Synthesis,Characterization, Speciation,and Biological Studies on Metal Chelates of Carbohydrates with Molecular Docking Investigation

The role of starch aerogel (St-AG) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as biolgical active compounds, when they subjected for complexation with metal ions, is assessed in this work. The complexation is carried out with palladium(II) and copper(II) ions, in solid state. Different tools of analysis are carried out to characterize and elucidate the structures of these complexes, namely: elemental analysis, IR, thermal analysis, magnetic measurement and molar conductance techniques. All synthesized complexes are formed with 1:2 (metal:ligand) stoichiometry except the case of aerogel starch 1:1 (Pd:starch). All isolated complexes show a satisfactory cytotoxic effect results against colon cancer cell lines HCT11. Additionally, these complexes are screened for their antibacterial activities against two types of Gram positive and negative bacteria. Molecular docking investigation confirmed the cytotoxicity and antibacterial results. Proton–ligands association constants and their complex formation constants with some bivalent metal ions, using potentiometric method show that the complexes formed in solution have a stoichiometry of 1:1 [metal:ligand]. The effects of metal ion, ionic radius, electronegativity and nature of ligand on the formation constants are discussed. The formation constants of the complexes with 3D transition metals followed the order Mn²⁺ < Co²⁺ < Ni²⁺ < Cu²⁺ > Zn²⁺.     

Analysis of the corrosion failure causes of shale gas surface pipelines

A shale gas gathering and transportation pipeline in a good block in Sichuan Province started leaking after less than a year of operation. To investigate the causes of corrosion of the sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction were used to analyze the corrosion and perforation of the shale gas surface pipeline in conjunction with bacterial corrosion simulation experiments. The results showed that the pipeline material (L360N) conformed to the requirements of the American Petroleum Institute 5 L standard and that extracellular polymeric substances were present in the corrosion pits. The corrosion products mainly included FeCO₃, FeS, CaCO₃, MgCO₃, and Fe mineralization. At 40°C, the uniform corrosion rate of L360N in the simulation experiment was 0.234 mm/a, and the local corrosion rate was 0.458 mm/a. SRB, saprophytes, and iron bacteria were detected in the on-site water medium and corrosion products, indicating that the main causes of shale gas pipeline corrosion are bacterial and CO₂ corrosion.     

Re-Printable Chiral Photonic Paper with Invisible Patterns and Tunable Wettability

The construction of invisible patterns via high-resolution printing and the independent encoding/decoding of complex information can lead to promising applications in steganography and watermarking for optical encryption. Herein, a rewritable chiral photonic paper formed by cholesteric cellulose nanocrystals and polycation is reported. The chemically crosslinked polycation network interpenetrates in the cholesteric structure while retaining the optical properties of the photonic crystals. The film exhibits controllable wettability via anion exchange, leading to extremely low contrast in the dry state but high contrast by a rapid wetting response. Triple invisible information is independently encoded on the films, including invisible patterns caused by reversible counterion-controlled wettability, permanent fluorescent labels based on fluorescent counterions, and polarization-dependent structural colors based on cholesteric structures. Full color patterns can be reversibly constructed via inkjet printing, with a high resolution of 100 µm. In addition, the circular polarization characteristics of the cellulose nanocrystals, liquid crystals, endow the system with complex and independent responses, realizing a wetting/polarization double-key decryption. This work provides a simple and effective optical technique for coding complex information on a single material platform and expands the techniques available to achieve invisible patterns for sensing and anti-counterfeiting.     

An Injectable Hydrogel for Simultaneous Photothermal Therapy and Photodynamic Therapy with Ultrahigh Efficiency Based on Carbon Dots and Modified Cellulose Nanocrystals

The convenience of injectable hydrogels that can provide high loading of diverse phototherapy agents and further long-time retention at the tumor site has attracted tremendous interest in simultaneous photothermal and photodynamic cancer therapies. However, to incorporate the phototherapy agents into hydrogels, complex modifications are generally unavoidable. Moreover, these phototherapy agents usually suffer from low efficiency and work at different irradiation wavelengths outside the near infrared windows. Hence, a method for the fabrication of an injectable hydrogel for simultaneous photothermal therapy and photodynamic therapy, through the Schiff-base reaction between amido modified carbon dots (NCDs) and aldehyde modified cellulose nanocrystals is proposed. The NCDs act as both phototherapy agents and crosslinkers to form hydrogels. Significantly, the NCDs demonstrate an extremely high photothermal conversion efficiency of 77.6% which is among the highest levels for photothermal agents and a high singlet quantum yield of 0.37 under a single 660 nm light-emitting diode irradiation. The hydrogels are examined through in vitro and in vivo animal experiments which show nontoxic and effectively tumor inhibition. Thus, the strategy of direct reaction of phototherapy agents and the matrix not only provides new strategies for injectable hydrogel fabrication but paves a new road for advanced tumor treatment.     

High-precision green densities of thick films and their correlation with powder,ink, and film properties

A precise geometrical method employing optical profilometry for green density measurements of thick films is presented that provides a typical reproducibility of 0.1–0.2% theoretical density (TD) and a measurement uncertainty of 0.2–0.4% TD for layer thicknesses of around 50 μm. The procedure can be applied for all thick films with a dried thickness of 10 μm or greater. In a case study, the green densities of screen-printed zirconia layers were investigated as a function of the starting powders (grain sizes from 0.1 to 0.4 μm), the solid content, the chain length of ethyl cellulose as binder and its concentration, and two different dispersants and their concentration. Rheological ink properties, surface roughness, drying stresses from deflection measurements, the mechanical properties of green films, and the equivalent compaction pressure were measured and correlated with the green density data. Compressive binder forces and lubrication effects dominated the packing of the particles.     

微波处理对纤维素产糖能力的影响

采用纤维素为原料,以离子液体为溶剂,在微波辐射下进行纤维素的预处理。预处理完成后进行再生纤维素的酶解产糖,并采用DNS分光光度计法进行还原糖产率的测定,进而分析微波功率与时间对再生纤维素还原糖产率的影响。还原糖转化率最佳值(96.21%)出现在微波功率为230W处理5min时;稻杆产糖量随着微波时间的延长而呈现先上升后下降的趋势;在较强的功率539W条件下,延长作用时间则会引起还原糖转化率的上升,但继续延长时间,溶剂完全喷溅,难以继续进行处理。     

Improvement in impact strength of modified cardanol‐bonded cellulose thermoplastic resin by adding modified silicones

The impact strength of cellulose diacetate (CDA) bonded with a modified cardanol (3‐pentadecylphenoxy acetic acid: PAA) was greatly improved up to 9 kJ/m² by adding a relatively small amount of modified silicones while suppressing a decrease in bending strength. In our recent research, this thermoplastic resin (PAA‐bonded CDA) exhibited high rigidity, glass transition temperature, and water resistance. However, its impact strength was insufficient for use in durable products. Therefore, silicones modified with polyether, amino, and epoxy groups were investigated as possible ways to improve the impact strength. The results show that adding polyether‐modified silicone (polyether silicone) with moderate polarity relative to PAA‐bonded CDA resulted in shearing deformation greatly enhances its impact strength while maintaining other properties, including glass transition temperature (T_g), water resistance, and thermoplasticity. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40366.     

Antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli of Cu‐BTC (MOF‐199) metal‐organic framework immobilized onto cellulosic fibers

A strong antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli of Cu‐BTC metal‐organic frameworks immobilized over cellulosic fibers is hereby reported. The in situ synthesis of Cu‐BTC metal‐organic frameworks, aka MOF‐199 or HKUST‐1, onto cellulosic substrates was carried out by exposing carboxymethylated cellulosic substrates to Cu(OAC)₂, 1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxylic acid and triethylamine solutions following a very specific order. Using an in vitro model, in accordance to ASTM E2149‐13a, we observed that the cellulose‐MOF system was able to completely eliminate the growth of E. coli on agar plates and liquid cultures. The antibacterial activity of the comprising components of MOF‐199 and the cellulosic substrate was also evaluated and determined to be negligible. Since the method used to synthesize MOF‐199 crystals provides a strong bond between the crystals and the cellulosic substrates, the crystals not detach from the anionic cellulosic fibers allowing the modified textile to be washed and reused hence opening a new avenue to fabricate antibacterial clinical fabrics. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40815.     

Extraction of fibers from saccharum munja grass and its application in composites

With growing environmental awareness, ecological concerns and new legislations, natural fiber‐reinforced plastic composites have received increasing attention during the recent decades. The natural fiber composites have many advantages over traditional glass fiber composites, including lower cost, lighter weight, environmental friendliness, and recyclability. This article reports the findings of the studies done on a new fiber, hitherto unexplored, extracted from Saccharum munja grass. The extracted fibers were further treated using sodium hydroxide to improve its performance in composites. Both treated and untreated fiber‐reinforced composites were prepared by hand lay‐up process using unsaturated polyester resin. Mechanical properties and thermal behavior of the composites were evaluated. The improvement in properties was found for alkali‐treated fiber composites. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40829.     

Dual action bactericides: Quaternary ammonium/N‐halamine‐functionalized cellulose fiber

Bi‐functional antibacterial material was prepared by co‐grafting N‐halamine and quaternary ammonium salt monomers from cellulose fiber. The grafted fiber was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra, and X‐ray photoelectron spectra. The N‐halamine derived from the precursor 4‐[(acryloxy)methyl]‐4‐ethyl‐2‐oxazolidinone via chlorination treatment and the oxidative chlorine (Cl⁺) leaching behavior were investigated. The antibacterial activities of singly (only QAs‐functionalized or only Cl⁺‐releasing) and dual (QAs‐functionalized and Cl⁺‐releasing) functional cellulose fibers were tested against Gram‐negative Escherichia coli and Gram‐positive Staphylococcus aureus. Compared to singly functionalized formulations, the bi‐functional cellulose fiber exhibited excellent and rapid bactericidal performance against both E. coli and S. aureus. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40070.