Ali A. Abd-Elaal

Preparation and characterization of chitosan-clay nanocomposites for the removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solution

In the present study, chitosan assembled on gold and silver nanoparticles were prepared and characterized by UV-vis, TEM, EDX and DLS techniques. The nanocomposites chitosan (Ch)/clay, chitosan (Ch)/AgNPs/clay and chitosan (Ch)/AuNPs/clay were prepared by solution mixing method and characterized by FTIR, XRD, and SEM techniques. The adsorption of copper(II) ions onto the prepared hybrid composites from an aqueous solution using batch adsorption was examined. The results showed that benefiting from the surface property of clay, the abundant amino and hydroxyl functional groups of chitosan, the adsorbent provides adequate and versatile adsorption for the Cu(II) ions under investigation. The batch adsorption experiments showed that the adsorption of the Cu(II) is considerably dependent on pH of milieu, the amount of adsorbent, and contact time. Batch adsorption studies revealed that the adsorption capacity of Cu(II) increased with increase in initial concentration and contact time with optimum pH in the range around neutral. The maximum uptake of Cu(II) ions by (Ch)/AgNPs/clay composite was found to be 181.5mg/g. The adsorption efficiency of Cu(II) ions by prepared (Ch)/AgNPs/clay and (Ch)/AuNPs/clay is bigger than that the individual chitosan (Ch)/clay composite which clarifies the role of metal nanoparticles in enhancement the adsorption characters. The study suggests that the (Ch)/AgNPs/clay hybrid composite is a promising nano-adsorbent for the removal of Cu(II) ions from aqueous solution.

Studying the silver nanoparticles influence on thermodynamic behavior and antimicrobial activities of novel amide Gemini cationic surfactants

Three novels amide Gemini cationic surfactants with various alkyl chains and their silver nanohybrid with silver nanoparticles were synthesized and a confirmation study for surfactant and their nanoparticles formation has been established using IR, 1HNMR, TEM and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The surface-active properties of these surfactants and their nanoform were investigated through surface tension and electrical conductivity measurements and a comparative study has been established. The thermodynamic parameters of micellization and adsorption were assessed at temperatures range from 25 to 65°C. The effect of silver particles on the surface behavior of the synthesized surfactant has been discussed. The aggregation behavior of silver nanoparticles with these synthesized Gemini surfactants in water were investigated using dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, the antimicrobial activities of these synthesized amide Gemini surfactants and their nanostructure with silver against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria were also investigated.

Fluorescein dye derivatives and their nanohybrids: Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial activity.

Fluorescein (resorcinolphthalein) is a synthetic organic photoactive dye compound soluble in water, alcohol and polar solvents. It is widely used as a fluorescent tracer in medicinal and biological applications and tumor infected tissues tracer. In this study, fluorescein (F) was condensed by five coupling agents namely: p,p-phenylene diamine, p-hydroxy aniline, o-hydroxy aniline, p-methoxy aniline and p-methyl aniline in a molar ratio of 2(F):1 (coupling agent). The chemical structures of the synthesized fluorescein derivatives were confirmed using: microelemental analysis, FTIR spectroscopy, 1H-NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectroscopy. The synthesized compounds were loaded on chemically prepared silver nanoparticles via reduction reaction of silver nitrate. The structures and properties of the formed fluorescein derivatives silver nanohybrids were determined using: UV/Vis spectroscopy, TEM images and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The synthesized compounds and their nanohybrids were evaluated for their antimicrobial activities against different bacterial strains and fungi. The results showed that the formed fluorescein derivatives silver nanohybrids are in moderate diameter range, and the loading of the synthesized compounds protect the silver nanoparticles against coagulation. The antimicrobial activity against the studied microorganisms was comparable to the standard used. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity was increased considerably in case of using fluorescein derivatives silver nanohybrids. The antimicrobial activities were correlated to the chemical structures of the compounds, diameter of the formed nanohybrids and to the nature of the tested bacterial strains. The mechanism of the antimicrobial action of the synthesized compounds and their nanohybrids was proposed.

Three Gemini cationic surfactants based on polyethylene glycol as effective corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in acidic environment

Abstract Three Gemini quaternary ammonium surfactants based on polyethylene glycol have been prepared and characterized using FTIR and 1HNMR spectra. The effect of ethylene oxide units’ number on the steel corrosion in 1.0 M HCl has been estimated using weight loss, polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The Gravimetric technique has been done at three different temperatures 25, 40 and 55 °C. The synthesized Gemini cationic surfactants with the higher molecular weight (higher number of ethylene oxide units) showed the higher inhibition efficiency under all conditions. All the prepared Gemini inhibitors showed higher inhibition efficiency upon raising the solution temperature from 25 to 55 °C. The synthesized inhibitor G1500Br showed inhibition efficiency reach to 94% at temperature 55 °C. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm is the best-fitted isotherm concerning the tested Gemini surfactants adsorption onto steel surface. The change in the free energy of adsorption refers to physicochemical adsorption on steel surface. The synthesized materials act as a mixed-type inhibitor based on the potentiodynamic polarization results.