Magnetic properties and magneto-birefringence of magnetic fluids

Static magnetic properties of a large variety of magnetic fluids with magnetite particles is studied. A qualitative study of magnetization curves was performed to establish the influence of interactions or the presence of agglomerations in each sample. Improved equations for magneto-granulometric analysis, for ideal ferrofluids, were proposed. Better results for the mean magnetic diameter than in the case of using the known equations were obtained. A quantitative study using several models for ideal and interacting particles was performed to select the best method and dimensional distribution function for magneto-granulometric analysis as well as for accurately determining macroscopic quantities of samples (initial susceptibility, saturation magnetization, particle number density or magnetic volume fraction) and properties of nanoparticles (mean magnetic diameter, thickness of the nonmagnetic layer and particle distribution). A new model for magneto-birefringence was proposed and discussed as well as applied for diluted and concentrated ferrofluids. The Langevin behaviour of samples was investigated and compared with the investigation based on magnetic properties. Nanoparticles parameters like mean “magneto-optical” diameter, effective anisotropy constant, Shliomis diameter and the real part of the electrical permittivity of particles were accurately determined. Received 18 July 1999 and Received in final form 13 January 2000     

Inequalities for Functions with Higher Monotonicities

We consider real functions on [a, b] for which some derivatives have constant sign. For these functions we obtain Popoviciu and Favard-Berwald type inequalities as well as converse Holder inequalities.     

Aqueous sol–gel synthesis and thermoanalytical study of the alkaline earth molybdate precursors

The preparation and characterization of the M′–Mo–O nitrate–tartrate (M′ = Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba) gels, which were produced by the simple aqueous sol–gel method and calcined at 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, and 1,000 °C temperatures are reported. The crystalline alkaline earth metal molybdates (MgMoO₄, CaMoO₄, SrMoO₄, and BaMoO₄) and as-prepared M′–Mo–O nitrate–tartrate gels investigated by thermal analysis (TG/DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). TG/DSC analysis showed the possible decomposition mechanism of synthesized gels. XRD studies allowed the identification of main types of crystalline structures in the MgMoO₄, CaMoO₄, SrMoO₄, and BaMoO₄ systems. Moreover, SEM analysis revealed the changes of surface morphology of the final compounds depending on annealing temperatures.     

Poly(neutral red): Electrosynthesis,Characterization, and Application as a Redox Mediator

The synthesis by electropolymerization, the characterization, and applications of poly(neutral red) (PNR), including as a redox mediator, are reviewed. PNR's high electrical conductivity and its redox characteristics have led to special applications of the polymer, and it has been used for the development of electrochemical and optical sensors. Moreover, the attractive properties of PNR allow it to be applied in the development of electrochemical biosensors. Future perspectives are indicated.     

Kinetic study of the decomposition of Prussian Blue electrocatalytic layer during cathodic reduction of hydrogen peroxide

Kinetic study on the decomposition of Prussian Blue electrocatalytic layer during electrochemical reduction of hydrogen peroxide has been studied in relation to biosensor application of this electrocatalyst. The decomposition has been shown to proceed as a nearly exponential decay process and the corresponding first-order rate coefficients were determined. It has been shown that the decomposition proceeds about 10 times faster in pH 7.3 buffer solution as compared to pH 5.5 buffer. A linear dependence of the decomposition rate on the concentration of hydrogen peroxide has been found.      

Characterisation of poly(neutral red) modified carbon film electrodes; application as a redox mediator for biosensors

The polymer redox mediator, poly(neutral red) (PNR), has been synthesised and characterised electrochemically to investigate the best electropolymerisation and mediation conditions for application in enzyme biosensors and to clarify the mechanism of action. Neutral red was electropolymerised by potential cycling on carbon film electrode substrates by allowing the monomer to be oxidised during the full 20 cycles of polymerisation or reducing the positive limit of the potential window after the first 2 cycles to impede monomer oxidation with a view to obtaining longer polymer chains and a lesser degree of branching. Comparison was made with glassy carbon substrates. The PNR films on carbon film electrodes were characterised using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, as well as in glucose biosensors prepared with PNR. Glucose oxidase enzyme was immobilised by encapsulation in silica sol-gel and compared with that obtained by cross-linking with glutaraldehyde. The biosensors were evaluated by chronoamperometry in 0.1 M phosphate buffer saline solution, pH 7.0, and showed evidence of electron transfer between the enzyme cofactor flavin adenine dinucleotide and PNR dissolved in the enzyme layer competing with PNR-mediated electrochemical degradation of H₂O₂ formed during the enzymatic process. This paper is dedicated to Professor Dr. Algirdas Vaskelis on the occasion of his 70th birthday.     

PEO‐b‐PCL Block Copolymers: Synthesis,Detailed Characterization,and Selected Micellar Drug Encapsulation Behavior

Summary: A series of poly(ethylene glycol)‐block‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) diblock copolymers was synthesized and fully characterized. In particular, MALDI‐TOF MS results revealed interesting new insights into their molecular architecture. Small and defined micelles could be prepared from these block copolymers. Utilizing a high‐throughput screening approach, it was observed that these micelles are able to encapsulate/solubilize different guest molecules (e.g. drugs) depending on the solubility of the guest in water. Furthermore, it could be proven that a guest is located within a micelle and that these micelles can be utilized as transport vehicles for the encapsulated guest molecules.

PEO‐b‐PCL diblock copolymers can encapsulate small guest molecules in the core of the polymeric micelles.     

A new,improved sensor for ascorbate determination at copper hexacyanoferrate modified carbon film electrodes

A new, improved sensor for the electrocatalytic determination of ascorbate has been developed that has both a low applied operating potential and a low detection limit. The sensor was constructed by depositing copper hexacyanoferrate film either electrochemically or chemically onto carbon film electrode, and it was then characterised by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Chemically deposited films were shown to be the best for ascorbate determination and were used as an amperometric sensor at +0.05 V versus SCE to determine ascorbate in wines and juice. The linear range extended to 5 mM with a limit of detection of 2.1 M, the sensor was stable for more than four months, and it could be used continuously for at least 20 days.     

Shape-preserving properties and asymptotic behaviour of the semigroup generated by the Black-Scholes operator

The paper is devoted to a careful analysis of the shape-preserving properties of the strongly continuous semigroup generated by a particular second-order differential operator, with particular emphasis on the preservation of higher order convexity and Lipschitz classes. In addition, the asymptotic behaviour of the semigroup is investigated as well. The operator considered is of interest, since it is a unidimensional Black-Scholes operator so that our results provide qualitative information on the solutions of classical problems in option pricing theory in Mathematical Finance. The paper is dedicated to Professor Luigi Albano on the occasion of his 70th birthday.