Dual functional novel catalytic Cu1−xZrxFe2O4 (x=0, 0.5, 1) nanoparticles for synthesis of polysubstituted pyridines and sunlight‐driven degradation of methylene blue

The effect of varied zirconium content on the structural, morphological, magnetic, optical, thermal and catalytic properties of nanoparticles of the ferrite Cu_1 ? xZr_xFe₂O₄ (x = 0, 0.5, 1) was investigated. The mixed ferrite was synthesized by the auto‐combustion method using nitrates of respective metals and citric acid as a chelating agent. The as‐prepared nanoparticles showed dual benefits. They were employed as a heterogeneous catalyst for one‐pot synthesis of polysubstituted pyridine derivatives as well as for catalytic degradation of industrial waste dyes such as methylene blue (MB). The highlight of the research reported is the catalytic degradation of industrial waste (MB) with high efficiency in eluent of a wide range of pH (3–13). The proposed nanoparticles arguably offer certain great advantages that include: low cost, facile nature, anti‐leaching property, magnetic recoverability and recyclability. The characterization of the as‐synthesized nanoparticles was done using various techniques. The leaching study was carried out using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. The formation of organic products was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared and ¹H NMR spectroscopies and examination of degradation products of MB dye was carried out using mass spectrometry and UV–visible spectroscopy.     

Enhanced oxygen sensing properties of Pt(II) complex and dye entrapped core-shell silica nanoparticles embedded in sol-gel matrix

This paper presents a highly sensitive oxygen sensor that comprises an optical fiber coated at one end with platinum(II) meso-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin (PtTFPP) and PtTFPP entrapped core-shell silica nanoparticles embedded in an n-octyltriethoxysilane (Octyl-triEOS)/tetraethylorthosilane (TEOS) composite xerogel. The sensitivity of the optical oxygen sensor is quantified in terms of the ratio I₀/I₁₀₀, where I₀ and I₁₀₀ represent the detected fluorescence intensities in pure nitrogen and pure oxygen environments, respectively. The experimental results show that the oxygen sensor has a sensitivity (I₀/I₁₀₀) of 166. The response time was 1.3 s when switching from pure nitrogen to pure oxygen, and 18.6 s when switching in the reverse direction. The experimental results show that compared to oxygen sensors based on PtTFPP, PtOEP, or Ru(dpp)₃²⁺ dyes, the proposed optical fiber oxygen sensor has the highest sensitivity. In addition to the increased surface area per unit mass of the sensing surface, the dye entrapped in the core of silica nanoparticles also increases the sensitivity because a substantial number of aerial oxygen molecules penetrate the porous silica shell. The dye entrapped core-shell nanoparticles is more prone to oxygen quenching.     

Starch - A suitable fuel in new low-temperature combustion-based synthesis of zinc aluminate oxides

Starch has been tested as single-fuel and in a two-fuel mixture, together with N-methylurea, in a new combustion-based synthesis of zinc aluminate oxides, using different fuel compositions and equivalence ratios Φ_e (Φ_e = fuel/oxidant). The combustion process has been analyzed by simultaneous thermal analysis. The corresponding oxides were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, UV-Vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and BET investigations. Crystal structures were refined by Rietveld method. The morphology, specific surface area and optical properties of the obtained zinc aluminate have proved to be strongly dependent on the fuel nature and composition. The lowest crystallite size (131 Å) is achieved for the oxide generated from the starch-based precursor, while the highest surface area (20.69 m²/g) has been obtained for a 3:1 N-methylurea/starch fuel composition. The non-zero value for microstrain has indicated spinelic defects in the starch-fuel corresponding oxide. UV-Vis spectroscopic analysis have confirmed the intrinsic properties of the resulted mixed metal oxide, but also shows the presence of a certain disorder degree for all the other samples. The superior values of the band gap (4.2-4.7 eV) for the obtained oxides relative to the bulk case (3.8 eV) are the result of the nanometric dimensions of the particles.     

Morphological varieties and kinetic behaviors of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) spherulites crystallized isothermally from thin melt film

The spherulitic morphologies of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) crystallized isothermally from thin melt film with different crystallization temperatures were observed by means of polarized optical microscopy, optical microscopy, SEM, and atomic force microscopy techniques, and the kinetic behaviors were analyzed carefully in this work. It was found that the nonbanded spherulites could be observed at lower and higher crystallization temperatures, and the banded spherulites were formed usually at an intermediate range within experimental crystallization temperatures. The competition of the crystallization rate (v _c) and the diffusion rate (v _d) of melt molecules was employed to explain the transition of the spherulitic morphologies. It was considered that the change of the ratio of v _d and v _c would result in the transition of the spherulitic morphologies. The formation and development of the banded structure were discussed in detail. It was found that the band spacing was proportional to diffusion length of melt molecules and increased with increasing of crystallization temperature. The kinetic behaviors of PHB spherulites formed from the thin melt film with different crystallization temperatures were also discussed in this work.     

Lectin sensitized anisotropic silver nanoparticles for detection of some bacteria

A method of bacteria detection by sensitized anisotropic silver nanoparticles is presented. Anisotropic silver nanoparticles with two bands of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) are prepared and sensitized with potato lectin. These nanoparticles are able to detect three bacterial species: Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. The interaction of these bacteria with such nanoparticles induces drastic changes in optical spectra of nanoparticles that are correlated with bacteria titer. The maximal sensitivity is observed for S. aureus (up to 1.5 × 10⁴ mL⁻¹).     

Chemiluminescence lateral flow immunoassay based on Pt nanoparticle with peroxidase activity

A lateral flow immunoassay (LF-immunoassay) with an enhanced sensitivity and thermostability was developed by using Pt nanoparticles with a peroxidase activity. The Pt nanoparticles were synthesized by citrate reduction method, and the peroxidase activity of Pt nanoparticles was optimized by adjusting reaction conditions. The peroxidase activity was estimated by using Michaelis–Menten kinetics model with TMB as a chromogenic substrate. The kinetics parameters of K_M and V_max were calculated and compared with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The thermal stability of the Pt nanoparticles was compared with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) according to the storage temperature and long-term storage period. The feasibility of lateral flow immunoassay with a chemiluminescent signal band was demonstrated by the detection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) as a model analyte, and the sensitivity was determined to be improved by as much as 1000-fold compared to the conventional rapid test based on colored gold-colloids.     

Synthesis of gold nanoparticles in sol–gel glass porogens containing [bmim][BF4] ionic liquid

The [bmim][BF₄] ionic liquid effect on gold nanoparticles formation in silica sol–gel materials is studied in order to produce gel-derived glasses with optical properties. The characteristic red color from gold nanoparticles is observed for transparent glass monoliths obtained sintering, between 365 and 425 °C, a silica sol–gel precursor containing HAuCl₄·3H₂O and [bmim][BF₄], under normal atmospheric conditions. The effect of sintering the ionogel at different temperatures (T_sint) or times (t_sint) on the optical properties, shape, size, and distribution of gold nanoparticles is discussed. Presence of the gold particles is observed using transmission electron microscopy images followed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis. The thermal decomposition of [bmim][BF₄] in the ionogel is investigate using calorimetric and spectroscopic techniques, and by analysis of volatile compounds released by the sol–gel material during sintering. With these results a mechanism for the formation of the gold nanoparticles is proposed, where a first ionic liquid degradation step provides the reductive environment that enables the gold nanoparticles production at the range of temperatures between 350 and 425 °C. Upon sintering the synthesized materials the ionic liquid acts as a sacrificial additive and the ionic liquid thermal decomposition products enables the formation of gold nanoparticles in the sol–gel matrix.     

Antibacterial study of Eucalyptus grandis fabricated zinc oxide and magnesium doped zinc oxide nanoparticles and its characterization

Mg-doped zinc oxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles were prepared by using methanolic seed extract from the Eucalyptus grandis plant via a green approach. Phytoconstituents present in seed extract act as capping and stabilizing agents for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles. Doping of Mg to zinc oxide nanoparticles increases the bandgap energy, thus enhancing its chemical, physical and optical properties. Further, it was characterized by various techniques such as scanning electron microscopy giving morphological information about the wurtzite hexagonal structure of bio-synthesized nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction technique tells about the crystalline nature of particles and the average crystallite size for zinc oxide and doped zinc oxide nanoparticles. Mg as a dopant enhances the properties of nanoparticles, thus making it more efficiently applicable as an antibacterial agent against Escherichia coli, gram-negative bacteria.     

Thermal and optical properties of silver-poly(methylmethacrylate) nanocomposites prepared by in-situ radical polymerization

Surface modified silver nanoparticles dispersed in chloroform were encapsulated in poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) by in-situ radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile. The particle size distribution of colloidal silver nanoparticles was determined using transmission electron microscopy. The obtained transparent nanocomposite films were characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy, ¹H NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. Effective medium Maxwell-Garnett theory was used in order to explain optical properties of nanocomposite films taking into account inhomogeneous spatial distribution of silver nanoparticles in PMMA matrix. The influence of the silver nanoparticles on the thermal properties of the PMMA matrix was investigated using thermo-gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Thermo-oxidative stability of the PMMA in the presence of low content of inorganic phase is significantly improved. The glass transition temperatures of nanocomposites are slightly lower compared to the pure polymer.     

一种通过纳米粒子的组装制备基于二氧化铈中孔材料的简易方法

用HF或者HCl作联合剂,三嵌段共聚物表面活性剂作模板剂,通过二氧化铈纳米粒子(或者过渡金属掺杂的二氧化铈纳米粒子)组装形成具有热稳定和晶化孔壁的基于二氧化铈的中孔材料。焙烧该合成的超分子模板中孔结构的材料可以形成具有高比表面的基于二氧化铈的中孔材料,这些中孔材料用不同的光谱技术表征。通过D₂-OH交换测得的二氧化铈表面的羟基在组装过程和中孔材料的稳定性方面至关重要。联结剂中的卤素离子(F和Cl离子)可以替代中孔材料的表面羟基,从而影响这些中孔材料的结构稳定性和光学活性,而用具有3 d的过渡金属在组装前掺杂二氧化铈纳米粒子可以显著地提高中孔材料的光学活性,这种提高主要归结为通过掺杂可以促使能量转移的提高。     

Syntheses and characterization of nickel(II) dithiocarbamate complexes containing NiS4 and NiS2PN moieties: Nickel sulphide nanoparticles from a single source precursor

In this study, ammonium N-benzyldithiocarbamate was synthesized and used to prepare homoleptic Ni(II) bis(N-benzyldithiocarbamate) (1) and heteroleptic Ni(II) complexes involving isocyanate (2) and cyanide (3) ions. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR), and NMR (¹H and ¹³C) spectroscopic techniques. Complex 2 was further characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The FTIR showed bidentate co-ordination for all the complexes as the v(CN) stretching frequency were in the 980–1050 cm^?1 region without any splitting. Thermal decomposition profile of the complexes showed decomposition resulting in the formation of nickel sulphides. The homoleptic complex 1 was utilized as single source precursor (SSP) to prepare Nickel sulphide nanoparticles. The synthesis of the nanoparticles was conducted using different capping molecules (with various alkyl chain lengths), and at different reaction temperature and time. Pure phase Heazlewoodite (Ni₃S₂) nanoparticles were obtained from the X-ray diffraction study. The TEM analysis showed that the type of capping agent, reaction temperature, and time of reaction have significant effect on the morphology and size of the nanoparticles. The optical properties of the nanoparticles were studied using absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies, and they displayed evidence of quantum confinement effect.     

Composites comprising CdS nanoparticles and poly(ethylene oxide): optical properties and influence of the nanofiller content on the thermal behaviour of the host matrix

Tri-n-octylphosphine oxide-capped CdS nanoparticles were synthesized with the cadmium(II) complex of thiocarbohydrazide as a precursor. Nanocomposites were prepared by mixing a toluene solution of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and the obtained CdS nanoparticles. The ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy measurements showed a blue shift of the onset of optical absorption, compared to bulk CdS, which confirmed the presence of nanostructured CdS. A transmission electron microscopy micrograph of the nanocomposite depicted that the nanoparticles are well dispersed in the PEO matrix. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis revealed hindered crystallization of PEO in the presence of CdS nanoparticles. It was also found that increasing the nanoparticle content led to the shift of the onset of decomposition of the matrix towards higher temperature.     

Nanosized TiO2 as a Recyclable Heterogeneous Catalyst for the Synthesis of Tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyran Derivatives

An electrochemical reduction method was used for the preparation of TiO₂ nanoparticles in which agglomeration with formation of undesired metal powders is prevented by the presence of ammonium stabilizers. These synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV–Visible, XRD, SEM–EDS and TEM analysis techniques. These synthesized nanoparticles of TiO₂ were tested as heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyran derivative using three components reaction of aromatic aldehyde, dimedione and malononitrile by simply stirring at room temperature in a solvent free condition.     

The effects of pH and ions on myelin figure formation in phospholipid-water system

Myelin figures were found to form at the main phase transition temperatures of several phospholipids for various ph values and Ca²⁺ concentrations. The optical observation of myelin figure formation provides a simple method of detecting the phase transition of phospholipids.     

Highly improved dielectric behaviour of ferronematic nanocomposite for display application

We report the investigation of influence of nickel zinc ferrite magnetic nanoparticles (NZFO (Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄)) on phase transition, optical and dielectric properties in a nematic liquid crystal (NLC). The interaction of NZFO nanoparticles with NLC was confirmed by the formation of ferronematic droplets due to the transfer of magnetic orientational effect onto the underlying NLC matrix. The doping results in shift of nematic to isotropic transition to low-temperature region. An enhancement in the value of refractive index is observed in the nematic region after the addition of NZFO nanoparticles. The dielectric constant of NLC was remarkably enhanced by 10 times after doping, which is found to be maximum at 0.1 wt% concentration of NZFO nanoparticles. The decrease in the value of dissipation factor in low-frequency region shows that the magnetic nanoparticles are able to trap ionic impurities effectively. The obtained results suggest that the optimum amount of doping concentration is 0.1 wt% of NZFO nanoparticles in NLC due to high dielectric constant with low dissipation factor and high refractive index with high dispersive power at room temperature.     

Fabrication and optical properties of gallium phosphide nanoparticulate thin film

The gallium phosphide (GaP) nanoparticulate thin films were fabricated by colloidal suspensions deposition with GaP nanoparticles dispersed in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). The microstructure and optical properties of the film have been studied by scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscope, and optical absorption and fluorescence spectra. The morphology of the film was found to be composed of nanoparticle aggregates, and with an irregularly rough surface. From the result of fluorescence, it can be established that the film not only retains the violet and blue light emissions which ascribed to transition from conduction band to valence band of gallium phosphide particles, but has an excellent luminescence property. The correlation between the optical properties and the microstructure of the thin film is discussed.     

Competing processes in the photochemistry of picolines and their <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-methyl salts: photoinduced charge transfer,phototransposition and photohydration

Photochemical reactivity of a series of picolines and their N-methylated salts has been investigated by preparative irradiations and UV–vis spectroscopy. Understanding competing photochemical processes and knowledge of their relative efficiencies is important in the application of pyridines as photocages or in the synthesis of complex polycycles. Contrary to previous reports for the gas phase, picolines are not reactive in the phototransposition, presumably due to protonation of the pyridine nitrogen in the excited state. Deuterium exchange was observed upon irradiation in CD₃CN–D₂O, but it was rationalized by photoionization and radical formation. On the other hand, N-methylated picoline salts are not protonated upon excitation. They undergo photohydration and phototransposition (Φ _R = 0.01–0.06). Upon irradiation of iodides, azabicyclic [3.1.0] hydration products were obtained. A difference in product distribution was observed between iodides and perchlorates, due to photoelimination of perchloric acid leading to the thermal aziridine ring opening. Moreover, excitation of iodide derivatives gives rise to change transfer transition forming iodide radicals that eventually give I₃ ^? with the quantum efficiency Φ _R = 0.015–0.02.     

Influence of the molecular weight of polystyrene on its thermodynamic properties

The thermodynamic properties of a series of polystyrene samples with different molecular weights (M _w was varied from 2.5·10³ to 6.57·10⁴) were studied by precision adiabatic vacuum, high-accuracy dynamic, and combustion calorimetry: temperature dependences of the heat capacity in a wide temperature range, thermodynamic characteristics of glass transition and glassy state under standard pressure, and energy of combustion. The thermodynamic functions C ^○ _p (T), H ^○(T) - H ^○(0), S ^○(T) - S ^○(0), and G ^○(T) - H ^○(0) of polystyrene with different molecular weights, enthalpies of combustion Δ_c H ^○, thermodynamic parameters of formation from simple substances Δ_f H ^○, Δ_f S ^○, and Δ_f G ^○ at T = 298.15 K, and parameters of their synthesis from monomers were calculated from the experimental data. The temperature dependences of the heat capacity for a region of 0–380 K, glass transition temperatures, and thermodynamic characteristics of formation and synthesis of polystyrene depending on its molecular weight were examined.     

Biosynthesis of Gold Nanoparticles by Streptomyces sp. ERI-3 Supernatant and Process Optimization for Enhanced Production

In this study, we present a simple and eco-friendly method for extracellular biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles by Streptomyces sp. ERI-3 cell-free supernatant. The research was also aimed to evaluate the effects of different reaction parameters including incubation temperature, reaction time, HAuCl₄ concentration and pH on gold nanoparticles production. The UV?CVis spectroscopy was used to monitor the formation of gold nanoparticles. The synthesized gold nanoparticles were characterized with XRD, TEM, and SEM. The average particle size ranged from 10 to 30?nm with spherical shape at optimum conditions.     

Visualization of red-ox proteins on the gold surface using enzymatic polypyrrole formation

We describe a new method for the visualization of the activity of red-ox proteins on a gold interface. Glucose oxidase was selected as a model system. Surfaces were modified by adhesion of glucose oxidase on (a) electrochemically cleaned gold; (b) gold films modified with gold nanoparticles, (c) a gold surface modified with self-assembled monolayer, and (d) covalent immobilization of protein on the gold surface modified with a self-assembled monolayer. The simple optical method for the visualization of enzyme on the surfaces is based on the enzymatic formation of polypyrrole. The activity of the enzyme was quantified via enzymatic formation of polypyrrole, which was detected and investigated by quartz microbalance and amperometric techniques. The experimental data suggest that the enzymatic formation of the polymer may serve as a method to indicate the adhesion of active redox enzyme on such surfaces.