Microscopic Techniques for the Analysis of Micro and Nanostructures of Biopolymers and Their Derivatives

Venkateshaiah, Abhilash; Padil, Vinod V.T.; Nagalakshmaiah, Malladi; Wacławek, Stanislaw; Černík, Miroslav; Varma, Rajender S.

doi:10.3390/polym12030512

Cited by 82 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 238 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…These nanosized peptides assemble spontaneously or by other chemical attraction or bond formation processes to form fibers and filaments that are a few micrometers in length [33]. These characteristic structures can be observed using electron microscopy [39,40]. Jia & Kuruma 2019 [39] have stated the wide application of state of the art imaging techniques in the interpretation of various self-assembling systems and thus it could be a useful tool in the origin of life research.…”

Section: Complex Structure Formation and Consequences For The Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shock Processing of Amino Acids Leading to Complex Structures—Implications to the Origin of Life

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The building blocks of life, amino acids, are believed to have been synthesized in the extreme conditions that prevail in space, starting from simple molecules containing hydrogen, carbon, oxygen and nitrogen. However, the fate and role of amino acids when they are subjected to similar processes largely remain unexplored. Here we report, for the first time, that shock processed amino acids tend to form complex agglomerate structures. Such structures are formed on timescales of about 2 ms due to impact induced shock heating and subsequent cooling. This discovery suggests that the building blocks of life could have self-assembled not just on Earth but on other planetary bodies as a result of impact events. Our study also provides further experimental evidence for the ‘threads’ observed in meteorites being due to assemblages of (bio)molecules arising from impact-induced shocks.

show abstract

Section: Complex Structure Formation and Consequences For The Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shock Processing of Amino Acids Leading to Complex Structures—Implications to the Origin of Life

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Microscopy can provide useful information about crystallinity, irregularity, and defects within the surface of materials [50,51]. It can therefore be used to effectively monitor the surface roughness and appearance of cracks, dark spots, and other damage in PVC caused by photodegradation.…”

Section: Impact Of Irradiation On Surface Morphology Of Pvcmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The surfaces of the irradiated pure PVC and the blends were investigated further using SEM. SEM provides non-distorted, clear surface images and can record homogeneity, white spots, and the size and shape of particles [50]. The surface of the non-irradiated pure PVC film was homogeneous, smooth, and had no grooves or white spots (Figure 8a).…”

Section: Impact Of Irradiation On Surface Morphology Of Pvcmentioning

confidence: 99%

Substituted Organotin Complexes of 4-Methoxybenzoic Acid for Reduction of Poly(vinyl Chloride) Photodegradation

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Poly(vinyl chloride) suffers from degradation through oxidation and decomposition when exposed to radiation and high temperatures. Stabilizers are added to polymeric materials to inhibit their degradation and enable their use for a longer duration in harsh environments. The design of new additives to stabilize poly(vinyl chloride) is therefore desirable. The current study includes the synthesis of new tin complexes of 4-methoxybenzoic acid and investigates their potential as photostabilizers for poly(vinyl chloride). The reaction of 4-methoxybenzoic acid and substituted tin chlorides gave the corresponding substituted tin complexes in good yields. The structures of the complexes were confirmed using analytical and spectroscopic methods. Poly(vinyl chloride) was doped with a small quantity (0.5%) of the tin complexes and homogenous thin films were made. The effects of the additives on the stability of the polymeric material on irradiation with ultraviolet light were assessed using different methods. Weight loss, production of small polymeric fragments, and drops in molecular weight were lower in the presence of the additives. The surface of poly(vinyl chloride), after irradiation, showed less damage in the films containing additives. The additives, in particular those containing aromatic (phenyl groups) substitutes, inhibited the photodegradation of polymeric films significantly. Such additives act as efficient ultraviolet absorbers, peroxide quenchers, and hydrogen chloride scavengers.

show abstract

“…Microscopic techniques such as SEM, HRTEM, etc. provide great insights at micro and nanoscale revealing the basic architecture, morphology, surface properties, microstructures, and interfaces of biopolymers which is an essential tool to determine their ideal application (Venkateshaiah et al, 2020). The remarkable application of the microscopic technique in the interpretation of various self-assembling systems and its application in the origin of life research has also been discussed by Jia & Kuruma (2019).…”

Section: Sample Preparation For Scanning Electron Microscope (Sem) and High-resolution Transmission Electron Microscope (Hrtem) Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Complex structures synthesized in shock processing of nucleobases – implications to the origins of life

Surendra

Vishakantaiah

Muruganantham

et al. 2021

International Journal of Astrobiology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Nucleobases are nitrogenous bases composed of monomers that are a major constituent of RNA and DNA, which are an essential part of any cellular life on the Earth. The search for nucleobases in the interstellar medium remains a major challenge, however, the recent detection of nucleobases in meteorite samples and laboratory synthesis in simulated analogue experiments have confirmed their abiotic origin and a possible route for their delivery to the Earth. Nevertheless, cellular life is based on the interacting network of complex structures, and there is substantial lack of information on the possible routes by which such ordered structures may be formed in the prebiotic environment. In the current study, we present the evidence for the synthesis of complex structures due to shock processing of nucleobases. The nucleobases were subjected to the reflected shock temperature of 3500–7000 K (estimated) and pressure of about 15–34 bar for over ~2 ms timescale. Under such extreme thermodynamic conditions, the nucleobases sample experiences superheating and subsequent cooling. Electron microscopic studies of shock processed residue show that nucleobases result in spontaneous formation of complex structures when subjected to extreme conditions of shock. These results suggest that impact shock processes might have contributed to the self-assembly of biologically relevant structures and the origin of life.

show abstract

Microscopic Techniques for the Analysis of Micro and Nanostructures of Biopolymers and Their Derivatives

Cited by 82 publications

References 238 publications

Shock Processing of Amino Acids Leading to Complex Structures—Implications to the Origin of Life

Shock Processing of Amino Acids Leading to Complex Structures—Implications to the Origin of Life

Substituted Organotin Complexes of 4-Methoxybenzoic Acid for Reduction of Poly(vinyl Chloride) Photodegradation

Complex structures synthesized in shock processing of nucleobases – implications to the origins of life

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About