124 research outputs found
Electrochemical biosensor for the selective determination of hydrogen peroxide based on the co-deposition of palladium, horseradish peroxidase on functionalized-graphene modified graphite electrode as composite
No full textA sensitive and noble amperometric biosensor was developed by the co-deposition of palladium and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) on functionalized graphene (f-graphene) modified graphite electrode. The physical morphology of the modified electrodes was characterized using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive analysis of X-ray. The electrochemical behavior of the enzyme modified electrode towards hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) detection was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry techniques where as the electrical conductivity and capacitance was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The effects of scan rate, pH, and temperature dependence on the current response of the biosensor were analyzed for sensitive analytical performance. The modified electrode exhibits a fast amperometric response of <2 s, good linear range of 25 μM-3.5 mM, effective sensitivity of 92.82 μA mM-1 cm -2, activation energy of 9.84 kJ M-1 and extraordinary Michaelis-Menten's constant (KMapp) of 0.11 mM. This could be attributed to high affinity, bioactivity of HRP and also due to the synergistic effects of HRP, Pd and f-graphene on the developed biosensor. The KMapp value obtained in this study is lower than those of the electrodes reported earlier. The modified electrode also reports a remarkable decrease of over potential for the detection of H2O2 that decreases the interference of the other substances and retains the selectivity for H2O2. The biosensor showed better reproducibility and stability with a good electrochemical response indicating that it can be stored up to 4 weeks without loosing its activity. In addition the modified electrode was utilized for real sample analysis that displayed good satisfactory results. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.1
Electrochemical oxidation of m-cresol purple dye in aqueous media
No full textThe present investigation showed that the indicator dye m-cresol purple (mCP) was degraded in a laboratory scale, undivided electrolysis cell system. A platinum anode was used for generation of chlorine in the dye solution. The influence of supporting electrolyte, applied voltage, pH, initial dye concentration and temperature were studied. The ultraviolet-visible spectra of samples during the electrochemical oxidation showed rapid decolorization of the dye solution. During the electrochemical degradation process, dye concentration and current were measured to evaluate the energy consumption and current efficiency. After 10 minutes of electrolysis, a solution containing 20 mg/L mCP showed complete color removal at a supporting electrolyte concentration of 1 g/L NaCl, initial pH 6.7, temperature 25 degrees C and applied voltage 5 V; however, when pH was kept at 6.7, a higher rate constant was observed. There was good fit of the data to pseudo-first-order kinetics for dye removal in all experiments. Dependence of the decolorization rate on the initial mCP concentration can be described as r(o alphamCP]o)(-0.98). The apparent activation energy for the electrochemical decolorization of mCP was determined to be -6.29 kJ/mol
Synthesis, characterization and AC conductivity studies of silver doped conducting polyaniline/graphene/SrTiO3 composites
No full textCollapse Behaviour Of Red Soils Of Bangalore District
No full textCollapse phenomenon is exhibited by two types of residual soils. The first category of collapsing residual soils is believed to be transported soils that have undergone post-depositional pedogenesis. The second category of collapsing residual soils is highly weathered and leached soils formed by in-situ weathering of parent rock.
Residual red soils occur in Bangalore District of Karnataka State. Physical and chemical weathering of the gneissic parent rock formed the residual soils of Bangalore District. The red soils of Bangalore District are generally moderate to very highly porous (porosity range 35-50%). These soils are also unsaturated owing to presence of alternate wet and dry seasons and low ground water table.
Moderately to highly porous, unsaturated red soils occur in Pernambuco State of Brazil. These residual soils formed by weathering of gneissic rock significantly collapse on wetting under external pressures. Kaolinite is predominant clay mineral in the red soils of Bangalore and Pernambuco Districts.
Similarities exist in the mode of soil formation, clay mineralogy, porosity and degree of saturation (Sr) values of the red soils from Pernambuco State, Brazil, and Bangalore District. Given the collapsible nature of red soils from Pernambuco State, Brazil, the red soils from Bangalore District also deserve to be examined for their potential to collapse in the compacted and undisturbed conditions.
The roles of initial dry density, compaction water content, clay content and flooding pressure (the external stress at which a laboratory specimen is inundated is termed as flooding pressure in this thesis) in determining the collapse behaviour of compacted soils are well recognized. However, the influences of above parameters on the collapse behaviour of compacted red soil specimens from Bangalore District are
lacking. Such studies are essential as they help to identify the critical compaction parameters (dry density and water content), soil composition, and applied stress level that needs to be controlled by the fill designer in order to minimize wetting-induced collapse.
The importance of matric suction in the collapse behaviour of unsaturated soils is well recognized. Yet, the influence of matric suction in the collapse behaviour of compacted soils has only been indirectly examined by varying the compaction water content/degree of saturation of the soil specimens.
The climate of Bangalore District is characterized by alternate wet and dry seasons which affects the soil microstructure and the matric suction. Both these parameters have a significant influence on collapse behaviour of unsaturated soils. Cyclic wetting and drying is expected to have a significant bearing on the collapse behaviour of residual soils and is therefore examined.
The red soil deposits of Bangalore District are important from foundation engineering view point as they are subjected to structural loading. Owing to the presence of alternate wet and dry seasons and low ground water table, red soil deposits of Bangalore District are more often than not unsaturated. These foundation soils would however be susceptible to increase in moisture content from causes such as infiltration of rainwater, leakage of pipes or watering of lawns and plants. Given the porous and unsaturated nature of undisturbed red soils from Bangalore district, their collapsible nature deserves to be examined for reliable estimation of foundation settlements.
To achieve the above objectives, experiments are performed that study:
1.The influence of variations in compaction dry density, initial water content and matric suction, clay content and flooding pressure on the collapse behaviour of a representative red soil sample from Bangalore District.
2.The influence of repeated wetting and drying on the collapse behaviour of compacted red soil specimens.
3.The collapsible nature of undisturbed red soil samples from different locations in Bangalore District.
The organization of this thesis is as follows:
After the first introductory chapter, a detailed review of literature highlighting the need to study the collapse behaviour of unsaturated red soils of Bangalore District, Karnataka in the compacted and undisturbed states comprises Chapter 2.
Chapter 3 presents a detailed experimental programme of the study. Details of representative and undisturbed red soil samples from Bangalore District, Karnataka State, India were used in the study are provided. Determination of collapse potential of compacted and undisturbed soil specimens using conventional oedometer is discussed. Determination of matric suction of compacted and undisturbed specimens by ASTM Filter paper method and pore size distributions by mercury intrusion porosimetry is detailed. Methods to perform cyclic wetting and drying of compacted red soil specimens in modified oedometer assemblies is detailed. These experiments are performed to examine the influence of cyclic wetting and drying on the collapse behaviour of compacted red soil specimens.
Chapter 4 examines the collapse behaviour of a compacted red soil from Bangalore District. The influence of variations in compaction dry density, initial water content and matric suction, flooding pressure and clay content on the collapse behaviour of the representative red soil from Bangalore District are examined. Besides measuring the initial matric suction of the compacted red soil specimens, mercury intrusion porosimetry was performed on selected compacted red soil specimens. Experimental results showed that compacted red soils from Bangalore District exhibited tendency to swell and collapse at the experimental range of densities and water contents. Red soil specimens compacted to relative compactions > 90 % at water contents below OMC swelled at flooding pressures lower than 200 kPa. Red soil specimens compacted to relative compactions < 90 % at water contents below OMC significantly collapsed at flooding pressures larger than 200 kPa. Hence maintenance of the design water content during construction of compacted red soil fills is essential to minimize wetting induced volume changes. Experiments showed that the relative abundance of coarse pores (60 to 6 μm, pore radius) were mainly affected on increasing the relative compaction of the specimens from 84 % (dry density = 1.49 Mg/m3) to 100 % (dry density = 1.77 Mg/m3). The relative abundance of the coarse and fine (0.01 to 0.002 μm) pores were both affected on increasing the compaction water content from 10.6 to 26.4 %. These variations in pore size distributions provided better insight into the variations of collapse potential with variations in compaction parameters. ASTM filter paper method showed that for the selected compaction conditions the initial matric suction of the compacted red soil specimens varied between 60 and 10,000 kPa. Further, variations in degree of saturation at a constant relative compaction or variations in relative compaction at a constant degree of soil saturation notably affected the matric suction of the compacted soil specimens. It was also inferred that a clay soil with a higher liquid limit is characterized by a higher matric suction at a given water content. Variations in clay content affected the collapse potentials of soil specimens compacted to dry densities of 1.49 and 1.66 Mg/m3. These specimens exhibited maximum collapse at about 26 % clay content. It is suggested that greater destabilization of inter-particle contacts caused by loss of matric suction on flooding was primarily responsible for the soil specimen containing the critical clay content of 26 % to exhibit maximum collapse potential. Increase in initial dry density, initial water content, clay content of the soil specimen and flooding pressure increased the time-duration of collapse of the compacted soil specimens. The time-duration of collapse was observed to range between 3 and 100 minutes for the tested specimens.
Chapter 5 examines the influence of alternate wetting and drying on the collapse behaviour of compacted red soil specimens of Bangalore District. The compacted specimens were subjected to alternate wetting and drying cycles at surcharge pressures of 6.25 and 50 kPa in modified oedometer assemblies. Studies were also performed to examine whether the initial placement conditions have any bearing on the collapse behaviour of red soil specimens subjected to four cycles of wetting and drying. Mercury intrusion porosimetry was performed on a few desiccated red soil specimens. Experimental results showed that cyclic wetting and drying caused the desiccated specimens to exhibit similar or lower swell and collapse potentials than the compacted specimens. Such a behaviour resulted despite the desiccated specimens (specimens subjected to four cycles of wetting and drying are termed as desiccated specimens) possessing similar void ratios but much lower water contents than the compacted specimens. The restraining influence of the desiccation bonds and alteration of soil structure is considered responsible for the reduced swell and collapse tendencies of the desiccated specimens. The desiccation bonds imparted higher apparent preconsolidation pressures to the desiccated specimens. The initial compaction conditions also have a strong bearing on the collapse potentials of the desiccated specimens. Compacted red soil specimens subjected to cyclic wetting and drying under a higher surcharge pressure of 50 kPa exhibited larger swell potentials and lower collapse potentials than specimens desiccated at 6.25 kPa. Besides their lower void ratios, the presence of stronger desiccation bonds also contributed to their lower collapse potentials. The presence of stronger desiccation bonds in specimens desiccated under higher surcharge pressure was indicated by their higher apparent preconsolidation pressures.
Chapter 6 examines the collapse behaviour of undisturbed red soil specimens from three locations in Bangalore District at a range of flooding pressures. Studies on the variations in initial water content and effect of remoulding on the collapse behaviour of the undisturbed specimens is supplemented by measuring the initial matric suction and performing mercury intrusion porosimetry experiments. Experimental results showed that based on their collapse potential at 200 kPa, the undisturbed red soils of Bangalore District classified as troublesome to moderately troublesome foundation soils. The bonded structure of the undisturbed red soil specimens imparted them higher apparent preconsolidation pressures and lower swell/collapse potentials than their remoulded counterparts. Variations in in-situ dry density, degree of saturation and relative distribution of pore sizes affected the matric suction and collapse potentials of the undisturbed specimens
Chapter 7 summarizes the conclusions of this thesis
Alternating current conduction studies on polypyrrole-iron nanocomposite at room temperature
No full textEffect of operational parameters and kinetic study on the photocatalytic degradation of m-cresol purple using irradiated ZnO in aqueous medium
No full textA detailed investigation of photocatalytic degradation of m-cresol purple (mCP) dye has been carried out in aqueous heterogeneous medium containing zinc oxide (ZnO) as the photocatalyst in a batch reactor. The effects of some parameters such as amount of photocatalyst, dye concentration, initial pH of solution, ethanol concentration and temperature were examined. The most efficient pH in removal of the dye with photocatalytic degradation and dark surface adsorption processes was observed to be 8. The adsorption constant calculated from the linear transform of the Langmuir isotherm model was similar to that obtained in photocatalytic degradation at pH = 8; hence, the Langmuir–Hinshelwood model was found to be accurate for photocatalytic degradation at this pH. Dark surface adsorption and degradation efficiency were increased by enhancement in the temperature at the optimum pH of 8 and the apparent activation energy (Ea) for the photocatalytic degradation of mCP was determined as 14.09 kJ/mol at this pH. The electrical energy consumption per order of magnitude (EEO) for photocatalytic degradation of mCP was also determined
Synthesis, characterization and DC conductivity studies of conducting polyaniline/PVA/Fly ash polymer composites
No full textElectromagnetic shielding effectiveness studies on polyaniline/CSA-WO3 composites at KU band frequencies
No full textSynthesis and evaluation of novel imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine derivatives as antimycobacterial agents against Mycobacterium tuberculosis
No full textThe current study involves the synthesis of novel imidazo4{,}5-cpyridine derivatives (IPD) containing amide/urea/sulfonamide. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for in vitro and in vivo antimycobacterial activities against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The pharmacological activities were determined by the objective to better understand their structure–activity relationship (SAR) for their in vitro antimycobacterial activity against M. tuberculosis. Some synthesized compounds showed significant activity against M. tuberculosis based on the agar dilution method. Among the forty-one compounds screened{,} compounds 21{,} 22 and 23 were found to be the most active compounds against M. tuberculosis. In the in vivo animal model{,} 21{,} 22 and 23 decreased the bacterial load in lung and spleen tissues at the dose of 50 mg kg−1 body weight
Synthesis and Characterization of Oxidovanadium(IV) Complexes of 2-((E)-(6-Fluorobenzo[d]thiazol-2-ylimino)methyl)-6-methoxyphenol and Their Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and DNA-Binding Studies
No full textTwo novel oxidovanadium(IV) complexes with a new bidentate (O- and N-) imine-based ligand 2-((E)-(6-fluorobenzo[d]thiazol-2-ylimino)methyl)-6-methoxyphenol (HL) were synthesized under in situ experimental condition where VOSO4 acts as a kinetic template in the ratio 2 : 1 (L : M) and mixed ligand complex using 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) in 1 : 1 : 1 (L : M : phen) ratio. The synthesized compounds were structurally characterized by microanalysis, magnetic susceptibility, FTIR, electronic spectra, TG/DTA, ESR, and molar conductance studies. Based on the spectral studies, the complexes have the general composition [VO(L)2] (C1) and [VO(L)phen] (C2) in a square pyramid geometrical fashion. The synthesized compounds were primarily screened for their in vitro growth inhibiting activity against different strains of bacteria, namely, E. coli, B. subtilis, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa by the disc diffusion method. Also, the antifungal activity was determined against C. albicans and A. niger by the Bateman poisoned technique. The in vitro antioxidant activity of all the compounds was determined by DPPH free radical-scavenging assay. Intercalative mode of DNA-binding properties of the oxidovanadium(IV) complexes with calf-thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was investigated using UV, fluorescence spectra, and viscosity measurements
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