Boron-Thioketonates: A New Class of S,O-Chelated Boranes as Acceptors in Optoelectronic Devices

Development of new n-type semiconductors with tunable band gap and dielectric constant has significant implication in dissociating bound charge carrier relevant for demonstrating high performance optoelectronic devices. Boron-β-thioketonates (MTDKB), analogues to boron-β-diketonates containing a sulfur atom in the framework of β-diketones were synthesized. Bulk transport measurement exhibited an outstanding bulk electron mobility of ≈0.003 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹, which is among the best values reported till date in these class of semiconducting materials and correspondingly a single junction photo responsivity of upto 6 mA W⁻¹ was obtained. This new family of O,S-chelated boron compounds exhibited luminescence in the far red/near-infrared region. The remarkable red shift of 89 nm (fluorescence) observed for 4 a in comparison with analogues boron-β-diketonate signifies the importance of sulfur in these molecules. MTDKBs with amine functionality have also been investigated as an ON/OFF fluorescent sensor.     

Some observations on HC-128

In this paper, we study HC-128 in detail from cryptanalytic point of view. First, we use linear approximation of the addition modulo 2 ⁿ of three n-bit integers to identify linear approximations of g ₁, g ₂, the feedback functions of HC-128. This, in turn, shows that the process of keystream output generation of HC-128 can be well approximated by linear functions. In this direction, we show that the ??least significant bit?? based distinguisher (presented by the designer himself) of HC-128 works for the complete 32-bit word. Using the above linear approximations of g ₁, g ₂, we present a new distinguisher for HC-128 which is slightly weaker than Wu??s distinguisher. Finally, in the line of Dunkelman??s observation, we also study how HC-128 keystream words leak secret state information of the cipher due to the properties of the functions h ₁, h ₂ and present improved results.     

2020 Roadmap on two-dimensional nanomaterials for environmental catalysis

This roadmap demonstrates a series of two-dimensional nanomaterials, such as graphene, black phosphorus, oxides, layered double hydroxides, chalcogenides, bismuth-based layered compounds, MXenes, metal organic frameworks, covalent organic frameworks, and others, for environmental catalysis.     

Terpyridine-Based 3D Metal–Organic-Frameworks: A Structure–Property Correlation

Design, synthesis, and applications of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are among the most salient fields of research in modern inorganic and materials chemistry. As the structure and physical properties of MOFs are mostly dependent on the organic linkers or ligands, the choice of ligand system is of utmost importance in the design of MOFs. One such crucial organic linker/ligand is terpyridine (tpy), which can adopt various coordination modes to generate an enormous number of metal–organic frameworks. These frameworks generally carry physicochemical characteristics induced by the π-electron-rich (basically N-electron-rich moiety) terpyridines. In this minireview, the construction of 3D MOFs associated with symmetrical terpyridines is discussed. These ligands can be easily derivatized at the lateral phenyl (4′-phenyl) position and incorporate additional organic functionalities. These functionalities lead to some different binding modes and form higher dimensional (3D) frameworks. Therefore, these 3D MOFs can carry multiple features along with the characteristics of terpyridines. Some properties of these MOFs, like photophysical, chemical selectivity, photocatalytic degradation, proton conductivity, and magnetism, etc. have also been discussed and correlated with their frameworks.     

Nanoparticles as an emerging tool to alter the gene expression: Preparation and conjugation methods

Many human diseases occur due to the over or under-expression of genes which can be corrected either by silencing or over-expression, respectively by transforming with specific nucleic acid (NA). NA transformation for medical purposes to alter the cellular gene expression is challenging because NA cannot cross efficiently the cellular biomembrane. One option, the viral vectors, is risky for patients and, the non-viral vectors have lower transformation efficiency. From the past few years, nanoparticles (NPs) are being studied extensively for their use as a vector to deliver NA. They are of a sub-micron size, have a large surface area, rapid absorption ability and can reach inside of the cells. These properties make them a suitable gene carrier. NPs types - organic, inorganic, organic/inorganic hybrid and polymeric NPs, having different properties that can be used to deliver the NA. They possess various properties like biocompatibility, targeted delivery of gene, controlled release of NA which makes them suitable for different uses. In this review, we are describing and comparing various methods to synthesize various kinds of NPs and how they can be conjugated with NA. A series of modifications in NPs to form the polyplex are also discussed along with the varying outcomes in terms of changes in the gene expression and its cytotoxicity towards different cell lines. This review is helpful for nano-scientists to decide which method to be followed for a specific need via controlling gene expression.     

Positron scattering from alkaline-earth elements

The total (elastic + inelastic) cross sections fore ⁺ impact on alkaline-earth elements from Be to Ra are calculated by employing a complex spherical optical potential. This potential has static, polarization and absorption components. The positron energy range is from a few eV to several thousand eV. We have compared our elastic cross sections for Mg and Ca with the other available results and the agreement is good for energies above 100eV. We have also compared our absorption cross sections withe ⁻ ionization cross sections at high energies where our absorption cross sections are in good accord. We have made Bethe plots fore ⁺ scattering on these elements.     

Cyclodextrin-conjugated nanocarrier for magnetically guided delivery of hydrophobic drugs

A magnetic nanosystem that simultaneously implements the cyclodextrin–drug complexation power, bioadhesive property of gum arabic (GA) and inherent magnetic properties of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, has recently been reported. In this study, a magnetic nanocarrier was fabricated by conjugating 2-hydroxypropyl-cyclodextrin (HCD) onto the gum arabic modified magnetic nanoparticles (GAMNP). The analyses of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) revealed that the product had a mean diameter of 14.8 nm and a mean hydrodynamic diameter of 29.3 nm. This nanocarrier showed good loading efficiency for ketoprofen. In addition, the in vitro release profile of ketoprofen from HCD-GAMNP was characterized by an initial fast release followed by a delayed release phase. In view of the better biocompatibility and the combined properties like specific targeting, complexation ability with hydrophobic drugs makes the nanosystem an exciting prospect for drug delivery.     

Review on augmentation in photocatalytic activity of CoFe2O4 via heterojunction formation for photocatalysis of organic pollutants in water

In previous years, cobalt ferrite has gained huge consideration in the field of semiconductor photocatalysis for waste water treatment. Cobalt ferrite and its derivatives own tunable magnetic properties which results in higher absorption capability in comparison with other photocatalyst semiconductors. In the current review, a brief overview of CoFe₂O₄ as a semiconductor photocatalyst is presented and ferromagnetic behaviour of CoFe₂O₄ is also discussed. Few drawbacks such as agglomeration, photocorrosion and recombination rate of electrons-holes are also discussed. For the enhancement of photocatalytic action of cobalt ferrite, the role of cobalt ferrite with type I, type II, direct Z-scheme, solid state Z-scheme heterojunctions, Schottky and p-n heterojunctions based on different heterostructures were also discussed. In conclusive outlook formation of cobalt ferrite based heterojunctions is best approach for the enhancement of photocatalytic performance. This is because heterojunction formation enhanced the rate of charge separation and thus reduced the electron–hole recombination. Herein, this review highlights the CoFe₂O₄ based heterojunctions for the photodegradation of noxious organic pollutants in water. Furthermore, the future expectations and challenges in exploiting CoFe₂O₄ nanocomposites for water treatment, also discussed in precise conclusion of this review.     

Effect of P2O5 on the early stage crystallization of K-fluorrichterite glass-ceramics

The addition of 2 mol% P₂O₅ to stoichiometric K-fluorrichterite (KNaCaMg₅Si₈O₂₂F₂, KFR) has been reported to enhance the mechanical properties and improve the in vitro biocompatibility of this glass-ceramic by promoting the formation of enstatite and fluorapatite (FA). Here, the effect of further increasing the P₂O₅ concentration on phase evolution of KFR has been investigated. XRD data showed that mica crystallized in samples with 4 and 5 mol% P₂O₅ (GP4 and GP5, respectively) at 650 °C, but no diopside was detected at higher temperatures, in contrast with the general phase evolution in KFR based glass-ceramics. More importantly, however, the addition of ?4 mol% P₂O₅ induced phase separation of the glass into a silica glass matrix and phosphate rich droplets prior to crystallization. EDS traces taken from samples heat-treated at 600 °C, revealed that the silica glass matrix was deficient in Mg and unlikely to be the host for crystallization of mica. Conversely, the P₂O₅ rich regions contained excess Mg and were considered to be the host for the formation of mica and FA.