Photoluminescence activity of Yang and Secco etched multicrystalline silicon material

Ultraviolet and blue-green photoluminescence (PL) was investigated on multicrystalline silicon (mc-Si) samples chemically etched by Secco and Yang solutions. The samples were characterized by dislocation density (10⁵-10⁶ cm⁻²). The form of etched pits is triangular with Yang etch and like a honeycomb with Secco etch as observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). These textures of mc-Si wafers give a PL activity similar to that obtained with nanostructures of porous silicon (PS) as reported in the literature. The ultraviolet PL spectra observed with Yang etch shift to the blue-green spectrum range when applying Secco etch. In our experiments we have observed 3-5 μm diameter macro pores separated by a high density of nanowalls. These observations suggest that the origin of the PL activity are quantum dots resulting from the silicon nanocrystallites obtained after few minutes of chemical etching.     

An injectable chitosan-based hydrogel reinforced by oxidized nanocrystalline cellulose and mineral trioxide aggregate designed for tooth engineering applications

The complex anatomy of teeth limits the accessibility and efficacy of regenerative treatments. Therefore, the application of well-known inducers as injectable hydrogels for the regeneration of the dentin-pulp complex is considered a promising approach. In this regard, this study aimed to develop an injectable hydrogel containing mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). The injectable chitosan/oxidized-nanocrystalline cellulose/MTA (CS/OCNC/MTA) hydrogels were prepared, and the physicochemical properties of these hydrogels were evaluated by TGA, FTIR, Rheological analysis, and SEM. Moreover, the effect of MTA on the swelling and degradability of scaffolds was assessed. The proliferative effects of synthesized hydrogels were also determined on human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) by MTT assay. For induction of differentiation and biomineralization in these cells, the alkaline phosphatase activity and Alizarin Red S staining tests were performed in the presence of fabricated scaffolds. The proliferation of hDPSCs was significantly increased in the presence of these hydrogels. Moreover, the addition of MTA to hydrogel structure dramatically improved the differentiation of hDPSCs. These results suggested that this novel injectable hydrogel provides appropriate physiochemical properties and can be considered a promising scaffold for regenerative endodontic procedures.

Graphical abstract

     

Separation of nucleotides in homogenates of octopus retina by ion-pair reversed-phase liquid chromatography and identification by mass spectrometry

An isocratic ion-pair reversed-phase liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of thirteen nucleotides including cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP. The resolution capability of this method was evaluated successfully using homogenates of octopus retina, the aim being to elucidate the role of nucleotides (particularly ADP and ATP) in the control of oxidative metabolism. To overcome the inherent lack of specificity of ultraviolet detection we used the coupling of liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry, via a thermospray interface, to confirm the identity of the nucleotides of interest in the biological samples.     

Bidentate bonding mode of tetrahydroborate and nitrite towards copper(II) in open-faced macrocyclic complexes

Novel seven-coordinate complexes formulated as [CuL(BH₄)₂], [CuL(BH₄)(NO₂)] and [CuL(NO₂)₂] (L = 1,4,7-triazacyclononane) have been prepared and structurally characterized by elemental analyses, spectroscopic data (u.v., i.r. and e.p.r.), magnetic susceptibility and conductivity measurements. The results reveal that the complexes are non-electrolytic. The coordination geometry around the copper(II) ion is a seven coordinated square pyramidal structure with three nitrogen atoms of the 1,4,7-triazacyclononane and either four hydrogen atoms of two bidentate tetrahydroborate groups or two hydrogen atoms of the bidentate tetrahydroborate group and two oxygen atoms of the bidentate nitrite group or four oxygen atoms of two bidentate nitrito groups. A cyclic voltammetric study on the complexes indicates an irreversible redox couple (Cu^II/Cu^I) in DMF, giving a voltage of ca. −0.37 V versus s.c.e.     

Green synthesis of banana flavor using different catalysts: a comparative study of different methods

ABSTRACT

Esterification of isoamyl alcohol with acetic acid was studied using different ion-exchange resins, namely Amberlyst 15 dry, Amberlyst 16 wet, Amberlite 120-IR. Esterification was carried out using different esterification methods that are quite new (ohmic, ultrasonic probe, and ultrasonic bath) and the results were compared with microwave-assisted esterification (MAE). The highest isoamyl acetate yield (99%) was obtained by MAE, using a mixture of acetic acid and isoamyl alcohol (mole ratio of 1:2) after 2?h of reaction time. In this process, 2% Amberlyst 15 dry was used. MAE had the least specific energy consumption (0.42?kWh/g isoamyl acetate) and specific CO₂ emission (34?g/g isoamyl acetate). According to the images obtained by scanning electron microscopy, lower amounts of Amberlyst 15 dry beads were destroyed by MAE method compared to other esterification methods. In conclusion, MAE proved to be an economic and environmentally-friendly method for esterification of different flavoring compounds.     

Ligation Behaviour of Tetrahydroborate and Azide Towards Copper(II)

A new complex formulated as [Cu(Pn)₂(N₃)(BH₄)](Pn = 1,3-propanediamine) has been prepared and characterized. The results indicate that the tetrahydroborate and azide ions complete the coordination. The complex is octahedral and non-electrolytic. A cyclic voltammetric study shows that the complex exhibits a single one-electron redox couple (Cu²⁺/Cu⁺).