Development of versatile CdMoO4/g-C3N4 nanocomposite for enhanced photoelectrochemical oxygen evolution reaction and photocatalytic dye degradation applications

Fabrication of an efficient, stable, and versatile photocatalysts for the energy and environment remediation applications is an urgent task for the current researchers. In this work, we have successfully synthesized a versatile hybrid photocatalysts, i.e.; CdMoO₄/g-C₃N₄ (CMO/CN) by a facile and simple one-pot in-situ hydrothermal method. Here CdMoO₄ (CMO) microspheres were deposited on the g-C₃N₄ (CN) sheets. Fabricated CN, CMO, and CMO/CN composite photocatalysts were analyzed with various characterization techniques like UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectra (UV–Vis DRS), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), time-resolved fluorescence lifetime (TRFL), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX), transmission electron microscope (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET). The results reveal that the formation of a strong heterojunction between two semiconductors leads to the formation of active photocatalyst. Furthermore, as-synthesized materials were tested for the photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) oxygen evolution reactions (OERs) in acidic medium, and photocatalytic (PC) degradation of methylene blue (MB) under light irradiation. Among all tested samples, CMO/CN-10 has shown the highest current density 52.74 mA cm^?2 at 1.95 V with lowest over potential of 0.70 mV on glassy carbon electrode for OER in acidic medium under the light irradiation. The PC degradation rate constant of CMO/CN-10 composite in MB solution is k = 2.0 × 10^?2 min^?1, whereas for the pure CMO and CN degradation rate constant is k = 5.7 × 10^?3 min^?1 and k = 1.2 × 10^?2 min^?1, respectively. This enhancement in PEC and PC properties is due to the fast migration of photo-induced electrons in the case of CMO/CN-10 nanocomposite. Trapping experiment results reveal the major reactive species for PC degradation of MB is ?OH (hydroxyl radicals) and h⁺ (holes), respectively, and suitable PC reaction mechanism also proposed for CMO/CN-10 composites. Based on the above remarkable results, it would be a potential nanocomposite for the PEC oxygen evolution and PC degradation of MB under light illumination.     

Competitive transport of toxic metal ions by polymer inclusion membranes

The paper gives a short overview of application of polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) for separation and removal of metal ions. Investigation of the selective removal of toxic metal ions, i.e. Cr(VI), Cd(II), Zn(II) from acidic chloride aqueous solutions, as well as trace radionuclides, i.e., ¹³⁷Cs, ⁹⁰Sr and ⁶⁰Co from wastewaters using transport across polymer inclusion membranes was studied. The carriers, i.e., tri-n-octylamine for anionic metal species, as well as dibenzo-21-crown-7, tertbutyl-dibenzo-21-crown-7, and dinonylnaphtalenesulfonic acid for metal cations were incorporated into polymer inclusion membranes composed of cellulose triacetate as a support and o-nitrophenyl pentyl ether as a plasticizer. Selective transport of chromium(VI) over zinc(II) and cadmium(II) chloride complexes through PIMs was observed. Competitive transport of trace radionuclide ions, i.e., ¹³⁷Cs, ⁹⁰Sr, and ⁶⁰Co from NaNO₃ aqueous solutions across polymer inclusion membranes containing a mixture of dinonylnaphtalenesulfonic acid, and dibenzo-21-crown-7 as the carrier provide the selectivity order Cs(I)>Sr(II)>Co(II).     

Complexes of anionic liposomes and a cationic polymer: Composition,structure, and characteristics

Adsorption of the synthetic polycation poly-N-ethyl-4-vinylpyridinium bromide (PEP) on the surface of bilayered lipid vesicles (liposomes) is studied. Two types of liposomes are used: (i) traditional two-component liposomes formed from neutral phosphatidylcholine (PC) and anionic diphosphatidylglycerol (cardiolipin, CL²⁻) and (ii) PC/CL²⁻ anionic liposomes with the built-in nonionogenic surfactant poly(ethyleneglycol) cetyl ether with a degree of polymerization of 20 (Brij-58). PEP is quantitatively linked with both types of liposomes; this process is electrostatic in character and fully reversible. The formation of a poly(ethylene glycol) layer on liposomal membrane decreases the stability of polycation-liposome complexes in aqueous salt solutions. Adsorption of PEP on the surface of PC/CL²⁻ liposomes is accompanied by their aggregation; PC/CL²⁻/Brij liposomes do not aggregates, even during complete neutralization of their charge by the adsorbed PEP. DSC measurements showed that the adsorption of the polycation is accompanied by microphase separation in the liposomal membrane: formation of domains, which are composed primarily of CL²⁻ molecules and linked to the complex with PEP, and regions, where electroneutral lipids are primarily concentrated. With the use of a spin probe, the packing density of bilayers (their microviscosity) is estimated, and a preferential localization of the probe at the boundaries of lipid domains in the membrane based on PC/CL²⁻/Brij liposomes is proposed. The causes of the aggregative stability of three-component PC/CL²⁻/Brij liposomes are described, and the structure of the prepared polymer-liposome complexes is discussed.     

Intimate blending of binary polymer systems from their common cyclodextrin inclusion compounds

A procedure for the formation of intimate blends of three binary polymer systems polycarbonate (PC)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), PC/poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) and PMMA/PVAc is described. PC/PMMA, PC/PVAc, and PMMA/PVAc pairs were included in γ‐cyclodextrin (γ‐CD) channels and were then simultaneously coalesced from their common γ‐CD inclusion compounds (ICs) to obtain intimately mixed blends. The formation of ICs between polymer pairs and γ‐CD were confirmed by wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It was observed [solution ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)] that the ratios of polymers in coalesced PC/PMMA and PC/PVAc binary blends are significantly different than the starting ratios, and PC was found to be preferentially included in γ‐CD channels when compared with PMMA or PVAc. Physical mixtures of polymer pairs were also prepared by coprecipitation and solution casting methods for comparison. DSC, solid‐state ¹H NMR, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and direct insertion probe pyrolysis mass spectrometry (DIP‐MS) data indicated that the PC/PMMA, PC/PVAc, and PMMA/PVAc binary polymer blends were homogeneously mixed when they were coalesced from their ICs. A single, common glass transition temperature (T_g) recorded by DSC heating scans strongly suggested the presence of a homogeneous amorphous phase in the coalesced binary polymer blends, which is retained after thermal cycling to 270 °C. The physical mixture samples showed two distinct T_gs and ¹H T_1ρ values for the polymer components, which indicated phase‐separated blends with domain sizes above 5 nm, while the coalesced blends exhibited uniform ¹H spin‐lattice relaxation values, indicating intimate blending in the coalesced samples. The TGA results of coalesced and physical binary blends of PC/PMMA and PC/PVAc reveal that in the presence of PC, the thermal stability of both PMMA and PVAc increases. Yet, the presence of PMMA and PVAc decreases the thermal stability of PC itself. DIP‐MS observations suggested that the degradation mechanisms of the polymers changed in the coalesced blends, which was attributed to the presence of molecular interactions between the well‐mixed polymer components in the coalesced samples. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 2578–2593, 2005     

Characteristics and formation of [AlO4Al12(OH)24(H2O)12]7+ in electrolysis process

[AlO₄Al₁₂(OH)₂₄(H₂O)₁₂]⁷⁺ (Al₁₃) formation in electrolysis process is studied. The results detected by²⁷Al NMR spectroscopy show that high content of Al₁₃ polymer is formed in the partially hydrolyzed aluminum solution prepared by controlled electrolysis process. In the produced electrolyte of total Al concentration ([Al_T]) 2.0 mol · L⁻¹ with a basicity (B = OH/Al molar ratios) of 2.0, the content of Al₁₃ polymer is over 60% of total Al. Dynamic light scattering shows that the size distribution of the final electrolyte solutions ([Al_T] = 2.0 mol · L⁻¹) is trimodal with B = 2.0 and bimodal with B = 2.5. The aggregates of Al₁₃ complexes increase the particle size of partially hydrolyzed aluminum solution.     

Laser Raman and conductivity studies of plasticized polymer electrolyte P(ECH-EO):propylenecarbonate:<Emphasis Type="Italic">γ</Emphasis>-butyrolactone:LiClO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

The plasticized polymer electrolytes composed of poly(epichlorohydrin-ethyleneoxide) (P(ECH-EO)) as host polymer, lithium perchlorate (LiClO₄) as salt, γ-butyrolactone (γ-BL), and propylene carbonate (PC) as plasticizer have been prepared by simple solution casting technique. The effect of mixture of plasticizers γ-BL and PC on conductivity of the polymer electrolyte P(ECH-EO):LiClO₄ has been studied. The band at 457 cm⁻¹ in the Raman spectra of plasticized polymer electrolyte is attributed to both the ring twisting mode of PC and the perchlorate ν ₂(ClO₄⁻) bending. The maximum conductivity value is observed to be 4.5 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at 303 K for 60P(ECH-EO):15PC:10γ-BL:15LiClO₄ electrolyte system. In the present investigation, an attempt has been made to correlate the Raman and conductivity data.     

Cationic Graft Copolymers as Carriers for Delivery of Antisense‐Oligonucleotides

Self‐assembling systems based on ionic complexes of DNA fragments (36 base pairs), bcl‐2 antisense oligonucleotides (octadecamer), oligophosphates (25 phosphate groups) or acrylic oligomers (18 groups of phosphonic acid) with poly(L ‐lysine) (PLL) ( = 130 000 and 88 000) grafted with short poly[N‐(2‐hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide] (PHPMA) chains ( = 4 300 or 8 600) were studied by static and dynamic light scattering methods as systems suitable for gene therapy applications. The graft copolymers (GPLLs) with shorter PHPMA grafts ( = 4 300) provide polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) with smaller and R_H than the corresponding GPLLs with longer grafts ( = 8 600) and the same content of PLL. The lowest aggregation number of 2 was observed for PECs prepared from the GPLL with short grafts and 40 wt.‐% of PLL. The complexes of oligonucleotides and DNA fragments with GPLLs showed quite similar behavior to that with oligophosphates and acrylic oligomer. The complexes prepared from GPLLs containing 40 wt.‐% of PLL and at excess of oligophosphate were stable for at least 48 h under physiological conditions (0.15 M NaCl) and in bovine serum albumin solutions (1 mg · mL^?1). Additionally, polyanion exchange reactions of the PECs in contact with poly(styrenesulfonate) and DNA were studied in 0.15 M NaCl solutions. The oligophosphates in complexes were at least partially substituted with high‐molecular‐weight polyanions. The structure of the initial PECs dominated the PEC structure after the exchange reaction.

The dependence of the molecular weight (a) and the hydrodynamic radius R_H (b) of complexes of the oligophosphate (OPP) and four graft copolymers (GPLLi, i = 0–3) on the mixing ratio X.     

Synthesis and applications of a novel supramolecular polymer network with multiple H‐bonded melamine pendants and uracil crosslinkers

A conjugated main‐chain copolymer ( PBT ) consisting of bithiazole, dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]pyrroles (DTP), and pendent melamine units was synthesized by Stille polymerization, which can be hydrogen‐bonded (H‐bonded) with proper molar amounts of bi‐functional π‐conjugated crosslinker F (i.e., two uracil motifs covalently attached to a fluorene core through triple bonds symmetrically) to develop a novel supramolecular polymer network ( PBT/F ). The effects of multiple H‐bonds on light harvesting capabilities, HOMO levels, and photovoltaic properties of polymer PBT and H‐bonded polymer network PBT/F are investigated. The formation of supramolecular polymer network ( PBT/F ) between PBT and F was confirmed by FTIR and XRD measurements. Because of the stronger light absorption, lower HOMO level, and higher crystallinity of H‐bonded polymer network PBT/F , the solar cell device containing PBT/F showed better photovoltaic properties than that containing polymer PBT . The preliminary results show that the solar cell device containing 1:1 weight ratio of PBT/F and [6,6]‐phenyl C₇₁ butyric acid methyl ester (PC₇₁BM) offers the best power conversion efficiency (PCE) value of 0.86% with a short‐circuit current density (J_sc) of 4.97 mA/cm², an open circuit voltage (V_oc) of 0.55 V, and a fill factor (FF) of 31.5%. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

A facile route for fabricating novel polyelectrolyte complex membrane with high pervaporation performance in isopropanol dehydration

Polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMCNa) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) were prepared in dilute hydrochloric acid (HCl) aqueous solution and obtained in its solid form. Element analysis and FT-IR showed that the composition of PECs could effectively be tuned by the concentration of HCl in parent polyelectrolyte solution. The PECs were then dissolved in 0.1 mol/L aqueous NaOH and subsequently cast onto polysulfone ultra-filtration membrane. This composite membrane, which has a unique homogeneous PECs separation layer, was subjected to pervaporation test for the first time and gave a performance of J = 3.0 kg/m² h, α = 960 for 10 wt% water–isopropanol feed at 75 °C. Meanwhile, performance of the PECs membrane displays good stability and unique dependence on feed temperature. These findings, together with its ultra-high performance, are primarily explained by the structure characteristic of PECs.     

Structure and properties of an hybrid system based on bisphenol A polycarbonate modified by A polyamide 6/organoclay nanocomposite

Blends of poly(carbonate of bisphenol A) (PC) with minute amounts of a nanocomposite based in polyamide 6 (PA6) with a layered organoclay (nPA6) were obtained upon melt mixing by varying the contents of both nPA6 and organoclay. The ternary nanocomposites (NC) were composed of a PC-rich matrix with some mixed PA6 present, and by a neat nPA6 dispersed phase. Upon dissolution of the matrix of the NC’s, the dispersed phase showed a highly fibrillar morphology that resembled that of thermoplastic/liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) blends. The cryogenically fractured surfaces observed by SEM showed a very fine particle size that was attributed to the presence of PA6 in the matrix and indicated a low interfacial tension. The Young’s modulus behaviour is proposed to be a consequence of the slight orientation of the PC-rich matrix and the highly fibrillated and oriented nPA6 dispersed phase. The important reinforcement effect of the dispersed phase is attributed to the additive effects of its large degree of orientation, and the reinforcing effect of the organoclay.     

Conductivity Study on PEO Based Polymer Electrolytes Containing Hexafluorophosphate Anion: Effect of Plasticizer

PEO based polymer electrolytes containing ammonium hexafluorophosphate (NH₄PF₆) and hexafluorophosphoric acid (HPF₆), both with PF anion have been studied. The effect of the addition of propylene carbonate (PC) to PEO-NH₄PF₆ and PEO-HPF₆ has been observed to increase in ionic conductivity which is attributed to an increase in free ion concentration due to the dissociation of ion aggregates present at higher acid/salt concentrations. The plasticized polymer electrolytes containing HPF₆ show relatively higher conductivity (σ_max = 1.02 × 10⁻⁴ S/cm at 10 wt% HPF₆) as compared to electrolytes containing NH₄PF₆ (σ_max = 1.09 × 10⁻⁵ S/cm at 10 wt% NH₄PF₆). Presence of free ions, ion aggregates and their dissociation with the addition of PC has been studied by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The change in amorphous phase with PC content was also studied by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The variation of conductivity with temperature shows Vogel–Tammen–Fulcher (VTF) behavior, which is associated with the highly amorphous nature of electrolytes. ¹H Nuclear magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectra at different temperatures shows line narrowing and suggests the onset of long range ion diffusional motion. Change in surface morphology of polymer electrolytes with the addition of PC is also checked by Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) studies.     

Ternary ion-association complex based ion imprinted polymers (IIPs) for trace determination of palladium(II) in environmental samples

A new ion imprinted polymer (IIP) material was synthesized by co-polymerization of palladium-iodide-vinyl pyridinium/palladium-thiocyanate-vinyl pyridinium ion ternary ion-association complex taken in methanol/DMSO with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (functional monomer) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (crosslinking monomer) in the presence of 2,2′-azobisisobutryonitrile (initiator). The imprinted anionic species [PdI₄]²⁻ or [Pd(SCN)₄]²⁻ were removed by leaching the dried and powdered materials particles for 18 h with 6 M HCl to obtain leached IIP particles. Non-imprinted/control polymers were also prepared in a similar fashion without the template. Various parameters that influence the percent extraction of palladium, viz. concentration of KI or KSCN, pH, weight of polymer particles, preconcentration and elution times, aqueous phase volume, etc., were systematically studied for both the systems, i.e., in batch as well as flow injection modes. As the on-line flow injection-flame atomic absorption spectrometric (FI-FAAS) allow offer higher enrichment factor, better precision and can analyze more samples for a given time, compared to batch method, this procedure is preferred for the analysis of palladium present in the street/fan blade dust samples collected from busy cities of India and the values obtained were compared with the standard ICPMS values.     

Free-radical degradation of solid poly(methyl methacrylate) initiated by photoreduction of the chloride complexes of Fe3+. Kinetics and mechanism

The kinetics have been studied quantitatively and a mechanism proposed for the free-radical degradation of solid PMMA initiated by photoreduction of the chloride complexes of Fe³⁺. The polymer was exposed in an inert atmosphere at 77 and 293 K to light of various spectral compositions with γ > 300 nm, not absorbed by the polymer. The rate of the build-up of the double isolated and conjugated bonds, formed as a result of thermal transformations of the PMMA macroradicals at 293 K, has been studied. It is shown that the isolated double bonds are generated at a rate equal to the initiation rate W, and the conjugated double bonds are generated at the rate of 0.3 W_i. A mechanism is proposed closely describing the observed regularities. It has been found that the degradation of PMMA irradiated at 77 K results from the thermal decomposition of macroradicals on heating the samples and is dependent upon the spectral composition of the light. The probability of degradation is 0.16 per photoreduced Fe³⁺ ion for light γ < 370 nm and decreases to only 0.009 for light with γ > 390 nm. It is concluded that macrochain breaking under these conditions is due to the thermal decomposition of the macroradicals ～CH₂C(CH₃)CH₂～ . At 293 K the photoinitiated PMMA degradation is a free-radical, but not a chain, process independent of the intensity and spectral composition of the light (in the wavelength range 313–390 nm), molecular mass of the polymer and film thickness. Degradation in an inert atmosphere is characterised by a probability factor per photoreduced Fe³⁺ ion (α) which increases with the degree of conversion of the initiators. The rate of degradation in an atmosphere of HCl is directly proportional to the initiation rate W_i. It is concluded that, at 293 K in an enert atmosphere, the rupture of macromolecules is due to the thermal decomposition of both the primary macroradicals ～C(CH₃)(COOCH₃)?H-C(CH₃)(COOCH₃)～ and the radicals ～CH₂-?(CH₃)CH₂～ formed by addition of low-molecular radicals to the radical reaction products in this system, i.e. the isolated middle double bonds.     

Photochemical properties of peroxo complexes of titanium,intermediate products in the photocatalytic liquid-phase oxidation of alcohols

A study has been made of the photochemical reactions of titanium(IV) peroxo complexes formed in the reaction of titanium tetrachloride with hydrogen peroxide in alcoholic solutions and which are characterized by intense charge transfer bands at 360–425 nm. Irradiation of the solutions with light of = 254 nm leads to the decomposition of the titanium(IV) peroxo complexes, the formation of titanium(III) compounds, as well as the oxidation of the alcohol to aldehyde. In the irradiated frozen solutions associated complexes of titanium(III), organic free radicals formed from the alcohol molecule, as well as peroxy radicals have been identified by EPR. Irradiation with light corresponding to the longwave band of the peroxo complexes leads to their decomposition but titanium(III) compounds and alcohol oxidation products are not formed in this case. In irradiated frozen solutions the formation of paramagnetic titanium(IV) complexes containing the fragment Ti...O ₂ has been established, as well as other paramagnetic particles identified tentatively as coordinated Ti...O ₂ ^· radicals or radical pairs. It is shown that the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in the presence of titanium(IV) compounds is photocatalytic.Translated from Teoreticheskaya i éksperimental'naya Khimiya, Vol. 24, No. 1, pp. 67–74, January–February, 1988.     

Effect of monomer molecular flow on electrode surface on the structure of poly(α-tetrathiophene) obtained by anodic polymerization

Different structures have been found for poly(α-tetrathiophene) [poly(α-4TF)] electrosynthesized on Pt by anodic oxidation of 1.0 mM monomer solutions in media such as 45:35:20 (v/v/v) acetonitrile/THF/DMF, 45:35:20 (v/v/v) acetonitrile/ethanol/DMF and 72:28 (v/v) acetonitrile/DMF containing 0.1 M LiClO₄; as well as 72:28 (v/v) acetonitrile/DMF with 0.1 M NaClO₃, under dynamic and static conditions at 25 °C. In all cases the polymer was generated by chronoamperometry at 1.000 V vs. Ag∣AgCl, corresponding to the first oxidation peak detected by cyclic voltammetry. Uniform, adherent, insoluble and black polymer films were obtained under these conditions. The resulting structures have been elucidated by combining the information of their IR spectrum, n_ox-value and doping level of the counterion. The degree of crosslinking of every polymer has been quantified and related to the molecular flow of monomer on the Pt electrode. A monomer concentration flow between 4 × 10⁻⁶ and 5 × 10⁻⁶ mmol cm⁻² s⁻¹ was determined as the limiting value below which the polymer grows with crosslinking. This value corresponds to the electropolymerization rate of α-4TF by Pt area unit at 25 °C.     

Pulsed NMR studies of translational mobility of polymer molecules in polydialkylphosphate gels

The translational mobility of polypropylenephosphate (PPP) molecules has been studied by the NMR pulsed field gradient technique. The translational diffusion of long chain polymer molecules of polymerization degree ¯m > 20 may be neglected, in NMR measurements, on account of their rigidity. The self-diffusion coefficient of short chain polymer molecules (¯m=8) in PPP gels (¯D_s=3 · 10^–8 cm²/s) is about two orders of magnitude lower than that of water molecules in gels.Two hydrates, i. e. PPP(H⁺) · 3H₂O and PPP(H⁺, Mg²⁺) · 5H₂O represent the most stable structures, at temperature 293 K.     

Photorefractive Properties of Photochemically Modified Poly(hydroxyaminoether)

The exposure of photosensitive poly(hydroxyaminoether)-based polymer compositions to light leads to the formation of an image with nonlinear optical and photoelectric properties and, hence, photorefractive behavior. Using the holographic birefringence technique, it was shown that the pumping of one of laser beams (signal beam) at the expense of the intensity of another (reference beam) takes place in the photochemically modified regions of the polymer layer. Unlike the majority of the previously studied photorefractive polymeric media, the beam-coupling gain coefficient (cm^–1) exceeds the absorption coefficient (cm^–1); i.e., the intensity of the signal beam after passing the layer becomes higher than that before the layer. A net internal gain, i.e. the difference – , of 117 cm^–1is achieved at E ₀= 26 V/m. The photorefractive effect is absent from the unexposed areas of the layer.     

Metal ions recovery with alginic acid coupled to ultrafiltration membrane

Alginic acid (AA) is a natural polysaccharide derived from brown algae. Naturally AA is present in cellular wall forming insoluble complexes with ions as calcium, magnesium, and sodium. This polymer is composed of uronic acids as d-manuronic acid and l-guloronic acid (units differing in C5 configuration) which are disposed in blocks or alternating on principal chain due its spatial configuration. In its structure only hydroxy and carboxylic acid are present, with a pK_{a alginic acid} = 3.45. At pH = 4.3 this polymer is completely soluble in water. Metal ion retention was evaluated using liquid-phase polymer-based retention (LPR) technique elution method, and metal ions studied were Ag⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺ at different pH and filtration factor. A high efficiency for all metal ions at all pH was reveled with a maximum at pH = 4.5 of 100% of majority of metal ions. To evaluate the maximum retention capacity (MRC) of AA, LPR technique concentration method was used. Metal ion/polymer ratio from 48 to 325 mg/g for Zn²⁺ and Ag⁺ were studied, respectively. Homopolymer and polymer-metal ion complexes were characterized using FT-IR, Far-IR spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and thermogravimetric analysis. FT-IR revealed relevant shifts between AA and PMC, which involve carboxylic acid, hydroxy, and ether groups. DLS shows non-pH-dependent sizes of alginic acid-silver complexes.     

Kinetics and mechanism of formation of square-planar copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes of ethylenebisbiguanide in aqueous acetate buffer media

Summary The kinetics of formation of square-planar Cu^II and Ni^II complexes of the quadridentate ligand, ethylenebisbiguanide, have been studied spectrophotometrically in aqueous HOAc–NaOAc buffer, at ionic strength 0.2 mol dm^–3, in the 25–35°C temperature range. The observed rate constants for the formation reactions are independent of pH (and of OAc^– concentration) in the pH range used (3.6–4.8 for Cu^II and 5.0–5.8 for Ni^II) where the product complexes form stoichiometrically, but show first-order dependence on the ligand concentration;i.e. k_obs=k_f[L]_total. At 25°C k_f values (dm³ mol^–1s^–1) are 35.2±0.4 for Cu^II and (8.4±0.1)×10^–3 for Ni^II. The mechanism of the reactions is discussed.     

H/D exchange reactions of protonated diglycine; an electrospray ionization–flow tube reactor experiment

The H/D exchange reactions of protonated diglycine, GLY₂H⁺, with ND₃ were studied under thermal conditions with a combination of an electrospray ion source and a flow tube reactor. Consecutive exchange of the five labile hydrogens is observed with increasing flow rate of ND₃. Collision complexes corresponding to the consecutive H/D exchanges are monitored for the first time. The role of multiple exchanges in a single collision event with ND₃ is probed. Results will be discussed in the light of previously suggested mechanisms of H/D exchange of GLY₂H⁺ with deuterated ammonia.