Computational investigations on periodic trends in Group 14 chemistry

Describes the use of computer-aided molecular modelling to investigate trends in the chemistry of the Group 14 elements, namely carbon, silicon, germanium, tin and lead. The chemical behaviour of two classes of molecules containing Group 14 elements was related to trends in the fundamental properties of these elements.

Contributions to analytical chemistry

This collection of seventy-five publications represents the authors contribution to spectroscopy, separation science and flow analysis. Of particular note are the fundamental investigations into chemiluminescence and the innovative strategies for its utilisation as a sensitive and selective means of detection for several important and challenging problems in analytical chemistry.

Nude and naked : refiguring voyeuristic structures through feminist photographic techniques

Using theoretical, aesthetic and formal means specific to photographic processes, the relational exegesis and exhibition "Visual pleasures" attempts to disrupt visual structures and notions that have traditionally been used to objectify and idealize the body and, at the same time, open the field of vision to alternative and lived feminine pleasures.

Innovative analytical chemistry for monitoring wine production

This study monitored concentration changes in the major constituents of wine during its production, through the development of new and innovative methodologies for a range of analytical instrumentation. Chemometrics (statistical analysis) was employed to enhance data interpretation, which provided insight into the reactions occurring between the key chemical species present.

Using CAI to teach chemistry in secondary schools in Thailand

Participatory action research is used by six Thai chemistry teachers being supported to become more 'computer literate' and to develop understandings about the effectiveness of ways of using a chemistry CAI package to support student learning. The study demonstrates a gradual change in their ideas and attitudes to the use of computers in teaching.

The Australian journal of education in chemistry

The article traces the history of the "Australian Journal of Education in Chemistry". The journal, which was founded in 1978, is the only refereed periodical that is wholly owned by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI). It is designed to improve the quality of chemistry teaching and learning in Australia. It was initially called "Chemeda: The Newsletter of the Chemical Education Division RACI". Overview of some article published in the journal is presented.

Tailoring the surface chemistry of carbon fiber and E-glass composites for improved adhesion

The main challenges in the manufacture of composite materials are low surface energy and the presence of silicon-containing contaminants, both of which greatly reduce surface adhesive strength. In this study, carbon fiber (CF) and E-glass epoxy resin composites were surface treated with the Accelerated Thermo-molecular adhesion Process (ATmaP). ATmaP is a multiaction surface treatment process where tailored nitrogen and oxygen functionalities are generated on the surface of the sample through the vaporization and atomization of n-methylpyrrolidone solution, injected via specially designed flame-treatment equipment. The treated surfaces of the polymer composites were analyzed using XPS, time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), contact angle (CA) analysis and direct adhesion measurements. ATmaP treatment increased the surface concentration of polar functional groups while reducing surface contamination, resulting in increased adhesion strength. XPS and ToF-SIMS showed a significant decrease in silicon-containing species on the surface after ATmaP treatment. E-glass composite showed higher adhesion strength than CF composite, correlating with higher surface energy, higher concentrations of nitrogen and CO functional groups (from XPS) and higher concentrations of oxygen and nitrogen-containing functional groups (particularly C₂H₃O⁺ and C₂H₅NO⁺ molecular ions, from ToF-SIMS).

pH-detachable polymer brushes formed using titanium−diol coordination chemistry and living radical polymerization (RAFT)

pH-detachable poly(styrene) brushes formed on indium−tin oxide (ITO) glass substrates using metal complex chemistry and reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization was described. These pH-detachable polymeric brushes were generated using both “graft-from” and “graft-to” methodologies. The methodologies involved either the surface self-assembly of catechol-functional RAFT agents (graft-from) or catechol-terminal polymer chains (graft-to) onto the ITO substrate via titanium−diol coordination. The stepwise functionalization of the ITO glass surfaces was characterized successfully using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and contact angle measurement. Poly(styrene) brushes generated using the “graft-from” method were denser than those generated using the “graft-to” method, as exemplified by atom force microscopy (AFM) and quantified using cyclic voltammetry. Poly(styrene) brushes assembled using both methods could be detached easily by manipulating the pH of the brush environment. Cyclic voltammetry was utilized to calculate precisely the surface coverage of the RAFT functionality and polymeric brush density.

Parallel developments in aprotic and protic ionic liquids : physical chemistry and applications

This Account covers research dating from the early 1960s in the field of low-melting molten salts and hydrates,which has recently become popular under the rubric of “ionic liquids”. It covers understanding gained in the principal author’s laboratories (initially in Australia, but mostly in the U.S.A.) from spectroscopic, dynamic, and thermodynamic studies and includes recent applications of this understanding in the fields of energy conversion and biopreservation. Both protic and aprotic varieties of ionic liquids are included, but recent studies have focused on the protic class because of the special applications made possible by the highly variable proton activities available in these liquids.