Possibility of controlled ejection of ferrofluid grains from a magnetically ordered ferrofluid using high frequency non-linear acoustic pulses – a particle dynamical study

We consider a model dilute ferrofluid that is subjected to a strong, homogeneous magnetic field directed perpendicular to the surface of the ferrofluid, such that there is a chain formation in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the liquid. We study the propagation of impulses generated at high-frequency across finite times through the ferrofluid chains. Our numerical analysis shows that a very high-frequency sequence of non-linear acoustic pulses of appropriate magnitudes, initiated at the base of the container, can lead to the ejection of desired number of ferrofluid grains through the liquid–air interface. The proposed mechanism, if successfully realized in the laboratory, could help design a nozzle-free, ultrafast, ink-jet printer of unparalleled resolution.     

Oxidized Biomass and Its Usage as Adsorbent for Removal of Heavy Metal Ions from Aqueous Solutions

Nowadays, very coarse wool fibers are considered waste biomass and are discarded at random or burned. Therefore, it is of actual interest to valorize coarse wool fibers as utile products. In this sense, we report herein an environmentally-friendly process for the preparation of a new material based on oxidized wool fibers and designed for efficient adsorption of heavy metals from wastewater. The morphology and the structure of the obtained product were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with an X-ray energy-dispersive module (EDX) and by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Likewise, the performances of the oxidized wool fibers for the adsorption of heavy metal cations (Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺) from aqueous solutions were tested. The adsorption kinetics data were analyzed by applying the pseudo-first-order (PFO) and pseudo-second-order (PSO) kinetic models. The equilibrium of the adsorption process was investigated by using the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models. According to the Langmuir isotherms registered at 300 K, the maximum adsorption capacities of the oxidized wool were found to increase from Cu²⁺ (9.41 mg/g) and Cd²⁺ (10.42 mg/g) to Pb²⁺ (30.71 mg/g). Consequently, the removal efficiency of metal ions was found to vary in the range of 96.8–99.7%. The thermodynamic parameters (e.g., enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy) were calculated and discussed.     

The Effect of Sample Glucose Content on PNGase F-Mediated N-Glycan Release Analyzed by Capillary Electrophoresis

Protein therapeutics have recently gained high importance in general health care along with applied clinical research. Therefore, it is important to understand the structure–function relationship of these new generation drugs. Asparagine-bound carbohydrates represent an important critical quality attribute of therapeutic glycoproteins, reportedly impacting the efficacy, immunogenicity, clearance rate, stability, solubility, pharmacokinetics and mode of action of the product. In most instances, these linked N-glycans are analyzed in their unconjugated form after endoglycosidase-mediated release, e.g., PNGase F-mediated liberation. In this paper, first, N-glycan release kinetics were evaluated using our previously reported in-house produced 6His-PNGase F enzyme. The resulting deglycosylation products were quantified by sodium dodecyl sulfate capillary gel electrophoresis to determine the optimal digestion time. Next, the effect of sample glucose content was investigated as a potential endoglycosidase activity modifier. A comparative Michaelis-Menten kinetics study was performed between the 6His-PNGase F and a frequently employed commercial PNGase F product with and without the presence of glucose in the digestion reaction mixture. It was found that 1 mg/mL glucose in the sample activated the 6His-PNGase F enzyme, while did not affect the release efficiency of the commercial PNGase F. Capillary isoelectric focusing revealed subtle charge heterogeneity differences between the two endoglycosidases, manifested by the lack of extra acidic charge variants in the cIEF trace of the 6His-PNGase F enzyme, which might have possibly influenced the glucose-mediated enzyme activity differences.     

Preparation of Bi2Fe4O9 particles by hydrothermal synthesis and functional properties

In the present study, particles with different Bi₂Fe₄O₉ micro/nanostructures with a few particular morphologies (flower-like nanoplatelets, hierarchical microstructures, perfectly square platelets single crystals, etc.) obtained under specific hydrothermal synthesis conditions were investigated. The role of the processing parameters (such as NaOH concentration, reaction temperature, and reaction duration time) on the phase formation mechanism and on the microstructural characteristics was investigated. All the Bi₂Fe₄O₉ morphologies showed orthorhombic symmetry with space group Pbam. The photocatalytic properties and magnetic behavior as a function of the micro/nanostructural characteristics of various Bi₂Fe₄O₉ powders were determined. In the presence of Bi₂Fe₄O₉, a degradation rate of Rose Bengal in the range of 52–61% was determined after 180?min under UV light irradiation (λ?=?254?nm). Magnetic activity with antiferromagnetic behavior and a transition at ～240?K slightly dependent on the microstructures was found. The role of Bi₂Fe₄O₉ microstructures in the photocatalytic activity and magnetic properties was discussed.     

Expanding the Chemical Space of Benzimidazole Dicationic Ionic Liquids

Benzimidazole dicationic ionic liquids (BDILs) have not yet been widely explored in spite of their potential. Therefore, two structurally related families of BDILs, paired with either bromide or bistriflimide anions and bearing alkyl spacers ranging from C3 to C6, have been prepared. Their thermal properties have been studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), while their electrical properties have been assessed by cyclic voltammetry (CV). TG analysis confirmed the higher stability of the bistriflimide BDILs over the bromide BDILs, with minor variation within the two families. Conversely, DSC and CV allowed for ascertaining the role played by the spacer length. In particular, the thermal behavior changed dramatically among the members of the bistriflimide family, and all three possible thermal behavior types of ILs were observed. Furthermore, cyclic voltammetry showed different electrochemical window (C₃(C₁BenzIm)₂/2Tf₂N < C₄(C₁BenzIm)₂/2Tf₂N, C₅(C₁BenzIm)₂/2Tf₂N < C₆(C₁BenzIm)₂/2Tf₂N) as well as a reduction peak potential, shape, and intensity as a function of the spacer length. The results obtained highlight the benefit of accessing a more structurally diverse pool of compounds offered by dicationic ILs when compared to the parent monocationic ILs. In particular, gains are to be found in the ease of fine-tuning their properties, which translates in facilitating further investigations toward BDILs as designer solvents and catalysts.     

Stability of Phosphonic Self Assembled Monolayers (SAMs) on Cobalt Chromium (Co-Cr) Alloy under Oxidative conditions

Cobalt chromium (Co-Cr) alloys have been widely used in the biomedical arena for cardiovascular, orthopedic and dental applications. Surface modification of the alloy allows us to tailor the interfacial properties to address critical challenges of Co-Cr alloy in medical applications. Self assembled monolayers (SAMs) of Octadecylphosphonic acid (ODPA) have been used to form thin films on the oxide layer of the Co-Cr alloy surface by solution deposition technique. The SAMs formed were investigated for their stability to oxidative conditions of ambient laboratory environment over periods of 1, 3, 7 and 14 days. The samples were then characterized for their stability using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and contact angle measurements. Detailed high energy XPS elemental scans confirmed the presence of the phosphonic monolayer after oxidative exposure which suggested that the SAMs were firmly attached to the oxide layer of Co-Cr alloy. AFM images gave topographical data of the surface and showed islands of SAMs on Co-Cr alloy surface, before and after SAM formation and also over the duration of the oxidative exposure. Contact angle measurements confirmed the hydrophobicity of the surface over 14 days. Thus the SAMs were found to be stable for the duration of the study. These SAMs could be subsequently tailored by modifying the terminal functional groups and could be used for various potential biomedical applications such as drug delivery, biocompatibility and tissue integration.     

Analysis of personal care products on model skin surfaces using DESI and PADI ambient mass spectrometry

Two ambient ionisation techniques, desorption electrospray ionisation (DESI) and plasma assisted desorption ionisation (PADI), have been used to analyse personal care products (PCPs) on fixed fibroblast cell surfaces. The similarities and differences between the two techniques for this type of analysis have been explored in various ways. Here, we show the results of DESI and PADI analysis of individual PCP ingredients as well as the analysis of these as complex creams on model skin surfaces, with minimal sample preparation. Typically, organosiloxanes and small molecules were detected from the creams. A study of the morphological damage of the fibroblast cells by the two ionisation techniques showed that for a less than 10% reduction in cell number, acquisition times should be limited to 5 s for PADI, which gives good signal levels; with DESI, the morphological damage was negligible. The operating parameters for the plasma source were optimised, and it was also found that the parameters could be modified to vary the relative intensity of different ions in the mass spectrum.     

The instructive redox behaviour of 4‐ferrocenylcatechol on nanocrystalline titanium dioxide electrodes

An investigation into the redox behaviour of 4‐ferrocenylcatechol bound to nanocrystalline TiO₂ electrodes identified a limitation to the use of catechol as an electron‐transfer facilitating anchoring group. 4‐Ferrocenylcatechol was adsorbed to transparent nanocrystalline TiO₂ electrodes. UV–visible spectra of the modified electrode were recorded in an acetonitrile‐electrolyte solution. At an applied potential of + 0.45 mV (vs Ag/AgCl/Cl^?) the ferrocenyl group oxidized to the ferrocenium cation and the catecholate group oxidized to the benzoquinone form. Subsequent application of a potential of 0 V reduced the ferrocenium to ferrocene but, owing to the irreversibility of the catechol oxidation in aprotic solvents, benzoquinone is not reduced to catecholate and subsequently desorbs and is lost due into solution. Electrochromic switching of the ferrocenyl electrochromophore on TiO₂ with aprotic electrolyte is, therefore, irreversible. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis,characterization, crystal structure and toxicity evaluation of Co (II), Cu (II), Mn (II), Ni (II), Pd (II) and Pt (II) complexes with Schiff base derived from 2-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)aniline

A bidentate NO donor Schiff base, 2-(((2-chloro-5- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl)imino)methyl) phenol ( HL ¹ ) and its complexes [Co(L¹)₂(H₂O)₂] ( 1 ), [Cu(L¹)₂] ( 2 ), [Mn(L¹)₂(H₂O)₂] ( 3 ), [Ni(L¹)₂(H₂O)₂] ( 4 ), [Pd₂(L¹)₂(OAc)₂·1.16H₂O] ( 5 ), [Pt(L¹)₂] ( 6 ) were synthesized and characterized by different physico-chemical techniques including elemental and thermal analysis, magnetic susceptibility measurements, molar electric conductivity, IR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, UV–Vis, mass spectroscopies and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The molecular structures of ligand HL ¹ and two complexes ( 2 and 5 ) were confirmed by X-ray crystallography analysis on the monocrystal. In this complexes, the metal ions are in distorted square-planar environments. The copper (II) complex is mononuclear and crystallized in a monoclinic space group P21/c, whereas palladium (II) complex is dinuclear and crystallized in the trigonal crystal system R-3. The toxicity of the ligand and complexes was evaluated on both plant and animal cells, using the plant species Triticum aestivum L. and the crustacean Artemia franciscana Kellogg. At concentrations up to 100 μM the compounds presented very little toxicity on Artemia franciscana Kellogg. Moreover, the palladium (II) complex was devoid of any toxicity on the plant cells.