Sol‐to‐Gel Transition in Fast Evaporating Systems Observed by in Situ Time‐Resolved Infrared Spectroscopy

The in situ observation of a sol‐to‐gel transition in fast evaporating systems is a challenging task and the lack of a suitable experimental design, which includes the chemistry and the analytical method, has limited the observations. We synthesise an acidic sol, employing only tetraethylorthosilicate, SiCl₄ as catalyst and deuterated water; the absence of water added to the sol allows us to follow the absorption from the external environment and the evaporation of deuterated water. The time‐resolved data, obtained by attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy on an evaporating droplet, enables us to identify four different stages during evaporation. They are linked to specific hydrolysis and condensation rates that affect the uptake of water from external environment. The second stage is characterized by a decrease in hydroxyl content, a fast rise of condensation rate and an almost stationary absorption of water. This stage has been associated with the sol‐to‐gel transition.     

Histidine‐modified organic‐silica hybrid monolithic column for mixed‐mode per aqueous and ion‐exchange capillary electrochromatography

A novel organic‐silica hybrid monolith was prepared through the binding of histidine onto the surface of monolithic matrix for mixed‐mode per aqueous and ion‐exchange capillary electrochromatography. The imidazolium and amino groups on the surface of the monolithic stationary phase were used to generate an anodic electro‐osmotic flow as well as to provide electrostatic interaction sites for the charged compounds at low pH. Typical per aqueous chromatographic behavior was observed in water‐rich mobile phases. Various polar and hydrophilic analytes were selected to evaluate the characteristics and chromatographic performance of the obtained monolith. Under per aqueous conditions, the mixed‐mode mechanism of hydrophobic and ion‐exchange interactions was observed and the resultant monolithic column proved to be very versatile for the efficient separations of these polar and hydrophilic compounds (including amides, nucleosides and nucleotide bases, benzoic acid derivatives, and amino acids) in highly aqueous mobile phases. The successful applications suggested that the histidine‐modified organic‐silica hybrid monolithic column could offer a wide range of retention behaviors and flexible selectivities toward polar and hydrophilic compounds.     

High‐performance liquid chromatography separation of unsaturated organic compounds by a monolithic silica column embedded with silver nanoparticles

The optimization of a porous structure to ensure good separation performances is always a significant issue in high‐performance liquid chromatography column design. Recently we reported the homogeneous embedment of Ag nanoparticles in periodic mesoporous silica monolith and the application of such Ag nanoparticles embedded silica monolith for the high‐performance liquid chromatography separation of polyaromatic hydrocarbons. However, the separation performance remains to be improved and the retention mechanism as compared with the Ag ion high‐performance liquid chromatography technique still needs to be clarified. In this research, Ag nanoparticles were introduced into a macro/mesoporous silica monolith with optimized pore parameters for high‐performance liquid chromatography separations. Baseline separation of benzene, naphthalene, anthracene, and pyrene was achieved with the theoretical plate number for analyte naphthalene as 36 000 m^?1. Its separation function was further extended to cis/trans isomers of aromatic compounds where cis/trans stilbenes were chosen as a benchmark. Good separation of cis/trans‐stilbene with separation factor as 7 and theoretical plate number as 76 000 m^?1 for cis‐stilbene was obtained. The trans isomer, however, is retained more strongly, which contradicts the long‐ established retention rule of Ag ion chromatography. Such behavior of Ag nanoparticles embedded in a silica column can be attributed to the differences in the molecular geometric configuration of cis/trans stilbenes.     

Imprinted silica nanoparticles coated with N‐propylsilylmorpholine‐4‐carboxamide for the determination of m‐cresol in synthetic and real samples

m‐Cresol‐imprinted silica nanoparticles coated with N‐propylsilylmorpholine‐4‐carboxamide have been developed that contain specific pockets for the selective uptake of m‐cresol. Silica nanoparticles were synthesized by a sol–gel process followed by functionalization of their surface with N‐propylsilylmorpholine‐4‐carboxamide. The formation of m‐cresol‐imprinted silica nanoparticles was confirmed by UV‐Vis spectrophotometry, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Electron microscopic studies revealed the formation of monodispersed imprinted silica nanoparticles with spherical shape and an average size of 83 nm. The developed nanoparticles were filled in a syringe and used for the extraction of m‐cresol from aqueous samples followed by quantification using high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection. Various adsorption experiments showed that developed m‐cresol‐imprinted silica nanoparticles exhibited a high adsorption capacity and selectivity and offered a fast kinetics for rebinding m‐cresol. The chromatographic quantification was achieved using mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile/water (70:30 v/v) at an isocratic flow rate of 1.0 mL/min using a reversed‐phase C₁₈ column and detection at λ_max = 275 nm. The limits of detection and quantification were 1.86 and 22.32 ng/mL, respectively, for the developed method. The percent recoveries ranged from 96.66–103.33% in the spiked samples. This combination of this nanotechnique with molecular imprinting was proved as a reliable, sensitive and selective method for determining the target from synthetic and real samples.     

Sol-Gel Microspheres Doped with Glycerol: A Structural Insight in Light of Forthcoming Applications in the Polyurethane Foam Industry

Porous silica-based microspheres encapsulating aqueous glycerol can be potential curing agents for one-component foams (OCFs). Such agents have the advantage of an enhanced sustainability profile on top of being environmentally friendly materials. A synthetically convenient and scalable sol-gel process was used to make silica and organosilica microspheres doped with aqueous glycerol. These methyl-modified silica microspheres, named “GreenCaps”, exhibit remarkable physical and chemical stability. The microspheres were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy at reduced pressure, and cryogenic nitrogen adsorption—desorption analysis. The structure of the materials was also analyzed at the molecular level by diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy. As expected, the degree of methylation affects the degree of encapsulation and pore structure. Microspheres similarly methylated, however, can differ considerably in surface area and pore size due to the templating effect of glycerol on the organosilica structure. The results of the structure analysis reveal that glycerol is efficiently encapsulated, acts as a template, barely leaches over time, but is released by depressurization. A proper application of these microspheres can later on enhance both the environmental and health profile, as well as the technical performance (curing speed, foam quality, and froth thixotropy) of spray polyurethane foams.     

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.     

Cell Membrane-camouflaged Multi-functional Dendritic Large Pore Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Combined Photothermal Therapy and Radiotherapy of Cancer

Combining photothermal therapy and radiotherapy(PTT-RT) with reducing tumor hypoxia acts as an important antitumor modality. However, it is a great challenge to realize photothermal therapy, radiotherapy and exogenous oxygen supply in one nanosystem. To realize a combination of the three functions, we fabricated a red blood cell membrane(RBCm)-camouflaged, red blood cell content(RBCc) and the copper sulfide(CuS) co-loaded dendritic large pore mesoporous silica nanoparticle(DLMSN/CuS/RBCc/ RBCm). The cell membrane coating endowed the nanoparticles with good stability in the physiological environment, and CuS allowed the nanoparticle exhibiting good photothermal and radiosensitization properties. RBCc loaded nanoparticle DLMSN/CuS/RBCc enhanced superior anti-tumor effect than DLMSN/CuS during combined PTT-RT therapy because the introduction of RBCc increased the exogenous oxygen supply. The in vitro study further demonstrated that the combination of photothermal therapy and radiotherapy induced superior antitumor efficacy than single therapy. Our work thus presents a unique multifunctional nanoscale platform favorable for combined PTT and RT.     

An innovative SiO2-pyrazole nanocomposite for Zn(II) and Cr(III) ions effective adsorption and anti-sulfate-reducing bacteria from the produced oilfield water

Novel SiO₂-pyrazole (SiO₂-PYZ) nanocomposite was introduced for the elimination of Zn(II) and Cr(III) from oil reservoir water. Characterization analysis of prepared SiO₂-PYZ nanocomposite was investigated using SEM, FTIR, TGA, XRD, TEM, and BET. Studying the effects and optimization of the parameters such as retention time, pH, initial Cr(III) and Zn(II) ions concentrations, adsorbent dosage, and temperature were examined. For kinetics investigation, the pseudo-second-order (PSO) model matches the adsorption process effectively under different operating conditions. After applying two other isotherm models (Langmuir and Freundlich), the experimental data was adequately equipped with Langmuir, R² = 1. The thermodynamic results pointed that the adsorption of Zn(II) and Cr(III) ions was spontaneous, endothermic, and physisorption reaction. At pH 12, the influence of more than one ion, such as Ca(II) and Na(I), was checked, and the results revealed that this conjugate substance was highly selective to Cr(III). After washing with water in multiple cycles, the adsorbed material was regenerated with 0.1 M HCl and subsequently reused without deterioration in its case cavities. Interestingly, SiO₂-PYZ was highly effective against sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in the petroleum field.     

One step nanoencapsulation of corrosion inhibitors for gradual release application

The direct application of corrosion inhibitors on metal surfaces is potentially dangerous for the environment and the restoration operators, thus new conservation strategies are mandatory. In this study, two copper corrosion inhibitors, 1H-benzotriazole (BTA) and 5-phenyl-1H-tetrazole (PT), are encapsulated in a silica nanocontainer, for future application in smart coatings, with the aim to reduce the amount of chemicals used in treatments, their dispersion in the environment and the direct exposure of the operators to these chemicals. In particular, composite silica nanocapsules, containing the corrosion inhibitors, are prepared via one-step synthesis, based on mini-emulsion polymerisation processes.The morphology, structure, and texture of these loaded silica nanocontainers are characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and N₂ physisorption (BET/BJH). Micro-Raman spectroscopy (RS) is performed to characterise the composition. UV–visible spectroscopy and thermal analysis (TG/DSC) are performed for the loading and encapsulation efficiency (L%, EE%) study.Synthesised nanocapsules show a core-shell structure and, when loaded with the inhibitors, have size ranging from about 130 to 170 nm and a BET surface area of the order of 800 m²/g. The EE% is maximum in the case of BTA and decreases to ～52% in the case of PT.     

Preparation and adsorption property of novel inverse-opal hierarchical porous N-doped carbon microspheres

The design of pore structure is the key factor for the performance of porous carbon spheres.In this wo rk,novel micron-sized colloidal crystal microspheres consisting of fibrous silica(F-SiO_2) nanoparticles are firstly prepared by water-evapo ration-induced self-assembly of F-SiO_2 nanoparticles in the droplets of an inverse emulsion system to be used as sacrificial templates.Acrylonitrile(AN) was infiltrated in the voids of the F-SiO_2 colloidal crystal microspheres,and in-situ induced by ~(60)Co y-ray to polymerize into polyacrylonitrile(PAN).After the PAN-infiltrated F-SiO_2 colloidal crystal microspheres were carbonized and etched with HF solution,novel micron-sized inverse-opal N-doped carbon(IO-NC) microspheres consisting of hollow carbon nanoparticles with a hierarchical macro/meso-porous inner surface were obtained.The IO-NC microspheres have a specific surface area as high as 266.4 m~2/g and a molar ratio of C/N of 5.They have a good dispersibility in water,and show a high adsorption capacity towards rhodamine B(RhB) up to 137.28 mg/(g microsphe re).This work offers a way to obtain novel micron-sized hierarchical macro/meso-porous N-doped carbon microspheres,which opens a new idea to prepare high-performance hierarchical porous carbon materials.