Amperometric Folic Acid Quantification Using a Supramolecular Tetraruthenated Nickel Porphyrin µ‐Peroxo‐Bridged Matrix Modified Electrode Associated to Batch Injection Analysis

A supramolecular Nickel (II) porphyrin complex containing four pyridyl‐bis(2,2′‐bipyridyl)chloro ruthenium meso substituents was submitted to successive voltammetric cycles in high alkaline media to produce a supramolecular matrix with Nickel centers linked by µ‐peroxo bridges, producing a highly stable thin film able to act as redox mediator for electrocatalytic oxidation of folic acid. The characterization of electrode surface material was performed by Scanning Electron Microscopy and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy. The modified electrode was inserted into a batch injection electrochemical cell used for the rapid and precise quantification of folic acid in pharmaceutical products. The favorable hydrodynamic conditions provided by amperometry‐BIA association allowed a very high throughput with good linear range (1 to 200 µmol L^?1) and low detection limit (7.37×10^?7 mol L^?1). The electrochemical method was applied to the quantification of folic acid in different tablet samples. The results were comparable with values indicated by the manufacturer and those found using high HPLC according to the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia; commercial samples were submitted to a procedure in order to remove lactose of tablets, since carbohydrates act as interfering species. This procedure together with the electrochemical method showed to be simple, rapid, efficient and an appropriate alternative for quantifying this compound in real samples.     

Selective oxidation of alcohols over nickel zirconium phosphate

Nickel zirconium phosphate nanoparticles were found to function as efficient catalysts for the selec-tive oxidation of a wide range of alcohols to their corresponding ketones and aldehydes using H2O2 as an oxidizing agent and without any organic solvents, phase transfer catalysts, or additives. The steric and electronic properties of various substrates had significant influence on the reaction con-ditions required to achieve acetylation. The results showed that this method can be applied for the chemoselective oxidation of benzyl alcohols in the presence of aliphatic alcohols. The catalyst used in the current study was characterized by ICP-OES, XRD, NH3-TPD, Py-FTIR, N2 adsorp-tion-desorption, SEM and TEM. These analyses revealed that the interlayer distance in the catalyst increased from 0.75 to 0.98 nm when Ni2+ was intercalated between the layers, whereas the crystal-linity of the material was reduced. The nanocatalyst could also be recovered and reused at least seven times without any discernible decrease in its catalytic activity. This new method for the oxi-dation of alcohols has several key advantages, including mild and environmentally friendly reaction conditions, short reaction time, excellent yields and a facile work-up.     

Preyssler heteropolyacid supported on silica coated NiFe2O4 nanoparticles for the catalytic synthesis of bis(dihydropyrimidinone)benzene and 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones

A novel magnetic acidic catalyst comprising Preyssler (H14[NaP5W30O110]) heteropoly acid support‐ed on silica coated nickel ferrite nanoparticles (NiFe2O4@SiO2) was prepared. The catalyst was character...     

水对Ni/MgAlO催化丙酮加氢的影响

研究了H2O对Ni/MgAlO催化剂上丙酮加氢为异丙醇的催化反应的影响。结果发现,在丙酮中添加少量H2O可提高丙酮转化率,但超过5%的H2O量则会显著降低催化剂活性。吸附量热结果表明,催化剂表面吸附少量H2O会明显降低异丙醇的吸附热,但对丙酮吸附热的影响较小,这也许是反应体系中少量的H2O能促进丙酮加氢活性的原因之一。当催化剂表面吸附较多H2O后,丙酮、异丙醇和H2的吸附热都降低了,因此反而抑制了丙酮的加氢反应。此外,红外光谱结果表明,预吸附水抑制了催化剂表面异丙醇脱氢生成丙酮,并抑制吸附的丙酮在表面生成烯醇盐或异丙叉丙酮等物种,这也许是少量水能促进丙酮加氢生成异丙醇的另一个重要原因。     

An integrated platform for gas-diffusion separation and electrochemical determination of ethanol on fermentation broths

An integrated platform was developed for point-of-use determination of ethanol in sugar cane fermentation broths. Such analysis is important because ethanol reduces its fuel production efficiency by altering the alcoholic fermentation step when in excess. The custom-designed platform integrates gas diffusion separation with voltammetric detection in a single analysis module. The detector relied on a Ni(OH)₂-modified electrode. It was stabilized by uniformly depositing cobalt and cadmium hydroxides as shown by XPS measurements. Such tests were in accordance with the hypothesis related to stabilization of the Ni(OH)₂ structure by insertion of Co²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions in this structure. The separation step, in turn, was based on a hydrophobic PTFE membrane, which separates the sample from receptor solution (electrolyte) where the electrodes were placed. Parameters of limit of detection and analytical sensitivity were estimated to be 0.2% v/v and 2.90 μA % (v/v)⁻¹, respectively. Samples of fermentation broth were analyzed by both standard addition method and direct interpolation in saline medium based-analytical curve. In this case, the saline solution exhibited ionic strength similar to those of the samples intended to surpass the tonometry colligative effect of the samples over analyte concentration data by attributing the reduction in quantity of diffused ethanol vapor majorly to the electrolyte. The approach of analytical curve provided rapid, simple and accurate analysis, thus contributing for deployment of point-of-use technologies. All of the results were accurate with respect to those obtained by FTIR method at 95% confidence level.     

Synthesis,Electrochemical and Luminescence Studies of Nickel and Vanadium Complexes Containing Tetradentate Schiff Base Ligand with N2O2 Donor Atoms

A symmetrical tetradentate Schiff base ligand was derived by the condensation of ortho‐vanillin and thiourea in 2:1 molar ratio and adjusted pH. Nickel and vanadyl complexes were obtained using the template method by the reaction of ortho‐vanillin and thiourea with Ni(OAc)₂. 4H₂O and VO(acac)₂ (2:1:1 molar ratio) in absolute ethanol and adjusted pH. The Schiff base ligand and its complexes have been characterized by FT‐IR, ¹H NMR, UV/Vis, elemental analysis and conductometry measurements. In nickel and also vanadyl complexes the ligands were coordinated to the metals via the imine N and enolic O atoms. The complexes have been found to possess 1:1 metal to ligand stoichiometry and the molar conductance data revealed that the metal complexes were non‐electrolytes. The nickel and vanadyl complexes exhibited tetrahedral and square pyramidal coordination geometry, respectively. The emission spectra of the ligand and its complexes were studied in DMSO. Electrochemical properties of the ligand and its complexes were also investigated in the DMF solvent at the 150 mVs^‐1 scan rate. The ligand and its complexes showed irreversible processes at this scan rate.     

Improved Photocatalytic Activity and Stability of Nano‐sized Ag/Ag2CO3 Plasmonic Photocatalyst by Surface Modification of Fe(III) Nanocluster

The surface modification of Ag/Ag₂CO₃ with Fe(III) ions has been achieved through simply photoreduction‐impregnation method. The obtained products were characterized by means of X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV‐vis absorption spectroscopy. Under visible‐light irradiation (γ>420 nm), the Fe(III)/Ag/Ag₂CO₃ sample displays a higher photocatalytic activity and stability than pure Ag₂CO₃ and Ag/Ag₂CO₃ samples for the degradation of methyl orange (MO). The improved photocatalytic activity and stability of this ternary system could be ascribed to the synergetic effect between Ag nanoparticles and Fe(III) nanocluster. The metallic Ag nanoparticles cause an obviously enhanced visible‐light absorption to produce more photogenerated charges, while the Fe(III) works as an active site for the following oxygen reduction to reduce the recombination rate of photogenerated electrons and holes.     

Effect of the order of Ni and Ce addition in SBA-15 on the activity in dry reforming of methane

Dry reforming of methane has been carried out on SBA-15 catalysts containing 5 wt% Ni and 6 wt% Ce. The effect of the order of Ni and Ce impregnation on the catalytic activity has been studied. Both metals were added using the “two-solvent” method that favors metal dispersion inside the pores. Characterizations by XRD (low and high angles), N₂ sorption, SEM and TEM of the materials after metal addition and calcination indicate good preservation of the porosities and high NiO and CeO₂ dispersion inside the porous channels. Reduction was carried out before the catalytic tests and followed by TPR measurements. The most active reduced catalyst was the Ni–Ce/SBA-15 sample prepared by impregnating cerium first, then nickel. All catalysts were highly active and selective towards H₂ and CO at atmospheric pressure. Full CH₄ conversion was obtained below 650 °C. The higher performances compared to those reported in the literature for mesoporous silica with supported Ni and Ce catalysts are discussed.     

Green synthesis and characterization of copper and nickel hybrid nanomaterials: Investigation of their biological and photocatalytic potential for the removal of organic crystal violet dye

Nanotechnology deals with the materials at nanoscale to synthesize nanoparticles. The current study introduced a new green approach for the synthesis of Copper and Nickel hybrid nanoparticles by using Zingiber officinale rhizome extract as a capping and reducing agent. The nanoparticles were physico-chemically characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and Scanning electron microscopy. It was revealed by scanning electron micrograph that the Cu-Ni hybrid nanoparticles have spherical geometries with average grain size of 25.12 ± 1.2 nm. Furthermore, biocatalytic and photocatalytic applications of the biosynthesized nanoparticles were assessed. The results of antibacterial assay revealed that Cu-Ni hybrid nanoparticles had an inhibition zones of 28 ± 1.0, 25 ± 0.8, and 25 ± 1.5 mm against P. aeruginosa, E. coli and Proteus vulgaris. Commercially available antibiotics were purchased and coated with Cu-Ni hybrid nanoparticles, it was found that their antimicrobial efficacy was increased twice. To evaluate the antioxidant potential, nanoparticles having a concentration of 200 µg/mL were applied against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radicals and NPs showed 42.1 ± 0.71 % inhibition. Cu-Ni nanoparticles have shown a dose-dependent cytotoxicity against amastigote and promastigote in anti-leishmanial assay. The synthesized nanoparticles were found biocompatible and safe in nature to be used in vivo, as they showed no significant hemolysis of human red blood cells at their highest concentration. In antidiabetic assay, NPs inhibited alpha-amylase enzyme up to 38.07 ± 0.65 %. An organic crystal violet dye was successfully degraded by the synthesized nanoparticles in photocatalytic assay. Hence, it is concluded that Cu-Ni hybrid nanoparticles can be used both in vitro and in vivo for drug delivery in biomedical research. These nanoparticles can also be used in the remediation of organic dyes as a catalyst.