Study on cloud points of Triton X-100-cationic gemini surfactants mixtures: A spectroscopic approach

This study investigates the effects of various cationic surfactants on the cloud point (CP) of the nonionic surfactant Triton X-100 (TX-100) in aqueous solutions. Instead of visual observation, a spectrophotometer was used for measurement of the cloud point temperatures. The values of CPs for Triton X-100 can be measured directly because TX-100 has an average number of oxyethylene units per molecule of p ≈ 9.5 and a CP = 66.0 °C. Quaternary ammonium dimeric surfactants (m-s-m, m = 10, 12, and 16, and s = 2, 6, and 10) were synthesized and used. The melting temperature T_M and the Krafft temperature T_K were measured for 1 wt% aqueous solutions of these synthesized surfactants. The melting temperature of the solid gemini surfactants increased with the carbon number of the alkyl chain. The results showed that additions of the gemini surfactants (which are infinitely miscible with water) to Triton X-100 increased the cloud point of the TX-100 solutions. All salts tested in these studies had a large effect on the CPs of nonionic surfactants due to their effect on water structure and their hydrophilicity. The effect of the alkyl chain length of the gemini surfactant on the CP of Triton X-100 is therefore more important than the spacer chain length.     

Synthesis,structure and antibacterial activity of manganese(III) complexes of a Schiff base derived from furfurylamine

Two new mononuclear complexes of manganese(III) viz. [MnL₂(LH)₂]ClO₄ (1) and [MnL₂(N₃)]·0.5CH₃OH (2) have been synthesized by reacting manganese perchlorate with furfurylamine and salicylaldehyde (plus sodium azide in 2) where L = (2-hydroxybenzyl-2-furylmethyl)imine, an asymmetric bidentate Schiff base formed in situ to bind the Mn(III) ion. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, TGA and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Structural studies reveal that the complexes 1 and 2 adopt an octahedral and a square pyramidal geometry, respectively. The antibacterial activity of the complexes has been tested against Gram(+) and Gram(?) bacteria.     

Reversed phase extraction chromatographic separation of ruthenium(III)

A new an innovative separation method has been developed using N-n-octylaniline (liquid anion exchanger) coated on silica gel. Ruthenium(III) has been extracted quantitatively from 0.05 M hydrochloric acid, striped with aqueous solution of various acids and then determined by spectrophotometric method. Mutual separation scheme for ruthenium(III), iridium(III) and osmium(VIII) has been developed. Ruthenium(III) has been separated from commonly associated elements. Different parameter are studied viz effect of acid concentration, reagent concentration, striping agent, flow rate, foreign ion and synthetic mixture corresponding to alloys. Validity of method has been verified by separation of ruthenium(III) from fissium alloy.     

Magneto-structural correlation and low temperature heat capacity of a Mn (III) quadridentate Schiff-base coordination compound

A new Mn (III) Schiff-base coordination compound, [Mn(L)(NCS)]₂ (H₂L = N,N′-bis(5-chlorosalicylidene)-1,2-diaminoethane), has been synthesized and characterized structurally and magnetically. The target compound is a phenoxo-bridged dimeric compound with the isothiocyanate coordinating in a usual bent mode. A magnetic susceptibility study reveals that the target compound exhibits antiferromagnetic intra-dimer coupling between Mn (III) ions. The low temperature heat capacity of the compound over the temperature range (2 to 300) K has been measured using the heat capacity option of a Quantum Design Physical Property Measurement System (PPMS). The thermodynamic functions in the experimental temperature range have been determined by curve fitting. The standard entropy and enthalpy of the as-prepared compound at T = 298.15 K have been calculated to be (924.52 ± 10.17) J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹ and (133.47 ± 1.47) kJ · mol⁻¹, respectively.     

Inhibition Effect of {Cationic Surfactant-Ascorbic Acid} Premicellar Aggregation on the Rate of Hexacyanoferrate(III) Oxidation of Ascorbic Acid: A Kinetic Study

The kinetics of oxidation of ascorbic acid by acidic hexacyanoferrate(III) have been investigated in presence of cationic surfactant viz. cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). An inhibition effect of CTAB (below its critical micelle concentration) on the rate of oxidation has been observed. The spectrophotometric and kinetic data support a 1:1 premicellar association between substrate and surfactant. A mechanism has been proposed and a rate law consistent with kinetic results has been derived.     

(Surfactant + polymer) interaction parameter studied by (liquid + liquid) equilibrium data of quaternary aqueous solution containing surfactant,polymer, and salt

(Liquid + liquid) equilibrium (LLE) data of quaternary aqueous system containing polyoxyethylene (20) cetyl ether (with abbreviation name Brij 58, non-ionic surfactant), diammonium hydrogen phosphate, and poly ethylene glycol (PEG) with three molar masses {M_W = (1000, 6000, and 35,000) g · mol^?1} have been determined experimentally at T = 313.15 K.Furthermore, the Flory–Huggins theory with two electrostatic terms (Debye–Hückel and Pitzer–Debye–Hückel equations) have been used to calculate the phase behavior of the quaternary systems and (surfactant + polymer) interaction parameter as well as interaction parameters between other species. Temperature dependency of the parameters of the Flory–Huggins theory has been obtained.Also an effort have been done to show that addition of PEG as well as increasing the temperature can shift the binodal curves of the ternary aqueous system containing surfactant and salt to lower mole fraction of salt. Also the effect of polymer molar mass on the binodal diagram displacement has been discussed.     

Metal complexes used as anti-inflammatory agents: Synthesis,characterization and anti-inflammatory action of VO(II)-complexes

The anti-inflammatory activity of the vanadium complexes has been studied using the carrageenan induced hind paw oedema method in albino rats (Wister strain). The coordination complexes of VO (II) with the Schiff base derived from 4-aminoacetophenone, 1-acetonaphthone and 4-methoxybenzaldehyde with 2-imino 4-thiobiuret; 3-acetoxypyridine with 2-amino 4-benzathiazol and 4-chloro aniline with salicylaldehyde have been synthesized and characterized by micro analytical data, FT-IR, electronic spectra and FAB-mass spectral studies. The Schiff base ligands behave as bidentated. The stoichiometry of the complexes is in 1:2 and 1:1 (M:L) ratio. The oxovanadium complexes in general show maximum inhibition percentage at about 1 h. After 1 h it goes on reducing and reaches a minimum at about 5 h. Complex-3 (91.17%) and Complex-5 (85.30%) are most potent in in vivo experiment and exhibited promising anti-inflammatory activity in 0.5 h.     

Determination of gallium at trace levels using a spectrofluorimetric method in synthetic U–Ga and Ga–As solutions

A simple, easy to use and selective spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of trace levels of gallium has been developed. A new Schiff base, N-o-vanillidine-2-amino-p-cresol (OVAC) was synthesized and its fluorescence activity with gallium investigated. Based on this chelation reaction, a spectrofluorimetric method has been developed for the determination of gallium in synthetically prepared Ga–U and Ga–As samples buffered at pH 4.0 using acetic acid–sodium acetate. The chelation reaction between Ga(III) and N-o-vanillidine-2-amino-p-cresol was very fast, requiring only 30 min at room temperature to complex completely. The limit of detection (LOD) (3σ) for Ga(III) was 7.17 nM (0.50 μg L^?1), determined from the analysis of 11 different solutions of 20 μg L^?1 Ga(III).     

Intercalation of iron hexacyano complexes in Zn,Al hydrotalcite. Part 2. A mid-infrared and Raman spectroscopic study

Combined mid-IR and Raman spectroscopies indicate that intercalation of hexacyanoferrate (II) and (III) in the interlayer space of a Zn,Al hydrotalcite dried at 60°C leads to layered solids where the intercalated species correspond to both hexacyanoferrate(II) and (III). This is an indication that depending on the oxidation state of the initial hexacyanoferrate, partial oxidation and reduction takes place upon intercalation. The symmetry of the intercalated hexacyanoferrate decreases from O_h existing in the free anions to D_3d. The observation of a broad band around 2080 cm⁻¹ is indicative of the removal of cyanide from the intercalation complex to the outside surface of the crystals. Its position in the intercalation complex is probably filled by a hydroxyl group.     

Enhanced magnetism in electrodeposited-based CoNi composites containing high percentage of micron hard-magnetic particles

CoNi–barium ferrite magnetic composites with a high percentage of micrometric particles have been prepared by electrodeposition over silicon-based substrates. A cationic surfactant synthesized in our laboratory (4-ethylazobenzene-4′-(oxyethyl)trimethylammonium iodide-AZTMAI) has been used in order to favour the inclusion of magnetic particles into the alloy deposit. This surfactant reduces during cobalt–nickel electrodeposition and it is not embedded into the deposit. Moderate surfactant concentrations (1–5 g l⁻¹), room temperature, the application of a magnetic field during the electrodeposition and a double-pulse technique favour the maximum incorporation of barium ferrite up to around 30–35 wt%. Magnetic properties of composites prepared tend to hard-magnetic ones, with different magnetization curves when silicon/seed-layer/composite samples are oriented parallel or perpendicularly to the applied magnetic field. Constricted-type magnetization curves were obtained.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the reduction of colloidal MnO2 by glycyl-leucine in the absence and presence of surfactants

The kinetics of the reduction of water-soluble colloidal manganese dioxide by glycyl-leucine (Gly-Leu) has been investigated in the presence of perchloric acid both in aqueous as well as micellar media at 35 °C. The study was carried out as functions of [MnO₂], [Gly-Leu] and [HClO₄]. The first-order-rate is observed with respect to [MnO₂], whereas fractional-order-rates are determined in both [Gly-Leu] and [HClO₄]. Addition of sodium pyrophosphate and sodium fluoride enhanced the rate of the reaction. Further, the use of surfactant micelles is highlighted as, in favourable cases, the micelles help the redox reactions by bringing the reactants into a close proximity due to hydrogen bonding. While the ionic surfactants SDS and CTAB have not shown any effect on the reaction rate, the nonionic surfactant TX-100 has catalytic effect which is explained in terms of the mathematical model proposed by Tuncay et al. (1999). The Arrhenius and Eyring equations are valid for the reaction over the range of temperatures used and different activation parameters (E_a, ΔH^#, ΔS^# and ΔG^#) have been evaluated. Kinetic studies show that the redox reaction between MnO₂ and Gly-Leu proceeds through a mechanism combining one- and two-electron pathways: Mn(IV) → Mn(III) → Mn(II) and Mn(IV) → Mn(II). On the basis of the observed results, a possible mechanism has been proposed and discussed.     

Interactions between β-cyclodextrin and an amino acid-based anionic gemini surfactant derived from cysteine

The interaction between β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and an amino acid-based anionic gemini surfactant derived from cysteine (C₈Cys)₂ was studied by three independent techniques: electrical conductivity, UV–Vis spectral displacement technique using phenolphthalein as probe, and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The data obtained indicated the formation of a 1:1 inclusion complex between β-CD and the gemini surfactant studied and allowed for the determination of the binding constant, K₁, by considering this stoichiometry. Electrical conductivity, spectral displacement technique, and NMR chemical shift measurements, obtained for aqueous β-CD–surfactant systems, yielded consistent K₁ values in the order of 10² dm³ mol^?1, typical of a weakly bound β-CD–surfactant complex. The influence of the presence of the inclusion complex on the micellization process of the gemini surfactant has also been studied and the apparent critical micelle concentration (cmc¹) has been obtained. Increasing β-CD concentration was found to shift the cmc¹ to higher values, as complexed surfactant monomers are not available to form micelles and aggregation takes place only when all β-CD cavities are occupied.     

Multi-technique approach on the effect of surfactant concentrations on the thermal unfolding of rabbit serum albumin: Formation and solubilization of the protein aggregates

Effect of cationic surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) addition on the thermal denaturation of rabbit serum albumin (RSA) has been studied by employing small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), circular dichroism (CD), intrinsic fluorescence and ultra violet (UV) spectroscopy. The studies were performed at three different temperatures viz., 30, 50 and 70 °C and at two different concentrations of CTAB: the low concentration of CTAB used was 1 mM and the higher concentration was 80 mM (for SANS) and 20 mM (for CD, fluorescence and UV). A collective effect of high temperature and low concentration of CTAB led to the protein aggregation followed by solubilization of these aggregates at higher concentration of surfactant. At 1 mM CTAB and 30 °C, the protein–surfactant complex has a prolate ellipsoidal shape with semi-major axis of 88.9 Å and semi-minor axis of 19.6 Å which are slightly greater than the values of the native RSA. At 50 °C, the size of the semi-major axis increases while at 70 °C an increase in the size of both axes was found. The thermal outcome at higher concentration of CTAB (80 mM) was rather different. Higher concentration of CTAB unfolds the protein by the formation of micelle-like aggregates along the polypeptide chains of the protein and the complex was stabilized at higher temperatures, which was not found with lower concentration of CTAB. The CD results were found to be consistent with the SANS results, i.e., decrease in α-helicity of RSA was more when less amount of surfactant was present as compared to the system with higher surfactant concentration. In a similar fashion, results of relative fluorescence intensity (RFI) reveal that increase in temperature causes decrease in λ_max of native RSA as well as RSA + 1 mM CTAB, whereas the λ_max remains unchanged for RSA + 20 mM CTAB systems. That means the structure remains compact in presence of 20 mM CTAB while the structure becomes loose when low or zero amount of surfactant was present. The UV results indicate that the protein aggregation takes place in presence of low amount of CTAB and these aggregates become soluble at high concentration of CTAB.     

Sorption of iron(II) and ruthenium(III)-triazine complexes on silica gel and its analytical applicability

2,4,6-Tri(2′-pyridyl)-s-triazine (TPTZ) complexes with iron(II) and ruthenium(III) were prepared. Their sorption and desorption features on silica gel have been investigated. Both complexes were strongly adsorbed. This has been utilized for separating and preconcentrating iron(II) and ruthenium(III) using TPTZ-impregnated silica gel. The chromatographic behavior of TPTZ on silica gel column was examined and found to be effective modifier for silica gel surface. The sorption capacity of silica gel for those metal-triazine complexes has been determined under static conditions and was found to be 5.28 × 10^–3 mM (Fe(TPTZ)₂²⁺) and 2.9 × 10^–3 mM (Ru(TPTZ)₂³⁺). Saturated methanolic solutions of KI or 25% NaClO₄ solutions desorbed both complexes quantitatively from the silica gel surface.     

Synthesis of Faujasite type zeolite from low grade Tunisian clay for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous waste by batch process: Kinetic and equilibrium study

In this study, a faujasite type zeolite synthesized from cheap local Tunisian illitic clay and having a hierarchical porosity was used for adsorption of heavy metals. The adsorption behavior of the FAU with respect to Cu (II), Cr (III) and Co (II) has been investigated using batch experiments. The removal efficiency was determined at different contact times, initial metal concentrations, temperatures, pHs, and adsorbent amounts. Both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms fit well with the equilibrium data. Kinetic studies showed that the adsorption followed a pseudo-second-order model. The observed selectivity was determined as follow: Cu (II) > Co (II) > Cr (III).     

Novel metal-based pharmacologically dynamic agents of transition metal(II) complexes: Designing,synthesis, structural elucidation,DNA binding and photo-induced DNA cleavage activity

Novel Schiff base Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II) and Zn(II) complexes have been designed and synthesized using the macrocyclic ligand derived from the condensation of diethylphthalate with Schiff base, obtained from benzene-1,2-diamine and 3-benzylidene-pentane-2,4-dione. The ligand and its complexes have been characterized by analytical and spectral techniques. DNA binding properties of these complexes have been investigated by UV–vis, viscosity measurements, cyclic voltammetric and differential pulse voltammogram studies. The intrinsic binding constants for Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes are 1.6 × 10⁶, 1.8 × 10⁶, 2.0 × 10⁶ and 1.5 × 10⁶ M^?1 respectively which are obtained from electronic absorption experiment. Control DNA cleavage experiments using pUC19 supercoiled (SC) DNA and minor groove binder (distamycin) suggest the major groove binding tendency for the synthesized complexes. In the presence of a reducing agent like 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA), the synthesized complexes show chemical nuclease activity under dark reaction condition. The complexes also show efficient photo-induced DNA cleavage activity on irradiation with a monochromatic UV light of 360 nm in the presence of inhibitors. Control experiments show inhibition of cleavage in the presence of singlet oxygen quencher like sodium azide and enhancement of cleavage in D₂O, suggesting the formation of singlet oxygen as a reactive species in a type-II process.     

Improved direct electron transfer and electrocatalytic activity of horseradish peroxidase immobilized on gemini surfactant–polyvinyl alcohol composite film

The voltammetric and electrocatalytic behavior of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) immobilized on a cationic gemini surfactant (i.e. C₁₂H₂₅N(CH₃)₂–C₁₂H₂₄–N(CH₃)₂C₁₂H₂₅Br₂, C₁₂–C₁₂–C₁₂)–polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite film-coated glassy carbon electrode (GCE) has been studied. It is found that on the novel composite film HRP presents excellent electroactivity and can exhibit a pair of well-defined voltammetric peaks in 0.10 M pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solution (PBS). The immobilized HRP also presents good bioelectrocatalytic activity, and it can catalyze the reduction of oxygen (O₂), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), nitrite ion (NO₂^?) and trichloroacetic acid (TCA). For H₂O₂ the catalytic current is linear to its concentration in the range of 0.195–97.5 μM, and the detection limit is down to 6.5 × 10^?8 M. The response shows Michaelis–Menten feature and the apparent Michaelis–Menten constant is estimated to be 110.5 μM. Similarly, the electrode can sense NO₂^? and TCA. In addition, it is observed that the spacer group of gemini surfactant affects the electroactivity of HRP significantly. A spacer group with higher flexibility and hydrophility is favorable to the electron transfer of HRP. UV–vis spectrum indicates that the structure of HRP in the PVA–C₁₂–C₁₂–C₁₂ film is similar to that of native HRP. Thus the C₁₂–C₁₂–C₁₂–PVA composite possesses good biocompatibility and has promising application in fabricating biosensor and bioelectronics.     

Thermodynamic quantities for the different steps involved in the mechanism of osmium(VIII) catalysed oxidation of l-lysine by a new oxidant,diperiodatoargentate(III) (stopped flow technique)

The kinetics of Os(VIII) catalysed oxidation of l-lysine by diperiodatoargentate(III) (DPA) in alkaline medium at T = 298 K and a constant ionic strength of 0.50 mol · dm^?3 was studied spectrophotometrically. The oxidation products are aldehyde (5-aminopentanal) and Ag(I). The stoichiometry is i.e. [l-lysine]:[DPA] = 1:1. The reaction is of first order in [Os(VIII)] and [DPA] and is less than unit order in both [l-lys] and [alkali]. Addition of periodate has no effect on the reaction. Effect of added products, ionic strength, and dielectric constant of the reaction medium have been investigated. The oxidation reaction in alkaline medium has been shown to proceed via a Os(VIII)-l-lysine complex, which further reacts with one molecule of deprotonated DPA in a rate determining step followed by other fast steps to give the products. The main products were identified by spot test, IR, and GC-MS. The reaction constants involved in the different steps of the mechanism are calculated at different temperatures. The catalytic constant (K_C) was also calculated at different temperatures. From the plots of lg K_C versus 1/T, values of activation parameters with respect to the catalyst have been evaluated. The activation parameters with respect to slow step of the mechanism are computed and discussed and thermodynamic quantities are also determined. The active species of catalyst and oxidant have been identified.     

Photoinduced magnetism in rubidium cobalt hexacyanoferrate Prussian blue analogue nanoparticles

Nanoparticles of rubidium cobalt hexacyanoferrate were synthesized using the organic ligand poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP). The particles, with composition Rb_1.8Co₄[Fe(CN)₆]_3.2 · nH₂O determined from CHN combustion analysis and ICP-MS, have an average size of 10 nm ± 2 nm. Similar to bulk samples, the nanoparticles show evidence of ferrimagnetic ordering in DC magnetization below T_C ∼ 15 K, although the transition is broadened due to the small particle size and its dispersion. Upon illumination with white light at 5 K, the field-cooled DC magnetization of these particles increased 40%.     

Microwave-irradiated synthesized platinum nanoparticles/carbon nanotubes for oxidative determination of trace arsenic(III)

Platinum nanoparticles/carbon nanotubes (Pt_nano/CNTs) were rapidly synthesized by microwave radiation, and applied for the oxidative determination of arsenic(III). The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed the size of synthesized Pt nanoparticles with nominal diameter of 15 ± 3 nm. Pt_nano/CNTs modified glassy carbon electrode (Pt_nano/CNTs/GCE) exhibited better performance for arsenic(III) analysis than that of Pt nanoparticles modified GCE (Pt_nano/GCE) by electrochemical deposition or Pt foil electrode. Excellent reproducibility of the Pt_nano/CNTs/GCE was obtained with the relative standard deviation (RSD) of 3.5% at 20 repeated analysis of 40 μM As(III), while the RSD was 9.8% for Pt_nano/GCE under the same conditions. The limit of determination (LOD) of the Pt_nano/CNTs/GCE was 0.12 ppb, which was 1–2 orders of magnitude lower than that of Pt_nano/GCE or Pt foil electrode.