Nonpolar Molecules Research Articles

Synergistic polarization engineering of dielectric towards low-voltage high-mobility solution-processed ultraflexible organic transistors

The emerging wearable skin-like electronics require the ultra-flexible organic transistor to operate at low voltage for electrical safety and energy efficiency and simultaneously enable high field-effect mobility to ensure the carrier migration ability and the switching speed of circuits. However, the currently reported low-voltage organic transistors generally present low mobility, originating from the trade-off between molecular polarity and surface polarity of the dielectrics. In this work, the orientation polarization of the dielectric is enhanced by introducing a flexible quaternary ammonium side chain, and the surface polarity is weakened by the shielding effect of the nonpolar methyl groups on the polar nitrogen atom. The resulting antisolvent QPSU dielectric enables the high-dielectric constant up to 18.8 and the low surface polarity with the polar component of surface energy only at 2.09 mJ/m2. Such a synergistic polarization engineering between orientation polarization and surface polarity makes the solution-processed ultraflexible transistors present the ultralow operational voltage down to −3 V, the ultrahigh charge-carrier mobility up to 8.28 cm2 V−1 s−1 at 1 Hz, excellent cyclic operational stability and long-term air stability. These results combined with the ultrathin thickness of transistor as low as 135 nm, the ultralight mass of 0.5 g/m2, the conformal adherence capability on human skin and 1-μm blade edge, and the strong mechanical robustness with stable electrical properties for 30,000 bending cycles, open up an available strategy to successfully realize low-voltage high-mobility solution-processed organic transistor, and presents the potential application of QPSU dielectric for the next-generation wearable imperceptible skin-like electronics.

Full‐Color Electrochromics with Donor‐Gradient Architectures for Chameleon‐Like Adaptive Camouflage

AbstractMulticolor electrochromics have emerged as a promising solution for achieving active color modulation akin to chameleon‐like adaptive camouflage. However, the development of electrochromics with full‐color tunability still remains challenging, given the weak molecular polarity of inherent active materials and the difficulty in forming polarizer orbitals under varying applied voltages. Employing molecular polarity adjustments, a novel electrochromic polymer is successfully developed with a donor‐gradient design of molecular architecture, enabling comprehensive full‐color tunability. The polymer demonstrates outstanding overall electrochromic performance, including fast switching (around 1.4 s), high coloration efficiency (395.1 cm2 C−1@550 nm) and excellent reversibility (over 92% retention after 5000 cycles). Leveraging the full‐color tunability and rapid response, the electrochromic polymer is further integrated with sensing and control modules to create an environmental adaptive camouflage prototype system capable of seamlessly blending colors with dynamic background environments. This work is expected to provide a straightforward approach for developing full‐color electrochromics for electrochromic camouflage applications.

Study on the adsorption mechanism of polar and non-polar VOCs by the activated carbon with surface oxygen

In this study, CO2 was converted to activated carbon by the molten salt CO2 capture and electrochemical conversion (MSCC-EC) method, and the surface oxygen content of the activated carbon was further modified for the adsorption of polar molecules (chlorobenzene) and nonpolar molecules (toluene), the role of the pore structure and surface O-containing functional groups of the adsorbents in contributing to the adsorption process was systematically investigated. The results showed that MS-AC500-10, MS-AC500-15, and MS-AC550-15 have rich pore structures with specific surface areas of 811.56 m2/g, 835.35 m2/g, 1249.104 m2/g, and surface oxygen contents of about 10 %, 15 %, 15 %, respectively. The toluene adsorption capacity of MS-AC500-10, MS-AC500-15, and MS-AC550-15 was 203.82 mg/g, 229.72 mg/g, and 358.97 mg/g, respectively, and was dominated by pore adsorption, which was positively proportional to the specific surface areas and pore volumes, the adsorption process belonged to the pseudo-first-order kinetic model. The adsorption amounts of chlorobenzene by MS-AC500-10, MS-AC500-15, and MS-AC550-15 were 287.98 mg/g, 363.11 mg/g, and 495.41 mg/g, respectively. In addition to the pore adsorption, the oxygen content on the surface of the adsorbents had a non-negligible promotion effect on the adsorption of chlorobenzene, mainly because chlorobenzene is a polar molecule, and the asymmetric electrons on its surface have strong interactions with the O-containing functional groups on the surface of the adsorbents. Moreover, the prepared adsorbents were thermally stable, and the decay rate of adsorption performance was less than 5 % after five adsorption–desorption cycles.

Mechanism of highly efficient oil removal from spent hydrodesulfurization catalysts by ultrasound-assisted surfactant cleaning methods

The removal of crude oil from spent hydrodesulfurization catalysts constitutes the preliminary stage in the recovery process of valuable metals. However, the traditional roasting method for the removal exhibits massive limitations. In view of this, the present study used an ultrasound-assisted surfactant cleaning method to remove crude oil from spent hydrodesulfurization catalysts, which demonstrated effectiveness. Furthermore, the study investigated the mechanism governing the process with calculation and experiments, so as to provide a comprehensive understanding of the cleaning method’s efficacy. The surfactant selection was predicated on the performance in the IFT test, with SDBS and TX-100 finally being chosen. Subsequent calculations and analysis were then conducted to elucidate their frontier molecular orbitals, electrostatic potential, and polarity. It has been found that both SDBS and TX-100 possess the smallest LUMO-HOMO energy gap (ΔE), registering at 4.91 eV and 4.80 eV, respectively, and presenting the highest interfacial reactivity. The hydrophilic structure in the surfactant regulates the wettability of the oil-water interface, and the long-chain alkanes have excellent non-polar properties that promote the dissolution of crude oil. The ultrasonic-assisted process further improves the interface properties and enhances the oil removal effect. Surprisingly, the crude oil residue was reduced to 0.25% under optimal conditions. The final phase entailed the techno-economic evaluation of the entire process, revealing that, in comparison to the roasting method, this process saves $0.38 per kilogram of spent HDS catalyst, with the advantages of operational simplicity and emission-free. Generally, this study shed new light on the realization of efficient oil removal, with the salience of green, sustainable, and economical.

Surface Thermodynamic Properties of Poly Lactic Acid by Inverse Gas Chromatography.

Poly lactic acid (PLA) is one of the most commonly used bio-derived thermoplastic polymers in 3D and 4D printing applications. The determination of PLA surface properties is of capital importance in 3D/4D printing technology. The surface thermodynamic properties of PLA polymers were determined using the inverse gas chromatography (IGC) technique at infinite dilution. The determination of the retention volume of polar and non-polar molecules adsorbed on the PLA particles filling the column allowed us to obtain the dispersive, polar, and Lewis's acid-base surface properties at different temperatures from 40 °C to 100 °C. The applied surface method was based on our recent model that used the London dispersion equation, the new chromatographic parameter function of the deformation polarizability, and the harmonic mean of the ionization energies of the PLA polymer and organic molecules. The application of this new method led to the determination of the dispersive and polar free surface energy of the adsorption of molecules on the polymeric material, as well as the glass transition and the Lewis acid-base constants. Four interval temperatures were distinguished, showing four zones of variations in the surface properties of PLA as a function of the temperature before and after the glass transition. The acid-base parameters of PLA strongly depend on the temperature. The accurate determination of the dispersive and polar surface physicochemical properties of PLA led to the work of adhesion of the polar organic solvents adsorbed on PLA. These results can be very useful for achieving reliable and functional 3D and 4D printed components.

On the Influence of Humidity on a Thermal Conductivity Sensor for the Detection of Hydrogen.

Thermal conductivity sensors face an omnipresent cross-influence through varying humidity levels in real-life applications. We present the results of investigations on the influence of humidity on a hydrogen thermal conductivity sensor and approaches for predicting the behavior of thermal conductivity towards humidity. A literature search and comparison of different mixing equations for binary gas mixtures were carried out. The theoretical results were compared with experimental results from three different thermal conductivity sensors with mixtures of water vapor in nitrogen. The mixing equations show a large discrepancy between each other. Some of the models predict a continuously decreasing thermal conductivity and some predict an increasing thermal conductivity for increasing levels of humidity. Our measurements indicate an increase in thermal conductivity followed by a decrease after reaching a peak value. It is shown that the measured behavior is reproducible with different sensors. Depending on the sensor, this corresponds to an error up to 2 vol.% in the measured hydrogen value. The measured behavior is consistent with only one of the three models. Compared to this model, our own sensor shows a maximum deviation of 1.4%. Mixing equations for gas mixtures must be chosen carefully, taking into consideration whether mixing partners include polar or non-polar molecules. Some simplified mixing equations cannot be used to calculate the thermal conductivity of water vapor in air or nitrogen.

3D monolithic composites TiO2/HKUST-1/RGO@melamine foam with improved surface mass transfer for efficient photocatalytic degradation of toluene gas

Currently, photocatalytic technology mostly uses powdered TiO2 catalysts, which are not conducive to recycling, limit the contact between volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and the photocatalyst, and result in lower mass transfer efficiency in gas-solid reactions. Meanwhile, TiO2 catalysts including the electrospun TiO2 nanofibers with hydrophilic surfaces are not favorable for the infiltration and adsorption of non-polar VOCs. To solve these problems, in this work, the monolithic composites TiO2/HKUST-1/RGO@melamine foam (named MRTH) with improved surface mass transfer composed of metal-organic framework (HKUST-1), graphene oxide (GO) and electrospun TiO2 nanofibers was designed. The metal-organic framework HKUST-1 plays a role in promoting the adsorption of toluene, while the reduced graphene oxide (RGO) facilitates the infiltration of non-polar molecules on the surface of the composite and has better electron transport capability. A type II heterojunction between the electrospun TiO2 nanofibers and HKUST-1 formed in the monolithic composites suppresses the recombination of electron-hole pairs and extends their lifespan. Comparing with the bare electrospun TiO2 nanofibers, the MRTH foam composites exhibit a wider light absorption range, hydrophilic and oleophobic properties and a higher separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers. In 90 min of dark adsorption, the removal rate of toluene over MRTH-8 was 52.32 %, while under irradiation by xenon lamp for 150 min, the removal rate over MRTH-8 reached 90.15 %. The amount of monolithic foam composites can also be easily adjusted in the reactor to achieve the best possible removal of the contaminant. The prepared composite materials have been characterized in detail, and the possible mechanisms have also been discussed. The foam composites prepared in this work have high catalytic activity and gas-solid reaction mass transfer efficiency, so they have wide practical application prospects in the field of VOCs abatement.

Ionic liquid-assisted extractive distillation for separating of ethyl acetate/isopropanol from chemical wastewater: Molecular insights and process intensification

The effective separation of ethyl acetate (EAC)/isopropanol(IPA)/water azeotrope from industrial wastewater significantly reduces environmental risks and recycling resources. An azeotrope separation technique was proposed, combining ionic liquid mixed entrainer and dividing wall column extractive distillation (DWC-ED). The selectivity and solubility of 225 ionic liquids were calculated based on the COSMO-RS model. The molecular polarity of EAC, IPA, H2O, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and [EMIM][AC] was studied, and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([EMIM][AC]) was determined as the best solvent. In addition, the interaction mechanism between [EMIM][AC] (or DMSO) and EAC/IPA/H2O was studied using the quantum chemistry (QC) theory. Independent gradient model (IGM), interaction energy, and atoms in molecules (AIM) analysis showed that hydrogen bonds and vdW forces were formed between [AC]− anion and H2O/IPA/EAC, and the interaction energy was gradually weakened, which significantly improved the performance of extractive distillation process. The results showed that the total annual cost (TAC) and energy consumption of IL-based mixed solvent extractive distillation were reduced by 36.04 % and 37.72 %, respectively, compared to the single DMSO extractive distillation process. The TAC and energy consumption of the DWC-ED process were 44.61 % and 51.43 % lower than the benchmark processes.

Surface Chemistry Study of Normal and Diseased Human Meibum Films Prior to and after Supplementation with Tear Mimetic Eyedrop Formulation

Ophthalmic nanoemulsions that can treat the deficiencies of meibum (MGS) in Meibomian gland disease and restore its functionality in the tear film are greatly sought. The Rohto Dry Aid (RDA) formulation employs TEARSHIELD TECHNOLOGYTM, which uses a multicomponent oil phase of polar and non-polar lipid-like molecules selected to mimic the profiles of healthy meibum. Thus, the interactions of RDA with “diseased” Meibomian (dMGS) films merit deeper analysis, as these interactions might offer important clues for both the development of new ocular formulations and the processes behind the therapeutic action of the nanoemulsions. Pseudobinary dMGS/RDA films were spread at the air–water surface of the Langmuir trough. Surface pressure-area isocycles and stress relaxations were used to access the layer’s response to blink-like cycling and dilatational viscoelasticity, respectively, while film morphology was recorded via Brewster angle microscopy. It was found that RDA is able to reverse the brittleness and to restore the stability of “diseased” MGS films and thus to revert the layer’s properties to the functionality of healthy Meibomian lipids. Therefore, in order to effectively treat dry eyes with MGS-oriented therapy, ophthalmic nanoemulsions warrant more research.

Flower-like structured ZnO@ZnIn2S4 for selective triethylamine sensing and mechanism

Introducing defects is an effective strategy to improve the sensitivity of sulfide semiconductor sensors. In this study, ZnO obtained by calcining ZIF-8 was used as the core, and ZnIn2S4 flakes were grown in situ on the outer surface of ZnO to construct a flower-cluster ZnO@ZnIn2S4 composite material with an internal rich S-vacancy. The prepared ZnO@ZnIn2S4 has a well-contacted ІІ-type heterojunction. Compared with ZnIn2S4, the response value of ZnO@ZnIn2S4 to triethylamine gas was increased by 4.9 times, and the response recovery time was shortened from 932 s to 100 s. At a working temperature of 180°C, ZnO@ZnIn2S4 exhibits a response to triethylamine that is 47.2 times higher than the response to other gases, demonstrating its specific selective response to triethylamine molecules. ZnO@ZnIn2S4 can maintain a stable response to triethylamine molecules for a long time in a complex humidity environment. The selective mechanism of material selection was analyzed from the perspectives of molecular attack, molecular polarity differences, and spatial size matching. They are using calcined MOF materials as the core has excellent potential for improving the gas-sensitive response performance of materials. The explanation of the specific selectivity mechanism is positively inspiring for the construction and performance optimization of high-performance triethylamine response materials.

A DFT study of the adsorption of fouling molecules (metal sulfides and hydroxides) onto TiZrO4 ceramic membranes

Ceramic membrane fouling is a constraint in the treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD), leading to a decrease in efficiency over time. Here, it is described via first-principles calculations the physical and chemical phenomena occurring on the surface of TiZrO4 filtration membranes due to the adsorption of eight potential fouling compounds [CuS, FeS, Fe2S3, CaS, Al(OH)3, Fe(OH)3, Fe(OH)2, and Cu(OH)2]. The interaction of these fouling molecules was performed onto nanostructured TiZrO4 surfaces with several pores representing the filtration membranes employed in the treatment of AMD. The adsorption energies reveal that the adsorption is feasible with all the fouling molecules studied, and it is strongly related to the molecular polarity of the adsorbate. Consequently, the adsorption of metal sulfides is more feasible than hydroxides with adsorption orders of CaS>FeS>CuS>Fe2S3, and Al(OH)3>Fe-hydroxides>Cu(OH)2. The outcomes suggest that the metal sulfide adsorption depends on the adsorbate intrinsic polarity, solvent effects, adsorbate van der Waals radius, and membrane surface topology, while the adsorption of hydroxides is less influenced by the last two factors. Density-based binding and energy decomposition analyses indicate strong electrostatic attractions and covalent bonds at the adsorbate-membrane interface supporting the chemical fouling onto ceramic filtration membranes. According to our theoretical results and the elevated concentration of Cu and Fe in AMD, we propose that FeS and CuS are mainly responsible for the fouling onto TiZrO4 membrane surfaces. These results offer valuable information on the adsorption phenomena at TiZrO4 membrane surfaces, which can be useful for metallurgy, industrial water treatment, food industry, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical applications.

Comparative Analysis of Fatty Acids Concentration in Liver and Muscle Tissues of Rats and Mice

This study conducted a comparative analysis of fatty acids (FAs) concentration derived from polar (PL) and non-polar (NPL) lipids in the liver and muscle tissues of rats and mice. The objective was to elucidate species-specific differences in tissue FA distribution. Employing targeted GC/MS-based methodology, the study aimed to provide insights into conserved and species-specific aspects of lipid metabolism, thereby enhancing future experimental design, linked with comprehension of the interactions between diet, metabolism, and health. Results revealed markedly higher levels of total fatty acids (TFAs) derived from PL in mice skeletal muscle compared to rats and elevated saturated fatty acids (SFAs) levels in mice. Unsaturated fatty acid levels, mainly monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), were substantially higher in mice muscle across all lipid classes, resulting in a higher PUFA/TFA ratio in mice muscle. Detailed analysis of specific unsaturated fatty acids (C16:1, C18:1n9c, C18:2n6c, C22:6n3) indicated elevated levels in mice relative to rats. Conversely, rats exhibited higher SFA levels derived from the NPL fraction in the liver, particularly in myristic (C14:0), stearic (C18:0), and tricosanoic (C23:0) acids. Mice liver PL fractions displayed significantly elevated unsaturated FA levels, with notably higher MUFAs and lower PUFAs in NPL fractions compared to rats. Analysis of specific unsaturated FAs revealed higher levels of palmitoleic acid (C16:1) in mice, while rats exhibited increased linoleic (C18:2n6c) and linolenic (C18:3n3) acids. In conclusion, significant differences in FAs tissue distribution between rats and mice underscore the importance of considering species-specific FAs variations when utilizing these animal models and interpreting experimental results related to FA metabolism.

Exploring ionic liquids for the extraction separation of aromatic hydrocarbons from diesel via multiple interaction analyses coupled with experimental evaluation

The separation of aromatic hydrocarbons from petroleum fractions is of great significance for both the quality upgrading of products and value-added utilization of aromatic compounds. However, the separation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their derivatives from diesel remains challenging because of their lower solubility and selectivity as compared to the monocyclic aromatic compounds. In this work, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([EMIM][TF2N]) was screened from 320 ionic liquid (IL) candidates through solvent capacity predication using COSMO-RS method. Liquid-liquid equilibrium experiments were carried out using a series of tetralin/n-decane mixtures with different tetralin concentrations to evaluate the extraction performance of several solvents. The results indicate that [EMIM][TF2N] has high selectivity up to 95.73 for tetralin over n-decane, which is 4.5 and 3.9 times higher than that of dimethyl sulfoxide and sulfolane. During five regeneration cycles, the [EMIM][TF2N] exhibits consistent extraction performance and nearly complete recovery. Molecular polarity index (MPI) analysis indicates that tetralin has larger dissolving affinity to solvents as compared to n-decane. Combined analyses of interaction energy, energy decomposition, and visualization of weak interaction reveal that the crucial role of weak hydrogen bond in dominating the complex solvent–solute interactions. Compared to n-decane, tetralin shows a stronger interaction with the solvents due to the existence of C-H···π and hydrogen bond interactions. The great difference in interaction energy between {[EMIM]+ + tetralin} and {[EMIM]+ + n-decane}, therefore, endows [EMIM][TF2N] with high selectivity for tetralin. Given the dominant role of cation, a IL, [CN1 = C2SCCS2(CC = C)C1][TF2N] having both high selectivity and high solvent capacity was subsequently explored using the cation generation method based on the SeqVAE model. Furthermore, present study proposes a strategy for the design of ILs for separation and other specific application circumstances.

Enantioselective Detection of Gaseous Odorants with Peptide-Graphene Sensors Operating in Humid Environments.

Replicating the sense of smell presents an ongoing challenge in the development of biomimetic devices. Olfactory receptors exhibit remarkable discriminatory abilities, including the enantioselective detection of individual odorant molecules. Graphene has emerged as a promising material for biomimetic electronic devices due to its unique electrical properties and exceptional sensitivity. However, the efficient detection of nonpolar odor molecules using transistor-based graphene sensors in a gas phase in environmental conditions remains challenging due to high sensitivity to water vapor. This limitation has impeded the practical development of gas-phase graphene odor sensors capable of selective detection, particularly in humid environments. In this study, we address this challenge by introducing peptide-functionalized graphene sensors that effectively mitigate undesired responses to changes in humidity. Additionally, we demonstrate the significant role of humidity in facilitating the selective detection of odorant molecules by the peptides. These peptides, designed to mimic a fruit fly olfactory receptor, spontaneously assemble into a monomolecular layer on graphene, enabling precise and specific odorant detection. The developed sensors exhibit notable enantioselectivity, achieving a remarkable 35-fold signal contrast between d- and l-limonene. Furthermore, these sensors display distinct responses to various other biogenic volatile organic compounds, demonstrating their versatility as robust tools for odor detection. By acting as both a bioprobe and an electrical signal amplifier, the peptide layer represents a novel and effective strategy to achieve selective odorant detection under normal atmospheric conditions using graphene sensors. This study offers valuable insights into the development of practical odor-sensing technologies with potential applications in diverse fields.

Virtual and bound states in low-energy positron scattering by atoms and molecules via modified effective range theory

Modified effective range theory is applied as a tool to determine bound and virtual state energies in low-energy positron elastic scattering by atoms and molecules. This is achieved by the S-matrix continuation into the complex momentum plane, allowing to identify poles related to shallow energy states. The influence of the long-range polarization potential (∼r −4) on the bound and virtual-state pole positions is analyzed for noble gases and nonpolar molecules such as H2, N2, and CH4. The quantitative relations between the S-matrix poles and the s-wave scattering length accounting for dipole polarization are introduced.

Properties of high cis-1,4 content hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene and its application in composite solid propellants

In this paper, high cis-1,4 content hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (cis-HTPB) with different molecular weights was prepared through the oxidative cracking process using cis-butadiene rubber as raw material. Firstly, this article comprehensively compared the differences between cis-HTPB and conventional I-HTPB in terms of molecular weight distribution, functionality, viscosity, molecular polarity, and other physicochemical properties, which provided effective data support for its subsequent application. In addition, the reaction kinetics study showed that cis-HTPB with isocyanate curing agent has high reactivity, allowing it to be rapidly cured at low temperatures, and the cured elastomers had excellent mechanical properties, with tensile strength and elongation up to 1.89 MPa and 1100%, respectively. It was also found that cis-HTPB has extremely excellent low-temperature resistance, and the glass transition temperature (Tg) of its cured elastomer is as low as −101 °C. Based on the above studies, cis-HTPB is applied as a binder in composite solid propellants for the first time to investigate its practical performance, and the results indicated that cis-HTPB-based propellants have excellent process and mechanical properties.

Anthracene and Pyrene Derivatives as Blue Fluorophores: Synthesis, Characterization and Photophysical Properties

Ant hracene and pyrene derivatives have been widely studied as emitting materials in optoelectronic devices due to their excellent fluorescence properties. In the present study, two novel blue fluorophores from anthracene and pyrene (PAP and PTATP) were successfully synthesized using a Suzuki-cross coupling reaction and their photophysical properties were elucidated. PTATP with an extended p-conjugation system had a fluorescence emission maximum in green-blue region at 475 nm, whereas PAP, with a shorter conjugation length, emitted pure-blue emission peak at 442 nm. The study of absorption and emission spectra in various solvents found that both compounds produced solvent-independent spectra due to their non-polar molecules. In addition, the aggregation-caused quenching phenomenon was observed, when the emission spectra were recorded in high water fraction solvent.

Decreasing the Molecular Polarity of Naphthalimide by a π-Bridge Strategy as Cathode Interlayers to Enable High-Efficient Electron Transfer in Organic Solar Cells

Decreasing the Molecular Polarity of Naphthalimide by a π-Bridge Strategy as Cathode Interlayers to Enable High-Efficient Electron Transfer in Organic Solar Cells

An integrated method for rapid extraction of fluorescent whitening agents from selected cosmetics by in situ formation of deep eutectic solvent

A novel extraction methodology was developed based on deep eutectic solvent (DES) in situ formation. The solvent was synthesized from a binary mixture of L-cysteine, functioning as a hydrogen bond acceptor, and 2-methylphenol, serving as a hydrogen bond donor. The DES’s inherent molecular structures and extensive hydrogen bonding networks were characterized using the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), while its hydrophobic nature was assessed by determining molecular polarity. Its extraction efficiency was demonstrated through the extraction of fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs) in cosmetic products, acting as a model analytical application. This was accomplished using vortex-assisted emulsification solid–liquid extraction (SLE) method, followed by high-performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection. Response surface methodology was employed to optimize extraction conditions in a multivariate experimental design. This approach streamlined the multi-operation extraction process via ingeniously integrating extraction and clean-up into a single step, resulting in significant reductions in extraction time required and high sample throughputs of approximately 40 samples per hour. The methodology was validated and exhibited excellent linearity in concentration ranges of 0.01–24 mg/L for five FWAs and 0.01–40 mg/L for other three FWAs, with correlation coefficients (r) ranging from 0.9985 to 1.000. The limits of detection and quantification were in the range of 0.03–0.26 mg kg−1 and 0.10–0.87 mg kg−1, respectively. The reliability and practicality of the proposed method were affirmed by quantifying eight FWAs in ninety-four commercially available facial masks and whitening creams, yielding recoveries values between 90.0 % and 106.0 % with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 1.0–4.3 %. Inorganic ions and organic compounds present in the samples had minimal impact on FWAs detection following sample pre-treatment. This procedure showcased exceptional extraction capabilities towards a diverse array of FWAs with the aid of multiple interactions, suggesting significant potential for increasing sample throughput while reducing organic solvent and material consumptions compared with conventional SLE methods. The low-toxicity DES is an excellent alternative to traditional extractants typically applied to SLE techniques.

Exploration and evaluation of antioxidant activity in isolated phenolics from Jasminum scandens (retz) vahl

Given the widespread and established use of Jasminum scandens (Retz) Vahl, a member of the Oleacea family, this study aimed to identify and characterise secondary metabolites derived from the plant, with the objective of evaluating their potential biological activities. Using chromatographic separations techniques based on molecular weight and polarity, various VLC fractions of the plant were purified. These fractions yielded seven compounds- 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-ethanol (1), 2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)-ethanol (2), 1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)-1,2,3-propanetriol (3), 1-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy-phenyl)-1,2,3-propanetriol (4), lupeol (5), β-sitosterol (6), and methyl linoleate (7), which have never been previously reported in this plant. Out of the seven identified compounds, compounds 3 and 4 had the greatest capacity to scavenge free radicals with IC50 values of 3.81 µg/ml and 4.08 µg/ml, respectively when compared to the standard Butylated Hydroxy Toluene (BHT) with IC50 value of 6.54 µg/ml.