Preparation and antibacterial effects of PVA-PVP hydrogels containing silver nanoparticles

The poly(vinyl alcohol)/ poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVA-PVP) hydrogels containing silver nanoparticles were prepared by repeated freezing-thawing treatment. The silver content in the solid composition was in the range of 0.1-1.0 wt %, the silver particle size was from 20 to 100 nm, and the weight ratio of PVA to PVP was 70 : 30. The influence of silver nanoparticles on the properties of PVA-PVP matrix was investigated by differential scanning calorimeter, infrared spectroscopy and UV-vis spectroscopy, using PVA-PVP films containing silver particles as a model. The morphology of freeze-dried PVA-PVP hydrogel matrix and dispersion of the silver nanoparticles in the matrix was examined by scanning electron microscopy. It was found that a three-dimensional structure was formed during the process of freezing-thawing treatment and no serious aggregation of the silver nanoparticles occurred. Water absorption properties, release of silver ions from the hydrogels and the antibacterial effects of the hydrogels against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were examined too. It was proved that the nanosilver-containing hydrogels had an excellent antibacterial ability.

Negative differential resistance and memory effect in diodes based on 1,4-dibenzyl C60 and zinc phthalocyanine doped polystyrene hybrid material

Negative differential resistance (NDR) and memory effect were observed in diodes based on 1,4-dibenzyl C60 (DBC) and zinc phthalocyanine doped polystyrene hybrid material. Certain negative starting sweeping voltages led to a reproducible NDR, making the hybrid material a promising candidate in memory devices. It was found that the introduction of DBC enhanced the ON/OFF current ratio and significantly improved the memory stability. The ON/OFF current ratio was up to 2 orders of magnitude. The write-read-erase-reread cycles were more than 10(6), and the retention time reached 10 000 s without current degradation.

Effect of the gamma-form crystal on the thermal fractionation of poly(propylene-co-ethylene)

The effect of the gamma-form crystal on the thermal fractionation of a commercial poly(propylene-co-ethylene) (PPE) has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) techniques. Two thermal fractionation techniques, stepwise isothermal crystallization (SIC) and successive self-nucleation and annealing (SSA), have been used to characterize the molecular heterogeneity of the PPE. The results indicate that the SSA technique possesses a stronger fractionation ability than that of the SIC technique. The heating scan of the SSA fractionated sample exhibits 12 endothermic peaks, whereas the scan of the SIC fractionated sample only shows eight melting peaks. The WAXD observations of the fractionated PPE samples prove that the content of the gamma-form crystals formed during the thermal treatment of the SIC technique is much higher than that of the SSA treatment. The former is 57.4%, whereas the later is 12.6%. The effect of they-form crystals on thermal fractionation ability is discussed.

Effect of poly(propylene carbonate) on the crystallization and melting behavior of poly(beta-hydroxybutyrate-co-beta-hydroxyvalerate)

The crystallization and melting behavior of poly(beta-hydroxybutyrate-co-beta-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and a 30/70 (w/w) PHBV/poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) blend was investigated with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The transesterification reaction between PHBV and PPC was detected in the melt-blending process. The interaction between the two macromolecules was confirmed by means of FTIR analysis. During the crystallization process from the melt, the crystallization temperature of the PHBV/PPC blend decreased about 8 degreesC, the melting temperature was depressed by 4 degreesC, and the degree of crystallinity of PHBV in the blend decreased about 9.4%; this was calculated through a comparison of the DSC heating traces for the blend and pure PHBV. These results indicated that imperfect crystals of formed, crystallization was inhibited, and the crystallization ability of PHBV was weakened in the blend. The equilibrium melting temperatures of PHBV and the 30/70 PHBV/PPC blend isothermally crystallized were 187.1 and 179 degreesC, respectively.

Negative differential resistance effect in organic devices based on an anthracene derivative

The authors observed a negative differential resistance (NDR) in organic devices consisting of 9,10-bis-(9,9-diphenyl-9H-fluoren-2-yl)-anthracene (DPFA) sandwiched between Ag and indium tin oxide electrodes. The large NDR shown in current-voltage characteristics is reproducible, resulting in that the organic devices can be electrically switched between a high conductance state (on state) and a low conductance state (off state). It can be found that the currents at both on to off states are space-charge limited and attributed to the electron traps at the Ag/DPFA interface. The large and reproducible NDR makes the devices of tremendous potential in low power memory and logic circuits.

Negative differential resistance and multilevel memory effects in organic devices

Negative differential resistance ( NDR) and multilevel memory effects were obtained in organic devices consisting of an anthracene derivative, 9,10-bis-{ 9,9-di-[ 4-(phenyl-p-tolyl-amino)-phenyl]-9H-fluoren-2-yl}-anthracene ( DAFA), sandwiched between Ag and ITO electrodes. The application of a negative bias voltage leads to negative differential resistance in current-voltage characteristics and different negative voltages produce different conductance currents, resulting in the multilevel memory capability of the devices. The NDR property has been attributed to charge trapping at the DAFA/Ag interface. This opens up a wide range of application possibilities of such organic-based NDR devices in memory and logic circuits.

Differential proteomic analysis of neonatal cardiomyocytes in response to beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation

beta-Adrenoceptors(beta-ARs) play a critical role in regulating cardiac functions under both physiological and pathological conditions. To further explore the mechanisms through which beta-ARs perform its actions, proteomic approaches were adopted to study the global protein patterns in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes exposed to isoproterenol (ISO). A modified method, "Mirror Images in One Gel", was used to improve the reproducibility and resolution power of two-dimensional electrophoresis. A 2-DE map with a good reproducibility was obtained in which 1281 70 spots were detected and about 1191 +/- 54 spots were matched, with an average matching rate of 92.9%. Nine proteins with significant changes were identified by using peptide mass fingerprinting(PMF) data obtained via MALDI-MS.

Studies on the interaction of porphyrin with antibody with fluorescent spectrum and UV-Vis differential spectra

After meso-tetra (alpha, alpha, alpha, alpha-O-phenylacetyl benzene)porphyrin combined with McAb 1F2, there was a significant hyperchromic effect, indicating that the combination of porphyrin and antibody is rigid and compact, aromatic amino acids exist at the combining sites of antigen in antibody. These aromatic amino acids are Trys and Trps, but the numbers of Trp are more than that found for Trys. The stochiometric ratio of porphyrin to 1F2 is 1:1, the disassociation constant was determined as(2.084+/-0.216) x 10(-10) mol/L by a method of fluorescence quenching, showing that both have a high affinity.

Studies on decomposed crop residues by FTIR differential analysis

The decomposing process of corn leaf residues (CLR) was studied by FTIR differential analysis,and the differential spectra were compared with normal spectra. The result showed that the purification process to remove inorganic matters from decomposed CLR could be omitted when differential analysis is used, and the differential spectra were cleat and distinct. As far as the studies of decomposed crop residues, the FTIR differential analysis was a convenient and forthright method.

The application of the MPB4 theory to the interface between between two immiscible electrolyte solutions .4. The differential capacitance of the water/nitrobenzene interface in the presence of 2:2 electrolyte

We have developed a new theoretical model based on the MPB4 theory to calculate the differential capacitance of the interface of 0.05mol/L MgSO4 in water and 0.1mol/L TBATPB in nitrobenzene. Our results coincide with the experimental values very well. It indicates that our model may describe well the structure of ITIES not only in the presence of 1:1 electrolyte but also in the presence of 2:2 electrolyte.

A comparison of electrocatalytic ability of various mediators adsorbed onto paraffin impregnated graphite electrodes for oxidation of reduced nicotinamide coenzymes

Twelve mediators have been modified by adsorption onto the paraffin impregnated graphite electrodes (IGE). The resulting electrodes exhibit electrocatalytic activity of different degrees towards oxidation of 1,4-dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). The electrocatalytic ability of the chemically modified electrode (CME) depends mainly on the formal potential and molecular structure of mediator. The formation of the charge transfer complex between NADH and adsorbed mediator has been demonstrated by the experiments using a rotating disk electrode. An electrocatalytic scheme obeying Michaelis-Menten kinetics has been confirmed, and some kinetic parameters were estimated. The solution pH influences markedly the electrocatalytic activity of the modified electrode. Various possible reasons are discussed.

Toughening mechanism of polymer blends: Influence of voiding ability of dispersed-phase particles

The parameters which effect the cavitation strain of polymer blends toughened with a shear yield mechanism have been studied by analysis of the stress acted on the equatorial plane of dispersed-phase particles. As a result, the cavitation strain of polymer blends depends on the Young's modulus and the Poisson's ratio of the dispersed-phase particles and the matrix and also on the break stress of dispersed-phase particles. We tried to provide a criterion for selecting the materials used as dispersed-phase particles which can effectively enhance the toughness of polymer blends. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

THE APPLICATION OF THE MPB4 THEORY TO THE INTERFACE BETWEEN 2 IMMISCIBLE ELECTROLYTE-SOLUTIONS .2. THE DIFFERENTIAL CAPACITANCE OF THE WATER 1,2-DICHLOROETHANE INTERFACE

The MPB4 theory is used to calculate the differential capacitance of the interface between LiCl in water and TBATPB in 1,2-dichloroethane at electrolyte concentrations of 0.005, 0.01 and 0.02 M. The effects of the ion size and the image force, and the influence of the electrolyte concentration, the surface charge density and the solvent effect on the inner layer potential drop are considered simultaneously. These effects can be ascribed to the ionic penetration into the opposite solution and ion-ion correlations across the interface. Our results are in better agreement with experimental data than those obtained using Gouy-Chapman theory. This indicates that the MPB4 theory may also describe the structure of the water \1,2-dichloroethane interface provided that the influence of the electrolyte concentration, the surface charge density and the solvent effect on the inner layer potential distribution are included in the calculation. Comparison of the theoretical results with those of the water \nitrobenzene interface shows that the structure of the water \1,2-dichloroethane interface is similar to that of the water \nitrobenzene interface, except that in the former case the inner-layer potential drop is much higher and the effects of the image force and the ion size are more pronounced.

A DIFFERENTIAL SCANNING CALORIMETRY STUDY OF PLASMA IRRADIATION GRAFTING OF NASCENT POLYETHYLENE REACTOR POWDER

The melting behavior of poly(methyl methacrylate)-grafted nascent polyethylene reactor powder by plasma irradiation was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The grafting yield ranged hom 11 to 190%. Grafting was found to lower both melting point and heat of fusion during the first run of DSC determination. The heat of fusion was used to calculate the apparent grafting yield of the samples. There was little strain induced by plasma-irradiated grafting on the surface of the polyethylene crystals. A method to determine the covalent grafting yield in the graft copolymer systems was developed. (C) 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.