A novel imaging technique to investigate the influence of atomization air pressure on film-tablet interfacial thickness.

A novel X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) technique combined with principal component analysis of spectra-to-image datasets was employed to study the effects of atomization air pressure used during the coating process on film-tablet interfacial thickness. Placebo tablet cores were prepared and coated with Eudragit RL 30 D. Atomization air pressure was varied from 10 to 20 psi, whereas all other processing parameters were held constant. Higher air pressures generally produced thinner interfaces, although the interfacial region was not uniform across the tablet surface and was dependent on the sampling location. These results demonstrate the suitability of this XPS technique to study the coating-tablet interface. Moreover, the variability in the interfacial thickness illustrates the need to further study such systems.

Light-induced biocidal action of conjugated polyelectrolytes supported on colloids.

A series of water soluble, cationic conjugated polyelectrolytes (CPEs) with backbones based on a poly(phenylene ethynylene) repeat unit structure and tetraakylammonium side groups exhibit a profound light-induced biocidal effect. The present study examines the biocidal activity of the CPEs, correlating this activity with the photophysical properties of the polymers. The photophysical properties of the CPEs are studied in solution, and the results demonstrate that direct excitation produces a triplet excited-state in moderate yield, and the triplet is shown to be effective at sensitizing the production of singlet oxygen. Using the polymers in a format where they are physisorbed or covalently grafted to the surface of colloidal silica particles (5 and 30 microm diameter), we demonstrate that they exhibit light-activated biocidal activity, effectively killing Cobetia marina and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The light-induced biocidal activity is also correlated with a requirement for oxygen suggesting that interfacial generation of singlet oxygen is the crucial step in the light-induced biocidal activity.

Predictive modeling of electrocatalyst structure based on structure-to-property correlations of x-ray photoelectron spectroscopic and electrochemical measurements.

Chemical structure and catalytic activity of nonplatinum porphyrin-based electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction is characterized by combination of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and rotating disk electrode. The goal of the study is to show how modifications in the molecular structure affect catalytic characteristics and how to use these structural modifications in a purposeful manner to increase catalytic activity. Initial correlation of structure to electrochemical performance is achieved through the application of principal component analysis (PCA) to curve-fits of high-resolution XPS spectra combined with results of electrochemical measurements. Furthermore, a predictive model that describes this correlation is build using the combination of genetic algorithm (GA) and multiple linear regression (MLR). Based on structure-to-property correlations, two types of active sites responsible for the catalytic activity, i.e., Co associated with pyropolymer and Co particles covered by oxide layer, are determined, and a dual-site for oxygen reduction on cobalt porphyrins is hypothesized, allowing for designing a catalyst structure with optimal performance characteristics.

Potential-directed assembly of aryl iodonium salts onto silicon {100} hydride terminated and platinum surfaces.

A novel electrograft method of forming covalent bonds directly to silicon hydride or platinum surfaces has been demonstrated with the use of iodonium salt precursors. Initially, a silicon substrate is treated with a dilute hydrofluoric acid wash to ensure a hydride-passivated surface, which is immersed in a solution of iodonium salt dissolved in a solution of tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate in acetonitrile. Grafting is accomplished by applying a negative bias to the silicon substrate. Directed assembly has been demonstrated with Pt substrates.

Oriented monolayers prepared from lyotropic chromonic liquid crystal.

We use a layer-by layer electrostatic self-assembly technique to obtain in-plane oriented aggregates of mesogenic dye molecules cast from lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals (LCLCs) on mica substrates. The aqueous solutions of dye used for deposition are in the nematic phase. Atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of the dried film reveal that the LCLC molecules adsorb at the charged substrate preserving ordered aggregates of elongated shape characteristic of the nematic phase in the aqueous solution. These elongated aggregates of LCLC molecules form films with in-plane orientational order and are compositionally distinct from the substrate.

Reversible control of free energy and topography of nanostructured surfaces.

We describe a facile method for the formation of dynamic nanostructured surfaces based on the modification of porous anodic aluminum oxide with poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAAm) via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization. The dynamic structure of these surfaces was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM), which showed dramatic changes in the surface nanostructure above and below the aqueous lower critical solution temperature of PNIPAAm. These changes in surface structure are correlated with changes in the macroscopic wettability of the surfaces, which was probed by water contact angle measurements. Principal component analysis was used to develop a quantitative correlation between AFM image intensity histograms and macroscopic wettability. Such correlations and dynamic nanostructured surfaces may have a variety of uses.

Direct synthesis of mesostructured lamellar molybdenum disulfides using a molten neutral n-alkylamine as the solvent and template.

A series of novel mesostructured lamellar molybdenum disulfides with the d spacings from 17 to 30 A can be prepared by the reaction of Mo(CO)6 with elemental sulfur using a molten n-alkylamine as the solvent as well as the template at 140 degrees C. Such intercalated phases can be transformed into mesoporous molybdenum disulfides by slow thermal treatments at 200 degrees C.