Synthesis of Hydrophilic Derivative Surfactants From Algae-Derived Unsaponifiable Lipids

In the context of decarbonizing the economy, the utilization of biologically sourced feedstocks to produce replacements for petroleum-derived materials is becoming more urgent. Improving renewable biomass production and utilization is imperative for commercializing future biorefineries. Algae-derived biomass is a particularly promising feedstock thanks to its attractive oil content and composition; specifically, the high-value products in the unsaponifiable lipids have not been included in a conversion process. Here we demonstrate surfactant synthesis from a complex oil fraction as the hydrophobic donor moieties, yielding products that are similar to commercially available surfactants such as the linear alkyl benzene sulfonates. Unsaponifiable lipids extracted from algae were derivatized to non-ionic surfactants using a green chemical synthesis route based on a double esterification with succinic acid and polyethylene glycol. The in-depth molecular and structural surfactant characterization is included and indicates that the resulting properties fall between those of pure cholesterol and phytol used as surrogates for the reaction synthesis demonstration. This is the first demonstration of an effective and potentially high-value synthesis of functional surfactants with properties that can be tailored based on the relative composition of the resulting hydrocarbon alcohol components in the mixture. This novel green chemistry synthesis approach provides a route to high-value product synthesis from algae.

The Use of Humor in Employee-to-Employee Workplace Communication: A Systematic Review With Thematic Synthesis

The aim of this systematic review was to develop a thematic synthesis of existing qualitative studies to explore the use of humor in employee-to-employee workplace communication and provide a greater understanding of this area of research through the experiences of employees. A number of databases were searched using key terms and papers were selected using pre-specified criteria. The thematic synthesis approach of Thomas and Harden was used to review the final 23 papers. The findings from the thematic synthesis resulted in four temporal themes that described how humor was utilized during an employee’s organizational transition: (1) initiation into organizational humor, (2) joining a “tribe”—in-groups and out-groups, (3) exerting influence—humor as power, and (4) using the safety valve—humor to relieve tension. The temporal themes described in this study crossed organizational and cultural divides, where humor formed an essential part of work-based dialog.

Green approaches for the synthesis of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles using microbial and plant extracts

Green synthesis approaches are gaining significance as promising routes for sustainable fabrication of nanoparticles, offering reduced toxicity towards living organisms and the environment. Nanomaterials produced by green synthesis approach can...

Green Synthesis of Semiconductors and Environmental Applications

This chapter focuses on advancements in the green synthesis approach for nanomaterials and their environmental applications. The eco-friendly, cost-effective, and simple synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles on the environmental applications are discussed. The first section presents an introduction with the basic topics of the green materials synthesis. The second section summarizes the green chemical methods through different routes (precipitation synthesis, electrospinning synthesis, reflux condensation synthesis, hydrothermal, microwave-assisted hydrothermal methods) and the green routes using biological systems from biosynthetic process to synthesize nanoparticles and biosynthesis of passivating nanofilms using spontaneous formation. In the third section, the environmental and energy applications of nanomaterials, including solar cells, photocatalysis, and biohydrogen production are discussed. Therefore, the scientific community can experience the relation of the achieved nanomaterials with their plentiful application possibilities onto the environmental remediation.

Carbon dots/ZnO quantum dots composite based white phosphors for white light-emitting diodes

A facile synthesis approach to prepare eco-friendly white fluorescent carbon dots (CDs)/ZnO quantum dots (QDs) composites through electrostatic force was proposed, which can be used for fabrication of high-performance white...

Application of a novel gas phase synthesis approach to carbonyl complexes of accelerator-produced 5d transition metals

In 2014 the first synthesis of a transactinide carbonyl complex – seaborgium hexacarbonyl – was reported. This was achieved in gas-phase chemical experiments in a beam-free environment behind the recoil separator GARIS. Extending this work to heavier elements requires more efficient techniques to synthesize carbonyl complexes as production rates of transactinide elements drop with increasing atomic number. A novel approach was thus conceived, which retains the benefit of a beam-free environment but avoids the physical preseparation step. The latter reduces the yields for products of asymmetric reactions such as those used for the synthesis of suitable isotopes of Sg, Bh, Hs and Mt. For this a series of experiments with accelerator-produced radioisotopes of the lighter homologues W, Re and Os was carried out at the tandem accelerator of JAEA Tokai, Japan. A newly developed double-chamber system, which allows for a decoupled recoil ion thermalization and chemical complex formation, was used, which avoids the low-efficiency physical preseparation step. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility of this newly developed method using accelerator-produced short-lived radioisotopes of the 5d homologues of the early transactinides.

Selecting from their toolbox of interventions – A realist study of the role of occupational therapists in reablement services

Introduction Reablement services support people to regain skills and increase their independence. This aim resonates with occupational therapy philosophy. This article presents results of a study of the role of occupational therapists in reablement services that involve two organisations. Method Theories on the role of occupational therapists in reablement were identified using a realist synthesis approach and were tested and expanded using a qualitative case study design. Each of the three case studies consisted of one reablement service in England. Methods of the study included observations and interviews with occupational therapists, interviews with managers in both organisations and focus groups and interviews with reablement support workers. Findings Findings conclude that occupational therapists’ education and experience underpin their ability to undertake assessments and person-centred goal setting. They utilise a range of intervention techniques selecting from their toolbox of interventions to support people. Occupational therapists have a role in training reablement support workers to work in an enabling way. Regular communication and co-location support levels of trust and shared purpose between members of the reablement team. Conclusion The conceptual framework developed from the study can be used by organisations when commissioning and developing reablement services to consider the different contextual layers of reablement.

Influence of Synthesis Approach on Controlled Microstructures and Photocatalytic Properties of Ag/AgBr-Activated Carbon Composites on Visible Light Degradation of Tetracycline

The influence of the synthesis approach (thermal polyol and deposition–precipitation) regarding the dispersion of Ag/AgBr nanoparticles dispersed on activated carbon prepared from chemical impregnated pinecone (TP-AABR-ACK, and DP-AABR-ACK) was studied, to increase their photocatalytic efficiency on the degradation of tetracycline (TC). The physicochemical characterization evidenced the significance of the ACK catalyst promoter in enhancing controlled microstructures (morphologies and particle size distributions), synergistic interface interaction between AABR NPs and the carbonaceous support, and efficient photogenerated charge carriers separation within TP-AABR-ACK, and DP-AABR-ACK composites. The results revealed 92% removal of TC within 180 min under the LED visible light irradiation, which was achieved using TP-AABR-ACK when compared to DP-AABR-ACK composite and other catalysts in this study. Such superior results achieved with TP-AABR-ACK composite were attributed to controlled morphologies, reduced particle size and agglomeration, improved absorptivity, and superior cooperative effect between the AABR and ACK catalyst promoter as evidenced from SEM, EDX, TEM, UV-DRS, and electrochemical characterizations, respectively. Furthermore, enhanced TOC removal and abundance of reactive superoxide anion generation were achieved with the TP-AABR-ACK composite in this study.