Hydrothermal synthesis and physicochemical characterization of CuO/ZnO/Al2O3 nanopowder. Part I: Effect of crystallization time

A hydrothermal method was successfully used for synthesis of CuO/ZnO/Al₂O₃ (CZA) nanopowder with atomic ratio of 6:3:1. The effect of crystallization time (3, 6, 9, and 12 h) on physicochemical properties of nanopowder was investigated. Nanopowders were characterized using XRD, FESEM, EDX, FTIR, TG, and BET techniques. The XRD patterns confirmed metal oxides formation and their good crystallinity with average crystallite size of 20 nm as obtained by the Scherrer equation. Relative crystallinity was shown to increase with increasing crystallization time. In agreement with XRD results, FESEM images also illustrated nanosized particles. EDX mapping indicated homogenous dispersion of elements. BET specific surface area analysis showed acceptable surface area for CZA nanopowder. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed metal oxides formation during hydrothermal and calcination processing. TG results illustrated high thermal stability of the synthesized nanopowders. TG-DTG and FTIR analyses were used to propose a reaction mechanism for nanopowder formation during processing. Physicochemical characterization showed optimal crystallization time to be 6 h.     

Rapid Detection of Antibody in Biological Fluids on a Bioarray Chip

A bioarray chip was developed for the rapid and sensitive detection of the antibody (Ab) in nanoliter volumes of biological fluids. The chip was used to detect the anti-hemagglutinin (anti-HA) Ab from mouse ascites fluids. On the bioarray chip, lanes of antigens (i.e., a 13-amino acid peptide, HA, that is bound by anti-HA Ab) were printed in one dimension on the chip surface. The antigens probed the protein samples (i.e., mouse anti-HA) obtained from biological fluids flowing in channels arranged in the perpendicular dimension. To determine if the detection sensitivity was increased by using different fluorescent labeling methods, two types of labeling reagents were compared, namely AlexaFluor 647-labeled goat anti-mouse Ab (AxIgG), and biotin-labeled anti-mouse Ab (BioIgG) followed by cyanine 5-tagged streptavidin (SA-Cy5). In addition, the assay procedure was shortened by omitting the reduction and blocking steps, while maintaining the sensitivity. In conclusion, a bioarray chip was adopted to detect as low as 10?pM mouse monoclonal antibody (anti-HA) in 500 nL of biological fluids (i.e., corresponding to 5 attomoles of antibody). Our results demonstrate that on-chip detection using this bioarray format is more sensitive and less time-consuming than traditional analyses.     

Catalytic decomposition of Bismarck brown by nanostructured CuS in mild conditions

Two samples of nanostructured CuS were synthesized by two different methods, and were used for degradation of Bismarck Brown, as an azo dye. The first sample consists an assembly of nanosheets, and the second one has prolat-like spheroid structure. It is shown that CuS nanosheets have higher catalytic activity than the second sample for degradation of Bismarck Brown in the presence of H₂O₂. The catalytic activity of the CuS nanosheets was investigated by different variables such as reaction time, solution temperature, volume of H₂O₂, catalyst mass, dye concentration and presence of NaCl. CuS nanosheets have high degradation efficiency under mild conditions and in the dark medium. It was found that the rate of dye degradation by H₂O₂ is fast in the presence of CuS nanosheets, and most of the reactant molecules are degraded within 10?minute. As the main products of dye degradation by the CuS nanosheet, and in presence of H₂O₂ are CO₂ and CO, it is a good catalyst for water purification. Another advantage of this catalyst is its reusability and recyclability, which maintains its stability after several cycles. Finally, the catalytic performance of CuS nanosheets was investigated for degradation of dye mixture (Bismarck Brown and Methyl violet).     

The use of chitosan/Fe3O4 grafted graphene oxide for effective adsorption of rifampicin from water samples

Research on Chemical Intermediates - The environmental pollution caused by the introduction of antibiotics into the water resources poses serious threats to aquatic organisms and human...     

Hydrogen Production from Methane Decomposition Using a Mobile and Elongating Arc Plasma Reactor

Plasma Chemistry and Plasma Processing - Hydrogen and solid carbon were produced through methane decomposition in a plasma reactor with a parallel set of screw type helix and rod-like electrodes....     

Catalytic and antibacterial properties of 3-dentate carboxamide Pd/Pt complexes obtained via a benign route

The complexes Pd^II(qcq)(OAc) and Pt^II(qcq)Cl have been synthesized using environmentally benign synthesized ligands and characterized by elemental analyses: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV–visible spectroscopy, ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The catalytic activity of the complex was assessed, in different media, for the Mizoroki–Heck coupling reaction for typical aryl halides and terminal olefins under aerobic conditions. Since the base and the solvent were found to influence the efficiency of the reaction, reaction conditions, temperature, time, and the amount of K₃PO₄ and a mixture of H₂O/PEG, were optimized. We found, for the Mizoroki–Heck reaction coupling less reactive aryl chloride derivatives with olefins, promising activity for palladium catalysts. The electrochemical behavior of Hqcq and the Pd(II) complex was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and irreversible Pd^II/I reductions were observed. Hqcq and the Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes were also screened for their in vitro antibacterial activity. They showed promising antibacterial activity comparable to that of the antibiotic penicillin.     

Beta-carotene/cyclodextrin-based inclusion complex: improved loading,solubility, stability,and cytotoxicity

Journal of Inclusion Phenomena and Macrocyclic Chemistry - Beta-carotene (BC) is a vitamin A precursor and has potential anticancer benefits, but the delivery of BC is hindered by its low...     

Synthesis and in vitro anti-Toxoplasma gondii activity of a new series of aryloxyacetophenone thiosemicarbazones

Molecular Diversity - A new series of aryloxyacetophenone thiosemicarbazones 4a–q have been synthesized as anti-Toxoplasma gondii agents. All compounds showed significant inhibitory activity...     

Numerical investigation of serrated fins on natural convection from concentric and eccentric annuli with different cross sections

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - In this paper, the effect of internal serrated fins and eccentricity on natural convection heat transfer between annular spaces with the equivalent...