Tuning properties of silver particle monolayers via controlled adsorption-desorption processes

Nanoparticle self-assembly at fluid-fluid interfaces has been traditionally exploited in emulsification, encapsulation and oil recovery, and more recently in emerging applications including functional nanomaterials and biphasic catalysis. We provide a review of the literature focusing on the open challenges that still hamper the broader applicability of this potentially transformative technology, and we outline strategies to achieve improved control over interfacial self-assembly of nanoparticles. First, we discuss means to promote spontaneous adsorption by tuning the interfacial energies of the nanoparticles with the fluids using capping ligands, and the occurrence of energy barriers. We then examine the interactions between interfacial nanoparticles and how they affect the formation of equilibrium interfacial suspensions versus non-equilibrium two-dimensional phases, such as weakly attractive glasses and gels. Important differences with colloidal interactions in a bulk suspension arise due to the discontinuity in solvent properties at the interface. For instance, ligand brushes rearrange in asymmetric configurations, and thus play a significant role in determining interparticle interactions. Finally, we briefly discuss the link between interfacial microstructure and the dynamic response of particle-laden interfaces, including interfacial rheology and the fate of nanoparticle monolayers upon out-of-plane deformation.     

Effect of the rhenium additive to VOx/TiO2 and MoOx/TiO2 catalysts on their properties in oxidative dehydrogenation of propane

VO_x/TiO₂ and MoO_x/TiO₂ catalysts with the addition of Re (Re/V or Mo = 0.5) were synthetized and tested in oxidative dehydrogenation of propane and in reduction by propane. XPS measurements showed depletion of the surface in Re. The Re additive does not affect the total conversion of propane, but increases the selectivity to propene. The effect is more pronounced for the MoO_x/TiO₂ catalyst. The increase in the selectivity to propene is accompanied with the increase in the reducibility of the catalysts.     

Application of Internal Standard for Micro Extraction– Spectrophotometric Determination of Bismuth in Pharmaceutical Formulations

 A micro extraction – spectrophotometric procedure is developed for the determination of bismuth in pharmaceutical formulations. The procedure is based on the extraction of tetraiodobismuthate(III) ion paired with benzyltributylammonium cation into chloroform. The application of Nile Blue as internal standard (IS) enabled good analytical performance for micro-scale analysis. The ratio between the absorbances measured at 491 nm (bismuth complex) and at 632 nm (IS) was taken as the analytical signal. The procedure was carried out in Eppendorf tubes, lowering significantly the use of reagents and the volume of organic solvent. In the calibration range up to 60 mgċl⁻¹, the linear regression coefficient was 0.9999, the CV for 15 mgċl⁻¹ and for 50 mgċl⁻¹ Bi were 1.6% and 0.7% respectively. The results obtained in the analysis of pharmaceutical formulations were in good agreement with the results of EDTA titration method. Received November 25, 1999. Revision February 14, 2000.     

Supplementation with Magnesium Salts—A Strategy to Increase Nutraceutical Value of Pleurotus djamor Fruiting Bodies

The use of substrates supplemented with minerals is a promising strategy for increasing the nutraceutical value of Pleurotus spp. The current research was performed to analyze the effect of substrate supplementation with magnesium (Mg) salts on the Mg content, biomass, and chemical composition of pink oyster mushroom (Pleurotus djamor) fruiting bodies. Before inoculation, substrate was supplemented with MgCl₂ × 6 H₂O and MgSO₄, both salts were applied at three concentrations: 210, 420, and 4200 mg of Mg per 2 kg of substrate. The harvest period included three flushes. Substrate supplementation with 4200 mg of Mg caused the most significant decrease in mushroom productivity, of about 28% for both Mg salts. The dry matter content in fruiting bodies was significantly lower in the treatment in which 210 mg of Mg was applied as MgSO₄ in comparison to the control. Supplementation effectively increased the Mg content in fruiting bodies of P. djamor by 19–85% depending on the treatment, and significantly affected the level of remaining bioelements and anions. One hundred grams of pink oyster fruiting bodies, supplemented with Mg salts, provides more than 20% of the Mg dietary value recommended by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); thus, supplementation can be an effective technique for producing mushrooms that are rich in dietary Mg. Although P. djamor grown in supplemented substrate showed lower productivity, this was evident only in the fresh weight because the differences in dry weight were negligible. Mg supplementation increased the antioxidant activity of the fruiting bodies, phenolic compounds, and some amino acids, including L-tryptophan, and vitamins (thiamine and l-ascorbic acid).     

Modulating Properties of Piroxicam,Meloxicam and Oxicam Analogues against Macrophage-Associated Chemokines in Colorectal Cancer

The mechanisms underlying the antineoplastic effects of oxicams have not been fully elucidated. We aimed to assess the effect of classic and novel oxicams on the expression/secretion of macrophage-associated chemokines (RTqPCR/Luminex xMAP) in colorectal adenocarcinoma cells, and on the expression of upstream the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-activated genes NAG1, NFKBIA, MYD88, and RELA, as well as at the chemokine profiling in colorectal tumors. Meloxicam downregulated CCL4 9.9-fold, but otherwise the classic oxicams had a negligible/non-significant effect. Novel analogues with a thiazine ring substituted with arylpiperazine and benzoyl moieties significantly modulated chemokine expression to varying degree, upregulated NAG1 and NFKBIA, and downregulated MYD88. They inhibited CCL3 and CCL4, and their effect on CCL2 and CXCL2 depended on the dose and exposure. The propylene linker between thiazine and piperazine nitrogens and one arylpiperazine fluorine substituent characterized the most effective analogue. Only CCL19 and CXCL2 were not upregulated in tumors, nor was CXCL2 in tumor-adjacent tissue compared to normal mucosa. Compared to adjacent tissue, CCL4 and CXCL2 were upregulated, while CCL2, CCL8, and CCL19 were downregulated in tumors. Tumor CCL2 and CCL7 increased along with advancing T and CCL3, and CCL4 along with the N stage. The introduction of arylpiperazine and benzoyl moieties into the oxicam scaffold yields effective modulators of chemokine expression, which act by upregulating NAG1 and interfering with NF-κB signaling.     

Adsorption of Ni(II) from model solutions using co-precipitated inorganic oxides

The aim of this work was to obtain an inorganic oxide system containing silica and magnesium oxide, and characterized by specific physicochemical properties, in particular well-defined adsorption parameters. The preparation process was carried out according to a co-precipitation method using solutions of sodium silicate and selected inorganic magnesium salt. The oxide system obtained (MgO·SiO₂) was used as a support (adsorbent) of nickel(II) ions, whose precursors were model solutions of nitrates. The effectiveness of the adsorption process was evaluated using many different analytical techniques, including atomic absorption spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and equivalent point titration. Moreover the stability of adsorbent/adsorbate bonding was estimated. The oxide systems—adsorbents—used in the process were also analyzed according to their physicochemical properties, especially changes in adsorption parameters. The last part of the study involved evaluation of the kinetics of the adsorption process depending on time and the pH of the reaction system.     

A study on adsorption of metals by activated carbon in a large-scale (municipal) process of surface water purification

Elements that enter the aquatic environment may pose a health risk to wildlife and humans. The aims of this study were: to determine how the introduction of activated carbon for a water purification system will improve the quality of the water produced; and to investigate the sorption of metals on activated carbons, including determination of the accumulation, as well as changes in concentrations of elements in carbons. The tests were carried out on three types of activated carbons with different granular structure. All samples were collected from Water Treatment Plant Goczalkowice, Poland. Concentrations of elements were measured using an optical emission spectrometer with inductively coupled plasma. The experiment showed that metals accumulating in the activated carbons during the operation included: Ca, Mn, Zn, and Cu. In each of the three types of carbons, it can distinguish such elements as Ba, Al, Cr, Ni, Ti, which are characterized by irregular accumulation during the operation of the filter. The introduction of carbon sorbent for water treatment largely contributed to improvement in the quality of raw material supplied to customers, mainly with regard to taste and smell, as well as to reduction of basic parameters: color, absorbance in the UV range and oxidability.      

The effect of increase in concentration of Na(I) ions on biosorption of Cr(III) ions by Enteromorpha prolifera and Spirulina sp

In this study, the effect of the increase in the initial concentration of Na(I) ions in the solution during biosorption of Cr(III) ions by two edible algae: marine macroalga — Enteromorpha prolifera and microalga — Spirulina sp. was investigated. During biosorption, essential elements are exchanged with alkali and alkaline earth metal ions (e.g. Na(I) ions), which are naturally bound with the biomass. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of the increase in concentration of Na(I) ions on biosorption performance. The equilibrium of the process is described by Langmuir equation. It was found that with the increase in the initial concentration of NaCl (from 132 to 7331 mg L^?1), there was a lower biosorption capacity of Enteromorpha prolifera (from 85.8 to 51.0 mg g^?1) and Spirulina sp. (74.2 to 20.7 mg g^?1) towards Cr(III) ions. It was also possible to determine the number of times the solution used in the biosorption process can be recycled and yet mantain high biosorption capacity. The determined numbers were: 16 for Enteromorpha prolifera and 19 for Spirulina sp.      

Herbicidal ionic liquid with dual-function

Herbicidal ionic liquid with dual functions has been synthesized and characterized (properties, chemical stability and biological activity). 2-Chloroethyltrimethylammonium (4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)acetate prepared in an alkaline environment undergoes the reaction of dehydrochlorination by the E2 mechanism. This may be described as a specific instance of providing third generation ILs with high potential of application, which preserve both pesticidal properties: the herbicidal activity due to their anions and plant growth inhibition effect due to their cations.