Preparation and characterization of phenoxy resin/poly(4-vinylpyridine) interpolymer complexes

The compositions and structures of interpolymer complexes formed by mixing phenoxy resin (PHEB) and poly (4-vinylpyridine) (P4VPy) in chloroform have been studied by means of elemental analysis, DSC, FTIR, UV and XPS, In the meantime, the corresponding blends prepared have been characterized and compared. The results show that compositions of the complexes were identical with the ratio of equimolar interactive units. All blends were miscible and their compositions were related to the feed ratios. Based on the experimental results, process of formation of the complex is depicted.

Cure processing modeling and cure cycle simulation of epoxy-terminated poly(phenylene ether ketone) .1. DSC characterization of curing reaction

The curing reaction process of epoxy-terminated poly(phenylene ether ketone) (E-PEK) with 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS) and hexahydrophthalic acid anhydride (Nadic) as curing agents was investigated using isothermal differential scanning calorimetry (IDSC) and nonisothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DDSC) techniques. It was found that the curing reactions of E-PEK/DDS and E-PEK/Nadic are nth-order reactions but not autoaccelerating. The experimental results revealed that the curing reaction kinetics parameters measured from IDSC and DDSC are not equivalent. This means that, in the curing reaction kinetics model for our E-PEK system, both isothermal and nonisothermal reaction kinetics parameters are needed to describe isothermal and nonisothermal curing processes, The isothermal and nonisothermal curing processes were successfully simulated using this model. A new extrapolation method was suggested. On the basis of this method the maximum extent of the curing reaction (A(ult)) that is able to reach a certain temperature can be predicted. The A(ult) for the E-PEK system estimated by the new method agrees well with the results obtained from another procedure reported in the literature. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Direct deposition and characterization of Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers of soluble polyimides

Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) monolayers of three kinds of soluble polyimides were prepared with the direct deposition method, The monolayer structures were characterized with W-vis absorption spectroscopy, the wide angle X-ray scattering method and electrochemical techniques. The polyimide molecules in the LB monolayers lie orderly on the substrate surfaces with the orientation in which the dianhydride group is normal to the substrate surface and two carbonyl oxygen groups close to the surface. Therefore, the thickness of the three kinds of polyimide LB monolayers are the same because it depends on the distance between the two carbonyl oxygen groups in the same ring. The area of monomeric units are dependent on the length of the diamine group. The model of the molecular packing proposed from the quantomechanical calculation is in good agreement with the experimental results. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.

Studies on preparation of iron phenanthroline and 8-hydroxyquinoline complexes/Y zeolite, characterization and catalytic hydroxylation of phenol

Iron phenanthroline - and 8 - hydroxyquinoline complexes /Y zeolite, denoted a FePhen/Y and FeOx/Y respectively, were prepared; The formation of the metal complexes mentioned above within the cages of Y zeolite and their crystal structures were determined by elemental analyses, diffuse reflectance UV-Vis,SEM,BET,and XRD methods; The influence of experimental parameters upon phenol conversion and product selectivities were investigated as well.

Synthesis and characterization of acetacetic derivatives of flullerene

Acetacetic derivatives of fullerene were obtained by the reaction of C-60 with acetacetic ester, after separation with silica gel column chromatography, in good yields. Fullerenols with 13-15 hydroxyl groups were-isolated as the by-products of this reaction. Detailed experimental conditions and the structural characterizations of these new compounds were discussed.

Studies on preparation, characterization of cobalt(II) phenanthroline and 8-hydroxyquinoline complexes/Y zeolite, and catalytic hydroxylation of phenol

Cobalt(II) phenanthroline and 8-hydroxyquinoline complexes/Y zeolite, denoted as CoPhen/Y and CoOx/Y respectively, were prepared, The formation of the metal complexes mentioned above within the cages of Y zeolite and their crystal structures were determined by elementary analyses, TG-DTA, diffuse reflectance UV-Vis, SEM, BET and XRD methods. The influence of experimental parameters upon phenol conversion and product selectivities was investigated as well.

STUDIES ON PREPARATION OF IRON, COBALT AND COPPER PHTHALOCYANINES Y ZEOLITE - CHARACTERIZATION AND THEIR CATALYSIS FOR HYDROXYLATION OF PHENOL

Iron, cobalt and copper phthalocyanines/Y zeolite, denoted as FePcY, CoPcY and CuPcY respectively,were prepared. The formation of metal phthalocyanine compounds within the cages of Y zeolite and their crystal structures were determined by elementary analyses, IR, UV-Vis, TG, BET, and XRD methods; The influence of experimental parameters upon phenol conversion and product selectivities was investigated as well.

PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A MULTICYLINDER MICROELECTRODE COUPLED WITH A CONVENTIONAL GLASSY-CARBON ELECTRODE AND ITS APPLICATION TO THE DETECTION OF DOPAMINE

A multi-cylinder microelectrode coupled with a conventional glassy carbon disc electrode (MCM/GC) was prepared and characterized using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. It was demonstrated that in the same way as one observed a steady-state current at closely spaced microelectrodes when redox recycling takes place, the same effect can be obtained with the MCM/GC device. The experimental results obtained with K3Fe(CN)6 solutions were compared with a previously developed theory. Further, it was demonstrated that with a carbon fibre MCM/GC device, the voltammetric behaviour of dopamine is greatly improved by virtue of redox recycling, hence giving high sensitivity. The steady-state collection current was linearly related to dopamine concentration in the range 1 X 10(-4) to 5 x 10(-7) Mol l-1, and the detection limit was 2 x 10(-7) mol l-1. The influence of coexisting ascorbic acid was also investigated. This device was applied successfully in the determination of dopamine hydrochloride in pharmaceutical preparations.

SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF HETEROPOLY BLUES OF BIS-2/17 MOLYBDOPHOSPHATE COMPLEXES WITH LANTHANIDE

Eight heteropoly blues of bis-2:17 molybdophosphate complexes with Lathanide, i.e., K17H2[Ln(P2Mo17O61)2] . nH2O and K17H4[Ln(P2Mo17O61)2] . nH2O were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses potentiometric titration, IR, UV, polarography, cyclic voltammetry, X-ray photoelectron spectra X-ray powder diffraction, thermal analyses and ESR. Experimental results show that the properties of these series of heteropoly blues are different from those of their oxidized form, but no great changes in their structures were observed. The ligand P2Mo17O6110- remains alpha2-isomer's configuration.

Molecular characterization and mRNA transcript profile of vitellogenin in Chinese shrimp, Fenneropenaeus chinensis

A full-length cDNA encoding vitellogenin (Vg) was cloned from Chinese shrimp, Fenneropenaeus chinensis using RACE method. The full-length cDNA consist of 7,942 nucleotides including a 7,761 bp open reading frame, which encodes 2,587 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequence showed high (from 94% to 37%) identity with other known crustacean Vgs. In addition, a consensus cleavage site (R-X-K/R-R) recognized by an endopeptidase and a member of subtilisin family of serine protease were identified in the deduced Vg precursor. RT-PCR analysis shown that Vg mRNA can be detected in both ovary and hepatopancreas of vitellogenic females but not in other experimental tissues including muscle, heart, lymph organ, gill, haemocytes and intestine. These results suggest that the Vg gene may be expressed exclusively in mature females, and both ovary and hepatopancreas are the possible tissues for Vg synthesis in F. chinensis. In addition, Vg gene is detected in genomic DNA of both females and males.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a serine proteinase homolog prophenoloxidase-activating factor in the swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus

Serine proteinase homologues (SPHs), as one of prophenoloxiase-activating factors (PPAFs), play critical roles in innate immunity of crabs. Based on an EST from the eyestalk full length cDNA library, the complete cDNA (designated as PtSPH) and genomic DNA of SPH from the swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus were cloned in this study. The estimated molecular weight of mature PtSPH (354 amino acids) was 38.7 kDa and its isoelectric point was 5.08. Multiple sequence alignment revealed that PtSPH lacked a catalytic residue with a substitution of Ser in the active site triad to Gly. Phylogenetic analysis indicated PtSPH together with PPAFs of Callinectes sapidus (AAS60227), Eriocheir sinensis (ACU65942), Penaeus monodon (ABE03741, ACP19563) and Pacifastacus leniusculus (ACB41380), formed a distinct cluster which only included clip-SPHs. As the first analyzed genomic structure of PPAFs in crustaceans, two introns were found in the open reading frame region of this gene. The mRNA transcripts of PtSPH could be detected in all the examined tissues, and were higher expressed in the eyestalk than that in gill, hepatopancreas, haemocytes and muscle. Accompanied with the change in phenoloxidase (PO) activity and total haemocyte counts, the temporal expression of PtSPH gene in haemocytes after Vibrio alginolyticus challenge demonstrated a clear time-dependent expression pattern with two peaks within the experimental period of 32 h. These findings suggest that PtSPH is involved in the antibacterial defense mechanism of Portunus tritubercualtus crab. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Molecular characterization of an ecdysone inducible gene E75 of Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis and elucidation of its role in molting by RNA interference

Ecdysone inducible gene. E75 is a primary target of ecdysone receptor (EcR). and is found to play a critical role in the molting process of arthropods In this study, a cDNA encoding the E75 of Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis (FcE75) was cloned using RT-PCR and RACE techniques FcE75 cDNA was 3611 bp in length with an ORF of 2394 bp. The deduced amino acid sequence of FcE75 had the highest sequence identity to E75 from a land crab Gecarcinus lateral's and E75 of the shrimp Metapenaeus crisis Quantitative real-time PCR revealed a prominently high expression of FcE75 mRNA in the whole body RNA extract of late premolt period (D3) juvenile shrimp. The role of E75 in the process of shrimp molting was investigated using the RNA interference technique Long double-stranded RNA corresponding to the FcE75 (dsE75) efficiently silenced the FcE75 transcript levels in juvenile F. chinensis. Further, injection with dsE75 completely arrested the molting process in experimental shrimp which eventually caused death Setogenic analysis of the uropods from molt-arrested shrimp, showed defective epidermal retraction, poor development of setae and new cuticle. These results indicate that E75 might be related to the molting process and is essential for proper molting and survival of shrimp This is the first report demonstrating the use of double stranded RNA to elucidate the possible role of E75 in the molting of decapod crustaceans (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc All rights reserved

Studies on two coordination polymers [M(mu(4)-pz25dc)](n) (M = Cd or Zn, pz25dc=pyrazine-2,5-dicarboxylato) with three-dimensional pillared-layer three-nodal framework: Synthesis, structural characterization, strong optical non-linearities and optical limiting properties

Two isomorphous new candidates [M(mu(4)-pz25dc)](n) (M = Cd, 1; Zn, 2; pz25dc = pyrazine-2,5-dicarboxylato)for nonlinear optical (NLO) materials have been synthesized hydrothermally and characterized crystallographically as pillared-layer three-nodal frameworks with one four-connected metal nodes and two crystallographically different four-connected ligand nodes. Their optical non-linearities are measured by the Z-Scan technique with an 8 ns pulsed laser at 532 nm. These two coordination polymers both exhibit strong NLO absorptive abilities [alpha(2) = (63 +/- 6) x 10 (12) mW (1) 1, ( 46 +/- 6) x 10 (11) mW (1) 2] and effective self-focusing performance [n(2) = (67 +/- 5) x 10 (18) 1, (13 +/- 3) x 10 (18) m(2) W (1) 2] in 1.02 x 10 (4) 1 and 1.05 x 10 (4) mol dm (3) 2 DMF solution separately. The values of the limiting threshold are also measured from the optical limiting experimental data. The heavy atom effect plays important role in the enhancement of optical non-linearities and optical limiting properties. (C) 2009 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.

Low-temperature molten salt synthesis and characterization of CoWO4 nano-particles

CoWO4 nano-particles were successfully synthesized at a low temperature of 270 degrees C by a molten salt method, and effects of such processing parameters as holding time and salt quantity on the crystallization and development Of CoWO4 crystallites were initially studied. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM). and photoluminescent spectra techniques (PL), respectively. Experimental results showed that the well-crystallized CoWO4 nano-particles with ca. 45 nm in diameter could be obtained at 270 degrees C for a holding time of 8 h with 6:1 mass ratio of the salt to CoWO4 precursor, and XRD analysis evidenced that the as-prepared sample was a pure monoclinic phase Of CoWO4 with wolframite structure. Their PL spectra revealed that the CoWO4 nano-particles displayed a very strong PL peak at 453 nm with the excitation wavelength of 230 nm, and PL properties of CoWO4 crystallites relied on their crystalline state, especially on their particle size. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.