Strontium-based initiator system for ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters

An amino isopropoxyl strontium (Sr-PO) initiator, which was prepared by the reaction of propylene oxide with liquid strontium ammoniate solution, was used to carry out the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic esters to obtain aliphatic polyesters, such as poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(L-lactide) (PLLA). The Sr-PO initiator demonstrated an effective initiating activity for the ROP of epsilon-caprolactone (epsilon-CL) and L-lactide (LLA) under mild conditions and adjusted the molecular weight by the ratio of monomer to Sr-PO initiator. Block copolymer PCL-b-PLLA was prepared by sequential polymerization of epsilon-CL and LLA, which was demonstrated by H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR, and gel permeation chromatography. The chemical structure of Sr-PO initiator was confirmed by elemental analysis of Sr and N, H-1 NMR analysis of the end groups in epsilon-CL oligomer, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The end groups of PCL were hydroxyl and isopropoxycarbonyl, and FTIR spectroscopy showed the coordination between Sr-PO initiator and model monomer gamma-butyrolactone. These experimental facts indicated that the ROP of cyclic esters followed a coordination-insertion mechanism, and cyclic esters exclusively inserted into the Sr-O bond.

VUV-UV photoluminescence spectra of strontium orthophosphate doped with rare earth ions

The measurements of VUV-UV photoluminescence emission (PL) and photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra of rare earth ions activated strontium orthophosphate [Sr-3(PO4)(2):RE, RE = Ce, Sm, Eu, Tb] are performed. Whenever the samples are excited by VUV or UV light, the typical emission of Ce-3+,Ce- Sm3+, Eu3+, Eu2+ and Tb3+ ions can be observed in PL spectra, respectively. The charge transfer bands (CTBs) of Sm3+ and Eu3+ are found, respectively, peaking at 206 and 230nm. The absorption bands peaking in the region of 150-160 nm are assigned to the host lattice sensitization bands, i.e., the band-to-band transitions of PO43- grouping in Sr-3(PO4)(2). It is speculated that the first f-d transitions of Sm3+ (Eu3+), and the CTB of Tb3+ are, respectively, located around 165 (14 3) and 167 urn by means of VUV-UV PLE spectra and relational empirical formula, these f-d transitions or CT bands are included in the bands with the maxima at 150-160 nm, respectively. The valence change of europium from trivalent to divalent in strontium orthophosphate prepared in air is observe by VUV-UV PL and PLE spectra.

VUV and Eu-L-3 edge XANES spectra of europium-doped strontium tetraborate prepared in air

VUV-UV and Eu-L-3 edge XANES spectra were measured for europium-doped strontium tetraborate prepared by solid state reaction at high temperature in air. The VUV-UV spectra show that the host absorption band of (SrBO7)-O-4 appears below 170 nm. The charge transfer band of Eu3+ doped in SrB4O7 is peaked at 272 nm. The 4f-5d transitions of Eu2+ consist of a band peaked at 310 nm with a shoulder at 280 nm and also include the bands peaked at 238 (weak) and 203 (strong) nm. The result of XANES spectrum at Eu-L3 edge of the synthesized sample indicates that Eu3+ and Eu2+ coexist in SrB4O7:Eu prepared in air, which is consistent with the results of the VUV-UV spectra.

XAFS at Eu-L-3 edge and UV-VUV excited luminescence of europium doped strontium borophosphate prepared in air

The local structure and the valences of europium in SrBPO5:Eu prepared in air were checked by means of XAFS at Eu-L-3 edge. From the EXAFS results, it was discovered that the doped europium atoms were nine-coordinated by oxygen atoms and the distances of bond Eu-O were 2.42 Angstrom in the host. From the XANES data, it was found that the divalent and trivalent europium coexisted in the matrix. The emission spectra excited by VUV or UV exhibited a prominent broad band due to the 4f(6)5d-4f(7) transition of Eu2+ ions, which indicated that the trivalent europium ions were reduced in air in the matrix at high temperature by the defects [V-Sr]" formed by aliovalent substitution between Sr2+ and Eu3+ ions. The VUV excitation spectra in 100-200 nm range showed that the matrix had absorption bands with the maxima at about 130 and 150 nm, respectively.

Valence change and luminescence of divalent samarium in strontium berates

The valence change of samarium from trivalent to divalent state in strontium berates (SrB6O10) prepared in air was observed. The high resolution spectra of Sm2+ in matrix were studied between 10 K and 300 K. The results showed that three crystallographic sites for Sm2+ were available in the host. Energy transfer among these sites was possible. The vibronic transition of D-5(0) --> F-7(0) of Sm2+ was studied at room temperature and the Huang-Rhys factor S was calculated. Due to the thermal population, D-5(1) --> F-7(0) transition at room temperature was observed.

Luminescence of unusual bismuth in barium berates BaB8O13 : Bi)

The luminescence of unusual divalent bismuth (Bi2+) in BaB8O13 is reported. The emission band with maximum peak at 592 nm corresponds to the P-2(3/2)-->P-2(1/2) transition of Bi2+ in the matrix and the excitation spectrum with two bands peaked at 470 and 580 nm respectively corresponds to two split crystal-field levels of P-2(3/2) state. The small Stokes shift (similar to 350 cm(-1)) reflects the rigid structure of the host for the Bi2+ ions.

The luminescent properties of Sm2+ in strontium tetraborates (SrB4O7 : Sm2+)

The luminescence of Sm2+ in SrB4O7 was studied as a function of temperature from 10 K up to 600 K. According to the high-resolution spectra of Sm2+ in matrix at 10 K, the line numbers of D-5(0)-F-7(J) transitions were 1, 3, 5 for J = 0, 1, 2, respectively. The D-5(1)-F-7(J) (J = 0, 1, 2) transitions were observed at high temperature. The intensities of D-5(0)-F-7(J) transitions increased up to 400 K and then decreased with increase in temperature. 4f(5)d(1)-4f(6) transition of Sm2+ appeared at high temperature. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Luminescent properties of divalent samarium-doped strontium hexaborate

The valence change of samarium from trivalent to divalent in strontium hexaborate (SrB6O10) prepared in air is observed. The temperature dependence of the luminescence and vibronic transitions of Sm2+ are studied. The Sm2+ ions occupy three crystallographic sites. With increasing temperature, the D-5(0)-->F-7(0) transition line exhibits red shifts, and the half-width increases. At room temperature, due to the thermal population through the 4f(5)5d channel, the D-5(1)-->F-7(J) transitions are observed even though the vibrational energy is very close to the energy gap between the D-5(1) and D-5(0) levels in the host. A coupled phonon energy of about 108 cm(-1) is determined from the vibronic transitions of Sm2+ in the host.

Luminescence of uranium-doped strontium tetraborate (SrB4O7)

The luminescence and excitation spectra of uranium doped into strontium berate, SrB4O7:U, are reported. The emission spectrum is similar to the structureless green ''uranate' luminescence. The excitation spectrum is assigned to transitions from oxygen-derived orbitals to uranium 5f and 6d orbitals. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Catalytic mechanisms of triphenyl bismuth, dibutyltin dilaurate, and their combination in polyurethane-forming reaction

The catalytic mechanisms of triphenyl bismuth (TPB), dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTDL) and their combination have been studied in a model polyurethane reaction system consisting of copolyether (tetrahydrofuran-ethyleneoxide) and N-100; NMR spectroscopy was used to detect the associations between reactants and catalysts. A relatively stable complex was shown to be formed between hydroxyl and isocyanate; the catalysts showed different effects on the isocyanate-hydroxyl complex, therefore resulting in different curing characteristics. The formation of hydrogen bonding between the complexed hydroxyl and other hydroxyl or the resulting urethane provided an ''auto-catalysis'' to urethane formation. DBTDL destroyed the isocyanate-hydroxyl complex before catalyzing the reaction through the formation of a ternary complex, whereas TPB was able to activate the isocyanate-hydroxyl complex directly to form urethane. The reaction catalyzed by the combination of TPB and DBTDL gained advantages from the multiple catalytic entities, i.e., TPB, DBTDL, and a TPB-DBTDL complex. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Influence of crystal structure on the luminescence properties of bismuth(III), europium(III) and dysprosium(III) in Y2SiO5

The luminescence properties of Bi3+, EU(3+), Dy3+ and energy transfer from Bi3+ to Dy3+ and EU(3+) have been studied in two modifications of Y2SiO5 (low-temperature X(1) type and high-temperature X(2) type) and discussed in relation to their crystal structures. The Bi3+ ion luminesces in the blue region of the spectrum in X(1)-Y2SiO5 but in the UV region in X(2)-Y2SiO5. Two obviously different luminescent centres have been observed for Bi3+ and Eu3+ ill X(1)-Y2SiO5, but only one has been seen in X(2)-Y2SiO5. The Stokes shift (9200 cm(-1)) for Bi3+ in X(1)-Y2SiO5 is much larger than that (5000 cm(-1)) in X(2)-Y2SiO5. This suggests that the host lattice is more rigid in X(2)-Y2SiO5 than in X(1)-Y2SiO5. As a result, the Bi3+, EU(3+) and Dy3+ ions show higher emission intensity in the former than in the latter type. X(1)-Y2SiO5 is more suitable for Bi3+ --> EU(3+) energy transfer and X(2)-Y2SiO5 is more suitable for Bi3+ --> Dy3+ energy transfer.

Fabrication of Bismuth/Multi-walled Carbon Nanotube Composite Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode for Determination of Cobalt

A bismuth/multi-walled carbon nanotube (Bi/MWNT) composite modified electrode for determination of cobalt by differential pulse adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry is described. The electrode is fabricated by potentiostatic pre-plating bismuth film on an MWNT modified glassy carbon (GC) electrode. The Bi/MWNT composite modified electrode exhibits enhanced sensitivity for cobalt detection as compared with the bare GC, MWNT modified and bismuth film electrodes. Numerous key experimental parameters have been examined for optimum analytical performance of the proposed electrode. With an adsorptive accumulation of the Co(II)-dimethylglyoxime complex at -0.8 V for 200 s, the reduction peak current is proportional to the concentration of cobalt in the range of 4.0x10(-11)-1.0x10(-7) mol/L with a lower detection limit of 8.1x10(-11) mol/L. The proposed method has been applied Successfully to cobalt determination in seawater and lake water samples.

Ionophore Based Bismuth Film Electrode for Lead

A Nafion/ionophore, 4-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-tetrakis(N,N-dimethylthioacetamide) composite coated and bismuth film modified glassy carbon electrode. (GC/NA-IONO/BiFE) was described to determine trace lead sensitively and selectively. The characteristics of such modified GC/NA-IONO/BiFE were studied by scanning electron microscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The influence of various experimental parameters upon the stripping lead signal at the GC/NA-IONO/BiFE was explored. Under the optimized conditions, the differential pulse voltammetric stripping response is highly linear over the 0.1-8.0 nM lead range examined (180s preconcentration at -1.2V), with a detection limit of 0.044nM and good precision (RSD=5.4% at 0.5nM). Also applicability to seawater samples was demonstrated at such modified electrode. The high selectivity of ionophore coupled with the excellent electrochemical characteristics of bismuth endow the GC/NA-IONO/BiFE a promising and robust tool for monitoring of trace lead rapidly and precisely.