Binary α-Fe2O3–Co3O4 nanostructures for advanced oxidation process: Role of synergy for enhanced catalysis

Iron and its binary oxides are meticulously exploited for environmental remediations. However, only limited studies have been carried out on the degradation of industrial organics by advanced oxidation process. In this study, iron oxide, cobalt oxide, and iron–cobalt binary oxides were synthesized by a modified hydrothermal method as heterogeneous Fenton-like catalysts for the removal of methylene blue (MB) from wastewaters. The oxide nanostructures were characterized by different analytical techniques. Studying the effects of various parameters such as catalyst dose, MB concentration, and H₂O₂ concentration, the reaction conditions were optimized to enhance the removal of MB dye. The results revealed that α-Fe₂O₃–Co₃O₄ shows much higher activity than both Co₃O₄ and α-Fe₂O₃ for the degradation of MB at room temperature and beyond. The binary α-Fe₂O₃–Co₃O₄ shows degradation efficiency of 96.4% at 65 °C within 60 min. Furthermore, the binary α-Fe₂O₃–Co₃O₄ catalyst retains its activity for up to four successive cycles. A probable mechanism is also proposed, involving the generation of ‧OH radical as well as Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ or Co²⁺/Co³⁺ redox couple of the binary α-Fe₂O₃–Co₃O₄ catalyst.     

Dielectric properties of a strongly polar nematic liquid crystal compound doped with gold nanoparticles

This study focuses on the electrical characteristics of a strongly polar nematic liquid crystal, Hexyloxy-cyanobiphenyl (6OCB), doped with a low concentration (2% by weight) of citrate buffer stabilised gold nanoparticles (GNPs) at low frequencies between 20 Hz and 35 MHz. The doped samples have lower values of nematic–isotropic transition temperature, permittivity (both parallel and perpendicular to the field direction) and dielectric anisotropy; however, relaxation time and activation energy were increased. The observed results could be explained on the basis of weakly anisotropic nature of GNPs and a local rearrangement of liquid crystal molecules surrounding the nanoparticles. Moreover, a complimentary suggestion on a possible change in the dipole–dipole correlation is made to explain the difference in changes (qualitative and quantitative) observed for permittivity of the host nematic liquid crystal doped with GNP. Temperature dependent dielectric relaxation studies indicate an increase in viscosity and potential barrier; and hence a change in strength of inter-molecular and intra-molecular interactions is suggested.     

Mining maximal frequent rectangles

Advances in Data Analysis and Classification - Interval data, a special case of symbolic data, are becoming more frequent in different fields of applications due to the uncertainty in the...     

A novel dual-nano assisted synthesis of symmetrical disulfides from aryl/alkyl halides

Here, we have reported a novel approach towards dual-nano assisted synthesis of disulfides from coupling of alkyl/aryl halides and sulfur nanoparticles. The indium oxide nanoparticles as catalyst expedite the conversion and sulfur nanoparticle notably enhances the miscibility, providing a faster, high yielding and cost-effective process in ethanol-water system. The method has synthetic advantages in terms of mild reaction framework, catalyst regeneration, and absence of any sulfide or polysulfide linkage as by-product leading to a column free synthesis. A variety of alkyl, aryl and heteroaryl symmetrical disulfides are obtained in good to excellent yields up to exceeding 98%.     

Fabrication of submicron scale patterned plastic thin film fluidic devices with controllable thickness

We present a soft-lithography based method to fabricate plastic thin film fluidic devices on glass and plastic substrates. Principles of soft-lithography and spin casting were used to generate the films. The thickness of these films is controllable and the patterns we have generated have submicron scale dimensions. By using commercially available compact disc (CD) components as molds, we have been able to generate parallel line and cross patterns on these thin films. These patterned films could be lifted from the substrates and further folded into rolls.     

Arrays of horizontally-oriented mini-reservoirs generate steady microfluidic flows for continuous perfusion cell culture and gradient generation

This paper describes the use of arrays of horizontally-oriented reservoirs to deliver liquids through microchannels at a constant flow rate over extended periods of time (hours to days). The horizontal orientation maintains a constant hydraulic pressure drop across microfluidic channels even as the volumes of liquids within the reservoirs change over time. For a given channel-reservoir system, the magnitude of the flow velocity depends linearly on the height difference between reservoirs. The simple structure and operation mechanism make this pumping system versatile. A one-inlet-one-outlet system was used to continuously deliver media for perfusion cell culture, and an array of inlet reservoirs coupled to an outlet reservoir via microchannels was used to drive flows of multiple laminar streams. The parallel pumping scheme conveniently generated various smooth and step concentration gradients, and allowed evaluation of the effect of colchicine on myoblasts. Since the reservoir arrays are configured to be compatible with commercialized multichannel pipettors designed for 96 well plate handling, this simple pumping scheme is envisioned to be broadly useful for medium to high throughput microfluidic perfusion cell culture assays, cell migration assays, multiple laminar flow drug tests, and any other applications needing multiple microfluidic streams.     

Biogenic synthesis of Fe2O3@SiO2 nanoparticles for ipso-hydroxylation of boronic acid in water

Here, biogenic synthesis of Fe₂O₃@SiO₂ nanoparticles using fruit extract of Zanthoxylum rhetsa is reported. The SiO₂ nanoparticles was synthesized using paddy straw which is a byproduct obtained in cultivation of rice. The composite was characterised by spectroscopic method like XRD, SEM, TEM and EDX analysis. The ipso-hydroxylation reactions were carried out with excellent yield within a moderate time period with mild reaction condition in all cases. Therefore, this approach may be considered as simple, easy, cheap and greener, environment friendly protocol for ipso-hydroxylation of arylboronic acids at 50 °C temperature.     

Highly dispersed Mn2O3−Co3O4 nanostructures on carbon matrix as heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst

This work reports the synthesis of various carbon (Vulcan XC-72 R) supported metal oxide nanostructures, such as Mn₂O₃, Co₃O₄ and Mn₂O₃−Co₃O₄ as heterogeneous Fenton-like catalysts for the degradation of organic dye pollutants, namely Rhodamine B (RB) and Congo Red (CR) in wastewater. The activity results showed that the bimetallic Mn₂O₃−Co₃O₄/C catalyst exhibits much higher activity than the monometallic Mn₂O₃/C and Co₃O₄/C catalysts for the degradation of both RB and CR pollutants, due to the synergistic properties induced by the Mn−Co and/or Mn (Co)−support interactions. The degradation efficiency of RB and CR was considerably increased with an increase of reaction temperature from 25 to 45°C. Importantly, the bimetallic Mn₂O₃−Co₃O₄/C catalyst could maintain its catalytic activity up to five successive cycles, revealing its catalytic durability for wastewater purification. The structure–activity correlations demonstrated a probable mechanism for the degradation of organic dye pollutants in wastewater, involving •OH radical as well as Mn²⁺/Mn³⁺ or Co²⁺/Co³⁺ redox couple of the Mn₂O₃−Co₃O₄/C catalyst.     

Efficient Synthesis of bis- and tris-Indolylalkanes Catalyzed by a Brønsted Acid–Surfactant Catalyst in Water

A simple and efficient synthesis of bis- and tris-indolylalkanes from carbonyls (aldehydes/ketones) and indoles with excellent yields in the presence of dodecylsulphonic acid (DSA) in water at room temperature is described. The catalyst is also applicable for the synthesis of 3,3-di(3-indolyl)oxindoles. The dodecylsulphonic acid acts as both Brønsted acid and surface-active agent in the reaction mixture.