Selective synthesis of hexagonal and monoclinic LaPO4:Eu3+ nanorods by a hydrothermal method

The hexagonal and monoclinic LaPO4:Eu3+ nanorods can be selectively synthesized through a simple hydrothermal method by only adjusting the reaction temperature. Hexagonal and monoclinic LaPO4:Eu3+ nanorods can be prepared at 120 and 180 degrees C, respectively. The phase conversion of LaPO4:Eu3+ under different temperatures is investigated in detail. Moreover, the influence of the temperature on the intensity and the shift of the peaks of the excitation and emission spectra is discussed, and the decay lifetime of the Eu3+ ions of the sample obtained at different temperature also have been investigated in this paper.

Novel Method for Preparation of Polypropylene Blends with High Melt Strength by Reactive Compounding

Ultrafine full-vulcanized polybutadiene rubber(UFBR) with particle sizes of ca. 50-100 nm were used for modifying mechanical and processing performances of polypropylene(PP) with PP-g-maleic anhydride(PP-g-MA) as a compatibilizer for enhancing the interfacial adhesion between the two components. The morphology, dynamical rheology response and mechanical properties of the blends were characterized by means of SEM, rheometer and tensile test, respectively.

A method for quantitative analysis of nitrogen oxides and N2 by means of mass spectrometry with the assistance of a catalytic technique for the reduction of NO with CO or hydrocarbons

Mass spectrometry is not able to differentiate NOx and N2 from other interferences (e.g. CO and C2H4) in the deNOx reactions. In the present study, a quantitative method for analysis of NOx and N2 simultaneously in these reactions with an assisted converter operated at higher temperature under O2-rich condition, which eliminates the interferences, is developed. The NOx conversion from this method is comparable to the one from an Automotive Emission Analyser equipped with NOx electrochemical sensor. Two types of deNOx reactions are tested in terms of selectivity of N2 production. The application of this method is discussed.

Facile synthesis of highly uniform octahedral LuVO4 microcrystals by a facile chemical conversion method

Uniform octahedral LuVO4 microcrystals have been successfully prepared through a designed two-step hydrothermal method. One-dimensional lutetium precursor was first prepared through a simple hydrothermal route. Subsequently, a well-shaped octahedral LuVO4 sample was synthesized at the expense of the wirelike precursors during the hydrothermal process. The whole process in this method was carried out in aqueous conditions without the use of any organic solvents, surfactant, or catalyst. The conversion process from nanowire precursor to octahedral product has been investigated in detail. The LuVO4 : Ln(3+) (Ln Eu, Dy, Sm, and Er) phosphors show strong light emissions with different colors coming from different activator ions under ultraviolet light excitation or low-voltage electron beam excitation. Furthermore, this general and facile method may be of much significance in the synthesis of many other lanthanide compounds with polyhedral morphology.

General and Facile Method To Prepare Uniform Y2O3:Eu Hollow Microspheres

Well-shaped Y2O3:Eu hollow microspheres have been successfully prepared on a large scale via a urea-based homogeneous precipitation technique in the presence of colloidal carbon spheres as hard templates followed by a subsequent heat treatment process. XRD results demonstrate that all the diffraction peaks of the samples can be well indexed to the pure cubic phase Of Y2O3. TEM and SEM images indicate that the shell of the uniform hollow spheres, whose diameters are about 250 nm, is composed of many uniform nanoparticles with diameters of about 20 nm, basically consistent with the estimation of XRD results. Furthermore, the main process in this method was carried out in aqueous condition, without the use of organic solvents or etching agents. The as-prepared hollow Y2O3:Eu microspheres show a strong red emission corresponding to the D-5(0)-F-7(2) transition of the Eu3+ ions under ultraviolet or low voltage excitation, which might find potential applications in fields such as light phosphor powders, advanced flat panel displays, field emission display devices, and biological labeling.

Small-Molecule Selectively Recognizes Human Telomeric G-Quadruplex DNA and Regulates Its Conformational Switch

Structural complexity is an inherent feature of the human telomeric sequence, and it presents a major challenge for developing ligands of pharmaceutical interest. Recent studies have pointed out that the induction of a quadruplex or change of a quadruplex conformation on binding may be the most powerful method to exert the desired biological effect. In this study, we demonstrate a quadruplex ligand that binds selectively to different forms of the human telomeric G-quadruplex structure and regulates its conformational switch. The results show that not only can oxazine750 selectively induce parallel quadruplex formation from a random coil telomeric oligonucleotide, in the absence of added cations, it also can easily surpass the energy barrier between two structures and change the G-quadruplex conformation in Na+ or K+ solution. The combination of its unique properties, including the size and shape of the G-quadruplex and the small molecule, is proposed as the predominant force for regulating the special structural formation and transitions.

Aptamer-based label-free method for hemin recognition and DNA assay by capillary electrophoresis with chemiluminescence detection

An aptamer-based label-free approach to hemin recognition and DNA assay using capillary electrophoresis with chemiluminescence detection is introduced here. Two guanine-rich DNA aptamers were used as the recognition element and target DNA, respectively. In the presence of potassium ions, the two aptamers folded into the G-quartet structures, binding hemin with high specificity and affinity. Based on the G-quartet-hemin interactions, the ligand molecule was specifically recognized with a K (d)approximate to 73 nM, and the target DNA could be detected at 0.1 mu M. In phosphate buffer of pH 11.0, hemin catalyzed the H2O2-mediated oxidation of luminol to generate strong chemiluminescence signal; thus the target molecule itself served as an indicator for the molecule-aptamer interaction, which made the labeling and/or modification of aptamers or target molecules unnecessary. This label-free method for molecular recognition and DNA detection is therefore simple, easy, and effective.

Preparation of Pt/C catalyst with a new and simple organic sol method

It is reported for the first time that the Pt/C catalyst can be prepared with a new and simple organic sol method using SnCl2 as the reductant. It was found that the average size of the Pt particles in the Pt/C catalysts could be controlled with controlling the preparation conditions. The effect of the average sizes of the Pt particles in the Pt/C catalysts obtained with this method on the electrocatalytical activity of the oxidation of methanol was investigated.

Separation of thorium(IV) and extracting rare earths from sulfuric and phosphoric acid solutions by solvent extraction method

The bastnasite of Baotou (China) was roasted in concentrated sulfuric acid at 250-300 degreesC and the calcined products were leached by water. Almost all rare earths (RE) were moved into solutions in trivalent along with some radioactive impurity thorium(IV) (Th(IV))which accounts for 0.4% of RE and other impurities such as Fe(III), Ca, F, P, etc. Through fractional extraction (seven stages for extraction and nine for scrubbing), the mass ratio of Th(IV) and RE (ThO2/REO) in solution has decreased to 5 x 10(-6). The purity of ThO2 product recovered from organic phase is above 99%. The iron(III) in solutions can be removed in the form of precipitation by adding some magnesia into the solutions. Then RE can be concentrated by solvent extraction with 2-ethylhexyl phosphinic acid 2-ethylhexylester (P-507). The results of fractional extraction show that the concentration of total RE in aqueous solutions stripped by hydrochloric acid is over 200 g REO/I with the yield of RE above 99%. Individual RE can be attained by solvent extraction with P507 in the following process.

Kinetics study on melt grafting copolymerization of LLDPE with acid monomers using reactive extrusion method

Graft copolymerization in the molten state is of fundamental importance as a probe of chemical modification and reactive compatibilization. However, few grafting kinetics studies on reactive extrusion were carried out for the difficulties as expected. In this work, the macromolecular peroxide-induced grafting of acrylic acid and methyl methacrylate onto linear low density polyethylene by reactive extrusion was chosen as the model system for the kinetics study; the samples were taken out from the barrel at five ports along screw axis and analyzed by FTIR, H-1 NMR, and ESR. For the first time, the time-evolution of reaction rate, the reaction order, and the activation energy of graft copolymerization and homopolymerization in the twin screw extruder were directly obtained. On the basis of these results, the general reaction mechanism was tentatively proposed. It was demonstrated that an amount of chain propagation free radicals could keep alive for several minutes even the peroxides completely decomposed and the addition of monomer to polymeric radicals was the rate-controlled step for the graft copolymerization.

A novel preparation method of maleic anhydride grafted syndiotactic polystyrene and its blend performance with nylon6

This work is intended to provide a method for the preparation of maleic anhydride grafted syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS-g-MA). In particular, a novel solid reaction method by a radical grafting approach is investigated. The grafting reaction is performed at a solid state, where the syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) is swollen in solvent at relatively low temperature compared to the conventional melt modification method. The formation of sPS-g-MA is directly confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and by the morphology observation of sPS/polyamide-6 (Nylon6) blends, when sPS-g-MA is used as a reactive compatibilizer.

Morphology and thermal and mechanical properties of PBT/HIPS and PBT/HIPS-g-GMA blends

The modification of high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) was accomplished by melt-grafting glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) on its molecular chains. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis were used to characterize the formation of HIPS-g-GMA copolymers. The content of GMA in HIPS-g-GMA copolymer was determined by using the titration method. The effect of the concentrations of GMA and dicumyl peroxide on the degree of grafting was studied. A total of 1.9% of GMA can be grafted on HIPS. HIPS-g-GNU was used to prepare binary blends with poly(buthylene terephthalate) (PBT), and the evidence of reactions between the grafting copolymer and PBT in the blends was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic mechanical analysis, and its mechanical properties. The SEM result showed that the domain size in PBT/HIPS-g-GMA blends was reduced significantly compared with that in PBT/HIPS blends; moreover, the improved strength was measured in PBT/HIPS-g-GMA blends and results from good interfacial adhesion. The reaction between ester groups of PBT and epoxy groups of HIPS-g-GMA can depress crystallinity and the crystal perfection of PBT.

Effect of the compatibilization of linear low-density polyethylene-g-acrylic acid on the morphology and mechanical properties of poly(butylene terephthalate)/linear low-density polyethylene blends

A poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT)/linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) alloy was prepared with a reactive extrusion method, For improved compatibility of the blending system, LLDPE grafted with acrylic acid (LLDPE-g-AA) by radiation was adopted in place of plain LLDPE. The toughness and extensibility of the PBT/LLDPE-g-AA blends, as characterized by the impact strengths and elongations at break, were much improved in comparison with the toughness and extensibility of the PBT/LLDPE blends at the same compositions. However, there was not much difference in their tensile (or flexural) strengths and moduli. Scanning electron microscopy photographs showed that the domains of PBT/LLDPE-g-AA were much smaller and their dispersions were more homogeneous than the domains and dispersions of the PBT/ T,T PE blends. Compared with the related values of the PBT/LLDPE blends, the contents and melting temperatures of the usual spherulites of PBT in PBT/LLDPE-g-AA decreased.

Morphology, thermal behavior, and mechanical properties of PA6/UHMWPE blends with HDPE-g-MAH as a compatibilizing agent

A functionalized high-density polyethylene (HDPE) with maleic anhydride (MAH) was prepared using a reactive extruding method. This copolymer was used as a compatibilizer of blends of polyamide 6 (PA6) and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). Morphologies were examined by a scanning electron microscope. It was found that the dimension of UHMWPE and HDPE domains in the PA6 matrix decreased dramatically, compared with that of the uncompatibilized blending system. The size of the UHMWPE domains was reduced from 35 mu m (PA6/UHMWPE, 80/20) to less than 4 mu m (PA6/UHMWPE/HDPE-g-MAH, 80/20/20). The tensile strength and Izod impact strength of PA6/UHMWPE/HDPE-g-MAH (80/20/20) were 1.5 and 1.6 times as high as those of PA6/UHMWPE: (80/20), respectively. This behavior could be attributed to chemical reactions between the anhydride groups of HDPE-g-MAH and the terminal amino groups of PA6 in PA6/UHMWPE/HDPE-g-MAH blends. Thermal analysis was performed to confirm that the above chemical reactions took place during the blending process. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.