Infrared and Raman Spectra of Bis(Melaminium) Sulfate Dihydrate

Antibacterial Activity of Ulva/Nanocellulose and Ulva/Ag/Cellulose Nanocomposites and Both Blended with Fluoride against Bacteria Causing Dental Decay

One of the most prevalent chronic infectious disorders is tooth decay. Acids produced when plaque bacteria break down sugar in the mouth cause tooth decay. Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus are the most prominent species related to dental caries. Innovative biocidal agents that integrate with a biomaterial to prevent bacterial colonization have shown remarkable promise as a result of the rapid advancement of nanoscience and nanotechnology. In this study, Ulva lactuca was used as a cellulose source and reducing agent to synthesize nanocellulose and Ulva/Ag/cellulose/nanocomposites. The characterizations of nanocellulose and Ulva/Ag/cellulose/nanocomposites were tested for FT-IR, TEM, SEM, EDS, XRD, and zeta potential. Ulva/Ag/cellulose/nanocomposites and Ulva/nanocellulose, both blended with fluoride, were tested as an antibacterial against S. mutans ATCC 25175 and L. acidophilus CH-2. The results of the SEM proved that nanocellulose is filament-shaped, and FT-IR proved that the functional groups of Ulva/nanocellulose and Ulva/Ag/cellulose/nanocomposites and cellulose are relatively similar but present some small diffusion in peaks. The TEM image demonstrated that the more piratical size distribution of Ulva/Ag/cellulose/nanocomposites ranged from 15 to 20 nm, and Ulva/nanocellulose ranged from 10 to 15 nm. Ulva/Ag/cellulose/nanocomposites have higher negativity than Ulva/nanocellulose. Ulva/Ag/cellulose/nanocomposites and Ulva/nanocellulose possess antibacterial activity against S. mutans ATCC 25175 and L. acidophilus CH-2, but Ulva/Ag/cellulose/nanocomposites are more effective, followed by that blended with fluoride. It is possible to use Ulva/Ag/cellulose/nanocomposites as an antimicrobial agent when added to toothpaste. It is promising to discover an economic and safe nanocomposite product from a natural source with an antimicrobial agent that might be used against tooth bacteria.

Copper(II) coordination polymer based on l-arginine as a supramolecular hybrid inorganic–organic material: synthesis, structural, spectroscopic and magnetic properties

We report the synthesis and structural, spectroscopic and magnetic properties of new 1D coordination polymeric complex {[Cu(μ-l-Arg)2]SO4⋅1.5H2O}n (1) that contains asymmetric μ−O,O’ carboxylic bridge linking distorted square-pyramidal [Cu(μ-l-Arg)2]2+ coordination units. In 1D, the syn−anti−μ2−η1:η1zigzag polymer conformation, the adjacent Cu(II) ions are distanced by 5.707 Å, and the subsequent Cu∙∙∙Cu proximity in 1D-coordination chain equals 6.978 Å. Detailed interpretation of IR and Raman spectra of l-arginine and 1 was performed. The principal components of the g tensor determined from EPR experiments (gx = 2.059, gy = 2.075, gz = 2.228) indicate nearly axial symmetry of Cu(II) coordination sphere and correspond to the unpaired electron occupying the dx2–y2 orbital. The single broad band at 16,200 cm–1, characteristic of d−d transition, is assigned to the dominant dublet-dublet 2B1g(dx2–y2)→ 2Eg(dyz≈dxz) transition. Magnetic susceptibility measurements have revealed ferromagnetic coupling between the Cu(II) ions within the 1D-coordination chain, while the intermolecular coupling is antiferromagnetic.

Graphical Abstract

3D spectral fluorescence signature of cerium(III)-melamine coordination polymer: A novel sensing material for explosive detection

Hidden or buried explosives are the most common scenario by terrorist attacks; therefore explosive vapour detection is a vital demand. Explosives are electron deficient materials; the vicinity of explosives to fluorescent material can encounter electron migration. This study reports on facile synthesis of cerium (III)-melamine coordination polymer (CeM-CP) with exclusive optical properties. CeM-CP demonstrated novel spectral fluorescence properties over visible and infrared bands when stimulated with UVA LED source at 385 nm of 100 mW power. Stimulated CeM-CP demonstrated unique spectral fluorescence signal at 400, 700, and 785 nm. These fluorescent signals were correlated to cerium coordination with four nitrogen atoms; vacant orbital will be available for electron excitation migration. Spectral fluorescent signals were quenched as CeM-CP was subjected to TNT vapours. Hyperspectral imaging offered 3D plot of fluorescence signature. The main outcome is that complete fluorescence signal attenuation was achieved at 785 nm. CeM-CP could act as as a novel sensing element for explosive vapour detection.

Carbon nitrides: synthesis and characterization of a new class of functional materials

We examine the characterization of carbon nitrides and provide a perspective on their functional properties as next-generation materials.

Unmasking Melon by a Complementary Approach Employing Electron Diffraction, Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy, and Theoretical Calculations—Structural Characterization of a Carbon Nitride Polymer

Poly(aminoimino)heptazine, otherwise known as Liebig's melon, whose composition and structure has been subject to multitudinous speculations, was synthesized from melamine at 630 degrees C under the pressure of ammonia. Electron diffraction, solid-state NMR spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations revealed that the nanocrystalline material exhibits domains well-ordered in two dimensions, thereby allowing the structure solution in projection by electron diffraction. Melon ([C(6)N(7)(NH(2))(NH)](n), plane group p2 gg, a=16.7, b=12.4 A, gamma=90 degrees, Z=4), is composed of layers made up from infinite 1D chains of NH-bridged melem (C(6)N(7)(NH(2))(3)) monomers. The strands adopt a zigzag-type geometry and are tightly linked by hydrogen bonds to give a 2D planar array. The inter-layer distance was determined to be 3.2 A from X-ray powder diffraction. The presence of heptazine building blocks, as well as NH and NH(2) groups was confirmed by (13)C and (15)N solid-state NMR spectroscopy using (15)N-labeled melon. The degree of condensation of the heptazine core was further substantiated by a (15)N direct excitation measurement. Magnetization exchange observed between all (15)N nuclei using a fp-RFDR experiment, together with the CP-MAS data and elemental analysis, suggests that the sample is mainly homogeneous in terms of its basic composition and molecular building blocks. Semiempirical, force field, and DFT/plane wave calculations under periodic boundary conditions corroborate the structure model obtained by electron diffraction. The overall planarity of the layers is confirmed and a good agreement is obtained between the experimental and calculated NMR chemical shift parameters. The polymeric character and thermal stability of melon might render this polymer a pre-stage of g-C(3)N(4) and portend its use as a promising inert material for a variety of applications in materials and surface science.