Novel borothermal process for the synthesis of nanocrystalline oxides and borides of niobium

A new process has been developed for the synthesis of nanocrystalline niobium oxide and niobium diboride using an amorphous niobium precursor obtained via the solvothermal route. On varying the ratio of niobium precursor to boron and the reaction conditions, pure phases of nanostructured niobium oxides (Nb(2)O(5), NbO(2)), niobium diboride (NbB(2)) and core-shell nanostructures of NbB(2)@Nb(2)O(5) could be obtained at normal pressure and low temperature of 1300 °C compared to a temperature of 1650 °C normally used. The above borothermal process involves the in situ generation of B(2)O(2) to yield either oxide or diboride. The niobium oxides and borides have been characterized in detail by XRD, HRTEM and EDX studies. The core-shell structure has been investigated by XPS depth profiling, EFTEM and EELS (especially to characterize the presence of boron and the shell thickness). The niobium diboride nanorods (with high aspect ratio) show a superconducting transition with the T(c) of 6.4 K. In the core-shell of NbB(2)@Nb(2)O(5), the superconductivity of NbB(2) is masked by the niobium oxide shell and hence no superconductivity was observed. The above methodology has the benefits of realizing both oxides and borides of niobium in nanocrystalline form, in high purity and at much lower temperatures.     

Synthesis of zirconium diboride and its application in the protection of stainless steel surface in harsh environment

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Surface degradation of steel is one of the key problems of steel end user because of the electrochemical reaction at the steel surface caused by...     

Organocatalytic stereoselective synthesis of passifloricin A

The enantioselective synthesis of passifloricin A has been achieved in high diastereomeric excess. The 1,3-polyol moiety was constructed by iterative proline-catalyzed sequential α-aminoxylation and Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons (HWE) olefination of aldehydes while the synthesis of lactone moiety was achieved by ring-closing metathesis (RCM).     

A new low temperature methodology to obtain pure nanocrystalline nickel borate

The present study focuses on the development of a new route for the synthesis of pure nickel borate nanoparticles using reverse micellar route. Nickel borate nanoparticles (25 nm) were synthesized from a precursor (obtained by reverse micellar route) containing both nickel and boron (nickel nitrate and sodium borohydride as starting materials). Decomposition of the precursor at a temperature of ∼800 °C yielded pure nickel borate nanoparticles. This was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. These nanoparticles show an antiferromagnetic ordering with N?el temperature of 47 K.     

Synthesis, characterization, DNA binding and cytotoxicity studies of moxifloxacinato complexes

Five metal complexes of the third-generation quinolone antibacterial agent moxifloxacin with Cu(II), Fe(III), Mn(II), Ni(II) and VO(II) have been synthesized and characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic techniques. In these complexes, moxifloxacin acts as a bidentate deprotonated ligand bound to the metal through ketone and carboxylate oxygens. The interactions between the metal complexes and calf thymus DNA have been studied by UV?CVis, circular dichroism and cyclic voltammetry. Fluorescence competitive binding studies with ethidium bromide (EB) demonstrate the ability of the complexes to displace the EB bound to DNA. The cytotoxicities of the complexes have been evaluated on A549 cells by the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide) method. [Cu(MFL)₂(H₂O)₂] shows the highest anticancer potency. The apoptosis-inducing activity was assessed by acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining assay.     

An organocatalytic route to the synthesis of lactone moiety of compactin and mevinolin

An efficient synthesis of lactone moiety of compactin has been achieved. The stereogenic centers were generated by means of iterative proline-catalyzed sequential α-aminoxylation and Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons (HWE) olefination of aldehydes.     

Passive sampling technique for atmospheric 14C measurements

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - The present study focused on the measurement of 14C levels by using a passive sampling technique. The sampling period is optimized by exposing the...     

Controlling the size and morphology of anisotropic nanostructures of nickel borate using microemulsions and their magnetic properties

Anisotropic nanostructures of nickel borate with controlled size and morphology have been synthesized by a precursor-mediated route. The nickel boron precursor has been synthesized using microemulsions using Tergitol as a surfactant. Microemulsions with various co-surfactants (1-butanol, 1-hexanol and 1-octanol) have been used to obtain uniform nanorods (dia 3-5 nm, length 25 nm) and nanospindles (dia 30 nm, length 400 nm). A higher chain length of the co-surfactant (octanol) leads to more uniform rods rather than spindles (butanol). These nanorods show antiferromagnetic behavior with the Néel temperature ranging from 44 to 47 K. Though there is no marked variation in N?el temperature, the magnetic moment increases drastically with the anisotropy of nanorods (thinner rods).