Influence of interparticle interactions on the kinetics of self-assembly and mechanical strength of nanoparticulate aggregates

Computer simulations based on Discrete Element Method have been performed in order to investigate the influence of interparticle interactions on the kinetics of self-assembly and the mechanical strength of nanoparticle aggregates.Three different systems have been considered.In the first system the interaction between particles has been simulated using the JKR (Johnson,Kendall and Roberts) contact theory,while in the second and third systems the interaction between particles has been simulated using van der Waals and electrostatic forces respectively.In order to compare the mechanical behaviour of the three systems,the magnitude of the maximum attractive force between particles has been kept the same in all cases.However,the relationship between force and separation distance differs from case to case and thus,the range of the interparticle force.The results clearly indicate that as the range of the interparticle force increases,the self-assembly process is faster and the work required to produce the mechanical failure of the assemblies increases by more than one order of magnitude.     

The vibrational spectra, assignments and ab initio/DFT analysis for 3-chloro, 4-chloro and 5-chloro-2-methylphenyl isocyanates

The Raman (3500-50 cm(-1)) and infrared (4000-200 cm(-1)) spectra of 3-chloro, 4-chloro and 5-chloro-2-methylphenyl isocyanates have been measured. Ab initio and density functional theory calculations, at the levels of RHF/6-311G* and B3LYP/6-311G*, have been performed: energies, optimized geometrical parameters, vibrational frequencies, infrared intensities, Raman activities, depolarization ratios and nuclear displacements are obtained. Potential energy distributions (PEDs) and normal modes, for the spectral data computed at B3LYP/6-311G*, have also been obtained from a force-field calculations. A complete vibrational assignments of the observed spectra have been proposed. The force-field calculations have shown that, several of the normal modes are coupled, as is the case with large molecular systems possessing very low or no symmetry, such as investigated in the present study. Further, the investigation of the internal rotation of the isocyanate, NCO, by B3LYP/6-31G* level of theory has shown that the moiety maintains nearly the same orientation in all the three compounds (approximately 140-145 degrees tilt to the para-position) as in phenyl isocyanate. Two conformers, cis and trans forms, with respect to the substituents, NCO and CH(3), have been determined: the cis form lies above trans form by less than a kilocalorie per mole for each compound.     

Response of fly ash-reinforced functionally graded rubber composites subjected to mechanical loading

A novel approach to estimate the Young’s modulus of a functionally graded rubber composite (FGRC) from the damping ratio is demonstrated with the examples of unreinforced and fly ash-reinforced materials. FGRC coupons were prepared using the conventional casting technique. The occurrence of gradation in the specimens was attributed to the variable density of particles present in the fly ash, settling at different depths. The technique of free vibrations was used for experimentation. The damping response of the FGRC specimens was studied. The results obtained from the experiments showed that, with growing filler weight fraction, the Young’s modulus of the composite increased. The empirical model developed to predict the magnitude of the modulus turned out to be in good agreement with experimental data.     

Performance of slotted pores in particle manufacture using rotating membrane emulsification

This paper addresses the use of different slotted pores in rotating membrane emulsification technology.Pores of square and rectangular shapes were studied to understand the effect of aspect ratio (1-3.5) and their orientation on oil droplet formation.Increasing the membrane rotation speed decreased the droplet size,and the oil droplets produced were more uniform using slotted pores as compared to circular geometry.At a given rotation speed,the droplet size was mainly determined by the pore size and the fluid velocity of oil through the pore (pore fluid velocity).The ratio of droplet diameter to the equivalent diameter of the slotted pore increased with the pore fluid velocity.At a given pore fluid velocity and rotation speed,pore orientation significantly influences the droplet formation rate: horizontally disposed pores (with their longer side perpendicular to the membrane axis) generate droplets at double the rate of vertically disposed pores.This work indicates practical benefits in the use of slotted membranes over conventional methods.     

Predicting thermal conductivity of liquid suspensions of nanoparticles (nanofluids) based on rheology

A methodology is proposed for predicting the effective thermal conductivity of dilute suspensions of nanoparticles (nanofluids) based on rheology.The methodology uses the rheological data to infer microstructures of nanoparticles quantitatively,which is then incorporated into the conventional Hamilton-Crosser equation to predict the effective thermal conductivity of nanofluids.The methodology is experimentally validated using four types of nanofluids made of titania nanoparticles and titanate nanotubes dispersed in water and ethylene glycol.And the modified Hamilton-Crosser equation successfully predicted the effective thermal conductivity of the nanofluids.     

Antitumor activity of 4-amino and 8-methyl-4-(3diethylamino propylamino)pyrimido[4',5':4,5]thieno (2,3-b) quinolines

The interaction of 4-aminopyrimido [4',5':4,5] thieno (2,3-b) quinoline and 8-methyl-4-(3-diethylaminopropylamino) pyrimido [4',5':4,5] thieno (2,3-b) quinoline with DNA was studied by UV-Vis and fluorescence spectrophotometry as well as by hydrodynamic methods. On binding to DNA, the absorption spectra underwent bathochromic and hypochromic shifts and the fluorescence was quenched. These compounds are able to bind to DNA with an affinity of about 10(6) M(-1) for calf thymus DNA at ionic strength 0.01 M and their intercalating characteristic (lengthening of the DNA) depends upon the length of the chain. Binding to the GC-rich DNA of Micrococcus lysodeikticus was stronger than the binding to calf thymus DNA at ionic strength 0.01 M. The cytotoxicities of these compounds on leukemia HL-60, melanoma B16F10 and neuro 2a cells are quite similar and inhibition (IC50) is in the range of 0.992-3.968 microM. The anticancer efficacy against B16 melanoma, has provided evidence of major antitumor activity for 8-methyl-4-(3diethylaminopropylamino) pyrimido [4',5':4,5] thieno(2,3-b)quinoline. Single or multiple intraperitonial (i.p) doses of drug proved high level activity against the subcutaneous (s.c) grafted B16 melanoma, significantly increasing survival (p<0.001) and inhibiting tumor growth (T/C of 4%). This study offers a new intercalation functional group to DNA-targeted drug design.     

Nanoporous metal organic framework materials for hydrogen storage

Hydrogen is expected to play an important role in future transportation as a promising alternative clean energy source to carbon-based fuels.One of the key challenges to commercialize hydrogen energy is to develop appropriate onboard hydrogen storage systems,capable of charging and discharging large quantities of hydrogen with fast enough kinetics to meet commercial requirements.Metal organic framework (MOF) is a new type of inorganic and organic hybrid nanoporous particulate materials.Its diverse networks can enhance hydrogen storage through tuning the structure and property of MOFs.The MOF materials so far developed adsorb hydrogen through weak disperston interactions,which allow significant quantity of hydrogen to be stored at cryogenic temperatures with fast kinetics.Novel MOFs are being developed to strengthen the interactions between hydrogen and MOFs in order to store hydrogen under ambient conditions.This review surveys the development of such candidate materials,their performance and future research needs.