Effect oF β-Alanine on The Preparation of 4-Ethoxy-Cinnamic Acid

Objective:Cinnamic acid and its derivatives have a numerous potential applications in many different fields such as pharmacy, organic “building blocks”, and corrosion inhibitors.Method:It is well-known that Verley-Doebner modification is a high efficient method for the preparation of cinnamic acid derivaties, especially with the compounds containing electron-donating subtituents at para position in aromatic ring. In this paper, 4-ethoxy-cinnamic acid was synthesized according to Verley-Doebner reaction with the use of pyrine acting as catalyst and solvent. The effect of the β-alanine concentration on the conversion of the starting material of 4-ethoxy-benzaldehyde was thoroughly investigated using high performance liquid chromatography. The results showed that consuming of 8% of β-alanine would convert 100% of 4-ethoxy-benzaldehyde to 4-ethoxy-cinnamic acid.Result:The structure of the obtained 4-ethoxy-cinnamic acid was also confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and Gas chromatography-Mass spectroscopy.Cinnamic acid and its derivatives have numerous potential applications in many different fields such as pharmacy, organic “building blocks”, and corrosion inhibitors. It is well-known that Verley-Doebner modification is a high efficient method for the preparation of cinnamic acid derivaties, especially with the compounds containing electron-donating subtituents at para position in aromatic ring. In this paper, 4-ethoxy-cinnamic acid was synthesized according to Verley-Doebner reaction with the use of pyrine acting as catalyst and solvent. The effect of the β-alanine concentration on the conversion of the starting material of 4-ethoxy-benzaldehyde was thoroughly investigated using high performance liquid chromatography. The results showed that consuming 8% of β-alanine would convert 100% of 4-ethoxy-benzaldehyde to 4-ethoxy-cinnamic acid. The structure of the obtained 4-ethoxy-cinnamic acid was also confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and Gas chromatography-Mass spectroscopy.

Optimization of Slag Content and Properties Improvement of Metakaolin-slag Geopolymer Mixes

Object:Geopolymers mixes were fabricated from Metakaolin (MK) and Blast Furnace Slag (BFS) waste material in the presence of sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate which were used as alkali activators. To optimize the suitable amount of slag, eleven batches were designed, mixed and homogenized for 30 min.Method:To determine the suitable amount of liquid required for pasting, normal consistency and setting time were determined. The physico-mechanical properties at different curing agesi.e. 3, 7, 28 and 90 days, were determined. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope were used to investigate phase composition and microstructure.Result:To guarantee forming geopolymer gel and to check its amount, HCl extraction test was performed. Salicylic acid/methanol extraction was also performed to verify the presence and amount of Calcium Silicate Hydrate (CSH). The results revealed that calcium-rich slag (BFS) accelerated the hardening process and decreased the alkaline liquid consistency. For geopolymer without BFS, two phases, namely; un-reacted metakaolin and geopolymer gel were formed. For geopolymers with BFS, three phases were formed, namely; un-reacted metakaolin, geopolymer gel and CSH with aluminum substitution (CASH) gel. The bulk density was increased with increasing BFS and curing time. The strength was increased with increasing of BFS, reaching its maximum (about 120 MPa) for the specimen containing 70% slag, cured for 28 days.

Corrosion Inhibition of Mild Steel in 1.0 M HCl Solution by Anhydrous Tricalcium Phosphate

Objective: In this study, electrochemical measurements were used to characterize Anhydrous Tricalcium Phosphate (ATP) as a corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in 1.0 M HCl. Method: The potentiodynamic polarization curves indicated that the ATP reacts as an anodic type inhibitor. In addition, it has been found that the electrochemical impedance confirms the inhibitor character of ATP obtained by the potentiodynamic polarization curves where the inhibition efficiency increases by its concentration to reach a maximum of 93.79 % at 10-4 M. The temperature solution influence indicated that the corrosion rate increases with temperature while the inhibitor acts actively. Thermodynamic adsorption and activation parameters indicated that the ATP acts by physical adsorption on the metallic surface with an endothermic process of metal dissolution. Result: Additionally, it was found that the adsorption of ATP molecules obeyed to the Langmuir isotherm. Surface analyses via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate the morphology of mild steel before and after immersion in 1.0 M HCl solution without and with 10-4 M of ATP. It is revealed that the ATP acted by the formation of a protective layer on the mild steel.

Process Optimization for the Synthesis of Silver (AgNPs), Iron Oxide (α-Fe2O3NPs) and Core-Shell (Ag-Fe2O3CNPs) Nanoparticles Using the Aqueous Extract of Alstonia Scholaris: A Greener Approach

Objective:The present study is deals with the green synthesis of silver (AgNPs), iron oxide (α-Fe2O3NPs) and core-shell (Ag-α-Fe2O3CNPs) nanoparticles using the aqueous extract ofAlstonia scholariswithout any catalyst, template or surfactant or any intermediate under ultrasound cavitation technique. The purpose was to facilitate the high level of dispersion with increase in rate of reaction. Further AgNPs and α-Fe2O3NPs were used to synthesis Ag-Fe2O3CNPs in aqueous extract ofAlstonia scholarisunder controlled ultrasound cavitation technique.Methods:The size of AgNPs and Ag-Fe2O3CNPs can be tuned by optimizing various reaction parameters. UV-visible, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy has been used for the characterization of silver and core shell Ag@Fe2O3nanoparticles. TEM images clearly show the formation of core shell nanoparticles with spherical morphology.Result:Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy analysis revealed that carbohydrate, polyphenols, and protein molecules were involved in the synthesis and capping of silver, iron oxide and Ag@Fe2O3CNPs.

Novel Approach to The Design of Sound Insulating Composites by Means of a Non-linearly Extrapolated Master Curve

Background:The increasing use of composite structures with a high stiffness-to-weight ratio in commercial vehicles has brought about a reduction in fuel consumption but, on the other hand, has significantly increased noise transmission particularly in case of thin and lightweight structures. Noise is a primary issue for commercial vehicles, such as airplanes, helicopters and cars. The present research deals with the use of smart materials, as Shear-Thickening Fluids (STF, or dilatants) in view of manufacturing elements with increased sound insulation properties.Methods:The response of a sandwich material with the STF core was investigated both experimentally and numerically, by choosing the Sound Transmission Loss (STL) of the composite structure as the figure of merit.The experimental investigation was focused on the manufacturing of a sandwich structure made of metallic skins and a STF core that was successively characterized by sound insertion loss measurement.The numerical investigation was carried out by using a Generalized Transfer Matrix Method (GTMM) and a Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA) in view of selecting the fluid capable of granting the highest acoustic transmission loss.Results:Finally, the test results were compared to the numerical results, showing a noticeable agreement. The used STF showed increasing viscosity at increasing shear rates.

Crystallographic Features and Nature of Luminescence Centres of the Niobate and Tantalate Compounds with Layered Perovskite-Like Structure

Aim and Objectives The ultrafine powders of the perovskite-like layered AII3LaM3O12 (AII = Sr, Ba; M = Nb, Ta) compounds have been synthesized by heat treatment of co-precipitated hydroxy-carbonates. The luminescence of these compounds is reported for the first time. Methods: Luminescence spectra of all studied compounds are complex and contain two main wide bands with maxima near 2.9 and 2.5 eV. These luminescence bands were assigned to radiation electron transitions in the MoO67- molecular groups of different symmetry located in the various lattice positions. Conclusion: The energy levels scheme of the MoO67- group and related radiation and absorption transitions had been proposed.

Research on Carrier Correlation in Ballistic Transport Nano-MOSFETs

Objective and Method: In this paper,the experiment proved that shot noise is suppressed by Fermi and Coulomb interaction correlation. Meanwhile, the establishment of shot noise suppression factor (Fano) in ballistic transport nano-MOSFETs the Coulomb interaction correlation and the combination of the two effects are derived from separately considering the Fermi interaction correlation. And on this basis the variation of Fano with voltage, doping concentration and temperature are investigated. Result: The result we obtained which considered the combination of the two effects is in good agreement with experimental studies in the research papers, thus getting a theoretical explanation for the variation of the suppression factor with the bias voltage. Meanwhile, the suppression factor model is suitable for nano-MOSFET.