Synthesis and Characterization of Fluoro- and Chloro- bimetallic Alkoxides as Precursors for Luminescent Metal Oxide Materials via Sol-Gel Technique

Heterobimetallic alkoxides are broadly recognized as versatile precursors for luminescence materials, and efforts are being made to develop novel routes by applying the concept of geometrical molecular design, for their synthesis and to design a single source precursor suited to photoluminescent materials. Novel and new series of bimetallic alkoxides has been prepared by metathesis route. They exhibit a lower sensitivity towards hydrolysis and so they are easier to handle as compared to other alkoxides. All the compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopies. FT-IR revealed that the molecular structure of these metal alkoxides was retained to a large extent in 4 ： 1 halogenated alcohol-benzene solution. The heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy provided useful information about chemical shifts for better understanding the likely structure based on interactions with their coordinate metals. The mass spectra show similar types of fragmentation pattern. SEM-EDS analyses showed consistency with the formulation. XRD patterns show an enhanced homogeneity at high temperature. TGA measurements show that thermal decomposition occured in steps that depended entirely on the chemical compositions and the synthesis routes. SEM observation reveals that the morphology and particle size strongly depend on synthesis routes for their precursors.     

Preparation of ZnO Nanoparticles: Structural Study of the Molecular Precursor

The structure of zinc acetate derived precursor currently used in the sol-gel synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles is described. The reaction products obtained before and after reflux of ethanolic zinc acetate solution have been studied by UV-Vis, photoluminescence, FTIR and EXAFS at the Zn K edge. EXAFS results evidence for both precursor solutions a change from the octahedral coordination sphere of oxygen atoms characteristic of the solid zinc acetate dihydrate compound into a four-fold environment. The EXAFS spectra of precursor solutions can be satisfactorily reproduced using the molecular structure reported for Zn₄O(Ac)₆ (Ac = COOCH₃). UV-Vis and FTIR measurements are also in agreement with the formation of this oligomeric precursor. The structural modification is more pronounced after reflux at 80°C, because the increase of the Zn₄O(Ac)₆ amount and the formation of nearly 3.0 nm sized ZnO nanoparticle.     

Mesoscopic structure and properties of liquid crystalline mesophase pitch and its transformation into carbon fiber

The history and present state of the art in the chemistry of mesophase pitch, which is an important precursor for carbon fiber and other high-performance industrial carbons, are reviewed relative to their structural properties. The structural concepts in both microscopic and macroscopic views are summarized in terms of the sp(2) carbon hexagonal plane as a basic unit common to graphitic materials, its planar stacking in clusters, and cluster assembly into microdomains and domains, the latter of which reflect the isochromatic unit of optical anisotropy. Such a series of structural units is described in a semiquantitative manner corresponding to the same units of graphitic materials, although the size and stacking height of the hexagonal planes (graphitic sheets) are very different. Mesophase pitch is a liquid crystal material whose basic structural concepts are maintained in the temperature range of 250 to 350 degrees C. The melt flow and thermal properties are related to its micro- and mesoscopic structure. The structure of mesophase-pitch-based carbon fiber of high tensile strength, modulus, and thermal conductivity has been formed through spinning, and has inherited the same structural concepts of mesophase pitch. Stabilization settles the structure in successive heat treatments up to 3000 degrees C. Carbonization and graphitization enable growth of the hexagonal planes and their stacking into units of graphite. Such growth is governed and controlled by the alignment of micro- and mesoscopic structures in the mesophase pitch, which define the derived carbon materials as nanostructural materials. Their properties are controlled by the nanoscopic units that are expected to behave as nanomaterials when appropriately isolated or handled.     

The use of TG-FTIR technique for the assessment of hydrogen bromide emissions in the combustion of BFRs

The TG-FTIR technique was used in the present study to investigate the thermal degradation behaviour of materials containing brominated flame retardants under fire conditions. Time-temperature profiles and oxygen concentrations typical of selected fire scenarios were reproduced in the thermogravimetric analyzer, while the characterization of the gaseous products generated was performed by the simultaneous FTIR analysis. FTIR analysis combined with the use of specific calibration procedures allowed the quantitative estimation of the gaseous products evolved as a function of experimental conditions. The results obtained allowed the straightforward assessment and the comparison of the quantities of hydrogen bromide formed in the oxidation and thermal degradation of pure brominated flame retardants and of flame retarded materials of industrial interest. Hydrogen bromide yields resulted dependent on the experimental conditions used, such as oxygen concentration and heating rate. Although TG-FTIR experiments only provide a representation of the actual heterogeneous combustion products in real fire conditions, the coupled TG-FTIR technique proved to be a straightforward experimental methodology allowing one to obtain reference data on the nature and quantities of the macropollutants generated in a fire. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of the reaction state on the polymerization of p-xylenesulfonium salts

1,4-Phenylenebis(methylene) sulfonium salts were polymerized under different conditions to yield p-xylylene sulfonium salt polyelectrolytes in a broad range of molecular weights. The aqueous reaction mixture formed a reversible gel at initial monomer concentrations higher than 1.0M, but at lower concentrations it remained as an emulsion until reaction completion. The effect of reaction time on intrinsic viscosities and polymer yields for both the emulsion and the gel state is discussed. The higher yields obtained when the reaction was carried out in the presence of a water-immiscible organic solvent were apparently due to the effect of this solvent on increasing the concentration of the reactive intermediate that led to the polyelectrolyte. Both the addition of an organic solvent and the variation of the initial monomer concentrations allowed some control over the molecular weight of the polyelectrolyte formed.     

Synthesis of Some Dialkyl Bromo-Substituted Benzyl Phosphonates

Arbuzov reaction of bromo-substituted benzyl bromides and trialkyl phosphites in benzene gave high yields of dialkyl bromo-substituted benzyl phosphonates, and —CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃). The structural assignments of these phosphonates were confirmed by ¹H nmr, ¹³C nmr, ir and mass spectral analysis.     

Preparation of Nano-Sized γ-Al2O3 Supported Iron Catalyst for Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis by Solvated Metal Atom Impregnation Methods

Two types of small iron clusters supported on γ-Al2O3-RT(dehydroxylated at room temperature) and γ-Al2O3-800 (dehydroxylated at 800 ℃) were prepared by solvated metal atom impregnation (SMAI) techniques. The iron atom precursor complex, bis(toluene)iron(0) formed in the metal atom reactor, was impregnated into γ-Al2O3 having different concentrations of surface hydroxyl groups to study the effect of surface hydroxylation on the crucial stage of iron cluster formation. Catalysts prepared in this way were characterized by TEM, M(o)ssbauer, and chemisorption measurements, and the results show that higher concentration of surface hydroxyl groups of γ-Al2O3-RT favors the formation of more positively charged supported iron cluster Fen/γ-Al2O3-RT, and the lower concentration of surface hydroxyl groups of γ-Al2O3-800 favors the formation of basically neutral supported iron cluster Fen/γ-Al2O3-800. The measured results also indicate that the higher concentration of surface hydroxyl groups causes the rapid decomposition of precursor complex, bis(toluene)iron(0), and favors the formation of relatively large iron cluster. Consequently, these two types of catalysts show different catalytic properties in Fischer-Tropsch reaction. The catalytic pattern of Fen/γ-Al2O3-RT in F-T reaction is similar to that of the unreduced α-Fe2O3 and that of Fen/γ-Al2O3-800 is similar to that of the reduced α-Fe2O3.     

N,N'-二(二乙氧基硫代磷酰基)-1,4-苯二胺的合成、晶体结构及热性能研究

通过二乙氧基硫代磷酰氯与对苯二胺反应生成了标题化合物N,N'-二(二乙氧基硫代磷酰基)-1,4-苯二胺，并应用元素分析, FTIR及¹H NMR对标题化合物进行了表征. 利用X射线单晶衍射测定了其晶体结构, 同时应用TG分析法对其热性能进行了分析. 标题化合物的相对分子质量M_r＝412.42, 为正交晶系, Pbca空间群, 晶胞参数为a＝0.86936(16) nm, b＝1.2787(2) nm, c＝1.8897(3) nm, β＝90°, V＝2.1006(7) nm³, Z＝8, D_c＝1.304 g/cm³, μ(Mo Kα)＝0.425 mm^－1, F(000)＝872, S＝1.052. 最终偏离因子R＝0.0628, wR＝0.1860, 可观测衍射点1852个[I＞2σ(I)]. 该晶体通过对苯二胺连接并以中心对称分布, 并形成层状结构, 且存在弱的分子内氢键N—H…S. TG分析表明该化合物有很好的热稳定性及成炭性, 通过其阻燃聚丙烯腈表明, 该物质是一种高效能的膨胀型阻燃剂.     

Synthesis of Ultrafine SiC Powders from Carbon-Silica Hybridized Precursors with Carbothermic Reduction

Inorganic-organic hybrid gels were prepared by simultaneous condensation of the liquid mixture of ethyl silicate, ethyl borate and water soluble phenol resin with low molecular weight. The liquid mixtures were changed into lightly colored transparent gels after a catalyst addition and stirring. The obtained gels were crushed, dried and fired in controlled conditions to yield the inorganic precursors. Since the tailored inorganic precursors mainly consisted of SiO2 and carbon, silicon carbide was formed with the heat treatments in an Ar atmosphere beyond 1773 K with carbothermic reduction. The properties and morphology of the formed silicon carbide powders in terms of the starting precursor compositions and the conditions of the carbothermic reduction were investigated with SEM, XRD and TG-DTA analysis.     

Unraveling the mystery of efficacy in Chinese medicine formula: New approaches and technologies for research on pharmacodynamic substances

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is the key to unlock treasures of Chinese civilization. TCM and its compound play a beneficial role in medical activities to cure diseases, especially in major public health events such as novel coronavirus epidemics across the globe. The chemical composition in Chinese medicine formula is complex and diverse, but their effective substances resemble “mystery boxes”. Revealing their active ingredients and their mechanisms of action has become focal point and difficulty of research for herbalists. Although the existing research methods are numerous and constantly updated iteratively, there is remain a lack of prospective reviews. Hence, this paper provides a comprehensive account of existing new approaches and technologies based on previous studies with an in vitro to in vivo perspective. In addition, the bottlenecks of studies on Chinese medicine formula effective substances are also revealed. Especially, we look ahead to new perspectives, technologies and applications for its future development. This work reviews based on new perspectives to open horizons for the future research. Consequently, herbal compounding pharmaceutical substances study should carry on the essence of TCM while pursuing innovations in the field.