Life Sciences Commons^™

Biomimetic Synthesis Of Palladium Nanoparticles For Catalytic Application, Emily A. Groover

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The synthesis of palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) using materials-directed peptides is a novel, nontoxic approach which exerts a high level of control over the particle size and shape. This biomimetic technique is environmentally benign, featuring nonhazardous ligands and ambient conditions. Nanoparticles are extremely reactive catalysts, boasting a large surface-to-volume ratio when compared to their bulk counterparts. The rational design of these nanoparticles using peptides has been very successful in aqueous environments, but no research has been done to apply it in organic systems. As such, the biomimetic synthesis of Pd NPs in an organic system is here investigated, with ethanol …

The Design And Testing Of Fluorescence-Based Sensors For Phosphate And Phosphonate, Sara Hassanzadehroknabadi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Inorganic phosphate (Pi) is an essential compound for all living things, as it serves as a component of nucleic acids and ATP, which are required for plant growth and proliferation. However, when excess Pi enters the aquatic environment, it has severe detrimental effects through the induction of harmful algal blooms (HAB), which negatively impact aquatic life, the quality of drinking water as well as recreational activities. It is therefore critical to have fast, sensitive, and inexpensive sensors for Pi that quickly and quantitively measure its concentration in a field setting.

Phosphonates or organophosphorus compounds are phosphoric acids possessing alkyl or …