Calculation of conformations and vibrational spectra of a monomeric fragment of the 2,6-carboxymethyl cellulose molecule

A theoretical conformational analysis has been carried out for the side substituents of a fragment of the molecule for 2,6-carboxymethyl cellulose (a water-soluble cellulose ether), and the frequencies and the potential energy distribution of the normal vibrations have been calculated for the most stable conformers of the ether groups of this fragment in the approximation of the molecular mechanics method. It has been shown that the most stable conformers are those that have the conformations gg, t, g⁻, g⁻, g⁻-for the groups of atoms on the bonds C5-C6, C6-O6, C13-O6, C10-C13, C10-O9 and the conformations g⁺g⁻, g⁺, g⁻, g⁻; g⁺g⁻, g⁻, g⁻, g⁻; g⁺g⁻, g⁻, g⁺, t for the groups of atoms on the bonds C2-O2, C11-O2, C7-C11, C7-O8. Comparative analysis of the calculated frequencies and the potential energy distribution of the normal vibrations for 13 of the most stable conformers showed, as in the case of the 2,6-hydroxyethyl cellulose molecule, that the frequencies and modes of the normal vibrations are highly sensitive to conformational transitions in the analyzed spectral region (800–1500 cm⁻¹). The characteristic patterns for the change in the frequencies and modes of the normal vibrations have been established in connection with conformational transitions within both side substituents. The observed conformational lability of the bulky substituents in the cellulose ether molecules and its manifestations in the vibrational spectrum provide a basis for hypothesizing that one of the major mechanisms for the process of their thermal gelation in aqueous solutions is conformational transitions within these substituents. __________ Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 74, No. 1, pp. 5–15, January–February, 2007.     

Synthesis of Tapioca Cellulose-based Poly(amidoxime) Ligand for Removal of Heavy Metal Ions

Poly(acrylonitrile)/cellulose block copolymer (PAN-b-cell) was prepared by using a free radical initiating process and then the nitrile functional groups of the PAN blocks of the copolymers were transformed into amidoxime ligands. The resulting poly(amidoxime) ligands could complex with heavy metal ions; for example, the reflectance spectra of the [Cu -ligand]ⁿ⁺ was found to be at the highest absorbance, about 94%, at pH 6. The pH was the key parameter for metal ions sensing by the ligand. The adsorption capacity for copper was very good, 272 mg g^?1, with a fast adsorption rate (t_1/2 = 10 min). The adsorption capacities for other heavy metal ions such as Fe³⁺, Cr³⁺, Co³⁺ and Ni²⁺ were also good, being 242, 219, 201 and 195 mg g^?1, respectively, at pH 6. The heavy metal ions removal efficiency from water was 98% at low concentration. The data proved that the heavy metal ions adsorption onto the polymer ligands were well fitted with the Langmuir isotherm model (R²>0.99), which suggests that the cellulose-based adsorbent surface namely the poly(amidoxime) ligand, was homogenous and a monolayer. The reusability was examined by a sorption/desorption process for six cycles and the extraction efficiency was determined. This new adsorbent could be reused for 6 cycles without any significant loss in its original removal function.     

Preparation of nanocrystalline cellulose via ultrasound and its reinforcement capability for poly(vinyl alcohol) composites

Rod-shaped nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) was prepared from microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) using the purely physical method of high-intensity ultrasonication. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction was used for the characterization of the morphology and crystal structure of the material. The thermal properties were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis. The reinforcement capabilities of the obtained NCC were investigated by adding it to poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) via the solution casting method. The results revealed that the prepared NCC had a rod-shaped structure, with diameters between 10 and 20 nm and lengths between 50 and 250 nm. X-ray diffraction results indicated that the NCC had the cellulose I crystal structure similar to that of MCC. The crystallinity of the NCC decreased with increasing ultrasonication time. The ultrasonic effect was non-selective, which means it can remove amorphous cellulose and crystalline cellulose. Because of the nanoscale size and large number of free-end chains, the NCC degraded at a slightly lower temperature, which resulted in increased char residue (9.6-16.1%), compared with that of the MCC (6.2%). The storage modulus of the nanocomposite films were significantly improved compared with that of pure PVA films. The modulus of PVA with 8 wt.% NCC was 2.40× larger than that of pure PVA.     

竹基纤维素Ⅱ氢键结合的近红外光谱研究

纤维素是一种可再生天然亲水性高聚物,其庞大的氢键网格形成多种不同的晶体结构形式。在其五种结晶变体（纤维素Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ,Ⅳ和Ⅹ）中,纤维素Ⅱ由纤维素Ⅰ（天然纤维素）经再生或丝光化处理获得,是表面自由能最低、性能最稳定的纤维素,这主要归因于纤维素Ⅱ具有与纤维素Ⅰ晶型平行链结构相反的反平行链结构,且相比于纤维素Ⅰ有附加的分子间氢键。基于近红外光谱（NIRS）对含氢基团的敏感性及纤维素的结晶结构中有大量氢键,使通过NIRS定性检测、定量评价纤维素的结晶结构成为可能。目前,用NIRS对纤维素结晶变体氢键结合的研究甚少,针对竹材纤维素Ⅱ及其衍生材料氢键结合的研究国内外尚未见相关报道。用竹材制备纤维素Ⅰ,经丝光化处理得到竹基纤维素Ⅱ,通过NIRS研究其氢键结合状况,结果与竹粉及竹基纤维素Ⅰ相比较。此外,研究还通过NIRS对竹粉及竹基纤维素的结晶度做了定量评价。结果表明：(1）在无定形区,竹基纤维素Ⅰ、Ⅱ和竹粉相比光谱差异不大,氢键结合只有量的变化,而无质的差异;(2）在半结晶区,与竹粉相比,竹基纤维素Ⅰ晶型结构保持不变,而竹基纤维素Ⅱ形成双峰;(3）在纤维素结晶区的近红外谱带范围内,反映竹基纤维素Ⅰ结晶表面纤维素分子内氢键O2-H2···O6的强氢键结合的羟基伸缩振动的一次倍频吸收峰由6 292 cm-1向高波数转移到6 354 cm-1,该处与竹基纤维素Ⅱ形成的强氢键结合的分子间氢键O2-H2···O2反平行构造相对应;(4）NIRS预测的结晶度与XRD分析结果有良好相关性。上述结果表明,纤维素结晶区内的氢键结合在近红外特征谱带出现转移且在半结晶区形成双峰,是区别竹基纤维素Ⅱ和Ⅰ的主要特征。研究也表明NIRS对探讨纤维素多种变体的氢键结合及结晶度预测是可靠的。     

Hansen Solubility Parameters for the Solid Surface of Cellulose Acetate Propionate by Inverse Gas Chromatography

The specific retention volumes, V ⁰ _g , for adsorption of 21 solute probes on the solid surface of cellulose acetate propionate (CAP) were determined in the temperature range 343.15–403.15 K by inverse gas chromatography. In the temperature range studied the retention diagrams drawn between vs. 1/T were found to be linear for all the solutes. Hansen solubility parameters (HSPs) were calculated by relating with the cohesive energy of adsorption of the solutes on the surface of CAP following the Snyder and Karger adsorption model. The three components of HSP decreased linearly with increase of temperature. The HSP of CAP were compared with the corresponding values determined on cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) and discussed in the light of the chemical nature of the two solid surfaces. Enthalpies of adsorption were found to be more negative for CAP than for CAB.     

Fabrication and characterization of cellulose nanoparticles from maize stalk pith via ultrasonic-mediated cationic etherification

In this study, parenchyma cellulose, which was extracted from maize stalk pith as an abundant source of agricultural residues, was applied for preparing cellulose nanoparticles (CNPs) via an ultrasound-assisted etherification and a subsequent sonication process. The ultrasonic-assisted treatment greatly improved the modification of the pith cellulose with glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride, leading to a partial increase in the dissolubility of the as-obtained product and thus disintegration of sheet-like cellulose into nanoparticles. While the formation of CNPs by ultrasonication was largely dependent on the cellulose consistency in the cationic-modified system. Under the condition of 25% cellulose consistency, the longer sono-treated duration yielded a more stable and dispersible suspension of CNP due to its higher zeta potential. Degree of substitution and FT-IR analyses indicated that quaternary ammonium salts were grafted onto hydroxyl groups of cellulose chain. SEM and TEM images exhibited the CNP to have spherical morphology with an average dimeter from 15 to 55 nm. XRD investigation revealed that CNPs consisted mainly of a crystalline cellulose Ι structure, and they had a lower crystallinity than the starting cellulose. Moreover, thermogravimetric results illustrated the thermal resistance of the CNPs was lower than the pith cellulose. The optimal CNP with highly cationic charges, good stability and acceptable thermostability might be considered as one of the alternatively renewable reinforcement additives for nanocomposite production.     

Enhancement of Electrical and Optical Properties of Sodium Bromide Doped Carboxymethyl Cellulose Biopolymer Electrolyte Films

Abstract

Biodegradable ion conducting solid polymer electrolyte films of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) doped with sodium bromide (NaBr) with various weight percentages were prepared by a solution casting technique. Their structural, optical and electrical properties were studied by various experimental techniques in order to understand the impact of the sodium metal salt on the biopolymer CMC’s properties. The optical parameters namely the optical bandgap energy and the refractive index, showed a significant variable variation with the metal salt concentration. The maximum dc conductivity was found to be ～5.15?×?10^?4 S cm^?1 at room temperature for the sample with 20?wt% of NaBr content in the CMC matrix. The ionic conductivity and dielectric constant in general, increased with increase in metal salt content, affirming the increase in ion concentration. The calculated transference number showed that the conductivity was mainly due to ions. The increase in conductivity was due to an increase in degree of amorphousness of the polymer upon doping, as analyzed by their XRD spectra.     

Investigation of the Chemical Differences between Native and Bypass Coronary Artery Plaques from the Same Heart Using Cross Polarization Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (CP/MAS-NMR)

The plaque deposits in bypass arteries and native arteries from the same heart have been studied using solid state cross polarization nuclear magnetic resonance (CP/MAS NMR). Both ¹³C and ³¹P signals were observed. The samples are of interest because plaque in native arteries may have deposited during the lifetime of the patient. However, plaque in the bypass occurred since bypass surgery. It has been observed that the mature plaque in native arteries was more calcified than that in bypass arteries, especially if the latter had not matured to become significant in size. Results showed that the concentrations of carboxylate carbons present in cholesterol esters were similar in native and bypass arteries. However, the areas of the ¹³C peaks of the carboxylate compared to the sum of areas of all other ¹³C arteries indicated that the carboxylate was attached to five or six other carbons. From this we can calculate that the carboxylate to other carbon ratio in the remainder must be 1:4 or 1:3. This indicates large quantities of other organic compounds in the deposits. Studies of ³¹P showed that phosphorus existed primarily as hydroxyapatite in the crystalline native plaque. However, a large proportion existed as organic phosphorus in the bypass plaque. In addition, we studied the interactions of calcium with homocysteine and cholesterol. Calcium-homocysteine and cholesterol-homocysteine precipitates were characterized using ¹³C solid state NMR. Results showed that calcium appeared to interact with sulphur in the homocysteine which seemed to form dimers and polymers.     

光谱预处理对近红外光谱预测木材纤维素结晶度的影响

木材纤维素结晶度是木质材料的一个重要性质,它与树木的生长特性、结构与化学组成均有密切关系,并对木材的杨氏模量、尺寸稳定性、密度和硬度等具有重要的影响,文章研究了利用近红外光谱结合多变量数据分析技术对人工林木材纤维素的结晶度进行预测的能力。本研究从人工林湿地松木粉试样的表面采集近红外漫反射光谱,并利用X射线衍射法测定了木材纤维素的结晶度。研究表明,采用一阶导数和二阶导数光谱预处理没有提高近红外模型的预测效果,而采用原始光谱的预测效果最好,预测值与X射线衍射测定值的相关系数r可以达到0.950,各项预测误差值较低, 说明采用近红外光谱结合多变量数据分析方法建立的结晶度预测模型具有理想的预测能力。     

Synthesis,Spectroscopic and Antimicrobial Studies of Lead (II) Complexes of Schiff Bases Derived From Amino Acids and Isatins

A new series of lead (II) complexes have been synthesized with Schiff bases derived from isatins and amino acids. These ligands act as bidentate species and coordinate to the metal atom through the azomethine nitrogen and carboxylate oxygen atom via deprotonation. The synthesized complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, conductance measurements, and molecular weight determinations. The mode of bonding of the complexes has been suggested on the basis of infrared, UV-visible, and ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy, and probable structures have been assigned to these complexes. Few representative ligands and metal complexes have also been screened for their antifungal and antibacterial activities. Molecular modeling and analysis for bond lengths and bond angles have also been carried out for one of the representative compound, [Pb(L³)₂], to substantiate the proposed structures.     

Kohlenstoffisotopendaten von tertiären Hölzern der Niederrheinischen Bucht (Carbon Isotope Data of Tertiary Wood Samples from the Lower Rhine Valley)

Abstract

Eight fossil tree trunks taken from various levels in the Tertiary deposits (Middle Miocene to Late Pliocene) of the Lower Rhine Valley were determined taxonomically and their annual rings measured. In addition, the carbon content of annual ring samples was examined by titration, cellulose was extracted and the carbon isotope ratio (¹³C/¹²C) was identified. Coalification experiments carried out in the laboratory showed that with degradation of the cellulose no notable differences could be observed in the δ¹³C values of wood or cellulose. Thus, the isotopic data from fossil wood in refer to those of recent ones are similar as long as the same taxa are considered. Within the strata, the δ¹³C values of the fossil tree trunks decreased considerably. This corresponds to the general course of temperature and eventual changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide content during the Neogene.     

Investigation on Changes in the Miscibility,Morphology, Rheology and Mechanical Behavior of Melt Processed Cellulose Acetate through Adding Polyethylene Glycol as a Plasticizer

Polyethylene glycol (PEG 200) was used as an eco-friendly plasticizer for preparing thermoplastic cellulose acetate (CA) by a twin-screw extruder. The plasticization efficiency of PEG 200 was compared with that of triethyl citrate (TEC). The interaction between polyethylene glycol and CA was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Both FT-IR and DSC proved that PEG 200 could form stable and strong hydrogen bonds with CA molecules. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the CA granules were completely disrupted during the extrusion and a continuous and homogeneous phase was observed. The PEG 200-plasticized cellulose acetate (PCA) showed greater viscosity reduction than TEC-plasticized cellulose acetate (TCA) at the same additive levels. Furthermore, the Izod-notched impact strength and elongation at break of PCA were higher than those of TCA. The tensile strength, Izod-notched impact strength and elongation at break of PCA containing 25 wt% PEG 200 reached 31.6 MPa, 20.9 KJ/m² and 80.5%, respectively, as compared to 39.2 MPa, 10.9 KJ/m² and 32.3% for 25 wt% TEC plasticized CA.     

Cavitation milling of natural cellulose to nanofibrils

Cavitation holds the promise of a new and exciting approach to fabricate both top down and bottom up nanostructures. Cavitation bubbles are created when a liquid boils under less than atmospheric pressure. The collapse process occurs supersonically and generates a host of physical and chemical effects. We have made an attempt to fabricate natural cellulose material using hydrodynamic as well as acoustic cavitation. The cellulose material having initial size of 63 micron was used for the experiments. 1% (w/v) slurry of cellulose sample was circulated through the hydrodynamic cavitation device or devices (orifice) for 6 h. The average velocity of the fluid through the device was 10.81 m/s while average pressure applied was 7.8 kg/cm². Cavitation number was found to be 2.61. The average particle size obtained after treatment was 1.36 micron. This hydrodynamically processed sample was sonicated for 1 h 50 min. The average size of ultrasonically processed particles was found to be 301 nm. Further, the cellulose particles were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to see the effect of cavitation on crystallinity (X_c) as well as on melting temperature (T_m). Cellulose structures consist of amorphous as well as crystalline regions. The initial raw sample was 86.56% crystalline but due to the effect of cavitation, the crystallinity reduced to 37.76%. Also the melting temperature (T_m) was found to be reduced from 101.78 °C of the original to 60.13 °C of the processed sample. SEM images for the cellulose (processed and unprocessed) shows the status and fiber–fiber alignment and its orientation with each other. Finally cavitation has proved to be very efficient tool for reduction in size from millimeter to nano scale for highly crystalline materials.     

制备生物炭的结构特征及炭化机理的XRD光谱分析

XRD光谱分析是研究物质内部结晶结构物质的重要手段。利用X射线技术分析了不同物料来源和制备方式对生物炭结晶结构特征及其炭化机理。结果表明：生物炭均含有d₁₀₁和d₀₀₂晶面衍射峰类石墨微晶纤维素炭,但炭化后析出的盐分随不同物料,差异较大,如牛粪、蓖麻粕以及糠醛渣的CaCO₃含量要高于其他生物炭,而仅牛粪与蓖麻粕含有CaMg(CO₃)₂。随温度升高,玉米秸秆炭中半纤维素优先分解,然后为纤维素石墨微晶化,结晶度提高,向更稳定的碳化合物转化。其中的矿物盐分随着炭化裂解温度升高,由稀土类氧化物→醋酸盐类物质→碳酸盐类物质逐步析出,CaCO₃的含量也随之增多。不同炭化方法的炭化机理不同,先干燥后炭化可促进半纤维素的分解,高温微波处理则是强烈震荡,主要促进物质多键断裂分解,碳酸盐类物质析出相对较少。通过X射线衍射分析可以很好研究生物炭内部结构结晶特征,可有效反映其炭化过程裂解机理。     

Raman spectroscopy study of damage induced in fluorapatite by swift heavy ion irradiations

Raman spectroscopy was used to study the radiation damage of fluorapatite single crystals and sinters. Krypton and iodine ion irradiations were performed at high energies (∼1 MeV amu⁻¹) for fluences ranging between 1 × 10¹¹ and 5 × 10¹³ cm⁻². Evolution of the symmetric stretching mode of the PO₄³⁻ tetrahedral building blocks (strongest Raman mode observed at 965 cm⁻¹) versus ion fluence was investigated. After irradiation, this peak decreases in intensity and a second broader peak appears at lower wavenumber. The well‐resolved peak has been assigned to the crystalline phase, and the broader one to the amorphous phase. The integrated intensity ratios of these two peaks versus fluence are in good agreement with the damage fractions determined by X‐ray diffraction (XRD). Fits of the amorphous fraction versus fluence show that the amorphization mechanisms is dominated by a single‐impact process for iodine ions and by a double‐impact process for krypton ions in the case of single crystals and sinters. For both irradiations, complete amorphization could not be obtained. The amorphous fraction saturates at a maximum value of 88% for sinters and 72% for single crystals. This is attributed to a recrystallization effect which is more important in single crystals than in sinters. For both types of samples, the crystalline peak shifts slightly to a lower wavenumber with fluence, and then shifts back to its initial value for an amorphous fraction larger than 60%. This feature is attributed to a stress relaxation, as shown in the XRD data, which is accompanied by a decrease of the crystalline peak full‐width at half‐maximum. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A novel application for oil palm empty fruit bunch: extraction and modification of cellulose for solid polymer electrolyte

Biopolymer-based materials from renewable sources are the core target of the researchers in modern time. Following this motivation, we have developed solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) from empty fruit branch (EFB) of oil palm. The cellulose was extracted from EFB and modified to carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) by its reaction with monochloroacetic acid in a strongly alkaline medium. The samples were characterized by FTIR, ¹³C NMR, and XRD to confirm the presence of different functional groups, new connectivity, and crystalline/amorphous nature of the materials, respectively. The CMC-based SPEs were fabricated by blending it with different quantities of lithium iodide (LiI) as dopant. The existence of polymer-salt interactions was revealed by FTIR analysis. The maximum ionic conductivity of 5.58?×?10^?3 S cm^?1 was observed on sample containing 65 wt% LiI with the lowest activation energy of 0.249 eV.     

Calculation of conformations and vibrational spectra of a fragment of the 2,6-hydroxyethyl cellulose molecule

We have used the molecular mechanics method for conformational analysis of a fragment of the molecule of a water-soluble cellulose ether: 2,6-hydroxyethyl cellulose (2,6-HEC). As a result of rotation about the C-C and C-O bonds within the bulky side substituents on the C5 and C2 backbone atoms in the fragment of the 2,6-HEC molecule, we have obtained 12 of the most stable conformers for this fragment with strain energies differing within the range 0–2.3 kcal/mol. We have shown that the most stable conformers have the following conformations for the groups of atoms on the bonds C5-C6, C6-O6, C13-O6, C10-C13: gt, g⁻, g⁺, g⁺ and gg, t, g⁺, g⁺ respectively; and on the bonds C2-O2, C11-O2, C7-C11: g⁺g⁻, g⁻, g⁺ respectively. For the conformers obtained, using the same method we calculated the frequencies and the potential energy distribution (PED) for their normal vibrations (NV). Comparative analysis showed high sensitivity of both the frequency and the PED of the normal vibrations to conformational changes within the indicated bulky substituents over the entire analyzed spectral region (800–1500 cm⁻¹ for the methylene groups). We introduce the concept of “conformational characteristicity” of both the frequency and the mode of vibration. We show that it is possible to analyze the conformations of the bulky substituents of the fragment of the 2,6-HEC molecule using its vibrational spectrum. __________ Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 73, No. 1, pp. 42–53, January–February, 2006.     

Microstructure and Thermal and Tensile Properties of Poly(vinyl alcohol) Nanocomposite Films Reinforced by Polyacrylamide Grafted Cellulose Nanocrystals

Abstract

Polyacrylamide grafted cellulose nanocrystals (CNC-g-PAM) were incorporated into poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) by a solution casting method to fabricate nanocomposite films with enhanced thermal and tensile properties. The microstructure and the thermal and tensile properties of the PVA/CNC-g-PAM nanocomposite films were investigated as a function of CNC-g-PAM content. Infrared spectroscopy corroborated the presence of hydrogen bonds between PVA and the PAM on the surface of the CNC. Polarized optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy revealed good dispersion of the CNC-g-PAM in the PVA matrix and good interfacial compatibility. Accordingly, the initial degradation temperature of the nanocomposite films was elevated slightly compared to pristine PVA film. The glass transition temperature, melting temperature, and crystallinity of the PVA also varied slightly after the incorporation of the CNC-g-PAM. At both 0% and 50% RH, the nanocomposite films showed an obvious increase of elastic modulus, no apparent change of breaking strength and a drastic reduction of elongation at break with increasing CNC-g-PAM content.     

Photocatalytic reduction of chromium(VI) in aqueous solution using dye-sensitized nanoscale ZnO under visible light irradiation

Photocatalytic removal of Cr⁶⁺ from aqueous solution using dye-sensitized nanoscale ZnO under visible light irradiation was studied in this work. First, nanoscale ZnO was prepared by the co-precipitation method. Then, sensitization of nanoscale ZnO by Alizarin Red S dye followed. Further, nanoscale ZnO and dye-sensitized nanoscale ZnO (designated nanoZnO and nanoZnO*, respectively) were both characterized by various photospectrometry methods, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDS), EDS-mapping, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). It was found that both types of prepared particles are spherical in shape with a size range of 20 to 50 nm. XRD patterns showed that both nanoZnO and nanoZnO* had the same crystalline structure of zincite. In the photocatalytic reduction aspect, effects of different light sources and dosage of nanoZnO* on Cr⁶⁺ reduction ([Cr⁶⁺]_initial = 20 mg/L) were evaluated in this work. Treatment of chromium(VI)-bearing wastewater under the conditions of using 1.0 g/L of nanoZnO*, neutral pH, irradiation of household fluorescence lamps for 6 h and 17 h would yield Cr⁶⁺ removal efficiencies of about 68% and 90%, respectively. When the household fluorescence lamps were replaced by visible-light lamps of 400–500 nm in wavelength, the corresponding removal efficiencies dropped to about 50% and 75%, respectively. When nanoZnO* was irradiated by sunlight under almost the same experimental conditions, the Cr⁶⁺ reduction efficiency increased up to 90%. In summary, sensitizing nanoscale ZnO with Alizarin Red S dye for photocatalytic applications using visible light is feasible. The relevant reaction mechanism and pathways were also proposed in this work.     

Effect of swift heavy ion irradiation on thermal,optical and structural properties of poly vinylidene chloride

Poly vinylidene chloride (PVDC) irradiated with lithium (50 MeV), carbon (85 MeV), nickel (120 MeV) and silver ions (120 MeV) having fluence range of 1 × 10¹¹ ions/cm² to 3 × 10¹² ions/cm² have been studied using different techniques i.e. XRD (X-ray diffraction), FTIR (Fourier transform infrared), UV–Visible and TGA (thermo-gravimetric analysis). In XRD analysis, the intensity of diffraction peaks of PVDC irradiated with lithium ions was enhanced at lower fluence as compared to pristine. The shift in optical absorption edge in irradiated PVDC was correlated with the decrease in optical band gap energy. The distinguishable characteristic peaks were observed due to UV–Vis analysis, in lithium irradiated samples of PVDC at higher fluences. The % age decrease in optical band gap energy for the respective ions were 30.9%, 34.16%, 81.1%, 87.02% respectively. Formation of double carbon bonds and breaking of C–O and C–Cl bonds with the release of Cl in irradiated PVDC was observed in FTIR spectra. In Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), the % age weight loss observed for irradiated samples with increase in ion fluence was lesser than the % age weight loss observed in pristine sample.