Recent Advances in Electrochemical Determination of Pesticides

Widespread usage of pesticides in agricultural practice caused their residues to appear in water and food products intended for human consumption. The potential toxicity of these resources has raised awareness about pesticide tracking in the environment. Development of reliable electrochemical sensors for the on-site determination of pesticide concentrations is envisioned as an alternative to conventional chromatographic methods which are robust, expensive and require skilled work force. Modification of the working electrode surface can result in enhanced electrochemical response towards selected pesticide making such electrode convenient sensor for facile and efficient determination of pesticides in low concentrations. New generation of nanomaterials is applied in electrode modification in order to improve its sensitivity and selectivity. The present review summarizes significant advances in voltammetric detection of pesticides for the period of the past five years. The major focus of this review is set to the types of carbon and oxide based materials, metal nanoparticles, composites and other materials employed to upgrade standard electrode configurations such as glassy carbon and carbon paste electrodes, boron doped diamond electrodes, screen printed and film electrodes, metal and amalgam, and other kinds of electrodes.

Direct Writing on Paper Substrate to Prepare Silver Electrode Structures for Flexible Sensors

With the rapid development of the electronics industry, electronic products based on silicon and glass substrates electronic products will gradually be unable to meet the rising demand. Flexibility, environmental protection, and low costs are important for the development of electronic products. In this study, an efficient and low-cost method for preparing silver electrode structures by direct writing on paper has been demonstrated. Based on this method, a flexible paper-based sensor was prepared. The liquid printing ink used mainly comprises a precursor liquid without pre-prepared nanomaterials. The precursor liquid is transparent with good fluidity. Simple direct writing technology was used to write on the paper substrate using the precursor ink. When the direct-writing paper substrate was subsequently heated, silver nanostructures precipitated from the precursor liquid ink onto the paper substrate. The effect of different temperatures on the formation of the silver nanostructures and the influence of different direct writing processes on the structures were studied. Finally, a paper-based flexible sensor was prepared for finger-bending signal detection. The method is simple to operate and low in cost and can be used for the preparation of environment-friendly paper-based devices.

Potato Peel Based Carbon–Sulfur Composite as Cathode Materials for Lithium Sulfur Battery

Lithium sulfur battery has become one of the promising rechargeable battery systems to replace the conventional lithium ion battery. Commonly, it uses carbon–sulfur composites as cathode materials. Biomass based carbons has an important role in enhancing its electrochemical characteristics due to the high conductivity and porous structures. Here, potato peel wastes have been utilized to prepare porous carbon lithium sulfur battery through hydrothermal carbonization followed by the chemical activation method using KOH. After sulfur loading, as prepared carbon–sulfur composite shows stable coulombic efficiencies of above 98% and a reversible specific capacity of 804 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at current density of 100 mA g−1. These excellent electrochemical properties can be attributed to the unique structure of PPWC showing mesoporous structure with large specific surface areas. These results show the potential application of potato peel waste based porous carbon as electrode’s materials for lithium sulfur battery.

Validation of Analytical Methods for Tacrolimus Determination in Poly(ε-caprolactone) Nanocapsules and Identification of Drug Degradation Products

The aim of this paper was to use chromatographic tools for validating an analytical method for the tacrolimus (TAC) determination in polymeric nanocapsules and for identifying the drug degradation products after alkaline stress. A rapid Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with photo-diode array (UHPLC-PDA) method was successfully performed using the following chromatographic conditions: the Shimadzu Shim-pack XR-ODS III C18 column (100 mm×2.00 mm, 2.2 μm), the mobile phase consisting of methanol and acidified ultrapure water (89:11 v/v), the flow rate of 0.55 mL·min−1, and the ultraviolet (UV) detection at 235 nm. This method was validated as per International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines. In addition, a TAC forced degradation assay was carried out after alkaline stress and its degradation products were investigated using Liquid Chromatography coupled tandem mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS). The calibration curve was linear in the range of 100.0–300.0 μg·mL−1 (r >0.9999). Accuracy was confirmed by the TAC recovery of 96.55 to 98.19%. Precision (intraday and interday) were demonstrated by relative standard deviation lower than 0.89% and 3.25%, respectively. Selectivity and robustness were also proved. The method developed it was successfully applied to quantify TAC from polymeric nanocapsules, showing a high loading efficiency rate (>96.47%). The main drug degradation product observed in a multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) experiment was m/z 844, confirming the susceptibility of TAC under alkaline conditions; this finding was first time described.

A Reduction Active Theranostic Nanoparticle for Enhanced Near-Infrared Imaging and Phototherapy by Reducing Glutathione Level in Cancer Cells

Facile preparation of a tumoral-stimuli-activated theranostic nanoparticle with simple constituents remains a challenge for tumor theranostic nanosystems. Herein we design a simple reductionresponsive turn-on theranostic nanoparticle for achieving fluorescent imaging and phototherapy combination. The theranostic nanoparticle is prepared by a simple one-step dialysis method of reduction active amphiphilic hyperbranched poly(β-amidoamines) and a near-infrared (NIR) dye indocyanine green (ICG). The fluorescence of ICG is quenched by the aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) effect. The fluorescent intensity of free ICG at 816 nm was ∼40 times as high as that of particulate ICG. After reductive nanoparticles incubated with dithiothreitol (DTT), the size of the nanoparticles increased from 160 nm to 610 nm by Dynamic light scattering (DLS). As nanoparticles were internalized by cancer cells, the disulfide bonds would be cleaved by intracellular reduction agents like glutathione (GSH), leading to the release of entrapped ICG. The released ICG regained its fluorescence for self-monitoring the release and therapeutic effect of ICG by fluorescence spectra and the quantitative evaluation of NIR fluorescence intensity. Remarkably, nanoparticles can also reinforce antitumor efficacy through photodynamic therapy and GSH depletion property. This study provides new insights into designing turn-on theranostic systems.

A Review on Green Synthesis and Applications of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Bio-fabrication of iron oxide nanoparticles by using different sources of plants, plant parts and microbial cells have become a great topic of interest nowadays due to its eco-friendly nature. The stabilizing and capping agents in biological sources are biocompatible, stable and non-toxic which make its use beneficial for various biomedical applications. The bacteria are able to utilize metal ions and convert them into their respective nanoparticles by secreting different biomolecules. The plants and plant parts contain different types of phytochemicals which play a key role in synthesis and bio-fabrication of nanoparticles. Iron oxide nanoparticles are known to have various applications in the fields of medicine, environment etc. This review summarizes the applications of iron oxide nanoparticles as antimicrobial agent, drug delivery agent, material for removal of heavy metals and dyes from aqueous system etc. Due to these wide applications of iron oxide nanoparticles its demand in various fields is increasing considerably. This review describes different approaches which are used for biosynthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles and their applications. The review also summarizes about the surface modification strategies of iron oxide nanoparticles by using different polymers, polyelectrolytes which can be used for in-vivo applications.

Facilely Prepared Cl-Doped Graphene as an Efficient Anode for the Electrochemical Catalytic Degradation of Acetaminophen

The application of electrochemical catalytic oxidation in wastewater treatment with powerful Cldoped graphene as an anode has been discussed as a novel approach to degrade acetaminophen effectively. The characteristics of Cl-doped graphene that were related to Cl loading content and microscopic morphology were analyzed by using several instruments, and the defects created by Cl doping were identified. Quenching experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance detection were proposed to clarify the mechanism underlying the production of active free radicals by Cldopedgraphene. The degradation results indicated that efficiency increased with the percentage of Cl atoms doped into the graphene. The best degradation efficiency of acetaminophen could reach 98% when Cl-GN-12 was used. In the process of electrocatalytic oxidation, O•−2, and active chlorine, as the main active species, persistently attacked acetaminophen into open-ring intermediates, such as 4-chlororesorcinol, and finally into CO2 and H2O.

A Simple Hydrothermal Synthesis of Cadmium Sulfide Wrapped on Graphene Nanocomposite for Supercapacitor Applications

Supercapacitor with high specific capacity is desirable for various energy storage and high powerdensity applications. Though Graphene has been the preferred material for high current density, nanocomposites have been attempted to increase the specific capacitance. Hydrothermal synthesis of cadmium sulfide/graphene (CdS/G) nanocomposite with CdS nanoparticles anchored/decorated over the graphene sheets is reported. The structural studies reveal the hexagonal phase of the prepared materials. The specific surface area (BET) and porosity is found to increase upon nanocomposite formation. The electrochemical characteristics such as cyclic voltammetry (CV), GCD and EIS of the CdS/G nanocomposite have been investigated. The capacitance of CdS/G nanocomposite almost doubled to 248 Fg−1 indicating the enhanced performance of the nanocomposite system and in addition it also showed excellent cycling stability of 74.8 percent after 1000 cycles. The supercapacitor investigated retained the initial energy density after charge-discharge, at 0.5 A/g for 1000 cycles. The graphene nanosheets increased the specific surface area and interfacial electron transfer of the composite material. It enhances the specific capacitance and cyclic stability of the supercapacitor device.

Preparation of Expanded Graphite and Graphite Nanosheets for Improving Electrical Conductivity of Polyester Coating Films

Expanded graphite and graphite nanosheets were facilely prepared by the thermal expansion of expandable graphite at 800 °C and sand milling of expanded graphite in water, respectively. When the expandable graphite precursor was prepared by the oxidation and intercalation of natural graphite (5 g) using KMnO4 (6 g) as an oxidant in a concentrated sulfuric acid solution (120 mL) at room temperature (25 °C) for 8 h, the expanded graphite with a maximum volumetric rate of 317 mL g−1 was prepared after the thermal expansion of the expandable graphite precursor at 800 °C for 60 s. The oxidation extent of natural graphite with KMnO4 is crucial for the preparation of expanded graphite. The thicknesses of graphite nanosheets decreased from 8.9 to 3.2 nm when the sand milling time of the expanded graphite in deionized water was prolonged from 6 to 24 h. The prolonging of the sand milling time not only decreased the layer number of the graphite nanosheet but also increased the d002 spacing due to the shocking and shearing forces. The addition of the expanded graphite powder and graphite nanosheets in a polyester paint efficiently improved the electrical conductivity of the resultant polyester coating films.

Ru/TiO2 Nanostructured Catalysts: Synthesis, Characterization and Catalytic Activity Towards Hydrogenation of Ethyl Levulinate

Pristine TiO2 and x% Ru/TiO2 catalysts with different wt.% of Ru (x%= 1.5%, 2%, 2.5% and 3%) were synthesized using sol–gel and simple impregnation methods. Different characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), High-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM), Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and Thermogravimetry/Differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA) were used to study the physicochemical and morphological properties. The XRD patterns of the as-prepared pristine TiO2 catalyst showed high crystalline nature. The HR-TEM images revealed that the Ru nanoparticles (NPs) were evenly dispersed on the TiO2 surface. The prepared catalysts were evaluated for their catalytic activity towards the liquid phase hydrogenation of ethyl levulinate under mild reaction conditions (ambient H2 pressure). Among the various catalysts, 2.5% Ru/TiO2 catalyst showed the maximum catalytic activity of 79% ethyl levulinate (EL) conversion with 82% selectivity of γ-valerolactone (GVL). The recyclability test revealed that the most active 2.5% Ru/TiO2 also showed the highest stability of the catalyst under optimized experimental conditions.