Synthesis of flower-like CuS nanostructured microspheres using poly(ethylene glycol) 200 as solvent.

CuS flower-like microspheres with the diameter of about 3-4 microm constructed by nanoflakes with thickness of about 30-40 nm have been successfully synthesized by a simple wet chemical method. In this reaction system, Poly(ethylene glycol) 200 (PEG 200) was used as solvent, CuCl2 2H2O as cuprum source, and thioacetamide (TAA) as sulfur source. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) in detail. The XRD patterns revealed that the products were pure hexagonal phase of CuS. Experiments with various parameters indicated that the reaction temperature and molar ratio of CuCl2 2H2O to thioacetamide had strong effects on the sizes and morphologies of CuS crystals. A possible growth mechanism on the formation of CuS microspheres was proposed. The PEG 200 acted as solvent, complexing agent, and soft template in this synthesis. Furthermore, optical studies of the products including UV-Vis absorption spectrum and photoluminescence spectrum have also been carried out.

Synthesis of chromium-doped malayaite pigments from wastewater containing low chromium(VI).

A malayaite pigment was synthesized with wastewater containing low chromium (Cr)(VI) by a novel liquid-phase reaction method. The effects of the particle size of the precursor and calcination temperature on the final product are examined. The result of scanning electron microscopy shows that the obtained precursor is amorphous and the particle size is approximately 250 nm. The results of X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry show that the complete transformation temperature was approximately 1050 degrees C. Furthermore, the Commission International de l'Eclairage laboratory shows that the red color of as-prepared pigments is more saturated with a high a* value at 34.1. This process of malayaite pigment preparation via reuse of the Cr(VI)-containing wastewater is quite simple, economical, and energy-saving for the industry, and the products have a saturated red color. There is considerable foreground for the industrial application of this work.

Synthesis, characterization and catalytic applications in propane dehydrogenation of ordered mesoporous alumina.

Alumina is the most frequently employed catalyst or catalytic support in the chemical industry. The catalytic performances of alumina-supported catalysts are largely dependent on the textural properties of the alumina supports. Therefore, any improvement of the alumina properties significant for their catalytic applications is extremely challenging. Ordered mesoporous aluminas with high thermal stability have been successfully prepared by a facile synthesis method. Using the ordered mesoporous aluminas as support, V/Ni-catalysts mesoporous materials also have been prepared by vacuum impregnation method and the coprecipitation method. The mesoporous structures are characterized by XRD, TEM, N2 adsorption -desorption and TG-DTA. Preliminary catalytic tests showed that the ordered mesoporous aluminas prepared in such a way exhibited superior performance in the oxidative dehydrogenation of propane to propylene when they were used as the supports for V and Ni catalysts.

Performance of ethanol electro-oxidation on Ni-Cu alloy nanowires through composition modulation.

To reduce the cost of the catalyst for direct ethanol fuel cells and improve its catalytic activity, highly ordered Ni-Cu alloy nanowire arrays have been fabricated successfully by differential pulse current electro-deposition into the pores of a porous anodic alumina membrane (AAMs). The energy dispersion spectrum, scanning and transmission electron microscopy were utilized to characterize the composition and morphology of the Ni-Cu alloy nanowire arrays. The results reveal that the nanowires in the array are uniform, well isolated and parallel to each other. The catalytic activity of the nanowire electrode arrays for ethanol oxidation was tested and the binary alloy nanowire array possesses good catalytic activity for the electro-oxidation of ethanol. The performance of ethanol electro-oxidation was controlled by varying the Cu content in the Ni-Cu alloy and the Ni-Cu alloy nanowire electrode shows much better stability than the pure Ni one.

A template-based electrochemical method for the synthesis of high dense nickel nanotube arrays.

High dense Ni nanotube arrays have been successfully fabricated using electrochemical method with the assistance of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template from NiSO4 aqueous solution without any additive. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) results indicate that the pores of AAO template are high uniform and all the pores are filled with Ni nanotubes. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) results demonstrate that the diameter of Ni nanotubes is about 65 nm. The electron diffraction (ED) pattern results show that the Ni nanotubes are polycrystalline. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern shows that the electrodeposited nickel is hexagonal crystal structure.

Preparation of ultrafine particles of azithromycin by sonochemical method.

Sonochemical method was used to prepare ultrafine Azithromycin. The morphology and size distribution of the particles prepared were characterized by scanning electron micrograph (SEM) and Zetasizer Nanoinstrument. The chemical bonding of production was examined by Fourier transform infra-red absorption spectroscopy (FT-IR). The result shows that different diameter particles of Azithromycin were prepared, and no fundamental bonding change in the Azithromycin molecule after preparation.

Large-scale synthesis of a novel tri(8-hydroxyquioline) aluminum nanostructure.

A novel tri(8-hydroxyquioline) aluminum (AlQ3) nanostructure was prepared on large scale at low cost by low-temperature physical vapor deposition (PVD). The morphologies, the chemical bondings, and photoluminescence of the AlQ3 nanostructure were investigated by environmental scanning electronic microscopy (ESEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FT-IR), and photoluminescence (PL) spectra, respectively. The AlQ3 nanostructure was composed of micro-sphere with nanowire-cluster growing on the surface. The diameter of micro-sphere and nanowire were about 5 microm and 80 nm, respectively. FT-IR results indicated that the AlQ3 molecule had a strong thermal stability under research conditions. The growth mechanism of the novel nanostructure was discussed. The novel organic nanostructure would be believed to attractive building field-emission devices and other optical devices.

Binding of anti-inflammatory drug cromolyn sodium to bovine serum albumin.

Fluorescence spectroscopy in combination with circular dichroism (CD) and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy were employed to investigate the binding of anti-inflammatory drug cromolyn sodium (Intal) to bovine serum albumin (BSA) under the physiological conditions with Intal concentrations of 0-6.4 x 10(-5)mol L(-1). In the mechanism discussion, it was proved that the fluorescence quenching of BSA by Intal is a result of the formation of Intal-BSA complex. Quenching constants were determined using the Stern-Volmer equation to provide a measure of the binding affinity between Intal and BSA. The thermodynamic parameters Delta G, Delta H, Delta S at different temperatures (298, 304, and 310 K) were calculated and the results indicate the electrostatic interactions play a major role in Intal-BSA association. Binding studies concerning the number of binding sites (n=1) and apparent binding constant K(b) were performed by fluorescence quenching method. Utilizing fluorescence resonant energy transfer (FRET) the distance R between the donor (BSA) and acceptor (Intal) has been obtained. Furthermore, CD and synchronous fluorescence spectrum were used to investigate the structural change of BSA molecules with addition of Intal, the results indicate that the secondary structure of BSA molecules was changed in the presence of Intal.

Interaction of cromolyn sodium with human serum albumin: a fluorescence quenching study.

The interaction between cromolyn sodium (CS) and human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated using tryptophan fluorescence quenching. In the discussion of the mechanism, it was proved that the fluorescence quenching of HSA by CS is a result of the formation of a CS-HSA complex. Quenching constants were determined using the Sterns-Volmer equation to provide a measure of the binding affinity between CS and HSA. The thermodynamic parameters DeltaG, DeltaH, and DeltaS at different temperatures were calculated. The distance r between donor (Trp214) and acceptor (CS) was obtained according to fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Furthermore, synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy data and UV-vis absorbance spectra have suggested that the association between CS and HSA changed the molecular conformation of HSA and the electrostatic interactions play a major role in CS-HSA association.

Synthesis and characterization of amoxicillin nanostructures.

Simple chemical deposition was used to prepare three types of amoxicillin nanostructures. Their morphology and size were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, and their chemical bonds were examined by Fourier transform infrared spectrum. Our results show that amoxicillin nanobelts, nanofibers, nanoparticles, and microparticles can be obtained by changing the pH in solutions of amoxicillin sodium. To some degree the controllable growth of amoxicillin can be realized.