Zn or O? An Atomic Level Comparison on Antibacterial Activities of Zinc Oxides

For the first time, the influence of different types of atoms (Zn and O) on the antibacterial activities of nanosized ZnO was quantitatively evaluated with the aid of a 3D‐printing‐manufactured evaluation system. Two different outermost atomic layers were manufactured separately by using an ALD (atomic layer deposition) method. Interestingly, we found that each outermost atomic layer exhibited certain differences against gram‐positive or gram‐negative bacterial species. Zinc atoms as outermost layer (ZnO?Zn) showed a more pronounced antibacterial effect towards gram‐negative E. coli (Escherichia coli), whereas oxygen atoms (ZnO?O) showed a stronger antibacterial activity against gram‐positive S. aureus (Staphylococcus aureus). A possible antibacterial mechanism has been comprehensively discussed from different perspectives, including Zn²⁺ concentrations, oxygen vacancies, photocatalytic activities and the DNA structural characteristics of different bacterial species.     

Surface characterization of CuSn thin films deposited by RF co‐sputtering method

CuSn thin films were deposited by the radio‐frequency (RF) magnetron co‐sputtering method on Si(100) with Cu and Sn metal targets with various RF powers. The thickness of the films was fixed at 200 ± 10 nm. The synthesized CuSn thin films mainly consisted of Cu₂₀Sn₆ and Cu₃₉Sn₁₁ phases, which was revealed by an X‐ray diffraction (XRD) study. The high‐resolution Cu 2p XPS and Cu LMM Auger electron spectra indicate that metallic Cu oxidized to Cu⁺ and Cu²⁺ as the RF power on Cu target increased. The atomic ratios of Sn⁰ and Sn⁴⁺ decreased, while that of Sn²⁺ increased with increasing RF power on the Cu target. The polar surface free energy (SFE) component has a different tendency in comparison with the total SFE and the dispersive SFE component. The dispersive SFE component was the dominating contributing factor to the total SFE compared with the polar SFE. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hexamethyldisiloxane‐modified ZnO‐SiO2‐coated superhydrophobic textiles for antibacterial application

A superhydrophobic cotton textile with high antibacterial properties has been fabricated. The cotton textile was coated through the in situ growth of ZnO‐SiO₂ nanoparticles in presence of chitosan as the template agent via a hydrothermal process at 95 °C. This process was followed by the coating of additional layers of hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMS). The obtained cotton textile showed antibacterial property against Staphylococcus epidermis and Escherichia coli with inhibition zones up to 18.26 and 8.48 mm, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the coating had a rough surface, which was attributed to the distribution of ZnO‐SiO₂ nanorods of hexagonal shape. This rough surface creates a superhydrophobic layer that repels the bacteria, as proven by the large water contact angle of approximately 150°. Nevertheless, the HDTMS layers prolong the durability of hydrophobicity for up to 3 h.     

Antibacterial Properties of a Kind of Schiff Base and Its Neodymium(III) and Zn(II) Complex (ZnNdL) on Escherichia coli

The microcalorimetric and electronic microscopy methods were used to study the antibacterial activity of a Schiff base and its complex ZnNdL on Escherichia coli. The metabolic power‐time curves of the bacteria treated with the compounds were obtained, and the thermokinetic parameters were analyzed. The results show that the compounds (H₂L, ZnNdL) have good activity on aerobic multiplying metabolism of E. coli, with the values of IC₅₀ 57.0 and 54.4 mg·L^?1, respectively. In order to further investigate their mechanism on E. coli, transmission electronic microscopy and scanning electronic micrography were used to study the cell membrane change induced by the dibasic quadridentate Schiff base and its neodymium(III) complex. At a low concentration of the compound, the flagellum was inhibited and the cell did not show distinct changes. However, the flagella around the cell membrane were exfoliated, the morphology of E. coli was changed from a rod shape into a spherical shape or a short rod, and the flagella disappeared completely at a high concentration. The drug permeability into cell membrane was investigated by fluorescence quenching of probe dis‐C₃‐(5), which suggested that H₂L and ZnNdL could influence on the intra and extra cell membrane.     

SrSn3 – eine supraleitende Legierung mit freien Elektronenpaaren

SrSn₃ – a Superconducting Alloy with Non‐bonding Electron Pairs SrSn₃ was synthesized from the elements in a welded niobium ampoule. The crystal structure was determined from X‐ray single crystal data. Space group R3m, a = 6,940(2) Å, c = 33,01(1) Å, Z = 12, Pearson symbol hR48. SrSn₃ shows an ordered atomic distribution on four crystallographic sites. The structure is build up from two closed packed atom layers (Sn1/Sr1 and Sn2/Sr2) each with the composition Sr : Sn = 1 : 3 and with hexagonal symmetry of the Sr atoms. The Sn atoms are shifted with respect to the ideal positions of a closed packed layer in a way that Sn triangles, which are separated by Sr atoms, result. Translational symmetry along the c axis arises from a 12‐layer stacking sequence with hexagonal and cubic closest packing motives. Due to the layer sequence ABABCACABCBC… units of three face‐sharing Sn octahedra result (condensation through Sn2 atoms) which form the Sn partial structure. The octahedra chains run parallel to the c axis and are connected by exclusively vertex sharing Sn octahedra (Sn1 atoms). Temperature dependent susceptibility measurements reveal superconducting properties. LMTO band structure calculations verify the metallic behavior. An analysis of the density of states with the help of the electron localization function (ELF) shows, that two kinds of lone pairs occur in this intermetallic phase: non‐bonding electron pairs with the shape of a sp² orbital hybrid are located at the Sn2 atoms and lone pairs with p orbital character are located at Sn1 atoms. The role of lone pairs with respect to the superconducting property is discussed.     

Preparation and Characterization of the Antibacterial Zn2+ or/and Ce3+ Loaded Montmorillonites

A series of modified montmorillonites including Zn²⁺ loaded montmorillonite (Zn/MMT), Ce³⁺ loaded montmorillonite (Ce/MMT) and Zn²⁺‐Ce³⁺ loaded montmorillonites (Zn‐Ce/MMT) were prepared by an ion‐exchange reaction, and characterized using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The specific surface areas, zeta potentials and antibacterial activity of the modified montmorillonites were also investigated. Zinc and cerium were proved to be present as bivalent zinc state and trivalent cerium state in the modified montmorillonites. For the modified montmorillonites, the d₀₀₁ basal spacings increased and the particles were formed of irregular shapes. The antibacterial activity of the modified montmorillonites was enhanced with the increase of specific surface areas and zeta potentials, and Zn²⁺‐Ce³⁺ loaded montmorillonites displayed obvious synergistic antibacterial effect. When Zn/Ce atomic ratio was 1.24, the Zn‐Ce/MMT showed high antibacterial efficiency and broad‐spectrum antibacterial activity, possessing the MIC against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and Mucor of 1500, 1000, 2000 and 3000 mg·L^?1, respectively.     

两种希夫碱对大肠杆菌抗菌活性的微量热法研究

The microcalorimetric method was used to study the antibacterial activity of two newly synthesized Schiff base compounds （H2L3＇ and H2L3） on Escherichia coli, trying to obtain the action on both of multiplying bacteria and non-multiplying bacteria at one experiment. The metabolic power-time curves of the bacteria treated with the compounds were obtained, and the thermokinetic parameters were analyzed, from which the antibacterial activities of these compounds were evaluated. The results showed that both of the two compounds have good activity on aerobic multiplying metabolism of E. coli, with the value of ICso 75.8 and 168.8 mg/L respectively, but have not effective action on fermentation metabolism of E. coli. The action of the compounds on the non-multiplying metabolism was investigated by taking the heat output of E. coli in the stationary phase as the guideline of the activity. The value of MSCso （minimum stationary-cidal concentration 50） of them is 118 and 187.5 mg/L, respectively. So, H2L^3 has stronger antibacterial action on E. coli than H2L^3 either for multiplying bacteria or non-multiplying bacteria, and their activity on the aerobic multiplying bacteria of E. coil is mainly shown. It does strongly suggest that the calorimetric method should play an important role in the fight against the drug-resistant bacteria.     

微量热研究几种新型吡啶酰胺希夫碱对大肠杆菌的抑制作用

用微量热研究一系列新型吡啶酰胺希夫碱对大肠杆菌的抑制作用, 不同的吡啶酰胺希夫碱衍生物对大肠杆菌生长的抑制作用不同. 通过热动力学模型计算得到生长速率常数(k)和抑制率(I), 我们获得了吡啶酰胺希夫碱衍生物的抗菌作用效果. 通过药物作用于细菌处于生长对数期的实验发现, 有两种化合物(F和G)对大肠杆菌生长有非常好的抑制作用, 他们的半抑制浓度(IC50)分别是0. 106 和0. 113 g/L, 但是药物对大肠杆菌的无氧发酵过程抑制作用比较差. 通过进一步分析药物结构与药物半抑制浓度, 我们发现: 希夫碱衍生物的亲水性对其抗菌活性有很大的影响, 这主要是由细菌的细胞膜结构不同所致. 对希夫碱及其碱衍物的结构与抗菌活性关系进行了初步探讨, 它们对大肠杆菌的抗菌活性顺序为: F＞G＞C＞D＞E＞B＞A.     

Synthesis,structural characterization and antimicrobial activity of mixed aryl–alkyl diorganotin(IV) compounds with quinoline‐2‐carboxylate (L−): {RR′SnLCl}n and RR′SnL2

A series of unsymmetrical diorganotin derivatives of quinoline‐2‐carboxylic acid (LH), namely polymeric {MePhSnClL}_n (1) and {EtPhSnClL}_n (2), and mononuclear MePhSnL₂ (3) and EtPhSnL₂ (4), was synthesized by the reaction of LH with the MePhSnCl₂, EtPhSnCl₂, MePhSnO, and EtPhSnO precursors, respectively. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis and infrared spectroscopy, as well as by ¹ H, ¹³ C and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR. The molecular structures of representative compounds 2 and 4 were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. This study showed that polymeric 2 adopts a distorted octahedral geometry as the carboxylate ligand N,O chelates an Sn atom and at the same time bridges a neighbouring Sn atom via the second O atom, with the remaining sites being occupied by the Cl and two C atoms; the O atoms are trans to each other. The result of the μ₂‐bridging mode of L^? is the formation of a supramolecular helical chain. Compound 4 adopts a skew‐trapezoidal bipyramidal geometry with the organo groups lying over the plane of the two N,O‐chelating carboxylate ligands and being directed over the weaker Sn―N bonds. The in vitro antimicrobial activities of 1–4 against a Gram‐positive bacteria strain (Bacillus subtilis), a Gram‐negative bacteria strain (Escherichia coli) and against Candida albicans were studied and compared with the antimicrobial activities of Ph₂SnL₂ and Me₂SnL₂, and with the antimicrobial standards gentamicin, tetracycline, ampicillin and penicillin. All organotin compounds displayed remarkable antibacterial activities that were comparable to those of the standard drugs, in particular against B. subtilis, where the activity was correlated with the number of Cl substituents. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Monoclinic Cu2Se3Sn

A previously unknown modification of dicopper(I) triselenostannate(IV), Cu₂Se₃Sn, has been obtained from the Cu₂Se–SnSe₂ quasi‐binary system and investigated using X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction. The Se atoms are stacked in a closest‐packed arrangement with the layers in the sequence ABC. The Cu atoms occupy one‐third of the tetrahedral interstices, whereas the Sn atoms are located in one‐sixth of the tetrahedral interstices. All the atoms occupy general positions. The structure possesses pseudo‐inversion symmetry. The Cu₂Se₃Sn structure investigated in this paper (96 atoms per unit cell, ordered distribution of Cu and Sn over 12 cation positions) is a superstructure of the reported cubic (eight atoms per unit cell, random distribution of Cu and Sn over one cation position) and monoclinic (24 atoms per unit cell, ordered distribution of Cu and Sn over three cation positions) modifications.     

Optimization of Flavonoid Extraction from Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge Flowers,and the Antioxidant and Antibacterial Capacity of the Extract

In the present work, the extraction process of total flavonoids (TFs) from X. sorbifolia flowers by ultrasound-assisted extraction was optimized under the response surface methodology (RSM) on the basis of single-factor experiments. The optimal extraction conditions were as follows: ethanol concentration of 80%, solid–liquid ratio of 1:37 (g/mL), temperature of 84 °C, and extraction time of 1 h. Under the optimized conditions, the extraction yield of the TFs was 3.956 ± 0.04%. The radical scavenging capacities of TFs against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) were much greater than that of rutin. The results of antibacterial experiments indicated that the TFs displayed strong inhibitory activities on E. coli, S. aureus and Bacillus subtilis. Therefore, X. sorbifolia flowers can be used as a novel source of natural flavonoids, and the TFs have potential applications as natural antioxidants or antibacterial agents in the food and pharmaceutical industries.     

Surface properties and antibacterial testing of a partially alicyclic polyimide film modified by RF plasma and NaOH/AgNO3 treatment

A polyimide containing alicyclic sequences was synthesized by a two steps solution polycondensation reaction and further processed into the film form for antibacterial purposes. The sample surface was activated by RF plasma treatment to ensure the biocide attachment by immersion in by NaOH/AgNO₃ solution. Surface properties of the synthesized polyimide film were analyzed by FTIR, contact angle and atomic force microscopy measurements, before and after the treatments with plasma and silver-based biocide. Antibacterial tests revealed that the pristine sample inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, and this behavior is more pronounced after the biocide surface treatment. The differences in the biocidal activity were discussed in terms of sample and bacteria hydrophobic/hydrophilic interactions.     

Polymeric phosphonium salts as a novel class of cationic biocides. V. Synthesis and antibacterial activity of polyesters releasing phosphonium biocides

Polyesters were prepared which retained phosphonium biocides as counter ions of sodium sulfonate moieties incorporated into the polymers, and surface antibacterial activity of the polyester films against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was explored. These films exhibited a high surface antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli, particularly against S. aureus, and the activity was affected by the structure and the compositional ratio of the phosphonium salts. Amount of the released phosphonium salts was very small, so that liberation of the phosphonium biocides can be expected to occur over a long period. Morphological changes of the cells of S. aureus and E. coli in contact with the polyester films were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the surface antibacterial activity of the polyester films was rather bacteriostatic than bactericidal as evidenced by no morphological changes of the bacterial cells in contact with the phosphonium biocides © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Antibacterial Activities of Tellurium Nanomaterials

We prepared four differently shaped Te nanomaterials (NMs) as antibacterial reagents against Escherichia coli. By controlling the concentrations of hydrazine (N₂H₄) as reducing agent, NaCl, and temperature, we prepared Te nanowires, nanopencils, nanorices, and nanocubes. These four Te NMs resulted in a live/dead ratio of E. coli cells of less than 0.1, which is smaller than that of Ag nanoparticles. The order of antibacterial activity against E. coli is nanocubes ≈ nanorices > nanopencils ≈ nanowires. This is in good agreement with the concentration order of tellurite (TeO₃²⁻) ions released from Te NMs in E. coli cells, revealing that TeO₃²⁻ ions account for the antibacterial activity of the four Te NMs. We found that spherical Te nanoparticles (32 nm in diameter) with TeO₃²⁻ ions were formed in the E. coli cells. Compared to Ag nanoparticles that are commonly used as antibacterial reagents, Te NMs have higher antibacterial activity and lower toxicity. Thus, Te NMs hold great practical potential as a new and efficient antibacterial agent.     

Synthesis,spectral and antimicrobial studies of diorganotin(IV)3(2′‐hydroxyphenyl)‐5‐(4‐substituted phenyl) pyrazolinates

Diorganotin(IV) dipyrazolinates of the type R₂Sn(C₁₅H₁₂N₂OX)₂ [where C₁₅H₁₂N₂OX = 3(2′‐Hydroxyphenyl)‐5(4‐X‐phenyl)pyrazoline {where X = H ( a ); CH₃ ( b ); OCH₃ ( c ); Cl ( d ) and R = Me, Prⁿ and Ph}] have been synthesized by the reaction of R₂SnCl₂ with sodium salt of pyrazolines in 1:2 molar ratio, in anhydrous benzene. These newly synthesized derivatives have been characterized by elemental analysis (C, H, N, Cl and Sn), molecular weight measurement as well as spectral [IR and multinuclear NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn)] studies. The bidentate behaviour of the pyrazoline ligands was confirmed by IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectral data. A distorted trans‐octahedral structure around tin(IV) atom for R₂Sn(C₁₅H₁₂N₂OX)₂ has been suggested. The free pyrazoline and diorganotin(IV) dipyrazolinates have also been screened for their antibacterial and antifungal activities. Some diorganotin(IV) dipyrazolinates exhibit higher antibacterial and antifungal effect than free ligand and some of the antibiotics. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis,characterization and biological activity of diphenyltin(IV) complexes of N‐(3,5‐dibromosalicylidene)‐α‐amino acid and their diphenyltin dichloride adducts

Diphenyltin(IV) complexes of N‐(3,5‐dibromosalicylidene)‐α‐amino acid, Ph₂Sn[3,5‐Br₂‐2‐OC₆H₂ CH?NCH(R)COO] (where R = H, Me, i‐Pr, Bz), and their 1:1 adducts with diphenyltin dichloride, Ph₂Sn[3,5‐Br₂‐2‐OC₆H₂CH?NCH(R)COO]·Ph₂SnCl₂, have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn) spectra. The crystal structure of Ph₂Sn[3,5‐Br₂‐2‐OC₆H₂CH?NCH(i‐Pr)COO] shows a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry with the axial locations occupied by a carboxylate–oxygen and a phenolic–oxygen atom of the ligand, and that of Ph₂Sn[3,5‐Br₂‐2‐OC₆H₂CH?NCH(i‐Pr)COO]·Ph₂SnCl₂ reveals that the two tin atoms are joined via the carbonyl atom of the ligand to form a mixed organotin binuclear complex. Bioassay indicates that the compounds possess better cytotoxic activity against three human tumor cell lines (HeLa, CoLo205 and MCF‐7) than cis‐platin and moderate antibacterial activity against two bacteria (E. coli and S. aureus). Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dynamic Changes in the Structure,Chemical State and Catalytic Selectivity of Cu Nanocubes during CO2 Electroreduction: Size and Support Effects

In situ and operando spectroscopic and microscopic methods were used to gain insight into the correlation between the structure, chemical state, and reactivity of size‐ and shape‐controlled ligand‐free Cu nanocubes during CO₂ electroreduction (CO₂RR). Dynamic changes in the morphology and composition of Cu cubes supported on carbon were monitored under potential control through electrochemical atomic force microscopy, X‐ray absorption fine‐structure spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Under reaction conditions, the roughening of the nanocube surface, disappearance of the (100) facets, formation of pores, loss of Cu and reduction of CuO_x species observed were found to lead to a suppression of the selectivity for multi‐carbon products (i.e. C₂H₄ and ethanol) versus CH₄. A comparison with Cu cubes supported on Cu foils revealed an enhanced morphological stability and persistence of Cu^I species under CO₂RR in the former samples. Both factors are held responsible for the higher C₂/C₁ product ratio observed for the Cu cubes/Cu as compared to Cu cubes/C. Our findings highlight the importance of the structure of the active nanocatalyst but also its interaction with the underlying substrate in CO₂RR selectivity.     

Dynamic Changes in the Structure,Chemical State and Catalytic Selectivity of Cu Nanocubes during CO2 Electroreduction: Size and Support Effects

In situ and operando spectroscopic and microscopic methods were used to gain insight into the correlation between the structure, chemical state, and reactivity of size‐ and shape‐controlled ligand‐free Cu nanocubes during CO₂ electroreduction (CO₂RR). Dynamic changes in the morphology and composition of Cu cubes supported on carbon were monitored under potential control through electrochemical atomic force microscopy, X‐ray absorption fine‐structure spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Under reaction conditions, the roughening of the nanocube surface, disappearance of the (100) facets, formation of pores, loss of Cu and reduction of CuO_x species observed were found to lead to a suppression of the selectivity for multi‐carbon products (i.e. C₂H₄ and ethanol) versus CH₄. A comparison with Cu cubes supported on Cu foils revealed an enhanced morphological stability and persistence of Cu^I species under CO₂RR in the former samples. Both factors are held responsible for the higher C₂/C₁ product ratio observed for the Cu cubes/Cu as compared to Cu cubes/C. Our findings highlight the importance of the structure of the active nanocatalyst but also its interaction with the underlying substrate in CO₂RR selectivity.     

Silicon Nitride Capacitive Chemical Sensor for Phosphate Ion Detection Based on Copper Phthalocyanine – Acrylate‐polymer

In this work, we report the development of a highly sensitive capacitance chemical sensor based on a copper C,C,C,C‐ tetra‐carboxylic phthalocyanine‐acrylate polymer adduct (Cu(II)TCPc‐PAA) for phosphate ions detection. A capacitance silicon nitride substrate based Al−Cu/Si‐p/SiO₂/Si₃N₄ structure was used as transducer. These materials have provided good stability of electrochemical measurements. The functionalized silicon‐based transducers with a Cu(II)Pc‐PAA membrane were characterized by using Mott‐Schottky technique measurements at different frequency ranges and for different phosphate concentrations. The morphological surface of the Cu(II)Pc‐PAA modified silicon‐nitride based transducer was characterized by contact angle measurements and atomic force microscopy. The pH effect was also investigated by the Mott‐Schottcky technique for different Tris‐HCl buffer solutions. The sensitivity of silicon nitride was studied at different pH of Tris‐HCl buffer solutions. This pH test has provided a sensitivity value of 51 mV/decade. The developed chemical sensor showed a good performance for phosphate ions detection within the range of 10⁻¹⁰ to 10⁻⁵ M with a Nernstian sensitivity of 27.7 mV/decade. The limit of detection of phosphate ions was determined at 1 nM. This chemical sensor was highly specific for phosphate ions when compared to other interfering ions as chloride, sulfate, carbonate and perchlorate. The present capacitive chemical sensor is thus very promising for sensitive and rapid detection of phosphate in environmental applications.