Synthesis of Matrix Si-K-HAs Gel from  Geothermal Sludge and Peat

The synthesis of matrix silica-potassium-humic acid gel (Si-K-HAs) has been performed successfully by gradual extraction and acidification method. The extraction was carried out in two stages: 1) extraction of humic substances from peat prepared by potassium hydroxide to produce potassium humate (K-HAS) solution, 2) extraction silica from geothermal sludge using K-HAs solution to produce Si-K-HAs solution. Acidification of Si-K-HAs solution prepared by citric acid (1-3N) to produce matrix gel of Si-K-HAs. The Si-K-HAs matrix gel products are characterized by Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR), X-ray fluroscence (XRF), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis. The acidification process was carried out in neutral to acid (pH 3-7) conditions and the results showed that at neutral pH no Si-K-HAs gel formed. IR spectra confirmed the presence of humic acid in the gel product, whereas XRF analysis confirmed the presence of potassium (K) and silica (SiO2) in the gel product. The molar ratio of SiO2:K2O in the product is 0.9 - 0.3 in the pH range of 3-5. Si-K-HAs powder can be used as soil fertilizer especially for soils that lack silica, humic, and potassium nutrients or for future application development. Keywords: gradual extraction; geothermal sludge; matrix gel; humic substance

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Controlled Synthesis of Coral-Like CuO Dendrites with Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance

Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology ◽

10.1166/jnn.2020.17876 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (8) ◽

pp. 5028-5036 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Feng Gao ◽

Yi Wu ◽

Xiang-Fei He ◽

Jia-Xuan Yin ◽

Li-Zhao Qin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Methylene Blue ◽

Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽

Photocatalytic Performance ◽

Volume Ratio ◽

Molar Ratio ◽

Ammonium Bromide ◽

Experimental Conditions ◽

X Ray ◽

Bet Analysis

In this work, coral-like CuO dendrites were successfully synthesized by a solvothermal method in the mixed solvent of distilled water and ethanol with assistance of dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (DTAB). The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis techniques, to investigate their structure and morphology. The coral-like CuO dendrites were about 1 μm in length, with many dendrites pointing to a common center. The influence of experimental conditions on morphology, such as volume ratio of water to ethanol, surfactant DTAB and molar ratio of Na2CO3 and Cu(CH3COO)2, was also discussed. Time-dependent experiment was carried out to explore the formation mechanism while a “particle-sheet-dendrite (PSD)” mechanism was proposed to explain the growth process. The as-prepared CuO dendrites were used to degrade methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation in the presence of H2O2, where over 98% of methylene blue (MB) was degraded in 1 h. Results from the study demonstrated that the as-prepared coral-like CuO dendrites exhibited enhanced photocatalytic performance and excellent stability and reusability.

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Preparation and Characterization of New Sol–Gel Hybrid Inulin–TEOS Adsorbent

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym13081295 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (8) ◽

pp. 1295

Author(s):

Hartina Mohd Yusop ◽

Annur Isma Husna Mohd Ismail ◽

Wan Norfazilah Wan Ismail

Keyword(s):

Sol Gel ◽

Amorphous State ◽

Xrd Analysis ◽

Ethanol Solution ◽

Molar Ratio ◽

Silica Network ◽

X Ray ◽

Molar Ratios ◽

Bet Analysis

A new biopolymer–silica hybrid material consisting of inulin and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) for use as an adsorbent was successfully synthesized via the sol–gel method in acidic conditions. The hydrolysis and condensation processes were attained in water/ethanol solution. Three molar ratios of inulin:TEOS (1:1, 1:2, and 2:1) were prepared and dried at various temperatures (50, 60, and 70 °C). The optimized molar ratio of 2:1 with a drying temperature of 70 °C was found to obtain the best morphology and characteristics for absorbent properties. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis showed a strong interaction between inulin and TEOS, which was also observed using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images revealed the presence of nanoparticles on the rough surface of the hybrid sol–gel. X-ray diffractometer (XRD) analysis showed the amorphous state of the silica network where the inulin existed as an anhydrous crystalline phase. Brunauer–Emmet–Teller (BET) analysis confirmed that the composite was mesoporous, with 17.69 m2/g surface area and 34.06 Å pore size. According to thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results, the hybrid inulin-TEOS adsorbent was thermally stable under a temperature of 200 °C.

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Fungicidal and Bactericidal Activity of the Alkyl-Substituted Guanidine-Containing Oligomers

Mikrobiolohichnyi Zhurnal ◽

10.15407/microbiolj82.06.054 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 82 (6) ◽

pp. 54-63

Author(s):

M.Ya. Vortman ◽

◽

Yu.B. Pysmenna ◽

A.I. Chuenko ◽

D.R. Abdulina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heterotrophic Bacteria ◽

Trichoderma Viride ◽

Rhodococcus Erythropolis ◽

Biological Action ◽

Molar Ratio ◽

Diffusion Method ◽

Klebsiella Pneumonia ◽

Alkyl Bromides ◽

Base Form ◽

Two Stages

Biocides are widely used in medicine and various industries to protect against a number of harmful microorganisms. Organic quaternary ammonium and guanidine-containing compounds, the biological action of which is based on membrane-toxic properties, are used as bactericidal preparations. The aim of this work was to study the bactericidal and fungicidal activities of the synthesized oligomeric alkylsubstituted guanidinium bromides with different radicals -C3H7, -C7H15, -C10H21, against different isolates of heterotrophic bacteria and microscopic fungi. Methods. The synthesis of alkyl-substituted guanidiniumcontaining oligomers was performed in two stages. In the first stage, alkyl-substituted guanidine was obtained by the reaction of guanidine, previously converted by alkali from the salt form to the base form by the base and alkyl bromides (Alk=-C3H7 (propyl), -C7H15 (heptyl), -C10H21 (decyl)) in methanol at a temperature of 50°C and a molar ratio of 1:1. The second carried out the reaction between aromatic oligoepoxide DER-331 and alkyl-substituted guanidine in methanol at a temperature of 50°C for 2–3 hours and a molar ratio of 1:2. Bacteria were grown on meat-peptone agar for 48 hours at a temperature of 28±2°С. Test cultures of micromycetes were cultured on agar beer wort (6°B), incubated for 14 days in a thermostat at a temperature of 28±2°C. Antimicrobial activity of newly synthesized alkyl-substituted guanidinium-containing oligomers was determined by standard disco-diffusion method (method of disks on agar) and fungicidal activity was determined by the method of holes in agar. Results. Oligomeric alkylsubstituted guanidinium bromides with different radicals composed -C3H7, -C7H15, -C10H21- synthesized by the reaction of guanidine alkyl bromides with aromatic oligoepoxydes. It was found that alkyl-substituted guanidinium-containing oligomers at a concentration of 1–3% inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli 475, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 465, Klebsiella pneumonia 479, Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes 109, Staphylococcus aureus 451, E. faecalis 422, Rhodococcus erythropolis 102, Bacillus subtilis 138 and most of the studied micromycetes – Aureobasidium pullulans F-41430, Paecilomyces variotii F-41432, Penicillium funiculosum F-41435, Penicillium ochrochloron F-41431, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis F-41434, Trichoderma viride F-41437, Candida albicans F-41441, Aspergillus flavus F-41442, Aspergillus niger F-41448, Penicillium sp. F-41447. Conclusions. Antimicrobial and fungicidal properties significantly depend on the length of the alkyl radical, with increasing of its length the diameter of the zone of bacterial and micromycetes growth retardation increases.10.15407/microbiolj82.06.054

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Effect of Hydrated Metal Salts on the Coordination Product of Cobalt(II) halide and PNP Type Ligand, 2,6-bis(di-tertbutylphosphinomethyl) pyridine

10.26434/chemrxiv.5851701 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Tasneem Siddiquee ◽

Abdul Goni

Keyword(s):

Metal Salts ◽

Molar Ratio ◽

Pincer Complexes ◽

Asymmetric Unit ◽

X Ray Diffraction ◽

Pincer Ligand ◽

Tetrahedral Geometry ◽

X Ray ◽

Distorted Tetrahedral Geometry ◽

Cobalt Center

Chemical treatment of CoX2. 6H2O (X = Cl, Br, I) with the potentially tridentate PNP pincer ligand 2,6-bis(di-tert-butylphosphinomethyl)pyridine in 1:1 molar ratio results in cobalt(II) halide-PNP pincer complexes. The effect of the hydrated metal source on molecular structure and geometry of the complexes was studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The complexes are neutral and the cobalt center adopts a penta-coordinate system with potential atropisomerization. Within the unit cell there are two distinct molecules per asymmetric unit. One of the two phosphorus atoms in the PNP ligand was observed to be partially oxidized to phosphinoxide. Disorder in the structure reflects a mixture of square pyramidal and distorted tetrahedral geometry.

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Major and Trace Elements in the Humic Acid

10.26434/chemrxiv.7122413.v1 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Zoltán Kis ◽

Katalin Gméling ◽

Tímea Kocsis ◽

János Osán ◽

Mihály András Pocsai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Trace Elements ◽

Humic Acid ◽

Activation Analysis ◽

Analytical Techniques ◽

Major And Trace Elements ◽

Prompt Gamma Activation Analysis ◽

Prompt Gamma ◽

Gamma Activation ◽

X Ray ◽

Precise Analysis

We present precise analysis of major and trace elements of the humic acid. We used three different element analytical techniques in our investigations as prompt-gamma activation analysis (PGAA), neutron activation analysis (NAA) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis was carried out. We identified 42 elements in our sample.

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Photocatalytic Reduction of CO2 to Methanol Using a Copper-Zirconia Imidazolate Framework

Catalysts ◽

10.3390/catal11030346 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 346

Author(s):

Sonam Goyal ◽

Maizatul Shima Shaharun ◽

Ganaga Suriya Jayabal ◽

Chong Fai Kait ◽

Bawadi Abdullah ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽

Catalyst Support ◽

Oxidation Potential ◽

Molar Ratio ◽

X Ray Diffraction ◽

X Ray ◽

Molar Ratios ◽

Optimum Parameters ◽

Reduction Of Co2 ◽

Enhanced Yield

A set of novel photocatalysts, i.e., copper-zirconia imidazolate (CuZrIm) frameworks, were synthesized using different zirconia molar ratios (i.e., 0.5, 1, and 1.5 mmol). The photoreduction process of CO2 to methanol in a continuous-flow stirred photoreactor at pressure and temperature of 1 atm and 25 °C, respectively, was studied. The physicochemical properties of the synthesized catalysts were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The highest methanol activity of 818.59 µmol/L.g was recorded when the CuZrIm1 catalyst with Cu/Zr/Im/NH4OH molar ratio of 2:1:4:2 (mmol/mmol/mmol/M) was employed. The enhanced yield is attributed to the presence of Cu2+ oxidation state and the uniformly dispersed active metals. The response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the reaction parameters. The predicted results agreed well with the experimental ones with the correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.99. The optimization results showed that the highest methanol activity of 1054 µmol/L.g was recorded when the optimum parameters were employed, i.e., stirring rate (540 rpm), intensity of light (275 W/m2) and photocatalyst loading (1.3 g/L). The redox potential value for the CuZrIm1 shows that the reduction potential is −1.70 V and the oxidation potential is +1.28 V for the photoreduction of CO2 to methanol. The current work has established the potential utilization of the imidazolate framework as catalyst support for the photoreduction of CO2 to methanol.

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Calcium Methoxide Synthesis from Quick Lime Using as Solid Catalyst in Refined Palm Oil Biodiesel Production

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.834-836.550 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 834-836 ◽

pp. 550-554 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Warakom Suwanthai ◽

Vittaya Punsuvon ◽

Pilanee Vaithanomsat

Keyword(s):

Palm Oil ◽

Acid Methyl Ester ◽

Biodiesel Production ◽

Molar Ratio ◽

Catalyst Loading ◽

Solid Catalyst ◽

Solid Base ◽

Quick Lime ◽

X Ray ◽

Refined Palm Oil

In this research, calcium methoxide was synthesized as solid base catalyst from quick lime for biodiesel production. The catalyst was further characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), attenuated total reflection fourier transform (ATR-FTIR) and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopies (EDX) to evaluate its performance. The transesterification of refined palm oil using calcium methoxide and the process parameters affecting the fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) content such as catalyst concentration, methanol:oil molar ratio and reaction time were investigated. The results showed that the FAME content at 97% was achieved within 3 h using 3 %wt catalyst loading, 12:1 methanol:oil molar ratio and 65 °C reaction temperature. The result of FAME suggested calcium methoxide was the promising solid catalyst for substitution of the conventional liquid catalyst.

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Solid-State Ball-Milling of Co3O4 Nano/Microspheres and Carbon Black Endorsed LaMnO3 Perovskite Catalyst for Bifunctional Oxygen Electrocatalysis

Catalysts ◽

10.3390/catal11010076 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 76

Author(s):

Chelladurai Karuppiah ◽

Balamurugan Thirumalraj ◽

Srinivasan Alagar ◽

Shakkthivel Piraman ◽

Ying-Jeng Jame Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Energy Storage ◽

Fuel Cell ◽

Solid State ◽

Carbon Black ◽

Ball Milling ◽

Potential Candidate ◽

X Ray ◽

Bifunctional Electrocatalyst ◽

Bet Analysis

Developing a highly stable and non-precious, low-cost, bifunctional electrocatalyst is essential for energy storage and energy conversion devices due to the increasing demand from the consumers. Therefore, the fabrication of a bifunctional electrocatalyst is an emerging focus for the promotion and dissemination of energy storage/conversion devices. Spinel and perovskite transition metal oxides have been widely explored as efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts to replace the noble metals in fuel cell and metal-air batteries. In this work, we developed a bifunctional catalyst for oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reaction (ORR/OER) study using the mechanochemical route coupling of cobalt oxide nano/microspheres and carbon black particles incorporated lanthanum manganite perovskite (LaMnO3@C-Co3O4) composite. It was synthesized through a simple and less-time consuming solid-state ball-milling method. The synthesized LaMnO3@C-Co3O4 composite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, and micro-Raman spectroscopy techniques. The electrocatalysis results showed excellent electrochemical activity towards ORR/OER kinetics using LaMnO3@C-Co3O4 catalyst, as compared with Pt/C, bare LaMnO3@C, and LaMnO3@C-RuO2 catalysts. The observed results suggested that the newly developed LaMnO3@C-Co3O4 electrocatalyst can be used as a potential candidate for air-cathodes in fuel cell and metal-air batteries.

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Cotton stalk-derived hydrothermal carbon for methylene blue dye removal: investigation of the raw material plant tissues

Bioresources and Bioprocessing ◽

10.1186/s40643-021-00364-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Libo Zhang ◽

Junyan Tan ◽

Gangying Xing ◽

Xintong Dou ◽

Xuqiang Guo

Keyword(s):

Methylene Blue ◽

Functional Materials ◽

Raw Material ◽

Plant Tissues ◽

Chemical Compositions ◽

Waste Biomass ◽

Cotton Stalk ◽

Acid Base ◽

X Ray ◽

Bet Analysis

AbstractConversion of the abundant agricultural residual cotton stalk (CS) into useful chemicals or functional materials could alleviate the fossil fuels caused energy shortages and environmental crises. Although some advances have been achieved, less attention has been paid to the plant tissues effect. In this study, the plant tissue of CS was changed by part degradation of some components (hemicelluloses and lignin, for example) with the aid of acid/base (or both). The pretreated CS was transformed into hydrochar by hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) method. Morphological and chemical compositions of CS hydrochar were analyzed by various techniques, including elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), BET analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Methylene blue (MB) removal of prepared CS hydrochar was used to evaluate CS hydrochar pollutions adsorption capacity. Results reveal acid/base (or both) pretreatment is beneficial for CS raw material to prepare high-quality CS hydrochar. The effects of some parameters, such as initial MB concentration, temperature, pH value and recyclability on the adsorption of MB onto both acid and base-pretreated CS hydrochar (CS-H2SO4 + NaOH-HTC) were studied. The present work exhibits the importance of agricultural waste biomass material plant tissues on its derived materials, which will have a positive effect on the direct utilization of waste biomass.

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Assessment of SnFe2O4 Nanoparticles for Potential Application in Theranostics: Synthesis, Characterization, In Vitro, and In Vivo Toxicity

Materials ◽

10.3390/ma14040825 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 825

Author(s):

Saman Sargazi ◽

Mohammad Reza Hajinezhad ◽

Abbas Rahdar ◽

Muhammad Nadeem Zafar ◽

Aneesa Awan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

A549 Cells ◽

In Vitro Cytotoxicity ◽

Hek293 Cells ◽

Hydrothermal Route ◽

X Ray ◽

Tin Chloride ◽

Bet Analysis

In this research, tin ferrite (SnFe2O4) NPs were synthesized via hydrothermal route using ferric chloride and tin chloride as precursors and were then characterized in terms of morphology and structure using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), X-ray power diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method. The obtained UV-Vis spectra was used to measure band gap energy of as-prepared SnFe2O4 NPs. XRD confirmed the spinel structure of NPs, while SEM and TEM analyses disclosed the size of NPs in the range of 15–50 nm and revealed the spherical shape of NPs. Moreover, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and BET analysis was carried out to estimate elemental composition and specific surface area, respectively. In vitro cytotoxicity of the synthesized NPs were studied on normal (HUVEC, HEK293) and cancerous (A549) human cell lines. HUVEC cells were resistant to SnFe2O4 NPs; while a significant decrease in the viability of HEK293 cells was observed when treated with higher concentrations of SnFe2O4 NPs. Furthermore, SnFe2O4 NPs induced dramatic cytotoxicity against A549 cells. For in vivo study, rats received SnFe2O4 NPs at dosages of 0, 0.1, 1, and 10 mg/kg. The 10 mg/kg dose increased serum blood urea nitrogen and creatinine compared to the controls (P < 0.05). The pathology showed necrosis in the liver, heart, and lungs, and the greatest damages were related to the kidneys. Overall, the in vivo and in vitro experiments showed that SnFe2O4 NPs at high doses had toxic effects on lung, liver and kidney cells without inducing toxicity to HUVECs. Further studies are warranted to fully elucidate the side effects of SnFe2O4 NPs for their application in theranostics.

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