Preparation of cholesterol oxidase nanoparticles and their application in amperometric determination of cholesterol

Highly dispersed platinum nanoparticles were deposited on gram quantities of non-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by atomic layer deposition (ALD) in a fluidized bed reactor at 300 °C. (Methylcyclopentadienyl) trimethylplatinum and oxygen were used as precursors. The results of TEM analysis showed that ~1.3 nm Pt nanoparticles were highly dispersed on non-functionalized MWCNTs. The porous structures of MWCNTs did not change with the deposition of Pt nanoparticles. For comparison, the commercial 3 wt% Pt/C catalyst was also characterized. The ALD-prepared Pt/MWCNT was used for the hydrogenation of xylose to xylitol. The ALD-prepared Pt/MWCNT showed the best catalytic performance with 100 % conversion of xylose and 99.3 % selectivity to xylitol, compared to commercially available Pt/C, Ru/C, and Raney Ni catalysts. The stability of ALD produced Pt/MWCNT catalyst was higher than that of the commercial Pt/C, due to the presence of surface defects on the MWCNTs and the strong metal–support interaction for the ALD-prepared Pt/MWCNT catalyst.     

Effect of polysorbate plasticizer on the structural and ion conduction properties of PEO–NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>PF<Subscript>6</Subscript> solid polymer electrolyte

Effects of a new plasticizer, polysorbate 80, on the structural and electrochemical properties of PEO–NH₄PF₆ polymer electrolyte system have been investigated. X-ray diffraction studies show significant increase in amorphicity of the solid polymer electrolyte on introduction of the plasticizer, which is also supported by lesser-dense spherulites observed in the SEM micrographs. The room temperature ionic conductivity of the electrolyte shows an increase of about two orders of magnitude (σ_max～10^?5 S/cm) on plasticization. The frequency dependence of the conductivity has been found to obey the Jonscher’s power law and slower backward ion hopping on plasticization. The polymer electrolyte shows protonic conduction as confirmed using cyclic voltammetry study. The studies show that polysorbate 80 is a promising plasticizer for semicrystalline polymer electrolytes.     

Ion transport studies in nanocomposite polymer electrolyte membrane of PVA–[C<Subscript>4</Subscript>C<Subscript>1</Subscript>Im][HSO<Subscript>4</Subscript>]–SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The paper reports the effect of SiO₂ nano-filler on structural, thermal, and ion transport properties of polymer electrolyte system comprising polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate [C₄C₁Im][HSO₄] ionic liquid. The addition of SiO₂ nano-filler results into enhancement in amorphicity and thermal stability and lowering of glass transition temperature of the membranes. A detailed investigation of possible interactions among the constituents PVA, [C₄C₁Im][HSO₄] and SiO₂, and cation–anion and anion–anion pairs of [C₄C₁Im][HSO₄] in the polymer electrolyte and their dissociation due to SiO₂ filler has been carried out in the membranes using Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy. The membranes show maximum room temperature ionic conductivity as 9.9?×?10^?3 S cm^?1 for 6 wt.% of the nano-filler which is about four times higher than the membrane without nano-filler and an order higher than pure [C₄C₁Im][HSO₄]. With temperature, the ionic conductivity shows VTF behavior in the temperature range 40–120 °C. On the basis of FTIR and ion transport results, a model for ion transport in the membranes is proposed.

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Graphical abstract Schematic model of ion transport in nanocomposite polymer electrolyte membrane of PVA-[C₄C₁Im][HSO₄]-SiO₂

     

Elastic scattering of electrons by the metastable 2s state of atomic hydrogen

A two-potential approach is used to study the elastic scattering of electrons by the metastable hydrogen atom. The results or differential and total cross sections are presented at 200 and 400 eV energies and compared with the available calculations. Also a comparison between elastic scattering from 2s and 1s states of hydrogen is made.     

Development of an amperometric sulfite biosensor based on a gold nanoparticles/chitosan/multiwalled carbon nanotubes/polyaniline-modified gold electrode

A sulfite oxidase (SOx) purified from leaves of Syzygium cumini (Jamun) was immobilized covalently onto a gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)/chitosan (CHIT)/carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (cMWCNTs)/polyaniline (PANI) composite that was electrodeposited onto the surface of a gold (Au) electrode. A novel and highly sensitive sulfite biosensor was developed that used this enzyme electrode (SOx/AuNPs/CHIT/cMWCNT/PANI/Au) as the working electrode, Ag/AgCl as the standard electrode, and Pt wire as the auxiliary electrode. The modified electrode was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry (CV), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) before and after the immobilization of the SOx. The sensor produced its optimum response within 3 s when operated at 50 mVs⁻¹ in 0.1 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.0, and at 35 °C. The linear range and detection limit of the sensor were 0.75–400 μM and 0.5 μM (S/N = 3), respectively. The biosensor was employed to determine sulfite levels in fruit juices and alcoholic beverages. The enzyme electrode was used 300 times over a period of three months when stored at 4 °C.     

Amperometric determination of xanthine in fish meat by zinc oxide nanoparticle/chitosan/multiwalled carbon nanotube/polyaniline composite film bound xanthine oxidase

Xanthine oxidase (XOD) was immobilized on a composite film of zinc oxide nanoparticle/chitosan/carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotube/polyaniline (ZnO-NP/CHIT/c-MWCNT/PANI) electrodeposited over the surface of a platinum (Pt) electrode. A xanthine biosensor was fabricated using XOD/ZnO-NP/CHIT/c-MWCNT/PANI/Pt as working electrode, Ag/AgCl as reference electrode and Pt wire as auxiliary electrode connected through a potentiostat. The ZnO-NPs were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the enzyme electrode was characterized by cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The biosensor showed optimum response within 4 s at 0.5 V potential, pH 7.0, 35 °C and linear range 0.1-100 μM with a detection limit of 0.1 μM. The enzyme electrode was employed for determination of xanthine in fish meat during storage. The electrode lost 30% of its initial activity after 80 uses over one month, when stored at 4 °C.     

A Doubly Interpenetrated Cu(II)-based Metal-Organic Framework as a Heterogeneous Catalyst for the ipso-Hydroxylation of Arylboronic Acids

A doubly interpenetrated Cu(II)-organic framework with formula [{Cu₂( L )₂(4,4′-bpdc)₂(H₂O)₂} ⋅ 8H₂O ⋅ CH₃OH]_α ( 1 ) (where, L =N², N⁶-di(pyridin-4-yl)naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxamide and 4,4′-bpdc=[1,1′-biphenyl]-4,4′-dicarboxylate ion) has been synthesized and characterized with the help of several spectroscopic and analytical techniques including single crystal X-ray analysis. A single crystal X-ray analysis reveals that 1 exhibit interpenetrated two-dimensional sheet-like structure containing elongated channels of cross-section 11.09×31.22 Ų along the a-axis. Finally, 1 has been exploited as a heterogeneous catalyst for the ipso-hydroxylation of arylboronic acids yielding up to 99 % of the respective phenolic product. Importantly, the catalyst can be reused for five successive cycles without having a significant loss in its catalytic efficiency.     

Spectroscopic characterization of chromium(III), manganese(II) and nickel(II) complexes with a nitrogen donor tetradentate, 12-membered azamacrocyclic ligand

The complexes of Cr(III), Mn(II) and Ni(II) were synthesized with macrocyclic ligand i.e. 5,11-dimethyl-6,12-diethyl-dione-1,2,4,7,9,10-hexazacyclododeca -1,4,6,10-tetraene. The ligand (L) was prepared by [2+2] condensation reaction of 2,3-pentanedione and semicarbazide hydrochloride. These complexes were found to have the general composition [Cr(L)X(2)]X and [M(L)X(2)] (where M=Mn(II) and Ni(II); X=Cl(-), NO(3)(-), (1/2)SO(4)(2-), NCS(-) and L=ligand [N(6)]). The ligand and its transition metal complexes were characterized by the elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility, mass, IR, electronic and EPR spectral studies. On the basis of IR, electronic and EPR spectral studies, an octahedral geometry has been assigned for these complexes except sulphato complexes which are of five coordinated geometry.     

Amperometric determination of xanthine in tea,coffee, and fish meat with graphite rod bound xanthine oxidase

A method is described for construction of an amperometric xanthine biosensor based on graphite rod modified through adsorption of xanthine oxidase. Enzymatically produced H₂O₂ from xanthine was split into 2H⁺ + O₂ + 2^e− at 0.6 V and the current was measured, which was directly proportional to xanthine concentration ranging from 1 ° 10⁻⁷ to 6 ° 10⁻⁷ M with a detection limit of 1 ° 10⁻⁷ M. The biosensor exhibited optimum response within 35 sec at pH 7.0 and 35°C. It was employed for determination of xanthine in tea leaves (0.9 ° 10⁻⁵−2.5 ° 10⁻⁵ mmol/g), coffee powder (3.2 μmol/g) and fish meat (90 mmol/g). The content of xanthine in fish meat increased 6.5 times with its storage at room temperature during 15 days. The enzyme electrode could be reused 200 times during the span of 30 days, when stored in reaction buffer at 4°C.