Comparative Enrichment Capabilities of Some Carbonaceous and Macroreticular Resins Using Selected Radioactive Model Compounds in Fortified Aqueous Samples

Abstract

The concentration efficiency of synthetic macroreticular resins, XAD-2 and XAD-7 and carbonaceous resins, XE-340, XE-347 and XE-348 was evaluated and compared using trace levels of eight radioactive model environmental contaminants present in aqueous medium. Influences of chemical functionalities of the solvents, physical characteristics of the sorbents, and pH of the aqueous medium on sorption of the model compounds were investigated under frontal dynamic chromatographic conditions. The elution behavior of these sorbates and desorption properties of the polymer adsorbents with respect to solvents of different polarities were studied.     

Glucosamine-functionalized silver glyconanoparticles: characterization and antibacterial activity

We report the analytical and in vitro antibacterial activity of glucosamine-functionalized silver glyconanoparticles. Morphological characterization ensured the surface topography and particle size distribution of both silver and glucosamine–silver nanoparticles. Surface plasmon resonance of both types of nanoparticle was determined from UV–visible spectroscopy using four different sample concentrations (10–40 μL). The resulting functionalized glyconanoparticles show maximum absorbance with a red shift of 30 ± 5 nm (390–400 nm) from their initial absorbance (425–430 nm). FT-Raman and ¹H-NMR spectroscopic measurement confirmed the surface functionalization of glucosamine on the silver surface through the carbonyl group of a secondary amide linkage (–NH–CO–), elucidated by the conjugation of N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS)-terminated silver nanoparticles and the amino group of glucosamine. Antimicrobial experiments with well-characterized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and glucosamine-functionalized silver nanoparticles (GlcN-AgNPs) demonstrate that GlcN-AgNPs have similar and enhanced minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against eight gram-negative and eight gram-positive bacteria compared with AgNPs. MIC data shows that Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 700603) and Bacillus cereus isolate express high levels of inhibition, with the quantity and magnitude of inhibition being higher in the presence of GlcN-AgNPs.     

Studies on optical absorption and structural properties of Fe doped CdS quantum dots

Fe doped CdS quantum dots have been prepared using simple precursors by chemical precipitation technique. Fe doped CdS quantum dots have been synthesized by mixing cadmium nitrate, sodium sulfide and adding Fe under suitable conditions. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that undoped and Fe doped CdS crystallizes in hexagonal structure. The lattice constants of Fe doped CdS nanoparticles decreased slightly with incorporation of Fe and no secondary phase was observed. The average grain size of the nanoparticles is found to lie in the range of 2.8–4.2 nm. HRTEM results show that undoped and 3.75% Fe doped CdS nanoparticles exhibit a uniform size distribution and average size of the nanoparticles is about 2–3 nm. Raman spectra show that 1LO and 2LO peaks of the Fe doped CdS samples are slightly red shifted compared with those of undoped CdS. Optical absorption spectra of Fe doped CdS nanoparticles exhibited red shift.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, crystal structures, and properties of Co and Ni supramolecular complexes with 2,4,6-trimethyl benzoate and 4,4′-bipyridyl

Two new coordination complexes, viz. [Co(tmb)₂(4,4′-bpy)₂(H₂O)₂](Htmb)₂ (1) and {[Ni(tmb)₂(μ-4,4′-bpy)₂(H₂O)₂](4,4′-bpy)}_n (2), have been hydrothermally synthesized by reaction of the corresponding metal acetate with 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoic acid (Htmb) and 4,4′-bipyridyl (4,4′-bpy). X-ray single-crystal diffraction suggests that complex 1 represents a discrete mononuclear species in which the central metal ion is coordinated by the terminal carboxylate moiety and the 4,4′-bipyridyl ligand. The crystal structure of complex 2 reveals a 1D chain coordination polymer in which the Ni(II) ions are connected by the bridging 4,4′-bipyridyl ligands. In both cases, the coordination arrays are further extended via hydrogen bonding interactions to generate 3D supramolecular networks. Complexes 1 and 2 have also been characterized by spectroscopic (IR and UV/Vis), thermal (TGA) and magnetic susceptibility measurements. In addition, both complexes exhibit antimicrobial activity.     

Aminobenzohydrazide based colorimetric and ‘turn-on’ fluorescence chemosensor for selective recognition of fluoride

Chemosensors based on aminobenzohydrazide Schiff bases bearing pyrene/anthracene as fluorophores have been designed and synthesized for F⁻ ion recognition. The addition of fluoride ions to the receptors causes a dramatically observable colour change from pale yellow to brown/red. ¹H NMR studies confirm that the F⁻ ion facilitates its recognition by forming hydrogen bond with hydrogens of amide and amine groups. Moreover these sensors have also been successfully applied to detection of fluoride ion in commercial tooth paste solution.     

Initial stage of the adsorption of fluorofullerene molecules on Si surface

Spatially resolved images of an individual C₆₀F₁₈ fluorofullerene molecule on Si(100) − 2 × 1 surface have been obtained using scanning tunneling microscopy. Scanning tunneling microscopy results and ab initio calculations show that the fluorofullerene molecules interact with the Si(100) − 2 × 1 surface with F atoms pointing down towards the surface. The adsorption energy of a C₆₀F₁₈ molecule on Si(100) − 2 × 1 surface is ∼12.1 eV, which is much higher than the adsorption energy of the same molecule on Si(111) − 7 × 7 surface (6.65 eV). C₆₀F₁₈ molecules are located in the troughs in-between the dimer rows occupying the four-dimer site on Si(100) − 2 × 1 surface.