Synthesis of silver nanoparticles via green method using ultrasound irradiation in seaweed <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kappaphycus alvarezii</Emphasis> media

Green methods are a safer alternative to natural chemical and physical methods for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs), due to their being environmentally friendly and cost effective. This study offers a new green approach using ultrasound irradiation as the reducing agent and seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii (K. alvarezii) as the natural bio-media. The seaweed K. alvarezii/Ag-NPs was characterised by ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray (FESEM-EDX), zeta potential, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) studies. UV–vis shows that surface plasmon resonance (SPR) arises from this solution due to the combined oscillations from the nanoparticles. The XRD study indicates the crystalline nature of the Ag-NPs. From the TEM images, the Ag-NPs are almost spherical with an average diameter of 11.78 nm. The FTIR spectrum provides adequate evidence of phytochemicals stabilising the nanoparticles. Synthesised Ag-NPs were successfully obtained using this green method.     

Automatic internal calibration in liquid chromatography/Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry of protein digests

Accurately measured peptide masses can be used for large-scale protein identification from bacterial whole-cell digests as an alternative to tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) provided mass measurement errors of a few parts-per-million (ppm) are obtained. Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometry (MS) routinely achieves such mass accuracy either with internal calibration or by regulating the charge in the analyzer cell. We have developed a novel and automated method for internal calibration of liquid chromatography (LC)/FTICR data from whole-cell digests using peptides in the sample identified by concurrent MS/MS together with ambient polydimethylcyclosiloxanes as internal calibrants in the mass spectra. The method reduced mass measurement error from 4.3 +/- 3.7 ppm to 0.3 +/- 2.3 ppm in an E. coli LC/FTICR dataset of 1000 MS and MS/MS spectra and is applicable to all analyses of complex protein digests by FTICRMS.     

Ultralong cadmium hydroxide nanowires: synthesis, characterization, and transformation into CdO nanostrands

Ultralong Cd(OH)2 nanowires were fabricated by a hydrothermal method from Cd(CH3COO)2 x H2O (0.01 mol/L) and C6H12N4 (0.015 mol/L) aqueous solution at 95 degrees C for 16 h without using any templates and were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The length of the nanowires reached several micrometers, giving an aspect ratio of a few thousands. The formation mechanism of the nanowires is attributed to the oriented attachment of small particles. The growth method for the 1D nanostructure presented here offers an excellent tool for the design of other advanced materials with anisotropic properties. The Cd(OH)2 nanowires efficiently captured negatively charged dye, and the adsorbed dye molecules can be released after the addition of EDTA. The Cd(OH)2 nanowires as template compounds were further transformed into CdO semiconductor nanomaterials with similar morphology by calcination under 350 degrees C in air for 3 h.     

Silver nanoparticles as antimicrobial agent: a case study on E. coli as a model for Gram-negative bacteria

The antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles against E. coli was investigated as a model for Gram-negative bacteria. Bacteriological tests were performed in Luria-Bertani (LB) medium on solid agar plates and in liquid systems supplemented with different concentrations of nanosized silver particles. These particles were shown to be an effective bactericide. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) were used to study the biocidal action of this nanoscale material. The results confirmed that the treated E. coli cells were damaged, showing formation of "pits" in the cell wall of the bacteria, while the silver nanoparticles were found to accumulate in the bacterial membrane. A membrane with such a morphology exhibits a significant increase in permeability, resulting in death of the cell. These nontoxic nanomaterials, which can be prepared in a simple and cost-effective manner, may be suitable for the formulation of new types of bactericidal materials.     

Kinetic isotope effect and extended pH-dependent studies of the oxidation of hydroxylamine by hexachloroiridate(IV): ET and PCET

The oxidation of hydroxylamine by [IrCl6]2- has been studied spectrophotometrically in deoxygenated aqueous solutions in the range of pH 4-9 at 25 degrees C. The reaction is catalyzed by Cu2+, Fe2+, and impurities of aquochloroiridium complexes. Oxalate is a very effective inhibitor of catalysis by copper and iron ions. With excess hydroxylamine, the reaction follows pseudo-first-order kinetics, and the stoichiometric ratio (DeltanIr(IV)/Deltanhydroxylamine) is 1.05 at pH 5.9. Over the pH range 4.2-8.8, the empirical rate law is -d[IrCl(6)2-]/dt=k[IrCl6(2-)][NH2OH]tot, with k=k1Ka1/([H+]+Ka1)+k'Ka1/([H+]([H+]+Ka1)), where Ka1 is the dissociation constant of NH3OH+. Least-squares fitting yields k1=(17.05+/-0.47) M-1 s(-1) and k'=(2.59+/-0.09)x10(-6) s(-1) at ionic strength of 0.1 M (adjusted by NaClO4) and 25 degrees C. The kinetic isotope effects (KIE) (kH/kD) for k1 and k' are 4.4 and 9.8, correspondingly. A mechanism is inferred in which k1 corresponds to concerted proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) and k' corresponds to electron transfer from NH2O-. In this mechanism, the large KIE for k' is due almost entirely to the equilibrium isotope effect for the pKa of NH2OH.     

An NMR, IR and theoretical investigation of (1)H chemical shifts and hydrogen bonding in phenols

The change in (1)H NMR chemical shifts upon hydrogen bonding was investigated using both experimental and theoretical methods. The (1)H NMR spectra of a number of phenols were recorded in CDCl(3) and DMSO solvents. For phenol, 2- and 4-cyanophenol and 2-nitrophenol the OH chemical shifts were measured as a function of concentration in CDCl(3). The plots were all linear with concentration, the gradients varying from 0.940 (phenol) to 7.85 (4-cyanophenol) ppm/M because of competing inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonding. Ab initio calculations of a model acetone/phenol system showed that the OH shielding was linear with the H...O=C distance (R) for R < 2.1 A with a shielding coefficient of - 7.8 ppm/A and proportional to cos(2)phi where phi is the H...O=C--C dihedral angle. Other geometrical parameters had little effect. It was also found that the nuclear shielding profile is unrelated to the hydrogen bonding energy profile. The dependence of the OH chemical shift on the pi density on the oxygen atom was determined as ca 40 ppm/pi electron. This factor is similar to that for NH but four times the value for sp(2) hybridized carbon atoms. The introduction of these effects into the CHARGE programme allowed the calculation of the (1)H chemical shifts of the compounds studied. The CHARGE calculations were compared with those from the ACD database and from GIAO calculations. The CHARGE calculations were more accurate than other calculations both when all the shifts were considered and also when the OH shifts were excluded. The calculations from the ACD and GIAO approaches were reasonable when the OH shifts were excluded but not as good when all the shifts were considered. The poor treatment of the OH shifts in the GIAO calculations is very likely due to the lack of explicit solvent effects in these calculations.     

Facile Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Descurainia sophia</Emphasis> and Evaluation of Their Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties

The objective of the present study was to evaluate efficiency of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) biosynthesis using Descurainia sophia as a novel biological resource. The resulting synthesized Ag-NPs were characterized using UV visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The UV–Vis spectra gave surface plasmon resonance at ~420 nm. TEM images revealed formation spherical shaped Ag-NPs with size ranged from to 1–35 nm. DLS confirmed uniformity of the synthesized Ag-NPs with an average size of ~30 nm. Following, the antibacterial and antifungal activities of the synthesized Ag-NPs were investigated. The concentration 25 µg/ml of the Ag-NPs showed maximum inhibitory effect on mycelium growth of Rhizoctonia solani (More than 86 % inhibition), followed by 15 µg/ml (55 % inhibition) and 10 µg/ml (63 % inhibition). The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of Ag-NPs against Agrobacterium tumefaciens (strain GV3850) and A, rhizogenes (strain 15843) were 4 and 8 µg/ml, respectively. The Ag-NPs were stable in vitro for 3 months without any precipitation or decrease of antifungal effects. Finally, it could be concluded that D. sophia can be used as an effective method for biosynthesis of nanoparticles, especially Ag-NPs.     

Theoretical search for alternative nine-electron ligands suitable for superhalogen anions

The calculations performed at the OVGF/6-311++G(3df,3pd)//MP2/6-311++G(d,p) level for the representative NaX(2)(-) and AlX(4)(-) anions matching the MX(k+1)(-) superhalogen formula and utilizing 9-electron systems (i.e., consisting of various possible combinations of atoms containing nine electrons when brought together) revealed that the OH, Li(2)H(3), and NH(2) groups might be considered as alternative ligands X due to their thermodynamic stability and large values of electron binding energy (approaching or even exceeding 6 eV in some cases). All aluminum-containing AlX(4)(-) anions (excluding Al(HBLi)(4)(-)) were predicted to be thermodynamically stable, whereas the NaX(2)(-) anions for X = CH(3), HBLi, CLi, BeB, and H(2)BeLi were found to be susceptible to the fragmentations leading to Na(-) loss. Among the MX(k+1)(-) (M = Na, Al; X = Li(2)H(3), OH, H(2)BeLi, BeB, NH(2), HBLi, CH(3), Be(2)H, CLi) anions utilizing systems containing 9 electrons (and thus isoelectronic with the F atom) the largest vertical electron detachment energy of 6.38 eV was obtained for Al(OH)(4)(-).     

1H‐NMR Analysis of Intra‐ and Intermolecular H‐Bonds of Alcohols in DMSO: Chemical Shift of Hydroxy Groups and Aspects of Conformational Analysis of Selected Monosaccharides,Inositols, and Ginkgolides

The interpretation of ¹H‐NMR chemical shifts, coupling constants, and coefficients of temperature dependence (δ(OH), J(H,OH), and Δδ(OH)/ΔT values) evidences that, in (D₆)DMSO solution, the signal of an OH group involved as donor in an intramolecular H‐bond to a hydroxy or alkoxy group is shifted upfield, whereas the signal of an OH group acting as acceptor of an intramolecular H‐bond and as donor in an intermolecular H‐bond to (D₆)DMSO is shifted downfield. The relative strength of the intramolecular H‐bond depends on co‐operativity and on the acidity of OH groups. The acidity of OH groups is enhanced when they are in an antiparallel orientation to a C−O bond. A comparison of the ¹H‐NMR spectra of alcohols in CDCl₃ and (D₆)DMSO allows discrimination between weak and strong intramolecular H‐bonds. Consideration of IR spectra (CHCl₃ or CH₂Cl₂) shows that the rule according to which the downfield shift of δ(OH) for H‐bonded alcohols in CDCl₃ parallels the strength of the H‐bond is valid only for alcohols forming strong intramolecular H‐bonds. The combined analysis of J(H,OH) and δ(OH) values is illustrated by the interpretation of the spectra of the epoxyalcohols 14 and 15 (Fig. 3). H‐Bonding of hexopyranoses, hexulopyranoses, alkyl hexopyranosides, alkyl 4,6‐O‐benzylidenehexopyranosides, levoglucosans, and inositols in (D₆)DMSO was investigated. Fully solvated non‐anomeric equatorial OH groups lacking a vicinal axial OR group (R=H or alkyl, or (alkoxy)alkyl) show characteristic J(H,OH) values of 4.5 – 5.5 Hz and fully solvated non‐anomeric axial OH groups lacking an axial OR group in β‐position are characterized by J(H,OH) values of 4.2 – 4.4 Hz (Figs. 4 – 6). Non‐anomeric equatorial OH groups vicinal to an axial OR group are involved in a partial intramolecular H‐bond (J(H,OH)=5.4 – 7.4 Hz), whereas non‐anomeric equatorial OH groups vicinal to two axial OR form partial bifurcated H‐bonds (J(H,OH)=5.8 – 9.5 Hz). Non‐anomeric axial OH groups form partial intramolecular H‐bonds to a cis‐1.3‐diaxial alkoxy group (as in 29 and 41 : J(H,OH)=4.8 – 5.0 Hz). The persistence of such a H‐bond is enhanced when there is an additional H‐bond acceptor, such as the ring O‐atom ( 43 – 47 : J(H,OH)=5.6 – 7.6 Hz; 32 and 33 : 10.5 – 11.3 Hz). The (partial) intramolecular H‐bonds lead to an upfield shift (relative to the signal of a fully solvated OH in a similar surrounding) for the signal of the H‐donor. The shift may also be related to the signal of the fully solvated, equatorial HO−C(2), HO−C(3), and HO−C(4) of β‐D ‐glucopyranose ( 16 : 4.81 ppm) by using the following increments: −0.3 ppm for an axial OH group, 0.2 – 0.25 ppm for replacing a vicinal OH by an OR group, ca. 0.1 ppm for replacing another OH by an OR group, 0.2 ppm for an antiperiplanar C−O bond, −0.3 ppm if a vicinal OH group is (partially) H‐bonded to another OR group, and −0.4 to −0.6 for both OH groups of a vicinal diol moiety involved in (partial) divergent H‐bonds. Flip‐flop H‐bonds are observed between the diaxial HO−C(2) and HO−C(4) of the inositol 40 (J(H,OH)=6.4 Hz, δ(OH)=5.45 ppm) and levoglucosan ( 42 ; J(H,OH)=6.7 – 7.1 Hz, δ(OH)=4.76 – 4.83 ppm; bifurcated H‐bond); the former is completely persistent and the latter to ca. 40%. A persistent, unidirectional H‐bond C(1)−OH⋅⋅⋅O−C(10) is present in ginkgolide B and C, as evidenced by strongly different δ(OH) and Δδ(OH)/ΔT values for HO−C(1) and HO−C(10) (Fig. 9). In the absence of this H‐bond, HO−C(1) of 52 resonates 1.1 – 1.2 ppm downfield, while HO−C(10) of ginkgolide A and of 48 – 50 resonates 0.5 – 0.9 ppm upfield.     

Norvancomycin-capped silver nanoparticles: Synthesis and antibacterial activities against E. coli

The synthesis of norvancomycin (NVan)-capped silver nanoparticles (Ag@NVan) and their notable in vitro antibacterial activities against E. coli, a Gram-negative bacterial strain (GNB), are reported here. Mercaptoacetic acid-stabilized spherical silver nanoparticles with a diameter of 16±4 nm are prepared by a simple chemical reaction. The formation process of the silver nanoparticles is investigated by UV-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). NVan is then grafted to the terminal carboxyl of the mercaptoacetic acid in the presence of N-(3-Dimethylaminopropyl)-N'-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDAC). The TEM images of single bacteria treated with Ag@NVan show that plenty of Ag@NVan aggregate in the cell wall of E. coli. A possible antibacterial mechanism is proposed that silver nanoparticles may help destroy the stability of the outer membrane of E. coli, which makes NVan easier to bind to the nether part of the peptidoglycan structure. The antibacterial activities of silver nanoparticles on their own, together with the rigid polyvalent interaction between Ag@NVan and cell wall, enables Ag@NVan to be an effective inhibitor of GNB. This kind of bionanocomposites might be used as novel bactericidal materials and we also provide an effective synthesis method for preparing functional bioconjugated nanoparticles here.     

Stereoelectronic effects on 1H nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shifts in methoxybenzenes

Investigation of all O-methyl ethers of 1,2,3-benzenetriol and 4-methyl-1,2,3-benzenetriol (3-16) by 1H NMR spectroscopy and density-functional calculations disclosed practically useful conformational effects on 1H NMR chemical shifts in the aromatic ring. While the conversion of phenol (2) to anisole (1) causes only small positive changes of 1H NMR chemical shifts (Delta delta < 0.08 ppm) that decrease in the order Hortho > Hmeta > Hpara, the experimental O-methylation induced shifts in ortho-disubstituted phenols are largest for Hpara, Delta delta equals; 0.19 +/- 0.02 ppm (n = 11). The differences are due to different conformational behavior of the OH and OCH3 groups; while the ortho-disubstituted OH group remains planar in polyphenols due to hydrogen bonding and conjugative stabilization, the steric congestion in ortho-disubstituted anisoles outweighs the conjugative effects and forces the Ar-OCH3 torsion out of the ring plane, resulting in large stereoelectronic effects on the chemical shift of Hpara. Conformational searches and geometry optimizations for 3-16 at the B3LYP/6-31G** level, followed by B3LYP/6-311++G(2d,2p) calculations for all low-energy conformers, gave excellent correlation between computed and observed 1H NMR chemical shifts, including agreement between computed and observed chemical shift changes caused by O-methylation. The observed regularities can aid structure elucidation of partly O-methylated polyphenols, including many natural products and drugs, and are useful in connection with chemical shift predictions by desktop computer programs.     

Theoretical and experimental aspects of microbicidal activities of hard surface disinfectants: are their label claims based on testing under field conditions?

High-touch environmental surfaces are important in the spread of many nosocomial pathogens. Although such surfaces are routinely disinfected, the testing and label claims of many common disinfectants do not reflect the realities of field use. A study was conducted to determine the influence of several crucial factors on the action of disinfectants in general, and to assess the killing efficiency of selected chemistries against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, related to their drying times (i.e., after one application) and label-specified contact times using a quantitative carrier test. The products were also tested for their ability to wet a hydrophobic (epoxy resin) surface. The hard-surface disinfectants (in-use concentration in ppm) tested were: (a) chlorine bleach (500); (b) quaternary ammonium compounds (quat; 600) alone; (c) quat (3000) with 17% isopropanol (v/v); (d) quat (3000) with 60% ethanol (v/v); (e) phenolic (800) alone; (f) quat (2000), phenolic (3000) with 70% ethanol (v/v); and (g) accelerated hydrogen peroxide (AHP; 5000 of H2O2). The arbitrarily set criterion of bactericidal activity was > or = 6 log10 reduction in the viability of both species tested. All surfaces tested with all products dried in < 5 min, with alcohol-based surfaces drying significantly faster. Even though the alcohol-free quat and phenolic claim a contact time of 10 min, they dried in < 4 min after a single application and failed to meet the performance criterion. Bleach (500 ppm) dried in about 3 min and was effective. AHP also dried in about 3 min and met its label claim even at 1 min of contact. Quat (3000) with 17% isopropanol dried at 1 min and was effective. Quat (3000) with 60% ethanol and quat (2000), phenolic (3000) with 70% ethanol dried in < 1 min, and were ineffective. AHP, alcohol-containing quats, and quat-phenolic-alcohol gave acceptable wettability, while quat and phenolic alone, as well as bleach, covered the treated surface unevenly. The findings show that label claims, especially those for contact times, fail to reflect the way many hard-surface disinfectants are used in the field.     

New spectroscopic method for aqueous solutions: Raman xi-function dispersion for NaClO4 in water

A new Raman method is exemplified by xi identical with-RT[ partial differential ln(I(omega)I(REF)) partial differentialX(1)](T,P,n(2),n(3) ) for ternary NaClO(4)D(2)OH(2)O, or by xi identical with-RT[ partial differential ln(I(omega)I(REF)) partial differentialX(2)](T,P) for binary NaClO(4)H(2)O solutions. (Fundamental differences exist between xi and the chemical potential mu.) I(omega) is the Raman intensity at omega, I(REF) is the reference intensity, e.g., at the isosbestic frequency, X(2) is the H(2)O and X(1) the small D(2)O mol fraction, and n(2) and n(3) are constant mols of H(2)O and NaClO(4), respectively. Maxima (max) and minima (min) were observed in xi versus omega (cm(-1)); xi(max)-xi(min)=Deltaxi(max). Deltaxi(max)=8050+/-100 calmol H(2)O for the coupled, binary solution OH stretch, and Deltaxi(max)=4200+/-200 calmol H bond for the decoupled, ternary solution OD stretch. The perchlorate ion breaks the H bonds in water. 8050 calmol H(2)O corresponds to the maximum tetrahedral Deltaxi(max) value for two H bonds, i.e., Deltaxi(max)=4025 calmol H bond, in agreement with the HDO Deltaxi(max)=4200+/-200 calmol H bond. [Deltaxi(max) is not the H bond enthalpy (energy).] Minima occur in xi at the peak omega values corresponding to the HDOH(2)O and H(2)O ices, and maxima in xi at 2637+/-5 cm(-1) (OD) and 3575+/-10 cm(-1) (OH) correspond to the peak OD and OH stretching omega values from dense supercritical water. Enthalpy dispersion curves were also determined for saturated, binary, and ternary NaClO(4) solutions and for D(2)O in H(2)O. The xi-function method is shown to be applicable to infrared absorbance spectra.     

Artificial Light‐Harvesting Complexes Enable Rieske Oxygenase Catalyzed Hydroxylations in Non‐Photosynthetic cells

In this study, we coupled a well‐established whole‐cell system based on E. coli via light‐harvesting complexes to Rieske oxygenase (RO)‐catalyzed hydroxylations in vivo. Although these enzymes represent very promising biocatalysts, their practical applicability is hampered by their dependency on NAD(P)H as well as their multicomponent nature and intrinsic instability in cell‐free systems. In order to explore the boundaries of E. coli as chassis for artificial photosynthesis, and due to the reported instability of ROs, we used these challenging enzymes as a model system. The light‐driven approach relies on light‐harvesting complexes such as eosin Y, 5(6)‐carboxyeosin, and rose bengal and sacrificial electron donors (EDTA, MOPS, and MES) that were easily taken up by the cells. The obtained product formations of up to 1.3 g L^?1 and rates of up to 1.6 mm h^?1 demonstrate that this is a comparable approach to typical whole‐cell transformations in E. coli. The applicability of this photocatalytic synthesis has been demonstrated and represents the first example of a photoinduced RO system.     

Bactericidal mechanism of Ag/Al2O3 against Escherichia coli

The bactericidal process of Ag/Al2O3 to Escherichia coli has been investigated to clarify the bactericidal mechanism. In SEM images, the configuration of E. coli cells contacting with the catalyst surface was quite different from that contacting with AgNO3 solution, which indicated that the Ag+ eluted from the catalyst did not play an important role in the bactericidal process. The bactericidal experiments strongly confirmed the contribution of multiform reactive oxygen species (ROS) (super oxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase as the scavengers for O2*- and H2O2, respectively) to bactericidal effect on the catalyst surface. Furthermore, the surface modification of Ag/Al2O3 by ultraviolet and formaldehyde influenced the bactericidal effect obviously, which not only confirmed the bactericidal mechanism of catalytic oxidation but also provided evidence for the synergistic effect between Ag and Al2O3 on the catalyst surface.     

Investigation of antibacterial properties silver nanoparticles prepared via green method

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the influence of different stirring times on antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles in polyethylene glycol (PEG) suspension. The silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) were prepared by green synthesis method using green agents, polyethylene glycol (PEG) under moderate temperature at different stirring times. Silver nitrate (AgNO3) was taken as the metal precursor while PEG was used as the solid support and polymeric stabilizer. The antibacterial activity of different sizes of nanosilver was investigated against Gram-positive [Staphylococcus aureus] and Gram-negative bacteria [Salmonella typhimurium SL1344] by the disk diffusion method using Mueller-Hinton Agar. RESULTS: Formation of Ag-NPs was determined by UV-vis spectroscopy where surface plasmon absorption maxima can be observed at 412-437 nm from the UV-vis spectrum. The synthesized nanoparticles were also characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The peaks in the XRD pattern confirmed that the Ag-NPs possessed a face-centered cubic and peaks of contaminated crystalline phases were unable to be located. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that Ag-NPs synthesized were in spherical shape. The optimum stirring time to synthesize smallest particle size was 6 hours with mean diameter of 11.23 nm. Zeta potential results indicate that the stability of the Ag-NPs is increases at the 6 h stirring time of reaction. The Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrum suggested the complexation present between PEG and Ag-NPs. The Ag-NPs in PEG were effective against all bacteria tested. Higher antibacterial activity was observed for Ag-NPs with smaller size. These suggest that Ag-NPs can be employed as an effective bacteria inhibitor and can be applied in medical field. CONCLUSIONS: Ag-NPs were successfully synthesized in PEG suspension under moderate temperature at different stirring times. The study clearly showed that the Ag-NPs with different stirring times exhibit inhibition towards the tested gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.     

Determination of active sites for H atom rearrangement in dissociative ionization of ethanol

In an electron impact dissociative ionization experiment on C(2)H(5)OH, the formation of molecular ions requiring rearrangement of H atoms has been studied using a momentum spectrometer. H(3) (+), H(2) (+), HOH(+), and H(2)OH(+) observed in the experiment are molecular ions of this type. By comparing the mass spectrum of C(2)H(5)OH with that of its isotopomer C(2)H(5)OD, we determine the proportions of H-bond rearrangements involving carbon and oxygen sites. We find that the formation of H(3) (+) due to the breaking of the O-H bond and rearrangement of the H atoms on the CH(2) site is about 2.5 times as likely as its formation involving atoms from the CH(3) site alone. No such difference is seen in case of the H(2) (+) ion. The role of the O-H bond in formation of all observed ions has been assessed. Kinetic energy distributions of the molecular ions suggest that two or three electronically excited states contribute to their formation.     

Molecular dynamics investigation of ferrous-ferric electron transfer in a hydrolyzing aqueous solution: calculation of the pH dependence of the diabatic transfer barrier and the potential of mean force

We present a molecular model for ferrous-ferric electron transfer in an aqueous solution that accounts for electronic polarizability and exhibits spontaneous cation hydrolysis. An extended Lagrangian technique is introduced for carrying out calculations of electron-transfer barriers in polarizable systems. The model predicts that the diabatic barrier to electron transfer increases with increasing pH, due to stabilization of the Fe3+ by fluctuations in the number of hydroxide ions in its first coordination sphere, in much the same way as the barrier would increase with increasing dielectric constant in the Marcus theory. We have also calculated the effect of pH on the potential of mean force between two hydrolyzing ions in aqueous solution. As expected, increasing pH reduces the potential of mean force between the ferrous and ferric ions in the model system. The magnitudes of the predicted increase in diabatic transfer barrier and the predicted decrease in the potential of mean force nearly cancel each other at the canonical transfer distance of 0.55 nm. Even though hydrolysis is allowed in our calculations, the distribution of reorganization energies has only one maximum and is Gaussian to an excellent approximation, giving a harmonic free energy surface in the reorganization energy F(DeltaE) with a single minimum. There is thus a surprising amount of overlap in electron-transfer reorganization energies for Fe(2+)-Fe(H2O)6(3+), Fe(2+)-Fe(OH)(H2O)5(2+), and Fe(2+)-Fe(OH)2(H2O)+ couples, indicating that fluctuations in hydrolysis state can be viewed on a continuum with other solvent contributions to the reorganization energy. There appears to be little justification for thinking of the transfer rate as arising from the contributions of different hydrolysis states. Electronic structure calculations indicate that Fe(H2O)6(2+)-Fe(OH)n(H2O)(6-n)(3-n)+ complexes interacting through H3O2- bridges do not have large electronic couplings.     

Determination of traces of perchlorate in chlorate solutions

Perchlorate present in chlorate solutions is determined gravimetrically as tetraphenylphosphonium perchlorate after destruction of chlorate by addition of hydrochloric acid. Interference of Fe(III) and Cr(III) is prevented by complexing with tarartic acid. Replicate analyses of a sodium chlorate solution containing NaClO(3), NaCl, Na(2)Cr(2)O(7), and 390 ppm NaClO(4) showed 405 ppm NaClO(4) (standard deviation 19 ppm, 12 results).     

Al2O3负载Ag催化剂的杀菌作用

 考察了空气中Al2O3负载的Ag催化剂(Ag/Al2O3和AgCl/Al2O3)对大肠杆菌(E.coli)的杀灭作用. 结果表明,负载Ag的催化剂的杀菌效果明显好于Al2O3. 在空气中,催化剂上溶出的Ag+对细菌的重金属毒性可以忽略. Ag/Al2O3, AgCl/Al2O3和Al2O3在有氧和无氧条件下的杀菌效果表明, Ag促进了催化剂表面分子态氧向活性氧转化,活性氧通过氧化作用破坏E.coli 的细胞膜,从而提高了催化剂的杀菌能力. 扫描电镜结果证实在催化剂表面E.coli细胞的破坏是从细胞膜开始的.