Nanostructures of bismuth sulphide: synthesis and electrical properties.

Bismuth ammonium citrate complex (C24H20Bi4O28 x 6NH3 x 10H2O) interacted with sodium sulphide (Na2S) in presence of beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) yielding Bi2S3 nanospheres. Solvothermal treatment of the bismuth complex and dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) produced Bi2S3 nanorods. Reaction conditions were optimized to investigate the morphology evolution of the product. Electrical properties of the nanorods were monitored in details.

Morphological modifications of selenium by recrystallization of its aqueous complex solutions.

Recrystallization of elemental selenium (Se) from aqueous solution in presence of sodium sulphite (Na2SO3) and sodium sulphide (Na2S) acting as complexing agents has resulted in the formation of nano and microstructures of Se having five different morphological modifications. (1) An aqueous solution of sodium selenosulphate (Na2SO3Se) obtained by dissolving Se in Na2SO3 under refluxing condition yields hemispherical microcrystals. (2) The filtrate of the above reaction mixture on aging produces hexagonal prismatic microrods of Se. Addition of Na2SO3Se solution to formalin (HCHO) at room temperature and refluxing conditions generates (3) Se nanorods, and (4) spherical microcrystals, respectively. (5) Recrystallization of Se from aqueous solution of Na2S develops flower shaped microcrystals.

Nanorods of tellurium: synthesis and self-assembly.

A simple solution phase approach is described to prepare tellurium nanorods which undergo morphological modifications to yield different microstructures under varied experimental conditions. The morphology of the prepared products is drastically altered in presence of a few oxidizing agents such as sodium oxychloride (NaOCl), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) etc. The effects of poly (sodium 4-styrene sulphonate) (PSS) and Isooctyl phenoxy poly oxyethanol (TritonX-100) on the size and shape of the products in presence of air/NaOCl have also been monitored.

Dispersed Molecular Aggregates.

Colloidal dispersions of tungstic acid (H(2)WO(4)) have been prepared in water/(TX-100+alkanol)/n-heptane water-in-oil microemulsion media by reacting Na(2)WO(4) with HCl. The effects of alkanol chain length, TX-100/alkanol mass ratio, temperature, and dilution at different [water]/[TX-100] mole ratios (omega) have been studied by the dynamic light scattering technique. The formation of H(2)WO(4) in the microwater pool has been established by FT-IR measurements. The particle sizes and shapes in microemulsion media and in isolated states have been measured by TEM and SEM techniques. The enthalpy of formation of H(2)WO(4) in the water pool of the microemulsions has also been determined microcalorimetrically. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.

Intracellular surfactant removal from phagocytized minerals: development of a fluorescent method using a BODIPY-labeled phospholipid.

Lung surfactant serves as a protective coating when adsorbed on particle surfaces, so its removal or rate of removal in vivo may affect expression of mineral cytotoxicity. Removal of phospholipid surfactant components from the surface of mineral particles ingested by alveolar macrophages (AM) was measured using fluorescence microscopy. Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine with a fluorescent label (BODIPY(trade mark)) substituted for C1-C4 on the second acyl chain (DPPC*), was mixed with dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC) to coat respirable quartz and kaolin particles. Fluorescence from quartz or kaolin particles of 3-4, 5-6 and 8-9 microm size decreased in intensity with increasing ratios of DOPC/DPPC* for the same DOPC concentration of 0.4 mg/ml. There was a direct correlation between fluorescence and residual phospholipid surfactant remaining on particles using phospholipase A2 (PLA(2)) digestion in a cell-free system, indicating that the presence of the fluorophore on DPPC did not hinder enzymatic recognition. Lavaged primary AM obtained from male Fischer rats were challenged in vitro with DOPC/DPPC* (10:1 mol:mol) coated particles at 50 microg particles/10(6) cells. In contrast to the biexponential response seen in cell-free experiments, the rate of fluorescence decay from ingested coated quartz or kaolin particles over 7 days was monoexponential, with the same t(1/2) (41 h) for each dust. This study suggests that the rate of phagolysosomal digestion and removal of the adsorbed surfactant is not a determinant of the different mineral-specific pathogenicities or toxicities of quartz and kaolin, although residual fluorescence remained on particles even after 7-8 days.