Porous structure and thermal properties of carbon adsorbents from pitch–polymer compositions

The study results of porous structure and thermal properties of carbon adsorbents (AC) obtained from pitch–polymer compositions were presented. The compositions were carbonized and activated with steam, potassium hydroxide, and magnesium and potassium carbonates. For the obtained AC, the thermal analysis and the determination of adsorption value of iodine and porous structure by adsorption/desorption of nitrogen at 77 K were carried out. The possibility of obtained activated carbons from pitch–polymer compositions was demonstrated. The use of untypical feedstock, as an effect of combination of bituminous substance with polymeric waste and improvement of the methods of production, creates the potential possibility to produce carbon adsorbents of interesting properties and porous structure.     

Cold atmospheric Plasma Jet-Generated Oxidized Derivatives of Tryptophan and Their Selective Effects on Murine Melanoma and Fibroblast Cells

Cold atmospheric pressure plasma is widely used in research for biomedical applications and is a promising therapy to selectively eradicate cancer cells. However, fundamental information related to the plasma modification of biomolecules in aqueous solution remains elusive. In this work, we studied the chemical basis of tryptophan (Trp) oxidation using an Ar plasma jet and investigated the effects of plasma-treated tryptophan (PTT) on cell viability. The results show that the main product of the Trp of plasma induced oxidation is a mixture of hydroxyl derivatives and hydroperoxides in aqueous form. The products result primarily from the hydroxyl radical (·OH) attacking the Trp, which can be explained by the interaction with both the aromatic and the pyrrole rings. We observed that the PTT has a different proliferation effect between the growth of the B16 melanoma cells and the L929 fibroblast cells. The experimental results indicated that the effect of the PTT is dose-dependent in the B16 cells, ranging from cell proliferation to cytotoxic damage with apoptosis. Furthermore, we examined the intracellular changes in hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and superoxide radicals (\({\text{O}}_{2}^{{\bar{ \cdot }}}\)) following the Trp-derived treatment using the fluorescence probe method. Rigorous identification of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by PTT in cells as \({\text{O}}_{2}^{{\bar{ \cdot }}}\) and H₂O₂ helped establish the cellular source of ROS. It is shown that the intracellular H₂O₂ might originate from the activation of NADPH. These results suggested that the amino acid and protein hydroperoxides may play a crucial role in the action of plasma on the biologic target.     

Synthesis of alkyl α- and β-<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d</Emphasis>-glucopyranoside-based chiral crown ethers and their application as enantioselective phase-transfer catalysts

Chiral monoaza-15-crown-5-type lariat ethers annelated to alkyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-α- and β-d-glucopyranosides have been synthesized. These macrocycles generated significant asymmetric induction as phase-transfer catalysts in a few two-phase reactions. The catalytic effect of the lariat ethers with methoxy, ethoxy, and i-propoxy substituents on C-1 of the sugar unit in both α and β positions was compared. In liquid–liquid two-phase reactions, the nature and position of the substituents did not have much effect. The α-anomers were somewhat more efficient in terms of enantioselectivity than the β forms. In asymmetric Darzens condensations, in the epoxidation of trans-chalcone, in the Michael addition of β-nitrostyrene and diethyl acetamidomalonate, and in the reaction of 2-benzylidene-1,3-indandione with diethyl bromomalonate, maximum enantioselectivities of 73, 94, 78, and 72%, respectively, were obtained in presence of glucopyranoside-based lariat ethers as catalysts.     

ZnO-rich CdS-ZIF-8 catalyst for enhanced visible-light photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue

CdS-ZIF-8 photocatalyst was prepared by introducing a ZnO-rich zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) during synthesis of CdS by a facile solvothermal method, using ZnO-rich ZIF-8 and cadmium acetate [Cd(Ac)₂] as support and CdS precursor, respectively. The introduction of ZnO-rich ZIF-8 and the photodegradation performance of the catalyst for methylene blue (MB) organic dye were systemically investigated. The CdS-ZIF-8 catalysts were also characterized using X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, N₂ adsorption–desorption measurements, Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The results indicated that CdS-ZIF-8 contained ZIF-8, CdS, and ZnO phases. The CdS in CdS-ZIF-8 catalysts exhibited smaller particle size compared with pure CdS. Furthermore, compared with pure CdS, CdS-ZIF-8-30 with introduction of ZnO-rich ZIF-8 exhibited higher surface area (77.3 m²/g) and pore volume (0.103 cm³/g). EDX and FT-IR results suggested that a CdS/ZnO heterostructure was formed, which effectively reduced recombination of photogenerated electron–hole pairs. Radical trapping experimental data and band edge position analysis revealed that Z-scheme behavior also played a role in the system. Relying on the combined effect of their structure, the photodegradation efficiency of all the CdS-ZIF-8 catalysts was obviously superior to that of pure CdS for degradation of MB under visible-light irradiation. Photodegradation results illustrated that CdS-ZIF-8 with introduction of 30 mg ZnO-rich ZIF-8 (denoted as CdS-ZIF-8-30) exhibited optimal photodegradation activity.     

Biogenic synthesis from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus</Emphasis> × <Emphasis Type="Italic">yedoensis</Emphasis> leaf extract,characterization, and photocatalytic and antibacterial activity of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanoparticles

Green synthesis of TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) from Prunus × yedoensis leaf extract (PYLE), and their application for removal of phosphate and their antibacterial activity, were studied for the first time. NPs were obtained using a green chemistry approach from 0.1 M TiO₂ and PYLE at ratio of 1:1 (v/w). Initial confirmation of production of TiO₂ NPs was provided by a color change from white to light yellow, then calcination was performed at 500 °C for 1 h. The TiO₂ NPs were characterized using various analytical techniques such as ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The results indicated that the optimal amount of TiO₂ NPs for removal of phosphate was 10 mg/l (10 ppm) with duration of 25 min. Furthermore, the antibacterial activity of TiO₂ NPs was also investigated using two different bacteria (Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli) in aqueous medium. The results revealed highly efficient sunlight-driven photocatalytic and antibacterial activity of TiO₂ NPs.     

Advanced Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2.7</Subscript>/Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> composite film with enhanced visible-light-driven activity for the degradation of organic dyes

Bi₂O_2.7/Bi₂Ti₂O₇ composite photocatalyst films are synthesized by sol–gel dip-coating. The ratio of adding Bi and Ti precursors can be controlled during the preparation process. The phase structure is confirmed by X-ray diffraction. The UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectrum shows that the composite catalysts present light absorption in the visible region. The obtained Bi₂O_2.7/Bi₂Ti₂O₇ composite films possess superior photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B, owing to the visible light response of Bi₂O_2.7 and the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes between the two components. As a result, the Bi₂O_2.7/Bi₂Ti₂O₇ (Bi/Ti = 1:1) displays the highest photocatalytic activity under visible light or UV light irradiation for the degradation of different organic dyes, including methyl blue, methyl orange and acid orange 7.     

Liquid-phase oxidation of toluene to benzaldehyde with molecular oxygen catalyzed by copper nanoparticles supported on graphene

Highly-dispersed copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) were fabricated on the surface of reduced graphene oxide via direct hydrazine hydrate reduction of Cu²⁺ in aqueous solution. Scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope images show that the Cu NPs are distributed on the surface of graphene nanosheets, and the average particle size was about 40 nm. The Cu NPs supported on graphene have high reaction activity for the oxidation of toluene to corresponding benzaldehyde. It was found that the selectivity reached 66.5% and the conversion of toluene reached 11.5%.     

A selective colorimetric and fluorescence chemosensing sensor for Cr<Superscript>3+</Superscript> based on a rhodamine base derivative

A rhodamine-conjugated coumarin (L) was used in designing a selective fluorescence chemosensor for the determination of trace amounts of Cr³⁺ ions in acetonitrile–water (MeCN/H₂O (90:10, %v/v) solutions. The intensity of the fluoresce emission of the chemosensor is intensified upon addition of Cr³⁺ ions in MeCN/H₂O (90:10, %v/v) solutions, due to the formation of a selective 1:1 complex between L and Cr³⁺ ions. The fluorescence enhancement versus Cr³⁺ concentration has been found to be linear from 1.0?×?10^?7 to 1.8?×?10^?5 M and a detection limit of 7.5?×?10^?8 M. The proposed fluorescent probe proved to be highly selective towards Cr³⁺ ions as compared to other common metal ions and could be successfully applied to the determination of Cr³⁺ concentrations in some water and wastewater samples.     

MPEC-IMI as an effective green inhibitor to protect Q235 steel in 0.5 M HCl medium

Imidazole (IMI)-based polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether (MPEC-IMI) as a novel green corrosion inhibitor was synthesized to protect the Q235 steel in 0.5 M HCl corrosive medium at 318 K. The inhibition performance of MPEC-IMI was investigated by weight loss measurement, the electrochemical method (Tafel and EIS) and surface analysis (SEM and EDX). The results reveal that the MPEC-IMI shows enhanced anticorrosion performance for carbon steel, which is attributed to the formation of the adsorptive protection film on the surface, and the type of adsorption basically obeys the Langmuir monolayer adsorption. Furthermore, when the concentration of MPEC-IMI is 300 mg L^?1, the corrosion inhibition efficiency can reach up to 92.00%. In support of further study of the corrosion inhibition behavior by virtue of quantum chemical calculation and molecular dynamics simulations, the results show that the MPEC-IMI molecule has high reactivity and strong interaction on the iron surface.     

Textural,structural and catalytic behavior of low specific area silica-supported copper catalysts: effect of preparation method

Supported copper catalysts on low surface area silica were prepared by several methods and characterized by AAS, XRD, N₂ adsorption, SEM, H₂-TPR, N₂O titration, TGA-DTA, UV–Vis techniques. Their hydrogenating properties were examined in the gas-phase hydrogenation of benzaldehyde. The analysis of characterization results revealed that the choice of preparation method affected the texture, composition, and structure of the calcined and reduced Cu/SiO₂ catalysts. The dispersion and size distribution of copper species was present in different forms in the catalysts that exhibited low specific surface areas. In gas-phase hydrogenation of benzaldehyde to benzyl alcohol, the catalysts tested at the reaction temperatures of 160 and 200 °C were stable and conducted to a good catalytic activity and benzyl alcohol selectivity ranging between 5 and 39 µmol min^?1 g^?1 and 0–95%, respectively. The activity of the catalysts in gas-phase hydrogenation also depended on the particle size and the nature of copper species formed on low surface area silica.