Alcohol Mixtures Research Articles

Production Sericin/Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Blend Membranes Containing One‐Step Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles by UV Radiation for Obtaining Versatile Antibacterial Materials

AbstractIn this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were in‐situ synthesized in silk sericin/poly(vinyl alcohol) (SS/PVA) mixtures by an easy one‐step synthesis method with the presence of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Then, the SS/PVA composite membranes containing AgNPs were obtained by solvent casting method. The chemical structures of the membranes were investigated by fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and results showed that the membranes were a mixture of silk sericin and PVA. The morphological features of the membranes were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) and it was seen that AgNPs containing membranes have heterogeneous structures. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis revealed that the membranes contain carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur and silver. X‐ray diffractometer (XRD) and thermogravimetric (TGA) analyses also proved the presence of AgNPs in the structure of membranes. The antibacterial activities of membranes containing AgNPs were investigated on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria with disk diffusion test and liquid culture medium incubation. It was found that SS/PVA membranes containing 5 and 10 mM AgNPs have quite high antibacterial activity on both types of bacteria. The functional SS/PVA membranes have capacity to be used in biomedical applications such as wound care materials.

Performance analysis of precooling systems for cryogenic carbon capture: A comparative study of theoretical, numerical, and experimental methods

The urgency of addressing climate change has necessitated innovative and practical approaches to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Cryogenic Carbon Capture (CCC) technology has emerged as a promising solution for capturing CO2 from industrial emissions. This study investigates a simplified design for a precooling system within CCC technology, focusing on optimizing the efficiency and reliability of the system while minimizing energy consumption. The research examines the effects of CO2 concentration in a gas mixture (simulated flue gas, nitrogen and carbon dioxide), cooling bath temperature, and gas mixture flow rate on the performance of heat exchangers in the precooling system. Theoretical, numerical, and experimental analyses were conducted to assess the system's performance. The use of liquid nitrogen at −196 °C in the cooling bath was found unsuitable due to CO2 freezing within the pipes. Instead, a mixture of dry ice and isopropyl alcohol at −78.5 °C proved effective in maintaining consistent temperature and pressure conditions without causing CO2 blockages. Numerical simulations highlighted the importance of optimizing pipe length to balance temperature control and pressure dynamics, with a 140 cm pipe length identified as optimal for heat exchanger design. Experimental results revealed that longer pipes enhance cooling performance due to increased heat exchange surface area, while higher CO2 compositions and flow rates result in higher outlet temperatures and pressures. The study emphasizes the need for further research and simulation work to refine heat exchanger designs for industrial applications, aiming to develop systems that maximize cooling efficiency while ensuring reliable operation.

Effects of filler material on the characteristics of electrospun polyvinyl alcohol/Nafion nanofibrous membranes

AbstractIn this study, polyvinyl alcohol/Nafion nanofibrous composite membranes were produced to investigate their possible application as a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) in direct methanol fuel cells. Electrospinning method was used for nanofibrous membrane production, in which the mixture of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and Nafion solutions was directly electrospun. Produced nanofibers were subjected to physical stabilization, filler application, and sulfonating to produce composite nanofibrous membranes. PVA and Nafion polymers were used also as filler materials. The properties of resultant composite membranes were compared in terms of water swelling, weight loss in water and methanol solution, thermal stability, morphology, proton conductivity, and methanol permeability. Proton conductivity of the membranes depending on the humidity was also investigated. TGA analysis showed that the membranes had adequate thermal properties regardless of the filler material. The nanofibrous structure was shown to be preserved by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after treatment with water and methanol solution. It was shown that PVA/Nafion nanofibers displayed proton conductivity after filling process. The use of PVA as a filler material led to higher proton conductivity at 100 RH%. It was reported that proton conductivity could only be obtained at higher relative humidity values (>80% RH). A lower methanol permeability of PVA‐filled membranes was reported.Highlights PVA/Nafion nanofibrous membranes were produced by electrospinning. PVA and Nafion were also used as pore filling materials. PVA‐filled membranes had higher proton conductivity and lower methanol permeability. Proton conductivity could only be obtained at higher RH% values.

Fabrication and characterization of polyvinyl alcohol-chitosan composite nanofibers for carboxylesterase immobilization to enhance the stability of the enzyme

Electrospinning stands out as a flexible and viable method, presenting designed nanoscale materials with customized properties. This research demonstrates the immobilization of carboxylesterase protein Ha006a, reported for its adequacy in pesticide bioremediation by utilizing the electrospinning strategy. This strategy was utilized to create nanofibers by incorporating variable mixtures of biodegradable and cost-effective polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-chitosan (CS) nanofiber solution (PVA100, PVA96, PVA94, PVA92 and PVA90). All the mixtures were electrospun at a reliable voltage of 21 kV, maintaining a gap of 12 cm from the nozzle. The Ha006a, sourced from Helicoverpa armigera, was consolidated into the optimized PVA90 polymer mixture. The electrospun nanofibers experienced comprehensive characterization utilizing distinctive microscopy and spectroscopy procedures counting FESEM, TGA, XRD and FTIR. The comparative investigation of the esterase property, ideal parameters and stability of the unbound and bound/immobilized Ha006a was scrutinized. The results uncovered an essential elevation in the ideal conditions of enzyme activity post-immobilization. The PVA-CS control nanofiber and Ha006a-PVA-CS showed a smooth structure, including an average breadth of around 170.5 ± 44.2 and 222.5 ± 66.5 nm, respectively. The enzyme-immobilized nanofibers displayed upgraded stability and comprehensive characterization of the nanofiber, which guaranteed genuineness and reproducibility, contributing to its potential as a potent device for bioremediation applications. This investigation opens the way for the manufacture of pesticide-resistant insect enzyme-based nanofibers, unlocking their potential for assorted applications, counting pesticide remediation and ensuring environmental sustainability.

Photovoltaic panel cooling with new composite of phase change materials and hierarchical nanoparticles

In this research, the use of a new type of phase change materials (PCM) and hierarchical nanoparticles is discussed to improve the electrical and thermal efficiency of PV panels. TiO2/CuO hierarchical nanoparticles are synthesized by hydrothermal method, and PCMs containing nanoparticles (2.5–10%wt) are prepared, and then experiments are performed in indoor conditions under solar simulator light. The PV panel with a maximum nominal power of 30W is used. The new PCM is made from a mixture of lauryl alcohol and beeswax (LABW). A spiral heat exchanger is placed in the PCM container, in which the flow rate of cool water is variable (m˙ = 0.002–0.01 kg s−1). Firstly, the temperature and voltage-current changes of the PV panel with time are investigated without using PCMs as a reference case, and in steady-state conditions, the temperature and output power values are 67.34 °C and 22.33W. The use of LABW compared to pure beeswax leads to a significant decrease in the PV panel temperature and as a result, an increase in its electrical and thermal efficiency. Also, adding nanoparticles to PCMs from 2.5 % to 7.5 %wt due to the improvement of their thermal conductivity and increasing the heat storage rate of the PV panel leads to an increase in its electrical and thermal efficiency. There is no significant change to decrease the temperature and increase the production capacity of PV panels by increasing the percentage of nanoparticles from 7.5 % to 10%wt. The maximum production power, electrical and thermal efficiency of the PV panel at a flow rate of 0.01 kg s−1, 10%wt of nanoparticles, and a radiation intensity of 1000 W m−2 are 28.92 W, 12.55 %, and 76.67 %, respectively.

The Influence of Pore-Forming Diluents on Porous Structure, Thermal and Sorption Properties of the Divinylbenzene and Glycidyl Methacrylate Copolymers.

The aim of this work was the characterization of polymer microspheres obtained by the suspension polymerization of divinylbenzene (DVB) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), depending on the pore-forming diluents and molar ratio of monomers. The assessed properties included the chemical and porous structure, thermal stability, and sorption capacity of the obtained polymers towards methylene blue. The abovementioned characteristic was carried out for two series of copolymers with molar ratios of monomers of 1:2, 1:1 and 2:1, synthetized with toluene and a mixture of decanol and benzyl alcohol. The structure of the polymers was confirmed by FTIR and elemental analysis. The results of TGA demonstrated the main influence on thermal stability was the composition of polymers, whereas the impact of porogens was negligible. The SBET varied in the range of 12-534 m2g-1 for polymers obtained with toluene and 0-396 m2g-1 with the mixture of alcohols. Toluene enhanced the formation of micro- and mesopores, while the mixture of alcohols enhanced the creation of meso- and macropores. For the polymers prepared with toluene, their effectiveness in water purification decreases in the following order: DVB-GMA 2:1 > DVB-GMA 1:1 > DVB-GMA 1:2, according to the decreasing values of porous structure parameters. In the case of a series obtained with a mixture of alcohols, such correlation was not observed.

Comparison of permeability of topical Cream drug through polymer synthetic membranes of different structures using Franz Cell diffusion test

In this study, in-vitro release experiments were performed using a Franz Diffusion Cell system for Terbinafine Hydrochloride, which is used in the treatment of various fungal infections in the skin caused by many susceptible dermatophytes. In order to evaluate TH transdermally, it was aimed to compare the permeability between polymeric membranes synthesized with polyvinyl alcohol and chitosan mixtures and commercial membranes. In the transdermal drug delivery system calculations, the Fick Diffusion Law was modified and the obtained data were compared. The study was evaluated according to the USP <1724> topical drug products in semisolid form - performance tests. A new high-performance liquid chromatography method was validated for the assay of TH released into the receptor medium in accordance with the ICH guideline. According to the results obtained during the validation process, the limit of detection value was calculated as 0.005 µg/mL and the limit of quantification value was 0.013 µg/mL. Since polymer-based synthetic membranes provide permeability according to molecular size, properties and the ideal environment for measuring and analyzing the diffusion rate of a compound, in experiments conducted using membranes of different structures, the permeability profiles of selected polymer synthetic membranes were statistically evaluated. It has been noted that the hydroxyl groups in PVA and the hydrophilic CS-g-PNDMAAm graft copolymer act at varying rates to enhance or reduce the permeability across the membrane by promoting its diffusion. NaY zeolite has been shown to function as an adsorbent against the medication, lessening the impact of hydrophilic PVA without supplying permeability.

New method for rapid detection and simultaneous determination of prohibited adrenergic drugs in sports using thin layer chromatography and image processing

This study presents a new method for simultaneous determination of fenoterol, procaterol, clenbuterol, terbutaline and isoprenaline drugs using thin-layer chromatography assisted by image analysis (HPTLC-IA) combined with sensitive detection modes. Separation of the selected drugs was obtained using HPTLC Silica gel 60 F254 plates and mixture of isopropyl alcohol, ethyl acetate and ammonia (20:25:1.5 v/v/v) as mobile phase. UV detection mode combined with the use of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS+•) radicals were applied for the first time for sensible detection of the separated drugs. Grey, green, red and blue scales respectively were selected for image analysis and accurate quantification of spot area. According to the obtained result, the use of DPPH• and ABTS+• reagents revealed a higher sensitivity in detection and accurate quantification of the analyzed drugs. Lower limit of detection (LOD = 0.07 ± 0.03 µg/spot; 0.09 ± 0.03 µg/spot and 0.10 ± 0.04 µg/spot) was obtained for fenoterol, procaterol and terbutaline using the ABTS+• radical and red scale selection for image processing. With the exception of isoprenaline, the proposed HPTLC-IA method showed a good separation of fenoterol, procaterol, clenbuterol and terbutaline drugs from other compounds in urine samples. Good recovery was obtained for these drugs in spiked urine samples.

Optimization of crude glycerol purification from grease trap waste biodiesel production: exploring the synergistic effect of mixed extraction alcohols on enhanced glycerol purity

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe purification of crude glycerol, a byproduct of biodiesel production and grease trap waste, is essential for its utilization in high‐value applications. Achieving exceptionally pure glycerol without relying on energy‐intensive vacuum distillation during transesterification is of substantial economic interest.RESULTSThis investigation focuses on crafting a purification process involving chemical treatment (neutralization), adsorption and extraction. The assessment of the neutralization process using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) revealed their comparative efficacy. Activated carbon adsorption was used to reduce coloration in crude glycerol, with weights set at 4 and 8 wt%. Efficient salt extraction from crude glycerol was explored using solvents such as methanol, ethanol and isopropyl alcohol in varying mass ratios to crude glycerol (1:1 and 2:1). The study also examined the synergistic effects and impact of mixing alcohol solvents. Optimal conditions for achieving high purity (92.44%) were identified as the combination of KOH, 8 wt% activated carbon and a 2:1 ratio of a mixture of the three alcohols.CONCLUSIONThe combined effects of employing a mixture of alcohols significantly enhance the extraction process, resulting in the efficient and successful purification of glycerol. These outcomes offer valuable insights into improving the extraction process in industrial settings, leading to the production of high‐quality glycerol products. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

Controlled organic solvent transport in ultramicroporous carbon membranes

The drive to decarbonize chemical processes necessitates exploring low-energy solutions for separating complex liquid mixtures ubiquitous in food, pharmaceuticals, petrochemical, and synthetic fuel production industries. This report comprehensively investigates conceptualizing and implementing two novel organic solvent separation processes: Organic Solvent Forward Osmosis (OSFO) and Organic Solvent Pressure Assisted Osmosis (OSPAO). The intrinsic molecular specificity of ultramicroporous carbon molecular sieve (CMS) membranes allowed the unprecedented separation of a complex mixture of short-chain alcohols (e.g., methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, and isopropyl alcohol) at room temperature. A new hybridized membrane-based separation methodology, OSPAO, that combines the elements of organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN) and OSFO is introduced. CMS-based OSPAO demonstrated a marked enhancement in the flux of organic species permeate, considerably improving separation efficiencies. The separation modalities presented in this report underscore the essential role of osmosis in the differentiation of organic solvents, thereby contributing valuable insights to osmosis-based separation technologies.

Thermo physical and spectroscopic properties of binary liquid mixtures at various temperatures and correlation with the Jouyban–Acree model (propargyl alcohol, ethanoic acid, propanoic acid and butanoic acid)

ABSTRACT A thorough investigation into binary mixtures of propargyl alcohol and various carboxylic acids (ethanoic, propanoic and butanoic) was conducted. Measurements of density (ρ), speed of sound (u) and viscosity (η) were meticulously performed across the entire range of mole fractions at temperatures (303.15 K−313.15 K) and atmospheric pressure (0.1 MPa). These data were used to calculate key thermodynamic and transport properties, including excess molar volume, excess isentropic compressibility, deviation in viscosity and excess Gibbs free energy of activation for viscous flow. The partial molar properties and infinite dilution molar partial properties were also determined for each binary system. Trends and behaviours were interpreted within the framework of intermolecular interactions, focusing on complex formation and specific chemical forces. The PFP theory and Jouyban–Acree model were critically applied, with confidence in the findings supported by FTIR studies.

Production and performance evaluation of chitosan/collagen/honey nanofibrous membranes for wound dressing applications

Persistent bacterial infections are the leading risk factor that complicates the healing of chronic wounds. In this work, we formulate mixtures of polyvinyl alcohol (P), chitosan (CH), collagen (C), and honey (H) to produce nanofibrous membranes with healing properties. The honey effect at concentrations of 0 % (PCH and PCHC), 5 % (PCHC-5H), 10 % (PCHC-10H), and 15 % (PCHC-15H) on the physicochemical, antibacterial, and biological properties of the developed nanofibers was investigated. Morphological analysis by SEM demonstrated that PCH and PCHC nanofibers had a uniform and homogeneous distribution on their surfaces. However, the increase in honey content increased the fiber diameter (118.11–420.10) and drastically reduced the porosity of the membranes (15.79–92.62 nm). The addition of honey reduces the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) and the adsorption properties of the membranes. Mechanical tests revealed that nanofibers were more flexible and elastic when honey was added, specifically the PCHC-15H nanofibers with the lowest modulus of elasticity (15 MPa) and the highest elongation at break (220 %). Also, honey significantly improved the antibacterial efficiency of the nanofibers, mainly PCHC-15H nanofibers, which presented the best bacterial reduction rates against Staphylococcus aureus (59.84 %), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (47.27 %), Escherichia coli (65.07 %), and Listeria monocytogenes (49.58 %). In vitro tests with cell cultures suggest that nanofibers were not cytotoxic and exhibited excellent biocompatibility with human fibroblasts (HFb) and keratinocytes (HaCaT), since all treatments showed higher or similar cell viability as opposed to the cell control. Based on the findings, PVA-chitosan-collagen-honey nanofibrous membranes have promise as an antibacterial dressing substitute.

Transcending Lifshitz Theory: Reliable Prediction of Adhesion Forces between Hydrocarbon Surfaces in Condensed Phases Using Molecular Contact Thermodynamics.

Lifshitz theory is widely used to calculate interfacial interaction energies and underpins established approaches to the interpretation of measurement data from experimental methods including the surface forces apparatus and the atomic force microscope. However, a significant limitation of Lifshitz theory is that it uses the bulk dielectric properties of the medium to predict the work of adhesion. Here, we demonstrate that a different approach, in which the interactions between molecules at surfaces and in the medium are described by a set of surface site interaction points (SSIPs), yields interaction free energies that are correlated better with experimentally determined values. The work of adhesion W(Lifshitz) between hydrocarbon surfaces was calculated in 260 liquids using Lifshitz theory and compared with interaction free energies ΔΔG calculated using the SSIP model. The predictions of these models diverge in significant ways. In particular, ΔΔG values for hydrocarbon surfaces are typically small and vary little, but in contrast, W(Lifshitz) values span 4 orders of magnitude. Moreover, the SSIP model yields significantly different ΔΔG values in some liquids for which Lifshitz theory predicts similar values of W(Lifshitz). These divergent predictions were tested using atomic force microscopy. Experimentally determined works of adhesion were closer to the values predicted using the SSIP model than Lifshitz theory. In mixtures of methanol and benzyl alcohol, even greater differences were found in the interaction energies calculated using the two models: the value of ΔΔG calculated using the SSIP model declines smoothly as the benzyl alcohol concentration increases, and values are well correlated with experimental data; however, W(Lifshitz) decreases to a minimum and then increases, reaching a larger value for benzyl alcohol than for methanol. We conclude that the SSIP model provides more reliable estimates of the work of adhesion than Lifshitz theory.

Equilibrium solubility and mathematical modelling of glibenclamide in cosolvent mixtures of glycols and alcohols

ABSTRACT Glibenclamide (GBN) is a commonly used oral medication for treating type-II diabetes that acts by reducing high blood sugar levels. The effectiveness of GBN depends on the quality of the product. The quality is influenced by the solubility properties of a drug. This study aimed to measure the solubility of GBN in various solvent mixtures including some glycols and alcohols. The solubility was determined using a shake-flask method at 298.2 K under atmospheric pressure. The results showed that GBN had the highest solubility in ethylene glycol monomethyl ether and alcohol mixtures compared to the other tested glycols.

Tank-Mix Adjuvants Enhance Pesticide Efficacy by Improving Physicochemical Properties and Spraying Characteristics for Application to Cotton with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

Tank-mix adjuvants have been used to reduce spray drift and facilitate the efficacy of pesticides applied with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). However, the effects of specific adjuvants on pesticide characteristics and the mechanism of action remain unclear. Herein, we analyzed the effects of three different types of tank-mix adjuvants (plant oil; mineral oil; and mixture of alcohol and ester) on the surface tension (ST), contact angle, wetting, permeation, evaporation, spray performance, and aphid-control effects of two types of pesticides. The mineral oil adjuvant Weichi (WCH) was highly effective in reducing the pesticide solution ST, improving the wetting and penetration ability, increasing droplet size, and promoting droplet deposition. The mixed alcohol and ester adjuvant Quanrun (QR) showed excellent wetting and antievaporation properties and promoted droplet deposition. A plant oil adjuvant (Beidatong) moderately improved wetting and penetration ability and reduced droplet drift. Field tests showed that the control efficiencies (CEs) of two pesticides were increased after the addition of adjuvants, even with 20% reductions in pesticide application. When the UAV was operated at 1.5 m, the CEs of two pesticides were increased from 65.39 and 66.63% to 73.11-76.52% and 77.91-88.31%, respectively. When operated at 2.5 m, the CEs were increased from 51.24 and 68.60% to 65.06-75.70% and 77.57-92.59%, respectively. Especially, the CEs of pesticides with WCH and QR increased obviously. Importantly, neither WCH nor QR inhibited hatching of the critical insect natural enemy ladybird beetle at concentrations used in the field. This study provides a framework for assessment of tank-mix adjuvants in aerial sprays and directly demonstrates the value of specific adjuvants in improving pesticide bioavailability and minimizing associated environmental pollution.

Fast Determination of Fat-soluble Vitamins in Pharmaceutical Preparations by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

Background: Vitamins are needed for the healthy functioning of the body. When these vitamins are not in sufficient amounts in the body, they are usually taken externally with pharmaceutical preparations. Taking vitamins into the body in the right amounts is possible by analyzing the amounts in pharmaceutical preparations with validated methods. Methods: In this study, a fast, simple, easily applicable, and selective normal-phase HPLC method was developed for the simultaneous determination of fat-soluble A, D3, E, and K1 vitamins in pharmaceutical preparations from syrup and tablets. Separation of the vitamins was carried out on a Zorbax CN column (250 x 4.6 mm, 5 µm) using a mixture of hexane-isopropyl alcohol (98:2, v/v) at 30°C column temperature and 1 ml/min flow rate. The detection wavelength is 280 nm. The developed method has been validated according to ICH Harmonised Tripartite Guideline Validation of Analytical Procedures: Text and Methodology Q2(R1) rules. Results: Calibration graphs are linear over the range of 10-1000 µg ml-1 , 1-50 µg ml-1 , 10-2000 µg ml-1 , 0.5-20 µg ml-1, and the limit of detection values were found to be 1.496, 0.280, 1.388 and 0.040 µg ml-1 for A, D3, E and K1 vitamins, respectively. Relative standard deviation values, which express within-day and between-day repeatability, were found below 2.54%. Average recovery values were also found at about 100.28, 101.46, 100.65, and 100.29% for A, D3, E, and K1 vitamins, respectively Conclusion: The developed and validated method was successfully applied to the simultaneous analysis of fat-soluble vitamins A, D3, E, and K1 in pharmaceutical preparations in syrup and tablet form.

Unveiling the role of electrolyte to promote enhanced proton storage stability in WO3 for energy storage

In the present work, we systematically investigate the phenomenon of electrochemical proton storage in WO3 and subsequently demonstrate a strategy for enhancing the cycle life for proton storage. It was carried out in three different electrolytes medium based on H3PO4, H2SO4 and HCl. It was found that although H3PO4 can promote better cycling stability and high rate capability than HCl and H2SO4, there still persists an issue in achieving large number of charge/discharge cycles. The typical proton storage capacitance of WO3 in 3.75 M H3PO4 is estimated to be around 288–346 F g−1 at a current rate of 0.5 A g−1 over 30 cycles. The cycling stability could, however, be significantly improved by the utilization of gel electrolyte which is basically a mixture of H3PO4 and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) of different concentrations. For example, the estimated proton storage capacitance is around 287 F g−1 in 3.75 M H3PO4-PVA gel electrolyte (1:8 wt %) over 100 cycles at a current density of 0.5 A g−1. On the basis of the improved proton storage stability in the gel electrolyte, the electrochemical performance of a proton storage full cell with WO3 and V10O24.12H2O as electrodes is also illustrated. Another important revelation is the drastic reduction of the self-discharge rate of the full cell in the gel electrolyte in comparison to pristine aqueous medium electrolyte.

ZIF-8 metal organic framework, carboxymethylcellulose and polyvinyl alcohol bio-nanocomposite controlled-release phosphorus fertilizer: Improved P management and tomato growth

This study is concerned with the synthesis, characterization, and application of bio-nanocomposite films using a mixture of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) integrated with zeolitic imidazolate type 8 (ZIF-8) nanoparticles (NPs). The advanced bio-nanocomposites were employed as a coating for triple superphosphate (TSP) fertilizers, and their impact on tomato plant growth was evaluated. The successful integration of ZIF-8 into the composite matrix was determined by distinct changes in Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, indicating significant structural modifications. Morphological analyses by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed alterations in the surface characteristics of the CMC/PVA films. Furthermore, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis confirmed the elemental composition of the resulting nanocomposite. The precision-coated TSP fertilizers exhibited a notable enhancement in mechanical strength, as evidenced by their superior resistance to crushing. The coated TSP also exhibited a controlled release of phosphorus over time, prolonging the release of phosphorus for up to 9 days in water and 50 days in soil. In soil, the 0.5 % ZIF-8 NP coating delayed the release of phosphorus, with only 12.29 ± 2.75 % released after five days compared to 96.96 ± 2.03 % for uncoated TSP. The application of coated TSP fertilizers to tomato plants (of the MARIA variety) resulted in a 13.79 % increase in leaf number and a 15.83 % increase in plant height compared to uncoated TSP. This research underscores the pivotal role of advanced coating fertilizers in fostering sustainable and efficient agricultural practices, thereby making a substantial contribution to the advancement of innovative agrochemical solutions.

The Synthesis and Assembly Mechanism of Micro/Nano-Sized Polystyrene Spheres and Their Application in Subwavelength Structures.

The following study involved the utilization of dispersion polymerization to synthesize micron/nano-sized polystyrene (PS) spheres, which were then deposited onto a silicon substrate using the floating assembly method to form a long-range monolayer. Subsequently, dry etching techniques were utilized to create subwavelength structures. The adjustment of the stabilizer polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), together with changes in the monomer concentration, yielded PS spheres ranging from 500 nm to 5.6 μm in diameter. These PS spheres were suspended in a mixture of alcohol and deionized water before being arranged using the floating assembly method. The resulting tightly packed particle arrangement is attributed to van der Waals forces, Coulomb electrostatic forces between the PS spheres, and surface tension effects. The interplay of these forces was analyzed to comprehend the resulting structure. Dry etching, utilizing the PS spheres as masks, enabled the exploration of the effects of etching parameters on the resultant structures. Unlike traditional dry etching methods controlling RF power and etching gases, in the present study, we focused on adjusting the oxygen flow rate to achieve cylindrical, conical, and parabolic etched structures.

Novel design of low volume mobile phase paper chromatography

A novel design and set up of paper chromatography in the form of radial serpentine arms laying horizontally is proposed. The consumption of mobile phase is reduced to be 1 mL or less as compared to the tens of mL typically used in the conventional set ups for ascending paper chromatography, without any change in the order of the separated components. Greenness measurement based on the ChlorTox value is approximately 25, when comparing to a conventional system that consumes 25 mL of mobile phase. A digital image of the chemical separation makes data analysis more feasible as the image can be kept, and hence, extending the time for data analysis. The Retention Factor (Rf) value from a serpentine shaped stationary phase can be calculated based on measurement of linear distances of the solvent front and those travelled by each component, and converting them to arclengths using the mathematical equation of a catenary wave that produces that particular design. Proof of concept is demonstrated by the separation of food dyes using a two solvent system, where a nonvolatile salt solution is followed by a volatile organic solvent mixture of alcohols and base. Relationships between concentration, color intensity (RGB values), and zone arclength are also demonstrated which indicate possibility of quantitative study on the serpentine design using digital image analysis.