Gel Growth Technique Research Articles

Synthesis and characterization of copper tartrate Crystals grown in silica gel

Copper tartrate crystals were grown by the ‘Single diffusion’ method in silica gel by gel growth technique. Optimum conditions of crystal growth such as pH, specific gravity, aging period of gel, concentration of reactants in gels were determined by varying them. The unit cell of a grown crystal is Orthorhombic as characterized using Powder X-Ray diffraction. The Fourier transform infrared spectrum in the range 400–4,000 cm-1 were recorded and the vibrational bands corresponding to functional groups is assigned. FTIR has confirmed the carboxyl as functional group and the other bonds between atoms. XPS has concluded paramagnetic nature and the presence of cu2+ ion.

Electro-optical and thermal characterization of copper tartrate crystals grown in silica gel

Copper Tartrate crystals were grown by Gel Growth technique by single diffusion. Silica gel of Optimum specific gravity was set with tartaric acid at optimum pH and aging period. Band gap of copper tartrate crystal is determined using UV-Visible spectroscopy to be 5.24 eV. In PL spectra broad peak is observed at nearly 367.44186 nm in the range 287 nm to 458 nm along with the sharp, intense transmission maxima peak at wavelength nearly 505.03876 nm which is characteristic of a material composition and electronic band structure. This shows the transparency in UV-visible region and material is a filter in this range .TGA analysis concluded that Copper tartrate has one half water molecule as crystalline water and is stable up to 85.02 0 C.DSC analysis assigns the temperature value 314.5 0C as melting point and apparent enthalpy of fusion determined is 10.18 mW.

Gel growth and characterization of Cs3Bi2Br9 perovskite single crystals for radiation detection

Metal halide perovskites have been sought for ionizing radiation detection due to their tunable bandgap, high quantum yield, high absorption coefficient, excellent charge transport properties, flexible chemistry synthesis and cost-effective manufacturing. Among the family of perovskites, bismuth-based halide perovskites have attracted a rapidly growing interest as possible alternatives to lead-based halide perovskites in the development of nontoxic perovskites for opto-electronic devices. Herein, bismuth-based inorganic perovskite Cs3Bi2Br9 single crystals were successfully grown using an innovative dual-diffusion gel growth technique for the first time. Silica gel has been developed as an enabling medium for gel growth of single crystals due to its transparency and easy control of nucleation sites. The UV-vis transmission spectrum was recorded using a light source of deuterium and halogen lamps and a Tauc plot was obtained, which gave an estimate of the bandgap energy, 2.54 eV. Silver electrodes were used on the top surface and the bottom surface of Cs3Bi2Br9 single crystals for material characterization and detector tests. Current-voltage (I-V) measurements gave a room-temperature resistivity of 1.79×1011 Ω•cm. The Cs3Bi2Br9 single crystals were then tested for X-ray response using ON\OFF testing which revealed attractive responsiveness for X-ray photons (rise and fall time: ≈0.3 s ). Using the net current (IXray−Idark), which can be extracted from the X-ray response measurements at varied applied voltages, a modified Hecht fitting was applied to estimate the mobility-lifetime product of electrons, μτ=5.12×10−4 ±6.70×10−5 cm2/V for a Ag/Cs3Bi2Br9/Ag device. This study shows that our innovative crystal growth method, enabled by the unique gel growth process, can be used as an appealing technique to grow functional crystals for opto-electronic devices. Meanwhile, Cs3Bi2Br9 has shown great potential as a promising candidate for X-ray detection applications. The efforts in this work will serve as a metric for growing halide perovskites in the gel for opto-electronic devices.

The Gel Growth Technique—A Neglected Yet Effective Tool to Prepare Crystals of Oxysalts and Supergene Minerals

The technique of crystal growth in gels has nowadays become somewhat neglected in the scope of earth sciences, to the disadvantage of the experimental mineralogist. Even preparing an inorganic silica gel can prove a challenge to many, let alone successfully configure the entire experiment. Based not only on previous literature but also on our extensive experience, crystals of many substances, including supergene minerals as reference standards, can be successfully grown in gel, aiding in accomplishing various research goals in earth sciences. Instead of providing the reader with an overwhelming compendium of historical information and theoretical knowledge of the subject which can be found elsewhere, we presented herein a comprehensive, practically oriented guide to the understanding and successful use of the technique of crystal growth in gels, mentioning, in addition to the general principle, the numerous pitfalls which we encountered during our own use of the method, and the ways to overcome them. Despite that the procedure is nowadays used mainly for the laboratory synthesis of organic or metal-organic compounds, we believe it to be a valuable asset to any mineralogist, and often, the only way to obtain inorganic reference material of a particular mineral of interest.

First experimental evidence of the piezoelectric nature of struvite

In this paper, we present the first experimental evidence of the piezoelectric nature of struvite (MgNH4PO4·6H2O). Using a single diffusion gel growth technique, we have grown struvite crystals in the form of plane parallel plates. For struvite crystals of this shape, we measured the piezoelectric coefficients d33 and d32. We have found that at room temperature the value of piezoelectric coefficient d33 is 3.5 pm/V, while that of d32 is 4.7 pm/V. These values are comparable with the values for other minerals. Struvite shows stable piezoelectric properties up to the temperature slightly above 350 K, for the heating rate of 0.4 K/min. For this heating rate, and above this temperature, the thermal decomposition of struvite begins, which, consequently, leads to its transformation into dittmarite with the same non-centrosymmetric symmetry as in case of struvite. The struvite-dittmarite transformation temperature is dependent on the heating rate. The higher the heating rate, the higher the temperature of this transformation. We have also shown that dittmarite, like struvite exhibits piezoelectric properties.

Effect of Aegle marmelos on the growth of brushite crystals

BackgroundThe urinary stone formation is a very common health problem due to the prolonged medication. Calcium Hydrogen Phosphate Dihydrate (CaHPO4.2H2O, CHPD and Brushite) is one of the major constituent of urinary stone crystals. The formation and deposition of brushite crystals is the central cause of recurrent kidney stone disease among the global population. The present study aims to investigate the effect of Aegle marmelos leaves on the growth of brushite crystals to explicate the inhibitory effect of urinary stones from a different point of view.MethodsThe CHPD crystals were grown by the Single Diffusion Gel growth technique. In order to inhibit the formation of urinary stones, CHPD crystals are grown in the laboratory in the pure form and by adding the prolonged medicine A. marmelos taken especially by diabetic patients. A comparative study of the pure and A. marmelos leaves added crystals has been carried out using the Growth factor, Powder X-ray diffraction, Microstructural parameters, FTIR and SEM-EDAX.ResultsTotal mass of the grown crystals is found to decrease with increasing concentrations of leaf extract of the A. marmelos. On comparing with undoped, crystalline size of the A. marmelos doped samples is reduced. Disappearance of absorption band and peak shift in the FTIR shows the incorporation of functional groups of A. marmelos. The morphology changes of the treated crystals are assessed in SEM.ConclusionsThe result shows that herbal extracts prepared from A. marmelos have good inhibitory effect on the growth of the brushite urinary stone crystals considered.

Self‐Assembled Liesegang Rings of Hydroxyapatite for Cell Culturing

A novel method of 3D self‐organization of patterns made of biomimetic hydroxyapatite (HA) in agar matrix is reported. The model system involves gradual ion diffusion and phase transitions of calcium phosphates. Herein, HA is precipitated for the first time in the agar gel matrix via single‐diffusion gel growth technique to aggregate the inorganic Liesegang rings (LRs). These patterns are formed as periodic structures through precipitation reaction and arise during the reagent diffusion in a polymer matrix. The concentrations of these inner and outer electrolytes, as well as pH and temperature effects on the morphologies, periodicity, stability, and number of LRs, are studied. In this study, the periodic HA Liesegang ring structures (HA LRs) are fabricated via a diffusion‐limited aggregation process. These patterns influence the C2C12 cell growth and allow to obtain the patterns formed by the cell tissue. This method can be prospective for the generation of 3D gradients in materials/3D gradient materials generation for studying the interface tissue engineering, systematic cell–biomaterial interaction, as well as for the fabrication of the stimuli‐responsive gradients to control/mimic migration of cells during the wound healing.

Anti-urolithiatic and anti-inflammatory activities through a different mechanism of actions of Cissus gongylodes corroborated its ethnopharmacological historic

Ethnopharmacological relevanceSpecies Cissus gongylodes has been used in the traditional medicine in South America and India for the treatment of urolithiasis, biliary and inflammatory problems without any scientific evidence.Aim of the study: This work was developed to investigate for the first time the anti-inflammatory and anti-urolithiatic activities of leaf decoction of C. gongylodes. Materials and methodsDecoction was subjected to anti-inflammatory evaluation by the in vivo assay of ear oedema and quantification of the main mediators of inflammation PGE2 and LTB4, and the cytokine TNF-α. The decoction's anti-urolithiatic activity was determined by different in vitro assays to evaluate the inhibition and dissolution of the most prevalent types of kidney stones: calcium oxalate (CaOx) and struvite. Diffusion in gel technique and fresh urine of a patient with renal stone were used to investigate the inhibition and dissolution of CaOx, respectively, and the single diffusion gel growth technique was used to evaluate the inhibition and dissolution of struvite crystals. The decoction was chemically characterized by UHPLC-ESI-HRMS analysis. ResultsDecoction showed in vivo anti-inflammatory activity by potent decreasing the level of both the main mediators of inflammation and dose-dependent in vitro anti-urolithiatic action by inhibition and dissolution of both type of crystals, CaOx and struvite. ConclusionsResults obtained corroborate the reports of the traditional use of the decoction of Cissus gongylodes. Besides, it showed multi-target mechanisms actions, inhibition of the main inflammatory pathways, and inhibition/dissolution of the most prevalent types of crystals on urolithiasis. These actions make the decoction a promissory source to the development of new and more efficient drugs.

Controllable solute-diffusion gel-growth of BCHT: an effective approach towards large functional material single crystal synthesis

An underutilized, but highly advantageous, method of growing functional-single-crystals, the gel-growth technique, is highlighted. Large nonlinear optical crystals, BCHT, were grown and their dehydration phase-transformation to β-BTC were studied.

Struvite Grown in Gel, Its Crystal Structure at 90 K and Thermoanalytical Study

In this article, we report the crystallization of struvite in sodium metasilicate gel by single diffusion gel growth technique. The obtained crystals have a very rich morphology displaying 18 faces. In this study, the habit and morphology of the obtained struvite crystals are analyzed. The crystals were examined and identified as pure struvite by single X-ray diffraction (XRD). The orthorhombic polar noncentrosymmetric space group Pmn21 was identified. The structure of the crystal was determined at a temperature of 90 K. Our research indicates a lack of polymorphism, resulting from the temperature lowering to 90 K, which has not been previously reported. The determined unit cell parameters are as follows a = 6.9650(2) Å, b = 6.1165(2) Å, c = 11.2056(3) Å. The structure of struvite is presented here with a residual factor R1 = 1.2% at 0.80 Å resolution. We also present thermoanalytical study of struvite using thermal analysis techniques such as thermogravimetry (TG), derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA).

Antibacterial and In Vitro Growth Inhibition Study of Struvite Urinary Stones Using Oxalis corniculata Linn. Leaf Extract and its Biofabricated Silver Nanoparticles.

Herbal drugs are gaining exponential scientific recognition due to their distinct advantages. In the last 2-3 decades, a gradual increase in worldwide patents on herbal nanoformulations has been noted to address the solubility and bioavailability issues of phytoceuticals. Struvite or ammonium magnesium phosphate hexahydrate (NH4MgPO4.6H2O) is among the important urinary infection stones causing painful urological ailment. These smaller stones may bind together to form bigger staghorn calculus. Urinary tract infections caused by some gram positive and gram negative bacteria further enhance the chance of formation of such stones. Oxalis corniculata Linn. is an edible plant, traditionally used in the treatment of bacterial infections and kidney stones. However, there is no scientific evidence to relate the use of O. corniculata against struvite kidney stones. Hence, the antibacterial and struvite stones inhibition activity of the aqueous extract of Oxalis corniculata Linn. leaves and its biofabricated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was studied. The aqueous extract of O. corniculata was prepared by Soxhlet extraction. AgNPs were synthesized using green technique and were characterized using UV and IR spectroscopy, XRD, TEM, DLS and zeta potential studies. Antibacterial activity of the aqueous extract and the silver nanoparticles was tested against E. coli (gram negative) and S. aureus (gram positive) species. Struvite stones were grown in a gel medium by in vitro single diffusion gel growth technique and its inhibition study was carried out using the extract and its biofabricated nanoparticles. The aqueous extract and its biofabricated AgNPs exhibited potent antibacterial activity against both gram positive and gram negative strains of bacteria. The aqueous extract also effectively repressed the growth of struvite stones and led to the dissolution of stones, but the inhibitory effect was further enhanced by its biofabricated AgNPs. The present work confirms the inhibitory activity of the aqueous extract of edible O. corniculata and its biofabricated silver nanoparticles against urinary tract infection (UTI) causing bacteria and urolithiasis. Therefore, the consumption of O. corniculata in our daily diet may reduce the risk of UTI and urolithiasis.

Investigation on growth and morphology of in vitro generated struvite crystals

Abstract Struvite stones develop as a result of urinary tract infections by urease-producing bacteria. Here, we report the dynamics of in vitro crystallization of struvite at various pH using single diffusion gel growth technique. Sodium metasilicate gel and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate were used as a medium for growing the struvite crystals. The composition, crystalline nature, and surface morphology of the crystals were studied using FTIR spectroscopy, XRD, TGA, DSC, and SEM. The struvite crystals displayed different morphologies like dendritic, envelope and rectangular shapes at different pH. Crystal faces were different at opposite ends of the crystallographic axis of the struvite crystals. Large X-shaped crystals with dendritic growth having main trunk and branches were observed. SEM revealed the porous internal structure of struvite. The results indicate that pH has a significant effect on the morphology and growth of struvite crystals. The present study will provide evidence for the importance of pathological bio-mineralization and/or crystallization.

Medicinal Implication of Syzygium Cumini Nut on the Growth of Brushite Crystals

Brushite crystal formation and deposition is the central cause for recurrent kidney stone disease among the global population. The present study was aimed to rationalize the use of syzygium cumini nut on the brushite crystal formation invitro and to investigate the mechanism of action. Brushite crystals were grown at room temperature by single diffusion gel growth technique and the growth influencing study of these crystals in the presence of the natural product of syzygium cumini nut were carried out. The number of nucleated crystals was found to be less for the syzygium cumini nut extract added system when compared to the control system. The scanning electron micrograph images shows plate like morphology for the grown crystals. The thermal analysis shows that there is a decrease in the stability for the crystals grown in the presence of the syzygium cumini nut extract. By carefully observing the morphology and size of the crystals obtained, it is concluded that the syzygium cumini nut extract partially inhibits the growth of brushite crystals, particularly on its size. The reduction in stability may be due to the interaction of the host molecule on the surface.

Vitamin C inhibits crystallization of struvite from artificial urine in the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

ABSTRACTBackground:Formation of struvite stones is associated with urinary tract infection by urease-producing bacteria. Biogenic crystal growth in natural and synthetic materials is regulated by the action of inhibitors, ranging from small ions, molecules to large macromolecules.Materials and Methods:We report the dynamics of in vitro crystallization of struvite in presence of vitamin C in synthetic urine using single diffusion gel growth technique. Sodium metasilicate gel of specific gravity 1.05 and the aqueous solution of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate were used as the medium for growing the struvite crystals. The crystallization process was induced by a urease positive struvite stone associated Pseudomonas aeruginosa to mimic the infection leading to stone formation. The grown crystals were characterized by ATR-FTIR and powder XRD. The surface morphology was analysed through FE-SEM for comparison between treatments.Results:We observed decrease in number, dimension, and growth rate of struvite crystals with the increasing concentrations of vitamin C. Crystals displayed well-defined faces and dendritic morphology of struvite in both control and biogenic systems.Conclusion:The results strongly suggest that, vitamin C can modulate the formation of struvite crystals in the presence of uropathogenic bacteria.

GROWTH CHARACTERIZATION OF CALCIUM HYDROGEN PHOSPHATE DIHYDRATE CRYSTALS INFLUENCED BY COSTUS IGNEUS AQUEOUS EXTRACT

Objective: To investigate the inhibitory effect of aqueous extract of leaves, stems and rhizome of Costus igneus on the growth of calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate (CHPD) crystals.Methods: Calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate (CHPD) crystals were grown by the single diffusion gel growth technique and the inhibitory effect of aqueous extracts of leaves, stems and rhizome of Costus igneus on the growth of CHPD crystals has been studied. The grown crystals were characterised by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Powder X-Ray diffraction (XRD) for further confirmations.Results: With an increase in the concentration of aqueous extract of Costus igneus, the weight of the formed crystals were gradually reduced from 2.03 g to 0.06 g (leaves), 0.05 g (rhizome), 0.03 g (stem) for the CHPD crystals, respectively. The crystals harvested from the CHPD were characterised by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to confirm the functional groups, and Powder X-Ray Diffraction technique (XRD) analyses to confirm the crystalline phases of the CHPD and hydroxyapatite (HAP) crystals. Results obtained indicated that Costus igneus (leaves, stems and rhizome) has the potential to inhibit the formation of calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate crystals.Conclusion: This study confirms that using an aqueous extract of stem and rhizome of Costus igneus can promote the formation of hydroxyapatite (HAP) crystals and reduce the nucleation rate of CHPD crystals, a major component of calcium urinary stone.

Dissolution studies in few urinary type crystals

Kidney stones are hard, solid particles that form in the urinary tract. The stones were very small and can pass out of the body without any problems. Calcium containing stone, especially Calcium Oxalate Monohydrate, Calcium Oxalate Di- hydrate and basic Calcium Phosphate, Calcium Hydrogen Phosphate Di-hydrate, Struvite and are the most commonly occurring stones. Calcium Oxalate Monohydrate crystals are grown in single diffusion gel growth technique. The grown crystals are characterized by FTIR, XRD and inhibition studies. A number of medicinal plants were antiurolithiatic activity such as Tribulus terrestriis and Boerhaavia diffusa Linn were carried out. Calcium Oxalate Monohydrate crystals in the presence of the herbal extract of one of the medicinal plants Tribulus terrestris Linn. The results are discussed.

The effect of Ammonium Molybdate on mechanical property of Zinc (tris) Thiourea Sulfate (ZTS) crystal: A Novel NLO crystal

Zinc tris-Thiourea sulfate (ZTS) is one of the notable semi organic non linear optical crystals. In the present investigation 0.01N Ammonium Molybdate doped ZTS crystal was grownusing single diffusion gel growthtechnique which has an advantage over normally employed solution growth method, in terms of controlled nucleation and hence better perfection. A significant morphological alteration was observed due to doping. The functional groups of pure and doped ZTS crystals were recorded and identified using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopic (FTIR) analysis. A study on hardness variation due to doping was conducted using Vickers' Hardness Tests. The increase in hardness observed can be assigned to the impurity hardening effect as found to increased due to effect of dopant. The results obtained are elaborated and discussed in the paper.

In vitro study of aqueous leaf extract of Chenopodium album for inhibition of calcium oxalate and brushite crystallization

The leaves of Chenopodium album Linn. are traditionally used for treatment of kidney diseases and urinary stones. The present work investigated the effect of aqueous extract of leaves of C. album (CAAE) on in-vitro crystallization of CaOx and brushite crystals. Crystallization was studied by using nucleation and aggregation assay of calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals and growth assay of calcium oxalate monohydrate and brushite crystals. The effects of CAAE and cystone on slope of nucleation and aggregation as well as growth of calcium oxalate crystallization were evaluated spectrophotometrically. The densities of the formed crystals were compared under microscope. The effects of CAAE and citric acid on growth of brushite crystals were studied by using single diffusion gel growth technique, and the parameters evaluated were length, morphology and average size of the deposited crystals. CAAE significantly inhibited the slope of nucleation and aggregation of CaOx crystallization, and decreased the crystal density. It also inhibited the growth and caused the dissolution of brushite crystals. The standard drug cystone or citric acid also exhibited similar effects. The study reveals that the leaves of C. album were found effective in the prevention of the experimentally induced urinary stones and substantiate the traditional claim. It is concluded that the leaves of C. album have beneficial inhibitory effect on in-vitro crystallization of CaOx and CHPD (brushite) crystals.

Phytochemical Analysis, Antioxidant Activity and In Vitro Growth Inhibition of Struvite Crystals by I pomoea Eriocarpa Leaf Extracts

The objective of this study was to assess the total phenol, flavonoid, terpenoid and sterol contents and the antioxidant properties of water, ethanol and chloroform extracts of the leaves of Ipomoea eriocarpa. The antioxidant activity of the three extracts was studied using 2,2-diphenyl-dipicrylhydrazyl and hydrogen peroxide methods. The in vitro growth inhibition of struvite crystals was also investigated in the presence of three extracts. Struvite crystals were grown using the single diffusion gel growth technique. The crystals were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric with differential thermal analysis. The ethanol extract showed the highest phenolic, flavonoid and terpenoid contents and possessed better antioxidant properties compared with the water and chloroform extracts. Furthermore, the ethanol extract was the only one that showed growth-inhibition properties. The inhibition of crystal growth by different concentrations of the leaf extract of I. eriocarpa was promising and rapid, indicating that the plant can potentially prevent and cure struvite-based urolithiasis. Practical Applications Ipomoea eriocarpa is traditionally used as a vegetable in India. The seeds are nutritious and a good source of carbohydrates and proteins. From the present studies, it can be concluded that regular consumption of this plant can provide a good source of natural antioxidants to the body. Therapeutic doses of the ethanol extract can inhibit or reduce the size of struvite-based kidney stones and could help in the passage of stones through the urinary tube. Thus, the plant can potentially prevent as well as cure struvite-based urolithiasis.

Studies on the effect of phyllanthus emblica extract on the growth of urinary type struvite crystals invitro

Abstract Background Struvite also called as infection stones occur in the urinary system of humans particularly the women community. The present work was aimed to grow struvite crystals in-vitro using single diffusion gel growth technique and to understand the effect of phyllanthus emblica on its growth. Methods Sodium metasilicate gel of density 1.03 g/cc was used as the medium for growing the struvite crystals; The phyllanthus emblica extract of 5 % M/V concentration was used to understand its effect on struvite crystal crystal nucleation and growth. The well grown crystal samples were characterized by powder XRD, FTIR, UV–vis, Microhardness, SEM and Thermal analysis. Results The grown struvite crystals had dendritic morphology in both the control and phyllanthus emblica extract added systems. However, it was observed that the nucleation was controlled in the phyllanthus emblica added system when compared to the control system. Conclusions The result showed that phyllanthus emblica reduces nucleation of struvite crystals.