Ion-beam mixing in Fe/Si bilayers by singly and highly charged ions: evolution of phases,spike mechanism and possible effects of the ion-charge state

Applied Physics A - Silicide formation and ion beam mixing of Fe/Si bilayers due to Ar-, Xe- and Au-ion irradiations at room and liquid-nitrogen temperatures were investigated. For the study of...     

Structural,electrochemical, and adsorption studies of Ni and Zn benzylimidazole coordination polymers with terephthalate linkers

Two coordination polymers, [Ni(bim)₂(L1)(H₂O)₂] _n (CP-1) and [Zn(bim)(L1)(Cl)] _n (CP-2) (bim = 1-benzylimidazole, L1 = terephthalic acid), were synthesized and characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. The Ni(II) center in CP-1 is octahedral, while the Zn(II) center in CP-2 is tetrahedral. CP-1 and CP-2 were used to modify carbon paste electrodes to assess their effect on the electrochemical behavior of ferricyanide. The redox reactions of ferricyanide on both electrodes proved to be reversible and diffusion controlled, with ferricyanide diffusion coefficients for CP-1 and CP-2 of 1.88 × 10⁵ and 3.44 × 10⁵ cm² s^?1, respectively. These coordination polymers were also investigated for their adsorption behavior toward two dyes: Chicago sky blue and methylene blue. CP-1 and CP-2 both rapidly adsorbed the anionic Chicago sky blue dye by different intermolecular interactions; in contrast, the cationic methylene blue dye was adsorbed to a lesser extent. The adsorption of these CPs depends on the charge but not the size of the dye. Addition of methanolic potassium nitrate solution caused the release of the adsorbed dyes.     

Adsorption and Kinetics Studies of Cr (VI) by Graphene Oxide and Reduced Graphene Oxide-Zinc Oxide Nanocomposite

In this work, graphene oxide (GO) and its reduced graphene oxide-zinc oxide nanocomposite (rGO-ZnO) was used for the removal of Cr (VI) from aqueous medium. By employing a variety of characterization techniques, morphological and structural properties of the adsorbents were determined. The adsorption study was done by varying concentration, temperature, pH, time, and amount of adsorbent. The results obtained confirmed that rGO-ZnO is a more economical and promising adsorbent for removing Cr (VI) as compared to GO. Kinetic study was also performed, which suggested that sorption of Cr (VI) follows the pseudo-first-order model. For equilibrium study, non-linear Langmuir was found a better fitted model than its linearized form. The maximum adsorption capacity calculated for GO and rGO-ZnO nanocomposite were 19.49 mg/g and 25.45 mg/g, respectively. Endothermic and spontaneous nature of adsorption was detected with positive values of ΔS (change in entropy), which reflects the structural changes happening at the liquid/solid interface.     

A Review Featuring Fabrication,Properties and Applications of Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) Reinforced Polymer and Epoxy Nanocomposites

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have long been recognized as the stiffest and strongest man-made material known to date.In addition,their high electrical conductivity has roused interest in the areas of electrical appliances and communication related applications.However,due to their miniature size,the excellent properties of these nanostructures can only be exploited if they are homogeneously embedded into light-weight matrices as those offered by a whole series of engineering polymers.In order to enhance their chemical affinity to engineering polymer matrices,chemical modification of the graphitic sidewalls and tips is necessary.The mechanical and electrical properties to date of a whole range of nanocomposites of various carbon nanotube contents are also reviewed in this attempt to facilitate progress in this emerging area.Recently,carbonaceous nano-fillers such as graphene and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) play a promising role due to their better structural and functional properties and broad range of applications in every field.Since CNTs usually form stabilized bundles due to van der Waals interactions,they are extremely difficult to disperse and align in a polymer matrix.The biggest issues in the preparation of CNTs reinforced composites reside in efficient dispersion of CNTs into a polymer matrix,the assessment of the dispersion,and the alignment and control of the CNTs in the matrix.An overview of various CNT functionalization methods is given.In particular,CNT functionalization using click chemistry and the preparation of CNT composites employing hyperbranched polymers are stressed as potential techniques to achieve good CNT dispersion.In addition,discussions on mechanical,thermal,electrical,electrochemical and applications ofpolymer/CNT composites are also included.     

Effect of the ionic strength on the redox reaction of dicyanobis(bipyridine)iron(III)‐iodide in binary and ternary solvent systems

The redox reaction between dicyanobis(bipyridine)iron(III) and iodide ion follows first‐order kinetics in 10% (v/v) tertiary butyl alcohol‐water. The reaction was found first and zero order in iodide and dicyanobis(bipyridine)iron(III), respectively, at 0.06 M ionic strength and 293 ± 1 K. The thermodynamic parameters of activation such as E_A (16.07 kJ mol^?1), A (1 × 10^?4 M s^?1), ΔH^# (13.6 kJ mol^?1), ΔS^# (?329.81 J K^?1 mol^?1), and ΔG^# (90.1 kJ mol^?1) were determined. The effect of the ionic strength on the rate constant leads to recognizing the stabilization or destabilization of the transition state complex that forms during the rate‐determining step of the reaction. The value of the zero‐order rate constant was decreased with increasing ionic strength that yielded a negative value of the slope in each binary and ternary solvent systems. This negative sign refers to the electron transfer between opposite charge carriers such as [Fe^III(bpy)₂(CN)₂]⁺ and I^? during the rate‐determining step. The destabilization of the transition state complex is surfaced by the increasing slope, that is, 5 < 10 < 15% (v/v) tertiary butyl alcohol‐water with a gradual decrease in the rate constant. However, its stability emerges by relatively small values of the slope in 17.5 < 25 ≤ 30% (v/v) tertiary butyl alcohol‐water and 8:2:90 < 6:4:90% (v/v) dioxane: tertiary butyl alcohol: water with reasonably fast rate of reaction.     

A conditional least squares approach to PGARCH and PARMA–PGARCH time series estimation

In this Note, a conditional least squares (CLS) estimates for periodic GARCH (PGARCH) models with martingale difference centered squared innovations is developed. The approach is extended to the PARMA–PGARCH models. We establish the strong consistency and the asymptotic normality for our estimate.     

Noncovalent bifunctional organocatalysts: powerful tools for contiguous quaternary-tertiary stereogenic carbon formation, scope, and origin of enantioselectivity

Relying on the assembly of commercially available catalyst building blocks, highly stereocontrolled quaternary carbon (all carbon substituted) formation has been achieved with unmatched substrate diversity. For example, the in situ assembly of a tricomponent catalyst system allows α-branched aldehyde addition to nitroalkene or maleimide electrophiles (Michael products), while addition to an α-iminoester affords Mannich reaction products. Very good yields are observed and for fifteen of the eighteen examples 96-99?% ee is observed. Using racemic α-branched aldehydes, two contiguous (quaternary-tertiary) stereogenic centers can be formed in high diastereo- and enantiomeric excess (eight examples) via an efficient in situ dynamic kinetic resolution, solving a known shortcoming for maleimide electrophiles in particular. The method is of practical value, requiring only 1.2?equiv of the aldehyde, a 5.0?mol?% loading of each catalyst component, for example, O-tBu-L-threonine (O-tBu-L-Thr), sulfamide, DMAP or O-tBu-L-Thr, KOH, and room temperature reactions. As a highlight, the first demonstration of ethylisovaleraldehyde (7) addition is disclosed, providing the most congested quaternary stereogenic carbon containing succinimide product (8) known to date. Finally, mechanistic insight, via DFT calculations, support a noncovalent assembly of the catalyst components into a bifunctional catalyst, correctly predict two levels of product stereoselectivity, and suggest the origin of the tricomponent catalyst system's exceptionality: an alternative hydrogen bond motif for the donor-acceptor pair than currently suggested for non-assembled catalysts.     

Impacting the Remedial Potential of Nano Delivery-Based Flavonoids for Breast Cancer Treatment

Breast cancer persists as a diffuse source of cancer despite persistent detection and treatment. Flavonoids, a type of polyphenol, appear to be a productive option in the treatment of breast cancer, because of their capacity to regulate the tumor related functions of class of compounds. Plant polyphenols are flavonoids that appear to exhibit properties which are beneficial for breast cancer therapy. Numerous epidemiologic studies have been performed on the dynamic effect of plant polyphenols in the prevention of breast cancer. There are also subclasses of flavonoids that have antioxidant and anticarcinogenic activity. These can regulate the scavenging activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which help in cell cycle arrest and suppress the uncontrolled division of cancer cells. Numerous studies have also been performed at the population level, one of which reported a connection between cancer risk and intake of dietary flavonoids. Breast cancer appears to show intertumoral heterogeneity with estrogen receptor positive and negative cells. This review describes breast cancer, its various factors, and the function of flavonoids in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer, namely, how flavonoids and their subtypes are used in treatment. This review proposes that cancer risk can be reduced, and that cancer can be even cured by improving dietary intake. A large number of studies also suggested that the intake of fruit and vegetables is associated with reduced breast cancer and paper also includes the role and the use of nanodelivery of flavonoids in the healing of breast cancer. In addition, the therapeutic potential of orally administered phyto-bioactive compounds (PBCs) is narrowed because of poor stability and oral bioavailability of compounds in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), and solubility also affects bioavailability. In recent years, creative nanotechnology-based approaches have been advised to enhance the activity of PBCs. Nanotechnology also offers the potential to become aware of disease at earlier stages, such as the detection of hidden or unconcealed metastasis colonies in patients diagnosed with lung, colon, prostate, ovarian, and breast cancer. However, nanoformulation-related effects and safety must not be overlooked. This review gives a brief discussion of nanoformulations and the effect of nanotechnology on herbal drugs.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Functionalized Nanosilica for Zinc Ion Mitigation; Experimental and Computational Investigations

Zinc is an essential trace metal and its concentration above 4ppm reduces the aesthetic value of water. This study explores the possibility of using functionalized nanohybrids as Zn(II) ion scavengers from aqueous solution. Functionalized nanohybrids were synthesized by the attachment of thiosemicarbazide to silica. The material was characterized by TGA, SEM, FTIR, EDX, and BET analysis, which revealed ligand bonding to silica. The functionalized silica was employed as Zn(II) ion extractant in batch experiments and removed about 94.5% of the Zn(II) ions at pH 7, near zero point charge (6.5) in 30 min. Kinetics investigations revealed that zinc adsorption follows an intra particle diffusion mechanism and first-order kinetics (K = 0.1020 min⁻¹). The data were fitted to Freundlich, Dubinin–Radushkevich, and Langmuir models and useful ion exchange parameters were determined. The impact of co-existing ions on Zn(II) ion sequestration was also studied and it was found that the adsorbent can be used for selective removal of zinc with various ions in the matrix. Quantum mechanical investigations revealed that the Zn(II) ion adsorption on ZnBS1 is more favorable, having higher binding energy (BE) (−178.1 kcal/mol) and ∆H (−169.8), and making tridentate complex with the N and S sites of the chelating ligand. The negative ∆G and BE values suggest highly spontaneous Zn(II) adsorption on the modified silica even at low temperatures.