Strong magnetoelectric effect in pulse laser deposited [Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3‐0.5(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3]/CoFe2O4 bilayer thin film

Polycrystalline bilayer thin film of multiferroic [Ba(Zr_0.2Ti_0.8)O₃‐0.5(Ba_0.7Ca_0.3)TiO₃]/CoFe₂O₄([BZT‐0.5BCT]/CFO) has been deposited on Pt/Si (100) substrate using a pulsed laser deposition technique. The dielectric analysis reveals a significant change in the dielectric constant (~39% at a typical frequency of 100 Hz) at room temperature when a magnetic field is applied, in addition to a substantial improvement in the saturation polarization. A low leakage current density (~ 5 × 10^?7 A/cm²) and a high magnetoelectric coupling coefficient (α_E) both in the transverse (~2.085 V/Oe cm) as well as in the longitudinal (~0.708 V/cm Oe) directions, indicate in‐principle usability of this system for multifunctional device applications in thin film form.     

Valorization of pineapple peel waste and sisal fiber: Study of cellulose nanocrystals on polypropylene nanocomposites

The present study focuses on the isolation and characterization of the cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) from the pineapple peel waste (PPW) (agro-waste) and sisal fiber (SiF) (natural fiber) employing the acid hydrolysis method, and its comparison with the commercially available CNCs (CNC-C). Furthermore, the CNCs from PPW, SiF, and CNC-C were subjected to transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, particle size distribution, and zeta potential analysis. The studied properties of the isolated CNCs are considerably different from the PPW and SiF. The CNCs so formed have been estimated by TEM to be around 10–40 nm wide and length of several micrometers. Fourier transform electron microscopy studies described the removal of the noncellulosic components like lignin, hemicellulose, and pectin substances from the base materials in both the cases by employing acid hydrolysis method. Additionally, nanocomposites of CNC isolated from PPW along with polypropylene (PP) matrix were fabricated using melt blending method followed by injection molding. Maleic anhydride grafted PP (MAPP) acts as a compatibilizer for improving the dispersibility of hydrophilic CNC within the nonpolar PP matrix. The addition of CNC (3 wt%) along with MAPP at 5 wt% showed optimum tensile strength and modulus to the tune of 10.39 and 25.53%, respectively, when compared to their counterparts without MAPP. Dynamic mechanical analysis revealed an increased stiffness of PP in its nanocomposite system due to the addition of CNC. Scanning electron microscopy studies revealed uniform distribution of CNC within the nonpolar PP matrix in the presence of MAPP.     

A Degron Blocking Strategy Towards Improved CRL4CRBN Recruiting PROTAC Selectivity**

Small molecules inducing protein degradation are important pharmacological tools to interrogate complex biology and are rapidly translating into clinical agents. However, to fully realise the potential of these molecules, selectivity remains a limiting challenge. Herein, we addressed the issue of selectivity in the design of CRL4^CRBN recruiting PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs). Thalidomide derivatives used to generate CRL4^CRBN recruiting PROTACs have well described intrinsic monovalent degradation profiles by inducing the recruitment of neo-substrates, such as GSPT1, Ikaros and Aiolos. We leveraged structural insights from known CRL4^CRBN neo-substrates to attenuate and indeed remove this monovalent degradation function in well-known CRL4^CRBN molecular glues degraders, namely CC-885 and Pomalidomide. We then applied these design principles on a previously published BRD9 PROTAC (dBRD9-A) and generated an analogue with improved selectivity profile. Finally, we implemented a computational modelling pipeline to show that our degron blocking design does not impact PROTAC-induced ternary complex formation. We believe that the tools and principles presented in this work will be valuable to support the development of targeted protein degradation.     

Kinetic study of Hg(II)-promoted substitution of cyanide from hexacyanoferrate(II) in an anionic surfactant medium by 2,2′-bipyridine

The kinetic investigation of Hg(II)-promoted reaction between [Fe(CN)₆]⁴⁻ and 2,2′-bipyridine (Bipy) has been performed in anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micellar medium by recording the surge in absorbance at 400 nm, corresponding to ultimate reaction product [Fe(CN)₄ Bipy]²⁻ using UV–visible spectrophotometer. Pseudo-first-order condition has been used to examine the progress of reaction as a function of temperature, [Fe(CN)₆⁴⁻], ionic strength, [SDS], pH, [Hg²⁺], and [Bipy] by changing one parameter at a time. The results exhibit that [Hg²⁺], [SDS], and pH are the decisive parameter showing maximum reaction rate at 1.5 × 10⁻⁴ mol dm⁻³, 6.0 × 10⁻³ mol dm⁻³, and 3.8, respectively. [Fe(CN)₆]⁴⁻ does not show any appreciable effect on the critical micellar concentration (CMC) of SDS as the polar head of SDS and [Fe(CN)₆]⁴⁻ both are negatively charged. Variable order kinetics was observed for [Fe(CN)₆]⁴⁻ and Bipy in their examined concentration range. The reverse response observed in the reaction rate with [KNO₃] shows a negative salt effect. The K⁺ provided by K₄[Fe(CN)₆] and KNO₃ decreases the repulsion between the negatively charged heads of the surfactant molecules thereby decreasing the CMC of SDS. The negative value for the entropy of activation also supports the interchange dissociative (I_d) mechanism recommended by us.     

Solid-State Compaction of Polyphenylene Sulfide

Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) is an engineering plastic with excellent thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties, and has received considerable attention during the last few years. There are numerous reports on the crystallization behavior and physical properties of PPS (1-7). This polymer can be processed by conventional melt-processing techniques such as injection molding, compression molding, etc., and also by powder metallurgical technique. However, there are few reports on the powder processing of PPS (8, 9).     

Role of Process Parameters on Microstructural and Electronic Properties of Rapid Thermally Grown MoS2 Thin Films on Silicon Substrates

Silicon - Miniaturization of the semiconducting materials propelled the discovery of low dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDC) thin films. In this work, MoS2 thin films have been...     

Computational modeling of intravitreal drug delivery in the vitreous chamber with different vitreous substitutes

Intravitreal injection of drug is commonly used to treat vitreoretinal diseases. In order to assess the effectiveness of the injected drug, it is critical to know the drug distribution within the eye following the injection. This is particularly important when the vitreous medium has been replaced by fluid substitutes. The main objective of this paper is to characterize the spatio-temporal evolution of drug distribution following intravitreal injection into a vitreous substitute such as silicone oil. In addition, water is considered as an intravitreal fluid to represent the liquefaction of vitreous that occurs with aging. Both direct injection of drugs and injection of time-released drugs are studied. The results show that the concentration distribution depends on the properties of the vitreous substitute, the diffusion coefficient of the drug and the permeability of the retinal surface. For drugs with high diffusion coefficients, convection plays a small role in the drug transport. For drugs with low diffusion coefficients and in low viscosity vitreous fluids, convection is seen to play a more important role and can lead to high drug concentrations on the retina which can be potentially toxic. Time-released drug injection is shown to avoid conditions of retinal toxicity, and to provide lower drug concentrations with sustained residence times along the retinal surface. For drugs with high diffusivity and retinal permeability, uniform distribution of the drug is obtained along the surface of the retina, while for drugs with low diffusion coefficient and retinal permeability the concentration of drug is localized along the posterior surface of the retina.     

Adsorption isotherms, kinetics and column operations for the removal of hazardous dye, Tartrazine from aqueous solutions using waste materials--Bottom Ash and De-Oiled Soya, as adsorbents

Adsorbents, Bottom Ash (a power plant waste) and De-Oiled Soya (an agricultural waste) exhibit good efficacy to adsorb a highly toxic dye, Tartrazine. Through the batch technique equilibrium uptake of the dye is observed at different concentrations, pH of the solution, dosage of adsorbents and sieve size of adsorbents. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms are successfully employed on both the adsorbents and on the basis of these models the thermodynamic parameters are evaluated. Kinetic investigations reveal that more than 50% adsorption of dye is achieved in about 1h in both the cases, whereas, equilibrium establishment takes about 3-4h. The linear plots obtained in rate constant and mass transfer studies further confirm the applicability of first order rate expression and mass transfer model, respectively. The kinetic data treated to identify rate controlling step of the ongoing adsorption processes indicate that for both the systems, particle diffusion process is predominant at higher concentrations, while film diffusion takes place at lower concentrations. The column studies reveal that about 96% saturation of both the columns is attained during their exhaustion, while about 88 and 84% of the dye material is recovered by eluting dilute NaOH solution through exhausted Bottom Ash and De-Oiled Soya columns, respectively.     

Effect of addition of rhenium to Pt-based anode catalysts in electro-oxidation of ethanol in direct ethanol PEM fuel cell

Breaking of C–C bond at low temperature to completely oxidize ethanol in direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC) is the limiting factor for the development of DEFC as alternative source of power in portable electronic equipment. Binary and ternary Pt based catalysts with addition of Re, Pt–Re/C (20:20), Pt–Sn/C (20:20), Pt–Re–Sn/C (20:10:10) and Pt–Re–Sn/C (20:5:15) catalysts were prepared from their precursors by co-impregnation reduction method to study electro-oxidation of ethanol in DEFC. The electrocatalysts characterized by transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray, and X-ray diffraction shows the formation of above mentioned bi- and tri-metallic catalyst with size ranges from 6 to 16 nm. Electrochemical analyses by cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry and chronoamperometry show that Pt–Re–Sn/C (20:5:15) gives higher current density compared to that of Pt–Re/C (20:20) and Pt–Sn/C (20:20). The addition of Re to Pt–Sn/C is conducive to electro-oxidation of ethanol in DEFC. The power density obtained using Pt–Re–Sn/C(20% Pt, 5% Re, 15% Sn by wt) (30.5 mW/cm²) as anode catalyst in DEFC is higher than that for Pt–Re–Sn/C(20% Pt, 10% Re, 10% Sn by wt) (19.8 mW/cm²), Pt–Sn/C (20% Pt, 20% Sn by wt) (22.4 mW/cm²) and Pt–Re/C (20% Pt, 20% Re by wt) (9.8 mW/cm²) at 100 °C, 1 bar, with catalyst loading of 2 mg/cm² and 5 M ethanol as anode feed.