Transient streaming potential in a finite length microchannel

Pressure-driven flow of an electrolyte solution in a microchannel with charged solid surfaces induces a streaming potential across the microchannel. Such a flow also causes rejection of ions by the microchannel, leading to different concentrations in the feed and permeate reservoirs connecting the capillary, which forms the basis of membrane based separation of electrolytes. Modeling approaches traditionally employed to assess the streaming potential development and ion rejection by capillaries often present a confusing picture of the governing electrochemical transport processes. In this paper, a transient numerical simulation of electrochemical transport process leading to the development of a streaming potential across a finite length circular cylindrical microchannel connecting two infinite reservoirs is presented. The solution based on finite element analysis shows the transient development of ionic concentrations, electric fields, and the streaming potential over the length of the microchannel. The transient analysis presented here resolves several contradictions between the two types of modeling approaches employed in assessing streaming potential development and ion rejection. The simulation results show that the streaming potential across the channel is predominantly set up at the timescale of the developing convective transport, while the equilibrium ion concentrations are developed over a considerably longer duration.     

THE 'OPSIN SHIFT' IN BACTERIORHODOPSIN: STUDIES WITH ARTIFICIAL BACTERIORHODOPSINS

Abstract— The difference (in cm⁻¹) in absorption maxima between the protonated Schiff base of retinals and the pigment derived therefrom has been defined as the opsin shift. It represents the influence of the opsin binding site on the chromophore. The analysis of the opsin shifts of a series of dihydrobacteriorhodopsins has led to the external point-charge model, which in addition to a counter anion near the Schiff base ammonium, carries another negative charge in the vicinity of the β-ionone ring. This is in striking contrast to the external point-charge model proposed earlier for the bovine visual pigment. The absorption maxima of rhodopsins formed from bromo- and phenyl retinals support the two models. A retinal carrying a photoaffinity label has yielded a nonbleachable bacteriorhodopsin.     

Enthalpic relaxation of convective desiccated trehalose-water glasses

Minimizing molecular mobility for desiccation preservation of biologics close to ambient temperature using trehalose glasses require quantitative characterization of their enthalpic relaxation at various end water contents. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to characterize three different water contents: 0%, 1.5% and 10% over a wide range of aging temperatures. Results showed the characteristic time (τ) varies both with the water content and the aging temperature. τ increased with lowered aging temperature but showed a non-monotonous relationship as a function of water content. Fragility of trehalose glasses was analyzed using thermophysical parameters obtained from relaxation studies. The study showed trehalose to be a fragile glass former at all water contents, with 0% water samples showing a relatively stronger glass. A compromise between molecular mobility and glass fragility led to an optimal water content close to 1.5% and an aging temperature close to room temperature. This would ensure a τ value of 9000 h, which corresponds to a storage period of a year.     

Synthesis, characterization and reactivity of some novel dinuclear mixed-ligand peroxouranium(VI) complexes

Novel anionic dinuclear mixed-ligand peroxo complexes of the type [(UO₂)₂(O₂)₃L(H₂O)₂]³⁻ (L = Histidinate, aspartate, salicylate, Imidazolate and glutamate) have been synthesized from the interaction of uranyl ion (UO₂²⁺) with peroxide (O₂²⁻) in the presence of the respective coligand (L) at pH 9–10. The sparingly soluble complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR, laser Raman (LR) and UV-vis spectroscopy and solution electrical conductance measurements. Based on these studies, a double bridged dinuclear structure involving one peroxo and the mixed ligand L (via-COO⁻) has been tentatively proposed. Infra-red coupled with LR spectra evidenced structurally different metal bound peroxides (ν² and σ:σ). An aqueous solution of the salicylate and aspartate complexes have been shown to convert triphenylphosphine (PPh₃), cyclohexene, styrene and SO₂ to the corresponding OPPh₃, 1,2 cyclohexanediol, phenylethyleneglycol and SO₄²⁻, respectively.     

A review on thiocyanate methods for the estimation of molybdenum by molecular absorption spectroscopy

A review is presented on thiocyanate methods for the estimation of molybdenum in a wide variety of samples. They include conventional thiocyanate methods in which molybdenum forms an orange red complex with the thiocyanate ions and improved thiocyanate methods where the sensitivity is increased through the formation of ternary ion association complex.     

The synthesis and conformational analysis of tetrahydro-1,2,4-oxadiazines

The synthesis and variable temperature ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra of three tetrahydro-1,2,4-oxadiazines are reported. The N(4)-Me inversion barriers are 6.8–7.0 (ax→ts) and 7.4–7.9 kcal mol^?1 (eq→ts) with ΔG° 0.6–0.9 kcal mol^?1. The N(2)-Me inversion barriers are 10.4–11.4 (ax→ts) and 11.6–13.1 kcal mol^?1 (eq→ts) with ΔGδ 1.2–1.7 kcal mol^?1. The barrier to ring inversion is ca. 12.7 kcal mol^?1. “R value” analysis shows the ring to have a 56.5±2δ dihedral angle about the C(5)-(6) bond, indicative of the expected chair conformation.     

A study on the electronic effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">para</Emphasis> substituents in the aryloxy ring of the hydrazone ligands on the vanadium centre in a family of mixed-ligand [V<Superscript>V</Superscript>O(ONO)(OO)] complexes

[V^IVO(acac)₂] reacts with the methanolic solutions of tridentate dibasic ONO donor hydrazone ligands derived from the condensation of benzoyl hydrazine with either 2-hydroxyacetophenone (H₂L¹) or its para-substituted derivatives (H₂L^2–4) (general abbreviation H₂L), in the presence of vanillin (Hvan) in equimolar ratio under aerobic conditions generating the mixed-ligand oxovanadium(V) complexes of the type [V^VO(L)(van)], (1)–(4) in good yield. All the complexes are diamagnetic and exhibit only ligand-to-metal charge transfer (l.m.c.t.) band near 510 nm in addition to intra-ligand (π → π*) transition band near 330 nm in CH₂Cl₂ solution. ¹H-n.m.r. spectra of the complexes in CDCl₃ solution indicate the presence of two isomeric forms [(1A), (1B); (2A), (2B); (3A), (3B) and (4A), (4B)] in different ratios, which is explained by the interchange of the two binding sites of van⁻ motif between its coordinated equatorial and axial positions. Complexes display two quasi-reversible one electron reduction peaks near +0.10 V and near +0.30 V versus s.c.e. in CH₂Cl₂ solution which are attributed to the successive reduction of V^V→ V^IV and the V^IV→ V^III motifs, respectively. λ_max (for l.m.c.t. transition), and the two reduction potential values (E _1/2)^I (average of the first step anodic and first step cathodic peak potentials) and (E _1/2)^II (average of the second step anodic and second step cathodic peak potentials) of the complexes, are found to be linearly related to the Hammett constants (σ) of the substituents in the aryloxy ring of the hydrazone ligands. λ_max, (E _1/2)^I and (E _1/2)^II values show large dependence: dλ_max/dσ = 37.29 nm, d(E _1/2)^I/dσ = 0.21 V and d(E _1/2)^II/dσ = 0.21 V, respectively, on σ.     

Langmuir-Blodgett films of 9-phenyl anthracene molecules incorporated into different matrices

This communication reports the surface pressure (pi) versus area per molecule (A) isotherm characteristics of the mixed films of 9-phenyl anthracene (PA) in stearic acid (SA) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) matrices, at the air-water interface. The mixed Langmuir films at the air-water interface have been observed to be easily transferred onto solid substrates to form uniform Langmuir-Blodgett films. By changing various parameters, namely molefraction, surface pressure of lifting and number of layers, the mixed Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of various types have been fabricated successfully and their spectroscopic characteristics have been reported. From the isotherm characteristics and the area per molecule versus molefraction plot, it is evident that the PA molecules are successfully incorporated into mixed Langmuir-Blodgett films. UV-vis absorption spectroscopic study of the mixed LB films at various molefractions of PA in two different matrices reveal that formation of I-type aggregate in PMMA matrix whereas both I- and H-type aggregates are playing their dominant role in SA matrix. Moreover, fluorescence spectroscopic study reveals reabsorption effect. Molecular movement persists in the freshly prepared LB films, as is evident from the time dependent changes in both UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectra of the mixed LB films in both matrices. From our observation it is evident that about 200 h is required to get the LB films in a stable condition. Dimers and higher order n-mers are formed at a higher surface pressure of 30 mNm(-1).