A global pollutant (PVC-polyvinyl chloride) applied as heavy metal binder from aqueous samples: green principles from synthesis to application

We have developed a clean route for the modification of polyvinylchloride surface (PVC) with 4-amino-5-hydrazino-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol molecule. The modification reaction was investigated through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. According to our findings, S-H groups are responsible to the molecule attachment and nitrogen atoms are directly involved in metal ion coordination. These results are in agreement with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, which infers that chemisorption is the main mechanism for metal removal. Adsorption isotherms of Cd(II), Cu(II) and Pb(II) follow the Langmuir model and the results indicated that N_s values are 0.39, 0.52 and 0.15 mmol g^-1, respectively. The calculated Ø^max values for Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II) were 3.93, 2.95 and 1.13, respectively, indicating that three types of complex are formed depending on the adsorbed species. Therefore, it can be concluded that PVC use as adsorbent is feasible since it requires a simple modification reaction with nontoxic and low-cost solvents.

Size-Strain Analysis of Iron-Excess Mn-Zn Ferrite Nanoparticles Using Synchrotron Diffraction and Its Correlation with Magnetic Saturation and Isoelectric pH

Iron-excess Mn-Zn ferrite nanoparticles were prepared by coprecipitation with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) at different concentrations (0.1, 0.2, 0.5 and 1.0 mol/L). The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis using Whole Powder Pattern Modeling (WPPM) showed that higher concentrations of NaOH promote crystallite growth and broader dispersion in crystallite sizes. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy indicates that zinc loss is noticeable when [NaOH] ≥ 0.2 mol/L. XRD revealed also a significant less-crystalline phase contribution alongside the main peaks of the nanocrystalline cubic spinel ferrite phase. The less-crystalline fraction is lower for the ferrite obtained with 0.2 mol/L of NaOH, being about 50% and more than 70% for the other samples. Despite of the less-crystalline fraction and the excess of iron, no secondary phases were detected. The Warren curves showed that the concentration of NaOH significantly influences the microstrain in the crystallites, being smaller for the sample obtained with NaOH at 0.2 mol/L. The sample prepared with this condition presented the better properties to be used as magnetic tracer in clinical diagnoses combining small mean crystallite size, low microstrain, which resulted in materials with higher magnetic saturation and high surface charge under blood pH.

Restricted mobility of specific functional groups reduces anti-cancer drug activity in healthy cells

The most common cancer treatments currently available are radio- and chemo-therapy. These therapies have, however, drawbacks, such as, the reduction in quality of life and the low efficiency of radiotherapy in cases of multiple metastases. To lessen these effects, we have encapsulated an anti-cancer drug into a biocompatible matrix. In-vitro assays indicate that this bio-nanocomposite is able to interact and cause morphological changes in cancer cells. Meanwhile, no alterations were observed in monocytes and fibroblasts, indicating that this system might carry the drug in living organisms with reduced clearance rate and toxicity. X-rays and neutrons were used to investigate the carrier structure, as well as to assess the drug mobility within the bio-nanocomposite. From these unique data we show that partial mobility restriction of active groups of the drug molecule suggests why this carrier design is potentially safer to healthy cells.

Preparation of TiO2/SnO2 thin films by sol-gel method and periodic B3LYP simulations

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin films are grown by the sol-gel dip-coating technique, in conjunction with SnO2 in the form of a heterostructure. It was found that the crystalline structure of the most internal layer (TiO2) depends on the thermal annealing temperature and the substrate type. Films deposited on glass substrate submitted to thermal annealing until 550 °C present anatase structure, whereas films deposited on quartz substrate transform to rutile structure at much higher temperatures, close to 1000 °C, unlike powder samples where the phase transition takes place at about 780 °C. When structured as rutile, the oxide semiconductors TiO2/SnO2 have very close lattice parameters, making the heterostructure assembling easier. The SnO2 and TiO2 have their electronic properties evaluated by first-principles calculations by means of DFT/B3LYP. Taking into account the calculated band structure diagram of these materials, the TiO2/SnO2 heterostructure is qualitatively investigated and proposed to increase the detection efficiency as gas sensors. This efficiency can be further improved by doping the SnO2 layer with Sb atoms. This assembly may be also useful in photoelectrocatalysis processes.