Catalytic activity of Mn(III) porphyrins supported onto graphene oxide nano-sheets for green oxidation of sulfides

Abstract

In this research, oxidation of various sulfides with urea hydrogen peroxide (UHP) in the presence of manganese porphyrin grafted onto graphene oxide ([Mn(THPP)OAc@GO]) in ethanol was studied. The heterogenized catalyst was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The amount of Mn-porphyrin loaded on the GO nano-sheets was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and the thermal stability of the heterogenized catalyst was investigated by thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). [Mn(THPP)OAc@GO] was applied for the green oxidation of different sulfides and the solid catalyst can be simply reused several times without losing its catalytic efficiency.     

Synthesis and Characterization of a Novel Class of PPV Derivatives Covalently Linked to C60

Poly(phenylenevinylene) (PPV) derivatives covalently linked to fullerene C₆₀ (PPV‐1‐C₆₀ and PPV‐2‐C₆₀) were synthesized by cycloaddition reaction between C₆₀ and azide group‐containing PPV derivatives. By tuning the initial feed ratio of the azido monomer, the content of C₆₀ in the copolymers was controlled. The copolymers were partially soluble in common organic solvents and were characterized by means of ¹H NMR, FT‐IR, UV‐Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, as well as by GPC, TGA and cyclic voltammetry techniques.     

Comparative studies of chemically synthesized polyaniline and poly(o-toluidine) doped with p-toluene sulphonic acid

Polyaniline and poly(o-toluidine) doped with p-toluene sulphonic acid (p-TSA) were synthesized by in situ chemical polymerization method using ammonium per sulphate as an oxidizing agent. This is a novel polymerization process for the direct synthesis of emeraldine salt phase of the polymer. The polymers were characterized by using UV-Vis and FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM, elemental analyzer, TGA/DSC and conductivity measurements. Thermal analysis shows that poly(o-toluidine) is less thermally stable compared to polyaniline. The less conductivity in poly(o-toluidine) is due to the cumulative steric as well as electronic effect of the bulky methyl substituent present on the benzene ring. High temperature conductivity measurements show ‘thermal activated behavior’.     

The Preparation and Properties of Polyurethane/Nano-CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Hybrid Aqueous Coating

To improve the ultraviolet resistance and thermal stability of waterborne polyurethane, stable waterborne polyurethane/nano-cerium oxide hybrid dispersions were obtained by adding nano-cerium colloids to previously synthesized waterborne polyurethane dispersions. The dried ceria colloid was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The XRD results indicated the prepared CeO₂ was a face-centered cubic structure. The prepared polyurethane/CeO₂ dispersions were studied by dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–Vis spectroscopy and accelerated weathering test. The dried polyurethane/CeO₂ films were characterized using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The DLS analysis indicated the particles average diameter of hybrids emulsion was bigger than that of the pure waterborne polyurethane dispersion. TG analysis and accelerated weathering test suggested the hybrid latex films had better thermal stability and mechanical properties than those of the pure waterborne polyurethane. The UV–Vis absorption capacity of the dispersions prepared was increasing with the amount of CeO₂ colloid increased.     

In situ sol–gel preparation of high transparent fluorinated polyimide/nano-MgO hybrid films

Hybrid nanocomposite films of magnesium oxide (MgO) in fluorinated polyimide (PI) from 4, 4′-(hexafluoroisopropylidene) diphthalic anhydride (6FDA) and 4, 4′-Diaminodiphenyl ether (ODA) have been successfully fabricated via an in situ sol–gel polymerization technique. The MgO content in hybrid films was varied from 0 to 5 wt%. The hybrid films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy and thermal gravimetric analyses (TGA). The results of FTIR, XRD and FESEM showed that the MgO nanoparticles were well dispersed in the polymer matrix due to the coordination between the carbonyl group of polymers and Mg atom, and the as-prepared hybrid films exhibited excellent optical transparency in the visible region and good UV-shielding properties in the UV region. Although the thermal stability of the hybrid films is slight inferior to pure PI, it is still good for the practical application below the temperature of 300 °C.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of a new copper (II) complex,designed to produce efficient successor of Cu2O,toward synergy of adsorption and photodegradation of MB

A new copper (II) coordination complex formulated as [Cu (dipic)(phen)(2-MePy)]. 2H₂O ( 1 ) where phen = 1, 10-phenanthroline, dipic²⁻ = pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylato and 2-MePy = 2-methyl pyrrole was synthesized through a simple and environment-friendly reaction under ultrasound irradiation. Also, complex 1 was synthesized by hydrothermal process at 120 °C for 3 days. The corresponding structure of complex 1 was characterized by elemental analysis, atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), inductively coupled plasma (ICP), conductivity measurement, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and fluorescence. The crystal structure of the hydrothermally synthesized complex was characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD(, which revealed a triclinic structure. In the remainder of this study, the Cu₂O nanoparticles have been prepared via thermal decomposition of hydrothermal and ultrasound complexes and characterized by ICP, FT-IR, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM and N₂ adsorption/desorption. Adsorption and visible-light-driven photocatalytic capabilities of two synthetic Cu₂O were investigated in the removal of MB from water. The result showed that the synthesized catalysts have good catalytic activity and the photocatalytic degradation is more effective in dye removal of MB compared with the adsorption.     

Synthesis of colloids and films of Pr, Er and Yb with nonaqueous solvents

Colloidal dispersions of Yb, Er and Pr have been prepared by chemical liquid deposition. The metals were cocondensed at 77 K with 2-methoxyethanol and ethanol to produce solvated metal atoms. The particle size of the dispersions was determined by transmission electron microscopy to range from 52 to 1080 Å; the particles had spherical shapes. After solvent evaporation under vacuum, active solids and amorphous powder were deposited over Cu and Al metal. Dispersion stability, particle size, UV/Vis absorption and zeta potential were studied. The solids prepared by solvent evaporation were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The films prepared on Al were studied by scanning electron microscopy. The most stable colloid was obtained using 2-methoxyethanol: several concentrations were stable for several months and the zeta potential indicated that this colloid stability is mainly due to solvation effects. FTIR spectroscopy of the solids indicated solvent incorporation in the film. This observation was corroborated by thermal analysis. Information on the thermal stability of the films was obtained by TGA. The UV/Vis absorption spectrum was measured at several concentrations under different conditions.     

Synthesis,characterization, thermal stability and compatibility properties of new energetic polymers

Four new cross-linked polymers poly(vinyl m-nitrobenzene)-polyglycidylazides (PVMNB-GAPs) were successfully synthesized using toluene diisocyanate as the cross-linking agent. Their structure was confirmed by their FTIR, UV–Vis, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Moreover, the thermal properties of cross-linked polymers were evaluated by DTA, TGA and DSC techniques, which confirmed that synthesized polymers exhibited good resistance to thermal decomposition up to 200°C. In addition, their compatibility with the main energetic components of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene-based melt-cast explosives were also evaluated by the non-isothermal differential thermal analysis method.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Linear Water-soluble γ-Cyclodextrin based Polymers as Drug Carrier Systems

A series of new linear water-soluble homo and copolymers of γ-cyclodextrin are reported. These water-soluble polymers were synthesized from γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD) and triazine through a single pot condensation polymerization procedure and the synthetic parameters optimized. Lactose and maltose based γ-cyclodextrin copolymers were also prepared. The physicochemical properties of these synthesized polymers were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, XRD analysis, thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) and aqueous solubility determination. The formation of a 1:1 efavirenz (an anti HIV drug)/γ-CD polymer inclusion complex was confirmed from FT-IR and UV–VIS spectroscopy and phase solubility studies. The release performance of efavirenz was investigated through phase solubility and dissolution studies. It was found that these copolymers showed improved drug dissolution abilities.     

Crystalline properties and decomposition kinetics of cellulose fibers in wood pulp obtained by two pulping processes

In this study two cellulose fibers, Eucalyptus grandis (CEG) and Pinus taeda (CPT), obtained through the kraft and sulfite pulping processes, respectively, were characterized. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were carried out. From the XRD analysis the interplanar distance, crystallite size and crystallinity index were calculated and the degradation kinetics parameters were determined by TGA at heating rates of 5, 10, 20 and 40 °C min⁻¹ using the Avrami, Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO) and Criado methods. The results obtained by FTIR showed that the composition of the fibers is similar, while from the XRD analysis slight differences in the crystallinity were observed. The thermogravimetric analysis showed higher thermal stability for CPT than CEG while the values for the activation energy (E_a) were higher for CEG than CPT. The results obtained by Avrami and Criado methods showed that the degradation mechanism in the CEG samples involves a diffusion process while in the case of CPT the degradation process is a phase boundary controlled reaction. The degradation mechanisms demonstrated that the difference between thermal stability and E_a may be due to differences in the type of crystalline structure of the samples obtained through the two pulping processes.     

A simple approach for preparing a visible-light TiO2 photocatalyst

The surface of titanium dioxide nanoparticles has been chemically modified with toluene 2,4-di-isocyanate (TDI). The modified titanium dioxide can efficiently absorb visible irradiation. The samples were characterized by means of wide-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), diffuse reflectance UV–Vis spectroscopy (DRS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The as-prepared photocatalyst exhibited good photostability and photocatalytic performance in the degradation of organic compounds. For model organic pollutants, modified titanium dioxide had excellent visible-light photocatalytic performance and the surface chemistry linkage product had high photostability.     

Degradation and stability of polyaniline on exposure to electron beam irradiation (structure-property relationship)

Polyaniline (PAni) was prepared by electrochemical polymerization and subjected to different doses of electron beam (EB) irradiation. The effect of EB irradiation causes both chain scission and cross-linking process in PAni, which depends on irradiation dose. The degree of chain scission and cross-linking in PAni by EB irradiation is characterized through XRD, TGA, DSC, solubility, EPR and electrical properties measurement. The results reveal that with increase in EB irradiation dose from 0 to 150 kGy DC and AC conductivity and dielectric constant are found to increase mainly due to the chain scission or further doping in PAni. Due to irradiation there is change in the structure of PAni, such as decrease in the d-spacing, inter-chain separation, thermal stability and T_g but increase in the percent crystallinity and solubility. With further increase in the EB irradiation dose from 150 kGy onwards the DC and AC conductivity and dielectric constant are decreased due to the cross-link formation or dedoping in PAni, which causes the decrease in percentage of crystallinity and solubility and increase in d-spacing, inter-chain separation, thermal stability and T_g of PAni.     

Enhanced enantioselective oxidation of olefins catalyzed by Mn-porphyrin immobilized on graphene oxide

An efficient enantioselective heterogeneous catalyst, GO-[Mn(TPyP)tart], was prepared by covalent attachment of Mn(III) complex of H₂TPyP via the propyl linkage to graphene oxide (GO) nanosheet and using chiral tartrate counter ion. The catalyst was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), diffuse reflectance ultraviolet–visible (DR UV–Vis) spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The graphene-supported Mn-porphyrin showed higher activity for the enantioselective epoxidation of unfunctionalized olefins with molecular oxygen in the presence of isobutyraldehyde. It could be recovered easily and reused in asymmetric oxidation of styrene precursor in a five-step sequence without any considerable loss of its catalytic activity and selectivity. The obtained optically epoxide selectivities were achieved in 86% to 100%.     

Thermal degradation mechanism of dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid- hydrochloric acid co-doped polyaniline

Co-doped polyaniline (PANI) was synthesized in microemulsion by hydrochloric acid (HCl) and dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) then thermal treated in air at 160 and 200 °C for 0.5 h, respectively. The changes of structure, thermal stability, micromorphology and electrical conductivity after thermal treatment were studied by Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and four-probe technique. It was found that the conductivity of PANI decreased about 50% after thermal treated at 160 °C, and droped by 2 orders of magnitude at 200 °C. This may be explained by that only a fraction of total mass of HCl losses during thermal treatment at 160 °C, but after heating at 200 °C, the dedoping of dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DBSA) along with cross-linking, chain scission and oxygen incorporation in a form of carbonyl groups take place, resulting in destruction of crystal structure, decrease of the emeraldine sequence, lower thermal stability and heterogeneous micromorphology.     

Precursor effect on the property and catalytic behavior of Fe-TS-1 in butadiene epoxidation

The effect of iron precursor on the property and catalytic behavior of iron modified titanium silicalite molecular sieve (Fe-TS-1) catalysts in butadiene selective epoxidation has been studied. Three Fe-TS-1 catalysts were prepared, using iron nitrate, iron chloride and iron sulfate as precursors, which played an important role in adjusting the textural properties and chemical states of TS-1. Of the prepared Fe-TS-1 catalysts, those modified by iron nitrate (FN-TS-1) exhibited a significant enhanced performance in butadiene selective epoxidation compared to those derived from iron sulfate (FS-TS-1) or iron chloride (FC-TS-1) precursors. To obtain a deep understanding of their structure-performance relationship, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Temperature programmed desorption of NH₃ (NH₃-TPD), Diffuse reflectance UV–Vis spectra (DR UV–Vis), Fourier transformed infrared spectra (FT-IR) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) were conducted to characterize Fe-TS-1 catalysts. Experimental results indicated that textural structures and acid sites of modified catalysts as well as the type of Fe species influenced by the precursors were all responsible for the activity and product distribution.     

Structure and thermal decomposition of sulfated β-cyclodextrin intercalated in a layered double hydroxide

The sodium salt of hexasulfated β-cyclodextrin has been synthesized and intercalated into a magnesium-aluminum layered double hydroxide by ion exchange. The structure, composition and thermal decomposition behavior of the intercalated material have been studied by variable temperature X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy (ICP), and thermal analysis (TG-DTA) and a model for the structure has been proposed. The thermal stability of the intercalated sulfated β-cyclodextrin is significantly enhanced compared with the pure form before intercalation.     

Preparation and characterization of pentaerythritol/butane tetracarboxylic acid/polyethylene glycol crosslinking copolymers as solid-solid phase change materials

Pentaerythritol/butane tetracarboxylic acid/polyethylene glycol (PBPEG) crosslinking copolymers as a novel solid-solid phase change material (SSPCM) were successfully synthesized through the reaction mechanism and conditions of hydroxyl-carboxyl condensation reaction. The composition and chemical structure, crystalline properties, phase change behaviors, thermal reliability and chemical stability of PBPEG crosslinking copolymers were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), polarization optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetry (TGA), respectively. The results show that PBPEG crosslinking copolymers have typical solid-solid phase transition temperatures in the range of 10.31～53.27°C and high latent heat enthalpy in the range of 89.6～102.8 J/g, the synthesized SSPCMs have good thermal reliability and chemical stability after 300 thermal cycles, and PBPEG crosslinking copolymers have good thermal stability before 364°C. In summary, the synthesized PBPEG crosslinking copolymers could be potentially used for thermal energy storage.     

Nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes with an asymmetric bidentate Schiff-base ligand derived from furfurylamine

New asymmetric bidentate Schiff-base ligand (5-bromo-2-hydroxybenzyl-2-furylmethyl)imine, (HL), and its nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes with the general composition ML₂ [M = Ni (1) and Cu (2)], were prepared. The ligand and the metal complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. In addition, ¹H-NMR and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) were employed for characterization of ligand and metal complexes, respectively. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of the ligand and metal complexes revealed the thermal stability and decomposition pattern of the species.     

Synthesis and characterization of aba-type block copolymer of poly(ϵ-caproplactone) with poly(ethylene glycol), by mean of activation end groups

Poly(?-caprolactone)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(?-caprolactone) (PCL-b-PEG-b-PCL) triblock copolymer were synthesized by mean anionic activation of the hydroxyl end groups of poly(ethylene glycol) in presence of diphenylmethylsodium. Copolymers were characterized by SEC, FT-IR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy, TGA and DSC. Size exclusion chromatographic analysis of obtained copolymers indicated incorporation of CL monomer into PEG without formation of PCL homopolymer. Characterization by FT-IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy of the resulting polymeric products, with respect to their structure, end-groups and composition, showed that they are best described as ester-ether-ester triblock copolymers, whose compositions can be adjusted changing the feeding molar ratio of PEG to CL. The thermal stability of triblock copolymers was less that PEG precursor, but higher that PCL homopolymer. Analysis by mean DSC showed that all copolymers were semi-crystalline and their thermal behavior depending on their composition.     

Optical and electrical conducting properties of Polyaniline/Tin oxide nanocomposite

Polyaniline(PANI)/Tin oxide (SnO₂) hybrid nanocomposite with a diameter 20–30 nm was prepared by co-precipitation process of SnO₂ through in situ chemical polymerization of aniline using ammonium persulphate as an oxidizing agent. The resulting nanocomposite material was characterized by different techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Ultraviolet–Visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), which offered the information about the chemical structure of polymer, whereas electron microscopy images provided information regarding the morphology of the nanocomposite materials and the distribution of the metal particles in the nanocomposite material. SEM observation showed that the prepared SnO₂ nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed and highly stabilized throughout the macromolecular chain that formed a uniform metal-polymer nanocomposite material. UV–Vis absorption spectra of PANI/SnO₂ nanocomposites were studied to explore the optical behavior after doping of nanoparticles into PANI matrix. The incorporation of SnO₂ nanoparticles gives rise to the red shift of π–π¹ transition of polyaniline. Thermal stability of PANI and PANI/SnO₂ nanocomposite was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). PANI/SnO₂ nanocomposite observed maximum conductivity (6.4 × 10^?3 scm^?1) was found 9 wt% loading of PANI in SnO₂.