Role of microenvironment in the mixed Langmuir-Blodgett films

This paper reports the pi-A isotherms and spectroscopic characteristics of mixed Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of non-amphiphilic carbazole (CA) molecules mixed with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and stearic acid (SA). pi-A isotherm studies of mixed monolayer and as well as also the collapse pressure study of isotherms definitely conclude that CA is incorporated into PMMA and SA matrices. However CA is stacked in the PMMA/SA chains and forms microcrystalline aggregates as is evidenced from the scanning electron micrograph picture. Nature of these aggregated species in the mixed LB films has been revealed by UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic studies. The presence of two different kinds of band systems in the fluorescence spectra of the mixed LB films have been observed. This may be due to the formation of low dimensional aggregates in the mixed LB films. Intensity distribution of different band system is highly sensitive to the microenvironment of two different matrices as well as also on the film thicknessComment: 11 pages, 5 figure

Formation of complex Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett films of water soluble rosebengal

This communication reports the formation of complex Langmuir monolayer at the air-water interface by charge transfer types of interaction with the water soluble N- cetyl N, N, N trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) molecules doped with rosebengal (RB), with the stearic acid (SA) molecules of a preformed SA Langmuir monolayer. The reaction kinetics of the formation of RB-CTAB-SA complex monolayer was monitored by observing the increase in surface pressure with time while the barrier was kept fixed. Completion of interaction kinetics was confirmed by FTIR study. This complex Langmuir films at the air-water interface was transferred onto solid substrates at a desired surface pressure to form multilayered Langmuir-Blodgett films. Spectroscopic characterizations reveal some molecular level interactions as well as formation of microcrystalline aggregates depending upon the molar ratios of CTAB and RB within the complex LB films. Presence of two types of species in the complex LB films was confirmed by fluorescence spectroscopy.Comment: 13 pages, figures

Photophysical characterizations of 2-(4-Biphenylyl)-5 phenyl-1,3,4- oxadiazole in restricted geometry

Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of nonamphiphilic 2-(4-Biphenylyl)-5 phenyl-1,3,4- oxadiazole (abbreviated as PBD) mixed with stearic acid (SA) as well as also with the inert polymer matrix poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) have been studied. Surface pressure versus area per molecule (-A) isotherms studies suggest that PBD molecules very likely stand vertically on the air-water interface and this arrangement allows the PBD molecules to form stacks and remain sandwiched between SA/PMMA molecules. At lower surface pressure phase separation between PBD and matrix molecules occur resulting due to repulsive interaction. However at higher surface pressure PBD molecules form aggregates. The UV-Vis absorption and Steady state fluorescence spectroscopic studies of the mixed LB films of PBD reveal the nature of the aggregates. H-type aggregates predominates in the mixed LB films whereas I-type aggregates predominates in the PBD-PMMA spin coated films. The degree of deformation produced in the electronic levels are largely affected by the film thickness and the surface pressure of lifting.Comment: 15 pages, 6 figure

Spectroscopic characterizations of the mixed Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of 2,2'-biquinoline molecules: evidence of dimer formation

This communication reports the -A isotherms and spectroscopic characterizations of mixed Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of nonamphiphilic 2, -biquinoline (BQ) molecules, mixed with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and stearic acid (SA). The pi-A isotherms and molefraction versus area per molecule studies indicate complete immiscibility of sample (BQ) and matrix (PMMA or SA) molecules. This immiscibility may lead to the formation of microcrystalline aggregates of BQ molecules in the mixed LB films. The scanning electron micrograph gives the visual evidence of microcrystalline aggregates of BQ molecules in the mixed LB films. UV-Vis absorption, fluorescence and excitation spectroscopic studies reveal the nature of these microcrystalline aggregates. LB films lifted at higher surface pressure indicate the formation of dimer or higher order n-mers.Comment: 21 pages, 5 figure

Effectiveness of CFD simulation for the performance prediction of phase change building boards in the thermal environment control of indoor spaces

This is the post-print version of the Article. The official published version can be accessed from the link below - Copyright @ 2013 ElsevierThis paper reports on a validation study of CFD models used to predict the effect of PCM clay boards on the control of indoor environments, in ventilated and non-ventilated situations. Unlike multi-zonal models, CFD is important in situations where localised properties are essential such as in buildings with complex and large geometries. The employed phase change model considers temperature/enthalpy hysteresis and varying enthalpy-temperature characteristics to more accurately simulate the phase change behaviour of the PCM boards compared to the standard default modelling approach in the commercial CFD codes. Successful validation was obtained with a mean error of 1.0 K relative to experimental data, and the results show that in addition to providing satisfactory quantitative results, CFD also provides qualitative results which are useful in the effective design of indoor thermal environment control systems utilising PCM. These results include: i) temperature and air flow distribution within the space resulting from the use of PCM boards and different night ventilation rates; ii) the fraction of PCM experiencing phase change and is effective in the control of the indoor thermal environment, enabling optimisation of the location of the boards; and iii) the energy impact of PCM boards and adequate ventilation configurations for effective night charging.This work was funded through sponsorship from the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Grant No: EP/H004181/1

Characterisation of Ba(OH)(2)-Na2SO4-blast furnace slag cement-like composites for the immobilisation of sulfate bearing nuclear wastes

Soluble sulfate ions in nuclear waste can have detrimental effects on cementitious wasteforms and disposal facilities based on Portland cement. As an alternative, Ba(OH)2–Na2SO4–blast furnace slag composites are studied for immobilisation of sulfate-bearing nuclear wastes. Calcium aluminosilicate hydrate (C–A–S–H) with some barium substitution is the main binder phase, with barium also present in the low solubility salts BaSO4 and BaCO3, along with Ba-substituted calcium sulfoaluminate hydrates, and a hydrotalcite-type layered double hydroxide. This reaction product assemblage indicates that Ba(OH)2 and Na2SO4 act as alkaline activators and control the reaction of the slag in addition to forming insoluble BaSO4, and this restricts sulfate availability for further reaction as long as sufficient Ba(OH)2 is added. An increased content of Ba(OH)2 promotes a higher degree of reaction, and the formation of a highly cross-linked C–A–S–H gel. These Ba(OH)2–Na2SO4–blast furnace slag composite binders could be effective in the immobilisation of sulfate-bearing nuclear wastes

The Use of a Rabbit Model to Evaluate the Influence of Age on Excision Wound Healing

Background: The wound healing involves a highly co-ordinated cascade of cellular and immunological response over a period of time including coagulation, inflammation, granulation tissue formation, epithelialization, collagen synthesis and tissue remodeling. Wounds in aged heal more slowly than those in younger, mainly because of co morbidities that occurs as one ages. Present study is about the influence of age on wound healing. 1x1cm2 (100mm) wounds were created on the back of the animal. The animals were divided into two groups; one group had animals in the age group of 3-9 months while another group had animals in the age group of 15-21 months. Materials and Methods: 24 clinically healthy rabbits in the age group of 3-21 months were used as experimental animals and divided in two groups viz A and B. All experimental parameters i.e Excision wound model, Measurement of wound area, Protein extraction and estimation, Protein extraction and estimation and DNA extraction and estimation were done by standard methods. Results: The parameters studied were wound contraction, hydroxyproline, glucosamine, protein and DNA. Significant increase (p<0.005) in the hydroxyproline, glucosamine, protein and DNA and significant decrease in wound area (p<0.005) was observed in the age group of 3-9 months when compared to animals of age group of 15-21 months. Wound contraction together with hydroxyproline, glucosamine, protein and DNA estimations suggest that advance age results in retarded wound healing. Conclusion: The decrease wound contraction and accumulation of hydroxyproline, glucosamine, protein and DNA in group B animals may be associated with the reduction or delay in growth factors because of the advancing age

Immobilization of single strand DNA on solid substrate

Thin films based on Layer-by-Layer (LbL) self assembled technique are useful for immobilization of DNA onto solid support. This communication reports the immobilization of DNA onto a solid support by electrostatic interaction with a polycation Poly (allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH). UV-Vis absorption and steady state fluorescence spectroscopic studies exhibit the characteristics of DNA organized in LbL films. The most significant observation is that single strand DNA are immobilized on the PAH backbone of LbL films when the films are fabricated above the melting temperature of DNA. DNA immobilized in this way on LbL films remains as such when the temperature is restored at room temperature and the organization remains unaffected even after several days. UV-Vis absorption spectroscopic studies confirm this finding.Comment: Eight pages, five figure