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The present work reports the synthesis, characterization and sonophotocatalytic studies of poly(1‐naphthylamine) (PNA)/TiO2 nanohybrids using different loadings of the conducting polymer. Raman and IR studies confirmed the interaction between PNA and TiO2. UV studies showed that the band gap of PNA: TiO2 nanohybrids were found to be ranging between 1.67 eV −1.9 eV. The thermal stability was found to follow the order: 0.5:1‐PNA: TiO2 >1:1‐PNA:TiO2 >2:1‐PNA:TiO2 > PNA. Photocatalytic activity of the nanohybrids was tested by degrading Amido Black 10B dye under UV irradiation. A remarkable degradation of 90% was achieved within a short period of 60 min. The degraded fragments were investigated by LCMS studies and a plausible degradation mechanism was proposed. Sonophotocatalytic degradation of Amido Back 10B dye was carried out using PNA:TiO2 The PNA:TiO2 nanohybrids showed higher thermal stability and surface area as compared to pure PNA and were able to degrade AB‐10B dye within a short span of 60 min [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of renewable resource is a strategic opportunity to meet growing demands of eco-friendly materials. The present study reports the synthesis of castor-oil-based polyurethane (COPU), and its nanocomposites with CoFe2O4 and AgFeO2 via sonication technique. Formation of the nanocomposite was confirmed by IR analysis while UV-visible studies revealed encapsulation of the ferrite particles by COPU. The interaction between COPU, AgFeO2, CoFe2O4, and their nanocomposites with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was also investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy which revealed static quenching of BSA through complex formation. The quenching rate for COPU was determined to be 1.98 × 104 LM - 1 while for pure CoFe2O4 and AgFeO2, it was found to be 3 × 104 LM and 3.2 × 104 LM , respectively. The interaction of BSA particularly with silver and cobalt ferrite nanoparticles within COPU matrix was found to be promising. It was found that by controlling the loading of ferrite in COPU matrix, desired binding could be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present preliminary study reports the synthesis of montmorillonite (MMT)/poly(o-toluidine) (PoTD) nanocomposites prepared by confining PoTD in the galleries of MMT. X-ray diffraction confirmed the intercalation of PoTD at 25°C, while exfoliation was observed at higher loading. UV–visible spectroscopy showed the variation of polaronic transitions in the polymer. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the formation of a coarse granular structure. Rifampicin was chosen as a model drug to study thein vitrodrug release characteristics of these nanocomposites. The nanocomposites revealed a sustained release behavior which could be utilized to design controlled release of antituberculosis drug carriers. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

With the aim to investigate variation in the spectral, morphological, and fluorescence characteristics of a chemiluminescent moiety upon copolymerization with an aniline derivative, the present preliminary work reports for the first time the microwave‐assisted copolymerization of luminol and o‐anisidine in acidic and basic media. Characterization of the resulting copolymers was performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV‐visible studies, fluorescence studies, X‐ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy measurements. Polymerization of luminol and its copolymers was noticed to be different in acidic and basic media, which was confirmed by IR analysis while UV‐visible as well as fluorescence studies revealed a major decrease in the intensity of the peaks associated with polyluminol that reflected the quenching nature of o‐anisidine. Peak broadening at higher loading of o‐anisidine comonomer confirmed intense interaction of the 2 monomers via hydrogen bonding. To predict the possible use of luminol copolymers as biosensors, bovine serum albumin was chosen as a model protein for performing the adsorption studies. Results revealed that the copolymers reflected immense potential to be used as a protein biosensor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Phthalimide one walled C4P (m -PC4P) was prepared for anion binding studies. • UV–vis spectroscopy and DFT studies ensured binding of halides and nitrate ion. • m -PC4P offer 1:1 binding mode and higher anion binding affinities compared to C4P. • NH-hydrogen bonding and CH-anion interactions govern higher binding affinity. • Anion binding affinity decreases with increase in size of halide ions. Anion binding studies of meso ‑substituted one-walled phthalimide-based calix[4]pyrrole (m -PC4P, 6) were investigated through UV–vis spectroscopy in acetonitrile and corroborated by time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations using 6–311G(d) basis set. Notably, to our expectation, the m -PC4P (6) displayed higher anion binding affinities in comparison to the parent C4P system, probably due to the additional weak CH-anion interactions besides four NH-hydrogen bonds of the C4P framework (supported by 1H NMR evidence). Herein, we have observed the usual trend with halide anions (used as their tetrabutylammonium salts), i.e. with increase in size of the halides from fluoride to iodide, the anion binding affinity decreases. Moreover, with the nitrate anion, appreciable better binding was observed in the case of m -PC4P (6) as compared to the simple C4P (1). [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work reports for the first time, modification of aniline with alanine (Ala) in mole ratios of 80–20, 50–50 and 20–80 via ultrasound-assisted polymerization. The formation of Ala-incorporated polyaniline (PANI) was confirmed via FTIR, UV–visible and SEM studies. The geometry optimization, Mulliken charge distribution, vibrational as well as electronic spectral analysis was carried out using Gaussian 09 software with B3LYP/6311 G(d) basis set. Quenching of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA) by Ala/PANI followed the static mechanism which was confirmed by the fluorescence studies and Stern Volmer plots. The binding constant (K b) values were found to be higher for Ala-PANI oligomers (∼105 LM−1) containing higher loading of PANI. The binding affinity of Ala/PANI towards BSA as well as HSA was found to be fairly good and the docking studies established that hydrogen bonding as well as Van der Waal's forces played a significant role in the binding process. • Modification of aniline with alanine via ultrasound-assisted polymerization. • Comparison of experimental and theoretical data. • Fluorescence quenching results of Ala-PANI oligomers with Bovine serum albumin (BSA) and Human serum albumin (HSA). • Docking studies of Ala-PANI oligomers with Bovine serum albumin (BSA) and Human serum albumin (HSA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semiconductors such as ZnO and TiO 2 have been extensively utilized in the photocatalytic degradation of dyes. However till date, no study has been reported to compare the catalytic efficiency of such organic–inorganic hybrids under UV light and microwave irradiation separately. The present work reports the synthesis of poly(1-naphthylamine)/ZnO nanohybrids. The structure and morphology of the synthesized nanocomposites were characterized using FT-IR, UV, XRD, TEM and Cyclic voltammetry analyses. The dye degradation studies were done separately in a photochemical reactor and in laboratory microwave oven and the fragments were identified using LC–MS technique. Results showed that under microwave irradiation, the efficiency of ZnO/PNA as catalyst was higher as compared to UV irradiation. Higher extent of •OH radical generation was confirmed in microwave as compared to UV irradiation which was found to be responsible for the high rate of degradation of dye solution. A plausible degradation pathway was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research in the field of TiO2-based photocatalysis has gained wide attention to address important energy and environmental problem. Lately, the use of conducting polymers as photosensitizers has proven to immensely enhance photodegradation by exhibiting excellent photocatalytic activity under both ultraviolet light and natural sunlight irradiation which is not possible using semiconductors alone. Considering the unique performance of conducting polymer-based nanocomposites in photocatalysis, the present review provides the recent advances in the development of ultraviolet and visible light-responsive conducting polymer-based TiO2nanocomposites for their potential application in environmental remediation. This review ends with a summary focusing on the challenges and new dimensions in this still emerging area of research. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

With a view to explore the photocatalytic effect of conjugated oligomers against pollutants, the present work reports ultrasound‐assisted polymerization of pyrrole, thiophene and their oligomers in mol ratios of 80/20, 50/50, and 20/80. The synthesized oligomers were characterized using FTIR, UV‐Vis, and SEM. The co‐oligomers showed band gap values ranging between 2.6 eV–2.9 eV, higher than pristine polypyrrole (PPy) and polythiophene (PTh). The photocatalytic degradation of Bisphenol A was carried out under UV irradiation. Maximum degradation of 86 % within a span of 120 min was reported using PPy/PTh‐80/20 as photocatalyst. A tentative degradation pathway and mechanism of degradation were proposed based on the LCMS data and radical scavenging studies. The studies showed good photocatalytic properties of organic photocatalysts as compared to inorganic metal oxide‐based photocatalysts in terms of higher degradation efficiency attained in a short span of 120 min even for higher concentrations of BPA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]