Organic Carrier Research Articles

Electronic and chemical properties of molybdenum oxide doped hole injection layers in organic light emitting diodes

The origins of barrier lowering leading to high efficient organic light emitting devices with incorporation of molybdenum oxide (MoOx) in anode structures are investigated. Ultraviolet and x-ray photoemission spectra reveal that p-type doping effects in the organic films and carrier concentration increase at the anode interfaces cause the hole injection barrier lowering. The gap states, which help carrier injection from the anodes, resulted from the oxygen deficiency in MoOx due to the interaction of organic materials and MoOx.

Organic complexation and translocation of ferric iron in podzols of the Negro River watershed. Separation of secondary Fe species from Al species

The development of podzols in lateritic landscapes of the upper Amazon basin contributes to the exportation of organic carbon and associated metals in the black waters of the Negro River watershed. We have investigated the distribution of Fe III in the clay-size fraction of eight organic-rich horizons of waterlogged plateau podzols, to unravel the weathering conditions and mechanisms that control its transfer to the rivers. The speciation and amount of Fe III stored in residual mineral phases of laterites, or bound to organic compounds of weakly and well-expressed podzols, were determined by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy combined with chemical analyses. Reducing conditions restrict the production of organo-Fe complexes in the subsoil B-horizons of waterlogged podzols and most of the Fe 2+ released from the dissolution of Fe-oxides is exported to the rivers via the perched groundwater. However, significant amounts of diluted Fe III bound to organic ligands (Fe III OM) and nano Fe-oxides are produced at the margin of the depression in the topsoil A horizons of weakly expressed podzols due to shorter periods of anoxia. The downward translocation of organically bound metals from topsoil A to subsoil B-horizons of podzols occurs in shorter distances for Fe than it does for Al. This separation of secondary Fe species from Al species is attributed to the physical fractionation of their organic carriers in texture contrasted B-horizons of podzols, as well as to the effect of pH on metal speciation in soil solutions and metal binding onto soil organic ligands (mostly for Al). This leads us to consider the topsoil A horizons of weakly expressed podzols, as well as the subsoil Bh horizon of better-expressed ones, as the main sources for the transfer of Fe III OM to the rivers. The concentration of Fe III OM rises from soil sources to river colloids, suggesting drastic biogeochemical changes in more oxygenated black waters of the Negro River watershed. The contribution of soil organic matter to the transfer of Fe to rivers is likely at the origin of the peculiar Fe isotope pattern recently recognized in podzolic environments.

Extraction and recovery of lignosulfonate from its aqueous solution using bulk liquid membrane

The paper presents an experimental study on the coupled transport of lignosulfonate (LS) through bulk liquid membrane (BLM) and thereby to identify the best set of solvent, operating conditions and mode of transport that would yield optimum performance of the BLM. Trioctylamine (TOA) is used as carrier. Among various solvents, tested for the above purpose, dichloroethane is found to be the best. The effects of operating condition, viz. pH, temperature, and carrier concentration, on the equilibrium distribution of LS are investigated. The effects of temperature, stirring of aqueous and organic phases, stirring speed, carrier concentration, initial feed and strip phase concentration on the separation of LS using BLM are also studied. It is observed that transport of LS can be enhanced by increasing the temperature and stirring speed of feed phase. Stirring of strip phase has no appreciable effects on the transport of LS. With increase in initial feed concentration the initial rate of the transport of LS is higher but continues for a longer time. Recovery of LS is much higher in co-transport mode in comparison to counter transport mode. Application of 1.25 M NaOH as stripping solution gives high recovery (70%) and high strip flux (70% of feed flux).

Organic nanoscale drug carriers coupled with ligands for targeted drug delivery in cancer

Nanoscale carriers are of increasing interest for use in anticancer therapy because they can deliver drugs in a targeted way. Ideally, nanocarriers combine passive and active delivery mechanisms, by integrating targeting ligands on the surface of their stealth corona using simple and efficient conjugation chemistry. This feature article summarizes the conventional and newly explored conjugation chemistries that are used to bind ligands in organic nanoparticle systems, providing strategic guidance for the preparation of targeted nanocarriers.

Organic matter in space: from star dust to the Solar System

Organic compounds of high degree of complexity are now known to be widespread in the Universe, ranging from objects in our Solar System to distant galaxies. Through the techniques of millimeter-wave spectroscopy, over 140 molecules have been identified through their rotational transitions. Space infrared spectroscopy has detected the stretching and bending modes of compounds with aromatic and aliphatic structures. Analyses of samples of meteorites, comets, asteroids, and interplanetary dust also revealed a rich content of organic substances, some of which could be of extra-solar origin. We review the current state of understanding of the origin, evolution, nature, and distribution of organic matter in space. Also discussed are a number of unexplained astronomical phenomena whose origins could be traced to organic carriers.

Production of H2 from Combined Endothermic and Exothermic Hydrogen Carriers

One of the major limitations to the use of fuel cell systems in vehicular transportation is the lack of hydrogen storage systems that have the required hydrogen storage density and moderate enthalpy of dehydrogenation. Organic liquid H(2) carriers that release H(2) endothermically are easier to handle with existing infrastructure because they are liquids, but they have low storage densities and their endothermicity consumes energy in the vehicle. On the other hand, inorganic solid H(2) carriers that release H(2) exothermically have greater storage densities but are unpumpable solids. This paper explores combinations of an endothermic carrier and an exothermic carrier, where the exothermic carrier provides some or all of the necessary heat required for dehydrogenation to the endothermic system, and the endothermic carrier serves as a solvent for the exothermic carrier. The two carriers can be either physically mixed or actually bonded to each other. To test the latter strategy, a number of chemically bound N-heterocycle:BH(3) adducts were synthesized and in turn tested for their ability to release H(2) by tandem hydrolysis of the BH(3) moiety and dehydrogenation of the heterocycle. To test the strategy of physically mixing two carriers, the hydrolysis of a variety of amine-boranes (H(3)N:BH(3), Me(2)HN:BH(3), Et(3)N:BH(3)) and the catalytic dehydrogenation of indoline were carried out together.

Insights into colloid-mediated trace element release at the soil/water interface

Organic or inorganic colloids play a major role in the mobilization of trace elements in soils and waters. Environmental physicochemical parameters (pH, redox potential, temperature, pressure, ionic strength, etc.) are the controlling factors of the colloidal mobilization. This study was dedicated to follow the colloid-mediated mobilization of trace elements through time at the soil/water interface by means of an experimental approach. Soil column experiments were carried out using percolating synthetic solutions. The percolated solutions were ultrafiltrated with various decreasing cutoff thresholds to separate the different colloidal phases in which the dissolved organic carbon and trace element concentrations were measured. The major results which stem from this study are the following: (i) The data can be divided into different groups of organic compounds (microbial metabolites, fulvic acids, humic acids) with regard to their respective aromaticity and molecular weight. (ii) Three groups of elements can be distinguished based on their relationships with the colloidal phases: the first one corresponds to the so-called “truly” dissolved group (Li, B, K, Na, Rb, Si, Mg, Sr, Ca, Mn, Ba, and V). The second one can be considered as an intermediate group (Cu, Cd, Co, and Ni), while the third group gathers Al, Cr, U, Mo, Pb, Ti, Th, Fe, and rare earth elements (REE) carried by the organic colloidal pool. (iii) The data demonstrate that the fulvic acids seem to be a major organic carrier phase for trace elements such as Cu, Cd, Co, and Ni. By contrast, the trace elements belonging to the so-called colloidal pool were mostly mobilized by humic acids containing iron nanoparticles. Lead, Ti, and U were mobilized by iron nanoparticles bound to these humic acids. Thus, humic substances allowed directly or indirectly a colloidal transport of many insoluble trace elements either by binding trace elements or by stabilizing a ferric carrier phase. (iv) Finally, the results demonstrated also that REE were mostly mobilized by humic substances. The REE normalized patterns showed a middle REE downward concavity. Therefore, as previously shown elsewhere humic substances are a major control of REE speciation and REE fractionation patterns as well since the humic substance/metal ratio was the key parameter controlling the REE pattern shape.

Carrier-mediated liquid phase microextraction coupled with high performance liquid chromatography for determination of illicit drugs in human urine

A new method was developed for the analysis of illicit drugs in human urine by coupling carrier-mediated liquid phase microextraction (LPME) to high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). By adding an appropriate carrier in organic phase, simultaneous extraction and enrichment of hydrophilic (morphine and ephedrine) and hydrophobic (pethidine) drugs were achieved. Effects of the types of organic solvents and carriers, the carrier concentration in the organic phase, the HCl concentration in the acceptor solution, the stirring rate, and the extraction time on the enrichment factor of analytes were investigated. Under the optimal experimental conditions, high enrichment factors (202–515) were obtained. The linear detection ranges were 0.1–10 mg L −1 for the studied drugs. The limits of detection (LOD) at signal-to-noise ratio of 3 were 0.05 mg L −1 for both morphine and ephedrine, and 0.02 mg L −1 for pethidine. This method was successfully applied to analysis of ephedrine in real urine specimens, revealing that the determination of illicit drugs in urine was feasible.

Interaction of Imatinib with Human Organic Ion Carriers

The activity of imatinib in leukemia has recently been linked with expression of the organic cation transporter 1 (OCT1) gene SLC22A1. Here, we characterized the contribution of solute carriers to imatinib transport in an effort to further understand mechanisms involved in the intracellular uptake and retention (IUR) of the drug. IUR of [3H]imatinib was studied in Xenopus laevis oocytes and HEK293 cells expressing OATP1A2, OATP1B1, OATP1B3, OCT1-3, OCTN1-2, or OAT1-3. Gene expression was determined in nine leukemia cell lines using the Affymetrix U133 array. Imatinib was not found to be a substrate for OCT1 in oocytes (P = 0.21), whereas in HEK293 cells IUR was increased by only 1.20-fold relative to control cells (P = 0.002). Furthermore, in 74 cancer patients, the oral clearance of imatinib was not significantly altered in individuals carrying reduced-function variants in SLC22A1 (P = 0.99). Microarray analysis indicated that SLC22A1 was interrelated with gene expression of various transporters, including ABCB1, ABCC4, ABCG2 (negative), and OATP1A2 (positive). Imatinib was confirmed to be a substrate for the three efflux transporters (P < 0.05) as well as for OATP1A2 (P = 0.0001). This study suggests that SLC22A1 expression is a composite surrogate for expression of various transporters relevant to imatinib IUR. This observation provides a mechanistic explanation for previous studies that have linked SLC22A1 with the antitumor activity of imatinib. Because of its high expression in the intestine, ciliary body, gliomas, and leukemia cells, OATP1A2 may play a key role in imatinib pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics.

Fungal removal of gaseous hexane in biofilters packed with poly(ethylene carbonate) pine sawdust or peat composites

The removal of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in biofilters packed with organic filter beds, such as peat moss (PM) and pine sawdust (PS), frequently presents drawbacks associated to the collapse of internal structures affecting the long-term operation. Poly(ethylene ether carbonate) (PEEC) groups grafted to these organic carriers cross linked with 4,4'-methylenebis(phenylisocyanate) (MDI) permitted fiber aggregation into specific shapes and with excellent hexane sorption performance. Modified peat moss (IPM) showed very favorable characteristics for rapid microbial development. Water-holding capacity in addition to hexane adsorption almost equal to the dry samples was obtained. Pilot scale hexane biofiltration experiments were performed with the composites after inoculation with the filamentous fungus Fusarium solani. During the operation of the biofilter under non-aseptic conditions, the addition of bacterial antibiotics did not have a relevant effect on hexane removal, confirming the role of fungi in the uptake of hexane and that bacterial growth was intrinsically limited by an adequate performance of the composites. IPM biofilter had a start-up period of 8-13 days with concurrent CO(2) production of approximately 90 g m(-3) h(-1) at day 11. The final pressure drop after 70 days of operation was 5.3 mmH(2)O m(-1) reactor. For modified pine sawdust (IPS) packed biofilter, 5 days were required to develop an EC of about 100 g m(-3) h(-1) with an inlet hexane load of approximately 190 g m(-3) h(-1). Under similar conditions, 12-17 days were required to observe a significant start-up in the reference perlite biofilter to reach gradually an EC of approximately 100 g m(-3) h(-1) at day 32. Under typical biofiltration conditions, the physical-chemical properties of the modified supports maintained a minimum water activity (a(w)) of 0.925 and a pH between 4 and 5.5, which allowed the preferential fungal development and limited bacterial growth.

Intratesticular localization of the organic solute carrier protein, OSCP1, in spermatogenic cells in mice

Organic solute carrier protein 1 (OSCP1) is a recently described human gene that facilitates the transport of various organic solutes into the cell, when expressed in frog eggs. In this study, we cloned a mouse ortholog of OSCP1 encoding 379 amino acid protein, with 94% homology to the human counterpart. The mouse OSCP1 mRNA was predominantly expressed in the testis, in which it was attributed to the spermatogenic cells, except the spermatogonia. Immunohistochemistry confirmed that OSCP1 protein is continuously expressed during spermatogenesis in a stage- and cell type-specific manner, in the leptotene spermatocytes at stage IX through step 15 spermatids. Subcellular fractionation of mouse testis homogenates indicated that OSCP1 is a 45-kDa cytosolic protein. Moreover, when green fluorescent protein-OSCP1 fusion constructs were transfected into cultured cells, the fluorescence localized evenly in the cytoplasm. These results suggest that mouse testis OSCP1 may indirectly mediate substrate uptake into meiotic and spermiogenic germ cells, within the cytosol.

Theoretical and experimental studies of membrane extraction of Cu 2+ with D2EHPA through rectangular conduits

The extraction of solutes from aqueous solutions across a hydrophobic flat-sheet micro-porous membrane to organic phase-containing complex carriers was modeled. The effects of the membrane extraction through a parallel-plate module with concurrent-flow, were investigated both theoretically and experimentally. The mass transfer efficiency enhancement is represented graphically and compared with the results obtained by experiment. Improvements in the extraction rate can be achieved by setting the barrier location to be moving away from centerline. The influences of the subchannel thickness ratio, aqueous phase flow-rate, concentrations of Cu 2+, H + and ( HR ) 2 ¯ on the enhancement of the mass transfer efficiency are discussed.

A model system for the optimization of lamination parameters of PTFE-based dielectrics and metal surfaces

In microelectronic packaging, organic dielectric materials continue to displace ceramic materials because of cost, reduced weight, and performance advantages. Because thermosetting dielectric composites have long found widespread use in printed wiring board (PWB) fabrication, they have been the components of choice for many organic chip carriers. Conversely, thermoplastic dielectrics, such as fluoropolymer (FP), and in particular poly(tetrafluoroethylene)-based dielectric composites (PTFE composites) have seldom found use in multilayer wiring packages in spite of their attractive electrical properties due to their processing challenges. In this paper, we report the use of a model system comprising pure PTFE film and Cr-coated copper surfaces to optimize the bonding process through lamination conditions for a fluoropolymer composite and chromium-coated copper surfaces and to study both the interface mechanics and its chemistry as a function of processing parameters. The significant finding of the investigation was the linkage between the macroscopic mechanical properties of the interface and the observable chemical alteration of the same under some lamination conditions. The relationship of the interface properties and the processing conditions extend a conceptual framework for the thermodynamics of the metal-polymer interface and the reliability of these electronic packages in their practical designs.

Reduction by gaseous ozone of Salmonella and microbial flora associated with fresh-cut cantaloupe

This research investigates the efficacy of gaseous ozone, applied under partial vacuum in a controlled reaction chamber, for the elimination of Salmonella inoculated on melon rind. The performance of high dose, short duration treatment with gaseous ozone, in this pilot system, on the microbial and sensory quality of fresh-cut cantaloupes was also evaluated. Gaseous ozone (10,000 ppm for 30 min under vacuum) reduced viable, recoverable Salmonella from inoculated physiologically mature non-ripe and ripe melons with a maximum reduction of 4.2 and 2.8 log CFU/rind-disk (12.6 cm 2), respectively. The efficacy of ozone exposure was influenced by carrier matrix. Salmonella adhering to cantaloupe was more resistant to ozone treatment when suspended in skim-milk powder before aqueous inoculation to the rind. This indicated that organic matter interferes with the contact efficiency and resultant antimicrobial activity of gaseous ozone applied as a surface disinfectant. Conversely, in the absence of an organic carrier, Salmonella viability loss was greater on dry exocarp surfaces than in the wetted surfaces, during ozone treatment, achieving reductions of 2.8 and 1.4 initial log CFU/rind-disk, respectively. Gaseous ozone treatment of 5000 and 20,000 ppm for 30 min reduced total coliforms, Pseudomonas fluorescens, yeast and lactic acid bacteria recovery from fresh-cut cantaloupe. A dose Ct-value (concentration × exposure time) of 600,000 ppm min achieved maximal log CFU/melon-cube reduction, under the test conditions. Finally, fresh-cut cantaloupe treated with gaseous ozone, maintained an acceptable visual quality, aroma and firmness during 7-day storage at 5 °C. Conclusions derived from this study illustrate that gaseous ozone is an effective option to risk reduction and spoilage control of fresh and fresh-cut melon. Moreover, depending on the timing of contamination and post-contamination conditions, rapid drying combined with gaseous ozone exposure may be successful as combined or sequential disinfection steps to minimize persistence of Salmonella on the surface of cantaloupe melons and transference during fresh-cut processing of home preparation. Based on these results, greater efficacy would be anticipated with mature but non-ripe melons while ripe tissues reduce the efficacy of these gaseous ozone treatments, potentially by oxidative reaction with soluble refractive solids.

Helium and Neon Abundances and Compositions in Cometary Matter

Materials trapped and preserved in comets date from the earliest history of the solar system. Particles captured by the Stardust spacecraft from comet 81P/Wild 2 are indisputable cometary matter available for laboratory study. Here we report measurements of noble gases in Stardust material. Neon isotope ratios are within the range observed in "phase Q," a ubiquitous, primitive organic carrier of noble gases in meteorites. Helium displays 3He/4He ratios twice those in phase Q and in Jupiter's atmosphere. Abundances per gram are surprisingly large, suggesting implantation by ion irradiation. The gases are probably carried in high-temperature igneous grains similar to particles found in other Stardust studies. Collectively, the evidence points to gas acquisition in a hot, high ion-flux nebular environment close to the young Sun.

Layered ferromagnets hosting tetraalkylammonium-substituted nitronyl nitroxide free radicals

This paper describes the structural, magnetic and EPR properties of hybrid organic/inorganic magnets formed by anionic heterometallic oxalato-based layers and cationic nitronyl nitroxide (NN) free radicals of the tetraalkylammonium type. A series of compounds of formula nBu3NCH2NN[MCr(ox)3] (M = Mn (1), Ni (2), Zn (3)) has been prepared and studied by AC and DC magnetic susceptibility measurements and EPR spectroscopy. Magnetic order with critical temperatures ranging from 5 K to 15 K was confirmed. EPR measurements show that the organic spin carriers interact significantly with the inorganic network.

The electrochemical detection of droplets in microfluidic devices

This paper presents a new electrochemical method for the detection and characterisation of aqueous droplets in an organic carrier fluid (1,2-dichloroethane) formed in flow-focusing microfluidic devices. The devices consist of a conventional flow-focusing channel 250 microm wide and 250 microm deep cast out of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) which is sealed onto a glass substrate containing a set of microelectrodes 100 microm long. Chronoamperometric analysis of a suitable electrolyte contained in the organic phase is presented for characterising the droplet frequency and size. This chronoamperometric method is then extended to a dual working electrode approach in order to determine the velocity of the droplet. Good agreement between experimental measurements and theory was observed.

Potential of Dusts of Eugenia aromatica Baill. Dry Flower Buds and Piper guineense Schum &amp; Thonn Dry Fruits Formulated with Three Organic Flours for Controlling Callosobruchus maculatus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Bruchidae).

Powders made from dryflower buds of Eugenia aromatica Baill. and dry fruits of Piper guineense Schum and Thonn. were formulated using cassava (Manihot esculenta L.), yam (Dioscorea rotunda L.) or plantain{Musa sapientum L.) flour as carrier to give formulations of 10-100% active material (a.m.). Each formulation was tested at 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0,1.2 and 2% a.m. for protecting cowpea seeds against Callosobruchus maculatus Fabricius. The inert carriers were also tested at 2% to determine their activity against C. maculatus. Irrespective of inert carrier, E. aromatica at 0.8~2.0% caused 100% mortality of introduced adults’ of C. maculatus in 48 hr and prevented perforation of protected grain. P. guineense at 1.0-2.0% similarly caused 100% mortality within 48 hr. The organic carriers did not cause mortality of adult C. maculatus in 48 hr, but significantly reduced oviposition and seed perforation compared with the control. Mean percentage of C. maculatus Fl adult emergence was significantly higher in treatments involving use of carrier than the’ control.

Rat organic solute carrier protein 1 (rOscp1) mediated the transport of organic solutes in Xenopus laevis oocytes: Isolation and pharmacological characterization of rOscp1

Rat organic solute carrier protein 1 (rOscp1) was isolated from a rat testis cDNA library. Isolated rOscp1 cDNA consisted of 1089 base pairs that encoded a 363-amino acid protein, and the amino acid sequence was 88% and 93% identical to that of human OSCP1 (hOSCP1) and mouse Oscp1 (mOscp1), respectively. The message for rOscp1 is highly detected in rat testis. When expressed in X. oocytes, rOscp1 mediated the high affinity transport of p-aminohippurate (PAH) with a K m value of 15.7 ± 1.9 μM, and rOscp1-mediated organic solutes were exhibited in time- and Na +-independent manners. rOscp1 also transported various structurally heterogenous compounds such as testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), and taurocholate with some differences in substrate specificity compared with hOSCP1. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the rOscp1 protein is localized in the basal membrane side of Sertoli cells as observed in mouse testis [Kobayashi et al., 2007; Kobayashi, Y., Tsuchiya, A., Hayashi, T., Kohyama, N., Ohbayashi, M., Yamamoto, T., 2007. Isolation and characterization of polyspecific mouse organic solute carrier protein 1 (mOscp1). Drug Metabolism and Disposition 35 (7), 1239–1245]. Thus, the present results indicate that a newly isolated cDNA clone, rOscp1, is a polyspecific organic solute carrier protein with some differences in substrate specificity compared with human and mouse OSCP1.

Decoration of carboxylated multi-wall carbon nanotubes with quantum dots

Purification of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) from the iron catalyst and amorphous carbon and associated with that process, their oxidation with conc. HNO 3 over 100 °C on sonication to carboxylated MWCNTs (CMWCNTs) is presented. A novel way of decoration of CMWCNTs with ZnO and ZnS quantum dots (QDs) is proposed. It involves the use of corresponding ammonium zincates. CNT–COO–Zn–X where X = OH and SH, respectively, provided nucleation for the QDs growth. That approach does not require any non-covalent mediation from either inorganic or organic carriers.