Controlled synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles from a Zn(II) coordination polymer: Structural characterization,optical properties and photocatalytic activity

A zinc coordination polymer derived from pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate (PDC), {[Zn₂(PDC)₂]}_n, was successfully prepared via conventional, sonication and microwave-irradiation methods. The composition and characteristics of the obtained coordination polymers (CPs) were investigated by elemental analysis, TGA/DTA, X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic techniques. The so obtained CPs were heat-treated in the air at 600 °C for 2 h to produce ZnO of nanosized particles (NPs). It is of interest to note that the synthesis approach of the precursor greatly affects both the nanoparticle size and the structure of the resulting ZnO NPs. Moreover, the smallest particle size was associated with the sample derived from the ultrasonically prepared precursor. TEM analysis revealed that all samples have sphere-like morphologies. Structural analysis of the prepared ZnO samples was conducted and compared using Rietveld analysis of their PXRD patterns. Optical band gap calculations based on analysis of the UV–vis spectra of ZnO samples using Tauc's power law were achieved. The highest band gap of 3.63 eV was observed for ZnO sample obtained from the ultrasonically prepared precursor. Furthermore, the photocatalytic activity of ZnO NPs for the removal of Eosin Y color was monitored. The highest removal efficiency was recorded for ZnO originated from the ultrasonically synthesized precursor. Enhancement of removal efficiency that reached 98% was attained in only a period of 8 min. Its recycling test showed that it can be reused without structural changes over four cycling experiments.     

Continuation theorem of fractional order evolutionary integral equations

The fractional order evolutionary integral equations have been considered by the first author in [6], the existence, uniqueness and some other properties of the solution have been proved. Here we study the continuation of the solution and its fractional order derivative. Also we study the generality of this problem and prove that the fractional order diffusion problem, the fractional order wave problem and the initial value problem of the equation of evolution are special cases of it. The abstract diffusion-wave problem will be given also as an application.     

Sorption Behaviour of Molybdenum on Different Antimonates Ion Exchangers

Various antimonate compounds are well known as important inorganic ion exchangers, since they resist radiation and chemical degradation and also exhibit selectivities towards different cations. Ceric, silicon, titanium and ferric antimonates were prepared as inorganic ion exchangers. Characterization of these materials has been described using different techniques, including thermal analysis, surface area measurements, X-ray diffraction and IR-spectroscopy. In batch distribution experiments the influence of HNO₃ molarity and Mo concentration for Mo sorption on different matrices is described in terms of their retention capacities and distribution coefficients.The selectivities of these exchangers towards molybdenum are in the order: CeSb > SiSb > FeSb > TiSb.     

Adsorption Behaviour of 134Cs and 22Na Ions on Tin and Titanium Ferrocyanides

Tin and titanium ferrocyanides were studied as adsorbents for alkali metal ions, viz., ¹³⁴Cs and ²²Na, which represent radioactive wastes. The ferrocyanides were prepared in granular form. The tin version contained 11.2% water, while the titanium version contained 17.7% water. The exchange capacities for Cs⁺ and Na⁺ in the hydrated tin version were about 1.5 and 0.7 meq/g, respectively, while those in the titanium version were 2.2 and 1.2 meq/g, respectively. Drying at 250°C decimated those capacities. The diffusional time constant of Cs⁺ at 25°C, determined via Fick's second law, was of order of magnitude 1 × 10^–3 s^–1, though there were minor differences due to particle size and the form of ferrocyanide. Similarly, the effective diffusivity was of order of magnitude 1 × 10^–8 cm²/s. The titanium version responded slightly faster than the tin version. Likewise, equilibrium measurements in mixtures with sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, or uranium oxide, showed that the titanium version exhibited significantly greater selectivity for Cs⁺ than did the tin version. Unfortunately, tests of complete elution of the Cs⁺ from the ferrocyanides were mostly disappointing. Work continues on that subject.     

On the Linear Complexity Profile of Nonlinear Congruential Pseudorandom Number Generators with Dickson Polynomials

Linear complexity and linear complexity profile are important characteristics of a sequence for applications in cryptography and Monte-Carlo methods. The nonlinear congruential method is an attractive alternative to the classical linear congruential method for pseudorandom number generation. Recently, a weak lower bound on the linear complexity profile of a general nonlinear congruential pseudorandom number generator was proven by Gutierrez, Shparlinski and the first author. For most nonlinear generators a much stronger lower bound is expected. Here, we obtain a much stronger lower bound on the linear complexity profile of nonlinear congruential pseudorandom number generators with Dickson polynomials.     

Molecular rearrangements—XII: Pyrolysis of α-phenylacetanilide

Pyrolysis of α-phenylacetanilide resulted in migration of the benzyl group to the o and p positions of the aniline nucleus and formation of CO, NH₃, toluene benzaldehyde, dibenzyl, trans stilbene, aniline, 9 phenylacridine and 2,3 diphenyl-indole. With o-toluidine as a solvent the previous products were accompanied by 2,3 diphenyl-7-methylindole and 4 amino 3 methyl diphenylmethane. With isoqumoline 1 benzyl isoquinoline and 1,1' bi-isoquinolyl were also obtained.It is concluded that the pyrolysis of phenylacetanilide depends on the homolytic fission of the amide C-N bond into anilino and phenylacetyl free radicals followed by the interaction of the primary and secondary formed radicals with the rearrangement products and solvent nuclei.     

Direct determination of sulfite in food samples by a biosensor based on plant tissue homogenate

In the work described here, a biosensor was developed for the determination of sulfite in food. Malva vulgaris tissue homogenate containing sulfite oxidase enzyme was used as the biological material. M. vulgaris tissue homogenate was crosslinked with gelatin using glutaraldehyde and fixed on a pretreated Teflon membrane. Sulfite was enzymatically converted to sulfate in the presence of the dissolved oxygen, which was monitored amperometrically. Sulfite determination was carried out by standard curves, which were obtained by the measurement of consumed oxygen level related to sulfite concentration. Several operational parameters had been investigated: the amounts of plant tissue homogenate and gelatin, percentage of glutaraldehyde, optimum pH and temperature. Also, some characterization studies were done. There was linearity in the range between 0.2 and 1.8 mM at 35 °C and pH 7.5. The results of real sample analysis obtained with the biosensor agreed well with the enzymatic reference method using spectrophotometric detection.     

Production of carrier-free scandium radioisotopes from a neutron-irradiated potassium titanium oxalate target

Summary Extraction of scandium and calcium radioactivities with 1% HDEHP in benzene from nitric acid solution was investigated. The effect of potassium titanium oxalate concentration on the extraction from 1.5M nitric acid was studied. From the data obtained, two procedures based on batch solvent extraction and extraction chromatography were developed for separation and production of radioscandium from a neutron-irradiated potassium titanium oxalate target. The radiochemical purity of the separated scandium radioactivities was more than 98%.

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Zusammenfassung Die Extraktion der Aktivitäten des Scandiums und Calciums aus salpetersaurer Lösung mit 1% Diäthylhexylphosphorsäure in Benzol wurde untersucht. Der Einfluß der Kalium-Titanoxalat-Konzentration auf die Extraktion aus 1,5-m Salpetersäure wurde geprüft. Auf Grund der Ergebnisse wurden zwei Verfahren zur Trennung und Gewinnung von Radio-Scandium aus einem neutronenbestrahlten Kalium-Titanoxalat-Target ausgearbeitet, die auf einmaliger Extraktion mit dem Lösungsmittel bzw. auf Extraktionschromatographie beruhen. Die radiochemische Reinheit der Sc-Aktivitäten war besser als 98%.

     

Extraction of Nitric,Perchloric, and Hydrochloric Acid by N,N-dibutyl Diethyl Carbamyl Phosphonate

Extraction of nitric, perchloric, and hydrochloric acid by N,N-dibutyl diethyl carbamyl phosphonate in carbon tetrachloride was investigated. The data obtained are treated in terms of stepwise neutralization of the acid with the formation of species y · HA and y · 2HA in the organic phase, where y stands for the extractant and HA for the acid. The equilibrium constants, K?₁ and K?₂ for nitric acid were found to equal 0.24 ± 0.02 and 0.017 ± 0.005, respectively. In case of HClO₄ and HCl K?₁ were found to equal 0.031 ± 0.003 and 0.0039 ± 0.0005, respectively. A third phase was observed when extraction of HClO₄ was performed using acid concentration higher than 3.5 molar. The preference for partition of different acids was discussed on the light of the competition of the proton between the acid anion, water and the basic extractant as well as the degree of the ionization of different acids.     

Useful dual Diels-Alder behavior of 2-azetidinone-tethered aryl imines as azadienophiles or azadienes: a beta-lactam-based stereocontrolled access to optically pure highly functionalized indolizidine systems

Imines derived from 4-oxoazetidine-2-carbaldehydes have been found to be versatile Diels-Alder reagents in that they exhibit two reactivity patterns. 2-Azetidinone-tethered imines undergo diastereoselective reaction with Danishefsky's diene in the presence of different Lewis acids. The effect of the amount of catalyst on the conversion rate as well as on the product ratio has been studied. Under standard reaction conditions, indium(III) chloride and zinc(II) iodide provided the best yields, and indium(III) triflate the highest diastereoselectivity in the Lewis acid promoted aza-Diels-Alder cycloaddition. Treatment of the aforementioned imines with cyclopentadiene, 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene or 3,4-dihydro-2 H-pyran led to cycloadducts arising from inverse electron-demand condensation involving the beta-lactam-tethered aryl imine as the heterodiene component. In addition, the first methodology for preparing indolizidines from beta-lactams has been developed. This process involves amide bond cleavage of the beta-lactam ring in the aza-Diels-Alder cycloadducts with concomitant cyclization. Full chirality transfer occurs when the reaction is performed with an enantiomerically pure substrate.