Synthesis and characterization of temperature‐ and pH‐sensitive hydrogels based on poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline) and poly(D,L‐lactide)

A novel series of temperature‐ and pH‐sensitive hydrogels based on poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline) and three‐arm poly(D,L ‐lactide) were synthesized via photocopolymerization. For the creation of polymeric networks, two types of macromers terminated with methacrylate groups were prepared: poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline) dimethacrylate and three‐arm poly(D,L ‐lactide) trimethacrylate. The chemical structures were analyzed with ¹H NMR and Fourier transform infrared techniques. The thermal behaviors, morphologies, and swelling properties were measured for the characterization of the polymeric networks. All the poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline)/three‐arm poly(D,L ‐lactide)hydrogels provided high water retention capacity and exhibited reversible swelling–shrinking behavior in response to temperature and pH variations. The hydrogels with higher poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline) dimethacrylate contents were more effective in raising the swelling ratio and temperature and pH sensitivity. However, higher contents of three‐arm poly(D,L ‐lactide) trimethacrylate produced larger particles and pore sizes in the hydrogels. This study effectively proves that this unique combination of water swellability and biodegradability provides hydrogels with a much wider range of applications in biomedical fields. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 1112–1121, 2002     

Preliminary Study on the Effect of pH on Thermal Transformation of Some Diphasic Al2O3-SiO2 Gels

Diphasic Al₂O₃-SiO₂ gels have been synthesized by hydrolyzing ethyl orthosilicate at three different pH ranges in presence of colloidal boehmite. Result shows that dominant mullitization process are sensitive to pH of the gelation process. At highly acidic pH range, solid state reaction between corundum and cristobalite occurs, and develops liquid phase for mullite nucleation. At moderately acidic pH, nucleation and crystallization are most operative for nucleation in aluminosilicate matrix. In highly basic pH region, Al-Si spinel phase develops by incorporation of Si in aluminous phase as intermediary phase. Polymorphic transformation of it may be the cause of sudden mullitization. The changes in crystallization sequence in three distinct processes may be due to variation in the nature and size of silicic acid particle formed by hydrolysis and condensation of TEOS at different pH.     

High-sensitivity analyses of metabolites in biological samples by capillary electrophoresis using dynamic pH junction-sweeping

Emerging fields of biochemical research, such as metabolomics, present challenges to current separation technologies because of the large number of metabolites present in a cell and their often low (submicromolar) concentration. Although capillary electrophoresis (CE) holds great promise as the method of choice for high-resolution separations of biological samples, it suffers from poor concentration sensitivity, especially with the use of UV detection. In CE, sweeping and dynamic pH junction represent two complementary on-line focusing techniques that have been used for sensitivity enhancement of hydrophobic and weakly acidic analytes, respectively. However, the application of either the sweeping or dynamic pH junction technique alone might, in some cases, be less effective for the analysis of certain sample mixtures. Recent work in the development of a hyphenated dynamic pH junction-sweeping technique is presented as an effective on-line method of preconcentration suitable for both hydrophilic (anionic) and hydrophobic (neutral) analytes. Sensitive analyses of flavin metabolites by CE with laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection is demonstrated in various biological matrixes, including cell extracts of Bacillus subtilis, pooled human plasma, as well as heat-deproteinized flavoenzymes. Enhanced analyte band narrowing and improved sensitivity is achieved for flavins using dynamic pH junction-sweeping compared to either sweeping or dynamic pH junction alone. This results in over a 1200-fold improvement in sensitivity relative to conventional injection methods, giving a limit of detection (LOD, defined as S/N = 3) of about 4.0 x 10(-12) M. Strategies for sensitive and more comprehensive analyses of other cell metabolites, including nucleotides, coenzymes, and steroids, are also discussed when using on-line focusing techniques in conjunction with multiplexed CE and UV detection.     

甲醇重整反应中Pt/γ-Al2O3催化剂纳米Pt粒径与催化性能关系研究

利用硝基甲烷还原法在室温条件下得到了纳米Pt粒径可控的担载Pt/γ-Al₂O₃催化剂, 并利用甲醇重整反应为反应探针考察了Pt粒径与催化反应性能之间的关系, 发现催化反应的性能与担载贵金属颗粒粒径之间存在明显的相关性. 通过透射电镜(TEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)、程序升温还原(TPR)等测试手段对催化剂进行表征, 发现钠米Pt的粒径大小不但影响甲醇重整反应的活性, 同时也影响反应的选择性, 即催化剂的催化性能与担载贵金属粒径之间存在明显的尺度效应.     

Polymeric pH indicators immobilized PVA membranes for optical sensors of high basicity based on a kinetic process

Two kinds of polymeric pH indicators PPF (phenolphthalein-formaldehyde product) and CPF (o-cresolphthalein-formaldehyde product) immobilized cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol) membranes (PPF-PVA and CPF-PVA) for optical intermittent determination of high basicity ([OH⁻] = 1-8 M) based on a kinetic process were developed. In our previous work, we had demonstrated that PPF-PVA and CPF-PVA could perform the determination of high pH values from pH 10.0 to 14.0. Here the discoloring kinetic behaviors of PPF-PVA and CPF-PVA were compared with those of free phenolphthalein, o-cresolphthalein and thymolphthalein. Experimental results and theoretical analysis indicated that the response behaviors of the optodes’ membranes in concentrated NaOH solutions were diffusion-independent and still complied with the pseudo-first-order kinetics. In addition, two data analysis methods for determination were presented. One was directly based on the reduced absorbance; the other was based on the discoloring kinetic constant. It was found that the latter could perform a rapid (60 s) and reliable (relative standard deviation: 2.6%) determination for high basicity. These kinds of optodes can be used repeatedly when they are immersed in low-pH solutions to regain the protonated form after each determination.     

皂类液膜振荡器

实验发现了一类新型液膜振荡器,在油水两相之间进行成皂反应的过程中,界面附近出现了长时间规则的大幅度pH振荡,将W/O两相体系换成W1/O/W2三相体系,振幅从0.50 pH明显提高到2.88 pH.其中水相组成为CTAB溶液及NaOH溶液,油相组成为油酸的煤油溶液.同时,此类液膜振荡体系中亦存在明显的电势振荡和电导率振荡.为深入了解机理,进行了浓度影响测定,电极位置和种类的变化以及辅助实验等,提出了普遍化的机理,并进行了实验振荡曲线的拟合对比.这个机理指出,在膜反应批量进行的条件下,当反应速率与扩散成比例时,便会产生规则的周期现象.在一价皂液膜振荡器的基础上,通过替换或添加各种金属盐,形成了各类高价皂液膜振荡器,测定了反应过程中pH、电势及电导率的变化.经过同类化学振荡器的比较研究,结合金属离子与酸根之间的络合作用,得出了其中的一些规律.     

Copper(II) Complexes of ω‐Hydroxy‐Functionalized N‐Salicylidenehydrazides show pH‐Controlled Switching between Dicationic Dimers and Neutral One‐Dimensional Coordination Polymers

New copper(II) complexes of the hydrazone ligands H₂salhyhb, H₂salhyhp, and H₂salhyhh, derived from salicylaldehyde and ω‐hydroxy carbonic acid hydrazides, have been synthesized and physically characterized. Two fundamental structures were found in solid state depending on the pH‐value of the reaction solution. Acidic conditions lead to the formation of the di‐μ‐phenoxo‐bridged dicationic complex dimers [{Cu(Hsalhyhb)}₂]²⁺ ( 1a ), [{Cu(Hsalhyhp)}₂]²⁺ ( 2a ), and [{Cu(Hsalhyhh)}₂]²⁺ ( 3a ), isolated as perchlorate salts. The dimeric complexes show strong antiferromagnetic coupling with J = ?399 ( 1a ), ?410 ( 2a ), and ?311 cm^?1 ( 3a ). Higher pH‐values resulted in the aggregation of neutral copper ligand fragments to the one‐dimensional coordination polymers [{Cu(salhyhb)}_n] ( 1b ), [{Cu(salhyhp)}_n] ( 2b ), and [{Cu(salhyhh)}_n] ( 3b ). 3b has been examined by means of X‐ray crystallography and represents the first example of a structurally characterized neutral copper(II) N‐salicylidenehydrazide complex without additional ligands. The magnetic interactions in the polymers are also antiferromagnetic with J = ?125 ( 1b ), ?136 ( 2b ), and ?148 cm^?1 ( 3b ), but strongly reduced compared to the corresponding dimeric complexes. The two basic structure types can be reversibly interconverted simply by pH‐control.     

Recent development of non-faradaic potentiometry

Non-faradaic potentiometry has been plagued by a great many fundamental errors and a lack of conceptualization. Of greatest concern is the second Nernst equation hiatus. Potentiometry may be generally classified as faradaic and non-faradaic. The former deals with the redox reactions using the Nernst equation to explain the potential origin. The latter deals with the non-redox reactions using the Boltzmann and modified Boltzmann equations to explain the origin of electrode potential. Redox faradaic potentiometry has been well described in the textbooks. However, non-faradaic potentiometry has been almost completely neglected in the literature. Many well-known electrodes, such as the pH glass electrode, common reference electrodes, and ion selective electrodes (ISE) have been mistakenly interpreted as redox reactions or ion exchange reactions. New theories and experimental results show their mechanisms to be non-faradaic in nature. Furthermore, the reaction mechanisms for ISE have been confused in textbooks with redox reactions and the Nernst equation. The ISE potentials originating from adsorption of ions or charged particles based on surface charge density will be explained using the double and counterion triple layers concept. The new counterion triple layer concept may be applied to the potential development of sensors. The reason for a new concept, theory, or mechanism is to better explain the phenomena. Examples will be given of how our new concept explains the capacitor, counterion triple layer, surface adsorbed layers interactions, and the interface structure. We will also discuss the new sensor development based on the new adsorption concept. For the first time a new type of Ag/AgCl reference electrode for non-faradaic potentiometry will be presented, one without a liquid junction and with a Pt wire instead of a salt bridge. They will help open up a new horizon for electrochemical sensor research and may be used under unusual conditions, such as high temperature and high pressure, stirring, etc.     

Enthalpies of Dilution of D-p-Hydroxyphenylglycine in Buffer Solutions at Different pH

The effect of pH on the dilution enthalpies of D-p-hydroxyphenylglycine in phosphate buffer solutions has been investigated by isothermal titration microcalorimetry at 298.15 K. The corresponding homogeneous enthalpic interaction coefficients have been calculated according to the excess enthalpy concept. The results show that the enthalpies of dilution of D-p-hydroxyphenylglycine in phosphate buffer solutions at different pH are all positive. The overall trend is that enthalpies of dilution become more positive with an increase of pH, but there is a minimum of the enthalpy of dilution at pH = 7.0. The enthalpic pair interaction coefficients, h ₂, all have negative values. The results are interpreted from the point of view of solute-solute and solute-solvent interactions involved in the solvent effects.     

Kinetic studies of the urease-catalyzed hydrolysis of urea in a buffer-free system

The kinetics of urea hydrolysis catalyzed by urease, mainly in the absence of buffers by use of the self-buffer effect of the products, was investigated. The effect of pH, temperature, and concentration of enzyme, substrate, product, salt ions, and buffers on the kinetic behavior of urease was examined. A kinetic model of a modified Michaelis-Menten form, incorporating substrate and product inhibition, pH dependence, and temperature effect, was developed to describe the reaction rate. Experimental data indicated that urease in a buffer-free solution was less susceptible to the inhibition of substrate product. The Michaelis constant keeps almost constant with the variation of pH and temperature, and increases with the addition of buffers and salts. The data also suggested that the noncompetitive pattern of the product inhibition, which is not significantly affected by temperature, increases gently with increasing pH. A Monod form rate expression was proposed to analyze the pH effect on the maximum rate. The proposed kinetic model was also examined by the long-time experiments in which pH, substrate, and product concentration varied obviously during the reaction course.