Synthesis of VO2 Nanopowders. Part I. Sol–Gel Processing of Vanadium Alkoxide Precursor Within Inverse Micelles

Hydrolysis and condensation of VO(Oi–Pr)₃ within inverse micelles containing aqueous ammonia catalyst is conducted under different reaction conditions as a synthesis strategy for preparing VO₂ nanoparticles having average diameter <100 nm. Sol–gel processing of VO(Oi–Pr)₃ to form V_xO_y gel particles is controlled by varying NH₃(aq) concentration and using oleic acid or acetic acid pre-treatments. Isolated V_xO_y gel nanoparticles are reduced to VO₂ nanoparticles by thermal annealing, although annealing conditions must be optimized for each batch of gel particles. VO₂ nanoparticles of average diameters 24 or 70 nm prepared by this method show an expected hysteretic semiconductor-to-metal phase transition near 68 °C.     

Prereforming of <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-tetradecane over Ce-promoted 50 wt% Ni/MgO–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalyst with high coke resistance

The effect of Ce-promotion on 50 wt% Ni-based catalysts during the prereforming of n-tetradecane and its optimum content were investigated. The Ni catalyst was synthesized by deposition–precipitation method. Next, various amounts of Ce (0–13 wt%) were loaded on the Ni catalyst by impregnation. The characteristics of the prepared catalysts were analyzed by XRD, H₂-TPR, BET, BJH, and H₂-chemisorption analyses. The prepared catalysts were tested under the prereforming conditions (temperature = 400 °C, GHSV = 3000 h^?1, and S/C = 3 and 4). The Ni catalyst was easily deactivated under the following conditions: temperature = 400 °C, GHSV = 3000 h^?1, and S/C = 4. The stability of all Ce-promoted Ni catalysts was improved as compared to that of the Ni catalyst. Among the Ce-promoted catalysts, 5 wt% Ce/50 wt% Ni/MgO–Al₂O₃ catalyst showed excellent stability even under the severe condition of S/C = 3. SEM, TEM, and TG analyses were performed in order to identify the main factor responsible for the rapid deactivation of the Ni catalyst. In the case of 0Ce/50Ni, Ni particles were encapsulated by many folds of coke and it was related to the rapid catalyst deactivation. However, after Ce promoted on the Ni catalyst, the thickness of the coke layers and the number of encapsulated Ni particles decreased and the deposited amount of coke on the catalyst also decreased.     

Synthesis and characterization of bis[2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)benzoato]nickel(II), and its use for preparation of dimethyl carbonate from methanol and CO2

A new complex, bis[2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)benzoato]nickel(II) (NiL₂), has been synthesized and characterized. It was used as catalyst for synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) from methanol and CO₂ in the presence of dicyclohexyl carbodiimide (DCC) as promoter. The effects of temperature, reaction time, and amount of catalyst on the reaction, and the reusability of the catalyst, were investigated. A catalytic mechanism is proposed. The results revealed that NiL₂ + DCC had excellent catalytic activity, because this catalytic system promoted facile formation of DMC, with acceptable yield, in the presence of a small amount of NiL₂ and under moderate conditions (80 °C, 1.0 MPa). Moreover, the catalyst has been consecutively used five times without significant loss of activity.     

Segmental mobility and relaxation processes of Fe2O3 nanoparticle-loaded fast ionic transport nanocomposite gel polymer electrolyte

The interaction of Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles emphasized between poly(propylene glycol) (PPG 4000) and silver triflate (AgCF₃SO₃) on the conformal changes of coordination sites and the electrochemical properties have been investigated. On the influence of Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles distribution, the interactions between the ether oxygen in C–O–C of the polymer chain with Ag⁺ ion as a result of bond strength of the C–O–C stretching vibration, the end group effect has been examined by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The formation of transient cross-links between polymer chains and filler particles appears to be a characteristic change in the glass transition temperature (T _g) and enhance the effective number of cations as well. The strength of ion–polymer interactions was revealed by the transport of ions, t _Ag+, and found to be in the range of 0.42–0.50, and the ionic conductivity was ascertained by complex impedance analysis with a maximum of 9.2?×?10^?4 S cm^?1 at 298 K with a corresponding concentration of 10 wt% Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles. The temperature dependence of conductivity has been examined based on the Vogel–Tammann–Fulcher (VTF) equation, thereby suggesting the segmental chain motion and free volume changes. From the impedance data, both the dielectric and modulus behaviours have been revealed and both were well correlated as a function of frequency.     

In situ stabilization of Pd(0) nanoparticles into a mixture of natural carbohydrate beads: A novel and highly efficient heterogeneous catalyst system for Heck coupling reactions

A convenient, mild and cost‐effective synthesis of palladium nanoparticles stabilized by a mixture of natural carbohydrate beads (gum arabic and pectin) as a new bio‐organometallic catalyst is reported. Powder X‐ray diffraction, transmission and scanning electron microscopies and energy‐dispersive X‐ray and UV–visible spectroscopies were employed to characterize this supported Pd nanoparticles/gum arabic/pectin catalyst. The nanocatalyst exhibited efficient activity in Mizoroki–Heck cross‐coupling reactions between various aryl halides and n ‐butyl acrylate under solvent‐free conditions. The catalyst can easily be recovered from the reaction system and reused several times with high yields. The products were obtained in short reaction times with excellent yields.     

Assessment of operating parameters for photocatalytic degradation of a textile dye by Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/clinoptilolite nanocatalyst using Taguchi experimental design

In the current study, a nanophotocatalyst doped with of TiO₂ and Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles supported on Iranian clinoptilolite was synthesized and characterized by XRD, XRF, SEM, and EDX analyses. The results suggested the successful loading of TiO₂ and Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles onto the surface of clinoptilolite. The SEM images confirmed the average size of nanoparticles deposited on zeolite, which was about 20–40 nm. Furthermore, application of the synthesized photocatalyst in photocatalytic degradation of Acid Black 172 dye was studied using the Taguchi method and the chosen parameters were as follows: pH (2–7), dye concentration (50–200 mg/l), irradiation time (30–120 min), and catalyst dosage (0.5–1.5 g/l). The results indicate that dye concentration, pH, and irradiation time are respectively the most effective factors in these experiments while with the minimum dosage of the catalyst (0.5 g/l), up to 90 % removal efficiency could be achieved. The optimum value for each parameter was pH = 2, dye concentration = 50 mg/l, catalyst dosage = 1 g/l and irradiation time = 60 min, and the dye removal efficiency reached up to 100 % at these optimal conditions. Furthermore, after five-times recycling and reusing the catalyst, the efficiency of the photocatalytic degradation was reduced from 91.5 to 65.9 %, which is still an acceptable value.     

Perlite–SO<Subscript>3</Subscript>H nanoparticles: very efficient and reusable catalyst for three-component synthesis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-cyclohexyl-3-aryl-quinoxaline-2-amine derivatives under ultrasound irradiation

An efficient green approach for the synthesis of N-cyclohexyl-3-aryl-quinoxaline-2-amine derivatives, via a three-component one-pot condensation reaction of o-phenylenediamine, aromatic aldehydes and cyclohexyl isocyanide in the presence of perlite–SO₃H nanoparticles (diameter/thickness of platelets <?100 nm) under ultrasound irradiation has been demonstrated. The present method offers advantages such as shorter reaction time, easy work-up, excellent yields, recovery and reusability of catalyst. In addition, the methodology has been prosperous in getting the green chemistry purposes such as natural catalyst, using ultrasound irradiation instead of conventional heating and stirring, and a non-hazardous products in the thus combining the features of both economic and environmental advantages.     

Synthesis and characterization of chitosan–polyvinylpyrrolidone–bovine serum albumin-coated magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles as potential carrier for delivery of tamoxifen

The proposed study examined the preparation of chitosan (CS)–polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)–bovine serum albumin (BSA)-coated magnetic iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄–CS–PVP–BSA) to use as potential drug delivery carriers for delivery of tamoxifen drug (TAM) . The anticancer drug selected in this study was tamoxifen which can be used for the human breast cancer treatment. These prepared nanoparticles were characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM, AFM, TEM, CD and VSM techniques. The swelling studies have been measured at different (10, 20, 30, 40, 50%) drug loading. The mean particle size of the tamoxifen-loaded nanoparticles system (Fe₃O₄–CS–TAM, Fe₃O₄–CS–TAM–PVP and Fe₃O₄–CS–TAM–PVP–BSA) as measured by Malvern Zetasizer ranged between 350 ± 2.3 and 601 ± 1.7 nm. As well as these drug-loaded nanoparticles were positively charged. The zeta potential was in the range of 28.9 ± 3.5 and 50.8 ± 3.9 mV. The encapsulation efficiency was between 63.60 ± 2.11 and 96.45 ± 2.12%. Furthermore, in vitro release and drug loading efficiency from the nanoparticles were investigated. The cytotoxicity of prepared nanoparticles was verified by MTT assay. In vitro release studies were executed in 4.0 and 7.4 pH media to simulate the intestinal and gastric conditions and different temperature (37 and 42 °C). Hence, the prepared tamoxifen-loaded nanoparticles system (Fe₃O₄–CS–TAM, Fe₃O₄–CS–TAM–PVP and Fe₃O₄–CS–TAM–PVP–BSA) could be a promising candidate in cancer therapy.     

Fe3O4@SiO2-polymer-imid-Pd magnetic porous nanosphere as magnetically separable catalyst for Mizoroki–Heck and Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions

The activity of palladium nanoparticles supported on poly (N-vinylpyrrolidone) grafted Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ was investigated in the cross-coupling reactions. We have applied this catalyst under low loading of the supported palladium nanoparticles for the coupling of aryl halides with alkenes (Mizoroki–Heck reaction) and organoboronic acids (Suzuki–Miyaura reaction) in the absence of phosphorous ligands. Short reaction times and excellent yields of the products express the effectiveness of this catalyst. The nanocatalyst can be separated from the reaction mixture by applying a permanent magnet externally and can be reused for six times without appreciable change in catalytic activity. Also, the amount of leaching of Pd nanoparticles has been determined by ICP analysis and results showed low leaching of the metal into solution from the supported catalyst.     

Photodegradation of methyl orange catalyzed by nanoscale zerovalent iron particles supported on natural zeolite

A nanoscale catalyst Fe⁰(FeNPs) supported on the natrolite zeolite nanoparticles (NANPs) is successfully synthesized and characterized by FT-IR, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA). The photodegradation of methyl orange (MO) is studied in aqueous suspension containing the catalyst under UV irradiation and H₂O₂. The effect of various reaction parameters such as initial dye concentration, irradiation time, pH, H₂O₂ concentration and catalyst dosage on the decolorization of methyl orange is investigated. The degradation study reveals that the reactivity of the catalysts is in order of: photo-NANPs–FeNPs–H₂O₂ > photo-NANPs–H₂O₂ > photo-NANPs–FeNPs > photo-H₂O₂ > NANPs–FeNPs–H₂O₂. The results show that methyl orange can be effectively decolorized by NANPs–FeNPs via the pseudo-first-order kinetic model.     

Electrochemical preparation of α-Ni(OH)2 ultrafine nanoparticles for high-performance supercapacitors

Well-dispersed nanoparticles of nickel hydroxide were prepared via a simple electrochemical method. Electrodeposition experiments were performed from 0.005 M Ni(NO₃)₂ bath at a constant current density of 0.1 mA cm^?2 on the steel cathode for 1 h. Recording the potential values during the deposition process revealed that the reduction of water has major role in the base electrogeneration at the applied conditions. The obtained deposit was characterized by the X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared (IR), differential scanning calorimeter–thermogravimetric analysis, carbon–nitrogen–hydrogen (CHN), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The CHN, XRD, and IR analyses showed that the obtained deposit has α phase of Ni(OH)₂ with intercalated nitrate ions in its structure. Morphological characterization by SEM and TEM revealed that the prepared α-Ni(OH)₂ is composed of well-dispersed ultrafine particles with the size of about 5 nm. The supercapacitive performance of the prepared nanoparticles was analyzed by means of cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge–discharge tests. The electrochemical measurements showed an excellent supercapacitive behavior of the prepared α-Ni(OH)₂ nanoparticles. It was also observed that the α-Ni(OH)₂ ultrafine particles have better electrochemical characteristic and supercapacitive behavior than β-Ni(OH)₂ ultrafine nanoparticles, including less positive charging potential, lower E _a???E _c value, better reversibility, higher E _OER???E _a, higher utilization of active material, higher proton diffusion coefficient, greater discharge capacity, and better cyclability. These results make the α-Ni(OH)₂ nanoparticles as an excellent candidate for the supercapacitor materials.     

A High-Performance Catalytic and Recyclability of Phyto-Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Embedded in Natural Polymer

The present work deals with phytogenic synthesis of Ag NPs in the natural polymer alginate as support material using Aglaia elaeagnoidea leaf extract as a reducing, capping, and stabilizing agent. Ag nanoparticles embedded in alginate were characterized using UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy techniques and selected area electron diffraction techniques. The formation of AgNPs embedded in the polymer was in spherical shape with an average size of 12 nm range has been noticed. The prepared embedded nanoparticles in polymer were evaluated as a solid heterogeneous catalyst for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) and methylene blue to leuco methylene blue in the liquid phase using sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) as reducing agent. The silver nanoparticles embedded polymer exhibited extraordinary catalytic efficacy in reduction of 4-NP to 4-AP and the rate constant is 0.5054 min^?1 at ambient conditions. The catalyst was recycled and reused up to 10 cycles without significant loss of catalytic activity. The preparation of Ag–CA composite was facile, stable, efficient, eco-friendly, easy to recycle, non-toxic, and cost effective for commercial application.     

Cu nanoparticles: a highly efficient non-noble metal catalyst for rapid reduction of nitro compounds to amines with NaBH<Subscript>4</Subscript> in water

The purely aqueous-phase reduction of a wide range of nitro compounds to the corresponding amines has been carried out with NaBH₄ in the presence of inexpensive Cu nanoparticles as catalyst. The reactions were taken place in water (80 °C) within 4–15 min to give amines in high to excellent yields.     

Graphene–Au composite sensor for electrochemical detection of para-nitrophenol

A novel electrochemical sensor for para-nitrophenol (p-NP) was constructed with graphene–Au composite containing 10 % Au (G–Au 10 %). In the composite, Au nanoparticles with the size of ca. 11 nm were regularly scattered on graphene sheet without aggregation, which offers dramatically higher electrocatalytic activity on the redox of K₃[Fe(CN)₆]/K₄[Fe(CN)₆] couple than sole Au nanoparticles. Compared to sole Au nanoparticles, the G–Au 10 % also exhibited dramatically improved electrocatalytic activity on the reduction of p-NP. Amperometric detection of p-NP at G–Au 10 % modified electrode displayed a wide linear range of 0.47–10.75 mM with detection limit of 0.47 μM and a high sensitivity of 52.85 μA/mM. Considering the thrifty in utilization of noble Au, the G–Au 10 % can be successfully applied as a low-cost and powerful sensing material for trace detection of p-NP.     

Smart synthesis of silver nanoparticles supported in porous polybenzoxazine nanocomposites via a main-chain type benzoxazine resin

Novel silver nanoparticles immobilized on macroporous polybenzoxazine nanocomposites were prepared as catalysts for catalytic reduction reaction.     

MnCo<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanoparticles with excellent catalytic activity in thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate

MnCo₂O₄ spinel nanoparticles (NPs) have been prepared using Aloe vera gel solution. The characterization of prepared spinel was performed applying Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron spectroscope, scanning electron microscope and dynamic light scattering. The results manifested that the prepared nanoparticles were mainly spherical plus minor agglomeration with average size distribution between 35 and 60 nm. The catalytic activity of the prepared nanoparticles upon thermal degradation of ammonium perchlorate (AP) was evaluated applying differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry instruments. MnCo₂O₄ nanoparticles increased the released heat of AP from 450 to 1480 J g^?1 and decreased the decomposition temperature from 420 to 293 °C. The kinetic parameters obtained from Kissinger methods showed that the activation energy of AP thermal decomposition in the presence of MnCo₂O₄ NPs considerably decreased. Also, a mechanism has been proposed in the presence of catalyst for the process of thermal decomposition of AP.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Co3O4 Nanoparticles by Thermal Treatment Process

The simple preparation of Co₃O₄ nanoparticles from a solid metallorganic molecular precursor [bis(salicylaldehydeato)cobal(II)]; [Co(sal)₂] has been achieved via two simple steps: firstly, the [Co(sal)₂] precursor was precipitated from the reaction of cobalt(II) acetate and salicylaldehyde; in propanol under nitrogen condition; then, cubic phase Co₃O₄ nanoparticles with the size of mostly 20–30 nm could be produced by thermal treatment of the [Co(sal)₂] in air at 500 °C for 5 h. The as-synthesized products were characterized by powder XRD, FT-IR, TEM and SEM. The results confirm that the resulting oxide was pure single-crystalline Co₃O₄ nanoparticles. The optical absorption spectrum indicates that the direct band gaps of Co₃O₄ nanoparticles are 1.53 and 2.02 eV. The optical property test indicates that the absorption peak of the nanoparticles shifts towards short wavelength, and the blue shift phenomenon might be ascribed to the quantum effect. The hysteresis loops of the obtained samples reveal the ferromagnetic behaviors the enhanced coercivity (H _c ) and decreased saturation magnetization (M _s ) in contrast to their respective bulk materials.     

Lanthanide Triflate Catalyzed One-Pot Synthesis of Dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-thiones by a Three-Component of 1,3-Dicarbonyl Compounds,Aldehydes, and Thiourea Using a Solvent-Free Biginelli Condensation

Abstract

Novel one-pot Biginelli-type reaction has been developed. Aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes with β-dicarbonyl compounds and thiourea in the presence of catalytic amount 5 mol% of Yb(OTf)₃ at 100° C for 60–90 min under solvent-free conditions proceeded smoothly to afford corresponding dihydropyrimidin-thiones. The yields of the classical Biginelli reaction can be increased from 20–50% to 81–91% while the reaction time was shortened from 18–48 h to 60–90 min. In addition the catalyst can be easily recovered and reused.     

A Chemiluminescence Microarray Based on Catalysis by CeO2 Nanoparticles and Its Application to Determine the Rate of Removal of Hydrogen Peroxide by Human Erythrocytes

In this work, cerium oxide nanoparticles are capable of strongly enhancing the chemiluminescence (CL) of the luminol–hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) system. Based on this, a microarray CL method for the determination of the removal rate constant of H₂O₂ by human erythrocytes has been developed. It is providing direct evidence for a H₂O₂-removing enzyme in human erythrocytes that acts as the predominant catalyst. A reaction mechanism is discussed. The proposed microarray CL method is sensitive, selective, simple and time-saving, and has good reproducibility and high throughput. Relative CL intensity is linearly related to the concentration of H₂O₂ in the range from 0.01 to 50 μM. The limit of detection is as low as 6.5?×?10^?11 M (3σ), and the relative standard deviation is 2. 1 % at 1 μM levels of H₂O₂ (for n?=?11).