Basic Chemistry Research Articles

Optical fiber-based open source low cost portable spectrometer system

This article explores the development of a small, compact fiber-based spectrometer system designed to overcome the limitations of standard spectrometers, such as the high cost and restricted accessibility.Operated by a Raspberry Pi, the fiber-based spectrometer system uses the increased computing power to provide versatile modes of operation and powerful data processing, while maintaining a small size. Specifically crafted for basic chemistry and biology lab setups, where fibers allow measurements in different conditions, and customization enables fluorescence, light scattering, and absorption measurements.The system is adaptable and versatile, offering ease of modification and adaptation for a broad range of applications.

Synthesis and Characterization of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: A Series of Laboratory Experiments.

The following laboratory procedure provides students with hands-on experience in nanomaterial chemistry and characterization. This three-day protocol is easy to follow for undergraduates with basic chemistry or materials science backgrounds and is suitable for inclusion in upper-division courses in inorganic chemistry or materials science. Students use air-free chemistry procedures to synthesize and separate iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles and subsequently modify the nanoparticle surface by using a chemical stripping agent. The morphology and chemical composition of the nanoparticles are characterized using electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering measurements. Additionally, magnetic characterization of the particles is performed using an inexpensive open-source (3D-printed) magnetophotometer. Possible modifications to the synthesis procedure, including the incorporation of dopants to modify the magnetic response and alternative characterization techniques, are discussed. The three-day synthesis, purification, and characterization laboratory will prepare students with crucial skills for advanced technology industries such as semiconductor manufacturing, nanomedicine, and green chemistry.

Content Analysis of Chemistry Textbooks in the Chapter on Thermochemistry

This study aimed to analyze the aspects of the general chemistry textbook in the chapter on thermochemistry. We reviewed three general chemistry textbooks commonly used in basic chemistry courses. This study used a qualitative approach by content analysis. The focus of this study was the thermochemistry chapter because this topic was considered to be difficult by students. Data analysis was carried out descriptively by combining similar data within the chemical literacy framework. The analysis results indicated that the three textbooks fulfilled most of the chemical content knowledge indicators, except for chemistry as an experimental discipline. The textbooks provided insights that chemistry can be used to explain phenomena in everyday life, to make decisions and participate in social debates on chemistry-related issues, and to understand the relationship between innovations in chemistry and sociological processes. The textbooks also presented knowledge that can encourage the enhancement of high-order learning skills, particularly in the review problems section.
 Keywords: chemistry, textbook, thermochemistry

Misconceptions of Intermolecular Forces in General Chemistry Courses

The misconception is the most topic in chemistry learning that is important to analyze. There are many advantages for lecturers and students to know about misconceptions. This research aims to describe misconceptions in general chemistry courses, especially intermolecular forces (IMFs) topic. The two-tier multiple-choice tests have played an important role in helping researchers determine students’ level of understanding and in identifying specific misconceptions. The project used a convenience sample of 88 students (76 female and 12 male) chemistry education program that studied IMFs as participants. Misconception knew from the test’s second tier, which is the student’s reason for the answer. Surprisingly, 29 misconceptions were acquired from the test about IMFs concepts. This needs to be a special concern for lecturers of basic chemistry courses in order to evaluate the learning process that has been carried out. Students misconceptions in basic chemistry courses will have an impact on organic chemistry courses because the concept of intermolecular forces will be studied in depth in organic chemistry courses. The success of students in organic chemistry courses is highly dependent on the initial knowledge of students, especially in basic chemistry courses

Evaluation of Open-Source Large Language Models for Metal-Organic Frameworks Research.

Along with the development of machine learning, deep learning, and large language models (LLMs) such as GPT-4 (GPT: Generative Pre-Trained Transformer), artificial intelligence (AI) tools have been playing an increasingly important role in chemical and material research to facilitate the material screening and design. Despite the exciting progress of GPT-4 based AI research assistance, open-source LLMs have not gained much attention from the scientific community. This work primarily focused on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as a subdomain of chemistry and evaluated six top-rated open-source LLMs with a comprehensive set of tasks including MOFs knowledge, basic chemistry knowledge, in-depth chemistry knowledge, knowledge extraction, database reading, predicting material property, experiment design, computational scripts generation, guiding experiment, data analysis, and paper polishing, which covers the basic units of MOFs research. In general, these LLMs were capable of most of the tasks. Especially, Llama2-7B and ChatGLM2-6B were found to perform particularly well with moderate computational resources. Additionally, the performance of different parameter versions of the same model was compared, which revealed the superior performance of higher parameter versions.

Game-based learning in metaverse: Virtual chemistry classroom for chemical bonding for remote education

AbstractVirtual classrooms based on the metaverse or virtual reality are useful and effective for imparting basic chemistry concepts. Interactive and immersive environments can effectively teach fundamental chemistry concepts, such as chemical bonding and formulas, thereby making these otherwise abstract and intangible ideas more accessible and understandable. With the outbreak of Covid-19, e-learning platforms have also been developed for chemistry education. However, these platforms are unable to make learning chemistry interactive and enjoyable. Therefore, there is a need to motivate students to learn basic chemistry concepts in an immersive and interactive environment. In this paper, we propose an immersive virtual reality-based Virtual Chemistry Classroom for Chemical Bonding (VC3B) to facilitate the learning of chemical bonding and formulas through a game-based learning approach. It includes two different games for learning chemical bonding and formulas. In the first game, molecule construction, students reconstruct the structure of molecules by rearranging the atoms in order to learn about chemical bonding. In the second game, chemical formula, students compose the chemical formula of a given compound to help them memorize chemical formulas. The study, conducted on 90 middle school students, employed a randomized controlled study design, dividing participants into three groups. Each group learned about chemical bonding and formulas through three different mediums. After conducting the experiment, the students were given a questionnaire to evaluate the usability of VC3B. The results of the study were positive, with participants finding the VC3B to be more interactive than traditional book and online lecture methods. Participants were also motivated to learn and enhance their knowledge of chemistry.

Cold Atmospheric Plasma Medicine: Applications, Challenges, and Opportunities for Predictive Control

Plasma medicine is an emerging field that applies the science and engineering of physical plasma to biomedical applications. Low-temperature plasma, also known as cold plasma, is generated via the ionization of atoms in a gas, generally via exposure to strong electric fields, and consists of ions, free radicals, and molecules at varying energy states. Plasmas generated at low temperatures (approximately room temperature) have been used for applications in dermatology, oncology, and anti-microbial strategies. Despite current and ongoing clinical use, the exact mechanisms of action and the full range of effects of cold plasma treatment on cells are only just beginning to be understood. Direct and indirect effects of plasma on immune cells have the potential to be utilized for various applications such as immunomodulation, anti-infective therapies, and regulating inflammation. In this review, we combine diverse expertise in the fields of plasma chemistry, device design, and immunobiology to cover the history and current state of plasma medicine, basic plasma chemistry and their implications, the effects of cold atmospheric plasma on host cells with their potential immunological consequences, future directions, and the outlook and recommendations for plasma medicine.

Implementation of discovery learning-based STEM education with hands-on activities in distance education

ABSTRACT The main purpose of this study is to reveal the opinions of science teacher candidates regarding the implementation of Discovery Learning-Based STEM Education in distance education with Applied Activities. The study was designed as a case study. Participants were first given basic chemistry education and introduced to the concepts of STEM, learning by discovery and applied activities. Participants were then asked to design an activity related to the chemistry topic of their choice. Three events were designed and delivered online. After the presentation, two academics who participated in the process evaluated the activities. At the end of the research, a semi-structured interview was conducted with each participant. Participants designed products through invention. As a result of expert evaluations, it has been determined that the product development process is suitable for learning through discovery.

Research on Ideological and Political Education in the Curriculum of Basic Chemistry Courses in Medical Colleges Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Culture

At present, we are in a great transformation that has not been seen in a century in the world. In order to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, we must implement the fundamental task of education, moral education, and talent cultivation in university teaching. Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, we should promote the construction of ideological and political education in the curriculum comprehensively, integrating value shaping, knowledge transmission, and ability cultivation organically. This article takes the basic chemistry course in medical colleges as an example, and explores ideological and political education in the curriculum guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Culture from the perspectives of condensing traditional Chinese medicine ideological and political materials, stimulating cultural confidence, excavating Chinese scientists' ideological political materials, cultivating patriotism, introducing cutting-edge technology, and stimulating national pride, providing a foundation for cultivating

Design of Jacob’s ladder-based teaching aids for illustrating the dualities of benzene derivatives

Abstract The dualities of benzene derivatives often make basic organic chemistry challenging for students. This includes the relationship between full structural and line-angle formulas, the distinctions between preferred and systematic IUPAC names for benzene derivatives, and the nuances between ortho-, para-, and meta-directors. To effectively demonstrate these dualities of benzene derivatives, we have designed a range of teaching aids rooted in the folk toy, Jacob’s ladder. This paper presents lectures designed for advanced placement high school students and nonchemistry majors, employing this innovative series of Jacob’s ladder-based teaching aids. The majority of students found the lecture engaging, and many developed a comprehensive understanding of the dualities of benzene derivatives.

Description of Students’ Collaboration Skills Chemistry Education Department of FKIP UNTAN in Basic Chemistry Practicum

Collaboration Skills (CS) are important to master in 21st century and must be developed for academic and career success in the real world. The study aims to describe the collaboration skills of Chemistry Department students at FKIP UNTAN through practicum learning activities in the laboratory. The research method is a quantitative descriptive research. The Research participants were 63 students who took basic chemistry practicum courses. Data collection was carried out using observation techniques with the help of two observers and collaboration skills observation sheets, that had been validated by two experts in the field of evaluation. The results showed that, the average of percentage value obtained for each indicator such as: contributing to group discussions (96.83%) is at very high criteria, working effectively in groups (99.40%) is at very high criteria, communicating in group activities (75%) is at high criteria, and having responsibility for completing group assignments (93.25%) is at very high criteria. Therefore, collaboration skills can not only be honed through teaching and learning activities in class, but also can be honed through practicum learning activities in the laboratory.

Analysis of Students’ Chemical Literacy Skills with Scientific Information: Case Study During Covid-19

Chemistry education students as a future chemistry teacher should have a good science literacy/chemical literacy in order to deliver chemistry knowledge to be applied in the future. Therefore, this study describes the chemical literacy skills of students of the Chemistry Education Study Program. The aim of this study is to investigate the chemical literacy levels related to chemistry concepts through a case study of global information during the covid-19 pandemic. A range of chemical literacy aspects is measured, which include nominal (recognizing chemistry concepts); functional (defining key concepts); conceptual (utilizing chemistry knowledge to describe daily phenomena); multi-dimensional literacy (utilizing chemistry knowledge to analyze information in a short article or other reading sources). The research method of this study is quantitative descriptive. Participants of the study were 112 students of the Chemistry Education Program who had already taken basic chemistry courses. The instrument used to obtain data on students’ chemical literacy levels was questionnaires using the Likert scales (three options) and open-ended questions. The findings show that the percentage of students’ nominal, functional, conceptual, and multi-dimensional literacy skills are 78.21, 60.54, 51.48, and 44.08% respectively. The findings indicated that students’ chemical literacy skills are in the average range and need to be improved

Chemical Kinetics for the Oxidation of Californium(III) Ions with Select Radiation-Induced Inorganic Radicals (Cl2•- and SO4•-).

Despite the availability of transuranic elements increasing in recent years, our understanding of their most basic and inherent radiation chemistry is limited and yet essential for the accurate interpretation of their physical and chemical properties. Here, we explore the transient interactions between trivalent californium ions () and select inorganic radicals arising from the radiolytic decomposition of common anions and functional group constituents, specifically the dichlorine (Cl2•-) and sulfate (SO4•-) radical anions. Chemical kinetics, as measured using integrated electron pulse radiolysis and transient absorption spectroscopy techniques, are presented for the reactions of these two oxidizing radicals with ions. The derived and ionic strength-corrected second-order rate coefficients (k) for these radiation-induced processes are k( + Cl2•-) = (8.28 ± 0.61) × 105 M-1 s-1 and k( + SO4•-) = (9.50 ± 0.43) × 108 M-1 s-1 under ambient temperature conditions (22 ± 1 °C).

Study on photochemistry and component transport coupling processes of azobenzene molecular solar thermal system

Molecular solar thermal (MOST) system is a new technology to collect, transform and store solar energy. The mechanism of photochemical reaction and component transport of molecular photoswitches in the reactor is still unclear. In this paper, a simulated theoretical framework for energy conversion rate and energy storage efficiency of solar energy collection and conversion devices based on a molecular solar thermal system was presented. The mathematical model of the photochemical reaction studied was based on an azobenzene derivative, which acted as a molecular photoswitch that can store energy by the switch of molecular structures. The microscopic parameters of reactants were obtained by quantum mechanics calculation and applied to the macroscopic energy conversion analysis of reaction processes. The theoretical framework can predict the conversion and energy storage efficiency of photoisomerization reactions, and can be used for component transport analysis, energy conversion analysis and reaction rate contribution analysis in reactors. We focused on the influence of macroscopic factors, including the flow velocity, inlet reactants concentration and reactor size on the photoisomerization energy storage process. The results of the theoretical analysis were in good agreement with those of existing laboratory equipment. The relative error of the conversion rate is only 0.71% in the photostable state, and the maximum relative error of the conversion rate is 10.99% in the whole process. In addition, in the photochemical reaction, we introduced the concept of absorbance field for the absorbance attenuation caused by the absorption of photons in the medium, so that the local material conversion, absorbance and energy conversion of this type of photochemical reaction can be more clearly understood. This simulated theoretical framework allows the study of molecules in a macroscopic setting, thereby establishing a link between practical engineering and basic chemistry, and providing guidance for the design of molecular solar thermal systems in the future.

Exploration of Teaching Reform of Basic Chemistry in Higher Vocational Education Based on STEAM Education Concept

With the proposal of the National Vocational Education Reform Plan, vocational colleges tend to cultivate students' hands-on ability, problem-solving ability, and innovation ability. The core of STEAM philosophy lies in utilizing science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics to comprehensively cultivate students, addressing disciplinary differences and emphasizing the cultivation of aesthetic education for students. This article introduces this model into the teaching of "Basic Chemistry" in vocational colleges, comprehensively cultivating students' abilities and achieving good progress.

Measurement of the main neutral species densities and temperatures in iodine plasmas using optical absorption techniques

Iodine is a promising propellant for future plasma thrusters used in space propulsion. It is therefore important to understand the basic physics and chemistry of low-pressure iodine plasmas. In the present work, optical absorption methods are used to measure the densities of iodine molecules, I2, and iodine atoms, I, the translational temperature of the atoms and the dissociation fraction. The plasma is generated in a long quartz tube by a capacitively coupled RF discharge, and the pressure is varied between a few Pa and a few tens of Pa. The translational temperature of the atom vapour increases both with RF power and with pressure and reaches 1000 K at 50 W and 25 Pa. The molecules appear to be efficiently dissociated, with a dissociation fraction found above 65%, on average along the line-of-sight, at 120 W and 5 Pa. The population of the upper, 2P1/2∘ , fine-structure level of the atomic ground term is found to be negligible, which confirms the existence of a high quenching rate, due to collisions with molecules and/or atoms. These measurements can be helpful for chemistry models of iodine plasmas.

Exploration and Implementation of Refined Management Practices in Basic Organic Chemistry Laboratories

Exploration and Implementation of Refined Management Practices in Basic Organic Chemistry Laboratories

Promoting the Reform of Basic Chemistry Experimental Courses through Laboratory Skills Competition

Promoting the Reform of Basic Chemistry Experimental Courses through Laboratory Skills Competition

Exploration of Blended Online and Offline Teaching Based on "Medicinal Basic Chemistry"

Medicinal Basic Chemistry" integrates the basic theories and knowledge of inorganic chemistry and organic chemistry. However, our school's students have different foundations when entering the school. In the blended teaching of online and offline courses, students can choose whether to watch or not, teach according to their aptitude, and meet the personalized growth needs of students. Through mutual assistance discussions on self-prepared topics, independent thinking is first completed, and then group discussions are optimized, students can be urged to actively learn and judge whether others' ideas are reasonable. Suggestions for modification are proposed, and others are taught. By using good to lead and medium to lead, students can achieve overall improvement at the class level. This method is also applicable in practical training courses.

The Potential of Cigarette Butt Extract Against Bemisia Tabaci in Tomato

Innovation used cigarette butt extract added papaya leaves and banana stem against Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) become alternative reduce synthetic pesticide application in horticultural plant. The liquid do not produce residues on plant or soil. The aim of the research is to determine the effectiveness of cigarette butt, papaya leaves and banana stems in controlling B. tabaci on tomato. The research was conducted at the Basic Chemistry Laboratory, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Hasanuddin University to prepare cigarette butt, nicotine maceration and nutrient content tests. Field trials were conducted at the experimental site of the Department of Plant Pests and Diseases, Faculty of Agriculture, Hasanuddin University from September to December 2022. Five types of treatment applied on tomato plants: P0 (control), P1 (cigarette butt extract + papaya leaves), P2 (cigarette butt extract), P3 (banana stem waste) and P4 (cigarette butt extract + banana stem + papaya leaves). The result showed different results of each treatment. The highest B. tabaci attacked intensity at P0 (100%) and P3 (100%) while the lowest at P4 (33.3%). The highest growth height of tomato plant showed in P4 (33.3 cm) and the lowest in P3 (28.8 cm). The highest number of tomato leaves in P4 (49.7 leaves) and the lowest in P3 (36.3 leaves). The result indicated combine extract of cigarette butts, banana stem and papaya leaves increasing plant health and able reduce the attack intensity of B. tabaci.