Cerium Oxide Nanorods Synthesized by Dalbergia sissoo Extract for Antioxidant,Cytotoxicity, and Photocatalytic Applications

In this study, cerium oxide nanorods (CeO₂-NRs) were synthesized by using the phytochemicals present in the Dalbergia sissoo extract. The physiochemical characteristics of the as-prepared CeO₂-NRs were investigated by using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-VIS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The SEM and UV-VIS analyses revealed that the acquired nanomaterials possessed a rod-like morphology while the XRD results further confirmed that the synthesized NRs exhibited a cubic crystal lattice system. The antioxidant capacity of the synthesized CeO₂-NRs was investigated by using several in vitro biochemical assays. It was observed that the synthesized NRs exhibited better antioxidant potential in comparison to the industrial antioxidant of the butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) in 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The biochemical assays, including lipid peroxidation (LPO), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and catalase activity (CAT), were also performed in the human lymphocytes incubated with the CeO₂-NRs to investigate the impact of the NRs on these oxidative biomarkers. Enhanced reductive capabilities were observed in all the assays, revealing that the NRs possess excellent antioxidant properties. Moreover, the cytotoxic potential of the CeO₂-NRs was also investigated with the MTT assay. The CeO₂-NRs were found to effectively kill off the cancerous cells (MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line), further indicating that the synthesized NRs exhibit anticancer potential as well. One of the major applications studied for the prepared CeO₂-NRs was performing the statistical optimization of the photocatalytic degradation reaction of the methyl orange (MO) dye. The reaction was optimized by using the technique of response surface methodology (RSM). This advanced approach facilitates the development of the predictive model on the basis of central composite design (CCD) for this degradation reaction. The maximum degradation of 99.31% was achieved at the experimental optimized conditions, which corresponded rather well with the predicted percentage degradation values of 99.58%. These results indicate that the developed predictive model can effectively explain the performed experimental reaction. To conclude, the CeO₂-NRs exhibited excellent results for multiple applications.     

Host-guest molecular encapsulation of cucurbit[7]uril with dillapiole congeners using docking simulation and density functional theory approaches

Structural Chemistry - Binding affinity and intermolecular interactions are essential characteristics that could be used to comprehend molecular recognition between molecules in supramolecular...     

Ferromagnetism and structural deformation in monolayer alpha lead oxide induced by N and F doping: New insights from first principles

We study the structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of monolayer α-PbO_0.875A_0.125 (A = N, F), which are calculated using first principles. As a result, N doping induces local ferromagnetism centered at the N²⁻ site, originating from the spin-down N 2p valence states. On the other hand, F doping induces nonmagnetism and induces ab-plane deformation, where F⁻ receives one electron to its nearest-neighboring Pb^1.75+ ions. N doping redshifts the bandgap of the undoped system and transforms it to be indirect, while F doping blueshifts the bandgap through the Burstein-Moss effect. The hybridization of Pb 6p and O 2p orbitals is stronger near the A site than that of the crystal structure edge. Our result shows new insights, predicting possible experimental results for future functional device applications.     

A New Benzothiazin-functionalized Calix[4]arene-based Fluorescent Chemosensor for the Selective Detection of Co2+ Ion

Calixarenes, which have a great place in supramolecular chemistry, have become the most prominent macrocyclic compounds in synthetic organic chemistry due to their easy synthesis and functionalization. In this study, p-tert-butyl calix[4]arene dihydrazide derivative was synthesized and then reacted with 3-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2 H-benzo[b][1,4] thiazin-2-ylideneacetyl chloride to prepare new calixarene based chromophore compound 4. The structure of the synthesized compound was elucidated by spectroscopic methods such as ¹H NMR ¹³C NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy. Chromogenic and fluorescence properties of compound 4 were evaluated. It was observed from both studies that compound 4 was Co²⁺ selective and shows fluorescence Switched-off behavior. Stoichiometry, binding constant and the detection limit were calculated. The stoichiometry between compound 4 and Co²⁺ was found to be 1:1. The binding constant value (K) was calculated as 666.67 M^??1 using Benesi–Hildebrand equation, while the detection limit for Co²⁺ ion was calculated as 0.0465 µM.

     

Synthesis and Characterization of the Rubidium Thiophosphate Rb6(PS5)(P2S10) and the Rubidium Silver Thiophosphates Rb2AgPS4, RbAg5(PS4)2 and Rb3Ag9(PS4)4

The metal thiophosphates Rb₂AgPS₄ ( 2 ), RbAg₅(PS₄)₂ ( 3 ), and Rb₃Ag₉(PS₄)₄ ( 4 ) were synthesized by stoichiometric reactions, whereas Rb₆(PS₅)(P₂S₁₀) ( 1 ) was prepared with excess amount of sulfur. The compounds crystallize as follows: 1 monoclinic, P2₁/c (no. 14), a = 17.0123(7) Å, b = 6.9102(2) Å, c = 23.179(1) Å, β = 94.399(4)°; 2 triclinic, P$\bar{1}$ (no. 2), a = 6.600(1) Å, b = 6.856(1) Å, c = 10.943(3) Å, α = 95.150(2)°, β = 107.338(2)°, γ = 111.383(2)°; 3 orthorhombic, Pbca (no. 61), a = 12.607(1) Å, b = 12.612(1) Å, c = 17.759(2) Å; 4 orthorhombic, Pbcm (no. 57), a = 6.3481(2) Å, b = 12.5782(4) Å, c = 35.975(1) Å. The crystal structures contain discrete units, chains, and 3D polyanionic frameworks composed of PS₄ tetrahedral units arranged and connected in different manner. Compounds 1 – 3 melt congruently, whereas incongruent melting behavior was observed for compound 4 . 1 – 4 are semiconductors with bandgaps between 2.3 and 2.6 eV and thermally stable up to 450 °C in an inert atmosphere.     

Theoretical and experimental studies of ion imprinted polymer for nitrate detection

Molecular imprinting is an approach to synthesize receptors with specific molecular recognition properties. A computational method was carried out to study interaction between template and monomer in prepolymerization mixture. The functional monomer and template complexes were optimized, at the minimum energy confirmation using Austin Model 1 semi empirical method within Restricted Hartree Fock formalism. The theoretical results showed that allylthiourea (functional monomer) has the largest interaction energy towards template (sodium nitrate) with the mole ratio of 4 : 1; functional monomer : template. The resulting polymers were characterized using Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry analysis and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Rebinding experiments were carried out to evaluate binding capacity of the polymer. The adsorption data of ion imprinted polymer (IIP) were fitted with Langmuir-Freundlich isotherm model. Pseudo-second order kinetic model was used to describe the kinetic adsorption behavior of IIP. The experimental binding result showed good agreement with theoretical computation and the IIP was further used for nitrate ion detection. The results of membrane optimization indicated that the sensor, which composed of 30% polyvinylchloride, 60% nitrophenyl octyl ether as a plasticizer, 2% sodium tetraphenyl borate, and 10% IIP as ionophore exhibited an almost Nernstian slope with the limit of detection 3.9 × 10^-6 M. The fabricated sensor had shown good potential in nitrate detection with wide linear range, low limit of detection and found to have good selectivity towards nitrate ion over other anion.     

Quantum Einstein’s equations and constraints algebra

In this paper we shall address this problem: Is quantum gravity constraints algebra closed and what are the quantum Einstein’s equations. We shall investigate this problem in the de-Broglie-Bohm quantum theory framework. It is shown that the constraint algebra is weakly closed and the quantum Einstein’s equations are derived.     

On the Green’s function and iterative solutions of loop quantum cosmology

Here we shall find the Green’s function of the difference equation of loop quantum cosmology. To illustrate how to use it, we shall obtain an iterative solution for closed model and evaluate its corresponding Bohmian trajectory.     

$${f(\mathcal R)}$$ quantum cosmology

We have quantized a flat cosmological model in the context of the metric models, using the causal Bohmian quantum theory. The equations are solved and then we have obtained how the quantum corrections influence the classical equations.     

Antifungal,Antibacterial, and Cytotoxic Activities of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized from Aqueous Extracts of Mace-Arils of Myristica fragrans

In the present study, mace-mediated silver nanoparticles (mace-AgNPs) were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated against an array of pathogenic microorganisms. Mace, the arils of Myristica fragrans, are a rich source of several bioactive compounds, including polyphenols and aromatic compounds. During nano synthesis, the bioactive compounds in mace aqueous extracts serve as excellent bio reductants, stabilizers, and capping agents. The UV-VIS spectroscopy of the synthesized NPs showed an intense and broad SPR absorption peak at 456 nm. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis showed the size with a Z average of 50 nm, while transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies depicted the round shape and small size of the NPs, which ranged between 5–28 nm. The peaks related to important functional groups, such as phenols, alcohols, carbonyl groups, amides, alkanes and alkenes, were obtained on a Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectrum. The peak at 3 keV on the energy dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDX) validated the presence of silver (Ag). Mace-silver nanoparticles exhibited potent antifungal and antibacterial activity against several pathogenic microorganisms. Additionally, the synthesized mace-AgNPs displayed an excellent cytotoxic effect against the human cervical cancer cell line. The mace-AgNPs demonstrated robust antibacterial, antifungal, and cytotoxic activity, indicating that the mace-AgNPs might be used in the agrochemical industry, pharmaceutical industry, and biomedical applications. However, future studies to understand its mode of action are needed.