Preparation and properties of semiconductor CuO nanoparticles via a simple precipitation method at different reaction temperatures

Preparation and properties of CuO nanoparticles as an important p-type semiconductor via a simple precipitation method at different reaction temperatures varying from 10 to 115°C using copper acetate as a starting material have been reported. In addition, we investigated the influence of the ultrasonic irradiation through synthesizing the nanosized CuO at 60°C. Samples were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, SEM, TEM and UV-Vis techniques. XRD patterns of samples were identical to the single-phase pure CuO with a monoclinic structure. FT-IR spectra exhibited sharp peaks at around 519 and 598?cm^?1 which can be assigned to vibrations of the Cu-O bond. Results indicated that properties of samples had great dependence on the temperature and ultrasonic irradiation. The crystallite size and crystallization increased with increasing the temperature from 10 to 115°C. The band gap of samples was estimated to be in the range of 1.9–2.9?eV that is larger than the reported value for the bulk CuO (1.85?eV). This study provides a simple method for the preparation of nanosized CuO with a better surface uniformity and a narrow size distribution. Synthesized CuO samples with adjustable and controllable optical properties make the applicability of copper oxide even more versatile.     

Optimization of cadmium adsorption from aqueous solutions by functionalized graphene and the reversible magnetic recovery of the adsorbent using response surface methodology

Novel functionalized graphene adsorbent was prepared and characterized using different techniques. The prepared adsorbent was applied for the removal of cadmium ions from aqueous solution. A response surface methodology was used to evaluate the simple and combined effects of the various parameters, including adsorbent dosage, pH, and initial concentration. Under the optimal conditions, the cadmium removal performance of 70% was achieved. A good agreement between experimental and predicted data in this study was observed. The experimental results revealed of cadmium adsorption with high linearity follow Langmuir isotherm model with maximum adsorption capacity of 502 mg g^?1, and the adsorption data fitted well into pseudo‐second order model. Thermodynamic studies showed that adsorption process has exothermic and spontaneous nature. The recommended optimum conditions are: cadmium concentration of 970 mg L^?1, adsorbent dosage of 1 g L^?1, pH of 6.18, and T = 25 °C. The magnetic recovery of the adsorbent was performed using a magnetic surfactant to form a noncovalent magnetic functionalized graphene. After magnetic recovery of the adsorbent both components (adsorbent and magnetic surfactant) were recycled by tuning the surface charges through changing the pH of the solution. Desorption behavior studied using HNO₃ solution indicated that the adsorbent had the potential for reusability.     

Facile synthesis of silver doped-copper oxide nano materials utilizing areca catechu (AC) leaf extract and their antidiabetic and anticancer studies

The present research highlights physical significance of green combination of metal oxide nanomaterials utilizing medicinal plant which has widely analyzed in different medical applications i.e., medicinal science, therapeutics. In this paper, we discussed environmentally benign approach for synthesizing silver doped copper oxide nanoparticles (Ag–CuO NPs) utilizing (ACLE). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were utilized to confirm the size, crystalline structure and surface morphology of the obtained nanomaterials. The monoclinic crystalline structure of the Ag–CuO NPs as produced was revealed by XRD patterns. Morphological analysis disclosed the nano-based spherical configuration of Ag–CuO NPs, as well as their morphology and elemental composition. The anti-diabetic effect of Ag–CuO NPs was further investigated utilizing a yeast cell model and amylase inhibition. Here, a decrease in intracellular glucose and a delay in carbohydrate digestion indicate promising antidiabetic action. Furthermore, the prepared nanomaterial showed anticancer potential against the MCF-7 cancer cell line, with an IC ₅₀ value of 11.21 g/ml.     

Thermal decomposition of basic cobalt and copper carbonates

Basic cobalt and copper carbonates were prepared by precipitation from solutions of their nitrates using KHCO₃ at room temperature in CO₂ atmosphere. The thermal decomposition of the prepared basic carbonates was studied by means of TG and DTA techniques and the phases produced were identified by XRD measurements. The products obtained at 400C were subjected to different doses of gamma-rays (40–160 M rad) and the thermal stabilities of these solids were investigated.The results obtained revealed that basic cobalt carbonate decomposed at 335C to produce Co₃O₄ which remained stable up to 850 and then decomposed above this temperature giving CoO which transformed into Co₃O₄ on cooling to room temperature. Basic copper carbonate dissociated at 290C yielding CuO which yielded Cu₂O and metallic copper at 1060 and 1150C, respectively. However, the produced cuprous oxide and metallic copper solids were converted into CuO and CU₂O, respectively by cooling in air to room temperature.Gamma-irradiation decreased the thermal stability of Co₃O₄ to an extent proportional to the dose employed. On the other hand, this treatment increased the thermal stability of both CuO and Cu₂O.     

The pristine and carbon,silicon or germanium-substituted (10, 0) BN nanotube: A computational DFT study of NMR parameters

The geometrical structure and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) parameters of the pristine as well as carbon, silicon and germanium-doped (10, 0) boron-nitride (BN) nanotubes have been studied using a DFT-B3LYP method for the first time. When either a Ge, C or Si atom is substituted for a single B or N in the BN nanotube, the dopant atom extends outward from the surface of the nanotube. Our results show that Ge extends more from the surface than C or Si. It was found that the NMR parameters are significantly changed for those B and N nuclei that bond directly to C, Si or a Ge dopant. The calculations were carried out using the Gaussian 03 software package.     

The influence of Sr and Fe on the conductance of magnetoresistant compounds

Single-phase giant magnetoresistance (GMR) compounds were prepared by doping the parent compound, NdMnO₃, with Sr at Nd sites. The resistivity of the doped samples showed two prominent regions (Δρ/ΔT < 0, insulating and Δρ/ΔT > 0, metallic). The doped samples exhibited an enhancement in double exchange (DE) interactions causing an increase in T _c (transition temperature). Magnetic field decreased the resistance of all the samples because of the suppression of spin fluctuations and an increase in disorder in the system. The polaron and variable range hopping (VRH) models were good for studying the transport mechanism of electrons and understand their behavior at T > T _c.     

Novel isocyanide-based three-component one-pot synthesis of cyanophenylamino-acetamide derivatives

A one-pot multicomponent synthesis of a novel class of cyanophenylamino-acetamides through the conversion of primary amides to the corresponding nitriles, starting from simple and readily available inputs including 2-aminobenzamide, an aldehyde, and an isocyanide in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid as a catalyst, in excellent yields at room temperature in ethanol as a green reaction medium is described.     

Synthesis and characterization of dual‐responsive micrometer‐sized core‐shell composite polymer particles

Dual‐responsive micrometer‐sized core‐shell composite polymer particles were prepared by dispersion polymerization followed by seeded copolymerization. Polystyrene (PS) particles prepared by dispersion polymerization were used as core particles. N‐isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAM) and methacrylic acid (MAA) were used to induce dual‐responsive that is thermo‐ and pH‐responsive properties in the shell layer of composite polymer particles, prepared by seeded copolymerization with PS core particles. Temperature‐ and pH‐dependent adsorption behaviors of some macromolecules on composite polymer particles indicate that produced composite polymer particles exhibit dual‐responsive surface properties. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Photochemical Bromination of 2,5-Dimethylbenzoic Acid as Key Step of an Improved Alkyne-Functionalized Blue Box Synthesis**

Cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene), also known as “blue box”, is a highly electron-deficient macrocycle, widely used as a molecular receptor for small electron-rich molecules. Inserting a reactive functional group onto the molecular structure of this cyclophane is paramount for its inclusion into complex architectures. To this aim, including an alkyne moiety would be ideal, because it can participate in click reactions. However, the synthesis of such alkyne-functionalized cyclophane suffers from several drawbacks: the use of toxic and expensive CCl₄, the need for high-pressure reactors, and overall low yield. We have revised the existing synthesis of this cyclophane derivative bearing an alkyne moiety, to overcome all these limitations. In particular, photochemical radical bromination is adopted to obtain a sensitive intermediate. We demonstrated that the synthesized host molecule can be functionalized via click reactions and take part in radical-radical interactions. Our work makes a key functionalized paraquat macrocycle more accessible, facilitating the development of novel redox-responsive systems.     

Phytochemical Profiling,In Vitro Biological Activities,and In Silico Molecular Docking Studies of Dracaena reflexa

Dracaena reflexa, a traditionally significant medicinal plant, has not been extensively explored before for its phytochemical and biological potential. The present study was conducted to evaluate the bioactive phytochemicals and in vitro biological activities of D. reflexa, and perform in silico molecular docking validation of D. reflexa. The bioactive phytochemicals were assessed by preliminary phytochemical testing, total bioactive contents, and GC-MS analysis. For biological evaluation, the antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, and ABTS), antibacterial, thrombolytic, and enzyme inhibition (tyrosinase and cholinesterase enzymes) potential were determined. The highest level of total phenolic contents (92.72 ± 0.79 mg GAE/g extract) was found in the n-butanol fraction while the maximum total flavonoid content (110 ± 0.83 mg QE/g extract) was observed in methanolic extract. The results showed that n-butanol fraction exhibited very significant tyrosinase inhibition activity (73.46 ± 0.80) and acetylcholinesterase inhibition activity (64.06 ± 2.65%) as compared to other fractions and comparable to the standard compounds (kojic acid and galantamine). The methanolic extract was considered to have moderate butyrylcholinesterase inhibition activity (50.97 ± 063) as compared to the standard compound galantamine (53.671 ± 0.97%). The GC-MS analysis of the n-hexane fraction resulted in the tentative identification of 120 bioactive phytochemicals. Furthermore, the major compounds as identified by GC-MS were analyzed using in silico molecular docking studies to determine the binding affinity between the ligands and the enzymes (tyrosinase, acetylcholinesterase, and butyrylcholinesterase enzymes). The results of this study suggest that Dracaena reflexa has unquestionable pharmaceutical importance and it should be further explored for the isolation of secondary metabolites that can be employed for the treatment of different diseases.