Preparation and electrochemical performance of graphene–Pt black nanocomposite for electrochemical methanol oxidation

This work reports the preparation, characterization, and electrocatalytic characteristics of a new metallic nanocatalyst. The catalyst, Pt black–graphene oxide (Pt-GO), was prepared by deposition of Pt black on the surface of graphene oxide nanosheet and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and voltammetry. The Pt-graphene (Pt-GR) composite modified glassy carbon electrode (Pt-GR/GCE) was prepared with cyclic voltammetric scanning of Pt-GO/GCE in the potential range from ?1.5 to 0.2 in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution at 50 mV·s^?1 for 5 cycles. The electrocatalytic properties of the Pt-GR/GCE for methanol (CH₃OH) oxidation have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV); high electrocatalytic activity of the Pt-GR/GCE can be observed. This may be attributed to the high dispersion of Pt catalyst and the particular properties of GR support. The long-term stability of Pt-GR composite was investigated in 0.05 M CH₃OH in 0.1 M H₂SO₄ solution. It can be observed that the peak current decreases gradually with the successive scans. The loss may result from the consumption of methanol during the CV scan. It also may be due to the poisoning organic compounds. The results imply that the Pt-GR composite has good potential applications in fuel cells.     

Thiol‐functionalized fructose‐derived nanoporous carbon as a support for gold nanoparticles and its application for aerobic oxidation of alcohols in water

Gold nanoparticles supported on thiol‐functionalized fructose‐derived nanoporous carbon (AuNPs@thiol‐Fru‐d‐NPS) were found to be a simple bench‐top, biocompatible, recyclable and selective catalytic system for the aerobic oxidation of various types of alcohols into their corresponding aldehydes and ketones at room temperature under the environmentally friendly conditions with excellent yields. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Morphology and properties of polypropylene/ethylene–octene copolymer/clay nanocomposites with double compatibilizers

The influence of nanoclay on the morphology and properties of the polypropylene (PP)/ethylene–octene block copolymer (EOC) blend with double compatibilizers of maleated PP (PP‐g‐MA) and maleated EOC (EOC‐g‐MA) was investigated and compared with the nanocomposites containing either PP‐g‐MA or EOC‐g‐MA as a compatibilizer. X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were utilized for morphological characterization in conjunction with dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, mechanical testing, and rheological evaluation of these nanocomposites. The results suggested that in the nanocomposite including both compatibilizers of PP‐g‐MA and EOC‐g‐MA, clay was dispersed as a mixed structure of intercalation and exfoliation in both phases of the polymer blend. Comparing the mechanical properties of the studied nanocomposite with nanocomposites of PP/EOC/PP‐g‐MA/clay and PP/EOC/EOC‐g‐MA/clay also indicated that the nanocomposite containing mixed compatibilizers displayed higher tensile modulus, tensile strength, and complex viscosity because of the better dispersion of clay in both phases. The results also confirmed the increased structural stability and reduced dispersed phase size of PP/EOC/PP‐g‐MA/EOC‐g‐MA blend in the presence of clay that proposed the compatibilization role of clay in this nanocomposite. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Infrared spectroscopy provides a green analytical chemistry tool for direct diagnosis of cancer

Diagnosis of cancer is one of the most important aspects of medical research and has become the main aim of biomedical investigations. Misdiagnosis is the main drawback in most of the diagnostic routes introduced, while some of these methods are invasive and expensive.Recently, infrared spectroscopy (IR) was proposed as a rapid, accurate and sensitive technique in biomedical research, especially for detection of patterns of illness. We discuss research into cancer detection by IR, the role of data processing in quality assurance of the results obtained and novel proposals, such as bio-fluid analysis for diagnosis. We conclude that IR provides a novel green analytical chemistry approach to clinical oncology and cancer research.     

Novel potentiometric sensor for the determination of Cd2+ based on a new nano-composite

A novel ion selective carbon paste electrode for Cd²⁺ ions based on 2,2′-thio-bis[4-methyl(2-amino phenoxy) phenyl ether] (TBMAPPE) as an ionophore was prepared. The carbon paste was made based on a new nano-composite including multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), nanosilica and room-temperature ionic liquid, 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIM-PF₆). The constructed nano-composite electrode showed better sensitivity, selectivity, response time, response stability and lifetime in comparison with typical Cd²⁺ carbon paste sensor for the successful determination of Cd²⁺ ions in water and in waste water samples. The best performance for nano-composite sensor was obtained with an electrode composition of 18% TBMAPPE, 20% BMIM-PF₆, 48% graphite powder, 10% MWCNT and 4% nanosilica. The new electrode exhibited a Nernstian response (29.95?±?0.10?mV?decade^?1) toward Cd²⁺ ions in the range of 3.0?×?10^?8 to 1.0?×?10^?1?mol?L^?1 with a detection limit of 7.5?×?10^?9?mol?L^?1. The potentiometric response of prepared sensor was independent of the pH of test solution in the pH range 3.0 to 5.5. It had a quick response with a response time of about 6?s. The proposed electrode showed fairly good selectivity over some alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions.     

Poly(lactic acid)/coplasticized thermoplastic starch blend: Effect of plasticizer migration on rheological and mechanical properties

Polylactic acid (PLA) and thermoplastic starch (TPS) are known as bio‐based and biodegradable thermoplastic polymers that can be used in different applications owing to their inherent physical and mechanical properties. In order to reduce the higher costs of PLA and tuning its physical and mechanical properties suitable for short life packaging applications, blending of PLA with the TPS, more economical biodegradable polymer, has been considered in academic and industrial researches. However, melt blending of PLA with TPS without compatibilization process caused some drawbacks such as coarsening morphology and declining mechanical properties and ductility because of thermodynamic immiscibility, which may restrict its usage in packaging applications. Subsequently, our approach in this research is compatibilization of PLA/TPS blends by utilization of primary well tuning of TPS formulation with a combination of sorbitol and glycerol plasticizers. In this work, the wide composition range of melt mixed PLA/TPS blends was prepared using a laboratory twin screw extruder. The effects of microstructure on the rheological and mechanical properties of PLA/TPS blends were studied using different methods such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, contact angle, oscillatory shear rheological measurements, and tensile and impact strength mechanical tests. The rheological and mechanical properties were interpreted according to the morphological features and considering the possibility of plasticizer migration from TPS to PLA phase during melt blending. Reduction in complex viscosity and storage modulus of PLA matrix samples indicates the improved melt processability of blends. Finally, in comparison with mechanical results reported in literature, our simple approach yielded the blends with elastic modulus and ductility comparable with those of chemically compatibilized PLA/TPS blends.     

Benign synthesis of quinolinecarboxamide ligands,H2bqbenzo and H2bqb and their Pd(II) complexes: X-ray crystal structure,electrochemical and antibacterial studies

Two carboxamide ligands, H₂bqbenzo {3,4-bis(2-quinolinecarboxamido)benzophenone} and H₂bqb {N,N′-bis[(2-quinolinecarboxamide)-1,2-benzene]}, have been prepared using tetrabutylammonium bromide as an environmentally benign reaction medium. Two new Pd(II) complexes, [Pd^II(bqbenzo)] (1) and [Pd^II(bqb)] (2), have been synthesized, characterized, and their structures determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The di-anionic ligands, bqbenzo^2? and bqb^2?, are coordinated via two N_amide atoms and the nitrogens of the two quinoline rings, with Pd?N_amide < Pd–N_quinoline bond lengths. The geometry around palladium(II) in both complexes is distorted square planar. The electrochemical behaviors of the ligands and their Pd(II) complexes have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry in DMF. An irreversible Pd^II/I reduction is observed at ?1.06 V for 1 and at ?1.177 V for 2, indicating the influence of the R substituent on the central phenyl ring of carboxamide ligands on the Pd^II/I reduction potential. The ligands and palladium complexes were also screened for in vitro antibacterial activity. The Pd(II) complexes show strong biological activity against S.typhi and E.coli as Gram ?ve and B.cereus and S.aureus as Gram +ve bacteria comparable to the antibiotic penicillin. The antibacterial results also reveal that coordination of Pd(II) significantly improves the activity.     

Modification of WS2 nanosheets with beta-cyclodextrone and N-isopropylacrylamide polymers for tamoxifen adsorption and investigation of in vitro drug release

In this research, tungsten disulfide (WS₂) nanosheets were modified with beta-cyclodextrone (βCD) N-isopropylacrylamide polymers (NIPAAP) for adsorption of tamoxifen (TAM) drug. The synthesized WS₂/βCD/NIPAAP samples were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. The adsorption experiments of TAM on WS₂/βCD/NIPAAP were performed as a function of pH, reaction contact time, temperature and drug concentration. The adsorption kinetic data were well fitted to the pseudo-second-order model. Also, the equilibrium data were well described by Langmuir isotherm model. The maximum adsorption capacity of WS₂/βCD/NIPAAP for TAM drug was found to be 62.0 mg/g. The results of regeneration tests showed that the synthesized WS₂/βCD/NIPAAP adsorbent can be easily reused after 6 cycles of adsorption–desorption. Furthermore, TAM drug release was investigated in a simulated system with pH 7.4 at different temperatures. The results showed that the release of TAM drug from WS₂/βCD/NIPAAP carrier at 50 °C and 37 °C was greater than TAM release at 25 °C. Also, the experimental data of drug release were studied by Higuchi, Ritger-Peppas, zero-order and first-order models. The release data were well fitted to the zero-order model indicating a case II transport. The results showed a high stability for TAM drug.