Carbon nanohorn‐graphene nanoplate hybrid: An excellent electrode material for supercapacitor application

This study describes the capacitor behavior of carbon nanohorn (CNH)/graphene nanoplate (GNP) hybrid (CNGN). The well‐CNH‐decorated GNP‐plate electrode materials show high capacitance value (≈677 F/g) and can be extensively used in new generation for energy storage. In the hybrid (CNGN), two nanofillers jointly affect the capacitance behavior and increase the capacitance value of the CNGN hybrid. Homogeneous coating of CNH over the GNP plate plays an effective role to enhance the capacitance behavior of the composite. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis of the composite confirmed the CNH coating on the GNP plate. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42118.     

Innovative Utilization of Improved n-doped μc-SiOx:H Films to Amplify the Performance of Micromorph Solar Cells

Silicon - Due to in-situ deposition process doped SiOx material attracts the PV community as intermediate reflecting layer (IRL) for the less hazardous deposition process. Previously we have been...     

Chemical Reactions Directed Peptide Self-Assembly

Fabrication of self-assembled nanostructures is one of the important aspects in nanoscience and nanotechnology. The study of self-assembled soft materials remains an area of interest due to their potential applications in biomedicine. The versatile properties of soft materials can be tuned using a bottom up approach of small molecules. Peptide based self-assembly has significant impact in biology because of its unique features such as biocompatibility, straight peptide chain and the presence of different side chain functionality. These unique features explore peptides in various self-assembly process. In this review, we briefly introduce chemical reaction-mediated peptide self-assembly. Herein, we have emphasised enzymes, native chemical ligation and photochemical reactions in the exploration of peptide self-assembly.     

Aspects of poly(p-phenylene sulfide) degradation and stabilization. Part 1. Influence of polymer end groups on exposure induced coloration

In this paper we reviewed some of our work on the photo induced coloration of Poly(p-phenylene sulfide) (PPS) and compared it to recent results obtained from the thermal treatment of resins that varied in molecular weight and ionic content. The results from this study suggest that coloration of amorphous PPS films after UV irradiation is caused by products different from those that cause coloration in semicrystalline PPS after thermoxidation. In addition, we found that polymer end group chemistry and resin molecular weights play important roles in the thermoxidative coloration of PPS, but only nominally influence the photooxidative coloration of the resin. PPS coloration may arise from the accumulation of specific, colored products (e.g., phenyl-phenyl moieties) and the possible presence of intermolecular aggregates. The mechanism and extent by which these structures occur in UV irradiated or heated PPS are likely dependent upon the polymer morphology of the samples tested.     

Characterization of epitaxial GaAs MOS capacitors using atomic layer-deposited TiO2/Al2O3 gate stack: study of Ge auto-doping and p-type Zn doping

Few-wall carbon nanotubes were synthesized by methane/acetylene decomposition over bimetallic Fe-Mo catalyst with MgO (1:8:40) support at the temperature of 900°C. No calcinations and reduction pretreatments were applied to the catalytic powder. The transmission electron microscopy investigation showed that the synthesized carbon nanotubes [CNTs] have high purity and narrow diameter distribution. Raman spectrum showed that the ratio of G to D band line intensities of I _G/I _D is approximately 10, and the peaks in the low frequency range were attributed to the radial breathing mode corresponding to the nanotubes of small diameters. Thermogravimetric analysis data indicated no amorphous carbon phases. Experiments conducted at higher gas pressures showed the increase of CNT yield up to 83%. M?ssbauer spectroscopy, magnetization measurements, X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and electron diffraction were employed to evaluate the nature of catalyst particles.     

Separation of acid–water mixtures by pervaporation using nanoparticle filled mixed matrix copolymer membranes

BACKGROUND: Low energy and less expensive membrane based separation of acetic acid‐water mixtures would be a better alternative to conventional separation processes. However, suitable acid resistant membranes are still lacking. Thus, the objective of the present study was to develop mixed matrix membrane (MMM) which would allow high flux and water selectivity over a wide range of feed concentrations of acid in water. RESULTS: Three MMMs, namely PANBA0.5, PANBA1.5 and PANBA3 were made by emulsion copolymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) and butyl acrylate (BA) with 5.5:1 comonomer ratio and in situ incorporation of 0.5, 1.5 and 3 wt%, sodium montmorilonite (Na‐MMT) nanofillers, respectively. For a feed concentration of 99.5 wt% of acid in water the membranes show good permeation flux (2.61, 3.19, 3.97 kg m^?2 h^?1 µm^?1, for PANBA0.5, PANBA1.5 and PANBA3 membrane, respectively) and very high separation factors for water (1473, 1370, 1292 for PANBA0.5, PANBA1.5 and PANBA3 membrane, respectively) at 30 °C. Similarly for a dilute acid–water solution, i.e. for 71.6 wt% acid the membrane showed a very high thickness normalize flux (8.67, 9.44, 11.56 kg m^?2 h^?1 µm^?1, for PANBA0.5, PANBA1.5 and PANBA3 membrane, respectively) and good water selectivity (101.7, 95.3, 79 for PANBA0.5, PANBA1.5 and PANBA3 membrane, respectively) at the same feed temperature. The permeation ratio, permeability, diffusion coefficient and activation energy for permeation of the membranes were also estimated. CONCLUSION: Unlike most of the reported membranes, the present MMMs allowed high flux and selectivity over a wide range of feed concentrations. These membranes may also be effective for separating other similar organic‐water mixtures. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Epoxidized Mesua ferrea L. seed oil‐plasticized thermostable PVC and PVC‐clay nanocomposites

The use of vegetable‐oil‐based polymeric plasticizers with nanotechnology can create new applications for plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). Epoxidized Mesua ferrea L. (Ceylon Ironwood) seed oil was used as a plasticizer for PVC. Further, nanocomposites were prepared through an ex‐situ technique using epoxidized‐oil‐swelled organically modified montmorillonite (5 wt%) and PVC. Notable improvement in thermal and processing characteristics of the nanocomposites was observed over those of the virgin polymer (in both unplasticized and plasticized PVC), as studied by TGA. The prepared nanocomposites were characterized by FTIR, SEM, TEM, and XRD techniques. A dramatic decrease in viscosity (7‐fold) was observed in THF for a 10% solution of epoxidized‐oil‐modified PVC compared to unplasticized PVC in THF, as measured by Brookfield viscometer. Isothermal analysis at three different temperatures (100, 150, and 200°C) reveals sufficient stability of the epoxidized oil modified PVC nanocomposites, as confirmed by gravimetric and FTIR analysis. Augmentation of thermostability and good retention of mechanical properties of the (Mesua ferrea L.)‐plasticized‐PVC/clay nanocomposites with respect to rigid PVC vouch for the utility of the former as advanced industrial materials. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 18:168–177, 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Species dependent aqueous biphasic extraction of some heavy metals

A clean liquid–liquid extraction system was designed for extraction of three different heavy metals (Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Bi³⁺) using an Aqueous Biphasic System consisting of a nonionic surfactant Triton X-100 in combination with two different salts viz., magnesium sulphate and sodium citrate. The extraction was monitored in two ways, by direct partitioning as well as by forming a complex with diphenylthiocarbazone (dithizone) for each metal ion in the Triton phase and measuring the colour intensity using a spectrophotometer. The change in extraction pattern at different pH of the salt rich phase was monitored. The possible change in speciation of these metal ions with pH was checked with the software programme ‘CHEAQS’ (Chemical Equilibria in Aquatic Systems). These heavy metals were also found to have higher extraction in the Triton phase when a prior complexation with dithizone was performed. The method may find extensive applications for the removal and decontaminations of the above mentioned toxic heavy metals from a sample.     

Ubiquitin C-Terminal Hydrolase L1: Biochemical and Cellular Characterization of a Covalent Cyanopyrrolidine-Based Inhibitor

The deubiquitinase (DUB) ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) is expressed primarily in the central nervous system under normal physiological conditions. However, UCHL1 is overexpressed in various aggressive forms of cancer with strong evidence supporting UCHL1 as an oncogene in lung, glioma, and blood cancers. In particular, the level of UCHL1 expression in these cancers correlates with increased invasiveness and metastatic behavior, as well as poor patient prognosis. Although UCHL1 is considered an oncogene with potential as a therapeutic target, there remains a significant lack of useful small-molecule probes to pharmacologically validate in vivo targeting of the enzyme. Herein, we describe the characterization of a new covalent cyanopyrrolidine-based UCHL1 inhibitory scaffold in biochemical and cellular studies to better understand the utility of this inhibitor in elucidating the role of UCHL1 in cancer biology.     

Poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone)-stabilized colloidal graphene-reinforced poly(ethylene-co-methyl acrylate) to mitigate electromagnetic radiation pollution

Polymer Bulletin - Electrically conducting flexible polymeric nanocomposite has been fabricated through wet mixing method where conducting inclusion was acoustically exfoliated pristine graphene...