Comparison of rhodamine B degradation under UV irradiation by two phases of titania nano-photocatalyst

Titania (TiO₂) nano-photocatalysts, with different phases, prepared using a modified sol?Cgel process were employed in the degradation of rhodamine at 10?mg?L^?1 concentration. The degradation efficiency of these nano-photocatalysts was compared to that of commercial Degussa P25 titania. It was found that the nanocatalysts calcined at 450?°C and the Degussa P25 titania had similar photoreactivity profiles. The commercial Degussa P25 nanocatalysts had an overall high apparent rate constant of (K _app) of 0.023?min^?1. The other nanocatalyst had the following rate constants: 0.017, 0.0089, 0.003 and 0.0024?min^?1 for 450, 500, 550 and 600?°C calcined catalysts, respectively. This could be attributed to the phase of the titania as the anatase phase is highly photoactive than the other phases. Furthermore, characterisation by differential scanning calorimetry showed the transformation of titania from amorphous to anatase and finally to rutile phase. SEM and TEM characterisations were used to study the surface morphology and internal structure of the nanoparticles. BET results show that as the temperature of calcinations was raised, the surface area reduced marginally. X-ray diffraction was used to confirm the different phases of titania. This study has led to a conclusion that the anatase phase of the titania is the most photoactive nanocatalyst. It also had the highest apparent rate constant of 0.017?min^?1, which is similar to that of the commercial titania.     

Synthesis, characterization and photoluminescence properties of Ce3+-doped ZnO-nanophosphors

The present study involves the synthesis of Ce³⁺ doped ZnO nanophosphors by the zinc nitrate and cerium nitrate co-precipitation method. The synthesized nanophosphors were characterized with respect to their crystal structure, crystal morphology, particle size and photoluminescence (PL) properties using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM)/Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and PL-spectroscopy respectively. XRD results revealed that ZnO nanophosphors are single phase and cubic type structures. Further, PL spectra of ZnO:Ce³⁺ nanophosphors showed green emission because of the charge transfer at single occupied oxygen vacancies with ZnO holes and red emission due to the cerium ion transitions. Intensity and fine structure of the Ce³⁺ luminescence and its temperature dependence are strongly influenced by the doping conditions. The formation of ZnO:Ce³⁺ nanophosphors was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and XRD spectra.     

Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA)/polycaprolactone (PCL)–Fe3O4 composites

In this study, we investigate the effect of nano sized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles on the mechanical and thermal properties of EVA/PCL–Fe₃O₄ composites. Composites were prepared using the melt mixing technique on a Rheomex mixer coupled to a single screw extruder. The fine dispersion of nano-Fe₃O₄ aggregates in the polymer matrices led to a significant improvement in the crystallinity, thermal and mechanical properties of EVA/PCL–Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites compared to that of native polymers due to improved interface bonding between the filler and the polymer matrix. Techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Instron for mechanical properties were used to characterize nanocomposites samples. The results obtained from this investigation demonstrated that composite materials could be promising raw materials in industry.     

Role of Bcl-2 Family Proteins in Photodynamic Therapy Mediated Cell Survival and Regulation

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment modality that involves three components: combination of a photosensitizer, light and molecular oxygen that leads to localized formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The ROS generated from this promising therapeutic modality can be lethal to the cell and leads to consequential destruction of tumor cells. However, sometimes the ROS trigger a stress response survival mechanism that helps the cells to cope with PDT-induced damage, resulting in resistance to the treatment. One preferred mechanism of cell death induced by PDT is apoptosis, and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family proteins have been described as a major determinant of life or death decision of the death pathways. Apoptosis is a cellular self-destruction mechanism to remove old cells through the biological event of tissue homeostasis. The Bcl-2 family proteins act as a critical mediator of a life–death decision of cells in maintaining tissue homeostasis. There are several reports that show cancer cells developing resistance due to the increased interaction of the pro-survival Bcl-2 family proteins. However, the key mechanisms leading to apoptosis evasion and drug resistance have not been adequately understood. Therefore, it is critical to understand the mechanisms of PDT resistance, as well as the Bcl-2 family proteins, to give more insight into the treatment outcomes. In this review, we describe the role of Bcl-2 gene family proteins’ interaction in response to disease progression and PDT-induced resistance mechanisms.     

The effect of recrystallization time on pore size and surface area of mesoporous SBA-15

Triblock copolymer, pluronic P123 (EO₂₀PO₇₀EO₂₀) was used as the structure directing agent for the simple synthesis and characterization of mesoporous SBA-15 with various porosities. Extending the sample recrystallization time, after the initial synthesis and ageing, seems to have a significant effect on the pore size. It also leads to an increase in the surface area and a narrow pore size distribution. The prepared materials could find applications in areas where the diffusion of large molecules is important, and in catalysis, where greater pore accessibility would enhance the activity and selectivity of the catalyst. A possible mechanism has been proposed to describe the effect of extended recrystallization on pore sizes.     

Synthesis and characterisation of neodymium doped-zinc oxide–graphene oxide nanocomposite as a highly efficient photocatalyst for enhanced degradation of indigo carmine in water under simulated solar light

Research on Chemical Intermediates - A nanocomposite (Nd–ZnO–GO) with enhanced photocatalytic properties was synthesized by co-precipitation method. The structures, morphologies and...     

A new multistage spectral relaxation method for solving chaotic initial value systems

In this paper, we present a new pseudospectral method application for solving nonlinear initial value problems (IVPs) with chaotic properties. The proposed method, called the multistage spectral relaxation method (MSRM) is based on a novel technique of extending Gauss–Siedel type relaxation ideas to systems of nonlinear differential equations and using the Chebyshev pseudo-spectral methods to solve the resulting system on a sequence of multiple intervals. In this new application, the MSRM is used to solve famous chaotic systems such as the such as Lorenz, Chen, Liu, Rikitake, Rössler, Genesio–Tesi, and Arneodo–Coullet chaotic systems. The accuracy and validity of the proposed method is tested against Runge–Kutta and Adams–Bashforth–Moulton based methods. The numerical results indicate that the MSRM is an accurate, efficient, and reliable method for solving very complex IVPs with chaotic behavior.     

NMR investigation of gaseous SF6 confinement into EPDM rubber

The confinement process of gaseous sulphurhexafluoride (SF6) in ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) rubber was investigated by spectroscopic and spatially resolved NMR techniques. A strong elongation of T1 relaxation time of SF6 and a decrease of the diffusion coefficient were found. A possible explanation may be the strong restriction of molecular mobility due to interactions between SF6 and active centers of the EPDM.     

Criteria for integration of combined cycle cogeneration systems in the process industries

Cogeneration systems often provide a very effective means of integrating power generation with the provision of thermal energy to an industrial process. Various types of power generating machines can be used, but combined cycle cogeneration systems can offer significant advantages over other technologies in many medium and large scale applications. The systems that are used consist of fired prime movers (usually gas turbines), discharging their exhaust heat into heat recovery steam generators. The steam raised in this way is passed through back-pressure steam turbines to extract additional power before finally delivering its residual heat content to process heating duties.This paper presents an overview of the economic trade-offs in the design of single cycle and combined cycle systems. Generalizations are derived from this investigation, leading to the identification of three distinct classes of problem for which different types of cogeneration systems (combined cycle or single cycle) are appropriate. Case study results are presented to illustrate the principles employed.     

The transformation of 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene A probe reaction to monitor external surface modifications of HZSM-5?

The transformation of 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene is proposed as a new probe reaction to monitor the catalytic effects of inertisation of the external surface of HZSM-5. The external surface has been modified by coating ZSM-5 crystallites with an inert silicalite shell. At 723 K and a WHSV of 0.6 h⁻¹ it has been shown that the isomerisation products 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene reflect changes in external activity. The disproportionation products, 1,2,4,5-tetramethylbenzene and 1,2,3,5-tetramethylbenzene together are shown to indicate changes in overall activity and shape selective properties of the catalyst sample. The results correlate with those observed for the reaction of 1,3,5-triisopropylbenzene and n-hexane cracking.