Tuning the Basicity of Cyano‐Containing Ionic Liquids to Improve SO2 Capture through Cyano–Sulfur Interactions

A new approach has been developed to improve SO₂ sorption by cyano‐containing ionic liquids (ILs) through tuning the basicity of ILs and cyano–sulfur interaction. Several kinds of cyano‐containing ILs with different basicity were designed, prepared, and used for SO₂ capture. The interaction between these cyano‐containing ILs and SO₂ was investigated by FTIR and NMR methods. Spectroscopic investigations and quantum chemical calculations showed that dramatic effects on SO₂ capacity originate from the basicity of the ILs and enhanced cyano–sulfur interaction. Furthermore, the captured SO₂ was easy to release by heating or bubbling N₂ through the ILs. This efficient and reversible process, achieved by tuning the basicity of ILs, is an excellent alternative to current technologies for SO₂ capture.     

Alkane Shape- and Size-Recognized Selective Vapor Sorption in “Channel-Like” Crystals Based on Thiacalixarene Assemblies

Alkanes composed of C−C and C−H show a low electric polarization, and therefore, there is only very weak interaction between alkanes and adsorbents. Thus, it is difficult to separate a specific alkane from a mixture of alkanes by adsorption. Here, two activated “channel-like” crystals generated from brominated thiacalix[4]arene propyl ethers, which adopt 1,3-alternate and partial cone conformations, recognize specific alkane vapors depending on alkane-shape and -size, sorting in three-type alkane guests such as linear, branched, and cyclic alkanes. Two activated crystals, which are prepared by removal of solvent upon heating under reduced pressure, incorporate branched and/or cyclic alkane vapors by a unique “gate-opening” mechanism via a crystal transformation in the process. Linear alkane vapors do not trigger gate opening and are not taken up by the activated crystals. The shape and size molecular-recognition properties of the activated crystals promises considerable usefulness for the separation of linear, branched, and cyclic alkanes.     

The effect of triethyl citrate on the dispersibility and water vapor sorption behavior of polylactic acid/zeolite composites

The aim of this study was to investigate the water vapor adsorption behavior and mechanical properties of poly (lactic acid) (PLA)/zeolite (5, 10, or 15 phr) composites prepared with triethyl citrate (TEC; 20 phr) via a melting process. TEC was used to improve the flexibility of the PLA and the dispersibility of the zeolite in TEC-zeolite suspensions that were ultra-sonicated. It was found that zeolite was uniformly dispersed in the PLA matrix, and the interfacial adhesion between the PLA matrix and zeolite was enhanced by TEC. In addition, the tensile strengths and Young's modulus of the composites improved with increasing zeolite content. The PLA/zeolite composites prepared with TEC had increased water vapor permeability and contact angles compared to neat PLA and standard PLA/zeolite due to the presence of TEC. In particular, TEC accelerated the hydrolysis of the PLA surface in a high humidity environment, resulting in an improvement in water vapor sorption capacity. At the same zeolite content of 15 phr, the equilibrium moisture content (EMC) values of PLA/zeolite films prepared with TEC increased by up to 39.25 mg/g whereas those prepared without TEC only increased by up to 24.33 mg/g. The results suggest the possibility of applying PLA/zeolite films prepared with TEC as a flexible active packaging material.     

Evaluation of an activated carbon from olive stones used as an adsorbent for heavy metal removal from aqueous phases

The performance of a microporous activated carbon prepared chemically from olive stones for removing Cu(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) from single and binary aqueous solutions was investigated via the batch technique. The activated carbon sample was characterized using N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms, SEM, XRD, FTIR, and Boehm titration. The effect of initial pH and contact time were studied. Adsorption kinetic rates were found to be fast and kinetic experimental data fitted very well the pseudo-second-order equation. The adsorption isotherms fit the Redlich–Peterson model very well and maximum adsorption amounts of single metal ions solutions follow the trend Pb(II) > Cd(II) > Cu(II). The adsorption behavior of binary solution systems shows a relatively high affinity to Cu(II) at the activated carbon surface of the mixture with Cd(II) or Pb(II). An antagonistic competitive adsorption phenomenon was observed. Desorption experiments indicated that about 59.5% of Cu(II) and 23% of Cd(II) were desorbed using a diluted sulfuric acid solution.     

Tuning CO2 Uptake and Reversible Iodine Adsorption in Two Isoreticular MOFs through Ligand Functionalization

The synthesis and characterization of two isoreticular metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), {[Cd(bdc)(4‐bpmh)]}_n?2 n(H₂O) ( 1 ) and {[Cd(2‐NH₂bdc)(4‐bpmh)]}_n?2 n(H₂O) ( 2 ) [bdc=benzene dicarboxylic acid; 2‐NH₂bdc=2‐amino benzene dicarboxylic acid; 4‐bpmh=N,N‐bis‐pyridin‐4‐ylmethylene‐hydrazine], are reported. Both compounds possess similar two‐fold interpenetrated 3D frameworks bridged by dicarboxylates and a 4‐bpmh linker. The 2D Cd‐dicarboxylate layers are extended along the a‐axis to form distorted square grids which are further pillared by 4‐bpmh linkers to result in a 3D pillared‐bilayer interpenetrated framework. Gas adsorption studies demonstrate that the amino‐functionalized MOF 2 shows high selectivity for CO₂ (8.4 wt % 273 K and 7.0 wt % 298 K) over CH₄, and the uptake amounts are almost double that of non‐functional MOF 1 . Iodine (I₂) adsorption studies reveal that amino‐functionalized MOF 2 exhibits a faster I₂ adsorption rate and controlled delivery of I₂ over the non‐functionalized homolog 1 .     

Moisture sorption in polyamide 6.6: Experimental investigation and comparison to four physical-based models

Water sorption in polyamide 6.6 has been characterized for a wide range of temperature (25°C to 80°C) and various water activities using a Dynamic Vapor Sorption testing machine. Complex sorption mechanisms govern the water uptake in the material. The competition between two main temperature dependant mechanisms has been observed: a Henry's sorption mechanism that mainly governs the sorption curve at low water activities, and a second mechanism at high water activities that could be related to the formation of water clusters. It is observed that the temperature dependency can mainly be attributed to the Henry's contribution. Four physically based models are then used and identified thanks to the extended experimental database. It is shown that a simple Flory-Huggins model is not able to capture the experimental observations at very high water activities for all the temperatures tested. The ENSIC model is a better choice, but good prediction for very high water activity cannot be obtained. Both modified Park and GAB models can accurately predict the volume fraction of water for the whole ranges of water activity and temperature, although the modified Park model should be preferred considering the number of parameters and the mathematical simplicity.     

Postsynthetic Improvement of the Physical Properties in a Metal–Organic Framework through a Single Crystal to Single Crystal Transmetallation

A single crystal to single crystal transmetallation process takes place in the three‐dimensional (3D) metal–organic framework (MOF) of formula Mg^II₂{Mg^II₄[Cu^II₂(Me₃mpba)₂]₃}?45 H₂O ( 1 ; Me₃mpba^4?=N,N′‐2,4,6‐trimethyl‐1,3‐phenylenebis(oxamate)). After complete replacement of the Mg^II ions within the coordination network and those hosted in the channels by either Co^II or Ni^II ions, 1 is transmetallated to yield two novel MOFs of formulae Co₂^II{Co^II₄[Cu^II₂(Me₃mpba)₂]₃}?56 H₂O ( 2 ) and Ni₂^II{Ni^II₄[Cu^II₂(Me₃mpba)₂]₃}? 54 H₂O ( 3 ). This unique postsynthetic metal substitution affords materials with higher structural stability leading to enhanced gas sorption and magnetic properties.     

Unsaturated Transport with Linear Kinetic Sorption Under Unsteady Vertical Flow

We consider transport of a solute obeying linear kinetic sorption under unsteady flow conditions. The study relies on the vertical unsaturated flow model developed by Indelman et al. [J. Contam. Hydrol. 32 (1998), 77–97] to account for a cycle of infiltration and redistribution. One of the main features of this type of transport, as compared with the case of a continuous water infiltration, is the finite depth of solute penetration. In the infiltration stage an analytical solution that generalizes the previous results of Lassey [Water Resour. Res. 24 (1988), 343–350] and Severino and Indelman [J. Contam. Hydrol. 70 (2004), 89–115] is derived. This solution accounts for quite general initial solute distributions in both the mobile and immobile concentration. When the redistribution is also considered, two timescales become relevant, namely: (i) the desorption rate k⁻¹, and (ii) the water application time t_ap. In particular, we have assumed that the quantity ε =(k t_ap)⁻¹ can be regarded as a small parameter so that a perturbation analytical solution is obtained. At field-scale the concentration is calculated by means of the column model of Dagan and Bresler [Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 43 (1979), 461–467], i.e. as ensemble average over an infinite series of randomly distributed and uncorrelated soil columns. It is shown that the heterogeneity of hydraulic properties produces an additional spreading of the plume. An unusual phenomenon of plume contraction is observed at long times of solute propagation during the drying period. The mean solute penetration depth is studied with special emphasis on the impact of the variability of the saturated conductivity upon attaining the maximum solute penetration depth.     

三明治结构微机械静电伺服加速度计稳定性研究

对影响微加速度计稳定性的主要因素（外置偏压和横向加速度干扰）进行了详细分析，给出了最小临界偏压和最大可随横向加速度的计算公式，提出一种具有良好稳定性的四梁中心悬臂式结构。根据Matlab仿真结果，在大量程微加速度计典型结构参数下，惯性敏感单元可承受的最大横向加速度达2000g以上，远远满足实际需求。     

Molecular Encapsulation of Trimeric Chromium Carboxylate Clusters in Metal–Organic Frameworks and Propylene Sorption

Oxo-bridged trimeric chromium acetate clusters [Cr₃O(OOCCH₃)₆(H₂O)₃]NO₃ have been encapsulated for the first time in the mesoporous cages of the chromium terephthalate MIL-101(Cr). The isolated clusters in MIL-101(Cr) have increased affinity towards propylene compared to propane, due to generation of a new kind of pocket-based propylene-binding site, as supported by DFT calculations.