Podophyllotoxin extraction from Linum usitatissimum plant and its anticancer activity against HT‐29, A‐549 and MDA‐MB‐231 cell lines with and without the presence of gold nanoparticles

In recent years, gold nanoparticles (Au‐NPs) have been taken into consideration in nanomedicine due to their excellent biocompatibility, chemical stability and promising optical properties. In this research, podophyllotoxin conjugated with gold nanoparticles (Au‐NPs‐POT) was synthesized and the conjugation of POT with Au‐NPs was confirmed using scanning electron microscopy, mass spectrometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The anticancer effects of the product on preclinical models of lung, colon and breast cancers were investigated using MTT test. The analyses showed a direct dose–response relationship. It was found that higher concentrations of POT have more positive effects on the inhibition of cancer cell growth. At POT concentrations of 1, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 15 and 20 ng ml^?1, approximately 50% of the growth of colorectal, lung and breast cancer cell lines was inhibited, while similar results were obtained in the presence of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 μg ml^?1 Au‐NPs‐POT. Au‐NPs‐POT exhibited the lowest cytotoxicity due to the presence of POT. The anticancer feature of Au‐NPs‐POT proved the potential to develop better anticancer therapeutics and to open new avenues for treatment of cancers.     

In situ green synthesis of Cu‐Ni bimetallic nanoparticles supported on reduced graphene oxide as an effective and recyclable catalyst for the synthesis of N‐benzyl‐N‐aryl‐5‐amino‐1H‐tetrazoles

In the present work, for the first time we have designed a novel approach for the synthesis of N‐benzyl‐N‐aryl‐5‐amino‐1H‐tetrazoles using reduced graphene oxide (rGO) decorated with Cu‐Ni bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs). In situ synthesis of Cu/Ni/rGO nanocomposite was performed by a cost efficient, surfactant‐free and environmentally benign method using Crataegus azarolus var. aronia L. leaf extract as a stabilizing and reducing agent. Phytochemicals present in the extract can be used to reduce Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions and GO to Cu NPs, Ni NPs and rGO, respectively. Analyses by means of FT‐IR, UV–Vis, EDS, TEM, FESEM, XRD and elemental mapping confirmed the Cu/Ni/rGO formation and also FT‐IR, NMR, and mass spectroscopy as well as elemental analysis were used to characterize the tetrazoles. The Cu/Ni/rGO nanocomposite showed the superior catalytic activity for the synthesis of N‐benzyl‐N‐aryl‐5‐amino‐1H‐tetrazoles within a short reaction time and high yields. Furthermore, this protocol eliminates the need to handle HN₃.     

Sensitive Biosensor Based on Urease/In2O5Sn Nano-Coated Fluorinated SnO2 for Urea Detection in Blood Serum

Journal of Analytical Chemistry - A sensitive electrochemical matrix based on In2O5Sn nanoparticles modified fluorinated tin oxide (SnO2:F) conducting glass was reported. Besides, urease (Urs) was...     

Synthesis of star-shaped CuO nanoparticles supported on magnetic functionalized graphene: Catalytic and antibacterial activity

In this study, graphene oxide was modified during consecutive functionalization steps with 1,4-diphenylamine, cyanuric chloride, and ethylenediamine. Then, star-shaped CuO nanoparticles were synthesized on modified graphene oxide using the seed-mediated growth method in which nucleation, growth stages, and reduction of graphene oxide to graphene occurred simultaneously. After ensuring successful synthesis of CuO nanoparticles and to facilitate recycling, a magnetization process was utilized by adding iron oxide nanoparticles. This nanocomposite was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The prepared heterogeneous catalyst was investigated for the reduction of organic dyes in the presence of NaBH₄ as a reducing reagent. The kinetic data obtained for the reduction of methyl orange (MO), methylene blue (MB), 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), and rhodamine 6G (Rh6G) were fitted to first-order rate equations, and the calculated rate constants for the reduction of MO, MB, 4-NP and Rh6G were as follows: −0.091, −0.071, −0.045, and 0.040, respectively. As star-shaped CuO nanoparticles showed a higher antibacterial effect compared to spherical-shaped CuO nanoparticles, the antibacterial activity of star-shaped CuO nanoparticles immobilized on magnetic functionalized graphene was evaluated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria through an agar well diffusion assay and demonstrated more antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria.     

The dual reciprocity boundary elements method for the linear and nonlinear two‐dimensional time‐fractional partial differential equations

In this paper, we apply the dual reciprocity boundary elements method for the numerical solution of two‐dimensional linear and nonlinear time‐fractional modified anomalous subdiffusion equations and time‐fractional convection–diffusion equation. The fractional derivative of problems is described in the Riemann–Liouville and Caputo senses. We employ the linear radial basis function for interpolation of the nonlinear, inhomogeneous and time derivative terms. This method is improved by using a predictor–corrector scheme to overcome the nonlinearity which appears in the nonlinear problems under consideration. The accuracy and efficiency of the proposed schemes are checked by five test problems. The proposed method is employed for solving some examples in two dimensions on unit square and also in complex regions to demonstrate the efficiency of the new technique. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and characterization of Ni(II) complex functionalized silica-based magnetic nanocatalyst and its application in C–N and C–C cross-coupling reactions

Molecular Diversity - A new magnetically recoverable silica-based nickel(II) nanocatalyst was synthesized by a simple cost-effective procedure, which was characterized by TEM, SEM, XRD, VSM...     

Application of stabilized zero valent iron nanoparticles for immobilization of lead in three contrasting spiked soils

Research on Chemical Intermediates - This study was conducted to synthesize and characterize the ZVINs stabilized with acid ascorbic (AAS-ZVINs) and to assess their ability to immobilize Pb2+ in...     

Multilayer‐Functionalized Reduced Graphene Oxide Decorated with Gold Nanoparticles as a Designed Nanonanocatalyst for the Selective Oxidation of Cyclohexene by Molecular Oxygen in a Solvent‐Free System

The aerobic oxidation of cyclohexene is of great significance from the viewpoints of both fundamental and industry studies as it can transfer the petrochemical feedstock into valuable chemicals. In this research, gold nanoparticles were synthesized on the multi‐layer functionalized reduced graphene oxide . The surface of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was modified with hydrophobic and hydrophilic layers to create the rGO with scattered hydrophilic positions. The gold nanoparticles were synthesized and immobilized simultaneously in small hydrophilic micro reactors in a mild condition. Characterization of synthesized nanocatalyst was confirmed with different techniques such as TEM, XRD, FT‐IR, and SEM. TEM images of synthesized catalyst show the gold nanoparticles have diameters less than 5 nm. Designed nanonanocatalyst was investigated for the selective liquid phase oxidation of cyclohexene with molecular oxygen in solvent free condition which after optimized conditions a maximum of 88% conversion and 91% selectivity was obtained.     

Fabrication of ultra‐small ruthenium nanoparticles on porous modified reduced graphene oxide and its application in solvent‐free oxidation of cyclohexene with molecular oxygen

In the present work, ruthenium nanoparticles were synthesized on functionalized reduced graphene oxide (rGO). First, the surface of rGO was modified with two para‐arsanilic acid and dithiooxamide promoters to create the rGO with scattered hydrophilic positions. The ruthenium nanoparticles were synthesized and immobilized simultaneously in small hydrophilic micro‐reactors under mild conditions. Characterization of the synthesized nanocatalyst was confirmed with different techniques, such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform‐infrared and scanning electron microscopy. TEM images of the synthesized catalyst show the Ru nanoparticles have diameters less than 6 nm. The designed nanocatalyst was investigated for the selective liquid phase oxidation of cyclohexene with molecular oxygen in an autoclave under solvent‐free conditions, which obtained a maximum of 91% conversion and 90% selectivity under optimized conditions. The catalytic activity over rGO‐AO‐TO/Ru recycled catalyst remained at a satisfactory state after at least five runs.