Distributions of counterions on adsorption and aggregation behavior of Gemini quaternary ammonium salt

Ultrasensitive detection of trace Hg(Ⅱ) in acidic conditions using DMABR loaded on sepiolite: Function, application and mechanism studies

Fast and real-time detection of trace Hg(Ⅱ) by fluorescent probes under acidic conditions is urgently required due to the high toxicity and accessibility to creatures and human being. However, fluorescent probes for Hg(Ⅱ) detection in environmental samples are rarely reported due to the protonation potential of acidic mercury sources. In this study, the SD probe was developed by 5-(p-dimethylaminobenzylidene) rhodanine (DMABR) loaded on sepiolite by hydrothermal treatment, and showed excellent Hg(Ⅱ) detection performances for mercury sources at pH 4-10 due to buffering ability of the hyperconjugated lactam rings. Sepiolite functioned as the support skeleton to decrease intermolecular transition, and thus increased the sensitivity. At pH 4, the SD probe showed high selectivity and sensitivity for Hg(Ⅱ) among various species, with low LOD and binding constant of 4.78 × 10-9 M and 1.34 × 106 M-1, respectively. Through DFT calculations, MAS 1H NMR and 2D-COS analysis, the detection mechanism was demonstrated as SN1 substitution of the spontaneous leaving H on amino groups in the transient state during tautomeric equilibrium, rather than the expected high-affinity sulphydryl. Additionally, the SD probe exhibited promising potential in quantifying water-soluble and bioavailable Hg(Ⅱ) in acidic polluted soil and water samples. Moreover, real-time detection was realized by paper-based strips.

Preparation and Property Analysis of Antibacterial Fiber Membranes Based on Hyperbranched Polymer Quaternary Ammonium Salts

Due to their excellent properties, antimicrobial fiber membranes are widely applied in bioprotective materials. This work addresses the preparation of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)-based fiber membranes with active antimicrobial properties. 2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride-terminated hyperbranched polymer (HBP-HTC) was synthesized and used as an antimicrobial agent. The fiber membranes were obtained by electrospinning a mixed solution of HBP-HTC and TPU. Different electrospinning conditions were investigated, such as the spinning voltage and drum rotation speed. The fiber membrane prepared under a 22 kV anode voltage and 100 rpm rotation speed had an average fiber diameter of 1.66 μm with a concentrated diameter distribution. Antibacterial tests showed that when the fiber membrane was loaded with 1500 mg/kg of HBP-HTC, the antibacterial rates of E. coli as well as S. aureus both reached 99.99%, exhibiting excellent proactive antimicrobial performance. Moreover, the protective performance of the fiber membrane was outstanding, with a filtration efficiency of 99.9%, a hydrostatic pressure resistance greater than 16,758 Pa, and a moisture permeability of 2711.0 g⋅(m2⋅d)-1.

Improving stability and bioavailability of curcumin by quaternized chitosan coated nanoemulsion

This study aims to enhance the stability and bioavailability of curcumin (Cur) using nanoemulsion coating technology. The nanoemulsion system was developed by encapsulating Cur with quaternized chitosan (QMNE), and the nanoemulsion containing Cur and medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil (MNE) was used as control sample. The microstructure of the nanoemulsion was examined using Dynamic light scattering (DLS), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The storage, thermal, ionic strength, and pH stability of QMNE were also evaluated, respectively. The results indicate that QMNE demonstrates superior stability, in vitro gastric fluid stability, bioavailability compared to MNE. QMNE exhibits excellent emulsification activity and stability. In addition, QMNE shows significant protection against oxidation in both emulsion systems after different heat treatments. The antimicrobial activity results reveal that QMNE exhibits greater efficacy than that of MNE. Consequently, this study provides valuable insights into the formulation of a system to encapsulate Cur and the improvement of its stability and bioavailability.

Synthesis and Performance of Double-Chain Quaternary Ammonium Salt Glucosamide Surfactants

A series of double-chain quaternary ammonium salt surfactants N-[N'[3-(gluconamide)] propyl-N'-alkyl]propyl-N,N-dimethyl-N-alkyl ammonium bromide (C_nDDGPB, where n represents a hydrocarbon chain length of 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16) were successfully synthesized from D (+)-glucose δ-lactone, N,N-dimethyldipropylenetriamine, and bromoalkane using a two-step method consisting of a proamine-ester reaction and postquaternization. Their surface activity, adsorption, and aggregation behavior in aqueous solution were investigated via measurements of dynamic/static surface tension, contact angle, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. An analysis of their application performance in terms of wettability, emulsifying properties, toxicity, and antibacterial properties was conducted. The results show that with increasing the carbon chain length of the C_nDDGPB surfactants, their critical micelle concentration (CMC) increased and the pC₂₀ and efficiency in the interface adsorption of the target product gradually decreased. Moreover, the influence of the hydrophobic carbon chain length on the surface of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) was even greater for the wetting effect, reducing the contact angle to 32° within the length range of C8-C14. The results of the contact angle change and the wettability experiments proved that C₁₀DDGPB exhibited the best wettability. The liquid paraffin and soybean oil emulsification ability of C_nDDGPB showed an upward trend followed by a downward trend with the growth of the carbon chain, with C₁₂DDGPB exhibiting the best emulsification performance. The D_long/D_short ratio was far lower than 1, which indicates mixed-kinetic adsorption. The surfactants formed spherical micelles and showed a unique aggregation behavior in aqueous solution, which showed an increase-decrease-increase trend with the change in concentration. A cell toxicity and acute oral toxicity experiment showed that the C_nDDGPB surfactants were less toxic than the commonly used surfactant dodecyldimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride (1227). In addition, at a concentration of 150 ppm, C_nDDGPB exhibited the same bacteriostatic effect as 1227 at a concentration of 100 ppm. The results demonstrate that sugar-based amide cationic surfactants are promising as environmentally friendly disinfection products.