Cobalt Ferrite Surface-Modified Carbon Nanotube Fibers as an Efficient and Flexible Electrode for Overall Electrochemical Water Splitting Reactions.

One of the most practical and environmentally friendly ways to deal with the energy crises and global warming is to produce hydrogen as clean fuel by splitting water. The central obstacle for electrochemical water splitting is the use of expensive metal-based catalysts. For electrocatalytic hydrogen production, it is essential to fabricate an efficient catalyst for the counterpart oxygen evolution reaction (OER), which is a four-electron-transfer sluggish process. Here in this study, we have successfully fabricated cobalt-based ferrite nanoparticles over the surface of carbon nanotube fiber (CNTF) that was utilized as flexible anode materials for the OER and overall electrochemical water splitting reactions. Scanning electron microscopy images with elemental mapping showed the growth of nanoparticles over CNTF, while electrochemical characterization exhibited excellent electrocatalytic performance. Linear sweep voltammetry revealed the reduced overpotential value (260 mV@η10mAcm-2) with a small Tafel slope of 149 mV dec-1. Boosted electrochemical double layer capacitance (0.87 mF cm-2) for the modified electrode also reflects the higher surface area as compared to pristine CNTF (Cdl = 0.022 mF cm-2). Charge transfer resistance for the surface-modified CNTF showed the lower diameter in the Nyquist plot and was consequently associated with the better Faradaic process at the electrode/electrolyte interface. Overall, the as-fabricated electrode could be a promising alternative for the efficient electrochemical water splitting reaction as compared to expensive metal-based electrocatalysts.

Synthesis, characterization and anti-inflammatory activity of N-(4- phenyl-1, 3-thiazol-2-yl)-N'-phenylureas.

A series of N-(4-phenyl-1, 3-thiazol-2-yl)-N'- phenylureas (5a-z) was synthesized from 2-amino-4-substituted phenylthiazoles and phenylisocyanates. The newly synthesized compounds were characterized by IR, (1)H NMR and Mass spectral data. All the twenty six N-(4-phenyl-1, 3-thiazol-2-yl)-N'-phenylurea derivatives were screened for antiinflammatory activity by following carrageenan induced rat paw edema method. Among the compounds screened, N-[4- (4-methoxy phenyl)-1, 3-thiazol-2-yl)-N'-phenylurea and N-[4-(4-methoxy phenyl-1, 3-thiazol-2-yl)-N'-(4-bromophenyl) urea were found to be more potent. The molecular docking interaction of aforementioned urea compounds revealed the traditional type II p38 kinase inhibitor's interactions in the DFG out active site.

Synthesis, antibacterial, antifungal and antitubercular activities of N-pyrazolylbenzamide derivatives.

A series of new N-pyrazolylbenzamides (5a-x) were synthesized by aroylation of 5-amino-1-phenyl-3-tbutylpyrazole. The structures of synthesized compounds were established based on spectral (FTIR, (1)H NMR, ESI Mass) analysis and purity was ascertained by HPLC. The antibacterial screening revealed that seven molecules exhibited an excellent antibacterial activity and eight compounds demonstrated considerable antifungal activity. Three molecules of the series 5e, 5s and 5w were found to be highly effective against Klebsilla pneumoneia with MIC of 3.12 µg/ml. Compounds 5b, 5f, 5g and 5o exhibited significant antitubercular activity with MIC of 12.5 µg/ml.