Ir(III) and Ru(II) Complexes in Photoredox Catalysis and Photodynamic Therapy: A New Paradigm towards Anticancer Applications

Individually, photoredox catalysis (PC) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) are well-established concepts that have experienced a remarkable resurgence in recent years, leading to significant progress in organic synthesis for PC and clinical approval of anticancer drugs for PDT. But, very recently, new photoredox catalyst systems based on Ir(III) and Ru(II) complexes have garnered significant interest because they can simultaneously be used as PDT agents apart from their demonstrated PC activity. This highlight discusses the unique PC behavior of emerging Ir(III)- and Ru(II)-based systems while also examining their potential PDT activity in cancer treatment.     

Prevailing Research Trends in Carbon Nanohorn and Polymer-based Hybrids

This review outlines research progress on carbon nanohorn (CNH) and polymer/CNH hybrids including structure, properties, application, and future stance. Carbon nanohorn is a type of nanocarbon existing as dahlia-like, bud-like, and seed-like structures. Most widely known form is single-walled carbon nanaohorn with diameter of ～5?nm and tube length ～50?nm. Polymers such as polystyrene, polyaniline, polythiophene, poly(vinylalcohol), poly(methylmethacrylate), poly(ethyleneglycol), polycaprolactone, polyimide, poly(2-aminopyridine), and nylon have been interacted with CNH using various techniques. Structural and physical properties of fine-tuned carbon nanohorn and polymer/CNH hybrids have been used for versatile applications such as dye-sensitized solar cell, supercapacitor, drug delivery, fuel cell, and sensors.     

Performance analysis of LiAl0.5Co0.5O2 nanosheets for intermediate-temperature fuel cells

Exploring high conductive materials is still a challenge for high performance intermediate-temperature fuel cells. In this study, two-dimensional LiAl_0.5Co_0.5O₂ (LACO) nanosheets coated by a compatible amorphous LiAlO₂ (LAO) layer are evaluated as proton/Li⁺ conductor electrolyte. The fuel cell in which the LAO-LACO is used as electrolyte could deliver the maximum power output of 1120 mW cm^?2 at 550 °C. The LAO coating enhances not only the ionic conductivity by modifying the space-charge regions, but also improves the LACO's chemical stability and device performance. Kelvin probe force microscopy further detected a local electric field (LEF) built in the LAO-LACO coating confines protons at the interface to transport fast. Such heterostructure with the LEF accelerating mechanism presents a novel approach for developing high-performance intermediate-temperature fuel cells.     

Cure characterization of Cycom 977‐2A carbon/epoxy composites for quickstep processing

In this effort, Quickstep, a relatively a new technique, have been employed for manufacturing of composite materials. The cure schedule provided by a prepreg manufacturer is usually designed for autoclave or other traditional processing techniques and thermosetting resin systems are formulated for ramp rate curing 2–3 K min^?1. While in case of Quickstep processing, ramp rates of 15 K min^?1 can be achieved, thus changing the chemorheology of resin. The cure process of 977‐2A carbon/epoxy composites was evaluated for Quickstep processing using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical and thermal analysis, and Fourier transformed infrared and results were compared with cure cycle employed for autoclave curing. Optimum hold time for Quickstep processing at upper curing temperature (180°C) was determined using DSC. The hold time of 120 min at 180°C was found to be suitable for Quickstep cure cycle, producing a panel of similar degree of cure to that achieved through autoclave processing schedule. Final degree of cure was dependent on time spent at upper cure temperature and slightly on initial steps of the cure cycle which was used to control the resin flow, fiber wetting, and void removal. Quickstep processed samples exhibited higher T_g and crosslink density and similar molecular network structure to the autoclave cured samples. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:887–898, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Synthetic Modular Antibody Construction by Using the SpyTag/SpyCatcher Protein-Ligase System

Efforts to engineer recombinant antibodies for specific diagnostic and therapy applications are time consuming and expensive, as each new recombinant antibody needs to be optimized for expression, stability, bio-distribution, and pharmacokinetics. We have developed a new way to construct recombinant antibody-like “devices” by using a bottom-up approach to build them from well-behaved discrete recombinant antibody domains or “parts”. Studies on antibody structure and function have identified antibody constant and variable domains with specific functions that can be expressed in isolation. We used the SpyTag/SpyCatcher protein ligase to join these parts together, thereby creating devices with desired properties based on summed properties of parts and in configurations that cannot be obtained by using genetic engineering. This strategy will create optimized recombinant antibody devices at reduced costs and with shortened development times.     

Enviro-Friendly Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Berberis lycium Leaf Extract and Their Antibacterial Efficacy

In the present study,an enviro-friendly synthesis of silver nanoparticles from Berberis lycium Royle leaf extract and their antibacterial efficacy against five pathogenic bacteria were investigated.This biosynthesis technique is proved to be advantageous over physical and chemical methods as no toxic chemicals are used.The structural and morphological characterization was made by UV-visible spectroscopy,scanning electron microscopy,and transmission electron microscopy.The synthesized nanoparticles were oval,rectangular,and spherical in shape,size ranges from 8 to 100 nm and exhibited an absorption peak at 458 nm.The biosynthesized silver nanoparticles have shown good antibacterial effect toward tested bacteria.It is believed that these biosynthesized silver nanoparticles can play a vital role in nano-based products in future.     

Rice-like CuO nanostructures for sensitive electrochemical sensing of hydrazine

In this work, a low temperature aqueous chemical growth methodology was used for the fabrication of CuO nanostructures. The as-synthesised nanostructures were then elaborately characterised by number of analytical techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The obtained nanostructures were observed to possess interlaced rice-shaped structural features with the length and width of individual rice determined to be in the range of 200–300 nm and 50–100 nm respectively. The unique nanostructures when utilised as electrode material exhibited excellent electro-catalytic potential towards oxidation of hydrazine in alkaline media. The excellent conductive of CuO added by the high surface area of obtained nanorice-like structures enabled development of highly sensitive (3087 µA mM⁻¹ cm⁻²), selective and stable electrochemical sensor for hydrazine. In addition, the successfully application of the developed sensor in spiked tap, bottled and industrial water samples for the detection of hydrazine suggested its feasibility for practical environmental application.

     

Comparative Review on Structure,Properties, Fabrication Techniques,and Relevance of Polymer Nanocomposites Reinforced with Carbon Nanotube and Graphite Fillers

Owing to their remarkable electrical, mechanical, thermal, catalytic, and optical properties as well as their unique structure, carbon nanotubes and graphite have been exploited to produce high performance and multifunctional composites. The resultant composites are differentiated on the basis of their properties to meet various applications. In the framework of this review article, we have mainly focused on the preparation, structure, and properties of two families of composite materials with an emphasis on the differences between them. Moreover, the current challenges, future prospectives, and applications of carbon nanotubes- and graphite-based materials in sensors and in photovoltaic and energy storage devices (Li-ion battery) have been discussed.     

A Study on Poly(vinyl alcohol-co-ethylene)-graft-Polystyrene Reinforced with Two Functional Nanofillers

A facile route was adopted to graft polystyrene on poly(vinyl alcohol-co-ethylene) matrix. Poly(vinyl alcohol-co-ethylene)-graft-polystyrene (PVAE-g-PS) was then reinforced with two types of nanofillers, i.e., graphene oxide (GO) and nanodiamond functional graphene oxide (GO-ND). PVAE-g-PS/GO and PVAE-g-PS/GO-ND nanocomposite series reinforced with 0.1—5 wt.% nanofiller were fabricated by solution processing. Structure of nanofillers and composite was confirmed by FTIR. FESEM imaging revealed that nanodiamond functional GO platelets were fully incorporated into matrix. TGA demonstrated enhanced stability of PVAE-g-PS/GO-ND nanomposites containing GO-ND. Similarly, UL 94 and electrical conductivity measurement of GO-ND-based system were found to be superior compared to one of copolymer/GO.