Voltammetric Determination of Homocysteine Using Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Paste Electrode in the Presence of Chlorpromazine as a Mediator

We propose chlorpromazine (CHP) as a new mediator for the rapid, sensitive, and highly selective voltammetric determination of homocysteine (Hcy) using multiwall carbon nanotube paste electrode (MWCNTPE). The experimental results showed that the carbon nanotube paste electrode has a highly electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of Hcy in the presence of CHP as a mediator. Cyclic voltammetry, double potential step chronoamperometry, and square wave voltammetry (SWV) are used to investigate the suitability of CHP at the surface of MWCNTPE as a mediator for the electrocatalytic oxidation of Hcy in aqueous solutions. The kinetic parameters of the system, including electron transfer coefficient, and catalytic rate constant were also determined using the electrochemical approaches. In addition, SWV was used for quantitative analysis. SWV showed wide linear dynamic range (0.1–210.0 μM Hcy) with a detection limit of 0.08 μM Hcy. Finally, this method was also examined as a selective, simple, and precise electrochemical sensor for the determination of Hcy in real samples

Iterative Heuristics for Multiobjective VLSI Cell Placement

We employ two iterative heuristics for the optimization of VLSI standard cell placement. These heuristics are based on Genetic Algorithms (GA's) and Tabu Search (TS)[1] respectively. We address a multiobjective version of the problem in which, power dissipation, timing performance, and interconnect wire lenghth are optimized while layout width is taken as a constraint. Fuzzy rules are incorporated in order to design a multi-objective cost function that integrates the cost of three objectives in a single overall cost value. A series of experiments is performed to study the effect of important algorithmic parameters of GA and TS. Both the techniques are applied to ISCAS-85/89 benchmark circuits and experimental results are reported and compared

Synthesis of new functionalized Calix[4]arene modified silica resin for the adsorption of metal ions: Equilibrium, thermodynamic and kinetic modeling studies

In this study, a new efficient resin-based material has been synthesized through the surface modification of silica by functionalized calix[4]arene and applied for the adsorption of metal ions from aqueous media. The synthesis of functionalized calix[4]arene modified silica (FCMS) resin was characterized by FTIR, CHNS, BET surface area, SEM analyses. The FCMS resin has high thermal and chemical stabilities that were checked by the thermogravimetric analysis and various acidic/basic conditions. The efficiency of the FCMS resin was checked by performing a set of batch experiments under optimized parameters such as concentration of the metal solution, pH, resin dosage, time, temperature, and competitive adsorption in mixed solutions. The results showed that better adsorption has been achieved at pH 7, with 25 mg adsorbent dosage and 10 min contact time. The equilibrium kinetic study showed that the metal adsorption follows the pseudo 2nd order kinetic model with quite high coefficients of determination values (R-2 > 0.99). The experimental data have been validated by applying three adsorption isotherm models and the results revealed that the Freundlich isotherm model (R-2 > 0.99) was the best fit for the adsorption of Cu2+, Pb2+, and Cd2+ ions. However, the sorption energy calculated from the D-R isotherm model for Cu2+, Pb2+, and Cd2+ ions suggested that an ion-exchange mechanism is involved on the surface of the FCMS resin. The thermodynamic data demonstrated that the reaction is spontaneous and endothermic. The FCMS resin was also applied on real wastewater samples and the results demonstrated that the resin has a good ability to treat metal-contaminated wastewater. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Identification of heavy metal ions from aqueous environment through gold, Silver and Copper Nanoparticles: An excellent colorimetric approach

Heavy metal pollution has become a severe threat to human health and the environment for many years. Their extensive release can severely damage the environment and promote the generation of many harmful diseases of public health concerns. These toxic heavy metals can cause many health problems such as brain damage, kidney failure, immune system disorder, muscle weakness, paralysis of the limbs, cardio complaint, nervous system. For many years, researchers focus on developing specific reliable analytical methods for the determination of heavy metal ions and preventing their acute toxicity to a significant extent. The modern researchers intended to utilize efficient and discerning materials, e.g. nanomaterials, especially the metal nanoparticles to detect heavy metal ions from different real sources rapidly. The metal nanoparticles have been broadly utilized as a sensing material for the colorimetric detection of toxic metal ions. The metal nanoparticles such as Gold (Au), Silver (Ag), and Copper (Cu) exhibited localized plasmon surface resonance (LPSR) properties which adds an outstanding contribution to the colorimetric sensing field. Though, the stability of metal nanoparticles was major issue to be exploited colorimetric sensing of heavy emtal ions, but from last decade different capping and stabilizing agents such as amino acids, vitmains, acids and ploymers were used to functionalize the metal surface of metal nanoparticles. These capping agents prevent the agglomeration of nanoparticles and make them more active for prolong period of time. This review covers a comprehensive work carried out for colorimetric detection of heavy metals based on metal nanoparticles from the year 2014 to onwards. © 202