Probing the use of small‐angle light scattering for characterizing structure of titanium dioxide/low‐density polyethylene nanocomposites

Small‐angle light scattering (SALS) measurements were used to study the structure of titanium dioxide (TiO₂)/low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) nanocomposites. The results showed that the scattering from LDPE crystalline structures and the scattering from TiO₂ nanoparticles can be resolved and separated. It is shown that the independent effects of crystallization conditions and the presence of nanoparticle aggregates on the spherulitic structure of the LDPE matrix can be determined by analyzing the scattering patterns using the methods proposed. From the SALS results, we conclude that the nanoparticle surface chemistry affects both nucleation of spherulites and their structure particularly under rapid cooling conditions. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1084–1095, 2006     

A highly sensitive and rapid assay for protein determination in human urine and penicillin using a Rayleigh light-scattering technique with benzeneazo-8-acetylamino-1-naphthol-3,6-disulfonic acid sodium salt.

A simple and sensitive method was conducted for the determination of trace amounts of proteins with benzeneazo-8-acetylamino-1-naphthol-3,6-disulfonic acid sodium salt (azophloxine, AP) using a Rayleigh light-scattering (RLS) technique. At pH 2.60 and in the presence of an emulsifier OP microemulsion, the RLS of AP can be greatly enhanced by proteins, owing to the interaction between AP and protein. The enhanced intensity is proportional to the concentration of proteins. Four proteins, including bovine serum albumin (BSA), human serum albumin (HSA), lysozyme (Lys) and gamma globulin (gamma-G) have been tested. For example, the linear range of BSA was 0 - 0.06 microg mL(-1) with detection limits of 2.38 ng mL(-1). The method was applied to the analysis of protein in human urine and penicillin samples with satisfactory results. The relative standard deviation was in all instances less than 4.0%, and the recovery was in the range of 97.5 - 104%.     

Effect of a low magnetic field on crystallinity and magnetic susceptibility of molecular magnet {NBu4[FeCr(ox)3]}x (NBu4=tetra( n-butyl) ammonium ion; ox=oxalate ion)

Molecular magnet {NBu₄[Fe Cr(ox)₃]}_x (NBu₄⁺=tetra(n-buty1) ammonium ion; ox²⁻=oxalate ion) was synthesized under an applied low magnetic field of 0.3 T in comparison to that synthesized without a field. Their crystallinities, morphologies and magnetic properties were characterized by using the X-ray diffractionmeter, the transmission electron microscope, and a superconducting quantum interference device. It is found that the average size of particles synthesized under the applied field appears larger than that synthesized without a field. Moreover, its crystallinity, morphology and magnetic susceptibility have also been improved. However, its chemical structure and ferromagnetic phase transition temperature T_c do not change. Possible reasons to explain this effect are also discussed.     

电子探针定量分析的标准样品——几种多元氧化物单晶

在很高的温度和适宜的生长条件下,分别采用熔盐籽晶法和高温引上法生长了高质量的YAP、NAB、KTP、LN、BBO、SBN等多元氧化物单晶,它们具有优良的物理化学性能,严格的化学比,固定的组成与结构以及较好的化学均匀性和电子束轰击下的稳定性。广泛地用于激光和非线性光学领域。我们选用这些晶体为原材料研制电子探针定量分析的标准样品。经过测量和标定,这些单晶标样符合中华人民共和国国家标准GB 4930-85(电子探针显微分析标准样品通用技术条件)的规定。含有稀土元素的标样如NAB和YAP能发出绿色荧光,是电子显微术中理想的阴极发光材料。     

配位聚合物{[MnL][FeⅡFeⅢ(ox)3·1.5H2O]}∞的合成及其磁学性质

合成和表征了一种新的Schiff碱配合物MnL(ClO4)*3H2O(1)(其中L为n(水杨醛)∶n(二乙撑三胺)=1∶1缩合而成的Schiff碱).1与FeSO4*7H2O和K3[Fe(ox)3]*3H2O(ox=oxalate)进一步反应,生成了双金属层状配位聚合物{[MnL][FeⅡFeⅢ(ox)3]*1.5H2O}∞(2).IR和Mssbauer谱测定结果表明,2具有二维层状结构,其阴离子层由[FeⅡFeⅢ(ox)3]-单元构成.变温磁化率(5K～100K)测试结果表明,2中的自旋载体之间存在反铁磁交换作用.5K时的磁滞现象表明2在低温时可能存在铁磁有序,这可能是亚铁磁或自旋倾斜造成的.     

Liposomes as signal amplification reagents for bioassays in microfluidic channels

Liposomes with encapsulated carboxyfluorescein were used in an affinity-based assay to provide signal amplification for small-volume fluorescence measurements. Microfluidic channels were fabricated by imprinting in a plastic substrate material, poly(ethylene terephthalate glycol) (PETG), using a silicon template imprinting tool. Streptavidin was linked to the surface through biotinylated-protein for effective immobilization with minimal nonspecific adsorption of the liposome reagent. Lipids derivatized with biotin were incorporated into the liposome membrane to make the liposomes reactive for affinity assays. Specific binding of the liposomes to microchannel walls, dependence of binding on incubation time, and nonspecific adsorption of the liposome reagent were evaluated. The results of a competitive assay employing liposomes in the microchannels are presented.     

Preparation of Y2Ba4Cu7O15-δ Superconductor without High Oxygen Pressure

The synthesis of bulk Y₂Ba₄Cu₇O_15-δ superconductor at atmospheric oxygen pressure via solid state sintering is reported. Temperature ranging from 860 to 890 °C as well as time interval over 2 to 15 days were used to investigate the formation of the Y₂Ba₄Cu₇O_15-δ phase. A time-temperature profile characterizing the conditions for the preparation of Y₂Ba₄Cu₇O_15-δ phase suggests the optimal condition to be sintering at 890 °C for over 10 days. Detailed results of X-ray diffraction, electrical resistivity, iodometric titration and magnetization measurements are described.     

CHARGE TRANSFER ACROSS PIGMENTED BILAYER LIPID MEMBRANE AND ITS INTERFACES

Abstract— The technique of forming bilayer lipid membranes (BLM) has made it possible to study photoreactions of pigments in an environment that is much closer to those in photosynthetic and visual membranes. A pigmented BLM system with Mg²⁺-porphyrins as membrane-bound pigments and with ferricyanide and ferrocyanide as the aqueous electron acceptor and donor, respectively, was used to illustrate the photoelectric effects due to coupled interfacial charge transfer reactions.
The steady-state continuous photoresponse was studied by means of the voltage clamp method and a null current method. The independence of the pigment conductance channel and the ionic conductance channel was demonstrated. A tunable voltage clamp method was used to study the transient pulsed photoresponses. Such a measurement permits us to characterize the photosystem in terms of an equivalent circuit model which contains a novel chemical capacitance. Molecular interpretation of this equivalent circuit model was given.
A microscopic model based on the Gouy–Chapman theory and chemical kinetics calculation leads to an equivalent circuit which is also equivalent to the previous one. Generalization of this microscopic model further leads to a physical mechanism of the generation of the early receptor potential (ERP) in visual membranes. Relevance of pigmented BLM research to photosynthesis and other disciplines was also discussed.