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.     

Time Asymptotic Behaviour for a One-Velocity Transport Operator with Maxwell Boundary Condition

This paper is concerned with the spectral analysis of a one-velocity transport operator with Maxwell boundary condition in L ₁-space. After a detailed spectral analysis it is shown that the associated Cauchy problem is governed by a C ₀-semigroup. Next, we discuss the irreducibility of the transport semigroup. In particular, we show that the transport semigroup is irreducible. Finally, a spectral decomposition of the solutions into an asymptotic term and a transient one which will be estimated for smooth initial data is given.     

Annihilation of positrons in hydrogen-saturated titanium

The effect of atomic hydrogen on the electronic structure of α-titanium samples is studied using the electron-positron annihilation methods. It is shown that different states of hydrogen atoms are manifested in different ways in the positron lifetime distribution spectrum. The results of theoretical calculations of the first component of the positron lifetime are in accord with the obtained experimental data.     

Entanglement entropy of a near-extremal black hole

Theoretical and Mathematical Physics - We study how the entanglement entropy of the Hawking radiation derived using the island recipe for the Reissner–Nordström black hole behaves as the...     

Complexes of tris(o-phenanthroline)nickel(II) and copper(II) bromide with dithiocarbamates derived from α-amino acids

Complexes of 1,10-o-phenanthroline (o-phen)-Ni^II and Cu^II with dithiocarbamates derived from -amino acids (glycine, phenylalanine, alanine, methionine and tryptophan) were synthesized and characterized by chemical analysis, spectral and thermal studies and by biological screening; the complexes are non-electrolytes. The empirical formula are [Ni(o-phen)₂(aadtc)] and [Cu₂(o-phen)₂(phaladtc)(H₂O)₂Br₂] where, aadtc = glycinyl-, phenylalaninyl-, alaninyl-, methioninyl- and tryptophanyldithiocarbamate and phaladtc = phenylalaninyldithiocarbamate. The structure of these complexes is probably octahedral. Molecular association through hydrogen bonding between the —NH and the carboxylate groups is proposed for the Ni^II complexes. The Cu^II complex is dimeric with the phenylalaninyldithiocarbamate acting as a bridge.     

Synthesis and photochemistry of binary and mixed ligand complexes of copper(II) containing 5-arylazo-8-hydroxyquinoline derivatives and alkyl xanthates

Summary Mixed ligand complexes of the type K[Cu(x-HQA)Rxan] [x-HQA = 5-arylazo-8-hydroxyquinoline derivatives; Rxan = methyl or ethylxanthate] have been prepared and characterised by elemental analysis, spectral measurements and conductivity. Upon irradiation, solutions of these complexes photoeliminate dinitrogen and a mechanism for this reaction is proposed. The photosensitivity of the oxine ligand was found to be responsible for the observed photolysis of the complexes.     

An efficient method to solve the strongly coupled nonlinear differential equations of impact dampers

In this paper, ongoing studies to solve nonlinear differential equations are extended by combining the Newmark-beta integration method and the piecewise linearization approach. The discussed method is illustrated with a practical example. In doing so, the coupled nonlinear differential equations of an impact oscillator, which incorporates the Hertzian contact, are derived. To investigate this problem, an object-oriented computer code, based on the presented method, is written in MATLAB. Furthermore, the discussed problem is solved numerically using the Runge–Kutta commercial code. To verify the calculated results, the contact durations, which are obtained using the discussed methods, are compared with the previous analytical results. In this study, accuracy of solution and the process time (cost) are selected as two main parameters of the solution method. The so-called adequacy factor is presented to combine the two main parameters of solution. Finally, it is shown that in the case of Hertzian contact, the presented method can be more adequate than the Runge–Kutta method.     

In situ green synthesis of Cu‐Ni bimetallic nanoparticles supported on reduced graphene oxide as an effective and recyclable catalyst for the synthesis of N‐benzyl‐N‐aryl‐5‐amino‐1H‐tetrazoles

In the present work, for the first time we have designed a novel approach for the synthesis of N‐benzyl‐N‐aryl‐5‐amino‐1H‐tetrazoles using reduced graphene oxide (rGO) decorated with Cu‐Ni bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs). In situ synthesis of Cu/Ni/rGO nanocomposite was performed by a cost efficient, surfactant‐free and environmentally benign method using Crataegus azarolus var. aronia L. leaf extract as a stabilizing and reducing agent. Phytochemicals present in the extract can be used to reduce Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions and GO to Cu NPs, Ni NPs and rGO, respectively. Analyses by means of FT‐IR, UV–Vis, EDS, TEM, FESEM, XRD and elemental mapping confirmed the Cu/Ni/rGO formation and also FT‐IR, NMR, and mass spectroscopy as well as elemental analysis were used to characterize the tetrazoles. The Cu/Ni/rGO nanocomposite showed the superior catalytic activity for the synthesis of N‐benzyl‐N‐aryl‐5‐amino‐1H‐tetrazoles within a short reaction time and high yields. Furthermore, this protocol eliminates the need to handle HN₃.