Selection of adsorbents for <Emphasis Type="Italic">in-situ</Emphasis> coupling technology of adsorptive desulfurization and biodesulfurization

In-situ coupling of adsorptive desulfurization and biodesulfurization is a new desulfurization technology for fossil oil. It has the merits of high-selectivity of biodesulfurization and high-rate of adsorptive desulfurization. It is carried out by assembling nano-adsorbents onto surfaces of microbial cells. In this work, In-situ coupling desulfurization technology of widely used desulfurization adsorbents of γ-Al₂O₃, Na-Y molecular sieves, and active carbon with Pseudomonas delafieldii R-8 were studied. Results show that Na-Y molecular sieves restrain the activity of R-8 cells and active carbon cannot desorb the substrate dibenzothiophene (DBT). Thus, they are not applicable to in-situ coupling desulfurization technology. Gamma-Al₂O₃ can adsorb DBT from oil phase quickly, and then desorb it and transfer it to R-8 cells for biodegradation, thus increasing desulfurization rate. It is also found that nano-sized γ-Al₂O₃ increases desulfurization rate more than regular-sized γ-Al₂O₃. Therefore, nano-γ-Al₂O₃ is regarded as the better adsorbent for this in-situ coupling desulfurization technology. Supported by National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No: 2006CB202507) and National High-tech R&D Program (Grant No: 2006AA02Z209)     

Highly sensitive and selective ratiometric fluorescent copper sensors: Different binding affinities modulated by three separate side chains of naphthalimide

A series of compounds 1-11 with different side chains of naphthalimide as fluorescent copper sensors were designed and synthesized. Compounds 1, 9, 10 and 11 presented a high selectivity to Cu2+ in a neutral aqueous environment. Here 1, 9 and 10 showed selectivity and affinity to Cu2+ with an association constant of about ～106. It gave somewhat response to Ag+, Co2+, Ni2+ and Fe2+ while 1 detected copper. 9 and 10 displayed better selectivity by changing their hydrophobic side chains to the hydrophilic ones...     

A new fluorescent sensor selective for Pb<Superscript>2+</Superscript> in water capable of two-photon-induced fluorescence measurement

A new fluorescent sensor (1) for Pb²⁺ containing a 1,4-dicyano-2,5-bis(styryl)benzene fluorophore and 2-(N,N′-bis(carboxylmethyl))amino-1-carboxylmethoxylbenzene as receptor has been synthesized. The sensor selectively responds to Pb²⁺ in the aqueous environment, and brings about similar and significant changes in one- and two-photon excited emission spectra: λ _max red-shift from 460 (519) to 590 nm. The selective response is pH-independent in a large physiological pH range, and two-photon action cross section (ϕδ) is 51 GM (1 GM = 1×10⁻⁵⁰ cm⁴·s·photon⁻¹·molecule⁻¹) at 740 nm. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 20705621 & 20706008), the National Basic Research Project of China (Grant No. 2009CB724706), the Ministry of Education of China, Changjiang Scholars Innovative Research Team in University (Grant No. IRT0711) and Cultivation Fund of the Key Scientific and Technical Innovation Project (Grant No. 707016)     

Performance of sulfate-dependent anaerobic ammonium oxidation

The performance of sulfate-dependent anaerobic ammonium oxidation was studied. The results showed that both SO₄ ²⁻ and NH₄ ⁺ were chemically stable under anaerobic conditions. They did not react with each other in the absence of biological catalyst (sludge). The anaerobic digested sludge cultivated in an anaerobic reactor for three years took on the ability of oxidizing ammonium with sulfate anaerobically. The average reduction of sulfate and ammonium was 71.67 mg·L⁻¹ and 56.82 mg·L⁻¹ at high concentrations. The reaction between SO₄ ²⁻ and NH₄ ⁺ was difficult, though feasible, due to its low standard Gibbs free energy change. The experiment demonstrated that high substrate concentrations and low oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) may be favourable for the biological reaction. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 30770039) and the High-tech Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2006AA06Z332)     

Synthesis and characterization of superparamagnetic poly(urea-formaldehyde) adsorbents and their use for adsorption of flavonoids from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Glycyrrhiza uralensis</Emphasis> Fisch

Superparamagnetic spherical poly(urea-formaldehyde) (PUF) adsorbents were synthesized and their selective adsorption for licorice flavonoids was investigated in this paper. The magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles were prepared by co-precipitation of ferrous and ferric salts. Then the magnetic adsorbents with PUF shell were synthesized by reversed phase suspension polymerization. The spherical adsorbents have an average diameter of 50 μm and exhibit superparamagnetic characteristics. The saturation magnetization of the adsorbents was 15.1 emu/g. The sorption and desorption properties of licorice flavonoids on the adsorbents were studied. The result shows that the adsorbents have high adsorption capacity (about 16.7 mg/g (adsorbent)). The adsorption data of flavonoids generally obeys the Langmuir isotherm equation. The adsorption can reach equilibrium rapidly and depends strongly on the pH of the feed solution. The concentration of licorice flavonoids after desorption can reach 25.12% in the desorbed fraction with 75% ethanol solution, which is higher than the 21.9% of commercial macroporous resin XDA-1. HPLC showed that liquiritin, one of main flavonoids in the licorice, was retained in this fraction, while glycyrrhizic acid (GA) can be almost removed from this fraction.     

The protection effect of β-CD on DNA damage induced by ultrafine TiO2

Under the photocatalysis of 365 nm ultraviolet radiation, ultrafine TiO2 caused the oxidative damage of Teasy plasmid DNA. The damage was determined by gel-electrophoresis. Then, a different dose of β-CD was added to the reaction, and the damage was restrained. The rate of damage restraining reached 97% when the mass of β-CD was 4 times as that of TiO2. Through UV scan and IR spectroscopy, it was found that the Ti-O of ultrafine TiO2 was bound with -OH of β-CD cavum and the -OH on the surface of ultrafine TiO2 disappeared, so the formation of · OH was controlled. The ultrafine TiO2 has been widely used, but it was determined to be carcinogenic by some research. The protection effect of β-CD to DNA in the molecular level takes a new look on the surface modification of nano particles to decrease the toxic effect.     

Resonance scattering spectral detection of ultratrace IgG using immunonanogold-HAuCl<Subscript>4</Subscript>-NH<Subscript>2</Subscript>OH catalytic reaction

Nanogold particles of 10 nm were used to label goat anti-human IgG (GIgG) to obtain nanogold-labeled GIgG (AuGIgG). In a citrate-HCI buffer solution of pH 2.27, AuGIgG showed a strong catalytic effect on the reaction between HAuCl₄ and NH₂OH to form big gold particles that exhibited a resonance scattering (RS) peak at 796 nm. Under the chosen conditions, AuGIgG combined with IgG to form immunocomplex AuGIgG-IgG that can be removed by centrifuging at 16000 r/min. AuGIgG in the centrifuging solution also showed catalytic effect on the reaction. On those grounds, an immunonanogold catalytic RS assay for IgG was designed. With addition of IgG, the amount of AuGIgG in the centrifuging solution decreased; the RS intensity at 796 nm (I _{796 nm}) decreased linearly. The decreased intensity ΔI _{796 nm} was linear with respect to the IgG concentration in the range of 0.08–16.0 ng · mL⁻¹ with a detection limit of 0.02 ng · mL⁻¹. This assay was applied to analysis of IgG in sera with satisfactory sensitivity, selectivity and rapidity. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20667001), Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi Province (Grant No. 0728213), and the Foundation of New Century Ten-Hundred-Thousand Talents of Guangxi Province     

Preparation of polystyrene-grafted titanate nanotubes by <Emphasis Type="Italic">in situ</Emphasis> atom transfer radical polymerization

This work successfully prepared nanohybrids by in situ atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene from titanate nanotubes (TNTs). Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), pronton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to verify the successful graft of polystyrene (PS) chains from TNTs. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) displayed that the obtained PS-g-TNTs nanohybrids had a core-shell structure of TNT core and PS shell. The grafted PS content was well controlled and increased with increasing of the monomer/initiator ratio. Further copolymerization of tert-butyl acrylate (tBA) from the surface of PS-g-TNTs was studied, illustrating the “living” characteristics of the surface-induced ATRP method used in this work. Supported by the Special Funds for Major State Basic Research Projects (Grant No. 2005CB623803), the National Basic Research Program (Grant Nos. 2007CB808000 & 2009CB930400), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 50633010 & 20874060), the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University (Grant No. NCET-07-0558), the Basic Research Foundation of Shanghai Science and Technique Committee (Grant No. 07DJ14004), and Shanghai Leading Academic Discipline Project (Grant No. B202).     

Characterization of catechol 1,2-dioxygenase from cell extracts of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphingomonas xenophaga</Emphasis> QYY

Sphingomonas xenophaga QYY, capable of growing significantly on more than ten kinds of aromatic compounds as sole carbon source, was used to study characterization of catechol 1,2-dioxygenase (C12O) in cell extracts. Characterization of the crude C12O showed that the maximum activity was obtained at 40–70°C and pH 7.8–8.8. Metal ions had different influences on the activity of crude C12O. It was suggested that strain QYY possessed an inducible and ferric-dependent C12O. Kinetic studies showed that the value of V _max and K _m was 0.25 μmol catechol/L/mg protein/min and 52.85 μmol/L, respectively. In addition, the partial purification of C12O was achieved by a HiTrap Q Sepharose column chromatography. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 50608011) and the 39th Postdoctoral Funds of China (Grant No. 20060390983)     

Distribution threshold values of CaCl<Subscript>2</Subscript> onto the 10X-zeolite and macro-pore silica gel

The calcium chloride used for adsorption separation of ammonia is promising for its large adsorptive capacity and lower desorption temperature, but difficult to develop because of the liable expansion, lump and chip in the adsorption/desorption process. Composite adsorbents made by monolayer dispersion of calcium chloride onto carriers with high surface areas exhibit better adsorptive capacity and stability. Several models were developed to confirm the maximum monolayer dispersion capacity of calcium chloride onto the carriers (the distribution threshold value), and the closely packed monolayer dispersion model was considered the most suitable for this study. The distribution threshold values given by this model were 0.60 g CaCl₂/(g 10X-zeolite) and 0.38 g CaCl₂/(g SiO₂). When the divalent salt was dispersed onto the carriers, however, anions were separated into two types, causing that the entropy of the system tended to increase and the system was not stable. To minimize the entropy, a new model was put forward as the modified closely packed monolayer dispersion model. Based on this model, the distribution threshold values are 0.52 g CaCl₂/(g 10X-zeolite) and 0.33 g CaCl₂/(g SiO₂), respectively. The distribution threshold values were also gained experimentally by XRD quantitative phase analysis: 0.61 g CaCl₂/(g 10X-zeolite) and 0.31 g CaCl₂/(g SiO₂). Comparison between experimental values of distribution threshold with theoretical ones based on two different model showed that the closely packed monolayer dispersion model fits the monolayer dispersion of calcium chloride onto micro-pore carrier —10X-zeolite, and the modified closely packed monolayer dispersion model is more suitable for the bigger aperture carrier —macro-pore silica gel. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20576080)     

Theoretical studies on cation-π interactions (I)—Densityfunctional theory investigation on the configurations and interaction for ammonium cation-benzene complex

Density-functional theory (DFT) approach of B3LYP/6-31G* has been employed to calculate the six possible configurations of ammonium cation-benzene complex (NH₄ ⁺ -C₆H₆). The calculation result released that the asymmetrical configuration of this complex with two hydrogen atoms pointing to the benzene ring was the most stable structure. Structural characteristics, molecular interaction fashion and thermodynamic parameters indicated that NH₄ ⁺ was bound to benzene through hydrogen bonding interaction. Project supported by the “863” High Technology Program of China (Grant No. 863-103-04-01) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 29403027)     

High selective purification of flavonoids from natural plants based on polymeric adsorbent with hydrogen-bonding interaction

The efficient purification method of high purity flavonoids from natural plants was reported. A series of polymeric adsorbents with novel structure were synthesized based on the copolymerization of methyl acrylate (MA) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDGMA). Functional groups, such as ester, amino or amide group, were introduced into the adsorbent matrix, respectively, to produce the hydrogen-bonding interaction and enhance the adsorption selectivity towards flavone compounds. The influences of matrix structure and functional groups of synthesized adsorbents on the adsorption selectivity were investigated. The resins were applied to purify flavonoids in natural plants. It was illuminated that the adsorbent No. 3B with 15% EGDMA content and amide groups performed optimal selectivity to flavone compounds in Scutellaria barbata D.Don, from which the purity of flavonoids in extracts was obtained more than 50%, obviously higher than that from commercial adsorbents. The result of adsorption thermodynamics experiment showed that the isosteric adsorption enthalpy of No. 3B was in the range of 25–30 kJ/mol, which testified that the adsorption mechanism was related to hydrogen-bonding interaction. The method showed its universality via good effects on the purification of total flavonoids from Ginkgo biloba L., Radix puerariae and Hypericum perforatum L.     

Surface chemistry of nanoscale Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> dispersed in magnetic fluids

The interaction between stabilizers and nanoparticles is one of the important factors to prepare stable magnetic fluids. The magnetic nano-size Fe₃O₄ core with single domain and the average grain size around 8–12 nm were prepared by chemical precipitation method. The O/Fe molar ratio of the particle surface was measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The heat effects of stabilizers adsorption on nanoparticles were measured by solution calorimetry. The excess amount of oxygen was possibly the result of the hydroxygen formed on the surface of the nanoparticles. The heat effects showed that compounds containing carboxyl groups can be adsorbed chemically on magnetite by forming chemical bonds. The other stabilizers involving NH-groups, such as polyethylene-imine, can be adsorbed physically. The exothermic value is about half of the former case. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 50476039), and Guangdong Provincial Department of Science and Technology (Grant No. 2004A10-703001)     

Adsorptive desulfurization of diesel with mesoporous aluminosilicates

Mesoporous aluminosilicates (MAS) bearing microporous zeolite units and mesoporous structures were synthesized by the hydrothermal method. Adsorptive desulfurization ability of model oil and hydrotreated diesel was studied. The effects of template concentration, crystalization time and calcination time were investigated. The desulfurization ability of adsorbents was improved by transitional metal ion-exchanging. The adsorptive desulfurization of diesel was carried out on a fixed-bed system. The results show that the adsorptive capacity is MAS>MCM-41>NaY. The improvement of desulfurization ability of MAS by Cu⁺ is more significant than that of Ag⁺. Supported by National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2006CB202507), National High-tech R&D Program (Grant No. 2006AA02Z209), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20806086)     

Preparation of polymer-supported hydrated ferric oxide based on Donnan membrane effect and its application for arsenic removal

In the present study a novel technique was proposed to prepare a polymer-supported hydrated ferric oxide (D201-HFO) based on Donnan membrane effect by using a strongly basic anion exchanger D201 as the host material and FeCl3-HCl-NaCl solution as the reaction environment. D201-HFO was found to exhibit higher capacity for arsenic removal than a commercial sorbent Purolite ArsenX. Furthermore, it presents favorable adsorption selectivity for arsenic removal from aqueous solution, as well as satis- factory kinetics. Fixed-bed column experiments showed that arsenic sorption on D201-HFO could re- sult in concentration of this toxic metalloid element below 10 μg/L, which was the new maximum con- centration limit set recently by the European Commission and imposed by the US EPA and China. Also, the spent D201-HFO is amenable to efficient regeneration by NaOH-NaCl solution.     

Unprecedented synthesis of chiral calix[4](aza)crowns and its potent encapsulating methanol

Unprecedented synthesis of chiral (aza)crown ethers of calix[4]arene derivatives bearing a carboxyl amide bridge was described. The synthesis proceeds through condensation of the corresponding dinitriles with optically active 1,2-aminoalcohols,and is catalyzed by the ZnCl2 Lewis acid at elevated temperature in a very efficient one-pot process. The cavity of calix[4](aza)crowns can encapsulate methanol molecules by O—H...π interaction,which has been confirmed by X-ray crystal structures and ESI-MS.     

Molecular dynamics simulation study on zwitterionic structure to maintain the natural behavior of polyalanine13 in aqueous environment

Molecular dynamics simulations are applied to the initial stage of polyalanine13 conformational transi- tion from α-helix to random coil in aqueous environment and the interaction of polyalanine13 with zwitterionic and hydrophobic surfaces respectively in the same condition. The analysis of secondary structure, hydrogen bonds, RMSD, dihedral distribution, and the degree of adsorption are performed. The results show that zwitterionic structure maintains the natural behavior of polyalanine13 in water to a better extent, which should be an indirect proof of the hypothesis of "maintain of normal structure."     

Synthesis and structure of a novel MoFe4S4 cubane-like cluster (Me3PhCH2N)2 [MoFe4S4 (SC6H11)7]

A novel (Me₃PhCH₂N)₂[MoFe₄S₄(SC₆H₁₁)₇] cubane-like cluster was obtained from a reaction system including (NH₄)₂MoS₄, FeCl₂ and NaSC₆H₁₁ in methanol, and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The title compound crystallizes in triclinic space group witha = 1.523 1(3), b =1.610 5(3),c = 1.838 3(4) nm, α = 77.18 (3)°, β = 75.17(3)°, γ = 64.60(3)°, and Z = 2. Also included in this paper are the discussions on the variation of the reaction products obtained from the participation of cyclohexylthiolate and on the changes of the structural features of the products. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Climbing Program—State Key Project for Fundamental Research in China, and Hong Kong Research Grants Council (Earmarked Grant No. CUHK. 311/94p).     

Theoretical studies on the potential energy surfaces and vibrational energy levels of HXeF and HXeCl

The potential energy surfaces for the electronic ground state of the HXeCl and HXeF molecules areconstructed by using the internally contracted multi-reference configuration interaction with theDavidson correction(icMRCI Q)method and large basis sets.The stabilities and dissociation barriersare identified from the potential energy surfaces.The three-body dissociation channel is found to bethe dominate dissociation channel for HXeCl,while two dissociation channels are possible and com-petitive for HXeF.Based on the obtained potentials,vibrational energy levels of HXeCl and HXeF arecalculated using the Lanczos algorithm.Our theoretical results are in good agreement with the avail-able observed values.Particularly,the calculated fundamental frequency of the H—Xe stretching vi-bration including the Xe matrix effect of HXeCl is found to be 1666.6 cm-1,which is only 17.6 cm-1higher than the recently observed value of 1649 cm-1.     

Effect of strontium substitution on the activity of La2?xSrxNiO4 (x = 0.0–1.2) in NO decomposition

The aim of this work is to study the effect of Sr substitution on the redox properties and catalytic activity of La_2−x Sr _x NiO₄ (x = 0.0–1.2) for NO decomposition. Results suggest that the x = 0.6 sample shows the highest activity. The characterization (TPD, TPR, etc.) of samples indicates that the x = 0.6 sample possesses suitable abilities in both oxidation and reduction, which facilitates the proceeding of oxygen desorption and NO adsorption. At temperature below 700°C, the oxygen desorption is difficult, and is the rate-determining step of NO decomposition. With the increase of reaction temperature (T > 700°C), the oxygen desorption is favorable and, the active adsorption of NO on the active site (NO + V _o + Ni²⁺ → NO⁻-Ni³⁺) turns out to be the rate-determining step. The existence of oxygen vacancy is the prerequisite condition for NO decomposition, but its quantity does not relate much to the activity. Supported by the National Hi-Tech Research and Development Program of China (863 Program)(Grant No. 2004CB 719502) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20177022)