Improved nonlinear optical behaviour of ball type indium (III) phthalocyanine linked to glutathione capped nanoparticles
- Authors: Nwaji, Njemuwa , Oluwole, David O , Mack, John , Louzada, Marcel , Khene, Samson M , Britton, Jonathan , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/239654 , vital:50752 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2017.01.066"
- Description: The synthesis of ball–type indium phthalocyanine (complex 4) and its covalent attachment to glutathione (GSH–) capped (Ag, Au, CdTeSe, CdTeSe/ZnO) nanoparticles are reported in this work. Furthermore, their photophysical and nonlinear optical behaviour were investigated. We observed a decrease in the fluorescence quantum yield with corresponding increase in the triplet quantum yield of the nanoconjugates in comparison to complex 4 alone. The reverse saturable absorption was found to be dependent on excited state absorption. The optical limiting threshold ranges from 0.40–0.78 (J/cm2). The nanoconjugate of the complex 4 with GSH–CdTeSe/ZnO (QD1) accounted for the most improved triplet state parameters and nonlinear optical behaviour in comparison to complex 4 and the other nanoconjugates studied in this work.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Zinc (II) 2, 9, 16, 23-tetrakis [4-(N-methylpyridyloxy)]-phthalocyanine anchored on an electrospun polysulfone polymer fiber: Application for photosensitized conversion of methyl orange
- Authors: Zugle, Ruphino , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/232741 , vital:50020 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcata.2012.10.001"
- Description: In this work, a comparative study of photodegradation of methyl orange, an azo dye, in homogeneous aqueous solution of a quarternized cationic zinc phthalocyanine and a heterogeneous catalytic system based on the same phthalocyanine anchored on polysulfone polymer fiber is presented. In both cases, conversion involved the azo bond of the dye with no detectable opening up of the aromatic benzene rings. The reaction kinetics in both cases were consistent with first order with the conversion occurring in the homogeneous system being faster than when the functionalized polymer fiber was used. The reaction products consisted of a coupling product as well as a series of oligopolymeric products.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Effects of symmetry and the number of positive charges on the photocatalytic activity of indium phthalocyanines when embedded in electrospun fibers
- Authors: Chakona, Gamuchirai , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/188304 , vital:44743 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ica.2016.12.025"
- Description: Photooxidations of bisphenol A and 4-chlorophenol were carried out in this study using two asymmetric indium(III) phthalocyanines photosensitizers: the first consisting of one quaternized 4-pyridyloxyl and no other substituents (complex 1) and the second containing three quaternized 4-pyridylsulfanyl units and one aminophenoxy (complex 3). The asymmetry of complex 3 is additionally caused by the presence of two linking atoms (O and S). The symmetrically substituted indium(III) phthalocyanine containing four quaternized 4-pyridyloxyl units (complex 2) was also studied. The complexes were embedded in electrospun polystyrene fiber for heterogeneous photocatalytic transformation of 4-chlorophenol and bisphenol A. When immobilized on electrospun fibers, complexes 1, 2 and 3 gave singlet oxygen values of 0.31, 0.39 and 0.50 in water, respectively. Complex 3 showed the best photocatalytic behavior with observed rate constants of 2.8 × 10−3 min−1 for bisphenol A and 3.8 × 10−3 min−1 for 4-chlorophenol.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Water-soluble quaternized mercaptopyridine-substituted zinc-phthalocyanines
- Authors: Durmuş, Mahmut , Yaman, Hanif , Göl, Cem , Ahsen, Vefa , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/247133 , vital:51549 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2011.02.007"
- Description: The synthesis and characterization of the new zinc phthalocyanine derivatives, tetra- (non-peripheral, 5) and octa-(peripheral, 6) substituted with 2-mercaptopyridine and their respective quaternized derivatives (8 and 9) are reported. Photochemical and photophysical properties of the new complexes are compared with those of the previously reported peripherally tetra-substituted complexes 7 and 10. The quaternized compounds exhibit excellent solubility in water, making them potential photosensitizers for use in photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer. Spectroscopic, aggregation, photophysical and photochemical properties of these complexes are also investigated and compared. Photophysical (fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes) and photochemical (singlet oxygen and photodegradation quantum yield) properties of these phthalocyanine photosensitizers are very important for the assessment of these complexes as PDT agents. In this study, the effects of the position of the substituents and quaternization of the substituents on the photophysical and photochemical parameters of the zinc phthalocyanines are also reported. This study also showed that the water-soluble quaternized zinc phthalocyanines strongly bind to blood plasma proteins such as bovine serum albumin (BSA).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Electrocatalytic activity of Schiff base containing copper phthalocyanines towards the detection of catechol
- Authors: Ndebele, Nobuhle , Sen, Pinar , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/231410 , vital:49885 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2021.115518"
- Description: In this study, four new copper phthalocyanine complexes were synthesised and studied as electrocatalysts for the detection of catechol. Two of these complexes were derived from a symmetrical benzaldehyde phthalocyanine complex via the condensation of the benzaldehyde substituents with amine reagents. The electrocatalysts proved to be highly stable towards the detection of catechol. The oxidation peaks obtained using cyclic voltammetry range from 0.20 to 0.38 V. Detection limits were obtained via chronoamperometry and are as low as 0.16 µM with fairly high sensitives being obtained. Overall all four copper complexes exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the electrooxidation of catechol.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
A peaceful revenge: Achieving structural and agential transformation in a South African context using cognitive justice and emancipatory social learning
- Authors: Burt, Jane C , James, Anna
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/392049 , vital:68717 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/14767430.2018.1550312"
- Description: This is an account of the emancipatory struggle that faces agents who seek to change the oppressive social structures associated with neo-liberalism. We begin by ‘digging amongst the bones’ of the calls for resistance that have been declared dead or assimilated/co-opted by neoliberal theorists. This leads us to unearth, then utilize, Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed, Steve Biko’s Black Consciousness and Shiv Visvanathan's ideas; which are examples of Roy Bhaskar’s transformative dialectic. We argue, using examples, that cognitive justice – a concept common to each of our chosen theorists – is vital in enabling emancipatory social learning. By embracing cognitive justice, the agents gained confidence, which led to their increased ability to champion community and non-academic knowledge. It also uncovered structural tensions – attendant in neoliberalism – around privilege. By articulating these tensions, the participants were able to ‘come closer together’. Such processes, initiated by ensuring cognitive justice, are possible steps in achieving universal solidarity; which is likely to be a necessary step along the path of achieving emancipation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Syntheses and photochemical properties of octasubstituted phthalocyaninato zinc complexes
- Authors: Maree, Suzanne , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/304841 , vital:58495 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1002/jpp.388"
- Description: In this work a selection of octasubstituted phthalocyaninato zinc complexes were synthesized and their photochemistry studied. The substituents included cholesterol (3a), estrone (3b), naphthol (3c) and phenoxy groups substituted with CH3 (3d), C(CH3)3 (at two positions, 3e), C(CH3)3 (3f), NO2 (3g), NH2 (3h), COH (3i), COOH (3j), and H (3k). In general, complexes containing electron-donating groups attached to the phenoxy ring (e.g. 3e and 3f) were found to be photochemically unstable with photobleaching quantum yields of the order of 10−3. In the presence of electron-withdrawing groups (3g, 3i, and 3j) the photobleaching quantum yields were of the order of 10−6 to 10−5. Singlet oxygen quantum yields (ΦΔ) ranged from 0.01 to 0.73. The lowest ΦΔ was observed for the highly aggregated complex 3c. All the complexes showed aggregation at high concentrations. Electrochemical reduction using a thin-layer spectroelectrochemistry cell showed that the complexes become more monomeric following reduction.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
Interaction of graphene quantum dots with 4-acetamido-2, 2, 6, 6-tetramethylpiperidine-oxyl free radicals
- Authors: Achadu, Ojodomo John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/189031 , vital:44810 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10895-015-1712-0"
- Description: We report on the interaction of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) with 4-acetamido-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidineoxyl (4-acetamido-TEMPO) free radicals. The GQDs were N and S, N doped. The fluorescence quantum yields were higher for the doped GQDs compared to the undoped. The interaction is assessed by spectrofluorimetric, steady state/time resolved fluorescence and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) techniques. Fluorescence quenching was observed upon the addition of 4-acetamido-TEMPO to the GQDs. Photoinduced electron transfer (PET) mechanism was suggested as the plausible mechanism involved in the fluorescence quenching in which 4-acetamido-TEMPO acted as the electron acceptor.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
pH study of the electrocatalytic SO2 detection at a glassy carbon electrode modified with iron (II) tetrasulfophthalocyanine
- Authors: Thamae, Mamothibe , Westbroek, Philippe , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/304786 , vital:58490 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-002-0914-8"
- Description: The electrocatalytic determination of SO2 is studied as a function of pH at a glassy carbon electrode modified with iron(II)tetrasulfophthalocyanine ([Fe(II)TSPc]4−). It was found in the literature that depending on pH, SO2·xH2O, HSO3 − and/or SO3 2− are the main compounds in solution, that these compounds behave differently at the electrode surface, and that the condition of the electrode surface is stable over the entire pH-range. The use of SO2(g) or sodium sulfite as starting material did result in identical curves except in the pH range from 7.5–9.0. A possible explanation could be given by proposing that SO2·xH2O is very unstable in the presence of SO3 2−. In strongly acidic medium, SO2·xH2O is the main compound, which can be oxidized as well as reduced with exchange of two electrons. HSO3 − is the main compound at pH = 4 and can also be oxidized and reduced with exchange of, respectively, two and four electrons. In alkaline solution sulfite is the main compound and can only be oxidized, also under exchange of two electrons. Detection limits are in the range of 4.0 ± 0.1 × 10−5 and 7.5 ± 0.1 × 10−5 mol L−1, dependent of pH and of the type of reaction (oxidation or reduction) used.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
Characterization of polymeric film of a new manganese phthalocyanine complex octa-substituted with 2-diethylaminoethanethiol, and its use for the electrochemical detection of bentazon
- Authors: Akinbulu, Isaac A , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/262568 , vital:53534 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2009.07.074"
- Description: Manganese acetate octakis-(2-diethyaminoethanethiol) phthalocyanine (AcMnODEAETPc) was newly synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and electrochemical methods. Solution electrochemistry of the complex showed three redox processes assigned to MnIIIPc−1/MnIIIPc−2, MnIIIPc−2/MnIIPc−2 and MnIIPc−2/MnIIPc−3 species. The new molecule was polymerized onto a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) to form thin films of different thickness, giving poly-10-AcMnODEAETPc-GCE, poly-20-AcMnODEAETPc-GCE and poly-30-AcMnODEAETPc-GCE, where 10, 20 and 30 represent the number of voltammetry scans during polymerization. Three distinct redox processes were observed on the modified electrode in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution, pH 5, which confirmed the formation of the polymer. The current signal due to the herbicide, bentazon, was dependent on film thickness; the best signal was obtained on poly-20-AcMnODEAETPc-GCE while poly-10-AcMnODEAETPc-GCE gave the least signal. However, the signals due to the herbicide were better on the different films compared to the bare electrode. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique revealed that differences in film thickness offered different charge transfer resistances, Rct, hence difference in current signals for bentazon oxidation were observed on these films. A Tafel slope of 77 mV/decade, obtained for the herbicide on poly-20-AcMnODEAETPc-GCE, denotes a fast one electron transfer followed by a slow chemical step in the electro-oxidation of bentazon. The voltammetry signals of the herbicide on the films indicated the likely involvement of ring-based redox processes in the detection of the herbicide. A plot of background corrected current response, on this film, versus the concentration of bentazon was linear within the range 50–750 μM with a detection limit of 2.48 × 10−7 M.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
A comparative study of the singlet oxygen generation capability of a zinc phthalocyanine linked to graphene quantum dots through π-π stacking and covalent conjugation when embedded in asymmetric polymer membranes
- Authors: Mafukidze, Donovan M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187461 , vital:44655 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2018.11.096"
- Description: Following the establishment of graphene quantum dots as potential phthalocyanine supports in photoactive membrane preparation for phthalocyanines lacking linkage functional groups, the practical efficiency of p-p stacking versus covalent linkage was investigated. Synthesized materials were characterized using FT-IR, Raman, powder X-ray diffraction, and UVeVis spectroscopies and also by transmission electron and scanning electron microscopies. Phthalocyanine loadings onto graphene quantum dots of 0.40 mg/mg and 0.14 mg/mg (Pc mass/conjugate mass) for the p-p stacked and covalent linked conjugates respectively were observed. Covalent linkage to graphene quantum dots proved to be functionally superior to p-p linkage, where singlet oxygen quantum yield value of the phthalocyanine in the membrane for the covalent linked conjugate was approximately twice that of the p-p stacked membrane.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Collaborative learning of water conservation practices: cultivation and expansion of a learning network around rainwater harvesting demonstration sites in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Pesanayi, Tichaona V , Weaver, Kim N
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/392086 , vital:68720 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajae/article/view/138570"
- Description: Learning together in mediated voluntary networks can mobilise skills and innovations that help to facilitate learning and uptake of rainwater harvesting and conservation practices. It boosts extension capacity while at the same time growing farmer capabilities, tapping on the distributed cognition. These practices help to heal wicked problems of drought and global change challenges affecting marginalised farmers in South Africa. South Africa has water, nutrition and food security challenges, especially the Eastern Cape Province where there is a relatively high level of poverty. These challenges place heavy pressure on the agricultural sector as it is the main user of the allocated water in the country. In this paper, the learning of and agency for rainwater harvesting and conservation practices are explored as responses to these challenges. Despite existing cultural histories of such practices among the amaXhosa people, information on these practices is not readily available to small-scale rural farmers who thus struggle for the want of knowing. This research forms part of a Water Research Commission project, Amanzi for Food, whose intention is to mediate collaborative and co-engaged learning among networked farmers, extension workers, researchers and agricultural educators through course-mediated use of Water Research Commission rainwater harvesting and conservation materials.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Electro-oxidation of phenol and its derivatives on poly-Ni (OH) TPhPyPc modified vitreous carbon electrodes
- Authors: Obirai, Joseph , Bedioui, Fethi , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/289353 , vital:56625 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelechem.2004.11.006"
- Description: The electrochemical oxidation of phenol and its derivatives using poly-nickel hydroxy tetraphenoxypyrrolephthalocyanine (poly-Ni(OH)TPhPyPc) modified vitreous carbon electrodes are described. The films were formed by the electro-transformation of the electropolymerized pyrrole-substituted phenoxyphthalocyanine poly-NiTPhPyPc modified electrode in aqueous 0.1 M NaOH solution. The poly-Ni(OH)TPhPyPc films showed better stability and resistance to electrode fouling compared to poly-NiTPhPyPc and unmodified electrodes. The resistance to surface fouling and stability can be attributed to the structure of the ring substituent on the phthalocyanine macrocycle and to the particular O–Ni–O bridged architecture of the nickel phthalocyanine film.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Exploring Learner Participation in Waste-Management Activities in a Rural Botswana Primary School
- Authors: Silo, Nthalivi
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/386509 , vital:68148 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/122820"
- Description: In Botswana, participation in environmental learning activities has been perceived as a central component of environmental education in formal education. Driven by the need to implement the objective of making the participatory approach part of the infusion of environmental education in the school curriculum as prescribed by the infusion policy, Botswana schools have come up with initiatives to involve learners in environmental education activities that seem to have ‘a direct, perceived benefit to the learners’ (NEESAP, 2007:9). Within this approach it is expected that learners should participate in these activities. However, Ketlhoilwe (2007) revealed that there has been a normalisation of environmental education into existing school culture through equating waste-management activities with environmental education. This generally entails cleaning activities by learners to maintain ‘clean schools’, which is directly associated with environmental education. Drawing from detailed case study data in one rural primary school with Standard 6 learners, I used Cultural Historical Activity Theory to investigate and explain how learners participate in these waste-management activities. Findings from this study revealed that attempts by teachers to meet the policy imperative through prescription of rules, and ascribing roles to learners in waste-management activities, create tensions. This gave rise to an elusive object of learner participation, as the purpose for their participation in these activities is not clear.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Applications of lead phthalocyanines embedded in electrospun fibers for the photoinactivation of Escherichia coli in water
- Authors: Osifeko, Olawale L , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/189898 , vital:44945 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2014.05.010"
- Description: Lead (II) pyridyloxyphthalocyanine (PbTpyPc) and its quaternized form (PbTepyPc) were synthesized and the photophysical behavior examined. Low fluorescence quantum yields (ΦF) of 0.01 and 0.02 were observed for PbTepyPc and PbTpyPc, respectively. The singlet oxygen quantum yields (ΦΔ) were 0.60 and 0.68, for PbTepyPc and PbTpyPc, respectively using DPBF as a quencher in DMF. Singlet oxygen production of the embedded sensitizers in electrospun fiber were quantified using ADMA and were found to be ΦΔ = 0.41 and ΦΔ = 0.21 for PbTepyPc and PbTpyPc, respectively. Photodynamic inactivation of Escherichia coli (E. coli) with the quaternized photosensitizer at 5 μM, totally inactivated the E. coli (with log CFU = 10 decrease). Only 0.4 log CFU decrease was obtained with PbTpyPc. The embedded non-quaternized photosensitizer (PbTpyPc) was less active on the gram negative bacteria but the quaternized photosensitizer (PbTepyPc) was effective towards inactivation of E. coli.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Photo-induced resonance energy transfer and nonlinear optical response in ball-type phthalocyanine conjugated to semiconductor and graphene quantum dots
- Authors: Nwaji, Njemuwa , Achadu, Ojodomo John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187959 , vital:44713 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1039/C7NJ05196D"
- Description: The synthesis of ball-type zinc and gallium phthalocyanines (complexes 2 and 3) and their covalent linkage to glutathione (GSH) and amine functionalized quantum dots QDs) are reported in this work. Furthermore, their photophysical, photo-induced resonance energy transfer and optical limiting responses were investigated. We observed a decrease in the fluorescence quantum yields with a corresponding increase in the triplet quantum yields of the nanoconjugates in comparison to the phthalocyanine complexes alone. The reverse saturable absorption was found to be dependent on the excited state absorption, and the observed limiting threshold ranged from 0.32 to 1.43 J cm−2. Enhanced triplet parameters and nonlinear optical performance were found when the complexes were covalently linked to semiconductor quantum dots compared to carbon based graphene quantum dots.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Phthalocyanines and related complexes as electrocatalysts for the detection of nitric oxide
- Authors: Nyokong, Tebello , Vilakazi, Sibulelo
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/290346 , vital:56741 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/S0039-9140(03)00356-4"
- Description: Metallophthalocyanine (MPc) and metalloporphyrin complexes as well as some metalloproteins including myoglobin, hemoglobin, cyanocobalamin and cytochrome c catalyse the detection of nitric oxide (NO). The catalytic process often involve changes in the oxidation state of the catalyst. These complexes catalyse both the reduction and oxidation of NO. MPc complexes containing electroactive central metals such as CoPc and FePc generally show better catalytic activity towards the detection of NO than complexes containing electroinacive central metals. However, the involvement of ring based redox processes was confirmed for the homogenous NO catalysis using CoPc.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
New type of metal-free and Zinc (II), In (III), Ga (III) phthalocyanines carrying biologically active substituents: Synthesis and photophysicochemical properties and photodynamic therapy activity
- Authors: Sen, Pinar , Managa, Muthumuni , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/186971 , vital:44552 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ica.2019.03.010"
- Description: This study reports on novel phthalocyanines having benzimidazole units which are known to have biological properties. 4-(4-(5-chloro-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl) substituted metal-free, Zn(II), In(III) and Ga(III) phthalocyanines were synthesized, these newly synthesized molecules that were substituted by oxygen bridges were fully characterized. For the purpose of determining their potency for photodynamic therapy, the photophysicochemical properties were investigated in DMSO. The H2Pc (4) showed higher fluorescence quantum yield and fluorescence lifetime as compared to metallated phthalocyanines derivatives. However, the highest singlet oxygen (ΦΔ) and triplet state quantum yields (ΦT) values were obtained with the In(III)Pc (5).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Critical realist versus mainstream interdisciplinarity
- Authors: Price, Leigh
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/391143 , vital:68624 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1179/1476743013Z.00000000019"
- Description: In this paper I argue for the superiority of a critical realist understanding of interdisciplinarity over a mainstream understanding of it. I begin by exploring the reasons for the failure of mainstream researchers to achieve interdisciplinarity. My main argument is that mainstream interdisciplinary researchers tend to hypostatize facts, fetishize constant conjunctions of events and apply to open systems an epistemology designed for closed systems. I also explain how mainstream interdisciplinarity supports oppression and gross inequality. I argue that mainstream interdisciplinarity is not true interdisciplinarity and refer to it accordingly as ‘condisciplinarity’. By way of example, I examine the condisciplinarity of the World Health Organization’s ecological model applied to the issue of men’s violence against women. Specifically, I argue that critical realist interdisciplinarity is preferable because it acknowledges inter alia the empirical, actual and real layers of reality, which allows it to develop depth-explanations of phenomena. In practice, this means that critical realist interdisciplinarity can potentially provide explanations that, compared to condisciplinarity, are broader (include more of the human and non-human context) and deeper (include for example individuals’ conscious and unconscious psychological motivations). In the World Health Organization’s example of the causes of men’s violence against women, condisciplinarity resulted in the absence of historical, global and unconscious aspects of the problem. It is also restricted the analysis to reductive, constant-conjunction based theories of the causes of the problem, specifically ‘risk factors’, thereby providing a relatively shallow explanation for the problem.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
A comparative study on the sensitive detection of hydroxyl radical using thiol-capped CdTe and CdTe/ZnS quantum dots
- Authors: Adegoke, Oluwasesan , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/242778 , vital:51077 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10895-012-1089-2"
- Description: Four types of water-soluble luminescent quantum dots (QDs) whose surface was functionlaized with thioglycolic acid (TGA), 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA), or glutathione (GSH), were investigated for the sensitive and selective detection of hydroxyl radical (●OH) in aqueous media. It was found that the type of capping agent and QD influenced the sensitivity of the probe. The order of sensitivity of the probe was: GSH-CdTe@ZnS > MPA-CdTe@ZnS > TGA-CdTe > MPA-CdTe QDs. Under the optimum conditions, a limit of detection as low as 8.5 × 10-8 M was obtained using GSH-CdTe@ZnS. The effects of foreign reactive oxygen species and the Fenton reactants and products as possible interferences on the proposed probe were negligible for CdTe@ZnS QDs. Besides, experimental results indicated that CdTe@ZnS QDs were more attractive for the selective recognition of ●OH than CdTe QDs. The mechanistic reaction pathway between the QDs and ●OH is proposed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012