Corvo, M, Sardinha J, Menezes SC, Einloft S, Seferin M, Dupont J, Casimiro T, Cabrita EJ.
2013.
Solvation of carbon dioxide in [C4 mim][BF(4)] and [C(4) mim][PF(6)] ionic liquids revealed by high-pressure NMR spectroscopy. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 52:13024-7., Number 49
AbstractWhere is CO2 ? The intermolecular interactions of [C4 mim]BF4 and [C4 mim]PF6 ionic liquids and CO2 have been determined by high-pressure NMR spectroscopy in combination with molecular dynamic simulations. The anion and the cation are both engaged in interactions with CO2 . A detailed picture of CO2 solvation in these ILs is provided. CO2 solubility is essentially determined by the microscopic structure of the IL.
Faria, MR, Cruz MM, Goncalves MC, Carvalho A, Feio G, Martins MB.
2013.
Synthesis and characterization of magnetoliposomes for MRI contrast enhancement. Int J Pharm. 446:183-90., Number 1-2
AbstractThis work assesses the characteristics of magnetoliposomes of soybean phosphatidylcholine (SPC):cholesterol (Chol) loaded with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) stabilized with tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAOH) and their capacity to enhance magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast. Magnetoliposomes of SPC were used for comparative studies. IONPs and magnetoliposomes were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, SQUID magnetometry, FTIR and MRI. The saturation magnetization at 10K was 0.06 Am(2)/kg for SPC:Chol magnetoliposomes with 7 g iron oxide/mol of lipid and 0.05 Am(2)/kg for SPC magnetoliposomes with 21 g iron oxide/mol of lipid. As these values are associated with the number of incorporated magnetic IONPs, the saturation magnetization is 1.2 times higher for magnetoliposomes of SPC:Chol as compared with magnetoliposomes of SPC alone. The behavior of temperature dependence in both cases is typical of superparamagnetic particles. FTIR spectra evidence the increase of magnetoliposome membrane ordering with the presence of Chol. Principal component analysis (PCA) applied to FTIR spectra evidenced a clear distinction between scores for SPC:Chol, and SPC magnetoliposomes and for SPC empty liposomes. PCA applied to FTIR data differentiate magnetoliposomes from empty liposomes. MR images of aqueous phantoms obtained with and without magnetoliposomes, clearly evidence their effect on T2 image weighting.
Casimiro, MH, Corvo M, Ramos AM, Cabrita EJ, Ramos AM, Ferreira LM.
2013.
Synthesis and characterization of novel gamma-induced porous PHEMA-IL composites. Materials Chemistry and Physics. 138:11-16., Number 1
AbstractA novel porous polymer-ionic liquid composite with poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIPF6) has been synthesized by gamma-irradiation without heat or chemical initiators. The products can be reversibly converted into organogels. The composites are potential candidates for electrochemical applications. The use of gamma-radiation can be a simple and versatile alternative way to obtain these materials. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.