Radiation-grafted membranes based on polyethylene for direct methanol fuel cells

Styrenewas grafted onto ultrahigh molecularweight polyethylene powder (UHMWPE) by gammairradiation using a 60Co source. Compression moulded films of selected pre-irradiated styrene-grafted ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE-g-PS) were post-sulfonated to the sulfonic acid derivative (UHMWPE-g-PSSA) for use as proton exchange membranes (PEMs). The sulfonation was confirmed by Xray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The melting and flow properties of UHMWPE and UHMWPE-g-PS are conducive to forming homogeneous pore-free membranes. Both the ion conductivity and methanol permeability coefficient increased with degree of grafting, but the grafted membranes showed comparable or higher ion conductivity and lower methanol permeability than Nafion\uae 117 membrane. One UHMWPE-g-PS membrane was fabricated into a membrane\u2013electrode assembly (MEA) and tested as a single cell direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). Low membrane cost and acceptable fuel cell performance indicate that UHMWPE-g-PSSA membranes could offer an alternative approach to perfluorosulfonic acidtype membranes for DMFC.Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye

Radiation-induced grafting of styrene onto ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene powder and subsequent film fabrication for application as polymer electrolyte membranes: I. Influence of grafting conditions

Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye

Polyethylene-based radiation grafted anion-exchange membranes for alkaline fuel cells

Vinyl benzyl chloride was grafted onto ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene powder (UHMWPE) by radiation grafting. The grafted powder was subsequently fabricated into membrane by melt pressing. The effect of absorbed radiation dose on the degree of grafting (DG) is discussed. The melt-flow properties of PVBC grafted PE with low degree of grafting was conducive to forming homogeneous pore-free membranes, which was confirmed by scanning electron microscopic analysis. The grafted polytheylene membranes were post functionalized with trimethylamine, followed by alkalization to obtain anion-exchange membranes (AEMs). The structures of the resulting AEMs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, which showed that the grafted membranes were successfully functionalized. The properties of the AEMs, including ion exchange capacity, water uptake, in-plane swelling, methanol uptake, methanol permeability, and hydroxide ion conductivity were investigated. The AEMs showed reasonably good chemical stability, as evidenced by the ion exchange capacity being maintained for a ong duration, even in highly alkaline conditions. The membranes exhibited a maximum ionic conductivity of 47.5 mS cm(-1) at 90 degrees Celsius (30 mS cm(-1) at 60 degrees Celsius). Methanol permeability was found to be in the order of 10(-8) cm(sq) s(-1), which is considerably lower than that of Nafion (registered). The membranes have useful properties consistent with anion exchange membranese suitable for alkaline fuel cells.Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye

Fabrication of Vertically Aligned CNT Composite for Membrane Applications Using Chemical Vapor Deposition through In Situ Polymerization

We report the fabrication of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (CNT) composite using thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD). A forest of vertically aligned CNTs was grown using catalytic CVD. Fluorocarbon polymer, films were deposited in the spaces between vertically aligned MWCNTs using thermal CVD apparatus developed in-house. The excessive polymer top layer was etched by exposing the sample to water plasma. Infrared spectroscopy confirmed the attachment of functional groups to CNTs. Alignment of CNTs, deposition of polymer and postetched specimens were analyzed by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). Uniform distribution of monomodel vertically aligned CNTs embedded in the deposited polymer matrix was observed in the micrograph. Observed uniform distribution otherwise is not possible using conventional techniques such as spin coating

Development of an Impedimetric Aptasensor for Label Free Detection of Patulin in Apple Juice

In the present work, an aptasensing platform was developed for the detection of a carcinogenic mycotoxin termed patulin (PAT) using a label-free approach. The detection was mainly based on a specific interaction of an aptamer immobilized on carbon-based electrode. A long linear spacer of carboxy-amine polyethylene glycol chain (PEG) was chemically grafted on screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) via diazonium salt in the aptasensor design. The NH2-modified aptamer was then attached covalently to carboxylic acid groups of previously immobilized bifunctional PEG to build a diblock macromolecule. The immobilized diblocked molecules resulted in the formation of long tunnels on a carbon interface, while the aptamer was assumed as the gate of these tunnels. Upon target analyte binding, the gates were assumed to be closed due to conformational changes in the structure of the aptamer, increasing the resistance to the charge transfer. This increase in resistance was measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, the main analytical technique for the quantitative detection of PAT. Encouragingly, a good linear range between 1 and 25 ng was obtained. The limit of detection and limit of quantification was 2.8 ng L−1 and 4.0 ng L−1, respectively. Selectivity of the aptasensor was confirmed with mycotoxins commonly occurring in food. The developed apta-assay was also applied to a real sample, i.e., fresh apple juice spiked with PAT, and toxin recovery up to 99% was observed. The results obtained validated the suitability and selectivity of the developed apta-assay for the identification and quantification of PAT in real food samples

Solvent based fractional biosynthesis, phytochemical analysis, and biological activity of silver nanoparticles obtained from the extract of Salvia moorcroftiana.

Multi-drug resistant bacteria sometimes known as "superbugs" developed through overuse and misuse of antibiotics are determined to be sensitive to small concentrations of silver nanoparticles. Various methods and sources are under investigation for the safe and efficient synthesis of silver nanoparticles having effective antibacterial activity even at low concentrations. We used a medicinal plant named Salvia moorcroftiana to extract phytochemicals with antibacterial, antioxidant, and reducing properties. Three types of solvents; from polar to nonpolar, i.e., water, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and hexane, were used to extract the plant as a whole and as well as in fractions. The biosynthesized silver nanoparticles in all extracts (except hexane-based extract) were spherical, smaller than 20 nm, polydispersed (PDI ranging between 0.2 and 0.5), and stable with repulsive force of action (average zeta value = -18.55±1.17). The tested bacterial strains i.e., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis were found to be sensitive to even small concentrations of Ag-NPs, especially P. aeruginosa. The antibacterial effect of these Ag-NPs was associated with their ability to generate reactive oxygen species. DMSO (in fraction) could efficiently extract antibacterial phytochemicals and showed activity against MDR bacteria (inhibition zone = 11-12 mm). Thus, the antibacterial activity of fractionated DMSO extract was comparable to that of Ag-NPs because it contained phytochemicals having solid antibacterial potential. Furthermore, Ag-NPs synthesized from this extract owned superior antibacterial activity. However, whole aqueous extract-based Ag-NPs MIC was least (7-32 μg/mL) as compared to others

Binding Strength of Porphyrin−Gold Nanoparticle Hybrids Based on Number and Type of Linker Moieties and a Simple Method To Calculate Inner Filter Effects of Gold Nanoparticles Using Fluorescence Spectroscopy

Gold nanoparticle–porphyrin assemblies were formed by binding functionalized porphyrins to gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs). Spectroscopic properties of hybrids and binding strength of porphyrins to Au-NPs were observed based on number and type of linker moieties using fluorescence spectroscopy. Binding appears to be dependent on number rather than type of linker moieties present on the porphyrin molecules, as tetraaminophenyl porphyrin shows the highest binding among the molecules we studied and causes agglomeration of nanoparticles due to presence of four linker groups. The inner filter effects of Au-NPs are considerably high due to their high extinction coefficient and cause large errors in the evaluation of quenching efficiencies. We have described a very simple method to calculate the inner filter effects of Au-NPs by first loading them with porphyrins and then replacing them with nonfluorescent ligands. The difference in the fluorescence of unbound porphyrins in the presence and absence of Au-NPs describes their inner filter effects

Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Anticancer Activities of Bitter Gourd Fruit Extracts at Three Different Cultivation Stages

In this study, we are presenting the effect of three ripening stages of air-dried bitter gourd fruit extracts on phenolic acid composition, antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer activities. The results showed mature bitter gourd fruit extract in 100% methanol showing 78% DPPHº scavenging activity. Immature dried fruit extract in 80% and 100% methanol showed promising antibacterial activities, i.e., >18.5 ± 0.21 mm zone-of-inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus, while mature dried fruit extract in 80% methanol showed 18.4 ± 0.17 mm zone-of-inhibition against Escherichia coli. Anticancer activity results of 100% methanol extracts of ripened fruit possess showed 6.72 ± 1.81 and 3.55 ± 0.51 mg/mL IC50 values with HeLa and MDBK cancer cell lines, respectively. The overall results indicate that the immature and ripen fruits of BG could be extracted in pure methanol as an antibacterial and anticancer phytomedicine

Equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamic study of the adsorptive removal of methylene blue from industrial wastewater by white cedar sawdust

The study evaluated the adsorption potential of white cedar sawdust (WCS) for dye removal. WCS was chosen from five preferred, abundant waste biomasses from Pakistan. Various parameters such as contact time, adsorbent dose, dye concentration, pH, and particle size were optimized for methylene blue (MB) dye adsorption. The adsorbent was characterized by FTIR, SEM, EDX and BET analyses. The surface area of the adsorbent was 1.43 m2·g-1 and pore volume was 0.000687 cm3·g-1. The adsorption data best fitted the isotherm models of Langmuir, Temkin, Dubinin–Radushkevich, and Freundlich. The maximum experimental adsorption capacity obtained was 55.15 mg·g-1, which was in close agreement to the calculated adsorption capacity. Fitness of the pseudo-second order kinetics suggested chemisorption as the rate-limiting step. Thermodynamic study for adsorption was carried out to evaluate the Gibbs free energy (ΔG°), enthalpy (ΔH°) and entropy (ΔS°). The negative values ΔG° at the examined temperature range confirmed the spontaneous adsorption of MB onto WCS