Phase transfer of highly monodisperse iron oxide nanocrystals with Pluronic F127 for biomedical applications

Iron oxide nanoparticles made from the thermal decomposition method are highly uniform in all respects (size, shape, composition and crystallography), making them ideal candidates for many bioapplications. The surfactant coating on the as-synthesized nanoparticles renders the nanoparticles insoluble in aqueous solutions. For biological applications nanoparticles must be water soluble. Here we demonstrate the phase transfer of our nanoparticles with the biocompatible copolymer Pluronic F127. Transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering indicate that the nanoparticles are coated discretely. Magnetic measurements show that the nanoparticles remain superparamagnetic with saturation magnetization ∼96% of the maximum theoretical value.     

Basic study of the gelation of dimethacrylate‐type crosslinking agents

An investigation was made of the gelation of dimethacrylate‐type crosslinking agents in view of an application for separation media. The study mainly centered on a crosslinking agent, glycerol dimethacrylate (GDMA), which is relatively hydrophilic because of a hydroxyl group in the middle of its structure. The gelation of GDMA was compared with that of other hydrophobic crosslinking agents such as ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and 1,6‐hexanediol dimethacrylate. The diluents used in the study were toluene, toluene with methanol, and cyclohexanol. The gelation was observed in real time with a charge coupled device camera and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Also, the separated dry gels were extensively characterized with scanning electron microscopy, BET (N₂ absorption and desorption isotherm), and Fourier transform infrared. DLS analysis showed a stronger molecular interaction of GDMA gelation in toluene, whereas this interaction was much weaker in an alcoholic solvent such as toluene with methanol or cyclohexanol. This indicated that GDMA gelation might proceed through hydrogen bonding as well as a crosslinking reaction of vinyl groups. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 949–958, 2006     

Vinyl Polymerization. 436. Effect of Magnetic Field on Uncatalyzed Polymerization

The radical polymerization of vinyl monomers initiated with several kinds of hydrophilic macromolecule was carried out in a magnetic field. The magnetic field promoted the polymerization; the conversion of monomers and the molecular weight of the polymers obtained increased with increasing field strength in the range of 0–0.1 T. The dependence of the composition and tacticity of the mother polymer on the magnitude of the magnetic field was studied. Using graft or block copolymers, which consisted of hard and soft segments, the effect of a magnetic field was further investigated. The degree of hardness and tightness of the hydrophobic areas (reaction areas) formed by the mother polymer in the aqueous solution was found to affect the magnetic field effect on the uncatalyzed polymerization. The overall activation energy obtained in the magnetic field was almost equal to that obtained without a magnetic field.     

Dispersed Structure of Ethanol‐Gasoline Fuel According to Dynamic Light Scattering Method

The dispersed structures of mixtures of five different gasolines with anhydrous ethanol were investigated by the dynamic light scattering (DLS) method. The aim of the work was to find whether these blends are colloid systems. Influence of different parameters was investigated to verify the results of this research. Ethanol‐gasoline blends were found to be colloid systems with the drop size of 20–150 nm.     

Synthesis and Conformation of 3,6‐Connected Cyclohexadiene Chains

3,6‐Connected cyclohexadienes as precursors for polyphenylenes are synthesized and characterized by mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. Pure fractions of trimers, hexamers, and nonamers are collected after separation of the product mixture by recycling GPC. The anticipated formation of rigid linear structures, due to the trans‐configuration of the monomeric units, is supported by density functional theory and experimentally confirmed by dynamic light scattering from dilute solution at low scattering angles. The obtained translational diffusion coefficients are represented by rigid rod‐like or prolate ellipsoid‐like molecular shapes. The measurements of diffusion coefficients reveal a length‐dependent ratio of 1:2:3 between the three oligomers, which directly correlates to the expected length extension from trimer to nonamer.

     

Interaction between sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) investigated with forward and reverse component addition protocols employing tensiometric, conductometric, microcalorimetric, electrokinetic, and DLS techniques

The interaction between polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) after the procedure of addition of the surfactant to polymer and the reverse procedure of addition of polymer to SDS micelles has been studied by tensiometric, conductometric, and microcalorimetric methods. The results have been analyzed and correlated with reference to SDS interfacial adsorption, association, and binding to PVP. Two aggregation states of SDS in presence of PVP have been found. The enthalpies of formation of SDS aggregates/micelles and their binding to the polymer have been evaluated. The interaction of PVP with SDS at concentrations below its critical micellar concentration (CMC) and above have evidenced distinctions. The forward addition protocol (FAP, SDS addition to PVP) and reverse addition protocol (RAP, PVP addition to SDS) have shown similarities and differences. Electrokinetic measurements have evidenced the interacted (SDS–PVP) colloidal products to possess negative zeta potential in the range of −39 to −65 mV. The hydrodynamic diameters of the PVP–SDS dispersion obtained from DLS measurements have ranged between 60 and 160 nm. Both zeta potential and hydrodynamic diameter have depended on [SDS] showing a maximum for the former at twice the critical micellar concentration of SDS.     

高氯酸盐与十六烷基三甲基溴化铵作用的光散射

利用光散射光谱法研究了高氯酸根和阳离子表面活性剂十六烷基三甲基溴化铵(CTAB)的作用。 在酸性条件下,高氯酸根和CTAB通过静电作用形成离子缔合物,导致体系光散射强度增强。 环境水样中的常见阴离子如Cl^-、Br^-、ClO₃^-、NO₃^-和PO₄^3-等与CTAB单独作用时其光散射强度很弱,而当它们与高氯酸根同时存在时,由于协同作用使体系散射强度发生改变。 以Cl^-为例,借助动态光散射测定,初步探讨了体系协同作用的机理。     

阻尼最小二乘法用于激光诱导击穿光谱重叠特征谱线分离提取

近年来,激光诱导击穿广谱技术发展迅速。作为一种用于物质成分探测的新技术,它具有简单、快速、无需复杂样品制备、多种元素同时检测等优点,可实现待测样品物质成分现场、在线的检测,在很多领域都极具应用前景。激光诱导击穿光谱特征谱线的分离拟合提取是光谱特征识别与后续元素浓度定量反演研究的基础。为实现激光诱导击穿光谱重叠特征谱线的有效分离拟合提取,采用阻尼最小二乘法,分析并确定了迭代前的初始拟合参数值,实现了在重叠特征谱线情况下对某火力发电厂粉煤灰中的铬元素特征谱线的分离提取。阻尼最小二乘法基于高斯-牛顿迭代,在迭代步长中引入阻尼因子,在迭代的过程中根据每一步迭代后所反馈的信息动态的调整迭代步长,从而有效防止了迭代的发散,保证了迭代的快速收敛,最终使得元素特征谱线拟合提取的效果更佳、所得到的特征谱线强度值更准确。分别采用阻尼最小二乘法和最小二乘法对不同浓度的样品中铬元素特征谱线进行分离拟合提取并给出特征谱线的强度值,作出特征谱线强度值关于元素浓度的定标曲线并对比两种方法所得结果的线性相关性。结果表明,阻尼最小二乘法所得结果的线性相关性更高,该方法稳定、可靠,适用于激光诱导击穿光谱重叠特征谱线的分离拟合提取。     

Dynamic light scattering – an all-purpose guide for the supramolecular chemist

ABSTRACT

Dynamic light scattering (DLS) is a useful tool for the study of the solution-based behavior of colloids and molecular assemblies. The aim of this methods paper is to provide perspective on how this technique can be used by supramolecular chemists. As this technique is not extensively used within the field, we also provide a historical background of its development, summarize data interpretation and the strengths and limitations of the technique, and provide a perspective on some of the important features for supramolecular chemists that can be found in an instrument.     

Effects of cationic head groups of ionic liquid on micellization in aqueous solution of PEO-PPO-PEO triblock copolymer

The interaction of ionic liquids (ILs) with non-ionic triblock copolymer, Pluronic® P123 in aqueous solutions has been investigated using DLS, surface tension, and viscosity measurements. The addition of ILs increased the Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC) of P123, which appears to be logistic. As the added IL enhances the solubility of PPO moiety (and PEO), which makes them to behave like a more hydrophilic block copolymer that would be micellized at high copolymer concentration. The DLS data is in good agreement to the results observed from surface tension measurements. Viscosity results show the propensity in micellar size reduction upon addition of ILs, and hence, intrinsic viscosity decreases as compared to pure P123 aqueous solution. The results are studied and discussed as a function of cationic head groups of N-octyl-pyridinium/imidazolium chloride based ILs.