Magnetic, Fluorescence and Transition Metal Ion Response Properties of 2,6-Diaminopyridine Modified Silica-Coated Fe3O4 Nanoparticles.

Multi-functional nanoparticles possessing magnetic, fluorescence and transition metal ion response properties were prepared and characterized. The particles have a core/shell structure that consists of silica-coated magnetic Fe3O4 and 2,6-diaminopyridine anchored on the silica surface via organic linker molecules. The resultant nanoparticles were found by transmission electron microscopy to be well-dispersed spherical particles with an average diameter of 10-12 nm. X-ray diffraction analysis suggested the existence of Fe3O4 and silica in/on the particle. Fourier transform infrared spectra revealed that 2,6-diaminopyridine molecules were successfully covalently bonded to the surface of magnetic composite nanoparticles. The prepared particles possessed an emission peak at 364 nm with an excitation wavelength of 307 nm and have a strong reversible response property for some transition metal ions such as Cu(2+) and Zn(2+). This new material holds considerable promise in selective magneto separation and optical determination applications.

Poly-(acryl amine-co-dimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride) graft starch flocculant for cleaning-up of wastewater.

Graft starch flocculant (GSF) was synthesized by copolymerization of carboxymethylated soluble starch, acryl amine and dimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride using ceric ammonium nitrate (NH4)2Ce(NO3)6 as the polymerization initiator. The morphology was observed by scanning electron microscope, the structure was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the surface area was measured by the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method. The experimental results showed that the GSF had huge pore volume, high specific area and proper reaction groups, which could enhance its ability to adsorb heavy metal ions. The adsorption behavior was investigated through batch experiments in simulated Cu(2+)and Pb(2+) ions wastewater, and adsorption characteristics were affected by many factors, such as flocculant concentration, pH of the solution and adsorption time. Finally, the optimal adsorption parameters were gained, with GSF density of 0.024 mg·L(-1), pH of 8 and a reaction time of 30 min. Application experiments adequately demonstrated that the removal ratio of Cu(2+) and Pb(2+) ions for the local wastewater reached about 50% based on the above optimized condition.

Preparation and theophylline delivery applications of novel PMAA/MWCNT-COOH nanohybrid hydrogels.

A series of nanohybrid hydrogels was designed and developed based on a hydrogen bond self-assembly of poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) networks and carboxyl-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-COOH). The nanohybrid hydrogels show low micropore densities and large mesh sizes with an increase in MWCNT-COOH content. Particularly, the hydrogels containing 10 wt% MWCNT-COOH was observed to collapse at pore walls because of large holes, which is believed to be responsible for high swelling. The ability of the MWCNT-COOH to self-associate with PMAA or water molecules via hydrogen-bonding interactions and an additional electrostatic repulsion govern both pH response of the network and drug release. Increasing pH values causes equilibrium swelling ratios and accumulative release to be elevated. On the other hand, modified mechanical behavior can be obtained under a low content of the MWCNT-COOH in that the high MWCNT-COOH filling effects the formation of PMAA gel networks. Swelling and controlled release profiles of theophylline could be modulated by changing pH values, introducing the MWCNT-COOH and adjusting the proportions of the MWCNT-COOH component.