Effect of hydrotropes on the solution behavior of PEO/PPO/PEO block copolymer L62 in aqueous solutions

Effect of hydrotropes viz. sodium benzene sulfonate (NaBS), sodium toluene sulfonate (NaTS) and sodium xylene sulfonate (NaXS) on the micellization, phase behavior and structure of poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO-PPO-PEO) triblock copolymer L62 in aqueous solution was studied by surface tension, dye spectral, cloud point and small angle neutron scattering measurements. The addition of hydrotropes increased the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of L62 which appears to be logistic as the added hydrotrope enhances the solubility of PPO moiety (and PEO) making it behave like a more hydrophilic block copolymer that would micellize at high copolymer concentration. Partial phase diagram of L62 in water shows two cloud point (CP) in the concentration range (0-10 wt.%). Addition of hydrotropes shifts the L62 concentration range showing double cloud points at lower side of concentration; sodium xylene sulfonate (NaXS) being more effective. SANS data for L62 in the presence of 0.4 and 0.8 M NaXS at temperatures <30 °C showed unimers which are fully dissolved Gaussian chains. The unimer-to-micelle transition takes place when temperature is increased. It is found that SANS data for L62 in the presence of 0.4 M NaXS (40 and 50 °C) and 0.8 M NaXS (45 and 50 °C) correspond to ellipsoidal structure of micelles.     

Anisotropic linear thermal expansivity of poly(ether-ether-ketone)

This paper deals with anisotropic behavior of thermal expansivity (α) of poly(ether-ether-ketone) (PEEK) sample prepared by compression molding above the melting point of polymer. The α was determined using thermo mechanical analyzer (TMA) for the temperature interval 50-250 °C in expansion mode. It is found that out-of-plane thermal expansivity (α_z) is 3.8-fold of the in-plane thermal expansivity (α_xy) below the glass transition temperature (T_g) of PEEK while α_z is decreased to 1.8-fold of the α_xy above the T_g. Moreover, the average α_z over the range studied is about 2.2-fold of the α_xy. This anisotropic behavior may be attributed to the alignment of polymer spherulites and chains along in-plane direction due to compressive forces under hot compression molding.     

Electrochemical and peroxidase-catalyzed redox chemistry of 9-Methyl uric acid

The electrochemical and peroxidase/H₂O₂ oxidation of 9-methyl uric acid has been studied over a wide pH range. Electrochemical, spectral, kinetic and analytical results support the view that the electrochemical and enzymic oxidations proceed by virtually identical mechanisms.     

Small angle neutron scattering from micellar solutions

Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) is an ideal tool for studying structures of macromolecules and colloidal solutions. A number of micellar solutions have been studied in our laboratory using a home built SANS spectrometer. This paper gives an introduction to the technique of SANS and gives a brief survey of the results obtained at Trombay.     

Effect of enhancement of selenium content in zirconium sulphoselenide on its photoelectrochemical behaviour

In this paper, we have attempted to fabricate PEC solar cells with mixed crystals of Zirconium sulphoselenide. Energy band location and redox analysis of the material have been made using Mott-Schottky plots. These studies justify the selection of an appropriate electrolyte for PEC work. Various solar cells fabricated with single crystals of selenium rich and selenium deficient zirconium sulphoselenide have been prepared. The solar cell parameters e.g. the fill factor (FF), open circuit voltage (V_oc), short circuit current (I_sc) and efficiency (η) for all the different cells have been determined. In order to see the effect of enhancement of selenium in ZrS_xSe_2−x on photoresponse, the electrolyte and intensity of illumination were kept constant and all the electrodes were prepared from crystals showing absolutely plane faces obtained through the act of cleavage with the help of an adhesive tape. The results have been thoroughly analysed and the implications have been discussed.     

Potentiometric studies of the complexes of chromium(VI), molybdenum(VI) and tungsten(VI) with some Azoxine S dyes

The equilibrium constants of the complexation reactions of Cr(VI), Mo(VI) and W(VI) with 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulphonic acid (OXS), 7-phenylazo-8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulphonic acid (PAZOXS), 7-(4-sulphophenylazo)-8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulphonic acid (SPAZOXS) and 7-(4-sulphonaphthylazo)-8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulphonic acid (SNAZOXS) have been determined by potentiometric pH titration. The values in the case of chromate are different from those for molybdate and tungstate. The order of stabilities is OXS > PAZOXS > SPAZOXS > SNAZOXS.     

Biosynthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles as Efficient Photocatalytic and Antimicrobial Agent

This work reports an innovative, effortless and inexpensive method for the preparation of ZnO nanoparticles by green approach using leaf extract of Piper betleas a reducing-stabilizing negotiator. The prepared ZnO NPs were characterized through XRD, FTIR, UV–Visible spectroscopy, and EDX etc. The band gap energy of the sample was estimated as 3.41 eV which is larger than the bulk ZnO (E_g?=?3.37 eV). The observed blue shift is attributed to the quantum confinement of excitons. FTIR analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenols, and terpenoid. TEM analysis showed that each nanoparticle comprised of 1 to 2 nano-crystallites. Photocatalytic activity results revealed that ZnO-NPs prepared through green synthesis route were found to be efficient in the degradation of toxic reactive red dye with degradation efficiency of 96.4% having high photodegradation rate-constant of 1.6?×?10^–2 min^?1. As an antimicrobial agent, the ZnO NPs are effective against both gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis) and negative bacteria (Escherichia coli), with the zones of clearance as 16.4 and 14.3 mm, respectively. Therefore, present research signifies an effective approach to utilize as-prepared ZnO NPs as efficient photocatalysts as well as antimicrobial agent.