Enzymeless determination of cholesterol using gold and silver nanoparticles as electrocatalysts

We present the results of synthesis and study of the electrocatalytic activity of gold and silver nanoparticles of different composition (individual metals, core–shell particles, nanoalloys, and particles synthesized electrochemically), immobilized on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode, with respect to cholesterol. A surfactant (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) is selected to create an aqueous–organic emulsion of cholesterol. It is demonstrated that nanoparticles with a gold core and a silver shell with the regression equation of I = 1.4 × 10^–5 c _chol + 5.8 × 10^–5 (R ² = 0.97) and silver nanoparticles synthesized electrochemically with the regression equation of I = 1.0 × 10^–5 c _chol + 3.0 × 10^–4 (R ² = 0.95) possess optimal electrocatalytic characteristics.     

New Phosphate-Sulfates with NZP Structure

NaZr_2–xB_x(PO₄)_3–2x(SO₄)_2x (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.25, B = Mg, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn), and NaZr_2–xR_x(PO₄)_3–x(SO₄)_x (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.25, R = Al, Fe) phosphate-sulfates series have been prepared by a sol–gel process. These compounds belong to the NaZr₂(PO₄)₃ (NZP) structure family and crystallize in hexagonal crystal system, space group R\(\bar 3\)c. Limited solid solution series were found to exist; their formation temperatures and thermal stability limits were determined. Particle sizes as determined by microstructure observation were 50–200 nm, and for Cu- and Zn-containing samples, 200–500 nm. The thermal expansion of phosphate-sulfate NaZr_1.25Cu_0.75(PO₄)_1.5(SO₄)_1.5 was studied in the range 25–700°C. Thermal expansion coefficients and thermal expansion anisotropy were found to be α_a =–5.40 × 10^–6 °C^–1, α_с = 18.88 × 10^–6 °C^–1, α_avg = 2.69 × 10^–6 °C^–1, and Δα = 24.28 × 10^–6 °C^–1.     

SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanoparticles in Aerosol OT reverse microemulsions: Synthesis and characterization

Stable SiO₂ and TiO₂ organosols were prepared by hydrolyzing tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) in the presence of 6–12 M NH₃ and titanium(IV) isopropylate (TTIP) in reverse microemulsions of 0.12–0.25 M bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (Aerosol OT, AOT) in n-decane with the aqueous pseudophase content of 2–3 vol %, 0.018–0.090 M TEOS, and 0.15–0.55 vol %, 0.003–0.025 M TTIP. The degree of hydrolysis was monitored by IR spectroscopy (for TEOS) and spectrophotometry (for TTIP). Oxide nanoparticles were characterized by photon-correlation spectroscopy (PCS) (D _h = 8–100 nm) and laser electrophoresis (ζ-potential = 7.4–11.6 mV). The occurrence of surface potential made it possible to separate the oxides from the excess of surfactant by nonaqueous electrophoresis and to determine particle sizes (7–40 nm) by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM).     

Kinetics of thermal reaction HOCl ⇄ H(<Superscript>2</Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>) + OCl(<Emphasis Type="Italic">X</Emphasis><Superscript>2</Superscript>Π<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">i</Emphasis></Subscript>) in gas phase

The kinetics of gas reaction \(HOCl\underset{{k_r }}{\overset{{k_f }}{\longleftrightarrow}}H(^2 S) + OCl(X^2 \Pi _i )\) was analyzed by the MP4 method. In the temperature range of 100–373 K the rate constants k _f and k _r and equilibrium constant K were changed from 1.10 × 10^?220 to 1.17 × 10^?52 s^?1, from 2.89 × 10^?16 to 1.68 × 10^?5s^?1 and from 3.80 × 10^?205 to 6.96 × 10^?48 respectively. In the above temperature range, the activation energy of the forward reaction (E _f) is 105.05 kcal/mol. In the same temperature interval there are two kinetic domains for the reverse reaction with activation energies (E _r1 = 5.53 kcal/mol when T is 100–273 K and E _r2 = 14.50 kcal/mol when T is 273–373 K, respectively.     

Biosynthesis,characterization, and antimicrobial effect of silver nanoparticles obtained using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lavandula</Emphasis> × <Emphasis Type="Italic">intermedia</Emphasis>

The use..... of aqueous leaf extract of Lavandula × intermedia for biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is presented. The plant extract was obtained by boiling dried leaves and using the obtained filtrate for the synthesis of AgNPs. The study was conducted to investigate an ecofriendly approach to metal nanoparticle synthesis and to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of both the aqueous plant extract and resulting silver nanoparticles against different microbes using the disc diffusion method. The synthesis of silver nanoparticles was monitored using ultraviolet–visible (UV–v is) spectroscopy, which showed a localized surface plasmon resonance band at 411 nm and a shift of the band to higher wavenumber of 422 nm after 90 min of reaction. Powder X-ray diffraction analysis and transmission electron microscopy of the obtained AgNPs revealed their crystalline nature, with average size of 12.6 nm. Presence of elemental silver was further confirmed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed presence of phytochemicals from Lavandula × intermedia leaf extract on the AgNPs. The AgNPs showed good antimicrobial activity with inhibition zone ranging from 10 to 23 mm; the largest inhibition zone (23 mm) occurred against Escherichia coli. Generally, the AgNPs displayed more antimicrobial activity against all investigated pathogens compared with Lavandula × intermedia leaf extract, and were also more active than streptomycin against Klebsiella oxytoca and E. coli at the same concentration. The silver nanoparticles showed prominent antimicrobial activity with a lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 15 μg/mL against E. coli, K. oxytoca, and Candida albicans.     

Structure and charge-transport properties of LnBaCuCoO<Subscript>5 + δ</Subscript> (Ln = Y,Dy) cuprocobaltites

LnBaCuCoO_{5 + δ} (Ln = Y, Dy) cuprocobaltites were prepared. Their unit cell parameters were determined and their thermal expansion, electrical conductivity (σ), and Seebeck coefficient (S) were studied in air in the range 300–1100 K. The compounds have tetragonal structures (space group P4/mmm). Their unit cell parameters are a = 0.3867(2) nm, c = 0.7550(7) nm, V = 112.9(2) × 10^?3 nm³ for YBaCuCoO_4.98; and a = 0.3872(2) nm, c = 0.7562(7) nm, V = 113.4(2) × 10^?3 nm³ for DyBaCuCoO_5.01. They are p-type semiconductors. The electrical conductivity of DyBaCuCoO_{5 + δ} is slightly lower and its Seebeck coefficient is 1.5–2 times higher than the respective values for YBaCuCoO_{5 + δ} apparently because of different electronic configurations of the rare-earth cations in LnBaCuCoO_{5 + δ} (4d ⁰ for Y³⁺ and 4f ⁹ for Dy³⁺). Dilatometric measurements show that the LnBaCuCoO_{5 + δ} phases in the range 300–1100 K do not experience structural phase transitions, and their linear thermal expansion coefficients (LTEC) are 14.3 × 10^?6 K^?1 for Ln = Y and 14.7 × 10^?6 K^?1 for Ln = Dy.     

Influence of the Molecular Mass of Poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-vinylpyrrolidone) on Formation of Cu<Subscript>2</Subscript>O Nanoparticles During Reduction of Divalent Copper Ions with <Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-Butylamine Borane in Polymer Solution

The process of reduction of divalent copper ions with tert-butylamine borane in dilute aqueous solutions of poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) is investigated. The influence of polymer molecular mass on properties of the resultant Cu₂O sols is studied. It is shown that Cu₂O nanoparticles with an average diameter of 6–8 nm independent of polymer molecular mass and a relatively narrow size distribution of particles are formed in the systems under study. The contour length of macromolecules and the hydrodynamic diameter of a poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) macromolecular coil are compared with the diameter of Cu₂O particles. Poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) with M ≥ 1 × 10⁴ can be used to produce Cu₂O nanoparticles. Poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) with M > 4 × 10⁴ should be used for the formation of long-living Cu₂O sols.     

High-temperature heat capacity and thermodynamic properties of pyrovanadate Pb<Subscript>2</Subscript>V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> and orthovanadate Pb<Subscript>3</Subscript>(VO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The heat capacities of Pb₂V₂O₇ and Pb₃(VO₄)₂ as a function of temperature in the range 350–965 K have been studied by the differential scanning calorimetry method. The C_P = f(T) curve for Pb₂V₂O₇ is described by the equation C_p = (230.76 ± 0.51) + (73.60 ± 0.50)×10^-3T ? (18.38 ± 0.54)×10⁵T^-2 in the entire temperature range. For Pb₃(VO₄)₂, there is a well-pronounced extreme point in the C_P = f(T) curve at T = 371.5 K, which is caused by the existence of a structural phase transition. The thermodynamic properties of the oxide compounds have been calculated.     

Fast coagulation of gold sols. Rate constants for dimerization of nanoparticles

By using the generalized Mie theory, the extinction cross sections for dimers of 46-nm gold particles immersed in water have been calculated. It has been found that, in the region of high-energy plasmon resonance band, the maximum value of normalized extinction cross section Qext1 gradually decreases as particles approach each other. The greatest changes in Qext1 are observed when interparticle distance h decreases from 10 to 3 nm. At shorter distances, Q_ext1 weakly depends on h. At the same time, the band position varies in a complicated manner; however, at h < 2.5 nm, it coincides with that for individual particles. The revealed properties of the high-energy plasmon resonance band for dimers have been used to determine the absolute rate constant for dimerization of 46-nm gold particles k₁₁. By spectrophotometry, we have investigated salt-induced coagulation of gold sols and have measured the rates of the decrease in optical density. Experimental and calculation data allowed us to establish, at initial stages of fast coagulation, when the distance between the surfaces of 46-nm gold particles is 1.3–2.0 nm (Dolinnyi, A.I., Colloid J., 2015, vol.77, p. 600.), the average value of k₁₁ is (9.20 ± 1.34) × 10^–12 cm³/s for sols with particle concentrations of (0.4–2.6) × 10₁₀ cm^–3.     

Biosynthesis of Gold Nanoparticles by Flavonoids from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lilium casa blanca</Emphasis>

Biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) by flavonoids from Lilium casa blanca has been developed. Several parameters such as pH, reaction temperature, reaction time and concentration of flavonoids were explored to control the formation of the GNPs. The synthesized GNPs were characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Stability and catalytic activity of the synthesized GNPs were also discussed. The results showed that the synthesized GNPs were in spherical, about 2.6 nm, with a face centered cubic structure. Synthesized GNPs showed good catalytic activity in the reduction of p-nitrophenol (p-NP) to p-aminphenol (p-AP). This method for synthesis of GNPs is simple, economic, nontoxic and efficient.     

Germane decomposition: Kinetic and thermochemical data

Rate constants for the two stages of germane dissociation (GeH₄ → GeH₂ + H₂(I) and GeH₂ → Ge + H₂(II) have been derived from the studies of the chemiluminescence kinetics during germane dissociation in the presence of nitrous oxide behind shock waves at 1060–1300 K and the full density equal to ～10^?5 mol/cm³. Analysis in terms of the RRKM model gave the following expressions for the rate constants of these reactions in the high and low pressure limits: k _{1, ∞} = 2.0 × 10¹⁴exp(?208.0/RT) s^?1; k _{1, 0} = 1.7 × 10¹⁸(1000/T)^3.85exp(?208.0/RT) cm³/(mol s); and k _{2, 0} = 2.8 × 10¹⁵(1000/T)^1.32exp(?135.0/RT) cm³/(mol s). The results, in combination with the available enthalpies of formation of radical GeH₂, show that the back reaction for stage (I) has an energy barrier of about 66 kJ/mol.     

Chromium ion incorporation in the crystal structure of BGO

Comprehensive investigations have been performed by EPR and optical spectroscopy for Bi₃GeO₄ crystals doped with chromium ions. It is demonstrated that the known optical absorption spectrum for chromium ions, specifically, the triplet in the region 600–900 nm has an analog in the EPR spectra — the center with electron spin S = 1. The spectrum is described by the spin-Hamiltonian with the parameters D = 550 G, E = 10 G, g _xx = g _yy = 1.915, g _zz = 1.932. The EPR spectrum is dictated by Cr⁴⁺ incorporation at the germanium sites. Luminescence observed in the region 1.2–1.7 μm is also caused by transitions of Cr⁴⁺ with tetrahedral surroundings to germanium sites. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2005 N. V. Chernei, V. A. Nadolinnyi, N. V. Ivannikova, V. A. Gusev, I. N. Kupriyanov, V. N. Shlegel, and Ya. V. Vasiliev __________ Translated from Zhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 46, No. 3, pp. 444–450, May–June, 2005.     

Crystal structure and spectroscopic characterization of a coordination polymer of Copper(II) chloride with ethylenediamine and the 2-hydroxybenzoate ion

A new mixed-ligand one-dimensional copper(II) coordination polymer [Cu(en)(sal)Cl] _n where en = ethylenediamine(C₂H₈N₂) and Hsal = 2-hydroxybenzoic acid (salicylic acid; C₇H₆O₃) is synthesized and characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure contains Cu²⁺ ions in two different distorted octahedral coordination environments: an axially extended CuN₄Cl₂ moiety arising from a pair of bidentate en ligands and a CuO₄Cl₂ moiety arising from a pair of asymmetrically coordinated sal^– anions. The chloride ions bridge the copper ions into a zigzag chain propagating in [001]. The structure is consolidated by N–H???O and N–H???Cl hydrogen bonds which generate a layered network. Crystal data: C₉H₁₃ClCuN₂O₃, M _r = 296.20, monoclinic, P2₁/c, a = 13.9179(10) Å, b = 10.4900(8) Å, c = 8.5181(6) Å, β = 105.518(4)°, V = 1198.30(15) ų, Z = 4, R(F) = 0.026, w R(F ²) = 0.068.     

Phase equilibria in the BaS–Ga<Subscript>2</Subscript>S<Subscript>3</Subscript> system

In the BaS–Ga₂S₃ system, the following compounds form: congruently melting compound BaGa₄S₇ (rhombic system, space group Pmn2₁, a = 1.477 nm, b = 0.624 nm, c = 0.593 nm, and T_melt = 1490 K) and incongruently melting compounds BaGa₂S₄ (cubic system, space group Pa3, a = 1.2661 nm, and Tmelt = 1370 K), Ba₂Ga₂S₅ (monoclinic system, space group C2/c, a = 1.529, b = 1.479, c = 0.858 nm, ß = 106.04°, and T_melt = 1150 K), Ba₃Ga₂S₆ (monoclinic system, space group C2/c, a = 0.909 nm, b = 1.448 nm, c = 0.903 nm, ß = 91.81°, and T_melt = 1190 K), Ba₄Ga₂S₇ (monoclinic system, space group P2₁/m, a = 1.177 nm, b = 0.716 nm, c = 0.903 nm, ß = 108.32°, and T_melt = 1230 K), and Ba₅Ga₂S₈ (rhombic system, space group Cmca, a = 2.249 nm, b = 1.215 nm, c = 1.189 nm, and T_melt = 1480 K). The compositions of eutectics are 38 and 72 mol % Ga₂S₃, and their melting points are 1120 and 1160 K, respectively. The BaS solubility in γ-Ga₂S₃ at 1070 K reaches 3 mol %.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of dimethylgold(III) carboxylates

Three novel carboxylate complexes were synthesized: dimethylgold(III) trifluoroacetate [Me₂Au(Tfa)]₂ (I), trimethylacetate (pivalate) [Me₂Au(Piv)]₂ (II), and benzoate [Me₂Au(OBz)]₂ (III). The starting reagent was [Me₂AuI]₂. The procedure of its synthesis provides 60% product yield. Dimethylgold(III) carboxylates were identified from the IR and ¹H NMR data. The title compounds were studied by X-ray diffraction. The unit cell parameters for I, C₈H₁₂Au₂F₆O₄: a = 15.5522(13), b = 12.9398(11), c = 15.6555(14) Å, β = 104.308(2)°, Z = 8, ρ(calcd.) = 2.959 g/cm³, space group C2/c, R = 0.0779; for II, C₁₄H₃₀Au₂O₄: a = 10.3025(3), b = 15.5952(4), c = 12.6819(3) Å, β = 105.8270(10)°, Z = 4, ρ(calcd.) = 2.224 g/cm³, space group P2₁/c, R = 0.0229; for III, C₁₈H₂₂Au₂O₄: a = 12.8050(2), b = 19.7886(3), c = 7.60300(10) Å, Z = 4, ρ(calcd.) = 2.401 g/cm³, space group Pnma, R = 0.0144. Compounds I–III have the molecular structures; the structural units are the [(CH₃)₂Au(OOCR)]₂ dimers (Au…Au 2.984–3.080 Å), R = CF₃, tert-Bu, Ph. The gold atoms have the square coordination with two carbon atoms and two oxygen atoms (Au-O 2.120–2.173 Å). The molecules in compounds I–III are united into infinite unidimensional chains connected by van der Waals interactions.     

Electrochemical sensing of <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">D</Emphasis>-penicillamine on modified glassy carbon electrode by using a nanocomposite of gold nanoparticles and reduced graphene oxide

A new electrochemical sensor was developed for determination of D-penicillamine using glassy carbon electrode which had been modified by gold nanoparticles–reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite (AuNPs/RGO/GCE) in aqueous solution. Cyclic voltammetry, transmission electron microscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used for characterization of the modified electrode. The results indicated that the kinetic of oxidation reaction of D-penicillamine at the surface of the electrode was controlled by both diffusion and adsorption processes. In 0.1 mol L^?1 phosphate buffer (pH 2.0), the oxidation current increased linearly with concentration of D-penicillamine with a linear range of 5.0 × 10^?6 to 1.1 × 10^?4 mol L^?1 and regression coefficient of R ² = 0.9972. Theoretical detection limit, defined based on 3σ of the blank signal (n = 9) divided by the slope of the linear regression equation, was 3.9 × 10^?6 mol L^?1 D-penicillamine using differential pulse voltammetry. The developed method was successfully applied to the determination of D-penicillamine in pharmaceutical formulation and blood serum samples.     

Synthesis and study of ammonium hexamolybdooxalatovanadate

Ammonium hexamolybdooxalatovanadate of the composition (NH₄)₃[V(C₂O₄)Mo₆O₁₈(OH)₆] · 3H₂O (I) has been synthesized and studied by mass spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and X_ray powder diffraction. Crystals of I are monoclinic with the unit cell parameters a = 11.9737 Å, b = 18.6533 Å, c = 11.2178 Å, β = 121.021°, V = 3162. 95 ų, M = 1214.01 g/mol, ρ_calcd = 1.91 g/cm³, and Z = 3.     

Low-temperature heat capacity and high-temperature thermal behavior of sodium lutetium molybdate phosphate Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>Lu(MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)

The low-temperature heat capacity of Na₂Lu (MoO₄)(PO₄) was measured by adiabatic calorimetry in the range of 7.47–345.74 K. The experimental data were used to calculate the thermodynamic functions of Na₂Lu (MoO₄)(PO₄). At 298.15 K, the following values were obtained: C _p ⁰ (298.15 K) = 237.7 ± 0.1 J/(K mol), S ⁰(298.15 K) = 278.1 ± 0.8 J/(K mol), H ⁰(298.15 K) ? H ⁰ (0 K) = 42330 ± 20 J/mol, and Φ⁰(298.15 K) = 136.1 ± 0. 3 J/(K mol). A heat capacity anomaly was found in the range of 10-67 K with a maximum at T _tr = 39.18 K. The entropy and enthalpy of transition are ΔS = 12.39 ± 0.75 J/(K mol) and ΔH = 403 ± 16 J/mol. The thermal investigation of sodium lutetium molybdate phosphate in the high-temperature range (623–1223 K) was performed using differential scanning calorimetry. It was found that during melting in the range of 1030–1200 K, Na₂Lu(MoO₄)(PO₄) degrades to simpler compounds; the degradation scenario is verified by X-ray powder diffraction.     

Compositions and structures of nanoparticles of pentagonal axial symmetry <Emphasis Type="Italic">D</Emphasis><Subscript>5<Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis></Subscript>: Nanotubes

The method of determination of the structure and the number of atoms in the shells of nanoparticles as a function of the arrangement of atoms at the symmetry elements of a symmetry group has been developed. The formulas for the calculation of the number of particles with symmetry group D _5d are reported. The number of particles in these shells is determined by three structurally invariant numbers and the “quantum number” of the group order n. The classification of all possible nanostructures with symmetry group D _5d is given: C _θ+10z , z = 0, 1, 2, …, where the basic shells are C _θ = C ₂, C ₁₀, C ₁₂. The sum rule has been obtained for the coordination numbers of shell sites located at symmetry axes. Pentagonal axial nanoparticles are shown to be the initial shells for obtaining (5,5) and (10,10) armchair nanotubes or (5,0) and (10,0) zigzag nanotubes. The general formula of these nanotubes closed with icosahedral and dodecahedral caps is N _20+10p , N _60+10p (p = 1, 2, …). The graphical constructions of all classes of nanoparticles and nanotubes of the pentagonal axial type are reported.     

Diffusion and phase behavior of a hydroxypropylcellulose-poly(ethylene glycol) system

The solubility and interdiffusion between hydroxypropylcellulose samples of various molecular masses (M _w = 8 × 10⁴, 14 × 10⁴, 37 × 10⁴, 85 × 10⁴, and 115 × 10⁴) and poly(ethylene glycol) (M _w = 400 and 1500) in the range 18–210°C have been studied by optical interferometry and polarization microscopy methods. Oligomeric poly(ethylene glycols) have been considered as solvents for hydroxypropylcellulose. Phase diagrams have been constructed, and Flory-Huggins thermodynamic interaction parameters have been calculated. For the hydroxypropylcellulose-poly(ethylene glycol) 400 system, an LC and crystalline equilibria have been realized. An increase in the M _w of hydroxypropylcellulose to 1500 leads to the appearance of a wide region of amorphous phase segregation with a UCST, whereas the liquidus line is conserved at high concentrations of hydroxypropylcellulose. Such a superposition of two kinds of phase equilibrium that is achieved only with a change in M _w of the oligomeric solvent has been observed for the first time. For all the systems under examination, the kinetics of diffusion mixing has been estimated and the activation energies of the process have been calculated. The concentration dependences of diffusion coefficients demonstrate jumps in the mesomorphic-transition region.