Enhanced Luminescence of Ca14Mg2Si8O28+δN4−δ:Eu2+Phosphors by Codoping Ce3+, Mn2+ for White LEDs and Their Energy‐Transfer Mechanism

The Eu²⁺, M‐codoped(M = Ce³⁺, Mn²⁺) phosphor powders were prepared by a solid‐state reaction. The addition of Ce³⁺ in the Eu²⁺ sites in partially nitridated bredigite‐structure phosphor(CMSN) remarkably enhances the luminescent intensity by ~180% through sensitized luminescence. Dual band emission was observed for Eu, Mn‐codoped CMSN through energy transfer from Eu²⁺ to Mn²⁺. Ce³⁺–Eu²⁺ and Eu²⁺–Mn²⁺ energy‐transfer mechanism was investigated through decay profile analysis using Inokuti–Hirayama model and energy‐transfer parameters are determined. Interaction mechanism was identified as dipole–dipole interaction. In addition, phosphor in glass plates was prepared using the phosphor and its feasibility in white LED application was studied and is presented.     

Enhanced Light Storage of SrAl2O4 Glass‐Ceramics Controlled by Selective Europium Reduction

A luminescent Eu, Dy: SrAl₂O₄ glass‐ceramics with high transparency in the visible region was successfully synthesized using the frozen sorbet technique with the control of O₂ partial pressure () for the oxidation of Eu²⁺ ions. The glass‐ceramics include Eu²⁺, Eu³⁺, and Dy³⁺ ions, and thus exhibits three characteristic types of emission bands, 4f–5d at around 520 nm (Eu²⁺ ions), 4f–4f at 610 nm (Eu³⁺ ions), and 480 nm (Dy³⁺ ions). The Eu, Dy: SrAl₂O₄ glass‐ceramics provide remarkable long‐persistent luminescence under dark condition. The glass‐ceramics also exhibits color‐changing luminescence in the visible region based on their remarkable light storage properties. The luminescent Eu, Dy: SrAl₂O₄ glass‐ceramics using the frozen sorbet technique with control of are promising materials for application in novel photonic and light storage materials.     

Local microstructure characterization of rare earth‐doped PMMA with low‐ion content by fluorescence EXAFS

Fluorescence‐extended X‐ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS), and emission spectrum and excitation spectrum (ESES) were used to characterize the local structure of rare earth‐doped poly(methyl methacrylate)s (Re‐PMMAs) with ion concentration of 600–1000 ppm. Fluorescence EXAFS shows that the chemical state of Sm in Sm‐PMMA is the same as that in Sm₂O₃ and samarium octanoate (SOA), while that of Eu in Eu‐PMMA is different from that in Eu₂O₃ and europium octanoate. ESES also proves the concomitance of Eu²⁺ with Eu³⁺ ions in Eu‐PMMA. And, the almost identical peak positions of Eu L₃ edge at ～6976.7 eV in fluorescence EXAFS of Eu‐PMMA with various Eu content suggests the proportions of Eu²⁺ to Eu³⁺ are the same in these samples. The simulation of fluorescence EXAFS shows that the first‐shell coordination number of Sm³⁺ in Sm‐PMMA is 9.12, and the average first‐shell distance around Sm³⁺ in Sm‐PMMA is 2.43 Å. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 1294–1298, 2006     

Properties of poly(AAc‐co‐HPMA‐cl‐EGDMA) hydrogel‐bound lipase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC‐4713 and its use in synthesis of methyl acrylate

Microbial lipases (E.C. 3.1.1.3) are preferred biocatalysts for the synthesis of esters in organic solvents. Various extracellular thermoalkaliphilic lipases have been reported from Pseudomonas sp. In the present study, a purified alkaline thermoalkalophilic extracellular lipase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC‐4713 was efficiently immobilized onto a synthetic poly(AAc‐co‐HPMA‐cl‐EGDMA) hydrogel by adsorption and the bound lipase was evaluated for its hydrolytic potential towards various p‐nitrophenyl acyl esters varying in their C‐chain lengths. The bound lipase showed optimal hydrolytic activity towards p‐nitrophenyl palmitate (p‐NPP) at pH 8.5 and temperature 45°C. The hydrolytic activity of the hydrogel‐bound lipase was markedly enhanced by the presence of Hg²⁺, Fe³⁺, and NH salt ions in that order. The hydrogel‐immobilized lipase (25 mg) was used to perform esterification in various n‐alkane(s) that resulted in ～ 84.9 mM of methyl acrylate at 45°C in n‐heptane under shaking (120 rpm) after 6 h, when methanol and acrylic acid were used in a ratio of 100 mM:100 mM, respectively. Addition of a molecular sieve (3Å × 1.5 mm) to the reaction system at a concentration of 100 mg/reaction vol (1 mL) resulted in a moderate enhancement in conversion of reactants into methyl acrylate (85.6 mM). During the repetitive esterification under optimum conditions, the hydrogel‐bound lipase produced 71.3 mM of ester after 10th cycle of reuse. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 183–191, 2007     

Direct Formation of Luminescent Fine Crystals Based on (Y,Eu)TiNbO6 Complete Solid Solution with High Crystallinity

Luminescent fine crystals of Y_1.00?xEu_xTiNbO₆, x = 0–1.00 with high crystallinity were directly synthesized by mild hydrothermal method from weakly basic precursor solution mixtures of YCl₃, EuCl₃, TiOSO₄, and NbCl₅. Orthorhombic aeschynite‐type crystals in the range of 0.5–2.0 μm consisting of crystallites with 33–91 nm based on a complete solid solution in the YTiNbO₆–EuTiNbO₆ system were hydrothermally formed at 240°C for 5 h. A single phase of as‐prepared aeschynite‐type structure was maintained in all the (Y,Eu)TiNbO₆ solid solution after heating at temperatures up to 1000°C for 1 h in air. In the range of composition x ≤ 0.6, the as‐prepared aeschynite‐type (Y,Eu)TiNbO₆ solid solutions transformed to a single phase of euxenite structure after heat treatment at temperatures higher than 1100°C–1200°C. The as‐prepared (Y,Eu)TiNbO₆ fine crystals in the range of composition x = 0.75–0.90 showed the strongest luminescence in the red spectral region: strong red (⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺) and weak orange light (⁵D₀→⁷F₁) line spectra among the as‐prepared and heat‐treated samples. Another wet chemical synthesis route confirmed the advantage in directly synthesizing the (Y,Eu)TiNbO₆ crystals through this hydrothermal method because heating at 1200°C for 1 h in air was necessary for obtaining crystalline (Y,Eu)TiNbO₆ with sufficient luminescence intensity in a composition Y_0.70Eu_0.30TiNbO₆ from amorphous powders that were formed via co‐precipitation method.     

The dispersants effect on physical properties of long‐lasting luminescent polypropylene

Two series of blends, O‐PP₁₅ and O‐PP₃₅, were prepared by mixing polypropylene (PP), luminescent powders (SrAl₂O₄: Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺) of 15 and 35 μm average particle diameter, and hydrophobic dispersant at about 190°C in the Brabender mixer. The effect of amounts and diameter of luminescent powders on the physical properties of PP material were discussed herein. The luminescence and afterglow time tests indicated that the initial luminescence of all blends increased with the luminescent powders amounts. O‐PP₃₅ blends showed lower afterglow luminance than O‐PP₁₅ blends at low luminescent powder amounts. The melting and crystallization temperatures of the blends appeared at 152–168°C and 87–103°C, respectively. The blends displayed peaks attributable to a α crystal structure at 2θ = 18°–19°. The β crystal structure was only evident from its characteristic 2θ peak at 15°–16° in the WAXD pattern of the O‐PP₃₅ blends with high luminescent powder amounts. All of the blends had lower tensile strengths. However, the improvement in the luminescent powder distribution was evident from the SEM images after adding hydrophobic dispersant. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Catalytic potential of a poly(AAc‐co‐HPMA‐cl MBAm)‐matrix‐immobilized lipase from a thermotolerant Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC‐4713

A purified alkaline thermo‐tolerant lipase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC‐4713 was immobilized on a series of five noble weakly hydrophilic poly(AAc‐co‐HPMA‐cl MBAm) hydrogels. The hydrogel synthesized by copolymerizing acrylic acid and 2‐hydroxy propyl methacrylate in a ratio of 5 : 1 (HG_5:1 matrix) showed maximum binding efficiency for lipase (95.3%, specific activity 1.96 IU mg^?1 of protein). The HG_5:1 immobilized lipase was evaluated for its hydrolytic potential towards p‐NPP by studying the effect of various physical parameters and salt‐ions. The immobilized lipase was highly stable and retained ～92% of its original hydrolytic activity after fifth cycle of reuse for hydrolysis of p‐nitrophenyl palmitate at pH 7.5 and temperature 55°C. However, when the effect of pH and temperature was studied on free and bound lipase, the HG_5:1 immobilized lipase exhibited a shift in optima for pH and temperature from pH 7.5 and 55°C to 8.5 and 65°C in free and immobilized lipase, respectively. At 1 mM concentration, Fe³⁺, Hg²⁺, NH₄⁺, and Al³⁺ ions promoted and Co²⁺ ions inhibited the hydrolytic activities of free as well as immobilized lipase. However, exposure of either free or immobilized lipase to any of these ions at 5 mM concentration strongly increased the hydrolysis of p‐NPP (by ～3–4 times) in comparison to the biocatalysts not exposed to any of the salt ions. The study concluded that HG_5:1 matrix efficiently immobilized lipase of P. aeruginosa MTCC‐4713, improved the stability of the immobilized biocatalyst towards a higher pH and temperature than the free enzyme and interacted with Fe³⁺, Hg²⁺, NH₄⁺, and Al³⁺ ions to promote rapid hydrolysis of the substrate (p‐NPP). © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 4252–4259, 2006     

Removal of heavy‐metal ions by magnetic beads containing triazole chelating groups

The aim of this study was to prepare magnetic beads that could be used for the removal of heavy‐metal ions from synthetic solutions. Magnetic poly(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate–1‐vinyl‐1,2,4‐triazole) [m‐poly(EGDMA–VTAZ)] beads were produced by suspension polymerization in the presence of a magnetite Fe₃O₄ nanopowder. The specific surface area of the m‐poly(EGDMA–VTAZ) beads was 74.8 m²/g with a diameter range of 150–200 μm, and the swelling ratio was 84%. The average Fe₃O₄ content of the resulting m‐poly(EGDMA–VTAZ) beads was 14.8%. The maximum binding capacities of the m‐poly(EGDMA–VTAZ) beads from aquous solution were 284.3 mg/g for Hg²⁺, 193.8 mg/g for Pb²⁺, 151.5 mg/g for Cu²⁺, 128.1 mg/g for Cd²⁺, and 99.4 mg/g for Zn²⁺. The affinity order on a mass basis was Hg²⁺ > Pb²⁺ > Cu²⁺ > Cd²⁺> Zn²⁺. The binding capacities from synthetic waste water were 178.1 mg/g for Hg²⁺, 132.4 mg/g for Pb²⁺, 83.5 mg/g for Cu²⁺, 54.1 mg/g for Cd²⁺, and 32.4 mg/g for Zn²⁺. The magnetic beads could be regenerated (up to ca. 97%) by a treatment with 0.1M HNO₃. These features make m‐poly(EGDMA–VTAZ) beads potential supports for heavy‐metal removal under a magnetic field. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Distinct composite structure and properties of Eu(phen)2Cl3(H2O)2 in poly(methyl methacrylate) and polyvinylpyrrolidone

The luminescent europium complex Eu(phen)₂ Cl₃(H₂O)₂ (phen refers to 1,10‐phenanthroline) was doped in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), respectively. The formed composite systems with different molar ratios of C?O groups in polymers and Eu ions were characterized by X‐ray diffractometry (XRD), FTIR, and photoluminescent (PL) spectroscopy and lifetime measurement. The XRD diffractograms show that the composites of PMMA/Eu(phen)₂Cl₃(H₂O)₂ and PVP/Eu (phen)₂Cl₃(H₂O)₂ have crystalline and amorphous structures, respectively, arising from different interactions between the polymers and the complex, as revealed by FTIR spectra. This leads to distinct luminescent characteristics arising from the ⁵D₀→⁷F_J transitions of Eu(III) ion (J = 0–4). For the composite systems of PMMA/complex, the characteristics of the emission lines change with decreasing molar ratios of C?O/Eu and approach that of the pure complex; whereas the composite systems of PVP/complex have similar spectral features, regardless of the molar ratios, differing from that of the pure complex. The polymer matrices have a substantial influence on the structure and properties of the composites. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 3524–3530, 2004     

Characterization and photoluminescence properties of diglycidyl methacrylic resin doped with the Eu3+–β‐diketonate complex

Triaquatris(acetyl acetonate)europium(III) [Eu(acac)₃] at 1, 5, 10, and 15% was doped in diglycidyl methacrylic (DGMA) resin, and their luminescent properties in the solid state are reported. These systems were characterized with elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. On the basis of TGA data, the thermal stability of the DGMA/Eu(acac)₃x% system was similar to that of the polymer, except at the highest concentration (15%). The DSC results indicated that the new systems were chemically stable and underwent the cure process before decomposition. The emission spectra of the Eu³⁺/acetyl acetonate complex doped in DGMA, recorded at 298 and 77 K, exhibited the characteristic bands arising from the ⁵D₀→⁷F_J transitions (J = 0–4). The luminescence intensity decreased with an increasing precursor concentration in the doped polymer. The system doped at a low concentration (1% Eu³⁺ complex) presented more luminescence efficiency than those doped at 5, 10, and 15%. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 406–412, 2006     

Properties and application of poly(methacrylic acid‐co‐dodecyl methacrylate‐cl‐N,N‐methylene bisacrylamide) hydrogel immobilized Bacillus cereus MTCC 8372 lipase for the synthesis of geranyl acetate

A range of fatty acid esters is now being produced commercially with immobilized microbial lipases (glycerol ester hydrolases; EC) in nonaqueous solvents. In this study, a synthetic hydrogel was prepared by the copolymerization of methacrylic acid and dodecyl methacrylate in the presence of a crosslinker, N,N‐methylene bisacrylamide. A purified alkaline thermotolerant bacterial lipase from Bacillus cereus MTCC 8372 was immobilized on a poly(methacrylic acid‐co‐dodecyl methacrylate‐cl‐N,N‐methylene bisacrylamide) hydrogel by an adsorption method. The hydrogel showed a 95% binding efficiency for the lipase. The bound lipase was evaluated for its hydrolytic potential toward various p‐nitrophenyl acyl esters with various C chain lengths. The bound lipase showed optimal hydrolytic activity toward p‐nitrophenyl palmitate at a pH of 8.5 and a temperature of 55°C. The hydrolytic activity of the hydrogel‐bound lipase was enhanced by Hg²⁺, Fe³⁺, and NH ions at a concentration of 1 mM. The hydrogel‐bound lipase was used to synthesize geranyl acetate from geraniol and acetic acid in n‐heptane. The optimization of the reaction conditions, such as catalyst loading, effect of substrate concentration, solvent (n‐pentane, n‐hexane, n‐heptane, n‐octane, and n‐nonane), reaction time, temperature, molecular sieve (3 Å × 1.5 mm) and scale up (at 50‐mL level), was studied. The immobilized lipase (25 mg/mL) was used to perform an esterification in n‐alkane(s) that resulted in the synthesis of approximately 82.8 mM geranyl acetate at 55°C in n‐heptane under continuous shaking (160 rpm) after 15 h when geraniol and acetic acid were used in a ratio of 100 : 100 mM. The addition of a molecular sieve (3 Å × 1.5 mm) to the reaction system at a concentration of 40 mg/mL in reaction volume (2 mL) resulted in an increase in the conversion of reactants into geranyl acetate (90.0 mM). During the repetitive esterification under optimum conditions, the hydrogel‐bound lipase produced ester (37.0 mM) after the eighth cycle of reuse. When the reaction volume was scaled up to 50 mL, the ester synthesized was 58.7 mM under optimized conditions. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Thermal degradation behavior of PMMA synthesized by emulsifier‐free emulsion polymerization with a Cu2+/HSO3− redox system

In this study, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) latex was synthesized in an emulsifier‐free emulsion polymerization at 60°C using a Cu²⁺/HSO redox initiator system with different concentrations of Cu²⁺. The experimental results showed that the monomer conversion reached above 90% for all systems. Zeta potential was all negative due to the bonded bisulfite ion and the magnitude was greater than 30 mV, providing the stability of PMMA emulsion. The morphology of the latex observed by scanning electron microscope revealed a uniform particle size, and the average particle size increased from 181.9 to 234.2 nm as the Cu²⁺ ion concentration increased from 2.0 to 6.0 mM in 1M of MMA solution. Thermal degradation behavior of synthesized PMMA was studied by thermogravimetric analysis, in which a two‐stage degradation behavior was observed. These two stages were found to be caused by the degradation of unsaturated end group (PMMA? CR?CH₂) and saturated end group (PMMA? H), respectively. In addition, the higher the concentration of Cu²⁺ ion, the greater the proportion of PMMA? CR?CH₂ in the final product, and in turn rendering more weight loss in the first‐stage degradation. The copper ion not only played a role in the redox initiation, but also acted as a chain transfer agent to terminate growing polymer chains, thus producing PMMA? CR?CH₂. The apparent activation energies of the first stage (E_a1) and second stage (E_a2) were calculated by Ozawa's and Boswell's method. The results showed that E_a1, representing the degradation of PMMA‐CR?CH₂, was lower than E_a2 for the degradation of PMMA‐H. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Synthesis and properties of fluorescent light‐emitting polyamide hybrids with reactive nanosilica by epoxide functionalization

A series of poly(carbazole‐quinoxaline‐amide)s (PCQAs) containing phenyl and long alkyl chain as pendants was synthesized from polycondensation between a new diamine with a synthesized and several commercial dicarboxylic acids using Yamazaki's method. PCQAs had inherent viscosities and weight average molecular weights ( ) in the range of 0.48–0.62 dL g^?1 and 51,600–58,500 g mol^?1, respectively. These luminescent polymers are readily soluble in a variety of organic solvents and formed low‐colored and tough thin films. In this study, silane modified SiO₂ (mSiO₂) nanoparticles were prepared, characterized and used with PCQAs in preparation of nanocomposites via solution blending method. The interfacial interaction strength between mSiO₂ and the polymer–matrix enhanced thermal stability (T_10%, from 463°C to 500°C) and mechanical strength (from 100 MPa to 150 MPa) for composite containing 30 wt % mSiO₂ in comparison with the pure polyamide. These materials showed good ability for extraction–elimination of metal ions such as Cr⁶⁺, Cr³⁺, Co²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Hg²⁺ from aqueous solutions either individually or in the mixture at various pH. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40219.     

Modification of polyester fabric properties by surfactant‐aided surface polymerization

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was applied to polyester fabric using a surface analog of emulsion polymerization. The admicellar polymerization was carried out using 1.5 mM dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA) at pH 4 with 0.15M NaCl, 1 : 8 DBSA:monomer, and 1 : 10 initiator:monomer molar ratio. The PMMA film, which was formed, was characterized by SEM and FTIR. Hydrolysis of the PMMA film on polyester fabric was carried out to introduce carboxylic acid groups to the polyester surface to increase its hydrophilicity. The results show that a PMMA thin film was successfully formed on the polyester fabric. The water contact angle of the PMMA‐coated polyester fabric after hydrolysis by 10M H₂SO₄ for 5 h was reduced from 117.3° to 0° and there was a significant increase in the moisture‐regain value of the treated fabric. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 4059–4064, 2007     

The potential of Cu(I)Cl/2,2′‐bipyridine catalysis in a triblock copolymer preparation by atom transfer radical polymerization

The ability of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) in the sequential synthesis of triblock copolymers was examined using Cu(I)Cl/2,2′‐bipyridine catalysis at 110°C in toluene, starting from PMMA macroinitiators terminated with the C‐Br group. The PMMAs were prepared by living anionic or group transfer polymerization (GTP), followed by bromination of the respective active site with Br₂ or N‐bromosuccinimide (NBS). The yield of the terminal bromination in the products of both living polymerizations was 60–64% at best, compared with the yield of the bromination of 1‐methoxy‐(1‐trimethylsilyloxy)prop‐1‐ene (a model of the GTP active site) with NBS, as found by ¹H‐NMR. The PMMA macroinitiators prepared were utilized to start the sequential ATRP, finally affording PMMA‐b‐PBuA‐b‐PSt (M_n 69,100), PMMA‐b‐PSt‐b‐PBuA (M_n 21,300) and PMMA‐b‐PSt‐b‐PMMA (M_n 35,200), which have not yet been synthesized by ATRP. After the second block has been formed, the Br‐unterminated part of PMMA macroinitiator was removed by extraction or repeated precipitation. In the third (last) sequence polymerization, induction periods were observed. The first two triblock copolymers were free of precursors and have M_w/M_n values 1.5–1.6 (SEC). In the course of the last step of PMMA‐b‐PSt‐b‐PMMA synthesis, the content of the PMMA‐b‐PSt precursor slowly decreased with increasing MMA conversion. Still, at ≈90% MMA conversion, about 10–15% of the precursor remained in the product. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 3514–3522, 2001     

Methacrylic acid and dodecyl methacrylate (MAc‐DMA) hydrogel for enhanced catalytic activity of lipase of Bacillus coagulans MTCC‐6375

An alkaline thermotolerant bacterial lipase of Bacillus coagulans MTCC‐6375 was purified and immobilized on a methacrylic acid and dodecyl methacrylate (MAc‐DMA) hydrogel. The lipase was optimally bound to the matrix after 20 min of incubation at 55°C and pH 9 under shaking conditions. The matrix‐bound lipase retained approximately 50% of its initial activity at 70–80°C after 3 h of incubation. The immobilized lipase was highly active on medium chain length p‐nitrophenyl acyl ester (C: 8, p‐nitrophenyl caprylate) than other p‐nitrophenyl acyl esters. The presence of Fe³⁺, NH₄⁺, K⁺, and Zn²⁺ ions at 1 mM concentration in the reaction mixture resulted in a profound increase in the activity of immobilized lipase. Most of the detergents partially reduced the activity of the immobilized lipase. The immobilized lipase performed ～62% conversion in 12 h at temperature 55°C. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 1420–1426, 2006     

Temperature‐Dependent Emission Spectra of Ca2Si5N8:Eu2+, Tm3+ Phosphor and its Afterglow Properties

The nitrides Ca₂Si₅N₈:0.5%Eu²⁺, x%Tm³⁺(x = 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4) (CSN:0.5E, xT) phosphors were prepared via the high temperature solid‐sintering method using CaH₂ as calcium source. These phosphors exhibited strong orange long‐lasting phosphorescence (LLP) after turning off the activating light. Besides, the CSN:0.5E, 1T phosphor with an afterglow time of more than 200 min (0.32 mcd/m²). Furthermore, the temperature‐dependent emission spectra of CSN:0.5E, 1T were investigated from temperature 80–500 K and an anti‐quenching phenomenon that the emission intensities increased then decreased under excitation at increased temperature was found. Ultimate, the proposed mechanism on temperature dependence of luminescence was analyzed. This study provides a new perspective for the impact of temperature‐dependent problem as a consequence of heating processes in luminescent materials.     

Graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto rubber‐wood fiber using H2O2 and Fe2+ as an initiator system

Methyl methacrylate (MMA) was successfully grafted onto rubber‐wood fiber in a free‐radical solution polymerization initiated by ferrous ion and hydrogen peroxide. The effects of the reaction parameters (reaction temperature, reaction period, influence of hydrogen peroxide, ferrous ammonium sulfate, and monomer concentrations) were investigated. The grafting percentage showed dependency on H₂O₂, Fe²⁺, and monomer concentrations, as well as reaction temperature and reaction period. The optimum reaction temperature was determined to be about 60°C and the reaction period was 60 min. The optimum concentration of H₂O₂ was 0.03M and optimum amounts of Fe²⁺ and MMA were 0.26 mmol and 2.36 × 10^?2 mol, respectively. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) homopolymer was removed from the graft copolymer by Soxhlet extractor using acetone. The presence of PMMA on the fiber was shown by FT‐IR spectroscopy and gravimetric analysis. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 2499–2503, 2003     

Studies on polycarbazole‐modified electrode and its applications in the development of solid‐state potassium and copper(II) ion sensors

Electrochemical synthesis of polycarbazole, having better stability and electrochromic activity, in dichloromethane containing 0.1 M tetrabutyl ammonium perchlorate (TBAP) is reported at 1.4 V versus Ag/AgCl. The electrochemistry based on cyclic voltammetric measurements in dichloromethane containing TBAP show redox behavior of the polymer associated to doping and de‐doping of ClO ion within the polymer interstices. The polycarbazole matrix obtained by the potentiostatic and potentiodynamic modes of electropolymerization is characterized based on scanning electron microscopy, differential calorimetry, and infrared spectroscopy. De‐doping of the polymer is studied by electrochemical reduction in TBAP‐free dichloromethane followed by incubation of the polymer film in 1 M aqueous KCl solution for 24 h. The open circuit potential (OCP) of doped and de‐doped polycarbazole modified electrode under the present experimental conditions is found to 462 and 19 mV, respectively, versus SCE in 0.1 M NH₄NO₃. The de‐doped polymer shows remarkable sensitivity and selective to Cu(II) ion compared to its sensitivity for Fe³⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Cu⁺ ions. A typical response of the de‐doped polymer electrode to Cu(II) ion is reported. On the other hand, ClO doped polymer is used in the development of solid‐state K⁺ ion sensors using dibenzo‐18‐crown‐6/valinomycin as a neutral carrier–based, plasticized poly vinyl chloride matrix membrane assembled over a polymer‐modified electrode. The doped polymer under this condition helps in maintaining charge stabilization across Pt/polymer and polymer/PVC interfaces. The lowest detection limit for the potassium ion sensor is 5 × 10⁻⁵ M with a slope of 58 mV/decade for valinomycin‐based sensor and 6.8 × 10⁻⁵ M with a slope of 54 mV for dibenzo‐18‐crown‐6 carriers with a wide linearity. The typical potentiometric results on the sensitivity, detection limits, and OCP to K⁺ ion recorded using present polymer are compared with the data recorded earlier using polyindole and a similar neutral carrier–based PVC membrane. A comparison on electrode kinetics of these two polymer‐modified electrodes also has been made using the data on Tafel plots to study the relative kinetic polarizability based on ion‐exchange currents. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 75: 1749–1759, 2000     

Purification and characterization of solvent‐tolerant,thermostable, alkaline metalloprotease from alkalophilic Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 7926

BACKGROUND: Microbial proteases are becoming imperative for commercial applications. The protease secreted by Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 7926, isolated from solvent‐contaminated habitat was purified and characterized for activity at various edaphic conditions. The purified alkaline protease was investigated for dehairing of animal skin, anti‐staphylococcal activity and processing of X‐ray film. RESULTS: The protease was 24‐fold purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation, sephadex G‐100 gel filtration and DEAE‐cellulose, with 36% recovery. K_M and V_max, using casein were 2.94 mg mL^?1 and 1.27 µmole min^?1, respectively. The apparent molecular mass by SDS‐PAGE was 35 kDa. Alkaline protease was active at pH 6–11 and temperature 25–65 °C. Its activity was (a) 86.8% in 100 mmol L^?1 NaCl, (b) >95% in metal ions (Mn²⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Fe²⁺) for 1 h, (c) >90% in bleaching agents and chemical surfactants, (d) 135.4 ± 2.0% and 119.9 ± 6.2% with rhamnolipid and cyclodextrin, respectively, (e) stable in solvents for 5–30 days at 27 °C, and (f) inhibited by EDTA, indicating metalloprotein. CONCLUSION: This work showed that purified protease retained its activity in surfactants, solvents, metals, and bleaching agents. The enzyme is an alternative for detergent formulations, dehairing of animal skin, X‐ray film processing, treatment of staphylococcal infections and possibly non‐aqueous enzymatic peptide synthesis. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry