Interactions between Cytochrome c and DNA Strands Self-Assembled at Gold Electrode

In this work, we reported the investigation on the interaction between DNA strands self-assembled at gold electrodes and an electron transfer protein, cytochrome c. We observed that cytochrome c exhibited well-defined electrochemistry in both double-stranded and single-stranded DNA films. This suggested that the electron transfer reaction of cytochrome c arose possibly due to the electron hopping along DNA strands rather than wiring along the double helix. We also compared the heterogeneous electron transfer rate of cytochrome c with that of a ruthenium complex, which further confirmed this mechanism.     

Integrated UV-based photo microreactor-distillation technology toward process intensification of continuous ultra-high-purity electronic-grade silicon tetrachloride manufacture

Ultra-high-purity silicon tetrachloride (SiCl₄) is demanded as an electronic-grade chemical to meet the stringent requirements of the rapidly developing semiconductor industry. The high requirement for ultra-high-purity SiCl₄ has created the need for a high-efficient process for reducing energy consumption as well as satisfying product quality. In this paper, a mass of production technology of ultra-high-purity SiCl₄ was successfully developed through chlorination reaction in the ultraviolet (UV)-based photo microreactor coupled with the distillation process. The influences of key operational parameters, including temperature, pressure, UV wavelength and light intensity on the product quality, especially for hydrogen-containing impurities, were quantified by the infrared transmittance of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) at 2185 cm^-1 and 2160 cm^-1 indicating that characteristic vibrational modes of Si—H bonds, as well as the operating conditions of distillation were also investigated as key factors for metal impurities removing. The advanced intensification of SiCl₄ manufactured by the integration of photo microreactor and distillation achieves the products with superior specifications higher than the standard commercial products.     

Integrated UV-based photo microreactor-distillation technology toward process intensification of continuous ultra-high-purity electronic-grade silicon tetrachloride manufacture

Ultra-high-purity silicon tetrachloride (SiCl₄) is demanded as an electronic-grade chemical to meet the stringent requirements of the rapidly developing semiconductor industry. The high requirement for ultra-high-purity SiCl₄ has created the need for a high-efficient process for reducing energy consumption as well as satisfying product quality. In this paper, a mass of production technology of ultra-high-purity SiCl₄ was successfully developed through chlorination reaction in the ultraviolet (UV)-based photo microreactor coupled with the distillation process. The influences of key operational parameters, including temperature, pressure, UV wavelength and light intensity on the product quality, especially for hydrogen-containing impurities, were quantified by the infrared transmittance of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) at 2185 cm⁻¹ and 2160 cm⁻¹ indicating that characteristic vibrational modes of SiH bonds, as well as the operating conditions of distillation were also investigated as key factors for metal impurities removing. The advanced intensification of SiCl₄ manufactured by the integration of photo microreactor and distillation achieves the products with superior specifications higher than the standard commercial products.     

Preparation of NaBiO3 and the electrochemical characteristic of manganese dioxide doped with NaBiO3

NaBiO₃ crystal of high purity has been synthesized through chemical oxidization. The morphology and thermal stability of NaBiO₃ were examined with scanning electron microscope (SEM) and thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC). The electrochemical properties of MnO₂ electrodes with and without doping NaBiO₃ were studied through galvanostatic charge/discharge and cyclic voltammetry. The results indicate that the MnO₂ electrode doped with NaBiO₃ possesses remarkably higher discharge voltage and capacity and better reversibility than the pure MnO₂ electrode and Bi₂O₃ doping MnO₂ electrode.     

Ethanol vapor deactivation of gossypol in cottonseed meal

Most cottonseed cultivars contain gossypol, a polyphenolic antinutritional compound. “Free” gossypol is a physiologically active form of gossypol, which is toxic to young- and nonruminant animals. To utilize solvent-extracted cottonseed meal as a general feed, gossypol must be either removed or deactivated to a minimum level specified for each class of animal. Normally, deactivation is carried out prior to oil extraction; however, the desired level of deactivation is not always attained. A new supplemental method of deactivation has been found by using either ethanol or isopropanol vapors on solventextracted meal. In a bench-top set-up, ethanol vapor reduced free gossypol from 0.115 to 0.053%, and a further reduction to 0.026% has been observed with the addition of ferrous sulfate. The supplemental deactivation method can, in most cases, reduce free gossypol to significantly safer levels for feeding, thus increasing utility, and possibly demand, for cottonseed meal as a general animal feed protein source. Presented in part at the AOCS Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA, May 8–12, 1994.     

Consolidation of Nano-Sized TiN Powders by Spark Plasma Sintering

Nano-sized TiN powders with an average particle size of 19 nm were synthesized via a new method, reduction–nitridation reaction in liquid ammonia. A consolidation procedure using spark plasma sintering (SPS) was used, and a dense TiN ceramic (>98% of theoretical) with mean grain size of 100–150 nm was obtained at 1380°C. The influence of sintering temperature on grain growth and microstructural evolution was also discussed.     

吸湿介质对碳纤维增强铸型尼龙复合材料的吸湿行为及力学性能的影响

本文对碳纤维增强铸型尼龙(CF／MC 尼龙)复合材料在不同吸湿介质中的吸湿行为进行了研究。结果表明，对于纤维体积分数为10％的碳纤维增强铸型尼龙复合材料(10％CF／MC尼龙复合材料)，随着吸湿介质的PH值减小，它的吸湿率增大。同时，经过吸湿后，10％CF／MC尼龙复合材料的弯曲强度有明显的下降。随着吸湿介质的PH值减小，试样的弯曲强度下降。使用环境扫描电子显微镜观察在10％HCl溶液中吸湿的试样的剪切断口形貌，得到的结果与吸湿实验的结果一致。     

一体化锅炉水处理剂的制备及性能研究

利用自制SW-56共聚物，复配有机磷酸盐和焦亚硫酸钠除氧剂及消泡剂，成功制备XF-4一体化锅炉水处理剂。对XF-4锅炉水处理剂的阻垢、缓蚀进行了试验研究，表明其具有优良的阻垢能力，可以明显抑制热水锅炉积垢现象；加入改性除氧剂能降低锅炉水中溶解氧的含量，使腐蚀控制较理想；配方中的消泡剂组分可防止锅炉水表面起泡，抑制高悬浮物下的携带作用。     

Photochemical degradation of glassy polyesters of low softening point

The photodegradation of polyesters prepared by the reaction of o-phthalic, adipic, and “dimer” acids with ethylene glycol has been studied. The polyesters softened at temperatures in the range of 25–50°C. Polymer films were irradiated in air by means of a medium pressure mercury lamp and the extent of formation of COOH groups determined by infrared spectroscopy. The films were also irradiated in vacuo and in air by means of a high-pressure mercury lamp, and the volatile products, consisting mainly of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, were determined by gas chromatography. The results are interpreted in terms of simultaneous Norrish type I and type II decompositions of the polyesters. The type I process accounts for the formation of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide in the absence of air. The enhanced yield of carbon dioxide in irradiations performed in air is ascribed to the formation of hydroperoxide which undergoes further photolysis. The type II process accounts for the formation of COOH groups. The photodegradation of these glassy polyesters parallels that of crystalline poly(ethylene terephthalate) and is relatively unaffected by changes in composition of the aromatic polyester.     

Effects of hygrothermally decomposed polyurethane on the curing and mechanical properties of carbon black‐filled epoxidized natural rubber vulcanizates

Hygrothermally decomposed polyurethane (HD‐PUR) was mixed up to 20 phr in epoxidized natural rubber (with 50 mol % epoxidation; ENR50) recipes, and the curing and mechanical behaviors were studied. Mechanical testing of the ENR50/HD‐PUR vulcanizates determined the tensile, tear, compression‐set, hardness, abrasion, hysteresis, and resilience properties. No significant changes were observed in the tensile properties with the incorporation of HD‐PUR. The ENR50 compounds showed an increase in compression set with increasing HD‐PUR content. Rubbers cured by a semi‐efficient vulcanization system gave the best overall performance. A further improvement in curing and mechanical properties was achieved by the carbon black grade N330 being replaced with a more active grade (N375). © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 2265–2276, 2002