Graphite Oxide and Aromatic Amines: Size Matters

Experimental and theoretical studies are performed in order to illuminate, for first time, the intercalation mechanism of polycyclic aromatic molecules into graphite oxide. Two representative molecules of this family, aniline and naphthalene amine are investigated. After intercalation, aniline molecules prefer to covalently connect to the graphene oxide matrix via chemical grafting, while napthalene amine molecules bind with the graphene oxide surface through π–π interactions. The presence of intercalated aromatic molecules between the graphene oxide layers is demonstrated by X‐ray diffraction, while the type of interaction between graphene oxide and polycyclic organic molecules is elucidated by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Combined quantum mechanical and molecular mechanical calculations describe the intercalation mechanism and the aniline grafting, rationalizing the experimental data. The present work opens new perspectives for the interaction of various aromatic molecules with graphite oxide and the so‐called “intercalation chemistry”.     

Content of Vasoactive Amines in Sremski Kulen and Sremska Kobasica Traditional Dry Fermented Sausages From Vojvodina

The aim of this paper was to determine the content of vasoactive biogenic amines in Sremski kulen and Sremska kobasica and to estimate hygienic conditions and good manufacturing practice (GMP) according to proposed criteria. Formation of dansyl chloride derivatizated vasoactive amines were determined using HPLC–DAD. Tryptamine (47.6; 34.2 mg/kg), histamine (16.1; 6.42 mg/kg) and tyramine (95.1; 45.2 mg/kg) were detected in both investigated type of traditional dry fermented sausages while phenylethylamine was not detected. Total content of vasoactive amines did not exceed the sum (200 mg/kg) proposed as a possible indicator of hygienic conditions and GMP in sausage production.     

Long-chain fatty ammonium quaternaries in papermaking

A series of long-chain quaternary ammonium halogen esters (UKK-chemicals), quaternary dimethyl tallow epoxypropyl ammonium halogens (EPK1), quaternary ditallow methyl epoxypropyl ammonium halogens (EPK2), and EPK2 oligomers (EPK2P) were synthesized. At acidic, neutral, or slightly basic conditions, EPK1-, EPK2-, EPK2P-, and UKK-chemicals operate as cationic chemicals. They can be used, for example, as stock sizings, surface sizings, or fixatives. Stock sizing, surface sizing, and fixative experiments indicate that EPK1-, EPK2-, EPK2P-, and UKK-chemicals function at least as well as or better than the corresponding synthetic chemicals used in papermaking.     

Bright Blue Light—emitting Diodes Based on a Novel Fluorescent Dye Containing Heterocyclic Groups

Novel molecular material ,1-benzothiazoly-3-pheny1-pyrazoline (BTPP) was found to function as bright blue light emitting dye in organic electroluminescent device, and its optical and electric characteristics were investigated. This heterovyclic compound exhibited good characteristics of blue photoluminescence and electroluminescence,which had the emission peak at 450nm .The single layer light-emitting devices using BTPP as light -emitting material dispersed in poly(N-vinylcarbazole)(PVK) and double layer ones using PBD as hole block layer above the light-emitting layer were fabricated using conventional spin-casting and vaccum vapour deposition methods. The introduction of PBD has enhanced electron injection and luminance efficiency, compared with the single layer LEDs.     

Synthesis,Properties, and Photopolymerization of Liquid‐Crystalline Oxetanes: Application in Transflective Liquid‐Crystal Displays

Mixtures of liquid‐crystalline di‐oxetanes and mono‐oxetanes are made for the purpose of making birefringent films by photopolymerization. The composition of a di‐oxetane mixture that forms spin‐coated films of planarly aligned nematic monomers is reported. These films are photopolymerized in air. The molecular order of the monomers can be changed on the microscale to form thin films with alternating birefringent and isotropic parts by using a combination of photopolymerization and heating. The interface observed between the birefringent and isotropic 10 μm × 10 μm domains is very sharp and the films show hardly any surface corrugation. In addition, the polymerized films are thermally stable, making them very suitable for use as patterned thin‐film retarders in high‐performance transflective liquid‐crystal displays (LCDs) which satisfy customer demand for displays that are brighter and thinner and that deliver better optical performance than conventional LCDs with an external non‐patterned retarder.     

Electrochemical behaviour of phenylethanolamine at gold in aqueous solution

The electrooxidation of phenylethanolamine (2-amino-1-phenylethanol) at a gold electrode in alkaline electrolyte has been studied. Measurement of the differential capacitance of the electric double layer versus the electrode potential has shown that the adsorption of phenylethanolamine at the gold-solution interface plays a significant role in the oxidation mechanism. The effect of amine concentration, electrolyte pH and potential scan rate on the electrooxidation is analysed.     

Effects of different cooking methods on the formation of food mutagens in meat

Hamburgers and chicken fillets were cooked in convection ovens, deep‐fried or contact fried and analysed for mutagenic activity using the Ames test. For the three different convection ovens, the cooking parameters studied included the presence of steam, air velocity, air temperature and holding time. For deep‐frying and contact frying, the cooking parameters included cooking temperature and cooking time. In cooked hamburgers, mutagenic activity was only detected in those that had been deep‐fried. In chicken fillets, mutagenic activity was detected in samples prepared with all cooking methods, being highest in the deep‐fried samples. Factorial analysis indicated that heat transfer was the most important factor affecting mutagenic activity. High temperature and high air velocity in the convection ovens enhanced mutagenic activity. The presence of steam reduced the mutagenic activity, except when high temperature was used in combination with high air velocity. In chicken fillets, high mutagenic activity correlated to high weight loss during cooking. Pan‐fried chicken fillets were analysed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the mutagenic/carcinogenic heterocyclic amines 2‐amino‐3,8‐dimethylimidazo[4,5‐f ]‐quinoxaline (MeIQx), 2‐amino‐1‐methyl‐6‐phenylimidazo‐[4,5‐b]‐pyridine (PhIP) and the co‐mutagenic heterocyclic amine Norharman (9H‐pyrido[3,4‐b]‐indole) were identified. The HPLC fractions were tested for mutagenic activity and, apart from the mutagenic fractions corresponding to MeIQx and PhIP, several mutagenic fractions were detected that did not correspond to known heterocyclic amines.     

Alaska Pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) Mince and Surimi as Partial Meat Substitutes in Frankfurters: N-Nitrosodimethylamine Formation

Studies were conducted to determine the feasibility of using 3 forms of Alaska pollock (AP) as a partial substitute for meat in a nitrite-cured product. The effect of several pre- and post-processing storage conditions on N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) were studied in frankfurters substituted with 15 and 50% unwashed and washed mince and surimi. In franks made with unwashed mince, frozen stored prior to processing, NDMA increased during frozen storage; little change was observed in franks containing washed mince and surimi. Refrigerated storage of franks generally showed a decrease in NDMA with all 3 forms of fish. Overall, the use of washed mince and surimi at the 15% substitution level gave mean values less than 2 ppb NDMA, even after boiling. The results indicate that 50% unwashed AP mince should not be used as a partial substitute for meat in frankfurters.     

Synthesis of tertiary poly(amido-amine)s with amido- and amino-groups randomly arranged along the macromolecular chain

A new synthesis of poly(amido-amine)s from bis (secondary amine)s and acryloyl chloride has been studied, leading to polymers in which the amido- and amino-groups are randomly arranged along the macromolecular chain. A poly(amido-amine) based on piperazine, chosen as the mother compound, has been fully characterized by ¹³C n.m.r. as well as by identification and quantitative evaluation of its hydrolysis products.