Probing Surface Functionality on Amorphous Carbons Using X‑ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy of Bound Metal Ions

The surface functionality of amorphous carbons is difficult to directly measure because of a lack of crystallinity and overwhelming signals derived from the bulk material. Biochar, a form of amorphous carbon containing considerable oxygen surface functionality, was probed using metal ions and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to simultaneously measure the presence and proximity of functional groups and determine the preferred binding modes of a variety of metal ions. These binding motifs were correlated to the efficiency of metal adsorption as determined using the Langmuir isotherm and stability with respect to leaching. Three binding motifs were apparent: physisorption (Cd²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Zn²⁺), chelation (Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Zn²⁺), and hydrolysis/precipitation (Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Pb²⁺)

Optimizing Reductive Degradation of PAHs Using Anhydrous Ethanol with Magnesium Catalyzed by Glacial Acetic Acid

Targeted degradation of individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) constituents like anthracene, may offer cost effective and efficient cleaning of coal tar-contaminated sites. Thus, a reductive degradation procedure of anthracene using activated magnesium with anhydrous ethanol at room temperature was developed and optimized. To determine the optimum conditions for anthracene, such as effective magnesium concentrations, glacial acetic acid volumes, and exposure time for the anthracene reduction, the experiments were designed using the response surface methodology based on the central composite design. The design also minimized the number of experiments. The main product from anthracene reduction is 9,10-dihyrdoanthracene. Optimum conditions for 98% degradation capacity of anthracene (2.80 × 10^–3 mmol) were 30 mg of Mg powder (1.20 mmol), 60 μL of glacial acetic acid (1.05 mmol), and 30 min exposure time. When the optimized method was tested on the coal tar specimen, twice as many reagents (i.e., Mg and glacial acetic acid) were required to obtain a 90% degradation of anthracene and fluoranthene from the coal tar. This method of using activated Mg and anhydrous ethanol selectively reduces PAHs in coal tar; in particular anthracene and fluoranthene are most efficiently removed

Adsorption of Oligo-DNA on Magnesium Aluminum-Layered Double-Hydroxide Nanoparticle Surfaces: Mechanistic Implication in Gene Delivery

Magnesium aluminum-layered double-hydroxide nanoparticles (LDH NPs) are promising drug-delivery vehicles for gene therapy, particularly for siRNA interference; however, the interactions between oligo-DNA and LDH surfaces have not been adequately elucidated. Through a mechanistic study, oligo-DNA initially appears to rapidly bind strongly to the LDH outer surfaces through interactions with their phosphate backbones via ligand exchange with OH^– on Mg²⁺ centers and electrostatic forces with Al³⁺. These initial interactions might precede diffusion into interlayer spaces, and this knowledge can be used to design better gene therapy delivery systems

Volume 04

Please note that part of pages 92-95 are redacted, in the digital copy, due to a misprint of the original printed article. Introduction from Dean Dr. Charles Ross The Internal Other: Transculturation and Postcolonial Magical Realism in Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children by Matt Szemborski Photography by Phillip Van Ness Photography “Waterfall” by Sarah Croughwell Romancing the Bite: Statistical Analysis of Young Adult Vampire Novels by Sarah Mayfield Photography by Alyssa Strackbein Photography by Marley Kimmel Wine and Society in the Viceroyalty of Peru by Stephanie Skipp Analysis of Claud Monet’s Impression, Sunrise by Jamie Yurasits Exploring Meaning: The Lindisfarne Gospels by Katherine Taggart Photography by Alex Leonhart Photography “Sorority” by Kristen Rawls A Study on E-mail Address Harvesting Behavior by Andrew Armes Print Making by Amanda Haymens Poster “Community” by Allison Paqlowski Poster “Unite. Work Together. Solve” by Erica May Photography by Stephanie Lane A Minimal Working Configuration Set for Asterisk by Luke Acree The Effect of Judges’ Instructions about Case Information on Jury Memory by Cassandra L. Wilson Photography by Stephanie Pishock Photography by Erica Hopson Phonological Similarity versus Semantic Similarity on False Memory Induction by K. Juston Osborne Poster “We the People” by Kathryn Grayson Poster “Unite for a New Voice” by Kyle Fowlkes Poster “There’s no harm in Covering Everyone” by Jessica Cox Poster “Food is Your Common Ground A Universal Experience” by Kaity Byrum Heat-Induced CIS/Trans Isomerization in Vegetable Oils and Oleic Acid by John-Harwood Scott Poster “Siren” by Ashley Johnson Poster “Everything is One” by Samantha Hockman Logo for WMLU College Radio by Emily Staskiel Poster “I am My Own Wife” by Nancy MacDonald Increasing Binding Strength for Capsaicin Analogs through Alteration of Lanthanide Chelates by R. Kruger Bressin Retention of Science Majors Through Different Avenues of General Chemistry Education by Benjamin P. Bilodeau Detecting Counterfeit Ani-Malarials Through Comparison Between High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography and Other Methods of Analysis by Andrea Irby Lithographic print “Economic Apocalypse” & “Winter Pin Oak” by Kristin MacQuarrie Movie Poster “Mean Girls” by Sarah Bietsch Movie Poster “Edward Scissorhands” by Elizabeth Bedna