Influence of Functional Group Modification on the Toxicity of Nanoplastics

Nanoplastics (NPs) are ubiquitous in harvested organisms at various trophic levels, and more concerns on their diverse responses and wide species-dependent sensitivity are continuously increasing. However, systematic study on the toxic effects of NPs with different functional group modifications is still limited. In this review, we gathered and analyzed the toxic effects of NPs with different functional groups on microorganisms, plants, animals, and mammalian/human cells in vitro. The corresponding toxic mechanisms were also described. In general, most up-to-date relevant studies focus on amino (−NH2) or carboxyl (−COOH)-modified polystyrene (PS) NPs, while research on other materials and functional groups is lacking. Positively charged PS-NH2 NPs induced stronger toxicity than negatively charged PS-COOH. Plausible toxicity mechanisms mainly include membrane interaction and disruption, reactive oxygen species generation, and protein corona and eco-corona formations, and they were influenced by surface charges of NPs. The effects of NPs in the long-term exposure and in the real environment world also warrant further study.

Studies in the rearrangement reactions involving camphorquinone

We described an unprecedented skeletal rearrangement of camphorquinone motif to an interesting tricyclic ring system.Peripheral functional group modification provided a terpene-triazole conjugate.

One Pot Aqueous Synthesis of L-Histidine Amino Acid Capped Mn: ZnS Quantum Dots for Dopamine Sensing

Background: Mn doped ZnS is selected as the right element which is prominent among quantum dot for its high luminescent and quantum yield property and also non toxicity while comparing with other organometallic quantum dot synthesized by using different capping agents. Methods: An interesting observation based on colorimetric sensing of dopamine using manganese doped zinc sulfide quantum dot is discussed in this study. Mn doped ZnS quantum dot surface passivated with capping agents such as L-histidine and also in polymers like chitosan, PVA and PVP were studied and compared. The tunable fluorescence effect was also observed in different polymers and amino acid as capping agents. Optical characterization studies like UV-Visible spectroscopy and PL spectroscopy have been carried out. The functional group modification of Quantum dot has been analyzed using FTIR and size and shape analysis was conducted by using HRTEM image. Result: The strong and broad peak of FTIR in the range of 3500-3300 cm-1 confirms the presence of O-H bond. It is also observed that quenching phenomena in the luminescent peak are due to weaker confinement effect. The average size of the particle is shown to be around 4-5 nm. Changes in color of the quantum dot solution from transparent to dark brown has been due to the interaction with dopamine. Conclusion: Finally, L-Histidine amino acid capped Mn:ZnS shows better results in luminescence and size confinement properties. Hence, it was chosen for dopamine sensing due to its colloidal nature and inborn affinity towards dopamine, a neurotransmitter which is essential for early diagnosis of neural diseases

Surface functional group modification induced partial Fermi level pinning and ohmic contact at borophene–MoS2 interfaces

Surface functional groups modification is a feasible approach to achieve SBH tuning for borophene–MoS2 interfaces.

Tuning Gel State Properties of Supramolecular Gels by Functional Group Modification

The factors affecting the self-assembly process in low molecular weight gelators (LMWGs) were investigated by tuning the gelation properties of a well-known gelator N-(4-pyridyl)isonicotinamide (4PINA). The N―H∙∙∙N interactions responsible for gel formation in 4PINA were disrupted by altering the functional groups of 4PINA, which was achieved by modifying pyridyl moieties of the gelator to pyridyl N-oxides. We synthesized two mono-N-oxides (INO and PNO) and a di-N-oxide (diNO) and the gelation studies revealed selective gelation of diNO in water, but the two mono-N-oxides formed crystals. The mechanical strength and thermal stabilities of the gelators were evaluated by rheology and transition temperature (Tgel) experiments, respectively, and the analysis of the gel strength indicated that diNO formed weak gels compared to 4PINA. The SEM image of diNO xerogels showed fibrous microcrystalline networks compared to the efficient fibrous morphology in 4PINA. Single-crystal X-ray analysis of diNO gelator revealed that a hydrogen-bonded dimer interacts with adjacent dimers via C―H∙∙∙O interactions. The non-gelator with similar dimers interacted via C―H∙∙∙N interaction, which indicates the importance of specific non-bonding interactions in the formation of the gel network. The solvated forms of mono-N-oxides support the fact that these compounds prefer crystalline state rather than gelation due to the increased hydrophilic interactions. The reduced gelation ability (minimum gel concentration (MGC)) and thermal strength of diNO may be attributed to the weak intermolecular C―H∙∙∙O interaction compared to the strong and unidirectional N―H∙∙∙N interactions in 4PINA.

Bioplastic Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA): Recent Advances in Modification and Medical Applications

A wide variety of bacteria are found to be the tiny factories in the production of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolymer. PHA is the polyesters of 3-hydroxyalkanoic acids which occur in bacteria when the bacteria is subjected to nutrient limitation and simultaneously fed with an excess amount of carbon. This unfavorable condition forces the bacteria to store carbon in the form of resorbable cellular inclusions called PHA. Biosynthesized PHA has the ability to replace the currently feasible harmful petroleum based plastics to biobased plastics. PHA research is being focused mainly on two facts - bulk production of environment friendly low-cost PHA and functional group modification for multiple applications to mankind. Many companies are already producing PHA with highly tunable properties and are looking into economically feasible technologies for mass production of PHA. The core focus of PHA research includes a selection of potential PHA producers and low to zero cost carbon sources such as carbon containing wastages of household, farms and industries. This challenge of “trash to treasure” still remains to attain. Tunable properties of PHA have made them a more interesting biomaterial to blend with suitable biopolymers including bioactive compounds. Under precise physiological environment, PHA blends can deliver promising mechanical properties, acting as effective drug carriers and showing time bound degradation. Perhaps desirably tuned PHA may address many health issues including orthopedics - load bearing cartilage, artificial membranes for kidneys, heart and wound management. PHA has high immunotolerance, low toxicity and sustained biodegradability, which have attracted diverse scientist with many medical advancements such as bioabsorbable sutures and 3D structures. In the near future, it is expected to derive many smart auto controllable products from PHA such as microsphere, which could be utilised for a range of applications much more than just drug delivery. Furthermore, naturally produced hybrid PHA will be an interesting candidate as they possess essential properties for targeted applications without further artificial blending or incorporating any components.