CARBONACEOUS NANOMATERIALS FOR WATER POLLUTION REMEDIATION: AN OVERVIEW

Any Material, having structure in nanometer scale with at least one dimension is recognized as Nanomaterial (NM). These Nanomaterial (NMs) have vast variations in their elemental composition; which may be formed by single element viz. Gold, Silver, Iron, Carbon etc. or by the combination with Oxygen or Sulphur as Oxides & Sulphides viz. Iron oxide (Fe2O3), Copper Oxide (CuO) or Cadmium Sulphide(CdS),etc. Among the single elemental forms, the Carbonaceous Nanomaterials(CNMs) are identified as nanosized allotropic forms of Carbon having different structures like Nano rods, Nano tubes, Nano ring, Nano sphere, and Nano sheets mostly with sp2 carbon atoms. In past decades, Carbonaceous Nanomaterials(CNMs) have gain interest of researchers due to their biocompatibility, non-toxicity and unique surface to volume properties, etc. their easy tunable features are found advantageous for their utilization in wide range of applications. Further, owing to their specific mechanical strength, conductivity, surface activity and many more beneficial features, they have vast range of applicability in electronic, biomedical, energy storage & conversion, catalysis and remediation of environmental pollution. Present paper briefly describes about the types of Carbonaceous Nanomaterials (CNMs) with emphasizing their use in the remediation of Water Pollution. With the growing development of Nanotechnologies, use of CNMs may play a significant role in remediation of Water Pollution. KEYWORDS: Carbonaceous Nanomaterials(CNMs), Water Pollution, Remediation of Pollution.

Thermodynamic Analysis of Trisiloxane Surfactant Adsorption and Aggregation Processes

The trisiloxane polyether surfactant (3-[3-(hydroxy)(polyethoxy)propyl]-1,1,1,3,5,5,5 -heptamethyltrisiloxane) (TS-EO12) was successfully synthesized by a hydrosilylation reaction in the presence of Karstedt catalyst. The structural analysis of the surfactant was done by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, 29Si-NMR and FT-IR analysis. In addition the thermal stability of TS-EO12 was studied by the thermogravimetric measurements. On the one hand the surface properties of TS-EO12 at the water-air interface were investigated by surfactant aqueous solutions surface tension measurements carried out at 293 K, 303 K and 313 K, and on the other the aggregation properties were analyzed based on the solubilization properties of TS-EO12 aggregates at different temperatures. On the basis of the obtained thermodynamic parameters of adsorption and micellization of studied surfactant the temperature impact on its surface and volume properties were deduced. It was proved that the tendency of the studied surfactant molecules to adsorb at the water-air interface and to form micelles weakens with decreasing temperature. It was also concluded that the structure of the adsorption layer changes with temperature. Optical microscopy measurements were used for the TS-EO12 micelle morphology determination.

Molecular Modeling Analyses for Modified Biopolymers

Biopolymer blends and structural modifications with phenol and hydroxymethylcarbonyl (HMC) are studied to show the ability to interact with amino acids as promising to act as HIV protease inhibitors. Chitosan (Cs), cellulose (Cel), starch (Str) and gelatin (Gel) as well as their blends as Cs/Cel; Cs/Str; Cs/Gel with ratios 3:1; 2:2; 1:3 were subjected to molecular modeling. These biopolymers, as well as their blends, are calculated with quantum mechanical calculations at PM6 level of theory. QSAR, surface area, and volume properties of the interaction of phenol and HMC upon Cs/Cel; Cs/Str; Cs/Gel in the different positions of the four units are calculated at the same level of theory. QSAR descriptors for studied polymers show a change in their physical properties as result of blending. Depending on QSAR calculations, the interaction of phenol and HMC with Cs/Cel and Cs/Str blends for ratio 1:3 through the first unit increases the reactivity of these modified structures. The solubility of modified blends is increased by increasing chitosan units in the proposed modified blends. The surface area of modified Cs/Cel ratios increases comparing with modified Cs/Str and Cs/Gel ratios. This recommends the modified blends of Cs/Cel ratio can be used as promising HIV protease inhibitors drugs.

Effect of provenances on wood properties of Balfourodendron riedelianum

Wood is comparatively more conservative than other parts of trees, such as leaves, which present greater phenotypic plasticity. We studied the effect of seed origin on annual increment, physical-mechanical properties and anatomical characteristics of Balfourodendron riedelianum wood in a homogeneous plantation (Luiz Antônio Experimental Station (LAES)) from three natural provenances (Gália and Bauru in São Paulo State and Alvorada do Sul in Paraná State, Brazil). Because genotypic information is a determinant of wood formation, trees were expected to develop wood structure based on their provenances. Our results demostrate that variations in volume, properties and wood anatomy were influenced by provenance. Alvorada do Sul trees showed lower growth in volume and higher strength and homogeneity, compared to Gália and Bauru. Typical radial pattern was not observed for most characteristics, except modulus of elasticity and fiber length in Gália and compression parallel to the grain in Bauru that increased towards the bark. Based on the latter characteristc, B. riedelianum wood in a homogeneous planting has class C40 mechanical strength, as indicated for use in medium-sized structures, light civil construction and the manufacture of furniture.