Glycol Research Articles

The Evaluation of a Lateral Flow Strip Based on the Covalently Fixed "End-On" Orientation of an Antibody for Listeria monocytogenes Detection.

In this study, the covalently fixed "end-on" orientation of a monoclonal Listeria monocytogenes antibody (mAb-Lis) to amino terminated oligo (ethylene glycol)-capped gold nanoparticles (NH2-TEG-AuNPs) was used to fabricate an in-house lateral flow strip (LFS), namely, the fixed "end-on" Lis-mAb-NH-TEG-AuNPs LFS. The aim was to evaluate the performance of the fixed "end-on" Lis-mAb-NH-TEG-AuNPs LFS in detecting L. monocytogenes. The proposed LFS enabled the sensitive detection of L. monocytogenes in 15 min with a visual limit of detection of 102 CFU/mL. Quantitative analysis indicated an LOD at 10 CFU/mL. The fixed "end-on" Lis-mAb-NH-TEG-AuNPs LFS showed no cross-reactivity with other pathogenic bacteria and practical performance across different food matrices, including human blood, milk, and mushroom samples. Furthermore, the clinical performance of the fixed "end-on" Lis-mAb-NH-TEG-AuNPs LFS for detecting L. monocytogenes was evaluated by using 12 clinical samples validated by the hemoculture method. It demonstrated excellent concordance with the reference methods, with no false-positive or false-negative results observed. Therefore, the fixed "end-on" Lis-mAb-NH-TEG-AuNPs LFS serves as a promising candidate for a point-of-care test (POCT), enabling the rapid, precise, and highly sensitive detection of L. monocytogenes in clinical samples and contaminated food.

Aerobic Acetalization of Ethylene Glycol with Acetone by Newly Designed Highly Efficient Soft NiO@B@GCN Nanocubes Catalyst

Aerobic Acetalization of Ethylene Glycol with Acetone by Newly Designed Highly Efficient Soft NiO@B@GCN Nanocubes Catalyst

Thermal enhancement of PEM fuel cell cooling with novel configurations of Tesla valve and hybrid nanofluids: A numerical study

The operating temperature and thermal distribution play a significant role in the appropriate performance of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). A suitable cell cooling method can guarantee uniform temperature distribution and preservation of membrane water content under harsh conditions in a PEMFC. The compact structure of PEM fuel cells and the size of the cooling system impose a great challenge to achieve a proper design of cooling plate. In this numerical study, four designs of the multi-stage Tesla valve with straight and reverse configuration are proposed to be employed as a cooling channel in which three different hybrid nanofluids such as TiO2–Cu, Al2O3–CuO, and Ag–MgO dispersed in water and Ethylene glycol flow inside the channels. A validated numerical model is developed using a commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code to investigate the effect of inlet temperatures and mass flow rates of cooling fluid and volume fraction of nanoparticles on heat transfer coefficient, pressure drop, index of uniform temperature (IUT), and performance evaluation criteria (PEC). The results demonstrated that the reverse configuration of the Tesla valve (CASE E) experienced outstanding uniform thermal distribution while the heat transfer coefficient increased by 15% in this case compared to the straight-line cooling channel. The Ag–MgO hybrid nanoparticles showed better thermal performance than the two other nanoparticles with a 4% reduction in temperature difference in the cooling plate.

Morphological evaluation of adult domestic cat testicular biopsy after vitrification.

Testicular biopsies (9 mm3) from domestic cats (n = 10) submitted to orchiectomy were submitted to equilibrium vitrification in the presence of ethylene glycol (EG) alone or combined with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) as intracellular cryoprotectants, and sucrose or trehalose as extracellular cryoprotectants. The samples were vitrified with 40% EG or 20% EG + 20% DMSO, plus 0.1 M or 0.5 M of sucrose or trehalose. The study was divided into Step 1 and Step 2. In Step 1, intratubular cells (spermatogonia, spermatids, spermatocytes, and Sertoli cells) were quantified and classified as intact or degenerated (pyknotic and/or vacuolated cells). Cryodamage of seminiferous cords was determined by spermatogonia and Sertoli cell scoring of nuclei alterations, tubular basement membrane detachment, epithelium shrinkage, and tubular measures (total area, epithelium area, larger and smaller diameter, and height of the epithelium). In Step 2, Hoechst 33342 stain and propidium iodide (PI) fluorescent stain were used to assess the cell viability of the four best experimental groups in Step 1. The effect of treatments on all analyses was accessed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Fisher's post hoc test at P < 0.05 significance was considered. In Step 1, the mean percentage of spermatogonia and Sertoli cells morphological integrity did not show a difference when using both sugars at different concentrations, but their morphology was more affected when DMSO was used. EG use associated with 0.1 M of sucrose or trehalose positively affected spermatocyte and spermatid morphology, respectively. The larger diameter and epithelium height of seminiferous tubules were increased using DMSO plus 0.5 M sucrose and DMSO plus 0.1 M trehalose. The changes in spermatogonial/Sertoli nucleoli visualization were best scored in the EG groups, while the nuclei condensation was lower with sucrose. The basement membrane was satisfactorily preserved with 0.1 M sucrose. In Step 2, the percentage of cell viability was higher when EG plus 0.1 M sucrose was used. Therefore, DMSO's negative effect on the vitrification of testicular biopsies of adult domestic cats was evident. The EG plus 0.1 M of sucrose or trehalose associations are the most suitable CPAs to preserve the testicular histology structure of adult domestic cats in vitrification.

Lysine-Triggered Polymeric Hydrogels with Self-Adhesion, Stretchability, and Supportive Properties

Hydrogels, recognized for their flexibility and diverse characteristics, are extensively used in medical fields such as wearable sensors and soft robotics. However, many hydrogel sensors derived from biomaterials lack mechanical strength and fatigue resistance, emphasizing the necessity for enhanced formulations. In this work, we utilized acrylamide and polyacrylamide as the primary polymer network, incorporated chemically modified poly(ethylene glycol) (DF-PEG) as a physical crosslinker, and introduced varying amounts of methacrylated lysine (LysMA) to prepare a series of hydrogels. This formulation was labeled as poly(acrylamide)-DF-PEG-LysMA, abbreviated as pADLx, with x denoting the weight/volume percentage of LysMA. We observed that when the hydrogel contained 2.5% w/v LysMA (pADL2.5), compared to hydrogels without LysMA (pADL0), its stress increased by 642 ± 76%, strain increased by 1790 ± 95%, and toughness increased by 2037 ± 320%. Our speculation regarding the enhanced mechanical performance of the pADL2.5 hydrogel revolves around the synergistic effects arising from the co-polymerization of LysMA with acrylamide and the formation of multiple intermolecular hydrogen bonds within the network structures. Moreover, the acid, amine, and amide groups present in the LysMA molecules have proven to be instrumental contributors to the self-adhesion capability of the hydrogel. The validation of the pADL2.5 hydrogel’s exceptional mechanical properties through rigorous tensile tests further underscores its suitability for use in strain sensors. The outstanding stretchability, adhesive strength, and fatigue resistance demonstrated by this hydrogel affirm its potential as a key component in the development of robust and reliable strain sensors that fulfill practical requirements.

Unveiling the potential of (CoFeNiMnCr)3O4 high-entropy oxide synthesized from CoFeNiMnCr high-entropy alloy for efficient oxygen-evolution reaction

AbstractElectrochemical water-splitting is a promising green technology for the production of hydrogen. One of the bottlenecks, however, is the oxygen evolution half-reaction (OER), which could be overcome with the development of a suitable electrocatalyst. Recently, non-noble metal, high-entropy oxides (HEO) have been investigated as potential OER electrocatalysts, but complex synthesis approaches that usually produce the material in powder form limit their wider utilization. Here, an innovative synthesis strategy of formulating a nanostructured (CoFeNiMnCr)3O4 HEO thin film on a CoFeNiMnCr high entropy alloy (HEA) using facile electrochemical and thermal treatment methods is presented. The CoFeNiMnCr HEA serves as exceptional support to be electrochemically treated in an ethylene glycol electrolyte with ammonium fluoride to form a rough and microporous structure with nanopits. The electrochemically treated CoFeNiMnCr HEA surface is more prone to oxidation during a low-temperature thermal treatment, leading to the growth of a spinel (CoFeNiMnCr)3O4 HEO thin film. The (CoFeNiMnCr)3O4 HEO exhibits a superior overpotential of 341 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and a Tafel slope of 50 mV dec−1 along with remarkable long-term stability in alkaline media. The excellent catalytic activity and stability for the OER can serve as a promising platform for the practical utilization of (CoFeNiMnCr)3O4 HEO. Graphical abstract

Self-Assembled Nanoparticles from the Amphiphilic Prodrug of Resiquimod for Improved Cancer Immunotherapy.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) usually adopt a tumor-promoting M2-like phenotype, which largely impedes the immune response and therapeutic efficacy of solid tumors. Repolarizing TAMs from M2 to the antitumor M1 phenotype is crucial for reshaping the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment (TIME). Herein, we developed self-assembled nanoparticles from the polymeric prodrug of resiquimod (R848) to reprogram the TIME for robust cancer immunotherapy. The polymeric prodrug was constructed by conjugating the R848 derivative to terminal amino groups of the linear dendritic polymer composed of linear poly(ethylene glycol) and lysine dendrimer. The amphiphilic prodrug self-assembled into nanoparticles (PLRS) of around 35 nm with a spherical morphology. PLRS nanoparticles could be internalized by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in vitro and thus efficiently repolarized macrophages from M2 to M1 and facilitated the maturation of APCs. In addition, PLRS significantly inhibited tumor growth in the 4T1 orthotopic breast cancer model with much lower systemic side effects. Mechanistic studies suggested that PLRS significantly stimulated the TIME by repolarizing TAMs into the M1 phenotype and increased the infiltration of cytotoxic T cells into the tumor. This study provides an effective polymeric prodrug-based strategy to improve the therapeutic efficacy of R848 in cancer immunotherapy.

Impact of Surface Functionality on Biodistribution of Gold Nanoparticles in Silkworms

To date, animal models are still indispensable for studying biodistribution and elimination of nanomaterials. However, the use of mammals for in vivo experiments faces various challenges including increasing regulatory hurdles and costs. This study aims to validate larvae of the domestic silkworm Bombyx mori as an alternative invertebrate model for preliminary in vivo research. Organ distribution and elimination of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are compared with four different surface functionalities in silkworms after systemic administration: AuNPs coated with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), with polyglycidols (PGs) that are slightly hydrophobic (PG(alkyl)), positively charged (PG(+)), or negatively charged (PG(−)). Subsequent inductive coupled plasma mass spectrometry 6 or 24 h after AuNPs administration reveals the biodistribution in silkworm hemolymph, midgut, epidermis, and excrements. Even after 24 h incubation, hemolymph contains the highest AuNPs concentrations, independent of surface functionalization indicating a prolonged circulation time and slow distribution into different silkworm organs and tissues. Positively charged PG(+)AuNPs show three times higher concentrations in the midgut and are excreted at the fastest rate when compared to other AuNPs. In the findings, a surface‐dependent biodistribution and elimination of AuNPs are indicated in silkworms, and the feasibility of using this inexpensive animal model for time‐ and cost‐effective, preliminary in vivo studies of NPs is confirmed.

Modifying the Backbone Chemistry of PEG-based Bottlebrush Block Copolymers for the Formation of Long-Circulating Nanoparticles.

Nanoparticle physicochemical properties have received great attention in optimizing the performance of nanoparticles for biomedical applications. For example, surface functionalization with small molecules or linear hydrophilic polymers is commonly used to tune the interaction of nanoparticles with proteins and cells. However, it is challenging to control the location of functional groups within the shell for conventional nanoparticles. Nanoparticle surfaces composed of shape-persistent bottlebrush polymers allow hierarchical control over the nanoparticle shell but the effect of the bottlebrush backbone on biological interactions is still unknown. We report the synthesis of novel heterobifunctional poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-norbornene macromonomers modified with various small molecules to form bottlebrush polymers with different backbone chemistries. We demonstrate that micellar nanoparticles composed of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-PEG bottlebrush block copolymer (BBCP) with neutral and cationic backbone modifications exhibit significantly reduced cellular uptake compared to conventional unmodified BBCPs. Furthermore, the nanoparticles display long blood circulation half-lives of ∼22h and enhanced tumor accumulation in mice. Overall, our work sheds light on the importance of the bottlebrush polymer backbone and provides a strategy to improve the performance of nanoparticles in biomedical applications. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Tailoring the Structure-Property Relationship of Ring-Opened Metathesis Copolymers for CO2-Selective Membranes.

In this work, we explore the use of ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) facilitated by a second-generation Grubbs catalyst (G2) for the development of advanced polymer membranes aimed at CO2 separation. By employing a novel copolymer blend incorporating 4,4'-oxidianiline (ODA), 1,6-hexanediamine (HDA), 1-adamantylamine (AA), and 3,6,9-trioxaundecylamine (TA), along with a CO2-selective poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(propylene glycol) copolymer (Jeffamine2003) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) units, we have synthesized membranes under ambient conditions with exceptional CO2 separation capabilities. The strategic inclusion of PDMS, up to a 20% composition within the PEG/PPG matrix, has resulted in copolymer membranes that not only surpass the 2008 upper limit for CO2/N2 separation but also meet the commercial targets for CO2/H2 separation. Comprehensive analysis reveals that these membranes adhere to the mixing rule and exhibit percolation behavior across the entire range of compositions (0-100%), maintaining robust antiplasticization performance even under pressures up to 20 atm. Our findings underscore the potential of ROMP in creating precisely engineered membranes for efficient CO2 separation, paving the way for their application in large-scale environmental and industrial processes.

Regression modeling and multi-objective optimization of rheological behavior of non-Newtonian hybrid antifreeze: Using different neural networks and evolutionary algorithms

The research used an artificial neural network (ANN) model to examine the rheological properties of hybrid non-Newtonian ferrofluids (HNFFs) composed of Fe-CuO, water, and ethylene glycol. The performance of neural network was optimized using seven regression methods (RMs), namely Group Method of Data Handling (GMDH), Decision Tree (D-Tree), Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Extreme Learning Machine (ELM), Radial Basis Function (RBF), and Multiple Linear Regression (MLR). The findings highlighted GMDH method's superior performance when compared to neural networks. R and RMSE values attained by GMDH for the objective function (OF) μnf were 0.99436 and 2.0135, respectively. For the torque function OF, the values were 0.97652 and 4.8952. Margin of difference (MOD) calculations across various algorithms, such as MLP, SVM, RBF, D-Tree, ELM, MLR, and GMDH-Algos revealed significant disparities, indicating GMDH's efficacy. Comparison of R, RMSD, and standard deviation values between GMDH and MLR algorithms further underscored performance discrepancies. Specific parameters for which NSGA II Algo was rated highest among evaluation indices were as follows: a crossover rate of 0.7, a mutation rate of 0.02, a population size of 50, and 500 generations. Post-optimization, optimal values for μnf and torque (To) were determined as 6.595 and 3.543, respectively, with corresponding values for φ, T, and γ obtained as 0.185, 49.372, and 3.163, respectively. This comprehensive analysis sheds light on the effectiveness of various regression methods in modeling the rheological behavior of hybrid non-Newtonian ferrofluids, contributing to advancements in fluid dynamics research.

Rapid attainment of full wettability through surface PEGylation of hydrophobic polyvinylidene fluoride membranes via spray-coating for enhanced anti-biofouling performances

This manuscript explores the development of antifouling membranes fabricated by vapor-induced phase separation (VIPS) process and their spray-coating modification with an aqueous solution of a copolymer comprising butyl methacrylate and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate, designated as poly(BMA-r-PEGMA). An initial optimization phase focused on improving the modification quality, with the aim of enhancing the wettability on both the top and bottom surfaces of the membranes, despite spraying on the top surface only. Our findings reveal that a sprayed solution concentration of 10 mg/mL, a pressure of 0.25 MPa, and a scan rate of 3000 mm/min achieved a decrease in water contact angle to 0 in less than 12 s for both membrane surfaces (the top surface directly exposed to the spray, and the bottom surface facing the instrument stage), suggesting that the spray-coating modifies the entire membrane’s bulk. The presence of the copolymer on both surfaces was also evidenced by FTIR and XPS tests. Further biofouling assessments demonstrated the performances of the optimized membrane (OM). In static attachment tests, the OM exhibited a high reduction in Escherichia coli adhesion, with less than 10 % adhering bacteria, compared to unmodified membranes. During the filtration of bacteria-containing wastewater, the OM boasted a flux recovery ratio approaching 60 % (against less than 40 % for a commercial hydrophilic membrane), a rejection rate of 99.3 %, and a water permeability of 2500 LMH/bar. Moreover, the OM was stable over a 4-week period, with a resistance to E. coli attachment remaining similar to prior immersion. These findings underscore the significant potential of spray-coating to develop stable and effective antifouling microfiltration membranes for the removal of microorganisms from wastewater.

Notch-targeted Therapeutic in Colorectal Cancer by Notch1 Attenuation via Tumor Microenvironment-Responsive Cascade DNA Delivery.

The Notch signaling is a key molecular pathway that regulates cell fate and development. Aberrant Notch signaling can lead to carcinogenesis and progression of malignant tumors. However, current therapies targeting Notch pathway lack specificity and induce high toxicity. In this report, we design a tumor microenvironment-responsive and injectable hydrogel to load plasmid DNA complexes as a cascade gene delivery system to achieve precise Notch-targeted gene therapy of colorectal cancer (CRC). The hydrogels were prepared through cross-linking between phenylboric acid groups-containing poly(oligo(ethylene glycol)methacrylate) (POEGMA) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which were used to load the complexes between plasmid DNA encoding short hairpin RNAs of Notch1 (shNotch1) and fluorinated polyamidoamine (PAMAM-F) (PAMAM-F/shNotch1). In response to low pH and H2O2 in tumor microenvironment, the hydrogel can be dissociated and release the complexes for precise delivery of shNotch1 into tumor cells and inhibit Notch1 activity to suppress malignant biological behaviors of CRC. In the subcutaneous tumor model of CRC, PAMAM-F/shNotch1-loaded hydrogels can accurately attenuate Notch1 activity and significantly inhibit tumor growth without affecting Notch signal in adjacent normal tissues. Therefore, this therapeutic system can precisely inhibit Notch1 signal in CRC with high responsiveness and low toxicity, providing a promising Notch-targeted gene therapeutic for human malignancy. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Molecularly imprinted polymers using high-performance liquid chromatography to detect and determine ethion pesticide in apricot, grapes, strawberry and soil samples

ABSTRACT This paper demonstrates the synthesis of molecularly imprinted polymers-solid phase extraction-liquid chromatography method at room temperature using bulk polymerisation of ethion pesticide, by high sensitivity, low costs and high stability. By making MIP for ethion as ethion-MIP, which could be detected with a UV-Vis spectrophotometer at 276 nm, a functional monomer of acrylic acid with cross-linking ethylene glycol dimethyl acrylate. The high-performance liquid chromatography methods developed in this study are accurate, sensitive, and precise to apricot, grapes, strawberry and soil samples. The elution process to the template ethion from the ethion-MIP, caused by minimum volume using solution of 1.0 mL of methanol-acetic acid (9:1) was obtained. Different factors affecting the reaction were studied and optimised. The calibration plot is linear in the concentration range of (0.02 to 1.0 µg mL−1). The relative standard deviations of (±2.0%) and detection limit of the method are 0.02 µg mL−1, and the maximum imprinting factor of ethion-MIP was 6.8 mgg−1. The results obtained the evidence of efficiency and reliability of the method for the ethion pesticide analysis and estimation for the capacitance of molecular imprinted polymer, analytical technical method by molecularly imprinted polymer and high-performance liquid chromatography.

Analysis of short videos of bovine embryos can detect presence of cryodamage

Cryopreservation of bovine embryos has transformed animal breeding strategies by allowing storage of genetic material which enables efficient recipient utilization, sale and market­ing of embryos, and shipping and transport of embryos around the world. Advancements have been made in cryopreserva­tion techniques including the introduction of direct transfer ethylene glycol media, controlled rate freezers allowing pre­cise temperature control of the freezing curve and vitrifica­tion techniques. However, little advancement has been made to evaluate embryo survival of cryopreservation which results in the transfer of embryos which have suffered cryodamage and have no chance of establishing a pregnancy. The objective of this study was to use graphic image processing (GIP) and machine-learning (ML) techniques to evaluate embryo health post-cryopreservation.

Influence of the alcohol and water grades on surfactant-free colloidal syntheses of gold nanoparticles in alkaline water-alcohol mixtures

AbstractTo make the most of the unique properties of nanomaterials, and to bridge the gap between fundamental and applied research, controlled, green, cheap and energy efficient syntheses of nanoparticles are required. In this respect, room and low temperature surfactant-free colloidal syntheses of nanoparticles obtained in low viscosity and low boiling point solvents, without additives or nature-derived extracts, are promising to develop more active (electro)catalysts. Recently, a room temperature synthesis of surfactant-free gold nanoparticles has been documented (Chem. Mater. 2023, 35, 5, 2173) that requires only water, a base such as NaOH, an alcohol and HAuCl4. Unfortunately, the syntheses of nanomaterials are often sensitive to multiple parameters and it is well acknowledged that reproducibility is a general challenge in the chemical sciences, where the synthesis of nanomaterials is no exception. Here, we investigate the effect of the water conductivity and solvent grade on the surfactant-free low temperature (ca. 30 °C) synthesis of colloidal gold nanoparticles obtained in alkaline mixtures of ethanol and water. The synthesis can be performed with relatively low-grade ethanol but requires high purity water. The importance of water with low conductivity is also stressed for syntheses where ethylene glycol and glycerol are used as source of reducing agents. The results of this study over 100 samples pave the way to greener, more controlled and scalable syntheses of surfactant-free gold nanomaterials.

Fluorine-Free Single-Component Polyelectrolyte of Poly(ethylene glycol) Bearing Lithium Methanesulfonylsulfonimide Terminal Groups: Effect of Structural Variance on Ionic Conductivity

Fluorine-free single-component polyelectrolytes were developed via the hybridization of lithium methanesulfonylsulfonimide (LiMSSI) moieties to poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) derivatives with different morphologies, and the relationship between the structure and its ionic conductivity was investigated. The PEG-LiMSSI derivatives with one, two, and three LiMSSI end groups were prepared via the concomitant Michael-type addition and lithiation of PEGs and N-methanesulfonylvinylsulfonimide. The ionic conductivity at 60 °C ranged from 1.8 × 10−7 to 2.0 × 10−4 S/cm. PEG-LiMSSI derivatives with one LiMSSI terminus and with two LiMSSI termini at both ends show higher ionic conductivity, that is as good as fluorine-free single-component polyelectrolytes, than that with two LiMSSI termini at one end and that with three LiMSSI termini.

Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) as a Potential Source of Interference in Research Related to Sulfur Metabolism—A Preliminary Study

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), an organosulfur compound, is widely used as the gold standard solvent in biological research. It is used in cell culture experiments and as a component of formulations in in vivo studies. Unfortunately, parameters related to sulfur metabolism are often not taken into account when using DMSO. Therefore, in this work we aim to show that the addition of DMSO to the culture medium (even in amounts commonly considered acceptable) alters some parameters of sulfur metabolism. For this study, we used three cell lines: a commercially available Caco-2 line (HTB-37, ATCC) and two lines created as part of our early studies (likewise previously described in the literature) to investigate the anomalies of sulfur metabolism in mucopolysaccharidosis. As the negative effects of DMSO on the cell membrane are well known, additional experiments with the partial loading of DMSO into polymerosomes (poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether-block-poly(lactide-co-glycolide), PEG-PLGA) were performed to eliminate these potentially disruptive effects. The results show that DMSO is a source of interference in studies related to sulfur metabolism and that there are not just simple effects that can be corrected in the final result by subtracting control values, since complex synergisms are also observed.

Investigation of the solubility and thermodynamics of salicylic acid in 2-propanol and ethylene glycol/propylene glycol binary solvent mixtures at (293.15 to 313.15) K

This study aimed to measure both the solubility and thermodynamics of salicylic acid in binary solvent mixtures of (2-propanol + ethylene glycol) and (2-propanol + propylene glycol) at different temperatures in the range of 293.2–313.2 K. The experimental solubility data were analyzed using various linear and nonlinear cosolvency models, such as the van’tt Hoff, Jouyban-Acree, Jouyban-Acree-van’tt Hoff, mixture response surface and modified Wilson models and to evaluate the models, the mean relative deviations of the back-calculated solubility data were compared with experimental values. Through this analysis, the apparent thermodynamic parameters, including Gibbs energy, enthalpy, and entropy were calculated using the van’tt Hoff and Gibbs equations for this system. Additionally, the density values for salicylic acid saturated mixtures were also measured and represent mathematically using the Jouyban-Acree model.

Optical and morphological studies of Titania nanotubes by varying anodization parameters

In this study, the self-organized Titania (TiO2) was created by anodizing pure titanium in a mixture of ethylene glycol, ammonium fluoride, and distilled water using an electrochemical cell. This study aims to examine how changes in anodization parameters impact the morphology and optical properties of Titania. The nanotubes achieved 10 μm length by applying less ammonium fluoride (NH4F) electrolytes. The energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) reveals that the prepared samples are essentially composed of TiO2. Mixed phases of rutile and anatase are obtained by increasing the annealing temperature from 360 to 480 ℃ and crystalline size seems to be reduced by increasing anodization potential, calculated by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) helps to identify the bandgap value and the minimum value attained at 2.56 eV without doping and the electron-hole recombination rates calculated through the intensity of photoluminescence (PL) analysis. Ultimately, the optimal values of the anodization parameters for the generation of the most effective sample are determined.