Thermally and optically induced effects on sub-band gap absorption in nanocrystalline CdSe (nc-CdSe) thin films

Nanocrystalline cadmium selenide (nc-CdSe) thin films have been prepared by thermal evaporation using the inert gas condensation (IGC) technique. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies show that the CdSe nanocrystals (NCs) are spherical in shape. Constant photocurrent method (CPM) is used to determine the value of absorption coefficient in low absorption region of as-deposited, annealed and light soaked nc-CdSe thin films. Values of optical band gap (E_g) have been determined by using Tauc's relation for as-deposited, annealed and light soaked nc-CdSe thin films from the α values evaluated from reflection and transmission measurements. We have used a derivative procedure to sub-gap absorption spectra in order to get information on the energetic distribution of the occupied density of states below Fermi level. Constants such as optical gap E_g, Urbach edge E_u have been obtained from CPM spectra in as-deposited, annealed and light soaked nc-CdSe thin films. Concentration of defect states has also been calculated in as-deposited, annealed and light soaked nc-CdSe thin films.     

A Catalyst and Solvent Free Route for the Synthesis of N-Substituted Pyrrolidones from Levulinic Acid

An efficient, metal-free, catalyst-free and solvent-free methodology for the reductive amination of levulinic acid with different anilines has been developed using HBpin as the reducing reagent. This protocol offers an excellent method to avoid solvents and added catalysts on the synthesis of different kinds of N-substituted pyrrolidones under metal free conditions. It is also the first report for the synthesis of different pyrrolidones by solvent-free as well as catalyst-free methods. The proposed mechanism for the formation of pyrrolidone has been supported by DFT calculations and control experiments.     

Simultaneous determination of colchicine and febuxostat in rat plasma: Application in a rat pharmacokinetic study

A selective, sensitive and rapid LC–MS/MS method has been developed and validated as per US Food and Drug Administration regulatory guidelines for the simultaneous quantitation of colchicine and febuxostat in rat plasma. Colchicine and febuxostat were extracted from the rat plasma using 10% tert-butyl methyl ether in ethyl acetate using colchicine-d₆ as an internal standard (IS). The chromatographic separation of colchicine, febuxostat and the IS was achieved using a mobile phase comprising 5 mm ammonium formate and 0.025% formic acid in acetonitrile (20:80, v/v) in isocratic mode on an Eclipse XDB-C₁₈ column. The injection volume and flow rate were 5.0 μl and 0.9 ml/min, respectively. Colchicine and febuxostat were detected by positive electrospray ionization in multiple reaction monitoring mode using transition pairs (Q1 → Q3) of m/z 400.10 → 358.10 and 317.05 → 261.00, respectively. The assay was linear in the ranges of 0.25–254 and 2.60–622 ng/ml for colchicine and febuxostat, respectively. The inter- and intra-day precision values were 0.58–13.0 and 1.03–4.88% for colchicine and febuxostat, respectively. No matrix or carryover effects were observed during the validation. Both analytes were stable on the bench-top, in the autosampler and in storage (freeze–thaw cycles and long-term storage at −80 ° C). A pharmacokinetic study in rats was performed to show the applicability of the validated method.     

Spectroscopy of50V with (p,nγ) reaction

Information on the low-lying levels up to ～1.9 MeV excitation of the doubly odd nucleus⁵⁰V has been obtained through the Ge (Li)-Ge (Li) coincidence study with the⁵⁰Ti(p, nγ)⁵⁰V reaction. Branching ratios have been measured and tentative spin-parity assignments have been made. A detailed comparison with other measurements reported recently has also been made. Using the lowest seniority wave functions with (f_7/2) _p ³ (f _7/2) _n ^?1 configuration, energy levels and electromagnetic properties have been calculated. These have been compared with the present and earlier experimental data.     

Effect of pyridine on infrared absorption spectra of copper phthalocyanine

Infrared absorption spectra of copper phthalocyanine in KBr pellet and pyridine solution in 400-1625 and 2900-3200 cm(-1)regions are reported. In the IR spectra of solid sample, presence of weak bands, which are forbidden according to the selection rules of D4h point group, is explained on the basis of distortion in the copper phthalocyanine molecule caused by the crystal packing effects. Observation of a new band at 1511 cm(-1) and change in intensity of some other bands in pyridine are interpreted on the basis of coordination of the solvent molecule with the central copper ion.     

New developments in the preparation of anion exchange media based on hyperbranched condensation polymers

We have developed a number of new anion exchange stationary phases based on synthesis of hyperbranched condensation polymers prepared in situ on surface sulfonated wide pore, low surface area ethylvinylbenzene-divinylbenzene substrate beads. These new stationary phases are synthesized by exposing the substrate beads to a mixture containing one of several different diepoxides and methyl amine followed by exposure in an alternating fashion to diepoxide and then methyl amine in a repetitive manner. With each cycle of reaction with first diepoxide and then methyl amine, the capacity of the stationary phase doubles, allowing for the synthesis of high-capacity materials. These new phases are stable to hydrolysis in concentrated acid and base. They exhibit exceptionally low levels of hydrophobic interaction with anionic species commonly of interest in the analysis of environmental samples.     

Comparative study on different carbon nanotube materials in terms of transparent conductive coatings

We compared conductive transparent carbon nanotube coatings on glass substrates made of differently produced single-wall (SWNT), double-wall, and multiwall carbon nanotubes. The airbrushing approach and the vacuum filtration method were utilized for the fabrication of carbon nanotube films. The optoelectronic performance of the carbon nanotube film was found to strongly depend on many effects including the ratio of metallic-to-semiconducting tubes, dispersion, length, diameter, chirality, wall number, structural defects, and the properties of substrates. The electronic transportability and optical properties of the SWNT network can be significantly altered by chemical doping with thionyl chloride. Hall effect measurements revealed that all of these thin carbon nanotube films are of p-type probably due to the acid reflux-based purification and atmospheric impurities. The competition between variable-range hoping and fluctuation-assisted tunneling in the functionized carbon nanotube system could lead to a crossover behavior in the temperature dependence of the network resistance.     

Utilization of Cheese Whey Using Synergistic Immobilization of β-Galactosidase and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces cerevisiae</Emphasis> Cells in Dual Matrices

Whey is a byproduct of the dairy industry, which has prospects of using as a source for production of various valuable compounds. The lactose present in whey is considered as an environmental pollutant and its utilization for enzyme and fuel production, may be effective for whey bioremediation. The dairy yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus have the ability to utilize lactose sharply as the major carbon source for the production of the enzyme. Five strains were tested for the production of the β-galactosidase using whey. The maximum β-galactosidase activity of 1.74 IU/mg dry weight was achieved in whey using K. marxianus MTCC 1389. The biocatalyst was further immobilized on chitosan macroparticles and exhibited excellent functional activity at 35 °C. Almost 89 % lactose hydrolysis was attained for concentrated whey (100 g/L) and retained 89 % catalytic activity after 15 cycles of reuse. Finally, β-galactosidase was immobilized on chitosan and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on calcium alginate, and both were used together for the production of ethanol from concentrated whey. Maximal ethanol titer of 28.9 g/L was achieved during fermentation at 35 °C. The conclusions generated by employing two different matrices will be beneficial for the future modeling using engineered S. cerevisiae in scale-up studies.     

Pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines. A combined multinuclear magnetic resonance (1H, 13C, 15N, 19F) and DFT approach to their structural assignment

Multinuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy together with GIAO-DFT calculations allowed establishment of the structure of the products obtained by condensation of 3(5)-amino-4-phenyl-1H-pyrazole and beta-dicarbonyl compounds bearing a trifluoromethyl group. They are 3-phenyl-5-(R)-7-trifluoromethylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines.