Complexation ability of kryptofix 22DD with lanthanum (III) cation in some binary mixed non-aqueous solvents

The complex formation between lanthanum (III) cation with kryptofix 22DD was studied in acetonitrile–dimethylformamide (AN–DMF), acetonitrile–methanol (AN–MeOH), acetonitrile–ethylacetate (AN–EtOAc) and acetonitrile–ethanol (AN–EtOH) binary solvent solutions at different temperatures by using conductometric method. The conductance data show that in all cases, the stoichiometry of the complex formed between the macrocyclic ligand and the metal cation is 1:1 [ML]. The stability order of (kryptofix 22DD.La)³⁺ complex in the studied binary solvent solutions at 25 °C was found to be: AN–EtOAc>AN–EtOH>AN–MeOH>AN–DMF and in the case of pure non-aqueous solvents at 25 °C was: EtOAc>EtOH>MeOH>AN>DMF. A non-linear behavior was observed for changes of logK_f of (kryptofix 22DD.La)³⁺ complex versus the composition of the binary mixed solvents, which was explained in terms of solvent–solvent interactions and also the preferential solvation of the species involved in the complexation reaction. The values of standard thermodynamic parameters (?H _c°, ?S _c°) for formation of (kryptofix 22DD.La)³⁺ complex were obtained from temperature dependence of the stability constant using the van’t Hoff plots.The results show that in most cases, the (kryptofix 22DD.La)³⁺ complex is enthalpy destabilized, but entropy stabilized and the values of these thermodynamic quantities for formation of the complex are quite sensitive to the nature and composition of the mixed solvents solution.     

“Grafting through” approach for synthesis of polystyrene/silica aerogel nanocomposites by in situ reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization

Aerogel/polystyrene nanocomposites with mixed free and aerogel-attached polystyrene chains were synthesized using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. 3-methacryloxypropyldimethylchlorosilane containing a double bond, which could be incorporated into polystyrene chains by a “grafting through” approach, was used as an aerogel modifier. Kinetics of RAFT polymerization of styrene in the presence of modified silica aerogel was studied by monitoring conversion and molar mass values. To further study, attached polymers were detached and their molecular characteristics were compared to free chains. According to results, the presence of silica aerogel particles has a sensible influence on polymerization kinetic and more aerogels result in decreased polymerization rate and conversion. The dispersity (Ð) of polymer chains increased by the addition of silica aerogel. In the case of aerogel-attached polystyrene chains, number-averaged molar mass values were slightly lower than that of free chains. Also, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques were used to observe the effect of loading on thermal properties of synthesized nanocomposites.     

Structure and properties of NR/BR blend/clay nanocomposites prepared by the latex method

Rubber blend/clay nanocomposites based on the 50/50 (wt %) natural rubber/butadiene rubber was prepared by the latex method via mixing the latex of 50/50 NR/BR blend with different amounts of the aqueous sodium montmorillonite (Na-MMT) dispersion and co-coagulating the mixture. XRD and TEM were used to characterize structure of the nanocomposites. It was found that fully exfoliated structure could be obtained by this method only when the low loading of layered silicate (up to 5 phr) is used. With increasing the clay content, both non-exfoliated (stacked layers) and exfoliated structures can be observed simultaneously in the nanocomposites. Nanocomposites showed mechanical properties better than the clay-free volcanizate. Moreover, modulus, tensile strength, elongation at break and tear strength increased significantly by increasing the clay amount up to 5 phr and then remained almost constant by further increasing the clay content. Improvement in the mechanical properties by increasing the clay loading up to 5 phr was attributed to the nano-reinforcement effect of Na-MMT. TGA results indicated an improvement in the main decomposition temperature by increasing the clay amount.     

An efficient and convenient synthesis of pentasubstituted pyrroles from alkyl acetoacetates,dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates,and amines

A simple and efficient synthesis of pentasubstituted pyrroles has been developed using a one-pot, two-step reaction. The synthesis of a series of 4-hydroxypenta-1,3-diene-tricarboxylates from alkyl acetoacetates and dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates in the presence of K₂CO₃, followed by cyclization with amines, gave the corresponding pyrroles in excellent yields.     

Radio-immunoconjugated,Dox-loaded,surface-modified superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) as a bioprobe for breast cancer tumor theranostics

In this research, we develop dual modality molecular imaging and also radio-immunotherapy (RIT) bioprobes, in the form of modified superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) conjugated to radiolabeled antibodies, for PET and MRI of HER2 expressing cancers as well as a PH sensitive drug carrier by embedded an anticancer agent for cancer therapeutic applications. The bioprobes were developed by conjugating ⁶⁴Cu labeled trastuzumab (herceptin) and rituximab (Anti CD-20) antibodies to modified SPIONs. The SPIONs were modified with carboxymethyl chitosan and functionalized with acrylic acid (AA). Also, with the purpose of identifying more effective bifunctional chelator (BFC), we compared the properties of novel BFC, p-NO₂-Bn-PCTA with the commonly used DOTA-NHS for radio-immunoconjugate preparations. Moreover, a chemotherapy drug, doxorubicin, was then loaded onto engineered nanoparticles for targeted intracellular drug delivery and selective cancer cell killing. Resulting radio-immunoconjugated-SPIONs were evaluated for molecular imaging and effective targeting of the HER2+ receptors in SKBR3 cell lines and breast tumor bearing Balb/C mice. Therefore, our biocompatible SPIONs could serve as a promising multifunctional theranostics nanoplatform in dual modality imaging guided RIT of HER2 overexpressing cancer applicable to drug delivery and controlled drug release for trigger both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of apoptosis.     

New polypyrrole–carbon nanotubes–silicon dioxide solid‐phase microextraction fiber for the preconcentration and determination of benzene,toluene, ethylbenzene,and o‐xylene using gas liquid chromatography

For the first time, a polypyrrole–carbon nanotubes–silicon dioxide composite film coated on a steel wire was prepared by an electrochemical method. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that this composite film was even and porous. The prepared fiber was used as an absorbent for the headspace solid‐phase microextraction of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and o‐xylene, followed by gas chromatographic analysis. This method presented an excellent performance, which was much better than that of a polypyrrole–carbon nanotube fiber. It was found that under the optimized conditions, the linear ranges were 0.01–200 ng/mL with correlation coefficients >0.9953, the detection limits were 0.005–0.020 ng/mL, the relative standard deviations were 3.9–6.4% for five successive measurements with a single fiber, and the reproducibility was 5.5–8.5% (n = 3). Finally, the developed method was successfully applied to real water samples, and the relative recoveries obtained for the spiked water samples were from 91.0 to 106.7%.     

Ionic‐liquid‐mediated poly(dimethylsiloxane)‐ grafted carbon nanotube fiber prepared by the sol–gel technique for the head space solid‐phase microextraction of methyl tert‐butyl ether using GC

A headspace solid‐phase microextraction method was developed for the preconcentration and extraction of methyl tert‐butyl ether. An ionic‐liquid‐mediated multiwalled carbon nanotube–poly(dimethylsiloxane) hybrid coating, which was prepared by covalent functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes with hydroxyl‐terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) using the sol–gel technique, was used as solid‐phase microextraction adsorbent. This innovative fiber exhibited a highly porous surface structure, high thermal stability (at least 320°C) and long lifespan (over 210 uses). Potential factors affecting the extraction efficiency were optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the method LOD (S/N = 3) was 0.007 ng/mL and the LOQ (S/N = 10) was 0.03 ng/mL. The calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.03–200 ng/mL. The RSDs for one fiber (repeatability, n = 5) at three different concentrations (0.05, 1, and 150 ng/mL) were 5.1, 4.2, and 4.6% and for the fibers obtained from different batches (reproducibility, n = 3) were 6.5, 5.9, and 6.3%, respectively. The developed method was successfully applied to the determination of methyl tert‐butyl ether in different real water samples on three consecutive days. The relative recoveries for the spiked samples with 0.05, 1, and 150 ng/mL were between 94–104%.     

Synthesis of Polymer Nanoparticles in the Presence of Diatoms as Sustainable Bio-Templates

Colloid Journal - Preparation of complex nano- and micron-sized non-spherical particulate geometries still remains a challenge. One potential approach is the utilization of natural templates with...     

Label-free PSA electrochemical determination by seed-mediated electrochemically-deposited gold nanoparticles on an FTO electrode

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - A facile and sensitive approach is introduced to precisely determine trace amounts of prostate specific antigen (PSA) by gold nanostructures deposited on...