Isothermal titration calorimetric studies of surfactant interactions with negatively charged, ‘hairy’ latex nanoparticles

Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) measurements of the mixture of the cationic surfactant cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) with negatively charged, hairy copolymer latices (poly-(2,3-epoxypropylmethacrylate-co-methacrylic acid) in different ratio) at high water excess indicate a monomer adsorption mechanism of CTAB by the polymer particles. The number of adsorbed CTAB molecules at saturation corresponds approximately to the number of negative elementary charges bound at the surface of the latices. The mixing enthalpy is the sum of demicellization and sorption enthalpies. At 25 °C for CTAB the demicellization enthalpy amounts to 10 kJ/mol, whereas the adsorption enthalpy varies from –7 kJ/mol (surface charge density of the latices =–0.37 C/m²) to +3 kJ/mol (=–0.085 C/m²). The hydrodynamic radius R_H of the latex particles upon titration of cationic detergent and salt (NaBr) decreases by about 2 nm until the onset of aggregation near the isoelectric point. Titration of nonionic or anionic detergents has much less influence on the hydrodynamic radius and produces no measurable adsorption heat. The results are consistent within a model of latex particles with extended negatively charged polymer chains interacting predominantly via Coulombic forces with detergents.     

The Influence of Cobalt (II) in Carboxymethyl Cellulose Processing

Controlling the reduction in molecular weight of the cellulose chains is essential in the production of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). Such a reduction can be achieved by the addition of cobalt during the process of cobalt(II) ions, which act as a catalyst for oxidative cleavage, and the influence thereof has been studied under a variety of conditions. This study has resulted in a model that summarises the effects of the added amount of cobalt, the time for the cobalt reaction, the temperature in the mercerisation stage of the CMC-manufacturing process and finally the effect of the temperature in the etherification stage. It is shown that it is important for cobalt to be present during the mercerisation stage in order to achieve the desired viscosity.     

Influence of boric acid on the determination of iron in reactor coolant water by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Summary The matric effect of boric acid was investigated in the determination of iron in the primary circuit coolant water of nuclear power plants by furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The effect of boric acid was of particular interest. The method was applied during refuelling and maintenance periods and the results were used to interpret the chemical changes in the water.

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Einfluß von Borsäure auf die Bestimmung von Eisen in Reaktorkühlwasser durch GF-AAS

     

Theoretical and Experimental Studies on a Metallorganic Complex of (Isopropylxanthato)(Phenyl)Mercury(I) [Hg(I)(C<Subscript>6</Subscript>H<Subscript>5</Subscript>)(C<Subscript>4</Subscript>H<Subscript>7</Subscript>OS<Subscript>2</Subscript>)]

The title compound, (isopropylxanthato)(phenyl)mercury(I), was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and thermogravimetric analysis. Density functional theory (DFT) method calculations were performed at B3LYP/CEP-121G and B3LYP/CEP-31G levels of theory, respectively. Vibrational frequencies were predicted, assigned, compared with the experimental values, and they are supported each other. The calculated results show that the strength of bond Hg—C is stronger than that of Hg—S, which is good agreement with the experimental data. The calculations of the second order optical nonlinearity and electronic absorption spectra are also performed.     

A Chiral Coordination Polymer of Silver(I) with Saccharinate and Pyridine: Synthesis,Spectral, Thermal,and Structural Characterization of [Ag(sac)(py)]<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript>

The first silver(I) complex of saccharinate (sac) with pyridine (py), [Ag(sac)(py)]_n has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffractometry. The complex crystallizes in chiral, trigonal space group P3₁21 (No. 152) with unit cell parameters of a = 11.2605(2) Å, c = 17.3300(4) Å, V = 1903.02(6) ų and Z = 6. [Ag(sac)(py)]_n contains monomeric [Ag(sac)(py)] units linked into infinite helices by way of Ag⋅sAg interactions [d(Ag⋅sAg) = 2.909(2) and 2.985(1) Å]. The distorted square-planar environment of Ag is completed by an N-bonded sac [Ag—N = 2.084(2) Å] and a py molecule [Ag—N = 2.116(2) Å]. The N_sac—Ag—N_py angle is 173.85(10)^∘. The one-dimensional chains are crosslinked by C—H⋅sO interactions involving the carbonyl and sulfonyl O atoms of sac and aromatic-ring hydrogen atoms of both sac and py. The thermal stability of the title complex was investigated using thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis in a static atmosphere of air. The first decomposition stage between 90 and 160^∘C corresponds to removal of the py molecule in a single stage, while the degradation of the sac moiety occurs at two stages in the temperature range 370–515^∘C, giving an end product of metallic Ag.     

Time-resolved enzymatic determination of glucose using a fluorescent europium probe for hydrogen peroxide

An enzymatic assay for glucose based on the use of the fluorescent probe for hydrogen peroxide, europium(III) tetracycline (EuTc), is described. The weakly fluorescent EuTc and enzymatically generated H₂O₂ form a strongly fluorescent complex (EuTc–H₂O₂) whose fluorescence decay profile is significantly different. Since the decay time of EuTc–H₂O₂ is in the microseconds time domain, fluorescence can be detected in the time-resolved mode, thus enabling substantial reduction of background fluorescence. The scheme represents the first H₂O₂-based time-resolved fluorescence assay for glucose not requiring the presence of a peroxidase. The time-resolved assay (with a delay time of 60 s and using endpoint detection) enables glucose to be determined at levels as low as 2.2 mol L^–1, with a dynamic range of 2.2–100 mol L^–1. The method also was adapted to a kinetic assay in order to cover higher glucose levels (mmol L^–1 range). The latter was validated by analyzing spiked serum samples and gave a good linear relationship for glucose levels from 2.5 to 55.5 mmol L^–1. Noteworthy features of the assay include easy accessibility of the probe, large Stokes shift, a line-like fluorescence peaking at 616 nm, stability towards oxygen, a working pH of approximately 7, and its suitability for both kinetic and endpoint determination.     

Interactions of Some Amino Acids with Aqueous Tetraethylammonium Bromide at 298.15 K: A Volumetric Approach

The apparent molar volumes, V_,2, of glycine, L-alanine, DL--amino-n-butyric acid, L-valine, and L-leucine have been determined in aqueous 0.25, 0.75, 1.0, and 1.5 mol-dm^–3 tetraethylammonium bromide (TEAB) solutions by density measurements at 298.15 K. These data have been used to calculate the infinite dilution apparent molar volumes, V_2,m, for the amino acids in aqueous tetraethylammonium bromide and the standard partial molar volumes of transfer (_tr V_2,m) of the amino acids from water to the aqueous salt solutions. The linear correlation of V_2,m for a homologous series of amino acids has been utilized to calculate the contribution of the charged end groups (NH₃⁺, COO^–), CH₂ group, and other alkyl chains of the amino acids to V_2,m. The results of the standard partial molar volumes of transfer from water to aqueous tetraethylammonium bromide have been interpreted in terms of ion–ion, ion–polar, and hydrophobic–hydrophobic group interactions. The volume of transfer data suggest that ion–ion or ion–hydrophilic interactions are predominant in the case of glycine and alanine, and hydrophobic–hydrophobic group interactions are predominant in the case of DL--amino butyric acid, L-valine, and L-leucine.     

Tri-component diblock copolymers of poly(ethylene glycol)–poly(ε-caprolactone-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-lactide): synthesis,characterization and loading camptothecin

Biodegradable tri-component diblock copolymer was synthesized by bulk copolymerization of ε-caprolactone (CL) and D, L-lactide (LA) in the presence of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (MePEG), using stannous octoate as catalyst. Their chemical structure and physical properties were investigated by GPC, NMR, DSC, TGAand XRD. The increase of CL/LA ratio in the diblock copolymer leads to lower T _g, higher decomposition temperature and crystallinity. Nanoparticles formulated from MePEG–poly(CL-co-LA) (PCAE) possess spherical structure, which was characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The DLS results indicate that the particle size increased with the increase of CL/LA ratio and the hydrophobic fragment length in the copolymer. The drug encapsulation efficiency and the drug release behavior in vitro conditions of camptothecin were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The encapsulation efficiency can be achieved as high as 84.4% and the release behavior can be made well-controlled. MePEG–poly(CL-co-LA) nanoparticles might have a great potential as carriers for hydrophobic drugs.