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Density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6-31++G(d,p) level was employed to obtain the optimized geometries and vibrational spectra of several pyridine(Py)−water(W) complexes with stoichiometric ratios ranging from 2:1 (Py2W) to 1:3 (PyW3). The harmonic vibrational wavenumbers of pyridine ring modes and the fundamental modes of water were calculated in order to examine the influence of hydrogen bonding on the normal modes of both pyridine and water upon complexation. The Raman spectra in the wavenumber region 960−1060 cm-1 covering the ring modes ν1 and ν12 of pyridine (in Wilson's notation) as a function of pyridine mole fraction were recorded. The integrated Raman intensities in the isotropic components of the spectra were used to determine the relative concentration of “free” pyridine molecules in close neighborhood with other Py−W complexes. The combination of both experimental wavenumbers yielding the overall shift induced by the entirety of hydrogen-bonded complexes in the mixture and the DFT-derived vibrational wavenumbers of the isolated species provides the possibility to probe concentration profiles as a function of pyridine mole fraction. The examination of the concentration dependence of line widths reveals that the counter competing influences of different dynamic processes are simultaneously present in this binary mixture.

We present an experimental and a theoretical study on hydrogen-bonding between pyrimidine and water as the H-donor. The degree of hydrogen-bonding in this binary system varies with mixture composition. This was monitored experimentally by polarization-resolved linear Raman spectroscopy with the pyrimidine ring breathing mode nu1 as a marker band. A subsequent quantitative line shape analysis of the isotropic Raman intensity for 24 pyrimidine/water mixtures clearly revealed a splitting into three spectral components upon dilution with water. The two additional peaks have been assigned to distinct groups of hydrogen-bonded species that differ in the number of pyrimidine nitrogen atoms (N) involved in hydrogen-bonding to water hydrogen atoms (H). From the integrated Raman intensities for "free" and "hydrogen-bonded" pyrimidine, a concentration profile for these species was established. Our assignments and interpretations are supported by quantum mechanical calculations of structures and by vibrational spectra for pyrimidine and 10 pyrimidine/water complexes with increasing water content. Also, accurate structure-spectra correlations for different cluster subgroups have been determined; within each particular cluster subgroup the water content varies, and a perfect negative correlation between NH hydrogen-bond distances and nu1 wavenumbers was observed.

Bacterial biofilm has been reported to be associated with more than 80% of bacterial infections. Curcumin, a hydrophobic polyphenol compound, has anti-quorum sensing activity apart from having antimicrobial action. However, its use is limited by its poor aqueous solubility and rapid degradation. In this study, we attempted to prepare quantum dots of the drug curcumin in order to achieve enhanced solubility and stability and investigated for its antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity. We utilized a newer two-step bottom up wet milling approach to prepare Curcumin Quantum Dots (CurQDs) using acetone as a primary solvent. Minimum inhibitory concentration against select Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was performed. The antibiofilm assay was performed at first using 96-well tissue culture plate and subsequently validated by Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy. Further, biofilm matrix protein was isolated using formaldehyde sludge and TCA/Acetone precipitation method. Protein extracted was incubated with varying concentration of CurQDs for 4 h and was subjected to SDS–PAGE. Molecular docking study was performed to observe interaction between curcumin and phenol soluble modulins as well as curli proteins. The biophysical evidences obtained from TEM, SEM, UV-VIS, fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy, and zeta potential analysis confirmed the formation of curcumin quantum dots with increased stability and solubility. The MICs of curcumin quantum dots, as observed against both select gram positive and negative bacterial isolates, was observed to be significantly lower than native curcumin particles. On TCP assay, Curcumin observed to be having antibiofilm as well as biofilm degrading activity. Results of SDS–PAGE and molecular docking have shown interaction between biofilm matrix proteins and curcumin. The results indicate that aqueous solubility and stability of Curcumin can be achieved by preparing its quantum dots. The study also demonstrates that by sizing down the particle size has not only enhanced its antimicrobial properties but it has also shown its antibiofilm activities. Further, study is needed to elucidate the exact nature of interaction between curcumin and biofilm matrix proteins.

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Electronic structure near Fermi level of Pr 2 CoFeO 6 (at 300 K) was investigated by X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) technique. All three cations, i.e., Pr, Co and Fe were found to be trivalent in nature. XPS analysis also suggested the system to be insulating in nature. Moreover, Raman spectroscopy study indicated the random distribution of the B-site ions (Co/Fe) triggered by same charge states. In temperature-dependent Raman study, the relative heights of the two observed phonon modes exhibited anomalous behaviour near magnetic transition temperature T N~2 70 K, thus indicating towards interplay between spin and phonon in the system. Furthermore, clear anomalous softening was observed below T N which confirmed the existence of strong spin-phonon coupling occurring for at least two phonon modes of the system. The line width analysis of the phonon modes essentially ruled out the role of magnetostriction effect in the observed phonon anomaly. The investigation of the lattice parameter variation across T N (obtained from the temperature-dependent neutron diffraction measurements) further confirmed the existence of the spin-phonon coupling.