A New Two‐Dimensional Coordination Polymer of Mercury(II) with very High Thermal Stability

A 2D Hg^II coordination polymer containing ligands 1,2,4‐triazole (Htrz) and thiocyanate, [Hg(μ₃‐trz)(SCN)]_n ( 1 ) has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and IR spectroscopy. The single‐crystal X‐ray data show the coordination number of Hg atoms is four and the ligand trz^? acts as a three‐fold donor. The thermal stability of compound 1 was studied by thermal gravimetric and differential thermal analyses. The composition and formation of the complex in methanol solution were found to be in support of its solid state structure.     

Processing and Properties of Nanofibrous Bacterial Cellulose-Containing Polymer Composites: A Review of Recent Advances for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is an extracellular natural polymer produced by many microorganisms and its properties could be tailored via specific fabrication methods and culture conditions. There is a growing interest in BC derived materials due to the main features of BC such as porous fibrous structure, high crystallinity, impressive physico-mechanical properties, and high water content. However, pristine BC lacks some features, limiting its practical use in varied applications. Thus, fabrication of BC composites has been attempted to overcome these constraints. This review article overviews most recent advance in the development of BC composites and their potential in biomedicine including wound dressing, tissue engineering scaffolds, and drug delivery. Special emphasis is placed on the fabrication and applications of BC-containing nanofibrous composites for biomedical usage. It summarizes electrospinning of BC-based nanofibers and their surface modification with an outline on challenges and future perspective.     

Stabilizing and suicide-peroxide protecting effect of Ni2+ on horseradish peroxidase

The present research discusses the structure stabilizing and protecting effects of Ni²⁺ against suicide-peroxide inactivation of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Suicide inactivation of HRP by hydrogen peroxide (3 mM) was monitored by measuring change in the absorbance of the colored product (tetraguaiacol) of the catalytic reaction cycle at 470 nm. Progress curves of the catalytic reaction cycle were obtained at 27 °C, phosphate buffer (5 mM), pH 7.0. The corresponding kinetic parameters (e.g., initial enzyme activity (α_o) and the apparent rate constant (k_i) of suicide inactivation of HRP by peroxide) were evaluated using a kinetic equation derived in this study. Comparative activatory and inhibitory effects of Ni²⁺ on the kinetics of suicide-peroxide inactivation of HRP are discussed.     

Formation of PdNiZn thin film at oil‐water interface: XPS study and application as Suzuki‐Miyaura catalyst

Nanosheet of PdNiZn and nanosphere of PdNiZn/reduced‐graphene oxide (RGO) with sub‐3 nm spheres have been successfully synthesized through a facile oil‐water interfacial strategy. The morphology and composition of the films were determined by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive analysis of X‐ray (EDAX) and elemental mapping. In the present study, we have developed a method to minimize the usage of precious Pd element. Due to the special structure and intermetallic synergies, the PdNiZn and PdNiZn/RGO nanoalloys exhibited enhanced catalytic activity and durability relative to Pd nanoparticles in Suzuki‐Miyaura C‐C cross‐coupling reaction. Compared to classical cross‐coupling reactions, this method has the advantages of a green solvent, short reaction times, low catalyst loading, high yields and reusability of the catalysts.     

On the corona discharge spreading of dielectric liquid films

When exposed to a corona discharge, a dielectric droplet spreads over a grounded substrate. In the present work, the spreading of dielectric liquids subjected to a short-term exposure is investigated. A simple theoretical model was developed to find the spreading law at the very beginning of exposure. The asymptotic approximation for the surface charge density and the interfacial pressure showed that the droplet spreading immediately after the exposure obeys t^1/2 law. The high speed imaging of the spreading revealed the same trend as predicted by the theoretical model.     

Simultaneous formation of platinum‐based nanocatalysts and degradation of dyes at oil/water interface: Comparative morphological and kinetic studies

To decrease the water pollution of textile industries with a large amount of toxic and non‐biodegradable colored dye effluents, an efficient technique is required to safely remove harmful pollutants. In this paper, the reaction between azo dyes and NaBH₄ catalyzed by nanoparticles (NPs) thin films has been studied. We report insitu degradation of methyl orange (MO) and methyl red (MR) by using Pt‐based thin films monitored by UV–Vis spectroscopy. We have synthesized different thin films such as Pt, PtPd, PtFeFe₂O₃, PtNi and PtAu films from Pt organometallic precursor in the MO and MR medium (dye degradation and NPs formation is happened simultaneously) and activity of these films were compared in the complete degradation of MO and MR dyes. Rate constants for the catalyzed reactions have been determined. PtPd NPs thin film has shown the highest rate constant for the degradation of MO and MR within only a few seconds due to its well‐ordered structure. Furthermore, the effect of presence of MO on the morphology of NPs was investigated.