Novel cholesteric liquid crystals for rapid and quantitative detection of volatile organic solvents

The mechanisms underlying the acute neurophysiological and behavioral effects of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) remain to be elucidated. However, the function of neuronal ion channels is perturbed by VOCs. The present study examined effects of toluene (TOL), trichloroethylene (TCE), and perchloroethylene (PERC) on whole-cell calcium current (ICa) in nerve growth factor-differentiated pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. All three VOCs affected ICa in a reversible, concentration-dependent manner. At +10-mV test potentials, VOCs inhibited ICa, whereas at test potentials of -20 and -10 mV, they potentiated it. The order of potency for inhibition (IC50) was PERC (270 microM) > TOL (720 microM) > TCE (1525 microM). VOCs also changed ICa inactivation kinetics from a single- to double-exponential function. Voltage-ramp experiments suggested that VOCs shifted ICa activation in a hyperpolarizing direction; this was confirmed by calculating the half-maximal voltage of activation (V1/2, act) in the absence and presence of VOCs using the Boltzman equation. V(1/2, act) was shifted from approximately -2 mV in control to -11, -12, and -16 mV by TOL, TCE, and PERC, respectively. Similarly, VOCs shifted the half-maximal voltage of steady-state inactivation (V1/2, inact) from approximately -16 mV in control to -32, -35, and -20 mV in the presence of TOL, TCE, and PERC, respectively. Inhibition of ICa by TOL was confirmed in primary cultures of cortical neurons, where 827 microM TOL inhibited current by 61%. These data demonstrate that VOCs perturb voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channel function in neurons, an effect that could contribute to the acute neurotoxicity of these compounds.

From March 2018 to February 2019, quantitative detection was made of 102 kinds of atmospheric volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using online gas chromatography in Ezhou City. We compared and analyzed the composition, seasonal variation, and diurnal variation of VOCs. Using maximum incremental reactivity (MIR), we estimated the ozone generation potential (OFP) of VOCs. The results show that the annual average volume fraction of atmospheric VOCs in Ezhou is (30.78±15.89)×10-9, and is overall higher in winter than summer, represented by alkane > oxygen > halogenated hydrocarbon > olefin > aromatic hydrocarbon > alkyne. The night volume fraction is higher than in the daytime, and overall the distribution is "double peak". The aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, and OVOCs appear as a "third peak" at 00:00-02:00. Aromatic hydrocarbons and olefins contribute more to the OFP potential of VOCs, with contribution rates of 35.45% and 29.5%, respectively. The highest contribution rate to OFP is ethylene, reaching 24.217%. Analysis of VOC characteristic species found that vehicle exhaust fumes and solvent volatilization are the main sources of VOCs in Ezhou. Of these, motor vehicle emissions are the most important source. Controlling Ezhou's motor vehicle emissions helps to reduce the composition of atmospheric VOCs, thereby reducing ozone production.

Blue phase liquid crystal display (BPLCD) is emerging as next-generation display, because of its fast response speed and very wide viewing angle. However, it has some weak points to be improved. The light leakage at the dark state affects the contrast ratio, and needs to be analyzed and improved. Considering the double-twist structure of blue phase liquid crystal (BPLC) and the simple twist structure of cholesteric liquid crystal (ChLC), the two twist structures are similar. The transmittances and reflectances of planar and focal conic texture of cholesteric liquid crystal and blue phase II liquid crystal are simulated by finite-difference time domain (FDTD) method. The FDTD method is based on the Maxwell’s equation, and can calculate the optical rotatory power directly. The effective optical rotatory powers of the three liquid crystal states are proposed and compared using the light leakages at the cell with crossed and parallel polarizers. The results show that the transmittance of BPLC with crossed polarizers is lower than that of planar texture and larger than that of focal conic texture of ChLC. The optical rotation of BPLC is not the same at any point in one periodic cross section in the light path because the liquid crystal arrangement is complex, the effective optical rotatory power is defined as the average value of the optical rotatory powers at all points. Comparing with the optical rotatory powers of planar and focal conic textures of ChLC, the optical rotatory power of BPLC is less than that of planar texture and larger than that of focal conic texture. Moreover, the Bragg reflections are also simulated, the results show that blue phase liquid crystal is similar to planar state cholesteric liquid crystal, only the reflection intensity is smaller, and no obvious Bragg reflection appears in focal conic state cholesteric liquid crystal. Considering the optical rotation and Bragg reflection, the light leakage and reflective light of BPLCD cannot be ignored if the helix pitch is not less enough, however, these of focal conic texture of ChLC are very small compared with those of BPLC, as a result, the focal conic texture of ChLC can replace blue phase liquid crystal to obtain the good dark state and high contrast ratio.

Surface coating facilities are major sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in urban areas. These VOCs can contribute to ground-level ozone formation, and many are hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), including xylene, ethylbenzene, and toluene. This project was conducted in order to provide information for updating the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), USA, permit by rule for Surface Coating Facilities. Project objectives were: 1) To develop a database of information regarding surface coating facilities in Texas; 2) To estimate maximum emission rates for various VOC species from surface coating facilities in Texas; 3) To conduct dispersion modeling to estimate off-site impacts from surface coating facilities. The database was developed using 286 TCEQ permit files authorizing surface coating facilities in Texas during 2006 and 2007. The database was designed to include information important for estimating emission rates, and for using as inputs to the dispersion model. Hourly and annual emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM), and exempt solvents (ES) were calculated for each permitted entity/ company in the database, according to equations given by TCEQ. Dispersion modeling was then conducted for 3 facility configurations (worst-case stack height, good practice stack height, and fugitive emissions), for urban and rural dispersion parameters, for 8-hour and 24-hour operating scenarios, and for 1-hour, 24-hour, and annual averaging times, for a total of 36 scenarios. The highest modeled concentrations were for the worst-case stack height, rural dispersion parameters, 24-hour operation scenario, and 1-hour averaging time. 108 specific chemical species, which are components of surface coatings, were identified as candidates for further health impacts review.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are one of the important pollutants, which are easy to cause serious harm to the environment and human body. In this paper, solid adsorbents based on carbon-based adsorbents and porous molecular sieves, organic adsorbents and chemical materials based on chemical catalysts and photocatalysts are introduced. The effects of pore structure, specific surface area and acid base functional groups on the saturated adsorption capacity of carbon based adsorbents and porous molecular sieves were discussed. The differences between volatile organic solvents and new microemulsion systems and ionic liquids in terms of volatility, solubility and selectivity were compared. The latest progress of conventional thermal catalysts (noble metals, transition metals) and Photocatalysts (Metal/Nonmetal Doping, Nanomaterial Composite, Dye Sensitization) in VOCs treatment was discussed. The application prospects of new materials around biosurfactants and ionic liquids in the treatment of volatile organic compounds were pointed out.

Profile of atmospheric VOC over the Yellow Sea, China: A tale of distribution, constraints, and sources

Abusing the volatile organic chemicals

Development of a membrane inlet mass spectrometric method for analysis of air samples

We report the correlation between key solution properties and spinability of chitin from the ionic liquid (IL) 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([C2mim][OAc]) and the similarities and differences to electrospinning solutions of nonionic polymers in volatile organic compounds (VOCs). We found that when electrospinning is conducted from ILs, conductivity and surface tension are not the key parameters regulating spinability, while solution viscosity and polymer concentration are. Contrarily, for electrospinning of polymers from VOCs, solution conductivity and viscosity have been reported to be among some of the most important factors controlling fiber formation. For chitin electrospun from [C2mim][OAc], we found both a critical chitin concentration required for continuous fiber formation (>0.20 wt %) and a required viscosity for the spinning solution (between ca. 450–1500 cP). The high viscosities of the biopolymer–IL solutions made it possible to electrospin solutions with low, less than 1 wt %, polymer ...

δ13C and δ37Cl on Gas-Phase TCE for Source Identification Investigation - Innovative Solvent-Based Sampling Method

Various effects of exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOC) have recently become an important issue because of their widespread use in industry. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of volatile organic solvents commonly used in textile paint industry on free radical levels and the antioxidant enzyme system in textile workers. The study included twenty exposed workers and twenty controls. Blood samples were taken after an overnight fast of 10 to 12 hours. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were studied in serum while super oxide dismutase (SOD) activity was studied in erythrocytes. Statistical analysis was performed using the ANOVA and Kruskall-Wallis analysis tests. MDA and SOD were significantly higher in textile workers than in controls (p<0.01). In contrast, no significant difference was observed between them for TAC (p>0.05).Elevated MDA levels in textile workers may indicate increased lipid peroxidation as a result of long-term exposure to organic solvents, whereas elevated SOD activity suggests that the antioxidant system was activated to counter lipid peroxidation. The results suggest that textile workers occupationally exposed to volatile organic solvents make a risk group and require more frequent periodic examinations.

This study identified emission sources and emissions of air pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), solvents, and acid gases produced from chemical plants. We collected air samples from various processes, reactors and facilities using VOC detectors and workers' experience. We identified chemical structures and emission concentrations of air pollutants. We analyzed total emissions of air pollutants emitted from the chemical plants. Also, we developed some emission reduction technologies based on chemical types and emission situations of the identified air pollutants. For reduction of air emissions of acid gases, we employed a method improving solubility of pollutants by reducing scrubber operation temperature, increasing surface area for effective contact of gas and liquid, and modifying or changing chemicals used in the acid scrubbers. In order to reduce air emissions of both amines and acid gases, which have had different emission sources each other but treated by one scrubber, we first could separate gas components. And then different control techniques based on components of pollutants were applied to the emission sources. That is, we first applied condensation and then acid scrubbing method using H2SO4 solution for amine treatment. However, we only used an acid scrubbing method using H2O and NaOH solution for acid gas treatment. In order to reduce air emissions of solvents such as dimethylformamide and toluene, we applied condensation and activated carbon adsorption. In order to reduce air emissions of mixture gases containing acid gases and slovents, which could not be separated in the processes, we employed a combination of various air pollution control devices. That is, the mixture gases were passed into the first condenser, the acid scrubber, the second condenser, and the activated carbon adsorption tower in sequence. In addition, for improvement of condensation efficiency of VOCs, we changed the type of the condensers attached in the reactors as a control device modification. Finally, we could successfully reduce air emissions of pollutants produced from various chenmical processes or facilities by use of proper control methods according to the types and specific emission situations of pollutants.

Interpenetrating network based polymeric sensors with enhanced specificity, sensitivity, and reusability

Liquid crystal optical fiber sensor based on misaligned core configuration for temperature and mixed volatile organic compound detection

As a class of self-organized soft matter systems merging fluidic mobility with long-range molecular order, cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) possess immense potential for the development of high-sensitivity, visually tractable flexible sensors. Leveraging their unique helical superstructures and stimuli-responsive photonic bandgaps, CLCs can transduce subtle physical or chemical perturbations into discernible optical signatures, such as Bragg reflection shifts or mesomorphic textural transitions. Nonetheless, the intrinsic fluidity of CLCs often compromises their structural integrity, while conventional one-dimensional (1D) or two-dimensional (2D) confinement geometries exhibit pronounced angular dependence, significantly constraining their detection precision in complex environments. Recently, microfluidic technology has emerged as a pivotal paradigm for achieving sophisticated three-dimensional (3D) spatial confinement of CLCs through the precise manipulation of microscale fluid volumes. This review systematically delineates recent advancements in microfluidics-enabled CLC sensors. Initially, the fundamental self-assembly principles and optical properties of CLCs are introduced, emphasizing the unique advantages of 3D spherical confinement in mitigating angular sensitivity and intensifying interfacial interactions. Subsequently, the primary sensing mechanisms are bifurcated into bulk-driven sensing via pitch modulation and interface-driven sensing via topological configuration transitions. We then detail the microfluidic-based fabrication strategies and engineering protocols for diverse 3D architectures, including monodisperse/multiphase droplets, microcapsules, shells, and Janus structures. Building upon these structural frameworks, current sensing applications in physical (temperature, strain/stress), chemical (volatile organic compounds, ions, pH), and biological (biomarkers, pathogens) detection are evaluated. Lastly, in light of persistent challenges, such as intricate signal interpretation and limited robustness in complex matrices, we propose future research trajectories, encompassing the co-optimization of geometric parameters (size and curvature), artificial intelligence-enhanced automated diagnostics, and multi-field-coupled intelligent integration. This work seeks to provide a comprehensive roadmap for the design of next-generation, high-performance, and portable liquid-state photonic sensing platforms.