Electrooxidation of hydrazine catalyzed by noncovalently functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes with CoPc

We report on the electrooxidation of hydrazine catalyzed by single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) functionalized with cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) which shows that the presence of the single-walled carbon nanotubes enhances the catalytic activity of the CoPc itself without any change in the reaction mechanism. A synergistic effect, in terms of reactivity when the new nanocomposite material was adsorbed on the GC electrode, was observed. The obtained hybrid electrodes were tested under hydrodynamic conditions, showing two different oxidation processes, which suggest the presence of two different types of active sites on the electrode surface catalyzing the reaction. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analyses in the presence of [Fe(CN)6]3−/4− as a redox probe revealed that the GC/SWCNT + CoPc showed much lower electron-resistance (Ret) confirming the synergistic effect of the composite mentioned above. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images showed the clear differences in surface roughness for each film, confirming the different compositions of the hybrid electrodes used in this study

Problematising Local Indigenous Community Research

This book deliberates on developments related to Knowledge Pathing: Multi-, Inter- and Trans-Disciplining in Social Sciences. The book explores the value of this vexed concept in advancing the course for multi-, inter- and trans-disciplinary perspectives, methodologies, theories and epistemologies of knowledge pathing. The discourse on knowledge pathing remains critical in advancing debates and dialogues in the humanities and social sciences spaces of research and studies. This book makes a significant contribution to the scholarly understanding of indigenous knowledge research by focusing on problematising local indigenous community research from Afro-sensed perspectives. The field of indigenous knowledge research and higher education in Africa is complex. Yet, across the continent, higher education has been the sector to least embrace Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) or regard indigenous science as a legitimate source of inspiration for the development of youth and local communities. Higher education institutions and local indigenous communities should thus generate knowledge and power through research. On the other hand, higher education researchers should use their research processes and skills for cross-beneficiation when engaging local indigenous communities. This book embodies the current discourse on decolonisation and the use of indigenous knowledge in research and is intended for research specialists in the field of indigenous knowledge systems

Problematising Local Indigenous Community Research

This book deliberates on developments related to Knowledge Pathing: Multi-, Inter- and Trans-Disciplining in Social Sciences. The book explores the value of this vexed concept in advancing the course for multi-, inter- and trans-disciplinary perspectives, methodologies, theories and epistemologies of knowledge pathing. The discourse on knowledge pathing remains critical in advancing debates and dialogues in the humanities and social sciences spaces of research and studies. This book makes a significant contribution to the scholarly understanding of indigenous knowledge research by focusing on problematising local indigenous community research from Afro-sensed perspectives. The field of indigenous knowledge research and higher education in Africa is complex. Yet, across the continent, higher education has been the sector to least embrace Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) or regard indigenous science as a legitimate source of inspiration for the development of youth and local communities. Higher education institutions and local indigenous communities should thus generate knowledge and power through research. On the other hand, higher education researchers should use their research processes and skills for cross-beneficiation when engaging local indigenous communities. This book embodies the current discourse on decolonisation and the use of indigenous knowledge in research and is intended for research specialists in the field of indigenous knowledge systems

Identification of Lactic Acid Bacteria isolated from Opaque beer (Chibuku) for potential use as a starter culture

A study was carried out to identify lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from chibuku that would be later assessed for potential as starter cultures. Thirty-eight isolates were Gram stained and the 20, which were Gram positive, were identified to genus level using morphological, physiological and biochemical tests. Five genera of lactic acid bacteria were identified and these were Lactobacillus (seven isolates coded B1, B2, C4, E3, E6, F1 and F4), Lactococcus (five isolates: E1, F5, G5, G6 and H1), Leuconostoc (three isolates: E2, D5, F6), Streptococcus (two isolates: G2 and G4) and Enterococcus (three isolates: B3, B4 and G3). From these genera, eleven isolates five from the genus Lactobacillus, three from Lactococcus and three from Leuconostoc were selected for identification to species level using API 50 CH kits. The Lactobacillus strains were identified as follows: two strains were Lb plantarum (C4 and F4), two strains Lb. delbrueckii (B2 and E3), one strain could not be assigned to a species and was termed Lactobacillus sp. E6. Two of the Lactococcus isolates were identified as Lc. lactis subsp. lactis (G6 and H1), while the third isolate was Lc. raffinolactis (strain F5). The three Leuconostoc strains were Ln. mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides. Keywords: Lactic acid bacteria; Sorghum beer (chibuku); Starter culture; Identification J Food Tech in Africa (2002) 7, 93-9

Synthesis, electrochemical characterization of tetra-and octa-substituted dodecyl-mercapto tin phthalocyanines in solution and as self-assembled monolayers

Non-peripherally (α) tetra- (9) and octa-(7) substituted dodecyl-mercapto tin(IV) phthalocyanines were synthesized and their electrochemical behavior studied. Cyclic voltammetry and spectroelectrochemistry show ring-based reductions for 7 and 9, the former shows two ring oxidations, while the latter shows only one ring-based oxidation. The adsorption kinetics of (7) and (9) on gold electrode were investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The equilibrium constant (K) for the adsorption and the Gibbs free energy (ΔGads) of the SAMs were evaluated based on the Frumkin isotherm