An innovative concept of use of redox-active electrolyte in asymmetric capacitor based on MWCNTs/MnO(2) and Fe(2)O(3) thin films

In present investigation, we have prepared a nanocomposites of highly porous MnO2 spongy balls and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in thin film form and tested in novel redox-active electrolyte (K3[Fe(CN)6] doped aqueous Na2SO4) for supercapacitor application. Briefly, MWCNTs were deposited on stainless steel substrate by "dip and dry" method followed by electrodeposition of MnO2 spongy balls. Further, the supercapacitive properties of these hybrid thin films were evaluated in hybrid electrolyte ((K3[Fe(CN)6 doped aqueous Na2SO4). Thus, this is the first proof-of-design where redox-active electrolyte is applied to MWCNTs/MnO2 hybrid thin films. Impressively, the MWCNTs/MnO2 hybrid film showed a significant improvement in electrochemical performance with maximum specific capacitance of 1012 Fg-1 at 2 mA cm-2 current density in redox-active electrolyte, which is 1.5-fold higher than that of conventional electrolyte (Na2SO4). Further, asymmetric capacitor based on MWCNTs/MnO2 hybrid film as positive and Fe2O3 thin film as negative electrode was fabricated and tested in redox-active electrolytes. Strikingly, MWCNTs/MnO2//Fe2O3 asymmetric cell showed an excellent supercapacitive performance with maximum specific capacitance of 226 Fg-1 and specific energy of 54.39 Wh kg-1 at specific power of 667 Wkg-1. Strikingly, actual practical demonstration shows lightning of 567 red LEDs suggesting "ready-to sell" product for industries.Nilesh R. Chodankar, Deepak P. Dubal, Abhishek C. Lokhande, Amar M. Patil, Jin H. Kim, Chandrakant D. Lokhand

Synthesis and evaluation of analgesic, anti-asthmatic activity of (E)-1-(8-hydroxyquinolin-7-yl)-3-phenylprop-2-en-1 ones

Abstract Seventeen (E)-1-(8-hydroxyquinolin-7-yl)-3-phenylprop-2-en-1 one derivatives were synthesized via aldol condensation of substituted benzaldehydes with quinoline chalcones starting from 8-hydroxy quinoline. Molecular docking studies were performed on COX-2 protein for analgesic activity and PDE 4 enzyme for anti-asthmatic activity. Docking studies for analgesic activity reveal that the compounds 2 , 4 , 12 , 14 , and 15 showed significant interaction in terms of hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic attachment and van der Waal interaction with COX-2. The docking studies and pharmacological screening indicate that substitution of hydroxyl and conjugated ketone groups on the aldehyde ring and the quinoline ring accelerates analgesia with better binding to active site. Eddy's hot plate method was used to evaluate analgesic activity of the synthesized compounds. Compounds showed a substantial increase in reaction time when compared with standard pentazocin. Compounds 2 , 4 , 7 , 9 and 13 showed significant binding interactions with PDE 4 enzyme and hence were selected for evaluation of anti-asthmatic activity using the goat tracheal chain method. Studies reveal that substitution of the methoxy group at 4th & 5th positions for compounds 2 , 4 & 7 leads to significant percentage inhibition of histamine induced contraction. The synthesized compounds are thus found to be potent as analgesic and anti-asthmatic agents

3D semiconducting nanostructures via inverse lipid cubic phases.

Well-ordered and highly interconnected 3D semiconducting nanostructures of bismuth sulphide were prepared from inverse cubic lipid mesophases. This route offers significant advantages in terms of mild conditions, ease of use and electrode architecture over other routes to nanomaterials synthesis for device applications. The resulting 3D bicontinous nanowire network films exhibited a single diamond topology of symmetry Fd3m (Q227) which was verified by Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and holds great promise for potential applications in optoelectronics, photovoltaics and thermoelectrics