Search

The present work highlights the synthesis of graphene oxide (GO) modified polythiophene (PTh) for its application as an antibacterial agent as well as a visible light active photocatalyst. PTh was synthesized via the interfacial polymerization method using FeCl3 as initiator and then formulated as nanohybrids by mixing it in different weight ratios with graphene oxide (GO) i.e., 1 wt.%,3 wt.% and 5 wt. %. PTh and GO/PTh nanohybrids were characterized using FTIR, UV-visible, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The polymerization of PTh as well as modification of PTh with GO was confirmed by IR studies, while the shifting of electronic transitions of PTH upon modification with GO were confirmed by the UV-visible studies. The degradation of dyes, Alizarin Yellow (AY), Basic Blue (BB) and Congo Red (CR) was carried out via sonophotocatalysis under visible light using PTh and GO/PTh as catalysts for a period of 60 min. The GO/PTh revealed higher degradation efficiency as compared to PTh. To evaluate its effectiveness as an antibacterial agent against Bacillus subtilis, disk diffusion inhibitory assay was carried out under dark and light conditions. The results showed that PTh and GO/PTh nanohybrids had bactericidal properties, regardless of light exposure. The results of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay indicated the nanohybrid of 3-GO/PTh had the lowest MIC, followed by 1-GO/PTh and 5-GO/PTh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With a view to utilize an organic photocatalyst for the degradation of organic pollutant under visible light irradiation, the study reports degradation of 2,4,6‐trichlorophenol (TCP) utilizing a visible light active organic photocatalyst—polyfuran (PFu), polypyrrole (PPy), and their co‐oligomers formulated in the weight ratios of PFu/PPy 20/80, 50/50, and 80/20. Comprehensive characterization of PFu, PPy, and their co‐oligomers was conducted using UV–visible spectrometry, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM‐EDS). Under visible light irradiation, 100% of 40 ppm TCP was successfully degraded within a short duration of 30 min using 20 mg of the PFu/PPy‐50/50 catalyst. Furthermore, LCMS analysis of the degraded organic pollutant fragments provided insights into the tentative degradation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work reports the synthesis of cobalt ferrite and its nanohybrids with polythiophene (PTh) in the weight ratios of 10% and 20%. The ferrite and its nanohybrids were characterized using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy coupled with elemental mapping (Fe-SEM) to confirm the morphology as well as the structure of the synthesized nanohybrids. The nanohybrids were tested for their photocatalytic activity upon modification of PTh against Alizarin Yellow (AY), Congo Red (CR) and Brilliant Blue (BB). Almost 100% degradation was achieved in 30 min using 50 mg of the photocatalyst. The effect of catalyst concentration and dye concentration was also investigated to explore optimum concentration of the photocatalyst required for rapid degradation of the dye. The generation of radicals responsible for degradation was analyzed by radical scavenging experiments and a probable mechanism of degradation was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work reports the synthesis of indigo-dye-incorporated polyaniline (Indigo-PANI), poly(1-naphthylamine) (Indigo-PNA), poly(o-phenylenediamine) (Indigo-POPD), polypyrrole (Indigo-PPy), and polythiophene (Indigo-PTh) via an ultrasound-assisted method. The synthesized oligomers were characterized using FTIR, UV–visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fluorescence studies, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The experimental data were theoretically compared to analyze the vibrational and electronic spectra via time-dependent density-functional theory (TD-DFT) by applying the Becke, three-parameter, and Lee-Yang-Parr (B3LYP) method with a 6-311G (d,p) basis set. The experimental, theoretical vibrational, and electronic spectra were found to be in close agreement and confirmed the successful incorporation of indigo dye in PANI, PNA, POPD, PPy, and PTh. These studies confirmed that multifunctional oligomers could be synthesized through a facile technique by incorporating dye moieties to enhance their optoelectronic properties, allowing them to be utilized as near-infrared-emitting probes for photodynamic therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive research is being carried out on the degradation of water pollutants using various strategies to overcome the global water crisis. In the present study, xerogels as a better alternative is utilized to metal oxides for the photocatalytic degradation of toxic water pollutants such as dyes. Xerogels of polyaniline (PANI) and polypyrrole (PPy) are synthesized using phytic acid as a dopant as well as cross‐linker in the weight ratios of 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1 via simple chemical oxidative polymerization. The synthesized xerogels are analyzed for their spectral, morphological, thermal, and optical properties using FTIR, UV–vis, XRD, SEM, and TGA techniques. The xerogels are also tested for their photocatalytic activity against textile dyes – Methylene Blue (MB), Alizarin Red S, (ARS), Rhodamine B (RhB), and Methyl Orange (MO). Among all the composite xerogels, PANI/PPy‐2/1 showed excellent degradation efficiency of 91% for MB dye, 88% for RhB dye, 96% for ARS dye, and 92% for MO dye respectively. The composite PANI/PPy xerogels showed better degradation efficiency than their pristine counterparts. The fragments of the degraded dyes are examined using the LCMS technique and a tentative dye degradation mechanism is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of layered double hydroxide (LDH) was carried out using different ratios of Mg:Al. The intercalation of polypyrrole (Ppy) within interlayer space of LDH was carried out via ultrasonication using different loadings of the conducting polymer. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra and XRD analysis showed successful intercalation of Ppy in LDH while UV-visible spectra confirmed polaronic state of the conducting polymer within the LDH. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy studies showed successful incorporation of Ppy and loading of the drug was also established. The concentration of Rifampicin, an antituberculosis drug in LDH/Ppy, was confirmed by Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The in vitro release characteristics showed sustained release behaviour at pH 7.4 for a period of 180 hours. The nanocomposites exhibited immense potential for their application as Rifampicin drug carriers. KEYWORDS clay, composites, drug delivery systems, modification, X-ray, 1 | INTRODUCTION Polymer-clay nanocomposites have been extensively investigated due to their outstanding chemical and biological applications. [1-3] The synergistic properties of these nanocomposites are governed by the type of [...]