Green synthesis of silver nanoparticle by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penicillium purpurogenum</Emphasis> NPMF: the process and optimization

An eco-friendly microbial method for synthesis of silver colloid solution with antimicrobial activity is developed using a fungal strain of Penicillium purpurogenum NPMF. It is observed that increase in concentration of AgNO₃ increases the formation of silver nanoparticle. At 5 mM concentration highly populated polydispersed nanoparticles form. Furthermore, change in pH of the reaction mixture leads to change in shape and size of silver nanoparticles. At lower pH two peaks are observed in the absorption spectra showing polydispersity of nanoparticles. However, highly monodispersed spherical nanoparticles of 8–10 nm size form with 1 mM AgNO₃ concentration at pH 8. Antimicrobial activity of nanoparticles is demonstrated against pathogenic gram negative bacteria like Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and gram positive bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus. The antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles obtained at different initial pH show strong dependence on the surface area and shape of the nanoparticles.     

Aqueous Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate Initiated by Potassium Peroxydisulfate-Ascorbic Acid Redox System

The aqueous polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by the redox system K₂S₂O₈-ascorbic acid has been studied at 35°C under the influence of oxygen. The rate of polymerization increases with increasing ascorbic acid concentration at low activator concentration, remains constant within the range 4.375 × 10^?3 to 11.25 × 10^?3 mole/liter, and at higher ascorbic acid concentration again decreases. The rate varies linearly with monomer concentration. The initial rate and the limiting conversion increase with increasing polymerization temperature. Organic solvents (water-miscible only) and small amounts of neutral salts like KC1 and Na₂SO₄ depress the initial rate and the maximum conversion. The addition of small amounts of salts like Cu²⁺ and Mn²⁺ increases the initial rate, but no appreciable increase in the limiting conversion is observed.     

Polymers from Renewable Resources. Xviii. Thermal Properties of the Interpenetrating Polymer Networks Derived from Castor Oil Based Polyurethane-4-Acetyl Phenyl Acrylate

Abstract

4-Acetyl-phenyl acrylate was prepared by reacting 4-hydroxy acetophenone with acryloyl chloride. It was then polymerized using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as initiator to give the homopolymer. Both the vinylmonomer and its homopolymer were characterized by FTIR spectra. The polyurethane obtained from castor oil and TDI (Toluene-2,4-diisocyanate) with varying NCO/OH ratio was reacted with the new monomer 4-acetyl phenyl acrylate to give a large number of interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) using divinyl benzene as cross-linker and BPO as initiator. The thermogravimetric studies of the IPNs have been carried out and the kinetic parameters have been evaluated.     

Solution NMR studies of supramolecular complexes of [60]- and [70]fullerenes with mono O-substituted calix[6]arene

Supramolecular complexation of [60]- and [70]fullerenes with 37-allyl-38,39,40,41,42-pentahydroxy-5,11,17,23,29,35-hexa(4-tert butyl)calix[6]arene (I) has been studied in CCl(4) medium by NMR spectrometric method. All of the complexes are found to be stable with 1:1 stoichiometry. Formation constants (K) of the above supramolecular complexes have been determined from systematic variation of NMR chemical shifts of specific protons of I in the presence of [60]- and [70]fullerenes. Trends in the K value suggest that [70]fullerene binds more strongly with I relative to [60]fullerene. Both PM3 and ab initio calculations reveal that the intermolecular interaction in the [70]fullerene/I complex proceeds through quite deep energy minima.     

Computational Science and Engineering On-line: an integrated web-based environment for multi-scale modelling of complex reaction systems

We present a development of an integrated extendable web-based environment called Computational Science and Engineering On-line (CSEO) to include different fields of computational science. Our initial efforts are focusing on an integrated environment for multi-scale modelling of complex reacting systems from fundamental quantum chemistry with different entry points. CSEO provides an information management system that allows data flow from one application to another in a transparent manner. In addition, it provides a set of web-based graphic-user interfaces (GUIs) to different scientific applications. Current available GUIs are for quantum chemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics. Work is in progress to allow CSEO accessing resources from the computing grids using the Globus technology. CSEO can be accessed at http://cseo.net. It can also be hosted at different mirror sites.     

Synthesis,spectral characterization,molecular docking studies,biological activity of (E)-2-((E)-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)allylidene) and (E)-N-phenyl 2-((E)-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)allylidene)hydrazinecarbothioamides and their Cu(II) complexes

Two slightly distorted octahedral complexes of copper(II) with (E)-2-((E)-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)allylidene)hydrazinecarbothioamide (L1) common name 3,4,5-trimethoxy-cinnamaldehydethiosemicarbazone and (E)-N-phenyl-2-((E)-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-allylidene)hydrazinecarbothioamide (L2) common name 3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamaldehyde-4-phenylthiosemicarbazone have been synthesized. The two free ligands and their copper(II) complexes were characterized by spectroscopic techniques like FT-IR, FT-Raman, UV, EPR, Powder X-ray diffraction and cyclic voltammetry. The EPR spectra evidenced a rhombically distorted octahedron geometry for both the copper(II) complexes. The band gap calculations for the ligands L1, L2 and their complexes Cu(L1)₂Cl₂ and Cu(L2)₂Cl₂ were found to be 2.98, 2.61, 2.66 and 2.50 eV respectively. Cu(L1)₂Cl₂ and Cu(L2)₂Cl₂ have shown 50% of viability at 80 μg/ml and 60 μg/ml. The anti-oxidant activity study revealed that the compounds are good reductants of DPPH radical. Moderate to good anti-bacterial activity is shown by the compounds against the Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Molecular docking studies have been carried out to predict the orientation and binding mode of analysis in the active site. The synthesized ligand and complex well occupy (catalytic triad and adenine-binding site) in the active site of β-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase III enzyme, and also well occupy in helix 11 (in the DCS complex) of human estrogen receptor. Moreover they form water mediated hydrogen bond and hydrogen bond with Cys530 residue.     

Effect of gamma irradiation on the etching properties of Lexan and Makrofol-DE polycarbonate plastics

It is observed that for Lexan and Makrofol-DE polycarbonate plastic detectors the mean diameters of fission fragments from a ²⁵²Cf source increases as a result of gamma-ray exposure. We have studied the bulk etching rate and track etching rate before and after gamma-ray irradiation on Lexan and Makrofol-DE polycarbonate plastics. The mechanism of Lexan and Makrofol-DE polycarbonate plastic detectors can be understood with the help of this exposures. It is also noted that degree of ordering of Lexan and Makrofol-DE polycarbonate is dependent on the gamma ray dose due to degradation and cross-linking processes. The results show that bulk and track etch rate increases with gamma dose while activation energy associated with bulk and track etch rates at a particular temperature and sensitivity decreases with gamma dose.     

Grafting Vinyl Monomers onto Wool Fibers. X. Graft Copolymerization of Methyl Methacrylate onto Wool Using Acetylacetonato Complex of Manganese(lII)

The graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto wool fibers was investigated in aqueous solution using the acetylacetonato complex of manganese(III). The rate of grafting was determined by varying the monomer, the complex, the temperature, the acidity of the medium, the nature of the wool, and the reaction medium. The graft yield increases with increasing monomer and complex concentrations. The graft yield also increases with increasing temperature. The grafting is considerably influenced by chemical modification of wool prior to grafting. A suitable mechanism has been proposed and a rate equation has been derived.     

Thermal degradation studies of substituted conducting polyanilines

The synthesis of conducting polymers based on m-nitroaniline, m-chloroaniline and m-aminophenol by aniline initiated ammonium peroxydisulfate oxidation, has been attempted. The IR spectra of the polymers have been studied. Thermogravimetric analysis of the conducting polymers has been followed using a computer analysis method LOTUS PACKAGE, developed by us for assigning the degradation mechanism. A number of equations have been used to evaluate the kinetic parameters. The mechanism of degradation of the conducting polymers has been explained on the basis of their kinetic parameters.