Dimethyl Sulfoxide Solvent Research Articles

Thermal-localized and salt-resistant polyacrylonitrile/polyvinylidene fluoride aerogel for efficient solar desalination

Solar desalination is considered as an effective and environmental-friendly pathway against global water scarcity but still suffers from unnecessary heat loss, inadequate water supply, and salt deposition. To address these issues, this work proposes that a PAN/PVDF@ nano carbon black composite aerogel (PPCA) fabricated by a new “multi-angle splicing freezing” method in dimethyl sulfoxide solvent can realize stable and efficient evaporation on the water surface. PPCA with inclined channels ensures higher pressure and faster flow rate, meanwhile the hydrophilic/hydrophobic interface can prevent water transmission and localize heat. Benefitted from this structure, PPCA delivers highly efficient energy (93.2%) under 1.0 sun, stable water output (~1.46 kg m−2 h−1), and exhibits a superior salt-resistant property without salt deposition on the evaporation surface even in the simulated Dead Sea for continuous 24 h illumination. With the stable evaporation performance of high-salinity brine, this design has great potential for sustainable solar desalination.

Optimization of reaction parameters by using response surface methodology (RSM) for the selective dehydration of glucose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), a valuable platform chemical over a mesoporous TiO2 catalyst in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) medium

A highly active and selective mesoporous TiO2 was developed by the sol-gel hydrolysis technique for the selective transformation of glucose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF). The catalytic performance was tested in a glass tube reactor, and the reaction parameters were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). The best-optimized reaction conditions were obtained using four-factors, four-responses, and the 5-level central composite design (CCD) integrated with the desirability approach. At the optimum reaction condition, RSM predicted complete conversion of glucose and a very high 5-HMF yield of ~56% in the dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) solvent. The predicted yield of other major products, including formic acid (FA) and levulinic acid (LA), was ~18% and ~2%, respectively. The empirical process model developed by RSM was validated by the experimental data generated. Experimental results demonstrated that the TiO2 catalyst developed can easily be recycled with a constant glucose conversion and 5-HMF yield. Further, a new liquid-liquid extraction method (LLE) is proposed to extract 5-HMF from the product. The results depicted that 5-HMF can easily be extracted from the product mixture with very high purity (~96%). Additionally, the Power-Law kinetic study suggested that the conversion of glucose over TiO2 followed the first-order kinetics, and the calculated activation energy was 67.5 kJ mol−1.

Interface engineering at electron transport/perovskite layers using wetting mesoporous titanium dioxide to fabricate efficient and stable perovskite solar cells

The unique photovoltaic features of perovskites have encouraged researchers to use them as an active layer for solar cell applications. Recombination issue at electron transport layer (ETL)/perovskite interface is one of the reasons for performance reduction in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and need to address. Hereof, we developed a simple and cheap method to modify this interface by wetting the mesoporous TiO2 ETL using mixed solvents of γ-butyrolactone (GBL) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). With optimization of the ratio of GBL and DMSO, our results showed a smoother perovskite layer with fewer pinholes on it. In addition, ETL wetting affected perovskite grain sizes and passivated grain boundaries in it. The mentioned reasons reduced carriers' trap centers in the perovskite film and suppressed charge recombination processes within PSCs. The improved crystalline properties of the modified perovskite layer facilitate electron extraction at ETL/perovskite interface and reduce charge accumulation, which brings a champion efficiency of 18.72% for the treated devices higher than that of 15.21% for the untreated devices. Moreover, due to the boosted hydrophobic property of the modified perovskite film, the stability behavior of the related PSCs was improved remarkably.

A solvent-exchange strategy to develop stiff and tough hydrogel electrolytes for flexible and stable supercapacitor

Toughness of flexible energy storage devices and a stable energy output during dynamic deformation are two challenges to be solved in their practically application. Herein, we reported a stiff and tough poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel electrolyte for flexible supercapacitor with toughness and stable energy output. A one-step solvent-exchange strategy was developed to replace the good solvent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to a poorer one water and simultaneously introduce kosmotropic ions into the PVA pre-hydrogels. This triggered the PVA chains to self-assemble and forming a homogeneous network crosslinked by the PVA crystalline domains and hydrophobic interactions. Benefiting from the excellent energy-dissipating ability of the homogeneous network, the PVA hydrogel electrolytes exhibited remarkable stiffness and toughness with tensile strength 16.54 MPa, elongation at break 1203%, and toughness 111.21 MJ m−3, which surpassed the most reported hydrogels. By utilizing polyaniline as electrodes, a flexible supercapacitor was assembled with superior areal specific capacitance of 156.50 mF cm−2 at 1.0 mA cm−2. The supercapacitor delivered high resistance to mechanical stimuli such as bending and pressure. Moreover, it could well maintain stable energy output even being dynamically deformed. The developed supercapacitor showed great potential in the wearable applications.

Real-time 96-well optoelectronic micro plate for kinetic and stability investigation of cytochrome P450 BM3

Simultaneous optical and electrochemical measurements are advantageous for biosensor technology. Although this is easy for single samples, parallelization is challenging, when ensuring spatial and temporal compatibility of measurement techniques, especially if the device is to be integrated into existing laboratory routines. Here, we developed an electrochemical-optical 96-well micro plate (eco-MP) to track the bioelectrocatalysis of cytochrome P450 BM3 fluorometrically and chronoamperometrically in a simultaneous and real-time manner. Fluorometric readout enables unbiased quantitative determination of the enzymatic product resorufin in parallel to the chronoamperometric data acquisition. We implemented 96 miniaturized three-electrode setups in the eco-MP with a 3D-printed divided cell architecture leading to 192 half-cells. Using a conventional fluorescence reader we demonstrate the potential of the developed eco-MP to control and monitor the active state of cytochrome P450 BM3 over hours. The benefit of reactive oxygen species scavenging enzymes on bioelectrocatalytic activity of P450 BM3 could be time-resolved assessed. We applied the eco-MP also to investigate the tolerance of P450 BM3 to organic solvent dimethyl sulfoxide, as an example of an area in bioelectrocatalysis where high-throughput measurement devices will kick in. Overall, this work stresses the demand for convenient multiparametric sensor technology in the growing field of electrified interfaces.

Multitask Quantum Study of the Curcumin-Based Complex Physicochemical and Biological Properties.

Density functional theory (DFT), time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT), quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM), and extended transition state natural orbitals for chemical valence (ETS-NOCV) have all been used to investigate the physicochemical and biological properties of curcumin and three complexes, i.e., Cur-M (M = Ni, Cu, and Mg). Based on DFT calculations, the enolic form (Cur-Enol) is more stable than the anti-diketone form (Cur-Anti diketone) favored for complexation. This enolic form stability was explained by the presence of three intramolecular hydrogen bonds according to the QTAIM analysis. Furthermore, the ETS-NOCV technique revealed that the enolic form had more significant antioxidant activity compared with the anti-diketone form. The calculations from the COnductor-like Screening MOdel for Realistic Solvents (COSMO-RS) showed that the dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solvent could dissolve all the curcumin tautomers Cur-Enol, Cur-Anti-diketone and Cur-Cu, Cur-Mg, and Cur-Ni complexes in contrast to benzene, acetone, octanol, ethanol, methanol, and water. Furthermore, except for Cur-Mg, which had a relatively low solubility (14 g/L), all complexes were insoluble in water. Cur-Anti-diketone was considerably more soluble than Cur-Enol in the examined solvents.

Stable Metal–Halide Perovskite Colloids in Protic Ionic Liquid

Stable Metal–Halide Perovskite Colloids in Protic Ionic Liquid

Transparent organogel based on photopolymerizable magnetic cationic monomer for electromagnetic wave absorbing

The application of conventional absorbing materials is limited due to complex preparation process and poor transparency caused by fillers. In this study, a highly transparent ionic organogel was prepared by photocuring a dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solution of a polymerizable magnetic cationic monomer [DAC]5[Dy(NCS)8]. Both components of organogel, which are the photopolymerizable magnetic cationic monomer and polar solvent DMSO, have an important effect on the magnetic losses and dielectric losses properties of the organogel respectively. By tuning the mass ratio of DMSO to the monomer and the content of the cross-linker, the complex permittivity of the gel could be effectively adjusted to improve the impedance matching, and finally a gel with excellent wave absorption properties and good tensile properties was obtained. The optimum organogel was fabricated with a minimum reflection loss of −45.9 dB and a broadest effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of up to 5.2 GHz, and effective absorption in the millimeter band (26.5–40 GHz) which is within the fifth generation (5G) mobile networks. With the advantages of simple preparation method, arbitrary shape and good adhesion to a variety of substrates and complex surfaces, this multifunctional gel provides a new solution for complex scenarios requiring optical transparency and simultaneous absorption of electromagnetic waves.

Solvation studies of dimethylsulfoxide in non-aqueous solvents at high temperatures and at an atmospheric pressure

Solvation studies of pure non aqueous liquids like dimethylsulfoxide, pyridine and nitromethane and their binary mixtures have been measured at 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mol% of pyridine and nitromethane at 298 K, 308 K and 318 K temperatures. Density, viscosity and ultrasonic velocities of the solvents have been measured. From the measured data, the isentropic compressibility and acoustic parameters like acoustic impedance, free volume, intermolecular free length, internal pressure, Gibb’s free energy, relaxation time, Rao’s constant, absorption coefficient, Wada’s constant, and entropy are calculated using experimental velocities, viscosities and densities at three different temperatures (298 K, 308 K and 318 K) and 1 atm pressure.

Biological pesticides and solvents with low toxicity reduce motility and activity of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus

Summary Pine wilt disease (PWD), caused by the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is an international quarantine forest disease that damages pine forests over extensive areas and causes massive economic losses. To provide valuable guidelines on screening pesticides against B. xylophilus and the selection of common solvents, we investigated the effects of different concentrations of emamectin benzoate, matrine and four solvents (methanol, ethanol, acetone and dimethyl sulfoxide) on the mortality and locomotor behaviour of B. xylophilus. Emamectin abamectin has nematicidal activity and mitigates locomotor activity of B. xylophilus at a low concentration. The LC50 of emamectin benzoate was 0.0354 mg l−1 at 72 h. Bursaphelenchus xylophilus mortality following exposure to matrine was low; however, nematode locomotor activity decreased by 62.5% following exposure to 500 mg l−1 matrine for 8 h. Additionally, B. xylophilus locomotor activity decreased significantly following exposure to 5 and 10% methanol, ethanol, acetone and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) when compared with that of the water control. Emamectin benzoate and matrine, and high concentrations of four solvents (methanol, ethanol, acetone, and DMSO) inhibit B. xylophilus movement, which, in turn, could affect nematode infectivity. Moreover, low concentrations of non-lethal doses of emamectin benzoate should be considered for application in the control of nematodes, with matrine being an environmentally friendly and potentially nematicidal agent.

Intramolecular Charge Transfer of Curcumin and Solvation Dynamics of DMSO Probed by Time-Resolved Raman Spectroscopy.

Intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) of curcumin in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solution in the excited state was investigated by femtosecond electronic and vibrational spectroscopy. Excited-state Raman spectra of curcumin in the locally-excited and charge-transferred (CT) state of the S1 excited state were separated due to high temporal (<50 fs) and spectral (<10 cm−1) resolutions of femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy. The ultrafast (0.6–0.8 ps) ICT and subsequent vibrational relaxation (6–9 ps) in the CT state were ubiquitously observed in the ground- and excited-state vibrational modes of the solute curcumin and the νCSC and νS=O modes of solvent DMSO. The ICT of curcumin in the excited state was preceded by the disruption of the solvation shells, including the breakage of hydrogen bonding between curcumin and DMSO molecules, which occurs at the ultrafast (20–50 fs) time scales.

Glucose-Sensing Photonic Nanochain Probes with Color Change in Seconds.

Glucose‐sensing photonic crystals are promising for the significant advance of continuous glucose monitoring systems due to the naked‐eye colorimetric readouts and noninvasive detection of diabetes, but the long response time hampers their practical applications. Here, for the first time probes of photonic nanochains (PNCs) are demonstrated that are capable of continuously and reversibly sensing glucose concentration ([glucose]) variation within seconds by color change without power consumption, much faster by 2–3 orders of magnitude than previous ones. They are comprised of 1D equidistant arrays of magnetic nanoparticles enveloped by tens‐of‐nanometer‐thick phenylboronic acid‐functionalized hydrogels, and fabricated by developing selective concentration polymerization of monomers in binary microheterogeneous solvents of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and H2O. In this process, both 3‐acrylamido phenylboronic acid (AAPBA) and N‐2‐hydroxyethyl acrylamide (HEAAm) are preferentially dissolved in the small volume of free DMSO concentrated in the vicinity of poly vinylpyrrolidone coated Fe3O4 colloidal nanoparticles (Fe3O4@PVP), yielding Fe3O4@PVP@poly(AAPBA‐co‐HEAAm) PNCs after UV irradiation under magnetic field. The PNCs in phosphate buffered solution have a wavelength‐shift range up to 130 nm when [glucose] changes from 0 to 20 × 10−3 m. The results can facilitate real‐time glucose monitoring and provide an alternative to produce functional organic–inorganic nanostructures.

Time-Resolved Infrared Spectroscopy with Multivariate Analysis on Photoinduced Proton Transfer in Aromatic Urea-Acetate Anion Complexes.

1-Anthracen-2-yl-3-phenylurea (2PUA) is an aromatic urea compound, which forms a hydrogen-bonded complex with an acetate anion (AcO-), 2PUA-AcO- complex. We investigated the photoinduced reaction of the 2PUA-AcO- complex in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) by nanosecond time-resolved infrared (TR-IR) spectroscopy. TR-IR spectra obtained after the photoexcitation of 2PUA with the equal concentration of AcO- were consistently explained by a photoinduced proton transfer model. The spectral and temporal profiles of the TR-IR spectra largely depended on concentration conditions of 2PUA and AcO-. Under the condition where excessive amounts of AcO- existed, the TR-IR spectra contained an unexpected signal whose amplitude was related to the concentration of free AcO- in the solution. Using singular value decomposition analysis of the concentration-dependent TR-IR spectra, we extracted the spectral component that reflects the photoinduced reaction of the 2PUA-AcO- complex. The extracted spectrum resembled the TR-IR spectrum obtained under the equal concentration condition, indicating that the same proton transfer occurs during the photoinduced reaction of the 2PUA-AcO- complex irrespective of the concentration conditions. Comparing the steady-state and transient IR spectra of the 2PUA with AcO- in DMSO with density functional theory calculations suggests that both 2PUA-AcO- complex and tautomer species interact with solvent DMSO molecules in their electronic ground states to a large extent.

Effect of Surrounding Solvents on Interfacial Behavior of Gallium-Based Liquid Metal Droplets.

Gallium-based liquid metal (GaLM) alloys have been extensively used in applications ranging from electronics to drug delivery systems. To broaden the understanding and applications of GaLMs, this paper discusses the interfacial behavior of eutectic gallium-indium liquid metal (EGaIn) droplets in various solvents. No significant difference in contact angles of EGaIn is observed regardless of the solvent types. However, the presence or absence of a conical tip on EGaIn droplets after dispensing could indirectly support that the interfacial energy of EGaIn is relatively low in non-polar solvents. Furthermore, in the impact experiments, the EGaIn droplet bounces off in the polar solvents of water and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), whereas it spreads and adheres to the substrate in the non-polar solvents of hexane and benzene. Based on the dimensionless We number, it can be stated that the different impact behavior depending on the solvent types is closely related to the interfacial energy of EGaIn in each solvent. Finally, the contact angles and shapes of EGaIn droplets in aqueous buffer solutions with different pH values (4, 7, and 10) are compared. In the pH 10 buffer solution, the EGaIn droplet forms a spherical shape without the conical tip, representing the high surface energy. This is associated with the dissolution of the “interfacial energy-reducing” surface layer on EGaIn, which is supported by the enhanced concentration of gallium ion released from EGaIn in the buffer solution.

Functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) with CTACe surfactant and polyethylene glycol as potential drug carrier

Multi-walled Carbon Nanotube (MWCNT) pure is easy to form aggregate, making it difficult to apply as a drug carrier since it can be toxic to the body. It can be overcome by functionalization using surfactants, like cetyltrimethyl ammonium trichloro-monobromo-cerate (CTACe) and polyethylene glycol (PEG). First, MWCNT was functionalized with CTACe surfactant, then further PEG 6000 was used with several MWCNT-CTACe ratios. The functionalization was conducted under ultrasonic treatment, then followed by filtration, washing, and drying. The functionalized MWCNT underwent dispersion tests using water and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as the solvents. A dispersion test with water solvent shows that the functionalized MWCNT still forms aggregates within a few minutes. Whereas, in DMSO solvent, the functionalized MWCNT can be stabilized for more than five days without forming aggregates. FTIR results show a new peak at 1105 cm−1 and an increased peak intensity around 3432 cm−1, corresponding to C-N and hydrogen bonding of N-H vibration from the CTACe. The FTIR from PEG addition shows an increase in the wavenumbers around 3432,87 cm−1, indicating the strength of O-H/N-H intermolecular hydrogen interactions of O-H PEG with N-H surfactant ether bonds.

Therapeutic deep eutectic solvent-based microemulsion enhances anti-inflammatory efficacy of curcuminoids and aromatic-turmerone extracted from Curcuma longa L.

To diminish chemical waste and improve the delivery of Curcuma longa L. (CL) constituents, microemulsions based on hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (HDESs) were designed as ready-to-use solvents for CL extraction. The microemulsion (ME) of the ME-23 formulation (HDES/Tween 80 : propylene glycol (1 : 1)/water, 25/70/5) displayed CL extraction yields of 1.69, 3.04, 7.36, and 1.39 wt% of bisdemethoxycurcumin, demethoxycurcumin, curcumin, and aromatic-turmerone, respectively. The ME-23 without CL chemical constituents and ME-23-based CL extract inhibited NO production with an IC50 value of 0.0136 ± 0.0023%v/v and a curcumin IC50 value of 75.2 ± 6.7 nM, respectively, and simultaneously lowered inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β production in lipopolysaccharide-activated murine macrophages. Authentic curcumin in ME-23 possessed superior NO inhibitory activity, which was 103-fold more effective than curcumin prepared in the conventional solvent dimethyl sulfoxide. ME-23 was also capable of delivering curcumin into murine macrophages. After 30 days of storage in HDES and HDES-based ME, curcumin remained more than 90%. ME-23 provides advantages for CL extraction, constituent delivery, and anti-inflammatory functions that can be applied to pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.

Physico-chemical and spectroscopic investigation of flavonoid dispersed C n TAB micelles.

In this study, kaempferol (0.2 m/mmol kg−1) dispersed cationic surfactant micelles were prepared as a function of alkyltrimethylammonium bromide (CnTAB) hydrophobicity (C = 12 to C = 16). The dispersion study of kaempferol in different CnTAB, i.e. dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (C = 12), tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (C = 14) and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (C = 16), was conducted with the physico-chemical properties of density, sound velocity, viscosity, surface tension, isentropic compressibility, acoustic impedance, surface excess concentration and area occupied per molecule and thermodynamic parameters Gibbs free energy, enthalpy and activation energy measured at 298.15 K. These properties were measured with varying concentration of CnTAB from 0.0260 to 0.0305 mol kg−1 in a 10% (w/w) aqueous dimethyl sulfoxide solvent system. The variations in these measured properties have been used to infer the kaempferol dispersion stability via hydrophobic–hydrophilic, hydrophilic–hydrophilic, van der Waals, hydrogen bonding and other non-covalent interactions.

Auxenochlorella protothecoides SC3'ten Ekstre Edilen Pigmentlerin Pseudomonas aeruginosa'ya karşı Antimikrobiyal Aktivitesinin Değerlendirilmesi

Nowadays, natural microbial pigments are emerging as potential candidate therapeutic agents that can be used in antibiotic resistance. In this paper, we report the antimicrobial activity of green algae pigments. Green algae SC3 isolate was isolated from soil in Erzurum. Pigments extracted by methanol: dimethyl sulfoxide solvents were partially characterized by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), UV-Absorbance, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The antimicrobial activity of pigments was determined with agar well diffusion and microbroth assays against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853 and clinic isolate), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922). To identify green algae, total DNA was isolated and both 18S rRNA and 16S rRNA for the chloroplast genome were amplified using universal primers. Thus, this alga was identified as Auxenochlorella protothecoides and submitted to Genbank (Accession number: MW139225 and MW063613). According to our results, the best antimicrobial activity was recorded against P. aeruginosa. Our results show for the first time the antimicrobial activity of the total pigments from A. protothecoides green algae.

Computational Study on Vibrational Properties of Thyroxine Molecule in Different Charge States

The vibrational frequencies of thyroxine (T4) molecule are calculated through computational method and major modes of vibration are assigned to corresponding frequencies in this research work. First we took neutral isolated T4 molecule for our study, and then we extend our work to anion state. The shift produced in the frequency and IR intensities for different vibrational modes has been calculated for change in state from neutral to anion. In addition, the difference spectra for these two charge states has also been studied for the T4 molecule by adding the dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solvent. Furthermore, the same calculations are performed for the isolated neutral T4 molecule with C13 labelling. All these calculations are carried out by density functional calculations with the B3LYP hybrid functional applying the SDD effective core potential basis set. The calculated geometrical parameters are in good agreement with the experimental results. Additionally, the calculated frequencies lies within the characteristic region belonging to the respective mode of vibrations.

Understanding the “double-edged-sword” effect of dimethyl sulfoxide to guide the design of highly efficient perovskite solar cells in humid air

The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is comparable to that of silicon cells, and their commercialization is just around the corner. However, a harsh environment greatly increases their cost, and preparing high-performance PSCs in humid air without a strictly controlled environment will dominate future research directions. Previous works have made many efforts to overcome problems associated with the moisture in humid air, and some additives or preparation technologies have been proposed. However, the mechanism for how H2O influences the device performance is not very clear. In this work, based on the most commonly used perovskite system with a mixed solvent of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), we conclude that the DMSO solvent exhibits a “double-edged sword” effect in preparing a perovskite film in humid air, and we achieve a high-quality perovskite film based on this understanding. Unencapsulated PSCs exhibit competitive PCEs under almost any humidity level, and a PCE exceeding 23% can be achieved without the need for any additives at medium humidity.