http://www.hindawi.com The latest articles from Hindawi Publishing Corporation © 2013 , Hindawi Publishing Corporation . All rights reserved. Tue, 21 May 2013 10:02:23 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/chem/2013/540240/ A novel molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) powder designed for the selective removal of interfering chlorophyll pigment from heavily pigmented green plant extracts during pesticide residue analysis or analysis for bioactives in natural product research is reported. The polymer powder imprinted with chlorophyll was synthesized by copolymerizing the functional and cross-linking monomers, methacrylic acid (MAA) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), respectively. During batch rebinding experiments, the MIP effectively removed chlorophyll from neat chlorophyll standards, green medicinal plants, and spinach extracts with determined absorbance as high as 2.501 absorbance units (Au) to as low as 0.084 Au after the optimum quantity of the MIP (170 mg mL−1) was added as the adsorbent prior to instrumental analysis. The determined 0.084 Au absorbance was far below the absorbance of 2% chlorophyll (0.401 Au) regarded as the cut-off point for interfering chlorophyll. Thus the newly developed polymer presents itself as a suitable adsorbent for the selective removal of chlorophyll from heavily pigmented, chlorophyll containing extracts. Bareki Shima Batlokwa, Janes Mokgadi, Ronald Majors, Charlotta Turner, and Nelson Torto Copyright © 2013 Bareki Shima Batlokwa et al. All rights reserved. Mon, 20 May 2013 16:17:51 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/chem/2013/947137/ Traditional approaches to the development of integrated circuits involve the use and/or manufacture of toxic materials that have a potential environmental impact. An extensive research has been done to design environmentally benign synthetic polymers containing nucleic acid bases, which can be used to enhance the photoresistor technologies. Water soluble, environmentally benign photopolymers of 1-(4-vinylbenzyl) thymine (VBT) and vinylphenyl sufonate (VPS) undergo a photodimerization reaction when exposed to low levels of ultraviolet irradiation leading to an immobilization of the copolymer on a variety of substrates. Plackett-Burman design (PBD) and central composite design (CCD) were applied to identify the significant factors influencing the polymer crosslinking and dye adsorption processes, which are relevant in the fabrication of copolymer films for potential photoresist use. The PBD results assigned a maximum absorption signal of 0.67, while optimal conditions obtained in this experiment following the CCD method predictions provided a response of 0.83 ± 0.03, being a solid foundation for further use of this methodology in the production of potential photoresistors. The pH effect was relevant for low concentrations but not significant for higher concentrations. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first report applying statistical experimental designs to optimize the crosslinking of thymine-based polymers. Julieta Ledesma, Santiago A. Bortolato, Carlos E. Boschetti, and Débora M. Martino Copyright © 2013 Julieta Ledesma et al. All rights reserved. Mon, 20 May 2013 11:37:56 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/chem/2013/861021/ 1,3-Dialkylimidazolium-based ionic liquids were chemically synthesized and bonded on the surface of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with easy one-step reaction. The obtained six kinds of ionic liquid modified MNPs were characterized with transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, magnetization, and FTIR, which owned the high adsorption capacity due to the nanometer size and high-density modification with ionic liquids. Functionality of MNPs with ionic liquids greatly influenced the solubility of the MNPs with organic solvents depending on the alkyl chain length and the anions of the ionic liquids. Moreover, the obtained MNPs showed the specific extraction efficiency to organic pollutant, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, while superparamagnetic property of the MNPs facilitated the convenient separation of MNPs from the bulks water samples. Ying Li, Ning Tang, Fuyuhiko Inagaki, Chisato Mukai, and Kazuichi Hayakawa Copyright © 2013 Ying Li et al. All rights reserved. Sun, 12 May 2013 18:15:10 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/chem/2013/136908/ In this high-technology application, age functional dyes especially polymethine dyes have captured much attention of the researchers due to their immense potential for high-tech uses. Polymethine dyes show promising absorption spectra in the visible range, which can be easily exploited for the use of written text copying, photographic imaging, or photothermographic recording materials. Keeping this in mind, our research is composed of an investigation of two triphenylamino-based polymethine dyes, a known polymethine dye 3 and a new one polymethine dye 5, which have been synthesized by the reaction of 4-(diphenylamino) benzaldehyde 2 and 4,-(phenylazanediyl) dibenzaldehyde 4 with 4,-vinylidene-bis(N, N-dimethylaniline) 1. Based on bis-dimethylaminophenylethylene moiety, the new polymethine dye showed more high absorption spectra in the range of 600–700 nm than that of the known polymethine dye based on bis-dimethylaminophenylethylene moiety. Their maximum spectra were exhibited at 637 nm and 653 nm, respectively. Their leuco-converted reversible colored forms were also investigated. Saleem Ullah, Irshad Ahmad, Yatimah Alias, Ismail Yusoff, and Muhammad Aqeel Ashraf Copyright © 2013 Saleem Ullah et al. All rights reserved. Wed, 08 May 2013 14:48:46 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/chem/2013/165970/ A novel experimental method has been established for the first time to evaluate the distribution behavior of water soluble hydrophobically associated polymer AP-P4 in the oil-water-solid three-phase systems, based on the static adsorption principle. Suitable analysis method has been selected to measure the concentration of polymer in every phase. The enrichment of polymer has been observed between the oil-aqueous interlayer. The distribution coefficient of AP-P4 is obtained along with the variation of concentration and total salinity. The experimental method is helpful to reveal the property of polymer solution and has potential usage in predicting the adsorption and retention in polymer flooding and the wastewater dealing of polymer flooding. Ruyin Li, Guorong Tan, and Jian Zhang Copyright © 2013 Ruyin Li et al. All rights reserved. Tue, 07 May 2013 13:11:18 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/chem/2013/590512/ Purple sweet potato colour (PSPC) was a kind of natural pigment that attracted the general concern in recent years. In this paper, the response surface methodology was employed to optimize the extraction conditions of PSPC. The results showed that the extraction yield of purple colour was 11.6355 mg/g at the optimum extraction conditions of extraction temperature 60°C, extraction time 1 h, the ratio of solid to liquid ratio of 1 : 30, and acidified ethanol solution concentration 80%. Stability experiment showed that Fe3+ and Al3+ could increase the stability of PSPC, but Cu2+, Zn2+, and Pb2+ would decrease the stability of PSPC. Ascorbic acidified could significantly increase the stability of PSPC, and Na2SO3 would reduce the PSPC’s stability. Jinwei Li, Lianfu Zhang, and Yuanfa Liu Copyright © 2013 Jinwei Li et al. All rights reserved. Tue, 07 May 2013 11:44:37 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/chem/2013/850297/ The M06 family of density functionals has been assessed for the calculation of the molecular structure and properties of the Naringin molecule. The chemical reactivity descriptors have been calculated through Conceptual DFT. The active sites for nucleophilic and electrophilic attacks have been chosen by relating them to the Fukui function indices and the dual descriptor . A comparison between the descriptors calculated through vertical energy values and those arising from the Koopmans' theorem approximation has been performed in order to check for the validity of the last procedure. Jorge Ignacio Martínez-Araya, Guillermo Salgado-Morán, and Daniel Glossman-Mitnik Copyright © 2013 Jorge Ignacio Martínez-Araya et al. All rights reserved. Sun, 28 Apr 2013 19:15:59 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/chem/2013/783058/ Some natural alkaloids from medicinal plants, such as yohimbine and its derivatives, have been reported with adrenoceptor (AR) α2 subtypes inhibiting activity. In trying to address the possible mechanism of the action, a set of homology models of AR α2 was built based on MOE. After that, docking and molecular dynamics methods were used to investigate the binding modes of yohimbine and its 2 derivatives in the active pocket of adrenoceptor α2 subtype A, B, and C. The key interactions between the 3 ligands and the 3 receptors were mapped. Binding mode analysis presents a strong identity in the key residues in each subtype. Only a few differences play the key role in modulating selectivity of yohimbine and its derivatives. These results can guide the design of new selective AR α2 inhibitors. Liu Hai-Bo, Peng Yong, Huang Lu-qi, Xu Jun, and Xiao Pei-Gen Copyright © 2013 Liu Hai-Bo et al. All rights reserved. Sun, 28 Apr 2013 16:45:23 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/chem/2013/240568/ A resin of [5-((E)-1-(ethylimino) ethyl)-4, 7-dimethoxy benzofuran-6-ol] Schiff base (EEDB) was prepared, characterized, and successfully applied in the removal of Cu (II) ions from aqueous real samples. While the metal cation was detected using ICP-OES, the prepared Schiff base resin was characterized by means of FTIR, 1HNMR, mass spectral data, and elemental analysis. Various factors affecting the uptake behavior such as pH (2–12), contact time, effect of initial metal concentration (10–250 ppm), and effect of Schiff base weight (0.1–1.5 gm) were studied. The adsorption process was relatively fast and equilibrium was established after about 60 min. The optimum initial pH was 8.0 at a metal ion concentration (100 ppm). Under the optimized conditions, the removal of Cu (II) from real samples of tap water was applied and the removal efficiency reached nearly 85%. The biological activity for Schiff base was also investigated. The results showed that there is no significant difference between the effects of Schiff base on serum (alanine amino transferase) ALT and creatinine concentration activities in treated mice and control, at confidence limits 95%. Reham Hassan, Hassan Arida, Manal Montasser, and Nehad Abdel Latif Copyright © 2013 Reham Hassan et al. All rights reserved. Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:08:30 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/chem/2013/408194/ Argan oil has been extracted using supercritical CO2. The influence of the variables pressure (100, 200, 300, and 400 bar) and temperature (35, 45, 55°C) was investigated. The best extraction yields were achieved at a temperature of 45°C and a pressure of 400 bar. The argan oil extracts were characterized in terms of acid, peroxide and iodine values, total tocopherol, carotene, and fatty acids content. Significant compositional differences were not observed between the oil samples obtained using different pressures and temperatures. The antioxidant capacity of the argan oil samples was high in comparison to those of walnut, almond, hazelnut, and peanut oils and comparable to that of pistachio oil. The physicochemical parameters of the extracted oils obtained by SFE, Soxhlet, and traditional methods are comparable. The technique used for oil processing does not therefore markedly alter the quality of argan oil. Chouaa Taribak, Lourdes Casas, Casimiro Mantell, Zoubaida Elfadli, Rédouane E. Metni, and Enrique J. Martínez de la Ossa Copyright © 2013 Chouaa Taribak et al. All rights reserved. Wed, 24 Apr 2013 13:42:09 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/chem/2013/329238/ Magnesium borates are one of the major groups of boron minerals that have important properties such as high heat and corrosion resistances and high coefficients of elasticity. In this study, magnesium borate minerals are synthesized using boric acid and magnesium oxide with a new method of microwave, and the synthesized minerals are characterized by various analysis techniques. The results show that pure, “magnesium borate hydrate” minerals are obtained at the end of various steps. The characterization of the products is determined with the techniques of X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman Spectroscopy, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Additionally, overall “magnesium borate hydrate” yields are calculated and found about 67% at 270 W, 8 minutes and 360 W, 3 minutes of reaction times, respectively. Azmi Seyhun Kipcak, Emek Moroydor Derun, and Sabriye Piskin Copyright © 2013 Azmi Seyhun Kipcak et al. All rights reserved. Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:52:53 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/chem/2013/305713/ Artificial neural network (ANN) models have the capacity to eliminate the need for expensive experimental investigation in various areas of manufacturing processes, including the casting methods. An understanding of the interrelationships between input variables is essential for interpreting the sensitivity data and optimizing the design parameters. Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) have attracted considerable attention for chemical, physical, and medical applications due to their exceptional properties. The nanocrystal silver was synthesized into an interlamellar space of montmorillonite by using the chemical reduction technique. The method has an advantage of size control which is essential in nanometals synthesis. Silver nanoparticles with nanosize and devoid of aggregation are favorable for several properties. In this investigation, the accuracy of artificial neural network training algorithm was applied in studying the effects of different parameters on the particles, including the AgNO3 concentration, reaction temperature, UV-visible wavelength, and montmorillonite (MMT) d-spacing on the prediction of size of silver nanoparticles. Analysis of the variance showed that the AgNO3 concentration and temperature were the most significant factors affecting the size of silver nanoparticles. Using the best performing artificial neural network, the optimum conditions predicted were a concentration of AgNO3 of 1.0 (M), MMT d-spacing of 1.27 nm, reaction temperature of 27°C, and wavelength of 397.50 nm. Parvaneh Shabanzadeh, Norazak Senu, Kamyar Shameli, and Maryam Mohaghegh Tabar Copyright © 2013 Parvaneh Shabanzadeh et al. All rights reserved. Tue, 23 Apr 2013 08:53:30 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/chem/2013/348412/ Composite monolithic adsorbents were prepared by the incorporation of neutral polystyrene divinylbenzene (PS-DVB) microparticles into macroporous polymer structures produced by cryogelation of agarose or poly(vinyl alcohol). The composite materials exhibited excellent flow-through properties. Scanning electron microscopy of the composite cryogels revealed that the microparticles were covered by thin films of poly(vinyl alcohol) or agarose and thus were withheld in the monolith structure. Plain PS-DVB microparticles showed efficient adsorption of albumin-bound toxins related to liver failure (bilirubin and cholic acid) and of cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6). The rates of adsorption and the amount of adsorbed factors were lower for the embedded microparticles as compared to the parent PS-DVB microparticles, indicating the importance of the accessibility of the adsorbent pores. Still, the macroporous composite materials showed efficient adsorption of albumin-bound toxins related to liver failure as well as efficient binding of cytokines, combined with good blood compatibility. Thus, the incorporation of microparticles into macroporous polymer structures may provide an option for the development of adsorption modules for extracorporeal blood purification. Tanja Eichhorn, Alexander E. Ivanov, Maria B. Dainiak, André Leistner, Ingrid Linsberger, Hans Jungvid, Sergey V. Mikhalovsky, and Viktoria Weber Copyright © 2013 Tanja Eichhorn et al. All rights reserved. Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:18:51 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/chem/2013/409826/ The Brazilian flora was widely used as source of food and natural remedies to treat various diseases. Bixa orellana L. (Bixaceae), also known as annatto, urucù, or achiote, is a symbol for the Amazonian tribes that traditionally use its seeds as coloured ink to paint their bodies for religious ceremonies. The aim of this study was to investigate the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) profile of B. orellana fresh fruits (in vivo sampled), dried seeds, wood, bark, and leaves analyzed with Headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. A screening on phenolic content (the Folin-Ciocalteu assay) and antiradical activity (DPPH assay) of seeds was also conducted. In addition, the repellent properties of seed extracts against Aedes aegypti L. were investigated. Volatile compounds detected in B. orellana samples consisted mainly of sesquiterpenes, monoterpenes, and arenes: α-humulene is the major volatile compound present in seed extracts followed by D-germacrene, γ-elemene, and caryophyllene. B. orellana proved to be a good source of antioxidants. Preliminary data on repellency against A. aegypti of three different dried seed extracts (hexane, ethanol, and ethanol/water) indicated a significant skin protection activity. A protection of 90% and 73% for hexane and ethanol/water extracts was recorded. Annamaria Giorgi, Pietro De Marinis, Giuseppe Granelli, Luca Maria Chiesa, and Sara Panseri Copyright © 2013 Annamaria Giorgi et al. All rights reserved. Mon, 22 Apr 2013 09:58:47 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/chem/2013/840614/ We studied structural and magnetic proprieties of the fulleride C60(FeCp2)2. The influence of fulleride particles on the cell proliferative activity was also investigated. We found that the proliferative activity of the RINmF5 cells increases (53% versus control) in presence of the C60(FeCp2)2 nanosized particles. Moreover, it was registered that the cell culture became multilayered and secreted basophile matrix. Andrei Soldatov, Edward Shpilevsky, Vitaliy Goranov, Vladimir Kulchitsky, and Floriana Tuna Copyright © 2013 Andrei Soldatov et al. All rights reserved. Wed, 17 Apr 2013 08:21:41 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/chem/2013/645086/ Ginkgo biloba is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant which has potent insecticidal activity against brown planthopper. The MeOH extract was tested in the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory assay with IC50 values of 252.1 μg/mL. Two ginkgolides and thirteen flavonoids were isolated from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic data interpretation. It revealed that the 13 isolated flavonoids were found to inhibit AChE with IC50 values ranging from 57.8 to 133.1 μg/mL in the inhibitory assay. AChE was inhibited dose dependently by all tested flavonoids, and compound 6 displayed the highest inhibitory effect against AChE with IC50 values of 57.8 μg/mL. Xiao Ding, Ming-An Ouyang, Xiang Liu, and Rei-Zhen Wang Copyright © 2013 Xiao Ding et al. All rights reserved. Tue, 16 Apr 2013 17:50:19 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/chem/2013/208075/ A hybrid layered crystal containing polyoxomolybdate was successfully synthesized from reduced Mo-blue species as starting material. The hybrid crystal, [C5H5N(C16H33)]2[-H2Mo8O26]2C2H5OH (C16py-H2Mo8), was obtained as a single phase by the gradual oxidation of hexadecylpyridinium-Mo-blue (C16py-Mo-blue) hybrid. The X-ray structure analysis revealed that C16py-H2Mo8 comprised -type octamolybdate anion with two protons (-H2Mo8). The -H2Mo8 anions and ethanol molecules of crystallization formed two-dimensional anionic layers. The pyridine rings of C16py did not attend to form the two-dimensional inorganic layers, and the interdigitated C16py bilayers were sandwiched by the -H2Mo8 anionic layers with periodicity of 18.2 . These C16py-H2Mo8 hybrid layered crystals possibly work as a new class of proton conductor. Keisuke Mikurube, Kimiko Hasegawa, Haruo Naruke, and Takeru Ito Copyright © 2013 Keisuke Mikurube et al. All rights reserved. Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:26:01 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/chem/2013/845270/ Colostrum is a secretion that contains immunologically active components, including immunocompetent cells and glycine, which has anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and cytoprotective effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the adsorption of glycine onto polyethylene glycol (PEG) microspheres and to verify the immunomodulatory effect of this nanomaterial on human colostrum phagocytes. The PEG microspheres were evaluated by fluorescence microscopy. The effects of PEG microspheres with adsorbed glycine on viability, superoxide release, phagocytosis, microbicidal activity, and intracellular calcium release of mononuclear (MN) and polymorphonuclear (PMN) colostrum phagocytes were determined. Fluorescence microscopy analyses revealed that glycine was able to be adsorbed to the PEG microspheres. The PMN phagocytes exposed to glycine-PEG microspheres showed the highest superoxide levels. The phagocytes (both MN and PMN) displayed increased microbicidal activity and intracellular calcium release in the presence of PEG microspheres with adsorbed glycine. These data suggest that the adsorption of PEG microspheres with adsorbed glycine was able to stimulate the colostrum phagocytes. This material may represent a possible alternative therapy for future clinical applications on patients with gastrointestinal infections. Paulo Celso Leventi Guimarães, Adenilda Cristina Honorio-França, Cristiane de Castro Pernet Hara, Danny Laura Gomes Fagundes, Silvia Hanna Bilotti Ratto, and Eduardo Luzía França Copyright © 2013 Paulo Celso Leventi Guimarães et al. All rights reserved. Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:18:11 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/chem/2013/183130/ 2-Oxo-2H-chromene-3-carbohydrazide derivatives 2a,b react with 2-{[4-(substituted thiazol-2-yl)iminoethyl)-phenyl]hydrazono}-3-oxo-butyric acid ethyl esters 4a–c to give 3-methyl-1-[(2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl) carbonyl]-4-{[4-(substituted thiazol-2-yl)iminoethyl)-phenyl]hydrazono}]-2-pyrazolin-5-one derivatives 5a–f. A considerable increase in the reaction rate had been observed with better yield using microwave irradiation for the synthesis of compounds 2a, b, 3a–c, and 5a–f. The synthesized products were tested against B. subtilis, S. aureus, and E. coli as well as C. albicans compared with tetracycline and nystatin as reference drugs. Mohamed S. Mostafa, Nasser M. Abd El-Salam, and Othman Y. Alothman Copyright © 2013 Mohamed S. Mostafa et al. All rights reserved. Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:09:20 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/chem/2013/587875/ The development of drug-eluting coatings based on hyaluronic acid (HA) is especially promising for implant-associated local drug delivery (LDD) systems, whose implantation provokes high insertion forces, as, for instance, cochlear implants or drug-coated balloons (DCB). The lubricious character of HA can then reduce the coefficient of friction and serve as drug reservoir simultaneously. In this context, we investigated several plasma- and wet-chemical methods for the deposition of HA-based coatings with LDD function on polyamide 12 as a model implant surface, conventionally used for DCB. In contrast to aminosilane, epoxy silane surface layers allowed the covalent attachment of a smooth and uniform HA base layer, which provided good adherence of further HA layers deposited by manual dip coating at a subsequent processing stage. The applied HA-crosslinking procedure during dip coating influences the transfer and release of paclitaxel, which could be reproducibly incorporated via infiltration. While crosslinking with N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride provided HA coatings on DCB, which allowed for an efficient paclitaxel transfer upon expansion in a vessel model, crosslinking with glutardialdehyde resulted in a slower drug release being more appropriate for implants with longer residence time in the body. The developed HA coating is hence well suited for spontaneous and sustained LDD. Svea Petersen, Sebastian Kaule, Michael Teske, Ingo Minrath, Klaus-Peter Schmitz, and Katrin Sternberg Copyright © 2013 Svea Petersen et al. All rights reserved. Mon, 15 Apr 2013 17:21:41 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/chem/2013/269434/ A series of hydrogenated ferulic acid amide derivatives 4 were synthesized. The molecular structures of the synthesized compounds were analyzed by NMR and HRMS. The biological activity study showed that some of them displayed excellent protection activity and curative activity against TMV at 500 μg/mL. Can Cui, Zhi-Peng Wang, Xiu-jiang Du, Li-Zhong Wang, Shu-Jing Yu, Xing-Hai Liu, Zheng-Ming Li, and Wei-Guang Zhao Copyright © 2013 Can Cui et al. All rights reserved. Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:08:16 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/chem/2013/508905/ Nanofibers have a wide range of applications, including filtration and biomedical engineering. Porous or hollow fibers with large surface-to-volume ratios are more popular in some fields than the common nanofibers. Porous nanofibers can be obtained through electrospinning with highly volatile solvents or through special treatment following electrospinning. A new process where electrospinning is conducted in supercritical or near-critical CO2 to produce porous or hollow nanofibers has been summarized. In addition, a process entailing compressed N2-assisted electrospinning was attempted to produce PVP nanofibers in this work, but it was proved to be unsuccessful. Since the fiber morphologies are dependent on the phase behavior of organic solvents in supercritical fluids, ASPEN PLUS 2006 was used to simulate the phase equilibrium of the solvent-supercritical fluid system to explain why porous or hollow fibers can be obtained in compressed CO2, but not in compressed N2. Lu Li, Zhao Jiang, Qi Pan, and Tao Fang Copyright © 2013 Lu Li et al. All rights reserved. Mon, 15 Apr 2013 09:19:56 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/chem/2013/251741/ Generation from the existing commercial devices costs about ten times more than the conventional methods. Therefore, this paper presents a thin-film dyed solar cell (DSC) of natural dyes from Melastoma malabathricum fruits which consist of the carbonyl and hydroxyl groups of anthocyanin molecule that influences the performance of photosensitized effect due to its bound on the surface of filler. Experimental results comparing engineering grade (>99% purity) of metal oxide; U1 and U2 with treated metal oxide; U3 and U4 using ultrasonic process, which is to break the particle agglomeration from 0.37 m down to 0.15 m; this treatment led to a more “sponge-like” consistency with high porosity, enabling enhanced absorption and anchorage of the dye sensitizer. The microstructures of metal oxide were observed using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) and Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). Along with the highest performance of I-V measurement given by U4 with open circuit,  = 0.742 V, short circuit,  = 0.36 mA, fill factor, FF = 57.012 gives 0.039% efficiency the examples for the first outdoor application upon sunlight illumination of such DSC were also reported. Therefore, this ultrasonic treatment and novel dye from Melastoma malabathricum fruit are reliable to be used for further application. Anika Zafiah M. Rus, Nur Munirah Abdullah, and M. F. L. Abdullah Copyright © 2013 Anika Zafiah M. Rus et al. All rights reserved. Mon, 15 Apr 2013 09:08:04 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/chem/2013/583952/ Complexes of methyl-β-cyclodextrin and ketoprofen, a crystalline anti-inflammatory drug with poor water solubility, have been prepared for the first time in the presence of supercritical CO2 at 40°C and 20 MPa. The supercritical treatment allows these pharmaceutical formulations to be prepared without the use of any auxiliary agents or organic solvents. The treated samples were characterized through differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffractometry, and the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to exclude the presence of crystalline drug and check the formation of the complexes. The increase of the drug dissolution rate was investigated performing in vitro release tests in aqueous solutions. The results showed that the supercritical treatment can be an efficient method to obtain inclusion complexes with enhanced release kinetics. The operating methods of the release tests, that is, the “tablet method” or the “dispersed amount method,” affected both the dissolution rate and its dependence on the drug amount in the samples. On the contrary, the variation of the pH of the dissolution medium did not show any effect on the release rate of the supercritical complexes. Mauro Banchero, Silvia Ronchetti, and Luigi Manna Copyright © 2013 Mauro Banchero et al. All rights reserved. Thu, 11 Apr 2013 17:55:17 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/chem/2013/652930/ Adsorption behaviors of oxytetracycline onto sediment in the Weihe River were described. The impact factors in the processes of adsorption, such as contact time, solution pH, temperature, and ionic strength, were determined by experiments. The experimental results were analyzed by kinetic and isotherm models. The adsorption kinetics was found to follow a pseudo-first-order model. The equilibrium adsorption data fitted well with the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. However, the Langmuir isotherm was more suitable to describe the adsorption. Thermodynamics parameters such as Gibbs-free energy change (), enthalpy change (), and entropy change () were calculated. Results showed that the adsorption was feasible, spontaneous, entropy increasing, and endothermic in nature, which reached equilibrium in about 24 hours. The adsorption capacity did not cause obvious change at solution pH 4.0–7.0, and both decreased in solution pH 7.0–10.0 and 4.0–2.0. The presence of electrolytes such as NaCl in aqueous solution had a significant negative effect on the adsorption. The mechanisms controlling the adsorption were supposed to be chemisorption. Dong-Hui Cheng, Sheng-Ke Yang, Yue Zhao, and Jing Chen Copyright © 2013 Dong-Hui Cheng et al. All rights reserved. Tue, 09 Apr 2013 10:25:36 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/chem/2013/748161/ Treatment of D-ribose with chloral in the presence of acid catalyst gives 1,2-O-(S)-trichloroethylidene-α-D-ribofuranose (1) (β-ribochloralose). Some derivatives of this product (1) were synthesized to be used as an intermediate in carbohydrate chemistry. Tricyclic orthoester structure (3, 77%) was obtained from the reaction of 1 with potassium t-butoxide. This novel orthoester is expected to be useful as a glycosyl donor in the formations of new ribofuranoside units. 3-O-Methyl-ribochloralose (5) was synthesized in 75% yield via the methylation of 1. 5-O-Tosyl-ribochloralose (6, 61%) was prepared with monotosylation reaction of 1. Treatment of 6 with NaN3 in DMF gives a 5-azido-5-deoxy-ribochloralose (7) in 77% yield. The azidosugar (7) was reduced to 5-amino-5-deoxy-ribochloralose (8, 72%) with triphenylphosphine according to Staudinger’s reduction procedure. Kadir Ay and Erkan Halay Copyright © 2013 Kadir Ay and Erkan Halay. All rights reserved. Tue, 09 Apr 2013 09:10:28 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/chem/2013/210239/ The adsorption of crystal violet (CV) onto date palm fibers (DPFs) was examined in aqueous solution at 25°C. The experimental maximum adsorption capacity value was . Langmuir, Freundlich, Elovich and Temkin models were applied to describe the equilibrium isotherms. The influence of pH and temperature on dye removal was evaluated. The percentage removal of CV dye by adsorption onto DPF at different pH and temperatures showed that these factors play a role in the adsorption process. Thermodynamic analysis was performed, and the Gibbs free energy , enthalpy change , and entropy were calculated. The negative values of indicate spontaneous adsorption. The negative value of indicates that the interaction between CV and DPF is exothermic, and the positive value of indicates good affinity between DPF and CV. The kinetic data were fitted to a pseudo-second-order model. Mashael Alshabanat, Ghadah Alsenani, and Rasmiah Almufarij Copyright © 2013 Mashael Alshabanat et al. All rights reserved. Thu, 04 Apr 2013 15:08:19 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/chem/2013/158431/ A cost-effective fabrication of random noble-metal nanostructures with a feature size of the order of 10 nm on a large-area dielectric substrate is described. The method combines dry etching of the substrate through a self-organized metal mask with a directional deposition of a multilayered metal film. The technique allows one to create metal nanoislands on a nanopatterned dielectric template with an enhanced adhesion between the metal and the dielectric. The use of the adhesion layer—that makes the structures stable—is important in view of variety of optical and other potential applications of the structures. We observe that the presence of the adhesion sublayer dramatically influences both the morphological and optical properties of the structures. The results of this work can be of interest in regard to the development of new approaches to self-organization-based nanofabrication of extremely small metal and metal-dielectric nanostructures on large-area substrates. Victor Ovchinnikov and Andriy Shevchenko Copyright © 2013 Victor Ovchinnikov and Andriy Shevchenko. All rights reserved. Sun, 31 Mar 2013 10:36:44 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/chem/2013/494706/ The interaction of transresveratrol (TRES) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) has been investigated by ultraviolet-visible, fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic methods and molecular modeling techniques. The fluorescence results show that the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA is quenched by TRES through a static quenching procedure. The binding constants of TRES with BSA at 292, 297 and 302 K are calculated as , , and  L , respectively, and corresponding numbers of binding sites are approximately equal to unity. The thermodynamic parameters ΔH and ΔS are estimated to be −21.82 kJ  and +21.15 J  K−1, which indicates that the interaction of TRES with BSA is driven mainly by hydrophobic forces and there are also hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions. The competitive experiments suggest that the binding site of TRES to BSA is probably located on site II. The results of infrared spectra show that the binding of TRES with BSA leads to conformational changes of BSA, and the binding stabilizes the α-helix and β-sheet at the cost of a corresponding loss in the β-turn structure of BSA. The results of molecular modeling calculation clarify the binding mode and the binding sites which are in good accordance with the experiment results. Xiaoli Liu, Yonghui Shang, Xudong Ren, and Hua Li Copyright © 2013 Xiaoli Liu et al. All rights reserved. Sat, 30 Mar 2013 12:03:14 +0000 http://www.hindawi.com/journals/chem/2013/649142/ A very simple means of nitrogen functional group grafting onto the backbone of Desmostachya bipinnata is investigated, which is a sacrificial herb in the south Asian region particular to Hindu religion. This natural biomaterial is found to be very effective for metal binding, after treatment with hydrazine monohydrate. The present study explores a comparison of amination processes by considering several options. The maximum metal loading capacities for Cd, Cu, and Zn were found to be 76.80 mg/g, 72.10 mg/g, and 58.16 mg/g, respectively. The kinetic evaluation indicated that the adsorption of Cd, Cu, and Zn onto the biomaterials followed the pseudo second-order rate equation. Jagjit Kour, Puspa Lal Homagai, Massimo Cagnin, Antonio Masi, Megh Raj Pokhrel, and Kedar Nath Ghimire Copyright © 2013 Jagjit Kour et al. All rights reserved.