Fabrication of SPR Nanosensor Using Gold Nanoparticles and Self-Assembled Monolayer Technique for Detection of Cu2+ in an Aqueous Solution

In this work, we investigated the fabrication of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) nanosensor using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) chemisorbed onto self assembled monolayer of 10-(3-amino phenoxy) decane-1-thiol on gold substrate. The fabrication process of SPR nanosensor was characterized using different techniques such as infrared reflection-absorption spectra (IRRAS), xX-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and atomic force microscope (AFM). The fabricated SPR nanosensor was used for detection of Cu²⁺ in an aqueous solution using surface plasmon resonance refractometer. The results confirm the fabrication of new SPR nanosensor. The fabricated SPR nanosensor showed a good activity toward the detection of Cu²⁺. The detection of Cu²⁺ in an aqueous solution using the fabricated SPR nansensor was enhanced in the presence of gold nanoparticles.     

Adsorption of Fe(III) from Aqueous Medium onto Glycine-Modified Chitosan Resin: Equilibrium and Kinetic Studies

The adsorption of Fe(III) onto glycine-modified chitosan (G@Chs) resin has been investigated. The parameters studied include the effects of pH, contact time, and initial metal ion concentrations by batch method. The optimal pH for the adsorption of Fe(III) was found to be 2.5. The results obtained from equilibrium adsorption studies are fitted in various adsorption models such as Langmuir and Freundlich, and each model parameter were evaluated. Kinetics and thermodynamic parameters of the adsorption process were also investigated. The maximum uptake was found to be 0.9 mmol g^?1 at 25°C.     

Inhibition Effect of N-(Pyridin-2-yl-Carbamothioyl) Benzamide on the Corrosion of C-Steel in Sulfuric Acid Solutions

N-(Pyridin-2-yl-carbamothioyl)benzamide (PCMB) was newly synthesized and tested as a corrosion inhibitor for C-steel in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ using chemical and electrochemical techniques. Polarization measurements showed that the synthesized compound acted as a mixed inhibitor. The inhibition efficiencies obtained from the different methods were in good agreement. The inhibitive action of this compound is discussed in terms of blocking the electrode surface by adsorption of the inhibitor according to the Langmuir isotherm. The effect of temperature on the corrosion behavior in the absence and presence of 2.5 × 10^?5 M of PCMB was studied (283–308 K). The associated activation energies (E _a) and the thermodynamic parameters (ΔH*, ΔS*, K _ads, ΔG°_ads) for the adsorption process were determined. The ΔG°_ads value is ?36.55 kJ/mol, which indicated that the adsorption mechanism of PCMB on C-steel in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ solution was combined between physisorption and chemisorption processes.     

Sweet Corrosion Inhibition on API 5L-B Pipeline Steel

Corrosion inhibition and adsorption behavior of two triazole derivatives on API 5L-B carbon steel in CO₂-saturated 3.5% NaCl solutions was investigated using potentiodynamic polarization, EIS and EFM techniques. Specimen surfaces were characterized using SEM, EDX and XRD. Results show that the two compounds are mixed-type inhibitors and inhibition efficiency increases with increasing concentrations. Adsorption of the two compounds is a mixed between chemisorptions and physisorption and obeys Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Activation energy and thermodynamic parameters were calculated. Surface analyses confirm the formation of iron nitrides on the metal surface, which supports results obtained from previous techniques.     

Improvements of properties of asphalt by poly(methyl methacrylate) additives

This article presents the effect of adding poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with different molecular weights on the mechanical properties of asphalt in terms of durability, strength, and resistance to rutting. By controlling the time of reaction we obtained PMMA of two different molecular weights: PMMA1 and PMMA2. The ageing properties of polymer modified asphalts were studied using the thin film over (oven) a test. A hot storage stability test was carried out for polymer modified binder. The physical properties of asphalt modified with PMMA including penetration value and softening point were examined at two different temperatures. Resilient modulus test was evaluated by a Universal Testing Machine. Results showed that an incorporation of PMMA into asphalt binder has significantly improved its properties under studies. Indirect tensile strength test and durability performance of the modified asphalts was evaluated as well. The resulted modification was found to be dependent on the polymer molecular weight. The PMMA1 exhibited effective and cheerful results.     

Synthesis of graphene oxide nanosheet: A novel glucose sensor based on nickel-graphene oxide composite film

The graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets were produced by chemical conversion of graphite, and were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). An electrochemical sensor based on Ni/graphene (GR) composite film was developed by incorporating Ni²⁺ into the graphene oxide film modified glassy carbon electrode (Ni/GO/GCE) through the electrostatic interactions with negatively charged graphene oxide. The Ni²⁺/graphene modified glassy carbon electrode (Ni/GR/GCE) was prepared by cyclic voltammetric scanning of Ni/GO/GCE in the potential range from ?1.5 to 0.2 V at 50 mV s^?1 for 5 cycles. The electrochemical activity of Ni/GR/GCE was illustrated in 0.10 M NaOH using cyclic voltammetry. The Ni/GR/GCE exhibits the characteristic of improved reversibility and enhanced current responses of the Ni(III)/Ni(II) couple. The introduction of conductive graphene not only greatly facilitates the electron transfer of Ni²⁺, but also dramatically improves the long-term stability of the sensor by providing the electrostatic interactions. Ni/GR/GCE also shows good electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of glucose. The Ni/GR/GCE gives a good linear range over 10 to 2700 μM with a detection limit of 5 μM towards the determination of glucose by amperometry. This sensor keeps over 85% activity towards 0.1 mM glucose after being stored in air for a month, respectively. Furthermore, the modified sensor was successfully applied to the sensitive determination of glucose in blood samples.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Naphthalene‐Based Banana‐Shaped Liquid Crystals for Photoswitching Properties

A series of banana‐shaped monomers containing naphthalene as central units, azobenzene in side arms with terminal alkenes were synthesized and characterized. Polarizing optical microscopy, DSC and X‐ray diffraction measurements reveal that one compound processes a nematic phase while other four compounds exhibit B₆ phase. The absorption spectrum of trans‐azobenzene displays high‐intensity π‐π* transition at 365 and low‐intensity n‐π* transition at 450 nm. These molecules exhibit strong photoisomerisation behaviour in solutions in which trans to cis isomerisation takes 55 seconds whereas reverse process takes about 32 hours. Such a long thermal back relaxation is useful for creation of optical image storage devices.     

Cobalt Doped Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles: Synthesis,Characterization and Electrocatalytic Study

In this work, green synthesis of cobalt doped titanium dioxide (Co‐TiO₂) has been carried out in aqueous medium using gelatin. The Co‐TiO₂ particles have been characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X‐ray (EDAX), FT‐IR spectroscopy and voltammetry techniques. XRD results show pure Co‐TiO₂ and TiO₂ powders with average crystallite size about 12 nm and 15 nm, respectively. Co loaded in TiO₂ hasn't influence crystalline structure. Moreover, efficient Co‐TiO₂‐based anode was fabricated by casting of the Co‐TiO₂ solution on glassy carbon electrode (Co‐TiO₂/GCE). The electrocatalysis of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at Co‐TiO₂/GCE has been examined using linear scanning voltammetry (LSV) in alkaline media. The OER is significantly enhanced at Co‐TiO₂/GCE, as demonstrated by a negative shift in the LSV curve at the Co‐TiO₂/GCE compared to that obtained at the unmodified one. The value of energy saving of oxygen gas at a current density of 5 mA cm^?2 is 12.6 kW h kg^?1. The low cost as well as the marked stability of the modified electrode make it promising candidate in industrial water electrolysis process.     

Synthesis,Reactions, and Pharmacological Evaluations of Some Novel Pyridazolopyridiazine Candidates

Herein, we report the synthesis, characterization, and preliminary pharmacological activity of a new series of substituted pyrazolopyridazine derivatives. Compound 1 was reacted with ethoxymethylene malononitrile 2 in refluxing ethanol to give the corresponding compound 3 , which was treated with hydrazine hydrate or formamide to give pyrazolo[3,4‐c]pyrazole 4 and pyrazolo pyrimidine 5 derivatives, respectively. Also, compound 3 was reacted with NH₄SCN or carbon disulphide or ethyl acetoacetate to yield the corresponding pyrazolo derivatives 6 , 7 , 8 , respectively. Additionally, compound 3 was reacted with triethyl orthoformat in acetic anhydride to give 9 , which was treated with hydrazine hydrate to give hydrazino derivative 10 . The latter compound transformed into the pyrazolo[4,3‐e][1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐c]‐pyrimidine 11 via refluxing with acetic anhydride. Finally, compound 9 was reacted with benzoic acid hydrazide or mercapto acetic acid to give compounds 12 and 13 , respectively. The latter compound was treated with refluxing ethanolic sodium ethoxide solution to afford the pyrazolothiazolopyrimidine 14 . Some of the compounds exhibited better activities as anti‐inflammatory and antimicrobial agents than the reference controls. The detailed synthesis, spectroscopic data, anti‐inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities of the synthesized compounds was reported.     

Tri‐ and Bicyclic Taxoids from the Taiwanese Yew Taxus sumatrana

Five new taxoids, including a new 2(3→20)‐abeo‐taxane with a 6/10/6‐membered ring system and four 3,8‐seco‐taxanes having a 6/12‐membered ring system, were isolated from an acetone extract of the leaves and twigs of the Taiwanese yew (Taxus sumatrana, Taxaceae). The structures were established as 2α,7β,10α‐triacetoxy‐5α‐hydroxy‐2(3→20)‐abeo‐taxa‐4(20),11‐dien‐9,13‐dione ( 1 ), (3E,8E)‐2α,9,10β, 13α,20‐pentaacetoxy‐7β‐hydroxy‐3,8‐secotaxa‐3,8,11‐trien‐5‐one ( 2 ), (3E,8E)‐2α,9,10β,13α,20‐pentaacetoxy‐5α,7β‐dihydroxy‐3,8‐secotaxa‐3,8,11‐triene ( 3 ), (3E,8E)‐9,10β,13α‐triacetoxy‐2α,7β,20‐trihydroxy‐5α‐[(2E)‐cinnamoyloxy]‐3,8‐secotaxa‐3,8,11‐triene ( 4 ), and (3E,8E)‐2α,5α,7β,9,10β,13α‐hexaacetoxy‐20‐hydroxy‐3,8‐secotaxa‐3,8,11‐triene ( 5 ), respectively, on the basis 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectral analyses. The in vitro cytotoxic activity of compounds 1 – 5 against four human tumor cell lines, including HeLa (cervical epitheloid), WiDr (colon), Daoy (medulloblastoma), and Hep2 (liver carcinoma) tumor cells was evaluated. Whereas compounds 1 – 3 were inactive, the novel taxanes 4 and 5 showed significant cytotoxicity.