanostilbene guest. Fluorescence quantum yields of ≈0 % in the disassembled monomer state and 91 % in the CB[8]‐induced SP state were obtained. The intriguing photophysical properties of the SP are elucidated through detailed experimental and computational analysis, paving the way towards a fascinating class of water‐soluble fluorescent SPs.