Direct DNA Hybridization on the Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes Modified Sensors Detected by Voltammetry and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

Carboxylic acid functionalized single‐walled carbon nanotubes modified graphite sensors (SWCNT‐PGEs) were developed for electrochemical monitoring of direct DNA hybridization related to specific sequence of Hepatitis B virus, which substantially enhance the electrochemical transduction resulting from guanine oxidation signal comparison to bare PGEs. The performance characteristics of DNA hybridization on disposable CNT‐PGE were explored measuring the guanine signal in terms of optimum analytical conditions; probe and target concentration, hybridization time, and selectivity. The voltammetric results were also complemented with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), that was used to characterize the successful construction of carbon nanotubes modification onto the surface of PGEs.     

Synthesis of Bi- and tridentate imidazole ligands

A number of imidazole derivatives were prepared in the course of studying the limits of carbon-metal bond formation in complexes of imidazole with first-row transition metals. Seven of the compounds were new. The 4- and 5-methyl and 4,5-dimethyl derivatives of l-(2-pyridyl)-imidazole were prepared by reaction of the appropriate imidazole with 2-bromopyridine. Alkylation of imidazole, 4,5-dimethylimidazole, and benzimidazole with 2-chloromethylpyridine gave a series of 1-(2-pyridylmethyl)imidazoles. 1-(2,3-Diaminopropyl)imidazole was prepared in six steps via a Gabriel sequence.     

Electrochemical Monitoring of DNA Hybridization by Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Based Screen Printed Electrodes

The application of multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) based screen printed graphite electrodes (SPEs) was explored in this study for the electrochemical monitoring of DNA hybridization related to specific sequences on Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA. After the microscopic characterization of bare MWCNT‐SPEs and DNA immobilized ones was performed, the optimization of assay has been studied. The development of screen printing process combined with nanomaterial based disposable sensor technology leads herein a great opportunity for DNA detection using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) by measuring the guanine oxidation signal observed at +1.00 V in the presence of DNA hybridization between HBV probe and its complementary, target. The detection limit estimated for signal to noise ratios =3 corresponds to 96.33 nM target concentration in the 40 μL samples. The advantages of carbon nanotube based screen printed electrode used for electrochemical monitoring of DNA hybridization are discussed with sensitivity, selectivity and reproducibility in comparison with previous nanomaterial based electrochemical transducers developed for DNA or other biomolecular recognitions.     

A Study on the Vinyl Acetate-co-Butyl Acrylate Latexes in the Presence of N-Methylol Acrylamide and Mixed Type Emulsifiers

Summary: The properties of copolymer latexes depend on the copolymer composition, polymer morphology, initiator, polymerization medium and colloidal characteristics of copolymer particles. Poly(vinyl acetate-co-butyl acrylate) latexes with N-metylol acrylamide were prepared by applying semicontinuous emulsion polymerization. The systems studied were (a) the mixture of anionic sodium lauryl sulfate ether (SELES) with nonionic 30 moles ethoxylated nonyl phenol (NP 30) (50:50), (b) the mixture of anionic sodium lauryl sulfate ether (SELES) with nonionic 30 moles ethoxylated nonyl phenol (NP 30) (70:30), and (c) anionic sodium lauryl sulfate ether (SELES) (100%). The effects of the emulsifier and emulsifier composition on the physicochemical properties of obtained vinyl acetate-co-butyl acrylate latex properties in the presence of N-methylol acrylamide initiated by ammonium persulfate were investigated.     

Emulsion Polymerization of Styrene and Vinyl Acetate with Cationic Surfactant

Summary: In this study, the emulsion homopolymerization system containing vinyl acetate and styrene, potassium persulfate, and a new cationic surfactant was studied in the classical glass emulsion polymerization reactor. The effects of new polymeric emulsifier on the physicochemical properties of obtained vinyl acetate and styrene latex properties were investigated depending on surfactant percentage in homopolymerizations.     

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles by using eugenol and evaluation of antimicrobial potential

The importance of green synthesis was revealed with advantages such as: eliminating the use of expensive chemicals; consume less energy; and generate environmentally benign products. With this aim, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized by using isolated eugenol from clove extract. Its antimicrobial potential was determined on three different microorganisms. Clove was extracted and eugenol was isolated from this extract. Green synthesis was performed and an anti‐microbial study was performed. All extraction and isolation analyses were performed by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC); identification and confirmation were achieved using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS); and scanning electron microscopy was used for characterization. Both HPLC and LC–MS analyses showed that eugenol obtained purely synthesized AgNPs and 20‐25‐nm‐sized and homogeneous shaped particles seen in images. The antimicrobial effects of AgNPs at eight concentrations were determinated against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans, and maximum inhibition zone diameters were found as 2.6 cm, 2.4 cm and 1.5 cm, respectively. The results of the antimicrobial study showed that eugenol as a biological material brought higher antimicrobial effect to AgNPs in comparison to the other materials found in the literature.     

Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis of Some Novel Benzimidazole Derivatives Containing Imine Function and Evaluation of Their Antimicrobial Activity

4‐Bromo‐o‐phenylenediamine and ethylimido‐p‐bromophenylacetate, 1 , were subjected to microwave irradiation to synthesize benzimidazole derivative, compound 2 . Ester derivative, 3 , and hydrazide derivative, 4 , of compound 2 were also synthesized, respectively. Finally, compound 4 was treated with 11 different aromatic aldehydes to obtain benzimidazole derivatives containing imine function. All reactions were carried out with microwave irradiation and conventional heating, and results were compared. Some of the newly synthesized compounds showed moderate antimicrobial activity against some tested organisms.     

Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol Using Cobalt Oxide Supported Inside and Outside Hollow Carbon Spheres

Cobalt oxide nanoparticles (6 nm) supported both inside and outside of hollow carbon spheres (HCSs) were synthesized by using two different polymer templates. The oxidation of benzyl alcohol was used as a model reaction to evaluate the catalysts. PXRD studies indicated that the Co oxidation state varied for the different catalysts due to reduction of the Co by the carbon, and a metal oxidation step prior to the benzyl alcohol oxidation enhanced the catalytic activity. The metal loading influenced the catalytic efficiency, and the activity decreased with increasing metal loading, possibly due to pore filling effects. The catalysts showed similar activity and selectivity (to benzaldehyde) whether placed inside or outside the HCS (63 % selectivity at 50 % conversion). No poisoning was observed due to product build up in the HCS.