Charge Storage and Solar Rechargeable Battery Devices Based on Electrodes Electrochemically Modified with Conducting Polymer Nanowires

In this work, the use of nanostructured conducting polymer deposits on energy-storing devices is described. The cathode and the anode are electrochemically modified with nanowires of polypyrrole and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), respectively, prepared after the use of a mesoporous silica template. The effect of aqueous or ionic liquid medium is assayed during battery characterization studies. The nanostructured device greatly surpasses the performance of the bulk configuration in terms of specific capacity, energy, and power. Moreover, compared with devices found in the literature with similar designs, the nanostructured device prepared here shows better battery characteristics, including cyclability. Finally, considering the semi-conducting properties of the components, the device was adapted to the design of a solar-rechargeable device by the inclusion of a titanium oxide layer and cis-bis(isothiocyanate)-bis(2,2′-bipyridyl-4,4′-dicarboxylate) ruthenium (II) dye. The device proved that the nanostructured design is also appropriate for the implementation of solar-rechargeable battery, although its performance still requires further optimization.

Ionic Liquid Mediated Graphene-Based Pd Nanocomposites For Coupling Reactions

Aims: In the search of a ligand-free, recyclable, selective, and stable catalytic system, we engineered both Pd/GO and Pd/rGO composite and tested them as catalysts for Heck and Suzuki reaction in [bmim] NTf2 ionic liquid medium. Background: Various reports and reviews have been published on exploring the application of ionic liquids as a reaction medium for different organic transformations. Recently graphene-supported Pt nanoparticles immobilized with the 7-methyl-1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ionic liquid [MTBD][bmsi] and further tested to study the oxygen reduction reaction. Surprisingly [MTBD][bmsi] immobilized system was found highly active towards electrocatalytic reaction. Objective: In various reports, palladium nanoparticles were immobilized with graphene oxide (GO) or with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and these two types of graphene were further tested as a catalyst for different coupling reactions such as Suzuki-Miyaura, Heck, and Suzuki reaction. Both Pd/GO and Pd/rGO found attractive concerning catalyst specific property i.e. high surface area and because of that graphene immobilized palladium found more nearer to other commercially available palladium catalysts ( e.g. Pd on charcoal) but collectively both hybrid materials (Pd/GO and Pd/rGO) suffers from various drawbacks like high catalyst loading, catalyst leaching (via agglomeration of Pd metals into the clusters) during the recycling test (specially in case of Pd/GO), limited substrate scope, the requirement of polar solvents, etc. Methods: All the chemicals were purchased from Sigma Aldrich, Acros, or Fluka. NMR spectra were recorded on a standard Bruker 300WB spectrometer with an Avance console at 300 and 75 MHz for 1H and 13C NMR respectively. Pd/O and Pd/rGO were synthesized as per the reported procedure.2, 15 The residue was purified by flash chromatography (FC) with hexane/ethyl acetate. The detailed 1H NMR and 13C NMR of each Heck and Suzuki reaction products were found similar to the reported analytical data. 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis (trifluoromethyl sulfonyl) imide ([bmim]NTf2) was synthesized as per reported procedure. Results: We have successfully developed a highly efficient ligand-free method for Heck and Suzuki reaction, using Pd/rGO catalysts in an ionic liquid medium which afforded the coupling products with excellent yield. One of the major advantages of the proposed protocol is that the catalyst system can be easily re-usable without loss of catalytic activity, thereby multiplying catalyst turnover. Another advantage is that the reaction proceeds without phosphine ligands, which are expensive, toxic, and contaminants of the product. The Green nature of ionic liquid and the simplicity of its operation make the present Heck and Suzuki reactions more attractive. Conclusion: We have successfully developed a highly efficient ligand-free method for Heck and Suzuki reaction, using Pd/rGO catalysts in an ionic liquid medium which afforded the coupling products with excellent yield. One of the major advantages of the proposed protocol is that the catalyst system can be easily re-usable without loss of catalytic activity, thereby multiplying catalyst turnover. Another advantage is that the reaction proceeds without phosphine ligands, which are expensive, toxic, and contaminants of the product. The Green nature of ionic liquid and the simplicity of its operation make the present Heck and Suzuki reactions more attractive.

Synthesis and Biological Screening of Pyrano[2,3-b]quinoline Derivatives

Herein, a novel ionic liquid catalyzed synthesis of 3-acetylpyrano[2,3-b]quinolin-2(1H)-ones (3a-e) from substituted 3-formylquinolin-2(1H)-ones (1a-e) and ethyl acetoacetate (2) through Knoevenagel condensation is reported. We have perceived the application of microwave irradiation and ionic liquid for carrying out pollution free and ecofriendly chemical reactions. These reactions proceeded much faster in ionic liquid medium under microwave irradiation. The structures of quinoline derivatives (3a-e) were characterized by standard physico-chemical techniques. The synthesized quinoline derivatives (3a-e) were also evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial screening on different strains of bacteria and fungi.