The Impact of the Addition of Compatibilizers on Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) Properties after Extrusion Process.

Poly (lactic acid) (PLA), due to its biodegradability, biocompatibility, and renewability, is one of the most promising biobased polymers for replacing some of the petrol-based materials. Low flexibility of PLA is overcome, by blending it with olefin-based polymers, such as polypropylene (PP). However, the use of compatibilizing agents is required to attain final materials with suitable mechanical properties. Such agents, although essential, can affect PLA structure and, consequently, the mechanical properties of the PLA. To the best of our knowledge, this issue was never studied, and the results can contribute to achieving the best formulations of PLA-based blends according to their final applications. The thermal and mechanical properties of the extruded PLA, with three different commercial compatibilizing agents, were evaluated with the purpose of demonstrating how the compatibilizers can introduce structural differences into the PLA chain during the extrusion process. The combination of crystallinity, molecular weight, and the morphology of the samples after extrusion determines the final mechanical properties of PLA. Despite being a fundamental study, it is our aim to contribute to the sustainability of PLA-based industries. The addition of a 2.5% concentration of C1 compatibilizer seems to have less influence on the final morphology and mechanical properties of the blends.

Graphene: The Missing Piece for Cancer Diagnosis?

This paper reviews recent advances in graphene-based biosensors development in order to obtain smaller and more portable devices with better performance for earlier cancer detection. In fact, the potential of Graphene for sensitive detection and chemical/biological free-label applications results from its exceptional physicochemical properties such as high electrical and thermal conductivity, aspect-ratio, optical transparency and remarkable mechanical and chemical stability. Herein we start by providing a general overview of the types of graphene and its derivatives, briefly describing the synthesis procedure and main properties. It follows the reference to different routes to engineer the graphene surface for sensing applications with organic biomolecules and nanoparticles for the development of advanced biosensing platforms able to detect/quantify the characteristic cancer biomolecules in biological fluids or overexpressed on cancerous cells surface with elevated sensitivity, selectivity and stability. We then describe the application of graphene in optical imaging methods such as photoluminescence and Raman imaging, electrochemical sensors for enzymatic biosensing, DNA sensing, and immunosensing. The bioquantification of cancer biomarkers and cells is finally discussed, particularly electrochemical methods such as voltammetry and amperometry which are generally adopted transducing techniques for the development of graphene based sensors for biosensing due to their simplicity, high sensitivity and low-cost. To close, we discuss the major challenges that graphene based biosensors must overcome in order to reach the necessary standards for the early detection of cancer biomarkers by providing reliable information about the patient disease stage.

Spectroscopic investigation (FT-IR, FT-Raman and SERS), vibrational assignments, HOMO-LUMO analysis and molecular docking study of Opipramol.

FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra of Opipramol were recorded and analyzed. SERS spectrum was recorded in silver colloid. The vibrational wave numbers were computed using DFT quantum chemical calculations. The data obtained from wave number calculations are used to assign vibrational bands obtained in infrared and Raman spectra as well as in SERS of the studied molecule. Potential energy distribution was done using GAR2PED program. The geometrical parameters (DFT) of the title compound are in agreement with the XRD results. The presence of CH2 stretching modes in the SERS spectrum indicates the close of piperazine ring with the metal surface and the interaction of the silver surface with this moiety. NBO analysis, HOMO-LUMO, first hyperpolarizability and molecular electrostatic potential results are also reported. The inhibitor Opipramol forms a stable complex with P4502C9 as is evident from the ligand-receptor interactions and a -9.0 kcal/mol docking score and may be an effective P4502C9 inhibitor if further biological explorations are carried out.

Vibrational spectroscopic studies (FT-IR, FT-Raman, SERS) and quantum chemical calculations on cyclobenzaprinium salicylate.

FT-IR, FT-Raman and surface enhanced Raman scattering spectra of cyclobenzaprinium salicylate were recorded and analyzed. The vibrational wavenumbers were examined theoretically using the Gaussian09 set of quantum chemistry codes, and the normal modes were assigned by potential energy distribution calculations. The downshift of the OH stretching frequency is due to strong hydrogen bonded system present in the title compound as given by XRD results. The presence of CH3, CH2 and CO2 modes in the SERS spectrum indicates the nearness of the methyl group to the metal surface which affects the orientation and metal molecule interaction. The presence of phenyl ring modes in the SERS spectrum indicates a tilted orientation with respect to the metal surface. The geometrical parameters of the title compound are in agreement with XRD results. A computation of the first hyperpolarizability indicates that the compound may be a good candidate as a NLO material.

Vibrational spectroscopic (FT-IR, FT-Raman, SERS) and quantum chemical calculations of 3-(10,10-dimethyl-anthracen-9-ylidene)-N,N,N-trimethylpropanaminiium chloride (Melitracenium chloride).

FT-IR, FT-Raman spectra of Melitracenium chloride were recorded and analyzed. SERS spectrum was recorded in silver colloid. The vibrational wavenumbers were computed using DFT quantum chemical calculations. The data obtained from wavenumber calculations are used to assign vibrational bands obtained in infrared and Raman spectra as well as in SERS of the studied molecule. Potential energy distribution was done using GAR2PED program. The geometrical parameters (SDD) of the title compound are in agreement with the XRD results. The presence anthracene ring modes in the SERS spectrum suggest a tilted orientation with respect to the metal surface. The methyl groups in the title molecule are also close to the metal surface. The first hyperpolarizability, NBO analysis and molecular electrostatic potential results are also reported.

DNA-poly(vinyl alcohol) gel matrices: release properties are strongly dependent on electrolytes and cationic surfactants.

The release of DNA from cryogel PVA-DNA gel matrices to different electrolyte aqueous solutions was investigated. The rate of release and the distribution coefficient of DNA have been quantified by using a first order kinetic law equation, developed in the frame of a partition-based model. The release of DNA from gels to 1:1 sodium and nitrate salts shows that the transport properties are dependent on the ability of anions/cations to solubilise the DNA in the aqueous phase which, with the exception of bromide, can be related to the Hofmeister series; in the presence of multivalent electrolytes, or increasing the ionic strength, the condensation of DNA inside the gel, followed by a phase separation as seen by scanning electron microscopy, induces the retention of DNA inside the polymer matrix. The DNA condensation and/or phase separation, which contribute to a decrease in the water volume fraction inside the gel, determined by swelling degree experiments, also lead to a decrease in the rate constant of DNA release; such decrease can be justified by the difficulty of the molecular aggregate to move through out the polymeric structure. The DNA release is also dependent on the pH of the bulk solution. The effect of uni- and di-valent cationic surfactants on the release properties of DNA was also evaluated. Our findings suggest that the kinetics of DNA release depends on a complex balance between different structural properties of the surfactants, namely charge, bulkiness of the headgroup and alkyl chain length.

Graphene oxide versus functionalized carbon nanotubes as a reinforcing agent in a PMMA/HA bone cement.

Graphene oxide (GO) and functionalized carbon nanotubes (f-CNTs) (each in the concentration range of 0.01-1.00 wt/wt%) were investigated as the reinforcing agent in a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/hydroxyapatite (HA) bone cement. Mixed results were obtained for the changes in the mechanical properties determined (storage modulus, bending strength, and elastic modulus) for the reinforced cement relative to the unreinforced counterpart; that is, some property changes were increased while others were decreased. We postulate that this outcome is a consequence of the fact that each of the nanofillers hampered the polymerization process in the cement; specifically, the nanofiller acts as a scavenger of the radicals produced during polymerization reaction due to the delocalized π-bonds. Results obtained from the chemical structure and polymer chain size distribution determined, respectively, by nuclear magnetic resonance and size exclusion chromatography analysis, on the polymer extracted from the specimens support the postulated mechanism. Furthermore, in the case of the 0.5 wt/wt% GO-reinforced cement, we showed that when the concentration of the radical species in the PMMA bone cement was doubled, mechanical properties markedly improved (relative to the value in the unreinforced cement), suggesting suppression of the aforementioned scavenger activity.

Aggregation and micellization of sodium dodecyl sulfate in the presence of Ce(III) at different temperatures: a conductometric study.

Aggregation properties of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in the presence of cerium(III) chloride, at various temperatures (298.15-323.15 K) have been measured by the electrical conductance technique. The experimental data on aqueous solutions as a function of SDS concentration show the presence of two inflexion points indicating the presence of two distinct interaction mechanisms: the first, occurring at SDS concentrations below the critical micelle concentration of the pure surfactant, which can be explained by the formation of aggregates between dodecyl sulfate (DS-) and Ce(III), while the second one, at SDS concentrations around the critical micelle concentration (cmc) of the pure surfactant which is due to the SDS micellization. The aggregation between DS- and Ce(III) was confirmed by static light scattering. The binding ratio of DS-/Ce(III) changes from 6 to 4, shows a slight dependence on the Ce(III) concentration and is independent of the temperature. The thermodynamic micellization parameters, Gibbs energy, enthalpy and entropy of micellization were calculated on the basis of the experimental data for the aggregation concentration, and the degree of counterion dissociation of the micelles. The SDS micellization is energetically favoured by increasing either the concentration of CeCl3 or the temperature. Such behaviour is clearly dominated by a decrease of the micellization (exothermic) enthalpy. The entropy of micellization approaches zero as the cerium(III) chloride concentration and temperature increase.