Influence of Annealing on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Isotactic Polypropylene with beta-Phase Nucleating Agent

The microstructure and mechanical properties of beta-nucleated iPP before and after being annealed at different temperatures (90-160 degrees C) have been analyzed, Annealing induced different degrees of variation in fracture toughness of beta-nucleated iPP samples. namely, slight enhancement at relatively low annealing temperatures (< 110 degrees C) and great improvement at moderate temperatures (120-130 degrees C), whereas dramatic deterioration at relatively high temperatures ( > 140 degrees C) has been observed. The variation of fracture toughness of beta-nucleated iPP is observed to be dependent on the content of beta-NA. Experiments, including scanning electronic microscope (SEM), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), are performed to study the variations of microstructures as well as the toughening mechanism of the beta-nucleated iPP after being annealed.

Synthesis, crystal structures and spectroscopic properties of copper(I) complexes containing beta-dialdiminato supporting ligands

Two mononuclear neutral copper(I) complexes, Cu(L-1)PPh3 (1), Cu(L-2)(PPh3)(2) (2) ([L-1](-) = [{N((C6H3Pr2)-Pr-i-2,6)C(H)}(2)CPh](-); [L-2](-) = [{N(C6H5)C(H)}(2)CPh](-)) have been synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. In complex 1, the copper(I) atom is in a distorted three-coordinate trigonal planar environment, whereas in complex 2 with the less sterically hindered beta-dialdiminato ligand, the copper(I) atom is the centre of a four-coordinate distorted tetrahedron. At room temperature complexes 1 and 2 in a film of PMMA exhibit green emission at 543 and 549 nm with lifetimes of 5.28 and 5.32 ns, respectively.

beta-NaYF4 and beta-NaYF4:Eu3+ Microstructures: Morphology Control and Tunable Luminescence Properties

beta-NaYF4 hexagonal microprisms and microrods with different aspect ratios have been prepared via a simple hydrothermal route. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and photoluminescence (PL) spectra as well as kinetic decays were used to characterize the samples. The influences of reaction temperature and the molar ratio of NaF to y(3+) on the crystal phases and shapes of final products have been studied in detail. The aspect ratios of products increase gradually with the increase of reaction temperature and NaF/Y3+ molar ratio. The growth mechanisms of crystals prepared under the different conditions are presented systematically. More importantly, the systematical investigation on the luminescence properties of beta-NaYF4:xEu(3+) (x = 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10 mol %) with hexagonally microprismatic morphology shows the characteristic emissions of Eu3+ (D-5(J)-F-7(J'), J, J' = 0, 1, 2, 3). Under the excitation of single wavelength light of 397 nm, the luminescence colors of the corresponding products can be tuned feasibly from bluish white to yellow to red by changing the doping concentration of Eu3+.

Thermoluminescence characteristics of NaSr4(BO3)(3):Ce3+ under beta-ray irradiation

The thermoluminescence (TL) properties of Ce3+ doped NaSr4(BO3)(3) phosphor under the beta-ray irradiation were reported. The polycrystalline sample was synthesized by high temperature solid-state reaction. The TL glow curve of NaSr4(BO3)(3):Ce3+ phosphor was composed of only one peak. TL kinetic parameters of NaSr4(BO3)(3):Ce3+ were deduced by the peak shape method, the activation energy (E) was 0.590 eV and the frequency factor was 1.008x10(6) s(-1). TL dose response was linear in the range of measurement. The 3-dimensional (3D) TL emission spectrum was also recorded, the emission spectrum consisted of two bands located at 441 and 479 nm respectively, corresponding to the characteristic 4f(0)5d(1)-> F-2((5/2,7/2)) transitions of the Ce3+ ion. The fading behavior of the NaSr4(BO3)(3):Ce3+ phosphor over a period of 15 d was also studied.

Facile, Efficient Copolymerization of Ethylene with Bicyclic, Non-Conjugated Dienes by Titanium Complexes Bearing Bis(beta-Enaminoketonato) Ligands

Copolymerizations of ethylene with 5-vinyl-2-norbornene or 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene under the action of various titanium complexes bearing bis(beta-enaminoketonato) chelate ligands of the type, [(RN)-N-1=C(R-2)CH=C(R-3)O](2)TiCl2 (1, R-1=Ph, R-2=CF3, R-3=Ph; 2, R-1=C6H4F-p, R-2=CF3, R-3=Ph; 3, R-1=Ph, R-2=CF3, R-3=t-Bu; 4, R-1=C6H4F-p, R-2=CF3, R-3=t-Bu; 5, R-1=Ph, R-2=CH3, R-3=CF3; 6, R-1=C6H4F-p, R-2=CH3 R-3=CF3), have been shown to occur with the regioselective insertion of the endocyclic double bond of the monomer into the copolymer chain, leaving the exocyclic vinyl double bond as a pendant unsaturation. The ligand modification strongly affects the copolymerization behaviour. High catalytic activities and efficient co-monomer incorporation can be easily obtained by optimizing the catalyst structures and polymerization conditions.

Highly Active Neutral Nickel(II) Catalysts for Ethylene Polymerization Bearing Modified,beta-Ketoiminato Ligands

A series of novel neutral nickel complexes 4a-e bearing modified beta-ketoiminato ligands [(2,6-(Pr2C6H3)-Pr-i)N=C(R-1)CHC(2 '-R2C6H4)O]Ni(Ph)(PPh3) (4a, R-1 R-2 = H; 4b, R-1 = H, R-2 = Ph; 4c, R-1 = H, R-2 = Naphth; 4d, R-1 = CH3, R-2 = Ph; 4e, R-1 = CF3, R-2 Ph) have been synthesized and characterized. Molecular structures of 4b and 4e were further confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Activated with B(C6F5)(3), all the complexes are active for the polymerization of ethylene to branched polyethylenes. Ligand structure, i.e., substituents R-1 and R-2, greatly influences not only catalytic activity but also the molecular weight and branch content of the polyethylene produced. The phenyl-substituted complex 4b exhibits the highest activity of lip to 145 kg PE/mol(Ni)center dot h center dot atm under optimized conditions, which is about 10 times more than unsubstituted complex 4a (14.0 kg PE/mol(Ni center dot)h center dot atm). Highly branched polyethylene with 103 branches per 1000 carbon atoms has been prepared using catalyst 4e.

Living Copolymerization of Ethylene with Norbornene Mediated by Heteroligated (Salicylaldiminato) (beta-enaminoketonato)Titanium Catalysts

Three heteroligated (salicylaldiminato)(beta-enaminoketonato)titanium complexes [3-Bu-t-2-OC6H3CH=N(C6F5)][(p-XC6H4)N=C(Bu-t)CHC(CF3)O]TiCl2 (3a: X = F, 3b: X = Cl, 3c: X = Br) were synthesized and investigated as the catalysts for ethylene polymerization and ethylene/norbornene copolymerization. In the presence of modified methylaluminoxane as a cocatalyst, these unsymmetric catalysts exhibited high activities toward ethylene polymerization, similar to their parallel parent catalysts. Furthermore, they also displayed favorable ability to efficiently incorporate norbornene into the polymer chains and produce high molecular weight copolymers under the mild conditions, though the copolymerization of ethylene with norbornene leads to relatively lower activities. The sterically open structure of the beta-enaminoketonato ligand is responsible for the high norbornene incorporation. The norbornene concentration in the polymerization medium had a profound influence on the molecular weight distribution of the resulting copolymer.

N,N,N ',N '-Tetramethylchloroformamidinium Chloride-Mediated Cyclizations of beta-Oxo Amides: Facile and Divergent One-Pot Synthesis of Substituted 2H-Pyrans, 4H-Pyrans and Pyridin-2(1H)-ones

An efficient and divergent one-pot synthesis of substituted 2H-pyrans, 4H-pyrans and pyridin-2(1H)-ones from beta-oxo amides based on the selection of the reaction conditions is reported. Mediated by N,N,N',N'-tetramethylchloroformamidinium chloride, beta-oxo amides underwent intermolecular cyclizations in the presence of triethylamine at room temperature to give substituted 2H-pyrans in high yields, which could be converted into substituted 4H-pyrans in the presence of sodium hydroxide in ethanol at room temperature, or into substituted pyridin-2(1H)-ones under reflux.

A Facile and Practical One-Pot Synthesis of beta-Oxo Thioamides from beta-Oxo Amides and Isothiocyanates

A facile and practical one-pot synthesis of beta-oxo thioamides from beta-oxo amides has been developed. By treatment with isothiocyanates in ethanol in the presence of potassium carbonate, a series of beta-oxo amides was converted, under reflux, in high yields into the corresponding beta-oxo thioamides.

Study on the formation of beta-crystal during the crystallization process of polypropylene reactor granule

A notable amount of PP beta-crystal (30%, by X-ray diffraction pattern) has been found in the PP samples as polymerized at normal static isothermal crystallization conditions without using any extra nucleating agents. Existence of catalyst residues in the sample is decisive, which slows down the crystallization rate facilitating the formation of beta-form spherulites. Comparatively, high molecular weight PP favors the formation of beta-form spherulites, deducting from no beta-crystal detected in the degraded samples. Finally, high isotacticity is also required for obtaining qualitative beta-form spherulites, demonstrated by increased beta-crystal content after removal of weak crystalline fraction of the sample.

Highly uniform and monodisperse beta-NaYF4 : Ln(3+) (Ln = Eu, Tb, Yb/Er, and Yb/Tm) hexagonal microprism crystals: Hydrothermal synthesis and luminescent properties

beta-NaYF4:Ln(3+) (Ln = Eu, Tb, Yb/Er, and Yb/Tm) hexagonal microprisms with remarkably uniform morphology and size have been synthesized via a facile hydrothermal route. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and photoluminescence (PL) spectra as well as kinetic decays were used to characterize the samples. It is found that sodium citrate as a shape modifier introduced into the reaction system plays a critical role in the shape evolution of the final products. Furthermore, the shape and size of the products can be further manipulated by adjusting the molar ratio of citrate/RE3+ (RE represents the total amount of Y3+ and the doped rare earth elements such as Eu3+, Tb3+, Yb3+/Er3+, or Yb3+/Tm3+). Under the excitation of 397 nm ultraviolet light, NaYF4:xEu(3+) (x = 1.5, 5%) shows the emission lines of Eu3+ corresponding to D-5(0-3) -> F-7(J) (J = 0-4) transitions from 400 to 700 nm (whole visible spectral region) with different intensity, resulting in yellow and red down-conversion (DC) light emissions, respectively.

Investigation of heptakis(2,6-di-O-methyl)-beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes with flavonoid glycosides by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

The non-covalent complexes between three flavonoid glycosides (quercitrin, hyperoside and rutin) and heptakis(2,6-di-O-methyl)-beta-cyclodextrin (DM-beta-CD) were investigated by electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI-FTICR-MS). The 1:1 complexation of each flavonoid glycoside (guest) to the DM-beta-CD (host) was monitored in the negative ion mode by mixing each guest with an up to 30-fold molar excess of the host. The binding constants for all complexes were calculated by a linear equation in the order: DM-beta-CD:quercitrin > DM-beta-CD:rutin > DM-beta-CD:hyperoside. A binding model for the complexes has also been proposed based on the binding constants and tandem mass spectrometric data of these complexes.

Characterization of linear epitope of the beta(2)-microglobulin via combination of MALDI-TOF-MS with immunoaffinity

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF-MS), in combination with immunoaffinity provided a powerful tool for determining epitope (antigenic determinant) in protein. The linear epitope of the beta(2)-microglobulin was characterized in the paper. The method as follows: at first beta(2)-microglobulin was digested by a proteolytic enzyme to produce an appropriate set of peptide fragments, then peptide fragments containing the linear epitope were selected and separated from the pool of peptide fragments by immunoprecipitation with the monoclonal antibody. The agarose beads were collected carefully after the reaction. Unbound peptides would be washed away, while the peptides containing the epitope would remain bound to the immobilized antibody after. the beads were washed several times with appropriate buffer. At last the masses of the bound peptides were identified directly by MALDI-TOF MS. Using Endoproteinase Glu-C Endoproteinase Lys-C and Trypsin in the experiment, the linear epitope of beta(2)-microglobulin was located within peptide fragment 59-69, that is, DWSFYLLYYTE.

Time-dependent DNA condensation induced by amyloid beta-peptide

The major protein component of the amyloid deposition in Alzheimer's disease is a 39-43 residue peptide, amyloid beta (A beta). A beta is toxic to neurons, although the mechanism of neurodegeneration is uncertain. Evidence exists for non-B DNA conformation in the hippocampus of Alzheimer's disease brains, and A beta was reportedly able to transform DNA conformation in vitro. In this study, we found that DNA conformation was altered in the presence of A beta, and A beta induced DNA condensation in a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, A beta sheets, serving as condensation nuclei, were crucial for DNA condensation, and Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions inhibited A beta sheet-induced DNA condensation. Our results suggest DNA condensation as a mechanism of A beta toxicity.

Interfacial supramolecular self-assembled monolayers of C-60 by thiolated beta-cyclodextrin on gold surfaces via monoanionic C-60

The supramolecular self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of C-60 by thiolated beta-cyclodextrin (CD) on gold surfaces were constructed for the first time using C-60 monoanion. The results indicate that monoanionic C-60 plays a crucial role in the formation of the C-60-containing self-assembled monolayers. The generation of C-60 monoanion and the formation process of C-60 SAMs were monitored in-situ by UV-visible and near-IR spectroscopy. The resulting C-60 SAMs were fully characterized by spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE), cyclic voltammetry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and water contact angle measurements. After the immobilization of C-60 by the SAMs of thiolated beta-CD, the film thickness increased by approximately 1 nm from 0.8 to 1.8 nm as determined by SE, demonstrating the formation of the supramolecular self-assembled monolayers of thiolated beta-CD/C-60. The new C-60 SAMs exhibited one quasi-reversible redox couple at half wave potential of -0.57 V vs SCE in aqueous solution containing 0.1 M KCl. The surface coverage of C-60 on the gold surfaces was estimated to be 1.1 x 10(-10) mol cm(-2). The XPS showed the assembly of C-60 over the thiolated beta-CD SAMs.