Facile Preparation of Mn3O4 Hausmanite Nanoplates from a New Octahedral Manganese (III) Schiff Base Complex

A novel bidentate Schiff base ligand L (L = N-(4-amino-2-chloro-phenyl)-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde) and the subsequent octahedral manganese(III) Schiff base complex MnL ₃ have been synthesized and characterized by, FT-IR spectroscopy and elemental analyses (CHN). Additionally, Schiff base ligand has been characterized by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Thermogravimetric analysis of the ligand and its metal complexes reveals their thermal stability and decomposition pattern. Thus, the MnL ₃ complex has been investigated as a novel precursor for the facile preparation of Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles via solid-state thermal decomposition under aerobic conditions, at a temperature of ca. 450 °C The resulting Mn₃O₄ nanocrystals were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The XRPD studies reveal the characteristic diffraction peaks indexed to the Mn₃O₄ hausmanite structure, while the absence of additional peaks tends to clearly indicate the high purity of the sample. In addition, the TEM/SEM investigations displayed the nanoplate shape of the rather monodisperse crystalline Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles, with an average diameter of ca. 10 nm. The statistical distribution of the nanoparticles size has to be provided with an histogram graphic.     

Synthesis and Single Crystal Structure Characterization of Dinuclear and Polymeric Mixed-ligand Coordination Compounds of Zinc(II) and Cadmium(II) with the Bridging Ligand 1,2-Bis(pyridin-4-ylmethylene)hydrazine

Three d¹⁰-transition-metal coordination compounds [Cd(tfpb)₂(4-bpmh)]_n ( 1 ), [Cd(9-aca)(NO₃)(OHCH₃)(4-bpmh)]_n ( 2 ) and [Zn₂(dpp)₄(4-bpmh)] ( 3 ) with the bridging ligand 4-bpmh were synthesized [4-bpmh = 1,2-bis(pyridin-4-ylmethylene)hydrazine, tfpb = 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-phenylbutane-1,3-dionate, 9-aca = anthracene-9-carboxylate, dpp = 1,3-diphenylpropane-1,3-dionate]. Compounds 1 – 3 were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and structurally authenticated by X-ray crystallography. Compounds 1 – 3 are constructed by an O,O'-donor ligand including chelating β-diketonates (tfpb, dpp) in 1 and 3 and a carboxylate ligand (9-aca) in 2 in combination with a linear neutral bidentate and bridging N-ligand (4-bpmh). The assembly and action of the bridging 4-bpmh ligand leads to one-dimensional coordination polymers in 1 , 2 and to a dinuclear coordination complex in 3 . The structures and the solid-state supramolecular interactions for studying the crystal packing fashions of 1 – 3 were analyzed. The supramolecular interactions including hydrogen bonding, C–H ··· π, π ··· π, and C–F ··· π in 1 , 2 , and 3 were founded.     

Highly tunable elastic dielectric metasurface lenses

Dielectric metasurfaces are two‐dimensional structures composed of nano‐scatterers that manipulate the phase and polarization of optical waves with subwavelength spatial resolution, thus enabling ultra‐thin components for free‐space optics. While high performance devices with various functionalities, including some that are difficult to achieve using conventional optical setups have been shown, most demonstrated components have fixed parameters. Here, we demonstrate highly tunable dielectric metasurface devices based on subwavelength thick silicon nano‐posts encapsulated in a thin transparent elastic polymer. As proof of concept, we demonstrate a metasurface microlens operating at 915 nm, with focal distance tuning from 600 μm to 1400 μm (over 952 diopters change in optical power) through radial strain, while maintaining a diffraction limited focus and a focusing efficiency above 50%. The demonstrated tunable metasurface concept is highly versatile for developing ultra‐slim, multi‐functional and tunable optical devices with widespread applications ranging from consumer electronics to medical devices and optical communications.

     

An improved solvent-free synthesis of flunixin and 2-(arylamino) nicotinic acid derivatives using boric acid as catalyst

A simple solvent-free protocol for the preparation of flunixin, a potent non-narcotic, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is reported using boric acid as catalyst. Its salt, flunixin meglumine are then prepared under reflux in EtOH. This sustainable method are then extended for the synthesis of a series of 2-(arylamino) nicotinic acid derivatives. The present protocol combines non-hazardous neat conditions with associated benefits like excellent yield, straightforward workup, and use of readily available and safe catalyst in the absence of any solvent, which are important factors in the pharmaceutical industry. The pathway for catalytic activation of 2-chloronicotic acid with boric acid was also investigated using Gaussian 03 program package.

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Adsorption of Metanil Yellow Azoic Dye from Aqueous Solution onto Mg‐Fe‐NO3 Layered Double Hydroxide

We report the preparation and characterization of a layered double hydroxide (LDH) adsorbent for azoic dye, metanil yellow (yellow GX; YGX) removal. The nanoparticles of Mg‐Fe‐LDH‐NO₃ adsorbent were prepared with Mg/Fe molar ratio of 3:1 by a hydrothermal process and coprecipitation method at pH 9.5 and were characterized by X‐ray powder diffraction (XRPD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), elemental analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR). The size and morphology of nanoparticles were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The XRD patterns indicate that the intercalation of YGX between the LDH layers has not occurred and surface adsorption has happened. In the adsorption experiments, the Gibbs free energy ΔG⁰ values, the enthalpy ΔH⁰, and entropy ΔS⁰ was determined. The isotherms showed that the adsorption of YGX by Mg‐Fe‐LDH‐NO₃ was both consistent with Langmuir and Freundlich equations.     

Effect of Ga-As (904nm) and He-Ne (632.8 nm) laser on injury potential of skin full-thickness wound

Injury potential may have a triggering biological role in wound healing. In this study, the effect of photostimulation to promote wound healing and its effect on injury potential was investigated using the Ga-As and He-Ne lasers. In this study, 30 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a control and two laser groups, He-Ne and Ga-As laser. A 2.5 cm craniocaudal full-thickness skin incision was made on each animal's dorsal region. Differential skin surface potential was measured before and immediately after the injury and also up to the 21st day, every other day. Wound surface area was also measured. Immediately after injury, wound potential significantly increased in all three groups. Maximum positive peak of injury potential was greater in Ga-As group compared to He-Ne laser and control groups (P<0.05) and lasting period of maximum positive potential in two laser groups was longer than that in the control group. There were no significant differences between the mean potential of before wounding and after the 15th, 17th, and 19th day in Ga-As, He-Ne, and control group, respectively (P>0.05). On the other hand, Ga-As and He-Ne laser facilitated the normal distribution of skin potential after wounding. These findings demonstrate that Ga-As laser may be more effective on wound closure and on returning the injury potential to normal level than the He-Ne laser.     

Circular chromatic index of graphs of maximum degree 3

This paper proves that if G is a graph (parallel edges allowed) of maximum degree 3, then χ′_c(G) ≤ 11/3 provided that G does not contain H₁ or H₂ as a subgraph, where H₁ and H₂ are obtained by subdividing one edge of K (the graph with three parallel edges between two vertices) and K₄, respectively. As χ′_c(H₁) = χ′_c(H₂) = 4, our result implies that there is no graph G with 11/3 < χ′_c(G) < 4. It also implies that if G is a 2‐edge connected cubic graph, then χ′_c(G) ≤ 11/3. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 49: 325–335, 2005     

Fabrication of graphene‐silver/polyurethane nanofibrous scaffolds for cardiac tissue engineering

The graphene‐based nanocomposites are considered as great candidates for enhancing electrical and mechanical properties of nonconductive scaffolds in cardiac tissue engineering. In this study, reduced graphene oxide‐silver (rGO‐Ag) nanocomposites (1 and 2 wt%) were synthesized and incorporated into polyurethane (PU) nanofibers via electrospinning technique. Next, the human cardiac progenitor cells (hCPCs) were seed on these scaffolds for in vitro studies. The rGO‐Ag nanocomposites were studied by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscope (TEM). After incorporation of rGO‐Ag into PU nanofibers, the related characterizations were carried out including scanning electron microscope (SEM), TEM, water contact angle, and mechanical properties. Furthermore, PU and PU/nanocomposites scaffolds were used for in vitro studies, wherein hCPCs showed good cytocompatibility via 3‐(4, 5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and considerable attachment on the scaffold using SEM studies. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunostaining studies confirmed the upregulation of cardiac specific genes including GATA‐4, T‐box 18 (TBX 18), cardiac troponin T (cTnT), and alpha‐myosin heavy chain (α‐MHC) in the PU/rGO‐Ag scaffolds in comparison with neat PU ones. Therefore, these nanofibrous rGO‐Ag–reinforced PU scaffolds can be considered as suitable candidates in cardiac tissue engineering.     

High‐Temperature Spray‐Dried Polymer/Bacteria Microparticles for Electrospinning of Composite Nonwovens

Living Micrococcus luteus (M. luteus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) are encapsulated in poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(vinylpyrrolidone), hydroxypropyl cellulose, and gelatin by high‐temperature spray drying. The challenge is the survival of the bacteria during the standard spray‐drying process at temperatures of 150 °C (M. luteus) and 120 °C (E. coli). Raman imaging and transmission electron microscopy indicate encapsulated bacteria in hollow composite microparticles. The versatility of the spray‐dried polymer bacteria microparticles is successfully proved by standard polymer solution–processing techniques such as electrospinning, even with harmful solvents, to water‐insoluble polyacrylonitrile, polystyrene, poly(methyl methacrylate), and poly(vinyl butyrate) nanofiber nonwovens, which opens numerous new opportunities for novel applications.     

Role of bio-derived zinc oxide nanoparticles in antifungal and photocatalytic activities

Research on Chemical Intermediates - Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) are known as a material in the treatment of environmental pollutions. In this study, ZnO-NPs were synthesized using...