Adsorption of hydrocarbons from solutions and gas phase on silica and alumina modified with silver and gold ions

The paper reports the immobilization of Ag⁺ cations on alumina and silica and AuCl ₄ ^? anions on amino silica and alumina. The method of inverse gas chromatography have demonstrated that Ag(I)-silica is selective for the separation of alkanes, alkenes, alkines, and arenes. The dependence of the capacitance of Ag(I) and Au(III) composites with regard to phenylacetylene (PHA) on the nature of the carriers, surface concentration, and technique of immobilizing ion metals has been considered. The isotherms of the adsorption of PHA from solutions in octane have been measured. It has been revealed that the capacitance of composites with regard to toward PHA prepared by the immobilization of ammoniates of silver nitrate on silicon dioxide is several times higher than for composites based on alumina with the same silver concentration and composites prepared by the immobilization of silver nitrate on silicon dioxide. The capacitance of the Au(III) composite based on alumina for PHA is significantly higher than for that based on aluminum oxide. The highest capacitance for PHA (0.83 and 0.88 molecules per metal ion) is observed for Ag(I) silica and the Au(III) alumina composite. In the visible region, the diffuse reflection spectra of amino silica Au(III) composites have a significant shift of the maximum of adsorption band along with the decrease in the concentration of immobilized anions of AuCl ₄ ^? , which evinces the formation of coordination bonds between free amin?propyl groups of the silica carrier and gold atom. The formation of these bonds prevents the adsorption of PHA on amino silica Au(III) composites with low gold concentrations.     

Modified silica gels as recyclable adsorbents of aqueous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

ABSTRACT

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a class of toxic organic molecules containing multiple fused aromatic rings, are found in air, soil and water as a by-product from the incomplete combustion of organic matter. We report on the modification of silica gel using lipophilic molecules containing carboxylic acids, for anchoring to the surface via hydrogen bonds. The lipophilic component captures aqueous PAH, specifically phenanthrene, through the agency of π–π and π–sp³ interactions. The structure–sorption-relationships suggest optimum phenanthrene adsorption is achieved with unsaturated bonds in linear chains or two phenyl rings. Examples include linoleic acid or 2,3-diphenylpropionic acid with removal values of 281 and 283?ng PAH per gram of silica gel, respectively. Saturation adsorption is achieved within four hours. Proposed modes of binding of the new reverse phase silica gels with phenanthrene are described. Recycling of the silica gel is accomplished by washing with organic solvents to remove PAH.     

Material Balance Study of Adsorption of Organic Compounds

It was shown that the structure of a surface complex and the nature of an adsorption bond can be determined from the material balance of adsorption of H⁺and OH^–ions and organic compound. A calculation procedure was considered using adsorption of benzoic acid on silica gel and zirconia as examples. It was established that adsorption of benzoic acid on silica gel was accompanied by the release of H⁺ions resulted from the formation of surface hydrogen bonds, whereas adsorption on zirconia, by the substitution of OH^–ions in coordination sphere of Zr(IV).     

Thermo-XRD-analysis and peptization study of the adsorption of alizarinate by Co-, Ni-, and Cu-montmorillonite

The adsorption of the monovalent anionic dye alizarinate onto Co-, Ni- and Cu-montmorillonite was carried out by adding the dye into aqueous clay suspensions. During the loading of the clay suspension by alizarinate, only some of the added organic anion is adsorbed by the clay forming d-coordination chelate complexes on the clay surface. Maximum adsorption of Co-, Ni- and Cu-clay were 13, 13 and 25 mmol dye per 100 g clay. Since the capacity of the clay for these transition metal cations is 38 mmol per 100 g clay, these saturations indicate that only part of the transition metal cations form positively charged d-coordination chelate complexes with metal:ligand ratio of 1. The complex cations can be located inside the interlayer spaces or on the broken bonds surfaces. Thermo-XRD-analysis and peptization studies of the solids and the clay water systems respectively were used here to identify the sorption sites. The Co and Ni complexes were obtained on the broken bonds surfaces whereas the Cu complexes were obtained in the interlayer space. Co²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Cu²⁺ were extracted from the clay into suspensions containing excess alizarinate.     

Characterization of Fumed Alumina/Silica/Titania in the Gas Phase and in Aqueous Suspension

Fumed oxide alumina/silica/titania was studied in comparison with fumed alumina, silica, titania, alumina/silica, and titania/silica by means of XRD, ¹H NMR, IR, optical, dielectric relaxation, and photon correlation spectroscopies, electrophoresis, and quantum chemical methods. The explored Al₂O₃/SiO₂/TiO₂ consists of amorphous alumina (22 wt%), amorphous silica (28 wt%), and crystalline titania (50 wt%, with a blend of anatase (88%) and rutile (12%)) and has a wide assortment of Brønsted and Lewis acid sites, which provide a greater acidity than that of individual fumed alumina, silica, or titania and an acidity close to that of fumed alumina/silica or titania/silica. The changes in the Gibbs free energy (ΔG) of interfacial water in an aqueous suspension of Al₂O₃/SiO₂/TiO₂ are close to the ΔG values of the dispersions of pure rutile but markedly lower than those of alumina, anatase, or rutile covered by alumina and silica. The zeta potential of Al₂O₃/SiO₂/TiO₂ (pH of the isoelectric point (IEP) equals ≈3.3) is akin to that of fumed titania (pH(IEP_TiO2) ≈ 6) at pH > 6, but it significantly differs from the ζ of fumed alumina (pH(IEP_Al2O3) ≈ 9.8) at any pH value as well as those of fumed silica, titania/silica, and alumina/silica at pH < 6. The particle size distribution in the diluted aqueous suspensions of Al₂O₃/SiO₂/TiO₂ studied by means of photon correlation spectroscopy depends relatively slightly on pH in contrast to the titania/silica or alumina/silica dispersions. Theoretical calculations of oxide cluster interaction with water show a high probability of hydrolysis of Al–O–Ti and Si–O–Ti bonds strained at the interface of alumina/titania or silica/titania due to structural differences in the lattices of the corresponding individual oxides. Ab initio calculated chemical shift δ_H values of H atoms in different hydroxyl groups at the oxide clusters and in bound water molecules are in agreement with the ¹H NMR data and show a significant impact of charged particles (H₃O⁺ or OH⁻) on the average δ_H values of water droplets with (H₂O)_n at n between 2 and 48.     

Heating effects on morphological and textural characteristics of individual and composite nanooxides

Morphological, structural and adsorption characteristics of nanooxides (fumed individual silica, alumina and titania, and composite silica/alumina, silica/titania and alumina/silica/titania) were compared after different treatments (wetting/drying, ball-milling, suspending/drying, heating) at different temperatures (373–1173 K) using low-temperature nitrogen adsorption data. The structural characteristics such as specific surface area (S _BET), pore volume (V _p), pore (PSD) and particle (PaSD) size distributions (calculated using self-consisting regularization procedure with respect to both PSD and PaSD), fractality, adsorption energy distributions depend differently on heating temperature because desorption of water molecularly and dissociatively adsorbed at a surface and in bulk of primary nanoparticles occurs over a wide temperature range at different rates. These processes affect both structural and energetic characteristics of nanooxides.     

The first naphthodiazaphosphorinane in the solid phase; syntheses, spectroscopic studies and X-ray crystallography of some new 1,3,2-diheterophosphorus compounds

New heterocyclic compounds of diazaphosphorinanes, diazaphospholes, and oxazaphospholes were synthesized and characterized by ¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P, NMR, IR spectroscopy, and CHN elemental analysis. The 3D structure of compound (5) was determined by X-ray crystallography. Since benzo- or naphthodiazaphospholes/diazaphosphorinanes containing aromatic rings are usually unstable in the solution state, their single crystal structures are rarely reported and, to the best of our knowledge, this structure is the first occasion of naphthodiazaphosphorinanes obtained here. It is noticeable that the P=O and C=O bonds are closer to syn than anti configuration and the P=O bond is placed in a pseudo-equatorial position. This structure produced a 3D polymeric chain via strong hydrogen bonds and electrostatic short contacts. Due to the ring strain of five-membered rings, for all diazaphospholes great ² J(PNH_endocyclic) coupling constants (about 18.0 Hz), as well as high ^2,3 J(P,C) coupling constants for the aromatic carbon atoms connected to the five-membered ring (about 14.5, 13.5 Hz, respectively) were measured. Replacement of one NH group in a diazaphosphole ring by an oxygen atom caused exceedingly decreased ring strain and hence highly diminished ² J(PNH_endocyclic) coupling constant. Furthermore, ³¹P NMR spectra of oxazaphospholes, like the spectra of diazaphosphorinanes, indicated highly shielded phosphorus atoms relative to those of their diazaphospholes analogs. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Development of Composite Adsorbents of Carbon and Intercalated Clay for N2and O2Adsorption: A Preliminary Study

Composite adsorbents of carbon and alumina intercalated montmorillonite were prepared and characterized by adsorption of N₂and O₂at various temperatures. The effects of pyrolysis, temperature, heating rate, subsequent degassing, and doping of cations and anions were investigated. The adsorption capacities of the composite adsorbents developed at higher temperatures (0 and −79°C) are found to be larger than those of normal alumina pillared clays. The experimental results showed that the framework of these adsorbents is made of alumina particles and clay sheets while the pyrolyzed carbon distributes in the space of interlayers and interpillars. The pores between the carbon particles, clay sheets, and alumina pillars are very narrow with very strong adsorption forces, leading to enhanced adsorption capacities at 0 and −79°C. The composite adsorbents exhibit features similar to those of carbonaceous adsorbents. Their pore structures, adsorption capacities, and selectivities to oxygen can be tailored by a controlled degassing procedure. Meanwhile, ions can be doped into the adsorbents to modify their adsorption properties, as usually observed for oxide adsorbents like zeolite and pillared clays. Such flexibility in pore structure tailoring is a potential advantage of the composite adsorbents developed for their adsorption and separation applications.     

Biaryl formation via Suzuki and Stille coupling reactions using palladium nanoparticle/polymeric N‐heterocyclic carbene grafted silica as recyclable and efficient catalyst

Palladium nanoparticles supported on polymeric N‐heterocyclic carbene grafted silica as an efficient organic–inorganic hybrid catalyst is introduced. Pd⁰ nanoparticle formation, which is stabilized by the polymeric N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands and ionic liquid units, was confirmed using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy images showed microparticles of modified silica while transmission electron microscopy images displayed a fine distribution of Pd nanoparticles. The modified structure was applied successfully in biaryl formation via Suzuki and Stille coupling reactions. Various biaryls were generated through the reaction of phenylboronic acid or tetraphenyltin with a variety of haloarenes via cross‐coupling reactions. This catalyst showed promising activity after being recycled several times. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Carbon‐Dot‐Sensitized,Nitrogen‐Doped TiO2 in Mesoporous Silica for Water Decontamination through Nonhydrophobic Enrichment–Degradation Mode

Mesoporous silica synthesized from the cocondensation of tetraethoxysilane and silylated carbon dots containing an amide group has been adopted as the carrier for the in situ growth of TiO₂ through an impregnation–hydrothermal crystallization process. Benefitting from initial complexation between the titania precursor and carbon dot, highly dispersed anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles can be formed inside the mesoporous channel. The hybrid material possesses an ordered hexagonal mesostructure with p6mm symmetry, a high specific surface area (446.27 m² g^?1), large pore volume (0.57 cm³ g^?1), uniform pore size (5.11 nm), and a wide absorption band between λ=300 and 550 nm. TiO₂ nanocrystals are anchored to the carbon dot through Ti?O?N and Ti?O?C bonds, as revealed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Moreover, the nitrogen doping of TiO₂ is also verified by the formation of the Ti?N bond. This composite shows excellent adsorption capabilities for 2,4‐dichlorophenol and acid orange 7, with an electron‐deficient aromatic ring, through electron donor–acceptor interactions between the carbon dot and organic compounds instead of the hydrophobic effect, as analyzed by the contact angle analysis. The composite can be photocatalytically recycled through visible‐light irradiation after adsorption. The narrowed band gap, as a result of nitrogen doping, and the photosensitization effect of carbon dots are revealed to be coresponsible for the visible‐light activity of TiO₂. The adsorption capacity does not suffer any clear losses after being recycled three times.     

Hydroxytropylium chloride: the first crystal structure of an unfunctionalized hydroxytropylium ion

The crystal structure of hydroxytropylium chloride, C₇H₆OH⁺·Cl⁻, the hydrochloride salt of tropone, is described, which represents the first crystallographic characterization of an unfunctionalized hydroxytropylium ion. Crystals were obtained serendipitously from a sample of chlorotropylium chloride after partial hydrolysis. This highlights the role of hydroxytropylium ions as an intermediate in the hydrolytic decomposition of halotropylium halides to tropone. The solid‐state structure consists of layers, in which the hydroxytropylium and chloride ions interact via both strong hydrogen bonds formed by the hydroxy protons and weaker hydrogen bonds formed by the tropylium protons to produce a two‐dimensional network.     

Hydro­gen‐bonding patterns in cis‐4‐ammonio­cyclo­hexane­carboxyl­ate hemihydrate

In the title compound, C₇H₁₃NO₂·0.5H₂O, cis‐4‐amino­cyclo­hexane­carboxylic acid exists as a zwitterion and co‐crystallizes with water mol­ecules in a 2:1 amino acid–water ratio. The cyclo­hexane ring adopts a chair conformation, with the carboxyl­ate and ammonium groups in axial and equatorial positions, respectively. The basic motif in the crystal structure is a sandwich structure, formed by two amino acid units linked by head‐to‐tail hydrogen bonds. Hydro­gen bonds of the type N⁺—H⋯O—C—O⁻ link these motifs, forming helicoidally extended chains running along the c axis. The water molecule lies on a twofold axis and interacts with the chains by means of O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds.     

Selective separation behavior of silica gel for zirconium in simulated high level radioactive liquid waste

Zirconium in simulated high level radioactive liquid waste (HLLW) was selectively adsorbed and separated by self-made high adsorption activity silica gel. The selective adsorption mechanism was analyzed according to the structure character of self-made silica gel and performance of zirconium in acid simulated HLLW. The results show that the adsorption selectivity of self-made silica gel for zirconium is strong, because zirconium has higher positive charge and zirconium ion hydrolyzes easily. Distribution coefficient of self-made silica gels for zirconium is 53.5 ml/g. There are 6.5 (OH)/nm² on the surface on self-made silica gels which provide more adsorption activity places, thus self-made silica gels have higher adsorption capacity for zirconium (31.4 mg/g). The elution rate of the adsorption of zirconium on self-made silica gel by 0.2 mol/l H₂C₂O₄ is more than 99%. The solubility of the self-made silica gel in nitric acid is low, the chemical stability of self-made silica gel is very strong.     

Application of cationic polymerization to grafting and coating of silica particles

The cationic polymerization of electron rich monomers such as vinyl ethers, vinyl furane, and cyclopentadiene on silica surfaces can be initiated by aryl methyl halides. The reactions yield always soluble polymers (by heterogeneous catalysis) and novel polymer/silica hybrid materials. The link between polymer and solid is caused by covalent Si-O-C bonds, by network formation of the polymers during the chain growth, or by a combination of both of them. The analysis of the polymer structures on the surface by ¹H MAS NMR spectroscopy in suspension and by solid state ¹³C CP MAS NMR spectroscopy is described. Proof of Si-O-C bonds via DRIFT spectroscopy and ¹³C CP MAS NMR spectroscopy is given. The most effective method of irreversibly linking the polymer to the silica surface is the network formation. Polyvinyl ethers are bound strongly to the surface, as can be shown by FTIR measurements, but the linkage is not stable due to the Si-O-C bonds' susceptibility to hydrolysis. Poly-cyclopentadienes (PCPD) are linked to the surface by Si-O-C bonds, which show an extraordinary high resistance to acids and bases. Si-O-C bond formation of poly-2-vinyl furane could not yet be detected by ¹³C CP MAS NMR spectroscopy and DRIFT spectroscopy. In this case the high degree of coating derives from the bifunctionality of 2-vinyl furane: it may undergo Friedel-Crafts-alkylation at the 5-position of the furane ring as well as chain polymerization via the vinyl group at the 2-position.     

Ethylene Adsorption and Oxidation Kinetics in the Reactions with Pd(II)/SiO2 and Cr(VI)/SiO2: Consideration of Substrate Distribution between the Gas Phase,Silica Gel,and Reaction Centers

The kinetics of ethylene oxidation by PdCl₂ and CrO₃ complexes supported on silica gel (300 K, closed batch reactor) and the adsorption of C₂H₄ by silica gel and metal complex reaction centers (M ⁿ ) were studied. A new version of the kinetic distribution method was applied to determine the rate constants of ethylene reactions with metal complexes with consideration for the equilibrium distribution of C₂H₄ among the reactor gas phase, silica gel, and M ⁿ . The rate constant of a first-order reaction with respect to Cr(VI) (k _e) remained constant as [M ⁿ ] was increased up to 0.15 mol % with the absence of detectable ethylene adsorption by chromium(VI). In the case of Pd(II)/SiO₂, strong ethylene adsorption by palladium(II) was found, and k _e was an exponential function of [M ⁿ ]. This exponential function is indicative of an increase in the specific activity of Pd(II) with palladium concentration on SiO₂. Taking into account the adsorption of ethylene (physisorption on SiO₂ and chemisorption on Pd(II)), we found an analogy between the kinetic behaviors of Pd(II) in reactions with ethylene on silica gel and with ethylene and other hydrocarbons in solutions.     

Effect of intermolecular =C–HO interaction on the crystal structure and vibrational properties of 2,6-dimethyl-4-nitropyridine N-oxide

The crystal structure of 2,6-dimethyl-4-nitropyridine N-oxide (DMNPO) has been determined at ambient temperature. The compound crystallizes as a monoclinic structure, space group P2/n, with 12 molecules per unit cell. The unit cell contains three non-equivalent formula units. The nitro group is not coplanar with the pyridine ring. Through a system of =C–HO hydrogen bonds the molecules are arranged into a two-dimensional network of layers parallel to the axc plane.The IR and Raman spectra, measured in the 3500–100 cm⁻¹ region at ambient temperature, are correlated with X-ray structural data. The assignment of IR and Raman bands is given. The appearance of characteristic vibrational features in the spectra of this compound and the observed shifts of the =C–H and N–O IR active stretching modes, when the sample is dissolved in CCl₄, is discussed in terms of the relatively strong =C–HO hydrogen bonds present in this crystal.     

A Toroidal Zr70 Oxysulfate Cluster and Its Diverse Packing Structures

Herein, we report the discovery of a toroidal inorganic cluster of zirconium(IV) oxysulfate of unprecedented size with the formula Zr₇₀(SO₄)₅₈(O/OH)₁₄₆⋅x(H₂O) (Zr₇₀), which displays different packing of ring units and thus several polymorphic crystal structures. The ring measures over 3 nm across, has an inner cavity of 1 nm and displays a pseudo-10-fold rotational symmetry of Zr₆ octahedra bridged by an additional Zr in the outer rim of the ring. Depending on the co-crystallizing species, the rings form various crystalline phases in which the torus units are connected in extended chain and network structures. One phase, in which the ring units are arranged in layers and form one-dimensional channels, displays high permanent porosity (BET surface area: 241 m² g⁻¹), and thus demonstrates a functional property for potential use in, for example, adsorption or heterogeneous catalysis.     

Sorption of radioiodine on organic rich soil,clay minerals and alumina

Batch method was used to investigate the sorption behavior of radioiodine on organic rich soil, alumina, chlorite-illite clay mixture and bentonite.¹³¹I was used as tracer. The grain sizes of the samples used were all below 38 m. A rather slow kinetics was observed for the adsorption of radioiodine on organic rich soil. The distribution ratio increased with increasing solution/solid (V/m) ratio, and the contact time. The pH of the synthetic groundwater did not change the distribution ratio appreciably. The soil biomass however, showed a striking effect on the adsorption of radioiodine. Among the clay minerals, the highest distribution ratio value was found for chlorite-illite clay mixture. All the values were however well below those of the organic rich soil. The sorption data were fitted to Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich types isotherms. Means energies of adsorption, as well as the affinity ratios of the sorption sites to iodine and chlorine were calculated.     

Role played by the head size of some non‐ionic surfactants on their adsorption onto montmorillonite clay

Sorption behavior of polyoxethylene(n)monooleate series [Ol(EO)_n] onto montmorillonite clay was studied at 25°C to investigate the influence of the surfactant's head size on the sorption process. All the tested surfactants exhibited L‐shaped isotherms that means a strong interaction between the adsorbent and the adsorbate. Also, all the obtained isotherms ended with a drastic increase in the isotherm slope at nearly constant equilibrium concentration. This abrupt increase reflected the fairly high affinity of the tested surfactants to the clay surface at high bulk concentration region. The maximum amount adsorbed at the plateau region, Γ_max, was calculated according to the Langmuir adsorption theory and followed the order: Ol(EO)₁₄ > Ol(EO)₂₀ < Ol(EO)₄₀ < Ol(EO)₈₀. In case of short ethylene oxide (EO) chain, Γ_max decreased with the increase in the chain length; but a reverse result was obtained in case of surfactants with longer EO chain length (20 to 80 units). The free energy of adsorption, ΔG°_ad, had negative values indicating the spontaneous adsorption of surfactant molecules onto clay. The values of ΔG°_ad increased with increasing EO units from 14 to 20 units and decreased with further elongation in the EO chain from 20 to 80 units. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Theoretical study of the atrazine pesticide interaction with pyrophyllite and Ca2+‐montmorillonite clay surfaces

Atrazine, a pesticide belonging to the s‐triazine family, is one of the most employed pesticides. Due to its negative impact on the environment, it has been forbidden within the European Union since 2004 but remains abundant in soils. For these reasons, its behavior in soils and water at the atomic scale is of great interest. In this article, we have investigated, using DFT, the adsorption of atrazine onto two different clay surfaces: a pyrophyllite clay and an Mg‐substituted clay named montmorillonite, with Ca²⁺ compensating cations on its surface. The calculations show that the atrazine molecule is physisorbed on the pyrophyllite surface, evidencing the necessity to use dispersion‐corrected computational methods. The adsorption energies of atrazine on montmorillonite are two to three times larger than on pyrophyllite, depending on the adsorption pattern. The computed adsorption energy is of about −30 kcal mol⁻¹ for the two most stable montmorillonite‐atrazine studied isomers. For these complexes, the large adsorption energy is related to the strong interaction between the chlorine atom of the atrazine molecule and one of the Ca²⁺ compensating cations of the clay surface. The structural modifications induced by the adsorption are localized: for the surface, close to substitutions and particularly below the Ca²⁺ cations; in the molecule, around the chlorine atom when Ca²⁺ interacts strongly with this basic site in a monodentate mode. This study shows the important role of the alkaline earth cations on the adsorption of atrazine on clays, suggesting that the atrazine pesticide retention will be significant in Ca²⁺‐montmorillonite clays. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.