Maram T.H. Abou Kana

Synthesis and implementation of nano-chitosan and its acetophenone derivative for enhanced removal of metals

In the present study, nano-chitosan (Nano-Ch) was synthesized by ionic gelation of chitosan/tripolyphosphate system and successfully modified with acetophenone via Schiffs base condensation to produce nano-chitosan-modified-actophenone (Nano-Ch-Ac). The produced nano-materials were characterized by FT-IR, SEM, HR-TEM and TGA techniques. The average particle sizes were found in the range of 5.20-14.54nm based on the HR-TEM analysis. The metal interaction properties of Nano-Ch and Nano-Ch-Ac with Cu(II), Cd(II), Hg(II) and Pb(II) were compared in presence of various experimental parameters. Nano-Ch-Ac sorbent was found more superior in the extraction processes of all examined metal ions under the evaluated experimental parameters. This trend was confirmed from the highest determined metal sorption capacity values of metal ions as 1298-1608 and 810-1236μmolg(-1) in pH 7.0 by Nano-Ch-Ac and Nano-Ch sorbents, respectively. The adsorption equilibrium was established at 30.0min of contact time by the two nano-chitosan sorbents. The superiority of Nano-Ch-Ac was also confirmed from the dynamic applications of this nano-sorbent for removal of divalent metal ions from tap water, sea water and industrial wastewater (91.3-100.0±1.0-3.0).

Fluorescence enhancement monitoring of pyrromethene laser dyes by metallic Ag nanoparticles.

Fluorescence enhancement monitoring of pyrromethene laser dyes using their complexation with Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) was studied. The size of the prepared Ag NPs was determined by transmission electron spectroscopy and UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy. Mie theory was also used to confirm the size of NPs theoretically. The effect of different nanoparticle concentrations on the optical properties of 1 × 10(-4) M PM dyes shows that 40%of Ag NPs concentration (40%C Ag NPs) in complex is the optimum concentration. Also, the effects of different concentrations of PM dyes in a complex was measured. Emission enhancement factors were calculated for all samples. Fluorescence enhancement efficiencies depended on the input pumping energy of a Nd-YAG laser (wavelength 532 nm and 8 ns pulse duration) were reported and showed the lowest energy (28 and 32 mJ) in the case of PM567 and PM597, respectively.

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.

Optical, photo-physical properties and photostability of laser dyes impregnated in sol-gel matrix

The lasing action of some dyes (pyrromethene 597, pyrromethene 567 and Rhodamin B) incorporated into sol-gel silica glass material were reported. The amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) was studied under 532 nm, laser excitation in transverse pumping configuration for the prepared rod samples. The influence of dye concentrations on the amplified spontaneous emission peak wavelengths, the output energies, the gain and the energy conversion efficiencies were studied. Relatively high efficiencies were obtained with good photostabilities where a decrease to ∼ 40% of the initial ASE output energy were observed after pumping by ∼ 60,000 shots at relatively high repetition rate (10 Hz) and energy (15 mJ).

Spectroscopic Study of Solvent Polarity on the Optical and Photo-Physical Properties of Novel 9,10-bis(coumarinyl)anthracene

Novel 7,7′-((anthracene-9,10-diylbis(methylene))bis(oxy))bis(4-methyl-2H-chromen-2-one) (BisCA) was prepared as fluorescent probe. The chemical structure of the novel BisCA was confirmed by spectroscopic data as well as elemental analyses. The solvatochromic characteristics of the new proble and its precursors were investigated in different solvents including, ethanol, DMF and toluene as protic polar, aprotic polar and non-polar solvents, respectively. Photo-physical parameters of probes, such as fluorescence quantum yields, fluorescence lifetime of excited state, radiative and non-radiative decay, were assessed in different media. The intermolecular H-bond effect on absorption and excitation spectra of the novel probe was reported in different solvents. Also, Onsager cavity radius and dipole moment of ground state and excited state of the probe were calculated as described by Bakhshiev and Reichardt methods.