Comparative study of PHBV/TBP and PHBV/BPA blends

In order to clarify the effects of phenols on properties of polyesters, the blends of poly[(3-hydroxybutyrate)-co-(3-hydroxyvalerate)] (PHBV) with 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenylpropane (BPA) and p-tert-butylphenol (TBP) were studied. The FTIR spectra revealed that there was strong hydrogen-bond (H-bond) interaction between PHBV and both phenols. By evaluating the fraction of H-bonded C = O in the blend, it was concluded that BPA showed a stronger tendency than TBP to form H-bonds with PHBV. Accordingly, BPA formed a stronger suppression than TBP on the crystallization of PHBV. When 30 wt% BPA or 50 wt% TBP were added into PHBV, the crystallization of PHBV was completely suppressed in the DSC cooling scan. As the phenol content was increased, the T-g of PHBV/TBP blend decreased while the T-g of PHBV/BPA blend increased. This difference indicated that TBP and BPA acted as plasticizer and physical crosslinking agent, respectively.

Comparative study on the photoluminescent properties of siliceous MCM-41 with silica particles and xerogels

The samples of as-synthesized siliceous MCM-41, extracted MCM-41, amorphous silica particles and silica xerogels were heat treated from room temperature to 1000degreesC. Their photoluminescence (PL) spectra at room temperature excited by 254nm and 365nm ultraviolet light (UV) were investigated and compared. Excited by 254nm UV the MCM-41 samples do not display PL but amorphous silica particles and silica xerogels show PL, which changes with the heat treatment conditions for the samples. However, when excited by 365nm UV the PL spectra for the MCM-41 and the amorphous samples are similar. The carbon impurity and E' center mechanisms can be ruled out as the origin of PL in siliceous MCM-41 under UV excitation. The PL of MCM-41 series samples probably originates from oxygen-related defect center like dropSi-O-. according to the present work.

Comparative study on the luminescent properties of Y3Al5O12 : RE3+ (RE : Eu, Dy) phosphors synthesized by three methods

By using metal nitrates and oxides as the starting materials, Y3Al5O12 (YAG) and YAG: RE3+ (RE: Eu, Dy) powder phosphors were prepared by solid state (SS), coprecipitation (CP) and citrate-gel (CG) methods, respectively. The resulting YAG based phosphors were characterized by XRD and photoluminescent excitation and emission spectra as well as lifetimes. The purified crystalline phases of YAG were obtained at 800degreesC (CG) and 900degreesC (CP and SS), respectively. Great differences were observed for the excitation and emission spectra of Eu3+ and Dy3+ between crystalline and amorphous states of YAG, and their emission intensities increased with increasing the annealing temperature. At an identical annealing temperature and doping concentration, the Eu3+ and Dy3+ showed the strongest and weakest emission intensity in CP- and CG-derived YAG phosphors, respectively. The poor emission intensity for CG-derived phosphors is mainly caused by the contamination organic impurities from citric acid in the starting materials. Furthermore, the lifetimes for the samples derived from CG and CP routes are shorter than those derived from the SS route.

Comparative studies on electrochemical behavior and electrocatalytic properties of heteropolyanion-containing multilayer films prepared by two methods

Two modification methods for multilayer formation, i.e. immersion growth and electrochemical growth, were studied comparatively for their influence on the electrochemical behavior and the electrocatalytic properties of the thus-fabricated SiMo11V-containing multilayer films. Electrochemical growth was proven to be a more suitable method than immersion growth in preparing uniform ultrathin multilayer self-assemblies with good functions. We investigated the effects of scan rate and pH on the electrochemical behavior of the monolayer and multilayer films. We also compared the electrocatalytic effects on the reduction of BrO3- and HNO2 by the multilayer films prepared by the two methods. Moreover, the influence of multilayer thickness and the identity of the outermost layer on the electrocatalytic properties were studied. Much higher catalytic currents appeared on the thicker multilayer films than those on the thinner ones. On the other hand, the catalytic currents became smaller when the multilayer films with SiMo11V as the outermost layer were covered with an additional quarternized poly(4-vinylpyridine) layer partially complexed with osmium bis(2,2'-bypyridine) chloride (QPVP-Os layer). These influences were believed to be due to the different quantities of electrocatalyst loaded in the multilayer films and the blocking effect of the QPVP-Os outermost layer. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.

Circular dichroism and resonance Raman comparative studies of wild type cytochrome c and F82H mutant

The UV-visible, circular dichroism (CD), and resonance Raman (RR) spectra of the wild type yeast iso-1-cytochrome c (WT) and its mutant F82H in which phenylalanine-82 (Phe-82) is substituted with His are measured and compared for oxidized and reduced forms. The CD spectra in the intrinsic and Soret spectral region, as well as RR spectra in high, middle, and low frequency regions, are discussed. From the analysis of the spectra, it is determined that in the oxidized F82H the two axial ligands to the heme iron are His-18 and His-82 whereas in the reduced form the sixth ligand switches from His-82 to Met-80 providing the coordination geometry similar to that of WT. Based on the spectroscopic data, the conclusion is that the porphyrin macrocycle is less distorted in the oxidized F82H compared to the oxidized WT. Similar distortions are present in the reduced form of the proteins. Frequency shifts of Raman bands, as well as the decrease of the or-helix content in the CD spectra, indicate more open conformation of the protein around the heme. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

A comparative study on the electroluminescence properties of some terbium beta-diketonate complexes

By comparing the phosphorescence spectra of Gd(acac)(3) (acac=acetylacetone), Gd(TFacac)3 (TFacac=1,1,1-trifluoroacetylacetone), the effects of fluorine replacement of hydrogen on the triplet state energy of the ligands were revealed. Fluorine can lower the triplet state energy of Hacac and make it more suitable for energy transfer towards the D-5(4) state of terbium. Organic electroluminescent devices (OELDs) with the corresponding trivalent terbium complexes as emissive layers were fabricated. Triple-layer-type devices with a structure of glass substrate/ITO (indium tin oxide)/PVK [poly(N-vinylcarbazole)]/PVK : Tb complex: PBD [2-(4-biphenyl)-5-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole]/PBD/Al exhibit bright green luminescence upon applying a dc voltage. The luminance of a device with Tb(TFacac)(3)phen (1,10-phenanthroline) and Tb( TFacac) 3 as emissive layer is higher than that of the corresponding devices with Tb(acac)(3)(phen) and Tb(acac)(3) as emissive layers. The EL device with Tb(TFacac)(3)(phen) as emitter exhibits characteristic emission of Tb3+ ions with a maximum luminance of 58 cd m(-2) at 25 V.

A comparative study of insoluble and soluble polyimide thin films

Physical properties of thin films of soluble and insoluble aromatic polyimides were compared by d.s.c., u.v.-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy, and prism coupler technique. D.s.c. results showed that the thermal properties of insoluble polyimides are superior to those of soluble ones, owing to the specific molecular interactions of insoluble polyimides, revealed by fluorescence spectroscopy. However, the specific molecular interactions sacrifice the transparency in their thin films, shown by u.v.-visible transmission spectra. Negative birefringence of thin films, not only for soluble polimides but also for polyamic acids of insoluble polyimides, was confirmed by prism coupler, while thin films of insoluble polyimides thermally imidized lack high levels of negative birefringence. It is regarded that thin films of insoluble polyimides thermally imidized are likely to be isotropic because of molecular relaxation above their glass transition temperatures (T-g) in the course of thermal imidization, according to Flory's principle. On the contrary, thin films of insoluble poyimide chemically imidized keep the same levels of negative birefringence as those of the relevant polyamic acid thin films. Judging from the opposite cases, it is recognized that molecular relaxation above T-g weakens the optical anisotropy of polyimide thin films. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparative study on the doping effect of 3d elements in Bi(1.5)Pb(0.2)Sr(2)Ca(2)Cu(2.8)M(0.2)O(y) (M=Sc,Ti,V,Cr,Mn,Fe,Co,Ni, or Zn)

With XRD, R-T, and ac chi measurements a comparative study on the doping effects of 3d elements in Bi(1.5)Pb(0.2)Sr(2)Ca(2)Cu(2.8)M(0.2)O(y) (M = Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, or Zn) has been carried out. The effects of the former five members are significantly different, both on phase formed and on T-c, from the latter four. It seems that the effect on phase stabilization correlates with the valency of the doped cation. In connection with the instability of the 2223 phase, the correlation has been discussed.

Comparative study of Nickel-based perovskite-like mixed oxide catalysts for direct decomposition of NO

The mixed oxides LaNiO3, La0.1Sr0.9NiO3, La2NiO4 and LaSrNiO4 were prepared and used as catalysts for the direct decomposition of NO. The catalysts were characterized by means of XRD, XPS, O-2-TPD, NO-TPD and chemical analysis. By comparing the physico-chemical properties and catalytic activity for NO decomposition, a conclusion could be drawn as follows. The direct decomposition of NO over perovskite and related mixed oxide catalysts follows a redox mechanism. The lower valent metal ions Ni2+ and disordered oxygen vacancies seem to be the active sites in the redox process. The oxygen vacancy plays an important role favorable for the adsorption and activation of NO molecules on one hand and on the other hand for increasing the mobility of lattice oxygen which is beneficial to the reproduction of active sites. The presence of oxygen vacancies is one of the indispensable factors to give the mixed oxides a steady activity for NO decomposition.

Comparative study on polyimides from 3,3'- and 4,4'-linked diphthalic anhydride

1,4-Bis(2,3-dicarboxyphenoxy)benzene dianhydride, 1,4-bis (3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)benzene dianhydride, bis(2,3-dicarboxyphenoxy) sulfide dianhydride, bis (3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)sulfide dianhydride, and 2,3,3',4'-tetracarboxy diphenyl sulfide dianhydride were synthesized from 3-chlorophthalic anhydride and 4-chlorophthalic anhydride. Bis(2,3-dicarboxyphenyl)sulfone and bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl) sulfone were obtained by the oxidation of the corresponding bis(dicarboxyphenyl)sulfide by hydrogen peroxide. The polyimides from the dianhydrides mentioned above and 4,4'-oxydianiline were prepared. The properties, such as dynamic mechanical behavior, thermooxidative stability, stress-strain behavior, chemical resistance, and permeability to some gases have been in investigated for the isomeric polyimides. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

COMPARATIVE-STUDIES ON PERIODATOCUPRATE(II, III) AND TELLURATOCUPRATE(II, III)

The crystal structures, electronic spectra, and Cu2p XPS of Cu(III) complexes Na4H[Cu(H2TeO6)(2)]. 17H(2)O and Na4K[Cu(HlO(6))(2)]. 12H(2)O have been described. The characterizations of a Cu(III) atom in a complex are as follows: (i) In a square-planar coordination, the average bond length of Cu-O is 0.183 nm, shorter than the 0.190-0.200 nm found for a Cu(II) complex. (2) The ''blue shift'' occurs for d-d transitions in the electronic spectrum of the Cu(III) complex compared to those of its related Cu(II) complex, resulting from the higher valence state. (3) Cu(III) compounds with CuO4 square-planar coordination are expected to be diamagnetic whereas Cu(II) compounds to be paramagnetic. (4) Comprehensive investigations on Cu2p XPS show that the binding energy of Cu2p(3/2) of a pure Cu(III) compound is about 2.0 eV higher than that of its corresponding Cu(II) compound: the shake-up satellites do not appear in the Cu2p XPS for a pure diamagnetic Cu(III) compound, the same as found for a diamagnetic Ni(II) compound: the FWHM of the signal of Cu2p XPS may become broader for Cu(III) compound because its core hole's lifetime shortens due to the higher valence state of copper. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.

A COMPARATIVE-STUDY ON STM IMAGING AND ELECTROCATALYTIC ACTIVITY OF DIFFERENT SURFACES MODIFIED WITH FLAVIN ADENINE-DINUCLEOTIDE

Flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) was modified onto the highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (hopg) and glassy carbon electrode (gee) surfaces with three methods, respectively. Corresponding image analysis for FAD-modified hopg surfaces has been performed by scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) for the first time. The molecular resolution STM image of FAD adsorbed on the freshly-cleaved hopg was obtained, the quantitative size determination suggests that the FAD molecules adsorb side lying on the substrate surface. The anodization treatment of hopg surface yields many pits, which were clearly observed under STM. These pits provide active sites on the hopg surface for modification and the treated hopg can strongly adsorb FAD molecules, the latter exhibiting an irregular cluster structure on such a surface. When FAD was electrochemically deposited on the substrate surface, a chain structure was successfully observed. The adsorbed FAD on anodized glassy carbon electrode (gee) surface can effectively catalyze the reduction of glucose oxidase, hemoglobin and myoglobin, with a large decrease in the overvoltage, whereas the deposited FAD film exhibits excellent electrocatalysis towards dioxygen reduction.

COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF CA4Y6(SIO4)(6)O-A PHOSPHORS PREPARED BY SOL-GEL AND DRY METHODS (A=PB2+,EU3+, TB3+,DY3+)

Ca4Y6(SiO4)(6)O:A (A = Pb2+, Eu3+, Tb3+, Dy3+) phosphors have been prepared by two methods: the sol-gel method and the conventional dry method. The crystallization processes and the luminescence characteristics of the phosphors were studied, The sol-gel method features low-temperature formation of the phosphor, leading to successful preparation of Pb2+-activated phosphors which could not be prepared by the dry method at high temperature. The (4f)(8-)(4f)(7)(5d)(1) absorption band of Tb3+ and the charge-transfer (CT) band of Eu3+ have higher energies and narrower half-widths in the sol-gel-derived phosphors than in the phosphors prepared by the dry method, respectively. The Tb3+ and Dy3+ ions show stronger emission in the former than in the latter. Both the yellow-to-blue intensity ratio (Y:B) of Dy3+ and the red-to-orange intensity ratio (R:O) of Eu3+ in the sol-gel-derived phosphors are smaller than those for the phosphors derived by the dry method.

COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF KALMAN FILTERING, SYNCHRONOUS EXCITATION AND NUMERICAL DERIVATIVE TECHNIQUES IN FLUOROMETRY

The performance of Kalman filtering, synchronous excitation and numerical derivative techniques for the resolution of overlapping emission spectra in spectrofluorimetry was studied. The extent of spectrum overlap was quantitatively described by the separation degree D(s), defined as the ratio of the peak separation to the full width at half-maximum of the emission spectrum of the interferent. For the system of Rhodamine B and Rhodamine 6G with a large D(s) of about 0.4, both Kalman filtering and synchronous techniques are able to resolve the overlapping spectra well and to give satisfactory results while the derivative spectra are still overlapped with each other. Moreover, the sensitivities are greatly decreased in derivative techniques. For more closely spaced spectra emitted by the complexes of Al and Zn with 7-iodo-8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulphonic acid (Ferron)-hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, the synchronous excitation technique cannot completely separate the overlapping peaks, although it increases the separation degree from 0.25 in the conventional spectra to 0.37 in the synchronous spectra. On the other hand, Kalman filtering is capable of resolving this system. When the Al/Zn intensity ratio at the central wavelength of Al was > 1, however, the accuracy and precision of the estimates for Zn concentration produced by the Kalman filter became worse. In this event, the combination of synchronous excitation and Kalman filtering can much improve the analytical results.