Reduction of methylene blue by thiocyanate: kinetic and thermodynamic aspects

This article reports the reduction of methylene blue (MB) by thiocyanate ions (SCN(-)) in aqueous and micellar solutions. Thiocyanate ions are found to be an effective reducing agent for the decolorization of methylene blue under ambient condition. Effects of salting-in and salting-out agents have been investigated for real-time application in the reduction process. The salting-in agent urea has been found to uniquely enhance the rate of the reduction of MB by thiocyanate ion in the presence of micelles. Again, the catalytic activity of nanoparticles in the reduction of MB has also been studied. Detailed kinetic and thermodynamic aspects have been considered to realize the interaction between methylene blue and thiocyanate. Kinetic studies revealed that the reaction is reversible and follows first-order reaction kinetics.     

DABCO as a dynamic hinge between cofacial porphyrin panels and its tumbling inside a supramolecular cavity

The heteroleptic supramolecular double-decker porphyrin 1 was synthesized with DABCO as a guest between two cofacial porphyrin units as characterized by (1)H NMR and ESI-MS. While DABCO is not seen to tumble inside the cavity, even at higher temperatures (80 °C), such motion was triggered upon addition of various coordinating ligands (quinuclidine, 4-bromopyridine, or excess of DABCO). Different stoichiometric amounts were needed depending on the n donor quality of the added ligands to initiate tumbling of the "inside" DABCO. As demonstrated in an example with excess DABCO, the tumbling was stopped by lowering the temperature to -50 °C.     

Self-assembly of silver nanoparticles: synthesis, stabilization, optical properties, and application in surface-enhanced Raman scattering

Silver nanoparticle aggregates were synthesized in large scale using resorcinol under alkaline condition to obtain an assembly of silver clusters. Stable dispersion of the cluster in aqueous medium has been examined out of resorcinol-capped silver nanoparticle assemblies. The UV-vis spectroscopy during the particle evolution has been studied in detail. From the high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) image and XRD pattern it was confirmed that the particles are made of pure silver only. The capping action of resorcinol has been authenticated from the FTIR spectra. UV-vis spectroscopy and TEM images reveal that the temperature, effect of vibrational energy, heat shock, and time-dependent particle evolution have unique bearing on the stability and surface properties of the clusters. The concentrations of silver nitrate, resorcinol, and NaOH have important influence on the particle evolution and its size. TEM images incite us to examine the aggregates to capitulate surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) to the single molecular level using crystal violet (CV) and cresyl fast violet (CFV) as molecular probes. The SERS intensity of CV increases with increasing the size of the silver aggregate.     

Structural evolution of SnO2 nanostructure from core–shell faceted pyramids to nanorods and its gas-sensing properties

Tin oxide (SnO₂) nanorods were synthesized through an aqueous hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) assisted synthesis route and their structural evolution from core–shell type faceted pyramidal assembly was investigated. Structural analysis revealed that the as-synthesized faceted SnO₂ structures were made of randomly arranged nanocrystals with diameter of 2–5 nm. The shell thickness (0–80 nm) was dependent on the molar concentration of HMTA (1–10 mM) in aqueous solution. It was revealed that the self-assembly was possible only with tin (II) chloride solution as precursor and not with tin (IV) chloride solution. At longer synthesis hours, the pyramidal nanostructures were gradually disintegrated into single crystalline nanorods with diameter of about 5–10 nm and length of about 100–200 nm. The SnO₂ nanorods showed high sensitivity towards acetone, but they were relatively less sensitive to methane, butane, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Possible mechanisms for the growth and sensing properties of the nanostructures were discussed.     

Periodically varying heat source response in a functionally graded microelongated medium

The present paper deals with the response due to periodically varying heat sources in the neighborhood of the origin of a functionally graded isotropic unbounded microelongated medium, in the context of generalized thermoelastic theory. The expressions for displacement, microelongation and temperature fields have been obtained in Laplace-Fourier transformed domain. After computing the inverse Fourier transforms by contour integration technique, the inversion of Laplace transforms has been obtained numerically. The changes of displacement, microelongation, and normal strain have been shown graphically for different types of heat source.     

Posterior capsular opacification and intraocular lens surface micro-roughness characteristics: an atomic force microscopy study

ObjectiveSurface roughness parameters of various intraocular lenses (IOLs) biomaterials using atomic force microscopy (AFM) are compared. Variation, if any, in the micro-roughness properties of different IOLs made up of the same biomaterial is also explored. Retrospective analysis of posterior capsular opacification (PCO) incidence has been followed up for a period of four years post IOL implantation to evaluate the correlation of PCO formation with surface roughness of IOLs.DesignExperimental materials study.Materials and participantsSurface characteristics of 20 different IOL models were assessed using AFM. These IOL models were made up of PMMA or HEMA or acrylic hydrophobic or acrylic hydrophilic or silicone. Retrospective analysis of PCO incidence in 3629 eyes of 2656 patients implanted with the same IOL models was performed.MethodsTopological characteristics of 20 different IOLs made up of 5 different biomaterials including (i) PMMA, (ii) HEMA, (iii) acrylic hydrophobic, (iv) acrylic hydrophilic and (v) silicone were evaluated using AFM in the tapping mode. Images were acquired with a resolution of 256 × 256 data points per scan at a scan rate of 0.5 Hz per line and a scan size of 10 × 10 μm. Rate of PCO formation in 3629 eyes of 2656 patients implanted with the five different IOL biomaterials was retrospectively analyzed.ResultsAFM images of IOL optic surfaces showed a collection of pores, grooves, ridges and surface irregularities. Surface roughness parameters of the IOL optics were significantly different on comparing lenses of different materials. Acrylic hydrophobic IOLs had minimum surface roughness while acrylic hydrophilic IOLs showed the highest surface roughness. Different IOL models of the same biomaterial showed varied topological roughness characteristics. Retrospective analyses of PCO formation rate after IOL implantation was carried out, which revealed that rate of PCO incidence, was directly proportional to the increase in surface micro-roughness of IOLs.ConclusionsAFM is a powerful technique for the topological characterization of IOLs. Acrylic hydrophobic IOLs showed minimum surface roughness properties as well as minimum PCO incidence over a period of four years post implantation. It is, therefore, tempting to consider acrylic hydrophobic IOLs over other IOL biomaterials as the ideal biocompatible material for lowering PCO incidence. These results suggest an urgent need for manufacturers to optimize the various steps involved in the fabrication of IOLs.