Voltage enhancement in dye-sensitized solar cell using (001)-oriented anatase TiO2 nanosheets

A nanocrystalline TiO₂ (anatase) nanosheet exposing mainly the (001) crystal faces was tested as photoanode material in dye-sensitized solar cells. The nanosheets were prepared by hydrothermal growth in HF medium. Good-quality thin films were deposited on F-doped SnO₂ support from the TiO₂ suspension in ethanolic or aqueous media. The anatase (001) face adsorbs a smaller amount of the used dye sensitizer (C101) per unit area than the (101) face which was tested as a reference. The corresponding solar cell with sensitized (001)-nanosheet photoanode exhibits a larger open-circuit voltage than the reference cell with (101)-terminated anatase nanocrystals. The voltage enhancement is attributed to the negative shift of flatband potential for the (001) face. This conclusion rationalizes earlier works on similar systems, and it indicates that careful control of experimental conditions is needed to extract the effect of band energetic on the current/voltage characteristics of dye-sensitized solar cell.     

Synthesis and cytotoxic evaluation of novel brominated N-alkyl pyrano[3,2-c]quinolinones

A novel series of 6-alkyl-4-bromopyrano[3,2-c]quinoline-2,5-diones ( 2a–c ), 6-alkyl-3,4-dibromopyrano[3,2-c]quinoline-2,5-diones ( 4a–c ), and 6-alkyl-3-amino-bromopyrano[3,2-c]quinoline-2,5-diones ( 6a–c ) were synthesized via appropriate conventional methods and in good yields. The structures of target compounds were approved by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and mass spectrometry. The antitumor inhibitory activities of the new compounds were evaluated on several cancer cell lines, A-549 (human lung cancer), HCT-116 (human colon cancer), MCF-7 (breast cancer), and HePG-2 (human liver cancer). Moreover, 50% inhibitory concentrations, IC₅₀, were established. 5-Fluorouracil was used as a positive control in the viability assay. The screening results showed that most of the examined compounds exposed powerful inhibition activity toward various cell lines. Particularly, Compound 4c exhibited higher cytotoxic activity against four tumor cell lines than the reference drug, 5-fluorouracil, with significantly lower IC₅₀ values. Accordingly, most of the synthesized compounds would be a better prospective growth in the anticancer drug discovery.     

Enhancement of β-Glucan Biological Activity Using a Modified Acid-Base Extraction Method from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Beta glucan (β-glucan) has promising bioactive properties. Consequently, the use of β-glucan as a food additive is favored with the dual-purpose potential of increasing the fiber content of food products and enhancing their health properties. Our aim was to evaluate the biological activity of β-glucan (antimicrobial, antitoxic, immunostimulatory, and anticancer) extracted from Saccharomyces cerevisiae using a modified acid-base extraction method. The results demonstrated that a modified acid-base extraction method gives a higher biological efficacy of β-glucan than in the water extraction method. Using 0.5 mg dry weight of acid-base extracted β-glucan (AB extracted) not only succeeded in removing 100% of aflatoxins, but also had a promising antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria, fungi, and yeast, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 0.39 and 0.19 mg/mL in the case of resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. In addition, AB extract exhibited a positive immunomodulatory effect, mediated through the high induction of TNFα, IL-6, IFN-γ, and IL-2. Moreover, AB extract showed a greater anticancer effect against A549, MDA-MB-232, and HepG-2 cells compared to WI-38 cells, at high concentrations. By studying the cell death mechanism using flow-cytometry, AB extract was shown to induce apoptotic cell death at higher concentrations, as in the case of MDA-MB-231 and HePG-2 cells. In conclusion, the use of a modified AB for β-glucan from Saccharomyces cerevisiae exerted a promising antimicrobial, immunomodulatory efficacy, and anti-cancer potential. Future research should focus on evaluating β-glucan in various biological systems and elucidating the underlying mechanism of action.     

Nickel(II) Schiff base complex supported on nano‐titanium dioxide: A novel straightforward route for preparation of supported Schiff base complexes applying 2,4‐toluenediisocyanate

For the first time, a novel, straightforward and inexpensive route for immobilization of metals in Schiff base complex form is reported applying 2,4‐toluenediisocyanate as a precursor of primary amine group. A nickel(II) Schiff base complex supported on nano‐TiO₂ was designed and synthesized as an effective heterogeneous nanocatalyst for organic reactions, and well characterized using various techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. The catalytic efficiency of the complex was evaluated in selective oxidation of sulfide to sulfoxide by hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant under solvent‐free conditions at room temperature, which successfully resulted in high yield and high conversion of products. Effective factors including solvent type, oxidant and catalyst amount were also optimized. The catalyst shows outstanding reusability and could be impressively recovered for six consecutive cycles without significant change of its catalytic efficiency.     

Preparation,characterization, and assessment of cytotoxicity,antioxidant, antibacterial,antifungal, and cutaneous wound healing properties of titanium nanoparticles using aqueous extract of Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam leaves

In recent decades, nanotechnology is growing rapidly owing to its widespread application in science and industry. The aim of the experiment was chemical characterization and evaluation of cytotoxicity, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and cutaneous wound healing activities of titanium nanoparticles using aqueous extract of Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam leaves (TiNPs@Ziziphora). These nanoparticles were characterized by fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), and UV–visible spectroscopy. The synthesized TiNPs@Ziziphora had great cell viability dose‐dependently (Investigating the effect of the plant on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) cell line) and revealed this method was nontoxic. Then, 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging test was done to assess the antioxidant properties, which indicated similar antioxidant potentials for TiNPs@Ziziphora and butylated hydroxytoluene. Agar diffusion tests were applied to determine the antibacterial and antifungal characteristics. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC), and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) were specified by macro‐broth dilution assay. The data were analyzed by SPSS 21 software (Duncan post‐hoc test). TiNPs@Ziziphora indicated higher antibacterial and antifungal effects than all standard antibiotics (p ≤ 0.01). Also, TiNPs@Ziziphora inhibited the growth of all bacteria at 2‐16 mg/ml concentrations and removed them at 2‐32 mg/ml concentrations (p ≤ 0.01). In case of antifungal properties of TiNPs@Ziziphora, they prevented the growth of all fungi at 2‐8 mg/ml concentrations and destroyed them at 2‐16 mg/ml concentrations (p ≤ 0.01). In vivo experiment, after creating the cutaneous wound, the rats were randomly divided into six groups: untreated control, treatment with Eucerin basal ointment, treatment with 3% tetracycline ointment, treatment with 0.2% TiO₂ ointment, treatment with 0.2% Z. clinopodioides ointment, and treatment with 0.2% TiNPs@Ziziphora ointment. These groups were treated for 10 days. For histopathological and biochemical analysis of the healing trend, a 3 × 3 cm section was prepared from all dermal thicknesses at day 10. Use of TiNPs@Ziziphora ointment in the treatment groups substantially reduced (p ≤ 0.01) the wound area, total cells, neutrophil, and lymphocyte and remarkably raised (p ≤ 0.01) the wound contracture, hydroxyl proline, hexosamine, hexuronic acid, fibrocyte, and fibrocytes/fibroblast rate compared to other groups. In conclusion, the results revealed the useful non‐cytotoxic, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and cutaneous wound healing effects of TiNPs@Ziziphora.     

Kinetic spectrophotometric methods for the determination of dothiepin hydrochloride in bulk and in drug formulation

Two simple and sensitive kinetic methods for the determination of dothiepin hydrochloride are described. The first method is based on kinetic investigation of the oxidation reaction of the drug with alkaline potassium permanganate at room temperature for a fixed time of 25 min. The absorbance of the colored manganate ions is measured at 610 nm. The second method is based on the reaction of dothiepin hydrochloride with 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan (NBD-Cl) in the presence of 0.1 mol L^–1 sodium bicarbonate. Spectrophotometric measurement was achieved by recording the absorbance at 470 nm for a fixed time of 60 min. All variables affecting the development of the color were investigated and the conditions were optimized. Plots of absorbance against concentration in both procedures were rectilinear over the ranges 4–24 and 50–250 g mL^–1, with mean recoveries 99.33±0.42 and 99.88±0.53, respectively. The proposed methods were successfully applied for the determination of dothiepin hydrochloride in bulk powder and in capsule dosage form. The results obtained were found to agree statistically with those given by the non-aqueous B.P. method. Furthermore the methods were validated according to USP guidelines and also assessed by applying the standard addition technique. The determination of dothiepin hydrochloride by the fixed concentration method is feasible with the calibration equations obtained, but the fixed time method proves to be more applicable.     

Host (Nanocavity of Aluminium-Incorporated Mesoporous KIT-6)–guest (12-tungesto(molybdato) Phosphoric Acid) Nanocomposite Material: Efficient and Reusable Catalysts for the Hosomi–Sakurai Three-Component Coupling Reaction

Abstract

The immobilization of heteropoly acids (HPAs) into the Al-functionalized KIT-6 mesoporous molecular sieve has been carried out to see the effect of Al-KIT-6 as a host matrix on the HPA activities. These modified mesoporous molecular sieves are effective catalysts for the Hosomi–Sakurai three-component coupling reaction via condensation of aldehydes, silyl ethers, and allylsilanes.

Supplemental materials are available for this paper. Go to the publisher's online edition of Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements to view the free supplemental file.     

HEXAMETHYLDISILAZANE IN THE PRESENCE OF N,N′,N″,N‴-TETRAMETHYLTETRA-2,3-PYRIDINOPORPHYRAZINATO COPPER (II) IS A NEW,MILD AND HIGHLY EFFICIENT REAGENT FOR SILYLATION OF ALCOHOLS AND PHENOLS

Alcohols and phenols are protected with hexamethyldisilazane in the presence of N,N′,N′,N?-tetramethyletra-2,3-pyridinoporphyrazinato copper (II) in good-to-excellent yields at room temperature.     

Air‐assisted liquid–liquid extraction coupled with dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and a drying step for extraction and preconcentration of some phthalate esters from edible oils prior to their determination by GC

In this work, a new, cheap, simple, fast, and low organic solvent consuming procedure is proposed for isolation, enrichment, and gas chromatographic determination of some phthalate esters in edible oils. The method is based on a combination of air‐assisted liquid–liquid extraction and dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by a drying step under N₂ gas. Several experimental parameters affecting both extraction and preconcentration steps were investigated and optimized. Under the optimum conditions for the proposed method, wide linear ranges (0.05–800 μg/L) and low detection limits (0.007–0.023 μg/L) were observed. The ranges of enrichment factors and extraction recoveries were 68–340 and 14–68%, respectively. Eventually, the target analytes were successfully determined in different edible oils using the proposed method.     

Substituted quinolinones. 31. Some new pyrano[3,2‐c]quinoline‐3‐carboxamides and their antioxidant activity

1‐Ethyl‐4‐hydroxy‐2‐oxo‐1,2‐dihydroquinoline‐3‐carbaldehyde ( 1 ) was annulated using malonic acid and/or its ethyl ester to furnish pyrano[3,2‐c]quinoline‐3‐carboxylic acid 2 and its ester 3 . Interconversions between acid 2 and ester 3 were successfully carried out. The anticipated pyrano[3,2‐c]quinoline‐3‐carboxamides 5–12 were conveniently attained via condensation of ester 3 with the proper amine. Surprisingly, treatment of ester 3 with dimethylformamide (DMF) in acidic media led to the carboxamide 5 . All attempts to convert ester 3 to its corresponding acid hydrazides by interaction with the proper hydrazine derivative led to formation of pyrazolidinediones 15 and 17 . Ester 3 underwent cyclo‐condensation with malononitrile dimer affording pyrido[3′,4′:5,6]pyrano[3,2‐c]quinoline derivative 18 . The new compounds revealed significant antioxidant effect, which suggests that most of them are possible potent antioxidant agents.