Fabrication of single-wall carbon nanotubes within the channels of a mesoporous material by catalyst-supported chemical vapor deposition

Diameter-controlled single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have been synthesized using Co, Fe/Co and Rh/Pd alloy nanoparticles trapped within the one-dimensional channels of a mesoporous materials (Folded Sheets Mesoporous material: FSM-16) by catalyst-supported chemical vapor deposition (CCVD) using ethanol as carbon source at 973-1173 K. The SWCNTs synthesized are characterized by transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The yield, diameter distribution and quality of the SWCNTs strongly depend on the reaction temperature during CCVD. The product synthesized at 1173 K contains only SWCNTs, in marked contrast to those synthesized at lower temperatures. As the reaction temperature decreases, the relative abundance of multi-wall carbon nanotubes against SWCNTs significantly increases, whereas the mean diameter of SWCNTs increases as reaction temperature increases. The results show that a careful control of the reaction temperature is crucial to fabricate diameter-controlled SWCNTs from the channels of FSM-16.     

Effects of the incorporation of silver and gold nanoparticles on the photoanodic properties of rose bengal sensitized TiO2 film electrodes prepared by sol-gel method

Rose bengal-deposited TiO₂ film electrodes bearing dispersed Ag or Au nanoparticles were prepared by the sol-gel method. The dye-induced visible region photoresponse of the electrodes decreased with increasing Ag content up to a mole ratio of Ag/TiO₂ = 0.0207, while the UV photoresponse increased. On the other hand, the dye-induced visible region photoresponse decreased to a less extent by incorporation of a larger amount of Au particles of Au/TiO₂ = 0.06, along with decreased UV photoresponse. The effects of the metal particles on the dye sensitization of the electrodes were discussed in terms of band edge fluctuation induced by the surface metal particles, Schottky barriers at TiO₂/metal interfaces, and surface plasma resonance.     

Determination of substances in polylactic acid products for food-contact use and mutagenicity of their migration solutions

Specification tests defined in the Japanese Food Sanitation Law were conducted on 7 polylactic acid food-contact products. Moreover, the content and migration of other compounds were examined by means of ICP-AES, GC/MS and mutagenicity tests. All products met their specifications, and migration levels of heavy metals were negligible. No notable peak was observed in GC/MS analysis. Moreover, all products gave negative results in both rec-assay and the umu-test. An increase in the β-galactosidase activity in the umu-test observed with the migration solution of soup bowl was due not to polylactic acid, but to the polyurethane coating.     

Metals in recycled polyethylene terephthalate and discrimination method for its use

Metals in recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were analyzed by ICP-MS following microwave digestion with nitric acid. Physically and superclean-like recycled PET contained both Ge and Sb, and sometimes contained Co, P or Si. In contrast, the chemically recycled PET contained only Ge or Sb, and some samples contained Co. The recycled PETs did not contain Pb or Cd. Ge and Sb were catalysts of the polymerization, and the other metals also originated from the PET resin as additives. It was concluded that there is no safety concern about metals in recycled PET. It became clear that the presence of both Ge and Sb could identify products formed using physically or superclean-like recycled PET. According to this discrimination method, about half of the sheet molding products used recycled PET.     

Characteristics of neutralization of acids by newly isolated fungal cells

Soil microorganisms play an important role in maintaining soil pH at levels suitable for other soil organisms. To clarify the biological neutralization mechanism in soil, we isolated soil microorganisms showing a high ability to neutralize acids and studied their characteristics. From our taxonomic study, three isolated strains were identified as filamentous fungi, namely Mucor sp., Aspergillus fumigatus, and Aureobasidium pullulans. These strains could secrete basic materials, such as ammonia, for neutralization, grow in the medium at pH 4.0 and increase the pH of the medium to approximately 8.0. These microbial cells could neutralize not only nitric acid but also sulfuric and hydrochloric acids. The strains could also grow by utilizing nitric acid as a sole nitrogen source. In the soil containing these organisms, the pH was maintained in the neutral range by the buffering action of basic materials that they secrete. These results suggest that these fungal cells are useful for protecting the soil from acidification by acid rain.     

Determination of low levels of methanol and ethanol in licorice extract by large volume injection head-space GC

A large volume injection head-space GC method was established for measuring low levels of residual methanol and ethanol in licorice extract used a food additive. A vial was kept at 50 degrees C in the oven of the head-space sampler. Injection of the head-space gas for 0.75 min into a Poraplot Q GC column with a initial oven temperature of 35 degrees C, enabled the determination of low levels (5 micrograms/g) of methanol and ethanol. The standard deviations for five rounds of analysis of methanol and ethanol in licorice extracts were between 0.82 and 2.97. Methanol was found in 6 samples out of 9 collected in 1999, at concentrations exceeding 50 micrograms/g, the limit set by the Japanese Government, established in 1999 and coming into force on April 1, 2000. The highest concentration reached 10,000 micrograms/g. Methanol at a concentration exceeding 50 micrograms/g was found in 2 out of 9 samples collected in 2000. The highest concentration was 270 micrograms/g.     

Evaluation of drug toxicity with hepatocytes cultured in a micro-space cell culture system

A micro-space cell culture system was recently developed in which cells such as hepatocytes can be cultured and formed into a multicellular three-dimensional (3D) architecture. In this study, we assessed the performance of HepG2 cells cultured in this micro-space cell culture system in a drug toxicity test, and evaluated the effects of micro-space culture on their hepatocyte-specific functions. The micro-space cell culture facilitated the formation of 3D HepG2 cell architecture. HepG2 cells cultured in a micro-space culture plate exhibited increased albumin secretion and enhanced mRNA expression levels of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme compared to those cultured in a monolayer culture. When the cells were exposed to acetaminophen, a hepatotoxic drug, the damage to the HepG2 cells grown in micro-space culture was greater than the damage to the HepG2 cells grown in monolayer culture. In addition, human primary hepatocytes grown in micro-space culture also exhibited increased albumin secretion, enhanced CYP mRNA expression levels and increased sensitivity to acetaminophen compared to those grown in monolayer culture. These results suggest that this micro-space culture method enhances the hepatocyte-specific functions of hepatocytes, including drug-metabolizing enzyme activities, making hepatocytes grown in the micro-space culture system a useful tool for evaluating drug toxicity in vitro.     

Determination of epoxidized soybean oil in bottled foods

A determination method for epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO) in bottled foods was developed and used to survey bottled foods on the Japanese market. The amount of sample required was decreased to 20 g and the standard addition method was adopted for the quantification, because lipid in foods interrupted the hydrolysis of ESBO. The recoveries were 87.1 and 98.9% and the determination limit was 5.0 microg/g for a 20 g sample, be cause lipid in foods interupted the hydrolysis of ESBO. The recoveries using the internal standard method varied widely, because hydrolysis of the internal standard, cis-11,14-eicosadienoic acid ethyl ester, was affected more than that of ESBO by coexisting lipid in the sample. ESBO was not detected in any of the bottled baby food samples examined (14 samples), though it had been frequently detected in previous European surveys. This difference may be related to the low fat content and low fluidity of the bottled baby foods retailed in Japan. On the other hand, ESBO was detected at levels of 25.7-494.0 microg/g in liver paste, pasta sauce, Sungan in spicy oil, and spicy oil. These foods had higher fat content and higher fluidity. However, ESBO intake from these foods appears unlikely to exceed the TDI in the EU (1 mg/kg bw/day).     

Linear and Nonlinear Optical Properties of TeO2 Glass

A thin plate of TeO₂ glass of 5.0 × 4.0 × 0.25 mm³ size, which was large enough for various optical measurements, was obtained by a rapid quenching method. The linear refractive index was measured as a function of wavelength from 486.1 to 1000 nm. The refractive index at 486.1 nm was as high as 2.239. The optical energy band gap was estimated as 3.37 eV from the optical absorption spectrum. The third-order nonlinear optical susceptibility, χ⁽³⁾, was determined by the third-harmonic generation (THG) method. The χ⁽³⁾ value was as high as 1.4 × 10⁻¹² esu, about 50 times as large as that of SiO₂ glass. The results are discussed based on Lines' model in which an influence of cationic empty d -orbitals on the nonlinear properties was taken into account.