Green synthesis, characterisation of Au and Ag nanoparticles by various bioextracts and their usability at graphite electrode modification.

In this study, the biosynthesis of Au and Ag nanoparticles (AuNp and AgNp) with a green chemistry approach was performed by using bioextracts of various fruits and vegetables (Lycopersicon esculentum (LE), Cucumis sativus (CS), Malus domestica (MD), Cucurbita pepo (CP), Apiumgraveolens var. rapaceum (AVR), Prunus cerasifera (PC), Oleraceae var. botrytis (OVB)). In the determination of optimum experimental conditions, the parameters such as the type and concentration of bioextract, concentration of metal ion solutions, the ratio of metal ion solution to bioextract, pH, reaction time and temperature were found to be significant. The characterisation of AuNp and AgNp synthesized by providing the most appropriate experimental conditions was performed by UV-Vis., SEM, EDX, XPS and FTIR techniques. The characterisation study showed that, AuNp and AgNp were successfully synthesized and detailed information was obtained about their stabilities, sizes, homogeneities etc. In the final step, the usability of the green synthesized nanoparticles in the modification of pencil graphite electrodes (PGE) was investigated. Electrochemical characterisation of AuNp/GE and AgNp/GE electrodes was performed using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. The obtained results and calculated electrochemical parameters showed that these modified electrodes have better conductivity, electron transfer rate and electrocatalytic activity.

The interaction of cysteine with chromium(VI) ions under UV irradiation.

In 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.2), the interaction of chromium(VI) with cysteine in the presence and absence of UV irradiation was studied by cyclic voltammetry and electronic spectroscopy techniques. The reduction of Cr(VI) by cysteine takes place through the formation of Cr(VI)-thioester intermediate. On the cyclic voltammograms of cysteine and Cr(VI) mixture, the peaks at -0.315 and -0.800 V were observed, and these peaks are corresponding to the reduction of Cr(VI)-thioester and thiyl radical, respectively. In the cysteine solution exposed to UV irradiation, the formation of free cystine was observed at -0.792 V. In the cysteine and Cr(VI) mixture exposed to UV irradiation, the peak current of thiyl radical increases while the peak current of Cr(VI)-thioester reaches a maximum at 15 min and then decreases by increasing UV irradiation time. The formation of the thioester in the reaction between Cr(VI) and cysteine in aqueous media has been studied by monitoring the decrease of Cr(VI) at 370 nm. It was observed that the reaction is catalyzed by the UV irradiation of the Cr(VI) and cysteine mixture.

Electrochemical study of the complexes of aspartame with Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) ions in the aqueous medium.

The voltammetric behaviours of aspartame in the presence of some metal ions (Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II)) were investigated. In the presence of aspartame, copper ions reduced at two stages with quasi-reversible one-electron and, with increasing the aspartame (L) concentration, Cu(II)L(2) complex reduces at one-stage with irreversible two-electron reaction (-0.322 V). Zn(II)-aspartame complex (logbeta=3.70) was recognized by a cathodic peak at -1.320 V. Ni(II)-aspartame complex (logbeta=6.52) is reduced at the more positive potential (-0.87 V) than that of the hydrated Ni(II) ions (-1.088 V). In the case of the reduction of Ni(II) ions, aspartame serves as a catalyst. From electronic spectra data of the complexes, their stoichiometries of 1:2 (metal-ligand) in aqueous medium are determined. The greatness of these logarithmic values is agreement with Irwing-Williams series (NiZn).