Graphene Nanoflakes Incorporating Natural Phytochemicals Containing Catechols as Functional Material for Sensors

Phytochemical products start to be employed to assist 2D nanomaterials exfoliation. However, a lack of studies regarding the molecules involved and their capacity to give rise to functional materials is evident. In this work, a novel green liquid-phase exfoliation strategy (LPE) is proposed, wherein a flavonoid namely catechin (CT) exclusively assists the exfoliation of bulk graphite in conductive water-soluble graphene nanoflakes (GF). Physicochemical and electrochemical methods have been employed to characterize the morphological, structural, and electrochemical features of the GF-CT. Surprisingly, the obtained GF-CT integrates well-defined electroactive quinoid adducts. The resulting few-layers graphene flakes intercalated with CT aromatic skeleton ensure strict electrical contact among graphene sheets, whereas the fully reversible quinoid electrochemistry (ΔE = 28 mV, Ip, a/Ip, c = ~1) is attributed to the residual catechol moieties, which work as an electrochemical mediator. The GF-CT intimate electrochemistry is generated directly during the LPE of graphite, not requiring any modification or electro-polymerization steps, resulting in stable (8 months) and reproducible material. The electrocatalytic activity has been proven towards hydrazine (HY) and β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), a pollutant and a coenzyme, respectively. High sensitivity in extended linear ranges (HY: LOD = 0.1 µM, L.R. 0.5–150 µM; NADH: LOD = 0.6 µM, L.R. 2.5–200 µM) at low overpotential (+0.15 V) was obtained using amperometry, avoiding electrode-fouling. Improved performances, compared with graphite commercial electrodes and graphene exfoliated with a conventional surfactant, were obtained. The GF-CT was successfully used to perform the detection of HY and NADH (recoveries 94–107%, RSD ≤ 8%) in environmental and biological matrices, proving the material exploitability even in challenging analytical applications. On course studies aim to combine the intrinsic conductivity of the GF-CT with flexible substrates, in order to construct flexible electrodes/devices able to house GF-CT-exclusively composed conductive films. In our opinion, the proposed GF-CT elects itself as a cost-effective and sustainable material, particularly captivating in the (bio)sensoristics scenario.

A Review on Recent Progress of Glycan-Based Surfactant Micelles as Nanoreactor Systems for Chemical Synthesis Applications

The nanoreactor concept and its application as a modality to carry out chemical reactions in confined and compartmentalized structures continues to receive increasing attention. Micelle-based nanoreactors derived from various classes of surfactant demonstrate outstanding potential for chemical synthesis. Polysaccharide (glycan-based) surfactants are an emerging class of biodegradable, non-toxic, and sustainable alternatives over conventional surfactant systems. The unique structure of glycan-based surfactants and their micellar structures provide a nanoenvironment that differs from that of the bulk solution, and supported by chemical reactions with uniquely different reaction rates and mechanisms. In this review, the aggregation of glycan-based surfactants to afford micelles and their utility for the synthesis of selected classes of reactions by the nanoreactor technique is discussed. Glycan-based surfactants are ecofriendly and promising surfactants over conventional synthetic analogues. This contribution aims to highlight recent developments in the field of glycan-based surfactants that are relevant to nanoreactors, along with future opportunities for research. In turn, coverage of research for glycan-based surfactants in nanoreactor assemblies with tailored volume and functionality is anticipated to motivate advanced research for the synthesis of diverse chemical species.

An Inquiry into the Application and Preparation of Surfactant in Oil Field

As a commonly used chemical agent, surfactant is used to improve the efficiency of oil-and-gas exploitation. Since the conventional surfactant technology fails to meet the requirements of oil-and-gas resources exploitation currently, this paper deeply researches on the studies of cutting-edge technology of oil-and-gas exploitation, and learns the advanced experience from foreign countries. It aims to point out that the needs of China’s demand for oil-and-gas exploitation can be met with through technology innovation, preparation methods improvement and key technology mastery of surfactant in oil field.

Influence of TTAB/14-S-14 Micelles on the Rate of the Condensation between Ninhydrin and Mercury-Dipeptide Complex in Absence and Presence of Salts and Organic Solvents: A Kinetic Approach

The interaction of mercury(II)–glycyl-L-alanine [Hg(II)–Gly-L-Ala]+ complex with ninhydrin has been studied kinetically both in aqueous as well as micellar media (cationic conventional/gemini surfactants) using UV-vis spectrophotometer at 70 ºC and a particular pH 5.0. The study was carried out as functions of [Hg(II)–Gly-L-Ala]+, [ninhydrin], [surfactant] [salts], and solvents (%v/v). The first-order-rate is observed concerning [Hg(II)–Gly-L-Ala]+, whereas fractional-order-rate dependence for [ninhydrin]. It has been found that 14-s-14 geminis enhance the rate of reaction more effectively than related cationic conventional surfactant tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTAB). The effect of additives such as salts (inorganic/organic) and organic solvents on the rate was also investigated. The reaction rate was explained in terms of the modified pseudo phase model (considering the association/adsorption of both the reactants on the micellar surface) and changes in micellar morphology occurring at higher [geminis]. The Eyring equation is valid for the reaction over the range of temperatures used. Various thermodynamic parameters and binding constants between reactants with the micelles have been evaluated.