Integration of individual TiO2 nanotube on the chip: Nanodevice for hydrogen sensing

Titania (TiO₂) exists in several phases possessing different physical properties. In view of this fact, we report on three types of hydrogen sensors based on individual TiO₂ nanotubes (NTs) with three different structures consisting of amorphous, anatase or anatase/rutile mixed phases. Different phases of the NTs were produced by controlling the temperature of post‐anodization thermal treatment. Integration of individual TiO₂ nanotubes on the chip was performed by employing metal deposition function in the focused ion beam (FIB/SEM) instrument. Gas response was studied for devices made from an as‐grown individual nanotube with an amorphous structure, as well as from thermally annealed individual nanotubes exhibiting anatase crystalline phase or anatase/rutile heterogeneous structure. Based on electrical measurements using two Pt complex contacts deposited on a single TiO₂ nanotube, we show that an individual NT with an anatase/rutile crystal structure annealed at 650 °C has a higher gas response to hydrogen at room temperature than samples annealed at 450 °C and as‐grown. The obtained results demonstrate that the structural properties of the TiO₂ NTs make them a viable new gas sensing nanomaterial at room temperature. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Simple spectrophotometric and titrimetric methods for the determination of sulfur dioxide.

The proposed work describes a simple spectrophotmetric as well as a titrimetric method to determine sulfur dioxide. The spectrophotometric method is based on a redox reaction between sulfur dioxide and iodine monochloride obtained from iodine with chloramine-T in acetic acid. The reagent iodine monochloride oxidizes sulfur dioxide to sulfate, thereby reducing itself to iodine. Thus liberated iodine will also oxidize sulfur dioxide and reduce itself to iodide. The obtained iodide is expected to combine with iodine to form a brown-colored homoatomictriiodide anion (460 nm), which forms an ion-pair with the sulfonamide cation, providing exceptional color stability to the system under an acidic condition, and is quantitatively relatd to sulfur dioxide. The system obeys Beer's law in the range 5 - 100 microg of sulfur dioxide in a final volume of 10 ml. The molar absorptivity is 5.03 x 10(3) l mol(-1)cm(-1), with a relative standard deviation of 3.2% for 50 microg of sulfur dioxide (n = 10). In the titrimetric method, the reagent iodine monochloride was reduced with potassium iodide (10%) to iodine, which oxidized sulfur dioxide to sulfate, and excess iodine was determined with a thiosulfate solution. The volume difference of thiosulfate with the reagent and with the sulfur dioxide determined the sulfur dioxide. Reproducible and accurate results were obtained in the range of 0.1 - 1.5 mg of sulfur dioxide with a relative standard deviation of 1.2% for 0.8 mg of sulfur dioxide (n = 10).     

Screening of bioconstituents and in vitro cytotoxicity of Clematis gouriana leaves

Clematis gouriana (Ranunculaceae), a perennial herb, is used by the local inhabitants of the western Himalayan region for its medicinal properties. Major bioconstituents of C. gouriana leaves using different solvent extracts were obtained and analysed. The results revealed promising contents of phenolics (from 18.19 ± 0.10 to 22.17 ± 0.10 mg g^? 1) as gallic acid and flavonoids (from 2.83 ± 0.01 to 6.52 ± 0.08 mg g^? 1) as quercetin equivalent in different extracts. Aqueous acetone extract showed higher antioxidant activity with IC₅₀ value of 129.11 and 25.35 μg mL^? 1 against DPPH and ABTS free radicals, respectively. Antioxidant yield ranged from 16.87 ± 0.27 to 24.48 ± 0.13 mg g^? 1 of Trolox equivalent in different extracts as measured by the FRAP assay. Furthermore, ethylacetate extract exhibited strong in vitro cytotoxicity against Chinese hamster ovary and glioma cell lines. Proximate composition (proteins, fats, ash and minerals) of C. gouriana leaves was also assessed. Results demonstrated the potential of C. gouriana bioconstituents as nutraceuticals.     

Two Photon Spectroscopy Can Serve as a Marker of Protein Denaturation Pathway

Rhodamine group of molecules are widely used dyes for imaging of biological molecules. Application of these dyes however includes a limitation that these molecules absorb in the visible range of the spectrum, which does not fall in the ‘biologically transparent window’ (BTW). Two photon absorption (TPA) process could come up with an alternate solution to this as these dyes could be excited in the near infrared (NIR) window to extract similar information. To validate this we have investigated TPA cross section (TPACS, σ₂) of two rhodamine dyes, namely Rhodamine 6G (R6G), Rhodamine B (RhB), site selectively bound with a model protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA), by exciting at 800 nm. Two photon spectroscopy and imaging confirms the binding of the dye to the protein. The decreases in TPACS with increasing temperature at a fixed BSA concentration excellently follows the temperature induced structural transition of BSA as the protein transforms from a molten globule to unfolded conformation beyond 60 °C, which has previously been established through circular dichroism (CD) measurements. The thus established resemblance in TPACS and CD measurement trends thus strongly affirms the suitability of TPA process in protein imaging and as an alternative marker to tracking its conformational transformations using NIR radiation.     

Stiff response of aluminum under ultrafast shockless compression to 110 GPA

A laser-produced x-ray drive was used to shocklessly compress solid aluminum to a peak longitudinal stress of 110 GPa within 10 ns. Interface velocities versus time for multiple sample thicknesses were measured and converted to stress density (Px-rho) using an iterative Lagrangian analysis. These are the fastest shockless compression Px(rho) results reported to date, and are stiffer than models that have been benchmarked against both static and shock-wave experiments. The present results suggest that at these short time scales there is a higher stress-dependent strength and a stiffer time-dependent inelastic response than had been expected.     

A simple and rapid spectrophotometric method for the determination of nitrite by its decolorizing effect on peroxovanadate complex

A rapid, simple, and most economical spectrophotometric method was proposed for the determination of nitrite in various water samples, soil samples, and roots of leguminous plants. The method is based on decolorizing effect of nitrite on complex formed between hydrogen peroxide and vanadate in acidic medium. The decolorization of that complex by nitrite was exploited to monitor the reaction spectrophotometrically at 470 nm.The method was optimized for effect of concentrations of ammonium metavanadate, hydrogen peroxide, various acids, concentrations of sulphuric acid, order of reagents addition and color stability. The color of the complex was found to be stable for about 2 days, and the stability constant of the complex was also calculated by modified Job's method. The linearity range of the calibration graph was over 6.67-66.7 microg ml(-1) of nitrite with molar absorptivity, 0.276 x 10(3) mol(-1) l cm(-1) and Sandell's sensitivity, 0.1667 microg cm(-2). The method was applied successfully for the determination of nitrite in soil samples, various wastewater samples and roots of leguminous plants.     

Validation of an extraction paper chromatography (EPC) technique for estimation of trace levels of 90Sr in 90Y solutions obtained from 90Sr/90Y generator systems

While the extraction paper chromatography (EPC) technique constitutes a novel paradigm for the determination of few Becquerels of ⁹⁰Sr in MBq quantities of ⁹⁰Y obtained from ⁹⁰Sr/⁹⁰Y generator, validation of the technique is essential to ensure its usefulness as a real time analytical tool. With a view to explore the relevance and applicability of EPC technique as a real time quality control (QC) technique for the routine estimation of ⁹⁰Sr content in generator produced ⁹⁰Y, a systematic validation study was carried out diligently not only to establish its worthiness but also to broaden its horizon. The ability of the EPC technique to separate trace amounts of Sr²⁺ in the presence of large amounts of Y³⁺ was verified. The specificity of the technique for Y³⁺ was demonstrated with ⁹⁰Y obtained by neutron irradiation. The method was validated under real experimental conditions and compared with a QC method described in US Pharmacopeia for detection of ⁹⁰Sr levels in ⁹⁰Y radiopharmaceuticals.     

Stripping analysis of mercury(II) ionic solutions under magneto-hydrodynamic convection

Inorganic mercury(II) ions are ubiquitous contaminants of world water systems and thus their determination and removal from the environment are important. The effects of magnetic field on the stripping analysis of mercury(II) ionic solutions have been experimentally investigated. During the stripping analysis, a potential difference is applied across the working and reference electrodes positioned in the working sample and a current density transmits through the electrolyte solution. When the electrochemical cell is exposed to a magnetic field, provided by a permanent magnet, the interaction between the current density and the magnetic field induces Lorentz forces, which, in turn, induce fluid motion. The induced magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) convection enhances the ionic mass transport during the deposition and stripping steps, which leads to larger anodic current during the stripping step, thus obtaining higher detection sensitivity during the determination of the mercury(II) ions. The Hg2+ ionic solutions with concentrations ranging from 1 nM to 1 microM in the presence and absence of supporting electrolyte, 30 mM nitric acid (HNO 3) and 0.1 M potassium nitrate (KNO 3), under various magnetic flux densities (B=0,0.27,0.53, and 0.71 T) were measured with a linear sweep stripping voltammetry (LSSV) technique. The experimental results demonstrated that the stripping signals of the Hg2+ ions are enhanced, respectively, more than 10 and 30% in the absence and presence of the supporting electrolyte under a magnetic flux density B=0.71 T as compared to the cases in the absence of the magnetic field with all other identical conditions.