Novel enzyme-free multifunctional bentonite/polypyrrole/silver nanocomposite sensor for hydrogen peroxide detection over a wide pH range

Precise designs of low-cost and efficient catalysts for the detection of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) over wide ranges of pH are important in various environmental applications. Herein, a versatile and ecofriendly approach is presented for the rational design of ternary bentonite-silylpropyl-polypyrrole/silver nanoarchitectures (denoted as BP-PS-PPy/Ag) via the in-situ photo polymerization of pyrrole with salinized bentonite (BP-PS) in the presence of silver nitrate. The Pyrrolyl-functionalized silane (PS) is used as a coupling agent for tailoring the formation of highly exfoliated BP-PS-PPy sheet-like nanostructures ornamented with monodispersed Ag nanoparticles (NPs). Taking advantage of the combination between the unique physicochemical properties of BP-PS-PPy and the outstanding catalytic merits of Ag nanoparticles (NPs), the as-synthesized BP-PS-PPy/Ag shows a superior electrocatalytic reduction and high-detection activity towards H2O2 under different pH conditions (from 3 to 10). Intriguingly, the UV-light irradiation significantly enhances the electroreduction activity of H2O2 substantially, compared with the dark conditions, due to the high photoelectric response properties of Ag NPs. Moreover, BP-PS-PPy/Ag achived a quick current response with a detection limit at 1 μM within only 1 s. Our present approach is green, facile, scalable and renewabl

Facile preparation of N-S co-doped graphene quantum dots (GQDs) from graphite waste for efficient humidity sensing

In this work, graphene quantum dots (GQDs) were prepared from Graphitic waste. The resulting GQDs were evaluated for the potential application for resistive humidity sensors. The resistive humidity sensors were fabricated on the pre-patterned interdigital ITO electrodes using the three different concentrations (2.5, 5.0, and 10 mg) of GQDs in DMF. The GQDs films were deposited using the spin coating technique. The GQDs (10 mg/ml) based impedance sensors showed good sensitivity and lowered hysteresis as compared to the other ratios (2.5 and 5 mg) of the GQDs. The maximum calculated hysteresis of the GQDs (10 mg) based humidity sensor is around 2.2 % at 30%RH, and the minimum calculated hysteresis of the GQDs (10 mg/ml) based humidity sensor is approximately 0.79 % at 60 %RH. The response and recovery time found to be 15 s and 55 s, respectively. The interesting humidity-dependent resistive properties of these prepared GQDs make them promising for potential application in humidity sensing.Scopu

Modulation of Sn concentration in ZnO nanorod array: intensification on the conductivity and humidity sensing properties

Tin (Sn)-doped zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorod arrays (TZO) were synthesized onto aluminum-doped ZnO-coated glass substrate via a facile sonicated sol–gel immersion method for humidity sensor applications. These nanorod arrays were grown at different Sn concentrations ranging from 0.6 to 3 at.%. X-ray diffraction patterns showed that the deposited TZO arrays exhibited a wurtzite structure. The stress/strain condition of the ZnO film metamorphosed from tensile strain/compressive stress to compressive strain/tensile stress when the Sn concentrations increased. Results indicated that 1 at.% Sn doping of TZO, which has the lowest tensile stress of 0.14 GPa, generated the highest conductivity of 1.31 S cm− 1. In addition, 1 at.% Sn doping of TZO possessed superior sensitivity to a humidity of 3.36. These results revealed that the optimum performance of a humidity-sensing device can be obtained mainly by controlling the amount of extrinsic element in a ZnO film

Bentonite-decorated calix [4] arene: A new, promising hybrid material for heavy-metal removal

There is global concern about the contamination of ground, river, and tap waters as well as soil contamination with heavy metal ions; these chemical species are known to not degrade and to cause severe health problems if ingested by humans and animals. Such environmental and health concerns necessitate the development of ultrasensitive sensors and high-capacity adsorbents. This study demonstrates for the first time the potential of organophilic bentonite combined with tetra(2-pyridylmethyl)amide calix [4] arene as a high-performance hybrid material for the removal of toxic heavy metals. After consecutive synthesis steps, the modified bentonites were thoroughly characterized by FT-IR, XRD, UV spectroscopy, and TEM. In particular, the XRD analysis showed strong supporting evidence for intercalation in the clay following each modification step. The salient feature of the newly prepared hybrid material is its high extraction capacity for Cd(II) and Zn(II) metals, as determined by atomic absorption spectrometry and UV spectrometry. Different preparation methods, with respect to the quantity of the added cationic surfactant, were investigated to determine the optimal conditions for synthesis. The extraction percentage for the as-prepared hybrid material was measured to be as high as 97.4% and 94.2% for Cd(II) and Zn(II), respectively.This paper was made possible by the NPRP award [ 8-878-1-172 ] from Qatar National Research Fund (a member of the Qatar foundation ). The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the Authors

Chemical Composition Analysis, Antioxidant, and Antibacterial Activities of Eggplant Leaves

Agricultural by-products represent one of the biggest pollutants for the environment, therefore, investigating new sources for the extraction of bioactive compounds is a topic of great interest for the entire scientific community. This work is aimed at studying the chemical composition (pigments, phenolics, volatile compounds) and biological activities (antioxidant and antimicrobial properties) of young and mature leaves of five eggplant cultivars (Solanum melongena L.) grown in Tunisia (Tizona, A1014, Nawel, A336, and Mirval). Pigment analysis showed no statistical variations between the two types of leaves, whereas higher levels of anthocyanins were recorded in young leaves of three out of five cultivars (24.7–52.8 mg 100 g−1). Total phenolic compounds (966.5–2072.6 mg 100 g−1) and o-diphenols (343.9–741.2 mg 100 g−1) contents varied significantly according to leaf age and cultivar. However, no statistically significant variation between young and mature leaves was found in flavonols and tannins content. As for volatile profiles, 62 constituents were characterized with non-terpene derivatives (52.0–61.6 %) and apocarotenes (19.9–35.6 %) as major chemical classes. Regarding the antioxidant activity, methanol extracts of Tizona cultivar mature leaves displayed important antiradical properties using DPPH, ABTS, and phosphomolybdenum assays (IC50 0.1, 0.2 and 0.01 mg mL−1, respectively). With regards to reducing power determination, the most active extract was obtained from mature A1014 leaves. Further, young Mirval leaves proved to be significantly active from a bactericidal point of view against Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus of 3.1 mg mL−1 and 0.2 mg mL−1 MBC, respectively. In conclusion, eggplant leaves are a noteworthy source of antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds with potential use in the pharmaceutical, the cosmetics and the food industries

Anti-corrosive and oil sensitive coatings based on epoxy/polyaniline/magnetite-clay composites through diazonium interfacial chemistry

Epoxy polymer nanocomposites filled with magnetite (Fe3O4) clay (B), named (B-DPA-PANI@Fe3O4) have been prepared at different filler loading (0.1, 0.5, 1, 3, 5 wt. %). The surface modification of clay by polyaniline (PANI) is achieved in the presence of 4-diphenylamine diazonium salt (DPA). The effects of the nanofiller loading on Tensile, mechanical and dielectric properties were systematically studied. Improved properties was highlighted for all reinforced samples. The addition of only 3 wt. % of the filler enhanced the tensile strength of the composites by 256%, and the glass transition temperature Tg by 37%. The dielectric spectra over a broad frequency showed a robust interface between the hybrid (B-DPA-PANI@Fe3O4) fillers and epoxy matrix. The results showed most significant improvement in corrosion inhibition using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in 3.5 wt % NaCl, as well as a significant response in oil sensing test. High charge transfer resistance of 110 � 106 ?.cm2 using 3-wt % of filler was noted compared to 0.35 � 106 ?.cm2 for the pure epoxy. The results obtained herein will open new routes for the preparation of efficient anticorrosion sensor coatings. � 2018, The Author(s).The NPRP Award [8-878-1-172] from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation) made this manuscript possible.Scopu

Isolation, identification and characterization of a new lipolytic Pseudomonas sp., strain AHD-1, from Tunisian soil

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