Ionic liquid-based "all-in-one" synthesis and photoluminescence properties of lanthanide fluorides

A facile route to the synthesis of LnF(3) nanocrystals has been accomplished in three ionic liquids (ILs) (OmimPF(6), OmimBF(4), and BmimPF(6)). The partial hydrolysis of PF6- and BF4- was utilized to introduce a new fluoride source. Uniform LnF(3) (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Er), Tb3+-doped CeF3, and Eu3+-doped LaF3 nanocrystals could be obtained in a large scale, and the products were up to 0.15 g per 10 mL solvents. In the "all-in-one" systems, the ILs acted as solvents, reaction agents, and templates.

Ionic liquid-based "all-in-one" synthesis and photoluminescence properties of lanthanide fluorides

A facile route to the synthesis of LnF(3) nanocrystals has been accomplished in three ionic liquids (ILs) (OmimPF(6), OmimBF(4), and BmimPF(6)). The partial hydrolysis of PF6- and BF4- was utilized to introduce a new fluoride source. Uniform LnF(3) (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Er), Tb3+-doped CeF3, and Eu3+-doped LaF3 nanocrystals could be obtained in a large scale, and the products were up to 0.15 g per 10 mL solvents. In the "all-in-one" systems, the ILs acted as solvents, reaction agents, and templates.

Trends in elasticity and electronic structure of 5d transition metal diborides: first-principles calculations

We investigate the cohesive energy, heat of formation, elastic constant and electronic band structure of transition metal diborides TMB2 (TM = Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os and Ir, Pt) in the Pmmn space group using the ab initio pseudopotential total energy method. Our calculations indicate that there is a relationship between elastic constant and valence electron concentration (VEC): the bulk modulus and shear modulus achieve their maximum when the VEC is in the range of 6.8-7.2. In addition, trends in the elastic constant are well explained in terms of electronic band structure analysis, e.g., occupation of valence electrons in states near the Fermi level, which determines the cohesive energy and elastic properties. The maximum in bulk modulus and shear modulus is attributed to the nearly complete filling of TM d-B p bonding states without filling the antibonding states. On the basis of the observed relationship, we predict that alloying W and Re in the orthorhombic structure OsB2 might be harder than alloying the Ir element. Indeed, the further calculations confirmed this expectation.

Effect of crystallization on the lamellar orientation in thin films of symmetric poly(styrene)-b-poly(L-lactide) diblock copolymer

The effect of crystallization on the lamellar orientation of poly( styrene)-b-poly(L-lactide) (PS-PLLA) semicrystalline diblock copolymer in thin films has been investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electronic microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In the melt state, microphase separation leads to a symmetric wetting structure with PLLA blocks located at both polymer/substrate and polymer/air interfaces. The lamellar period is equal to the long period L in bulk determined by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Symmetric wetting structure formed in the melt state provides a model structure to study the crystallization of PLLA monolayer tethered on glassy (T-c < T-g,T-PS) or rubber (T-c > T-g,T-PS) PS substrate. In both cases, it is found that the crystallization of PLLA results in a "sandwich" structure with amorphous PS layer located at both folding surfaces. For T-c <= T-g,T- PS, the crystallization induces a transition of the lamellar orientation from parallel to perpendicular to substrate in between and front of the crystals. In addition, the depletion of materials around the crystals leads to the formation of holes of 1/2 L, leaving the adsorbed monolayer exposure at the bottom of the holes.

Compatibilization of PP/EPDM blends by grafting acrylic acid to polypropylene and epoxidizing the diene in EPDM

In this article, ethylene-propylene-diene-rubber (EPDM) was epoxidized with an in situ formed performic acid to prepare epoxided EPDM (eEPDM). The eEPDM together with the introduction of PP-g-AA was used to compatibilize PP/EPDM blends in a Haake mixer. FTIR results showed that the EPDM had been epoxidized. The reaction between epoxy groups in the eEPDM and carboxylic acid groups in PP-g-AA had taken place, and PP-g-EPDM copolymers were formed in situ. Torque test results showed that the actual temperature and torque values for the compatibilized blends were higher than that of the uncompatibilized blends. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation showed that the dispersed phase domain size of compatibilized blends and the uncompatibilized blends were 0.5 and 1.5 mu m, respectively. The eEPDM together with the introduction of PP-g-AA could compatibilize PP/EPDM blends effectively. Notched Izod impact tests showed that the formation of PP-g-EPDM copolymer improved the impact strength and yielded a tougher PP blend.

Aromatic poly(ester imide)s and poly(amide imide)s having 1,1 '-binaphthyl-2,2 '-diyls in the main chain

Full Paper: Two new 1,1'-binaphthyl-2,2'-diyl-based dianhydrides, i.e., 2,2'-bis(3,4-dicarboxybenzamido)-1,1'-binaphthyl dianhydride (BNDADA) and 2,2'-bis(3,4-dicarboxybenzoyloxy)-1,1'-binaphthyl dianhydride (BNDEDA), were synthesized and polymerized with various aromatic diamines to afford polyimides through the traditional two-step method. The polyimides with inherent viscosities ranging from 0.27 to 0.70 dl . g(-1) showed excellent solubilities in polar solvents such as DMAc, DMSO and NMP etc., except of the poly(ester imide) prepared from BNDEDA and benzidine. Poly(ester imide)s based on BNDEDA can also be readily dissolved in weakly polar solvents such as THF, CH2Cl2 and CHCl3. The glass transition temperatures of these polyimides are in the range of 210-310 degrees C; the 5% weight loss temperatures are in the range of 390-465 degrees C in nitrogen and 384-447 degrees c in air. These polymers from light yellow, tough films that were transparent above 365 nm. The effects of different flexible units attached in the 2- and 2'-positions, i.e., amide, ester and ether, on the properties of the polyimides obtained are discussed.

Morphologies and physical properties of PA1010/HIPS/HIPS-g-MA ternary blends

The effect of the content of a copolymer consisting of high impact polystyrene grafted with maleic anhydride (HIPS-g-MA) on morphological and mechanical properties of PA1010/HIPS blends has been studied. Blend morphologies were controlled by adding HIPS-g-MA during melt processing, thus the dispersion of the HIPS phase and interfacial adhesion between the domains and matrices in these blends were changed obviously. The weight fractions of HIPS-g-MA in the blends increased from 2.5 to 20, then much finer dispersions of discrete HIPS phase with average domain sizes decreased from 6.1 to 0.1 mu m were obtained. It was found that a compatibilizer, a graft copolymer of HIPS-g-MA and PA1010 was synthesized in situ during the melt mixing of the blends. The mechanical properties of compatibilized blends were obviously better than those of uncompatibilized PA1010/HIPS blends. These behaviors could be attributed to the chemical interactions between the two components of PA1010 and HIPS-g-MA and good dispersion in PA1010/HIPS/HIPS-g-MA blends. Evidence of reactions in the blends was seen in the morphology and mechanical behaviour of the solid. The blend containing 5 wt % HIPS-g-MA component exhibited outstanding toughness. (C) 1999 Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Interaction characterization of PA1010/PP blends using PP-g-AA as compatibilizer

The morphology of polyamidelOlO/polypropylene blends was found to significantly depend upon the concentration of the compatibilizer[polypropylene-grafted-acrylic acid (PP-g-AA)]. A significant reduction in phase size was observed because of the interaction that existed between the PP-g-AA and polyamide. These interactions have been confirmed by several methods. The tensile mechanical properties and impact behavior of the prepared blends were investigated and correlated with scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis of the fracture surfaces. It was found that PP-g-AA as the compatibilizer has a profound effect upon the properties of the blends. This behavior is attributed to a series of chemical and physico-chemical interactions taking place between the two components.

The experimental research of R-phycoerythrin subunits on cancer treatment: A new photosensitizer in PDT

The mouse tumor cell 5180 and human liver carcinoma cell SMC 7721 cells were first treated with R-PE and its subunits (alpha, beta, gamma subunits), then irradiated with Argon laser (496 nm, 28.8 J/cm(2)). Survival rate was measured by MTT method. In order to compare the phototoxicity in normal cells, the mouse marrow cells were treated with photofrin II and beta-subunit, irradiated with 45 J/cm(2) of light; survival rate was also measured by MTT method. The result showed that R-PE subunits had better PDT effect on s180 cells than R-PE and lower phototoxicity in marrow cells than photofrin II Flow cytometric analysis showed that PDT results in a growth inhibition and a G(0)-G(1) cell cycle arrest in SMC 7721 cells. The tumor cells inhibited by PDT in vivo were morphologically observed by TEM, the tumor cell death was daze to the occlusion of tumor blood vessels and inducement of cell programmed death in nuclei. Therefore, with the advantage in special fluorescence activity, loth molecular weight, good light absorbent character and weak phototoxicity, R-PE subunit is art attractive option for improving the selectivity of PDT.

Comparative analysis of astaxanthin and its esters in the mutant E1 of Haematococcus pluvialis and other green algae by HPLC with a C30 column

A gradient reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method using a C30 column was developed for the simultaneous determination of astaxanthin, astaxanthin monoesters and astaxanthin diesters in the green algae Chlorococcum sp., Chlorella zofingiensis, Haematococcus pluvialis and the mutant E1, which was obtained from the mutagenesis of H. pluvialis by exposure to UV-irradiation and ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS) with subsequent screening using nicotine. The results showed that the contents of total astaxanthins including free astaxanthin and astaxanthin esters ranged from 1.4 to 30.9 mg/g dry biomass in these green algae. The lower total astaxanthin levels (< 2 mg/g dry biomass) were detected in the green algae Chlorococcum sp. and C. zofingiensis. The higher total astaxanthin levels (> 16 mg/g dry biomass) were found in the green alga H. pluvialis and its mutant E1. It is notable that the mutant E1 is found to have considerably higher amounts of total astaxanthin (30.9 mg/g) as compared to the wild strain of H. pluvialis (16.1 mg/g). This indicates that UV-irradiation and EMS compound mutagenesis with subsequent screening using nicotine is an effective method for breeding of a high-producing astaxanthin strain of H. pluvialis. In addition, the green alga C. zofingiensis had a remarkably higher percentage of astaxanthin diesters (76.3% of total astaxanthins) and a remarkably lower percentage of astaxanthin monoesters (18.0% of total astaxanthins) in comparison with H. pluvialis (35.5% for diesters and 60.9% for monoesters), the mutant E1 (49.1% and 48.1%) and Chlorococcum sp. (18.0% and 58.6%).

Dynamic changes of total bacteria and Vibrio in an integrated seaweed-abalone culture system

Polyculture of seaweeds alongside fed animal aquaculture is an environmentally friendly means of avoiding eutrophication problem both in land-based and sea-based monoculture systems. Many aspects of such polyculture systems have been described, but little attention has been given to the impact of live seaweeds on the microbiological properties of the water that connects the algae and animals. In this investigation, the Pacific red alga Gracilaria textorii was cultured in a recirculated dual tank system (150 L) with the juvenile abalone Haliotis discus hannai. Dynamic changes of total bacteria (TB) and total Vibrio (TV) in the water of polyculture and monoculture systems were evaluated. Results revealed that (1) level of TB in the polyculture was constantly higher than in the monoculture over a 6.5-day period. While levels of TV in the polyculture was detected to be constantly lower than in the monoculture, (2) integration of G. textorii in the abalone culture changed the Vibrio compositions in the water as judged by the changes of bacteria colony types; (3) application of artificial diet led to dramatic increase of the levels in TB and TV in both systems at 12 h after application in the 24-h test and resulted in selective propagation of Vibrio in the water in the monoculture system; (4) polyculture of G. textorii with juvenile abalone in combination with feeding with live algal diet helped to maintain low levels of TV and the balance of the Vibrio composition; (5) living biomass of G. textorii was effective in preventing propagation of two purified Vibrio strains (V alginolaticus and V logei) in the water. These results provide a general basis of the dynamic changes of levels in TB and TV in a seaweed-abalone polyculture system with or without artificial diet in tanks. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.

Black carbon and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface sediments of China's marginal seas

This study investigates the distribution of black carbon (BC) and its correlation with total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (I PAH) pound in the surface sediments of China's marginal seas. BC content ranges from < 0.10 to 2.45 mg/g dw (grams dry weight) in the sediments studied, and varied among the different coastal regions. The Bohai Bay sediments had the highest BC contents (average 2.18 mg/g dw), which comprises a significant fraction (27%-41%) of the total organic carbon (TOC) preserved in the sediments. In comparison, BC in the surface sediments of the North Yellow Sea, Jiaozhou Bay, East China Sea and the South China Sea is less abundant and accounted for an average of 6%, 8%, 14% and 5%, respectively, of the sedimentary organic carbon pool. The concentration of I PAH pound in the surface sediments ranges from 41 to 3 667 ng/g dw and showed large spatial variations among the sampling sites of different costal regions. The Bohai Bay has the highest I PAH pound values, ranging from 79 to 3 667 ng/g dw. This reflects the high anthropogenically contaminated nature of the sediments in the bay. BC is positively correlated to TOC but a strong correlation is not found between BC and I PAH pound in the surface sediments studied, suggesting that BC and PAHs preserved in the sediments are derived from different sources and controlled by different biogeochemical processes. Our study suggests that the abundance of BC preserved in the sediments could represent a significant sink pool of carbon cycling in China's marginal seas.

A field study on the conversion ratio of phytoplankton biomass carbon to chlorophyll-a in Jiaozhou Bay, China

A one-year field study was conducted to determine the conversion ratio of phytoplankton biomass carbon (Phyto-C) to chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) in Jiaozhou Bay, China. We measured suspended particulate organic carbon (POC) and phytoplankton Chl-a samples collected in surface water monthly from March 2005 to February 2006. The temporal and spatial variations of Chl-a and POC concentrations were observed in the bay. Based on the field measurements, a linear regression model II was used to generate the conversion ratio of Phyto-C to Chl-a. In most cases, a good linear correlation was found between the observed POC and Chl-a concentrations, and the calculated conversion ratios ranged from 26 to 250 with a mean value of 56 A mu g A mu g(-1). The conversion ratio in the fall was higher than that in the winter and spring months, and had the lowest values in the summer. The ratios also exhibited spatial variations, generally with low values in the near shore regions and relatively high values in offshore waters. Our study suggests that temperature was likely to be the main factor influencing the observed seasonal variations of conversion ratios while nutrient supply and light penetration played important roles in controlling the spatial variations.

Bioremediation potential of the macroalga Gracilaria lemaneiformis (Rhodophyta) integrated into fed fish culture in coastal waters of north China

Fed fish farms produce large amounts of wastes, including dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus. In China, fish mariculture in coastal waters has been increasing since the last decade. However, there is no macroalgae commercially cultivated in north China in warm seasons. To exploit fish-farm nutrients as a resource input, and at the same time to reduce the risk of eutrophication, the high-temperature adapted red alga Gracilaria lemaneiformis (Bory) Dawson from south China was co-cultured with the fish Sebastodes fuscescens in north China in warm seasons. Growth and nutrient removal from fish culture water were investigated in laboratory conditions in order to evaluate the nutrient bioremediation capability of G. lemaneiformis. Feasibility of integrating the seaweed cultivation with the fed fish-cage aquaculture in coastal waters of north China was also investigated in field conditions. Laboratory seaweed/fish co-culture experiments showed that the seaweed was an efficient nutrient pump and could remove most nutrients from the system. Field cultivation trials showed that G. lemaneiformis grew very well in fish farming areas, at maximum growth rate of 11.03% day(-1). Mean C, N, and P contents in dry thalli cultured in Jiaozhou Bay were 28.9 +/- 1.1%, 4.17 +/- 0.11 % and 0.33 +/- 0.01 %, respectively. Mean N and P uptake rates of the thalli were estimated at 10.64 and 0.38 mu mol g(-1) dry weight h(-1), respectively. An extrapolation of the results showed that a 1-ha cultivation of the seaweed in coastal fish fanning waters would give an annual harvest of more than 70 t of fresh G. lemaneiformis, or 9 t dry materials; 2.5 t C would be produced, and simultaneously 0.22 t N and 0.03t P would be sequestered from the seawater by the seaweed. Results indicated that the seaweed is suitable as a good candidate for seaweed/fish integrated mariculture for bioremediation and economic diversification. The integration can benefit economy and environment in a sustainable manner in warm seasons in coastal waters of north China. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Residues of enrofloxacin, furazolidone and their metabolites in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The residues of enrofloxacin and its metabolite in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were studied after oral dose of 50 mg/kg for 7 days. To find the differences between Nile tilapia and Chinese shrimp (Penaeus chinensis), the residues of enrofloxacin in P chinensis were also studied under the same conditions. The results showed that enrofloxacin metabolized into ciprofloxacin in both Nile tilapia and P chinensis, the maximal concentration of enrofloxacin in muscle, liver and plasma of Nile tilapia were 3.61 mu g/g, 5.96 mu g/g, 1.25 mu g/ml respectively, and ciprofloxacin in muscle was 0.22 mu g/g. The maximal concentration of enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin in P chinensis were 1.68 mu g/g and 0.07 mu g/g respectively. The predicted withdrawal time for Nile tilapia was 22 days, and P. chinensis was 12 days under our experiment conditions. The residues of fitrazolidone [3-(5-nitrofurfurylidenamino)-2-oxazolidinone] and its main metabolite 3-amina-2-oxazolidinone (AOZ) in Nile tilapia were first determined by HPLC/MS. Results showed that after oral dose of 30 mg/kg for 7 days, the maximum concentration of farazolidone in Nile tilapia was 413 mu g/kg after 6 h, whereas AOZ residue reached its maximum (31 mu g/kg) right after stopping treatment. In contrast to the high metabolic rate of furazolidone, AOZ was very difficult to eliminate in vivo, thus the withdrawal time of furazolidone in Nile tilapia was 22 days at least. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.