A novel process to prepare porous membranes comprising SnO2 nanoparticles and P(MMA-AN) as polymer electrolyte

We have successfully developed a new process to prepare porous poly(methyl methacrylate-co-acrylonitrile) (P(MMA-AN)) copolymer based gel electrolyte. The porous structure in the polymer matrix is achieved by adding SnO₂ nanoparticles which are mostly used as gas sensor materials. The quasi-aromatic solvent, NMP, has an electron-repulsion effect with the space charge layer on the surface of SnO₂ nanoparticles and forms a special gas–liquid phase interface. Once the cast polymer solution is stored at an elevated temperature to evaporate the solvent, gas–liquid phase separation happens and spherical pores are obtained. The ionic conductivity at room temperature of the prepared gel polymer electrolyte based on the porous membrane is as high as 1.54 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ with the electrochemical stability up to 5.10 V (vs. Li/Li⁺). This method presents another promising way to prepare porous polymer electrolyte for practical use.     

Experimental measurement and modelling of solubility of inosine-5′-monophosphate disodium in pure and mixed solvents

The solubility of biological chemicals in solvents provide important fundamental data and is generally considered as an essential factor in the design of crystallization processes. The equilibrium solubility data of inosine-5′-monophosphate disodium (5′-IMPNa₂) in water, methanol, ethanol, acetone, as well as in the solvent mixtures (methanol + water, ethanol + water, acetone + water), were measured by an isothermal method at temperatures ranging from (293.15 to 313.15) K. The measured data in pure and mixed solvents were then modelled using the modified Apelblat equation, van’t Hoff equation, λh equation, ideal model and the Wilson model. The modified Apelblat equation showed the best modelling results, and it was therefore used to predict the mixing Gibbs free energies, enthalpies, and entropies of 5′-IMPNa₂in pure and binary solvents. The positive values of the calculated partial molar Gibbs free energies indicated the variations in the solubility trends of 5′-IMPNa₂. Water and ethanol (in the binary mixture with water) were found to be the most effective solvent and anti-solvent, respectively.     

Investigation of sodium 4-nitrotoluene-2-sulfonate solubility in aqueous organic solutions

The solubility of sodium 4-nitrotoluene-2-sulfonate (NTSNa) in binary solvent mixtures (methanol + water), (ethanol + water), and (2-methoxyethanol + water) was investigated over the temperature range from (288 to 344) K. The mole fraction of water in solvent mixtures ranged from 0 to 0.8. The solubility data are described by the electrolyte non-random two-liquid (E-NRTL) model. The E-NRTL binary interaction parameters are expressed as a function of temperature, and were obtained from the experimental data. The root-mean-square deviations of solubility temperature varied from (0.20 to 1.35) K.     

A BET model of the thermodynamics of aqueous multicomponent solutions at extreme concentration

The statistical mechanical basis of the use of Brunauer-Emmett-Teller isotherms to represent activities and other thermodynamic properties in extremely concentrated solutions was established by Ally and Braunstein (J. Chem. Thermodynamics1998, 30, 49–58) for a two-salt, single-solvent, mixture. Based upon the work of these authors, we have derived equations for solute and solvent activities in liquid mixtures containing a single solvent and indefinite number of solutes. New terms have been added to the model equations to express the effects of ternary ion interactions on the salt adsorption parameters. Solution composition is defined on the basis of salts, rather than ions, as components. As examples, the model is used to represent water activities in concentrated (lithium nitrate  +  potassium nitrate  +  water) and (lithium ion  +  sodium ion  +  chloride ion  +  nitrate ion  +  water) mixtures, and salt solubilities in (calcium chloride  +  calcium nitrate  +  water) mixtures.     

Experimental measurement and modelling of KBr solubility in water,methanol, ethanol,and its binary mixed solvents at different temperatures

A simple and accurate apparatus has been designed to measure the solubilities of potassium bromide by an analytical method. Salt solubility data have been measured in water, methanol, ethanol, (water  +  methanol), (water  +  ethanol), and (methanol  +  ethanol) solvents in the temperature range between 298.15 K and 353.15 K.A new formulation is presented for the calculation of salt solubility in pure and mixed solvents as a function of the temperature and solvent composition. This formulation is based on the symmetric convention for the normalization of the activity coefficients for all species in solution, and makes possible direct access to the solubility product of the salt in terms of its thermodynamic properties. The new solubility data measured in this work, as well as experimental information from the open literature, are used to estimate the interaction parameters of the two models proposed here. One model combines the original Universal Quasi Chemical (UNIQUAC) equation with a Pitzer–Debye–Hückel expression to take into account the long-range interaction forces; the other model only considers the short-range forces through the UNIQUAC equation with linear temperature dependent salt/solvent interaction parameters. Both models correlate satisfactorily the solubility data, although temperature and electrostatic effects are both very important in this type of equilibrium. Finally, some conclusions are drawn concerning the models versatility to represent other type of equilibrium data and prediction capabilities.     

Automated on-line dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction based on a sequential injection system

A novel approach for sequential injection-dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (SI-DLLME) has been suggested. The method is based on the aspiration and mixing of a sample and all required aqueous reagents in the holding coil of an SIA system, delivering it into a conical tube and adding in a mixture of extraction solvent, auxiliary solvent and disperser solvent at high flow rate, resulting in the formation of a cloudy state and the extraction of an analyte. The mixture of extraction and auxiliary solvent is immiscible with water and has a density significantly higher than that of water; consequently, the resulting fine droplets in the mixture, which contain the extracted analyte, are self-sedimented in a short time at the bottom of conical tube. Thus, no centrifugation and no use of a microcolumn are required for separation of the extraction phase. Afterwards, the extracted analyte is aspirated and transferred to a micro-volume Z-flow cell, and the absorbance is measured.The performance of the suggested approach is demonstrated by the SI-DLLME of thiocyanate ions in the form of ion associate with dimethylindocarbocyanine reagent, followed by spectrophotometric detection. A mixture of amyl acetate (as extraction solvent), tetrachloromethane (as auxiliary solvent) and acetonitrile (as disperser solvent) was selected for the DLLME procedure. The appropriate experimental conditions for conventional DLLME and automated SI-DLLME were investigated. The analytical performance of both these procedures was compared. The absorbance of the colored extracts at wavelength 555 nm obeys Beer's law in the range of 3.13–28.2 for conventional DLLME and 0.29–5.81 mg L^? 1 of SCN for SI-DLLME, and the limit of detection, calculated from a blank test based on 3 s, is 0.110 for conventional DLLME and 0.017 mg L^? 1 for SI-DLLME.     

Liquid extraction of polyhydric alcohols from water using [A336][SCN] as a solvent

This work demonstrated the possibility of hydrophobic ionic liquid tricaprylmethylammonium thiocyanate ([A336][SCN]) as a solvent in the separation by extraction of polyhydric alcohols from their mixtures with water. The knowledge of (liquid + liquid) equilibrium (LLE) of these mixtures is essential for the design of the extraction process. For this reason, the LLE data of the ternary systems {[A336][SCN] + water + glycerol, or ethylene glycol, or 1,2-propanediol, or 1,3-propanediol} were determined at T = 303.2 K and atmospheric pressure. The reliability of the tie-lines data was ascertained by applying the Othmer–Tobias equation, and the non-random two liquid (NRTL) model used to fit the experimental LLE data. The effectiveness of the extraction of polyhydric alcohols from water was evaluated using the solute distribution ratio and the selectivity. The extraction capability of [A336][SCN] was compared with that of other ILs. The results indicated that the [A336][SCN] was suitable for use as a solvent in (liquid + liquid) extraction of polyhydric alcohols from water.     

Stereoselective synthesis of trans β-lactams via palladium/N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed carbonylative [2+2] cycloaddition

The carbonylative [2+2] cycloaddition of benzyl chlorides and allyl derivatives with imines and CO for synthesis of β-lactam is effectively catalyzed by palladium/N-heterocyclic carbene complex. The desired β-lactam could be obtained in good to excellent yields (61–96%) with excellent regioselectivities (trans/cis > 95:5) and chiral lactams could be obtained with moderate diastereoselectivities. The KIE experimental studies have revealed that the C–H cleavage is most likely to be the rate-limiting step for the carbonylative cycloaddition.     

Highly efficient thermal cyclization reactions of alkylidene esters in continuous flow to give aromatic/heteroaromatic derivatives

Intramolecular thermal cyclization and benzannulation reactions of the Gould–Jacobs and Conrad–Limpach types were performed in a designed continuous flow reactor system at temperatures in the range of 300–360 °C and under high pressure conditions (100–160 bar) with very short residence times (0.45–4.5 min) in tetrahydrofuran as a low-boiling point solvent. Substituted heteroaromatic compounds including pyridopyrimidinones and hydroxyquinolines were synthesized in moderate to high yields. Application of the reaction conditions also allows the synthesis of naphthol and biphenyl derivatives. The procedure involves an easy work-up and the non-batchwise preparative synthesis method is suitable for automation.     

Synthesis and characterization of high surface area TiO2/SiO2 mesostructured nanocomposite

Recently titania synthesis was reported using various structuration procedures, leading to the production of solid presenting high surface area but exhibiting moderate thermal stability. The study presents the synthesis of TiO₂/SiO₂ nanocomposites, a solid that can advantageously replace bulk titania samples as catalyst support. The silica host support used for the synthesis of the nanocomposite is a SBA-15 type silica, having a well-defined 2D hexagonal pore structure and a large pore size. The control of the impregnation media is important to obtain dispersed titania crystals into the porosity, the best results have been obtained using an impregnation in an excess of solvent. After calcination at low temperature (400 °C), nanocomposites having titania nanodomains (～2–3 nm) located inside the pores and no external aggregates visible are obtained. This nanocomposite exhibits high specific surface area (close to that of the silica host support, even with a titania loading of 55 wt.%) and a narrow pore size distribution. Surprisingly, the increase in calcination temperature up to 800 °C does not allow to detect the anatase to rutile transition. Even at 800 °C, the hexagonal mesoporous structure of the silica support is maintained, and the anatase crystal domain size is evaluated at ～10 nm, a size close to that of the silica host support porosity (8.4 nm). Comparison of their physical properties with the results presented in literature for bulk samples evidenced that these TiO₂/SiO₂ solids are promising in term of thermal stability.     

Equilibrium solubility of sodium 3-sulfobenzoate in binary (sodium chloride + water), (sodium sulfate + water), and (ethanol + water) solvent mixtures at temperatures from (278.15 to 323.15) K

The solubility of sodium 3-sulfobenzoate in binary (sodium chloride + water), (sodium sulfate + water), and (ethanol + water) solvent mixtures was measured at elevated temperatures from (278.15 to 323.15) K by a steady-state method. The results of these experiments were correlated by a modified Apelblat equation. The dissolution enthalpy and entropy of sodium 3-sulfobenzoate in aqueous solutions of different mole fraction were obtained.     

Equilibrium solubility of sodium 2-naphthalenesulfonate in binary (sodium chloride + water), (sodium sulfate + water), and (ethanol + water) solvent mixtures at temperatures from (278.15 to 323.15) K

The equilibrium solubility of sodium 2-naphthalenesulfonate in binary (sodium chloride + water), (sodium sulfate + water), and (ethanol + water) solvent mixtures was measured at elevated temperatures from (278.15 to 323.15) K using a steady-state method. With increasing temperatures, the solubility increases in aqueous solvent mixtures. The results of these results were regressed by a modified Apelblat equation. The dissolution entropy and enthalpy determined using the method of the least-squares and the change of Gibbs free energy calculated with the values of Δ_diffS^o and Δ_diffH^o at T = 278.15 K.     

Effect of ionic liquids on (vapor + liquid) equilibrium behavior of (water + 2-methyl-2-propanol)

Isobaric T, x, y data were reported for ternary systems of {water + 2-methyl-2-propanol (tert-butyl alcohol, TBA) + ionic liquid (IL)} at p = 100 kPa. When the mole fraction of TBA on IL-free basis was fixed at 0.95, measurements were performed at IL mass fractions from 0.6 down to 0.05, in a way of repeated synthesis. The vapor-phase compositions were obtained by analytical methods and the liquid-phase compositions were calculated with the aid of mass balances. Activity coefficients of water and TBA were obtained without the need of a thermodynamic model of the liquid-phase. Six ILs, composed of an anion chosen from [OAc]^? or [Cl]^?, and a cation from [emim]⁺, or [bmim]⁺, or [hmim]⁺, were studied. Relative volatility and activity coefficients were presented in relation with the IL mole fraction, showing the effect of the ILs on a molar basis. The effect of the ILs on relative volatility of TBA to water was depicted by the effect of anions and cations on, respectively, the activity coefficients of water and TBA. The results indicated that, among the six ILs studied, [emim][Cl] has the most significant effect on enhancement of the relative volatility, which reaches a value of 7.2 at an IL mass fraction of 0.58. Another IL, [emim][OAc], has also significant effect, with an appreciable value of 5.2 for the relative volatility when the IL mass fraction is 0.6. Considering the relatively low viscosity and melting point of [emim][OAc], it might be a favorable candidate as solvent for the separation of water and TBA by extractive distillation. Simultaneous correlation by the NRTL model was presented for both systems of (water + ethanol + IL) and (water + TBA + IL), using consistent binary parameters for water and IL.     

Determination of triclosan,triclocarban and methyl-triclosan in aqueous samples by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction combined with rapid liquid chromatography

In this study, dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) combined with ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC)–tunable ultraviolet detection (TUV), has been developed for pre-concentration and determination of triclosan (TCS), triclocarban (TCC) and methyl-triclosan (M-TCS) in aqueous samples. The key factors, including the kind and volume of extraction solvent and dispersive solvent, extraction time, salt effect and pH, which probably affect the extraction efficiencies were examined and optimized. Under the optimum conditions, linearity of the method was observed in the range of 0.0500–100 μg L^?1 for TCS, 0.0250–50.0 μg L^?1 for TCC, and 0.500–100 μg L^?1 for M-TCS, respectively, with correlation coefficients (r²) > 0.9945. The limits of detection (LODs) ranged from 45.1 to 236 ng L^?1. TCS in domestic waters was detected with the concentration of 2.08 μg L^?1. The spiked recoveries of three target compounds in river water, irrigating water, reclaimed water and domestic water samples were achieved in the range of 96.4–121%, 64.3–84.9%, 77.2–115% and 75.5–106%, respectively. As a result, this method can be successfully applied for the rapid and convenient determination of TCS, TCC and M-TCS in real water samples.     

Solubility of terephthalic acid in aqueous acetic acid from 423.15 to 513.15 K

Using the steady-state method, the solubilities of terephthalic acid(1) in binary acetic acid(2) + water(3) solvent mixtures in a specially contrived vessel have been measured as a function of temperature in the temperature range 423.15–513.15 K and solvent composition range from x₂ = 1.000 to 0.3103 (molar fraction). The experimental solubilities are correlated with the Apelblat equation. The calculated results show good agreement with the experimental solubilities.     

Ultra-preconcentration and determination of thirteen organophosphorus pesticides in water samples using solid-phase extraction followed by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and gas chromatography with flame photometric detection

An ultra-preconcentration technique composed of solid-phase extraction (SPE) and dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) coupled with gas chromatography–flame photometric detection (GC–FPD) was used for determination of thirteen organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) including phorate, diazinon, disolfotane, methyl parathion, sumithion, chlorpyrifos, malathion, fenthion, profenphose, ethion, phosalone, azinphose-methyl and co-ral in aqueous samples. The analytes were collected from large volumes of aqueous solutions (100 mL) into 100 mg of a SPE C₁₈ sorbent. The effective variables of SPE including type and volume of elution solvent, volume and flow rate of sample solution, and salt concentration were investigated and optimized. Acetone was selected as eluent in SPE and disperser solvent in DLLME and chlorobenzene was used as extraction solvent. Under the optimal conditions, the enrichment factors were between 15,160 and 21,000 and extraction recoveries were 75.8–105.0%. The linear range was 1–10,000 ng L^?1 and limits of detection (LODs) were between 0.2 and 1.5 ng L^?1. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) for 50 ng L^?1 of OPPs in water with and without an internal standard, were in the range of 1.4–7.9% (n = 5) and 4.0–11.6%, respectively. The relative recoveries of OPPs from well and farm water sat spiking levels of 25 and 250 ng L^?1 were 88–109%.     

Influence of molar mass of polymer on the solvent activity for binary system of poly N-vinylcaprolactam and water

The water activity in aqueous solution of poly N-vinyl caprolactam with different molecular weights is measured by isopiestic method at T = 308.15 K. The results show that water activity and vapour pressure of poly N-vinylcaprolactam solution increases with increasing the molecular weight. The Flory-Huggins model, the modified Flory-Huggins model and Freed Flory-Huggins equation + NRTL model are used for correlation of the experimental solvent activity. It is found that the Freed Flory-Huggins + NRTL model is better than the others.     

Analysis of hydrocarbon contamination with membrane-assisted solvent extraction: Comparison of agitation and sonication methods

Membrane-assisted solvent extraction (MASE) coupled to large volume injection was applied to the determination of (gasoline-type) hydrocarbon contamination in water samples. Hexane was used as acceptor phase. 50 μL extract was injected in the programmed temperature vaporizer injector using combined split–splitless evaporation. The extraction conditions were optimized both for MASE with agitation and for MASE with sonication. In the course of optimization the effect of extraction time, extraction temperature, agitation speed, solvent volume, pH, ionic strength and the addition of methanol were tested. Over 75% recovery was accomplished in the range of diesel oil hydrocarbons (n-C₉–n-C₂₄). The developed method was validated. Linearity, accuracy and precision were tested. The method showed excellent linearity between 1 and 1000 μg L^?1 for n-alkanes and between 0.05 and 50 mg L^?1 for gasoline. The method was tested with comprehensive GC × GC as well and found to be non-discriminative to all major compounds of diesel oil.     

Fractionation of lemon essential oil by solvent extraction: Phase equilibrium for model systems at T = 298.2 K

The fractioning of lemon essential oil can be performed by liquid–liquid extraction using hydrous ethanol as a solvent. A quaternary mixture composed of limonene, γ-terpinene, β-pinene, and citral was used to simulate lemon essential oil. In this paper, we present (liquid + liquid) equilibrium data that were experimentally determined for systems containing essential oil compounds, ethanol, and water at T = 298.2 K.The experimental data were correlated using the NRTL and UNIQUAC models, and the mean deviations between calculated and experimental data were less than 0.0053 in all systems, indicating the accuracy of these molecular models in describing our systems.The results show that as the water content in the solvent phase increased, the values of the distribution coefficients decreased, regardless of the type of compound studied. However, the oxygenated compound always showed the highest distribution coefficient among the components of the essential oil, thus making deterpenation of the lemon essential oil a feasible process.