Publications

An entry from the Cambridge Structural Database, the world’s repository for small molecule crystal structures. The entry contains experimental data from a crystal diffraction study. The deposited dataset for this entry is freely available from the CCDC and typically includes 3D coordinates, cell parameters, space group, experimental conditions and quality measures.

Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) were loaded on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanosheets prepared by ultrasonication-assisted liquid exfoliation of bulk g-C3N4 via green photoreduction of Au(III) under visible light irradiation using g-C3N4 as an effective photocatalyst. The nanohybrids show superior photocatalytic activities for the decomposition of methyl orange under visible-light irradiation to bulk g-C3N4, g-C3N4 nanosheets, and AuNP/bulk g-C3N4 hybrids.

An entry from the Cambridge Structural Database, the world’s repository for small molecule crystal structures. The entry contains experimental data from a crystal diffraction study. The deposited dataset for this entry is freely available from the CCDC and typically includes 3D coordinates, cell parameters, space group, experimental conditions and quality measures.

Our research indicates that most kidney donors have had a positive experience over the past four decades. Both male and female donors of all ages reported good long-term QOL, further enhanced by recognition and support from their families and friends. These findings provide further support for our current policy on organ donation.

Conversion of naturally abundant nitrogen to ammonia is a key (bio)chemical process to sustain life and represents a major challenge in chemistry and biology. Electrochemical reduction is emerging as a sustainable strategy for artificial nitrogen fixation at ambient conditions by tackling the hydrogen- and energy-intensive operations of the Haber-Bosch process. However, it is severely challenged by nitrogen activation and requires efficient catalysts for the nitrogen reduction reaction. Here we report that a boron carbide nanosheet acts as a metal-free catalyst for high-performance electrochemical nitrogen-to-ammonia fixation at ambient conditions. The catalyst can achieve a high ammonia yield of 26.57 μg h^-1 mg^-1_cat. and a fairly high Faradaic efficiency of 15.95% at -0.75 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode, placing it among the most active aqueous-based nitrogen reduction reaction electrocatalysts. Notably, it also shows high electrochemical stability and excellent selectivity. The catalytic mechanism is assessed using density functional theory calculations.

In this project, lanthanum oxide doped tin oxide (SnLa₂O₅) nanomaterial was prepared and characterized morphologically and physiochemically by different techniques. The catalytic performance of SnLa₂O₅ was assessed toward catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), methyl orange (MO), congo red (CR), methylene blue (MB) and potassium ferricyanide (K₃[Fe(CN)₆]). SnLa₂O₅ was found to be efficient for K₃[Fe(CN)₆] in the presence of NaBH₄, which reduced in only 8.0 min. SnLa₂O₅ was further wrapped in carboxymethyl cellulose mixed calcium alginate (CMC-Alg) hydrogel beads because the powder catalyst cannot be simply recovered from reaction media to recycle and use again. SnLa₂O₅ wrapped CMC-Alg (SnLa₂O₅/CMC-Alg) was assessed for detail analysis of K₃[Fe(CN)₆] reduction. The effect of NaBH₄, K₃[Fe(CN)₆] concentration and amount of catalyst was optimized using SnLa₂O₅/CMC-Alg. The amount of catalyst has positive impact on catalytic reduction of K₃[Fe(CN)₆]. The kinetic study revealed that K₃[Fe(CN)₆] reduction by SnLa₂O₅ and SnLa₂O₅/CMC-Alg was fast, which completed in 8.0 and 4.0 min with rate constant of 0.4283 min^-1 and 0.7461 min^-1, respectively. These findings indicated that the developed SnLa₂O₅/CMC-Alg is best and proficient nanocatalyst for K₃[Fe(CN)₆] reduction. The efficiency along with cost-effective and simple treatment route of the developed nanocatalyst have prospect to compete and replace the reputable commercial catalysts.

Interfacial interaction amongst the antidepressant drug-imipramine hydrochloride (IMP) and pharmaceutical excipient (triton X-100 (TX-100-nonionic surfactant)) mixed system of five various ratios in dissimilar media (H₂O/50 mmol·kg^-1 NaCl/250 mmol·kg^-1 urea) was investigated through the surface tension method. In addition, in the aqueous solution, the ¹H-NMR, as well as FT-IR studies of the studied pure and mixed system were also explored and deliberated thoroughly. In NaCl media, properties of pure/mixed interfacial surfaces enhanced as compared with the aqueous system, and consequently the synergism/attractive interaction among constituents (IMP and TX-100) grew, whereas in urea (U) media a reverse effect was detected. Surface excess concentration (<i>Γ_max</i>), composition of surfactant at mixed monolayer (X1σ), activity coefficient (<i>f</i>₁^σ (TX-100) and <i>f</i>₂^σ (IMP)), etc. were determined and discussed thoroughly. At mixed interfacial surfaces interaction, parameter (<i>β</i>^σ) reveals the attractive/synergism among the components. The Gibbs energy of adsorption (ΔGadso) value attained was negative throughout all employed media viewing the spontaneity of the adsorption process. The ¹H NMR spectroscopy was also employed to examine the molecular interaction of IMP and TX-100 in an aqueous system. FT-IR method as well illustrated the interaction amongst the component. The findings of the current study proposed that TX-100 surfactant could act as an efficient drug delivery vehicle for an antidepressant drug. Gels can be used as drug dosage forms due to recent improvements in the design of surfactant systems. Release mechanism of drugs from surfactant/polymer gels is dependent upon the microstructures of the gels and the state of the drugs within the system.

A new series of polyurea derivatives and its nanocomposites were synthesised by the solution polycondensation method through the interaction between 4(2-aminothiazol-4-ylbenzylidene)-4-(tert-butyl) cyclohexanone and diisocyanate compound in pyridine. The PU_1-3 structure was confirmed using Fourier transform-infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and characterised by solubility, viscometry, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. In addition, PU_1-3 was evaluated by TGA. Polyurea-TiO₂nanocomposites were synthesised using the same technique as that of PU_1-3 by adding TiO₂ as a nanofiller. The thermal properties of PU₂TiO₂a-d were evaluated by TGA. Moreover, the morphological properties of a selected sample were examined by SEM and TEM. In addition, PU_1-3 and PU₂TiO₂a-d were examined for antimicrobial activity against certain bacteria and fungi. The PU_1-3 showed antibacterial activity against some of the tested bacteria and fungi, as did PU₂TiO₂a-d, which increased with the increase in TiO₂ content. Furthermore, molecular docking studies were displayed against all PU_1-3 derivatives against two types of proteins. The results show that the increase in the strength of π-H interactions and H-donors contributed to improved binding of PU2 compared to PU1 andPU_3. The docking of 1KZN against the tested polymers suggests an increase in the docking score of PU_2, then PU₁, and PU₃, which is in agreement with the antibacterial study.

Highly stable CuO nanoparticles about 2–4 nm in diameter have been successfully prepared by heating aqueous Cu(OAc)2 and urea solution in the presence of poly[(2-ethyldimethylammonioethyl methacrylate ethyl sulfate)-co-(1-vinylpyrrolidone)] (PQ11). Direct placing of the resultant dispersion on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) without the use of an immobilization support matrix leads to very stable CuO nanoparticle-containing films with remarkable catalytic performance toward the oxidation of glucose. This sensor shows good response to glucose in comparison to other normally co-existing electroactive species (such as dopamine, ascorbic acid and uric acid). The linear detection range is estimated to be from 5 μM to 2.3 mM (r = 0.994), and the detection limit is estimated to be 0.5 μM at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. More importantly, it suggests that this glucose sensor can be used for the glucose detection in human blood serum.