24 research outputs found
Unravelling the secret of seedbased gels in water: the nanoscale 3D network formation
Chia (Salvia hispanica) and basil (Ocimum basilicum) seeds have the intrinsic ability to form a hydrogel concomitant with moisture-retention, slow releasing capability and proposed health benefits such as curbing diabetes and obesity by delaying digestion process. However, the underlying mode of gelation at nanoscopic level is not clearly explained or explored. The present study elucidates and corroborates the hypothesis that the gelling behavior of such seeds is due to their nanoscale 3D-network formation. The preliminary study revealed the influence of several conditions like polarity, pH and hydrophilicity/ hydrophobicity on fiber extrusion from the seeds which leads to gelation. Optical microscopic analysis clearly demonstrated bundles of fibers emanating from the seed coat while in contact with water, and live growth of fibers to form 3D network. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) studies confirmed 3D network formation with fiber diameters ranging from 20 to 50 nm
Lithium storage mechanisms in purpurin based organic lithium ion battery electrodes
Current lithium batteries operate on inorganic insertion compounds to power a diverse range of
applications, but recently there is a surging demand to develop environmentally friendly green electrode
materials. To develop sustainable and eco-friendly lithium ion batteries, we report reversible lithium ion
storage properties of a naturally occurring and abundant organic compound purpurin, which is non-toxic
and derived from the plant madder. The carbonyl/hydroxyl groups present in purpurin molecules act as
redox centers and reacts electrochemically with Li-ions during the charge/discharge process. The
mechanism of lithiation of purpurin is fully elucidated using NMR, UV and FTIR spectral studies. The
formation of the most favored six membered binding core of lithium ion with carbonyl groups of purpurin
and hydroxyl groups at C-1 and C-4 positions respectively facilitated lithiation process, whereas hydroxyl
group at C-2 position remains unaltered