Sustainable Phenylalanine-Derived SAILs for Solubilization of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons.

The solubilization capacity of a series of sustainable phenylalanine-derived surface-active ionic liquids (SAILs) was evaluated towards polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons-naphthalene, anthracene and pyrene. The key physico-chemical parameters of the studied systems (critical micelle concentration, spectral properties, solubilization parameters) were determined, analyzed and compared with conventional cationic surfactant, CTABr. For all studied PAH solubilization capacity increases with extension of alkyl chain length of PyPheOC SAILs reaching the values comparable to CTABr for SAILs with n = 10-12.

Exceedingly biocompatible and thin-layered reduced graphene oxide nanosheets using an eco-friendly mushroom extract strategy.

Purpose: A simple, one-pot strategy was used to synthesize reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanosheets by utilizing an easily available over-the-counter medicinal and edible mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum.

Methods: The mushroom was boiled in hot water to liberate the polysaccharides, the extract of which was then used directly for the reduction of graphene oxide. The abundance of polysaccharides present in the mushroom serves as a good reducing agent.