Size dependent structural, optical and morphological properties of ZnS:Cu thin films

ZnS:Cu thin films have been deposited on glass substrate by a simple neutral pH solution synthesis route and chemical bath deposition technique. The copper concentration was varied between 0 and 0.1 M%. The X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope studies show the average size of the nanoparticles are below 4 nm (Bohr diameter). The effect of film thickness on the optical and structural properties has been studied. The optical absorption studies show the band gap energy of ZnS:Cu films decreases from 3.68 to 3.43 eV as thickness varied from 318.3 to 334.1 nm. The structural estimation shows the variation in particle size from 2.67 to 3.14 nm with thickness. The insignificant change in band gap may be due to the increase in particle size and quantum size effect.     

Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis: Studies on the Effect of Support Doping with Si,Mn and Cr on the Selectivity to Alcohols in Ceria Supported Cobalt Catalysts

Mn and Cr doped CeSi mixed oxides were used as supports for Co and tested for CO hydrogenation. Co/CeSi was found to be more active and significantly more selective to n-alcohols/olefins. An increasing selectivity to n-alcohols and decreasing selectivity to olefins as a function of time on stream was also observed, suggesting a trade-off between those two products. Addition of Mn led to similar behavior, although at slightly lower conversions. Addition of Cr, however, considerably suppressed n-alcohol formation, while it kept selectivities to olefins within a 20–30 % range over more than 250 h of testing, indicating either higher alcohol dehydration activity, or that the presence of Cr ions lowered the hydrogenating activity of Co. The present work indicates that enhanced contact area between Co and the reducible support is likely a key factor for enhancing selectivity to alcohols.     

N′‐Alkylaminosulfonyl Analogues of 6‐Fluorobenzylideneindolinones with Desirable Physicochemical Profiles and Potent Growth Inhibitory Activities on Hepatocellular Carcinoma

The benzylideneindolinone 6‐chloro‐3‐(3′‐trifluoromethylbenzylidene)‐1,3‐dihydroindol‐2‐one ( 4 ) was reported to exhibit potent and selective growth inhibitory effects on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Corroborative evidence supported multi‐receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibition as a possible mode of action. However, the poor physicochemical properties of 4 limited its furtherance as a lead compound. In this study, the modification of 4 was investigated with the aim of improving its potency and physicochemical profile. The 6‐fluorobenzylideneindolinone 3‐12 bearing a 3′‐N‐propylaminosulfonyl substituent was found to be a promising substitute. Compound 3‐12 [6‐fluoro‐3‐(3′‐N‐propylaminosulfonylbenzylidene)‐1,3‐dihydroindol‐2‐one] was found to be tenfold more soluble than 4 and to have sub‐micromolar growth inhibitory activities on HCC cells. It is apoptogenic and inhibits the phosphorylation of several RTKs in HuH7, of which the inhibition of FGFR4 and HER3 are prominent. Compound 3‐12 decreased the tumor load in a physiologically relevant orthotopic HCC xenograft murine model. Structure–activity relationships support pivotal roles for the fluoro and N′‐propylaminosulfonyl moieties in enhancing cell‐based activity and moderating the physicochemical profile (solubility, permeability) of 3‐12 .     

Chlorosulphonyl Group as a New Functionality on Fullerenes: [2 2]-Cycloaddition of Chlorosulphonylisocyanate to C60

The chlorosulphonylisocyanate reacts smoothly with C₆₀ in xylene under thermal conditions in a [2+2]-cycloaddition fashion to yield the bisadduct as one of the products in the inseparable reaction mixture. The reaction product is analysed by FAB-MS, ¹³C NMR, FT-IR and HPLC techniques. Results show the formation of imino-lactone as one of the favourable products.     

The Influence of the Thickness and Areal Density on the Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Aluminium Laminates (CARAL)

A novel composite material consisting of a laminate of several thin aluminium sheets bonded with layers of carbon fibre mat/epoxy resin. Carbon fibre reinforced aluminium laminates (CARAL) offer specific advantageous properties such as better strength, fatigue, impact, corrosion resistance, fire resistance and weight savings. CARAL is a kind of fibre metal laminate system. In the present work, CARAL was prepared and experimental tests were conducted to evaluate the influence of the thickness and areal density on the mechanical properties of CARAL. Mechanical properties such as, the tensile strength and flexural strength of the laminates were increased with the increase in thickness and areal density. CARAL with four aluminium layers and three carbon fibre mat layers have superior strength than the laminates with lesser number of layers due to thickness of laminates and areal density.     

Synthesis and characterization of biodegradable poly (ethylene glycol) and poly (caprolactone diol) end capped poly (propylene fumarate) cross linked amphiphilic hydrogel as tissue engineering scaffold material

Biodegradable poly (caprolactone diol-co-propylene fumarate-co-ethylene glycol) amphiphilic polymer with poly (ethylene glycol) and poly (caprolactone diol) chain ends (PCL-PPF-PEG) was prepared. PCL-PPF-PEG undergoes fast setting with acrylamide (aqueous solution) by free radical polymerization and produces a crosslinked hydrogel. The cross linked and freeze-dried amphiphilic material has porous and interconnected network. It undergoes higher degree of swelling and water absorption to form hydrogel with hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains at the surface and appreciable tensile strength. The present hydrogel is compatible with L929 fibroblast cells. PCL-PPF-PEG/acrylamide hydrogel is a candidate scaffold material for tissue engineering applications.     

Polymerization of Diphenylcarbodiimide Catalysed by Fullerene-60

In the presence of fullerene-60 as a catalyst, the formation of diphenylcarbodiimide (DPCD) from phenylisocyanate followed by its polymerization into a hexamer in xylene at refluxing temperature was carried out. The product was analysed by FAB-Mass spectrometry, FT-IR, UV-Vis and HPLC techniques.