Zinc Acetate Research Articles

The Fast Quantification of Vitamin B12 in Milk Powder by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

This study presents a new technique for determining vitamin B12 in milk powder using high-performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS). We used ultrasonics with potassium ferrocyanide and zinc acetate solutions to extract the samples. 59Co was employed as the analytical target for cyanocobalamin. It was separated using a Phenomenex Luna 5 μm C18 (250 × 4.6 mm) chromatographic column with a mobile phase consisting of 1.6 mmol/L EDTA and 0.4 mmol/L KH2PO4 in a 60% v/v methanol solution (pH = 4.0). The sample has an excellent separating degree for free cobalt and cyanocobalamin, and isocratic elution can be finished within 4.0 min. To eliminate the matrix interference due to the presence of milk powder, we applied collision mode (KED). The linear range of cyanocobalamine ranged from 1.0 μg/L to 20 μg/L, with correlation coefficients (r2) of 0.9994. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.63 μg/kg, and the limit of quantitation (LOQ) was 2.11 μg/kg. The mean recoveries were in the range of 87.4–103.6%. The accuracy and precision of the developed method are well suited for the fast quantification of the trace vitamin B12 in milk powder.

Expression analysis of zinc-metabolizing enzymes in the saliva as a new method of evaluating zinc content in the body: two case reports and a review of the literature

BackgroundThe activity level of alkaline phosphatase, a zinc-requiring enzyme in the serum, is used to indicate zinc nutritional status; however, it does not correlate with serum zinc levels or subjective symptoms of taste disorder in many cases. Hence, this study focused on the total activity of alkaline phosphatase, a zinc-requiring enzyme. The total alkaline phosphatasa activity level in the saliva was measured before and after zinc supplementation, and the results were compared with serum zinc levels.Case presentationThis study included patients with hypozincemia, specifically a patient with zinc-deficient taste disorder (patient 1: a 69-year-old Japanese woman) and a patient with glossodynia with zinc deficiency (patient 2: an 82-year-old Japanese woman). Saliva samples were collected, and blood tests were performed before and after zinc supplementation. Subjective symptoms and serum zinc levels were simultaneously evaluated. Zinc supplementation was performed using zinc acetate hydrate or Polaprezinc.ConclusionsTotal alkaline phosphatase activity levels were found to be associated with serum zinc levels and subjective symptoms. A further study with a higher number of patients is necessary to confirm whether total alkaline phosphatase activity levels more accurately reflect the amounts of zinc in the body than serum zinc levels.

Self-Healing Ionogel-Enabled Self-Healing and Wide-Temperature Flexible Zinc-Air Batteries with Ultra-Long Cycling Lives.

Hydrogel-based zinc-air batteries (ZABs) are promising flexible rechargeable batteries. However, the practical application of hydrogel-based ZABs is limited by their short service life, narrow operating temperature range, and repair difficulty. Herein, a self-healing ionogel is synthesized by the photopolymerization of acrylamide and poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether acrylate in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide with zinc acetate dihydrate and first used as an electrolyte to fabricate self-healing ZABs. The obtained self-healing ionogel has a wide operating temperature range, good environmental and electrochemical stability, high ionic conductivity, satisfactory mechanical strength, repeatable and efficient self-healing properties enabled by the reversibility of hydrogen bonding, and the ability to inhibit the production of dendrites and by-products. Notably, the self-healing ionogel has the highest ionic conductivity and toughness compared to other reported self-healing ionogels. The prepared self-healing ionogel is used to assemble self-healing flexible ZABs with a wide operating temperature range. These ZABs have ultra-long cycling lives and excellent stability under harsh conditions. After being damaged, the ZABs can repeatedly self-heal to recover their battery performance, providing a long-lasting and reliable power supply for wearable devices. This work opens new opportunities for the development of electrolytes for ZABs.

Phenotype and molecular characterization of Wilson's disease in Morocco

Background and study aimsIn Morocco the prevalence of Wilson disease (WD) and the spectrum of mutations are not known. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of WD in Morocco, to evaluate the phenotype among a large cohort of WD patients, and to characterize ATP7B variants in a subgroup of WD patients. Patients and methodsWe collected data from 226 patients admitted to five university hospital centers in Morocco between 2008 and 2020. The diagnosis was based on clinical manifestations, function tests and biochemical parameters. The genotype was characterized in 18 families diagnosed at the University Hospital Center of Marrakesh, by next generation sequencing. ResultsThe mean annual prevalence in Morocco was 3.88 per 100,000 and the allele frequency was 0.15%. Among the 226 patients included (121 males and 105 females), 196 were referred for a hepatic or neurological involvement and 30 were asymptomatic. The mean age at diagnosis was 13 ± 5.1 years (range: 5 - 42 years). Consanguinity was found in 63.3% of patients. The mean duration of illness was 2.8 ± 1.9 years. Kayser-Fleischer rings were found in 131 (67.9%) of 193 patients. Among the 196 symptomatic patients, 141/159 (88.7%) had low serum ceruloplasmin (<0.2g/L) and a high 24-hours urinary copper (>100μg/day) was found in 173/182 (95.1%) patients. The initial treatment was D-penicillamine in 207 patients, zinc acetate in five, zinc sulphate in five, and nine patients were not treated; 60/207 (29%) patients have stopped treatment. A total of 72 patients died; the mortality rate was 31.9%. Eight different ATP7B variants were identified among the 18 patients studied, of which two were novel (p.Cys1104Arg and p.Gln1277Hisfs*52), and six previously published (p.Gln289Ter, p.Cys305Ter, p.Thr1232Pro, p.Lys1020Arg, p.Glu583ArgfsTer25 and c.51+4A>T). All informative patients were homozygous for the disease-causing mutation. ConclusionIn Morocco, a high prevalence due to consanguinity and a high mortality rate due to the difficulty of diagnosis and lack of treatment were observed in WD patients. NGS sequencing identified new ATP7B variants in WD patients from Morocco.

Polyol synthesis of cobalt doped zinc oxide green nano-pigments: Colorimetry assessments and chemical synthesis parameters optimization

Cobalt-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesized as inorganic nano-pigments by the Polyol chemical preparation method, which is a simple and cost-effective method. Results showed that ethylene glycol (EG) should be utilized for synthesis of nanoparticles with smaller average crystallite size and better crystallinity. Other factors such as molar ratio of cobalt nitrate(Co(No3)2) to zinc acetate(Zn(Ac)2, reaction time, molar ratio of water and sodium hydroxide(NaOH) to the zinc acetate, surfactant and its molar ratio to the zinc were optimized via Taguchi design. The optimum sample was prepared under conditions such as the cobalt nitrate to zinc molar ratio of 0.01, reaction time of 5h, and Triton X100 (molar ratio of 0.2). X-Ray diffraction analysis demonstrated that average crystallite size of the optimum sample was 11 nm. FESEM revealed the uniformity of the powders having nearly a rod-like structure with low aspect ratios. Besides, the impacts of the effective synthesis factors on the colorimetric properties were optimized. Accordingly, the optimum sample revealed a green region with brightness of 58.89(L*), color purity (a* = −22.82), and color hue of 166.89(h°). Average crystallite size, amorphous phase percentage and colorimetric properties correlations have been investigated for the first time. Placement of more cobalt atoms in the ZnO structure raises the brightness coordinate and results more greenness in the color and increase of the crystal size does not directly affect the brightness coordinate.

Effect of Copper Inclusion in Zinc sulfide Thin Films for Photocatalytic Applications

Transparent and well-adhered pure zinc sulfide (ZnS) and different concentrations of copper-doped zinc sulfide thin films were obtained on glass substrates by the Chemical bath deposition process. Zinc acetate, copper acetate and thiourea were employed as sources of Zn2+, Cu2+ and S2- ions, respectively; ammonia and hydrazine hydrate served as complexing agents for the preparation of pure zinc sulfide and different concentrations of copper-doped zinc sulfide thin films. By adjusting the ammonia concentration, the prepared solution pH was maintained at 11. The prepared samples were deposited at the rates of 60 and 90 minutes each, with the bath temperature being held at 80 °C. The structural, morphological and optical properties of the prepared films were characterized by XRD, FE-SEM and EDX, and the results were reported. The XRD patterns revealed that all thin films possess a polycrystalline cubic zinc blended structure and that the prepared pure and copper-doped ZnS thin films have good crystallinity; the crystallite sizes were less than 20 nm. From the FE-SEM spectra, it is understood that the pure and Cu-doped ZnS thin films were uniformly coated with spherical morphology. The surface morphology, optical characteristics and deposition mechanism were all obviously impacted by the ammonia concentration. Additionally, under UV light irradiation, the effect of the photocatalytic property of the prepared thin films with methylene blue dye was studied and the corresponding dye degradation graphs were reported.

Copper deficiency anemia due to zinc supplementation in a chronic hemodialysis patient.

Zinc deficiency causes dysgeusia and dermatitis as well as anemia. As approximately half of dialysis patients have zinc deficiency, zinc supplementation should be considered in case of erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA)-hyporesponsive anemia. We report a case of a chronic dialysis patient with copper deficiency anemia caused by standard-dose zinc supplementation. The patient was a 70-year-old woman who had received maintenance hemodialysis for 8years due to diabetic nephropathy. She had been treated with weekly administration of darbepoetin 30μg for renal anemia, which resulted in Hb 12 to 14g/dL. She had no dysgeusia. When zinc deficiency (44μg/dL) had been identified 4months earlier, 50mg daily zinc acetate hydrate (Nobelzin®), which is the standard dose, was started. Unexpectedly, her anemia progressed slowly with macrocytosis together with granulocytopenia. Her platelet count did not decrease at that time. Laboratory tests revealed a marked decrease of serum copper (< 4μg/dL) and ceruloplasmin (< 2mg/dL), although serum zinc was within the normal limit (125μg/dL). We discontinued zinc acetate and started copper supplementation including cocoa for 1month. Her anemia and granulocytopenia were dramatically restored coincident with the increase in both serum copper and ceruloplasmin. Copper supplementation also improved her iron status as assessed by transferrin saturation and ferritin. Clinicians should monitor both zinc and copper status in anemic dialysis patients during zinc supplementation, as both are important to drive normal hematopoiesis.

Slow evaporation synthesis, crystal structure, DFT calculations, molecular docking, and pharmacokinetic studies of hexaaquazinc(II) dihydrogen benzene-1,2,4,5-tetracarboxylate

A new complex formed from the reaction of benzene-1,2,4,5-tetracarboxylic dianhydride with zinc(II) acetate dihydrate was synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis (TGA), and density functional theory (DFT). [C10H4O8][Zn(H2O)6] (1), crystallized in a monoclinic system with space group P2/m. Theoretical modeling was performed at the DFT/B3LYP computational level with 6–311 G(d,p) and LanL2DZ basis sets. The Zn(II) is six-coordinate, forming an ideal octahedral geometry. A Hirshfeld surface analysis of the complex indicated that H···O/O···H contacts contribute to 47.8% of the crystal packing. The stability of 1 was investigated by determining the global chemical reactivity descriptors (GCRD). The nonlinear optical (NLO) behavior was investigated by analyzing the dipole moment, polarizability, and first-order hyperpolarizability (μ, α and β) via a theoretical approach, indicating that 1 has important nonlinear optical properties. A molecular docking study shows binding of 1 on the active site of receptors from human cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme (PDB code: 5IKT) and Escherichia coli MenB (PDB code: 3T88).

On the Fate of Lithium Ions in Sol-Gel Derived Zinc Oxide Nanocrystals.

Among diverse chemical synthetic approaches to zinc oxide nanocrystals (ZnO NCs), ubiquitous inorganic sol-gel methodology proved crucial for advancements in ZnO-based nanoscience. Strikingly, unlike the exquisite level of control over morphology and size dispersity achieved in ZnO NC syntheses, the purity of the crystalline phase, as well as the understanding of the surface structure and the character of the inorganic-organic interface, have been limited to vague descriptors until very recently. Herein, ZnO NCs applying the standard sol-gel synthetic protocol are synthesized with zinc acetate and lithium hydroxide and tracked the integration of lithium (Li) cations into the interior and exterior of nanoparticles by combining various techniques, including advanced solid-state NMR methods. In contrast to common views, it is demonstrated that Li+ ions remain kinetically trapped in the inorganic core, enter into a shallow subsurface layer, and generate "swelling" of the surface and interface regions. Thus, this work enabled both the determination of the NCs' structural imperfections and an in-depth understanding of the unappreciated role of the Li+ ions in impacting the doping and the passivation of sol-gel-derived ZnO nanomaterials.

Enhancing dielectric properties of ZnO nanopowders with 2D hBN doping: production, structural, morphological and dielectric characterization

In this study, it was aimed to improve the dielectric properties of ZnO nanoparticles with the addition of hBN, which was not previously available in the literature, and thus to expand their usage areas. Sol–gel synthesis method was used in this study to create pure and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) doped zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles. Zinc acetate dihydrate Zn(CH3COO)22H2O), sodium hydroxide NaOH, and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), all from Sigma Aldrich, were used as starting reagents. The reagents were dissolved during the sol–gel synthesis by being heated to 90 °C for 4 h in a magnetic stirrer. FT-IR, XRD, FE-SEM, EDX characterization techniques, and impedance analyzer were used to find functional groups, structural, morphological, and chemical composition, and dielectric properties of the nanoparticles, respectively. The produced un-doped and hBN-doped ZnO particles consist of nano-sized structures. Changes occurred in the intensities and locations of the XRD diffraction peaks and FT-IR peaks with the addition of hBN. Characteristic peaks of both ZnO and hBN were observed in the diffraction peaks of the doped nanoparticles. All nanoparticles were of high purity and were successfully produced by the sol–gel method. It was shown that as the hBN doping level increased, there were more hBN nanoplates in the ZnO matrix, and the EDX results also showed an increase in hBN addition. The frequency stability of the dielectric properties improved after hBN doping. While the dielectric constant at 1 kHz frequency at room temperature is 12.07 in pure ZnO nanoparticles, the increase up to 55.21 is observed in 10% hBN doped nanocomposites. This situation is considered as a great potential for technological applications of this novel nanocomposite material.

Properties of Thermoplastic High-ortho Phenolic Epoxy Fibers

The thermoplastic high-ortho phenolic resins (HPRs) were synthesized by a one-step synthesis using phenol, formaldehyde, zinc acetate, sulfuric acid, and small amounts of ethanol. It was then blended with epoxy resins, and a small amount of ethylenediamine (EDA) was added as a curing agent for dry spinning to produce the as-spun fibers. Heat curing and microwave curing treatments were performed to obtain phenolic epoxy fibers. Using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to study the structural changes during the fiber curing process revealed that the amino groups in EDA opened the epoxy groups to generate the hydroxyl groups. The hydroxyl groups can further react with the epoxy groups, which accelerate the curing reaction. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results showed a higher residual carbon degree in the fibers after curing. Mechanical property testing demonstrated a significant improvement in the mechanical properties of the fibers. By modifying the blending and optimizing the curing process, the heat resistance of the fibers was successfully improved, resolving the issue of poor mechanical properties in the high-ortho phenolic epoxy fibers (HPEFs).

A “one‐pot” method for synthesizing zinc tryptophan and its derivatives as highly efficient PVC thermal stabilizer with excellent mechanical properties

AbstractZinc Tryptophan (Trp‐Zn) and zinc N‐(salicylic) tryptophan (SalTrp‐Zn) were synthesized from tryptophan, zinc acetate, and salicylic aldehyde by one‐pot method, respectively. The structure was analyzed by FT‐IR, 1H NMR, and elemental analysis. PVC samples were prepared by stirring method and solvent film process, and then the thermal properties of PVC samples were studied by thermal aging chamber test, Congo red test, electrical conductivity test, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The thermal stability of Trp‐Zn and SalTrp‐Zn stabilized PVC samples was better than calcium and zinc soaps used in industry. The thermal stability time was up to 80 min, and it was a long‐acting thermal stabilizer. After the addition of CaSt2 and Trp‐Zn stabilizer in different proportions, the thermal stability of PVC was obviously improved, and the initial whiteness of the film was improved after the combination of Trp‐Zn/SalTrp‐Zn. In addition, the tensile test verified that the PVC samples stabilized by Trp‐Zn and SalTrp‐Zn had the highest elongation at break. The addition of Trp‐Zn can reduce the elastic modulus of PVC, effectively improve the mechanical properties of PVC, and make the PVC film have better toughness and elasticity. Through DMA and EDS tests, it can be seen that Trp, SalTrp‐Zn had good compatibility with PVC and DOP. The quantum chemical calculation of Trp‐Zn, SalTrp‐Zn and vinyl chloride models was carried out, and the thermal stability mechanism of thermal stabilizer on PVC was analyzed accurately, mainly the absorption mechanism of HCl and the substitution mechanism of unstable chlorine atoms.

Zinc-Doped BiOBr Hollow Microspheres for Enhanced Visible Light Photocatalytic Degradation of Antibiotic Residues.

Photocatalysis represents an effective technology for environmental remediation. Herein, a series of Zn-doped BiOBr hollow microspheres are synthesized via one-pot solvothermal treatment of bismuth nitrate and dodecyl ammonium bromide in ethylene glycol along with a calculated amount of zinc acetate. Whereas the materials morphology and crystal structure remain virtually unchanged upon Zn-doping, the photocatalytic performance toward the degradation of ciprofloxacin is significantly improved under visible light irradiation. This is due to the formation of a unique band structure that facilitates the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, reduced electron-transfer resistance, and enhanced electron mobility and carrier concentration. The best sample consists of a Zn doping amount of 1%, which leads to a 99.2% degradation rate of ciprofloxacin under visible photoirradiation for 30 min. The resulting photocatalysts also exhibit good stability and reusability, and the degradation intermediates exhibit reduced cytotoxicity compared to ciprofloxacin. These results highlight the unique potential of BiOBr-based photocatalysts for environmental remediation.

Zinc Oxide Anchored Porous Reduced Graphene Oxide: Electrode Material for Sensing of Ezetimibe

A new and sensitive electrochemical sensing platform was developed based on zinc oxide anchored porous reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite (ZnO/prGO) for a dyslipidemic agent, ezetimibe (EZT). ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by treating zinc acetate solution with an environmental friendly precursor, Balanitesroxburghii date fruit extract (desert date). The nanocomposite, ZnO/prGO was prepared by hydrothermal treatment followed by ultrasonication method. ZnO/prGO was characterized systematically by X-ray diffraction, UV-visible spectroscopic, FT-infrared spectroscopic, scanning electron microscopic-EDX and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic techniques. The sensing platform was fabricated by drop casting ZnO/prGO suspension onto the surface of glassy carbon electrode (GCE) to obtain ZnO/prGO/GCE. The proposed sensor, ZnO/prGO/GCE, showed excellent sensitivity for EZT due to porogenic nature and improved electron /mass transfer capability of the electrode material. EZT exhibited an anodic peak with 18-fold enhancement in peak current at ZnO/prGO/GCE when compared to that at bare GCE. Linearity was observed between the peak current and concentration of EZT in the range of 0.1–51.1 μM and 0.05–62.5 μM for square wave voltammetric (SWV) and differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) methods, respectively. SWV method was developed for the first time for the determination of EZT with a lowest limit of detection of 0.03 μM. The fabricated electrochemical sensor displayed good selectivity for EZT in the presence of additives and excipients. The applicability of the proposed sensor was demonstrated by determining EZT in spiked urine samples and pharmaceutical formulations. The results of analysis were found to be accurate with more than 97% recovery and precise with RSD values of less than 3.0%.

Reactivity and zinc affinity of dipyrromethenes as colorimetric sensors: structural and solvation effects

A wide range of dipyrromethenes (17 objects) with different nature, number, and attachment positions of alkyl, aryl, and meso-aza substituents was synthesized, and the effect of molecular structure features on their spectral properties was analyzed. It is shown that, chromophores absorb in a wide spectral range from ∼ 420 to ∼ 600 nm due to the structural modification of the dipyrromethene ligand backbone. Partially alkylated dipyrromethenes containing 4–5 methyl substituents absorb in the region from 421 to 436 nm. For fully alkylated dipyrromethenes, the band maximum position shifts to the region from 437 to 446 nm for ligands with 4,4′-substituents in the sequence: methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, amyl, hexyl, heptyl. The most significant spectral responses in the form of a red shift of 100 nm (in DMF) are observed when four methyl substituents in the 3,3′,5,5′-positions are replaced by phenyl groups. The replacement of the methine meso-spacer by a nitrogen atom leads to an additional red shift by another 70 nm. Particular attention is paid to the comparative analysis of the effect of structural factors on the coloristic and spectral responses of the complexation of dipyrromethene ligands with zinc(II) acetate and the stability of the resulting complexes [ZnL2], for which the lgKo values are varied from 6.4 to 10.9. The auxochromic action of Zn2+ cations shifts the band maxima of electronic absorption spectra to the long wavelength region by 20–76 nm relative to the spectra of the ligands. The highest complexation constant lgKo is 10.9 was obtained for the reaction of Zn(AcO)2 with hexamethylsubstituted dipyrromethene. Ligands with partially methylated pyrrole nuclei and extended alkyl and benzyl substituents form less stable complexes. The greatest effect of lowering the [ZnL2] stability is produced by the introduction of an electron-withdrawing aryl substituent into the meso-spacer of the dipyrromethene ligand (lgKo is 6.4).

Water-soluble dye – ZnII octacarboxy substituted tetrapyrazinoporphyrazine: Spectral-luminescence study of behavior in aqueous solutions

ZnII complex of octacarboxy substituted tetrapyrazinoporohyrazine, ZnTPyzPA(COOH)8, was prepared by mild alkaline hydrolysis of the corresponding octaethyl ester, ZnTPyzPA(COOEt)8, which was synthesized by template cycloteramerization of 5,6-di(ethoxycarbonyl)pyrazine-2,3-dicarbonitrile in the presence zinc(II) acetate in o-dichlorobenzene. Both complexes were characterized by IR, UV–vis, NMR spectroscopy (1H, 13C). Conformational analysis performed by DFT method in agreement with spectral study indicates that one of COOH group in each pyrazine ring participates in intramolecular hydrogen bonding with the adjacent pyrazine nitrogen atom. Unlike octacarboxy substituted ZnII phthalocyanine, ZnTPyzPA(COOH)8 remains non-aggregated not only in the octaanionic form present in the basic medium but also in tetraanioinic form existing in acid aqueous solutions since intramolecular H-bonding prevents intermolecular interactions. However, the fluorescence is almost completely quenched for tetraanion which can be related to the proton transfer in the excited state from carboxylic group to the pyrazine nitrogen. Aggregation is observed only for non-ionized form of ZnTPyzPA(COOH)8 existing in strongly acidic medium (1 M HCl solution, pH < 1).

The efficacy of ZnO-NPs prepared via green route against colon and breast cancer cells

This study is an attempt to utilize green tea [GT] extract and pomegranate peel [PP] for the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles. The selected plants are rich in phenols therefore are awaited to successfully synthesize ZnO nanoparticles without the need for an alkylating agent. In addition, these extracts contain various functional groups that confer colloidal stability for nanoparticles and ameliorate their biocompatibility via a one pot synthesis route. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques are used to investigate both structural and morphological properties of the obtained nanoparticles [Zn-GT and Zn-PP]. To confirm the presence of functional groups adsorbed on the surface of biogenic-NPs, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were employed. The outcomes demonstrated that only the use of green tea extract was successful in synthesizing zinc oxide from the zinc acetate dihydrate precursor, producing particles with an average size of approximately 25 nm. Anticancer activity and cytotoxicity of the biosynthesized Zn-GT nanoparticles were assessed against human breast cancer [MCF7] and colorectal carcinoma [HCT116] cell lines. The cytotoxicity of ZnO nanoparticles is presented with reference to normal skin [BJ1] cell line subjected to similar concentrations of the NPs. The obtained results verified a discriminative inhibition of both MCF7 and HCT116 cancer cell growth upon using Zn-GT, which completely succeeded in preventing cancer cell growth.

Superior heat‐resistant polylactide/poly(butylene succinate) blend fibers via in‐situ reactive compatibilization

AbstractBlending poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) with polylactide (PLLA) has proven effective in improving heat resistance of PLLA fibers. Unfortunately, it remains challenging to maintain good spinnability for PLLA/PBS blends with high content of PBS with which further improved heat resistance could be anticipated. In this study, reactive melt‐extrusion was devised to in‐situ generate PLLA‐PBS copolymers by introducing zinc acetate as a transesterification catalyst into PLLA/PBS blends. The compatibility between the PLLA and PBS phases was greatly improved by the formation of PLLA‐PBS copolymers, resulting in excellent melt‐spinnability even for the PLLA/PBS blends with high PBS content up to 20 wt%. In addition, an increase in crystallinity of PLLA was achieved in PLLA/PBS blend fibers, thanks to the enhanced compatibility. More importantly, the presence of PBS nuclei retarded the molecular orientation of the amorphous PLLA phase, consistent with the effective results from the relaxation heat‐setting treatment. These led to an exceptionally improved heat resistance of the PLLA/PBS blend fibers. As an encouraging result, the boiling water shrinkage was significantly reduced from ca. 20% for neat PLLA fibers to 3.7% for the PLLA/PBS blend fibers with 20 wt% PBS content. These findings may open up a facile and effective route to develop PLLA/PBS blend fibers showing sound spinnability, greatly improved heat resistance and softness.

Structural characteristics of Zn-MOFs and derived zinc oxide by X-ray diffraction peak analysis fabricated by mechanical and hydrothermal methods

In this work, the Zn based MOFs were synthesized from cyanoguanidine and zinc acetate source precursors via two hydrothermal methods and high energy ball milling technique and also the free salt and bimetallic samples have been synthesized. Then, the fabricated Zn-MOFs were heat for calcination at 550 °C for 110 min. The synthesized nanostructures were examined by XRD, SEM and FTIR analysis to gain insight about structure, morphology and functional groups properties. The results confirm that it is possible to prepare Zn MOFs using high energy ball milling methods. Besides, the fabricated MOF and complex structures can be converted to porous zinc oxide (ZnO) by a simple thermal annealing in air. Then, the line broadening of ZnO from mechanochemical and hydrothermal methods was showed due to the small crystallite size and lattice strain. The broadening was studied by the Scherrer formula and Williamson Hall (UDM, USDM, UDEDM) and Size-strain plot techniques. In addition, undesirable phases may affect the synthesized part during thermal cycles. We demonstrate the potential of using high-energy X-ray diffraction for detailed analysis of minority phases in ZnO-derived components.

Focused Ion Beam Exposed Zinc Acetate Films for Preparation of Highly Sensitive Ultraviolet Photodetectors

Focused Ion Beam Exposed Zinc Acetate Films for Preparation of Highly Sensitive Ultraviolet Photodetectors