Study of environmental biodegradation of LDPE films in soil using optical and scanning electron microscopy

An outdoor soil burial test was carried out to evaluate the degradation of commercially available LDPE carrier bags in natural soil for up to 2 years. Biodegradability of low density polyethylene films in soil was monitored using both optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After 7–9 months of soil exposure, microbial colonization was evident on the film surface. Exposed LDPE samples exhibit progressive changes towards degradation after 17–22 months. SEM images reveal signs of degradation such as exfoliation and formation of cracks on film leading to disintegration. The possible degradation mode and consequences on the use and disposal of LDPE films is discussed.     

Chelating behaviour of new 12-membered Schiff base macrocycles containing pendant groups

Summary The free Schiff base macrocycles 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclo-dodeca-5,6,11,12-tetraaminoacetic acid-4,6,10,12-tetraene (L¹), 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododeca-5,6,11,12-tetraamino-phenyl-4,6,10,12-tetraene (L²) and 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclo-dodeca-5,6,11,12-tetraaminopyridyl-4,6,10,12-tetraene (L³) have been prepared by the reaction of oxamidediacetic acid, oxamidediphenyl and oxamidedipyridyl, respectively, with ethylenediamine. Their complexes with first row transition metal ions, of types [MLCl₂] and [MLCl₂]Cl, have also been prepared and characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. The complexes of divalent metal ions are non-ionic while those of trivalent metal ions appear to be 11 electrolytes. An octahedral geometry is proposed for all the complexes.     

Synthesis,Spectral Characterization and Biological Activities of Co(II) and Ni(II) Mixed Ligand Complexes

2,4-Dinitrophynylhydrazine and two thiocyanate ions in a (M:L1:L2) 1:2:2 molar ratio was synthesized in the complexes of Co(II) and Ni(II). The prepared compounds were identified through a C.H.N.S. analysis, conductivity measurements, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), the infrared spectrum, and a UV-visible spectrum analysis, in addition to the magnetic properties being measured. The measurements of the molar conductance implieda nonelectrolytic nature of compounds Co(II) and Ni(II). The magnetic susceptibility, as well as electronic spectra, represented all the metal complexesthroughoctahedral geometry, respectively. The PXRD patterns suggested that all the complexes were an orthorhombic system with unit cell parameters. The in-vitro biological activity of the ligand and the metal complexes were screened against the Gram-positive and negative pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas, aeruginosa and Escherichia coli, as well as the fungal species of Aspergillusniger and Candida albicans.Thus, the metal complexes showeda high efficiency of antimicrobial activity compared with the ligand. Furthermore, applications of the ligand, as well as the metal complexes, were tested for in-vitro antioxidant potential in aDPPH assay. The results showed that the activity of the metal complexes with the in-vitro antioxidant was more active than that of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine(DNPH).     

Gold nanoparticles deposited on mesoporous carbon as a solid-phase sorbent with enhanced extraction capacity and selectivity for anilines

Microchimica Acta - Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were in-situ deposited onto the ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) to function as a novel SPME coating. The specific area, pore volumes and average pore...     

Polyion-sensitive membrane-based electrodes for heparin-binding foldamer analysis

Polymer membrane-based electrodes sensitive to low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) have been used to examine the binding between several preparations of LMWH and heparin-binding foldamers, which have recently been developed as potential inhibitors of the anticoagulant activity of LMWHs. It was found that the structure of the heparin-binding foldamer affects the equilibrium binding constant, K(eq), determined by analysis of the titration curves of the foldamers with LMWHs monitored with these electrodes, and further, the strength of binding depends on the specific LMWH preparation. Additionally, polymer membrane-based electrodes utilizing dinonylnaphthalene sulfonate as the ion-exchanger were developed to measure the heparin-binding foldamers directly in whole blood, and the response was found to depend on the lipophilicity and charge density of the foldamer.     

Diamond nanorods from nanocrystalline diamond films

Diamond nanorods (DNRs) have been prepared by hydrogen plasma post-treatment of nanocrystalline diamond films in radio-frequency (RF) plasma-assisted hot-filament chemical vapor deposition. Single-crystal diamond nanorods with diameters of 3–5 nm and with lengths up to 200 nm grow under hydrogen plasma irradiation of nanocrystalline diamond thin film on the Si substrate at high temperatures. The DNRs growth occurs from graphite clusters. The graphite clusters arises from the etching of diamond carbon atoms and from the non-diamond phase present in the parent film. The graphite clusters recrystallized to form nanocrystalline diamonds which further grow for diamond nanorods. The negative applied bias and surface stresses are suggested to support one-dimensional growth. The growth direction of diamond nanorods is perpendicular to the (1 1 1) crystallographic planes of diamond. The studies address the structure and growth mechanism of diamond nanorods.     

Correction to: An efficient protocol for the synthesis of highly sensitive indole imines utilizing green chemistry: optimization of reaction conditions

Molecular Diversity - In the original publication, one of the co-authors name Sana Jamshaid was missed out. The correct authors’ group is updated in this correction.     

Highly regioselective synthesis of chiral diamines via a Buchwald–Hartwig amination from camphoric acid and their application in the Henry reaction

In this work the synthesis of new asymmetric diamine ligands from camphoric acid is described. The new diamines can be directly prepared in a regioselective arylation of the less hindered primary amine group of (+)‐cis‐1,2,2‐trimethylcyclopentane‐1,3‐diamine via a Buchwald–Hartwig amination in high yields. The resulting diamines incorporate a secondary and primary amine group and were successfully applied as ligands in a copper‐catalyzed Henry reaction. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Organic-inorganic composite cation-exchanger: poly-o-toluidine Zr(IV) phosphate-based ion-selective membrane electrode for the potentiometric determination of mercury

A new heterogeneous precipitate of an organic-inorganic composite cation-exchanger poly-o-toluidine Zr(IV) phosphate was utilized for the preparation of a Hg(II) ion-sensitive membrane electrode for the determination of Hg(II) ions in real aqueous as well as in real samples. The electrode showed good potentiometric response characteristics, and displayed a linear log[Hg(2+)] versus EMF response over a wide concentration range of 1 x 10(-1) - 1 x 10(-6) M with a Nernstian slope of 30 mV per decade change in concentration with a detection limit of 1 x 10(-6). The membrane electrode showed a very fast response time of 5 s and could be operated well in the pH range 2 - 8. The selectivity coefficients were determined by the mixed-solution method, and revealed that the electrode was selective in the presence of interfering cations; however most of these did not show significant interference in the concentration range of 1 x 10(-1) - 1 x 10(-4) M. The lifetime of the membrane electrode was observed to be 120 days. The analytical utility of this electrode was established by employing it as an indicator electrode in the potentiometric titrations of Hg(2+) ions from a synthetic mixture as well as drain water.