TiO nanoflowers based humidity sensor and cytotoxic activity.

We have systematically investigated the humidity sensing performance and cytotoxic activity of TiO nanoflowers synthesized by hydrothermal method. Our result reveals that TiO nanoflower based sensor devices show good performance at room temperature with a maximum sensitivity of ∼815% along with a response time of ∼143 s and a recovery time of ∼33 s. Our findings also evaluate the cytotoxic effect of TiO nanoflowers on human HepG2 cell lines.

Feasibility of brackish water and landfill leachate treatment by GO/MoS-PVA composite membranes.

Two-dimensional (2D) based layered materials with tunable chemical functionalities and surface charge properties have emerged for on-demand applications including membrane technology. However, the process control, time and energy-efficient production of non-swelling graphene oxide (GO) with retaining physicochemical properties are still challenging. In this work, we have fabricated highly ordered GO membrane on cellulose acetate supporting membrane filters of 1.

Physicochemical, in-vitro therapeutic activity and biomolecular interaction studies of Mn(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes tethered with ON ligand backbone.

Two major health crisis of today's world are antimicrobial drug resistance and type II diabetes. To tackle them, there is an immediate requirement for the development of new and safer drugs and the present work is one such quest for novel and efficient drug candidates. We have developed three trace metal coordination compounds tethered with a reduced salen ligand {H(hpdbal)-an} (L), namely, a manganese-salan complex, [Mn(HO){(hpdbal)-an}] (1), a nickel-salan complex, [Ni{(hpdbal)-an}] (2) and a copper-salan complex, [Cu{(hpdbal)-an}] (3).

Modern Chemical Routes for the Controlled Synthesis of Anisotropic Bimetallic Nanostructures and Their Application in Catalysis.

Bimetallic nanoparticles (BNPs) have attracted greater attention compared to its monometallic counterpart because of their chemical/physical properties. The BNPs have a wide range of applications in the fields of health, energy, water, and environment. These properties could be tuned with a number of parameters such as compositions of the bimetallic systems, their preparation method, and morphology.

Gold Nanorods as an Efficient Substrate for the Detection and Degradation of Pesticides.

The rapid, ultralow detection, degradation, and complete removal of pesticides demand the design of potential substrates. Herein, we discussed gold nanorods (Au NRs) as the potential substrate for the naked eye detection and degradation of two common and broad-spectrum pesticides, chlorpyrifos (CPF) and malathion (MLT), up to 0.15 ppt concentration within 2 min.

Microwave-Epoxide-Assisted Hydrothermal Synthesis of the CuO/ZnO Heterojunction: a Highly Versatile Route to Develop HS Gas Sensors.

A robust synthesis approach to develop CuO/ZnO nanocomposites using microwave-epoxide-assisted hydrothermal synthesis and their proficiency toward HS gas-sensing application are reported. The low-cost metal salts (Cu and Zn) as precursors in aqueous media and epoxide (propylene oxide) as a proton scavenger/gelation agent are used for the formation of mixed metal hydroxides. The obtained sol was treated using the microwave hydrothermal process to yield the high-surface area (34.

Surface Modification of Sulfonated Poly(phenylene oxide) Membrane for Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries.

Sulfonated poly(phenylene) oxide (sPPO) polymer is coated in a dopamine hydrochloride solution to prepare a highly durable, low-price polymer membrane for vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs). The polydopamine (PDA) coating on the sPPO membrane is confirmed using SEM and EDX analysis. sPPO coated with PDA exhibits decreased proton conductivity due to high resistance.

Controlled Synthesis of Palladium Nanocubes as an Efficient Nanocatalyst for Suzuki-Miyaura Cross-Coupling and Reduction of -Nitrophenol.

Anisotropic nanocatalysts have attracted considerable attention in comparison to bulk/nanocatalysts for their enhanced activity and reactivity. The demand toward anisotropic palladium (Pd) nanostructures has increased rapidly in the field of catalysis. Pd is a well-known active catalyst for several carbon-carbon (C-C) cross-coupling reactions; among them, the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction is one of the most versatile and dominant methods for constructing the extraordinarily useful unsymmetrical biaryls and also for hydrogenation of organic contaminants like -nitrophenol (-NP).

Bio-inspired materials for defluoridation of water: A review.

The polluted water sources pose a serious issue concerning the various health hazards they bring along. Due to various uncontrolled anthropogenic and industrial activities, a great number of pollutants have gained entry into the water systems. Among all the emerging contaminants, anionic species such as fluoride cause a major role in polluting the water bodies because of its high reactivity with other elements.

Copper (0) Mediated Single Electron Transfer-Living Radical Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate: Functionalized Graphene as a Convenient Tool for Radical Initiator.

Polymer nanocomposites have been synthesized by the covalent addition of bromide-functionalized graphene (Graphene-Br) through the single electron transfer-living radical polymerization technique (SET-LRP). Graphite functionalized with bromide for the first time via an efficient route using mild reagents has been designed to develop a graphene based radical initiator. The efficiency of sacrificial initiator (ethyl α-bromoisobutyrate) has also been compared with a graphene based initiator towards monitoring their Cu(0) mediated controlled molecular weight and morphological structures through mass spectroscopy (MOLDI-TOF) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) analysis, respectively.

Comparative electrochemical energy storage performance of cobalt sulfide and cobalt oxide nanosheets: experimental and theoretical insights from density functional theory simulations.

In this study, we have carried out studies on supercapacitor performance comparing cobalt oxide (Co3O4) with cobalt sulfide (Co3S4) nanosheets grown using a facile electrodeposition approach. We have investigated the origin of enhanced energy storage performance of Co3S4 as compared to Co3O4 both by supported experiments and density functional theory investigations. Cobalt oxide exhibits a specific capacitance of 200 F g-1 at a current density of 2 A g-1, whereas a high specific capacitance of 558 F g-1 was achieved in the case of the Co3S4 nanosheets.

Esterase activity and interaction of human hemoglobin with diclofenac sodium: A spectroscopic and molecular docking study.

To get an idea about the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, it is important to study the drug-protein interaction. Therefore, herein, we studied the interaction of diclofenac sodium (DIC) with human hemoglobin. The binding study of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug, DIC with human hemoglobin (HHB) was done by utilizing fluorescence, UV-visible, time-resolved fluorescence and far-UV circular dichroism spectroscopy (CD).

Lanthanum cobaltite supported on graphene nanosheets for non-enzymatic electrochemical determination of catechol.

An electrochemical sensor is described for the determination of catechol (CT) based on the nanocomposite of lanthanum cobaltite supported on graphene nanosheets (LaCo/GNS). The nanocomposite was systematically examined by various analytical and spectroscopic methods. The LaCo/GNS-modified electrode exhibites good electrochemical activity towards CT determination compared to other modified and unmodified electrodes.

A manganese (II) complex tethered with S-benzyldithiocarbazate Schiff base: Synthesis, characterization, in-vitro therapeutic activity and protein interaction studies.

There is an urgent need to eliminate the era of superbugs through design and development of novel and sustainable drugs. Transition metal complexes can be one of the hopes for tackling drug resistant pathogens. In this view, we have developed a manganese complex appended with an ON donor ligand which has shown excellent activity against one of the prominent fungal species.

Catalyst-Free Regioselective [3+2] Cycloadditions of α,β-unsaturated N-arylnitrones with Alkenes to Access Functionalized Isoxazolidines: A DFT Study.

The catalyst-free regioselective [3+2]-cycloaddition of α,β-unsaturated N-arylnitrones with alkenes are developed. The series of synthetically important functionalized isoxazolidines are prepared in good to excellent yields by step economic pathway under ligand and transition-metal-free conditions. The regioselective cycloaddition pathway supported by control experiment and computational study.

Surface modified glass substrate for sensing E. coli using highly stable and luminescent CdSe/CdS core shell quantum dots.

CdSe/CdS core shelled quantum dots (QDs) were prepared by colloidal synthesis using a binary ligand system and a non-coordinating, reusable solvent n-octadecane (nOD). Both the synthesis of CdSe and CdSe/CdS core shelled quantum dots were achieved by hot injection technique at much lower temperatures than reported earlier. The use of binary ligand facilitated enough nucleation and growth.

Enhancing Ru(II)-Catalysis with Visible-Light-Mediated Dye-Sensitized TiO Photocatalysis for Oxidative C-H Olefination of Arene Carboxylic Acids at Room Temperature.

Erythrosine B sensitized TiO photocatalysis has been combined with Ru(II)-catalysis to accomplish an oxidative olefination/annulation of benzoic acids with activated olefins under mild conditions that tolerates useful functionalities, such as halides, free hydroxy, acetamido, etc. The morphology of the photocatalyst is unaffected during the reaction and it can be reused. Mechanistic studies favor the involvement of a photo-induced single electron transfer process.

Three-dimensional NiCoP hollow spheres: an efficient electrode material for hydrogen evolution reaction and supercapacitor applications.

A binary metal phosphide (NiCoP) has been synthesized in a single-step hydrothermal method, and its energy conversion (hydrogen evolution reaction; HER) and energy storage (supercapacitor) performances have been explored. The physicochemical characterization of the NiCoP nanostructures show that they have a highly crystalline phase and are formed uniformly with a sphere-like surface morphology. In acidic electrolytic conditions, the NiCoP shows excellent HER performance, requiring only 160 and 300 mV overpotential to deliver 10 and 300 mA cm current density, respectively.

Unraveling the electrochemical properties of lanthanum cobaltite decorated halloysite nanotube nanocomposite: An advanced electrocatalyst for determination of flutamide in environmental samples.

Prostate cancer is one of the primary causes of death around the world. As an important drug, flutamide has been used in the clinical diagnosis of prostate cancer. However, the over dosage and improper discharge of flutamide could affect the living organism.

Nonwoven fabric supported, chitosan membrane anchored with curcumin/TiO complex: Scaffolds for MRSA infected wound skin reconstruction.

Use of biomaterial scaffolds as drug carriers for infected wounds treatment is of wide scope. A series of curcumin/TiO complex loaded chitosan scaffolds are fabricated for the same. Synthesized wound dressing material is screened for their morphology, water absorption capacity; in vitro drug release patterns, in vitro antibacterial studies against gram +ve and a gram -ve bacteria, cell viability for 3T3-L1 cell lines as well as in vivo MRSA infected wound healing capability.

A greener approach towards the development of graphene-Ag loaded ZnO nanocomposites for acetone sensing applications.

We report a facile, green synthesis of graphene/Ag/ZnO nanocomposites and their use as acetone sensors a medicinal plant extraction assisted precipitation process. The choice of plant extract in combination with metal nitrates led to self-sustaining colloid chemistry. Along with the green synthesis strategy, structural, morphological and gas sensing properties are described.

New Urea Derivatives as Potential Antimicrobial Agents: Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Molecular Docking Studies.

A series of new urea derivatives, containing aryl moieties as potential antimicrobial agents, were designed, synthesized, and characterized by H NMR, C NMR, FT-IR, and LCMS spectral techniques. All newly synthesized compounds were screened in vitro against five bacterial strains ( and ) and two fungal strains ( and ). Variable levels of interaction were observed for these urea derivatives.

Development of pristine and Au-decorated BiO/BiWO nanocomposites for supercapacitor electrodes.

Pristine and Au-decorated BiO/BiWO nanocomposites were synthesized a facile hydrothermal method. Characterization techniques such as XRD, FESEM, HRTEM and XPS were used to explore the structural, morphological and electronic properties. Furthermore, electrochemical characterizations including cyclic voltammetry (CV), the galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) method, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were performed to investigate the supercapacitance behaviour of the synthesized materials.

Synthesis of GeSe nano plates and a reduced graphene oxide composite of GeSe for electrochemical energy storage application.

In this study, we introduced a facile and single-step synthetic protocol for the scalable synthesis of tetra germanium nonaselenide (GeSe) and it's composite with reduced graphene oxide (RG). The physicochemical properties of the samples were studied systematically, and their electrochemical performances for energy storage in supercapacitors were explored. Herein, the weight percentage of graphene oxide in the composite played a vital role in the enhancement of charge storage.