Response surface methodology for optimization of heavy metal removal by magnetic biosorbent made from anaerobic sludge

In this study, optimum conditions for adsorption of heavy metals such as Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ onto a low-cost, magnetically modified-alkali conditioned anaerobically digested sludge (MADS) adsorbent were obtained. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) incorporating Central Composite Design (CCD) of experiments was applied to optimize four independent process variables. Statistical analysis was executed by ANOVA and the quadratic model developed had regression coefficients of 0.959, 0.957 and 0.95 for Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺, respectively. The independent variables such as pH, time and initial concentration positively influenced adsorption capacity, q_e, whereas the value of q_e decreased with an increase in MADS dosage. Model validation experiments for optimization of adsorption process showed comparable results with predicted values. The adsorption capacity of MADS adsorbent at optimum conditions found through RSM analysis was 29.721 mg L^?1, 28.551 mg L^?1 and 28.601 mg L^?1 for Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ respectively.     

Nelumbo nucifera leaves as source of water-repellent wax: Extraction through polar and non-polar organic solvents

Nelumbo nucifera leaves are rich source of natural wax possessing super-hydrophobic properties. It provides protection to them from ecological turbulences and climatic wear and tear. In this study, various experiments have been conducted to observe the yield of extraction and the determination of various functional groups, which are present in natural wax, derived from Nelumbo nucifera leaves. The natural wax has been extracted from lotus leaves through non-polar (hexane) and polar (ethanol) solvent via different extraction methods. The superhydrophobic wax has been successfully extracted with hexane. Whereas, ethanol did not extract the water-repellent wax of lotus leaf. Considering the cumulative amount, i.e. (desired + undesired), the maceration shows the extraction of 2.9% (%w/w, through hexane) and 10.2% (%w/w, through ethanol), while it was found 2.5% (%w/w, cycle period 15 min) and 9.0% (%w/w, cycle period 26 min) respectively, in case of Soxhlet extraction technique. For this specific case of natural wax recovery from biomass (lotus leaf), the maceration (traditional method) resulted a little bit superior extraction yield in comparison to the Soxhlet extraction method for extraction of crude wax. In the case of non-polar solvent (hexane), an extraction yield of 1.97% (%w/w) through maceration method was observed while in the case of non-polar solvent (ethanol), an extraction yield of 1.62% (%w/w) through Soxhlet extraction was observed. The TLC analysis on both types of extracts was performed. For the detection of various hydrocarbon chains in the crude wax extracts, FTIR was also performed. Topography of wax surface and wax-coated waterproof fabric was compared through SEM.     

Magnetic and dielectric response of M-type barium hexaferrite

Barium hexaferrite (BaFe₁₂O₁₉) is a promising candidate for ceramics, microwave devices and numerous applications. Barium hexaferrite was synthesised via the sol-gel auto-combustion technique using glycine fuel. The X-ray diffraction technique confirmed the hexagonal structure of the particles with space group P63/mmc. The morphological analysis was performed using the field-emission scanning microscope, and the images displayed the plate-like particle formation. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to determine the average particle size of the sample, which was estimated to be 155.93 nm. The magnetic studies were taken through the vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) at 300 K, with which the saturation magnetization (M_s), coercivity (H_c), squareness ratio (M_r/M_s), and energy product (BH_max) was calculated, and the particles were validated to be in single domain arrangement. The dielectric properties were investigated through the LCR meter. Koop and Maxwell-Wagner's model was used to interpret charge conduction and the occurrence of relaxations in the system.     

Investigation of bio-corrosion in galvanized steel by Desulfovibrio desulfuricans and its mitigation by Butea monosperma leaf extract as green inhibitor

This work is intended to examine the microbially influenced corrosion on galvanized steel (GS) caused by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). The efficacy of Butea monosperma (palash) leaf extract to mitigate the corrosion caused by Desulfovibrio desulfuricans was investigated in modified Barr's medium. Weight loss and electrochemical analysis were performed to check the corrosion rate at regular time intervals. SEM images were performed to understand the level of deterioration of the metal surfaces. Image analysis of the unprotected sample showed the presence of pits. From the gravimetric study, the maximum inhibition efficiency (IE) of 98% was obtained with 500 ppm of Palash leaf extract for the fourth-week sample. With the addition of 500 ppm of palash extract, the sulfide concentration decreases to 0 ppm from 123 ppm. Outcomes of potentiodynamic polarization (PP) studies showed that the extract disturbs the cathodic reaction significantly and moves the corrosion potential to a more negative value and IE was about 71% from PP studies. FTIR and GC-MS analysis was performed to recognize the plausible chemical compounds present in Palash leaf powder. EIS results confirmed that the resistance to corrosion increases substantially with the addition of inhibitor. The mechanism for corrosion inhibition has been proposed based on the results obtained.     

Investigation of chemical space networks using graph measures and random matrix theory

Journal of Mathematical Chemistry - Large collections of molecules (chemical libraries) are nowadays routinely screened in the process of designing drugs for specific ailments. Chemical and...     

Favipiravir (SARS-CoV-2) degradation impurities: Identification and route of degradation mechanism in the finished solid dosage form using LC/LC–MS method

Favipiravir finished dosage was approved for emergency use in many countries to treat SARS-CoV-2 patients. A specific, accurate, linear, robust, simple, and stability-indicating HPLC method was developed and validated for the determination of degradation impurities present in favipiravir film-coated tablets. The separation of all impurities was achieved from the stationary phase (Inert sustain AQ-C18, 250 × 4.6 mm, 5-μm particle) and mobile phase. Mobile phase A contained KH₂PO₄ buffer (pH 2.5 ± 0.05) and acetonitrile in the ratio of 98:2 (v/v), and mobile phase B contained water and acetonitrile in the ratio of 50:50 (v/v). The chromatographic conditions were optimized as follows: flow rate, 0.7 mL/min; UV detection, 210 nm; injection volume, 20 μL; and column temperature, 33°C. The proposed method was validated per the current International Conference on Harmonization Q2 (R1) guidelines. The recovery study and linearity ranges were established from the limit of quantification to 150% optimal concentrations. The method validation results were found to be between 98.6 and 106.2% for recovery and r² = 0.9995–0.9999 for linearity of all identified impurities. The method precision results were achieved below 5% of relative standard deviation. Forced degradation studies were performed in chemical and physical stress conditions. The compound was sensitive to chemical stress conditions. During the study, the analyte degraded and converted to unknown degradation impurities, and its molecular mass was found using the LC–MS technique and established degradation pathways supported by reaction of mechanism. The developed method was found to be suitable for routine analysis of research and development and quality control.     

Optoelectronic and biological quantification of semi-conducting,crimson europium chelates with fluorinated β-keto acid and N-donor ancillary ligands

Research on Chemical Intermediates - Five luminescent ternary and one binary Europium(III) complexes were synthesised with β-keto acid as primary ligand and neocuproine(neo),...     

Identification of HPr kinase/phosphorylase inhibitors: novel antimicrobials against resistant Enterococcus faecalis

Journal of Computer-Aided Molecular Design - Enterococcus faecalis, a gram-positive bacterium, is among the most common nosocomial pathogens due to its limited susceptibility to antibiotics and its...     

β-Cyclodextrin-based chiral nanocomposite for thin-layer chromatographic detection of enantiomers of fluoxetine

Enantioselective analysis or separation is very essential for improved therapeutic effects of drugs as the pure enantiomeric drug formulations display potential benefits over racemates. In this work, we carried out (i) the synthesis of a nanocomposite of β-cyclodextrin and 3D graphene (G/β-CD NC), and (ii) its application for the detection of fluoxetine enantiomers [(RS)-FLX)] using a thin-layer chromatographic method. The synthesized nanocomposite was introduced into silica gel slurry while preparation of thin-layer plates. The separation conditions were optimized by altering pH, temperature, and mobile phase composition. The method is simple and easy to be optimized, and it can therefore be exploited to assess and monitor routine work of enantiomeric purity of drug enantiomers. The average precision (as measured by RSD) was in the region of 1.35‒1.65% for the enantiomers of (RS)-FLX. The measured limit of detection and limit of quantification for (RS)-FLX enantiomers were 1.8 and 5.4 mg mL^‒1, respectively.

     

Synthesis and characterization of fluorine functionalized graphene oxide dispersed quinoline-based polyimide composites having low-k and UV shielding properties

Polyimide nanocomposites having low-k and UV shielding properties have been developed using fluorine functionalized graphene oxide and bis(quinoline amine) based polyimide. The polyimide was synthesized using bis(quinoline amine) and pyromellitic dianhydride at appropriate experimental conditions, and its molecular structure was confirmed through various spectral analysis such as FTIR and NMR. The polyimide (PI) composites were prepared using bis(quinoline amine), pyromellitic dianhydride, and separately filled with 1, 5, 10 wt% of fluorinated graphene oxide (FGO) through in situ polymerization. The polymer composites were characterized using thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition, the water contact angle, dielectric behavior, and UV–Vis shielding behavior of FGO/PI composites were evaluated. The value of the water contact angle of the polyimide was increased with increment of FGO in the polyimide matrix. The highest water contact angle of polyimide composites observed 108° was obtained for 15 wt% FGO reinforced polyimide composite. The value of the dielectric constant for neat, 1, 5, and 15 wt% FGO reinforced polyimide composites was obtained as 4.5, 3.7, 2.6, and 2.0, respectively. It is also observed from by UV–Vis spectroscopy analysis that the FGO reinforced polyimide composites have good UV shielding behavior.