Modified dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction for pre-concentration of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes prior to their determination by GC

We have developed a modified method for the extraction and preconcentration of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX) in aqueous samples. It based on dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction along with solidification of floating organic microdrops. The dispersion of microvolumes of an extracting solvent into the aqueous occurs without dispersive solvent. Various parameters have been optimized. BTEX were quantified via GC with FID detection. Under optimized conditions, the preconcentration factors range from 301 to 514, extraction efficiencies from 60 to 103 %, repeatabilities from 2.2 to 4.1 %, and intermediate precisions from 3.5 to 7.0 %. The relative recovery for each analyte in water samples at three spiking levels is >85.6 %, with a relative standard deviation of <7.4 %.

Facile and Efficient Method for the Synthesis of 14-Substituted-14-H-dibenzo[a,j]xanthenes Catalyzed by Ruthenium Chloride Hydrate as a Homogeneous Catalyst

Synthesis of dibenzoxanthenes through condensation of β-naphthol with various aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes in ethanol as an ecofriendly solvent using Ru^III as catalyst is reported.

Characterization of Chitosan/Alginate Self-Assembled Nanoparticles as a Protein Carrier

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the polymeric ratios on the characteristics of chitosan/alginate (ch/alg) self-assembled nanoparticles and their potential as protein delivery vehicle. The nanoparticles were prepared using proper mixing of polymers in presence or absence of bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a protein model. Three formulations of nanoparticles comprising ch/alg ratios of 2:1, 1:1, and 1:2 were prepared. Size, shape and zeta potential of the formulations were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and nanosizer instruments. FTIR, and differential scanning calorimetery (DSC) studies were performed to investigate polymer-polymer or polymer-protein interactions. Release profiles and entrapment efficiencies of the nanoparticles were determined by calorimetric technique using appropriate techniques. Entrapment efficiency was 70% for ch/alg ratio of 1:1, 65% for 1:2, and 60% for 2:1. The z-average size of the nanoparticles were 403, 205, and 318 nm for ch/alg ratios of 2:1, 1:1, and 1:2, respectively. Average zeta potentials were ?47, +15, ?25 mV for 2:1, 1:1, and 1:2 as well. Considering the favorable features required for protein delivery systems, ch/alg (1:1) due to its smallest size, highest loading, and most homogenous shape was regarded as the best ratio.     

Application of hollow fiber supported liquid membrane for the separation of americium from the analytical waste

Americium from analytical solid waste containing U and metallic impurities was separated using hollow fiber supported liquid membrane (HFSLM) technique impregnated with DHOA–TODGA from nitric acid medium. An aliquot of 5 g of the solid waste containing Am (19.95 mg) as minor actinide and of U (2,588 mg), Fe (1,360 mg), Ca (1,810 mg) and Na (3,130 mg) as major impurities was processed. The feed solution obtained after the dissolution of the residue in ~4 M HNO₃ was passed through HFSLM module. In the first stage using 1 M DHOA–dodecane U was recovered while Am and other impurities were left in the raffinate. In the second stage, 0.5 M DHOA + 0.1 M TODGA/dodecane was used for the separation of Am from other impurities. Though, majority of the elements were separated in this cycle, Ca was co extracted along with the americium. CMPO extraction chromatographic technique was used for further separation of americium from Ca. Significant decontamination factors were achieved in this three step separation process with respect to U, Fe, Na and Ca with ~77 % recovery of americium.     

Pertraction of methylene blue using a mixture of D2EHPA/M2EHPA and sesame oil as a liquid membrane

An experimental study on the pertraction of methylene blue (MB) through a supported liquid membrane (SLM) using a mixture of mono-(2-etylhexyl) ester of phosphoric acid (M2EHPA) and bis-(2-etylhexyl) ester of phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) and sesame oil as the liquid membrane (LM) was performed. Parameters affecting the pertraction of MB such as initial MB concentration, carrier concentration, feed phase pH, and stripping phase concentration were analyzed. Optimal experimental conditions for MB pertraction (permeability of 5.63 × 10^?6) were obtained after a 7 h separation with the MB concentration in the feed phase of 80 mg L^?1, D2EHPA/M2EHPA concentration in membrane phase of 40 vol. %, feed pH of 6, and acetic acid concentration in the stripping phase of 0.4 mol L^?1. Kinetics of transport and stability of the SLM system were also studied and the mass transfer coefficient for this system was evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to morphologically characterize the membrane surface.     

Comparative study of Zn(II) and Cd(II) ions adsorption on charged carbon nano tubes: molecular dynamics approach

A comparative study was performed on adsorption process of Zn(II) and Cd(II) ions using charged carbon nano tubes (CNTs). The results show that the adsorption behavior of Zn(II) and Cd(II) ions have different patterns. To understand the reason for this difference, the ion–water complex properties and the reduced density of water around CNT were studied. The results reveal that the water molecules make high-, low-, and bulk regions around CNTs, which can affect the ion movement toward CNT. The ion–water complex characteristics during the adsorption demonstrated that the Cd(II)–water complex has a large number of exchange events between 4 and 8 coordinate numbers where Zn(II) has only 6 coordinate numbers during the adsorption process. The Cd(II)–water complex was found less stable and therefore has faster translational dynamics. These properties help cadmium ion to be adsorbed faster into CNT despite its heavier weight.     

Densities,Refractive Indices,Ultrasonic Speeds and Excess Properties of Acetonitrile + Poly(ethylene glycol) Binary Mixtures at Temperatures from 298.15 to 313.15 K

The densities, ρ, refractive indices, n _D, and ultrasonic speeds, u, of binary mixtures of acetonitrile (AN) with poly(ethylene glycol) 200 (PEG200), poly(ethylene glycol) 300 (PEG300) and poly(ethylene glycol) 400 (PEG400) were measured over the entire composition range at temperatures (298.15, 303.15, 308.15 and 313.15) K and at atmospheric pressure. From the experimental data, the excess molar volumes, \( V_{\text{m}}^{\text{E}} \) , deviations in refractive indices, \( \Delta n_{\text{D}} \) , excess molar isentropic compressibility, \( K_{{s , {\text{m}}}}^{\text{E}} \) , excess intermolecular free length, \( L_{\text{f}}^{\text{E}} \) , and excess acoustic impedance, Z ^E, have been evaluated. The partial molar volumes, \( \overline{V}_{\text{m,1}} \) and \( \overline{V}_{\text{m,2}} \) , partial molar isentropic compressibilities, \( \overline{K}_{{s , {\text{m,1}}}} \) and \( \overline{K}_{{s , {\text{m,2}}}} \) , and their excess values over whole composition range and at infinite dilution have also been calculated. The variations of these properties with composition and temperature are discussed in terms of intermolecular interactions in these mixtures. The results indicate the presence of specific interactions among the AN and PEG molecules, which follow the order PEG200 < PEG300 < PEG400.     

A simple and clean method for multicomponent synthesis of spiro [indole-tetrahydropyrano(2,3-d)pyrimidine] derivatives using SBA-Pr-SO3H as catalyst under solvent-free conditions

Sulfonic acid functionalized SBA-15 (SBA-Pr-SO₃H) as a new nanoporous solid acid catalyst was applied in the green one-pot synthesis of spiro[indole-tetrahydropyrano(2,3-d)pyrimidine] derivatives via three-component reaction of isatins, malononitrile or cyanoacetic esters and barbituric acids under solvent-free conditions. SBA-Pr-SO₃H was proved to be an efficient heterogeneous nanoporous solid acid catalyst with a pore size of 6 nm, which could be easily handled and removed from the reaction mixture by simple filtration and can be recovered and reused several times without any loss of activity. The advantages of this methodology are high product yields, being environmentally benign, short reaction times, and easy handling.