Study of (1−x)ZnAl2O4–xSiO2 spinel structures as microwave dielectric materials

Sol–gel method was used to synthesize zinc aluminate (ZnAl₂O₄) dispersed into silica matrix with different compositions of x. Morphological structure of (1?x)ZnAl₂O₄–xSiO₂ samples were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The FESEM images showed spherical structures and agglomerated particles occurred inside the samples. XRD analysis indicated the cubic phase formation of the samples. The crystallite size, D was calculated and it was found that the crystallite size are slightly increased from 8 to 17 nm. FTIR spectra analysis shows that the water presence in the samples and also the presence of nitrate group. The dielectric properties have been measured, ε _r value was found to be around 13.0. The S₁₁ parameter analysis shows the samples was resonated at 2.40 GHz and gives different values of bandwidth for microstrip patch antenna application.     

Comments on: “Toward improved heat transfer performance of annular heat exchangers with water/ethylene glycol based nanofluids containing graphene nanoplatelets,Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry 126.3 (2016): 1427–1436”

The present study has investigated the complex mechanisms in the aluminum–titanium system with different percentages of titanium through a combination of thermal and X-ray analyses. Thermogravimetry, derivative thermogravimetric, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and transition electron microscope were used for characterization of the samples. Initially, different Al–Ti powder mixtures were produced by high-energy ball milling and after 30 h of milling the phases generated at different percentages of Ti were analyzed. The XRD results revealed that the intermetallic Al₃Ti powder is obtained after a certain duration of milling. In addition, L1₂ to D0₂₃ phase transformation is possible with increase of the Ti percent. Analyses of the powder annealed at different temperatures yielded interesting results, including the effect of stearic acid as the surface control agent on phase transformations of the aluminum–titanium system and also the formation of unexpected phases such as Al₄C₃ and TiC. Moreover, ductile to brittle transition during phase transformations of the intermetallic Al₃Ti powder was quite conspicuous, which could result in more homogeneity of the powders and the occurrence of more reactions in the system. For example, formation of D0₂₃-Al₃Ti powder which is more brittle compared to L1₂ resulted in the exit of Al from among its layers, leading to the increase of the chances for Al reaction with the system impurities.     

Electrosynthesis of CuO Nanocrystal Array as a Highly Efficient and Stable Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Electrodeposition of active catalysts on electrodes appears as a convenient approach to prepare non-noble-metal based electrocatalysts with defined micro- and nano-structures. Herein we report a new strategy of fabricating a 3-D hierarchical CuO nanocrystal array (CuO NCA) on Cu foam through a two-step sacrifice-template method. This CuO NCA possesses high conductivity, great stability, and impressive catalytic activity for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline electrolytes. The CuO NCA can achieve a high current density of 100 mA/cm\begin{document}$^2$\end{document} at a relatively low overpotential of 400 mV for OER, which shows a better performance than other Cu-based OER catalysts and IrO\begin{document}$_2$\end{document}. The high activity of CuO NCA is well retained during a 10-h OER test at a high current density around 270 mA/cm\begin{document}$^2$\end{document}, which is about 10 times higher than the current density achieved by IrO\begin{document}$_2$\end{document} (around 25 mA/cm\begin{document}$^2$\end{document}) with the same applied overpotential. According to our best knowledge, CuO NCA is currently the most efficient and stable Cu-based electrocatalyst for water oxidation in alkaline electrolytes.     

Molecular structure investigation and biological evaluation of Michael adducts derived from dimedone

Trimolecular salt Michael adducts 2a–c were synthesized in excellent yields up to 92 % via one-pot multicomponent reactions in an aqueous medium. The chemical structures of compounds 2a–c were characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction techniques. Calculations of the density functional theory for the synthesized compound were performed. The stability of the products was deduced by TGA analysis. Compounds 2a–c were screened in vitro for different bio-assays such as thymidine phosphorylase inhibition assay, urease inhibition assay, β-glucuronidase inhibition assays and cytotoxicity against PC-3 and HeLa cell lines.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and in vitro Cytotoxicity of Gold(I) Complexes of 2‐(Diphenylphosphanyl)ethylamine and Dithiocarbamates

Gold(I) complexes of 2‐(diphenylphosphanyl)ethylamine or (2‐aminoethyl)diphenylphosphine (AEP), and dithiocaarbamates (R₂NCS₂) were prepared by the reaction of these ligands with (CH₃)₂S‐AuCl in dichloromethane. The synthesized complexes [Au(AEP)Cl] ( 1 ), [Au(AEP)₂]Cl ( 2 ), and [Au₂(R₂NCS₂)₂]_n (R₂ = dimethyl ( 3 ), diethyl ( 4 ), and dibenzyl ( 5 )) were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. The complexes were evaluated for anticancer activity against three cancer cells, A549 (human lung carcinoma), HCT15 (human colon cancer), and MCF7 (human breast cancer) cell lines. Three of the five tested complexes showed significant in vitro cytotoxicity and for A549, the inhibition effect of three compounds is greater than cisplatin.     

Rheological properties of cellulose nanocrystal-embedded polymer composites: a review

Nanotechnology provides useful insights into the behavioural properties of materials from the nanoscale point of view, enabling researchers to develop new materials that were previously inconceivable. Cellulose is an ideal candidate for nanomaterial for nanotechnology because of its nanofibrillar structure, abundance, renewability, biodegradability and eco-friendly nature. Nanocrystalline cellulose materials have become the focus many studies related to these materials and their applications. This review summarises the current knowledge on the field of nanomaterials, focussing mainly on the rheological behaviour of polymer nanocomposites embedded with nanocrystalline cellulose. This review will enable better understanding of the use of nanocrystalline cellulose for the development and applications of cellulose nanocrystal-based nanocomposites.     

Design and Synthesis of Novel Triazolyl Benzoxazine Derivatives and Evaluation of Their Antiproliferative and Antibacterial Activity

A series of novel triazolyl benzoxazine derivatives have been synthesized via Cu(I)‐catalyzed ‘Click’ cycloaddition. All of the compounds were fully characterized from their spectral data, and their antiproliferative activity was evaluated against three selected human cancer cell lines: cervical cancer cells (HeLa), colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT‐29), and ovarian adenocarcinoma (SKOV‐3). A few representative compounds have also been evaluated for their antibacterial potential against two bacterial strains Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis.     

A glutathione biosensor based on a glassy carbon electrode modified with CdO nanoparticle-decorated carbon nanotubes in a nafion matrix

A nanocomposite consisting of cadmium oxide decorated with carbon nanotubes (CdO.CNT NC) was prepared by a wet-chemical technique, and its optical, morphological, and structural properties were characterized by FTIR, UV/Vis, FESEM coupled to XEDS, XPS, and XRD methods. A flat glassy carbon electrode was modified with the nanocomposite to obtain a sensor for L-glutathione (GSH) which displays improved sensitivity, a large dynamic range and good long-term stability. The calibration plot (best acquired at a voltage of 0.5 V) is linear (r ² = 0.99) in the 0.1 nM to 0.01 M GSH concentration range. The detection limit is as low as 30.0 pM, and the sensitivity is ~9.49 μA?μM^?1?cm^?2. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the determination of GSH using such a modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) in combination with I-V method. The GCE was applied to the selective determination of GSH in spiked rabbit serum samples and gave acceptable results.

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Graphical abstract A selective glutathione biosensor based on wet-chemically prepared CdO.CNT/Nafion/GCE was fabricated by reliable I-V method and shows good analytical parameters such as high sensitivity, low detection limit, long-term stability, and large dynamic range.

     

A glassy carbon electrode modified with carbon nano-fragments and bismuth oxide for electrochemical analysis of trace catechol in the presence of high concentrations of hydroquinone

Microchimica Acta - A glassy carbon electrode was modified with carbon nanofragments and bismuth oxide, and the resulting electrode (CNF-Bi/GCE) was applied to the voltammetric determination of...     

Applications of Raman spectroscopy in dentistry part II: Soft tissue analysis

Raman spectroscopy is rapidly moving from an experimental technique for the analysis of biological molecules to a tool for the real-time clinical diagnosis and in situ evaluation of the oral tissue in medical and dental research. The purpose of this study is to identify various applications of Raman spectroscopy, to evaluate the contemporary status, and to explore future directions in the field of dentistry. Several in-depth applications are presented to illustrate Raman spectroscopy in early diagnosis of soft tissue abnormalities. Raman spectroscopy allows researchers to analyze histological and biochemical composition of biological tissues. The technique not only demonstrates its role in the disclosure of dysplasia and malignancy, but also in performing guided biopsies, diagnosing sialoliths, and assessment of surgical margins. Raman spectroscopy is used to identify the molecular structures and their components to give substantial information about the chemical structure properties of these molecules. In this article, we acquaint the utilization of Raman spectroscopy in analyzing the soft tissues in relation to dentistry.