Promotion of oxidative desulfurization performance of model fuel by 3DOM Ce-doped HPW/TiO2 material

Phosphotungstic acid (HPW) supported on Ce-doped three-dimensional ordered macroporous (3DOM) TiO₂ catalysts are studied in catalytic oxidation desulfurization (ODS) of model oil. The structural and textural of as-synthesized catalysts are characterized by N₂ adsorption, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, SEM-EDS, TEM, FT-IR, XPS, UV–Vis and ICP. These results upheld the existence of periodically arranged macroporous structure of catalyst, with Keggin-type of HPW dispersed homogeneously on TiO₂ matrix. Among these 3DOM Ce-doped HPW/TiO₂ materials, catalyst with 15 wt.% cerium dosage exhibits best ODS performance, which oxidized 99.8% of dibenzothiophene (DBT) into corresponding sulfone within 40 min. The excellent ODS performance of 3DOM Ce-doped HPW/TiO₂ catalyst is related to the common influence of more oxygen vacancies produced by electron transformation between Ce³⁺ and Ce⁴⁺. The chemisorbed oxygen on the surface catalyst will facilitate the selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfones. Moreover, the 3DOM structure of catalyst will further promote the mass transfer of reactants and products on the pore channel. The as-prepared catalyst shows excellent reusability in the ODS system, no obviously decrease in catalytic activity even after 6 runs.     

Artificial Water Channels: Towards Biomimetic Membranes for Desalination

Natural Aquaporin (AQP) channels are efficient water translocating proteins, rejecting ions. Inspired by this masterpiece of nature, Artificial Water Channels (AWCs) with controlled functional structures, can be potentially used to mimic the AQPs to a certain extent, offering flexible avenues toward biomimetic membranes for water purification. The objective of this paper is to trace the historical development and significant advancements of current reported AWCs. Meanwhile, we attempt to reveal important structural insights and supramolecular self-assembly principles governing the selective water transport mechanisms, toward innovative AWC-based biomimetic membranes for desalination.     

Controlling supramolecular polymerization through multicomponent self‐assembly

The self‐assembly into supramolecular polymers is a process driven by reversible non‐covalent interactions between monomers, and gives access to materials applications incorporating mechanical, biological, optical or electronic functionalities. Compared to the achievements in precision polymer synthesis via living and controlled covalent polymerization processes, supramolecular chemists have only just learned how to developed strategies that allow similar control over polymer length, (co)monomer sequence and morphology (random, alternating or blocked ordering). This highlight article discusses the unique opportunities that arise when coassembling multicomponent supramolecular polymers, and focusses on four strategies in order to control the polymer architecture, size, stability and its stimuli‐responsive properties: (1) end‐capping of supramolecular polymers, (2) biomimetic templated polymerization, (3) controlled selectivity and reactivity in supramolecular copolymerization, and (4) living supramolecular polymerization. In contrast to the traditional focus on equilibrium systems, our emphasis is also on the manipulation of self‐assembly kinetics of synthetic supramolecular systems. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 34–78     

Kinematic Analysis of Robotic Bevel-Gear Trains: An Application of Network Model Approach

The network model approach for rigid and multi-rigid body systems developed recently [1,2] can also be used conveniently in formulating system equations or equations of motion of three-dimensional mechanical systems of interconnected rigid bodies. In this article, this method is further elaborated for establishing only the kinematics of spatial robotic bevel-gear trains. However the dynamic analysis of such systems using the same method is also possible and will be taken up in a future publication.     

Remarks on the star-triangle relation in the Baxter-Bazhanov model

We show that the restricted star-triangle relation introduced by Bazhanov and Baxter can be obtained either from the star-triangle relation of the chiral Potts model or from the star-square relation proposed by Kashaev, Mangazeev, and Stroganov, and give a response to a guess of Bazhanov and Baxter.     

Fluorimetric Determination of Histamine in Fish Using Micellar Media and Fluorescamine as Labelling Reagent

An analytical method based on the use of fluorescamine to produce a fluorescent derivative with histamine and combined with micellar-enhanced fluorescence detection of the formed complex is developed for the sensitive and rapid determination of histamine in fishes. The fluorescence properties of the obtained complex in water and micellar solutions of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) and brij-700 are reported. Physicochemical variables influencing the sensitivity of the method (pH, micellar, fluorescamine and NaCl relative concentrations) have been optimized. The stability of the formed complex, as shown by kinetic study, depends on the pH of the solution. Linear calibration curves allowing an effective histamine determination were established with large linear dynamic range (LDR), and low limits of detection (LOD) between 0.5 and 33 ng mL⁻¹, according to the solvent. Application to the analysis of fish samples (sardines) yielded satisfactory results. The method seems to be suitable for environmental fish quality control. Presented in part, at the 39th IUPAC Congress and the 86th Conference of the Canadian Society for Chemistry, August, 10–15, 2003, Ottawa (Canada).