Silver Nanoprism for Selective and Sensitive Detection of Hg+2 Ions

In this article, we propose high-performance colorimetric detection of Hg+2 using silver nanoprisms. The spherical and triangular AgNPs were synthesized using varied concentration of NaBH4. Pristine AgNPs without any further modification were used for the detection of various metal ions including Hg2+, Pb2+, Cl−, Cd2+, Co2+, Cu2+, Ba2+, Pb2+, Cr3+, Cr2O2−7 , Fe2+, Fe3+ etc. AgNPs were not only selective in detecting the ions of Cl− and Hg+2 ions but also highly sensitive. Minimum detection limit was observed to be as low as 10−7 ppm for both Hg+2 and Cl−. Water samples collected from various locations detected for the presence of various heavy metals. Silver nanoprisms owing to their surface plasmon resonance exhibit highly selective tendency towards detection against Hg+2.

Simu-D: A Simulator-Descriptor Suite for Polymer-Based Systems under Extreme Conditions

We present Simu-D, a software suite for the simulation and successive identification of local structures of atomistic systems, based on polymers, under extreme conditions, in the bulk, on surfaces, and at interfaces. The protocol is built around various types of Monte Carlo algorithms, which include localized, chain-connectivity-altering, identity-exchange, and cluster-based moves. The approach focuses on alleviating one of the main disadvantages of Monte Carlo algorithms, which is the general applicability under a wide range of conditions. Present applications include polymer-based nanocomposites with nanofillers in the form of cylinders and spheres of varied concentration and size, extremely confined and maximally packed assemblies in two and three dimensions, and terminally grafted macromolecules. The main simulator is accompanied by a descriptor that identifies the similarity of computer-generated configurations with respect to reference crystals in two or three dimensions. The Simu-D simulator-descriptor can be an especially useful tool in the modeling studies of the entropy- and energy-driven phase transition, adsorption, and self-organization of polymer-based systems under a variety of conditions.

Antimicrobial activity of Punica grantum leaves

Natural phytochemicals isolated from medicinal plants acts as inhibitors for pathogenic microorganisms which causes contagious diseases to human beings. The present study was done to explore the antimicrobial activity of aqueous and aqueous-ethanol extract of Punica grantum leaves. The phytochemical analysis of both the extracts revealed the presence of total phenolics & flavonoids at varied concentration. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was carried out by disc diffusion method. Both the aqueous and aqueous-ethanol extract showed the antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, Shi. dysentriae & Shi. flexineri. The antimicrobial activity of the Punica grantum leaves extracts could be attributed by the presence of phenolics and flavonoids.

Effect of UV/Ozone treatment on surface hydrophilicity and humidity sensing properties of PVDF-BaTiO3 composite films

In this research work, we have studied the impact of UV/ozone treatment on the hydrophilicity of the PVDF-BaTiO3 nanocomposite film. We have prepared the nanocomposite solution by mixing PVDF (2.5 wt% kept constant) and BaTiO3 nanoparticles (0.25 wt%, 0.5 wt%, and 1 wt% varied concentration). The spin coating technique has been used to deposit the nanocomposite film on the Interdigitated ITO electrode.

Anticataract activity of pioglitazone by using in-Vitro goat lens model

In the present study we have selected antioxidants agents like Pioglitazone and Ascorbic acid were subjected for anti-cataract activity by in vitro glucose induced cataract model. In the procedure, goat lenses was incubated along with the aqueous humor solution containing 55mM glucose with Enalpril as a standard compound and Pioglitazone with varied concentration for the time interval of 72 hours at room temperature. There was a formation of blur layer on the goat eyeball occurs after 10-12 hours and this process complete after 72 hours. The cataract inducing lenses showing higher level of Na, MDA (P<0.001) along with the decreases in sodium-potassium ATPase activity and water-soluble protein content. The goat lenses treated with Ascorbic acid 40 µg/ml and Pioglitazone in concentrations of 15, 30, and 60 µg/ml showed increased protein content and prevent the formation of cataract.

Role of Host-Guest Interaction in Understanding Polymerisation in Metal-Organic Frameworks

Metal-organic frameworks, MOFs, offer an effective template for polymerisation of polymers with precisely controlled structures within the sub-nanometre scales. However, synthetic difficulties such as monomer infiltration, detailed understanding of polymerisation mechanisms within the MOF nanochannels and the mechanism for removing the MOF template post polymerisation have prevented wide scale implementation of polymerisation in MOFs. This is partly due to the significant lack in understanding of the energetic and atomic-scale intermolecular interactions between the monomers and the MOFs. Consequently in this study, we explore the interaction of varied concentration of styrene, and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT), at the surface and in the nanochannel of Zn2(1,4-ndc)2 (dabco), where 1,4-ndc = 1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylate and dabco = 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane. Our results showed that the interactions between monomers are stronger in the nanochannels than at the surfaces of the MOF. Moreover, the MOF-monomer interactions are strongest in the nanochannels and increase with the number of monomers. However, as the number of monomers increases, the monomers turn to bind more strongly at the surface leading to a potential agglomeration of the monomers at the surface.

Role of Host-Guest Interaction in Understanding Polymerisation in Metal Organic Frameworks

<div>Metal-organic frameworks, MOFs, offer an effective templet for</div><div>polymerisation of polymers with precisely controlled structures</div><div>within the sub-nanometre scales. However, synthetic difficulties</div><div>such as monomer infiltration, detailed understanding of polymerisation</div><div>mechanisms within the MOF nano-channels and the</div><div>mechanism for removing the MOF template post polymerisation</div><div>have prevented wide scale implementation of polymerisation in</div><div>MOFs. This is partly due to the significant lack in understanding</div><div>of the energetic and atomic-scale intermolecular interactions</div><div>between the monomers and the MOFs. Consequently in this study,</div><div>we explore the interaction of varied concentration of styrene,</div><div>and EDOT, at the surface and in the nano-channel of Zn2(1,4-</div><div>ndc)2(dabco), where 1,4-ndc = 1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylate</div><div>and dabco = 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane. Our results showed</div><div>that the interactions between monomers are stronger in the</div><div>nano-channels than at the surfaces of the MOF. Moreover, the</div><div>MOF-monomer interactions are strongest in the nano-channels</div><div>and increases with increase in the number of monomers. However,</div><div>as the number of monomer increases, the monomers turn to bind</div><div>more strongly at the surface leading to a potential agglomeration</div><div>of the monomers at the surface.</div>

Role of Host-Guest Interaction in Understanding Polymerisation in Metal Organic Frameworks

<div>Metal-organic frameworks, MOFs, offer an effective templet for</div><div>polymerisation of polymers with precisely controlled structures</div><div>within the sub-nanometre scales. However, synthetic difficulties</div><div>such as monomer infiltration, detailed understanding of polymerisation</div><div>mechanisms within the MOF nano-channels and the</div><div>mechanism for removing the MOF template post polymerisation</div><div>have prevented wide scale implementation of polymerisation in</div><div>MOFs. This is partly due to the significant lack in understanding</div><div>of the energetic and atomic-scale intermolecular interactions</div><div>between the monomers and the MOFs. Consequently in this study,</div><div>we explore the interaction of varied concentration of styrene,</div><div>and EDOT, at the surface and in the nano-channel of Zn2(1,4-</div><div>ndc)2(dabco), where 1,4-ndc = 1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylate</div><div>and dabco = 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane. Our results showed</div><div>that the interactions between monomers are stronger in the</div><div>nano-channels than at the surfaces of the MOF. Moreover, the</div><div>MOF-monomer interactions are strongest in the nano-channels</div><div>and increases with increase in the number of monomers. However,</div><div>as the number of monomer increases, the monomers turn to bind</div><div>more strongly at the surface leading to a potential agglomeration</div><div>of the monomers at the surface.</div>