Vibrational studies of [Ni(II)(DIARS)2X]X, (DIARS=o-C6H4(As(CH3)2)2 and X=Cl, Br, I).

Infrared and laser Raman spectra of [Ni(II)(diars)2X]X, (X=Cl, Br and I) have been used as probes to determine the structures of chelated diarsine molecules. It has been observed that the effects of metal chelation and coordination geometry give rise to frequency shifts in these complexes. The variation in vibrational spectroscopic features indicates reduction in the symmetry of the complexes in the crystalline environment. The effect of halogen on the Ni-halogen stretching frequency of these square pyramidal complexes is not as significant as observed in the case of octahedral complexes.     

Studies on modified anode polymer hydrogen sensor

An improved polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell based amperometric hydrogen sensor that operates at room temperature has been developed. The electrolyte used in the sensor is PVA/H₃PO₄ blend, which is a proton conducting solid polymer electrolyte. A blend of palladium and platinum coated on the membrane is used as anode and platinum as cathode. The sensor functions as a fuel cell, H₂/Pd-Pt//PVA-H₃PO₄//Pt/O₂, and the short circuit current is found to be linearly related to the hydrogen concentration. The present study aims at investigating the dependence of sensor behaviour on the anode composition. Paper presented at the 2nd International Conference on Ionic Devices, Anna University, Chennai, India, Nov. 28–30, 2003.     

Nafion based amperometric hydrogen sensor

A Nafion based amperometric hydrogen sensor that operates at room temperature has been developed. The electrolyte used in the sensor is Nafion 117, which is a proton conducting solid polymer electrolyte. Palladium catalyst was used on the sensing side and platinum supported on carbon on the air side. The sensor functions as fuel cell, H₂/Pd//Nafion//Pt/O₂ and the short circuit current is measured. The short circuit current is found to be linear with respect to concentration of hydrogen on the sensing side. The sensor is able to detect the concentration of hydrogen in argon down to ppb level. Details of assembly of the sensor, response behavior and applications are discussed. Paper presented at the 2nd International Conference on Ionic Devices, Anna University, Chennai, India, Nov. 28–30, 2003.     

Correlation of ground and excited state dissociation constants of trans -para- and ortho-substituted cinnamic acids

The ground and excited state dissociation constants oftrans- para- and ortho-substituted cinnamic acids have been determined in 50% (v/v) dioxan-water mixture at 30°C using the Forster cycle. The measured dissociation constants are analysed in the light of single and dual substituent parameter (DSP) equations. Excited state dissociation constants ofp-substituted cinnamic acids correlate well with the exalted substituent constants. The DSP method of analysis shows that resonance effect is predominant relative to inductive effect in the excited state than in the ground state for the para-substituted acids. The single parameter equation gives poor correlation for the ortho-substituted acids. However, the DSP analysis shows fairly good correlation. The inductive effect is predominant relative to the resonance effect in the excited state than in the ground state     

Synthesis,characterization and anti-bacterial activity of divalent transition metal complexes of hydrazine and trimesic acid

Transition metal complexes of trimesic acid and hydrazine mixed-ligands with a general formula M(Htma)(N₂H₄)₂, where, M = Mn, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn; H₃tma = trimesic acid, have been prepared and characterized by elemental, structural, spectral and thermal analyses. For the complexes, the carboxylate ν_asym and ν_sym stretchings are observed at about 1626 and 1367 cm^?1 respectively, with Δν between them of ～260 cm^?1, showing the unidentate coordination of each carboxylate group. The hydrazine moieties are present as bridging bidentates. Electronic and EPR spectral studies suggest an octahedral geometry for the complexes. All these complexes show three steps of decomposition in TGA/DTA. SEM images of CuO and MnO residues obtained from the complexes show nano-sized clusters suggesting that the complexes may be used as precursors for nano-CuO and nano-MnO preparation. The antimicrobial activities of the prepared complexes, against four bacteria have been evaluated.     

Conductometric determination of carbon in uranium carbide and its solution in nitric acid

A simple but accurate method has been developed for the determination of carbon in uranium carbide powders/pellets as well as in solutions of uranyl nitrates. The methodology involves quantitative conversion of carbon present in the sample to carbon dioxide that is subsequently absorbed in a dilute solution of barium hydroxide. The conductivity shift of the barium hydroxide solution is monitored on-line continuously using a laboratory-built PC-based conductivity measurement system that has been developed in-house based on the direct conversion of conductance to the digital pulse frequency. A new gas absorption cell has been designed to ensure quantitative absorption during the residence time of the gas in the cell. The method is sensitive, accurate and precise to 1-3% at 600-1000 mug of carbon in samples of uranium carbide.     

A novel rapid method for preparation of sample solution for chemical characterisation of titanium minerals by atomic spectrometry

A new rapid decomposition and dissolution method with a mixture of sodium di-hydrogen orthophosphate and di-sodium hydrogen orthophosphate as a novel flux is described. The minerals are fused with (1:1) mixture of the above salts (flux) and the melt is dissolved in distilled water. The solution is diluted to desired volume depending on the instrumental technique used for determination. ICP-OES is used for the determination of Al, Ca, Mg, Cr, V, Si, Fe and Ti without interference from titanium, iron and sodium phosphate (introduced as flux). All the elements except Si and V are also determined by AAS. The use of nitrous oxide–acetylene flame eliminates the depression due to titanium in the measurement of Mg, Mn, Cr and Fe in air–acetylene flame. Synthetic mixture conforming to ilmenite and rutile composition are analyzed by ICP-OES and AAS to check the validity of the method. The results are in good agreement. The proposed method has been applied to natural samples and the results are evaluated against the established decomposition method using potassium bisulphate. Both ICP-OES and AAS yielded comparable results. The R.S.D. of the proposed method in case of ICP-OES varies from 0.5 to 2%, whereas for AAS it varies from 1.5 to 3% for different elements (n = 5). The novelty of the proposed sample decomposition lies in its simplicity, ease and speed of fusion with minimal skills besides being eco-friendly unlike the reported tedious complicated decomposition procedures involving variety of fluxes and lot of hazardous chemicals.     

Biological Applications of Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Viscometry Using a 13C-Labeled Trityl Spin Probe

Alterations in viscosity of biological fluids and tissues play an important role in health and diseases. It has been demonstrated that the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum of a ¹³C-labeled trityl spin probe (¹³C-dFT) is highly sensitive to the local viscosity of its microenvironment. In the present study, we demonstrate that X-band (9.5 GHz) EPR viscometry using ¹³C-dFT provides a simple tool to accurately measure the microviscosity of human blood in microliter volumes obtained from healthy volunteers. An application of low-field L-band (1.2 GHz) EPR with a penetration depth of 1–2 cm allowed for microviscosity measurements using ¹³C-dFT in the living tissues from isolated organs and in vivo in anesthetized mice. In summary, this study demonstrates that EPR viscometry using a ¹³C-dFT probe can be used to noninvasively and rapidly measure the microviscosity of blood and interstitial fluids in living tissues and potentially to evaluate this biophysical marker of microenvironment under various physiological and pathological conditions in preclinical and clinical settings.     

Chitosan-based nanocomposites for medical applications

Chitosan as a biobased polymer is gaining increasing attention due to its extraordinary physico-chemical characteristics and properties. While a primary use of chitosan has been in horticultural and agricultural applications for plant defense and to increase crop yield, recent research reports display various new utilizations in the field of advanced biomedical devices, targeted drug delivery, and as bioimaging sensors. Chitosan possesses multiple characteristics such as antimicrobial properties, stimuli-responsiveness, tunable mechanical strength, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and water-solubility. Further, chitosan can be processed into nanoparticles, nano-vehicles, nanocapsules, scaffolds, fiber meshes, and 3D printed scaffolds for a variety of applications. In recent times, nanoparticles incorporated in chitosan matrices have been identified to show superior biological activity, as cells tend to proliferate/differentiate faster when they interact with nanocomposites rather than bulk or micron size substrates/scaffolds. The present article intents to cover chitosan-based nanocomposites used for regenerative medicine, wound dressings, drug delivery, and biosensing applications.