Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) Nanocomposite Hydrogels Developed for Various Applications: A Critical Review

Interest in the development of polymeric hydrogels impregnated with carbon-nanotubes (CNTs) is growing rapidly in recent times owing to their usefulness in many fields of human endeavor. This review paper serves as an archive of literature reports of several researchers who have worked on polymeric hydrogels embedded with CNTs for diverse applications. The review covers up to date research advancement on the synthesis and characterization properties of CNTs nanocomposite hydrogels. Besides, this review discusses extensively the various fields in which polymeric hydrogels infused with CNTs have been applied. This unprecedented compilation of CNTs nanocomposite hydrogels information into a single revision allows a straightforward comparison of studies performed for diverse applications.     

Functionalized Hybrid Coatings on ABS Surfaces by PLD and Dip Coatings

It is important to give water-repellent and antibacterial properties to the acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) surfaces of the hearing aids. In this study, the sol–gel Si and sol–gel Ti solutions were prepared from the reactions of silicon ethoxide, titanium butoxide and methacrylic acid. The catalyst and Dynasylan F8815 were added to the sol–gel solutions to give hydrophobic properties onto the ABS surfaces. Additionally, silver nanoparticles were synthesized by nanosecond laser and added to the coating solutions to give extra antibacterial properties. The surfaces of the ABS targets were coated using the sol–gel dip coating and pulsed laser deposition techniques. The coatings with good adhesion between film and substrate and good water-repellent properties were achieved. The average contact angles for the coated ABS surfaces were measured in the range between 120 and 125 degrees. The obtained sol–gel materials and produced thin films onto the ABS surfaces were also analyzed in terms of the antibacterial properties. The highly antibacterial properties were observed in the sol–gel solutions and the thin films.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Surface Properties of Amidosulfobetaine Surfactants Bearing Odd-Number Hydrophobic Tail

Three amidosulfobetaine surfactants were synthesized namely: 3-(N-pentadecanamidopropyl-N,N-dimethyl ammonium) propanesulfonate (2a); 3-(N-heptadecanamidopropyl-N,N-dimethyl ammonium) propanesulfonate (2b), and 3-(N-nonadecanamidopropyl-N,N-dimethyl ammonium) propanesulfonate (2c). These surfactants were prepared by direct amidation of commercially available fatty acids with 3-(dimethylamino)-1-propylamine and subsequent reaction with 1,3-propanesultone to obtain quaternary ammonium salts. The synthesized surfactants were characterized by IR, NMR and mass spectrometry. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results showed that the synthesized surfactants have excellent thermal stability with no major thermal degradation below 300 °C. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) values of the surfactants 2a and 2b were found to be 2.2 × 10^?4 and 1.04 × 10^?4 mol/L, and the corresponding surface tension (γ_CMC) values were 33.14 and 34.89 mN m^?1, respectively. The surfactants exhibit excellent surface properties, which are comparable with conventional surfactants. The intrinsic viscosity of surfactant (2b) was studied at various temperatures and concentrations of multi-component brine solution. The plot of natural logarithm of relative viscosity versus surfactant concentration obtained from Higiro et al. model best fit the surfactant behavior. Due to good salt resistance, excellent surface properties and thermal stability, the synthesized surfactant has potential to be used in various oil field applications such as enhanced oil recovery, fracturing, acid diversion, and well stimulation.     

Utilization of Electrospun Polystyrene Membranes as a Preliminary Step for Rapid Diagnosis

Recent advances in clinical practice drive deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) as an important class of biomarker. Monitoring the change in their concentration suggests the initiation and/or progression of various disorders. However, low quantity of DNA biomarkers in body fluids requires a delicate isolation methodology that provides efficient separation and easy handling. This study describes a newer‐generation separation technology relying on electrospun fibers of sub‐micrometer diameter of a commodity polymer for DNA biomarkers in simulative serum. Fibrous polystyrene membranes are prepared by electrospinning and they are subjected to post‐modification with Au. The composite membranes may provide a convenient environment for the removal of bovine serum albumin (BSA) from BSA and DNA mixtures. The eluent can be used as an efficient tool for detection of DNA biomarkers associated with diagnosis of numerous life‐threatening diseases.

     

External stimulus-responsive biomaterials designed for the culture and differentiation of ES,iPS, and adult stem cells

The physical and chemical characteristics of biomaterial surface and hydrogels can be altered by external stimuli, such as light irradiation, temperature changes, pH shifts, shear stress forces, electrical forces, and the addition of small chemical molecules. Such external stimulus-responsive biomaterials represent promising candidates that have been developed for the culture and differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells, induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, and adult stem cells. Biomaterials that are designed to respond in a reversible manner to specific external signals can be formed on micropatterned or non-micropatterned surface, in hydrogels, or on microcarriers. Stem cells and the cells differentiated from them into specific tissue lineages can be cultured and/or differentiated on dishes with immobilized external stimulus-responsive polymers. Cells can be detached from these dishes without using an enzymatic digestion method or a mechanical method when the appropriate external stimulus is generated on the surface. This review discusses the polymers and polymeric designs employed to produce surface and hydrogels for stem cell culture, differentiation, and/or cell detachment using various external stimuli.     

Enzyme Processing of Soy Flour with Minimized Protein Loss

The enzymatic treatment of defatted soy flour (SF) to reduce indigestible carbohydrates can result in undesirable protein loss. Here protein loss was minimized with quantitation of the effects of ionic strength (IS), protease activity, and SF toasting. At the enzyme processing condition (25% w/v SF, 50 °C, pH 4.8, 48 hours), protein loss increased linearly with the IS in enzyme broths (EB); e.g., contacting untoasted SF with water or heat-deactivated EB showed protein loss of 28% in water but up to 40% when IS was increased in the range of 0.04–0.19 M. Protein loss also increased with protease in EB (nondeactivated): after adjusted for IS-related loss, approximately 10% and 25% additional protein loss occurred in EB of 73 and 490–557 U/(g SF) protease, respectively. SDS-PAGE results showed that proteolysis was not extensive, mainly on β-conglycinin α'/α and glycinin acidic 37-kDa subunits; and most of the proteolytic products could be recovered by heat-induced precipitation. SF toasting effects were studied, particularly at 2-hours 160°C, with material balances, protein distributions, and monosaccharide yields in hydrolysates. Overall, protein loss was minimized to 5.2% and the conversion of carbohydrate to monomeric sugars increased to 89.2%.     

Investigation of structural,optical, electrical,and magnetic properties of Fe-doped La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 manganites

In this work, the physical properties of nanocrystalline samples of La_0.7Sr_0.3Mn_1−xFe_xO₃ (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.20) perovskite manganites synthesized by the reverse micelle (RM) technique were explored in detail. The phase purity, crystal structure, and crystallite size of the samples were determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. All the samples had rhombohedral crystal structure and crystallite size increased with increase in Fe content in La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃. The scanning electron micrographs (SEMs) exhibited smooth surface morphology and nonuniform shape of the particles. The optical properties studied using UV-visible absorption spectroscopy revealed a decrease in the absorbance and optical band gap with an increase in Fe content in La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ compound. The temperature-dependent resistivity measurements revealed semiconducting nature of x = 0 and 0.1 samples up to the studied temperature range, while a metal-to-insulator transition was observed at higher Fe doping. Magnetic studies revealed weak ferromagnetism in all the samples and a reduction in the maximum magnetization with an increase in Fe content. A close correlation between electrical transport and magnetic properties was observed with the doping of Fe ion in La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ at Mn site. These results advocate strong interactions associated with the double exchange mechanism among Fe³⁺ and Mn³⁺ ions.     

Gold-Nanoparticle-Decorated Metal-Organic Frameworks for Anticancer Therapy

Confinement of Au nanoparticles (NPs) within the porous materials with few nanometers (2-3 nm) has been a well established research area in the past decades in heterogeneous catalysis mainly due to the unique behaviour of Au NPs than its bulk counterpart. In this aspect, Au NPs encapsulated within the pore volumes of metal−organic frameworks (MOFs) have been intensively explored as heterogeneous solid catalysts for wide range of reactions. In recent years, Au NPs confined within the porous MOFs along with the photosensitizer or drug have been effectively used for the treatment of tumor cells through the generation of reactive oxygen species via cascade reactions. This work highlights the benefits of MOFs pores in the preparation of nanomedicine with high efficiency by assembling Au NPs, photosensitizer/drug with the combination of laser either for imaging or treatment of tumor cells. Further, the existing literature is grouped based on the nature of porous materials employed in the preparation of nanomedicine. The final section comments on our view on future developments in the field.     

Exploring the Bioactive Potentials of C60-AgNPs Nano-Composites against Malignancies and Microbial Infections

At present, the potential role of the AgNPs/endo-fullerene molecule metal nano-composite has been evaluated over the biosystems in-vitro. The intra-atomic configuration of the fullerene molecule (C₆₀) has been studied in-vitro for the anti-proliferative activity of human breast adenocarcinoma (MDA-MB-231) cell lines and antimicrobial activity against a few human pathogens that have been augmented with the pristine surface plasmonic electrons and antibiotic activity of AgNPs. Furthermore, FTIR revealed the basic vibrational signatures at ~3300 cm⁻¹, 1023 cm⁻¹, 1400 cm⁻¹ for O-H, C-O, and C-H groups, respectively, for the carbon and oxygen atoms of the C₆₀ molecule. NMR studies exhibited the different footprints and magnetic moments at ~7.285 ppm, explaining the unique underlying electrochemical attributes of the fullerene molecule. Such unique electronic and physico-chemical properties of the caged carbon structure raise hope for applications into the drug delivery domain. The in-vitro dose-dependent application of C₆₀ elicits a toxic response against both the breast adenocarcinoma cell lines and pathogenic microbes. That enables the use of AgNPs decorated C₆₀ endo fullerene molecules to design an effective anti-cancerous drug delivery and antimicrobial agent in the future, bringing a revolutionary change in the perspective of a treatment regime.     

Extraction equilibrium conditions of beryllium and aluminium from a beryl ore for optimal industrial beryllium compound production

This study examines the extraction of beryllium and aluminium from a Nigerian beryl ore using Cyanex®272 in kerosene from an aqueous sulphate pregnant solution. Parameters such as extractant concentration and equilibrium pH that dictates the extraction yield were studied. Under the following conditions: temperature 27?±?2°C, phase ratio 1?1, about 45.50 and 46.76% of beryllium and aluminium were extracted by 0.15?mol?L^?1 Cyanex®272 concentration within 30?min. However, the extraction yield of beryllium and aluminium was increased to 91.68% and 97.89% at equilibrium pH of 3 and 4, respectively, for beryllium and aluminium at 27?±?2°C. A 0.05?mol?L^?1 H₂SO₄ solution was found to be adequate for the stripping of about 99.00% Be and 95.40% Al from the loaded organic phase. The pure solutions containing metal ions were accordingly beneficiated to obtain beryllium and aluminium compounds of industrial values.