Preparation of [C60]Fullerene Nanowhisker-gold Nanoparticle Composites and Reduction of 4-Nitrophenol through Catalysis

A gold nanoparticle solution was prepared by adding sodium borohydride (NaBH4), trisodium citrate dihydrate (C6H5Na3O7⋅2H2O), cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB,(C16H33)N(CH3)3Br), ascorbic acid (C6H8O6), and potassium tetrachloroaurate(III)(KAuCl4) to distilled water and stirring the solution for 15 min. [C60]fullerene nanowhisker-gold nanoparticle composites were synthesized using C60-saturated toluene, the gold nanoparticle solution, and isopropyl alcohol by liquid-liquid interfacial precipitation (LLIP). The product of the nanocomposites was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and solid-state 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The catalytic activity of the [C60]fullerene nanowhisker-gold nanoparticle composites was confirmed in 4-nitrophenol reduction by UV-vis spectroscopy

Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticle with Aqueous Carbon Nano Colloid under Ultrasonication and Self-Assembled Carbon-Gold Nanoparticle Multilayer Films

The preparation of gold nanoparticle showed in carbon nano colloid under ultrasonic irradiation. The products of gold nanoparticle were well dispersed in carbon nano colloid investigated by UV-vis., SEM, TEM, EDX, and XRD spectra. Carbon nano colloid – gold nanoparticle films were self-assembled on the reactive surface of glass slides functionalized with 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane. Also, the self-assembled nanoparticle films were characterized using UV-vis. spectra

Formation of Water-Soluble Fullerenes [C60,C70] under Ultrasonication and Antioxidant Effect

The water-soluble fullerenes [C60, C70] are prepared with fullerenes [C60, C70] and a mixture of oxidants (v/v) at the ratio of 3:1 under ultrasonic condition at room temperature. The MALDI-TOF MS confirmed that the water-soluble compounds were C60 and C70. The antioxidant effect of water-soluble fullerenes [C60, C70] in the PC 12 cells (Rat pheochromocytoma) line following exposure to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was investigated

An Overview: Recent Development of Titanium Oxide Nanotubes as Photocatalyst for Dye Degradation

Today, organic dyes are one of the largest groups of pollutants release into environment especially from textile industry. It is highly toxic and hazardous to the living organism; thus, the removal of these dyes prior to discharge into the environment is essential. Varieties of techniques have been employed to degrade organic dyes and heterogeneous photocatalysis involving titanium dioxide (TiO2) appears to be the most promising technology. In recent years, TiO2 nanotubes have attracted much attention due to their high surface area and extraordinary characteristics. This paper presents a critical review of recent achievements in the modification of TiO2 nanotubes for dye degradation. The photocatalytic activity on dye degradation can be further enhanced by doping with cationic or anionic dopant

Saussurea lappa induces G2-growth arrest and apoptosis in AGS gastric cancer cells

The molecular effects of Saussurea lappa extracts, a traditional medicine in Eastern Asia, on the fate of gastric carcinoma have not been understood. In this study, its cytostatic effects were examined using gastric AGS cancer cells. Its treatment resulted in apoptosis and G2-arrest in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The effects were attributed to the regulation of cyclins and pro-apoptotic molecules and suppression of anti-apoptotic molecules. Therefore, these results suggest that extracts of S. lappa root may be a candidate to deal with gastric cancers either by traditional herbal therapy or by combinational therapy with conventional chemotherapy

Cognitive-Enhancing Effect of Steamed and Fermented Codonopsis lanceolata

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by memory impairment. Codonopsis lanceolata (C. lanceolata) has been employed clinically for lung inflammatory diseases such as asthma, tonsillitis, and pharyngitis. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of fermented C. lanceolata (300, 500, and 800 mg/kg) on learning and memory impairment induced by scopolamine by using the Morris water maze and passive avoidance tests. To elucidate possible mechanism of cognitive-enhancing activity, we measured acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) expression in the brain of mice. Administration of fermented C. lanceolata (800 mg/kg) led to reduced scopolamine-induced memory impairment in the Morris water maze and passive avoidance tests. Accordingly, the administration of fermented C. lanceolata inhibited AchE activity. Interestingly, the level of CREB phosphorylation and BDNF expression in hippocampal tissue of scopolamine-treated mice was significantly increased by the administration of fermented C. lanceolata. These results indicate that fermented C. lanceolata can ameliorate scopolamine-induced memory deficits in mouse and may be an alternative agent for the treatment of AD

Synthesis of Gd2O3 Nanoparticles and Their Photocatalytic Activity for Degradation of Azo Dyes

Gadolinium oxide (Gd2O3) nanoparticles were prepared via the reaction of gadolinium nitrate hexahydrate (Gd (NO3)3·6H2O) and ethylamine (C2H5NH2), and their surface morphology, particle size, and properties were examined by using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and ultraviolet visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy. The Gd2O3 nanoparticles were used as the photocatalyst for the degradation of various azo dyes, such as methyl orange (MO), acid orange 7 (AO7), and acid yellow 23 (AY23) under irradiation with UV light. The effect of the experimental parameters (initial concentration of azo dyes, dosage of catalyst, and wavelength of UV light) on the photocatalytic properties of the Gd2O3 nanoparticles were investigated. At a constant H2O2 concentration, the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of the Gd2O3 nanoparticles for various azo dyes was in the order: methyl orange > acid orange 7 > acid yellow 23. The kinetics study showed that the photocatalytic degradation of azo dyes was followed by a pseudo first-order reaction rate law

Synthesis of Waterborne Polyurethane Using Phosphorus-Modified Rigid Polyol and its Physical Properties

In this study, a phosphorous-containing polyol (P-polyol) was synthesized and reacted with isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) to produce water-dispersed polyurethane. To synthesize waterborne polyurethanes (WPUs), mixtures of P-polyol and polycarbonate diol (PCD) were reacted with IPDI, followed by the addition of dimethylol propionic acid, to confer hydrophilicity to the produced polyurethane. An excess amount of water was used to disperse polyurethane in water, and the terminal isocyanate groups of the resulting WPUs were capped with ethylene diamine. P-polyol:PCD molar ratios of 0.1:0.9, 0.2:0.8, and 0.3:0.7 were used to synthesize WPUs. The films prepared by casting and drying the synthesized WPUs in plastic Petri dishes were used to test the changes in physical properties induced by changing the P-polyol:PCD molar ratio. The experimental results revealed that the tensile strength of PU-10, the WPU with a P-polyol:PCD molar ratio of 0.1:0.9, was 16% higher than that of the reference P-polyol–free WPU sample. Moreover, the thermal decomposition temperature of PU-10 was 27 °C higher than that of the reference sample