Applied Chemistry

Ni-Al₂O₃-Cr metal matrix hybrid composite coatings were developed in a conventional Watt electroplating solution, containing suspended nanoparticles of alumina and chromium. The characterization of the composite layer was carried out by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) facilities. SEM, XRD and EDX studies showed that a novel hybrid Ni-Al₂O₃-Cr metal matrix composite (MMC) coating formed successfully on a pure copper substrate with about 11.5 % and 4.4 % vol. Al₂O₃ and Cr dispersed nanoparticles respectively. A texture modification and grain refinement were found in composite layers. The incorporation of nanoparticles of Al₂O₃ and Cr changed the preferential nickel growth orientation from (220) to the (200) plane. The SEM studies on the morphology of a Ni- Al₂O₃-Cr composite surface illustrated that the nickel column growth slowed down in the composite film and the composite coating had a more condensed and smoother surface compared to pure nickel coatings. The mean grain sizes of the pure nickel and composite coats were determined as 103 and 19 nm respectively. The SEM micrographs showed that the nano particles were uniformly dispersed in the electrodeposited nano-structured Ni matrix and the alumina particles agglomerated in sizes of above 100 nm. The micro-hardness and wear resistance test results showed a remarkable improvement in the mechanical properties of the electroplated nickel by creating a nano composite structure of Ni-Al₂O₃-Cr.

Depending on the reaction conditions of palladium with tetramethylethylenediamine, first obtained and studied individual and mixed ligands with different composition and structure. Depending on the process conditions, one or two molecules of the tetramethylethylenediamine bidentate coordinated and form a five-star metalchelate cycle. In another obtained cation - anion complex ligand protonated in type of doubly charged cation and organizes the outer sphere of the complex. In the mixed ligands complex of 4 amino pyridine are having the effect of trans influence occurs forced cis-coordination. The study of the biological activity of the synthesized complexes has yielded positive results.

Flyash particles are formed during the combustion of coal at very high temperature (above 1500⁰C); it contains some ions as Iron, Aluminium, Silica in their oxide form. It also contains Glass particle along with Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, Se, Pb, Zn, Fl, Hg, particles. Heavy metals from industries are known to have adverse effect on the environment. Similarly, fly ash coming from power plants also has adverse effect on every organism. It was observed that Spirogyra was not found in fly ash discharged water pond while it was present in all the nearby water bodies. ,disasterous effects of heavy metals present in flyash may be the reason. Thus, our present study is mainly focused to elucidate the effect of fly ash on green filamentous algae Spirogyra. It was already found that Microtubules are very sensitive especially to the presence of Cd ions (P. P?ibyl, V. Cepák and V. Zachleder,2008), depending on the Cd concentration present in fly ash and to the time of exposure the disintegration was seen. Microtubules got disintegrated into short fragments or some even completely disappeared.

Background: Iron oxide nanoparticles as contrast elements causing the cancer cells used in MRI and heat therapy are extensive. However, the effects of nanoparticles on human health has not been fully investigated. Objectives: In this study, iron oxide nanoparticles effects on thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and TSH in adult male Wistar rats were studied. Materials and methods: Three experimental groups of mice daily for 15 days, with concentrations of iron oxide nanoparticles ?g/kg20, ?g/kg50 and ?g/kg150 was dissolved in one ml of distilled water, by gavage tube. Results: Serum T3 levels in experimental and control groups showed no significant change Serum T4 levels in the experimental group receiving the highest dose showed a significant increase compared to control group. Also Yrmy TSH hormone concentration in the groups receiving the medium and maximum doses significantly lower than the control group shows. Conclusion: Experimental results show that iron oxide nanoparticles at high concentrations inhibits the Ndkryny pituitary axis - the hypothalamus And thyroid gland can cause malfunctions Appear to be iron oxide nanoparticles at high concentrations is toxic effect on thyroid function.

The Schiff base, 3-{[(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)imino]methyl}-5-nitrophenol, formed by condensation of 5-amino-2-methoxypyridine and 2-hydroxy-5-nitrophenol; and its metal(II) complexes{where M = Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pd} have been synthesized and characterized by %metal, melting points, IR and electronic spectroscopies. The complexes analyse as [ML(NO3)] with the exception of the Ni(II), Cu(II) and Pd(II) complexes which analyse as [MLCl(H2O)] respectively. The IR data confirm that the Schiff base coordinates via the imine nitrogen and phenol oxygen atoms; while the electronic data support a 4-coordinate tetrahedral/squareplanar geometry for the metal complexes. The metal complexes are air-stable solids, which melt/decompose on heating in the temperature range 228-390 oC; while the metal–free Schiff base melts at 208-210 oC. The in-vitro antibacterial studies reveal that the Schiff base, its Co(II) and Zn(II) complexes have a broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus, Pseudomona aeuriginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus mirabilis with inhibitory zones range of 14.0-22.0mm.

The potential of Mobola Plum seed to serve as raw material for industrial applications, domestic consumption was examined by this study. The moisture content, crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre, ash and carbohydrate were 5.11 %, 33.10 %, 5.15 %, 1.60 %, 2.65 % and 52.39 % respectively. The seed is a veritable source for Carbohydrate and protein, which enhance its potential usage for food and feed formulation. The fatty acids profile of the oil showed that it contains high level of unsaturated fatty acids. The Mobola Plum seed oil could be a good source of edible oil for human consumption.

Nanocrystalline PbS thin films were prepared by chemical bath deposition (CBD) method by varying synthesis temperatures. The influence of the synthesis temperature on the structure and optical properties of PbS nanostructures were investigated. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the PbS nanostructures correspond to the various planes of a single phase cubic PbS. It was observed that the decrease in the synthesis temperature resulted into extra diffraction peaks which may be due to the presence of the impurity phases. The morphological properties of the films are observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterization. UV-Visible spectroscopy is done to measure the absorption and transparent properties of all the prepared systems. The optical band gap of all the prepared systems is also calculated and correlated with the structural properties.

Two tetradentate Schiff base ligands, N,N´-bis(2-hydroxy-5-methoxyacetophenone) ethylenediimine (MaenH₂) and N,N´-bis(2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone) ethylenediimine(MbenH₂) were formed by 1:2 molar condensation of ethylenediamine with 2-hydroxy-5-methoxyacetophenone and 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone respectively. These Schiff base ligands formed complexes (1:1 molar ratio) with Copper, Nickel, Cobalt and Oxovanadium ions. The complexes were characterized by Infrared, Electronic Spectra and elemental analysis. The spectra data of the ligands and their complexes were discussed based on the structural changes which occur due to complexation. The results suggest that the metal is bonded to the ligand through the phenolic oxygen and the imino nitrogen.

Tetrapleura tetraptera is a medicinal plant of the mimosaceae family. The fruits have drawn much research attention and to the neglect of the seeds. Therefore, this study was focused on the comparative study of the chemical compositions of the seed and fruit of Tetrapleura tetraptera. The results revealed very reasonable values of all the nutrients in both the fruit and seed. However, the seed had higher values of crude fat (9.72 ± 11.1%), ash (8.61 ± 0.81%), carbohydrate (62.95 ± 1.15%) and energy (383.92 ± 6.84g/cal) than the fruit and lower, but comparable, value of crude protein (11.16 ± 0.3%). The seed had higher values of calcium, sodium, potassium and all the trace mineral elements than the fruit. However, magnesium and phosphorus were not detected in the seed. The seed and the fruit were found to be very rich in the B-group vitamins but poor in vitamin C. The seed had higher values of riboflavin (21.2 ± 0.05mg/kg) and niacin (3.4 ± 0.01mg/kg) while the fruit had higher values of ascorbic acid (5.5 ± 1.5mg/100g), thiamine (10.8 ± 0.05mg/kg) and vitamin A (115.50IU/100g). High values of alkaloids, tannins and flavonoids were also revealed in both the seed and fruit. However, the fruit had higher values of alkaloids (4.4 ± 0.02%), flavonoids (8.66 ± 0.08%) and oxalates (0.56 ±0.01%) while the seed had higher values of tannins (2.28 ± 0.05%), Saponins (1.44 ± 0.2%) and HCN (0.22 ± 0.01mg/kg). The varied biological and pharmacological properties of the fruit have been attributed to the presence of such principles as tannins, phenolic compounds, saponins, alkaloids, steroids and flavonoids. Therefore, the presence of all these principles in the seed, as well, suggests that the seed can equally serve some medicinal as well as food purposes.

The performance of the Barekese Water treatment plant situated near Kumasi in Ghana has been evaluated. The raw water that feeds the plant was found to be weakly acidic (pH6.3), high in turbidity (4.8 NTU) and high in iron content (2.7 mg/L). The values however reduced tremendously in the final treated water. With the exception of acidity which decreased only marginally (pH6.4), turbidity decreased to 0.8 NTU and the concentration of iron was below the detection limit. The results of the study suggest the water treatment plant performed well in terms of reducing the levels of some other contaminants to levels below the WHO guideline limits. The water treatment plant was also able to reduce the faecal coliform levels to zero which is within the WHO permissible limits