Sensing Volatile Pollutants with Spin-Coated Films Made of Pillar[5]arene Derivatives and Data Validation via Artificial Neural Networks.

Different types of solvents, aromatic and aliphatic, are used in many industrial sectors, and long-term exposure to these solvents can lead to many occupational diseases. Therefore, it is of great importance to detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using economic and ergonomic techniques. In this study, two macromolecules based on pillar[5]arene, named P[5]-1 and P[5]-2, were synthesized and applied to the detection of six different environmentally volatile pollutants in industry and laboratories. The thin films of the synthesized macrocycles were coated by using the spin coating technique on a suitable substrate under optimum conditions. All compounds and the prepared thin film surfaces were characterized by NMR, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), elemental analysis, atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and contact angle measurements. All vapor sensing measurements were performed via the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) optical technique, and the responses of the P[5]-1 and P[5]-2 thin-film sensors were calculated with ΔI/Io × 100. The responses of the P[5]-1 and P[5]-2 thin-film sensors to dichloromethane vapor were determined to be 7.17 and 4.11, respectively, while the responses to chloroform vapor were calculated to be 5.24 and 2.8, respectively. As a result, these thin-film sensors showed a higher response to dichloromethane and chloroform vapors than to other harmful vapors. The SPR kinetic data for vapors validated that a nonlinear autoregressive neural network was performed with exogenous input for the best molecular modeling by using normalized reflected light intensity values. It can be clearly seen from the correlation coefficient values that the nonlinear autoregressive with exogenous input artificial neural network (NARX-ANN) model for dichloromethane converged more successfully to the experimental data compared to other gases. The correlation coefficient values of the dichloromethane modeling results were approximately 0.99 and 0.98 for P[5]-1 and P[5]-2 thin-film sensors, respectively.

Advanced applications of hydroxyapatite nanocomposite materials for heavy metals and organic pollutants removal by adsorption and photocatalytic degradation: A review.

This comprehensive review delves into the forefront of scientific exploration, focusing on hydroxyapatite-based nanocomposites (HANCs) and their transformative role in the adsorption of heavy metals (HMs) and organic pollutants (OPs). Nanoscale properties, including high surface area and porous structure, contribute to the enhanced adsorption capabilities of HANCs. The nanocomposites' reactive sites facilitate efficient contaminant interactions, resulting in improved kinetics and capacities. HANCs exhibit selective adsorption properties, showcasing the ability to discriminate between different contaminants. The eco-friendly synthesis methods and potential for recyclability position the HANCs as environmentally friendly solutions for adsorption processes. The review acknowledges the dynamic nature of the field, which is characterized by continuous innovation and a robust focus on ongoing research endeavors. The paper highlights the HANCs' selective adsorption capabilities of various HMs and OPs through various interactions, including hydrogen and electrostatic bonding. These materials are also used for aquatic pollutants' photocatalytic degradation, where reactive hydroxyl radicals are generated to oxidize organic pollutants quickly. Future perspectives explore novel compositions, fabrication methods, and applications, driving the evolution of HANCs for improved adsorption performance. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of the state-of-the-art HANCs, offering insights into their diverse applications, sustainability aspects, and pivotal role in advancing adsorption technologies for HMs and OPs.

Synthesis and characterization of single-walled carbon nanotube: Cyto-genotoxicity in Allium cepa root tips and molecular docking studies.

Herein, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were synthesized by the thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method, and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). The results indicated that obtained nanotubes were SWCNTs with high crystallinity and their average diameter was 10.15 ± 3 nm. Allium cepa ana-telophase and comet assays on the root meristem were employed to evaluate the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of SWCNTs by examining mitotic phases, mitotic index (MI), chromosomal aberrations (CAs), and DNA damage. A. cepa root tip cells were exposed to SWCNTs at concentrations of 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 µg/ml for 4 h. Distilled water and methyl methanesulfonate (MMS, 10 µg/ml) were used as the negative and positive control groups, respectively. It was observed that MIs decreased statistically significantly for all applied doses. Besides, CAs such as chromosome laggards, disturbed anaphase-telophase, stickiness and bridges and also DNA damage increased in the presence of SWCNTs in a concentration-dependent manner. In the molecular docking study, the SWCNT were found to be a strong DNA major groove binder showing an energetically very favorable binding free energy of -21.27 kcal/mol. Furthermore, the SWCNT interacted effectively with the nucleotides on both strands of DNA primarily via hydrophobic π and electrostatic interactions. As a result, cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of SWCNTs in A. cepa root meristematic cells which is a reliable system for assessment of nanoparticle toxicology were demonstrated in this study. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: SWCNT synthesis with high crystallinity was achieved by the CVD method. Cytotoxic and genotoxic influences of SWCNTs were investigated. Allium and Comet tests were utilized. For all of the applied concentrations of SWCNTs, the MIs significantly decreased. SWCNTs were found genotoxic.

Cyto-genotoxicity, antibacterial, and antibiofilm properties of green synthesized silver nanoparticles using Penicillium toxicarium.

The fungi are becoming the distinguished organisms utilized in the biological synthesis of metallic nanoparticles because of their metal bioaccumulation ability. Addressed herein, the extracellular synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was carried out by using the cell-free filtrate of Penicillium toxicarium KJ173540.1. P. toxicarium was locally isolated and identified using both classical and molecular methods according to ribosomal internal transcribed spacer area of 18S rDNA. The optimum conditions for the AgNPs synthesis were found as 0.25 mM AgNO3 concentrations with pH 12 values at 45°C after 64 hr incubation in dark. Biosynthesized AgNPs were characterized via microscopic and spectroscopic techniques such as transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. Zetasizer measurements presented that the high negative potential value (-18.1 mV) and PDI (0.495) supported the excellent colloidal nature of AgNPs with long-range stability and high dispersity. AgNPs exhibited cyto-genotoxicity in Allium cepa root meristem cells by decreasing mitotic index and increasing chromosome aberrations in a dose-dependent manner. Then, 100 and 50% concentration of biosynthesized AgNPs showed antibacterial activity on Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. A decreasing biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa 80.69, 48.32, and 28.41% was also observed at 100, 50, and 25% of mycosynthesized AgNP, respectively.

Cytotoxic and genotoxic assessment of tungsten oxide nanoparticles in Allium cepa cells by Allium ana-telophase and comet assays.

Tungsten oxide nanoparticles or nanopowder (WO3NPs) is commonly used in various industries and also in biomedical applications such as additives, pigments, and biomedical sensors. Non-judicious excessive use of these nanoparticles (NPs) could be a serious human health concern. Therefore, the current study aimed to explore the cytotoxic and genotoxic assessment of WO3NPs through Allium cepa anaphase-telophase and comet assays. Nanoparticles were characterized through the scanning and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), zetasizer, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The mean size and the average diameter of WO3NPs were determined as 21.57 ± 2.48 nm and 349.42 ± 80.65 nm using TEM and a Zetasizer measurement system, respectively. Five concentrations (12.5 mg/L, 25 mg/L, 50 mg/L, 75 mg/L, and 100 mg/L) of WO3NPs were employed on the Allium cepa (A. cepa) roots for 4 h. Significant (p ≤ 0.05) decrease in mitotic index (MI) was shown by WO3NPs at all concentrations. The increase of chromosomal aberrations (CAs) was also observed in a concentration-dependent manner due to the WO3NPs exposure. There was a significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) in DNA damage at all concentrations of WO3NPs on the A. cepa cells. It was concluded that WO3NPs had cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on A. cepa meristematic cells. Moreover, further cytogenetic effects of WO3NPs should be investigated at the molecular level to assess its safety margin.

Developing of N-(4-methylpyrimidine-2-yl)methacrylamide Langmuir-Blodgett thin film chemical sensor via quartz crystal microbalance technique.

In the present work, the characterization and gas sensing properties of newly synthesized N-(4-methylpyrimidine-2-yl)methacrylamide (N-MPMA) monomer Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) thin films were investigated. The UV-visible spectroscopy, quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), and atomic force microscopy were utilized to characterize N-MPMA LB thin films. The surface behavior of N-MPMA monolayer was stable and allowed an effective transfer at a surface pressure of 14 mN/m. The mass change/unit area value of the N-MPMA LB thin film deposited quartz crystal surfaces was investigated. The amount of N-MPMA LB thin film deposited on the substrate for bilayer was calculated as 228.72 ng (86.31 ng/mm2 ) and 12.5 Hz frequency shift was observed for each layer of the N-MPMA film. The kinetic responses of N-MPMA LB film against chloroform, dichloromethane, benzene, and toluene were measured via QCM system at room temperature. N-MPMA QCM sensor results displayed that chloroform has the largest frequency shifts compared with the other vapors used in the present work and these results can be illuminating in terms of physical properties of organic vapors.

Assessment of the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of pillar[5]arene derivatives by Allium cepa roots and Drosophila melanogaster haemocytes.

In this study pillar[5]arene (P5) and a quinoline-functionalized pillar[5]arene (P5-6Q) which is used for detecting radioactive element, gas adsorption and toxic ions were synthesized. These materials were characterized by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), elemental analysis, melting point, Mass Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Zeta Potential. The cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of P5 and P5-6Q at distinct concentrations of 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 µg/mL were also investigated by Allium ana-telophase and comet assays on Allium cepa roots and Drosophila melanogaster haemocytes. P5 and P5-6Q showed dose dependent cytotoxic effect by decreasing mitotic index (MI) and genotoxic effect by increasing chromosomal aberrations (CAs such as disturbed anaphase-telophase, polyploidy, stickiness, chromosome laggards and bridges) and DNA damage at the exposed concentrations. These changes in P5-6Q were lower than P5. Further research is necessary to clarify the cytotoxic and genotoxic action mechanisms of P5 and P5-6Q at molecular levels.

Cytotoxic and Genotoxic Assessment of Silicon Dioxide Nanoparticles by Allium and Comet Tests.

Silicon nanoparticles gained a great interest due to its use in biomedical research. It is considered as safe and has been used in nanomedicine. But literature still states its toxicity depending upon the size and dose of silicon nanoparticles. So, current study was aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO2NPs) by Allium anaphase-telophase and Comet tests. Characterization of SiO2NPs showed the particle size as 16.12 ± 3.07 nm. The mean diameter of SiO2NPs was having range of 404.66 ± 93.39 nm in solution. Highest total anomalies (18.80 ± 0.45) were observed at 100 µg/mL, whereas least (11.2 ± 0.84) were observed by the 12.5 µg/mL concentration. There was concentration-response association in increased CAs and DNA damage. The highest concentration (100 µg/mL) of SiO2NPs induced the significant DNA damage (149.67 ± 1.15), whereas the least was observed by the negative control (2.67 ± 0.58). The current study revealed the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of SiO2NPs on the root meristem cells of A. cepa.

Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of cerium oxide micro and nanoparticles by Allium and Comet tests.

Cerium oxide (CeO2) is extensively used in a range of applications like in television tubes, glass/ceramic polishing agent, fuel cells, solar cells, gas sensor andultraviolet absorbents. In current study, Allium ana-telophase and comet assays were employed to evaluate the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of CeO2 microparticles (CMPs, <5 µm, bulk) and CeO2 nanoparticles (CNPs, < 25 nm) on the root meristem cells of Allium cepa by using mitotic phases, mitotic index (MI), chromosomal aberrations (CAs), and DNA damage. A cepa roots were treated with the CMPs and CNPs at four different concentrations (12.5, 25, 50, and 100 ppm) for 4 h. Methyl methane sulphonate (MMS,10 ppm) and distilled water were used as positive and negative control groups, respectively. All the applied doses statistically decreased MIs. MI values of CMPs were found higher than CNPs. CMPs and CNPs significantly increased CAs such as chromosome laggards, disturbed anaphase-telophase, stickiness and bridges and also DNA damage. Characterization of CMPs and CNPs showed the particle size as 4.24 ±â€¯0.7 µm and 20.28 ±â€¯2.33 nm, respectively. The average diameter of CMPs and CNPs in solution were in the range of 372.75 ±â€¯70.23 nm and 167.74 ±â€¯38.7 nm, respectively. These results demonstrated that CMPs and CNPs had cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in A. cepa root meristematic cells.

Preparation of pillar[5]arene-quinoline Langmuir-Blodgett thin films for detection of volatile organic compounds with host-guest principles.

In this study, a novel pillar[5]arene-quinoline (P5-Q) as an organic material is used to fabricate Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) thin films and its organic vapor sensing properties have been investigated. The LB deposition process is characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) techniques. The typical frequency shift per layer is obtained as 31.75 Hz per layer and the deposited mass onto a quartz crystal is calculated to be 539.69 ng per layer (2.03 ng mm-2). The fitted surface plasmon resonance (SPR) data were utilized to calculate the film thickness of this material. The thickness of a single layer is calculated to be 1.26 ± 0.09 nm. QCM and SPR systems are used to investigate gas sensing performance of macrocyclic LB films during exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). The macrocyclic LB thin films are more sensitive to dichloromethane than that of other vapors used in this study. The sensitivity and detection limit performance of the P5-Q QCM sensor to dichloromethane vapor were calculated to be 14.751 Hz ppm-1 and 0.203 ppm, respectively. These results demonstrated that the P5-Q material is promising as an organic vapor sensing device at room temperature. Despite Langmuir-Blodgett being a traditional technique in colloid and interface science, this study presents the first gas sensor application for pillararene LB films. Because of the unique symmetric pillar architecture of P5-Q, self-assembly of pillar[5]arene molecules should afford various characteristic nanometer-scale architectures such as micelles, vesicles, and tubes.