Nioboxidfluoride mit Blockstrukturen — Elektronenmikroskopische Durchstrahlungsaufnahmen und ihre Simulation

Niobiumoxidefluorides Nb₅₉O₁₄₇F, Nb₃₁O₇₇F, Nb₆₅O₁₆₁F₃ and Nb₃₄O₈₄F₂ were prepared by reaction of Nb₂O₅ and Nb₃O₇F at 1 270°C. These niobiumoxidefluorides have blockstructures which were examined by high resolution electron microscopy. The observed images of the crystal structures were compared with computer simulated images.

     

Poly(butylene terephthalate)/poly(ε-caprolactone) blends: Influence of PCL molecular mass on PBT melting and crystallization behavior

The isothermal crystallization kinetics and melting behavior of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) in binary blends with poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) was investigated as a function of PCL molecular mass by differential scanning calorimetry and optical microscopy. The components are miscible in the melt when oligomeric PCL (M_w = 1250) is blended with PBT, whereas only partial miscibility was found in mixtures with higher molecular mass (M_w = 10,000 and 50,000). The equilibrium melting point of PBT in the homopolymer and in blends with PCL was determined through a non-linear extrapolation of the T_m = f(T_c) curve. The PBT spherulitic growth rate and bulk crystallization rate were found to increase with respect to plain PBT in blends with PCL1250 and PCL10000, whereas addition of PCL50000 causes a reduction of PBT solidification rate. The crystallization induction times were determined by differential scanning calorimetry for all the mixtures through a blank subtraction procedure that allows precise estimation of the crystallization kinetics of fast crystallizing polymers. The results have been discussed on the basis of the Hoffman-Lauritzen crystallization theory and considerations on both the transport of chains towards the crystalline growth front and the energy barrier for the formation of critical nuclei in miscible and partially miscible PBT/PCL mixtures are widely debated.     

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.     

Hydrierung prochiraler Olefine mit Rhodium-Komplexen von optisch aktiven Amidinen

[RhCl(C₈H₁₄)₂]₂ together with the optically active amidines C₆H₅C(=NR)NHCH(CH₃) (C₆H₅) I–V or their Li derivatives after activation with molecular hydrogen gives catalysts which at room temperature and 1.1 bar H₂-pressure hydrogenate the prochiral substrates (Z)-[N-acetylamino]-cinnamic acid, itaconic acid, -methylcinnamic acid, -methylcinnamic aldehyde, and -methylcinnamic alcohol as well as cyclohexene, benzene and toluene. Good hydrogenation activity of the new catalysts is in contrast to low optical induction which only in the hydrogenation of -methylcinnamic alcohol with 1.5 to 2% leads to values different from zero.

3. Mitt.:H. Brunner undW. Pieronczyk, J. Chem. Res., im Druck.     

Optical oxygen sensor based on fluorescence change of pyrene-1-butyric acid chemisorption film on an anodic oxidation aluminium plate

An optical oxygen-sensing material based on the fluorescence intensity changes of pyrene-1-butyric acid (PBA) chemisorption film has been developed and characterised. The fluorescence intensity of PBA film decreased with increase of oxygen concentration. The I₀/I₁₀₀ value of PBA film is estimated to be 6.14±0.15 and large Stern-Volmer constant (K_SV=0.028±0.13 Torr⁻¹) is obtained. After irradiation for 24 h with 150 W tungsten lamp, little changes of oxygen-sensing properties were observed. These results indicate that PBA film is highly oxygen-sensitive and photostability device. The response times of the PBA chemisorption film were 10.0 s for switching from argon to oxygen, and 53.0 s for switching from oxygen to argon. Moreover, the optical sensor based on the PBA chemisorption film was applied to the measurement of oxygen concentration in aqueous solution.     

Solid-state,optical-rotation measurements on macromolecules using powder-suspensions

Summary We report techniques for measuring optical rotation of suspended solids, including dissymmetric molecular crystals (e.g. sodium chlorate and bromate), synthetic polymers, polypeptides and biopolymers. Examples include poly(triphenylmethyl methacrylate), poly-S-lactide, poly-L-hydroxyproline, hemocyanine, cellulose acetate andRNA. The results indicate that optical rotation measurements are sensitive to differences in secondary structure and can serve as a probe for structural differences between solid-state and solution.

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Messung der optischen Rotation von Makromolekülen im Festzustand unter Verwendung von Pulversuspensionen

Zusammenfassung Es wird über eine Methode zur Messung der optischen Rotation von Festkörpern in Suspensionen berichtet, wobei dissymetrische Kristalle (z. B. Natriumchlorat und -bromat), synthetische Polymere, Polypeptide und Biopolymere behandelt werden. Die Beispiele umfassen Poly(triphenylmethylmethacrylat), Poly-S-lactid, Poly-L-hydroxyprolin, Hemocyanin, Celluloseacetat undRNA. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, daß die optischen Rotationen bezüglich Unterschiede in der Sekundärstruktur empfindlich sind und daß diese Messungen als ein Maß für Strukturunterschiede zwischen Festzustand und Lösung herangezogen werden können.

     

Robust interface on ENR-50/TiO2 nanohybrid material based sol-gel technique: Insights into synthesis,characterization and applications in optical

In this work, the sol–gel technique was used to prepare a new organic–inorganic hybrid from Epoxidized Natural Rubber (ENR-50) and Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) by blending different content of titania precursors (10, 30, and 50 wt%) with an ENR-50 matrix. A wide range of analyses was conducted to understand the nature of this hybrid and also to evaluate its potential uses in applications required high refractive index such as micro optical and optoelectronic devices. Results indicated that the ring-opening reaction of epoxide groups in ENR-50 increased with the increase of titania content in the hybrid resulting a strong bonding between titania and ENR-50 through TiOC bond, which was observed in FTIR spectrum at 1027–1028 cm⁻¹. It is also observed a slight decrease in the intensity of the amorphous peak along with a new crystalline peak appeared at 2θ = 23 and 27° due to the crystalline nature of titania. The hybrids showed three thermal degradation steps in the range of temperature 76 to 769 °C due to the existence of the Ti moieties with the mixture of polymer chains, which in turn shifted the T_g at 24.3, 26.9 and 28.1 °C for the hybrid at 10, 30, and 50 wt% TiO₂ compared to the T_g of ENR-50 at −18.4 °C respectively. The morphology of the ENR-50 showed clear changes during of the synthesis of ENR-50/TiO₂ hybrids, these changes were proven by SEM, TEM, and AFM analyses. Uv–Vis results showed that the higher wavelength peak at 293 nm has shifted to 296, 298 and 300 nm for the hybrid at 10, 30, and 50 wt% TiO₂ respectively due to the strong interaction between titania precursors and ENR-50 matrix. Furthermore, the hybrids showed good optical transparency in the visible light range.     

Evaluation of epifluorescence image analysis of biofilm growth on stainless steel surfaces

Biofilm growth of Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas fragi, Pediococcus inopinatus and Listeria monocytogenes was studied on stainless steel surfaces at room and low temperatures to evaluate the results of traditional hygiene measures. The results were compared with those of image analysis of stainless steel surfaces in an epifluorescence microscope. Statistical analyses were carried out to determine the variations between the conventional cultivation swab method, the glycocalyx amount obtained using swabbing, and the values of the areas of the biofilm, slime and cells. As a general rule, old biofilms showed total counts at approximately the same levels as the young biofilm. The results showed that temperature affected the results for all strains except B. subtilis. The strains of Pe. inopinatus and Ps. fragi showed increased attachment at 6°C and L. monocytogenes at 25°C. The biofilm slime was more easily detached than the cells. The results indicated that the traditional swab method is not reliable for the measurement of biofilm formation on surfaces.     

Nanocrystals for large Stokes shift-based optosensing

The influence of Stokes shift in optosensing was discussed. Then, the current status of large Stokes shift-based optosensing was reviewed here.     

Optical spectra of Yb and Yb–Nd interaction in Cs2NaNd0,4Yb0,6Cl6

Interaction between octahedrally coordinated Nd³⁺ and Yd³⁺ in Cs₂NaNd_0,4Yb_0,6Cl₆ reduces the Nd³⁺ luminescence lifetime by roughly two orders of magnitude with respect to that found in Cs₂NaNdCl_{6– · –} Analysis of low temperature absorption and emission spectra reveals that the nonradiative Nd³⁺–Yb³⁺ energy transfer has to be assisted by lattice phonon emission, nevertheless the rate of the transfer is high in the 4–300 K temperature region and attains 5.8×10⁵s^-1 at room temperature. A phase transition of Cs₂NaNd_0,4Yb_0,6Cl₆ between 12 and 13 K is evidenced by abrupt change of both the spectra and lifetimes of Yb³⁺. Reduction of Yb³⁺ lifetime from 5.3 ms to 150 μs is at the transition from low symmetry phase to high symmetry phase is supposed to be associated with a three ion interaction which occurs in ordered lattice and disappears in low temperature disordered structure.