FLATTENING OF A SCRATCH ON SINGLE CRYSTAL ICE SURFACE

The surface of a monocrystalline ice sample was observed at −5 ◦C (268 K). For which it was superficially polished and allowed to evolve in the presence of activated silica gel for three hours. The evolution of a depression was studied using three-dimensional micrographs obtained with an Olympus OLS4000 LEXT confocal microscope. A predominance of surface diffusion transport was found in the evolution of the depression. This is based both on the value obtained for the surface diffusion coefficient, as well as on the values found for the exponents corresponding to the evolution of the depth of the well and its width.

How 'Hydrophilic Sites' Work in Water Adsorption/Desorption by Natural Clinoptilolite

The kinetic mechanism of water adsorption/desorption on samples of natural clinoptilolite-K has been investigated by using an electrical method based on measurements of variation of AC current intensity during the time. In particular, a high-frequency sinusoidal voltage (5kHz) was applied to the sample (high frequency was required to avoid sample/electrode interface polarization phenomena) and the resulting AC micro-current intensity was monitored during the time. The sample was hydrated by exposition to a 75% humidity atmosphere, while dehydration was achieved by exposing the sample to activated silica gel in a close container or simply taking it in air. The hydration reaction followed a pseudo-zero-order kinetics, while the dehydration reaction followed a first-order kinetics both in air or dry atmosphere. The observed kinetic behaviors can be explained on the basis of a 'catalytic effect' of cations in both water adsorption and desorption from the 3D-framework walls.

Impact of fast and slow desiccation on Garcinia imberti seed and seedling vigour

Garcinia imberti Bourd. endemic to the southern Western Ghats is classified as endangered by the IUCN (2018). The seeds as the sole means of propagation with initial moisture content (MC) of 62.8% are sensitive to desiccation. Studies on the responses of the seed to drying require ascertaining of the critical moisture content (CMC) as a basic requisite for germplasm conservation. Responses of G. imberti seeds to fast drying with activated silica gel (25 ± 2 °C, 6 ± 1% RH) and to slow drying under laboratory conditions (28 ± 2°C, 60 ± 2% RH) were evaluated for seed and seedling vigour. When the MC was reduced to 56% by 48 hours of slow drying or 6 hours of fast drying, 75 to 90% normal seedlings were produced respectively. In the case of fast dried seed (6 hours), seed associated parameters except mean germination time showed peak values with maximum germination and enhanced root length. Below the CMCs of 16.4 and 26.3% (fast and slow drying respectively), half of the tested seeds become non viable. Thus for germplasm conservation the present study proposes 6 hour’s of fast drying to retain viability and normal seedling development of G. imberti.

Campomanesia adamantium (Cambess.) O. Berg seed desiccation: influence on vigor and nucleic acids

The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of Campomanesia adamantium seeds to desiccation by drying in activated silica gel (fast) and under laboratory conditions (slow). To assess the sensitivity of the seeds to desiccation, we used drying with silica gel and drying under laboratory conditions (25 °C), in order to obtain seeds with moisture content of 45, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10 and 5%. The physiological potential of the seeds after desiccation was evaluated by measuring primary root protrusion, percentage of normal seedlings, germination seed index, seedling length, total seedling dry mass, electrical conductivity and DNA and RNA integrities. The C. adamantium seeds were sensitive to desiccation and to a reduction in moisture content to 21.1% or less by desiccation using silica gel, and to 17.2% or less by desiccation under laboratory conditions; impairment of the physiological potential of the seeds was observed at these low moisture content levels. The integrity of the seed genomic DNA was not affected after drying seeds in the two methods. However, drying in silica gel to 4.5% moisture content and drying under laboratory conditions to 5.4% moisture content resulted in the loss of seed RNA integrity.

An electrochemical sensor for the sensitive detection of rutin based on a novel composite of activated silica gel and graphene

A novel sensor based on a silica gel–graphene composite for sensitive and selective detection of rutin.

Highly-sensitive and rapid determination of protocatechuic aldehyde based on the electrochemical enhancement of activated silica gel

A highly-sensitive electrochemical method was developed for the determination of protocatechuic aldehyde (PAL) based on the remarkable signal enhancement of activated silica gel.