On the Structure of Sulfur/1,3-Diisopropenylbenzene Co-Polymer Cathodes for Li-S Batteries: Insights from Density-Functional Theory Calculations

Sulfur co-polymers have recently drawn considerable attention as alternative cathode materials for lithium-sulfur batteries, thanks to their flexible atomic structure and the ability to provide high reversible capacity. Here, we report on the atomic structure of sulfur/1,3-diisopropenylbenzene co-polymers (poly(S-co-DIB)) based on the insights obtained from density-functional theory calculations. The focus is set on studying the local structural properties, namely the favorable sulfur chain length (S_n with ) connecting two DIBs. In order to investigate the effects of the organic groups and sulfur chains separately, we perform series of atomic structure optimizations. We start from simple organic groups connected via sulfur chains and gradually change the structure of the organic groups until we reach a structure in which two DIB molecules are attached via sulfur chains. Additionally, to increase the structural sampling, we perform temperature-assisted minimum-energy structure search on slightly simpler model systems. We find that in DIB-S_n-DIB co-polymers, shorter sulfur chains with are preferred, where the stabilization is mostly brought about by the sulfur chains rather than the organic groups. The presented results, corresponding to the fully charged state of the cathode in the thermodynamic limit, have direct applications in the field of lithium-sulfur batteries with sulfur-polymer cathodes.     

Ellipsoidal anisotropy in linear elasticity: Approximation models and analytical solutions

The concept of ellipsoidal anisotropy, first introduced in linear elasticity by Saint Venant, has reappeared in recent years in diverse applications from the phenomenological to micromechanical modeling of materials. In this concept, indicator surfaces, which represent the variation of some elastic parameters in different directions of the material, are ellipsoidal. This concept recovers different models according to the elastic parameters that have ellipsoidal indicator surfaces. An interesting feature of some models introduced by Saint Venant is the formation of analytical solutions for basic problems of linear elasticity. This paper has two main objectives. First, an accurate definition of the variety of anisotropy called ellipsoidal is provided, which corresponds to a family of materials that depends on 12 independent parameters, including varieties of orthotropic and non-orthotropic materials. An explicit nondegenerate Green function solution is established for these materials. Then, it is shown that the ellipsoidal model recovers a variety of phenomenological and theoretical models used in recent years, specifically for geomaterials and damaged or micro-cracked materials. These models can be used to approximate the elastic parameters of any anisotropic material with different fitting qualities. A method to optimize the parameters will be given.     

Investigating the interaction of juglone (5-hydroxy-1, 4-naphthoquinone) with serum albumins using spectroscopic and in silico methods

The interaction between juglone at the concentration range of 10–110 µM and bovine serum albumin (BSA) or human serum albumin (HSA) at the constant concentration of 11 µM was investigated by fluorescence and UV absorption spectroscopy under physiological-like condition. Performing the experiments at different temperatures showed that the fluorescence intensity of BSA/HSA was decreased in the presence of juglone by a static quenching mechanism due to the formation of the juglone–protein complex. The binding constant for the interaction was in the order of 10³ M^?1, and the number of binding sites for juglone on serum albumins was determined to be equal to one. The thermodynamic parameters including enthalpy (ΔH), entropy (ΔS) and Gibb’s free energy (ΔG) changes were obtained by using the van’t Hoff equation. These results indicated that van der Waals force and hydrogen bonding were the main intermolecular forces stabilizing the complex in a spontaneous association reaction. Moreover, the interaction of BSA/HSA with juglone was verified by UV absorption spectra and molecular docking. The results of synchronous fluorescence, UV–visible and CD spectra demonstrated that the binding of juglone with BSA/HSA induces minimum conformational changes in the structure of albumins. The increased binding affinity of juglone to albumin observed in the presence of site markers (digoxin and ibuprofen) excludes IIA and IIIA sites as the binding site of juglone. This is partially in agreement with the results of molecular docking studies which suggests sub-domain IA of albumin as the binding site.     

Naproxen-eudragit RS100 nanoparticles: preparation and physicochemical characterization

The objective of the present study was to formulate naproxen-eudragit RS100 nanoparticles and investigate the physicochemical characteristics of the prepared nanoparticles. The nanoparticles of naproxen with eudragit RS100 were formulated using the solvent evaporation/extraction technique (the single emulsion technique). The effect of several process parameters, i.e., drug/polymer ratio, aqueous phase volume and speed of homogenization were considered on the size of the nanoformulations. The physicochemical characteristics of nanoparticles were studied applying particle size analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray crystallography, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The release rate of naproxen from various drug/polymer nanoparticles was investigated as well. All the prepared formulations using eudragit RS100 resulted in nano-range size particles with relative spherical smooth morphology. The nanoparticles of naproxen-eudragit RS100 displayed lower crystallinity. The intermolecular interaction between naproxen and eudragit RS100 was detected in the FT-IR spectrum of the nanoparticles. All the nanoparticles displayed a slowed release pattern with the reduced burst release in comparison with the intact drug powder and physical mixtures of drug and polymer. According of these findings, formulation of the naproxen-eudragit RS100 nanoparticles was able to improve the physicochemical characteristics of the drug and possibly will increase the anti-inflammatory effects of drug following its ocular or intra-joint administration.     

Dispersive solid‐phase extraction adsorbent of methamphetamine using in‐situ synthesized carbon‐based conductive polypyrrole nanocomposite: focus on clinical applications in human urine

Determination of methamphetamine is of great importance in clinical and forensic laboratories because there are low dosages of drugs in the biological media and social problems created due to the methamphetamine consumption. Polymeric carbon based‐nano composites are reasonable candidates for dispersive solid phase extraction method due to facial and affordable synthesis process and high selectivity and sensitivity. Nano graphene oxide polypyrolle composite was synthesized and employed as dispersive solid‐phase extraction adsorbent for methamphetamine extraction from complex urine matrix. Full characterization of the prepared nano graphene oxide polypyrolle composite was completed and the influential extraction parameters were investigated through one‐parameter‐at‐a‐time method. High‐performance liquid chromatography detectors were applied as detection and quantification instrument. The optimized extraction parameters included 300 µL of methanol, 10 min of extraction and desorption time, 6000 stirring rate, urine pH value of 10, 60 mg of adsorbent, and 6 mL of urine volume. After outlining the calibration curve, the linear range of the method was considered as 30–800 ng/mL. The detection limit for the suggested method was 9 ng/mL. The analysis of addicted subjects with the proposed method confirmed the utility of the method in different analytical and clinical laboratories.     

Investigation of the Electrochemical Behavior of Mesalazine on the Surface of a Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with CNT/PPY Doped by 1,5‐Naphthalenedisulfonic Acid

A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified with a thin layer of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and subsequently, electrochemically deposited poly‐pyrrole. The electrochemical behavior of mesalazine was studied on the surface of the modified electrode by applying linear sweep voltammetry (LSV). The electropolymerization process and the electrochemical response toward mesalazine were investigated in the presence of different aromatic anion dopants including, benzenesulfonic acid (BSA), 1,3‐benzenedisulfonic acid (1,3‐BDSA), 1,5‐naphthalenedisulfonic acid (1,5‐NDSA) and new coccine (NC). By using 1,5‐NDSA as dopant, a significant increase (～418 times) in the peak current of mesalazine was observed, in comparison to the bare GCE. Experimental variables such as drop size of the cast MWCNTs suspension, pH of the supporting electrolyte, accumulation conditions and the number of scans in the electropolymerization process were optimized by monitoring the LSV responses of mesalazine. Under the optimum conditions, two linear dynamic ranges of 0.01–0.1 µmol L^?1 and 0.1–1.0 µmol L^?1 with a detection limit of 3 nmol L^?1 were resulted for the voltammetric determination of mesalazine. The prepared electrode showed high sensitivity, stability and good reproducibility for determination of mesalazine. These properties made the prepared sensor suitable for the determination of mesalazine in pharmaceutical and clinical preparations.