Green synthesis of ethyl cinnamates under microwave irradiation: photophysical properties, cytotoxicity, and cell bioimaging.

A simple and green method for the synthesis of six ethyl cinnamates was performed Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction under microwave irradiation. The photoluminescent properties of all compounds in ethyl acetate solutions were evaluated demonstrating that all compounds exhibit fluorescence. Five compounds exhibited blue emissions in the 369-442 nm range, and another compound exhibited blue-green emission at 504 nm.

Morphology Effect of Photoconverted Silver Nanoparticles on the Performance of Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Substrates.

Nowadays, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates are of great interest for many researchers, aiming to fabricate substrates with high sensitivity and low fabrication costs. In this study, we photoconverted Ag nanoparticles by using a simple and affordable red-green-blue light-emitting diode photoreactor. The obtained dispersions were transformed into a paste of nanoparticles and used to fabricate SERS substrates by a simple drop-casting process under controlled humidity conditions.

Attomolar detection of 4-aminothiophenol by SERS using silver nanodendrites decorated with gold nanoparticles.

In the present work we report a simple, fast, reproducible and cheap methodology for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate fabrication of silver dendritic nanostructures (prepared by electrodeposition) decorated with gold nanospheres by electrophoretic deposition. This is the first report where a metal dendritic nanostructure has been decorated with another type of metal nanoparticles by this technique. The decorated nanostructures were used directly as SERS substrate using 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) as analyte.

Zeptomolar detection of 4-aminothiophenol by SERS using silver nanodendrites decorated with gold nanoparticles.

In the present work, we report a simple, fast, reproducible and cheap methodology for SERS substrate fabrication of silver dendritic nanostructures (prepared by electrodeposition) decorated with gold nanospheres by electrophoretic deposition. This is the first report where a metal dendritic nanostructure has been decorated with another type of metal nanoparticles by this technique. The decorated nanostructures were used directly as SERS substrate using 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) as analyte.

Synthesis of ɑ,β-Unsaturated Benzotriazolyl-1,3,4-Oxadiazole Derivatives: Anticancer Activity, Cytotoxicity, and Cell Imaging.

A series of ten α , β -unsaturated benzotriazolyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives was synthesized and all compounds were evaluated in vitro against three breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 and 4T1) at different concentrations (0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 mg/mL).

Continuous Segmented-Flow Synthesis of Ag and Au Nanoparticles Using a Low Cost Microfluidic PTFE Tubing Reactor.

We present in here a simple and low cost continuous segmented-flow process for the synthesis of Ag and Au spherical-shaped nanoparticles. Different residence times (RT) were used to perform the nanoparticle synthesis, observing that at low RT, the Ag nanoparticles production, which uses a fast reduction reaction with NaBH, is improved due to an enhancement in the mixing of the reactants. However, the flow conditions have an opposite effect in the case of Au nanoparticles synthesis.

Thiacloprid Detection by Silver Nanocubes-Based SERS Sensor.

The use of neonicotinoid insecticides leads to environmental problems such as accumulation and death of different insects and even bird species. In this work, we compared the SERS performance of Ag nanocubes- and nanospheres-based substrates for the analysis of thiacloprid, a neonicotinoid, reaching its detection at 1 mM using nanocubes as the active material.

Open-Circuit Voltage ( ) Enhancement in TiO-Based DSSCs: Incorporation of ZnO Nanoflowers and Au Nanoparticles.

An important reason for the relatively low efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is the low open-circuit voltage ( ) of about 0.7 V for a standard solar cell with a dye that has an absorption onset at 1.6 eV.

Development of Sorbent Materials based on Polymer Waste and their Compounds with Nanomaterials for Oil Spill Remediation.

Aims: The purpose of this work was to obtain a hydrophobic sorbent material with potential applications in oil spill remediation.

Background: The accidents due to oil spills cause long-term ecological damage, especially in the aquatic environment. The cleaning of oil spills can be carried out by many methods and techniques, being absorbents the most attractive due to the possibility of recovery and complete elimination of the hydrocarbons in situ from the water surface.

Greener synthesis of chemical compounds and materials.

Modern trends in the greener synthesis and fabrication of inorganic, organic and coordination compounds, materials, nanomaterials, hybrids and nanocomposites are discussed. Green chemistry deals with synthesis procedures according to its classic 12 principles, contributing to the sustainability of chemical processes, energy savings, lesser toxicity of reagents and final products, lesser damage to the environment and human health, decreasing the risk of global overheating, and more rational use of natural resources and agricultural wastes. Greener techniques have been applied to synthesize both well-known chemical compounds by more sustainable routes and completely new materials.

Adsorption of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in groundwater by granular activated carbons: Roles of hydrophobicity of PFAS and carbon characteristics.

The adsorption breakthrough behavior of nine perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in groundwaters by four bituminous coal-based granular activated carbons (F400, Carbsorb 40, HPC and CMR400) was studied using rapid small-scale column tests (RSSCTs). The half breakthrough bed volume (BV), an indicator of apparent adsorption capacity, correlated with the hydrophobicity of PFAS at a given pH (i.e.

Microfluidics and Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy: A Perfect Match for New Analytical Tools.

In this perspective article, we emphasize the combination of Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) and Microfluidic devices. SERS approaches have been widely studied and used for multiple applications including trace molecules detection, in situ analysis of biological samples and monitoring or, all of them with good results, however still with limitations of the technique, for example regarding with improved precision and reproducibility. These implications can be overcome by microfluidic approaches.

Strategies for selecting indicator compounds to assess attenuation of emerging contaminants during UV advanced oxidation processes.

A ranking system for monitoring-based process control was developed to select indicator compounds that can predict the attenuation of a broader range of trace organic compounds (TOrCs) in reclaimed water by low pressure (LP) and medium pressure (MP)-UV advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). The selected TOrCs were classified into three groups depending on their relative reactivity to UV direct photolysis and •OH oxidation. Group 1 includes the photolabile TOrCs, which are easily photodegraded with no additional oxidants by either LP or MP-UV light and include acesulfame, diclofenac, and sulfamethoxazole.

Synthesis and characterization of ethyl benzotriazolyl acrylate-based D-π-A fluorophores for live cell-based imaging applications.

A series of eight new ethyl ()-benzotriazolyl acrylates 6a-d and 7a-d have been synthesized by conventional heating and microwave irradiation from ethyl benzotriazolyl acetates 3 and 4 with the corresponding aromatic aldehydes. This work reports the synthetic approach and spectroscopic characterization (H, C-NMR, HRMS) of all the synthesized compounds. X-ray diffraction analyses were performed for molecules 6a, 7a and 7d.

Reducing ultrafiltration membrane fouling during potable water reuse using pre-ozonation.

Wastewater reclamation has increasingly become popular to secure potable water supply. Low-pressure membrane processes such as microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration (UF) play imperative roles as a barrier of macromolecules for such purpose, but are often limited by membrane fouling. Effluent organic matter (EfOM), including biopolymers and particulates, in secondary wastewater effluents have been known to be major foulants in low-pressure membrane processes.

Handcrafted Vacuum-Assisted Device for Skin Ulcers Treatment Versus Traditional Therapy, Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Chronic lower limb ulcers constitute a public health problem, with important socioeconomic implications and high attention cost. This trial evaluates handcrafted vacuum-assisted therapy versus traditional treatment effectiveness for lower limbs ulcers.

Materials And Methods: It was a prospective randomized clinical trial conducted over 144 patients with lower limbs ulcers.

Cost-effective procedure for Streptococcus pyogenes immobilized DNA preparation and miniPFGE subtyping.

Introduction: Group A streptococci (GAS) is responsible of several human diseases ranging from mild infection to severe invasive toxin-mediated disease and post-infectious sequelae. Accordingly, a GAS surveillance program based on molecular techniques is advisable for its epidemiological control. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) is the gold standard for GAS molecular subtyping, but a major disadvantage is the length of the procedure, which takes 1-3 days of work, minimum.