Phenolics over Zeolites and Related Materials-Biomedical and Environmental Applications.

This work analyzes the following two aspects of zeolite applications: their application as carriers in delivery systems for phenolics applied as antioxidants or anticancer agents and the efficient removal of phenolic compounds from aqueous environments. The dual role of zeolites in increasing antioxidant bioavailability and environmental remediation is summarized, and perspectives on progress in zeolite adaptable applications are given. Special attention is given to theoretical methods that will guide future advanced delivery systems for biomedical applications, as well as serve as a focal point in designing multipurpose materials for comprehensive environmental solutions.

Chemometrically-aided general approach to novel adsorbents studies: Case study on the adsorption of pharmaceuticals by the carbonized leaves.

A chemometrically based approach was applied to select the most efficient drug adsorbent among the biochars obtained from the novel feedstock, the leaves of the invasive plant (). The representative target adsorbates (atenolol, paracetamol, ketorolac and tetracycline) were selected on the basis of their physicochemical properties to cover a wide chemical space, which is the usual analytical challenge. Their adsorption was investigated using design of experiments as a comprehensive approach to optimise the performance of the adsorption system, rationalise the procedure and overcome common drawbacks.

Electrochemical Sensing of Cadmium and Lead Ions in Water by MOF-5/PANI Composites.

For the first time, composites of metal-organic framework MOF-5 and conjugated polymer polyaniline (PANI), (MOF-5/PANI), prepared using PANI in its conducting (emeraldine salt, ES) or nonconducting form (emeraldine base, EB) at various MOF-5 and PANI mass ratios, were evaluated as electrode materials for the electrochemical detection of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) ions in aqueous solutions. Testing of individual components of composites, PANI-ES, PANI-EB, and MOF-5, was also performed for comparison. Materials are characterized by Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS), and their electrochemical behavior was discussed in terms of their zeta potential, structural, morphology, and textural properties.

Acetamiprid's degradation products and mechanism: Part II - Inert atmosphere and charge storage.

Reuse and/or recycling of spent adsorbents is taking a central role in modern thinking and catalyzed carbonization is the way forward. Herein we explore the carbonization of adsorbed acetamiprid, in an inert atmosphere, as a way of recycling and producing nitrogen-rich carbon material for potential use in supercapacitors. Added value material and the reuse of the adsorbent were achieved by carbonization at 700 °C under argon.

Environmental Potential of Carbonized MOF-5/PANI Composites for Pesticide, Dye, and Metal Cations-Can They Actually Retain Them All?

The environmental application of the carbonized composites of the Zn-containing metal-organic framework MOF-5 and polyaniline (PANI) in its emeraldine salt and base forms (C-(MOF-5/PANI)) was investigated for the first time. Textural properties and particle size distributions revealed that composites are dominantly mesoporous and nanoscale in nature, while Raman spectroscopy revealed the ZnO phase beneath the carbon matrix. Adsorption of pesticide, dye, and metal cation on C-(MOF-5/PANI) composites in aqueous solutions was evaluated and compared with the behavior of the precursor components, carbonized MOF-5 (cMOF), and carbonized PANIs.

Electrochemical Crosslinking of Alginate-Towards Doped Carbons for Oxygen Reduction.

Electrochemical crosslinking of alginate strands by in situ iron oxidation was explored using a potentiostatic regime. Carbon-based materials co-doped with iron, nitrogen, and/or sulfur were prepared via electrolyte composition variation with a nitrogen-rich compound (rivanol) or through post-treatments with sodium sulfide. Nanometer-sized iron particles were confirmed by transmission and field emission scanning electron microscopy in all samples as a consequence of the homogeneous dispersion of iron in the alginate scaffold and its concomitant growth-limiting effect of alginate chains.

Spectral evidence of acetamiprid's thermal degradation products and mechanism.

Herein we unequivocally identify the mechanism of zeolite-catalysed thermal degradation of pesticide, employing Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman and mass spectrometry following temperature decomposition (TPDe/MS). We demonstrate that Y zeolite can effectively adsorb a significant amount of acetamiprid both in a single trial (168 mg/g) and in 10 cycles (1249 mg/g) with intermittent thermal regeneration at 300 °C. Sectional vibrational analysis of acetamiprid two-stage thermal degradation is performed for pristine and supported pesticide.

Can Zeolite-Supporting Acridines Boost Their Anticancer Performance?

Acridine and its derivatives (9-chloroacridine and 9-aminoacridine) are investigated here, supported on FAU type zeolite Y, as a delivery system of anticancer agents. FTIR/Raman spectroscopy and electron microscopy revealed successful drug loading on the zeolite surface, while spectrofluorimetry was employed for drug quantification. The effects of the tested compounds on cell viability were evaluated using in vitro methylthiazol-tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetric technique against human colorectal carcinoma (cell line HCT-116) and MRC-5 fibroblasts.

Carbonization of MOF-5/Polyaniline Composites to N,O-Doped Carbon/ZnO/ZnS and N,O-Doped Carbon/ZnO Composites with High Specific Capacitance, Specific Surface Area and Electrical Conductivity.

Composites of carbons with metal oxides and metal sulfides have attracted a lot of interest as materials for energy conversion and storage applications. Herein, we report on novel N,O-doped carbon/ZnO/ZnS and N,O-doped carbon/ZnO composites (generally named C-(MOF-5/PANI)), synthesized by the carbonization of metal-organic framework MOF-5/polyaniline (PANI) composites. The produced C-(MOF-5/PANI)s are comprehensively characterized in terms of composition, molecular and crystalline structure, morphology, electrical conductivity, surface area, and electrochemical behavior.

Red Raspberry Seed Oil Low Energy Nanoemulsions: Influence of Surfactants, Antioxidants, and Temperature on Oxidative Stability.

The aim of this study was to assess and improve the oxidative stability of red raspberry seed oil−RO, a potential topical ingredient derived from food industry by-products, on its own and when incorporated in low energy nanoemulsion (NE). The RO’s oxidative stability was assessed at 5, 25, and 40 °C during one month of storage and expressed in: peroxide value, p-anisidine, and thiobarbituric reactive substances—TBARS value, while for NEs, lipid hydroperoxides and TBARS values were monitored. Both synthetic (butylated hydroxytoluene—BHT and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid—EDTA), and natural (oregano essential oil—ORE and oak fruit extract—OAK) antioxidants were used.

Polyglycerol Ester-Based Low Energy Nanoemulsions with Red Raspberry Seed Oil and Fruit Extracts: Formulation Development toward Effective In Vitro/In Vivo Bioperformance.

This study focuses on the development of biocompatible oil-in-water (O/W) nanoemulsions based on polyglycerol esters, as promising carriers for natural actives: red raspberry seed oil-RO and hydro-glycolic fruit extracts from red raspberry-RE and French oak-FE. Nanoemulsions were obtained via phase inversion composition (PIC) method at room temperature by dilution of microemulsion phase, confirmed by visual appearance, percentage of transmittance, microscopic, rheological and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) investigations. The results have shown that the basic RO-loaded formulation could be further enriched with hydro-glycolic fruit extracts from red raspberry or French oak, while keeping a semi-transparent appearance due to the fine droplet size (Z-ave: 50 to 70 nm, PDI value ≤ 0.

Low-energy nanoemulsions as carriers for red raspberry seed oil: Formulation approach based on Raman spectroscopy and textural analysis, physicochemical properties, stability and in vitro antioxidant/ biological activity.

Considering a growing demand for medicinal/cosmetic products with natural actives, this study focuses on the low-energy nanoemulsions (LE-NEs) prepared via the Phase inversion composition (PIC) method at room temperature as potential carriers for natural oil. Four different red raspberry seed oils (ROs) were tested, as follows: cold-pressed vs. CO2-extracted, organic vs.

Effect of Template Type on the Laccase-Catalyzed Oligomerization of the Aniline Dimer -Aminodiphenylamine (PADPA).

Many previous studies have shown that (i) the oxidation of aniline or the aniline dimer -aminodiphenylamine (PADPA) in a slightly acidic aqueous solution can be catalyzed with heme peroxidases or multicopper laccases and that (ii) subsequent reactions lead to oligomeric or polymeric products, which resemble chemically synthesized polyaniline in its conductive emeraldine salt form (PANI-ES), provided that (iii) an anionic "template" is present in the reaction medium. Good templates are anionic polyelectrolytes, micelles, or vesicles. Under optimal conditions, their presence directs the reactions in a positive way toward the desired formation of PANI-ES-type products.

How experimental details matter. The case of a laccase-catalysed oligomerisation reaction.

The laccase (TvL)-catalysed oligomerisation of the aniline dimer -aminodiphenylamine (PADPA) was investigated in an aqueous medium of pH = 3.5, containing 80-100 nm-sized anionic vesicles formed from AOT, the sodium salt of bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinic acid. If run under optimal conditions, the reaction yields oligomeric products which resemble the emeraldine salt form of polyaniline (PANI-ES) in its polaron state, known to be the only oxidation state of linear PANI which is electrically conductive.

Enzymatic oligomerization and polymerization of arylamines: state of the art and perspectives.

The literature concerning the oxidative oligomerization and polymerization of various arylamines, e.g., aniline, substituted anilines, aminonaphthalene and its derivatives, catalyzed by oxidoreductases, such as laccases and peroxidases, in aqueous, organic, and mixed aqueous organic monophasic or biphasic media, is reviewed.

Insight into the template effect of vesicles on the laccase-catalyzed oligomerization of N-phenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine from Raman spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry measurements.

We report about the first Raman spectroscopy study of a vesicle-assisted enzyme-catalyzed oligomerization reaction. The aniline dimer N-phenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine (= p-aminodiphenylamine, PADPA) was oxidized and oligomerized with Trametes versicolor laccase and dissolved O2 in the presence of sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT) vesicles (80-100 nm diameter) as templates. The conversion of PADPA into oligomeric products, poly(PADPA), was monitored during the reaction by in situ Raman spectroscopy.