Suh Cem Pang

Fluorescein-labeled starch maleate nanoparticles as sensitive fluorescent sensing probes for metal ions

Fluorescein 5(6)-isothiocyanate starch maleate (FISM) nanoparticles were prepared by covalently attached fluorescein 5(6)- isothiocyanate (FITC) with starch maleate. FISM nanoparticles with a mean particle size of 87 nm were formed via selfassembly upon precipitation in ethanolic solution. FISM nanoparticles were strongly fluorescent with maximum emission wavelength of 518 nm. The fluorescence of FISM nanoparticles can be quenched by silver (Ag+) and lead (Pb2+) ions in a concentration dependent manner. We have demonstrated the first use of FISM nanoparticles as cheap and effective fluorescent sensing probes for Ag+ and Pb2+ ions with detection limits as low as 2.55 × 10-5M and 3.64 × 10-5 M, respectively.

Preparation and Characterization of Starch Nanoparticles for Controlled Release of Curcumin

Curcumin was loaded onto starch nanoparticles by using in situ nanoprecipitation method and water-in-oil microemulsion system. Curcumin loaded starch nanoparticles exhibited enhanced solubility in aqueous solution as compared to free curcumin. Effects of formulation parameters such as types of reaction medium, types of surfactant, surfactant concentrations, oil/ethanol ratios, loading time, and initial curcumin concentration were found to affect the particle size and loading efficiency (LF) of the curcumin loaded starch nanoparticles. Under optimum conditions, curcumin loaded starch nanoparticles with mean particles size of 87 nm and maximum loading efficiency of 78% were achieved. Curcumin was observed to release out from starch nanoparticles in a sustained way under physiological pH over a period of 10 days.

Preparation and characterization of chitosan nanoparticles-doped cellulose films with antimicrobial property

Cellulose films with antimicrobial property were prepared by incorporation of chitosan nanoparticles as antimicrobial agents into the cellulose films. The antimicrobial property of these chitosan nanoparticles-doped cellulose films against Escherichia coli (E. coli) was evaluated via diffusion assay method, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method, and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) method. The effects of antimicrobial agent amount, size-related property (nanoparticles and bulk chitosan), and crosslinking by citric acid on antimicrobial activity of cellulose films were studied. It was observed that the antimicrobial activity was enhanced when chitosan nanoparticles were used as compared to when bulk chitosan was used. A maximum E. coli inhibition of 85% was achieved with only 5% (v/v) doping of chitosan nanoparticles into the cellulose films. Crosslinking of the cellulose films with citric acid was observed to have resulted in 50% reduction of water absorbency and a slight increase of E. coli inhibition by 3% for chitosan nanoparticles-doped cellulose films.

Fabrication of magnetite/silica/titania core-shell nanoparticles

Fe3O4/SiO2/TiO2 core-shell nanoparticles were synthesized via a sol-gel method with the aid of sonication. Fe3O4 nanoparticles were being encapsulated within discrete silica nanospheres, and a layer of TiO2 shell was then coated directly onto each silica nanosphere. As-synthesized Fe3O4/SiO2/TiO2 core-shell nanoparticles showed enhanced photocatalytic properties as evidenced by the enhanced photodegradation of methylene blue under UV light irradiation.

Size controlled synthesis of starch nanoparticles by a microemulsion method

Controllable particles sizes of starch nanoparticles were synthesized via a precipitation in water-in-oil microemulsion approach. Microemulsion method offers the advantages of ultralow interfacial tension, large interfacial area, and being thermodynamically stable and affords monodispersed nanoparticles. The synthesis parameters such as stirring rates, ratios of oil/cosurfactant, oil phases, cosurfactants, and ratios of water/oil were found to affect the mean particle size of starch nanoparticles. Starch nanoparticles with mean particles sizes of 109 nm were synthesized by direct nanoprecipitation method, whereas by using precipitation in microemulsion approach, starch nanoparticles with smaller mean particles sizes of 83nm were obtained.

The Capacitive Behaviors of Manganese Dioxide Thin-Film Electrochemical Capacitor Prototypes

We have documented the fabrication of manganese dioxide (MnO2) thin-film electrochemical capacitor (EC) prototypes with dual-planar electrode configuration. These EC prototypes exhibited good capacitive behaviors in mild Na2SO4 aqueous electrolyte. Enhanced capacitive behaviors of EC prototypes were observed upon prolonged voltammetric cycling which could be associated with microstructural transformation of MnO2 thin-film electrodes from densely packed plate-like to irregular petal-like surface morphology. Effects of voltammetric scan rates, prolonged voltammetric cycling, electrolyte composition, and electrolyte concentration on the surface morphology of MnO2 thin-film electrodes, and associated capacitive behaviors of MnO2 thin-film EC prototypes were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD) techniques. Results of both CV and EIS indicated that thin-film MnO2 EC prototypes exhibited the highest specific capacitance of 327 F/g in 0.2 M Na2SO4 aqueous electrolyte. Being environmentally benign and cheap, MnO2 thin-film electrochemical capacitors have high potential utility as pulsed power sources, as well as load-leveling functions in various consumer electronic devices.

Synthesis and Characterization of Magnetite/Carbon Nanocomposite Thin Films for Electrochemical Applications

Stable colloidal suspension of magnetite/starch nanocomposite was prepared by a facile and aqueous-based chemical precipitation method. Magnetite/carbon nanocomposite thin fllms were subsequently formed upon carbonization of the starch component by heat treatment under controlled conditions. The initial content of native sago starch as the carbon source was found to afiect the microstructure and electrochemical properties of the resulted magnetite/carbon nanocomposite thin fllms. A speciflc capacitance of 124 F/g was achieved for the magnetite/carbon nanocomposite thin fllms as compared to that of 82 F/g for pure magnetite thin fllms in Na2SO4 aqueous electrolyte.

Controlled synthesis of manganese dioxide nanostructures via a facile hydrothermal route

Manganese dioxide nanostructures with controllable morphological structures and crystalline phases were synthesized via a facile hydrothermal route at low temperatures without using any templates or surfactants. Both the aging duration and aging temperatures were the main synthesis parameters used to influence and control the rate of morphological and structural evolution of MnO2 nanostructures. MnO2 nanostructures comprise of spherical nanoparticulate agglomerates and highly amorphous in nature were formed at lower temperature and/or short aging duration. In contrast, MnO2 nanostructures of sea-urchinlike and nanorods-like morphologies and nanocrystalline in nature were prepared at the combined higher aging temperatures and longer aging durations. These nanostructures underwent notable phase transformation from δ-MnO2 to α-MnO2 upon prolonged hydrothermal aging duration and exhibited accelerated rate of phase transformation at higher aging temperature.

Novel electrode materials for ultracapacitors: Structural and electrochemical properties of sol-gel-derived manganese dioxide thin films

Nanoparticulate MnO{sub 2} thin films fabricated by the sol-gel process have been shown to be an outstanding novel electrode material for Ultracapacitors. The average specific capacitance of sol-gel-derived MnO{sub 2} thin-films on nickel substrates as determined by cyclic voltammetry ranged from 566 to 698 F/g. These films also exhibited good cycling stability within the potential range of 0.0--0.9V (vs SCE) in unbuffered aqueous electrolyte. Both CV and XPS studies showed that MnO{sub 2} films have remained chemically and structurally intact after 1,500 cycles. The XRD spectra and SEM micrographs showed that the microstructure of MnO{sub 2} thin films are highly porous, and poorly crystalline or amorphous in nature. The high specific capacitance of MnO{sub 2} may be predominantly due to pseudocapacitance associated with homogeneous and reversible redox reactions of proton insertion into and out of the MnO{sub 2} lattice. Any variation in the microstructure and thickness of films might affect proton mobility within the oxide matrix and thereby affecting their cycling behaviors. Further optimization of the cycling behaviors is envisaged with better microstructural and thickness control of these sol-gel-derived nanoparticulate MnO{sub 2} thin films.

Regeneration of cello-oligomers via selective depolymerization of cellulose fibers derived from printed paper wastes.

Cellulose extracted from printed paper wastes were selectively depolymerized under controlled conditions into cello-oligomers of controllable chain lengths via dissolution in an ionic liquid, 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (AMIMCl), and in the presence of an acid catalyst, Amberlyst 15DRY. The depolymerization process was optimized against reaction temperature, concentration of acid catalyst, and reaction time. Despite rapid initial depolymerization process, the rate of cellulose depolymerization slowed down gradually upon prolonged reaction time, with 75.0 wt% yield of regenerated cello-oligomers (mean Viscosimetric Degree of Polymerization value of 81) obtained after 40 min. The depolymerization of cellulose fibers at 80 °C appeared to proceed via a second-order kinetic reaction with respect to the catalyst concentration of 0.23 mmol H3O(+). As such, the cellulose depolymerization process could afford some degree of control on the degree of polymerization or chain lengths of cello-oligomers formed.