Electrochemical impedimetric immunosensor for the detection of measles-specific IgG antibodies after measles infections
- Mashazi, Philani N, Tetyana, Phumlani, Vilakazi, Sibulelo, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Mashazi, Philani N , Tetyana, Phumlani , Vilakazi, Sibulelo , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/241677 , vital:50960 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2013.04.028"
- Description: The detection of measles-specific primary antibodies (IgG) using electrochemical impedimetric immunosensors is reported. The optimum conditions for electrode saturation were reached after 40 min for 1 μg ml−1 antibody concentrations. Surface roughness using AFM increased with each immobilization or antigen-antibody reaction step clearly confirming the surface modification and recognition between antigen and antibody. The human serum (HS) and new-born calf serum (NCS) spiked with antigen-specific antibody were studied to mimic the real sample analysis. The HS and NCS sera containing antibodies due to measles exhibited correlation between the increasing antibody serum concentrations and the charge-transfer resistance (electrochemically measured). This work clearly showed the potential use of impedance as the preferred electrochemical method for detecting measles-antibodies in label-free manner.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mashazi, Philani N , Tetyana, Phumlani , Vilakazi, Sibulelo , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/241677 , vital:50960 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2013.04.028"
- Description: The detection of measles-specific primary antibodies (IgG) using electrochemical impedimetric immunosensors is reported. The optimum conditions for electrode saturation were reached after 40 min for 1 μg ml−1 antibody concentrations. Surface roughness using AFM increased with each immobilization or antigen-antibody reaction step clearly confirming the surface modification and recognition between antigen and antibody. The human serum (HS) and new-born calf serum (NCS) spiked with antigen-specific antibody were studied to mimic the real sample analysis. The HS and NCS sera containing antibodies due to measles exhibited correlation between the increasing antibody serum concentrations and the charge-transfer resistance (electrochemically measured). This work clearly showed the potential use of impedance as the preferred electrochemical method for detecting measles-antibodies in label-free manner.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Electrospun fibers functionalized with phthalocyanine-gold nanoparticle conjugates for photocatalytic applications
- Tombe, Sekai, Antunes, Edith M, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Tombe, Sekai , Antunes, Edith M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193769 , vital:45394 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcata.2013.01.033"
- Description: The heterogeneous photocatalytic activity of Zn(II) phthalocyanine-gold nanoparticle conjugates immobilized on electrospun polystyrene fibers was investigated using 4-chlorophenol and Orange G as model pollutants. The phthalocyanine-gold nanoparticle conjugates were synthesized via a ligand exchange reaction and characterized using spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The interaction between the gold nanoparticles and phthalocyanines did not restrict the formation of excited singlet states, triplet states and hence the formation of singlet oxygen required for photocatalysis. The conjugates showed significantly higher singlet oxygen quantum yields and enhanced photocatalytic activity compared to the phthalocyanines. It was concluded that hybrid electrospun fibers provide great potential as active photocatalysts for oxidizing organic pollutants using singlet oxygen as an oxidant.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Tombe, Sekai , Antunes, Edith M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193769 , vital:45394 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcata.2013.01.033"
- Description: The heterogeneous photocatalytic activity of Zn(II) phthalocyanine-gold nanoparticle conjugates immobilized on electrospun polystyrene fibers was investigated using 4-chlorophenol and Orange G as model pollutants. The phthalocyanine-gold nanoparticle conjugates were synthesized via a ligand exchange reaction and characterized using spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The interaction between the gold nanoparticles and phthalocyanines did not restrict the formation of excited singlet states, triplet states and hence the formation of singlet oxygen required for photocatalysis. The conjugates showed significantly higher singlet oxygen quantum yields and enhanced photocatalytic activity compared to the phthalocyanines. It was concluded that hybrid electrospun fibers provide great potential as active photocatalysts for oxidizing organic pollutants using singlet oxygen as an oxidant.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Exploring DOXP-reductoisomerase binding limits using phosphonated N-aryl and N-heteroarylcarboxamides as DXR inhibitors
- Bodill, Taryn, Conibear, Anne C, Mutorwa, Marius K, Goble, Jessica L, Blatch, Gregory L, Lobb, Kevin A, Klein, Rosalyn, Kaye, Perry T
- Authors: Bodill, Taryn , Conibear, Anne C , Mutorwa, Marius K , Goble, Jessica L , Blatch, Gregory L , Lobb, Kevin A , Klein, Rosalyn , Kaye, Perry T
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/448912 , vital:74770 , xlink:href=""
- Description: DOXP-reductoisomerase (DXR) is a validated target for the development of antimalarial drugs to address the increase in resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. Series of aryl- and heteroarylcarbamoylphosphonic acids, their diethyl esters and disodium salts have been prepared as analogues of the potent DXR inhibitor fosmidomycin. The effects of the carboxamide N-substituents and the length of the methylene linker have been explored using in silico docking studies, saturation transfer difference NMR spectroscopy and enzyme inhibition assays using both EcDXR and PfDXR. These studies indicate an optimal linker length of two methylene units and have confirmed the importance of an additional binding pocket in the PfDXR active site. Insights into the constraints of the PfDXR binding site provide additional scope for the rational design of DXR inhibitors with increased ligand–receptor interactions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Bodill, Taryn , Conibear, Anne C , Mutorwa, Marius K , Goble, Jessica L , Blatch, Gregory L , Lobb, Kevin A , Klein, Rosalyn , Kaye, Perry T
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/448912 , vital:74770 , xlink:href=""
- Description: DOXP-reductoisomerase (DXR) is a validated target for the development of antimalarial drugs to address the increase in resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. Series of aryl- and heteroarylcarbamoylphosphonic acids, their diethyl esters and disodium salts have been prepared as analogues of the potent DXR inhibitor fosmidomycin. The effects of the carboxamide N-substituents and the length of the methylene linker have been explored using in silico docking studies, saturation transfer difference NMR spectroscopy and enzyme inhibition assays using both EcDXR and PfDXR. These studies indicate an optimal linker length of two methylene units and have confirmed the importance of an additional binding pocket in the PfDXR active site. Insights into the constraints of the PfDXR binding site provide additional scope for the rational design of DXR inhibitors with increased ligand–receptor interactions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Fluorescence behavior of glutathione capped CdTe@ ZnS quantum dots chemically coordinated to zinc octacarboxy phthalocyanines
- Sekhosana, Kutloano E, Antunes, Edith M, Khene, Samson M, D'Souza, Sarah, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Sekhosana, Kutloano E , Antunes, Edith M , Khene, Samson M , D'Souza, Sarah , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/242019 , vital:50993 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlumin.2012.11.044"
- Description: Core–shell CdTe@ZnS quantum dots capped with glutathione (CdTe@ZnS–GSH) were covalently linked to zinc octacarboxy phthalocyanine (ZnPc(COOH)8). The conjugate was characterized by UV/Vis, infrared and X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopies as well as transmission electron and atomic force microscopies. The fluorescence quantum yields of the core CdTe capped with thioglycolic acid increased upon formation of the core-shell. Upon conjugation with ZnPc(COOH)8, the fluorescence quantum yield of CdTe@ZnS–GSH decreased due to energy transfer from the latter to the Pc. The average fluorescence lifetime of the CdTe@ZnS–GSH QD also decreased upon conjugation from 26.2 to 13.3 ns.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Sekhosana, Kutloano E , Antunes, Edith M , Khene, Samson M , D'Souza, Sarah , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/242019 , vital:50993 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlumin.2012.11.044"
- Description: Core–shell CdTe@ZnS quantum dots capped with glutathione (CdTe@ZnS–GSH) were covalently linked to zinc octacarboxy phthalocyanine (ZnPc(COOH)8). The conjugate was characterized by UV/Vis, infrared and X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopies as well as transmission electron and atomic force microscopies. The fluorescence quantum yields of the core CdTe capped with thioglycolic acid increased upon formation of the core-shell. Upon conjugation with ZnPc(COOH)8, the fluorescence quantum yield of CdTe@ZnS–GSH decreased due to energy transfer from the latter to the Pc. The average fluorescence lifetime of the CdTe@ZnS–GSH QD also decreased upon conjugation from 26.2 to 13.3 ns.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Fluorescence “turn on” probe for bromide ion using nanoconjugates of glutathione-capped CdTe@ ZnS quantum dots with nickel tetraamino-phthalocyanine
- Adegoke, Oluwasesan, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Adegoke, Oluwasesan , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190479 , vital:44998 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2013.05.013"
- Description: In this paper, three differently sized glutathione (GSH)-capped CdTe@ZnS quantum dots (QDs) have been successfully conjugated to nickel tetraamino-phthalocyanine (NiTAPc) to form different QDs-NiTAPc nanocomplexes. Several techniques such as TEM, FT-IR, time-resolved fluorescence measurement and electronic spectroscopy were employed to characterize the nanocomplex. Bromide ion was chosen as a model anion to test the efficacy of the nanoprobe. The fluorescence of the nanoconjugate was “turned off” upon binding but was progressively “turned on” upon interaction with varying concentrations of bromide ion. Experimental results showed that the quantum size effect of nanocrystal QD determined the overall sensitivity and selectivity of the nanoprobe and followed the order QD563-NiTAPc > QD605-NiTAPc > QD621-NiTAPc. The mechanism of reaction is proposed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Adegoke, Oluwasesan , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190479 , vital:44998 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2013.05.013"
- Description: In this paper, three differently sized glutathione (GSH)-capped CdTe@ZnS quantum dots (QDs) have been successfully conjugated to nickel tetraamino-phthalocyanine (NiTAPc) to form different QDs-NiTAPc nanocomplexes. Several techniques such as TEM, FT-IR, time-resolved fluorescence measurement and electronic spectroscopy were employed to characterize the nanocomplex. Bromide ion was chosen as a model anion to test the efficacy of the nanoprobe. The fluorescence of the nanoconjugate was “turned off” upon binding but was progressively “turned on” upon interaction with varying concentrations of bromide ion. Experimental results showed that the quantum size effect of nanocrystal QD determined the overall sensitivity and selectivity of the nanoprobe and followed the order QD563-NiTAPc > QD605-NiTAPc > QD621-NiTAPc. The mechanism of reaction is proposed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Glutathione capped CdTe@ ZnS quantum dots–zinc tetracarboxy phthalocyanine conjugates
- Sekhosana, Kutloana E, Antunes, Edith M, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Sekhosana, Kutloana E , Antunes, Edith M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193780 , vital:45395 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2013.02.060"
- Description: Conjugates of zinc tetracarboxy phthalocyanine (ZnPc(COOH)4) with CdTe@ZnS–GSH quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized and characterized by several techniques including X-ray powder diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. There was an observed decrease in both the fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes of the quantum dots when they were linked or mixed with ZnPc(COOH)4 due to Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET). The FRET behavior of CdTe@ZnS–GSH–ZnPc(COOH)4 conjugates was compared to that of CdTe@ZnS–GSH–ZnPc(COOH)8. Higher FRET efficiencies were observed for CdTe@ZnS–GSH–ZnPc(COOH)4-mixed or CdTe@ZnS–GSH–ZnPc(COOH)4-linked compared to the corresponding CdTe@ZnS–GSH–ZnPc(COOH)8-mixed or CdTe@ZnS–GSH–ZnPc(COOH)8-linked. Also CdTe@ZnS–GSH–ZnPc(COOH)4-mixed (containing coreshell QDs) showed higher FRET efficiency than CdTE–TGA–ZnPc(COOH)4-mixed containing core QDs. The FRET efficiencies were found to be 63% and 59% for the CdTe@ZnS–GSH–ZnPc(COOH)4-linked and CdTe@ZnS–GSH–ZnPc(COOH)4-mixed samples, respectively.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Sekhosana, Kutloana E , Antunes, Edith M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193780 , vital:45395 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2013.02.060"
- Description: Conjugates of zinc tetracarboxy phthalocyanine (ZnPc(COOH)4) with CdTe@ZnS–GSH quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized and characterized by several techniques including X-ray powder diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. There was an observed decrease in both the fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes of the quantum dots when they were linked or mixed with ZnPc(COOH)4 due to Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET). The FRET behavior of CdTe@ZnS–GSH–ZnPc(COOH)4 conjugates was compared to that of CdTe@ZnS–GSH–ZnPc(COOH)8. Higher FRET efficiencies were observed for CdTe@ZnS–GSH–ZnPc(COOH)4-mixed or CdTe@ZnS–GSH–ZnPc(COOH)4-linked compared to the corresponding CdTe@ZnS–GSH–ZnPc(COOH)8-mixed or CdTe@ZnS–GSH–ZnPc(COOH)8-linked. Also CdTe@ZnS–GSH–ZnPc(COOH)4-mixed (containing coreshell QDs) showed higher FRET efficiency than CdTE–TGA–ZnPc(COOH)4-mixed containing core QDs. The FRET efficiencies were found to be 63% and 59% for the CdTe@ZnS–GSH–ZnPc(COOH)4-linked and CdTe@ZnS–GSH–ZnPc(COOH)4-mixed samples, respectively.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Identity and origins of introduced and native Azolla species in Florida
- Madeira, Paul T, Center, Ted D, Coetzee, Julie A, Pemberton, Robert W, Purcell, Matthew F, Hill, Martin P
- Authors: Madeira, Paul T , Center, Ted D , Coetzee, Julie A , Pemberton, Robert W , Purcell, Matthew F , Hill, Martin P
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419313 , vital:71634 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquabot.2013.07.009"
- Description: Azolla pinnata, an introduced aquatic fern, is spreading rapidly causing concern that it may displace native Azolla. It is now present in the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, the northernmost portion of the Florida Everglades. Because A. pinnata subspecies are native to Africa, Southeast Asia, and Australia, determining the actual geographic origin of the Florida exotic is important to the discovery of efficacious biological control agents. Both the exotic and native Azollas were examined using morphological and molecular criteria. Both criteria distinguished three A. pinnata subspecies with the Florida exotic matching the Australian A. pinnata subsp. pinnata. Molecular divergence between the A. pinnata subspecies indicates the three types should be considered separate species. The Florida native was characterized by both molecular and morphological methods as Azolla caroliniana. The discovery of a previously uncharacterized Ecuadorian Azolla, which appears to be a paternal ancestor of A. caroliniana, indicates that A. caroliniana is a hybrid species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Madeira, Paul T , Center, Ted D , Coetzee, Julie A , Pemberton, Robert W , Purcell, Matthew F , Hill, Martin P
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419313 , vital:71634 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquabot.2013.07.009"
- Description: Azolla pinnata, an introduced aquatic fern, is spreading rapidly causing concern that it may displace native Azolla. It is now present in the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, the northernmost portion of the Florida Everglades. Because A. pinnata subspecies are native to Africa, Southeast Asia, and Australia, determining the actual geographic origin of the Florida exotic is important to the discovery of efficacious biological control agents. Both the exotic and native Azollas were examined using morphological and molecular criteria. Both criteria distinguished three A. pinnata subspecies with the Florida exotic matching the Australian A. pinnata subsp. pinnata. Molecular divergence between the A. pinnata subspecies indicates the three types should be considered separate species. The Florida native was characterized by both molecular and morphological methods as Azolla caroliniana. The discovery of a previously uncharacterized Ecuadorian Azolla, which appears to be a paternal ancestor of A. caroliniana, indicates that A. caroliniana is a hybrid species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Influence of nanoparticle materials on the photophysical behavior of phthalocyanines
- Nyokong, Tebello, Antunes, Edith M
- Authors: Nyokong, Tebello , Antunes, Edith M
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190450 , vital:44995 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccr.2013.03.016"
- Description: This review presents recent data on the photophysical behavior of phthalocyanines when conjugated to quantum dots, gold and magnetic nanoparticles. In some cases such conjugates offer the possibility of being used in “combination therapy”, where two or more substances may be used for treating one disease. The review focuses on the effect that the presence of nanoparticles has on the excited and triplet state parameters of the phthalocyanines. Five tables listing these parameters are presented.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Nyokong, Tebello , Antunes, Edith M
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190450 , vital:44995 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccr.2013.03.016"
- Description: This review presents recent data on the photophysical behavior of phthalocyanines when conjugated to quantum dots, gold and magnetic nanoparticles. In some cases such conjugates offer the possibility of being used in “combination therapy”, where two or more substances may be used for treating one disease. The review focuses on the effect that the presence of nanoparticles has on the excited and triplet state parameters of the phthalocyanines. Five tables listing these parameters are presented.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Land claims and the pursuit of co-management on four protected areas in South Africa
- Cundill, Georgina, Thondhlana, Gladman, Sisitka, Lawrence, Shackleton, Sheona E, Blorea, M
- Authors: Cundill, Georgina , Thondhlana, Gladman , Sisitka, Lawrence , Shackleton, Sheona E , Blorea, M
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/391223 , vital:68632 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2013.05.016"
- Description: Successful land claims on protected areas by previously disenfranchised communities often result in co-management agreements between claimant communities and state conservation agencies. South Africa, in particular, has pursued co-management as the desired outcome of land claims on its protected areas. We review four cases of co-management on protected areas in South Africa, and reflect on the appropriateness of the pursuit of co-management as the preferred outcome of land claims. Despite promises of pro-poor, democratically informed management, the practical experience of co-management has seen the continuation of the status quo in terms of conservation, with very few material benefits for claimant communities and limited sharing of responsibilities and decision-making functions. The findings underscore two deep challenges facing co-management in cases of land claims worldwide. First, during land claims negotiations in cases involving protected areas, the state cannot be expected to represent the best interests of its citizens (the land claimants), while simultaneously seeking to meet national and international obligations for protected area coverage. Second, the concept of democratic co-management may sit uncomfortably beside the realities of managing loss-making protected areas with ever-shrinking conservation budgets. Where co-management agreements have already been signed, ensuring that new landowners do indeed have a say in management should form the driving focus for co-management practice going forward.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Cundill, Georgina , Thondhlana, Gladman , Sisitka, Lawrence , Shackleton, Sheona E , Blorea, M
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/391223 , vital:68632 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2013.05.016"
- Description: Successful land claims on protected areas by previously disenfranchised communities often result in co-management agreements between claimant communities and state conservation agencies. South Africa, in particular, has pursued co-management as the desired outcome of land claims on its protected areas. We review four cases of co-management on protected areas in South Africa, and reflect on the appropriateness of the pursuit of co-management as the preferred outcome of land claims. Despite promises of pro-poor, democratically informed management, the practical experience of co-management has seen the continuation of the status quo in terms of conservation, with very few material benefits for claimant communities and limited sharing of responsibilities and decision-making functions. The findings underscore two deep challenges facing co-management in cases of land claims worldwide. First, during land claims negotiations in cases involving protected areas, the state cannot be expected to represent the best interests of its citizens (the land claimants), while simultaneously seeking to meet national and international obligations for protected area coverage. Second, the concept of democratic co-management may sit uncomfortably beside the realities of managing loss-making protected areas with ever-shrinking conservation budgets. Where co-management agreements have already been signed, ensuring that new landowners do indeed have a say in management should form the driving focus for co-management practice going forward.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Nanoconjugates of CdTe@ ZnS quantum dots with cobalt tetraamino-phthalocyanine
- Adegoke, Oluwasesan, Antunes, Edith M, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Adegoke, Oluwasesan , Antunes, Edith M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/242049 , vital:50996 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2013.02.010"
- Description: The covalent linking of thiol-capped CdTe@ZnS QDs with cobalt tetraamino-phthalocyanine (CoTAPc) has been successfully carried out. Several techniques such as time-resolved fluorescence measurements, thermal gravimetric analysis,transmissionelectronmicroscopy andspectrophotometric techniques were employed to characterize the nanoconjugates. Covalent binding of the QDs with CoTAPc resulted in the fluorescence quenching of the former. In the presence of varying concentrations of superoxide anion (O2 •−), the fluorescence of the QDs in the conjugate was gradually enhanced and the detection limits obtained were 2.1 and 2.4 nM for the smaller and larger QDs, respectively. Based on the excellent selectivity displayed by the nanoconjugates towards O2 •− over other biologically active species, a potential nanosensor was developed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Adegoke, Oluwasesan , Antunes, Edith M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/242049 , vital:50996 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2013.02.010"
- Description: The covalent linking of thiol-capped CdTe@ZnS QDs with cobalt tetraamino-phthalocyanine (CoTAPc) has been successfully carried out. Several techniques such as time-resolved fluorescence measurements, thermal gravimetric analysis,transmissionelectronmicroscopy andspectrophotometric techniques were employed to characterize the nanoconjugates. Covalent binding of the QDs with CoTAPc resulted in the fluorescence quenching of the former. In the presence of varying concentrations of superoxide anion (O2 •−), the fluorescence of the QDs in the conjugate was gradually enhanced and the detection limits obtained were 2.1 and 2.4 nM for the smaller and larger QDs, respectively. Based on the excellent selectivity displayed by the nanoconjugates towards O2 •− over other biologically active species, a potential nanosensor was developed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Nutrient-mediated effects on Cornops aquaticum Brüner (Orthoptera: Acrididae), a potential biological control agent of water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms (Pontederiaceae)
- Bownes, Angela, Hill, Martin P, Byrne, Marcus J
- Authors: Bownes, Angela , Hill, Martin P , Byrne, Marcus J
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/406131 , vital:70241 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2013.07.023"
- Description: Environmental nutrient availability can drive and modify both plant responses to herbivory by phytophagous insects and insect feeding patterns which, in insect-weed systems, may ultimately determine whether biological control succeeds or fails. The impacts of insect biological control agents on the invasive aquatic weed, water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) vary with nutrient levels in the environment. It was therefore considered important to evaluate nutrient-specific responses of E. crassipes to a grasshopper herbivore, Cornops aquaticum, prior to its release in South Africa. Both plant productivity and the response of E. crassipes to herbivory by C. aquaticum were nutrient dependent. Increases in plant biomass and leaf and ramet production were correlated with increases in nutrients in the water and plant biomass accumulation was reduced by herbivory at all three nutrient levels tested (high = 67%; medium = 100%; low = 400%). C. aquaticum nymphs fed E. crassipes leaves with the lowest nitrogen levels produced the highest biomass of frass during their development, indicating compensatory consumption. The results suggest that environmental nutrient availability will influence efficacy of C. aquaticum. They also provide further evidence that E. crassipes problems are exacerbated by an over-abundance of nutrients in aquatic environments, and that biological control would be a highly effective management tool if aquatic systems in South Africa were less polluted. Additionally, the results also show how an understanding of the fundamental responses of E. crassipes and its insect biocontrol agents to their environment can assist in determining specific management strategies or interventions according to prevailing site-specific conditions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Bownes, Angela , Hill, Martin P , Byrne, Marcus J
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/406131 , vital:70241 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2013.07.023"
- Description: Environmental nutrient availability can drive and modify both plant responses to herbivory by phytophagous insects and insect feeding patterns which, in insect-weed systems, may ultimately determine whether biological control succeeds or fails. The impacts of insect biological control agents on the invasive aquatic weed, water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) vary with nutrient levels in the environment. It was therefore considered important to evaluate nutrient-specific responses of E. crassipes to a grasshopper herbivore, Cornops aquaticum, prior to its release in South Africa. Both plant productivity and the response of E. crassipes to herbivory by C. aquaticum were nutrient dependent. Increases in plant biomass and leaf and ramet production were correlated with increases in nutrients in the water and plant biomass accumulation was reduced by herbivory at all three nutrient levels tested (high = 67%; medium = 100%; low = 400%). C. aquaticum nymphs fed E. crassipes leaves with the lowest nitrogen levels produced the highest biomass of frass during their development, indicating compensatory consumption. The results suggest that environmental nutrient availability will influence efficacy of C. aquaticum. They also provide further evidence that E. crassipes problems are exacerbated by an over-abundance of nutrients in aquatic environments, and that biological control would be a highly effective management tool if aquatic systems in South Africa were less polluted. Additionally, the results also show how an understanding of the fundamental responses of E. crassipes and its insect biocontrol agents to their environment can assist in determining specific management strategies or interventions according to prevailing site-specific conditions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Optical limiting analysis of phthalocyanines in polymer thin films
- Britton, Jonathan, Litwinski, Christian, Antunes, Edith M, Durmus, Mahmut, Chaukea, Vongani, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Britton, Jonathan , Litwinski, Christian , Antunes, Edith M , Durmus, Mahmut , Chaukea, Vongani , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/232488 , vital:49996 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/10601325.2013.736269"
- Description: This paper reports on the effect of embedding twelve phthalocyanines containing In, Ga, Zn and Al as central metals in polymer thin films on their optical limiting abilities. This paper also examines the effect of forming a covalent link between zinc tetraamino phthalocyanine (10) and poly (methyl acrylic acid) (PMAA), and Zn (11) or OHAl (12) octacarboxy phthalocyanines with polyethylenimine (PEI). The average film thickness (for phthalocyanines mixed or linked to polymers) of each Pc/Polymer films on glass was 95 μm. The hyperpolarizability of the twelve phthalocyanines was found to be in the range of 10−26 to 10−24 esu.L. This is significantly higher than the hyperpolarizabilities of these phthalocyanines in solution, which ranged from 10−30 to 10−26 esu.L. Degradation studies seem to indicate that placing a phthalocyanine within a polymer thin film may protect it slightly from photo- and thermal degradation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Britton, Jonathan , Litwinski, Christian , Antunes, Edith M , Durmus, Mahmut , Chaukea, Vongani , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/232488 , vital:49996 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/10601325.2013.736269"
- Description: This paper reports on the effect of embedding twelve phthalocyanines containing In, Ga, Zn and Al as central metals in polymer thin films on their optical limiting abilities. This paper also examines the effect of forming a covalent link between zinc tetraamino phthalocyanine (10) and poly (methyl acrylic acid) (PMAA), and Zn (11) or OHAl (12) octacarboxy phthalocyanines with polyethylenimine (PEI). The average film thickness (for phthalocyanines mixed or linked to polymers) of each Pc/Polymer films on glass was 95 μm. The hyperpolarizability of the twelve phthalocyanines was found to be in the range of 10−26 to 10−24 esu.L. This is significantly higher than the hyperpolarizabilities of these phthalocyanines in solution, which ranged from 10−30 to 10−26 esu.L. Degradation studies seem to indicate that placing a phthalocyanine within a polymer thin film may protect it slightly from photo- and thermal degradation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Overcrowding of false codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) leads to the isolation of five new Cryptophlebia leucotreta granulovirus (CrleGV-SA) isolates
- Opoku-Debrah, John K, Hill, Martin P, Knox, Caroline M, Moore, Sean D
- Authors: Opoku-Debrah, John K , Hill, Martin P , Knox, Caroline M , Moore, Sean D
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419360 , vital:71637 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2012.12.008"
- Description: False codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) is a serious pest of economic importance to the South African fruit industry. As part of sustainable efforts to control this pest, biological control options that involve the application of baculovirus-based biopesticides such as Cryptogran and Cryptex (both formulated with a South African isolate of Cryptophlebia leucotreta granulovirus, CrleGV-SA) are popularly used by farmers. In order to safeguard the integrity of these biopesticides as well as protect against any future development of resistance in the host, we conducted a study to bioprospect for additional CrleGV isolates as alternatives to existing ones. Using overcrowding as an induction method for latent infection, we recovered five new CrleGV isolates (CrleGV-SA Ado, CrleGV-SA Mbl, CrleGV-SA Cit, CrleGV-SA MixC and CrleGV-SA Nels). Single restriction endonuclease (REN) analysis of viral genomic DNA extracted from purified occlusion bodies showed that isolates differed in their DNA profiles. Partial sequencing of granulin and egt genes from the different isolates and multiple alignments of nucleotide sequences revealed the presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), some of which resulted in amino acid substitutions in the protein sequence. Based on these findings as well as comparisons with other documented CrleGV isolates, we propose two phylogenetic groups for CrleGV-SA isolates recovered in this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Opoku-Debrah, John K , Hill, Martin P , Knox, Caroline M , Moore, Sean D
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419360 , vital:71637 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2012.12.008"
- Description: False codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) is a serious pest of economic importance to the South African fruit industry. As part of sustainable efforts to control this pest, biological control options that involve the application of baculovirus-based biopesticides such as Cryptogran and Cryptex (both formulated with a South African isolate of Cryptophlebia leucotreta granulovirus, CrleGV-SA) are popularly used by farmers. In order to safeguard the integrity of these biopesticides as well as protect against any future development of resistance in the host, we conducted a study to bioprospect for additional CrleGV isolates as alternatives to existing ones. Using overcrowding as an induction method for latent infection, we recovered five new CrleGV isolates (CrleGV-SA Ado, CrleGV-SA Mbl, CrleGV-SA Cit, CrleGV-SA MixC and CrleGV-SA Nels). Single restriction endonuclease (REN) analysis of viral genomic DNA extracted from purified occlusion bodies showed that isolates differed in their DNA profiles. Partial sequencing of granulin and egt genes from the different isolates and multiple alignments of nucleotide sequences revealed the presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), some of which resulted in amino acid substitutions in the protein sequence. Based on these findings as well as comparisons with other documented CrleGV isolates, we propose two phylogenetic groups for CrleGV-SA isolates recovered in this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Oxovanadium (IV)-containing poly (styrene-co-4′-ethenyl-2-hydroxyphenylimidazole) electrospun nanofibers for the catalytic oxidation of thioanisole
- Walmsley, Ryan S, Litwinski, Christian, Antunes, Edith M, Hlangothi, Percy, Hosten, Eric C, McCleland, Cedric, Nyokong, Tebello, Torto, Nelson, Tshentu, Zenixole R
- Authors: Walmsley, Ryan S , Litwinski, Christian , Antunes, Edith M , Hlangothi, Percy , Hosten, Eric C , McCleland, Cedric , Nyokong, Tebello , Torto, Nelson , Tshentu, Zenixole R
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/241665 , vital:50959 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcata.2013.07.018"
- Description: The catalytic fibers have been fabricated by the electrospinning of a copolymer of styrene and 2-(2′-hydroxy-4′-ethenylphenyl)imidazole {p(ST-co-VPIM)} followed by a reaction with a methanolic vanadyl solution to afford the oxovanadium(IV)-containing poly(styrene-co-4′-ethenyl-2-hydroxyphenylimidazole) fibers {p(ST-co-VPIM)-VO fibers}. The relationship between polymer concentration and fiber diameter was investigated, and at high concentration (20 wt%) the fibers were quite large (average diameter of 3.8 μm) but as the concentration was reduced fibers of much lower diameter were produced (0.6 μm using 8 wt%). The BET surface area for p(ST-co-VPIM) fibers (0.6 μm diameter) was 47.9 m2 g−1 and functionalization of p(ST-co-VPIM) with vanadyl resulted in an increase in surface area to 60.7 m2 g−1 for p(ST-co-VPIM)-VO. The presence of vanadyl was confirmed by XPS and EPR. The EPR spectral analyses depicted complex speciation of vanadium within these polymer supports. These catalytic fibers were applied under batch and continuous flow conditions for the catalytic oxidation of thioanisole using hydrogen peroxide. The continuous flow method gave excellent and constant conversion throughout the 10 h period studied. The leaching of vanadium from the fiber support was 4% over the 10 h period indicating a significant stability of the material.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Walmsley, Ryan S , Litwinski, Christian , Antunes, Edith M , Hlangothi, Percy , Hosten, Eric C , McCleland, Cedric , Nyokong, Tebello , Torto, Nelson , Tshentu, Zenixole R
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/241665 , vital:50959 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcata.2013.07.018"
- Description: The catalytic fibers have been fabricated by the electrospinning of a copolymer of styrene and 2-(2′-hydroxy-4′-ethenylphenyl)imidazole {p(ST-co-VPIM)} followed by a reaction with a methanolic vanadyl solution to afford the oxovanadium(IV)-containing poly(styrene-co-4′-ethenyl-2-hydroxyphenylimidazole) fibers {p(ST-co-VPIM)-VO fibers}. The relationship between polymer concentration and fiber diameter was investigated, and at high concentration (20 wt%) the fibers were quite large (average diameter of 3.8 μm) but as the concentration was reduced fibers of much lower diameter were produced (0.6 μm using 8 wt%). The BET surface area for p(ST-co-VPIM) fibers (0.6 μm diameter) was 47.9 m2 g−1 and functionalization of p(ST-co-VPIM) with vanadyl resulted in an increase in surface area to 60.7 m2 g−1 for p(ST-co-VPIM)-VO. The presence of vanadyl was confirmed by XPS and EPR. The EPR spectral analyses depicted complex speciation of vanadium within these polymer supports. These catalytic fibers were applied under batch and continuous flow conditions for the catalytic oxidation of thioanisole using hydrogen peroxide. The continuous flow method gave excellent and constant conversion throughout the 10 h period studied. The leaching of vanadium from the fiber support was 4% over the 10 h period indicating a significant stability of the material.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Perceptions and use of public green space is influenced by its relative abundance in two small towns in South Africa
- Shackleton, Charlie M, Blair, Andrew
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M , Blair, Andrew
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/181026 , vital:43688 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2013.01.011"
- Description: The challenges in planning and maintaining urban public green spaces in poor towns of the developing world differ markedly from those of the developed world. This paper reports on residents’ perceptions, use and willingness to get involved in urban public green space (PGS) issues in two poor towns in South Africa which differed markedly in the amount of PGS. The disparities in PGS between the two towns were also replicated in different suburbs within the two towns. We hypothesised that levels of dissatisfaction would be highest in those suburbs and the town with the least PGS. The results indicated that the distance from residents’ homesteads to the nearest PGS was similar across towns and suburbs. Most residents felt that having accessible PGS was important, and the majority agreed that there was insufficient PGS in their respective town and suburb, and that the local municipality did not do enough in providing PGS or maintaining what there was. The level of dissatisfaction with the amount and condition of PGS was generally highest in the suburbs and town with the least PGS. Many felt that the municipality had insufficient commitment and funds to adequately maintain PGS, and consequently the willingness of residents to get involved through either a commitment of time or funds was high. The more affluent town and suburbs were willing to pay more than the poorer ones, and the poorer ones were willing to provide more time than the more affluent ones.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M , Blair, Andrew
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/181026 , vital:43688 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2013.01.011"
- Description: The challenges in planning and maintaining urban public green spaces in poor towns of the developing world differ markedly from those of the developed world. This paper reports on residents’ perceptions, use and willingness to get involved in urban public green space (PGS) issues in two poor towns in South Africa which differed markedly in the amount of PGS. The disparities in PGS between the two towns were also replicated in different suburbs within the two towns. We hypothesised that levels of dissatisfaction would be highest in those suburbs and the town with the least PGS. The results indicated that the distance from residents’ homesteads to the nearest PGS was similar across towns and suburbs. Most residents felt that having accessible PGS was important, and the majority agreed that there was insufficient PGS in their respective town and suburb, and that the local municipality did not do enough in providing PGS or maintaining what there was. The level of dissatisfaction with the amount and condition of PGS was generally highest in the suburbs and town with the least PGS. Many felt that the municipality had insufficient commitment and funds to adequately maintain PGS, and consequently the willingness of residents to get involved through either a commitment of time or funds was high. The more affluent town and suburbs were willing to pay more than the poorer ones, and the poorer ones were willing to provide more time than the more affluent ones.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Photodegradation of Orange-G using zinc octacarboxyphthalocyanine supported on Fe3O4 nanoparticles
- Modisha, Phillimon, Nyokong, Tebello, Antunes, Edith M
- Authors: Modisha, Phillimon , Nyokong, Tebello , Antunes, Edith M
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/241653 , vital:50958 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcata.2013.09.030"
- Description: Zinc octacarboxy phthalocyanine (ZnOCPc) was covalently immobilized on the surface of magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) for the photocatalytic degradation of Orange G (OG) under visible light irradiation. It is noteworthy that the catalyst can be easily recovered using an external magnet and that it is reusable. The ZnOCPc remained bound to the MNP surface even after 25 min of photolysis as confirmed by the FT-IR and X-ray diffraction spectra. Kinetic analysis shows that the photodegradation rates of OG can be approximated to be pseudo-first order, according to the Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetics model.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Modisha, Phillimon , Nyokong, Tebello , Antunes, Edith M
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/241653 , vital:50958 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcata.2013.09.030"
- Description: Zinc octacarboxy phthalocyanine (ZnOCPc) was covalently immobilized on the surface of magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) for the photocatalytic degradation of Orange G (OG) under visible light irradiation. It is noteworthy that the catalyst can be easily recovered using an external magnet and that it is reusable. The ZnOCPc remained bound to the MNP surface even after 25 min of photolysis as confirmed by the FT-IR and X-ray diffraction spectra. Kinetic analysis shows that the photodegradation rates of OG can be approximated to be pseudo-first order, according to the Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetics model.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Physicochemical properties of zinc monoamino phthalocyanine conjugated to folic acid and single walled carbon nanotubes
- Ogbodu, Racheal O, Antunes, Edith M, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Ogbodu, Racheal O , Antunes, Edith M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/241761 , vital:50967 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2013.05.025"
- Description: This study reports on the photophysical and photochemical behavior of the conjugates formed by covalent and non-covalent bonding between zinc monoamino phthalocyanine (ZnMAPc) and either single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) or folic acid (FA). The conjugates were characterized using FTIR, X-ray powder diffractometry, thermogravimetric analyses, transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. 1H NMR and mass spectroscopies were only employed for ZnMAPc–FA conjugate. There was a slight increase in the triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields on conjugating ZnMAPc to SWCNTs (or FA), while a decrease in the photophysical and photochemical parameters were observed upon adsorption of the ZnMAPc–FA conjugate to SWCNTs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Ogbodu, Racheal O , Antunes, Edith M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/241761 , vital:50967 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2013.05.025"
- Description: This study reports on the photophysical and photochemical behavior of the conjugates formed by covalent and non-covalent bonding between zinc monoamino phthalocyanine (ZnMAPc) and either single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) or folic acid (FA). The conjugates were characterized using FTIR, X-ray powder diffractometry, thermogravimetric analyses, transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. 1H NMR and mass spectroscopies were only employed for ZnMAPc–FA conjugate. There was a slight increase in the triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields on conjugating ZnMAPc to SWCNTs (or FA), while a decrease in the photophysical and photochemical parameters were observed upon adsorption of the ZnMAPc–FA conjugate to SWCNTs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Poly methyl methacrylate films containing metallophthalocyanines in the presence of CdTe quantum dots
- Britton, Jonathan, Durmus, Mahmut, Chauke, Vongani, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Britton, Jonathan , Durmus, Mahmut , Chauke, Vongani , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/241629 , vital:50956 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2013.09.017"
- Description: Non-linear optical (NLO) parameters were determined for phthalocyanine complexes containing In, Ga and Zn as central metals when embedded in poly (methyl methacrylate) polymer in the absence and presence of quantum dots (QDs) in an effort to create the most optimal optical limiting material. The QDs employed were CdTe–TGA (TGA = thioglylcolic acid). Triplet lifetimes generally increased as the value of the ratio of absorption cross sections of the excited state to that of the ground state (k) decreased on addition of CdTe–TGA to the phthalocyanines. The saturation energy density (Fsat) values were generally smaller in the films when compared to the solutions. Fsat, Ilim, Im[χ(3)]/α and γ all gave values which were of optimal range (i.e. the Im[χ(3)]/α and γ values were high enough to ensure adequate optical limiting but not too high to make the compounds behave like optical filters. Also, the Fsat and Ilim values were small enough to mean that the optical limiting process started at an intensity which was not too high) for complex 10 containing Zn central metal and tetrasubstituted with amino groups.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Britton, Jonathan , Durmus, Mahmut , Chauke, Vongani , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/241629 , vital:50956 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2013.09.017"
- Description: Non-linear optical (NLO) parameters were determined for phthalocyanine complexes containing In, Ga and Zn as central metals when embedded in poly (methyl methacrylate) polymer in the absence and presence of quantum dots (QDs) in an effort to create the most optimal optical limiting material. The QDs employed were CdTe–TGA (TGA = thioglylcolic acid). Triplet lifetimes generally increased as the value of the ratio of absorption cross sections of the excited state to that of the ground state (k) decreased on addition of CdTe–TGA to the phthalocyanines. The saturation energy density (Fsat) values were generally smaller in the films when compared to the solutions. Fsat, Ilim, Im[χ(3)]/α and γ all gave values which were of optimal range (i.e. the Im[χ(3)]/α and γ values were high enough to ensure adequate optical limiting but not too high to make the compounds behave like optical filters. Also, the Fsat and Ilim values were small enough to mean that the optical limiting process started at an intensity which was not too high) for complex 10 containing Zn central metal and tetrasubstituted with amino groups.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Probing the sensitive and selective luminescent detection of peroxynitrite using thiol-capped CdTe and CdTe@ ZnS quantum dots
- Adegoke, Oluwasesan, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Adegoke, Oluwasesan , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193757 , vital:45393 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlumin.2012.08.002"
- Description: CdTe and CdTe@ZnS quantum dots (QDs) capped with 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA), thioglycolic acid (TGA), or glutathione (GSH) have been employed for the first time as luminescent probes for the sensitive and selective detection of peroxynitrite (ONOO−) in aqueous solution. The sensitivity of the proposed probe followed the order: MPA–TGA–CdTe@ZnS>GSH–TGA–CdTe@ZnS>MPA–CdTe QDs. The varying degree of quenching is elucidated based on the QD–thiolate bond of CdTe@ZnS being more sensitive to oxidation from ONOO− than CdTe. The selectivity of the probe in the presence of co-existing species followed the order: GSH–TGA–CdTe@ZnS>MPA–TGA–CdTe@ZnS>MPA–CdTe QDs. QDs capped with MPA showed less selectivity for ONOO− than GSH. The best limit of detection (LOD) of 12.6 nM was obtained for MPA–TGA–CdTe@ZnS QDs. Time-resolved fluorescence measurements indicated that the interaction between ONOO− and the QDs is static in nature.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Adegoke, Oluwasesan , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193757 , vital:45393 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlumin.2012.08.002"
- Description: CdTe and CdTe@ZnS quantum dots (QDs) capped with 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA), thioglycolic acid (TGA), or glutathione (GSH) have been employed for the first time as luminescent probes for the sensitive and selective detection of peroxynitrite (ONOO−) in aqueous solution. The sensitivity of the proposed probe followed the order: MPA–TGA–CdTe@ZnS>GSH–TGA–CdTe@ZnS>MPA–CdTe QDs. The varying degree of quenching is elucidated based on the QD–thiolate bond of CdTe@ZnS being more sensitive to oxidation from ONOO− than CdTe. The selectivity of the probe in the presence of co-existing species followed the order: GSH–TGA–CdTe@ZnS>MPA–TGA–CdTe@ZnS>MPA–CdTe QDs. QDs capped with MPA showed less selectivity for ONOO− than GSH. The best limit of detection (LOD) of 12.6 nM was obtained for MPA–TGA–CdTe@ZnS QDs. Time-resolved fluorescence measurements indicated that the interaction between ONOO− and the QDs is static in nature.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Surface patterning using scanning electrochemical microscopy to locally trigger a “click” chemistry reaction
- Quinton, Damien, Maringa, Audacity, Griveau, Sophie, Nyokong, Tebello, Bedioui, Fethi
- Authors: Quinton, Damien , Maringa, Audacity , Griveau, Sophie , Nyokong, Tebello , Bedioui, Fethi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/241805 , vital:50971 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.elecom.2013.03.021"
- Description: We report on the surface micropatterning of conductive surfaces via the electrochemical triggering of a click reaction, the copper(I) catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition reaction (CuAAC) by SECM via a two-step approach: (i) functionalization on the entire surface with azido-aryl groups by using the diazonium approach followed by (ii) the covalent linkage of alkyne-bearing ferrocene by CuAAC within a local area by SECM. More precisely, the click reaction was triggered by Cu(I) catalyst generation for 30 min at the SECM tip positioned ≈ 10 μm above the azido-aryl modified surface. The dimension of the spot obtained under these conditions was ≈ 75 μm. The electrochemical imaging by SECM of the ultra thin area locally clicked with ferrocene moieties was made thanks to the electrocatalytic properties of the ferrocene modified surface towards ferrocyanide electrooxidation. This local clicking procedure opens the gate to further controlled functionalization of restricted small substrates.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Quinton, Damien , Maringa, Audacity , Griveau, Sophie , Nyokong, Tebello , Bedioui, Fethi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/241805 , vital:50971 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.elecom.2013.03.021"
- Description: We report on the surface micropatterning of conductive surfaces via the electrochemical triggering of a click reaction, the copper(I) catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition reaction (CuAAC) by SECM via a two-step approach: (i) functionalization on the entire surface with azido-aryl groups by using the diazonium approach followed by (ii) the covalent linkage of alkyne-bearing ferrocene by CuAAC within a local area by SECM. More precisely, the click reaction was triggered by Cu(I) catalyst generation for 30 min at the SECM tip positioned ≈ 10 μm above the azido-aryl modified surface. The dimension of the spot obtained under these conditions was ≈ 75 μm. The electrochemical imaging by SECM of the ultra thin area locally clicked with ferrocene moieties was made thanks to the electrocatalytic properties of the ferrocene modified surface towards ferrocyanide electrooxidation. This local clicking procedure opens the gate to further controlled functionalization of restricted small substrates.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013