Response surface methodology (RSM) of chicken skin gelatin based composite films with rice starch and curcumin incorporation

This study aims to optimize the formulation of composite films based on chicken skin gelatin with incorporation of rice starch (10–20%, w/w) and curcumin (0.03–0.10%, w/v). The effect of their interaction on film's tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (EAB), water vapor permeability (WVP) and antioxidant properties (DPPH%) were investigated using a response surface methodology-central composite design (RSM-CCD). The optimized film formulation was further validated to indicate the validity of the prediction model. The optimum conditions of the film were selected with incorporation of rice starch at 20% (w/w) and curcumin at 0.03% (w/v). The optimized film formulation has revealed better mechanical properties with low WVP value and good antioxidant activity. The results showed that optimized composite films formulation based on chicken skin gelatin with the incorporation of rice starch and curcumin has proving good validation of model prediction and can be effectively utilized in food packaging industry.     

Effective Utilization of NIR Wavelengths for Photo‐Controlled Polymerization: Penetration Through Thick Barriers and Parallel Solar Syntheses

This contribution details an efficient and controlled photopolymerization regulated by far‐red (λ=680 nm) and NIR (λ=780 and 850 nm) light in the presence of aluminium phthalocyanine and aluminium naphthalocyanine. Initiating radicals are generated by photosensitization of peroxides affording an effective strategy that provides controlled polymerization of a variety of monomers with excellent living characteristics. Critically, long wavelength irradiation provides penetration through thick barriers, affording unprecedented rates of controlled polymerization that can open new and exciting applications. Furthermore, a more optimized approach to performing solar syntheses is presented. By combining the narrow Q‐bands of these photocatalysts with others possessing complementary absorptions, layered, independent polymerizations and organic transformations may be performed in parallel under a single broadband emission source, such as sunlight.     

A Sensor for Serotonin and Dopamine Detection in Cancer Cells Line Based on the Conducting Polymer−Pd Complex Composite

An electrochemical sensor based on the conducting polymer composite with a palladium complex (Pd(C₂H₄N₂S₂)₂) was developed for the detection of serotonin and dopamine simultaneously in the breast cancer cell and human plasma samples. The proposed sensor was fabricated using the Pd(C₂H₄N₂S₂)₂ complex‐anchored poly2,2 : 5,2‐terthiophene‐3‐(p‐benzoic acid) (pTBA) layer on the AuNPs decorated reduced graphene oxide (AuNPs@rGO) substrate, which revealed the enhanced anodic current of the target species. The sensor probe was characterized by electrochemical and surface analysis methods. The experimental parameters affecting the sensor performance were optimized, in terms of AuNPs@rGO concentration, the number of electropolymerization cycle for pTBA, immobilization time of Pd(C₂H₄N₂S₂)₂, and pH. The dynamic ranges for serotonin and dopamine were obtained from 0.02 to 200 μM, and from 0.1 to 200 μM with the detection limit of 2.5, and 24.0 nM, respectively. The reliability of proposed sensor was evaluated using cancer cell lines for the clinical applications.     

Dynamic adhesion due to fluid infusion

The resistance of fluid infusion inside a thin film that separates an opening gap leads to viscous adhesion. Viscous adhesion can be detrimental for some mechanical devices such as valves or during additive manufacturing processes. On the other hand, it is also a mechanism found in nature for dynamic reversible adhesion. In this article we review analysis and measurements of viscous adhesion. In particular, we give conditions where viscous adhesion dominates over other surface forces. We also describe how characteristics of the solid surfaces such as roughness and elasticity, as well as the compliance of the load cell can be incorporated in the analysis. Finally, we discuss the knowledge gaps and scientific areas where a better understanding of viscous adhesion could be beneficial.     

Reducing Agents for Improving the Stability of Sn‐based Perovskite Solar Cells

Organic‐inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have aroused tremendous research interest for their high efficiency, low cost and solution processability. However, the involvement of toxic lead in state‐of‐art perovskites hinders their market prospects. As an alternative, Sn‐based perovskites exhibit similar semiconductor characteristics and can potentially achieve comparable photovoltaic performance in comparison with their lead‐based counterparts. The main challenge of developing Sn‐based PCSs lies in the intrinsic poor stability of Sn²⁺, which could be oxidized and converted to Sn⁴⁺. Notably, introduction of SnX₂ (X=Cl, Br, I) additive becomes indispensable in the fabrication process, which highlights the importance of incorporating a reducing agent to improve the device stability. Additionally, efforts are made to utilize other reducing agents with different functions for the further enhancement of device performance. Currently, Sn‐based PSCs could attain a record efficiency over 10% with great stability. In this review, we present the recent progress on reducing agents for improving the stability of Sn‐based PSCs, and we hope to shed light on the challenges and opportunities of this research field.     

Thermodynamics,a suitable reporter in the design of mercury (II) ion selective electrodes

A fully functionalised calix[4]pyrrole derivative, namely, meso-tetramethyl-tetrakis[(diethylthiocarbamoyl)phenoxy] calix[4]-pyrrole, 1 has been synthesised and structurally characterised. Its complexing properties with metal cations in acetonitrile were investigated with particular emphasis on the thermodynamics of these systems. These data and those previously reported for a partially functionalised calix[4]arene based receptor, 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl[25,27 bis(diethylthiocarbamoyl)oxy]calix[4]arene, 2 were used to, i) further corroborate their use to predict the selectivity coefficients of carrier mediated mercury (II) ion selective electrodes (ISEs) and ii) to obtain approximate stability constant data from selectivity coefficients. The optimum working conditions of both electrodes were determined. It is shown that while the ISE based on 1 is characterised by a wider linear range and a lower mercury (II) detection than the one based on 2, the latter has the advantage of lower interference of other metal cations due to the much lower stability constants of bivalent cations relative to Hg(II). The response characteristics of these electrodes are compared with those found in the literature. SEM micrographs along with EDX spectra of the PVC membranes containing ionophore 1 or 2 unloaded and loaded with Hg(II) are reported.     

Crystallization of poly-p-oxybenzoate on mica

Thin film polymerization/crystallization of poly-4-oxybenzoate (P-4-OB) from melt or dilute solutions yields on mica cleavage surface an epitaxial overgrowth with crystal blocks oriented in 1 to 3 substrate directions rotated by 60°. The b and c crystal axes of P-4-OB lie in the mica cleavage plane, with the a axis being perpendicular to it. At higher polymerization temperatures a different type of P-4-OB orientation on mica was also observed: two P-4-temperatures a different type of P-4-OB orientation on mica was also observed: two P-4-OB phase I crystals, again with b- and c-axes lying parallel to mica cleavage plane, were oriented perpendicular to each other. There is a pronounced tendency of the relatively thick P-4-OB overgrowth to form complex crystal structures involving both phase I and II with different types of orientation on mica substrate. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Poly(terephthalic anhydride) single crystals: Morphology and crystal structure

Single crystals of poly(terephthalic anhydride) (PTA) have been grown using the confined thin film melt polymerization technique. Thin lamellae (ca. 50 Å) are found for low polymerization temperatures, with thick crystals forming for polymerization at 200°C. Shearing of the material shortly after the initiation of polymerization at 200°C yielded single crystal domains composed of fibrillar texture material; these samples gave [010] zone ED patterns complementing the [001] zone patterns from the unsheared CTFMP samples. A monoclinic, single chain, two repeat unit, unit cell (Pc11) is proposed based on four different electron diffraction zone patterns: a = 6.01 Å, b = 3.94₅ Å, c = 14.11 Å, α = 106.9°. Simulations, using the Cerius² program, of the corresponding molecular conformation, packing and electron diffraction (ED) patterns were performed; the ED simulations are in good agreement with the observed patterns. An R-factor of 0.23 is obtained based on a comparison of calculated and observed structure factors for the 39 independent ED reflections observed on the different zone patterns. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Chemical assays of end-groups displayed on the surface of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) films and membranes by radiolabeling

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) films and track-etched microporous membranes naturally display, on their surfaces, reactive chain-ends, i.e. carboxyl and hydroxyl functions. These were assayed by suitable activation (reaction with carbodiimide and tosyl chloride, respectively), followed by coupling with ³H-lysine and liquid scintillation counting of the sample-associated radioactivity. Values ranging between 5 and 30 pmol/cm² (open surface) of labeled end-groups were obtained, depending on the physico-chemical nature of the samples. Basic hydrolysis enriched the PET films with both types of endings (15–25 pmol/cm²). Reduction of films with the NaBH₄-catechol complex in tetrahydrofuran enriched their surfaces with hydroxyl groups. However, this procedure was not readily applicable to the surface modification of membranes; we observed an erosion effect that was confirmed by scanning electron microscope analyses. In contrast with the reduction process, the oxidation with KMnO₄ in 1.2N H₂SO₄ could be easily applied to the modification of either films or membranes; their surfaces were significantly enriched with carboxyl groups (15–50 pmol/cm²). This surface modification strategy has been used for the covalent coupling of adhesive proteins on PET membranes developed as supports for cell cultivation.     

Alkaline Stable Anion Exchange Membranes Based on Cross-Linked Poly(arylene ether sulfone) Bearing Dual Quaternary Piperidines for Enhanced Anion Conductivity at Low Water Uptake

Alkaline stable anion exchange membranes based on the cross-linked poly(arylene ether sulfone) grafted with dual quaternary piperidine (XPAES-DP) units were synthesized. The chemical structure of the synthesized PAES-DP was validated using ¹H-NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy. The physicochemical, thermal, and mechanical properties of XPAES-DP membranes were compared with those of two linear PAES based membranes grafted with single piperidine (PAES-P) unit and conventional trimethyl amine (PAES-TM). XPAES-DP membrane showed the ionic conductivity of 0.021 S cm⁻¹ at 40 °C which was much higher than that of PAES-P and PAES-TM because of the possession of more quaternary ammonium groups in the cross-linked structure. This cross-linked structure of the XPAES-DP membrane resulted in a higher tensile strength of 18.11 MPa than that of PAES-P, 17.09 MPa. In addition, as the XPAES-DP membrane shows consistency in the ionic conductivity even after 96 h in 3 M KOH solution with a minor change, its chemical stability was assured for the application of anion exchange membrane fuel cell. The single-cell assembled with XPAES-DP membrane displayed a power density of 109 mWcm⁻² at 80 °C under 100% relative humidity.