Enhanced photoluminescence of CoWO<Subscript>4</Subscript> in CoWO<Subscript>4</Subscript>/PbWO<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanocomposites

CoWO₄/PbWO₄ nanocomposites were successfully synthesized at room temperature (RT) by co-precipitation route without using any templates or surfactants and sintered at 600 °C for good crystallization. The sintered samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy and Zeta potential measurements. UV–Visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL) and PL lifetime were studied at RT. The results indicate that the composites have two-phase composition: CoWO₄ and PbWO₄. SEM micrograph and zeta potential measurements reveal particle agglomeration. The intrinsic PL peak emission at 467 nm of CoWO₄ nano sample was enhanced upto four times by optimizing the atomic ratio of Pb/Co concentration. The interconnected interface of CoWO₄/PbWO₄ nanocomposites could have led to increase in number of recombination of electron hole pairs in CoWO₄ and enhanced its intrinsic PL emission intensity. The mechanism of enhanced PL emission for the CoWO₄/PbWO₄ nanocomposites can be attributed to charge transfer between [WO₄]^2? and [WO₆]^6? complexes due to intra particle agglomeration leading to possible interface.     

Role of stuffer layers and fibre volume fractions on the mechanical properties of 3D woven fabrics for structural composites applications

Using weaving technology, possible manipulations can be done so as to derive maximum advantage from the reinforcements towards desired mechanical properties of the composites. Thus with different sets of weaving parameters and tow linear densities, an attempt has been made to investigate tensile, impact and knife penetration performance of different stuffer layers and fibre volume fractions of 3D orthogonal and interlock E-glass fabrics as reinforcements for composite applications. The tensile properties were effectively influenced by warp tow crimp%, number of stuffer tows per unit width of the fabric and fabric assistance. The tow linear density, fabric sett and the number of cross over points play a determining role towards impact energy absorption capacity. The fabric sett along with tow linear densities also play a vital role towards peak energy during knife penetration test. The number of cross over points were found to be least important in the knife penetration results analysis.     

Thermopower of YBa2Cu3O7-δ–Ag Composites

The percolation behavior of normal-state thermopower, resistivity, and superconductivity have been studied in YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ─Ag (YBCO─Ag) composite systems. The normal-state resistivity and thermopower show a percolation threshold at a Ag volume fraction ( V _Ag) of 20% to 30%, whereas the superconducting network shows a threshold at a V _Ag of ≅70% to 80%. The results obtained from this study show that the YBCO─Ag composite obtained from Ag₂O and YBCO powders is uniformly distributed with Ag and YBCO remaining as separate phases without changing their characteristics. The measurements of thermopower indicate that the normal-state thermopower and phonon-drag thermopower are affected by the Ag addition. The stability of YBCO is increased when it is in composite form.     

Preparation and characterization of molybdenum trioxide from spent hydrodesulfurization catalyst

An approach to produce molybdenum trioxide from spent hydrodesulfurization (HDS) catalyst, obtained from a petroleum refinery, is presented here. The spent catalyst was devolatilized at 600 °C so as to make it free from oils, organics and other volatile species. It was then roasted with sodium carbonate at a temperature of 850 °C for 30 min. The leaching efficiency for 20% soda roasted sample at 10% pulp density was 99.8%. From the solution molybdenum was precipitated out as ammonium molybdate at pH 1.0 with HCl and ammonium chloride. This ammonium molybdate was calcined at 750 °C to get MoO₃. The product was characterized by XRD. Its purity was determined titrimetrically and by ICP-AES.     

Green microalga Chlorella vulgaris as a potential feedstock for biodiesel

BACKGROUND: A major bottleneck in microalgal biodiesel production is lipid content, which is often low in microalgal species. The present study examines Chlorella vulgaris as a potential feedstock for biodiesel by identifying and evaluating the relationships between the critical variables that enhance the lipid yield, and characterizes the biodiesel produced for various properties. RESULTS: Factors affecting lipid accumulation in a green microalga, Chlorella vulgaris were examined. Multifactor optimization raised the lipid pool to 55% dry cell weight against 9% control. When C. vulgaris cells pre‐grown in glucose (0.7%)‐supplemented medium were transferred to the optimized condition at the second stage, the lipid yield was boosted to 1974 mg L^?1, a value almost 20‐fold higher than for the control. The transesterified C. vulgaris oil showed the presence of ～82% saturated fatty acids, with palmitate and stearate as major components, thus highlighting the oxidative stability of C. vulgaris biodiesel. The fuel properties (density, viscosity, acid value, iodine value, calorific value, cetane index, ash and water contents) are comparable with the international (ASTM and EN) and Indian (IS) biodiesel standards. CONCLUSION: C. vulgaris biomass with 55% lipid content and adequate fuel properties is potentially a renewable feedstock for biodiesel. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

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.     

Short SiC fiber/Ti3SiC2 MAX phase composites: Fabrication and creep evaluation

The compressive creep of silicon carbide fiber reinforced Ti₃SiC₂ MAX phase with both fine and coarse microstructure was investigated in the temperature range of 1000-1300°C. Comparison of only steady-state creep was done to understand the response of fabricated composite materials toward creep deformation. It was demonstrated that the fibers are more effective in reducing the creep rates for the coarse microstructure by an increase in activation energy compared to the variant with a finer microstructure, being partly a result of the enhanced creep rates for the microstructure with larger grain size. Grain boundary sliding along with fiber fracture appears to be the main creep mechanism for most of the tested temperature range. However, there are indications for a changed creep mechanism for the fine microstructure for the lowest testing temperature. Local pores are formed to accommodate differences in strain related to creeping matrix and predominantly elastically deformed fibers during creep. Microstructural analysis was done on the material before and after creep to understand the deformation mechanics.     

Nanobiofunctionalized chitosan nanocomposite hydrogel as a highly biocompatible cancer drug carrier

A bio-inspired drug carrier was developed by dual functionalization of chitosan using L-glutamic acid (GA) and phyto-synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZNPs). A highly porous, three-dimensional network of nanocomposite hydrogel (GA-CHGZ) was obtained upon cross-linking chitosan using biomass-derived dialdehyde cellulose. The hydrogel was optimally loaded with naringenin (NRG) and further characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and swelling studies. An enhanced NRG loading efficiency of 85.23% was obtained using functionalized hydrogel compared to 52.54% using non-functionalized hydrogel. Delivery studies displayed a maximum release of 69.63% for 1.0 mg/ml of initial NRG concentration at pH 5, which is a highly preferred condition for cancer therapeutics. While ZNPs’ embedment was instrumental in improving the NRG loading and delivery rates, the GA conjugation increased the stability of NRG in the GA-CHGZ, aiding sustained NRG release, which followed a non-Fickian diffusion mechanism with polymer swelling. Antimicrobial potential was explored against Staphylococcus aureus and Trichophyton rubrum strains. The biocompatibility assay using L929 normal cells showed enhanced cell proliferation characteristics for the materials, revealing significant cell viability. The anticancer activity of NRG tested against A431 human skin carcinoma cells increased up to nine-fold with a reduced IC₅₀ value when a functionalized hydrogel was used instead of pure NRG without the nanocomposite carrier. Thus, the bio-functionalized drug–carrier system has a promising application for wound healing and topical skin cancer therapies.     

Ageing studies of pineapple leaf fiber–reinforced polyester composites

This experimental study evaluated the water absorption characteristics of pineapple leaf fiber (PALF)–polyester composites of different fiber content. The degree of water absorption was found to increase with fiber loading. The mechanism of diffusion was analyzed and the effect of fiber loading on the sorption kinetics was studied. The diffusion coefficient was calculated and found to increase with fiber content. Studies were also made to correlate water absorption with the cross‐sectional areas of the specimens. The effects of ageing on the tensile properties and dimensional stability of PALF polyester composites were studied under two different ageing conditions. Ageing studies showed a decrease in tensile strength of the composites. The composite specimens subjected to thermal ageing showed only a slight deterioration in strength. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 503–510, 2004